Chapter 192
"It's alright, it's alright! Shirou, didn't you bring other clothes? Besides, even if you really run out of clothes, you can just conjure up a new set, right?"
Croissant was completely unconcerned about Shirou's concerns.
Clothes? Aren't those things something you need to replace frequently?
She was the one who carried the shield and hammer at the very front, and it was common for her clothes to get torn.
As for why she was so excited...
"The boss said he's throwing a party at his bar this afternoon! He has a huge collection of his rare drinks there! And it's been a long time since we've had a party! I'm really looking forward to it!"
"If the boss knew you were eyeing his wine, he would definitely turn your horn into the handle of the wine glass."
Just by listening to what the other person said, Shirou could sense just how much Croissant missed the boss's treasured drinks and parties.
Since his arrival, I've attended many small parties, but large parties seem to have happened only once or twice?
I don't remember much, since he wasn't very interested in parties.
Secondly, he doesn't drink alcohol.
Penguin Logistics is the biggest outlier of all.
"Compared to Sister Neng being hung from the ceiling as a special effect light, mine seems to be better off, right?"
Faced with Shirou's sharp tongue, Croissant dragged Exusiai into the fray as well.
Although the analogy is a bit strange.
"I think these are all quite serious. You guys better not upset the boss. I'm hoping he'll be in a good mood today and order more drinks and food!"
Hearing Croissant calling out to her Exusiai, who had joined the conversation, she chatted with those interested in Apple Pie while distributing the Apple Pie, and also promoted a few shops and the making techniques.
In the realm of desserts, she is currently slightly better than Shirou.
It's just that Shirou is catching up a little too fast; Shirou's already mastered almost all the desserts.
"The boss certainly won't skimp on this, but by your standards... you might be a little disappointed."
After signing a few autographed photos, Sora also joined the conversation.
Although there are quite a few, the vast majority of them are Rhodes Island operators who want to take them back to acquaintances.
Sora didn't know much about Rhodes Island; most of what she learned came from Shirou.
However, it seems that everyone else besides her had heard about it.
However, unlike the pharmaceutical companies Shirou mentioned, Croissant, Exusiai, and Texas all knew that Rhodes Island was excellent in terms of military strength.
Based on information available to Penguin Logistics, Rhodes Island once had a small team dedicated to handling very difficult missions, with an astonishingly high success rate.
The most difficult tasks include Ursus to rescue people and snatching experimental subjects from Columbia. The simpler tasks are countless, with numerous rumors circulating about things like stepping on Originium creatures and fighting those vicious bounty hunters.
The reason Exusiai knew about it was simple: the main force of this small team was skilled with guns, which is why she had heard about it.
Texas found out thanks Exusiai Texas talking to her about these things every day during that period.
Croissant is simpler; she just habitually gathers information and keeps it, waiting for the day she can sell it for a good price.
It's a real shame that this small team stopped operating more than half a year ago, and all her money went down the drain.
However, that's how it is with this kind of business. Croissant might grumble a few times, but then she'll tighten her belt and continue living her life.
Do we look like the kind of people who chase after high-priced items?
Upon hearing Kong's words, Croissant felt that she seemed to have many strange labels in the other person's mind.
Exusiai nodded in agreement with Croissant's statement.
"That's not true. After all, you don't have the money to buy them yourself, so you can only borrow from others?"
After thinking about Croissant and Exusiai's usual spending habits, Shirou could simply conclude that both of them were the type of people who enjoyed a rich material life.
It's not impossible, after all, considering the different nature of their work and the different places they live, Shirou's concept of saving money and being frugal is not suitable for them.
For these people, money can be earned back; they won't hesitate to spend money if they can buy happiness in the moment.
Croissant are relatively better off, since they are street vendors and at least have a side business.
As for Exusiai... it seems she used most of it to compensate for the losses she caused?
It's also thanks to the fact that the boss didn't collect the full amount, otherwise Exusiai might be Penguin Logistics' biggest creditor right now.
In summary, after analyzing the two's spending habits, Shirou can confirm that neither of them would spend money on luxury goods.
It should be said that neither of them had the money to buy it.
"Hiss—it seems you've recovered quite well, Shirou. Please, watch your mouth and don't say anything more!"
Upon hearing Shirou's words, Exusiai and Croissant felt as if they had been stabbed in the heart.
However, if Shirou has the mind to say such things, it means that the previous incident must be in the past.
At that moment, when Shirou was wearing that outfit and holding the Chixiao, his expression was more solemn than ever before.
Therefore, due to various factors, they forced Shirou to stay in the hospital bed for two days.
It seems that Shirou has indeed recovered quite well; his repeated sharp-tongued attacks have broken down their psychological defenses.
After Croissant and Exusiai calmed down, the Penguin Logistics team got into their car and left.
Those people left behind in the office were pondering what to do for lunch that day.
On the way, most of the time, several people would ask Shirou questions, and Shirou would answer them.
Previously, they refrained from asking certain questions because they were concerned about other people in the ward. But now that everyone in the car is their own family, they don't have that concern anymore!
The first issue to be addressed is, of course, the Chixiao weapon, since it is Chen's weapon. Kong and Texas have also witnessed Chen's embarrassing behavior of mistaking his own Chixiao weapon.
Shirou's answer was the same as before: he suddenly succeeded, but he didn't know how to replicate it.
He'll have to wait until he goes back and studies the Projection Chixiao weapon in more detail.
"Hmm... Hey Shirou, is the food good over there?"
Exusiai, sitting directly behind the passenger seat, noticed a very subtle change.
So, Shirou seems to be a bit taller?
In the past, I'd only ever seen a small tuft of red-haired creatures, but today it seems like I'm seeing far more of them.
"The food? It's alright, I cooked it all myself, but it's probably a little worse than what we usually eat?"
Although he didn't know why Exusiai suddenly brought up this question, it wasn't something that couldn't be said, so Shirou gave an answer.
"Do you seem to have grown taller again?"
Exusiai reached out and patted Shirou's head, then noticed that his posture was similar to usual, Exusiai to this conclusion.
Exusiai is so angry! Why is Shirou still growing taller?!
"Is there?"
Unlike other changes, height is not something that can be directly observed, so Shirou himself was unaware of it.
After all, most people don't suddenly realize they've grown taller, right? It's more likely that they notice it gradually over time.
"Absolutely! Before, when you sat in the passenger seat, only a small part of your head was showing, but now almost half of it is sticking out!"
Exusiai grumbled, rubbing Shirou's head angrily.
They're both red-haired! Why?!
Previously, she could easily tease him by calling him Shirou's older sister, but as Shirou continued to grow taller, she no longer dared to refer to herself that way.
They're almost brighter than her!
"Wow... I didn't know you cared so much about your height, Neng Jie."
Seeing Exusiai's powerless rage, Croissant realized for the first time that besides wanting to remove her halo and get some sleep, she also had this other wish.
A wish is a wish precisely because it is difficult to achieve.
The achievable goal is called a objective.
"We didn't care at first! We were all about the same height before, so there was nothing to worry about. But now Shirou has suddenly started growing taller, which is raising the average height of everyone at Penguin Logistics!"
As she was talking, Exusiai stopped what she was doing and sat back down in her chair.
Thinking about it carefully, she doesn't seem to be alone!
Although Shirou is raising the average height, the four of them are all below average, so there's no problem!
Shirou is the only one who's currently isolated!
"?"
Before Shirou Exusiai, the enemy had already stopped firing.
Seeing that the other person seemed to have taken it all in stride, Shirou began to think that Issei was absolutely right; women's emotions really are very unpredictable.
"Don't worry about it, that's her way of showing goodwill."
Seeing the question mark written all over Shirou's face, Texas felt that Shirou might need her hints.
"Ahem... That's not true. I genuinely believe that Shirou betrayed those of us under 1.7 meters tall."
Hearing her partner's words, Exusiai coughed twice and replied.
Texas did not respond to Exusiai's excuses. She took the Pocky that Sora handed her, put it in her mouth, and continued driving her car.
"Waaah... I'm so hurt! I need Apple Pie to soothe my wounded heart!"
Seeing that Texas was ignoring her, Exusiai let out a mournful cry.
Didn't you leave any?
Upon hearing Exusiai's words, Sora inquired.
If she remembered correctly, Exusiai just gave out a lot of Apple Pie, right? Did she not keep a single one for herself?
"I only ate some this morning, but I was thinking about the party later, so I gave it all away..."
Sora's words instantly dampened Exusiai's spirits, leaving her awkwardly nodding and trying to explain from her seat.
"I must say, she truly lives up to her reputation as Sister Neng."
Covering her face, Croissant felt this was very much Exusiai.
But she really didn't want to admit that the other person was her teammate.
"Uh-huh."
The other three nodded silently, agreeing with Croissant's statement.
"What do you mean! I'm really injured? The kind that won't get better without Shirou's Apple Pie."
Seeing the four of them ganging up on her, Exusiai felt terrible.
He was just saying it out loud, but now he's really hurt!
"You haven't given up yet?"
Croissant after hearing Exusiai's words.
Once or twice is one thing, but Shirou almost always politely declines Exusiai's request for Apple Pie. His reason is simple: he says that Exusiai makes it very well and that he doesn't need to learn it. He would rather put his effort into other desserts.
But no one believed Shirou's explanation.
Anyone with eyes can see that Shirou doesn't want to Exusiai and turned into a ruthless Apple Pie baking machine.
Croissant could already guess what Shirou would say next time; it would definitely be something like a polite refusal, like "maybe next time" or "we'll talk about it another time."
"Apple Pie? That's no problem."
Shirou's answer surprised everyone present.
Oh my god! Exusiai secretly brainwash Shirou while she was rubbing his hair!?
Even Exusiai looked at her own hands, seemingly wondering if she possessed some special Originium Arts that hadn't been discovered yet.
Even Texas, who was driving, was considering whether to turn back and have Shirou in the hospital for a few more days to observe his condition.
Why aren't you all saying anything?
As the air suddenly fell silent, Shirou turned his head and saw concerned looks from the three people in the back seat.
Shirou: "???"