Ever since Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky took over the work at Central, everything seemed to return to normal.
Of course, it only seemed that way.
After all, Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky didn't have the ability to completely suppress Shadai.
So in reality, the reason the two of them had been so busy lately—busy enough that they didn't even have time to pick up and drop off Mochizuki and Teio—was because of that.
And for the same reason, neither of them showed up at Yayoi Natural's shop.
So under those circumstances, another person had been visiting Yayoi Natural's little restaurant rather frequently lately.
Standing at the entrance, the girl glanced at something in her hand, then pushed the door open.
A faint wave of food-scented air drifted into Symboli Sirius's nose.
She looked around, and only after confirming there weren't many people inside did she walk over to Yayoi Natural.
She always came after finishing work.
So she could never make it for regular mealtimes.
That was exactly why she could catch this kind of smell.
After sitting down in front of Yayoi Natural, Symboli Sirius spoke again. "Natural, can you make something you recommend?"
Faced with Sirius's request, Yayoi Natural simply nodded. "Mm. Give me a sec."
Since Symboli Sirius came by every day, Yayoi Natural had gradually gotten used to her visits.
To Yayoi Natural, today's visit seemed like it was probably the usual, too.
But for Symboli Sirius, she hadn't come just to see Yayoi Natural this time.
She was here for something else.
For example…
"Natural?"
"Hm?"
Turning her head just enough that she could sort of see Symboli Sirius, Yayoi Natural prepped Sirius's lunch while talking to her.
"There's something I need to mention."
As she said it, Symboli Sirius shifted her gaze slightly to the side, then continued, "Hm?"
"Teio's talent."
She turned her head and looked toward the corner where Teio and Mochizuki often sat.
After staring that way in silence for a few seconds, Symboli Sirius went on. "I came to tell you about Teio's talent evaluation."
Yayoi Natural didn't rush.
Sirius was right here. She wasn't going anywhere.
So Yayoi Natural simply plated the mixed rice from the pot, set a spoon into it—and then turned around and placed it in front of Symboli Sirius.
Symboli Sirius looked down at the mixed rice.
She picked up the spoon, then said, "Teio's talent is excellent, but you haven't done any testing, right?"
"That's true. But are we starting now? I thought it'd be a few more years."
"Strictly speaking, it is a little early right now." As she spoke, Symboli Sirius scooped up a spoonful of the rice. "But at this point, you can already make a preliminary assessment."
"So it's possible now…"
Hearing that, Yayoi Natural fell silent for a few seconds.
She didn't know what Sirius was talking about in detail, but for Yayoi Natural, she didn't really need that kind of judgment.
Because Yayoi Natural already knew Tokai Teio would be an Umamusume with incredible talent.
But…
Yayoi Natural turned to look at Sirius, stayed quiet for a moment, then asked, "Usually, when do people do this kind of assessment?"
"At Central, it tends to be earlier. In the provinces, they might not do it at all." Symboli Sirius thought for a few seconds, then continued, "But even at Central, there are cases where someone has a sudden full awakening in elementary school and has to skip ahead into Tracen Academy. So it's better to do it a bit early."
"I see."
Yayoi Natural thought for a few seconds, then said, "Then we'll do the test. For Teio, it should be a good thing."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural glanced in another direction, then added, "Oh, right. Mejiro Ramonu's been saying she's going to travel soon. About that…"
Yayoi Natural smoothly pulled Symboli Sirius's attention away.
Clearly, both of them thought of the same thing.
Something very important.
Thinking of that, Symboli Sirius fell silent for a few seconds, then said, "As far as Mejiro Ramonu goes, where she travels doesn't have much to do with me, but…"
"Someone else is probably going to get a headache."
Yayoi Natural smiled a little. "If you put it that way, yeah."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural turned around. "Want something to drink?"
"Do you have barley tea?"
"I do."
After that casual reply, a glass of barley tea was set down in front of Sirius.
Once Yayoi Natural put it there, Symboli Sirius continued, "What did Mejiro Ramonu invite you to do?"
"That, huh… If it's that, then probably to go see Rudolf?"
Yayoi Natural said it with uncertainty.
Hearing that, Symboli Sirius simply nodded. "Mm. If that's the case, then you probably don't need to worry too much."
"I don't need to worry?"
"Mejiro Ramonu looks a little dangerous sometimes, but as someone the Mejiro Family's raising right now, she's actually pretty steady in terms of personality."
Yayoi Natural thought a bit about Mejiro Ramonu's earlier behavior, then said, "Steady…"
"Hm?"
Symboli Sirius lifted her head to look at Yayoi Natural, a hint of confusion on her face.
Shaking off the memory, Yayoi Natural continued, "Let's not talk about Mejiro Ramonu."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural looked back at Symboli Sirius. "Tell me about the evaluation. Is there anything we need to watch out for?"
"For that, there isn't much you need to be careful about. But Teio might be assessed together with others."
"With others?"
"Mainly people from the Mejiro Family. They need to judge the exchange student's talent, too. The Chinese Umamusume industry isn't that developed, so they might not be doing this very well over there."
"I see. Got it. Then what day do we go?"
"I'll contact you later."
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