PLAZA MALL

That afternoon, the mall was quite crowded. The hustle and bustle of people blended with the blaring music from the rows of stores on every floor. Among the sea of passersby, Jeno stood still on the escalator, hands tucked into the pockets of his black hoodie, eyes staring straight ahead without emotion. His face was expressionless. Unbothered, even though crowds were never really his thing. He was only there for a quick errand, something he had put off since last week, but for some reason, his steps slowed as he moved up to the third floor. The cold breeze from the AC swept through his neatly parted black hair, and behind him, he heard the sound of light footsteps approaching. He ignored it. Until someone's body, light but clear, bumped into his arm. Then his back.

Instinctively, Jeno turned. A girl. Her expression was startled, almost panicked. Then a low voice came from the woman standing behind them. "Someone's been following you. Please pretend to be her boyfriend. So that guy goes away."

Jeno glanced at the woman. His eyes narrowed. He didn't know either of them. But he saw something in the girl's gaze. Fear that wasn't faked. He spent a second thinking, then his body moved faster than his logic. Jeno grabbed the girl's hand, pulling her closer and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. His other hand rested protectively behind her back, naturally.

"She's my girlfriend. We came here together," Jeno said coldly but firmly to the woman behind them.

The girl stiffened. Her body froze in his arms. And the woman looked more surprised than anyone else. But Jeno didn't care. Even though he himself was shocked, his instincts had moved before his emotions could catch up. He was protecting that stranger. Because he knew what it felt like to walk alone in a crowd but feel completely alone.

"I don't know who you are, but if someone really is following you, stay close to me until we get out of here. Don't let go of my arm."

**[ WELCOME TO AU NCT! LEE JENO IS HERE! HAVE A NICE DREAM<3 ]**