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As they made their way back to the backyard, the group resumed their spots as if nothing unusual had happened, though the air still held traces of curiosity and unease. Y/N's sharp gaze landed on the girl-Joy-who now stood motionless, staring at the ground as if trying to make herself invisible.

Chan casually shifted toward Suga, the only familiar face in the group apart from Y/N. He gave Suga a small nod, standing nearby as if they were old acquaintances instead of two people who only knew each other's names through Y/N. Meanwhile, Yeonjun and Hyunjin moved to stand behind Chan, subtly aligning themselves with their leader's calm posture.

Y/N approached Joy, her expression softening but still firm enough to demand attention. "Joy, look at me," she said, her voice calm but steady.

Joy hesitated before lifting her gaze, guilt written all over her face. Y/N smiled faintly, a mix of amusement and understanding. "There you are. You know, staring at the ground doesn't exactly fix anything, right?"

She signaled to Taehyung without breaking eye contact. "Tae, some water, please." Taehyung nodded, quickly returning with a glass. Y/N took it and offered it to Joy with a raised eyebrow.

"Here," she said gently. "Drink. And don't worry, it's just water. No secret ingredients or revenge plots-I'm not that dramatic."

Joy chuckled softly, taking the glass. "Thanks," she murmured, sipping carefully.

The group watched silently, some out of curiosity and others with lingering tension. Even Chan and Suga, who had started a quiet exchange, paused to observe. Hyunjin leaned slightly toward Yeonjun and muttered, "I didn't think Y/N was the 'care and compassion' type."

Yeonjun smirked but kept his voice low. "Yeah, I thought her brand of kindness involved fewer glasses of water and more sharp objects."

Hyunjin stifled a laugh as Y/N's voice cut through their private commentary."Feeling better now? Or do you need a minute to regroup?" she teased lightly, leaning on one foot.

Joy nodded again, visibly more at ease.

Y/N smiled wider this time, her tone growing playful. "Good. Because I'd hate to explain to the others why I had to catch you like some damsel in distress back there." She glanced over her shoulder at the group, her eyes twinkling. "You're lucky I'm good at multitasking."

Y/N glanced at Hyungsik with a sly grin, then casually made her way to her seat. As she sat down, her tone turned teasing. "So... shall we pick up where we left off, or is someone going to suggest another dramatic intermission?"

Hyungsik chuckled softly, his eyes narrowing as he took her in. His gaze traveled to her bloodied arm, where the crimson stains were still fresh and glistening, then to her split lip, glimmering faintly under the light. He wasn't blind-he caught the way she leaned slightly to one side, clearly favoring her stomach or ribs, bruised from the earlier barrage of hits.

Raising an eyebrow, he turned toward Sehun. "You mind grabbing the first aid kit?" His voice was calm but carried a knowing edge, as though he had already decided there was no arguing with him.

Sehun blinked, caught slightly off guard. "First aid?"

Hyungsik smirked, gesturing subtly toward Y/N. "Unless she's planning to bleed all over the negotiation table for effect, I'd say it's necessary."

Y/N waved a hand dismissively, leaning back in her seat. "Oh, come on. I've had worse. You're acting like this is my first time getting roughed up."

Hyungsik tilted his head, his expression deadpan. "True, but it doesn't make it any less ridiculous to sit here dripping blood like it's some kind of power move."

The room seemed to relax a little at his calm, almost teasing tone, but Sehun still rose, muttering under his breath as he left to fetch the kit.

Y/N raised an eyebrow at Hyungsik, her smirk returning. "You done inspecting me, or do you want to write a report while you're at it?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm good. Just making sure you're not planning to collapse mid-sentence, that's all."

The lighthearted exchange seemed to ease the tension, even drawing a few faint smiles from the others. Still, the subtle concern in Hyungsik's voice lingered, grounding the moment with an undercurrent of care.

As Y/N leaned back in her chair, she finally let out a quiet breath, her hand brushing against her bloodied arm as if dismissing the pain. But the slight wince that crossed her face didn't go unnoticed. Hyungsik opened his mouth to say something, but Jin, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward, first-aid kit in hand.

"Alright, that's enough tough act," Jin said in his usual no-nonsense tone, placing the kit on the table with a soft thud. "You're not fooling anyone, Y/N. Let me take care of that before you start leaving a trail of blood everywhere like some bad detective movie."

Y/N gave him a half-hearted glare. "I'm fine. It's just a scratch."

Jin raised an eyebrow, snapping on a pair of gloves. "A scratch? You've got blood soaking through your shirt, your lip looks like it had an argument with a rock, and don't even get me started on that little tilt you're doing to keep from aggravating your ribs. Now, unless you want me to recruit Sehun to hold you down, you're going to sit still and let me work."

The others tried to suppress their smiles as Y/N rolled her eyes. "Fine, Doctor Jin. Have at it. But don't expect me to thank you."

Jin crouched beside her, pulling out antiseptic wipes and gauze. As he carefully cleaned the wound on her arm, Y/N flinched slightly but stayed still, her jaw tightening.

"Hurts, doesn't it?" Jin asked without looking up.

"Just a little," Y/N admitted begrudgingly, her voice quieter than before.

Hyungsik, standing nearby with his arms crossed, chuckled. "See? Not so invincible now, are you?"

Y/N shot him a playful glare. "Oh, don't start. I could still take you down, bruises and all."

Chan, leaning against a post, chimed in with a grin. "Honestly, I'd pay to see that. You'd probably win out of sheer stubbornness."

Jin clicked his tongue as he worked. "She'd win because none of you know how to fight properly. Now stop distracting my patient."

Y/N smirked, wincing slightly as Jin bandaged her arm. "Patient? Really laying it on thick, aren't you?"

Jin finished wrapping her arm, then tapped her shoulder lightly. "There. Now stop being reckless for five minutes. I'd like to finish this meeting without having to bandage another body part."

Y/N leaned back, rolling her eyes again but giving Jin a faint smile. "Thanks... I guess."

Jin straightened, brushing off his hands. "You're welcome. And try not to get hit in the same spot next time-it's getting repetitive."

As the others chuckled softly, Y/N stood, brushing off her clothes. The slight ache in her ribs reminded her she wasn't indestructible, but she wasn't about to let it show. With a glance at the group, she smirked. "Alright, enough drama. Shall we actually get to business, or is someone else going to bleed all over the table for attention?"

The tension broke as laughter rippled through the group, the mood finally easing as they prepared to continue.

As the mood shifted back to seriousness, Y/N leaned forward slightly in her seat, resting her uninjured arm on her knee. Her sharp gaze landed on Hyungsik, her voice cutting through the remnants of laughter like a blade.

"Alright, Hyungsik," she said firmly, no trace of her earlier playfulness in her tone. "What do you want? Why the sneaking and spying around our base at night? What's your deal?" Hyungsik's expression grew serious as he straightened, stepping forward slightly. His gaze held steady as he addressed Y/N directly.

"Can we talk privately?" he asked, his tone calm but firm. "If you're comfortable with it, Minho can join us. But the rest..." He trailed off, his meaning clear.

Y/N leaned back slightly, her arms still folded. Her eyes flicked over Hyungsik, then to Minho, gauging the situation. The tension was palpable, and the rest of the group exchanged glances, clearly curious but respectful enough to stay quiet.

Minho raised an eyebrow at Hyungsik before turning to Y/N. "Your call," he said simply, his tone neutral but laced with underlying trust in her judgment.

Y/N stayed silent for a moment, weighing her options. Finally, she nodded once. "Alright," she said. "Let's talk. But make it quick-I don't have time for drawn-out games."

Hyungsik inclined his head in agreement. "Of course."

Y/N pushed herself up from her seat, her movements deliberate and steady despite the clear discomfort from her injuries. She glanced at Minho, who gave her a slight nod and began to follow.

"Everyone else, stay here," Y/N added, her voice firm as she glanced at the rest of the group. "And no eavesdropping."

Jimin, standing nearby, smirked slightly. "What, you don't trust us to mind our own business?"

Y/N shot him a dry look. "Not even a little."

Yeonjun chuckled quietly, but the rest of the group stayed put, their curiosity tempered by the clear boundaries Y/N had set.

---

The room is quiet, save for the occasional shift in chairs. Y/N, Minho, are seated in Minho's office, the door closed behind them. The tension is thick, and Hyungsik stands in front of them, his expression serious but careful. Y/N's gaze never leaves him, a mixture of skepticism and curiosity in her eyes.

Hyungsik: [calmly, voice steady] "I know this isn't exactly what you expected, but I'm here because I need help. I can't do this alone, and there's no one better suited than you, Y/N."

Y/N crosses her arms, her tone clipped but measured.

Y/N: [dryly] "Help with what? All that sneaking around, showing up at our base in the middle of the night... I'm supposed to trust you now?"

Hyungsik doesn't flinch. He knows he's walked a fine line, but he's confident now that he's found the right words.

Hyungsik: [quietly] "I'm not asking for blind trust. I'm asking for an alliance. The truth behind the virus is something we both want to uncover. And if you're willing to take this risk, I'll make sure you're not alone in it."

Y/N stays quiet, her gaze unwavering. She can feel the weight of his words, but there's still too much uncertainty in her mind. Minho, who has been listening closely, leans forward, the suspicion still evident in his voice.

Minho: [eyes narrowing slightly] "So, you've been keeping tabs on us for what? Intel? This mission... It's dangerous. You can't expect us to just jump in without knowing more."

Hyungsik's eyes flick to Minho, then back to Y/N, his sincerity clear as he speaks.

Hyungsik: [sincerely] "I've been gathering intel because this isn't something that can be done alone. I know you've seen it firsthand-the chaos, the danger. And I know you're capable. But the truth, Y/N... it's buried deep, and we both know we can't do it on our own. Not with everything at stake."

Y/N's expression softens just slightly, but she doesn't let her guard down. She can hear the quiet sincerity in his voice, but she's still not convinced.

Y/N: [teasing lightly, though there's an edge to it] "Protect me, huh? After all this sneaking around, you want me to believe you're here for my safety?"

Hyungsik's gaze doesn't waver, and his voice lowers, almost softer, as if this part is something he's not used to revealing.

Hyungsik: [earnestly] "I'm here because I care about getting to the truth. But yes, Y/N... I'm here to make sure you don't do this alone. You've seen how dangerous this world has become. And I've seen what you're capable of. I'm not going to let anything happen to you while we work together."

There's a pause. Minho watches the exchange carefully, his eyes flicking between Y/N and Hyungsik. Y/N doesn't respond right away, but she can feel the weight of his words. It's not just about the mission for him-there's a sincerity in his concern, one that she hadn't expected.

Minho: [under his breath, quietly, with a hint of concern] "You've been watching her, haven't you?"

Hyungsik doesn't immediately answer, but the subtle shift in his demeanor confirms it. There's more to his actions than he's letting on. But for now, he doesn't need to say more. His sincerity is clear, and Y/N can't ignore it.

Hyungsik: [calmly, with quiet resolve] "I'm not here to play games, Minho. I'm here to make sure Y/N and everyone else stays safe while we find the truth. But that's only going to happen if we work together."

Y/N finally leans back in her chair, her posture relaxed, though her eyes remain sharp. She considers his words carefully.

Y/N: [with a slight smirk, her tone playful but with a hint of seriousness] "Alright, Hyungsik. We'll see how this goes. But just so you know-if you try anything funny, I'll be the first to know."

Hyungsik meets her gaze, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He nods, acknowledging the challenge she's thrown his way.

Hyungsik: [softly, almost with a touch of humor] "I wouldn't dream of it. But it's a promise-whatever comes, we handle it together."

---

As Y/N, Hyungsik, and Minho returned to the backyard, there was an undeniable tension in the air. The group-BTS, Sehun, Leeknow, and the rest-watched them closely, eyes flicking from Y/N to Hyungsik and Minho, trying to figure out what had happened during their conversation.

Y/N returned with her usual smirk, though it was laced with a hint of mischief. "Sorry to keep you all waiting," she teased. "It got a little longer than expected, huh? But don't worry, everything's fine."

Hyungsik followed behind, his face neutral as always, and Minho's demeanor matched the same calm indifference. To the group, it looked like nothing had changed, but Y/N's playful glance gave it all away.

Sehun, unable to hold back his curiosity, raised an eyebrow. "So what happened? Everything good?"

Y/N grinned, clearly enjoying the suspense she was building. "Oh, everything's fine. You know, just the usual-long walk, a little chat... no big deal." She gave a small, teasing shrug before her gaze flicked toward Hyungsik, signaling him to play along.

Hyungsik smiled slightly, offering his usual calm demeanor. "Just some discussions, nothing to worry about."

The group exchanged glances, but it was clear they were waiting for more. That's when Y/N dropped the bombshell.

"Though," she continued casually, turning to look at the others, "we did come to an agreement."

The group fell silent, all ears now.

"Hyungsik and I," Y/N said with a dramatic pause, her eyes glinting mischievously, "decided to form an alliance."

For a moment, it was as if time stopped. The group was in shock, some faces showing confusion, others skeptical. But Y/N wasn't done yet. She raised a finger and added with a smirk, "And that's not all. Today, I've actually secured two alliances." She turned toward Minho, her gaze playful. "One with Hyungsik's group... and another with Chan's."

The tension in the air thickened. Hyunjin and Yeonjun, who had no knowledge of the underlying deal, looked at each other in disbelief. The thought of Y/N aligning herself with two different groups was a lot to process.

Lee Jong Suk glanced at Minho. "Wait, you're aligned with Hyungsik, too?"

Minho nodded, his expression unreadable, but his gaze didn't leave Hyungsik. "Yeah, but Y/N... she's got both."

BTS, who had been silently observing the exchange, now found themselves pulled into the whirlwind of this new alliance business. Jin, ever the practical one, spoke up. "Hold on a second-are we just supposed to trust this guy now?" he asked, his voice filled with cautious uncertainty.

Y/N shot him a wink. "Well, you'll just have to trust me, Jin. I've got my reasons. Hyungsik's group has something we need. And... we might just be able to help each other out."

Jungkook, who had been quiet up until now, let out a short laugh. "So now we're all just playing for alliances, huh?"

Y/N smirked, her posture relaxed. "I guess you could say that. But I'm not in the business of making enemies unless I have a reason."

Jin sighed but couldn't hide a slight smile. "Well, this is certainly going to be interesting."

Hyungsik, who had remained mostly silent throughout the conversation, finally spoke up, his voice steady. "All I'm asking for is a chance to work together, to help each other out. We've all been through a lot, and alliances-however they come about-can benefit us all."

Y/N gave him a slight nod, confirming the sentiment. "Exactly. Now, if anyone has any more questions, I'm all ears. But as I said... we'll make this work."

The tension remained, but now there was a new sense of curiosity. The group, including BTS, had their reservations, but they understood the necessity of the alliances. Y/N had just brought two major players on her side, and that wasn't something to overlook.

Minho glanced at Hyungsik again, then at Y/N, and finally nodded. "We'll see how this goes, but I trust you... for now."

Y/N's smirk softened into a more genuine smile as she met his gaze. "I won't let you down."

---

As soon as Y/N finished her sentence, the BTS maknae line-Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung-burst into laughter. They couldn't help but find the whole situation amusing, the tension and uncertainty hanging in the air turning into something a bit more light-hearted.

Jungkook, still chuckling, looked over at Y/N, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Wait a second," he said, trying to hold back another laugh. "So, like, what team are we on? What's the deal? I'm so confused right now." He threw a glance around at the others. "Is it us or..."

Jimin, grinning from ear to ear, nudged Taehyung, who looked just as bewildered. "Yeah, we're supposed to be a part of something, but I'm not sure which side we're on! Minho's got his thing, Hyungsik's got his... and Chan's got... well, whatever that is!" He winked at Chan, who just smiled politely, unbothered by the teasing.

Taehyung, still laughing, leaned back and shook his head. "Honestly, Y/N, I didn't know this was some kind of buffet of options. Are we supposed to choose? What's next, a loyalty test or something?"

Y/N, now thoroughly enjoying the playful chaos, gave them a teasing smile, her voice dripping with cockiness. "Well, it's up to you guys, isn't it?" she said, her tone light and playful. "You've got a lot of options to choose from."

The room grew a little quieter as the group realized what she meant. Y/N casually gestured to Minho, then Hyungsik, and finally Chan.

"First off, you could always stick with me, right? After all, I've got the best ideas, the best plans..." She looked at Jungkook and Taehyung, her smirk never fading. "I mean, why would you want to go with someone else when I'm right here?"

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, his amusement never fading. "I mean, I like the sound of that. But, what about Minho?"

Y/N gave a shrug, her smirk growing wider. "Oh, Minho's got his own thing going on. If you want, you can go be part of his quiet, calculated little squad, all that brooding and thinking stuff. But hey, that's not for everyone. You might get bored." She winked at Minho, who just gave her a small, amused smile in return.

Minho, however, didn't rise to the bait. He just leaned back, crossing his arms and observing. "I don't mind if you choose, but I'm