Japan's Golden Week was in May every year.
It was still a long way off, exactly why Mejiro Ramonu had suggested that timing.
Because Mejiro Ramonu still needed a little more time to sort things out.
Unlike most Umamusume at Tracen Academy, Mejiro Ramonu hadn't completely neglected her studies even during racing season. In practice, she was basically done with Tracen Academy—more like she was on extended leave.
Which meant she actually had plenty of free time each day to do whatever she wanted.
Like going to see Rudolf and "having a proper talk" about their feelings, for example… or—
"Hello~"
Mejiro Ramonu greeted Yayoi Natural, sitting opposite her, with a smile.
Yayoi Natural only frowned slightly in response. "Being the Mejiro Family's Ojou-sama seems pretty relaxing, huh?"
"More or less?" Mejiro Ramonu shifted her gaze a bit, then continued, "After all, there isn't much the Mejiro Family specifically needs me to do~"
She then picked up the menu Yayoi Natural had placed in front of her.
Compared to last time, Yayoi Natural's menu had hardly changed.
Yet Mejiro Ramonu's sharp eyes still caught a new dessert addition.
"This yogurt pancake—can you make me one?"
She pointed at the dessert on the menu and looked to Yayoi Natural.
Yayoi Natural glanced at her selection and simply nodded. "Sure. It won't take long."
Only then did Mejiro Ramonu put the menu back down in front of Yayoi Natural.
Soon afterward, a yogurt sponge cake was placed in front of Mejiro Ramonu.
She stared at it thoughtfully for a few seconds before speaking. "By the way… you already know about me, right?"
"Yeah."
With that casual reply, Yayoi Natural set a knife and fork in front of her.
Mejiro Ramonu glanced at the utensils, then continued, "So what's your decision now?"
"Are you going to help me?"
"Or…"
She cut a small piece with the knife, speared it with her fork, and only then finished, "…refuse?"
Hearing this, Yayoi Natural simply turned to look at her. "I'll help you."
"Huh? Even though I tricked you like that, you're still going to help me?" Mejiro Ramonu took a bite from her fork, then went on, "I thought I'd have to throw money at the problem to settle things."
"…Then can I refuse now?"
Yayoi Natural's blunt, immediate attempt to take it back made Mejiro Ramonu freeze momentarily—then she realized what the note in Yayoi Natural's file about financial worries had meant.
Understanding this, Mejiro Ramonu glanced at the sponge cake before her. After a moment's thought, she said, "So, as long as I pay, it's fine?"
"There are conditions."
As Yayoi Natural spoke, she shifted her gaze slightly away.
That averted look—like she didn't quite dare meet her eyes—made Mejiro Ramonu narrow hers. She looked around, considered briefly, then said, "Fine."
"Hm?"
"I can pay you, but in return…" Mejiro Ramonu speared another piece of sponge cake. "You have to explain why you want to help me."
This question made Yayoi Natural look back at her.
It was the first time she'd faced her head-on at such close range, with her attention fully focused on her.
Only then did Yayoi Natural notice—compared to herself, Mejiro Ramonu really had it much better.
Her face, her height, her overall presence—everything about her was just… superior.
Beside Mejiro Ramonu, Yayoi Natural hardly stood out.
And when she considered how someone like this had had her engagement ruined by her—Yayoi Natural's expression shifted, ever so slightly.
Then she answered, "Because I caused this."
"You really think so?"
For a moment, Mejiro Ramonu felt something… odd about that.
Because she'd never expected Yayoi Natural to agree to spend Golden Week with her for such a reason.
"…Yeah."
That answer only made it harder for Mejiro Ramonu to understand.
But…
Looking at her, Mejiro Ramonu felt maybe she didn't really need to understand.
After a few seconds of silence, she returned her gaze to Yayoi Natural. "So you're that type of person."
"What?"
Having no clue what Mejiro Ramonu had just "figured out," Yayoi Natural turned to her, eyes full of confusion.
Mejiro Ramonu simply cut another small piece coated with yogurt, then offered it to Yayoi Natural.
"?"
"Want a bite?"
"No. I can make it myself."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural gently pushed Mejiro Ramonu's hand down, then added, "Why are you suddenly doing this?"
"Because I think you're pretty interesting."
"What's so interesting about me?"
"It has nothing to do with you, does it?" Mejiro Ramonu looked away as she spoke. "From start to finish, you weren't even one of the decision-makers, yet you say you caused it. That's kind of interesting, isn't it?"
As she finished, Mejiro Ramonu ate the yogurt sponge cake from her fork.
Then, wearing a thoroughly blissful expression, she said, "No wonder. In just half a year, you went from apprentice at l'ambroisie to sous-chef—your skills really are that impressive."
There was a lot of information tucked into Mejiro Ramonu's words.
For one, she had already thoroughly investigated Yayoi Natural.
For another, she knew exactly what Yayoi Natural had done back in France.
But Yayoi Natural chose to ignore that part. Mejiro Ramonu didn't seem malicious, after all.
At least right now, she just looked like an Umamusume who loved sweets.
So Yayoi Natural replied, "I'm glad you like it."
"Are you using my tastes as a reference—planning to have the Umamusume at Tracen Academy try it too?"
"More or less." Yayoi Natural met Mejiro Ramonu's gaze again. "Want anything else?"
"No. I still have to watch my figure." She brushed off the offer casually, then continued:
"Yayoi-san, how can you still treat people like this? Considering everything you've been through was pretty miserable, wasn't it?"
"I don't know."