Chapter 88

"That's... mainly because it smelled so good, I couldn't resist coming in."

A-Xing tried to explain, but was met with Hoshiguma's death stare.

"Since you've accepted their food, you should help them out."

After watching for a while, Hoshiguma couldn't do anything about A-Xing, but she just reminded A-Xing not to actually freeload.

This is good too. She brought A-Xing here so that he could keep an eye on things when Shirou wasn't around, and it would be easier to get things done once they were familiar with each other.

It's definitely not because I envy A-Xing for being able to eat Shirou's cooking every day.

Although the aroma of rich soup filled the shop, it made her stomach, which had just eaten, start to feel hungry again.

"I packed a few extra so I can share them with others when I get back. Also, please give my regards to Sir Swire me."

Shortly after they went inside, Shirou came out carrying a large bag of thick soup, enough for about five people.

The bags used are takeout resealable bags, which are Shirou's own.

Strictly speaking, these are store inventory stock. They are reusable resealable bags for holding hot food, which are slightly more convenient than bento boxes and can be used to hold soup without it overflowing.

"Oh, thanks."

Hoshiguma took the bag from Shirou's hand and could see some of the ingredients in the soup through the transparent bag.

Onions, ham, corn, Scale Beast meat, and some seafood scraps.

"Be careful not to burn yourself." Seeing Hoshiguma take it directly from the bottom, Shirou was worried that she might get burned.

"Don't worry, I'll head back to the Knights of the Round Table now and come back when I have time."

For Hoshiguma, this level of popularity is nothing.

Holding the bag of soup firmly in one hand, Hoshiguma carried some newly purchased tableware in the other and addressed the group.

"Welcome to come again next time!"

Ansuo waved her hand and said that people like Hoshiguma who buy in large quantities at once are already on her list of premium customers.

Simply put, you have to arch your back!

"..."

Hoshiguma stood blankly at the door.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Hoshiguma standing blankly at the door, Shirou asked.

"Could you open it for me? I'm not available right now."

Hoshiguma pointed to the door; she was holding a fragile item in one hand and a scalding bowl of soup in the other.

She was worried that she might drop or break the two things in her hands if she didn't hold them properly. For her right now, those two things in her hands were the objects she needed to protect!

"...OK."

Seeing Hoshiguma's expression, Shirou's lips twitched slightly. He went forward to help open the door, and also helped open the door of the Knights of the Round Table vehicle.

"Thanks, I'll share the soup with Missy and Old Chen properly."

After getting into the car, Hoshiguma rolled down the window and thanked Shirou.

"No, be careful on the road," Shirou said.

Shirou was met with Hoshiguma's wave and the sound of the Knights of the Round Table Bureau's car engine.

104 A fierce battle, a heart-wrenching struggle

Lungmen, the Knights of the Round Table Office.

Chen stared intently at the documents in her hands in the office; she was the only one busy in the office.

Knock, knock, knock, the door was opened.

Still busy?

Looking at Chen sitting at his desk, Hoshiguma asked.

"Hey, Hoshiguma, why are you so late? And you even brought snacks?"

As Hoshiguma pushed open the door and entered, Chen glanced at her while working and noticed that she was carrying a packet of... soup?

So you went out on patrol and brought back some food on the way, right?

However, it seems that Hoshiguma has already done most of her work, so let's just leave it at that.

"Yes, but I didn't buy it; someone I know gave it to me."

Hoshiguma carried the soup to her table. She had already found a place to put the tea set; that thing couldn't be seen, as it would be evidence of her slacking off during patrol.

"You're really popular."

Chen didn't care at all. Anyway, Hoshiguma had done all the work she was supposed to do, and the Knights of the Round Table didn't have any major cases to handle at the moment.

No... there is a case, though. I just received some information from an informant in the Slums.

"It's not that I'm popular, it's that you have too much of a temper. Want a drink?"

Hearing Chen's words, Hoshiguma sighed.

Chen is too stubborn. Once she finds a sore spot, she can scold the other person until they doubt their existence.

"Work."

Chen, who had been staring at the documents for a long time, heard Hoshiguma's words and stared at her with dead fish eyes.

"Is it the same person who made the bento boxes a few days ago?"

Hoshiguma tried to tempt Chen with words. It was common for people in the Knights of the Round Table to occasionally have afternoon tea to replenish their energy. However, when Chen was around, most people would not dare to take out their food directly because of his authority.

But now... if I join in myself, then there won't be any problems.

If you call your boss to join you in slacking off, you won't have to worry about getting caught, right?

"Hmm... okay."

After hesitating for a moment, Chen felt that it wouldn't hurt to have a snack to fill his stomach at this time; only when he was full and well-fed would he have the energy to work.

However, this was only because it was Hoshiguma's invitation; if it were anyone else, she would definitely have given them a piece of her mind.

It's definitely not because I thought the last bento was delicious that I wanted to freeload this time.

"You're so easy to talk to today. Could you call Missy for me? I'll go and repackage it."

Hoshiguma was a little surprised to see Chen agree so quickly.

She had prepared two or three sets of backup plans, but she didn't expect Chen to be so easy to talk to today.

It would be better to save some breath, as she was really looking forward to hearing how the soup would taste; it smelled really good when she smelled it in the store.

"Call me Chashu Cat?"

Chen hesitated for a moment, but still took out his phone and called Swire.

Hoshiguma occasionally receives food like today, and she knows that the food is often distributed to others.

Why did they suddenly call that Chashu Cat?

"She knows that person too, just tell her to wait and come pick it up."

Hearing Chen's question, Hoshiguma offered a brief explanation.

When she left the store, Shirou had told her to say goodbye to Swire, and since she had packed so much, he was definitely asking her to give it to Swire.

However, Chen and Swire often clashed, and if Chen was unwilling, then Swire would have to take it back to her office.

It must have been tough on the people in her office; the soup was incredibly rich in flavor.

"It doesn't matter. I happen to have something to talk to her about."

Just as he finished speaking, the phone in Chen's hand was connected.

"Bratty Dragon? What do you want with that call?"

Swire's puzzled voice rang out; usually, contacting someone by phone meant there was an urgent matter to attend to.

"Come to my office after you've finished your work."

Chen originally wanted to have Swire come to her office directly, but then she thought it might not be a good idea.

What Swire is working hard?

So she added one more sentence.

"Huh? The office? Did you eat the Knights of the Round Table's phone? Why are you calling your cell phone?"

Upon hearing Chen's words, Swire immediately launched into a tirade.

She thought something serious had happened. Wouldn't someone in the office use the Knights of the Round Table's phone? She almost called for reinforcements.

"... Something has come up, please come over as soon as possible."

Chen certainly remembered that there was a phone in the Knights of the Round Table, but it felt a bit off to use the Knights of the Round Table's phone to call someone over for afternoon tea, even though they still needed to talk about some serious business.

But she still felt that this wasn't quite right, which is why she used her phone.

"Ugh... really, I'll be there soon. Do you need me to bring anything?"

Hearing Chen say this, Swire couldn't continue scolding.

"Paper documents from some Slums... and spoons?"

Chen thought for a moment and Swire to bring over the information about the Slums.

I also checked on Hoshiguma's situation. There were three large bowls. I don't know if Swire has any germaphobia, but it's safer to have her bring a spoon.

"Paper documents from the Slums, and... spoons?"

Although she didn't quite understand why she needed to bring the spoon, Swire still took the paper documents with her and grabbed the spoon from the drawer.

If there's no legitimate reason, she'll take this spoon and beat the Bratty Dragon's head with it.

"Tsk, I still feel uneasy about it."

Chen hung up the phone, looking displeased.

There would definitely be conflicts if she and Chashu Cat were present, since the two have very different ways of handling things.

However, if we're just talking about the person, aside from coveting her position and causing her to use lipstick and cosmetics to arrest people, this Chashu Cat is actually not bad.

"Put it on the coffee table?"

While the battle raged on, Hoshiguma had already divided up the soup.

Shirou gave a generous portion; there were still some left after dividing it into three large bowls.

Considering that Chen had brought documents with Swire, the only place in the entire office where the three of them could sit was the coffee table.

"That's fine, thanks."

Chen rubbed her eyes; staring at the computer and documents all day had made her eyes sore.

She needs to take a break before Swire and will have to review the documents again.

"It's nothing. I'd rather you wait and not argue with Missy."

I'll try my best.

"Sigh... Aren't you tired of this? I'm the one trying to mediate."

As the two were talking, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and Swire walked in carrying a stack of documents.

"Thick soup? Bratty Dragon, have you taken the wrong medicine today? You bring snacks when you ask me for a favor?"

Upon entering, Swire smelled the aroma of the soup and began to wonder if Chen had taken the wrong medicine today.

"Hoshiguma brought it. She just happened to be looking for you. I also have something to talk to you about. Remember to lock the door."

After confirming that Swire had entered and locked the door, Chen stood up, holding a stack of documents in his hand.

"I knew it wouldn't be good news."

Seeing the large stack of documents in Chen's hand, Swire began to worry about whether she would be able to leave work on time today.

However, she still put the documents on the coffee table; work isn't something to be stingy about.