"I get the feeling you're using looking after Index as an excuse to waste Blue Dream Company's funds."
Looking at the plates and food baskets covering the entire table, some even stacked on top of one another, Roland narrowed his eyes and took a small sip of black tea.
As befitted a famous establishment, the tables in this cake shop's outdoor dining area weren't small round ones, but long wooden tables that could seat six or more.
To fill and even pile things up on a table like this, they would probably have had to order every dessert twice, or even three times, excluding the drinks on the menu.
Hearing that, Kanzaki Kaori, sitting upright in the chair opposite him, turned her head slightly.
Although her face was expressionless, a trace of guilt could still be glimpsed in her deep, clear, obsidian eyes. He had clearly hit the mark.
She was deeply grateful for Roland's help, but considering the price she herself had paid, she still harbored a little resentment.
Unfortunately, for a female Saint who normally guarded her heart and conducted herself with restraint, taking Index out to feast at the organization's expense was already the most acceptable form of retaliation she could imagine.
She hadn't expected to run into her boss at the very same shop while dining on company funds.
Even after completing who knew how many commissions, Kanzaki Kaori couldn't think of a way to handle this awkward situation.
"I'm only joking. You really can't take a little teasing. Compared to ITEM, who demand a luxury motorhome even for missions, you're among the more economical ones."
Seeing Kanzaki Kaori's bashful embarrassment, Roland chuckled and offered her some reassurance.
His way of reassuring her sounded more like a roundabout threat, though.
"After all, to avoid wasting the