I stretched in my chair.
"Alright..."
Today, Vivian and Brittany were going on their second date with Justin and Jack.
The problem was that I had no idea where it would take place.
And it was completely my fault.
When I hired the four of them—Vivian, Brittany, Ana, and Madeleine—I had thought of almost everything: the mission, the payment, the instructions, the secrecy...
But I had forgotten one very important detail.
Communication.
I could send them letters using balloons, but how were they supposed to reply to me?
"Tsk..."
I clicked my tongue.
"That was a pretty careless mistake."
I took out a sheet of paper and a pen.
Then I started writing.
---
To my esteemed employees:
How is the mission going?
I hope everything is proceeding according to plan.
Jokes aside, I'm writing because I made a mistake.
I forgot to establish a secure way for you to communicate with me.
That oversight is entirely my responsibility.
For now, continue with the mission.
When all four of you gather at one of your houses, stay alert.
I'll send you clear instructions on how to deliver your reports safely.
Don't worry about your payment.
It will be there.
Along with a small bonus for the work you've done so far.
—The Clown
---
I carefully folded the letter and tied it to a balloon.
"I'll send it later."
I leaned back in my chair.
"I really miss artificial intelligence..."
But complaining wouldn't solve anything.
I had to get ready.
If I wanted to follow them without interfering, I had to do it carefully.
"From a distance."
"As Ryan."
"Not like some idiot hiding on a rooftop."
I changed my clothes and teleported away.
---
I appeared on the roof of a house near Vivian's home.
From there, I could see her bedroom.
The window was open.
I heard her voice.
"Yeah... I'll be there with Brittany.
See you later."
She hung up the phone.
She remained seated on her bed for several seconds, completely still, lost in thought.
It was understandable.
Until recently, she had been nothing more than an ordinary student.
Now she had been recruited by a mysterious clown, and her very first mission was to get close to two suspicious boys.
She sighed.
Then stood up and left her room.
"I got here pretty early..." I murmured.
There was nothing else to do.
I simply had to wait.
---
The hours passed.
Eventually, Brittany arrived.
She knocked on the door.
A few moments later, Vivian came outside.
The two of them started walking while chatting.
Perfect.
The second date had begun.
I followed them from a safe distance, avoiding the use of unnecessary magic.
After several minutes, they arrived at a restaurant.
Justin and Jack were already waiting near the entrance.
They greeted the girls as naturally as ever.
The four of them went inside together.
I waited a few seconds before crossing the street.
Then I entered the restaurant like any ordinary customer.
I chose a table far enough away.
Close enough to observe.
Far enough not to attract suspicion.
As soon as I sat down, Vivian looked up.
For just a brief second, our eyes met.
She recognized me.
She smiled naturally and continued talking.
Jack noticed the brief distraction.
"Something wrong?"
"No," Vivian replied calmly.
"I thought I saw someone I knew."
The conversation continued.
I ordered some food so I wouldn't look suspicious.
Once the waiter walked away, I discreetly activated a small sound amplification spell.
Their voices immediately became crystal clear.
"So, Jack," Vivian asked, "where do you study?"
Jack smiled.
"At a university a little ways from here."
"My brother and I are just taking a short break."
Justin nodded.
"Exactly."
Brittany continued asking simple questions.
Justin answered some of them.
Others he smoothly redirected.
Everything seemed normal.
Too normal.
Then...
The mark on my chest began to burn.
I frowned slightly.
Again.
The burning sensation was intense.
Much stronger than before.
Even though I had grown accustomed to the pain, it was impossible to ignore.
I concealed my reaction as I slowly raised my eyes.
I looked at Justin.
Then at Jack.
At that exact moment...
Both of them stopped talking.
They remained completely motionless for a fraction of a second.
Then...
They smiled.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Damn..."
I knew coming here had been risky.
But the cursed mark had chosen the worst possible moment to react.
I didn't know whether they could sense it.
Or whether it was nothing more than a coincidence.
There was no way to tell.
I watched them from the corner of my eye.
A second later...
The two brothers resumed their conversation as if nothing had happened.
As though those brief seconds had never existed.
I let out a silent sigh.
Personal note:
Don't spy on them like this again.
Even though I have experience fighting monsters...
I'm still a beginner when it comes to intelligence work.
And beginners...
Are the ones who make the most mistakes.