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Anton limped back to the small hideout RIIZE used as their base, his bruised ego stinging more than the injuries Giselle had left him with. He pushed open the heavy door, revealing the dimly lit room where Sohee was seated at the kitchen table, idly spinning a knife in his hands.

"So, how'd it go?" Sohee asked without looking up, his voice laced with sarcasm. "You look like you got your ass handed to you."

Anton scowled, dropping into a chair across from him. "Shut up, Sohee. It wasn't a fair fight."

"Oh, I'm sure it wasn't," Sohee replied with a sly smirk. "Was it Giselle? Heard she's a piece of work."

Anton's silence was answer enough. Sohee chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Man, you really don't know when to back down, do you?"

Before Anton could retort, the door to the other room creaked open, and Wonbin stepped out, his face lighting up as soon as he saw Anton. "You're back," he said, his voice softer than usual.

Wonbin crossed the room in a few long strides, crouching down in front of Anton to inspect his injuries. "You should've called me. I could've helped."

"I didn't need help," Anton muttered, but his voice lacked conviction.

Wonbin's touch was gentle as he dabbed at a cut on Anton's cheek with a damp cloth. "You're lucky it wasn't worse."

Sohee watched the scene unfold, his smirk widening. "You two should just get it over with already."

Anton shot him a glare. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, come on," Sohee said, leaning forward with a wicked grin. "You're practically glued to each other. You could kiss and call it 'homie bonding,' and no one would bat an eye."

Anton flushed, shoving Wonbin's hand away. "You're an idiot, Sohee."

Wonbin, however, didn't seem fazed. He stood, tossing the cloth aside, and ruffled Anton's hair with a small smile. "Don't listen to him. He's just jealous."

"Jealous of what?" Sohee snorted. "You two can keep your little bromance. I'm good."

Anton rolled his eyes, standing and stretching despite the ache in his muscles. "Whatever. I'm going to bed."

As Anton walked toward his room, he heard Sohee's teasing voice call after him, "Sweet dreams, lover boy!"

Wonbin shot Sohee a look, but there was no real malice in it. Once Anton was out of earshot, Sohee leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "He's so easy to rile up."

"You shouldn't push him so much," Wonbin said quietly, though his tone was more amused than scolding.

Sohee shrugged. "It's all in good fun. Besides, we all know he's got a soft spot for you."

Wonbin didn't respond, but the faint smile on his lips said enough

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Karina sat at her desk, the glow of the monitors illuminating her sharp features. A smirk played on her lips as she scanned the reports laid out before her. "Sohee's moving in," she muttered, eyes flickering to Giselle, who leaned against the doorway, twirling a knife between her fingers.

"No surprise," Giselle said with a shrug. "Anton was sloppy. Of course, they'd send in their next best option." She tapped the tip of the blade against the desk, smirking. "Honestly, I'm flattered they're working this hard."

Karina leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "They don't realize we're already ahead of them. We know Sohee's patterns. He's precise but predictable."

"Still," Giselle mused, "he's not the one to underestimate. Unlike Anton, Sohee doesn't let his ego get in the way." She studied Karina, her tone turning playful. "So, what's the plan, boss?"

Karina's eyes darkened with determination. "We let him think he's winning." She tapped on one of the screens, showing a detailed map of the university campus. "He'll expect us to tighten security and watch him closely. Instead, we'll pull back and let him feel comfortable."

Giselle raised an eyebrow. "You're playing the long game."

Karina's lips curled into a smirk. "Always."

Meanwhile, at the RIIZE hideout, the atmosphere was tense. Sohee zipped up his jacket, grabbing a small earpiece before glancing at the others. "I'll get it done," he said, his voice devoid of the usual teasing edge.

Shotaro and Eunseok were busy analyzing data, marking potential spots where Giselle might have been gathering intel. "Be careful," Shotaro murmured, glancing up briefly. "AESPA's not known for their mercy."

Sohee rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine." But as he walked toward the door, he paused and glanced back at Anton and Wonbin, who were sitting off to the side, unusually quiet.

"Try not to burn the place down while I'm gone," Sohee called out with a smirk.

Anton shot him a glare. "Just go already."

Wonbin, however, just waved lazily. "Don't get caught."

As the door shut behind Sohee, Anton let out a long sigh and leaned back on the couch. "I should've gone."

Wonbin shook his head. "Karina and Giselle will be expecting that. Sohee has a better chance of blending in."

Anton frowned, drumming his fingers against the armrest. "I still don't like it."

Wonbin gave him a sideways glance. "You just don't like being left out."

Anton didn't deny it.

Back at AESPA's base, Karina stood by the window, watching the city lights. "Let him come," she murmured. "We'll be waiting."

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