Evil Organization’s Extra Mr. A

[8 Episode]

I began to doubt if the current approach was right.

Even though I was becoming closer to Red in a human sense, there had been no progress on my surveillance mission.

I realized I had forgotten something obvious. Red must have become a HunterKiller Team member through long-term education and training, so it’s only natural that she wouldn’t easily reveal internal information.

Of course, the information she shared while pretending it was part of a group assignment or another job could be useful depending on how it’s used, but knowing this doesn’t change anything now.

What I need is significant information that will help us defeat the HunterKiller Team. However, no matter how close we get, Red won’t tell me such information.

After spending over a week with Red, I learned that she is under a lot of stress and the atmosphere within is not good.

“Seems like there won’t be a big breakthrough.”

While lying on the bed thinking about what information I might obtain, I checked the clock and it was 3 PM. It was time to head to the convenience store.

“Convenience store. Convenience store.”

Muttering to myself, I picked up the clothes I had set aside and tried to put them on. But as soon as I saw the shiny black tracksuit I had worn for days, I thought, “No way.”

I threw the tracksuit into the washing machine and opened the wardrobe looking for something to wear, but there was nothing suitable.

“Maybe I should buy some new clothes?”

I did have a few items hanging there, like an outer coat, jeans, and T-shirts, but none of them seemed right. Whenever I open the wardrobe to go out, there are plenty of clothes, but nothing to wear.

“Let’s see. Let’s see.”

Living alone, I’ve gotten used to talking to myself, and sometimes even humming melodies, which would make me look quite pitiful if anyone saw me.

Since I didn’t have any suitable clothes, I took out a pair of jeans and a gray hoodie from the corner and headed to the convenience store.

On my way to the convenience store, I concluded that I wouldn’t get any information today. Negative thoughts aren’t good, they say, but doing the same thing repeatedly and failing every time makes one lose hope gradually.

“Sigh.”

I sighed deeply and opened the door to the convenience store,

“Older Brother!”

Red’s lively voice hit my ears, and I saw her suddenly calling out loudly.

The customer at the counter turned their head towards the direction of the loud sound, and before I knew it, I met the eyes of the customer standing in front of me.

“What?”

I couldn’t figure out what was wrong, but I turned my head and pretended not to see Red, walking further inside the convenience store.

As I was picking things to buy, I heard the customer leave the convenience store. Even though I turned around, I felt that Red’s gaze was piercing my back.

Trying to ignore her gaze, I picked out everything I needed and placed it on the counter, only to find Red looking at me with a stern expression.

“Why, why are you like this?”

What did I do wrong? Did she discover my identity? Looking at Red’s enigmatic expression always made me think of all sorts of things, and I found myself stuttering.

“Why are you ignoring me?”

“What? Ignoring you?”

“I just greeted you, but you ignored me.”

Until yesterday, she used polite language well, but suddenly started speaking informally. While it’s not a problem per se, I feel like I should have been warned beforehand so I could prepare myself.

“There were customers.”

“But I was happy to greet you.”

“Even after seeing you yesterday, what more is there to say?”

I stared at Red’s face as she grumbled and scanned barcodes. What on earth is she thinking? It’s hard to react to everything she does.

Looking down at Red’s face, I noticed the bandage she had put on yesterday was still there.

“How’s your wound?”

“I haven’t taken it off yet, but since it wasn’t a big injury, it should heal soon.”

“That’s good then.”

Beep beep went the sound each time a barcode was scanned, and I looked up to check the price tag.

“Are you here because you work at the convenience store?”

Just as I finished scanning the barcodes and was taking out my card, a question came out unexpectedly. I don’t know the intention behind the question, but it’s true that I only come to the convenience store when Red is here. My mission is to watch over her.

“Yeah.”

I answered lightly as if it was obvious and handed over my card. Red smiled and inserted the card into the reader. Is something good happening?

After finishing the transaction, Red packed the items into a bag and was about to leave the convenience store.

“Already leaving?”

I heard a voice from behind me. I almost made a big mistake. I couldn’t pay attention to Red’s reaction and almost went straight home.

“Huh? Why?”

But I need to understand why Red called me. Not being able to do anything and Red calling me are separate issues.

“Just thought you were leaving early.”

Even though I usually leave immediately after paying and observe outside, something felt different this time.

“You don’t have to leave early. Is there something wrong?”

I turned around holding the bag and stood in front of the counter again.

“Another problem came up?”

“The test ended yesterday.”

Even if it wasn’t a test, I would have asked anyway, but this doesn’t seem right.

“So, is there something troubling you?”

“Not really.”

Listening to her decreasing voice, I wondered what the cause could be, and raised my head to look at the ceiling.

Red said nothing, and since there was no conclusion, I decided,

“I’ll stay a bit longer then.”

“Really?!”

Red’s stern expression suddenly brightened. I can’t tell why she’s feeling better this time. Does it mean I just need to be here?

“Drink this and get back to work.”

Feeling awkward, I put the electrolyte drink I just bought on the counter and headed to the seating area inside the convenience store.

“So, Older Brother?”

“It’s a 1+1 deal. You just calculated it yourself.”

“Right…”

Living alone, frugality is essential. Even if I don’t like the taste, choosing products that come with an extra item is the best choice. But could it be that I was so distracted that I forgot I had calculated it?

It seems Red has some plan, so it’s best to observe carefully. If she finds out my identity, it could be a disaster.

I am observant, so by closely watching Red, I should be able to understand the reason behind her actions.

Thinking this, I watched her while heating up my lunch box. After finishing the calculation for another customer who had just entered, she lowered her head to look at her phone.

“Hmm?”

The vibration of her phone indicated a message from Red.

“Why are you staring at me all the time?”

Oh, it looks like I was caught staring. Staring so openly could backfire, but I hadn’t considered that.

Yesterday, when we had dinner together, she didn’t seem to notice my gaze, but this time, I must have been too eager and she noticed.

There’s no point in dwelling on such trivial thoughts. Since she sent a message, I need to respond appropriately. As I was pondering what to say, Red was fixated on her phone, sipping the electrolyte drink I had just given her.

“Fine.”

Since it’s come to this, I might as well.

[Just.]

Although I haven’t exchanged many texts with various people, this seems like one of the most ridiculous messages I’ve ever sent. It doesn’t explain anything, and if Red had any intention behind her actions, this response wouldn’t resolve it.

Swallowing my frustration, I sent the two characters “Just.” and looked up from my phone.

Red was looking at me, and when our eyes met, she smiled.

Forget it. I’ll just smile too.

Coincidentally, a customer entered the convenience store, and Red, who had wiped the smile off her face, greeted the customer. I retrieved my lunch box, which I had already finished eating.

While sitting in the convenience store, an hour passed. How much longer do I have to sit here?

At that moment, Luche called, and I answered her call as usual.

“Where are you?”

“At the convenience store.”

“Inside the convenience store?”

“Yes.”

Usually, I just need to listen to the results. Why ask so many questions?

Sitting idly in the convenience store for an hour made my tone somewhat curt.

“How is it?”

“Same as usual.”

“You too… Alright, let me know if something comes up.”

“Yes, yes.”

I ended the call after handling the matter briefly. It seems Luche no longer expects any results from my surveillance. Internally, I think it’s best to be prepared if something big happens.

However, I don’t expect any significant developments. I’m aware that things aren’t going well.

“Who is it?”

I jumped in surprise at the voice behind me.

Red was standing right behind me with a cigarette box.

“Huh? What?”

“The person you just called.”

I can’t tell her that Luche is a high-ranking member of Spacystro and my direct superior. Her eyes gave away no clue about her intentions—whether she was wary or genuinely curious.

“A work superior. Asking if my work is done well.”

Since there’s no lie, there’s nothing to show on my face. I just omitted the subject.

“Oh, a work superior. Thought it was a woman’s voice.”

Watching Red walk away with the box, I breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing her voice, I realized how close I came to being exposed if Luche had said something unnecessary.

In the future, it might be best to avoid answering Luche’s calls when I’m near Red.

“Then, do I just keep staying here?”

I couldn’t find any reason why Red left me here. Initially, I thought it was enough to just stay, but reconsidering, there was no logical reason for her to leave me here.

She left me here. Why? Just because I need to be here. Why? Why?

Unable to answer the second question, the thread of the question feels like it’s been cut short.

“Sorry. If you have work, you can go.”

Red, who was arranging cigarettes at the counter, turned around in surprise. I waved my hand to indicate it was fine.

“No, I’m done with work. I was just asking.”

Technically, being here is work, and I’m grateful that Red kept me here out of her own will, but I need to understand her intentions.

“We ate together yesterday and you told me a lot. I wanted to chat a bit.”

If that’s the reason, there’s no need for me to worry unnecessarily. Feeling relieved, I relaxed.

“If you wanted to chat, you should have said so. I thought something was wrong.”

“Really? Sorry.”

Smiling slightly, Red resumed arranging the cigarettes. I decided to observe her without any pressure.

I was truly worried if something was wrong. I thought maybe she had discovered my identity, but it seems she just wanted to talk directly about studying.

After finishing arranging the cigarettes, Red came out from behind the counter to throw away a box and glanced at me again before stopping.

“Today, you’re dressed normally.”

“Huh?”

She suddenly brought up my outfit, so I lowered my head to check the clothes I was wearing. They were casual, so they fit the description.

“Yeah. I didn’t have anything else to wear.”

She looked at me intently, then closed her eyes in thought, furrowing her brow, and then opened them again.

“I remember your outfit was pretty bad when we went to the bookstore.”

“What…?”

It was shocking. Despite putting effort into dressing properly for the first time in a while, it was shocking to hear such a comment from a woman.

“I tried my best…”

I couldn’t meet her eyes due to the reaction to my outfit, so I avoided her gaze.

“Do you have many clothes?”

“…I don’t seem to have many. That’s why I was thinking of going shopping for new clothes.”

“When?!”

Red’s face suddenly moved close to mine.

“Huh? Tomorrow or the day after, I thought. It’s the weekend.”

Panicking, I stumbled over my words. Hearing I’d go on Saturday or Sunday, Red rolled her eyes in thought.

“I don’t have much time on weekends because of work… Should I ask for a shift change? Since it’s break time, I can get more flexible hours.”

The murmurs from less than a meter away were all audible, and feeling like I should say something, I spoke to her.

“Wanna go together?”

Our eyes met, and although I hoped otherwise, I swallowed hard and thought, No.

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