In the end, Maruzensky never found Yayoi Natural that night.
Thankfully, due to the Christmas break, she was still able to wait for Natural at the restaurant the next day.
Maruzensky stared at Natural.
Natural stared back at Maruzensky.
After nearly a full minute of silent eye contact, Natural quietly turned her head away.
"Maruzen…"
"Where did you and C.B. go last night?"
Skipping any formalities, Maruzensky bluntly posed her question, eyes fixed firmly on Natural.
Under Maruzensky's sharp gaze, Natural hesitated briefly before answering, "We just went camping. Nothing else happened."
"Really?"
Accompanied by soft footsteps, Maruzensky drew closer until she stood right in front of Natural, using her height advantage to make Natural shrink back a bit. "R-really…"
Maruzensky studied Natural closely for another long moment, then finally stepped back.
"Next time…"
"Huh? What about next time?"
"Next time, go out with me for a whole day, too."
"Eh~~~"
"You won't?"
"It's not that I won't, it's just… where would you take me?"
Natural lifted her head, eyes filled with curiosity.
"We can decide when the time comes," Maruzensky replied lightly, stepping back again so Natural no longer had to tilt her head up.
"And Natural~"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Upstairs."
Her direct command came so abruptly, Natural's mind barely processed it. In the next second, she was pulled into Maruzensky's arms.
"I'm checking your body thoroughly," Maruzensky announced calmly, her voice gentle and expression peaceful, yet Natural felt extremely uneasy.
Very uneasy.
But there was no way Natural could physically resist an Umamusume's strength.
Without managing even the slightest effective resistance, Natural was effortlessly carried upstairs by Maruzensky.
Although Natural had recently purchased a nearby apartment, the bed upstairs remained in the restaurant. After all, since she occasionally stayed late developing new dishes, it was convenient to keep it there for rest.
Now, as Maruzensky gently placed Natural onto that bed, she followed along, positioning herself above Natural, hands placed on either side of Natural's head.
As Maruzensky stared intently at her, Natural timidly reached out to fix the hair falling over Maruzensky's face. "Could you... maybe not check?"
"No."
With that, Maruzensky began carefully unbuttoning Natural's clothes, one by one. Despite the word "undressing," her movements remained gentle and patient, devoid of force.
Throughout the process, Natural didn't resist. Unlike earlier with Mr. C.B., where she'd protested verbally, this time she simply lay still, quietly letting Maruzensky finish.
Observing Natural's complete lack of resistance, Maruzensky said nothing as she continued gently removing each article of clothing until Natural's body was fully exposed.
Then, her gaze settled on a small bite mark on Natural's left shoulder.
Maruzensky stared silently for several seconds, before gently touching the mark. "Does it hurt?"
"A little."
"C.B. really doesn't know moderation," Maruzensky sighed softly, her eyes returning to Natural's face. "Why didn't you resist?"
Meeting Maruzensky's gaze, Natural quietly replied, "I'm not sure."
"Not sure?"
"Maybe because there's no need? After all, if it's you, Maruzen, I don't think you'd really do anything right now anyway."
Natural spoke with complete ease. She trusted Maruzensky deeply.
Even if Maruzensky actually tried something, Natural likely wouldn't resist. After all, Maruzensky was already someone she felt little need to guard against.
Hearing Natural's sincere words, Maruzensky's expression shifted subtly. Then she reached out and gently pinched Natural's cheek.
But ultimately, she didn't do anything else.
Instead, she calmly dressed Natural again, carefully buttoning each garment she'd removed moments earlier.
Finally, Maruzensky spoke again. "I just decided what I want to do when we go out together."
"Oh? Already decided?" Natural sat up slowly.
Listening to the rustling behind her, Maruzensky answered without turning, "I won't tell you yet~"
"Alright. Then I'll look forward to it."
Saying this, Natural shifted her legs over the side of the bed. "Maruzen."
"Yes?"
"…Never mind."
Natural walked to the clothes rack mounted on the wall, retrieved her chef's uniform, then turned back to Maruzensky. "You should head downstairs."
"…"
Maruzensky paused briefly before realizing that despite having just been thoroughly undressed, Natural still showed a charming shyness, like a bashful girl who didn't want others staring at her body any longer.
Understanding, she nodded gently. "Alright. I'll wait downstairs."
With that, Maruzensky quietly left the room, heading downstairs first.
Only after Maruzensky left did Natural let her head dip slightly.
While she genuinely believed entrusting herself to either Mr. C.B. or Maruzensky wouldn't be bad...
Just now, she had felt slightly reluctant.
Perhaps the timing was off.
Perhaps the location wasn't right.
Or perhaps the mood simply hadn't suited her.
Natural didn't know the exact reason.
All she knew was a faint resistance lingered in her heart.
After silently thinking about it for a few moments, Natural changed into her chef's uniform and finally headed downstairs.
When she reached the restaurant floor, however, she discovered that Maruzensky had already left.
---
T/N: RUDOLF YOUR WIFE IS GETTING UNDRESSED AND MARKED BY OTHER STALLIONS YOU FUCKING CUC- anywayyy hehe rudolf still has a chance
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