Mall culture was fading, and the signs were unmistakable in the desolate corners of the shopping complex. Hot Topic, once a buzzing hive of alternative fashion and music paraphernalia, now seemed to languish in a state of neglect, its shelves lined with an array of vibrant band tees and quirky accessories that garnered little more than fleeting glances. Every so often, a lone customer would drift in, perusing the displays with a half-hearted curiosity, but purchases were rare, and friendly greetings were as elusive as the store's former popularity.

Eren, leaning against the counter with a casual detachment, found solace in this quiet atmosphere. His disinterest in the social nuances of his job was palpable, even as he occupied a position typically centered around customer interaction. It was a Saturday, traditionally the busiest day of the week, yet the scene felt more akin to the weariness of a long Tuesday afternoon, the mall’s energy deflating like a forgotten balloon.

As he heard the unmistakable sound of crinkling shopping bags, he instinctively muttered a dispassionate "Welcome in," the phrase escaping his lips like a conditioned reflex rather than a heartfelt welcome. He remained absorbed in his phone, dark hair cascading over his eyes, giving him an air of disheveled nonchalance. Eren embodied the quintessential image of a Hot Topic employee: clad in a My Chemical Romance shirt that hinted at his devotion to the music of his youth, a spiked choker clinging to his neck, and a deep-seated expression that screamed, “I’d rather be anywhere else.” Here, amidst the remnants of a once-thriving culture, he was simply waiting for the day to pass.