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“I’m late!”

After receiving a good scolding from Selian and Yuli, I ended up being slightly late for my promised meeting with Mariel.

In fact, Selian and Yuli did let me go considering the time, but even after being freed, it took me quite a while to calm my numbed feet from all the torment.

I hurriedly washed up, changed clothes, and dashed to the meeting spot at the fountain, only to find Mariel already waiting for me.

As soon as she saw my face, she scolded me for being late.

“I’m sorry! I really didn’t mean to be late; there were circumstances…”

“If you wanted to be late, isn’t that just a downright nasty thing to do, Hero?”

Of course, I couldn’t argue with that.

Unable to respond to Mariel’s sharp tone and just fidgeting, she let out a deep sigh and uncrossed her arms.

“Well… it seems you know you were wrong, so I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Indeed, Saint…!”

Is this level of compassion what makes her a Saint? I’ve only thought of her as a money ghost until now—I’ll retract that statement!

“…I feel like you’re thinking something strange, or am I imagining things?”

“Haha… Of course not. There’s no way I’d think anything like that with a Saint in front of me.”

Even though I might not have shown it on my face, my intuition was on par with or even better than hers.

Mariel still looked at me with suspicion, but as I smiled nonchalantly, she eventually relaxed and opened her mouth again.

“So, why were you late?”

“Uh-heh… Well, if I were to explain the circumstances, it would take a little while…”

“Really? If it’s a long story, should we grab a drink at a café or something while we talk?”

When she said my explanation might be lengthy, Mariel took my hand and led me somewhere without hesitation.

Of course, since I had planned to spend the day with Mariel, I had no reason to refuse as she guided me along.

“Um, Saint?”

However, Mariel wasn’t heading towards an area with shops but to a completely unexpected place.

“Isn’t there any café around here?”

Although I hadn’t been at Griffin Academy for even a year, frequent outings with friends meant I was quite familiar with various eateries and cafés.

To my knowledge, there was no café worthy of my recollection in the direction we were heading.

“Hehe… Just follow me. There’s a really, really nice café around here.”

Well, at least Mariel has been at the academy for over a year, so she might know a few places I don’t.

If it turns out to be a good spot, I could recommend it to my friends later.

We walked a few minutes, passing through main streets and sometimes through alleys. Finally, Mariel stopped.

The place we arrived at was unexpected.

I thought it was a café I didn’t know, but instead, it was somewhere I knew too well.

“Um, Saint…?”

“Come on, let’s go in! I’m sure you’ll be satisfied too!”

As I hesitated at the entrance, she pushed my back and brought me inside.

“Welcome!”

Just as I entered, the staff members who were serving immediately greeted me upon spotting me.

I bowed my head in greeting, still flustered and unable to sit down at an empty table.

Well, okay. The inefficient interior isn’t a big deal to overlook since many cafés nowadays have all sorts of bizarre themes.

But why on earth is there a café inside a temple?

Furthermore, I wasn’t surprised by the sight of café staff all wearing maid outfits. To survive in business, one must have some unique sales point different from the ordinary.

But what kind of bizarre blend was it for these maid-clad staff to also be students from the Theology Department whom I had seen in the temple?

“Hey, look! There’s a free spot! Come sit!”

She sat me down at an empty table and took a seat across from me.

As I settled in and looked around, I saw that the interior of the temple, now being used as a café, was filled with customers.

“What on earth… is this…?”

Originally, we were supposed to sit down and explain why I was late, but now I found myself in a position to ask Mariel what was going on.

“How do you like my idea?”

“This is your idea, Saint?”

“Yep! I suggested this to show citizens that a temple isn’t just a cold, hard place. Other friends from the Theology Department willingly agreed to participate.”

Well… from that perspective, Mariel’s intention seems to hit the mark.

At least the faces of the citizens inside this temple were not filled with trouble but rather full of laughter.

By the way, I can’t believe even a Saint would manage to persuade the higher-ups… I mean, someone in authority, to permit such a shocking event.

She must have worked tirelessly to convince them, as well as persuading the female Theology Department students who were currently serving customers.

Imagining Mariel running around to improve the temple’s image made her seem a bit… cooler than the Mariel I usually knew.

“Hehe. So, have you fallen for this Saint all over again?”

“The ‘all over again’ part worries me a bit… but she is kind of cool.”

“I’m as amazing as I am, you know! Pretty face, great figure, and talents to boot. That’s why our Hero couldn’t help but fall!”

…How could anyone see Mariel like this and picture her as a Saint?

Her shameless attitude is astounding, but what annoys me even more is how hard it is to refute what she says.

But that sneaky side of her is part of Mariel’s charm, so no need to point it out.

“Mariel!”

While I was snickering at Mariel’s proud face, someone approached our table and called her name.

I turned my head slightly to see a girl in a maid outfit standing right in front of our table.

She was probably another student from the Theology Department like Mariel.

“When did you get here? By the way, today’s sales have already reached 150% compared to the same time yesterday! I think everyone’s going to get a nice bonus today! Looks like you’ll be bringing home a good amount too, Mariel!”

?

What on earth is this about?

I cocked my head in confusion and redirected my gaze to Mariel, who was sitting across from me.

Yet, Mariel didn’t respond to the girl talking to her, nor did she explain the situation to me. Instead, she shifted her eyes away, blatantly ignoring the scene.

In fact, she was even whistling, a clear sign of willful ignorance.

“Is this person your guest? She seems to be a junior from school, so is it okay if I drop the formalities? What would you like to order? Special for Mariel’s guest! I think today’s going to be a good day for tips!”

I hadn’t answered yet, but the girl kept babbling away, providing her own conclusions.

However, noting that she was offering free drinks made her not seem like a bad person.

“Then, how about a caramel macchi…?”

“What kind?”

“How about a cappu…?”

“What kind?”

“…I’d like an Americano, please.”

“Got it! An Americano! I’ll bring it right over. Just wait a sec.”

As the girl hurriedly shuffled away, was it a violation to say that she looked like Mariel from behind?

Anyway, I ended up getting an Americano for free, so that’s good.

Instead, I turned my head to look at Mariel.

“…Well, I’m just making some pocket money on the side… just on the side!”

Could this really be “just on the side”?

Rather, this seems to be the main thing, and the purpose of improving the temple’s image might be just secondary?

But I didn’t voice that to Mariel.

If I were to hear that this was indeed the case, what would that make of the cool image I had of Mariel just a moment ago?

For Mariel’s sake, and my own, let’s bury the truth.

“Anyway! You owe me an explanation for being late!”

It may have been a blatant attempt to change the subject, but since I had chosen to move on and ignore the truth, I opened my mouth to go along with her flow.

“Um… Actually, I had a date with my boss yesterday.”

“Boss…? Date…?”

“Ah, yes. Actually, at the beginning of the semester, I was really in a tight spot, and while looking for a part-time job, I met my current boss. He pays well and is a nice person.”

“Uh, um…?”

“It was a bit overwhelming at first, but now I’m actually enjoying it. Plus, he gives me extra cash every time.”

“Th-that’s just…”

“Well… sometimes he does have this quirky habit of smacking my butt, but it’s just a joke.”

“Wait, hold on…!”

Mariel, stopping me mid-sentence, had her eyes darting around nervously.

Well, from Mariel’s perspective, someone who loves money could be feeling a tad envious at that point.

This is what you’d call a sweet part-time job.

Honestly, I feel a bit guilty each time I get money from Frecia.

“Ah, if for some reason you want to work part-time too, I’m afraid I can’t introduce you to my boss. Sorry.”

“I wouldn’t even if you offered!”

Mariel yelped.

Her sudden shout drew the eyes of those around us, and I bowed my head apologetically.

Was it really that offensive to say there wasn’t a part-time job available?

“What does being late have to do with you… and your boss?”

Perhaps the earlier outburst seemed to bother her, as Mariel spoke in a hushed tone to avoid being overheard.

“Well, after the date, I went to my boss’s room, and he told me to stay over.”

“And then…?”

“When your boss says that, what’s a girl to do? I just slept over.”

“Uh, what was that? Is your boss… a man or a woman?”

“Um? She’s a woman.”

“Phew, thank goodness… Huh? Wait a minute… is that a good thing…?”

Mariel tilted her head in confusion, unsure of what the problem was. Still, I thought I’d keep explaining the circumstances behind my lateness.

“So… after that, I returned to the dorm, but my two friends were waiting up for me. Can you believe it? Do they think they can’t trust me at all?”

I had even informed Gomtaengi beforehand that I would be staying out overnight.

“Eventually, after receiving a long scolding from those two, I could hardly move my legs… when I finally got myself together and left, it was already late.”

“Y-your legs… couldn’t move?”

“Exactly. I really tried to come on time, but it just wasn’t possible.”

No kidding, after finishing up and trying to stand, my legs were so numb I almost collapsed on the floor.

Luckily, Selian and Yuli managed to catch me before I could embarrass myself by falling.

Having explained why I was late, I glanced at Mariel, hoping for her understanding.

However, for some reason, she was staring down at the table, muttering to herself.

“Y-you’re not saying… does that mean what you suggested to me last time was genuine…?”

“I’ve always been sincere with you, Saint!”

Of course, I couldn’t recall what “suggestion” Mariel referred to, but I confidently stated that I had never lied to her.

It seems my words moved Mariel, as she just looked at me dumbfounded, unable to respond.

Yeah. After all, sincerity is what truly connects people.