Less than a year after its launch, Team Alpha had already found its footing. The company had gained quite a reputation in the industry, with work lined up through reservations and fees reaching premium levels.
As Kosaka crawled through a narrow passage, he grumbled into his earpiece.
"I really don’t want to filter all this dust through my lungs."
Behind him, Leon responded in a hushed tone.
"Keep quiet. We're almost there."
Kosaka pressed his lips together, staying silent. A moment later, Jean’s voice came through the earpiece.
"The hostage is inside. Move forward 30 meters, and you’ll be right above the target."
"Count me in." Leon requested.
Seol began counting down.
"30, 25, 20… Dinner’s steak, by the way… 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1."
Suppressing his annoyance at the casual chatter, Kosaka gripped his stun gun. With a loud crash, part of the ceiling collapsed, and two figures dropped to the ground.
The startled perpetrator turned his plasma gun toward them, but Leon was faster.
"We’ve got a steak dinner waiting!" Leon shouted as he swiftly disarmed the man. Perhaps a little too forcefully, given the sharp cracking noise that followed, accompanied by a scream.
Seol sighed internally at the sound.
'Ah, the humane option that is the stun gun...'
Just then, another criminal rushed out from inside, only to be taken down immediately by Kosaka’s stun shot. The assailant stiffened like a plank before collapsing sideways.
"All clear."
"The hostages?"
"All safe and accounted for." Jean confirmed, pressing his earpiece before turning to the hostage negotiator beside him.
"The interior is secured."
"Send the police in!"
Jean straightened up and called out.
"Mission complete. It's been a while since we worked together."
Seol removed her earpiece with a smile. Jean nodded.
"Doesn't happen often."
His black hair had grown quite a bit. What was once slightly longer than a soldier’s cut now reached his eyebrows.
Seol thought it was about time he trimmed it, but Jean seemed indifferent. On most people, hair that long might look unkempt, but on him, it only emphasized his rugged charm.
As Seol stared at him, his gray-blue eyes met hers. Realizing she was spacing out at work, she cleared her throat.
"Working with the police is always a hassle."
"True. Luckily, they were cooperative this time."
One of the hostages' parents had directly hired Team Alpha for the job. They had enough influence to push the authorities into allowing private intervention.
With the crime scene now under police control, Team Alpha prepared to leave.
Leon emerged from the bank, dusting himself off as he unstrapped his bulletproof vest. His hair had grown even longer, making him look nothing like a soldier, or even a mercenary. Maybe it was the expensive salon haircuts.
He had received so many model agency business cards that, if exaggerated, he could probably heat his house through winter just by burning them.
As soon as his warm amber eyes spotted his wife, a smile spread across his face.
"Steak?"
Seol nodded.
"I got good meat for it."
After a few experimental cooking disasters early in their marriage, Jean and Leon had politely but firmly requested that she leave the cooking to them. Still, there were a couple of dishes Seol was confident in, steak was one of them.
Leon bent down and kissed her cheek.
"Sounds delicious."
"Perfect timing for dinner. Should we pick up some vegetables for a salad?"
Following behind, Kosaka shook his head in disbelief.
"Never thought I'd see a gigolo and a prince turn into this."
Leon grinned.
"Jealous?"
"Go find your soulmate, Kosaka. We're heading home first."
"Please, spare me." Kosaka waved them off.
After stowing their gear in Team Alpha’s van, the three of them left together, hands intertwined.
Seol squeezed both of their hands and swung them playfully. Leon laughed and joined in, while Jean leaned over to kiss her gently.
She closed her eyes briefly, overwhelmed with happiness.
Joining Team Alpha had been the right decision. She had thought that many times before.
'Being Alpha Team's lady was nice, but being their lady is even better.'
She would always be Jean and Leon’s, forever. Just thinking about spending a lifetime with them sent a thrill through her. The excitement and anticipation grew stronger each day.
"I love you. Jean, Leon."
"I love you too."
"More than anything."
They answered in turn.
Seol laughed, bright and carefree.
She was certain, today was happier than yesterday, and tomorrow would be even happier than today.
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T/N: Yay, the novel's finished!
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