The second she crosses the threshold, she stops dead.

Her eyes narrow.

Disaster. Absolute disaster.

Her four so-called injured boys are anything but resting.

HA-JOON is perched on his hospital bed, using his IV pole like a fishing rod, dangling a sock above MIN-JUN’s head. YU-JUN,is scribbling curse words across DO-YUN’s arm cast with a bright red marker.

A-RA exhales slowly, counting to three in her head.
It doesn’t help.

The boys finally notice her standing there.
Silence slams down over the room.

Four sets of guilty eyes flick to her, then to each other—like children caught vandalizing the school gym.

“You guys look terrible...” A-RA says flatly.

MIN-JUN rolls his eyes and smirks. “You should see the other guys.”

A-RA gives him a blank stare.
“I did. They already walked out of the hospital. Prison transportation as we speak.”

MIN-JUN scoffs but then narrows his eyes suspiciously, noticing the flask and plastic bowls A-RA is carrying.

“In a hospital? Seriously?” he says. “You sure this is where you wanna finish us off? At least have the decency to take us somewhere dramatic—like a dark alley. Or a rooftop at sunset!
Come on, the doctors are right there—give them a sporting chance!”

A-RA snorts.
“And to think,” she says, mock-dreamy, “I had a clean shot at all your heads last night. Perfect angle. No witnesses. Textbook execution.” She shakes her head in fake regret. “But nooo. I hesitated. What a waste. Now I’m stuck here, listening to you whine.”

“Tch, tch,” HA-JOON clucks, dramatically clutching his heart. “Aww, I'm touched. You made us porridge. So, you do love us. You just pretend to be mean.”

A-RA scoffs and awkwardly avoids his gaze.
“Please. It's store-bought.”

HA-JOON points at the flask, grinning.
“But I’ve seen you with that flask before…”

A-RA arches an eyebrow. “Aaaaand you’re definitely talking like someone with way too much energy. I should've brought the new mission briefing instead. You all look way too healthy.”

She shoves a full bowl into HA-JOON’s hands, not bothering to hide the roughness.

“Use that energy to eat.”

DO-YUN grunts a soft laugh, wincing as he tries to sit up.

Without a word, A-RA grabs another bowl, fills it, and hands it to YU-JUN.

“Feed him," she says, nodding toward DO-YUN. "He hurt his arm too, remember?”

“Why me?” YU-JUN protests immediately. “You feed him!”

A-RA mutters under her breath, “If his wife walks in and finds me feeding him porridge, I’ll be the next patient hooked up to an IV.”

HA-JOON pipes up from his bed, barely hiding his grin.
“She should've walked in yesterday... you know, when you were ripping his pants off.”

The door swings open.

DO-YUN'S WIFE steps inside—and the room freezes like a bad sitcom moment.

HA-JOON suddenly finds his porridge extremely fascinating, poking at it like it contains the secrets of the universe.

A-RA sighs, biting her lip, shooting HA-JOON a lethal look.
He shrinks an inch into his pillows, chewing slowly.

DO-YUN exchanges quiet, tender words with his wife, his voice low.

The atmosphere shifts, a heavy awkwardness settling in.

The boys, eager to escape, mumble half-hearted excuses about needing some air and shuffle out.

YU-JUN pauses at the door, jerking his thumb over his shoulder in a silent "Come on" to A-RA.

She doesn’t move.

YU-JUN finally resorts to dragging her out.

Reluctantly, A-RA allows herself to be dragged out.

YU-JUN limps down the hallway, incredulous, throwing sharp looks over his shoulder.

"I thought you were smart. Couldn't you read the room? It was time to leave!"

A-RA strolls casually behind him, hands in her pockets, completely unfazed.

"Oh, I read the room perfectly fine."

She grins, mischievous and proud of herself and adds,
"I just didn’t care. Why’d you come back for me?
You know I thrive on other people’s discomfort."

She flashes an evil little smirk. And continues

"I wanted to see if she was going to yell at him.
Especially in a hospital. Imagine the drama!
Now thanks to you dragging me out, I’ll never get closure."

YU-JUN scoffs, shaking his head.
"You're unbelievable."

A-RA responds.
"Probably! But think about it—what if she’s not even as scary as everyone says?
Today could’ve solved the whole mystery!"

YU-JUN
(deadpan)
"And how exactly would that information benefit you?"

A-RA lights up like he just asked her favorite question.

"If she’s truly terrifying, I'd befriend her.
She'd be my secret weapon to control Do-Yun."

(pause)

"And if I control Do-Yun..."
(she leans in, stage-whispering)
"I control all of you."

YU-JUN slows, turning to stare at her like she’s an alien who just landed in front of him.
"How does your mind even work?"

A-RA taps her own head proudly.
"I know. I surprise myself sometimes too."

YU-JUN groans loudly, dragging his hand down his face.
"That wasn’t a compliment."

A-RA
(beaming)
"I know.
I was complimenting myself."

Still grumbling under his breath, YU-JUN leads the way toward the hospital garden.
A-RA follows, humming happily to herself.

A few days later, back in the office, A-RA strolls in, posture loose, expression light.
The faintest smile tugs at her lips as she spots the boys finally back at their desks.

Naturally, they notice.

HA-JOON
(teasing, mock-suspicious)
"You seem so happy to see us."

A-RA immediately drops the smile, crossing her arms with a dramatic huff. Flatly she responds

"Relieved, actually.
There was a mountain of work piling up.
Now that you’re back, I can dump it all on you."

She pauses... just long enough for their dread to kick in.

A-RA
(innocently)
"Before you resume office work, though… would you guys like to do a little—"

THE BOYS
(panicking, in unison)
"Nooo!"

A-RA blinks at them, feigning confusion like a saint.

"Really? Just a little training... to stretch a little.
You know, after being in bed for so long…"

The boys scramble for excuses like their lives depend on it.

MIN-JUN
(hurriedly, voice cracking)
"Uh, reports! We have... reports to write!"

DO-YUN
(nodding frantically)
"Yeah! Reports!
Important ones... about, uh... that day.
Official stuff. Very urgent."

A-RA smirks, the kind that says I know exactly what you're doing, and turns away .

She saunters toward her office, heels clicking against the polished floor.

Halfway down the hallway, BAEK-HYUN steps in front of her, wearing a grin that could only mean trouble.

"Tonight, I’m buying drinks and beef." He announces excitedly

A-RA’s face lights up, genuine for once.

"I knew from the first day that working for you was the best career decision I ever made."

BAEK-HYUN chuckles, before strolling off to his office.

A-RA watches him go, already dreaming about marinated beef and cold beer.

Later that night, BAEK-HYUN sits at a long table overflowing with food and drinks.

The boys are already feasting like starving wolves, chopsticks flying everywhere.

A-RA walks in last, her face instantly souring when she spots the crowd.

A-RA
(to BAEK-HYUN, pouting)
"I thought it was just the two of us.
What are they doing here?"

BAEK-HYUN flashes a sly smile, pretending innocence.
"Oh? Didn’t I tell you?
I thought I did. Sit, sit."

He waves at a server for even more beef as the boys whoop and holler wildly.

A-RA scowls, scanning for an empty seat.
She tries to settle next to MIN-JUN—only for him to recoil dramatically, hands up like she’s radioactive.

MIN-JUN
(pleading)
"No, no, no. Sit somewhere else.
You’ll ruin my chances of picking up ladies tonight."

A-RA scoffs loudly, rolling her eyes so hard it’s a miracle they stay in her head.
She eyes the empty spot between DO-YUN and HA-JOON...

And then, with calculated pettiness, wedges herself right between HA-JOON and YU-JUN instead.

HA-JOON side-eyes her and goes,
"You could’ve just taken the open seat."

A-RA shoots him a dangerous look.

"After what you said at the hospital?
What do you think happens if she walks in and finds me drinking next to her husband?"

HA-JOON stiffens, nodding solemnly.

"Yeah… good call."

A-RA settles in with a silent, deadly sip of beer as the boys keep chattering and laughing around her.

Later, after far too much food and a suspicious amount of beer—

BAEK-HYUN stands up, slightly swaying, and claps A-RA on the shoulder like he’s passing on a sacred duty.

"I leave them in your care.
Can’t hold my alcohol like I used to."

He gives everyone a cheerful wave and stumbles out into the night, leaving A-RA behind… surrounded by chaos.

A-RA sips her drink in total silence, eyes cool and calculating even under the low restaurant lighting.

HA-JOON leans in cautiously, like he's approaching a wild animal that might bite.

“Even when you drink,” he mutters, curious, “you’re scary. Don’t you ever loosen up?”

She tilts her head, perfectly calm. “It’s because I remember everything I do when I’m drunk.”

She sets the glass down. The sound is soft but somehow threatening.

“The moment I feel a surge of confidence telling me to do something out of character, I stop drinking and go home.”

HA-JOON stares at her and goes

“So… you’ve never done anything embarrassing drunk?”

Deadpan she responds.

“Never!”

From across the table, MIN-JUN’s eyes light up with mischief.

“Would—”

“No, I wouldn’t like to try doing something embarrassing,” A-RA cuts in smoothly, not even sparing him a glance.

He slouches back with a dramatic pout, completely defeated.

DO-YUN raises his glass in a lazy arc, his tone too casual to be innocent.

“Good thing you can hold your alcohol. A woman with… uh… crude behavior like yours…”

A-RA turns her head. Slowly.

Her stare hits like a sniper scope locking in.

DO-YUN immediately panics.

“I mean—! A woman as tough as you. T-Tough! You’re… admirable!”

He gulps down his drink like it's a magic potion that might let him disappear.

Right then, a waiter approaches the table, placing down two cold bottles of beer

“Courtesy of that table over there.”

They all turn.

A group of girls are giggling behind raised glasses, eyes locked on the boys’ table.

MIN-JUN immediately puffs up like a balloon full of self-importance.

“Looks like someone’s got fans,” he smirks, running a hand through his hair.

A-RA doesn’t even blink.

“What makes you think those drinks are for you and not one of your teammates?”

“Boss, please,” he says, with supreme confidence. “Look at me. I radiate main character energy.”

HA-JOON doesn’t miss a beat.

“You radiate something… but it’s definitely not that. More like… sidekick with a strong case of delusion.”

MIN-JUN lifts his glass dramatically, half-lidded eyes full of imaginary camera flashes and admiration. He takes a slow, graceful sip like he’s bathing in compliments.

Then—

SNATCH.

The waiter rips the glass out of his mouth mid-sip like a judge snatching back a stolen trophy.

“Actually,” the waiter says, voice cold as a freezer door, “the drinks are for the lady.”

MIN-JUN coughs on air, wide-eyed.

“Wha—”

The rest of the boys burst into laughter,

MIN-JUN, scrambling to salvage what’s left of his pride:

“Well… maybe they meant all of us? Like, a friendly group gesture?”

The waiter, already walking away, doesn’t even turn around.

“No. Just the lady.”

A-RA doesn’t flinch. Not even a little.

She casually lifts her glass and turns toward the table of giggling girls. With a faint smirk and a tilt of her wrist, she raises the drink in a cool, silent toast — all poise and deadly grace.

The girls squeal. A few wave.

Unbothered, she turns back around and finds MIN-JUN staring at his empty hand like it’s betrayed him. His expression is pure heartbreak — like someone just stole candy from a grown man.

“I can give you a sip,” A-RA offers, voice syrupy-sweet. “Out of pity.”

DO-YUN nearly chokes on his drink from laughing.

“Please—at least let him keep the last shred of his dignity!”

A-RA shrugs.

“He lost that the moment the waiter ripped the glass from his lips.”

MIN-JUN collapses dramatically across the table like a fallen hero in a war movie.

Eventually, the chaos settles.

The group starts filing out, laughter still trailing behind them like echoes of a sitcom ending. The night is winding down.

Outside, YU-JUN walks A-RA to the curb and holds up a hand to hail a cab like the perfect gentleman.

As the car pulls up, she’s halfway in when she glances over her shoulder.

“Maintain this gentlemanly behavior…” she says smoothly, “…when we go on our next date.”

YU-JUN freezes, stunned.

Then scoffs.

Then walks away so fast.

A-RA smirks to herself, leans back in the seat, and closes the door. The cab drives off —