Outside the Base – Night Training
This was the night endurance training. Jody and Sera were brought outside by Marie.
A cold wind from the snowy forest swept through the open air. Thankfully, all three were in hooded jackets, which helped cut the chill—but the leggings did little to keep their legs warm.
Though this hotel was surrounded by forest, the path wasn't pitch dark. The area had been cleared and was lit by warm golden floodlights, making the snowy view almost breathtaking.
"First hour, I'll lead," Marie said. "You two run laps. If you're too tired, walk briskly for no more than thirty seconds before running again."
Jody pulled out six small red-glowing silicon beads from her jacket pocket. Syd had given her those. Each one represented ten minutes—six in total for sixty minutes.
Marie glanced at her. "If you run out of those, you're allowed to walk the rest. I'd rather not be responsible for you breaking your leg."
And with that, Marie started jogging ahead.
"Let's go," said Jody, and the two followed.
. . .
Thirty Minutes Later – Rooftop View
Up on the rooftop, which overlooked the hotel grounds below, Roxxy Barrett leaned on the railing, watching the two girls run determined laps below.
Someone stepped up beside her—Toshi Ishii.
Roxxy turned her head toward him... slowly... like a robot. There were 20 more meters of railing he could've chosen.
Toshi wasn't alone. Mickey was nearby, kicking at the snow, and Toshi held two coconut ice creams.
"Want one, Rox?" he offered.
"No."
His smile dropped.
"...Coconut ice cream. Your favorite," he tried again.
"Don't talk to me."
"...Roxxy..."
"If you call me by that name one more time, I swear I'll cut your throat—not across, but hollow it out and shove your balls inside."
"..."
Toshi froze in place as Roxxy glared, her aura flaring red.
"...I just want to understand why you're this angry. Maybe I can explain..."
"Oh, I see. You're playing the sad card now?"
She stepped on his shoulder, looming over him like a beast.
"Every word out of your mouth is trash. Stay away from me."
Toshi sat down in the snow, holding the untouched ice cream.
"Since I met your brother... I haven't flirted or fooled around with anyone else. It was just you, Rox. I was with you for six months straight."
"But it doesn't change the fact that you hurt people without even realizing it."
"I couldn't say no to your mom... Annie just wanted to protect you. That's all."
"And she did. Especially from people like you."
She shoved him hard. He caught himself before hitting the ground.
"Rox... come on... it's been a year."
"And it's gonna stay with me forever."
She turned back to the railing, ignoring him.
"Why do people always need to get hit before they learn anything?!"
She stormed back inside, not even looking at him.
Toshi sat there, defeated, until Mickey nudged him with a foot.
"Ice cream's melted, dude."
"Forget the ice cream."
Toshi tossed it aside.
"You really went from playboy to simp. Character development—just in reverse."
"You're chatty lately."
"Don't give me an opening then."
"Why?"
"I'll make you shut up."
Toshi turned, startled.
"It's okay. Go take it out on the racist."
"Wow, sold me out in two seconds. No wonder Roxxy hates you."
"Not related, bro!"
Toshi whacked Mickey's head.
"I've had enough of that lifestyle. I just want to be happy now."
"If you thought that two years ago, you wouldn't be a simp."
"If Knight were here, he'd laugh alongside you."
Toshi sighed. "Where's Syd anyway?"
"No clue. But if you see him, keep an eye out."
Mickey stared down at the girls running laps with Marie chasing close behind.
"He might go berserk. Red's not around. Annie's leaving soon. Tomorrow and the twelve days after that... that's the real deal. Who's gonna keep him in check?"
"Jody," Toshi answered, eyes sharp. "She's Red 2.0. I knew it from the second he let her touch his hair in London."
"I meant—who's gonna keep him from spiraling?"
. . .
Back Outside – Final Lap
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Their feet pounded snow-dusted ground.
Marie was a bit winded now—this base was huge. Big enough to fit four full football fields side by side.
Still, the other two were in far worse shape. Marie jogged slightly ahead, adjusting her pace to keep them together.
Jody surprised her—far more resilient than expected. Sera wasn't as tough, but not exactly a pushover either.
The whole run, Marie could feel Sera's eyes boring into her back with tension and hostility. She'd glance back and see Sera trying to match her pace, as if to say, "I'm not backing down."
Eventually, they made it back to the start point.
"Alright. That's it for tonight," Marie said, jogging in place.
Both girls stopped immediately. It was clear they'd been waiting for those words.
"You remember the path now, right? Not too tricky—straight with a couple turns."
Jody nodded, panting.
"Good."
Marie watched to make sure they weren't about to keel over, then turned to head inside.
"See you both tomorrow."
. . .
Sera collapsed on the ground, limbs burning, sweat dripping down her face nearly freezing in the air.
"That girl's got a mouth like a whip..." she gasped.
"Hey, Sera..."
"Huh?"
"Are you free tonight?"
"...Not really?"
Jody blinked. "Doing what?"
"Got something to talk to Annie about. Why?"
"...Nothing. I'll tell you after."
They walked back into the hotel lobby where Mickey and Toshi were waiting.
"She's red all over," Mickey teased, handing Sera a bottle of water.
She guzzled half of it.
"Don't you guys have anything to do?"
"Nope," Mickey replied, calm as ever.
"Played five ranked matches upstairs already," Toshi said, pointing to the rooftop.
"Focus on your breathing," Mickey told Sera. "Match Jody's rhythm."
Sera side-eyed Jody.
"Even Marie noticed."
"Ugh. Marie again. Great."
She rolled her eyes and stepped into the elevator, with Jody and Mickey following behind. In the confined space, Sera subtly pulled Jody between herself and Mickey.
Jody didn't ask why.
They rode in silence until the elevator reached the agents' floor.
Jody stepped out first.
"Hey, Mickey. Do you know where your friend likes to hang out?"
"Marie? Probably her room. She's not the social type."
"Alright. I'll see you guys tomorrow—I'm out for the night."
She disappeared around the corner.
Now only Sera and Mickey remained.
They stood in silence until Sera turned to him.
"She's 'quiet'?"
"...What now?"
"You know her well. That's not just 'acquaintance' level."
Mickey shrugged with a smug grin. Sera responded with a swift kick to his rear.
"Ow—!"
"Having fun?"
Still grinning, he leaned in.
"Was that hug with Toshi a warning shot?"
"....."
"I've known him for years. He's not the same guy anymore. Kinda disappointing."
"You're asking for it now, Mannix..."
"Feeling motivated yet, Sera?"
And with that, Mickey kissed her neck—soft and deliberate.
"Hey—don't! I'm still on training mode... if you keep that up—"
"You'll crack. I know you."
"...We'll see."
She huffed and stomped off, hiding a smile.
. . .
Back in her room, Sera peeled off her sweat-soaked layers, stripping down to her sports bra and leggings.
She rummaged through her closet, looking for the most formal outfit she had—something decent enough to wear to speak with Annie.
As she changed, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
"...Hey, maybe I've lost weight."
She posed a little.
"...Nah. Probably just water weight."
She turned back to the closet but caught sight of something on her skin—a pair of deep red marks under her arms.
"...No way. That dark?"
She ditched the sleeveless top she'd picked. There was no way to hide those. Her power couldn't heal them since they weren't actual wounds. She opted for a long-sleeved shirt instead.
But just as she reached for her pants, her mind drifted...
She imagined Marie and Mickey, doing what she and he had done.
Every detail... every touch...
Marie had done it first.
Her brain was always like this—like an algorithm comparing herself to others.
Marie:
Strong, skilled.
Trained alongside Mickey.
Fit. Attractive.
Possibly trained in martial arts.
Quiet, observant.
Her power synced perfectly with Mickey's.
Sera:
Can't fight.
Known Mickey two months.
Teased for being chubby.
Barely knows martial arts.
Loudmouth.
Walking fax machine
"...Dammit."
The more she thought, the more her heart twisted.
"Ugh! Stop it! This isn't some cheesy love-triangle drama! I'm losing it."
She tossed her watch and phone on the bed—but her phone bounced off and hit the floor with a bang!
"Gah!"
She scrambled to check it—thankfully, it wasn't cracked.
Then, she noticed the drawer nearby... and remembered something.
She opened it.
Inside were those unsettling sketches Mickey had drawn of her.
"..."
And suddenly—an idea sparked.
Sera knew exactly how she was going to approach Annie Barrett.