Chapter 7: Decoded

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"Show us" Hitomi commanded.

Chaeyeon nodded and unfolded the letter. "Wow, it's long" She took a deep breath and showed the note. 

Dear investigative agency,
Congratulations on finding this letter. We didn't think you had it in you to solve such a simple clue. But clearly we were wrong - maybe we underestimated you. 
You're probably wondering what we did with your little troop. Well let us reassure you they won't be in any danger. We've been needing some new recruits lately, and after some long deliberation, we've decided your troop is our best option. We apologize for taking them rather abruptly, but our organization is never one to ask before taking something.
Our next test is to see how dedicated you are to getting your troop back. If we feel like you've really earned them back, you just might get to see them again. 
Ud tiy qlbr rgwn vlxj, kwlcw l birw kuarubf rgw blnwa id tiye reiio nwnvwea ub lfw ieswe, ub xisw, ybswe rgw olej diybrlub. Qw'kk awbs tiy lbirgwe gubr rgwew. (A/N: Cin, I know you know this code but don't comment the translation unless I made a typo)
Lots of love
WT

"WT?" Minju asked "Who is that?"

"They think they can just take them?" Yuri exclaimed angrily.

"They really thought the agency wouldn't be able to find this? Yet we could?" Wonyoung questioned curiously.

"Why do they need to test us?" Hitomi sighed.

"And what's that random nonsense at the bottom?" Nako asked. 

At the mention of the jumbled letters at the bottom, Chaeyeon went pale. 

"Chaeyeon...?" Wonyoung looked concerned.

"This..." Chaeyeon said frantically "How do they know this?" 

"Know what?"

"Th-this code. That's our associations code. Every spy trainee was taught this. But it's never been revealed. How would they know it?"

"Maybe they're just good decoders" Wonyoung shrugged.

"Besides, this is good for us" Nako said.

"How is this good?"

"Because it means we know how to solve it"

Chaeyeon nodded shakily "That's true" Steadying herself, she said "Minju, can I borrow your phone? I don't have mine"

"Why would you..." Minju just decided not to question it. "Okay"

Chaeyeon looked at the piece of paper and started typing, and reading her translation slowly. 

If... you... want... them... back... leave... a... note... listing... the... names... of... your... troop... members... in... age... order... in... code... under... the... park... fountain... We'll... send... you... another... hint... there"

"That's easy" Wonyoung said. Pulling out a paper and a pen, she wrote.

Kwon Eunbi
Miyawaki Sakura
Kang Hyewon
Choi Yena
Kim Chaewon

Ahn Yujin

"Are family names required?"

"You can never be too careful"

"The park isn't too far from here..." Minju said "Should we go there and leave it right now?" 

"I don't see why not"

They walked through the park.

Minju wondered if there were people from this mysterous WT - the note had said we after all - right there, watching them. 

They wouldn't be suspecting us. They're looking for someone from the agency.

"We probably don't want to be seen doing this..." Chaeyeon said "Wonyoung, you create a distraction"

Wonyoung's eyes lit up. "Will just tripping be enough?"

"Go ahead. You four, just keep guard."

Minju had to give Wonyoung credit, she was pretty good at fake tripping. And grabbing the other people's attention. Within a few seconds, Chaeyeon was done hiding the note. Wonyoung got up, apologized to the people near her, and joined the group. 

All they had to do now was wait. 

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