Mejiro Ramonu's invitation was something Yayoi Natural had no reason to refuse.
Or rather—she couldn't refuse.
So, in a situation like this, after Mejiro Ramonu finished eating and left the shop, Yayoi Natural looked at Tokai Roman.
"Roman-nee, I'm heading out for a bit."
As she said that, Yayoi Natural took off her apron and walked out the door.
Mejiro Ramonu was standing not far outside the entrance.
Waiting for her.
Looking at Mejiro Ramonu standing there, Yayoi Natural took a deep breath, then walked over to her side.
"Um… may I ask what you wanted with me, Ramonu-san?"
Yayoi Natural's question made Mejiro Ramonu turn her head to look at her.
Because of their height difference, Mejiro Ramonu had to lower her gaze slightly to look at Yayoi Natural.
But even that small tilt only made the pressure she gave off feel heavier.
Under that pressure, Yayoi Natural didn't really dare meet Mejiro Ramonu's eyes.
After all, the Mejiro Family was on about the same level as the Symboli Family.
And compared to the Symboli Family, if the Mejiro Family decided they wanted to do something to Yayoi Natural, there was nothing she could do but be pushed around.
With that in mind, Yayoi Natural's eyes flickered away—she looked like she couldn't bring herself to meet Mejiro Ramonu head-on at all.
Watching those evasive eyes, Mejiro Ramonu tapped a finger against her chin.
"Yayoi—no. Tokai-san, did you know…?"
"Please go on."
Mejiro Ramonu shifted her gaze away from Yayoi Natural, looking toward a sunlit patch in the distance.
As if she were thinking about what to say first.
After a brief silence, Mejiro Ramonu finally said what she considered most important.
"Before your marriage to Rudolf-san, Rudolf actually had an engagement with someone else."
Her gaze snapped back onto Yayoi Natural.
She stared hard at her.
Unable to meet that stare, Yayoi Natural lowered her head a little.
"I… I didn't know."
She really didn't.
At least—not until just now. Because with how pointed Mejiro Ramonu's lead-in was, there was only so much it could mean.
Hearing Yayoi Natural's answer, Mejiro Ramonu fell silent for a few seconds, then continued.
"Tokai Natural… do you know? Most people in the world believe that only a mare Umamusume and a stallion Umamusume can reproduce, but I don't know if the Three Goddesses have something wrong with their heads—because in reality, two mares can have kids too."
After cutting herself off, Mejiro Ramonu locked onto Yayoi Natural again.
She stayed quiet for a few seconds, then continued, voice flat.
"If your next answers are still this perfunctory, I don't mind making your burden heavier, Yayoi-san. And of course—if you'd prefer your two kids to end up in an even worse situation, I don't have any objection to that either."
The threat was so blunt that Yayoi Natural froze.
She knew the first half might just be intimidation.
But the second half wouldn't be a bluff.
For Mejiro Ramonu, it wouldn't be difficult at all to make Teio and Mochizuki's lives turn miserable.
So…
She raised her head slightly and looked at Mejiro Ramonu, waiting for whatever question would come next.
Seeing Yayoi Natural finally look up at her, Mejiro Ramonu was silent for a few seconds before asking,
"How much do you know about Rudolf-san?"
"…Not much."
"Really?"
"I got my engagement called off the very next day, so…"
She didn't finish.
But that was enough for Mejiro Ramonu to understand a few things—things even the Symboli Family couldn't have known.
Realizing that, Mejiro Ramonu paused for a few seconds, then continued.
"Then do you know something else?"
"P-please tell me…"
"The reason Rudolf-san's personality changed."
At last, Mejiro Ramonu asked the crucial question.
More than Rudolf calling off an engagement, more than anything else—Rudolf's personality shift was what mattered.
Yayoi Natural did know about that shift. Just…
Under Mejiro Ramonu's gaze, Yayoi Natural ultimately shook her head.
"I don't know."
After hearing that, Mejiro Ramonu stepped forward.
She stared right into Yayoi Natural.
"Are you sure you don't know?"
It was the same question again, pressed harder.
That tone felt like it was telling Yayoi Natural: if you don't say what you know, I'll do something next.
Yayoi Natural stayed silent for a few seconds, then shook her head again.
No words—just the gesture.
Her reaction made Mejiro Ramonu go quiet for a few seconds, and then she said,
"Are you free during Golden Week to go on a trip?"
The words had nothing to do with what came before.
But…
Yayoi Natural looked up at Mejiro Ramonu, stunned for a second, then nodded.
Even now, even with a better life and more ability to do things than before—
Just like in the past, Yayoi Natural still had no power to resist whatever the other party chose to impose on her.
Seeing her nod, Mejiro Ramonu was silent for a few seconds, then said,
"I just want you to cooperate with me on something. As for what, we'll talk when the time comes."
With that, Mejiro Ramonu turned around and walked away from Yayoi Natural.
After a few steps, she seemed to remember something. She turned back to look at Yayoi Natural.
"Oh, and don't tell Symboli Sirius or anyone else about this, okay? Otherwise… you know what happens~"
It was said in a playful tone, but all Yayoi Natural felt was cold.
She knew Mejiro Ramonu emphasized Sirius for a reason: the Symboli Family.
Because the Symboli Family and the Mejiro Family were on good terms—if Symboli Sirius explained the situation, Mejiro Ramonu would have no choice but to back off.
That was why she deliberately singled Sirius out.
Thinking that, Yayoi Natural stayed silent for a few seconds, then turned and went back into the restaurant.
The moment she pushed the door open—
"Natural, nothing happened, right?"
Worry filled Tokai Roman's eyes. She didn't know what Mejiro Ramonu was trying to do, but…
She understood this much: if Mejiro Ramonu could call out "Tokai Natural," then she definitely had something in mind.
So…
"It's fine. Nothing happened. She just asked me some questions."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural headed into the back kitchen, then added,
"Oh—Roman-nee, can you help me get in touch with Sirius-san?"
---
T/N: GAHHHHH ITS IN CHARACTER BUT WHY ARE YOU THREATENING THE KIDS!!!!!!! YOU MONSTER!!!!!@!
T/N2: heres ur updates :3 meeting the 4 chaps a week quota :3 posting earlier so bonus chaps will be a longer waitttt >:)
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl