Winter barely had time to start the car driving before a voice boomed from the shadows.

“Stop right there.”

Her hands froze on the wheel. That voice—she recognized it instantly. Agent Parrot.

Her head whipped around, scanning the area, but she saw nothing. “Show yourself!” she barked, adrenaline surging.

A rustling sound drew her attention to the edge of the road, and then… they appeared.

From behind an old crate, two figures emerged. One was wearing a ridiculous parrot costume, complete with oversized wings flapping as they stumbled forward. The other—Agent Owl—tried to step out gracefully but immediately tripped over the hem of their own feathered cloak.

“Careful!” Parrot hissed, steadying Owl, who wobbled precariously before straightening with an exaggerated flourish.

Winter started, dumbfounded. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The two men she had just beaten up scrambled to their feet, groaning loudly but somehow managing to stand at attention beside the costumed agents. One of them clutched his ribs while the other dabbed at his bleeding nose, their expressions a mix of pain and poorly-hidden embarrassment.

Winter opened her door, stepping out cautiously. Her instincts screamed at her to protect Karina, who immediately followed despite Winter’s raised hand to stop her.

“Stay behind me,” Winter murmured, holding Karina protectively against her side. Her eyes locked onto the agents, sharp and unwavering. “I’m not giving her to you.”

Agent Owl tilted their head, their voice still modulated by the voice changer. “And why is that?”

Agent Parrot folded their costume wings dramatically, stepping closer. “Yeah and what about the money, Winter? You’ve already been paid. You think you can just keep her?”

Winter hesitated, her grip on Karina tightening. She clenched her jaw, trying to suppress the rush of emotions threatening to break free. Her mind raced for a response, but her body betrayed her, heat rising to her cheeks.

“I’ll give it back,” she finally muttered.

Owl crossed their arms, their feathery costume making the gesture look utterly ridiculous. “Why?”

Winter avoided Karina’s gaze, her ears burning. “I…” She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. “I can't give her. I need her.”

Agent Parrot perked up, leaning forward. “Oh? Need her? Care to elaborate?”

Winter’s face turned a deeper shade of red as she forced the words out. “Because I love her, okay?”

Karina’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening slightly. “You… what!?”

Winter squeezed her eyes shut, mortified. “This is your fault!” she accused, pointing at the agents. “You’re the ones who forced me to keep her with me for a week!”

Karina’s indignant voice cut through the tension. “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”

Agent Parrot raised a hand, silencing everyone. “Wait, wait, wait,” they said, struggling to contain their laughter. “So you’re telling us… you fell in love? With her?”

Winter bristled, her embarrassment boiling into frustration. “Yes! Is that so hard to believe?”

Agent Owl’s shoulders began to shake, and within seconds, muffled laughter erupted through the voice changer. “Oh, this is rich,” they choked out.

Parrot, meanwhile, doubled over, laughing so hard they nearly toppled over. They slapped their thigh, gasping for air. “This—this is the best thing I’ve ever heard!”

The two men beside them, still clearly in pain, exchanged confused glances. One of them winced but managed to chuckle weakly.

Winter’s fists clenched, her patience snapping. “What’s so funny?” she growled.

Parrot wiped a tear from their eye, straightening up with difficulty. “You. You’re standing there, declaring your love like a bad romance movie, and you think we care?!”

Owl, still laughing, added, “And you’d… you’d really do anything to keep her?”

Winter glared at them, her protective stance unwavering. “Yes. I’d do anything.”

Karina’s voice was sharp with panic. “No! Winter, don’t say that!”

But the agents were too far gone, collapsing to the ground in fits of laughter. Parrot clutched their stomach, rolling onto their back. “This is gold,” they wheezed. “Absolutely gold.”

Owl flailed weakly beside them, their costume feathers fluffing with every movement. “Best mission… ever,” they gasped between cackles.

Winter stood frozen, her fury mounting as the absurdity of the situation sank in. Karina tugged on her sleeve, her expression torn between exasperation and disbelief.

“Are they serious right now?” Karina asked, gesturing to the agents rolling around like toddlers.

Winter sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I don’t even know anymore.”

Parrot managed to sit up, wiping their face. “Thanks for the show, Winter,” they said, still grinning. “But, uh, we’ve got business to finish.”

Owl nodded, finally regaining some composure. “Yeah. So… what’s it going to be? You’re going to fight us for her? Or what?”

Winter’s hand itched to grab her knife again, but Karina stepped in front of her, arms crossed.

“Seriously? You’re threatening us dressed like that?” Karina scoffed, gesturing to their costumes. “I can’t take you seriously!”

Owl and Parrot exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter again, much to Winter’s and Karina’s disbelief.

“What the hell is wrong with you people?” Karina muttered, throwing her hands up.

The air was tense, Karina clinging to Winter’s arm as the absurdly dressed agents stood before them. Winter’s mind raced, calculating an escape, until Agent Parrot suddenly reached up and unfastened her oversized parrot helmet.

Winter’s breath hitched. “Ningning?!”

Karina blinked, looking between the parrot-helmet-clad figure and Winter. “Wait, what?”

Agent Parrot—now Ningning—flipped her hair dramatically and grinned. “Surprise!”

Winter’s shock quickly turned into outrage. “Are you serious right now? What the hell is wrong with you?” She jabbed a finger at the ridiculous bird costume. “You’re out here… dressed like that? What?! What!”

Before Ningning could respond, Winter’s gaze snapped to Agent Owl, who was visibly sighing behind her oversized mask. “Oh no,” Winter muttered. “Don’t tell me…”

Agent Owl shook her head, muttering something under her breath before reluctantly pulling off her owl helmet. A familiar smirk greeted them.

“Giselle?!” Winter’s voice cracked. Her anger flared. “You two have been—what? Playing dress-up this whole time?!”

Karina, still clutching Winter’s arm, looked utterly lost. “Uh, Winter? Do you… know them?”

Giselle grinned, leaning on the giant owl helmet she had just removed. “Oh, Winter, Winter. You’re adorable when you’re angry.” She winked at Karina. “And you must be the infamous Karina. Nice to meet you!”

Winter turned red, glaring. “Shut up, Giselle.”

Karina blinked, pointing between them. “Wait, are we not being kidnapped or not? Am I missing something here?”

Ningning folded her arms, pretending to look serious, though her lips twitched with amusement. “Wait, wait. We need to address the real question here.” She looked pointedly at Winter. “You’re in love with Karina?”

Giselle gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Oh no, Winter has fallen! She’s gone soft!” She laughed, loud and obnoxious. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

Winter’s patience snapped. “Shut it!” she growled, lunging at Giselle.

The oversized owl helmet toppled from Giselle’s grip as Winter tackled her to the ground. Giselle let out an exaggerated yelp, flailing her arms. “Help! The mighty Winter’s gone rogue! I’m being attacked!”

Ningning’s eyes widened as Winter looked up at her from her perch on Giselle. “You’re next,” Winter warned.

Ningning froze, then squeaked, “Nope, not me!” before darting away, her parrot wings flapping uselessly behind her.

Winter scrambled to her feet, ready to chase her, but Ningning ran straight to where she appeared. “Banana! Emergency mode!” she shrieked.

Out stumbled Banana… in a ridiculous banana costume. The cat was barely managing to waddle forward, the bulky outfit swaying as it tried to keep balance. Banana meow, clearly unimpressed with its situation, and Ningning used the distraction to sprint off behind the SUV.

Karina clutched her stomach, laughing hysterically. “What even is happening right now?”

Winter glared after Ningning, then at Banana, whose costume only added to the chaos. Banana meow again, seemingly protesting its involvement, as Ningning screamed from behind the car, “Get her, Banana! Use your potassium powers!”

Banana ignored her, plopping down to lick at the banana peel costume's strap.

“I swear to—” Winter groaned, turning back to Giselle, who was still wheezing with laughter on the ground. Winter grabbed her by the collar. “You’re going to explain everything before I lose my mind.”

“Sure, sure,” Giselle managed between giggles. “But can we talk about how in love you are first? It’s so cute! Aww, Winter likes someone.”

Winter’s face burned red. “I will end you.”