Kazehara Tetsu looked at Sakayanagi Arisu thoughtfully.
"You're not going there to be interviewed. You're going there to interview her."
"It's a mutual choice, fair and reasonable. She's assessing me, and I'm assessing her. If the president and her deputy can't see eye to eye, they'll have a miserable year ahead. Rather than torment each other later, we might as well make things clear from the start."
"Fair point."
Kazehara Tetsu nodded, then paused. "Still, I think you'll be satisfied."
"Oh? You think that highly of her?"
"Suzune has changed a lot this past year. She's learned how to make use of people stronger than herself."
Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at him without answering, but a flicker of serious consideration passed through her eyes.
As they talked, they rounded a street corner, and the café came into view.
It was a small, two-story establishment with a dark brown awning over the entrance and several small wrought-iron tables and chairs beneath it.
A lit outdoor heater stood to one side of the entrance. Orange-red flames shone through its glass casing, keeping that little patch of space pleasantly warm.
The owner had presumably set it up for customers who liked sitting outside in the sunshine even in winter.
At this hour, the outdoor seating was mostly empty.
"Let's sit outside."
Sakayanagi Arisu looked around. "It's stuffy inside. It's brighter out here, and there's a heater."
"Sure."
They walked beneath the awning and sat down at a small wrought-iron table.
Keeping her cane in mind, Kazehara Tetsu deliberately chose a sheltered spot farther in, out of the wind, for Sakayanagi Arisu, then sat across from her.
A server came out with a menu. Kazehara Tetsu accepted it and handed it to Sakayanagi Arisu first.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Hot Cocoa." Sakayanagi Arisu