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Minji fastens her steps as she walks through the busy lobby. She seems calm, but her feelings tell otherwise. The girl seemed worried and panicked at the same time ever since she arrived at the hospital.
“Agent Lily!”
Her ears perked as her callsign was shouted, eyes immediately caught with a familiar figure—agent Della, Handong. Minji approached Handong and stood right in front of her.
“Handong, how is she?” Minji dropped the agent callsign, as it’s just between her and Handong right now.
“Her wound has been taken care of as soon as she arrived, but she’s not awake yet. The wound she received was way too deep than we thought.” The pink-head explained as she led Minji through the hallway. “She lost consciousness the moment we finished treating her wounds. She lost too much blood, but thankfully we had some blood stocks, so we got her covered.”
A sigh of relief left Minji’s lips. But not with the anxious feelings that hold her in choke.
….
[2 hours before]
Minji has just arrived at the headquarters. She let out a sigh as she ran her fingers through her hair, pushing some to the back of her ear.
Her eyes wandered and carefully looked throughout the headquarters’ lobby. With eyebrows arched, she thought to herself that a certain someone should’ve finished her mission and returned back. Her eyes darted right and left but she didn’t see a familiar figure amongst the agents. She questioned herself, “Where is she?”
“Agent Lily, oh, God, you’re here!”
Minji turned her head towards the voice. There, she saw Yoohyeon—agent Rachel running towards her. She looked rather concerned right after she saw Minji.
“Agent Rachel, what’s going on? What’s with that look?” Minji questioned
Yoohyeon paused and took a breath. “I have something to tell you.” Yoohyeon said. “It’s about… Agent Alice.”
Minji froze as Yoohyeon called Bora’s callsign. She hates how the tension quickly thickens and shivers were sent all over her body. Bad feelings started to wash over her brains but Minji shook those feelings off. She swallows thickly and brace herself to ask, “… What happened to agent Alice?”
“Just… Promise me to calm down and don’t freak out, okay?” Yoohyeon grabbed Minji’s shoulders. Her eyes took a sharp edge which made Minji feel quite uneasy. As much as she hates this, she needs to tell Minji the truth.
“Just tell me about it already” Minji said
Yoohyeon let out a heavy sigh. Her lips quiver as they’re parted.
….
[Current time]
“… Agent Alice has been compromised during her mission, she got wounded by the enemies.” Yoohyeon stuttered as she watched Minji’s expression change drastically. “We brought her to the hospital for quick care, but then agent Della said she lost consciousness and hasn't woken up ever since.”
Minji couldn’t help herself. Her eyebrows shot towards the ceiling as an ache started deep inside her stomach. The dark brown-haired girl’s lips shakes with sobs as Bora’s face comes into her mind.
“Agent Rachel?” Minji muttered
“Y-Yeah?” Yoohyeon answered
A brief pause. “… Tell agent Della that I’m coming to the hospital. Now.” Minji said.
Minji bit her lower lip as she fought back the tears from falling. She might have told herself to be strong but her arms were shaking at the thoughts of Bora being hurt. Minji shuts her eyes and prays, “Please be okay…”
Handong took a glance at the older agent. It hurts her to see the other girl being like that at the thought of Bora. She could’ve given Minji some comfort but Handong knows it wouldn’t be enough.
Their footsteps stopped in front of a room. Handong’s hand wrapped itself around the doorknob. “She’s inside.” Handong glanced over Minji. She grabbed Minji’s shaky shoulder with her other hand, squeezing it lightly. “… Minji?” Handong called.
Minji stares at Handong. “Yeah?”
“… Stay strong and be there for her, okay?” Handong’s voice cracked. “She needs you right now.” Handong pushed the door open.
Minji nods. “I will. Thank you, Handong.”
Soon after Minji’s back disappeared into the room, Handong pulls the door and slams it close. She peeked through the door’s little window and watched as Minji stood in front of Bora’s bed. She quickly wiped the tears with her thumb as she left to do her job.
Minji swore that her heart almost stopped beating at the view her eyes are looking at right now.
There, at the bed, Bora lies down helplessly and weak. The IV lines on Bora’s hand, the sound of the heart rate monitor going on and off, Bora’s silent breathing made Minji feel helpless, anxious, and scared.
“Bo… Bora…?” Minji whispered. She tried to process what happened to the other girl as her anxiety started to swell up and drowned her in. She dragged the chair next to the bed, sat on it. She never let her gaze leave Bora’s.
Minji lightly squeezed Bora’s hand. Her eyebrows furrowed as she bit her lower lip, tears started to fall from the corner of her eyes. Minji’s fear has taken over her, let alone being vulnerable and crying at the sight.
The dark brown-haired girl buried her face against the blanket and let out a weak sob. “Please wake up.” Minji pleaded. “Please… Please tell me that you’re okay .”
…
…
[1 hour later]
Beep… Beep… Beep…
Bora’s ears perked at the sound of the heart rate monitor. Voids of darkness left her sight as her eyelids started to open slowly. Her gaze shots at the white ceilings above her head. Small grunts escaped her lips as the light bulbs above showers her sights.
Her body flinched as she realised where she is right now. Gasping for air, Bora let out some deep exhales. “Where am I—?” Bora tried to move an arm and felt something heavy resting on top of it. She turned her head slowly and saw a familiar figure had rested on her body next to Bora’s bed.
“Minji…?” Bora muttered. She brought her other hand over Minji’s shoulder, fingers gently tapping on it.
The other girl’s lips let out a small grunt as she feels some tapping on her shoulder. “Uhm-?” Minji rubbed her eyes. As soon as she saw Bora’s face the moment she’s awake, the brown-haired girl jolted awake and yelled, “Bora!?” Minji’s eyes lit up. “Y-you’re awake!”
“Minji, wait, what are you doing in here-?” Bora raised an eyebrow.
“Good grief! I’ve heard from Yoohyeon and Handong about your conditions, and I came here as soon as I could” Minji let out a heavy sigh. “Yoohyeon said that you were compromised during the mission… Are you okay?” Her gaze softens.
“Mission…” Bora mumbled.
Bora’s face contorts the moment her mind recalled what happened. Her eyes grew wide and her whole body trembled from fear.
…
“To think that you came straight into my trap, makes me wonder how foolish you are, agent Alice.”
The man snapped his fingers. His henchmen came with a gun in his hand, handing it over to his boss. He cocked the gun, pointing it right at Bora. Smirks visible from behind the gun.
“This is it, agent Alice.” His smirks turn into a devilish smile. “Goodbye.”
BANG! BANG!
Just right before Bora could react, small blood spitted out from her mouth as the bullet pierced through her hips. Her knees fell into the cold ground followed by her upper body, losing her consciousness.
“Agent Alice? Agent Alice, are you there!?”
Bora’s in-ear piece buzzed with some noises trying to call her. She couldn’t say anything but to lay down on the ground helplessly, feeling the blood seeping through her suit. The footsteps, buzzing noises from her in-ear piece slowly started to fade as her visions started to black out.
She weakly stretched her arm looking for someone. She could’ve called out to her , but sadly, she’s all alone and Minji isn’t there . Tears start to fall. Her lips quiver.
In the midst of her despair, Bora desperately called,
“… Min… Ji…”
…
Bora’s body jolted in shock. Beads of cold sweats run down on her back as she freezes, hand shivers and her whole body trembles. “Ah-” Bora chokes up.
Bora smacked her palms against her forehead, eyes wide shot. Her voice erupted inside the small room.
“Bora!” Minji stood immediately. She wrapped her arms around Bora’s back pulling her closer, one hand on the back of Bora’s head. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m here, Bora.” Minji calmed her. “I’m here.”
Bora’s sobs muffled as she rested her face on Minji’s chest. Her fingers curled and grabbed Minji’s suit tightly. “Minji… Minji…” Bora muttered. “Please don’t leave me… Please stay…”
Minji bit her lower lip. Her eyes shed tears as Bora begged her to stay.
She was never this scared before; and yet at the thought of her being that close to lose Bora, Minji cried. She rested her chin on top of Bora’s head. “I’m so sorry,” Minji apologised, “I shouldn’t have left you, I should’ve stayed to protect you. It should’ve been me .”
Minji let go of her hug, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath and stared at Bora. “You didn’t deserve any of this, Bora.” Minji said, hands now resting on the other girl’s shoulders. “It’s all my fault. I’m… I’m so sorry.”
The other girl glanced up at Minji’s face with her tearful eyes. She shook her head weakly. She cupped Minji’s cheek, rubbing it gently with her thumb.
“Minji, please don’t blame yourself,” Bora exhaled heavily. “None of these are your fault, okay? So please, stop apologising.”
The older girl let go of her grip. She turned her body around, facing away from Bora. “Bora, for now, I want you to focus on your healing for the time being.” Minji’s voice grows firm. “I will finish this job. Don’t worry about me, you just go worry about yourself now. I’ll make sure whoever did this to you pays their price.”
“Minji…?”
“I’ll carry out your missions and I’ll finish them all. I’m gonna find whoever did this to you, I promise.” Minji’s expressions grow cold. “I will show them no mercy. They deserve this.”
“Minji, wait-!”
“They’re not going anywhere. Not as long as I’m alive, I will make them beg for their life—,” Minji leaves Bora’s bed and walks to the door.
“MINJI!!”
The dark brown-haired girl flinched as Bora’s voice erupted once again. She turned her head and saw the other girl looking at her, eyes were red and tears streaming down. Minji could see all of the pain hidden behind Bora’s eyes.
“Can you…” Bora’s eyelids drooped. “Can you stay with me? Please?”
Minji nods. She came to Bora’s side and put her hand on top of Bora’s, their fingers intertwined. Bora feels safe and warm as Minji holds her hand. Though Minji doesn’t say anything, Bora knows that Minji is there for her, keeping her safe inside her arms.
“Hey, Minji?” Bora called
“Yeah?” Minji answered
Bora swallows thickly. She rested the side of her face on Minji’s chest, eyes fluttering closed. She feels relieved despite her body trembling. Her face shifts slightly each time Minji breathes.
Even though it doesn’t really mean something, Minji knows that this is what Bora needs most of the time whenever Bora needs some reassurance. Such subtle gestures make her feel blessed and safe.
Whenever Bora feels she’s about to give into her fears, Minji is there and will give her a hug to let Bora know that she’s not alone. Even if it’s just them holding each other’s hand or Minji just simply standing right beside her. Minji makes her feel alive.
“Minji…” Bora muffled into Minji’s chest, she brought her other hand and grasped on the side of Minji’s arm. “I’m scared… I’m so scared that you weren’t by my side when I got hurt. I— I’m afraid that I’m gonna die back then.”
Bora’s shoulders shift with her shaky breath. “I just can’t do it without you. I hate it. I don’t want you to leave me alone just like that.” Bora bit her lips as her tears fell again. “Please… Please stay by my side, don’t leave me. I… I need you.”
Minji’s heart shattered as she heard Bora’s plea. She wrapped her arms around Bora’s back with one hand behind Bora’s head and the other patted her back. Her eyelids closed and tears fell from the corner of her eyes. “I won’t leave you ever again, Bora. I promise.” Minji says, her lips quiver. “Whatever happens I won’t leave you all alone. Believe me.”
Bora nods slightly. “I believe in you,” she said.
The other girl pulled herself from Minji’s embrace. Her eyebrows shot towards the ceiling upon the sight of Minji’s anxious look. “Jesus Christ… You need to stop trying to put all of my problems on your shoulders. You’re about to kill yourself if you keep doing that shit.” Bora let out a sigh. “Listen, Minji. I’m not gonna have you torture yourself over this thing. We still have each other’s back, and we’re not gonna have to try to put each other’s shit on one’s shoulder, okay?”
Minji wiped her tears. “Okay…” she replied.
“Good.” Bora smiled
“Who did this, Bora?” Minji asked
“Not now, Minji.” Bora chuckles
“I’m gonna make them pay for what they’ve done to you.”
“Jesus, just calm down and stay with me for now will you?”
fin.