"Blue Blood."
The words landed like a whisper loaded with weight.
Oliver's and Lily's eyes widened—just a little—but enough.
"…Blue Blood?" Oliver blinked, then casually glanced at Lily.
"Hey… what's that?"
Lily turned her head slowly, giving her the most unimpressed look imaginable.
"You're kidding me, right?"
"Huh?"
"It's the DOGS' secret code. Literally our identification phrase. Did you skip briefing again?"
Oliver stared. "…Wait. Blue Blood? BLUE?"
Lily narrowed her eyes. "Yes. Blue."
Oliver smacked her forehead.
"Oh my god—I've been walking around saying Cold Blood this whole time!"
Lily dropped her jaw.
"COLD blood?! Are you serious right now!?"
She physically had to stop herself from lunging at Oliver.
Her fingers twitched like she was imagining all the ways she could strangle her best friend without getting caught.
Oliver just laughed nervously.
"Ehehe... I mean, it sounded cool, okay??"
"COLD BLOOD, she says…" Lily muttered, pacing back a step like she needed a moment to breathe.
Meanwhile, the boy who had whispered the code scratched the back of his neck, clearly confused and slightly panicking.
"Uh… sorry, but… are you guys… One and Seven?"
Oliver immediately straightened, face smoothing into her practiced fake smile.
"Yup. That's us."
Then under her breath:
"...Blue Blood, Cold Blood, same thing. We still kill people."
The new guy stepped toward them, pushing up his glasses awkwardly.
"I'm twenty-eight. I was told I'd be working under the DOGS' team leaders for this mission."
Lily folded her arms coolly.
"Very well then. What name were you assigned?"
"Tim."
He adjusted his glasses again, trying to appear confident.
Oliver squinted at him.
"Hmm... yeah, you do look like a Tim."
Lily shot her a look.
"Wow. Can you not?"
Oliver grinned.
"Okay, okay, sorry."
Tim cleared his throat.
"So... aren't we supposed to be heading to class now?"
Oliver checked the time.
"Which section are you in?"
"Section-B," Lily replied.
"Section-D," Tim said.
Oliver looked up.
"I'm Section-D too. Guess we're classmates."
She smiled slightly.
"Shall we go together?"
Lily's expression shifted instantly—hands clasped, voice turning sugary sweet.
"Awww... Lily is sad she and her boyfriend aren't in the same section..."
Oliver side-eyed her hard.
She leaned in and hissed, "Why are you doing this??"
"Advertising, dude. Advertising," Lily whispered back with a wink.
Tim blinked, confused.
"Oh... I didn't know you two were a thing."
Oliver and Lily froze for a second.
"Uh…"
"Do we have to explain the setting to him?" Oliver muttered.
"Let's not. It's more fun watching them try to figure it out." Lily said with a grin.
Tim chuckled nervously.
"Honestly, I didn't think Master allowed personal relationships during missions… but looking at you two, I guess it's fine."
Oliver stared blankly.
"Yup. Totally fine. Nothing weird here."
"He's going to get in trouble if he starts forming personal relationships," Lily smirked, glancing at Tim.
Oliver narrowed her eyes.
"So that was your goal, huh? But… why?"
Lily shrugged, all sunshine and evil.
"It's fun."
Tim, trying to keep things on track, cleared his throat.
"I think we should probably head to class now."
Oliver gave a small nod.
"Yeah. See you after class, Lily."
Before she could react, Lily leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Oliver's cheek.
"Love you~" she cooed sweetly, like a proper doting girlfriend.
Oliver froze.
Just stood there.
Staring at the void.
Processing.
"…Bleach. I need bleach. Holy water. Where's the nearest exorcist?"
Tim blinked at them, visibly confused but trying to act normal.
"You two… seem really close."
Oliver turned to him, eyes hollow.
"Don't remind me."
Truthfully, she wasn't okay.
Getting kissed by her best friend was already a shock.
But from someone who already liked someone else?
Yeah. Her brain was fried.
"…Uhm, so—bro?" Tim asked suddenly.
Oliver blinked.
"Bro?"
"Yeah. I mean... can I call you brother?"
She raised an eyebrow, but sighed.
"Sure. I guess."
But just as Tim smiled, Oliver leaned in slightly, voice dropping.
Her green eyes turned cold, sharp like a blade drawn slowly from its sheath.
"But remember this."
"Anything you do — any mistake — it'll reflect on us. So straighten your back… and don't. mess. up."
Tim straightened so fast he nearly dropped his bag.
"Y-Yes sir."
Oliver turned and walked away, muttering:
"…Can't believe I got kissed by Lily. What is my life."