The Spy in The Shadows

Rurouni was on his way home.

The afternoon breeze felt pleasant.

His mind was still filled with thoughts about what had happened at Shikiri Bookstore.

Karika Toshita...

Someone who liked fantasy novels.

Someone who had asked for his help.

And, more importantly...

His first novel friend.

Rurouni couldn't help smiling.

"I really didn't expect today to turn out this well."

He continued walking, enjoying every moment.

Then...

He suddenly stopped.

For some reason...

He felt like he had heard someone's phone buzzing.

Rurouni slowly looked around.

The street was quiet, a few people walked in the distance.

He turned around, still nothing unusual.

Then he looked toward the rooftops.

Not only that, he even glanced at the trees.

Still nothing.

Rurouni scratched his head.

"No... must be my imagination."

He continued walking, still smiling.

But...

It wasn't his imagination.

Because...

Someone was watching him in reality.

From the shadows.

Someone so knowledgeable...

So experienced...

That his phone had buzzed because a girl had just asked him for love advice.

Someone who had been following him.

No one knows for how long.

His name was...

Shadow Shirugae.

He stood silently behind a tree.

His outfit looked nothing like ordinary.

It was practically a ninja uniform.

Mostly dark blue.

With red, black and orange details.

His beloved mother had given it to him when he turned fifteen.

And to Shadow...

It was more than just clothing.

It represented complete freedom.

His personal philosophy was simple.

I'll do what I want.

You're my friend.

Therefore...

Privacy doesn't apply to us.

Not in the slightest.

Because...

This is the universal law of friendship.

Shadow narrowed his eyes.

His mission today was extremely important.

At least...

He believed it was.

I have no other choice.

Group leader Katon has betrayed us.

Therefore...

We must do something about it.

So I'm doing something.

His objective was equally simple.

But the sheer dedication behind it was absolutely off the charts.

I want to see my Onee-chan.

I've always wanted to know what it's like to have a big sister.

And today...

I'll investigate myself and write my honest review.

Not only that...

I need to determine whether she's just a normal person...

Or someone at the level of my mother.

Shadow nodded seriously with extra drama.

"...This mission is very crucial."

He pulled out a small notebook.

Then began writing his report.

Subject: Rurouni Rakhora (Nerdy Buddy)

Current status: Betrayer

Reason: He was already pathetic enough.

Additional crime: He has now started flirting with girls by using novels as an excuse.

Shadow's expression became darker.

Judgment: Heavenly punishment.

He paused, then added another line.

Punishment will be decided during the next KRI Group meeting.

After writing, he closed the notebook.

"...Excellent."

He continued following Rurouni with seriousness.

A few minutes later...

Rurouni passed through the park where he met Hashaku.

Then something suddenly caught his attention.

A golden retriever was sitting near the edge of the walking path.

Rurouni stopped, glanced at the doggy.

The dog looked at him, her tail began wagging.

"Oho, you're cute."

The dog stood up, then slowly walked toward him.

Her tail continued wagging happily.

Rurouni crouched down, said politely.

"Hello."

The dog came closer while sometimes changing directions out of shyness.

Then...

She instantly raised one paw.

Rurouni blinked, tried to understand her.

"...A handshake?"

He reached for her paw within a short moment.

But...

He missed, the distance was very short like he almost touched the finish line.

The dog looked at his hand, then at Rurouni.

Rurouni quickly tried again.

This time...

He managed to gently hold her paw.

"I got you, cutie."

He smiled, dog also got happy by that.

But behind the tree...

Shadow's entire body trembled.

NOOOOOOOOO!

It should've been me! Not him!

That pathetic, idiotic traitor to humanity!

He literally forgets his true friends who risked their lives for him the moment he sees a mere girl!

And now he's being rewarded to this extreme?!

Shadow clenched his fists, showing his anger with extra drama.

He should be executed instead of being rewarded!

He paused, run his brain seriously.

Actually...

That reward is far too generous for someone as pathetic as him.

It's practically the same as sacrificing yourself for the entire planet.

Rurouni continued petting the dog.

Shadow's expression became even more serious.

Then...

The dog raised her paw again.

Rurouni tried to catch it, genuinely tried his best.

But still failed, started laughing at his poor reflex.

The dog tilted her head, thinking what kind of idiot is he.

Meanwhile...

Shadow nearly collapsed due to exaggeration.

NOOOOOOOOO!

Do you have any idea how disappointed she must be right now?!

You literally care more about that cashier just because she's a girl with cash, don't you?!

Shadow's eyes narrowed, anger overflowing his body.

Execution isn't enough anymore.

I'll add five years of continuous suffering with zero ice-cream.

Rurouni, completely unaware of the dramatic judgment taking place behind the tree, continued petting the dog.

After a while...

An elderly man's voice echoed through the park.

"Kira!"

"Where are you, Kira?"

The golden retriever immediately lifted her head.

Her ears perked up, finding her owner.

Then...

She ran toward the voice, barking happily.

"Kira!"

The elderly man finally appeared, not that healthy due to old age.

The moment he saw his dog...

His face lit up with relief, like he found his daughter.

"There you are!"

He crouched down and gently hugged her.

Rurouni smiled while looking at their heart melting reunion.

I'm glad you found her.

The elderly man thanked him from a distance before walking away with Kira.

Rurouni watched them for a moment, then stood up to go home.

Somehow...

That little scene had made him feel warm.

Behind him...

Shadow stared at the elderly man going with Kira.

Then nodded solemnly.

Old man...

I truly respect you from the bottom of my heart.

I hope my pathetic, idiotic two yen friend with zero respect learns something from you.

Even if it's just a little.

I will never forget someone as great as you.

Shadow wiped an imaginary tear.

"...A truly respectable man."

Meanwhile...

Rurouni continued his journey toward home.

"Hmm..."

"Hmm-hmm..."

"Hmmmm..."

He walked along, quietly humming his very own little tune.

For once...

His mind was completely peaceful.

A little later...

1:48 P.M.

Rurouni was almost home when...

Ding!

His phone suddenly vibrated once.

He took it out, wondering what's the matter.

It was a message...

From the most dangerous existence according to him.

Somya Rakhora.

Yup, it's her....

Here I was, wondering who would even bother messaging an introvert like me.

He opened it, since he wants to live.

This time...

She had sent the exact location of her office.

There was also another message.

Somya:

My dear, sweet little brother.

Let me remind you again.

Don't come to my office dressed so casually.

I don't want anyone to mistake you for a beggar and kick you out.

Rurouni stared at the screen, the first thing he noticed was...

Oh, she didn't used capital letters in entire text like before.

Then after reading the complete message.

Only question was in Rurouni's mind.

“Just who does she think she is, anyway?”

He put his phone away, a little annoyed.

"She talks as if her company is bigger than my entire school."

Then looked down at his luxury above average clothes.

But only from his perspective.

"I'll picking her up in these."

"I'm way too lazy to change just to pick her up, anyway."

Then, just as he was almost home...

Rurouni remembered something Somya had said four days ago.

But someone really wants to meet my little brother.