When morning came the next day…
The first thing Yayoi Natural felt was the difference in body heat.
Compared to her, Maruzensky ran a little warmer.
Not that Yayoi Natural moved much after noticing.
It was December 31st, and she didn't have any restaurant work to handle.
So, in a situation like this…
She could finally take a rare break.
She barely moved at all, just letting Maruzensky hold her.
About half an hour later, Maruzensky finally woke up.
She opened her eyes and stared at Yayoi Natural—so close she could practically count her lashes—and for a second her brain didn't catch up.
Then she heard Yayoi Natural's voice.
"Morning?"
"Mm. Morning…"
She answered on reflex, then jolted. "Ah—Natural!"
"What is it?"
As if yesterday hadn't happened at all, Yayoi Natural replied in her usual tone.
The moment she did, Maruzensky's expression softened.
Watching her, Yayoi Natural went on, "It's almost ten. Let go."
Maruzensky nodded and released one arm. As for the other—
"Natural… my arm's kind of numb…"
She looked thoroughly awkward.
"I get it. Rest a bit, then get up."
With that, Yayoi Natural got out of bed.
And only when the blanket slid off Yayoi Natural did Maruzensky notice something else.
That Natural seemed to...
"Natural?"
"Yeah?"
"You…"
"No pajamas," Yayoi Natural said, like she'd already guessed what Maruzensky wanted to ask. "And… last night, I did a little preparation."
As she spoke, she looked straight at Maruzensky.
Just that brief meeting of eyes was enough—there were things that didn't need saying. Maruzensky understood far too much at once.
Realizing it, Maruzensky parted her lips… and found nothing to say.
Yayoi Natural, unhurried, pulled on her clothes. Only then did she add, "I'm going to make breakfast. Come down soon, okay~"
She slipped into her last outer layer and left the bedroom.
Watching her go, Maruzensky flopped back onto the bed and let out a long sigh.
Everything felt like before, but…
That was the problem.
Staring up at the ceiling, Maruzensky clenched her teeth, then pushed herself up with a hand that still tingled with numbness.
Just like Yayoi Natural said—she should get up.
Thinking that, Maruzensky looked down at herself… and realized something else.
Last night, she'd apparently…
She went quiet for a beat, then turned her head away.
She had no idea how to deal with this now.
After all, her bedroom was on the first floor.
If it were just her, she wouldn't care. This was her home—she'd done this before when she couldn't be bothered.
But with Yayoi Natural here…
Maruzensky rubbed her head, suddenly miserable.
Last night, in the dark, being seen naked was one thing.
Being seen like this—no cover, no darkness—was a whole different experience.
So…
A soft knock interrupted her spiraling.
"Maruzen, I took a set of clothes from your room and left it outside the door. Change into it."
The voice ended, followed by footsteps receding down the hall.
Maruzensky stayed still for a few seconds, then got up.
When she opened the door, a neatly folded outfit was waiting there.
She carried it back inside and dressed at an unhurried pace.
Before long, she was fully clothed.
And once she was, she didn't linger. She headed downstairs.
"Breakfast is ready."
Yayoi Natural set two plates on the table as she spoke.
Maruzensky nodded and sat across from her.
It wasn't Japanese-style—more like a quick Western breakfast. Which made sense; there hadn't been much time.
Noticing, Maruzensky picked up her fork, then looked at Yayoi Natural. "Natural?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you stay?"
"…Sorry."
The same apology as yesterday—only today, it came from the other person.
Hearing it, Maruzensky's mouth curved faintly. She looked at Yayoi Natural and said, "I see. That's a shame, then."
She let her gaze drift for a moment, then spoke again. "Natural?"
Yayoi Natural lifted her head.
They looked at each other.
After a long stretch of silence, Maruzensky finally said, "I think I want to be in love~"
"In love?"
Yayoi Natural could hear what she really meant. But…
Seeing the expression on Maruzensky's face, she shook her head. "Sorry."
"I see." Maruzensky exhaled, light and thin. Then she perked up again—almost too fast. "Then, Natural?"
"What?"
"My confession got rejected. Will you spend the day with me and comfort me?"
Her voice slid back into something almost ordinary, like everyday chatter.
Yayoi Natural finished a bite of breakfast, then answered, "Sure~"
"Naturaaal~~~"
Maruzensky shifted like she was about to pounce—only for Yayoi Natural to stop her with one hand. "Alright, alright. Eat breakfast first."
...
Sitting in the restaurant, Mochizuki wore a face full of melancholy…
"Mochizuki, what's wrong?"
"Teio… I think we might be getting an extra mom."
As she said it, Mochizuki looked at Teio—yet her mouth kept going, like she couldn't stop herself.
"From now on, you can have honey specials every day, and I won't have to skip grades and get ready to earn money for the family anymore."
Hearing Yayoi Mochizuki's words, Teio only tilted her head. "Mochizuki… what are you talking about?"
"Mom might remarry."
"Eh?"
Teio blinked once.
Then—
"EHHHHHH?!"
---
T/N: hehe i was thinking about the HORSE COC- so hmm i wonder what happened last night is she a prejac :sob: or was she just hard hmm okay guys we already know power levels of the racehorses right right, so we power level something else
how big is maruzensky compared to rudolf
OMG IS MARUZEN A SMALL ONE
like obv we know rudolf is HUGE, natural was all like holy shit im gonna die that's not gonna fit in me as expected of the emperor, but heh imagine the supercar is a small prejac :sob: that's SO SAD i kinda wanna write it huehuehue anyway great discussion
tldr:
rudolf coc > maruzen coc
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