Not around

16. Turned tables

The next morning, Yuri was surprised to find Seungmin and Minho already up and dressed, sitting quietly on the edge of their beds, prepared for the day ahead.

"Wow, you guys actually woke up on time," Yuri said, stretching as she rubbed her eyes. She glanced at her phone and raised an eyebrow. "It's not even 7:30 yet."

Minho shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, well, no one wanted to deal with a pissed-off Yuri. You're terrifying when you're mad."

"Your anger's scarier than the mission," Seungmin mumbled under his breath, his eyes glued to his phone.

Yuri chuckled darkly, unbothered. "I'm not that bad."

"You are," Minho grinned. "But that's why we love you."

Yuri smirked and made her way to the bathroom. "Get ready. We've got work to do."

---

After a quick breakfast, the three of them sat in the van, parked discreetly a few blocks away from where their target was expected to show up. Minho pulled up the girl's details, scrolling through the profile with a focused look.

"So, today's girl is Soojin," he began. "Seventeen. She's not your typical target. This girl's been in and out of trouble—street fights, a few run-ins with the law. She's tough, might put up a fight."

Yuri, now tying her hair up in a tight ponytail, listened intently. "Good. I like a challenge."

Seungmin sighed from the back seat, half-distracted by his phone. "Great. More bruises to collect."

"Stop complaining," Yuri said sharply. "It'll be over before you know it."

Minho eyed Soojin's profile one more time before slipping his phone into his pocket. "She's been spotted around this area early in the mornings, usually alone. We grab her fast, no mistakes.

Seungmin, you're on distraction duty. Bump into her, make her drop something, whatever it takes to give us an opening."

Seungmin nodded, though his enthusiasm was lacking. "Got it."

---

They didn't have to wait long before they spotted Soojin walking down the street. She moved with a purpose, her hood pulled low over her head and her earbuds firmly in place. From the looks of it, she wasn't the type to scare easily.

"That's her," Yuri whispered, her eyes narrowing as she locked onto the girl. "Let's go."

Minho pulled the van a little further down the road, keeping out of sight as Seungmin got out and casually walked toward Soojin. He was good at playing the part, nonchalant, like just another passerby.

He timed his pace until he was right in front of her, then purposely bumped into her hard enough to knock one of her earbuds out and send her phone clattering to the ground.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Soojin snapped, her voice sharp as she bent down to grab her phone, glaring up at Seungmin.

Seungmin put on his most innocent expression, hands raised. "My bad, wasn't paying attention."

Soojin scoffed, clearly not buying it. She shoved her phone back into her pocket and went to walk past him, but that's when Minho and Yuri made their move.

Minho was the first to grab her, his hand clamping over her mouth in an instant.

But Soojin wasn't caught off guard. She fought like a wild animal, thrashing in Minho's arms, her muffled screams loud enough to cause a scene if they weren't careful.