NO STRING ATTACHED - JENLISA

The Space Between Us

Jennie straightens, giving him a pointed look.

JENNIE
If you're here for more "emotional talk," I think you've confused me with someone who cares.

He smirks, not backing down.

TAEMIN
I think you care more than you let on, Dr. Kim.

Jennie sighs dramatically and spins her chair to face him.

JENNIE
Okay, fine. I care. Happy now? But I don't have the energy for a new drama series today, Taemin.

TAEMIN
Good, because I didn't come here to give you more drama — I came to invite you to a little team-building dinner. Squad's doing something... fun.

Jennie glances at the door as she contemplates.

JENNIE (smirking)
If "fun" means pretending to like people, count me out.

TAEMIN (grinning)
Well, guess who just invited themselves to your table?

⸻
INT. BASE – SQUAD COMMON AREA – NIGHT

The squad is in high spirits for a rare break. Pizza boxes are scattered, everyone lounging around in casual clothes. Taemin is there too, but he's already starting to get on everyone's nerves with his usual cocky charm.

TAEMIN
Who knew a bunch of killers could be so cute when they're eating pizza?

JISOO
Just don't ask us to babysit you. We're not that cute.

SEULGI (playful)
Yeah, some of us are deadly, not cute.

ROSÉ
Deadly? More like deadly boring, but I guess that's the only way to survive.

TAEMIN (teasing)
Touché. But Jennie? She's still the most mysterious one.

Jennie doesn't miss a beat as she looks up with a smirk.

JENNIE
Mysterious is just another way of saying I don't tolerate dull company.

Lisa casually leans against the wall, arms crossed. She eyes Jennie for a long moment before speaking up, voice low, playful.

LISA
Guess I'm not dull then, huh?

Jennie shoots her a quick smirk.

JENNIE
If you're lucky.

The room falls into a moment of silence. The tension is subtle but thick, like the air before a storm.

Seulgi leans toward Rosé, whispering with a grin.

SEULGI
Is it just me, or is it like they're playing some long game?

ROSÉ (grinning)
They're definitely playing... but I don't know if anyone's winning.

⸻
INT. BASE – ROOFTOP – LATER THAT NIGHT

Lisa steps onto the rooftop, looking out at the city lights, trying to clear her head. She's been on edge all day. Maybe it's the silence. Maybe it's the fact that Jennie's been avoiding her.

She's not expecting company, but of course, she gets it.

Jennie steps up beside her, leaning against the ledge. She's got that cool, calm energy, but there's a flicker of something else in her eyes. She catches Lisa's glance and smirks.

JENNIE
You look like you need to take a breath, Captain.

Lisa arches an eyebrow, the usual playful spark returning in her eyes.

LISA
Not gonna lie, I need a lot more than a breath.

Jennie grins, a little too smug for Lisa's liking.

JENNIE
Careful, Captain. You might be breathing in the wrong direction.

Lisa steps closer, their shoulders brushing. She doesn't back away.

LISA
You like to play games, huh?

Jennie tilts her head, eyeing Lisa with a mischievous glint.

JENNIE
I don't play games. I win them.

LISA
Is that so? Well, I guess I'm due for a rematch, then.

Jennie laughs, the sound like music in the cool night air.

JENNIE
Rematch? You've been losing for a while now, Captain. You'd better pick up the pace.

⸻
INT. COMMON AREA – THE NEXT DAY

The squad gathers again, this time with a new "game" in mind. Everyone's setting up a makeshift tournament: cards, drinks, banter. Taemin, of course, is all too eager to jump into the mix.

TAEMIN
Alright, drinking games. You're all gonna lose, and I'm gonna enjoy every minute of it.

LISA
You talk a big game for someone with zero skill.

Jennie walks up to the table with a smirk, just as confident as ever. She casually slides into a seat next to Lisa, who raises an eyebrow.

LISA
What's this? You finally taking a break from being mysterious?

JENNIE (playfully)
I'm not taking a break. I'm just waiting for you to catch up.

Taemin eyes the two of them, sensing the competition.

TAEMIN
Well, it seems like Jennie's already ahead.

Lisa scoffs, flipping a card in her hand with a flourish.

LISA
I'm just getting started.

The rest of the squad watches as the tension shifts from playful banter to something more charged, more real.

⸻
INT. WAR ROOM – NIGHT

Later that evening, the squad's final game unfolds in the war room. Tensions run high as Lisa and Jennie share a fierce, unspoken competition for the first time in a while. They've spent the day playing with fire, teasing and flirting, but now it feels like the flame is burning a little too bright.

JENNIE
This game was fun... but let's see how good you really are at the next one.

LISA (smirking)
You really think you're winning, huh?

Jennie leans in a little closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

JENNIE
I don't think it. I know it.

Lisa's smirk widens.

LISA
Well, let's see about that, then.

⸻
EXT. BASE – NIGHT

As the night winds down, the squad retreats into their quarters, but Jennie and Lisa linger a little longer. No words. Just a lingering tension that feels almost palpable.

Both of them are keeping secrets — from each other and from themselves. But for now? For now, they're still playing the game.