I push the plate back to Kutsuji expressionlessly. I won't eat it. I would starve to death today or jump off from the second floor before I take a single bite. To my surprise, Kutsuji pauses for a moment before pushing it back to me. A piece of the snack splits off and falls on the plate as we keep pushing it back and forth... making the smell of durian even more potent. [player]... [Kutsuji]It's not good to waste food. [player]Then you shouldn't waste any. When I push the plate back to him again, I notice that he is pushing the edge of the plate firmly with his fingers while holding his chin with his other hand and pretending to look away. [player]Is it possible that you... don't eat durian? [Kutsuji]I don't eat it. [player]Why did you order it then if you don't eat it? [player]... [Kutsuji]Who would have known that this traditional teahouse would follow the trend and also start making durian snacks... They even gave it a name that has nothing to do with durian. [player]Oh, I didn't expect there to be something an information dealer doesn't know. Kutsuji's expression gradually becomes stiff after hearing my words. It's obvious that even he didn't realize he would make such a mistake. However, he is a leader who has been through a lot, so it doesn't take him long to become his usual carefree self again. [Kutsuji]It doesn't matter. It's not too late to collect this piece of information today. [Kutsuji]In view of your contribution, I'll mark down first-class merit for you. [player]I'm not a member of Strix. I don't need this first-class merit... [player]But I won't say no if you insist on giving it to me. It'll be even better if I can redeem it for something more practical. [Kutsuji]Something practical... Then I'll make an exception and allow you to waste food. After that, Kutsuji turns and calls a waiter to remove this plate of snacks and replace it with a different-flavored snack. [player]That's it? Aren't you afraid I'll tell others that you don't eat durian? [Kutsuji]Haha, you don't need to threaten me. You can't move me with force or persuasion, and I only engage in profitable transactions. [player]Oh, that's right. Speaking of which, don't you think it's time we got on with the rest of the transaction? [Kutsuji]There's no rush. The parade is about to start. It won't be too late to take our time chatting after we finish watching the parade. I follow his gaze and look downstairs, only to realize that it had become quiet downstairs at some point. Everyone stops making noise and looks at the entrance of Countless Springs expectantly. When the time on my phone reaches the hour on the dot, the doors of Countless Springs opens amidst a burst of loud cheering. Several men wearing the same outfit walk out holding wooden signs in their hands and stand on both sides of the road. On the wooden signs are the emblem of Countless Springs and some words, but the words are too small for me to read them clearly. Immediately after that, six girls wearing exquisite costumes line up on both sides, holding flower baskets as they exit the door in two lines. As they walk, they grab flowers in their baskets and throw them to their side, and the flowers land on the ground in the path between them. Accompanied by the sound of rhythmic drums and music, I see a foot wearing white socks and high clogs stick out from the door, drawing a half-moon arc before hiding behind the door again, like a playful goldfish wagging its tail in the air after jumping out of the water. After this repeats several times, a splendidly-dressed woman exits the door and walks slowly along the flower-paved road, maintaining a goldfish-like pace. Due to the distance and because she is wearing a veil that seems to be made of a beaded curtain, I can't see her appearance clearly. Kutsuji casually taps the window frame and gives me a reminder. [Kutsuji]That's Kurone Toujou. Kutsuji taps the window frame rhythmically along with the music below and seems immersed in the performance. When Kurone Toujou walks directly below us, he suddenly turns his head to look at me. [Kutsuji]I'm thinking of telling you something before we continue with the transaction. [player]What is it? [Kutsuji]I'm guessing that you must want to know why I got you to participate in the auction and everything else that happened after that, right? [player]Yeah, because I felt like I didn't get any particularly valuable information. [Kutsuji]No, the fact that you went is already a piece of valuable information. [player]What do you mean? [Kutsuji]What if I told you that you would be able to meet Kurone Toujou no matter which flower arrangement you managed to get? [player]Is it because all three flower arrangements are hers? [Kutsuji]No, it's because she wants to meet you. [player]Huh? [Kutsuji]At first, I made this guess based on the information I gathered, but your actions afterward helped me verify my guess. Kutsuji's words make the question mark in my head grow larger. Based on my interaction with Kurone Toujou, I can't figure out why she would want to actively approach me. [Kutsuji]Our previous transaction is still valid, but I can change its terms for you. From now on, you have two options. [Kutsuji]Your first option is to ask me about Ciri like we agreed, and I will tell you what she's been up to recently. [Kutsuji]Your second option is to ask me about Kurone Toujou for yourself, and I will tell you selected pieces of information that are useful to you. [Kutsuji]I'll give you some time to think it over. I hope you'll make the decision that satisfies your true inner needs. I think deeply for a moment after hearing Kutsuji's words. Emotionally and rationally, I should ask him about Ciri's matters since that was why I approached him in the first place and the matter I was entrusted with. On the other hand, I really want to know Kurone Toujou's reason for doing that. Now that I think about it, there seems to be a deeper layer of meaning to the things we talked about on that day. Some things that I consider ordinary and mundane might not be as simple as I thought. I think about it for a long time but have difficulty deciding. Sara and Ryan's worried expressions appear in my head one after the other, but I can hear Kurone Toujou's soft and pleasant voice in the background. [Kutsuji]You know, you can be a little selfish sometimes. No one would blame you for that. In that case, my decision is...
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