Then You Should Reflect on Yourself
“So I swore that this time I’ll definitely make him regret it!” I declared solemnly, holding a coffee cup in my hands as I spoke of my resolution.
“Yeah, yeah.” Miyano Shiho responded perfunctorily with an expressionless face, manipulating the microscope in front of her. “If you want to make him regret it, you shouldn’t be here with me, right? Go out and pick up men instead.”
I showed a troubled expression: “But if I fail, it would be embarrassing. If I succeed but he doesn’t care, that would also be embarrassing. And if I succeed and he does care, I probably wouldn’t end up well either. So after thinking about it, I decided to forget it.”
She glanced at me and said in a flat tone: “Then go pick up women.”
After a few seconds of silence, I tilted my head and threw her a wink, putting on a affected voice: “Isn’t that what I’m doing right now!”
Miyano Shiho: “…Pervert. Can’t you occasionally not graze near your own nest?”
Jokes aside, Miyano Shiho didn’t take my complaints too seriously—probably because she was used to them.
After checking the petri dish samples in hand, she also came over to make a cup of coffee. Holding the cup, she glanced at me sideways: “Weren’t you here to help? Are you just planning to chat here and do nothing?”
“I’m here to have fun,” I said honestly. “The lab I lead should reopen next month, and I’ll still be managing it, so I definitely can’t take on projects here. During this time, Boss Gin ordered me to observe the newcomers and report any issues to him.”
Miyano Shiho knew I was responsible for some intelligence group work and wasn’t surprised, but was curious about something else: “Don’t you hate dealing with newcomers the most?”
“Yeah, so I plan to observe covertly.” I glanced at the monitor, took a sip of coffee, and reminded her: “Sherry, your test subject No. 3 is eating test subject No. 4.”
“What? Tch, still can’t observe them in the same cage?” Miyano Shiho showed a pained expression, holding her forehead. “This batch of lab mice has an unusually high rate of cannibalism…”
“Wait until the new litter is weaned. This phenomenon isn’t exactly rare,” I advised kindly.
This is the troublesome part of biological experiments—the test subjects are too unpredictable. In this regard, our engineering experiments are much more straightforward and clear, with more controllable variables.
While Sherry went to prevent an experimental accident, I also prepared myself, did some basic disguise, and went out.
I had absolutely no intention of meeting the Organization’s newcomers in person.
I’ve mentioned many times that I’m fully aware our Organization is illegal. Unlike those arrogant types, I think our Organization is a mixed bag, and knowing fewer people would be safer.
Keeping my identity confidential is most important.
The Organization actually has quite a few newcomers, given that the attrition rate in our line of work isn’t exactly low. However, once you reach the level of having a codename, you basically have some status. Advancement is based on ability and merit, which increases stability—though the probability of moles also rises. After all, peripheral members are essentially expendable. If someone goes through the trouble of planting a mole, they’re definitely aiming for the elite levels where more intelligence is available.
After all, neither Gin nor the Boss expects me to catch moles—they just treat me as a database, and I periodically update the information from time to time.
The data that requires my careful verification naturally can’t be from completely unestablished newcomers; it’s always from those who have already been regularized or are about to be.
“Sigh, is our Organization really that short on snipers?” I looked at the new data with a puzzled expression. “But Chianti always seems so idle? Is it because she’s too incompetent to handle many jobs? Come to think of it, last time I noticed she was playing on her phone before a mission—seems really careless. Why not just get rid of her to free up a spot for someone more promising? Korn, you wouldn’t mind changing partners, right?”
“…” The gray-haired man wearing sunglasses in front of me remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking in a dry tone. “We’re not that well-staffed.”
Cultivating snipers requires talent and time, and the Organization has so many assassination missions—it makes sense that we’re short on people.
I showed a regretful expression, sighed, and turned my attention back to the documents in hand: “You’ve worked with Scotch before, right? How was it?”
The file I was reviewing belonged to Scotch, a sniper member who recently received his codename. I’d overheard Vodka and others mentioning him before.
Korn thought for a moment before evaluating: “He doesn’t talk much, quite steady.”
My eyes lit up: “Hey, doesn’t that match your personality pretty well!”
Korn: “…I don’t need to change partners. Chianti’s skills are acceptable. She just has a sharp tongue—she’s not targeting you specifically, she talks behind everyone’s back.”
It was clear Korn was genuinely worried I might actually target Chianti, so I had to abandon my eager little plan.
“Tch, only regular 600-yard capability as a professional sniper.” I set aside the current document and picked up the next file, muttering discontentedly. “Gin’s sniper skills are much better than hers.”
“…” Korn remained silent for a few seconds before reminding me: “Cocoa Wine, I also only have regular 600-yard capability.”
Me: “Oh, then you should reflect on that immediately.”
Korn: “…”
In the Organization, aside from ensuring mission completion and showing respect to the Boss, I don’t need to care about anyone else’s feelings—not even Gin’s. So I always speak according to my own temper, adhering to the principle that if I’m unhappy, nobody gets to be happy.
After saying that, I felt slightly better and opened the next file. I froze when I saw its contents.
Because this newcomer’s profile looked very familiar—it was unmistakably Akemi Miyano’s boyfriend, Moroboshi Dai, whom I’d met once before.
I pulled the document halfway out, furrowing my brow and narrowing my eyes.
Has spending too much time with Gin made me more paranoid? This feels like too much of a coincidence, very suspicious…
“Korn, do you know this person?” I pulled out the document and showed it to him.
Korn paused for a moment before replying: “Yes. Although I haven’t met him in person, I’ve heard others praise his exceptional sniper skills. If we recruit him, he’ll probably quickly gain the Boss’s favor and receive a codename.”
“Is that so…” I flipped the document back over and began examining it carefully.
The document didn’t indicate that the other party had actively sought to join the Organization, but rather that after being noticed by other Organization members, they specifically investigated him. They confirmed that he had previously worked as a solo cleaner with notable achievements, hence they extended an olive branch to him.
When I saw who had issued the recruitment invitation, I couldn’t help but frown. This guy… knows Miyano Shiho…
Logically speaking, if Moroboshi Dai was originally a lone wolf in the industry, later met Akemi and through her got to know Shiho, then was noticed by other Organization members for his talents and recruited… this logic holds up and makes sense.
But… it would also make sense if he was intentionally getting close.
Though when I asked Akemi how they met, she said it was through natural dating…
Perhaps I had been staring at this document for too long, as Korn couldn’t hold back and spoke up: “Cocoa Wine.”
“Hmm? You’re still here? What is it?” I put down the document and looked over, showing a troubled expression. “If you’re looking for someone to ride the Ferris wheel with you again, I don’t have time recently.”
“That’s not it.” Korn showed a somewhat hesitant expression, struggled for a moment, but still spoke up: “He does resemble Gin somewhat, but he’s not Gin.”
“…” I couldn’t help showing a shocked expression. Forget about your questionable judgment… what exactly do you all think of me?!
Wait a minute, we haven’t even formally recruited him yet! Are you worried I’ll think he’s a copycat and make things difficult for him, or that I’ll engage in some replacement fantasy? Speaking of which, how exactly do you all interpret my feelings toward Boss Gin?!
“Overthinking it. I don’t see any resemblance at all, and for me, no one could ever replace Boss Gin, okay?” I put the document back with an exasperated expression.
These people simply don’t understand – what makes Boss Gin special to me isn’t his appearance or abilities, but the sense of security from his near-absolute protection.
“Ah, and you absolutely cannot tell Boss Gin what I just said,” I warned. “If I find out you leaked it, you’ll get the same treatment as Chianti – being ostracized by me.”
I would never let Boss Gin know! He’s already smug enough! Can’t let him get even more conceited!
Probably remembering how I targeted Chianti after she crossed me, Korn didn’t argue and just nodded silently.
I gave my final evaluation of the document: “No issues apparent for now. If the information about his abilities isn’t fabricated, he’s quite capable. I think recruitment should be fine… Since you don’t want to change partners, Korn, we can have Scotch mentor the newcomer.”
“What about Scotch’s opinion?”
“You go tell him. I don’t like meeting new people.” I continued browsing through the remaining documents, then remembered something and looked up to add: “Ah, right. If Moroboshi Dai successfully joins the Organization, I’ll register everything truthfully with the Boss and in the records. But when it comes to Boss Gin and Vodka, just say this newcomer was discovered by me. Understood?”
Korn: “…”
Me: “Don’t look at me with that expression! Don’t overthink it! This is about my reputation!”
The faster this person gets promoted, the more likely I can annoy the person I want to provoke. At the very least, my own reputation will remain intact.
If this person turns out to be problematic, it’s not like I recommended them anyway—I bear no responsibility and assume no risks. Moreover, being in close proximity means I’d likely be among the first to notice any issues and could report them immediately. This way, I can both protect my bestie right away and use the situation to polish my own resume and improve my standing with Boss.
No matter what, I come out on top!
I’m truly a genius at handling interpersonal relationships!