Aren't we friends, Silco-san? Don't friends tell each other things?

( Said, with the bald face of a man who has absolutely not imparted the very same kind of information, but he clearly has a lot of fun with being dramatic and therefore is leaning very heavily into it. ) I bought you a gift to soften the blow, and I've agreed to help you with your work, I wasn't even a part of the outright gossip!

( He leans back in his chair, crosses one leg over the other. )

Is it serious?