Switch on. Lights on.
From the entrance, Wooseung is welcomed once again with the sight of her apartment. It has a small living room, a kitchen, a small bathroom, and a bedroom, all can be passed through in a straight path. There is a rack at the entrance for umbrellas and shoes, which Wooseung places her shoes on after removing them. Her sight goes straight at the end of the hall, where a cupboard is what she has first seen.
A sight that is all too familiar.
The walls are painted green, a furniture serve as the line between the receiving area and the kitchen, a TV and couches—make up her place. Being alone for almost a year, Wooseung can say she has gotten used in this set up already. She passes by the chabudai in the receiving area and places her guitar case on the couch. And there is a sudden halt on her steps, when she sees her reflection in the square mirror. She brushes her bangs a bit and the red dye in her hair is slowly fading.
And then, stare at her face for a moment.
The doorbell sound snaps out her stupor.
Wooseung quickly turns around and attends to her visitor, only to look through the eye hole first.
Yiyoung is beyond that door.
Wooseung opens the door and welcomes her sister.
“Unnie!” she greets in full delight. “Come in! Or…are you just dropping by?”
Yiyoung smiles. “I really came for a lengthy visit.”
“Oh, that’s great! I just got home,” Wooseung says. She beckons her sister to enter which Yiyoung follows through. Wooseung locks the door and stares back at Yiyoung, who is removing her shoes.
“Where have you been that you’re late?” Yiyoung asks. Wooseung cannot help but grit her teeth a bit and just hides it with a cheery voice. Good thing, Yiyoung is not facing her.
“I just got out of my gig in Chuo,” Wooseung explains. “Just got in trouble on my way home.”
“Trouble?” Yiyoung turns around to see her.
“Some weird guys are harassing me,” Wooseung says. “Could have kicked them between their legs, but someone did before me.”
“That hurt,” Yiyoung voices out with a cringe in her face.
“Not there. Their ass,” Wooseung clarifies.
Yiyoung steps inside and goes straight to the couch. She notices some towels and takes one.
“Be sure to clean your place, or else you don’t want rats around here,” Yiyoung casually scolds her, “and you should be a bit more careful. There has been a case of stalking in the other district from here. Almost got a victim killed if it weren’t for a concerned citizen.”
Wooseung’s eyes widen. “That’s scary.”
“Yes. Even you’re equipped with necessary skills, it’s better to be careful and avoid confrontation, if possible,” Yiyoung lastly advises.
“That’s what I’m supposed to do.”
Wooseung takes the towel from Yiyoung and is about to return to her room when Yiyoung calls her again.
“Anything you’d like to eat?” Yiyoung asks.
Wooseung begins to sense things differently.
“I’ll…let you decide unnie,” Wooseung says and enters her room to place her towel in the laundry basket. She returns to the receiving room and sees Yiyoung already sitting at the tatami around chabudai. Yiyoung is busy with her phone as Wooseung goes to the kitchen to get a tumbler from the fridge.
“Drinks, Seungie?” Yiyoung asks again.
“I’m strictly tea, unnie. And I still have here,” Wooseung answers. She also sits on the tatami and places the tumbler on the chabudai. Twisting out the lid to be the glass, she pours out some tea towards it before drinking.
“All right, the delivery will still be in 20 minutes,” Yiyoung says and looks at Wooseung. “Enough time to talk about your next assignment.”
Knew it.
Wooseung stares at her more attentively.
“An intel said that a shipment from Daewang Group will be delivered in the port here in Kumamoto, six days from now,” Yiyoung begins. “The contains are metal plating and alloys in large numbers and seem will be used for the illegal manufacturing of backpacks.”
Wooseung’s ears feel a tinge.
“They are bold to do it here in Kumamoto,” Wooseung says.
“Well indeed, but we are curious about another thing,” Yiyoung says. “That’s why they asked you to take this assignment alongside the Sector 11. They need an unaffiliated backpack specialist from the Sectors Unit as that operation can be a trap.”
Yiyoung takes something from her jacket and places an envelope beside the tumbler. She pushes it, to encourage Wooseung to get a look at it herself.
Wooseung understands the agenda and opens it, taking out papers filled with confidential data.
Her eyes squint.
An unregistered backpack suit.
“I see. They don’t want destruction of this unregistered suit but retrieval instead. The design doesn’t correspond any similarities of the current registered companies,” Wooseung says, reciting the mission. “It wonders me why I’m chosen for this mission.”
“To tell you the truth, it was Gikyo’s request,” Yiyoung says. “The old chief seems too interested to test something on your suit.”
Wooseung grimaces.
“I’m his experiment again, that uncle really…” Wooseung says.
“Don’t worry, if something happens, he is willing to take the heat,” Yiyoung reassures. “Besides, even father approved of it.”
This is when the air changed.
“I see…”
“He also wants to see you home after this mission.”
Wooseung becomes motionless for a minute.
“That’s…great to hear then, unnie…”
Yiyoung notices the change of her sister’s mood, and so, she pats her shoulder and brushes it.
“It’s been three years. Of course he misses you, too.”
Wooseung does not give any reaction.
She nods.
Lee Wooseung is a student at Sojo University, located in Nishi Ward of Kumamoto City. Currently a Materials Science first-year student, Wooseung never misses a day of attendance.
Even a Saturday class.
Wooseung stays in an empty classroom, reviewing and making key notes from the last subject. Saturday classes are for only two subjects in the morning, and the rest will be for recreational activities.
Nevertheless, Wooseung savors this freedom, thanks to her Yiyoung-unnie.
While populating a page with small notes, she can see some people entering the room. A girl and a guy, her classmates, Nakahara Midori and Kuse Daisuke.
“Seung-chan! Let’s get lunch together,” Midori invites her.
Wooseung looks at them. “Oh sure! Let me finish these notes first.”
Midori pouts a bit and grabs her arm. “Come on that can be done later. I’m hungry.”
Wooseung glances towards Daisuke, who seemingly turns his face away from her. Feeling disappointed for not getting any help, Wooseung closes her notebook and stands up in defeat.
“As long as it’s your treat, Midori-chan,” Wooseung says.
“Uso!” Midori exclaims. “I’m not given enough allowance recently.”
Wooseung giggles. “Yeah, yeah. Called it.”
“There’s karaage in the cafeteria,” Daisuke cuts in.
Wooseung blinksgrabbing them in haste. “No time to waste!”
To be normal is a question with subjective answers. There is no clear definition on what to be just a simple human being, yet a sheet of paper seems to provide answers that can be far from truth. However, to maintain order, a set of rules need to be followed, and chaos must be controlled to let the majority live their normal lives.
Wooseung appears frustrated as she keeps fixing her bangs. They are having their lunch in a round table, as Midori sees that Wooseung is not touching her meal.
“Worried about the frizz, Seung-chan?” Midori asks.
“Hmm, nah,” Wooseung says, “but I think I’m hurting my hair with dyes. I’m gonna miss this burgundy hair of mine.”
“You should take care more of your hair, Seung-chan,” Midori advises. “It’s not long since you did orange hair before burgundy.”
Wooseung chuckles. “Yeah. I only tried it, but I’ve become way too noticeable with that one.”
“You look best at natural hair color,” Daisuke comments suddenly before he takes a bite of his tonkatsu.
“Wow, is Kuse-san complimenting me?” Wooseung says in a coy tone. Midori cannot help but grin.
“Be careful, Seung-chan, Daisuke-kun had a way with words!” Midori teases.
Wooseung giggles. “I’m flattered, Daisuke-kun.”
Daisuke merely clears his throat.
College students have more leeway of freedom, as it ultimately begins their journey to ‘real world’. Broaden perspectives, new experiences, and committing relationships. While not everyone has the privilege to experience and each will still be different from the other, a common denominator will not change.
If Wooseung can view things normally as other people.
It is already past five in the afternoon, and a certain convenience store just near the Arts and Design department and of the memorial library is crowded as usual. A couple of students have left the store, and one of them is Wooseung with Midori and Daisuke.
“See you on Monday, Seung-chan…” Midori bids goodbye as she hugs Wooseung, who embraces back.
“Take care on the road, Midori-chan,” Wooseung says and pats her friend’s back. “Also your promise in watching my gig next time. I won’t forget that.”
“Your voice is a must to hear, that’s why people fall in love with you,” Midori says and glances to Daisuke, who stands behind Wooseung.
“Hehe, I’m getting there I believe…”
Midori shakes Wooseung a bit. “Don’t be modest, dear Seung-chan. Anyways, bye, bye!”
Wooseung waves her hand which Midori grabs and squeezes before leaving. She is about to also be on her way, when Daisuke calls her.
“Lee Wooseung.”
Wooseung turns around and Daisuke is now staring at her.
“Hai, Daisuke-kun?” Wooseung asks, tilting her head a bit.
“Can I walk you to the terminal?” Daisuke offers.
Wooseung smiles, “Of course.”
Daisuke obliges himself to stand beside Wooseung and they begin walking together.
Pitter-patter.
A quick succession of sounds which are created by light steps. The streets are bustling with people, seeming all in a hurry into something. However, with all the nimbleness of people around them, Wooseung will describe the space between her and Daisuke as quiet and slow.
Until Daisuke halts his steps.
Wooseung knows. And so, she turns around to face him. The usual guy who cannot face her even for a second, Daisuke, is looking at her directly, with a plan to gaze away no more.
Yet…
“Something on your mind, Kuse-san?” Wooseung asks.
“Why reverting to formal language, Wooseung?” Daisuke asks but not expecting an answer. Wooseung knows those eyes, and his expression is steadier and firmer.
“You called me Lee Wooseung, earlier, I am just returning the respect,” Wooseung replies.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Daisuke asks.
And there is affection.
Wooseung smiles and shakes her head.
“Why the ask, Daisuke?”
Wooseung can see a tint of red in Daisuke’s cheeks.
“I know the feeling of getting rejected, but I want to try.” Daisuke pulls a deep breath before proceeding. “I like you, Lee Wooseung. Can we date?” he asks.
A confession, indeed.
Wooseung stares at him, with the same smile but unreadable. Each second that passes feels like eternity, yet Daisuke is earnest to learn her answer—giving his best to match that gaze.
And so, Wooseung steps forward with a smile.
“Kuse Daisuke-kun, I’m sorry… I don’t think we can work together…”
A split second—Daisuke nods.
“I understand,” Daisuke says and heaves another breath. “I did expect that but that stings…”
Wooseung moves away a bit. “I’m sorry and…thank you for understanding.”
Scratching his nape, Daisuke smiles awkwardly. “Yeah it’s fine… But I still want to let you know that you have a pretty smile. And I long to hear you again singing…”
Wooseung giggles. “Well, if you could visit my gigs next week, you can. But of course, you gotta pay.”
Daisuke looks liberated and he smiles even more freely.
“Yeah, sure. I would love to.”
Love is such a word that one can define as overrated, but for Wooseung, it seems a beautiful thing. From the stories of her classmates about holding hands with someone they cherish, to the whispers of affection and admiration through their lips. Wooseung imagines such intimacy at times, but believes it is not the only way to achieve it. Wooseung still feels loved in another way, especially in how her older sister, Yiyoung, treats her.
And love can be twisted if one is not careful enough.
Wooseung arrives at her apartment. Same routine. Switch on. Lights on. Wooseung walks in and goes straight into her room to change clothes. Her room is conspicuously smaller, but for some reason, Wooseung can describe it as larger than her heart—her mind in certain things. She proceeds towards the side table when a mirror is also nearby.
Beside the mirror is the envelope, where her mission details are kept. In her mind there are assignments and projects that need to be submitted next week, but there is also an operation that will be done in the same time frame. No one will ever think a university student like her has a double life, and to even do both is a monumental task. Yet, she manages to do so. She is trained for it. Literally, her whole life.
Wooseung has never questioned it before, but now she does.
Seeing her friends just mind about their future, securing jobs, and settling to make a family, have her ask why they seem not normal. However, it is the reversed. Those things are supposed to be normal.
Wooseung moves her eyes and sees her own reflection in the mirror.
And realizing that it is shattered.
It is Sunday and Shinyoung has an important visit today at the Kumamoto City Hospital. She goes first to the cashier, paying some hospital bills. Right after, she takes the elevator to reach the 3rd floor. Reaching a huge room with several patients, one of them greets her.
“Hello, Shinyoung-chan,” says an old man, with the name Matsumura Masashi. He wears small and rounded eyeglasses, and Shinyoung smiles at the sight of him. Masashi has a kind-looking face and Shinyoung normally has a soft spot for elderly like him. She has known him for months, ever since he was admitted here due to pneumonia.
Shinyoung bows a bit. “Good morning, Ojii-chan.”
Masashi beckons her to get closer, which Shinyoung responds by walking near him. She lowers her head and lets the old man pat her head.
“Taking a visit to your sister again?” Masashi asks, even knowing the answer.
Shinyoung nods. “Hai…” She takes out something from the paper bag she is carrying and puts oranges on Masashi’s table. “For you, Ojii-chan.”
“My, thank you.” Masashi cannot but smile. “Don’t you need this more, young lady?”
Shinyoung chuckles a bit. “It’s really for you, Ojii-chan. Besides, oranges are good for your recovery.”
“Then I just need to be grateful for your kindness,” Masashi says.
“Get well soon, Ojii-chan,” Shinyoung says, “I’ll be checking my sister now, Ojii-chan.”
Masashi gives her a nod as Shinyoung proceeds to walk towards the end of the room. She moves a curtain that divides the patients, and the last bed is occupied by a teenage girl. Merely a dextrose is connected to the back of her hand, the young girl still looks healthy despite just sleeping all the time. Shinyoung stares at her for a minute, analyzing each bit of her, as she notices the girl’s hair to be growing longer.
Shinyoung mentally notes that she needs to trim it again.
She pulls a chair to sit in and places the paper bag on the side table. The clear vase needs to be replaced with water which Shinyoung will tend later. She looks at the sleeping patient again, reaching out the patient’s cheek, and lets out a sigh.
“Hello, Eunbyul-ah. Unnie is here…”
Lee Eunbyul is Shinyoung’s younger sister by two years, who got into an accident two years ago. A hit-and-run incident, no one still knows who owns the pick-up truck that rammed up her sister. Shinyoung wants justice to be exacted, but in the current state of things, all she can do is to wait for her sister to wake up.
It is past lunch when Shinyoung leaves the hospital, and she is on her way back to Minami Ward. Her only day-off is Sunday, and so she uses this day for completing class assignments. But with the bills piling up, she has to look for another part-time.
The bus terminal is empty, where Shinyoung sits alone on the bench. While waiting, her phone suddenly vibrates. A message from Lily.
Opening it.
From: Lily-senpai
Yo! We got a response from the post! And someone said they found Baek Dohyun
Shinyoung raises a brow.
To: Lily-senpai
You are sure it is not bogus?
Another message has arrived.
From: Lily-senpai
…Right
Actually, I’m verifying things still
I just got excited to tell you
Shinyoung cannot help but wince while reading Lily’s messages.
To: Lily-senpai
I don’t think it helps
The bus arrives. Shinyoung enters and secures a seat first. Upon sitting, her phone vibrates again.
From: Lily-senpai
Wow you’re really supportive of me, I’m sad
Shinyoung just smirks.
Apartment.
Shinyoung halves the dumpling while Shun is in deep contemplation as he slurps his noodles. After a moment, Shun looks at Shinyoung both in worry and concern.
“Another part-time?” Shun says, “I understand your situation, but you already have three part-times. You’re trying to be Anpanman, aren’t you?”
“Well, I dunno what happened, but it’s clear it’s not enough for me to live properly and pay my sister’s bills…” Shinyoung reasons out. “I’m just thankful for the food that you and your sister is giving me sometimes.”
Shun contorts his face and sighs.
“You cannot also exceed the time limit per week,” Shun says, “but to be honest I cannot scold you that much, I’m not in the same dire position.”
“Just tell me if you found a new one. I’ll take care of it,” Shinyoung says and seems to feign ignorance. She takes another dumpling and eats it whole.
“Let’s do the assignment first with Hinagata-sensei, but just give me ideas, I’ll be helping you,” Shun says.
Shinyoung chews first. “You have arubaito today, too, right? I’ll just borrow your laptop. Besides I can take videos of sunset later.”
“Okay, then I’ll take a nap. Just wake me up before 4,” Shun says.
Shinyoung nods. “Sure.”
The orange glaze in the sky never ceases to make Shinyoung amaze.
She puts her phone down and is about to walk back on the streets when someone bumps into her.
“Ah, sumima—” Shinyoung stops and sees a familiar face in front of her.
Riku.
“Lee-san, I need your help!” Riku begs to her, and Shinyoung notices that Riku is holding her arm. Shinyoung just frowns but she can tell the desperation in Riku’s face.
“What help do you need?” Shinyoung asks.
“It’s…”
A grumble.
Shinyoung is just staring while her leftover dumplings are being wolfed down. She feels that she has seen the same thing before, down to the same smile on Riku’s face. Shinyoung has brought Riku to her apartment, but also just after texting Shun—who is already in his part-time job.
“I set aside my dumplings so I can eat it the next day,” Shinyoung says, “but it’s actually for a guest.”
Riku chews first before speaking.
“I’m sorry for taking your food, I promise I’ll treat you to a meal next time,” Riku says.
“Well, sure. I won’t say no to that…” Shinyoung says, “but, what are you supposed to say earlier?”
Riku drinks water first.
“Ah right, that…” Riku frowns and leans a bit closer. “I think I know now where to find my brother.”
“Then why not report it to the police?” Shinyoung asks. And why you have to go with me again? This girl is a stalker.
“I already said I can’t,” Riku says, livid, then suddenly softens, “I mean…I really can’t.”
“You’re hiding something,” Shinyoung points out, “I also said it last time I don’t like getting hung up on something illegal.”
Riku becomes still, holding the chopsticks firmly. There is a tremble in her lips and a slow sigh.
“If… If I tell you my story, would you believe me?”
Shinyoung only stares at her.
“Let’s see what you gotta tell. It’s your choice, and I’m not obligated to believe you even if I hear it.”
“I didn’t know you’re a callous person,” Riku says, somehow experiencing a divine comedy, but still gives a half-baked smile. “Then listen to me.”
“Nii-chan, you don’t have to do this!”
Riku yells, pleading close to her brother. Her brother is holding a duffle bag, pushing it to her.
“D-Don’t let them take the belt, understand? They are just gonna use us!”
“Aren’t they supposed to help us?!” Riku asks.
Her brother shakes his head incessantly.
“Riku, they changed,” he says, “they don’t care about us anymore. They’ll just gonna sell us to the client! I just need to do something so they will let us go, so you have to hide that, alright?”
“N-Nii-chan…”
“Renji…plotting with your sister, aye?”
“Run! Go!”
Riku only remembers her brother pushing him away and running endlessly.
“…His name is Miwabe Katsuki, and it’s already three months since we last saw each other. We’re…affiliated with a gang which kept us afloat for years, coz we don’t have parents anymore,” Riku recounts. “We’re communicating through signals in specific places we know, but a week ago, he didn’t send a message in a place where we supposed to meet. At the same time, that’s when the gang members somehow managed to tail me.”
“I see…”
“And as for the police, they won’t care about this case. Probably even we might get detained, and that’s the least we want to happen. Not because we feared being jailed, but it’s more dangerous to us behind the bars.”
“Yeah, I kinda had an idea what you mean by that,” Shinyoung says.
“…Thank you,” Riku says and sighs. “We already wanted to split up with them for a long time, but…things won’t be exactly kind to us. Especially if they learned…”
“Learned what?”
Riku shakes her head. “Nothing. To be honest, I thought I could trust you again with…holding the belt for me again, but I realized indeed that I’m just stringing you in with my problems. It’s just… You’re the one who had been kind to me all this time. And listening to my story…”
Shinyoung does not know what to respond.
“I believe I didn’t do anything remarkable…”
Riku chuckles. “I’ve been homeless for quite some time yet you’re the one who fed me twice. I mean, it doesn’t mean I wasn’t able to get some meals in the past weeks… It’s just a tall order while running away.”
“How can I help you then?”
Riku looks at her with a surprised expression.
And then softens again.
“No, it’s fine… It’s just… Thank you for listening to my story,” Riku says, “and for the meal, too! I now…have enough energy to find my brother again, and I’m sure this is gonna be the end of it.”
“How are you sure then it wasn’t the gang tricking you?” Shinyoung asks.
“I visited an old hideout of ours in the Taiko Bridge. He told me to meet with him at the Takashi Elementary School later at evening, then we’ll leave Kumamoto. I’m certain it was his handwriting, and I figured out why he failed to send a message in the last point I lost contact with him.”
“I see…”
“Thank you again, I promised I won’t bother you again…”
“Okay,” Shinyoung says, “I wish you luck then, seeing your brother again.”
Consistency marks the work of a professional. Wooseung does not have tolerance towards it, as how her father despises it.
It is dusk, and Wooseung is watching the sky from Kojima Bridge. The change of colors entices her, as how it also reflects to the river. The water flows freely, like how some of the vehicles are passing through on the road. Her eyes seem deep in contemplation when she spots a familiar face from the coastline.
Shirakawa River is a good sight, unprecedented by common folks that it is also a meeting place.
Wooseung puts her hand on her ear and speaks.
“Blank,” Wooseung says.
The person from the coastline seems to raise his arm and puts his hand to his ear. A radio static is heard as a reply commences.
“Ringo.”
Wooseung puts her hand down and walks to where the guy is. Reaching the rendezvous, Wooseung faces the river once again before speaking.
“Any leads you have for me, Sonny?”
The guy, Sonny, is also facing the river. He has his hands inside his pocket, and pulls his left hand with a lollipop. The stretch of silence lasts until he puts the lollipop to his mouth.
“It’s positive that the shipment would proceed in Thursday evening. Any preparations would you like to happen?” Sonny asks.
Wooseung breathes out some air. “Nothing. I just need an intel about the gang that Daewang contracted.”
“Still looking for that Rider, eh?” Sonny humors. “The Silver Fox seems to also have a commission that day, and it’s confirmed by Candy it’s for Daewang. They also own illegal suits, so be careful in facing them.”
“Okay, that’s all I need to know,” Wooseung says and takes her phone out. Some clicks before she puts it back to her jacket. “I already sent the payment.”
“Strange, if this is only the thing you’d ask, you could have just done it through email,” Sonny remarks. “Like you always do.”
“Well, I want to also get out and breathe some fresh air…”
A glance. A knowing stare. And the sky has darkened already.
“Anything that troubles the young archer?” Sonny says.
Wooseung smiles a bit and exhales again. “Well, someone confessed to me. They liked me and asked me for a date.”
“What did you reply then?”
Few crickets begin to celebrate the arrival of night.
“I just told him we’re not gonna work out,” Wooseung says.
“How are you gonna know that when you stopped at the beginning already?” Sonny remarks.
Wooseung chuckles. “Is that so? I guess I could have tried…”
“Did you like them?” Sonny asks.
“I do, but I’m unsure about the other,” Wooseung says. “I can’t just toy with someone’s feelings when I’m pretty uncertain about myself.”
“Well, you’re still young at that, you will gain more experience,” Sonny says, “but I’ll tell you, don’t stop yourself being happy, okay? I know I’m just an informant, but we’ve been working together for years. And I’d be fine keeping that professional line.”
“Now I doubt if you’re only just few years older than me, ojiisan,” Wooseung teases.
Sonny clicks his tongue. “I’m not that old you punk. Also please tell your sister to stop chasing our asses. It’s hard to continue business whenever she’s around.”
Wooseung giggles. “I can tell her, but I can’t stop her doing her duty.”
“If that’s all you need, then I’ll be going. Try to contact Candy or Heiwa first if you need something, I’ll be busy for a while,” Sonny says and then walks away. Wooseung moves in the opposite direction to also leave.
Informants are highly regarded assets, as much as how they are disposable after usage. Depending on the situation, they can be the government’s ally, and next be the wanted enemy.
Wooseung is on her way back to her apartment, when her stomach grumbles. She spots the nearby ramen stall and heads there.
“One tonkotsu ramen please,” Wooseung says and sits in. The old woman begins to prepare her order as Wooseung enjoys the scent of noodles in the air.
Her phone suddenly vibrates that Wooseung must check it.
From: Kodama-senpai
Urgent, go to the Takahashimachi, there’s a reported sighting of an unregistered suit user
[IMG_0054236.jpeg]
Your backpack is already here as well, wear the black suit
Wooseung can feel a vein popping on her forehead. She just forces to suppress the brewing emotions within her and smiles to the old woman.
“Obaa-san, I just need to take care of something. I’ll return for my food,” Wooseung politely says. The old woman nods and Wooseung puts her payment on the counter.
Dashing out of the store, she is now running back to her apartment to get her motorbike.
Police sirens are wailing with the obvious trace of crime that happened. The streets in front of Takashi Elementary School are blocked, and an injured guy is being tended by medics. The authorities are surrounding the school, and some are ready to fire their guns.
Wooseung arrives with her motorbike and finds her superior, Kodama Hideki, passing instructions to other police officers. He is the chief of Kumamoto Special Force, as the one who has a direct command towards her as a field agent.
“Just in time, Lee-kun,” Kodama greets, seeing as well that Wooseung already wears her black composite suit. “Your sister is not around so I’ll be giving you this urgent assignment.”
Wooseung frowns. “What’s the current situation, Chief?”
“They went inside the school building and the injured man is Tobe Masahiko, the school guard. A concerned citizen called the police immediately, and now you’re needed to handle the culprit,” Kodama says.
“Orders?” Wooseung asks as a police officer hand her the backpack. She wears it immediately and takes the accessor belt from the same officer.
“Strict order of keeping the enemy alive,” Kodama says.
Wooseung nods. “Copy that.”
Kodama watches Wooseung step forward and Wooseung presses the button in the accessor belt. The backpack begins to envelop Wooseung’s body, as they are being attached to the composite suit. The helmet forms last as Wooseung can see the data startup in the visor of her helm.
[COMMENCE: PREYING MANTIS]
Wooseung runs towards the school and Kodama merely watches her figure dissipate in his sight. He grabs the radio to report to the station when he notices an onlooker near the police line.
“Young miss, you cannot be here. This is a restricted area until the police clear the conflict,” Kodama says.
The girl immediately shakes her head and leaves. Kodama just shrugs and continues to take care of the current matters at hand. Meanwhile, the girl stops on track and clenches her fists. She is carrying a black duffle bag which she is holding close.
“Nii-chan is not here…”
The girl suddenly sees a hooded figure, leaning on a wall and holding a phone horizontally. Her eyes widen, and then she goes for a run.
An agent is such a fancy word to describe someone working on loose screws, yet actual dangerous individuals and situations can bring real challenges for one to be called as is. Wooseung is merely 17 years old when she starts working as an agent, and in December will mark her second anniversary in service. She is still effectively a newbie in the field, but prior to receiving a backpack suit and the officer title, Wooseung is swinging swords and firing an arrow already in her younger days.
It is set in night mode, and the screen in her vision detects leftover weak electric fields in the hallway. The path leads to a faculty room and the door shows signs of being forcefully entered. She is on the third floor of the main building, and it seems the culprit is cornered here.
“Are teams in position behind the main building?” Wooseung speaks.
There is a reply after a radio static.
“Yes, we will just await your orders.”
Wooseung grabs the handle of her blade from behind. Carefully approaching the door, a bullet almost shoots her from the window. Wooseung cues on entering the door in haste—spotting a silhouette on the wall. Before she can make a clear figure, bullets are fired at her, just to graze her armor without scratches. Wooseung unsheathes her square-tipped sword, activating some electricity around the blade.
The visor begins calculating the position and shape of the enemy—as the result shows it is someone who wears an armor.
A suit user.
The culprit jumps towards the window when Wooseung throws her sword to the wall, blocking the path. The enemy goes to another direction when Wooseung already catches behind and punching their face.
A strong jab—unfortunately it is without damage. Calculations rummage her visor once more as she pulls another weapon, a dagger with square tip. The enemy goes for a punch, which she blocks and the exchanges within their close quarters prove to be fast and precise.
The enemy backflips and throws a couple of armchairs towards her which she dodges and kicks. Wooseung also jumps and kicks the culprit square to his chest, followed fast by a stab. She presses the hilt and electricity surges the suit.
Hoping to disable his suit system—Wooseung is met by another punch on the face.
With the enemy in a safe distance away, she clicks her tongue again.
That suit has high electricity resistance.
Almost a bar of metal hits her face when she dodges barely and catches it. Her visor makes another calculation and finally shows a clear model of the enemy’s suit. The whole suit is dark blue in color, perfect in blending at night, but still…
Wooseung pulls the metal bar to bring the enemy towards her and punches them next. The enemy tries to resist, and Wooseung uses both her strength and the suit’s enhancement to pull and swing the enemy with the metal bar. The culprit is flown away as Wooseung lungs forward to slam him with the same metal bar.
The culprit seizes the metal bar with both hands, and another act of resistance is done. Wooseung kicks him and the enemy finally steps back with impact, and Wooseung seizes the moment to barrage the enemy with kicks. The enemy staggers back and Wooseung pulls another dagger and presses the button. White voltage covers the blade and starts the chase with stabs.
Wooseung lunges forward once more with close-quarter engagement against the enemy. This one is skilled, Wooseung can tell, however…
She grabs the enemy’s arm and stabs his forearm. Forcing to drive the blade down to his armor, yet it remains in drivel.
But that is not Wooseung’s goal.
However, a gun is pointed at her visor.
“Can’t wait to see your brain get busted inside that helmet of yours. Police armors can’t do shit with this thing.”
The enemy finally speaks.
“Are you sure? It didn’t pierce through my armor earlier,” Wooseung replies.
A chuckle.
“I know those hypocrites would send an agent,” the enemy pauses a bit, “but I like to show how much is this better than yours.”
Shock-resistant armor. And guns.
Wooseung raises her hands in the air to surrender.
The enemy almost snatches her buckle when Wooseung swiftly grabs their arm and pins him down the floor. She takes out a small disc with small legs and places it on the enemy’s back. Her visor begins calculating again and finds the least resistant part of the armor, which confirms it is indeed in the middle of the suit’s back.
Wooseung presses the button, and she immediately gets off, as stronger voltage surges the suit. The enemy’s limbs wiggle and the visor show that the suit is finally disabled.
She exhales and speaks again.
“Enemy incapacitated, you can now retrieve the suspect.”
Wooseung merely stares at the unmoving culprit. Heavy and quick footsteps are closing in, and the police officers retrieve the enemy.
I’m now real hungry. I need to eat that ramen.
The culprit is now sent in a police car as an officer closes it. Kodama reports the capture on the radio as Wooseung arrives, already unarmored, with the armor being carried as backpack.
“Good work, Lee-kun. Just send a report tomorrow about the incident,” Kodama says. “Have you used the auto-calculation feature that much again?”
Wooseung stares at him. “I’ll drop by in the morning. I have to meet with Sector 11 officers, too.”
“Don’t forget me then once you got promoted,” Kodama says.
“Promoted?” Wooseung repeats. “I doubt, I’m still just two years in service.”
“I know you were requested, but it means something,” Kodama says. “So do your best in working with them.”
Kodama pats Wooseung’s arm before he goes to his car. Wooseung shakes her head.
Unknowingly, a prying eye is staring at the whole scene. He moves his phone in portrait mode and types something.
“Oh well, another commission failed.”
The hooded guy leaves.