"Why did you suddenly ask that?" Anderson looked puzzled.
Dunn grew even more nervous and did his best to answer smoothly:
"I just suddenly remembered that you accidentally... because of the mural before..."
He looked Anderson up and down, the meaning self-evident.
Anderson fell suspiciously silent for a moment. He did not particularly want to bring up what had happened then, so he changed the subject.
"That isn't what you really wanted to say, is it?"
"...Fine." Dunn took a deep breath. "Actually, I wanted to ask what gift I should give someone who likes painting murals."
"...I don't like painting murals." After hesitating for two seconds, Anderson reminded him.
It took Dunn a while to understand what Anderson meant. He shouted:
"I'm not giving it to you!"
This time, Anderson was surprised as well. He asked in astonishment, "Then who are you giving it to?"
"Uh..." Dunn paused. "It's not me giving it. It's, it's..."
Under Anderson's unblinking stare, he grew increasingly guilty, even starting to stammer. Anderson's gaze became more and more suspicious until he finally could not help asking:
"...Are you hiding something from me?"
"No!" Dunn blurted out.
That almost reflexive response made Anderson narrow his eyes. Dunn nervously stiffened his back, but after a few breaths, Anderson suddenly laughed.
"Look at how nervous you are." He reached out and patted Dunn on the shoulder, shaking his head. "Fine, I won't ask anymore... You mean materials for painting murals, right?"
Dunn nodded hesitantly, looking like he wanted to say something but stopped himself. Anderson acted as though he had not noticed and launched into an endless explanation.
Although he had failed the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom's examination, he was not as useless as Dunn. His explanation was sound and well-supported, so Dunn