NO STRING ATTACHED - JENLISA

Prove Me Wrong

Episode 2 — "Prove Me Wrong"

Seoul Military Command HQ was colder than usual — not in temperature, but in eyes. Lisa stood in front of the roundtable, surrounded by stern faces. Among them, General Kim Hyun Bin. His arms were crossed, unreadable. His daughter was not present today.

General Lee (skeptical):
"You want to reroute surveillance ops from the northern perimeter to cyber intel? Based on a feeling?"

Lisa (evenly):
"Based on inconsistencies in AI movement patterns that mirror the ghost protocol simulations—yes."

A ripple of silence.

General Kim (coolly):
"That's a bold call, Captain Manoban."

Lisa (holding his gaze):
"With all due respect, sir, bold is what kept your daughter alive in Sector 8. And bold is what's kept this base standing."

No one breathed. Kim Hyun Bin's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. But he said nothing.

⸻

Later that afternoon – outside the command building

Lisa lit a stick of gum instead of a cigarette. Old habits. Her hands were still twitchy from the adrenaline of having to prove herself again.

From the corner of the lot, a familiar voice broke through.

Jennie:
"Tell me you didn't punch a general."

Lisa (deadpan):
"Not yet."

Jennie grinned, walking over with her jacket slung lazily over one shoulder. She passed Lisa a coffee, their fingers brushing.

Jennie:
"My dad didn't speak a word after the meeting. But I saw his face. That twitch in his jaw? That's pride. Confused pride. But still pride."

Lisa (scoffing):
"Your dad hates my methods."

Jennie (shrugging):
"He hates that your methods work. You scare them a little."

Lisa chewed her gum harder.

Jennie (softer now):
"And that's why I love you."

Lisa looked at her, finally letting her posture soften.

Lisa:
"You always say that like you're daring me to believe it."

Jennie (tilting her head):
"Maybe I am. Still working on that trust muscle of yours."

⸻

Meanwhile — Inside the Kim Residence

Son Ye Jin sipped her tea slowly, watching the security feed where Lisa's command briefing played in muted silence. Jennie's mother had access to everything, of course. Old instincts.

Son Ye Jin (to herself):
"She's more like him than I thought."

Kim Hyun Bin entered, settling beside her. No words passed between them at first.

Son Ye Jin:
"You saw her today."

Kim Hyun Bin:
"I saw someone dangerous... and disciplined. Someone who doesn't bow."

A pause. Then, quieter—

Kim Hyun Bin:
"I see why he believed in her."

Son Ye Jin turned to look at him.

Son Ye Jin:
"So do I."

They didn't say Lisa's father's name. But it hung in the air like something holy and buried.

⸻

Back in Lisa's apartment that evening

Lisa stared at the ceiling, stretched out on the couch while Jennie straddled her lap with popcorn in one hand and the remote in the other.