Leaving the conference room, the world felt different. The walls, the polished floors, the hum of conversations – it all seemed sharper, more intense. My heart was pounding, each beat resonating with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. I had recognized Agent 023, the puppy boy from the park. The realization had hit me like a tidal wave, but I knew I had to maintain my composure. He musn't know that I remembered him.
As we stepped into the corridor, the memory of that day played in my mind: the sunlight filtering through the trees, the soft rustling of leaves, and his aloof, almost enigmatic presence. But now, standing beside him, he was just as unreadable.
"Good briefing," he said, his tone now neutral as we walked side my side. Geez, my palms were clammy now.
"Yeah, very detailed," I replied shortly, keeping my voice steady. The corridor was lined with other agents, each lost in their own world of preparation and planning like minions. The sound of footsteps and muffled conversations filled the space around us.
I glanced at him, hoping my expression didn't betray my thoughts. "Do you think the plan will hold up once we're in the field? I mean, isn't this one of our biggest missions yet?"
He nodded, his eyes briefly meeting mine before darting away. "It's solid. We just need to be flexible. Things rarely go exactly as planned."
His calm demeanor was reassuring, yet it made me more determined to keep up my façade. "Agreed. Flexibility is key."
The sound of a door closing echoed through the corridor, and I felt a slight chill as we moved away from the warmer, more populated area. The distant hum of machinery from the tech labs added a layer of background noise.
We turned a corner, heading towards the briefing room. The air grew cooler, carrying the faint metallic scent typical of the agency's operational areas. I needed to focus on the mission, not the past. Gosh, aren't we supposed to be going separate ways now? Is he going to interrogate me since I look familiar? I groan internally.
"About the infiltration," I said, trying to steer the conversation back to business. "Do you think we should focus on gathering intel first, or try to establish a cover that allows us to stay close to the target?"
Agent 023 paused for a moment, considering. "Intel first. We need a clear understanding of the layout and the key players before we make any moves. Once we have that, establishing a cover will be easier and more effective."
His logical approach was what I expected. Yet I couldn't shake the image of him sketching in the park, lost in his own world. "Makes sense. We should split up initially, cover more ground that way."
More like I won't be able to focus with you around, Puppy Boy.
He nodded. "Agreed. We can regroup once we have a clearer picture."
The next day, I hesitated as we reached the briefing room door. The memories of our brief interaction in the park were still fresh to me, and being so close to him now was disconcerting. The warmth of the room seemed to close in, and I could feel my pulse quicken.
Inside the briefing room, the atmosphere was tense but focused. The smell of coffee and the hum of computers created a familiar backdrop. We sat down, our shoulders brushing slightly. The brief contact sent a shiver down my spine, a reminder of the thin line between our professional roles and the personal connection I was struggling to ignore.
"Let's go over the intel again," he suggested, pulling up the digital files on his tablet. His fingers moved deftly, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his focused expression.
I leaned in, the proximity making it hard to concentrate. "Right. We need to pinpoint the key figures at the event and their potential roles."
As we reviewed the information, our dialogue became a series of rapid exchanges, each word measured and precise. The details of the mission, the strategies, and potential risks were all laid out before us, but my mind kept drifting back to the park. I don't know if I'll be able to remember what we discussed.
Hours passed, and the room grew quieter as agents left to prepare. Agent 023 and I were among the last, ensuring every detail was covered. The weight of the upcoming mission was heavy, but so was the unresolved tension between us. Or maybe it was just me. I don't know.
"Agent 002," he said, making me jump a little. His voice was calm but carried an edge of curiosity. "If there's anything you need to discuss, now's the time. Once we're in, there's no turning back."
I looked into his eyes, the depth of his gaze pulling me in. "I know. I'm ready."
Crap, I almost leaned in closer. Wake up Seol! You're working!!!
His expression softened for a moment, a flicker of something unspoken passing between us. "Good. Let's make this count."
Let's focus on the mission first, Seol. You don't wanna die out there.
As we left the room, the world outside seemed colder, more daunting. Yes, I think I'm feeling a little something for the puppy dude, but the mission is dangerous and our lives were on the line. I needed to focus.
