"Are you sure we're not getting pranked, Potato?"

"I've been pressing X this whole time, you know. I'm also skeptical about this."

"Actually, why did they also invite me…?"

"Maybe they saw something amazing back in Cobalt? What, did you by chance flip a table on an attacker's face?"

"No…? I just ran and stuff. I'm kinda worried that this is too ordinary though. Shouldn't they be more discreet?"

"Well… It's also their job to blend in flawlessly anywhere."

More often that not, I wonder what things I always get myself into.

Remember Soo Han Yeon? No? What about Ban Tobei? Still no…? I guess that's fine. One doesn't really need to remember his name minding the nature of his work.

On the same night of Kagurazaka's dinner gathering where I was being the same old depressed bud that I am, you might remember that I met two suspicious people weirdly outside of the men's room. Turns out they are spies who dare I say are just as good as Exiles in hiding their identities—well, the ones who continue to commit to it, that is.

It's true that we have met from time to time after that, but not in completion as for instance Tobei's girlfriend was disarming a bomb on a cruise ship on the same day, successfully at that. I guess the spy world is also a busy one, considering that more than a year has passed since then and we're just getting to finally meet together. Still, I would be readying my thumb on the X on the controller in case that a spy suddenly presses the emergency meeting button.

But it seems that no one is sus today.

"Ardor."

It was the name of the restaurant that we entered. It might sound like a new restaurant is being introduced, but this is just the case of the author's three-year procrastination finally breaking now that the camping-style restaurant has been finally named. While I am a regular here, I actually don't come that much, which doesn't really make any sense. Ever since the country's weather system changed, this restaurant adapted to the various seasons, which has already long been a given. The problem in me is that I have only ever gone to eat here in winter most of the time, while only ever coming here in summer when we met with Ai-san. So being the spring season is going to be a new experience for us in this place.

Anyway, it seems like the two are late.

"Oh, finally here, you two! I'll lead you to your table," the owner of the restaurant, Marty, coincidentally… or not, welcomed and made us follow on his back. Unusually, Ardor is a two-floor restaurant and he actually led us there.

…

It's just one of any other spring days where the restaurant gets jam-packed with customers, that is, on the bottom floor only… while the upper one was almost empty.

"Want any drinks while you wait?"

"We'll have green tea."

And so we waited on our reserved table while enjoying the silence present on the floor. Hey, this almost sounds like a bar now with the jazz being played.

(!)

"Ahh… is Marty probably one of them…?"

It immediately crossed my mind as I trace back the minor things that happened over the past few minutes. They surely weren't a coincidence for they unfolded so smoothly like they were supposed to happen. But would I really mind that? As long as I can savor my meal peacefully, no.

"It's nice to have you two today," suddenly, a voice spoke from my back.

"Should we take a do-over for another introductions?"

"Let's not, hahaha. Thanks for taking up our invitation."

"His hair…"

But oh my word, Tobei really knows his fashion. Sure, I can wear the same shirt, sweater, blazer, and a large scarf but I will no way look as great as him. I guess one perk of being a spy is being very fashionable for I assume that they mostly work undercover on luxurious events.

Obviously, I'm only basing my assumptions on fiction, but that might soon change.

On a different note, I'm amazed that Rin can actually pinch the skin on the apex of my folded knee. As for the reason why…

"I totally didn't notice them behind you…!" she whispered.

Nevertheless, after the panik comes the kalm for Rin, thus the ladies introduced themselves.

Airi Kanata is a good name, so I shall refrain from calling her Coda-san so randomly.

…

But at the moment when the two spies have sat across us on the table, the other customers suddenly left almost at the same time. I felt a chill running down my spine along with an intuition to be very cautious especially of my back. But thankfully, nothing has happened to me for the passing 30 seconds which relieved the tension on my shoulders.

And really, it leaves a bad taste on the mouth to have some kind of an incident amidst a relaxing sax solo.

But speaking of tastes, a good one at that, a finesse waiter then served on a cut of varnished log quite a large steak with a knife on the board.

"May we ask you to do the honors of cutting the first slice, Mr. Sakato?" Tobei politely asked.

"Waiter, do you have a pair of gloves at ready?"

I don't really know if it is common to use gloves when hacking through this beautiful slab of meat, but my hunch told me to do so especially since it felt like the steak was going to disintegrate immediately at first touch. I also especially loved how the sharpness of this knife—mind you, a Japanese knife—sounded on the minute friction it made with the cutting board. It truly felt like a real blade made by an artisan. Well, this in itself is a form of art.

But instead of me spending 50 thousand Laxes over a masterpiece knife as a home cook, I would still rather forge my own even if I really want the one I am holding right now.

Yeah, the expression "cutting through butter with a hot knife" is widely used already, but it felt like this is the embodiment of it. Upon further inspection-

Why did I even use that word… Upon further… scrutiny? I give up. Anyway, it seems that this slab has quite the marbling as seen from the medium rare cross-section. Actually, scrap that, this is too juicy to be true. I know that I'm a sous chef that should be explaining things in a professional way, but my one brain cell is already beginning to vanish and I'm starting to become a monkey.

With all that being said… I've recited itadakimasu in my head and…

Oi… oi… oi… IS THERE A STAND USER NEARBY?!

I can remember a few picoseconds ago that what I put in my mouth was meat, but it was immediately gone.

"So this is the work of an A5 Kobe Wagyu…

Rin, am I in tears?"

"No, but don't ever try to open your mouth again otherwise I'll punch the drool out of you."

"Did it surprise you?" asked the male spy.

"I still want to get married so I won't die yet."

"That's good hear. We're not really following a course here but there will be some that will follow after this."

"Shouldn't this be the main event if anything?"

"Perhaps the chef has gone all out today."

"Speaking of Marty… is it safe to assume that he's the same as you two?"

"You're correct about that. Unknown to the surface, there is actually a spy association in this country and he is part of it. Though we are not really part of it, yet we're also not independent. We've teamed up many times on infiltrations."

"Is he… something like an underground chef?" the curious voice of Rin asked.

"Yes, he is~"

…

"So I don't really know if you and Ms. Airi has something to discuss with us, but there's one important question I want to really ask.

How would you actually define your occupation so that we can set aside misinterpretations?"

"Good question… I guess we can start on the differences. Simply put, while we also do some dirty works, we are not really similar to a mafia or a gang. We are an entirely different entity from this country's underworld.

There are certain traits of being a spy, and one of them wasn't being ruthless and violent. But we have our own views and objectives, that's why there's the good one and the bad one too.

For the job we do, it is what you would expect from us. We do a lot of undercover, operations, inside jobs, wearing faces, fabricating identities, and other things that don't see the light of the day.

But be glad that no one really knows you apart from us and that we are not aiming for your heads. We can even do a lifetime non-aggression contract right here if you want."

"No need for that. You've established your point.

Anyway, is this meal something that is on your day off or something else?

Actually, before that, can I touch your face?" I asked while putting my hands up.

"S-Sure?"

With that, I pressed a rather painful pinch on his face so as to verify that he is not wearing any kind of face.

"Ow… that's mean."

"I'm sorry about this foolish child…" Rin interjected with a tone of a mother.

"I guess we should get to the point.

There is word that you are in ways related to Dr. Rishou Kagetora? Can we ascertain that?"

"Yes, we're friends outside of his work and I sometimes critique his book," certainly, I wasn't lying there but I still don't know the scope of their information. "Is something going on? Well, I've got ideas but I can't say for certain."

"Is it really fine for me to hear your discussion?"

I do understand Rin's concern, but I also know that these spies wouldn't do so much of a slip-up on their part. While I'm confident that I can answer her question, I decided to zip my mouth as I still can't trust them even if they don't lay a finger on me. So I let them answer.

"To be frank, we wouldn't have invited you today if we didn't want you to hear about this."

"I understand. Then I shall listen."

"Alright. Continuing… surely you knew about the past case of the Medical Children Program that he outed?"

"Unless I was living under a rock."

"Or living a year of chaos and agony."

But it would appear that they don't know about me being 027, or they are just feigning ignorance. Honestly, I don't know if spies are an enigma or not.

I continued, "The opinions of the people are divided, I suppose. There are the eyes that see the utter disgrace that is now placed on his name, while there is also the side that sees the deeds he had done to prevent any more casualty two years ago. He is now a polarizing entity while he had reduced himself to a local doctor in Mykes. Anyway, I don't think there's a need for me to tell my opinions about him."

"I presume that our boss was on the latter side knowing how compassionate he is. He gave us a mission to watch over a gathering the doctor is going to attend," he said while smoothly sliding an invitation to the table.

"Not another one of this crap…"

"I know how you feel about that. But there is a very small likelihood of anything happening. It is like an informal conference at least on their line of work. The reason why we invited your wife- I mean, Ms. Akanami is because we'd like to hear her opinion on this as an outside entity."

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"So I'm not invited…" she let out a sigh of relief. "Logically speaking, I think that it would be fine… but I don't think we're thinking of the same logic here, so nevermind that."

"I'll let you decide for me."

"Way to put me on the spot… I would be fine with it but with a condition that he will be assured with his protection in the process. I say that with a very broad idea, but it's up to you with how you will interpret it.

Whether my suggestion is unfair or not… I don't think there are many things that are fair in this world."

"I wouldn't pick a fight with her if I were you. Even I'm astonished," Airi whispered to Ban.

"You don't have to worry. He really doesn't need to do anything apart from observing. Technically he is not one of us so he's just going to be a guest."

"But what will happen if the doctor recognizes me?"

"It wouldn't be a problem since you will also be wearing a face. We also have a cover-up for you."

"I kinda expected the latter but I can't imagine looking at a mirror with a different mug in front of me."

"Also, this is just out of interest but I heard that there will be a blind doctor invited in the event."

"Oh, you mean Dr. Nishina? I actually bumped to him once when I was in Maris," again, it was just half the truth.

"I'm just curious though," Ms. Airi chimed in as she faced Rin, "Why did you specifically ask assurance of protection for Mr. Sakato?"

"It's obviously so that he would go home safely even if he is physically capable enough. Although if I were to be invited, I would be asking for myself and to anyone that you will bring in, in case that something happens."

"I don't quite get it…?"

"I don't have any idea if you know or not, but in the Kagurazaka's event, every one of us dodged a bullet larger than the attackers'.

But I suppose I don't have much to worry about it this time."

So I suppose while spies can decipher complicated codes, even they are not able to get through our very little context.

Nonetheless, I reached out to my pocket and fiddled around one of my counter earpiece so as to jam any kind of wiretapping that could be going on in the entire room. They are not the only one with the crazy gadgets. Even I try to learn to adapt and improvise.

"What Rin is trying to say is that…

That incident nearly spawned a monster that can possibly turn that event hall upside down."

"…!"

"Can you fill us in more…?"

Needless to say, they felt a great danger from my words.

"Please tell me honestly, just how much do you know of my background?"

Tobei then place his hand on the table with his finger silently tapping on it repeatedly. In response to that, I only shook my head and followed up, "I'm sorry."

I was never able to really learn morse code.

"…

From what we know, your land title is named after you, you have no academic records of your elementary education, the same for hospital records not until 2017, that you were an observation subject of Anew Company's Human Relations together with a Japanese named Kaizo Ryuuya, and that you were somehow related to Ryota Mizuno who was formerly Teardrop.

That is all we know."

"I guess most of that are on paper…

The reason why I said my prior statement is to give a warning to you and to myself. Circumstances had led me to a realization that there might be a time where I will not be able to control myself and lose my sanity, which can only lead to who knows what.

Really, there are a handful of people in this world that was able to break through a normal physical prowess and I'm one of those. It just so happened that I have an abysmal mental state which I prefer to call a mental distortion. I have experienced it a few times already, but at that gathering, I realized just how badly it could have been, more than the ones I have experienced before. If my sister was badly harmed at that time, I am not sure if anyone, including you, even my lover or my family, will come out of it alive."

Suddenly, I remembered the painting showcased in the museum before Kuroko's play began.

"This may sound really out of place or time, but I am one that you would call a berserker if reduced to only a body that is without the conscious.

The only problem is that… I don't even know the extent of what could happen."

"…

Worst case scenario… is there still any way to stop it?"

"Don't say it."

At the tip of a hat, Rin's voice deepened and became very sharp and stern. Even before I was going to open my mouth, I was immediately stopped.

"You heard her."

"Surely you two have encountered cases that may be similar to this. I am a very difficult person, so much that I really wish I could be more of a human than I am right now instead of a something that only runs through illogical hatred.

…

So with that out of the way, I hope that we are clear on that."

With one synchronized breath, I sensed that they have ultimately calmed down, just like how G was able to scan someone's heartbeat.

"Then it is settled. On the day of the event, someone is going to pick you up from your place. We have a network hidden from the surface. Let us discuss further instructions from that, and please remember that we can't afford to skip over at least one extremely small detail."

"Understood. I'll have to move systematically."

"Thank you."

"Thanks for the meal too. We'll take our leave first then."

"Yes, it's nice talking to you two."

"Then we'll be off.

Wanna stop by a batting center, Rin?"

"Sure. I'd love to."

▪ ▪ ▪

The day of the event.

Just to be clear, I don't really consider this day as something that is significant. If I were to give an example of what is, then it would probably be along the lines of us Exiles changing tracks, August 27, and I guess Teardrop's last night would also be one.

I wouldn't really call this day something important if what I am supposed to do is just stand around and just fill my stomach for free. I don't even know what this event is for and I don't think it would really be a significant thing if I'm not seeing this from a medic's point of view.

"Have you ever done men's hair by chance, Rin?"

"No? I'm just winging it right now?"

"What… well you have good tastes, miss."

"Thankyew. Does it feel cold on your forehead?"

"A bit, I just got used to having short hair in summer."

"Oh… I'd like to see your short hair with that color…"

"Stop fawning, ojou-san."

"Ehehe… Well, if you're going to use an identity anyway, let's not leave some holes on your cover."

Color me surprise. She was able to dye my hair entirely black and actually groomed it to a style that I've never used. I suppose it's quite similar to how G's hair is parted while mine is brushed back a bit because of its length. Anyway, I won't really dig this hair a ton but I quite like how the lady has done it.

And here she comes with the camera open on her phone.

~ ~ ~

Sometime after I heard a horn sounding from outside of my house as a rather large black van got parked on the side of Cerulean Street as the wider road.

"Seems like I'm going to get kidnapped, Rin."

"Well, take care and don't ruin the hair I made. I'll hit you later otherwise."

"Phrasing.

I'll come back with my limbs intact later. If I get home early, want me to bring home something?"

"I have some tasks left so grahams would be good for a midnight snack."

"I think that's a lot of sugar for a night. Be careful on that."

"Haaai."

I will still refuse to address him by his first name, so as mentioned, Tobei had briefed me that there are written and unwritten regulations inside the spy world that I had to follow even as an outsider, no matter how simple or superficial they can be. One of those things is that I shall only leave my house looking like any civilian while my clothes are inside a bag.

"S. H. Y?" the driver asked upon putting down his window.

Then I replied, "Oregano," and the door of the vehicle opened for me.

It was the kind of van that you would see celebrities owning, and my word it was one spacious car. The event requires a formal attire and yet I was instructed to exclude a blazer on my set of clothes. I suppose the reason why I was picked up by this van was for me to suit up with the way they would want me to with ease.

I may not be provided with some go-go-gadget apart from a very low profile communication device, but I would guess that this vehicle has some bells and whistles that I don't really see right now. Just who knows how advanced their tech can be. Maybe even this van is actually a tank.

Aaaand why did we suddenly stop.

"I'll get off to get some bubble tea, do you want some?"

"…"

OMAEEEEEEEEEEEE.

"I don't really drink them, so I'll just settle with strawberry milk," as I casually hand him money.

Honestly, I've never had that in my life and I don't know why it is so famous these days. Am I going to get flamed on that statement?

But what did I say, it really felt weird to see a different face on my mug when I looked on the mirror.

~ ~ ~

Anyway, five traffic stoppages later and we arrived at an event center somewhere in the Capital. This time, it literally is just an event center instead of a hall in a hotel, but nonetheless it is also quite grand.

"I'll come back upon a call. I hope you'll be safe there."

"You're not going with us?"

"I'm just a driver."

"I see. Then thanks."

Afterwards someone started talking to my ear, and so I put my phone up naturally to not catch any suspicions.

"Hello, hello~ This is Aito Nohebi."

"Ryogi Ninomae here, entering the venue."

"Catch you later then."

"Be careful not to get caught first, mister."

"Also, I'll unofficially give you the code Chariot just for the giggles."

"Why…"

By the time I have come inside after a security check, I realized that the event has started. So much to call it as an event, as it looks more of like a gathering more than anything.

But would you look at this, the first person I shook hands with was none other the doctor himself.

"Hello there. I'm Rishou Kagetora, and you?" he started in English.

"Ninomae Ryogi, nice to meet you, Dr. Kagetora," I replied, as though I have an accent of a Japanese person.

"Were you from the North?"

"Yes, I do volunteer work on the medical world. I was also a front liner amidst the pandemic. Thanks to your immediate response, we were able to prevent it from spreading."

"No, no. It is so little a thing compared to something I want to redeem."

"You better not mention that, Doc."

"I've heard that you transferred out of Maris Institute. Isn't it a wasted opportunity?"

"I needed a new environment as it reminds me of things. In a bit of a few years, my perspective as a doctor ultimately changed."

"I suppose we have our own troubles."

"Oh, do you mind if I introduce you to a friend of mine?"

"Yes, sure."

"This here is Dr. Hātori Nishina. He is something like a senior of mine. Well then, I shall leave for a moment."

"A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Nishina. I am Ninomae Ryogi."

"…

I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. Sakato."

"What… I guess your eyes see what we can't, Mr. Nishina."

"I felt something was a bit off from you, although I can't really put my finger on it."

"Currently, I appear to be a Japanese volunteer quite literally which is why Doc didn't recognize me. I'm currently doing some kind of work here."

"Then I won't ask. But did you just arrive?"

"Yes. I'm not very busy, so should I accompany you?"

"Gladly."

While my eyes roll around the hall, I noticed that there are not much people that came from overseas apart from a handful including me. While it seems that are no issues regarding them, I'm a little concerned on the fellow Orions here.

I actually don't know how much of an impact did the outing of Medical Children Program brought forth not only to the medical industry but also to the citizens and netizens to boot. But one obvious thing is that something under the country's nose had happened a decade and some years ago, and a gruesome one at that. Needless to say, no one would be in acceptance of that thing that ultimately violated morals.

As much as I hate to mention this truth, Horach may have been laughing on his cell back then.

Tangents aside, the doctor really is catching some nasty stares. I can't really blame them, but I also don't want an incident happening today. I think part of the reason why Doc did not come out of his long ended suspension is because he probably predicted that he will be threatened right off the bat. He was out of commission for quite a long while but I'm surprised that no one has targeted his house if ever my inference is actually right.

"Second floor, please."

"Just when I was…"

"I'm sorry but I'll have to leave for a bit, Mr. Nishina."

"No worries."

Just then, I saw a guy quite having the sweat on his way down while I climb the stairs upon the call. Well, wasn't he sus.

"What did we find?"

"Expected from a medico, he was trying to drug Kagetora and he also has some needles with him."

"So that guy that went down… How many times did he die in your mind?"

"I just gave his wrist a bit of a press in my noggin."

"You're scary."

"Anyway, we really shouldn't be talking about this now, but do you believe that the underworld is completely out?"

"Of course not. It just so happened that my informant is a naive one, and it's a risky stretch to have the media say that.

What, is he an underground doctor?"

"Yup. After this I'll give the cops a tip."

"That's not what I expected to hear, honestly."

"We equally risk our lives all the same, the genuine ones, at least.

There might be some lurkers around. I guess we should move."

And to add to that, Tobei had assured that there are no explosives anywhere around the perimeter, and I can also vouch on the security that there shall be no bombers here, unless an external party suddenly appears.

This may appear to just be a normal gathering, but now I've gotten a taste of how cautious spies can be.

I sure am glad that I didn't make an enemy out of them, or at least I hope so.

Not to raise flags, but I think that this event is going to be cleared if we get rid of all the interference. Actually, did Tobei just stop someone with just "diplomacy?"

"Sorry for that, Mr. Nishina."

Just as I came back, a waiter came to us serving a nice dish.

"Thank you."

"How was it, Mr. Sakato?"

"…

Compliments to the chef."

"That is good to hear."

"Right, how is your research doing thus far?"

"Thankfully, I haven't hit a wall yet considering I can only base on so little resources that relates to my condition and very slow progress. But we're getting there."

"Have you talked to Principal Juushiro about it? You know, he might remember some things as to why he has retained his sight."

"We're both busy men so we don't really get to talk much.

Wait, you sound like that is the case for you."

"Too vividly, unfortunately. Every single one of them is stored in my mind even though my brain has gotten beat up for at least a hundred of major fluctuations it had gone through. I remember their names, how they were made, and everything. I am basically a walking data right now."

"I see…"

(!)

"That's a fast heartbeat."

"I'll have to check on things again."

It was too fast to even be nervousness. It's so unique to be from just one person that I immediately noticed it.

"Let's not get our hopes up on this one, Oregano, but I'm eyeing on someone right now and fast."

"Please do take care of it."

"Immediately."

And so we found the mark, and moving closer to the doctor.

Good thing I keep my breath fresh at all times, but I didn't know that it will actually come in handy in this kind of instance. I let out a gust square on his face to shake the guy up just by a little bit and intercepted his pathfinding.

While I am not a spy, I'm starting to realize that being an Exile is starting to make me look like one with the ways I try to hide my face. And it worked in this case.

"I'll be taking those."

I can't blame his lone confusion, but at the same time, I don't have even a drop of empathy towards a person whose aim is to off someone right in front you. Well, of course, I felt the same thing to myself, as I'm someone who has done it.

"Got a haul on my end. They were three knives that look like it has some sort of a concoction."

"Thanks, hold on to it for the meantime."

"You probably know some info about every single people here. Any more that I need to watch out of?"

"It wouldn't hurt to expect of an unexpected, but pull back from the edge of your seat. We'll continue to observe."

"Noted."

Unlike the man which things I yoinked, I would not expect anything to be direct, if ever something really does happen. These people are doctors, specialists of medicine and physiology. But while that's a fact, they are also humans of the "now." They make reckless decisions, even if consequences be damned. I just didn't realize in the past the sense of being a wolf in sheep's clothing. While I have not seen a person whose real nature is just being covered with a facade of benevolence, I can however imagine how horrified I will be.

~ ~ ~

The assemblage ended with four attempts prevented in total. One of which however is not towards the subject of this small operation. As much as I wanted to be on guard for a little more time the scope of the mission is just until the conclusion of the gathering and nothing more.

Thus we found ourselves sitting on a stone bench within a plaza of some sort.

"Hahh…" Tobei sighed, followed with a quick flick of his lighter on the stick of cigarette on his mouth. "Not all times do we spies get risky missions. Sometimes, there are also mundane ones. I'm telling you, this job ain't fun at all. But I'm still here with my four limbs intact thankfully."

"If this is a job that you've been doing for years, can't say I can relate. While I have my fair share of tearing my muscles, that was still a hard time even if it is a 'mundane' work."

"…

What the… did my smoke die off?"

I am rather impressed with how clean I cut of the stick.

"If you moved your head forward by a bit, your lip may have just came flying with it.

Sorry about that, I'm a little sensitive when I'm near smokers."

"If my lip is getting busted off… Then I might as well stop like seriously."

"Your lungs might too. I hope Ms. Airi does not take that?"

"No. But she didn't really mind."

"Unless she gets an infection. Well, that was a rough time for me."

"I'll take your word then.

It seems the driver is here already. I'll be going with you."

"Sweet. I thought I'll lost my bag. Anyway, I have to stop by for grahams so I'll let you know where I'll drop off."

"Wanna drink sometime?"

"No thanks. You look like someone that will keep pouring on my glass unless I break it on your head."

"Why do you have to always sound so scary…"

"It's my unconscious from person to person. I just suddenly talk in a certain manner unknowingly."

"Just don't let your lover hear that."

"I got punched once and I was groggy."

"Ngh… The world really is a scary place…"

"Women too."

"I agree."