Chapter 13: Back to Business

Aizen and Taeyang walked side by side, the energy from their day of adventure still buzzing between them. The laughter and absurdity of their pancake fight felt like a refreshing cleanse, washing away the remnants of Jinyoung and any lingering doubts that had plagued Aizen.

“So, what do you think the next mission will be about?” Taeyang asked, breaking the comfortable silence as they approached HQ.

“Probably something ridiculous, knowing our luck,” Aizen replied with a grin. “Like infiltrating a circus or something. You know, all clowns and acrobatics.”

“Please, no clowns,” Taeyang shuddered. “I can deal with terrorists and spies, but not creepy clowns. My sanity can only handle so much.”

“Aw, come on! I’d pay to see you try to blend in with a bunch of circus performers,” Aizen laughed, picturing Taeyang in oversized shoes and a colorful wig.

As they entered HQ, the familiar buzz of activity welcomed them. Agents rushed around, phones ringing, and the ever-present hum of serious discussions filled the air. Aizen felt a spark of anticipation; this was where she belonged.

“Hey, Aizen! Taeyang!” called out Minho from across the lobby, waving them over. He was flanked by Yuna and a new face—a tall, broad-shouldered guy with a confident smile. “Meet Jin-Soo, our newest recruit!”

“Nice to meet you!” Jin-Soo said, extending a hand to Aizen. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Only good things, I hope,” Aizen replied, shaking his hand firmly. “Welcome to the circus.”

Jin-Soo laughed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “I’m ready for anything, even clowns, if that’s what it takes.”

“Good to know you have a sense of humor,” Taeyang remarked, nudging Aizen. “We might need that for our next mission.”

“Speaking of which,” Yuna said, glancing around as if checking for eavesdroppers, “there’s a briefing in fifteen minutes. Something big is happening, and it might involve you two.”

Aizen’s heart raced at the thought. After their previous mission in Russia, she was eager to dive back into the action. “What do we know so far?”

“Not much,” Minho admitted, leading the group toward a conference room. “Just that it’s high-stakes and we’ll need every ounce of teamwork to get through it.”

As they settled into their seats, Aizen exchanged glances with Taeyang, who nodded encouragingly. The rest of the team trickled in, and the atmosphere shifted as the commanding officer, Director Choi, entered the room.

“Thank you all for gathering on such short notice,” Director Choi began, his voice steady but urgent. “We have received intelligence about a potential threat targeting several key government officials. We believe it’s linked to a larger organization operating out of North Korea.”

Aizen felt a chill run down her spine. “What’s the plan?”

“We’ll be sending a team to gather intel and assess the situation. Aizen, Taeyang, you’ll be leading the ground operation,” Director Choi announced, his gaze locking onto Aizen. “We need your skills to gather crucial information and, if necessary, neutralize the threat.”

Aizen exchanged a glance with Taeyang, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. “We’re in,” Aizen replied firmly.

The rest of the briefing unfolded with a flurry of information: details about potential suspects, operational methods, and the urgency of their mission. Aizen listened intently, jotting down notes and mentally preparing for the challenges ahead.

“Your first objective is to infiltrate a gala that’s being hosted by one of the officials in Seoul,” Director Choi continued. “We believe key players from the organization will be present. This will be your best opportunity to gather intel.”

“Sounds fancy,” Taeyang commented, a playful grin on his face. “Are we dressing to impress, or are we going with the classic ‘undercover agent’ look?”

“Impress, of course,” Aizen replied, smirking. “I refuse to be outshone by anyone in a tux.”

The room filled with laughter, the tension easing as they settled back into the camaraderie that had become their strength. After the briefing ended, Aizen found herself buzzing with energy.

“Alright, partner,” she said, nudging Taeyang as they walked out of the conference room. “Let’s get our glam on.”

“Glam? You mean we’re going full James Bond?” Taeyang asked, eyes sparkling.

“Exactly! But, you know, with more pancake jokes and less existential dread,” Aizen quipped, her mind racing with ideas for their cover identities.

As they moved through HQ, Aizen felt a rush of confidence. She and Taeyang had developed a rhythm during their last mission, and now they were about to face something even bigger together.

“Okay, I’m thinking we need some solid cover stories for this gala,” Aizen said, her strategic mind kicking into gear. “What about the charming couple from overseas?”

“Like the ones who ‘met in Paris’ and fell madly in love over overpriced coffee?” Taeyang suggested, putting on a dramatic accent. “And now we’re back to do ‘business’ in Korea?”

“Perfect!” Aizen laughed. “But remember, we’re not just there to make out in the corner. We need intel.”

“Sure, sure. But let’s be real; the best part of being undercover is definitely the ‘pretend to be in love’ part,” Taeyang teased, nudging her again.

Aizen rolled her eyes playfully. “You’re going to make this way too easy for me to hate you.”

“Me? Never!” Taeyang feigned shock, a dramatic hand to his chest. “You’d miss my charm too much!”

“Keep telling yourself that, pancake prince,” Aizen replied, grinning.

As they reached the gear room to prepare for the mission, Aizen couldn’t help but feel a warm flutter of excitement. This was her chance to not only prove herself but also to deepen her connection with Taeyang.

“Before we gear up, let’s go grab some coffee,” she suggested, feeling her heart race at the thought of spending more time with him.

“Lead the way!” Taeyang said, following her out of the room.

Once they were outside, the crisp air greeted them, invigorating their senses. They walked side by side, their laughter echoing off the walls, and Aizen felt a sense of freedom. The day off had done wonders for her, and now, with the mission ahead, everything seemed brighter.

As they reached the café, they ordered their drinks, and Aizen settled at a corner table. “So, what’s your strategy for the gala?” she asked, genuinely curious.

“Be charming, avoid awkward conversations, and make sure we’re the best-looking couple there,” Taeyang said with a grin. “Easy peasy.”

Aizen raised an eyebrow. “And if Jinyoung shows up?”

“Then we unleash our pancake-fighting skills and leave him in the dust,” Taeyang replied, a mischievous glint in his eye. “It’ll be like a rom-com where the hero takes down the annoying ex!”

“Wow, I didn’t realize you had such an imagination,” Aizen teased, her heart lightening. “But in all seriousness, we need to stay focused. This mission is bigger than both of us.”

“Agreed,” Taeyang said, his tone shifting slightly serious. “But we’ll get through it together. You’re not just an amazing agent; you’re an incredible partner.”

The compliment took Aizen by surprise, warmth flooding her cheeks. “Thanks, Taeyang. That means a lot.”

As they sipped their coffees, the chemistry between them crackled like electricity. They exchanged stories and jokes, the atmosphere around them shifting into a comfortable familiarity.

After finishing their drinks, they headed back to HQ, ready to gear up for the gala. Aizen felt a renewed sense of purpose, knowing they were stepping into a world filled with danger, but also with opportunities to prove themselves—and each other.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Aizen glanced at Taeyang, her heart racing. “This is going to be one wild ride.”

“Bring it on!” Taeyang replied, a grin spreading across his face. “Let’s go show them how it’s done.”

With that, they stepped into the unknown, hand in hand, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they were unstoppable, and Aizen couldn’t wait to see where this journey would take them next.

Chapter end