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[fluorite]

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[fluorite]

[ He's more than happy to answer the real question and leave the other statement hanging. It's a rabbit hole he feels she shouldn't have to go down. ]

I'm a chemist. :) I'm currently earning my PhD in physical chemistry, so I do a lot of research.

[ophidie]

Impressive. No wonder you're busy!

You seem like you'd make a good teacher, but I figure you're thinking about going to work somewhere within the private sector.

[fluorite]

Yes, I'll be in the private sector. My main focus is on air pollutants, so I'm hoping to join up with an organization working on that.

[ So he might end up in the public sector anyway. ]

It's funny you mention teacher, though. :) I do a lot of tutoring.

[ophidie]

So you're an environmentalist. I figured you'd probably be interested in something that you put you in the middle of everything but not in the spotlight.

No wonder studying holds a place of importance for you. Is tutoring putting you through school? [Even at different education levels, it's a practice she's very familiar with already.]

[fluorite]

Oh? Do I really give off that impression? ;)

It’s helping me pay for food and other random bills!

[ophidie]

Yeah. You don't mind people and I don't think you'd work on your own, but I can't see you wanting the attention that comes with high-profile glory.

That's important, too. You're almost in the lap of luxury. It probably beats restaurant work, too.

[fluorite]

Wow, you really got me.

It does, honestly. I don't mind food service much, but the customers started to bother me after a while. And my feet always hurt.

[ophidie]

Did I? [This is why they're private people...if she's figured him as much as he's figured her, they can call themselves even.]

It's not so bad, but I guess I also have the advantage of youth on my side. It helps that I have a certain reputation where I work, so they expect me to act according to that niche.

[fluorite]

What's that reputation like?

[ He has one too, so he understands somewhat where she's coming from. But honestly, he's curious as to what standards she feels like she needs to live up to there. ]

[ophidie]

[Hm... Well, she's still sizing him up a little bit, but might as well answer directly.]

It's not like I'm not still nice to the customers, but I'm the straightforward one. Instead of acting cute, I just say it how it is.

It's kind of like my character.

[Though how much of it is really a character and how much of it is just the way she normally does things is a little up in the air.]

[fluorite]

I'm like that at work too, believe it or not.

[ But acting cute, huh? ]

Do most people at your job act cute?

[ophidie]

Being in character or acting cute? [She knew exactly what he meant, but he might be getting a sense for her dry quips now that he's spoken to her non-distressed.]

Yeah, I guess if you're into that kind of thing.

[fluorite]

[ That actually gets him to laugh at the email in real life. ]

I only act cute in this game. :)

[ A total lie, but he has a feeling she can see through that. ]

What sort of place do you work at, if you don't mind me asking?

[ophidie]

[yeah] That'd explain why you're not very good at it.

I'm in food service. [With few cafes like hers around, she'd rather keep the exact nature of her job under wraps. If people keep getting maid uniforms, though, it's just going to get harder with time.]

[fluorite]

Ah, so you agree that I'm great at it? ;)

[ He refuses to hear anything else!! ]

I can see that. It might be easier to deal with unruly customers if you act cute.

[ Fai thinks there is some detail missing in her answer, but it's clear she doesn't want to give it. So, he won't ask. ]

[ophidie]

I think you're absolutely precious. [As for which definition of precious is being used here...]

Besides, if you have enough regulars, they get used to the servers. That's surely how I'm able to get away with it. Some might say it's my charm point.

[fluorite]

Compliment or not, I'll take it! :D

Different people are bound to find different things charming. Some don't enjoy the cute act, while others like someone a little more gruff.

[ Fai is others. ]

[ophidie]

You're a monster. Whatever I say, you're just going to keep doubling down.

Hm... What about types who are scary on the outside, but secretly kind deep down? We aren't all what we seem at first.

[fluorite]

You figured that out fast~

I like those types too. I don't really find anyone scary, so maybe that's why I'm drawn to them.

[ophidie]

What can I say? I've been paying attention.

If people don't scare you, then what would you say does?

[fluorite]

[ She certainly has, and part of him doesn't even know how to feel about it. After all, being known is a terrifying thing. ]

The unknown, perhaps?

[ophidie]

That's a pretty obvious one, but I'll take it. It's hard not to be afraid of what we don't know or see, or what's on the other side of "what if?"

Well, no one likes getting an answer that goes against their hopes, either.

[fluorite]

Would it be obvious if I said that that last part is my worst fear?

[ With as observant as Miharu is, he has a feeling it would be. ]

[ophidie]

A little bit, based on what you've told me.

[Just like she's sure that he knows the "what if" is the worst for her.]

It's not unusual to try and avoid disappointment.

[fluorite]

No, it's not.

However, there's a point where it starts to hinder you. Avoiding a lot of situations to avoid disappointment isn't healthy.