"Marie, you underestimate me too much. Can't you have a little faith in me?"
With his other hand, Higashino Kanade made a "just a little?" gesture and asked with a teasing smile, "Marie, are you worried about me?"
"O-of course, idiot! Otherwise, why would I take such a huge risk to come here?!" Olga Marie snapped, her face flushed red.
"I'm touched. Marie, you've done so much for me. You really have changed." Higashino Kanade recalled his first meeting with Olga Marie. It had been in the Clock Tower library, where the proud Marie had gotten into an argument with the equally unyielding Luvia.
Back then, Higashino Kanade had thought Olga Marie was a troublesome child who had never received a proper beating from society. But after all those events, Olga Marie had grown into someone who could truly be called a friend.
"Don't think I'll thank you just because you said that. I-I was only repaying your kindness." Olga Marie haughtily turned her head away.
"Kindness? If you mean helping Theresa get revenge and taking out Dr. Hartless, there's no need. You paid me a commission back then. I merely completed the job."
"Not that! I mean coming to this world all of a sudden." Olga Marie played with her silver hair using her slender fingers. "Although I don't know what exactly happened, I suddenly came to this world. But I think it must have something to do with you."
"I'm very grateful for being given another chance at life. Not only did I get the chance to save Theresa, I could also show better talent and make Father pay a little more attention to me... Yes, thank you."
Olga Marie had some difficulty forcing out those words of thanks. Higashino Kanade took a sip of cappuccino and quietly