Chapter 2: Morning Glories of a New Partnership

The morning air carried a crispness that usually helped me focus, but today, it only amplified my irritation. The cobblestone path leading to the training facility was deserted except for me and the stubborn climbing morning glories that swayed lazily in the breeze.

"She's late again," I grumbled, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. My fingers drummed against my hip impatiently.

Just as I considered heading inside without her, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the path.

"HANA!" Chou's voice rang out, loud and unapologetic.

I turned to see her sprinting toward me, her tie hanging loose, her uniform slightly wrinkled, and a big, ridiculous grin plastered across her face. She waved with both hands like she was greeting a long-lost friend.

"Finally," I muttered under my breath.

"Sorry! Sorry! I had a perfectly valid reason for being late," she said, skidding to a stop in front of me. Her hair was a bit messy, like she'd jumped out of bed and rushed here without looking in a mirror.

"And what is it this time?" I asked, crossing my arms.

She held up a small, vibrant purple flower, its petals delicate and almost shimmering in the morning light.

"This!" she announced proudly. "I saw it growing on the way here, and I just had to stop and pick it. Isn't it cute?"

I stared at her. "You're late… because of a flower."

"It's not just a flower!" she said, placing the bloom behind her ear with a dramatic flourish. "Morning glories symbolize bonds, y'know? Maybe it's a sign we're gonna be the best partner duo ever!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You're unbelievable."

She laughed, completely unfazed by my reaction. "C'mon, lighten up, Hana! Here, you can have it." She plucked the flower from her ear and held it out to me like she was offering me a priceless gem.

I hesitated for a moment, then sighed and took it. "If we're late for the briefing, I'm blaming you."

"Deal!" she said cheerfully, falling into step beside me as we headed inside.

The briefing room was quiet when we arrived—thankfully, not late. The commander handed us our assignment for the day: escort a classified shipment to a safe house across the market district. It sounded simple enough, but the way his eyes lingered on the map made me uneasy.

Chou, however, seemed completely unbothered. She leaned back in her chair, spinning it lazily while twirling a pen between her fingers.

"Yahoo! First mission as partners!" she said, her voice loud enough to earn a sharp glare from the commander.

I jabbed her side with my elbow. "Do you mind?"

"Ow! Okay, okay!" She stopped spinning but flashed me an unapologetic grin.

"Pay attention," I whispered harshly.

"I am paying attention," she whispered back, though her eyes wandered toward the window where a small cluster of flowers grew along the edge of the training field.

I let out a quiet sigh. She was impossible.

The market district was as lively as ever when we arrived, the air thick with the mingling scents of spices, baked goods, and freshly picked flowers. Vibrant stalls lined the streets, their owners calling out to passersby in cheerful voices.

Chou was practically vibrating with excitement. "Hana, look at all this! I mean, just look at that stall with the bouquets!"

I grabbed her arm before she could wander off. "Stay focused. We're not here to shop."

She pouted. "You're no fun."

"This isn't about fun," I said sharply, scanning the crowd for anything out of place. "Our job is to deliver the shipment safely, not admire the scenery."

Chou groaned dramatically. "Yes, ma'am," she said, saluting me mockingly.

I ignored her and quickened my pace.

As we navigated the crowded streets, my unease grew. Something wasn't right. The noise of the market seemed to fade, replaced by a tension I couldn't quite place.

"Chou," I said quietly, my voice tight.

"I feel it too," she replied, her usual cheerfulness replaced by a sharp focus. It was a side of her I'd only seen glimpses of during training, and it caught me off guard.

Before I could respond, the first shot rang out.

"Get down!" I shouted, pulling Chou behind a nearby stall just as chaos erupted around us.

"Arghhh! What the heck?!" she yelped, crouching low.

"Thorn Syndicate," I muttered, spotting the distinctive insignia on the arm of one of the attackers.

"Well, that explains the creepy vibes," Chou said, her tone a mix of annoyance and adrenaline. She peeked out from behind the stall, her eyes narrowing. "Time to show them what we've got, huh?"

"Don't do anything stupid," I warned, but she was already moving.

Chou launched herself into the fray with a kind of reckless grace, disarming one operative with a quick spin and using his own weapon to knock him out.

"Yesss! One down!" she cheered, flashing me a triumphant grin.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a small smirk as I joined the fight. Together, we worked in tandem, covering each other's blind spots and neutralizing the remaining threats with surprising efficiency.

By the time the dust settled, the market was eerily quiet. The Syndicate operatives had retreated, leaving behind only a scattering of broken crates and trampled flowers.

Chou crouched by one of the crushed blooms, gently brushing dirt from its petals. "Poor thing," she murmured.

"It's just a flower," I said, though my voice lacked its usual edge.

She looked up at me, her expression softer than I'd ever seen. "It's more than that. Even fragile things deserve to be cared for."

Her words lingered in the air as we finished our mission and headed back to the facility.

Later that evening, as we parted ways outside the dormitories, Chou waved at me with her usual enthusiasm.

"See you tomorrow, partner!" she called, her grin as bright as ever.

I hesitated for a moment, then gave her a small wave in return. "Yeah. See you."

As I walked to my room, the morning glory she'd given me earlier peeked out from my pocket, its petals slightly crumpled but still vibrant.

I found myself smiling despite myself. Maybe, just maybe, this partnership wouldn't be so bad after all.