When Rudolf woke up the next morning, Mejiro Ramonu was already gone.
Looking at the now one-person apartment, Rudolf didn't particularly mind. She simply got up and prepared for work.
As for Mejiro Ramonu—she was already on a plane back to Tokyo.
But after getting off the plane, she ran into someone else.
Seeing the car parked beyond the pickup area—and the person inside, someone she'd only ever seen in photographs—Mejiro Ramonu froze for a second.
"Get in."
Unlike Rudolf as she was now, the other party still carried that distinctive bearing unique to the Symboli Family.
Seeing that, Mejiro Ramonu paused for a beat, then walked over to the passenger side and got in.
Once she was in the car, the engine started.
Mejiro Ramonu turned her gaze to the other woman's face. "Speed-obaasan… why are you—"
"I've been back in Japan for a while now," Symboli Speed said. "I've been dealing with family matters and a few other issues, so I didn't show up."
She paused slightly, then continued, "You went to see Rudolf, didn't you?"
"You knew?"
"It wasn't hard to guess. You and Rudolf have always been close—if that hadn't happened back then."
She stopped for a second before continuing, "But since it did happen, there was no choice but to accept it."
Hearing that, Mejiro Ramonu fell silent for a few seconds, then asked again, "Why is it that so many people like Yayoi Natural? I honestly can't find that many good points in her."
The question wasn't really directed at Symboli Speed—but Mejiro Ramonu wanted an answer. And that wasn't the only thing she wanted to ask.
So she followed up with another question.
"And you too, Speed-obaasan. Back when Yayoi-san was in France, you were the one taking care of her, right?"
"Mmm. That's right."
Symboli Speed glanced ahead, then continued, "But from what you're saying, you've already interacted with her, haven't you?"
"Yeah. Just briefly."
"Then I'll be straightforward." Symboli Speed was silent for a moment before continuing. "She's not like the Umamusume you see at Tracen Academy—she doesn't have overly striking traits or obvious charm. But some things can only be understood after long-term contact."
That explanation was placed right in front of Mejiro Ramonu. And it only made her more confused.
Because unlike others, she hadn't spent much time around Yayoi Natural. And what came next made Mejiro Ramonu freeze.
"Yayoi Natural isn't suited to the role of a lover. She's more suited to being a wife. That probably has something to do with her life experiences."
At that, Mejiro Ramonu paused for a second—then realized that by "life experiences," Symboli Speed was referring to Yayoi Natural's life back when she was Tokai Natural.
Thinking of that, Mejiro Ramonu fell silent and shifted her gaze slightly.
"So you think highly of her too, Speed-obaasan?"
"More precisely, if I were a bit younger, I might've gotten involved myself," Symboli Speed said, glancing at Mejiro Ramonu. "Ah—almost forgot the important thing."
She turned her head just enough to look at Mejiro Ramonu without affecting her driving. "How is Rudolf doing?"
The question made Mejiro Ramonu turn to her.
"I don't know if Luna's doing well, exactly. But she's changed a lot—so much it's hard to adjust."
Symboli Speed nodded. "Mm. Sounds like she's getting by."
She then looked at Mejiro Ramonu again. "Want me to drop you off at the Mejiro Estate?"
"Yes. Thank you."
After that brief thanks, the two of them didn't exchange many words all the way to the Mejiro residence.
After getting out of the car, Mejiro Ramonu watched it drive away and fell silent.
Clearly, she still didn't fully understand what Symboli Speed had been saying.
Because most Umamusume have very distinct personalities, and under those circumstances, it was hard for Mejiro Ramonu to imagine someone like Yayoi Natural.
But—once she thought about Yayoi Natural's situation, she realized where the problem lay.
Unlike most Umamusume, Yayoi Natural had enjoyed a few healthy years before spending a long time hospitalized.
And unlike Mejiro Ardan, even though Yayoi Natural had plenty of talent, she never even had the qualifications to stand on the racetrack.
And once she lost that qualification, what awaited her was marriage talks.
And then…
As Mejiro Ramonu replayed Yayoi Natural's life trajectory in her mind so far, she froze.
Because when she'd read the files before, she'd unconsciously overlooked some crucial issues—things she hadn't noticed at all.
"How did she keep going?"
This time, having grasped the core of the issue, Mejiro Ramonu finally understood what Yayoi Natural had been quietly carrying all along.
Facing her own physical condition, and having to raise a child at the same time—Yayoi Natural had still done her best to raise that child and keep going.
Thinking of that, Mejiro Ramonu turned to look at the Mejiro residence.
Looking at the Mejiro Family estate, her expression shifted noticeably.
Mejiro Ramonu didn't believe she could have achieved the same results without the Mejiro Family's support.
After all, being an Umamusume requires enormous resources. If you make it into Tracen Academy, at least the basics are covered.
But…
Thinking of Tokai Teio, Mejiro Ramonu's expression changed slightly.
She then looked off in another direction. "I should find some time to go see her again~"
With that, Mejiro Ramonu headed toward the Mejiro residence.
...
Driving to the front of Yayoi Natural's restaurant, Symboli Speed didn't get out right away. She parked there for twenty minutes, quietly observing the state of the restaurant.
Only after that did Symboli Speed start the car and leave.
She didn't plan to meet Yayoi Natural just yet.
There were still some things she needed to take care of first—and after those were done, coming to see Yayoi Natural later wouldn't be a bad thing at all.