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The advantage of codes is that they allow for easy identification of allies.

But conversely, that convenience can also become a weakness.

Especially when facing off against entities like shamans, this was even more true.

Predicting what kind of abilities they might use is impossible; that is the very nature of magic.

Even when shamans meet each other, it’s hard to know what kind of spell they’ll cast, making it a fool’s errand to treat them like ordinary capable persons. At the very least, one must assume that ‘hallucinations might occur, or something along those lines.’

That’s why the one leading this operation hasn’t established any codes.

It’s to prevent a situation where an agent might spill the beans under torture by a shaman or become susceptible to hallucinations or drugs, leading to an involuntary confession.

But…

But…

Why are they all nodding in agreement when told that there are three codes?

Why?

“I’m going crazy. I am really going insane.”

Breathless.

My face is turning pale.

I feel my hands and feet getting cold, sensation slipping away.

My back is damp.

It feels as if I’ve been doused with cold water.

I want to escape.

“I need to find an opportunity to break free. Damn it.”

The agent muttered to himself, focusing his eyes on the screen.

He felt that if he unconsciously glanced around, meeting the gaze of whatever was ‘pretending to be a companion,’ he wouldn’t be able to keep his composure.

Thus, the agent concentrated on the camera, his eyes sharpened.

However, all his nerves were tuned into other sensations, ready to spring into action at the faintest hint of something odd.

After what felt like an eternity, albeit a brief moment…

“Hahaha!”

“Fuhahaha!”

“Oh, Carlos. Sorry. You really seemed surprised!”

…What reached his ears was raucous laughter.

It was immense.

“…What?”

At that booming laugh, the agent, Carlos, unconsciously turned his head.

Upon turning, he saw his companions laughing at him.

Some were doubled over, practically rolling on the floor laughing, while a few others looked on with a hint of sympathy mixed in their smiles. And some were smirking, as though mocking him.

“…Wait a minute.”

Carlos blinked in bewilderment at the sight.

“Hey! What’s with the three codes? Is that all you can muster up? Trying to test the waters?”

“There were no codes, my friend! Okay? If you asked because you couldn’t remember, then So—rry!”

“Ha! You truly have zero awareness. Damn it. You lost the bet because you caught on late.”

“Oh, I didn’t plan on startling you like this. Hm.”

But with the words that followed from other companions, Carlos finally grasped the situation.

“You bastards!”

He had been fooled.

Those companion idiots had orchestrated this prank on him!

Carlos erupted in anger at the realization.

But within that rage was a wave of relief.

The happiness that his companions weren’t ‘something pretending to be companions’ surfaced.

Was that why?

Even when calling them bastards, there was a strangely moist lilt to his words.

“Oh, Carlos. Are you crying?”

“Oh dear. Has being called Carlos suddenly made you all sentimental like a bunch of European softies? I told you not to use Spanish names! Hahaha!”

“Oh, come on. Just don’t cry on us.”

Naturally, this became yet another source of teasing for his companions.

As they caught a glimpse of his vulnerability, the agents seized the opportunity and ribbed Carlos, who could only chuckle incredulously at his relentless, heartless companions.

“…Ha. Damn it. So, do you find this amusing?”

“Hmm. Well, it’s relieving enough, I guess.”

As Carlos sighed out his grievances, one of the laughing agents began to explain.

“If you were shocked, I apologize once more. But, um, it wasn’t really aimed specifically at you, Carlos. You were just the only one who didn’t head to the bathroom until the very end.”

“What? The bathroom?”

“Yeah. The bathroom.”

“You bastards, what did you do in the bathroom?”

“Correct answer! We stuck a memo in the bathroom. If only one person remained who hadn’t gone, we figured we’d freak you out by having a ghost or something come out and scare you! And surprisingly, we all agreed to the plan silently! Hahaha.”

The agent continued, laughing heartily.

“It was a sight to behold, seeing the number of people who hadn’t gone dwindle down! The exchanging looks among those who had returned was priceless! That moment of secret but clear communication felt just like something out of a spy movie!”

“Of course, that spy is us! Hahaha!”

Hahaha!

Once more, the room erupted into laughter.

And in that moment, Carlos sighed, feeling a mix of relief and exasperation.

“Alright. I get it, you bastards… So what’s the reason behind this little prank?”

“Hm. Do pranks even need a reason?”

“Stop bullshit. You don’t pull pranks while working! This isn’t exactly an easy mission…”

For a moment, the agent paused, seemingly considering Carlos’s words.

Then he said,

“…We were all a bit too tense.”

Too tense.

Carlos finally understood why they’d pulled such a prank.

“Do you mean to say that you were so scared of a shaman that you intentionally pulled this nonsense to lighten the mood?”

“Exactly. As much as we want to deny it, until just earlier, we looked like frightened little mice. Or maybe even chicks. Just little chicks that couldn’t even pretend to be chickens.”

“….”

“But will just talking ease our tension? No way, man. So we took this extreme measure.”

Carlos felt annoyed by the agent’s words, yet he couldn’t help but agree deep down.

He himself had just been sweating bullets and scared out of his wits moments before.

In such a situation, how were they supposed to face a shaman, let alone keep watch?

Just seeing the appearance of a shaman already put them in a state of trembling fear.

“Don’t you remember? ‘The greatest achievements come from somewhere between laziness and effort.'”

“Ha! That line about the boss who suddenly zipped ahead after landing with a parachute? The one who always chattered on about it?”

Carlos chuckled incredulously at the agent’s words.

Why was that coming up now?

But even while poking fun, the tension had entirely evaporated from his voice.

Being the butt of the prank had made him the worst off, but—instead—experiencing the tension brought about by that prank released him from his anxiety.

“Good to hear you’re remembering.”

“How could I forget that?”

And perhaps the reason for his relief lay in the shared understanding embedded in their conversation. Listening to something they all could relate to as agents and companions reaffirmed for him that ‘this person is not something pretending to be a companion.’

If it were something imitating a companion, it wouldn’t know such things.

That certainty was a source of relief for him.

It felt as if their camaraderie grew even stronger.

“Alright. Either way, I’m glad the tension seems eased off. Oh, by the way, how about we head to the bathroom together?”

“To the bathroom? Why?”

“Why, you ask? Come on, friend. Don’t you want to see that cursed memo that got you into this mess?”

“Oh.”

A cursed memo?

Carlos couldn’t help but chuckle at his companion’s expression.

Indeed.

The term ‘cursed memo’ wasn’t entirely wrong.

It could be called a cursed memo for having been the cause of such a startling prank.

“Alright. Let’s go check it out.”

“Okay. I’ll guide you.”

“Guide me?”

“Oh, come on. I’ve infiltrated as a docent before. Just trust me and follow my lead.”

Carlos chuckled again at his comradely companion’s antics as they made their way to the bathroom.

His companion gestured for him to step inside, and Carlos slowly opened the bathroom door and stepped in.

It was daytime, but perhaps because the light was off, the bathroom was quite dark.

Carlos naturally felt along the wall, searching for the switch, and pressed it.

Click.

With a soft sound, the bathroom lights turned on.

The dimly lit room, though not particularly large, came into view.

A mirror, a sink, shower curtains…

It looked like an ordinary bathroom you’d find anywhere.

But something that should have been there was missing.

The memo.

The memo that had played such a cruel prank was nowhere to be found.

“Hm? Hey! I don’t see the memo!”

“What do you mean? It’s right there on the mirror! It’s written on a transparent silicone memo! It’s stuck on the mirror, so look closely.”

“Transparent silicone memo? Ha, you really put some effort into the prank. You bastards.”

Carlos couldn’t help but chuckle as he began examining the mirror closely.

If they had stuck the memo with transparent silicone, it was highly likely that the ink used was something that wouldn’t show up easily.

But no matter how thoroughly he searched, the memo was nowhere to be found.

“…It’s not here?”

“Haha, there’s no way it’s not! Hey everyone! Carlos can’t find the memo! Let’s help out this poor old man with vision issues. Come on!”

Carlos thought to himself, ‘Is this another prank?’ as he heard the voice of his companion from outside the bathroom.

Then he considered again.

‘This must really be another prank. Those bastards.’

Such thoughts transformed into certainty as his companions began crowding into the cramped bathroom.

Those bastards tricked him twice!

Realizing this, Carlos felt an urge to shout out.

But at that moment…

Thud.

Something clamped over his mouth.

‘…What?’

This felt strange.

His companions were right in front of him.

Yet there was no one in the bathroom.

Behind him, clearly, was just the wall with the mirror hanging there…?

“….”

“….”

“….”

He couldn’t move.

It felt like an endless surge of hands was rising from the wall, firmly gripping his entire body. Three hands on one arm, four… and more on each leg.

He couldn’t even begin to comprehend how many hands were holding him down.

And the hand that covered his mouth was so strong.

He couldn’t even turn his head.

“….”

“….”

“….”

He could see his companions.

They were staring at him with a strange atmosphere, just like when they’d played the prank.

“….”

“….”

“….”

He could see them.

He could see the reflections in their eyes, his own image.

“…!”

Their eyes.

The reflection visible in those small mirrors showed him…

“…!!!”

He was being held down by countless hands sprouting from the mirror; he looked like a pitiful prey.

 

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