Summer Choi was not directly involved in HQ’s operations, but she was usually tasked to carry out more elaborate missions on the field. In HQ, she was known as the Summer Soldier or Jaune Ops. She usually carried out tasks issued directly by the higher-ups, sometimes taking orders from her very own brother, Siwon, who is the head of HQ’s Database Department.

Sooyoung’s twin sister was a member of the European HQ branch and had risen among the ranks of Agents and Codes to obtain the special Ops position, a niche reserved for members who were overqualified for the Code or Agent classifications.

Summer had conducted an independent search on Tiffany Hwang and she had tailed the young doctor along with her CEO cousin, Jessica, and the so-called Jung prodigy, Krystal. She was casually seated on a café right across the boutique set to open soon. Summer took a sip of her coffee as she noted Krystal stalk back into the closed shop. The female twin of Sooyoung raised a brow when she saw the Jung maknae scurry away from the shop, leaving Jessica and Tiffany behind after talking with them.

“What could that girl be up to?” Summer muttered aloud as she took another sip of her beverage. Nonetheless, she shrugged the curiosity on Krystal off as she focused on watching the interactions between the Jung heiress and the Hwang through the glass windows.

Taking out a small black notebook from her coat’s inner pocket, Summer listed down some observations she noted from the doctor.

‘Close with the Jung heiress and younger sister.’

‘Adores pink.’

‘Habitual smiling.’

‘Very animated when speaking.’

‘Might launch boutique within the year.’

‘Possible collaboration with the Jungs.’

Summer gave her notes a once over before looking back at the Hwang. A smile played on the Choi’s lips as she took note of the boutique’s location, jotting down the shops flanking it before she closed the notebook and tucked it into her trench coat pocket. Settling her empty cup on the table, Summer stood up, casually walked away from the café, and mingled with the crowds treading through the mall.

+++

Despite her sister’s and Tiffany’s adamant insistence in using Tiffany’s car, Krystal had opted to use the public transport to avoid detection. She was wearing casual clothing in the form of a white shirt and black pants matching the ebon Converses she sported. She finished off her outfit with a black biker jacket which had a hood zipped into the collar.

Krystal looked like a teen rebel with her apparel, but it had allowed her to blend in with the common crowd and slink off to a nearby alley just a few paces away from the mall. Donning a black beanie, a pair of aviators, and a white face mask, Krystal went back out into the sidewalk and merged with the pedestrians.

She occasionally pretended to cough in order to prevent suspicious looks coming from other people, giving them a reason to understand why she was wearing the mask. Her phone vibrated and a message registered into her inbox.

To: Blanche Ops

                Your car is waiting at the designated point.

From: HQ

Krystal hastily sent a reply.

To: HQ

                Copy that. On my way.

From: Blanche Ops

She then turned a corner, spotting the designated area across the street where a dark alley lurked. She had been briefed about this area being her respective place where she could pick up the materials and rides provided by HQ. Each Agent had their own spot and this was Krystal’s very own secret place.

The young lady spotted a white Land Rover Evoque and her lips upturned into a smile. She slipped into the driver’s seat, pressing the engine button and starting the car.

“Please identify user.” The robotic voice sounded off as soon as she fastened her seatbelt.

“Blanche Ops.” Krystal muttered as she momentarily fixed her hair into a bun before pulling down her beanie all the way to her jaw line, revealing the simple item’s true nature and purpose of being a part of HQ’s special mask. Nobody from the HQ building needed to know who she really was and besides, everything in that building has to be kept confidential.

“User identified. Welcome, Blanche Ops.” The voice said before the car hummed to life and the controls on the dashboard lit up.

Krystal shifted the gear and maneuvered the car out of the alleyway. In minutes, she was already on the freeway, speeding past cars and overtaking some trucks. She found her way into HQ’s underground parking space within the hour and had managed to park her car at the furthest corner of the vast arrays of sports cars and utility vehicles.

The young Ops treaded the dark underground expanse before coming upon the elevator that would direct her to the upper floors. She entered the lift and pressed the top floor button. A voice from the receiver came through.

“Purpose of visit?”

“To see Grandmaster Jung. This is Blanche Ops speaking.” Krystal looked up to the CCTV camera installed in the lift, confirming her identity with her mask’s appearance. She knew the camera also scanned the mask’s signatures which allowed HQ’s staff to identify their members.

“Blanche Ops confirmed. You may proceed.” The voice said just as the elevator doors opened. Krystal strolled through the threshold and went down the hallway that would direct her to a certain penthouse. She came upon a double-door room plated with the golden sign of her grandfather’s title. She gently knocked before proceeding to twist the doorknob.

The young Ops stood straighter as she entered the room with its crimson, floor-length curtains drawn. A silhouette of a man standing at the small parting of the curtains made Krystal jittery. Despite his old age, her grandfather still exuded an aura of intimidation and authority that even made her nervous in his presence.

“Lock the door, child.” The old man ordered without moving from his position, his back still turned to her. Krystal complied with his order before standing in the middle of the room, a few paces away from his desk. Silence filled the huge office for a moment before the old man breathed a sigh.

“I know who you are, Blanche Ops.” The elderly man said as he turned to face the young lady. Krystal stiffened as soon as he spoke the words. “My granddaughter cannot hide from me behind that mask.” She saw a hint of a smile upon his face, one reserved only for her and her older sister. Grandmaster Jung, despite his stern demeanor and strict principles, always had a soft spot for his grandchildren. Out of all the cousins, the Jung grandfather, had always favored both Jessica and Krystal.

When Krystal did not speak a word, Grandfather Jung tilted his head, “Well? Are you not going to greet your grandfather after being away for so long?” The old man opened his arms, ready