14

Just think of it as the mission in eatm1 the one where they are on the plane, but AU it..? Very very AU. Maybe even nonsense.

(og Aug 20)...............

The lights dimmed as the holographic projector blinked to life, displaying a clean, modern university campus labeled 'Universiti Teknologi'. General Rama stood at the front of the room, arms behind his back, gaze firm. "Next week, they're hosting a week-long seminar—a high-profile event attracting a number of key personalities in Universiti Teknologi. This is a private institution, mostly upper-class students, children of diplomats, corporate leaders, and influential figures. "

He gestured toward the hologram, zooming in on a large auditorium at the centre of campus.

"One of the keynote speakers will be Dato' Othman, advisor to several national tech initiatives. We've received intel suggesting an attempt may be made during his appearance on campus."

Ali blinked. Alicia's arms were crossed, eyes fixed.

"This is an undercover mission. You'll be given fake identities as student interns—Ali in the tech department, Alicia under event logistics. Your task is to monitor staff movement and ensure Dato' Othman's safety without drawing attention."

"You are to blend in, observe, and report any suspicious activity. Avoid unnecessary contact with the target unless instructed otherwise. Your covers must remain intact at all times."

He paused, letting his words settle before adding, "You deploy Sunday morning. Dismissed."

...

The sun peeked out from behind scattered clouds, casting warm light over the sprawling campus of Universiti Teknologi. The air was crisp, the kind that hinted at a long day ahead. Students milled about the open courtyards, chatting in small groups or rushing past with lanyards and bags swinging at their sides. It was loud, alive, unfamiliar.

Ali adjusted the strap of his backpack, his eyes flicking over the wide-open buildings, the polished glass, the overhead banners welcoming guests to the tech seminar. His cover ID card bounced against his chest with every step. "Looks like we're really doing this," he muttered under his breath.

------------------------------------------Ok, not to interrupt but let me do some yapping: As someone with Alicia's haircut but longer by like half a cm or two, I can confirm that the hairstyle that holds best is the pigtails in eatm2 but I don't want to do it 😫 So she shall ponytail with pins at te side

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A few paces behind him, Alicia gave a quiet sigh—half from nerves, half from disbelief. She had her hair in a low ponytail with yellow hair clips on the side: casual enough to blend in, formal enough to pass for a student intern. She caught up to him with long strides, her steps light but steady.

"Don't worry," Ali said, casting a sideways glance at her. "I'm charming."

Alicia didn't even look at him. "That's what I'm worried about," she replied dryly. There was no bite in her tone—just that usual edge.

Ali smirked but didn't answer, pushing the door open as they stepped into the main lobby, their roles just beginning.

They found their dorm tucked away at the quieter edge of campus — a neat room with two beds on opposite walls, a small kitchenette, and a desk in the corner already cluttered with seminar materials.

Alicia was already setting her things down, her expression unreadable as she smoothed out the hem of her cover uniform. Ali leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her. "...What's with the hair clips?" he asked eventually, head tilted with mock curiosity.

Alicia shot him a look, grabbing a lanyard off the table. "What, can't a girl accessorise?"

He shrugged, lips twitching. "Didn't say it was bad. Just unusual. I've never seen you tie your hair up. It's always down."

"I don't find it necessary — it's short. Plus, it never stays up." she said simply, motioning to the yellow clips. Then, with a glance over her shoulder, "That's what the clips are for."

Ali blinked, then let out a small, amused huff. "You know, that's... surprisingly practical for someone who once wore high-top sneakers to a stealth op."

"That was style," Alicia replied coolly, dropping onto her bed. "This is survival."

Ali chuckled as he flopped onto the bed opposite her, the springs creaking under his weight. "You and your survival fashion."

She smiled faintly, but didn't look at him. "You can talk. You brought four identical hoodies."

"They're tactical," he said, dead serious. "They have pockets."

That finally earned him a soft laugh—not loud, not sharp, but real.

...

Alicia was already unpacking the mission files on the desk when Ali flopped down onto the spare bed with a dramatic sigh. "This shared dorm thing is wild," he said, glancing around the room. "Bet you're already planning a sleep schedule."

"I'm planning to survive this week without strangling you," Alicia replied dryly. She pulled her lanyard out of the folder and dangled it in front of him. "Event logistics. I'm basically your boss for this mission."

Ali sat up, feigning shock. "Guess I'll sabotage the tech system."

Then, with a crooked grin, he added, "Not that it changes much. You pretty much already were before this."

She smirked, walking past him to grab her jacket. "Do that and I'll have you removed from the registry by lunch."

He stood, stepping in front of her path, brows raised. "Oh? Going full boss lady now?"

She rolled her eyes, but he caught the faintest smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"You better work on your intern voice," she shot back. "Try sounding a little more... obedient."

Ali narrowed his eyes playfully. "Obedient? Wow. Power's already gone to your head, hasn't it?"

Alicia raised an eyebrow as she slipped on her jacket. "I'm just saying, interns should know their place."

He gave a dramatic sigh. "So cruel. I thought we were teammates."

"Not this week," she quipped. "This week, you're a tech intern with a tendency to break things."

He disregarded her words, walking away to where is bag sat.  He opened the zipper, and took out something before heading to her. "You want this? I thought you'd like it," 

She looked from his face, to the small cat keychain in his hand to his eyes. "Uh... Thanks?" she said, almost as if a question before quickly taking it from his hand. 

Given her reaction, Ali felt as if she didn't like it. With a shrug, he turned away and zipped his bag shut.

The moment his back was to her, Alicia's fingers brushed over the tiny cat keychain again. She let the smallest smile slip, fond and unguarded, before tucking it safely against her bag.

By the time Ali glanced back, her expression was already back to its usual sharp composure.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Always was." she replied, pulling her jacket tighter as they stepped out to the corridor. The two figures walked down the hallway towards the campus where the event would be happening.

"How do you think we'll be able to blend in with people like 3 years older than us..?" the boy asked abruptly. 

"There's no need to, they have a programme and it invited students from the school of Cyberaya. We'll just have to pretend we came here for that."

"Huh, okay." he responded, as they neared the building. Many people could be seen loitering around, chatting in groups or checking the posters plastered along the walls. "Feels weird being undercover at something this normal."

"Normal for you," Alicia corrected lightly, scanning the crowd with quick, practiced eyes. "For me, it's just another school event— minus the part where I have to drag you along."

"Wow. Honored," he deadpanned, though there was a twitch of a smile on his lips.

She ignored him, straightening her lanyard as they reached the registration desk. The volunteer barely glanced up before waving them through, too busy sorting name tags to notice anything off.

Once inside, the atrium buzzed with activity: booths lined the walls, screens displayed schedules, and clusters of older students compared notes.

Alicia leaned in slightly, her tone shifting just enough to sound professional. "Eyes open. We're here to observe, not stand out."

Ali glanced sideways at her, "Relax. You'll barely notice I'm here."

She shot him a look that said she doubted that very much.

Still, side by side, the two of them blended into the flow of the crowd, their voices swallowed by the noise of the atrium. The event had only just begun, but already Alicia could feel the hum of something beneath the surface—a tension she couldn't quite name.

"Don't mess this up," she muttered under her breath.

Ali only grinned, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Wouldn't dream of it."

And with that, they stepped deeper into the bustle, unaware of what—or who, might be waiting for them inside.

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Took me very long to publish this low effort chapter. (I actually started this on like the 5th) Please put up with me 🥺 I just started a new school this month and this one boy is sending me through a mental crisis, or either I'm just observing nothing.