Ernesto saw Hesta downstairs. The group walked all the way to the underground parking lot, and even after Hesta and Stella got into the car together, Ernesto still stood where he was, watching their car leave.
"How did I do today?" Hesta asked. "Pretty well, I'm guessing?"
"Very well."
Stella sat in the passenger seat, her whole body slumped back into the seat. Although Hesta had been the one being tested just now, she had been unbearably nervous too.
She was still replaying Hesta's performance over and over in her mind, trying to find areas that needed improvement.
"It didn't feel very hard." Hesta turned the steering wheel and made a turn at the intersection. "Are you still nervous?"
"...That's only because Ernesto was fairly cooperative," Stella said softly. "If you run into someone difficult, someone hostile, it won't go so smoothly."
"If we really do, what do you think we should do?"
"...Play it by ear, I guess." Stella's voice still carried a certain fatigue. "Maybe we'll need to look at what they want, or—"
Hesta laughed softly.
"You're laughing again." Stella turned her head. "What are you laughing at?"
"Guess what I'd do then?"
Stella did not answer, only continued looking at Hesta's profile.
Hesta watched the flow of traffic as she changed lanes. "I'd end the conversation and leave right away—"
"I knew it." Stella sighed. "That's just the kind of person you are."
"It's not entirely personality." Hesta stepped on the accelerator and began picking up speed on the relatively empty main road. "It's mainly a matter of efficiency—the three hours you waste on one difficult person could probably convince three committee members like Ernesto."
Stella pondered briefly, then let out a low laugh full of approval. "That's true."
The corners of Hesta's mouth lifted. "What's