“Ah… <Mr.> Hakuba. My apologies for not paying closer ATTENTION.”
Nothing but piles of stacks of paperwork neatly towering the area around her workspace—and who knew which stack was done and which ones were still in need of looking over? Honestly, it would have been a miracle indeed if the petite inquisitor spotted the man beforehand. “I can certainly manage the TIME. Quite truthfully, I have been needing the break from all this PAPERWORK.”
“Indeed, Miss Knox. Allow me to assist in distracting you from this endless sea of what appears to be bureaucratic busywork. How have you been, my dear?”
He hoped that the bit of verbal affection would not be taken the wrong way or considered too informal. Hakuba was honestly pleased to see her again.