Secret Shopping!!

Mission Details:

Seikatsu Aranha - a boy that had moved into Tsukigakure not long ago, wanting to become a ninja for reasons that were unknown to anyone but himself. Regardless of that, Seikatsu had been in the academy for most of his time in Tsukigakure and it’s been very tedious - so much so that he didn’t realize just how tedious. Today was going to be the first mission that he completed since he had started - and he was surely not going to enjoy it very much. Seikatsu’s basic assumption of this mission was that it would involve helping an old lady across the street or potentially helping someone load something up. Which, the young boy wasn’t too far off…

”Your mission is to meet the owner of a local business - from there he should be providing you with a few more details - ultimately though, you’re going to be checking out one of his competitors. They call this - secret shopping.”

Seikatsu looked at the person in charge of giving him the mission - simply nodding his head when they were done speaking. Seikatsu wasn’t necessarily a man of many words - unless the situation called for him to be. He just enjoyed observing and listening for the most part - if it was something that really interested him of course. As the man gave the final instructions, Seikatsu would complete a one hundred and eighty degree turn and walk out the open door. His slightly long necklace swung out in the same direction that he turned, eventually landing back in the center of his torso. Just like that, the young… or older student maybe… had exited and was on his way to complete one his first real assignments.

Seikatsu made his way throughout the village of Tsukigakure - which he honestly thought had some pretty interesting areas to it - at least from what he’s seen of his time here. He hadn’t quite been able to take in the village entirely, which was okay for now. The place where Seikatsu was currently heading was in the area called Sutageiza Koto, it was the area where most of the market stalls and businesses were located, which also made it the busiest part of Tsukigakure. It's no real surprise that a business owner here was trying to understand what a rival business was doing to be so successful.

The student had arrived at the location where he was asked to come - he stood there for a few moments and allowed his eyes to wander and see if he could observe or find the person he was supposed to connect with. With-in moments, Seikatsu identified someone who seemed to be waving him over in their direction, to a more secluded and quiet area. His feet moved him in that direction, though it was a pretty slow pace. Seikatsu wasn’t one to be in a hurry for the most part - his belief that being in a hurry is what tends to cause mistakes… and he doesn’t like mistakes. Seikatsu rounded the corner and almost immediately ran into an older gentleman - who seemed a bit rough looking but harmless for the most part.

”I presume you’re the person here to do a little bit of spying on a competitor of mine. Ever since they opened up shop - they seem to have had success and I am trying to figure out what’s making them so successful. I’ve procured a list of items that I’d like you to purchase. Make sure you bring them back to me. I also need you to walk around a bit - see what the place is like, how’s the staff, etc.. Got it?” The rough looking man then handed Seikatsu a bag of money for him to purchase the items with.

Seikatsu merely nodded his head at the man before turning around and heading to the business that he was supposed to be scoping out. ”Took everything I had not to start laughing at the guy - which wouldn’t have been good. He seems desperate - business must not be so good for him”

A sly grin crept onto Seikatsu’s face as he continued towards the business, which he already suspected would be impressive. Standing at the entrance, he glanced left, right, and then up, tilting his head back slightly. A low whistle escaped his lips as he took in the sight—he was pleasantly surprised by the exterior’s elegance. Accustomed to the modest structures in Tsukigakure, this building was a refreshing addition to his experiences. He marched forward confidently, pushing through the front door. Immediately, he was greeted by a staff member. Unable to make out who it was, he simply nodded politely in the direction of the voice. The mission was officially underway, and a sense of excitement began to bubble within Seikatsu. While it wasn’t a life-or-death situation, the task at hand gave him a bit of a thrill.

Seikatsu looked down at the list he had been given and began to slowly navigate the business. The openness of the space struck him first—it was airy and welcoming, a stark contrast to the more confined spaces he was used to. This design made it easy to identify where he needed to go for various items, streamlining his task considerably. As he moved through the aisles, he couldn't help but admire the organization and layout. The staff had done an excellent job arranging the store to facilitate an efficient shopping experience. Seikatsu’s eyes scanned the shelves, quickly finding the ingredients on his list. His pace was unhurried but purposeful, and he made mental notes of anything unusual or noteworthy for his report.

Despite the initial rush of excitement, Seikatsu maintained his composure. The task was straightforward, but he knew the importance of thoroughness and attention to detail. Each item he selected was scrutinized to ensure it met the required standards. The last thing he wanted was to overlook something critical. In the background, he could hear the gentle hum of activity—staff members assisting customers, the occasional beep of a cash register, and the soft murmur of conversations. It added to the vibrant atmosphere of the place, making it feel alive and bustling.

As he neared the end of his list, Seikatsu paused for a moment, allowing himself to take in the full scope of the business. It was not just a place of commerce but a community hub where people gathered and interacted. He could appreciate why it was held in such high regard by the locals. With all the ingredients gathered, Seikatsu headed towards the checkout. He handed over the items, and as the staff member scanned each one, he reflected on the efficiency and effectiveness of his mission so far. This task had given him a deeper understanding of the village’s commercial side and a greater appreciation for the meticulous planning that went into such operations.

Leaving the store, Seikatsu felt a sense of accomplishment. He had successfully completed this portion of the mission and learned something new in the process. As he walked back, his mind wandered, eventually noticing that he still had quite a bit of the ryo that had been given to him by the rough looking man. It seemed odd that the man would give him so much extra for the items he needed. Maybe he thought they would cost more than they did?

”Interesting… well let’s see what he says.He should be just around the corner.”

Seikatsu’s pace stayed about as even as it could, never changing speeds or wavering. That was who he was though, he was going to do things how he did them and that was pretty much that. As he wrapped around the corner where he was supposed to meet the man, he noticed he was standing there with his back turned, speaking to someone else in a hushed manner. Seikatsu certainly thought it seemed a bit odd, but maybe the man was just a shady figure - either way, Seikatsu would mind his own and pass any and all information back to the man, including the bag of ryo that had been handed to him.

With that done, Seikatsu turned and headed in another direction. He didn’t necessarily care to be in that man's presence anymore. It reeked of desperation and weakness.

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WC: 1396