[Day 1 - Evening] Eating Out (Ask)

"With a stranger, no, I don't," Saito answers bluntly, barely looking up at her. Slowly, his frown becomes a half-grin. "With a colleague, however... still mostly not, but I'm willing to make an exception." He stands and bows, then moves around to pull out the empty chair for the Otomo.

"Please, do join me Otomo-sama," he invites her. Looking her over, he adds, "The photo in your file in HR does not do you proper justice."

"And you're paying my flattery back in kind," Saito notes, retaking his own seat, "which gives me great hope as to how the bill will be settled at evening's end." He begins to peruse the menu once more, giving it a bit more attention than the Otomo. She might think for a moment that he's forgotten she's there until he snaps his fingers at a passing waiter, taps his menu, and indicates the Otomo should be provided one. A credit to the service in this locale, he does with great haste.

"I do often eat alone, as I usually cook for myself," he answers. "On the few occasions like this where I allow others to attempt to meet my standards, there are rarely any so bold as to seek out a Scorpion as a dining partner." It's not clear whether those "others" he's talking about are kitchen staff or dining partners themselves, a vaguery that is likely intentional.

"I wasn't objecting to the flattery," Saito clarifies, half-grinning once again. Nodding at her question, he answers, "Simply put, it was the first day of school. After a long while of not having to do so, I spent today toiling diligently, trying to provide something worthwhile to the slavering, ungrateful masses. Thus, I find it immensely satisfying to spend my evening watching others do it instead." He nods at the kitchen and waitstaff, his smile widening.

"I do very little "on a whim", as you put it," Saito replies, setting down his own menu. "I have indeed been here before and found the food between adequate and enjoyable, depending upon the dish and the night." He cranes his neck a bit to look over Katsumi's menu at her, which also has the additional effect of making it so that he's looking down his nose.

"Might I ask what brings you here tonight, Otomo-sama?" he asks. "Do you make it a habit of wandering into fine restaurants without a reservation, attempting to play upon the sympathies... or perhaps vain hopes... of those poor souls seated alone, that you might be invited to join their company? Or... is it just something about me?" He asks his mildly insulting and conceited questions with the most innocent of tones.