The unexpected strikes them, galvanizing their resolve to carry out their mission.

  _ Hazel: “ That's fine with me. Like we said, we have to fend for ourselves if we want to get information. ”

  In unison, heads nod up and down. Then, a glance turns toward Kaya. A smirk appears.

  _ Ma?ko: “ Well, well? This time, you're not against the idea of infiltrating the office? ”

  Without showing the slightest emotion in response to this provocation, Kaya connects her pupils to Ma?ko, understanding what she is getting at.

  _ Kaya: “ Unlike exploring with drugs, it's more likely to find clues. ”

  _ Ma?ko: “ Oh yeah? And why is that? ” she said, confidently.

  _ Kaya: “ The chief must have archives about the village. The next generation needs to be aware of the situation. ”

  These disconcerting remarks shake Ma?ko's confidence, her eyebrows arching.

  _ Hazel: “ Even though, once again, there's no guarantee that the archives will be in his office, the odds are still high. ”

  _ Kaya: “ Secondly, the risk involved is low. In exploration, it could be fatal, whereas for this infiltration, in the worst case scenario, we'll be punished. ”

  Ma?ko stands speechless, unable to counter these solid arguments.

  _ Kaya: “ Next time you target me, think before you speak. ” she says, in a sharp tone.

  With clenched fists and teeth, Ma?ko is overcome with shame, her face turning bright red.

  _ Ma?ko: “ Damn it! ” she says, turning her head away.

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  With a firm step, followed by a peaceful gesture, Shailly tries to calm the tense atmosphere between the girls.

  _ Shailly: “ It's okay, calm down! ”

  _ Kaya & Ma?ko: “ ... ”

  Seeing that the ridiculous altercation was over, I moved on to the plan to be carried out.

  _ Ayden: “ First, the goal is to find out the exact route the boss takes on her nightly rounds. ”

  _ Hazel: “ Exactly. We'll also need to know what time she leaves the building and how long her rounds take. ”

  _ Ayden: “ Yes. Once we have that information, I'll infiltrate the office. ”

  Hazel immediately notices and a sharp glance is directed in my direction.

  _ Hazel: “ So you'd already decided to go. ”

  _ Ayden: “ Yes, after all, I'm the one who suggested it. And we don't need to be several people in his office. ”

  _ Hazel: “ I'll go with you. It'll be safer with two of us. ”

  _ Ayden: “ As you wish. ”

  Motivated, Shailly moves slightly toward me.

  _ Shailly: “ What can we do to help? ”

  _ Ayden: “ You'll be responsible for patrolling the entrance to the building. I don't know what Source the boss has, so an extra person would be necessary as a precaution. ”

  She clenches her fist with conviction.

  _ Shailly: “ Count on me! ”

  _ Ma?ko: “ I'll go with you. ” she said, gradually coming to terms with the previous altercation.

  _ Ayden: “ No. We need you to track down the boss. Only you can succeed in this task thanks to your Source. ”

  A wave of confidence overwhelms Ma?ko, lifting her up like a powerful swell. Her heart swells with vibrant pride and her chest straightens.

  _ Ma?ko: “ Well, since you insist. ”

  I look in Kaya's direction.

  _ Ayden: “ You'll go with Shailly to let us know when the boss is leaving. ”

  She looks back and forth between me and Shailly.

  _ Kaya: “ Do as you wish. ”

  Each role assigned to each of us gives us a boost. Seeing perhaps the light at the end of the tunnel, turning back is no longer an option.

  _ Hazel: “ However, there's no guarantee that there's a window in his office, in which case the full moon won't be able to light our way. ”

  _ Ayden: " In that case, we'll build a fire upstream. Then we'll take the candles from our cabins. “

  _ Kaya: ” And how many times do you want us to circle the building? "

  With a wave of my hand, I hold up three fingers.

  _ Ayden: “ Three times. If the boss has the same route and the same start three times in a row, it's worth taking a chance. ”

  _ Kaya: “ Okay. If you're done, I'm going. ”

  We all watch Kaya leave the field. Then I stare at everyone.

  _ Ayden: “ I'll let Son know about the situation. ”

  _ Hazel: “ Sounds good. ”

  _ Shailly: “ I'll do the same with Kona! ”

  I begin my walk toward the exit of the field.

  _ Ayden: “ Okay, you're starting the operation tonight. Above all, don't get caught, you and Kaya. ”

  _ Shailly: “ No worries! ”