PTT - 6

When had we gotten this close?

I hadn’t even realized that the gap between us had narrowed to the point where our breaths could touch. Raon swallowed hard, frozen like a startled rabbit with wide eyes.

Staring at her reflection in his pitch-black pupils made her feel as if she were completely naked.

“……”

After holding his gaze steadily, Siheon let out a languid smile. That smile was dizzyingly, breathtakingly sexy.

The cold winter air seemed to warm up because of him, or so she thought. Wherever his intense gaze landed, heat bloomed like wildfire.

Unable to endure it any longer, Raon finally took a step back. What was this? She could feel a burning sensation at the tips of her ears. Baek Siheon, who had been watching her with an amused expression, adjusted his grip on the gun properly.

“Now I’m sure. Shall we try again?”

His face was calm as he aimed, but the look in his eyes, fixed on the target, was as sharp as that of a predator eyeing its prey.

With a steady arm, Baek Siheon finally pulled the trigger.

Bang!

One shot, two shots, three shots. The bullets escaped the barrel with small sparks, piercing through the exact center of the target. It was flawless execution, without a single flaw.

After checking the spent shell casings on the floor, Siheon placed the gun down and removed his goggles.

Watching him, Raon couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“…What exactly are you trying to do with me?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve improved. Think you can tutor me again next time?”

“Tutoring, my foot… That joke wasn’t funny.”

From posture to results, his performance was impeccable—practically the textbook example of marksmanship. Had she fallen for it?

Raon fiddled with her earlobe and let out a deflated sigh. Siheon chuckled softly as he tidied up his goggles, gloves, and earmuffs.

“You’re coming to the team dinner tonight, right?”

“Do I have to? It’s not like we’re regular office workers.”

“It’s necessary to strengthen our bonds as a team. Once the operation begins, things will get hectic. Marvel seemed to be looking forward to it too. You don’t want to disappoint her, do you?”

Marvel. She had momentarily forgotten about her. Raon pressed her temple with the tip of her index finger, deep in thought.

If she skipped, she already knew how Marvel would react—she’d cling to her all day, nagging endlessly.

‘Well… they’re not bad people, at least.’

Her internal scales tipped in one direction. Even setting aside Marvel’s insistence, it was important to build rapport with the members of Special Team 4.

Since the mission required close coordination, working well with her teammates was crucial.

Though they didn’t even know each other’s real names or basic information, they needed to solidify their teamwork while respecting those boundaries.

‘As long as I don’t drink too much, it’ll be fine.’

Thinking this, Raon reluctantly nodded. It wasn’t like she’d be drinking alone with Baek Siheon, so it should be okay, right?

The problem was, life rarely went according to plan.

* * *

Located in the basement of a building in Sillim-dong, the classic bar “Ajit” was a secretive space that lived up to its name.

Officially registered as a general store rather than a bar, stepping through the door hidden behind a bookshelf revealed an entirely different world.

This cinematic bar was exclusively for agents of the National Intelligence Service.

The soundproofing system was perfect, ensuring no noise could escape, and electronic devices were unusable inside Ajit.

It was said that Director Kwon had arranged this place for NIS employees who couldn’t relax during team dinners like regular office workers.

Tonight, Ajit was entirely reserved for Special Team 4.

“Rak and Nox said they’d drink whiskey… and you’re having wine with me?”

“Ah… sure. Wine sounds good.”

“You can hold your liquor well, right? You seem like someone who can drink a lot. You’re not planning to outlast everyone, are you?”

“I’m not that great at drinking. Maybe one bottle of soju.”

Raon swallowed nervously as she gazed at the table laden with alcohol. It looked like there were nearly ten bottles just from a quick count.

Surely, the five of them didn’t plan to drink all of it. From across the table, Ray, who had been playing with a Tamagotchi on the couch, teased her.

“Are you already excited about getting wasted? Drinking isn’t exactly healthy, you know.”

“Quiet, you lightweight. Are you even an adult? Seriously, what’s with the cola at twenty?”

“Agh, do I need to show you my ID? Have some trust. Just enjoy yourself.”

“Enjoy… ugh, forget it. Like I’d have a meaningful conversation with you. Anyway, just trust me. If you get drunk, I’ll take care of you.”

Marble, who had been opening a bottle of wine with a corkscrew, made a face of exasperation. Rak and Siheon seemed to be coming back after sharing a cigarette outside. Raon absentmindedly stroked the back of her right hand and thought to herself.

‘Grandma must be asleep by now…’

She had already informed the auntie who took care of Grandma Sun-ae. Tapping the rim of her transparent wineglass with her fingertip, Raon glanced at Marble sitting next to her.

“Marble. If I get drunk… just drop me off at any nearby hotel. No need to take me home.”

“Oh, got it. Our addresses are too private anyway. Don’t worry, drink until you drop tonight.”

“Such a responsible attitude…”

Ray, who had been feeding their Tamagotchi with a bored expression, flopped down sideways on the couch. Meanwhile, Marble hummed a cheerful tune, clearly excited about the drinking session. At that moment, Siheon and Rak entered through the heavy secret door.

Watching Baek Siheon tuck his cigarette case into the pocket of his suit jacket, Raon felt a vague question arise. Had he smoked five years ago? She remembered him being a non-smoker back then.

But her memory from that time was fragmented, lasting barely a month. Reflecting on it would only bring pain. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Raon rubbed her cheeks with both hands.

The rich aroma of wine tickled her nose. It felt like she was getting tipsy just from the scent.

“All right, then. Let’s make a toast! To Special Team 4!”

Marble grinned and raised her glass, which she had already filled for everyone. The lively clinking of glasses overlapped with her cheerful voice. This was the first team dinner with her new team.

* * *

“Wooong… To our teeeeam…! I’m switching to whiskey now. Rak, pour me some.”

“Someone drag that lady away… Didn’t she say she could drink well? She’s already wasted.”

“Ugh, seriously… I’m a great drinker, okay? Raon, Raon dear. I’ll take you home later. Don’t worry.”

The small space, about ten pyeong, was now saturated with the thick smell of alcohol. Marble, who had been drinking shot after shot without pacing herself, had lost all sense of reason long ago.

On the other hand, Rak silently sipped on single malt whiskey without saying a word. Even though he was downing drinks over 40% alcohol, he hadn’t touched a single piece of fruit.

Ray, who had ordered cola from the start claiming alcohol didn’t agree with them, looked utterly bored with the situation.

“Isn’t it time to wrap this up? That Raon unni over there doesn’t look sober anymore.”

“…Yeah, we should. She’s already drunk after just a few glasses.”

“She told Marble earlier to drop her off at a random hotel if she got wasted. But as you can see, Marble’s completely out of it… Guess the team leader will have to handle it?”

Raon, who had almost finished an entire bottle of red wine, had at some point rested her head on Siheon’s shoulder. Perhaps it was because she had been drinking faster than usual.

It seemed like she started getting tipsy around the halfway point of the bottle, and now she kept letting out soft, dazed giggles. Since Raon was usually someone who spoke in a formal tone and rarely showed her emotions, it was no surprise that her teammates were taken aback.

As if losing control, she began mumbling to herself, but even when leaning in closely, it was hard to make out what she was saying.

“I… did it, but… because of that.”

“Raon. You’re drunk. Open your eyes and look at me.”

“Mmm….”

Baek Siheon carefully patted Raon’s shoulder before lowering his head. The scent of wine mixed with her body’s warmth hit him strongly. It didn’t seem like she’d sober up anytime soon.

With a worried expression, he draped his coat over her. Due to their significant height difference, the sleeves completely covered her hands.

“Rak. Can you take care of Marble? I’ll take Raon. I think we can let her sleep it off at a nearby hotel.”

“…Alright. Good luck.”

Rak, who had just set down his Glencairn glass, nodded heavily. Ray was already on his feet, hurriedly putting on his coat, clearly eager to leave as quickly as possible.

“Raon. Try to pull yourself together. Do you think you can stand up?”

Raon was dozing off, her head still resting on Siheon’s broad shoulder.

He suppressed the urge to call her “Yeon-ah” like before, gently brushing her hair behind her ear. He should have stopped her before she got this drunk.

It was too late for regrets now. As he helped the thoroughly intoxicated Raon to her feet, Baek Siheon let out a wry laugh.

The clock’s second hand ticked steadily, marking the passage of time. Midnight had arrived unnoticed.