Day 819 - Mentor’s conference room, 07:30. (Before Hwayeon had the blueprints)

  On the couch, Hawk had Goldie sit on his lap as he had his arms around her. He kissed behind her ear as he whispered, “Should we go somewhere for our anniversary, love?”

  “That’s ticklish.” Goldie chuckled as she slightly pulled away. She kissed his lips tenderly as she replied, “Should we?”

  He savoured the scent of her shoulders as he suggested, “How about Venice? Or Berlin? Or even maybe a classic Paris visit?”

  Goldie paused as he mentioned all the places they made their long, unfulfilled promise, “… you still want one?”

  Hawk gently circled her belly as he kissed her shoulders, “Is it… too much to ask?”

  Goldie turned her body to face him as she held his cheeks to which he leaned on, “Of course not, love… just wondering if our line of work is suited for a family…”

  Hawk pulled back at the reminder, “Right, what type of parents would we be if we raised our kids here?” He pulled his bronze hair back with a sigh.

  She hummed, “But you know, you’re like a dad sometimes.”

  “When?” He scoffed incredulously.

  “To those kids…” She smiled with pride, “Life is really strange. I never expected you to be a mentor.”

  “So did I.” Hawk chuckled, “Ox had me do it after seeing me like shit without you for so many years.”

  “Then I should thank Ox for making the right decision for once.” Goldie chuckled.

  “Where are you going with this?” Hawk knew she wanted to say something as he held her hand.

  “Seeing you with those kids made me feel like you were a family with them.” Goldie rested her head on his shoulder.

  Hawk pondered before he responded, “You’re wrong. It’s ‘we’re a family with them’. If it’s a family, you’re also part of it.”

  As they stayed in each other’s embrace, Minggu barged in the Mentor’s conference room, “Goldie! I need help!”

  Hawk frowned as he muttered curses under his breath before replying, “Can’t you see we’re busy? And…” He looked at his watch, “It’s only 15 minutes to 08:00. You shouldn’t even be in here.”

  Minggu stepped closer and retorted, “Goldie said I can.”

  Hawk eyed Goldie who turned away, “Did she now?”

  Goldie sighed, “Forgive me just this once?”

  Hawk smirked as he whispered in her ear, “Then, I’ll decide if I should forgive you tonight~”

  SLAP!

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  Goldie stood up flustered as she pushed Minggu out, “Let’s go, 6-27.”

  Hawk rubbed his throbbing cheek as he began to laugh aloud that Goldie could still hear him outside the conference room.

  Poor Minggu didn’t know what was going on as he asked, “Why did you slap him?”

  “Let’s just say, adult business.” Goldie smiled but her eyes told Minggu not to ask any more questions.

  In Goldie’s herb room, she sat down, “So?”

  “The homework you gave me about hypnosis, drugs and substances that will affect the mind. I don’t know where to start since it’s a broad topic.”

  “Well, I did say a healer finds their own path, didn’t I?” Goldie chuckled as she rested her hand on her palm.

  “Yeah, but at least give me a hint.” Minggu pouted.

  “… Start with who.”

  “Who?” Minggu tilted his head.

  “Exactly. Who is most affected by it and who isn’t likely. Split it up between awakeners and non-awakeners.” Goldie smirked.

  Minggu felt there was some meaning behind her words as he asked, “Why do you want me to do that?”

  Goldie hummed contemplatively before answering, “In some field missions, the most dangerous type of enemy is our own mind… It depends on who can get out of it as quickly as possible.”

  Minggu had his eyes widened.

  This… she just told me something about their missions!!!

  Minggu calmed down and analysed.

  No, it’s still pretty vague… she could mean brainwashing or special herbs or even how soldier morale can affect their mind…

  But regardless…

  Minggu then asked, “What do you mean by that?”

  Goldie smirked as she placed a finger on her lips. She didn’t answer as she told him, “Healers are not just backup support to heal the critically wounded. We’re also the best counter against any mind-affecting attack, whether it be from drugs, low morale or even brainwashing.”

  !!!

  Minggu realised what she was saying as he asked, “T-then… you’re not brai—!”

  Goldie placed her finger on his mouth, “Shuuush.”

  Minggu didn’t know how to react as he curiously asked, “Why… why are you still here then?”

  Goldie closed her eyes, memories flashing by as she thought of all her fellow men being slaughtered, “We volunteered to be experimented on… all for money. It was a mistake, but at least, it was our choice.”

  She gently patted his head, “But, for you kids, you didn’t have one. You could say, we’re taking responsibility for our choice.”

  “But…” Minggu lowered his head, “It’s not your fault.”

  “We’re simply doing what we can so that you kids survive. We’re not doing much. So…” Goldie lifted his chin as she gently wiped his tears, “Don’t cry for us…”

  Goldie warmly embraced him as he sniffled quietly.

  ***

  Present time - Day 819, 13:50

  Seohwa’s eyes widened at Minggu’s revelation, “So then… Ms Goldie is…”

  “Yes.” Minggu nodded. “She isn’t.”

  Taeseok then added, “Considering Hawk is her husband and Sir Rhino a close friend, they may also not be.”

  Yerin sighed, “So? Should we add them in?”

  “That’s right! If they aren’t, then we can bring them into… our plan.” Jiho optimistically whispered.

  Seohwa shook her head, “No, I don’t think so.”

  “Why not?” Jiho pouted.

  “For many reasons.” Seohwa crossed her arms, “One, we’re only assuming that because Ms Goldie isn’t so is Sir Hawk and Sir Rhino. But, there may be limits to her ability.”

  Minggu agreed, “That’s right. We also have to consider she had been in a coma for many years. Meaning, the brainwasher must have only gotten stronger during that time and possibly gave a stronger brainwashing to Sir Hawk and Sir Rhino when she was absent.”

  “Furthermore, she is still recovering her power. She isn’t what she used to be.” Hwayeon added.

  “In other words, there is still a risk.” Taeseok munched on his chips as he fed Hwayeon who just came back.

  Jiho sighed, “True and if Sir Hawk is brainwashed, then Ms Goldie would naturally stay.”

  Yerin noticed Minggu looking down as she patted his back, “Cheer up. It’s good news that you’ve found.”

  “But…” Minggu sighed, rubbing his temples, “I don’t want to leave them.”

  “…”

  Everyone stayed silent, knowing what he meant. To them, in this LAB that caused them great grief, Sir Hawk, Sir Rhino, Ms Goldie, and even Dr 5, all of them were good adults and parent-like figures.

  Hwayeon clenched her fists, “… It’s… almost time, right? For us to separate.”

  Taeseok noticed the somber mood of the group and said, “We’ll be making them proud by leaving. And Hwayeon, we still have 3 months.”

  Seohwa exhaled the breath she was holding, “Taeseok-oppa is right. We have to focus. They’re good adults who’ve made their choice. They would want us to make our own choice too.”

  Everyone glanced up and nodded. Taeseok then declared, “It’s decided. Let’s go train and make them proud.”

  “YEAH!” All of them replied.