Burn Quietly, Glass Empire, (No. 7)

Nova’s message to the group chat was brief and final:

“Two weeks off. Don’t show up at my house. I’m serious.”

No emojis. No softening. Just Nova.

She needed the silence. Not just the physical kind, but the kind that wrapped around her ribs and let her breathe again. The house had been too full of people, of noise, of responsibility. Now, it echoed in all the right ways.

Nova tossed her phone aside and leaned back into the couch, letting the quiet settle. No alarms. No schedule. Just the calm before whatever storm would come next.

And something always came next.

A while after Nova’s text dropped in the group chat like a warning flare, Haesoo showed up at the house anyway. He hadn’t replied. He hadn’t asked. He just came home.

The front door was unlocked.

Inside, everything was still. Too still. Haesoo dropped his bag by the entryway and ran a hand through his hair. He could hear her voice low, clipped coming from behind the office door upstairs.

A meeting. Of course.

He didn’t interrupt. Just went to the bathroom, peeled off his hoodie, and stepped under the hot stream of the shower. His muscles were sore from back-to-back promotions, but it wasn’t the training that wore him down it was the way she hadn’t really looked at him in days. Not like before.

She was in work mode. No one could pull her out of that.

Still, he was home.

And he wasn’t planning on leaving.

Nova hadn’t heard the shower turn off. She hadn’t heard the footsteps either. She was too busy sinking into the couch, exhausted from the back-to-back calls and the way every meeting seemed to pile higher than the last.

Nova sat on the couch, one leg tucked under the other, flipping through files on her tablet. The front door hadn’t opened, so she hadn’t realized Haesoo was already home.

She heard footsteps on the stairs soft, unhurried. When he appeared at the edge of the hallway, hair damp and skin still flushed from the shower, Nova looked up.

“You’re back,” she said without missing a beat.

Haesoo offered a soft smile, running a towel through his hair. “Didn’t think I needed a grand entrance.”

Nova’s eyes flicked toward the time, then back to him. “I have to fly out to California in a couple hours.”

He paused, reading the edge in her voice.

“They want me to evaluate a new wave of recruits. Teenagers mostly. See if anyone has real potential.” She set the tablet down, folding her arms. “I didn’t plan on going, but I can’t push it back.”

Haesoo leaned against the wall, expression unreadable.

“You coming?” she asked, casual on the surface but he knew better. She didn’t ask things twice.

Haesoo didn’t hesitate. “Of course I’m coming,” he said, like it wasn’t even a question.

Nova gave a small nod, already standing. “Good. Go grab your things.”

As they headed upstairs, she tapped her phone, placing a quick order. “I got pizza. It’ll get here before we leave.”

He glanced over at her. “Thought you didn’t like eating before flights.”

“I don’t,” she said, brushing past him. “But you do.”

Upstairs, their bedroom was already dim with the late afternoon light bleeding through the curtains. They moved wordlessly, pulling out suitcases, tossing in clothes, chargers, travel gear. There was a quiet rhythm between them the kind that only came from traveling together one too many times.

Nova folded a black blazer, then paused. “This isn’t a vacation, you know.”

“I know,” Haesoo said. “But I’d still rather be wherever you are.”

She didn’t say anything, but the corner of her mouth twitched almost a smile.

By the time Haesoo came down with the luggage, the security team had already brought in the pizza and left it on the table. The boxes were warm, stacked neatly like they knew the routine. Nova was in the kitchen grabbing plates, her hair pulled back, no makeup, just her usual calm.

She popped open a can of soda and slid it his way. “Eat before it gets cold.”

Haesoo set the suitcases by the door and walked over, grabbing a slice and taking a big bite. “You think I’m gonna fall asleep the second we take off?”

Nova handed him a napkin. “I hope you do. We both need the rest.”

“You packed your sleep mask?”

She smirked. “I packed yours.”

He smiled at that, nudging her hip as she reached for her own slice. “You always take care of me.”

Nova shrugged like it meant nothing. “Eat. Plane’s in two hours.”

They sat down together, quiet, the only sounds being the crinkle of napkins, the fizz of soda, and the low hum of everything waiting outside.

Nova had just torn off the crust of her slice when she spoke casual, like it wasn’t meant to land heavy.

“You really don’t have to come,” she said, eyes still on the table. “It’s your break.”

Haesoo finished chewing, wiped his fingers on a napkin, and leaned back a little.

“I know,” he said, voice calm. “But I want to.”

She glanced at him, one brow raised.

He shrugged. “You’re going all the way to California to look at potential agents, right? I’ve never seen that part of your life up close. Might be nice to… see how you see the world.”

Nova stayed quiet for a second, taking a slow sip from her soda. Then: “It’s not exciting. Just a bunch of sharp-eyed kids trying to prove they’re worth the risk.”

“Sounds a little like idol training.”

That made her crack a small smile.

“I mean it,” Haesoo said, a little softer. “I like being near you. Doesn’t matter what we’re doing.”

She flicked her eyes toward him, studying his face for a beat.

“Fine,” she said. “But don’t get mad when I make someone cry.”

“I’ll bring popcorn.”

Nova reached for another slice but didn’t bite into it right away. “By the way,” she said, glancing over at Haesoo, “we’re staying at HQ the first night or two.”

He looked up mid-chew, brows slightly raised.

“I don’t want to go back and forth,” she explained. “It’ll be easier if we’re on-site for everything. If the recruits are a disaster, we’ll be in and out fast. But if there’s someone worth watching… we might need to stay a little longer.”

Haesoo nodded, understanding already settling in his features.

“After that, we can head to the house,” she added. “Same one we’ve used before.”

He leaned back in his chair, sipping from his cup. “I don’t mind either way,” he said. “As long as I’m with you.”

Nova gave him a brief smile, not quite letting herself linger in it. “You say that now,” she teased. “Wait until I start the evaluations. It gets intense.”

“I’ve seen you interrogate government officials, Nova. I think I’ll survive.”

She gave him a look over the rim of her glass. “I don’t coddle.”

“Good,” Haesoo said, finishing the last of his slice. “I wouldn’t want you to start now.”

Once they finished eating, Haesoo moved to gather the empty plates, but Nova shook her head. “I got it,” she said, already stacking everything and heading toward the sink.

“You sure?” he asked, lingering nearby.

“Positive,” she replied over the running water. “You packed the luggage. I can handle this.”

Haesoo leaned against the counter, watching her in the warm kitchen light as she rinsed off the plates and slid them into the dishwasher. Her movements were methodical, quiet. There was something grounding about seeing her do something so ordinary like the world outside her work and powers didn’t exist in this space between them.

Nova wiped her hands on a towel when she was done, turned off the lights, and glanced at him.

“All done,” she said simply.

Nova stretched slightly, brushing a hand through her hair. “I’m going to shower and change into something comfortable for the airplane,” she said, her voice soft but certain as she started walking toward the stairs.

Haesoo nodded, still lounging near the kitchen, watching her retreat with that subtle curiosity he always had the kind that never demanded anything, just quietly noticed.

She disappeared upstairs, the echo of her footsteps fading. A moment of stillness passed through the house.

Nova stepped out of the shower, steam curling around her as she towel-dried her hair with quick, practiced motions. The mirror was fogged up, but she didn’t bother wiping it. She pulled on a pair of loose black sweats and a soft, oversized graphic tee with a faded design — something she’d grabbed without thinking. White sneakers, no socks. Hair left down, still a little damp at the ends.

She didn’t look like someone heading out for a mission or even a meeting she looked like a girl getting on a plane with someone she trusted.

By the time she came downstairs, Haesoo was already near the door, checking their flight details. He looked up when he saw her and lingered.

“You ready?” he asked, the words simple, but something in his eyes warm.

Nova nodded once, tucking her phone into her back pocket. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

Security pulled up directly beside the jet.

The door opened before the engine even cut off. Nova stepped out first, the night wind catching her hair, loose around her shoulders. She didn’t wait. She never did. Just gave a nod to the agents stationed nearby and headed straight for the staircase leading up to the jet.

Haesoo followed a step behind, rolling his small carry-on. No crowds, no terminals, no noise. Just polished asphalt under their feet and the quiet gleam of the private jet waiting for them.

The interior lights spilled from the open door above. Nova didn’t turn back as she climbed. She already knew he was behind her.

Once inside, she dropped onto the leather seat near the window and let her head tilt back.

“You coming or do I have to fly this thing alone?” she said, only half joking.

As the jet lifted into the night sky, Seoul shrinking beneath them, Nova shifted in her seat and leaned gently into Haesoo’s side. The cabin lights were low, casting a warm, quiet hush over the space. Outside, the world blurred into stars.

She nudged his arm lightly. “Lean on my head,” she murmured, voice already soft with fatigue. “Sleep.”

Haesoo glanced down at her her eyes half-lidded, her posture already relaxed like she was carrying the weight of a long week. He didn’t argue. He shifted, let his temple rest against the top of her head, their silhouettes curving naturally into one quiet shape.

The hum of the engines wrapped around them like a blanket. No words, no worries, not here. Just her heartbeat against his shoulder and the slow drift of altitude pulling them toward the next chapter.

They both knocked out almost as soon as the jet settled into cruise altitude. Haesoo, drained from back-to-back promotions, didn’t even last ten minutes. His body leaned instinctively into Nova’s, one arm resting across his lap, the other brushing lightly against her thigh.

Nova didn’t mind. She tilted her head until her cheek found his shoulder again, eyes closing as the quiet hum of the jet wrapped around them. Despite everything the missions, the chaos, the responsibilities waiting at HQ she let herself fall asleep too. Just for a little while. Just like this.

Hours passed like seconds. The clouds outside dimmed, drifted, then brightened again with the promise of a different coastline.

The jet’s wheels hit the runway with a soft thud, followed by the familiar hum of reverse thrusters. Haesoo stirred first, eyes still heavy, stretching a little as the pressure in the cabin shifted. Nova blinked slowly, then sat up straighter, brushing a hand through her hair as she glanced out the window.

“We’re here,” she mumbled, her voice still husky with sleep.

Haesoo yawned, rubbing his eyes. “Felt like two minutes.”

Nova stood and stretched, grabbing her small bag from the seat beside her. “Let’s go wash our teeth before we get out. I don’t want to greet anyone with airplane breath.”

Haesoo gave a sleepy grin and followed her to the back of the jet, both of them still moving slow, like they hadn’t quite re-entered the world yet. Just two people stealing a bit more quiet before HQ swallowed them whole.

Nova and Haesoo descended the stairs of the jet, the salty breeze from the Pacific brushing against their skin as the island came alive beneath them — quiet, remote, and tightly controlled. HQ sat in the distance, a sleek fortress of glass and steel carved into the landscape like it belonged there.

A group of agents waited at the bottom, dressed in black with comms in their ears. One stepped forward as soon as they touched the ground.

“We’ll take your luggage and leave it in your room, ma’am.”

Nova gave a short nod. “Thanks.”

Haesoo looked around as the hum of the ocean mixed with the low chatter of agents, security vehicles moving with precision. There was no need to pass through terminals — Nova’s jet always landed directly on the island’s private airstrip. Everything about this place was designed to minimize exposure and maximize control.

They walked side by side toward the transport waiting at the edge of the landing strip, black and quiet. No chaos. No noise. Just the sound of footsteps and the unspoken rhythm of two people who had long since stopped needing words to move in sync.

Haesoo had been to HQ before — not often, but enough to recognize the stark walls and heavy silence. Still, this was the first time he was staying overnight. Nova had always treated HQ like a second home, but to him, it had always felt off-limits, distant. Now, with his bag taken by security and Nova’s hand in his, that boundary felt like it was dissolving.

She didn’t say much. Just checked in at the front desk with the same cool efficiency she used when reviewing contracts or handling board meetings. Then she grabbed his hand again and said, “Let’s go eat.”

He blinked. “Wait… we can eat here?”

Nova shot him a look — dry, amused. “Where do you think agents get their food? I don’t run this place on vending machines.”

He gave a half-laugh and let her lead. She moved like she’d built the place, like every hallway and security camera answered to her. And maybe they did.

The cafeteria doors opened automatically. Haesoo’s steps slowed.

It was… different from what he expected. Not sterile like some underground bunker, but clean and sleek. Modern, open. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the water, and the space hummed with quiet conversations and the muted clatter of trays and utensils.

At least, until Nova stepped inside.

Chairs pushed back. Agents rose.

Uniforms straightened like dominoes, one after the next, across every table in the room. No one spoke. Every set of eyes locked on her sharp, serious, reverent.

And just like that, they all saluted.

Haesoo froze in place, stunned. He’d known Nova was respected feared, even. But seeing it like this, a whole room standing for her like she was untouchable it stirred something in his chest. A kind of quiet disbelief.

Nova didn’t even flinch.

“At ease,” she said, voice soft but absolute.

The agents sat again without a word, like someone had hit a switch. The hum of the cafeteria returned, low and seamless, like nothing had happened at all.

Nova kept walking, never breaking stride. Like she didn’t just command a room with a glance.

Haesoo followed, slower now. Still catching up to the weight of what he’d seen.

This wasn’t just where she worked.

This was where she ruled.

Nova didn’t slow down until they reached the long counter where agents were lining up for food. It looked more like a high-end buffet than a government facility polished steel trays, vibrant vegetables, perfectly grilled proteins, and an entire section just for desserts.

The chef behind the counter spotted her and immediately stepped forward, apron crisp, posture respectful but warm.

“We heard you were stopping by for a couple days,” he said with a smile. “We’ve adjusted the meals to your liking and to meet your nutritional needs.”

Haesoo blinked.

Nutritional needs?

Nova offered a faint smile and nodded. “Thank you.”

He watched as the chef began pointing out items on the line subtle cues meant just for her as if he’d memorized exactly what she preferred down to seasoning and macros. Nova didn’t even hesitate. She grabbed a tray and began selecting her food, confident and efficient.

Haesoo lingered behind, caught between awe and amusement. She really did have this place wrapped around her finger. The chef had prepped a menu just for her? Like she was a visiting head of state?

He stepped forward slowly, picking a tray, and tried to focus on what he wanted to eat. But his attention kept drifting to the way people glanced at her with quiet respect. To how seamlessly she navigated this place like it was just another part of her. No pretense. No performance.

Just Nova untouchable, unshaken, completely in control.

And still, somehow, she had looked back to make sure he was beside her. Like all of this still made room for him.

Haesoo trailed behind her, watching as Nova added a single dessert to her tray something small and delicate, probably chosen more out of habit than hunger. She didn’t say anything, just moved like she always did: purposeful, precise, a quiet current of authority trailing in her wake.

They stopped by the drink station. She reached for two cans of Coke Zero and handed him one without looking, already turning to scan the cafeteria for an open table.

He cracked a quiet smile. Of course she remembered.

Nova found a spot near the corner not isolated, but removed enough to give them space. The kind of seat that kept her back to the wall, with a full view of the room. Typical Nova.

She sat down first, crossing one leg over the other, then set her tray down neatly before opening her can. He joined her, placing his tray beside hers, still feeling a little like he’d stumbled into a private world where everything worked on a different set of rules.

But somehow, even in this high-security, agent-packed cafeteria on a hidden island, it still felt like the two of them were in their own little pocket of space.

Just Nova. Just him. And a Coke Zero.

Nova popped the tab on her Coke Zero with a soft hiss and took a sip, eyes flicking up just in time to catch the tension in Haesoo’s shoulders. His tray sat untouched, and he hadn’t said a word since they sat down.

“You’re tense,” she said, casually, like she was pointing out the weather.

He looked up, trying to play it off with a half-smile, but she tilted her head that look that meant don’t lie to me, I’ll know.

Nova reached out with her fork and nudged the edge of his tray. “Relax,” she said, voice low, calm. “No one here’s going to bite. Just eat.”

Haesoo blinked, then finally let out a small breath and reached for his food. Nova leaned back in her chair, watching him for a beat before returning to her own tray. It wasn’t just a suggestion. It was permission. And maybe, in a place like this where everything moved like a machine that was exactly what he needed.

Nova had just taken another bite of her dessert when she heard it — a familiar voice, low but full of warmth.

“Nova?”

Her head shot up. The moment she saw him, her chair scraped back before Haesoo could even ask what was going on. She was already on her feet, eyes wide, a rare burst of emotion crossing her face.

“Steven?” she said, then broke into a smile and ran toward him, nearly launching herself into a hug. “I didn’t know you’d be here!”

Steven caught her with a laugh, spinning her slightly before setting her down. “They’re having me evaluate agents too,” he said, grinning. “Looks like we’re both here to play judge.”

Nova still had an arm around him when she turned toward the table. “Come eat with us. Haesoo’s here too.”

Steven glanced past her, spotted Haesoo who was now sitting straight, alert, watching them and gave a polite nod. “Of course. Let me just grab a tray.”

Nova returned to the table, sliding back into her seat like nothing happened, but her energy had shifted. She was clearly glad to see Steven a friend from the field, someone from that part of her life.

And Haesoo, well… he was already calculating what that familiarity meant.

“Steven and I trained together when we were younger at HQ, before I started doing missions full-time.”

Haesoo nodded slowly, his expression unreadable, but his fingers drummed lightly against the table.

Nova tilted her head, reading him too easily. “Relax,” she added, her tone light but edged with amusement. “He’s like an older brother. One I used to outscore in sparring drills.”

That earned her a small smile from Haesoo, but his eyes still flicked toward the direction Steven had gone.

“Don’t do that thing where you pretend you’re not jealous,” she said under her breath, leaning in. “It’s cute, but also very obvious.”

Steven came back with a full tray, dropped into the seat beside Nova like it was the most natural thing in the world, and gave her a sideways grin. “Didn’t think I’d see you here before evaluation day. Thought you’d show up last minute and ruin everyone’s scores like usual.”

Nova smirked. “I’m being responsible. For once.”

Haesoo shifted slightly in his seat across from them. Nova noticed, then turned her body a little so she was facing both of them.

“This is Haesoo,” she said, voice light. “My husband. He’s with me for the trip.”

Steven raised an eyebrow but quickly extended his hand across the table. “Nice to meet you, man. I’ve heard about you.”

Haesoo took the handshake with a polite nod. “Good things, I hope.”

“Mostly stories of Nova kicking everyone’s ass,” Steven said with a chuckle, glancing at her. “She left out the marriage part, though.”

“She leaves out a lot of things,” Haesoo replied, his tone calm but with just enough edge to make Nova nudge his leg under the table.

Steven laughed like he didn’t notice. “Well, congrats. Anyone who can keep up with her is either very lucky or very stubborn.”

“I’m both,” Haesoo said, eyes locked on Nova now, not Steven.

Nova sipped her Coke Zero, amused and absolutely unbothered. “You two done measuring yet?” she asked softly, just loud enough for them to hear.

Steven laughed again.

Haesoo leaned back and picked up his fork. “I’m just here to eat.”

Steven glanced at Nova, his tray barely touched, and said with a grin that was more sincere than cocky, “You know, I always said I’d know I made it when I got assigned the same mission as you.”

Nova raised a brow, a slow smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “That your way of saying you finally caught up?”

He chuckled. “Not even close. But getting to stand next to you instead of behind you? I’ll take the win.”

Haesoo looked between them, fork paused midair.

Nova tilted her head, still amused. “You’re still not standing next to me, Steven. You’re sitting.”

Steven laughed and leaned back in his chair, lifting his hands in mock surrender. “Fair. I’ll work on that.” Then, with a glance toward Haesoo, he added, “She always did keep us all in check. Brutally.”

Haesoo gave a quiet smile, one hand resting on his drink. “She still does.”

Nova leaned back slightly, resting her arm on the edge of the chair as she looked at Steven. “We haven’t seen each other in a long time,” she said, her voice lower, almost thoughtful. “You should ask to transfer to Seoul. I’m literally on my own over there.”

Steven tilted his head. “You? Wanting someone to transfer?”

“I want less weight on my plate,” she replied, not missing a beat. “I have to take every mission. There’s no one else stationed there not full-time. No one I trust.”

He frowned. “Didn’t know they were running it like that.”

“They are,” she said. “And I’m getting tired of it.”

Steven looked amused. “You trying to lure me with Seoul food?”

Nova gave him a dry look. “I hate Seoul food.”

Haesoo choked on his drink, trying not to laugh.

“I’m offering misery and exhaustion,” Nova continued, unbothered. “But at least we’d be miserable together. You could help cover the missions. And maybe I could sleep more than four hours without a call from HQ.”

Steven shook his head, still smiling. “You really know how to sell it.”

“I’m not selling it,” she said, nudging her tray forward. “I’m telling you I need backup. Think about it.”

Steven leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to keep it between them. “I heard HQ’s trying to pull you out of Seoul.”

Nova didn’t look surprised just tired. “They’ve been saying that for months.”

“They said you’re not being taken care of properly,” he added. “That it’s affecting your performance. I heard they even offered you a private chef.”

Haesoo blinked. “Wait. What?”

Nova sighed and reached for her drink. “They sent me a list of candidates like I was shopping for a damn restaurant.”

Steven laughed under his breath. “And you said no, didn’t you?”

“Obviously,” Nova muttered. “I don’t need some stranger living in my house watching me eat cereal at midnight.”

“Pretty sure the chef wouldn’t be judging your cereal,” Haesoo said.

“He would if he was French,” Nova replied, deadpan. “They get weird about sugar.”

Steven shook his head. “Only you would turn down luxury just to suffer in silence.”

“I’m not suffering,” Nova said. “I’m just tired of people thinking I need saving.”

Haesoo looked at her, quietly. “You do deserve to be taken care of, though.”

She didn’t answer. Just took another sip of her Coke Zero.

Steven glanced at her with a smirk. “Well, you haven’t grown since we met.”

Nova gave him a flat look. “Neither has your sense of humor.”

Haesoo bit back a grin, watching them.

Steven shrugged, unapologetic. “I’m just saying you were short then, you’re short now. It’s comforting. Like nothing’s changed.”

“Except I could take you down in under ten seconds now,” Nova replied, casually picking at her food.

“That’s adorable,” he said. “You used to say the same thing when you could barely reach my shoulder.”

Nova leaned back in her chair, cocking her head. “And you used to cry during sparring.”

Haesoo let out a quiet laugh.

Steven looked at Haesoo like he’d been betrayed. “You’re laughing? I thought you were on my side.”

“I’m on the side of truth,” Haesoo said. “And she does hit hard.”

Nova smiled into her drink. “Smart man.”

Steven shook his head as he took a sip of his drink. “I’m not relocating to Seoul, no way.”

Nova raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Why not? You just said you missed me.”

“I do,” he said, pointing his fork at her. “But what if they pull you back to HQ and I get stuck over there without you? I’m not taking that risk.”

Nova smirked. “You mean you’re scared of doing all the work.”

“I mean I’m smart,” Steven replied. “You’re the only reason that entire branch functions. If you’re not there, I’m basically stationed alone with bad food and no backup.”

“You just don’t want to eat Korean food every day,” Nova said, eyeing him knowingly.

Steven gave her a mock-serious nod. “Exactly. I’m not emotionally prepared for that kind of suffering.”

Haesoo chuckled quietly beside her, shaking his head. “He’s dramatic.”

Nova leaned into Haesoo slightly and said, “He’s always been like this.” Then to Steven, “Fine, stay here. But if they transfer me back, I’m dragging you with me.”

Steven grinned. “Now that sounds like a threat.”

Steven’s fork paused mid-air. “You mean you’re stuck in Seoul because you and Jihoon pissed off HQ.”

Nova didn’t even flinch. She kept eating. “We didn’t piss them off. We just… ignored direct orders, vanished for a month, dismantled a corrupt network without permission, and leaked the files to the press.”

Haesoo blinked. “Wait, what?”

Steven laughed. “Exactly. And now she’s exiled to Seoul like it’s punishment. You’re basically grounded with government funding.”

Nova sipped her Coke Zero. “It’s not exile. It’s independence.”

“That’s what all banished agents say,” Steven muttered.

Nova just shrugged. “Still got the best intel team. Still get first pick on missions. Still undefeated.”

“Still stuck with cafeteria kimchi and no decent dessert options,” Steven quipped.

Haesoo leaned over to Nova and whispered, “So you really did all that?”

Nova glanced at him with a sly smile. “Don’t worry. I’m a very well-behaved citizen now.”

Steven choked on his drink. “You? Behaved?”

Nova smirked, grabbing her dessert. “Eat your cake, Steve.”

Steven let out a low whistle, smirking. “Still feisty.”

Nova didn’t smile. “Always.”

He nodded toward Haesoo, clearly amused. “So what, did you ask Korea for him too? ‘I want that one wrap him up with a bow.’”

Nova’s gaze flicked to Haesoo. Calm, unreadable. “I didn’t ask anyone for him.”

Steven chuckled. “So you just claimed him?”

Haesoo set down his utensils, meeting Steven’s eyes for the first time. “Actually,” he said evenly, “I’m the one who stayed.”

Steven blinked.

Nova tilted her head. “Careful, Steve. He doesn’t like being treated like a souvenir.”

Steven raised both hands. “Fair. My bad. I was just joking.”

Nova smiled not playfully. “You forgot how I take my jokes.”

Haesoo glanced at her plate. “Too late. He already finished the cake.”

Steven leaned forward, elbow on the table, eyes playful. “Hey Haesoo, on a scale from 1 to 10, how much does she annoy you? Be honest she’s bossy, right?”

Haesoo didn’t even blink. “Eleven.”

Steven burst out laughing. “Knew it. She’s always been like this.”

Nova raised an eyebrow, not even looking up from her food. “An eleven? Really.”

Haesoo shrugged with a slow smile. “You told me to be honest.”

Steven pointed at him with his fork. “Man, I couldn’t deal with her twenty-four seven. You deserve a medal.”

“You get used to it,” Haesoo said calmly, sipping his drink.

Nova finally glanced at him. “You didn’t say you liked it.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t,” Haesoo shot back. “You’re bossy, yeah. But you’re also brilliant. Intense. And kind of terrifying.”

Steven laughed. “Don’t forget manipulative and mean when she hasn’t eaten.”

Nova casually stabbed a piece of fruit. “I’m still here.”

Haesoo grinned, eyes soft as he looked at her. “That’s what makes it fun.”

Without looking up, Nova casually reached over and smacked Steven’s arm with the back of her hand.

He grinned, rubbing the spot. “Oh, it started already.”

“She’s violent too,” Haesoo added, deadpan.

Steven pointed at him with a mock-serious face. “You’re braver than I thought.”

Nova rolled her eyes. “You both act like I don’t feed you and keep you alive.”

“By threatening us into submission,” Steven teased.

Haesoo smirked, leaning back in his seat. “That’s her love language.”

Nova just sipped her Coke Zero, unfazed. “And it’s clearly working.”

Steven turned to Haesoo, shaking his head with mock seriousness. “You know, I used to dorm with Nova.”

Haesoo raised a brow. “Really?”

Steven leaned in, voice dropping as if reliving trauma. “They put me in a room with my abuser. One time, I woke up and she was just standing there… holding a knife.”

Nova didn’t even blink. “It was for training.”

Steven threw his hands up. “See? No remorse. I was fourteen and terrified.”

Haesoo glanced at Nova, amused. “Is this supposed to make me feel better or worse?”

“She’s mellowed out,” Steven added, pointing at her. “Back then? She was one heartbeat away from turning into a weapon.”

Nova smirked. “Still am.”

As they were finishing up, a couple of medical staff quietly approached their table. One of them nodded politely to Nova.

“Just a quick check,” the nurse said.

Nova held out her hand without a word. Haesoo noticed she didn’t even flinch when they pricked her fingertip.

“They check her levels when she eats here,” Steven explained casually, sipping his drink. “Make sure the kitchen met the nutrition requirements.”

Haesoo glanced at Nova she was so used to the routine, it didn’t even slow her down she was already mid-conversation with Steven about some old mission, like it was just background noise.

“You okay?” Haesoo asked under his breath.

Nova gave him a small smile. “This is normal. Just HQ making sure I don’t die.”

Steven added, “She’s their investment. Gotta keep the asset running.”

Nova shot him a look. “I’m going to stab you with my dessert fork.”

“You see?” Steven grinned. “Still terrifying.”

Nova turned to Steven with a soft, almost innocent smile. “Should we play hide and seek?”

Steven didn’t even blink. His tray paused mid-air. “Nope,” he said flatly.

Nova tilted her head, lips curling with mischief. “Ten minutes to hide.”

Steven stood up fast. “If you find me, you stab me. Yeah, no thanks.”

He didn’t even clean up his tray. Just took off like he’d survived her once and wasn’t about to test fate again.

Haesoo blinked, watching Steven disappear down the hall like the building was on fire.

He turned to Nova slowly. “I’m sorry… did you say stab?”

Nova didn’t look up. She just took a long sip of her Coke Zero and shrugged. “He knows the rules.”

Haesoo stared at her, part amused, part unsure whether he should be laughing or worried. “And this is normal?”

“Only with Steven,” she replied. “He deserves it.”

A beat.

“…And you’ve actually stabbed him before?”

“Not hard,” she said, finally meeting his eyes. “Just enough to remind him.”

Haesoo leaned back in his chair, exhaling. “I’m so glad we’re on the same team.”

Nova smiled like she wasn’t quite sure if that was a compliment or a survival tactic.

Nova stood, casual like she hadn’t just threatened to stab someone five minutes ago.

“If you’re finished, let’s go,” she said, already picking up her tray. She handed it off to a cafeteria worker with a quiet thanks, and the woman gave a polite nod in return like this was routine, like Nova Reyes passing through was just another Tuesday at HQ.

Haesoo followed, grabbing his tray a little slower. As he caught up to her, he asked under his breath, “You really scared him off that fast?”

Nova gave a lazy shrug. “He knows better than to test me on HQ grounds.”

And somehow, that made perfect sense.

They stepped out of the cafeteria, the hum of conversation fading behind them as Nova led the way down a sleek hallway, her steps confident, unhurried. Haesoo couldn’t help it he smiled to himself. This was her world. He was just trying to keep up.

As they left the cafeteria, Nova slowed her pace and glanced over her shoulder. “Let’s stop by the store. In case we get hungry later or want a snack.”

Haesoo raised a brow. “There’s a store here?”

“You’ve really never explored this place,” she said, already turning down another hallway.

They walked side by side under the cool fluorescent lights. The walls were smooth and silver-gray, lined with subtle signage and sleek security cameras that tracked everything but never felt intrusive just efficient, like everything else at HQ.

Around the corner, the hallway opened into a small, quiet mini-store clean shelves stocked with snacks, protein bars, bottled drinks, instant noodles, gum, and a few oddly fancy items like imported chocolate and individually wrapped mochi.

Nova grabbed a black mesh shopping bag from the hook near the entrance and handed another to Haesoo. “Anything you want get it. It’s free.”

He blinked. “Free?”

She shrugged. “Perks of risking your life.”

Haesoo followed her in, watching as she scanned the shelves like someone who had done this routine a hundred times. She tossed in a few Coke Zeros, a pack of salted chips, and a protein bar with a label he didn’t recognize.

He reached for a small can of peach soda and glanced at her. “You think they have ramen?”

Nova didn’t look up. “Third shelf, right corner.”

Of course she knew.

Haesoo grabbed his ramen two flavors he recognized and one he didn’t but decided to try anyway and turned to find Nova crouched near the end of the aisle, scanning the lower shelves with quiet efficiency. Her mesh bag was already half full.

“Are you getting more snacks?” he asked.

“Toiletries,” she replied, standing up with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a travel-sized mouthwash in one hand. “They didn’t stock the room yet.”

He watched her toss in a small bottle of face wash and a razor, then reach for a pack of cotton pads without breaking stride.

“You’re really prepared,” he said, trying to keep it light, but there was something about watching her move like this with quiet purpose, like she’d done it a hundred times that made his chest tighten.

Nova glanced at him over her shoulder. “Welcome to HQ. No one’s going to pamper you here.”

She walked past him and nudged his arm with hers. “Get another ramen. You’ll want it later.”

He smiled faintly and did as she said.

Nova reached for his hand and laced their fingers together. “Let’s go to my room.”

The hallways were quiet, lit with soft overhead lights that hummed faintly as they walked. She didn’t rush just moved with that steady, assured pace she always had here. Haesoo stayed close, their bags swinging lightly between them.

When they reached a nondescript door at the end of the corridor, Nova scanned her hand over the sensor. A soft click followed, and the door slid open with a faint whoosh.

The room was simple. Clean lines. White walls. A full bed pushed up against one side, a mini fridge and microwave tucked neatly into a corner, and a small bathroom beyond a frosted glass panel. Everything was functional. No extra pillows, no photos. Just the bare essentials.

Nova walked in first, setting the bag down on the desk. She kicked off her shoes and cracked open the fridge to check what was inside mostly water bottles and a few sealed containers.

“Home sweet HQ,” she said dryly, glancing back at him.

Haesoo stepped inside and let the door close behind him. It didn’t feel like a hotel. It felt like a bunker that just happened to have a bed.

But with her in it, it didn’t feel cold.

Their luggage was already there, lined up neatly against the wall. Haesoo glanced at them, then turned as Nova walked toward the built-in closet. She opened it without hesitation, revealing rows of clothes already hanging inside. It wasn’t packed, but it was clear she kept this room ready just in case.

She grabbed two towels from the shelf and tossed one to him. “Shower’s yours first, unless you want to wait for me.”

Haesoo caught it easily, smiling a little. “You always travel like you live here.”

Nova shrugged, pulling her hair tie off as she walked to her bag. “I do. This place just doesn’t have a view.”

He looked around again sterile walls, muted lights, a bed that felt too neat.

“But it has you,” he said quietly, then turned to head into the bathroom before she could react.

She didn’t stop him just stood there for a second, watching the door close behind him.

Their luggage was already there, lined up neatly against the wall. Haesoo glanced at them, then turned as Nova walked toward the built-in closet. She opened it without hesitation, revealing rows of clothes already hanging inside. It wasn’t packed, but it was clear she kept this room ready just in case.

She grabbed two towels from the shelf and tossed one to him. “Shower’s yours first, unless you want to wait for me.”

Haesoo caught it easily, smiling a little. “You always travel like you live here.”

Nova shrugged, pulling her hair tie off as she walked to her bag. “I do. This place just doesn’t have a view.”

He looked around again sterile walls, muted lights, a bed that felt too neat.

“But it has you,” he said quietly, then turned to head into the bathroom before she could react.

She didn’t stop him just stood there for a second, watching the door close behind him.

When Haesoo stepped out of the bathroom, towel around his neck and hair still damp, Nova was already up and moving. She passed him on her way in, giving him a quick glance.

“Don’t fall asleep,” she said, half teasing as she closed the door behind her.

He didn’t. Not right away.

Nova’s showers were always longer than his she liked the water warm, nearly hot, and stayed under it like she was rinsing off the weight of everything she carried. He could hear the hum of the water and imagined her standing there, head tilted back, eyes closed.

While she was inside, Haesoo dried his hair quietly and folded his clothes into a neat pile at the end of the bed. He glanced around the room again still simple, still cold but with her here, it didn’t feel so empty. Her presence made even a concrete room feel like something close to home.

By the time the water stopped, he was already sitting at the edge of the bed, scrolling aimlessly through his phone, waiting. Just waiting for her.

When Nova stepped out, steam trailing behind her, she was dressed in an oversized HQ sweatshirt and shorts, her hair damp and pushed back from her face. She looked relaxed for once no heels, no tight outfits, no makeup. Just Nova.

Haesoo glanced up from the bed, watching her toss her towel into the laundry chute near the bathroom. “Do you always stay here when you come to HQ?”

She pulled open the mini fridge and grabbed two Coke Zeros, handing one to him before answering. “No. I only got this room when I turned eighteen.” She cracked the can open and leaned against the desk. “Actually, it was around the time we met.”

Haesoo’s brow lifted slightly. “Then where did you stay before?”

She took a sip before replying. “The training island. They only let high-rank agents have permanent rooms in HQ. Before that, I had roommates. Shared showers. Cold floors. No privacy.”

He watched her for a moment, noting how casually she said it like it was just part of the process. But the way her fingers curled around the can said otherwise.

“So this room is a privilege?”

Nova nodded. “Not many people get it. You either need to be ranked high or have someone pull strings. I didn’t have anyone, so I earned it.”

Haesoo didn’t say anything. He just reached for her free hand and gave it a squeeze, grounding her without needing to explain why.

Nova looked around the room as she walked toward the bed, Coke Zero in hand. “It looks simple,” she said, settling beside him, “but it’s better than living with more people.”

Haesoo leaned back on one elbow, watching her quietly.

“I don’t need much when I’m here,” she added, flicking her gaze around the small space. “It’s quiet. No one barging in, no noise, no roommates sneaking out past curfew. Just… peace.”

She took another sip and let out a soft sigh. “Besides, I don’t come here to rest. I come here to reset.”

Haesoo tilted his head. “You don’t miss having company?”

Nova glanced over, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I have you.” Then softer, like it almost surprised her to say it out loud, “That’s enough.”

Nova leaned back against the headboard, her eyes fixed on the ceiling for a beat before she spoke.

“Living with roommates was uncomfortable,” she said quietly. “They didn’t care. They put boys and girls together like it didn’t matter.”

Her voice was even, but something in the way she said it made Haesoo sit up straighter.

She glanced over at him, then away again. “Let’s just say… I try not to think about it.”

The silence stretched. Not heavy just honest.

Haesoo didn’t press. He didn’t need to. He simply reached over and brushed his fingers lightly against hers, grounding her without a word.

Nova didn’t pull away. She just gave the smallest nod, like she was grateful he didn’t ask.

Nova went over to the cabinet, opened the upper shelf, and pulled out a thick book the kind with no pictures, tiny text, and too many footnotes. She tossed it on the bed with a casual thump, then grabbed the bag of snacks they picked up earlier and climbed in beside Haesoo.

“I’ve been meaning to read this,” she said, cracking it open like it was a magazine. “It’s about alternate constructs and manipulation theories mostly academic but still useful.”

Haesoo blinked, already watching her eyes scan the page like she’d read it before.

“You just started and you’re already flipping pages.”

“I retain fast.”

He smiled, a little in awe. “Yeah, no kidding.”

Nova popped open a bag of chips and slid it between them. “Snack me if I get too deep,” she murmured, already turning the page.

He leaned back, watching her work through dense paragraphs like they were gossip columns. Even when she was off-duty, she couldn’t sit still not really. Mind always moving.

And somehow, he loved that about her.

Nova stood up suddenly, book still in one hand, and walked over to the desk. She grabbed a black marker from a small metal cup and uncapped it with her teeth.

“Wait,” Haesoo said, watching as she walked to the wall beside the bed. “What are you doing?”

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she pressed the marker to the white wall and started writing fast, sharp strokes, symbols and equations that didn’t even look like math he recognized. Lines, loops, foreign notations the kind of stuff he’d only ever seen in Nova’s documents, the kind no one else could explain.

“Are they not going to get mad that you’re” he motioned toward the growing mess of formulas, “writing all over the wall?”

Nova barely glanced at him. “They’ll paint over it.”

He stared. “You say that like it’s normal.”

She shrugged, still writing. “This is HQ. They’d rather let me cover a wall than risk me losing a train of thought. I figured something out earlier on the plane. Needed to see it laid out.”

Haesoo stayed quiet, watching her move quick, purposeful, fully in her zone. He didn’t know what the equations meant, but he could see it in her eyes she wasn’t just solving something.

She was chasing something. And he knew better than to interrupt.

Nova kept going until the entire wall was filled not just covered, but layered. Equations stacked in vertical sequences, branches of numbers cutting sideways like veins. There was no hesitation in her hands, no pause to check or second-guess. She moved like she already knew the ending, like her brain was simply catching up to what it had already concluded.

Haesoo watched from the bed, wide-eyed, a half-eaten snack in his hand. “You’re seriously going to get the whole room repainted.”

Nova didn’t answer. She clicked the cap back on the marker, stepped back barefoot across the room, and stared at the wall like it had just confessed something.

Then she smiled.

“I solved it,” she said softly.

Her tone wasn’t proud it was almost reverent. Like she’d just unlocked something sacred.

“What is it?” Haesoo asked, not moving.

Nova turned to him, eyes still buzzing with focus. “Something no one else has figured out yet.”

She didn’t explain further. She just walked to the bed, tossed the marker on the desk, and grabbed her Coke Zero from the nightstand like this was just another night like she hadn’t just cracked something groundbreaking in silence.

Haesoo sat up straighter. “You’re not going to tell me?”

Nova gave him a look, half-teasing. “No. You’ll sleep better that way.”

Nova closed the book with a soft thud and walked over to her cabinet. Haesoo watched from the bed, one arm behind his head, the other resting loosely across his chest. She moved with the same quiet efficiency he’d come to expect from her deliberate, composed, like she always had a hundred things running through her mind.

He sat up slightly as she slipped the book back onto the shelf.

“Set an alarm for 7 a.m.,” she said.

A voice responded from the wall, calm and clipped: “Alarm set for 07:00.”

Haesoo blinked. “That’s still wild to me,” he said, watching as she padded back toward the bed.

“You get used to it,” she replied, climbing in beside him.

She sank into the blanket with a sigh, and before settling fully, she added, “Turn off the lights.”

Instant darkness.

Haesoo’s eyes adjusted slowly, the afterglow of the room still faint behind his eyelids. “Every time I think I’ve seen everything, you do something like that,” he said quietly.

Nova’s voice was a sleepy murmur. “It’s just lights.”

He turned on his side to face her. “No, it’s you. You move like this place belongs to you.”

She didn’t answer right away. Then: “That’s because it does.”

Without saying anything, she reached for him.

“Come here,” she whispered, tugging him gently onto her chest.

Haesoo hesitated only a second before settling against her, his head resting just beneath her collarbone. Nova’s arm curved around him instinctively, her other hand finding its way into his hair. She moved her fingers slowly, rhythmically, threading through the strands in a soothing pattern.

“I know it’s not easy to sleep in new places,” she murmured near his ear. “Especially here.”

He didn’t say anything, but she felt the way his shoulders eased at her words, the way his breath came out slower.

Nova kept running her fingers through his hair, her own eyes heavy now. It was instinct, really how easily she comforted him. Maybe because she’d spent so long learning how to survive alone, she knew what it meant to have someone there. And she wasn’t going to let him feel like a stranger in a place that already felt cold.

“I’m here,” she added quietly, not sure if he was still awake.

But even if he wasn’t, she meant it.

The soft chime of the alarm broke the silence at exactly 7 a.m.

Nova groaned into the pillow and mumbled, “Shut up.”

The room obeyed, instantly silencing the sound.

A few seconds passed before she stretched her arm out across Haesoo’s waist and gave him a gentle nudge. “Let’s get ready,” she said, voice still thick with sleep. Then she added with a teasing smirk, “Let’s shower together save time.”

Haesoo blinked slowly, still caught between sleep and consciousness, and then met her eyes. She was already sitting up, pushing her hair back and yawning.

“You mean save water?” he asked, playing along as he sat up beside her.

“No,” she said, getting to her feet, “I meant time. But now that you mention it…” She turned back toward him with a sly grin before disappearing into the bathroom.

The sound of water starting echoed a beat later.

Haesoo smiled, running a hand through his hair. Yeah, definitely awake now.

Nova leaned out from the bathroom doorway, towel still in her hands as she dried her hair. “Wear active gear,” she said, already switching into a more focused tone. “We’re evaluating trainees today. You’re coming with me.”

Haesoo, still half-draped in the blanket, looked up. “Active gear? What happened to vacation?”

Nova shot him a small smile. “It’s HQ. This is the vacation.”

By the time he got up to change, Nova had already opened one of the drawers in her closet and pulled out her training outfit sleek, black compression leggings with deep side pockets, a fitted long-sleeve performance top with thumb holes, and her lightweight tactical shoes. Her hair was tied up into a high ponytail with a simple black band, and she clipped her badge onto her hip.

She looked ready to lead a battalion.

Haesoo, slipping into his own joggers and a dark tech-fabric tee, glanced at her. “You really don’t rest, huh?”

Nova tossed him a protein bar and nodded toward the door. “I’ll rest when I’m bored. Let’s go.”

As they stepped out into the bright hallway, Nova scanned her hand to seal the room behind them. Without breaking stride, she reached for Haesoo’s wrist and pulled him along.

“Let’s go eat breakfast,” she said, her tone casual but brisk. “I don’t know how long evaluations will take, and I’m not carrying you if you pass out.”

Haesoo raised a brow. “You would carry me.”

Nova smirked. “Princess-style. But not without complaining.”

They passed a few agents along the corridor who gave Nova respectful nods. She returned them with faint acknowledgments, already shifting into mission mode.

“There’s another cafeteria on the second island,” she added. “That’s where most of the training takes place. Back when we were trainees, they fed us garbage unless someone important was visiting.”

Haesoo glanced over. “And now that you’re important?”

Nova gave a small, wry smile. “They probably changed the menu there too. Because I’m going.”

They ended up in the same cafeteria as the night before, the familiar clean scent of coffee and steamed rice already hanging in the air. The moment Nova stepped through the doors, a quiet chain reaction rippled across the room.

Agents stood from their tables in near unison, their chairs scraping back in a low chorus. All eyes locked onto her.

Nova didn’t even pause. “At ease,” she said, voice steady but tired.

Everyone obeyed immediately, returning to their meals and conversations like nothing had happened.

Haesoo, walking beside her in activewear, couldn’t help the way his eyes flicked around. No matter how many times he saw it, he’d never get used to this how even the most disciplined agents moved for her. Not because they were afraid. But because they respected her. Followed her.

She didn’t make a scene. She didn’t show off. She just was.

And that, somehow, made her even more dangerous.

As they moved through the food line with their trays, the chef appeared from behind the counter, wiping his hands on a towel.

“We made waffles for you,” he said to Nova with a small nod, “your usual vanilla base, crisp edges, toppings on the side.”

Nova gave a quiet smile, just a flicker of gratitude. “Thanks.”

“But,” the chef added, pointing at the rest of the spread, “you need to eat eggs, bacon, and fruit too. You know the protocol sugar has to be balanced.”

Nova gave him a dry look, grabbing a scoop of eggs without argument. “You always ruin my fun.”

“It’s literally my job,” the chef replied, walking off.

Haesoo, watching the exchange, tried not to laugh. “Do they monitor all your meals like this?”

Nova just shrugged and dropped two slices of bacon onto his tray too. “Welcome to HQ.”

They moved down the line, each grabbing what they needed. Nova reached for a glass of milk first, then grabbed a cold Coke Zero without hesitation. Haesoo followed her lead, snagging his drink before trailing her through the cafeteria.

They weaved through rows of seated agents until Nova found a spot near the window. She slid into the seat with her tray like she’d done it a hundred times, setting down the milk and soda side by side. Haesoo sat across from her, taking everything in the sterile air, the watchful glances, the unspoken respect she commanded without trying.

Nova unwrapped her utensils, glanced at him once, then started cutting into her waffles. “Eat,” she said without looking up. “We’re going to be on our feet all morning.”

Haesoo nodded and dug in, still a little stunned by how naturally she fit into this world like she’d never been anything else.

Haesoo watched as Nova alternated between bites of waffle and sips of milk, her movements unhurried but exact. He glanced down at his own tray, then back up at her.

“HQ really takes care of you,” he said, almost like an observation. “They tailor everything to you.”

Nova didn’t look up. She wiped the edge of her mouth with a napkin, reached for her Coke Zero, and took a long sip before answering.

“I’m the highest rank in this building,” she said simply. “They’re supposed to.”

There was no arrogance in her tone just fact. Cold, clean, and matter-of-fact. And somehow, that made it hit harder.

Haesoo wasn’t surprised this time.

He had seen it the night before how the medical staff came by after meals, pricking her finger without question, like it was part of the routine. But seeing it again in daylight, in a room full of agents, made it sink in deeper.

Nova didn’t flinch. She sat calmly, arm out, eyes ahead. The nurse moved efficiently, scanning the drop of blood like it was as normal as clearing a tray.

After the reading came back, Nova simply rolled her sleeve back down and stood. “Told you,” she said lightly, brushing past him.

Haesoo followed, tray still in hand. “Do they really do that every time?”

“Only when I’m here,” she said. “HQ likes data. I’m easy to monitor.”

He didn’t respond at first. Then, softly, “You really don’t get a break here, do you?”

Nova looked over at him and gave a small, tired smile. “Not unless I leave.”

Haesoo glanced over as the nurse walked away, data tablet in hand.

“What happens if the chef messes up?” he asked, his voice quiet but edged with something sharper.

Nova didn’t look up from adjusting her sleeve. “They get fired.”

Haesoo blinked. “Fired? Just like that?”

“They’re considered incompetent,” she said, standing now, picking up her tray. “If they can’t meet my nutritional needs, they’re not fit to be here.”

He stared at her for a second. “That’s… harsh.”

Nova finally looked at him. “This place isn’t built on leniency, Haesoo. It’s built on precision. If I’m not at my best, people die. So no, they don’t get second chances.”

She walked ahead, calm and composed, as if what she said hadn’t just settled like stone in the space between them.

As they finished eating, Nova stood up first, gathering her tray. Haesoo followed, and they handed everything to the waiting staff near the cafeteria exit. Nova gave the staff a quick nod of thanks before reaching back and slipping her hand into Haesoo’s.

“Come on,” she said, lacing their fingers as they walked out into the hallway.

The fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly, the tiled corridor stretching ahead in familiar symmetry. Nova glanced at him sideways, her tone casual but laced with curiosity.

“So,” she asked, “do you like the food here?”

Haesoo shrugged with a small smile. “Honestly? Yeah. Better than what I was expecting from a military facility.”

Nova smirked. “That’s because you’re with me. You think they’d be serving waffles and fresh fruit if I weren’t here?”

He gave her a knowing look. “No. You probably changed the entire cafeteria protocol just by stepping inside.”

“Exactly,” she said, smug but not wrong. “You’re welcome.”

They walked across the polished stone paths of HQ toward the back dock, the quiet sound of their steps blending with the distant hum of ocean wind. Security personnel stood ready by the sleek black speedboat that would take them to the training island a place Haesoo had visited before, but never like this.

Nova stepped onto the boat first, steady despite the slight sway beneath her. Haesoo followed, and once seated, he noticed her expression shift more focused, unreadable, the version of her he only ever saw when she slipped into command mode.

As the boat pulled away from the dock, salt mist brushing against their skin, Nova turned to him.

“I know you’ve been here before,” she said, her voice low but clear over the sound of the motor. “But I’m not here to supervise. I’m here to evaluate.”

He met her eyes.

She continued, “I’ll be pushing them hard. No coddling, no breaks. If anyone cries or collapses, we leave them there. I need to see who breaks and how fast.”

A pause, just long enough for the words to settle.

“So whatever you see,” she added, “don’t react.”

Haesoo gave a small nod. “Got it.”

“Good,” she said, eyes narrowing as the outline of the training island came into view. “Because they won’t be getting mercy just because you’re watching.”