A Silent Gamble

Days passed--no messages, no break-ins, no hidden note, there was nothing.

And for a moment, I wondered if maybe—just maybe—I had been discarded.

Then Kaito's voice brought me back to reality.

"Oi Ren! Are you listening?"

I jumped. "Huh? Wha--Yes!"

Mika leaned against the lockers nearby, arms crossed. “He’s right. You need a break.”

"A break for what?"

Kaito scoffed. “From whatever weird mood you’ve been in all week.”

He's not wrong, though there we're no signs of them watching me, I still had my guard up.

I took a deep breath, "so where are we going again?"

Mika rolled her eyes. "So you weren't listening. Gosh, Ren"

"Karaoke, then Food. And and you're not allowed to do anything school-related while were out."

Just one normal night. How hard could that be?

...

The night went surprisingly well.

Karaoke was chaos—Kaito was terrible, Mika was terrifyingly good, and I was just average.

For the first time in days I felt relaxed just us friends having quality time together.

Then we went for food.

We chose to have fast food. Naturally, there were alot of people there that day since it was a weekend.

"Ren! Can you find us a table?" Mika called over the noise. "Tell us what you want we'll order it for you."

I nodded, barely thinking about it. "Just a burger with a drink."

I glanced arround the tightly packed tables, looking for an empty spot.

There weren't any empty tables since it was rush hour, though I did spot a person sitting alone at a large table.

As much as I don't like disturbing others, I had to find a table for us.

I stepped over, clearing my throat slightly. "Excuse me, do you mind if me and my friends sit here? The place is packed."

The person barely reacted—just a slight glance up, then a casual nod.

A quiet approval.

I muttered a quick thanks and slid into the chair, dropping my bag beside me.

I was about to pull out my phone when, I slightly glanced up at the person.

Midnight-blue hair and Violet eyes.

This wasn’t a random person.

She had been sitting here waiting for me.

"Spectre."

She took a slow sip from her drink, "Took you long enough, Ren."

My breath hitched, "You knew I was out with my friend's?"

She smirked, "I always know where you are. And what you're doing."

I glanced toward the exit—toward my friends, still waiting in line, completely unaware.

She slid a folder across the table. "New mission. Outside of school this time, to give you a real challenge.

Jonathan Raines.

a local businessman, someone with influence, someone who had connections.

I swallowed. "What am I looking for?"

"Illegal dealings," she said smoothly. "We suspect he's laundering money. Bribing people. Maybe worse."

I shut the folder, "How can a highschooler like me be of help in bringing down a criminal?"

She smirked, "You really think we would send you without a plan?"

I sighed, "So what's the plan?"

She took another sip, "Once you get home, you'll find the answers there."

She stands up, grabbing her drink, "For now enjoy your night, Ren."

She waves bye, while walking away, then she disappears into the crowd.

As soon as I lost sight of her, I saw my friends walking up to my table along with our food.

Kaito sits beside me, "Hey Ren, sorry for making you wait, the line was, super long!"

Mika notices the folder, "What's with the folder?"

I immediately hide the folder playing it off. "Oh this? Nothing much just a draft of a little something I'm working on."

Mika narrowed her eyes. "Ren! What did I say? No school related things while we're hanging out."

I exhaled deeply. "Fine fine."

The night ended without anymore sightings of her.

As soon as I stepped into my apartment, I noticed that my things has been messed around with again, but nothing is missing.

Can these people just respect my privacy?

I drop my bag on the floor and headed to my room, flipping the light switch reveled--

A formal suit.

Pressed. Dark. Tailored too perfectly for this to be coincidence.

Next to it—a card.

I swallowed hard, picking it up.

Table for two. Tommorow night. - 8pm *DON'T BE LATE*

...

The next day.

The hours rolled by way too quick, by the time I've got my self mentally prepared, it was already 7PM.

I got my self dressed and walked out my apartment.

As I reached the bottom of the stairwell, I noticed that Spectre was standing there waiting.

"You're on time, I thought I would have to break-in again"

She chuckles a bit. "Let’s see if you can keep up."

Then—she turned, walking down the street without another word.

At the restaurant, I stepped up to the host stand, adjusting my cuff out of habit.

"Reservation for two. Eight PM."

The hostess skimmed the list, then nodded. "And you're with Ms. Laurent, correct?"

Ms. Laurent?

That's the first time I've ever heard a name from her, not Spectre, an actual name.

I hesistaded. "...Uh, yes."

"Right this way, Mr. Takahashi and Ms. Laurent"

I turned towards Spectre and whispered, "Laurent? Is that—"

She tilted her head, amused. "Of course not."

Then, she smiled, gesturing towards our private seating, "Let's get going shall we? Mr Takahasi."

...

Specter sat across from me, perfectly composed, barely glancing at the menu.

"So… you’re paying, right?"

Specter actually looked up this time, one brow raised.

"Let’s just say… if you perform well, I won’t let you starve."

I clenched my jaw, scanning the room.

Then, Jonathan Raines entered

Polished. Confident. Moving like someone who had power and knew it.

He walked toward a private booth near the back, where another man was already seated, waiting.

My heart sank when I saw who Raines was meeting.

A distant relative.

Someone I had seen at family gatherings, exchanged small talk with at rare reunions.

He was kind enough to comfort me when I had a fight with my parents.

And now—he was here.

Handing Raines a small, discreet envelope.

Spectre’s voice cut through the moment.

“What do you see? Who is he dealing with?"

I stiffened.

I had a choice.

I could report the whole meeting

Or I could leave out my relative in the report

If I reported it, it could ruin his life.

If I didn’t, I’d be lying to Specter and her organization—people who didn’t tolerate mistakes.

It was a risk either way.

I just couldn't bring my self to it.

I couldn't write down the name of my relative.

I scribbled "Unknown Person/ dealing with Raines." And I sighed

This could go bad or worse, either way I've made my choice.

I slowly hand her the small notebook.

She reads it briefly and closes it

Then, with an unreadable smile—

"Enjoy your meal, Ren."

And just like that, dinner resumed.

The night ends with nothing else happening

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that she already knew.