The office hums with the low buzz of computer keys. The boys are scattered in their cubicles, eyes glued to screens, deep in digital trenches.

HA-JOON leans back with a dramatic sigh, like the weight of the world is in his inbox.
 he sighs loudly, eyes squinting at his screen
“Seriously… can we talk about that bird for a second?
I admit defeat. I’ve met my match. I’m out of ideas.”

YU-JUN looks over from his monitor, raising an eyebrow.
“How is this bird always a step ahead of you?
Weren’t you the self-proclaimed ‘master of mischief’
What happened to that title, hmm?”

DO-YUN suddenly straightens up, tapping his fingers on the desk with the rhythm of someone haunted by a riddle.
“No, something’s off.
Way off.I’ve got a bad feeling about her…”
He shudders like a ghost just walked by.

Meanwhile, MIN-JUN spins lazily in his chair, arms crossed like he’s the protagonist in a low-budget spy thriller and declares.

“We need an inside guy. Someone undercover, deep dive style.And since I’m the genius who suggested it… clearly, I’m too valuable to risk.”

then he gestures at DO-YUN
“also DO-YUN is a family guy, he's out as well because we need a full time inside guy even outside working hours.”

He stops spinning and lands the chair with a dramatic flair, clearly proud of his logic.

YU-JUN rolls his eyes. HA-JOON just groans. DO-YUN stares at the ceiling like it might hold divine answers.

HA-JOON goes,
“So let me get this straight—your grand plan…involves us risking our lives…
while you kick back and spectate like it’s movie night?”

MIN-JUN doesn’t flinch. Instead, he folds his arms, looking deeply offended as he responds,

“Oh, please. You’re not one to talk. Remember your “brilliant” prank? Backfired so hard we all got roasted in the crossfire. We looked like amateurs, man—absolute clowns.”

YU-JUN leans in, deadpan.
“Okay, sure, HA-JOON deserves it.But what did I do to earn a punishment tier mission?"

He turns to HA-JOON.

“HA-JOON someone has to be thrown under the bus, its survival man nothing personal...”

HA-JOON scoffs.

DO-YUN cuts in before it turns into another round of finger-pointing.
“Guys... Guys...we need a solution and first let's hear MIN-JUN's plan in detail.”

HA-JOON scoffs
“Oh, you’re dying to hear the plan? Of course you are. Because your neck isn’t on the chopping block.”

DO-YUN just shrugs, completely unbothered.

MIN-JUN clasps his hands together like he’s about to pitch the next big heist movie.
“It’s simple. Befriend her. Hang out with her—even outside of work. Gain her trust. Get intel.”

There’s a beat of dead silence. Then—

YU-JUN voice dripping with sarcasm responds.
“I can’t believe we all just sat here… straight-faced…and let you finish that sentence.
So what you’re saying is:
This woman—former special warfare soldier,
probably ex-mercenary, is just waiting around…
for a new bestie to braid hair with and spill classified secrets to?”

HA-JOON adds
“And he said it confidently too…Like it was a Nobel-worthy solution."

MIN-JUN shrugs, unfazed.

DO-YUN leans forward, rubbing his temples like he’s about to curse the heavens.
“I can’t believe I’m about to say this…But MIN-JUN… might actually be right."

The room stills.

DO-YUN continues because everyone else including the one who suggested the crazy plan is shocked beyond words.

“We need to go so simple, so painfully predictable…that it throws her off. She’ll be anticipating chaos—But the chaos? It won’t come. That’s the move.”

YU-JUN squints at him like he’s grown a second head and responds.
“We all know that is not how MIN-JUN thought of it...but now assume MIN-JUN manages to befriend her, what next?”

DO-YUN exhales like the air’s been knocked from his lungs.

“It’s not about yanking classified files from under her pillow. It’s about picking up… little things. Habits. Weak points. Something we can use to disarm her—psychologically."

YU-JUN scoffs, hard.
“What are you even saying DO-YUN? Did someone spike your coffee?”

DO-YUN sighs deeply.
“I don’t know, man. I’m desperate here. We’re in the dark, blindfolded, and tap dancing on landmines. Anyone else got a better idea?”

Silence. Utter, damning silence.

DO-YUN nods slowly, the decision weighing heavy—but certain.
“Alright then. Operation Bestie it is. We’ll figure it out as we go. In the meantime—lets draw slots,MIN-JUN included. No escaping the chaos you birthed."

MIN-JUN gulps.

DO-YUN picks up a coin with exaggerated flair, holding it up like it’s the final piece in a heist movie.

Mockingly solemn, he goes.
“Gentlemen… place your bets.”

YU-JUN & HA-JOON (in perfect, practiced unison)
“Heads!”

MIN-JUN
Leaning back with the arrogance of a man who’s never known defeat
“Tails.”

DO-YUN flicks the coin into the air. It spins fast, catching the overhead light—
Then lands.
Tails.

MIN-JUN Grins
Well, well. Didn’t see that coming, did you?
Honestly, we could’ve saved so much time if you'd just left me out from the start like I politely asked .

He exhales like he’s basking in victory.
“What a burden it is to be this lucky.”

DO-YUN With a sly grin continues.
“Relax, MIN-JUN. You're safe. Which means—Gentlemen, the coveted crown now rests between you two.”

MIN-JUN and DO-YUN exchange a look full of mischief.

HA-JOON looks like he’s seeing his life flash before his eyes.
YU-JUN is halfway to combusting. Literal steam might be involved.

YU-JUN goes,
“I stick with heads.”

HA-JOON Crossing his fingers like he’s summoning ancient spirits goes,
“Tails!”

DO-YUN flips the coin again—
But this time, he slaps it onto the back of his hand and waits.
Suspense drips into the room like slow poison.

YU-JUN Fumes
“Seriously? You’re dragging this out on purpose!”

DO-YUN lifts his hand.
Tails.

HA-JOON lets out the biggest sigh of relief anyone’s heard all week and slumps back like he just escaped death row and whispers to the heavens
“Thank you…”

HA-JOON pats YU-JUN on the back with exaggerated sympathy.

"Sorry, man. One for the team."

YU-JUN mutters under his breath, clearly fuming.
"I should’ve called in sick today. Better yet, I should’ve faked my own death. I demand a re-toss."

HA-JOON snorts, spinning lazily in his chair like he’s auditioning for a villain role.
"Please. If you’d won, you’d be doing a victory lap right now," he says, then tilts his head thoughtfully. A wicked grin tugs at his lips.

 "Actually... technically, you’re the last man standing. Which means..." He claps his hands together, loud and theatrical. "You won the coin toss. Congratulations, champ."

He bursts into obnoxious laughter.

Across the room, DO-YUN leans around his cubicle wall, an amused eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, what’s with this sudden humility? Usually you’d be demanding a trophy."

He shrugs and pretends to refocus on his work, tapping away at his keyboard like he’s got deadlines to beat.

"Glare all you want," DO-YUN adds, voice light. "But we’re on a time crunch. I suggest you start with lunch. She usually sits by herself in the cafeteria. And by lunch..." He taps dramatically on his keyboard. "...I mean today."

YU-JUN shoots him a look so deadly even the air feels colder.
DO-YUN ducks his head quickly, suddenly very busy with his screen.

The room hums with barely contained laughter as YU-JUN slouches deeper into his chair, silently plotting the most painful revenge imaginable.

Later that day...

 The cafeteria buzzes with life — the low hum of conversation, clinking of trays, laughter bouncing off the walls.

In a quiet corner, A-RA sits alone, earbuds tucked in, completely detached from the chaos. She munches on her lunch methodically, eyes half-lidded like she’s somewhere far, far away.

A few tables down, the boys huddle like conspirators, trays forgotten, all of them staring at her.

DO-YUN leans in, voice low and urgent.

"Okay, man. There she is. Deep breath, exhale... You’ve got this. Just walk over there and start... something. Anything. A test run, if you will. Worst case? She laughs. And hey," he gestures vaguely at the crowded room, "she can’t kill you in front of everyone. This is a safe environment... probably. But let’s not overthink it. Just go.

"YU-JUN rises slowly, picking up his lunch tray like it’s a shield. He side-eyes his teammates, pure betrayal written all over his face.

"Let me wrap this up before I turn you into a full-blown motivational speaker, DO-YUN," he mutters. "And you two—" he points accusingly at HA-JOON and MIN-JUN, "—what’s with all the nodding? Someone would think you’re getting paid by the nod. Tch."

HA-JOON throws up a mock salute, smirking.
"All the best, soldier."

Muttering under his breath, YU-JUN trudges toward A-RA’s table like he’s walking to his execution.

"Today," he says grimly, "I will experience the worst indigestion of my life."

A-RA continues to eat, unbothered, eyes glued to her phone.

YU-JUN shuffles closer, awkwardly setting his tray down across from her. He clears his throat, loud enough to rattle the nearest salt shaker.
Nothing. She doesn't even flinch.

Desperate, he waves a hand in front of her face.
"Hey... uh, hi."

A-RA looks up slowly, unplugging one earbud. She fixes him with a blank, unreadable stare, letting the silence stretch until it snaps.

YU-JUN forces a tight smile.
"Can I sit here and have lunch with you?"

A-RA smirks, finally acknowledging him with a spark of amusement.
"So, you’re the sacrificial lamb?" she says, voice low and dry. "Thought it would be MIN-JUN."

YU-JUN blinks, caught off-guard.

A-RA tilts her head, studying him like he’s a particularly slow math problem.
"Don’t look so shocked," she drawls. "At least have some dignity. Maintain a strong poker face... I mean, why else would you be here? That’s elementary deduction."

She leans back, arms crossed, one brow quirked high.

YU-JUN exhales in defeat.
"Okay. Fine. I’m here to... learn my enemy."