"These devices are how we'll stay in touch," Soobin said, holding one up for emphasis. "When you press it, it sends a small electric current to the others. That current will signal who pressed it, so we'll know instantly if someone needs backup." He continued handing out small, sleek devices to each member of the team.
Y/n took the device without a word, her focus elsewhere. She stood between Chaewon and Yujin, but her thoughts kept drifting to Minji, Hanni, and Haerin.
Y/n found herself stealing glances at Hanni and Haerin. The two seemed focused, talking quietly with each other. They had tried to mediate earlier, but now, the silence between them was telling.
Minji, on the other hand, was a different story. She didn't look at Y/n at all. Not once. Her focus was elsewhere, as though Y/n didn't exist there.
Y/n stood quietly, holding onto her device.
Soobin's voice cut through the tension as he gave the final order. "It's time to move. You can use any method to get onto the ships, just avoid making a scene. There are seven ships in total, and everyone except Hanni and Haerin will infiltrate a ship on their own. Move sequentially, not all at once. We don't want to draw unnecessary attention."
The team nodded in agreement, their tension turning into focused determination.
Soobin motioned to Yeonjun. "You're up first."
Yeonjun, always quick on his feet, gave a slight nod and moved without hesitation toward the first ship. With a fluid grace, he slipped into the shadows near the small cargo hold. Disguising himself as one of the crew members, he blended in with ease. It was seamless, as though he had done it a hundred times before.
The others watched in silent amazement as Yeonjun disappeared onto the ship, undetected. His precision and confidence left no room for error.
Next, it was Soobin's turn. He mirrored Yeonjun's tactics, quietly approaching the second ship. His tall, calm demeanor made it look effortless as he followed the same path, slipping into the crew unnoticed. Within minutes, he was aboard, just as flawlessly as Yeonjun.
After Soobin disappeared onto the second ship, Chaewon decided to take a different approach. She casually walked up to one of the workers preparing to board the third ship.
"Excuse me," she began, her tone soft but confident. "Is this ship headed to Maru Coast?"
The worker looked at her, slightly surprised by the question. "Uh, yeah, it is. But this is a cargo ship, miss. Not exactly the best for passengers."
Chaewon smiled, unfazed by his concern. "That's fine. I'd actually like to join the ship. I'll pay more for the inconvenience."
The worker scratched his head, still looking a bit unsure. "Well, I don't know. It's not the most comfortable for a lady to be on board. It's a cargo ship, not a cruise."
"I'm okay with that," Chaewon reassured him, flashing a smile that left no room for argument. "I'm not looking for comfort, just a way to get to Maru Coast."
After a moment's hesitation, the worker finally nodded. "Alright then, if you're sure."
From a distance, Kai had been watching the whole thing unfold. He leaned toward Yujin and smirked. "Sick move. Classic rich girl vibe."
Yujin snickered quietly, impressed by Chaewon's clever and unexpected strategy.
Minji quietly prepared herself to be the next to move. Y/n stood nearby, her eyes following Minji's every action. She wanted to say something, just anything, but as Minji walked right past her, the words stayed stuck in her throat. The tension between them felt like a wall she couldn't climb.
Y/n clenched her fists, still wrestling with her own thoughts. Should she say something now? Apologize? But no words came, and she simply watched as Minji readied herself.
Then, suddenly, Yujin's voice broke the silence.
"Minji," Yujin called out, in a playful, singsong voice. "Y/n said be careful."
Y/n's eyes widened in shock, her brows shooting up as she turned to glare at Yujin. She hadn't said anything, but now it was too late. Yujin looked back at her, sticking her tongue out in mockery, clearly amused by her own antics.
Y/n raised a hand in protest to Yujin when Minji, still focused on her mission, paused briefly and responded in a quiet voice.
"You too."
Y/n froze, her hand dropping slightly. Minji hadn't even looked at her when she said it, but her words, it felt like an acknowledgment.
With everyone already aboard their assigned ships, it was time for Hanni and Haerin to make their move toward the last ship. Haerin, now shifted into a black cat, rested calmly in Hanni's arms as they approached the ship's workers.
"Excuse me," Hanni began, trying to mimic Chaewon's approach. "I was wondering if we could get a ride. I'll pay more for the trouble."
But the workers looked her up and down, skeptical. "This isn't a ship for passengers," one of them said. "Especially not with animals. It's not safe for a girl and her pet."
Hanni, keeping her cool, gave them a polite smile and said, "We're fine with any ship, we just want to get to another coast"
"No, ma'am, we can't let you get into this ship. Please understand, it's for your convenience"
Hanni nodded a few times, "I see, okay then. Thank you."
She turned away, making it seem like they had given up. But as soon as she took a few steps back, their real plan kicked in.
Without warning, Haerin jumped from Hanni's arms, darting toward the cargo hold with the speed of a startled cat. Hanni gasped and yelled, her voice rising in panic as she bolted after Haerin.
"Haerin! Wait! No! I'm so sorry!" Hanni shouted, flustered and frantic as she chased after her "pet."
The workers were caught off guard, watching in confusion as Hanni scrambled after Haerin, who had already vanished into the shadows of the ship.
"Hey, miss, you can't-" one of the workers started to say, but Hanni cut him off, still running after Haerin.
"I'll get her and leave, I promise!" she called back, her voice full of desperation. "Just let me catch my cat, please!"
The workers exchanged glances, baffled by the situation. But before they could protest further, Hanni had already disappeared onto the ship, still pretending to be in hot pursuit of her runaway cat.
With the two of them aboard, Hanni slowed her pace once she was out of sight and whispered, "Nice job, Haerin."
In the shadows, Haerin reappeared, shifting back to her original form with a mischievous smirk. "Told you it'd work," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Hanni grinned, the adrenaline from their little act still buzzing. "Alright, let's do this."