¿A Betrayal Or A Bond? {Stray Kids AU}

1- Very Deceptive-------Raen

The university halls were packed, students moving in every direction. Voices bounced off the walls, footsteps and chatter blending into one constant noise. But none of that mattered to me. I was focused, scanning the doors as I walked.

Room 85.
I moved through the crowd, keeping my pace steady. The familiar knot of anticipation twisted in my stomach, but I ignored it. There wasn't room for nerves. This was just another job. I'd done this before.
Finally, I spotted the number. I slowed down, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
The room was full of conversation, groups of students scattered about, but I didn't pay much attention to any of them. My eyes locked on *him* right away. He was sitting near the front, leaning back in his chair, casual but commanding. Even in a room full of people, he stood out.

Christopher Bang.

To most, he was just Chris—the friendly guy everyone liked, the one who always seemed laid-back and easygoing. But I knew better. He wasn't just some popular student. Chris was the leader of the biggest mafia group in the city. His reputation wasn't something most people talked about openly, but it was there, lurking in the background. And now, I was here to get close to him.

The plan was simple: get in, blend in, gather information. I had to figure out how his operation worked from the inside, gain his trust, and report back. Easy enough, in theory.
The lecturer interrupted my thoughts. "We have a new student with us today."
I gave a small nod, stepping forward. "Hey, I'm Raen Swift. Looking forward to working with all of you."

Short, simple. I wasn't here to stand out. The lecturer motioned toward an empty seat near the front—right next to Chris. Great. I made my way over, feeling his eyes on me the entire time.
"Hey," Chris greeted as I sat down. His voice was warm, friendly, like he was genuinely interested. "Raen, right? I'm Chris."
"Nice to meet you, Chris." I smiled, extending my hand. "Let's be friends."
He chuckled and shook my hand, his grip firm but not too much. "Friends it is."
His smile was relaxed, and I could see why people were drawn to him. He had this way about him—charming, approachable. But I wasn't here to get pulled in by that. I'd studied him before I ever stepped into this room. I knew what kind of person he really was. And that smile? Just another weapon in his arsenal.

As the class moved on, I kept my focus on Chris, even when I wasn't looking directly at him. He was everything I'd been briefed on and more. His friends—Lee Minho, Seo Changbin, Hwang Hyunjin, Han Jisung, Lee Felix, Kim Seungmin, and Yang Jeongin—were always close by, orbiting around him like planets. Each of them played a key role in his operation, and together, they ran things smoothly.

Minho was his right hand, the strategist. Changbin had the muscle. Hyunjin was the wildcard, unpredictable but loyal. Felix and Jisung handled the tech side of things, keeping the business running behind the scenes. Seungmin was the calm voice of reason, and Jeongin, though the youngest, was fiercely loyal, always eager to prove himself.
They all looked like regular students on the surface, but beneath that? They were dangerous. Just like Chris.

I played the part I'd practiced so many times before—just the new girl, a bit quiet, friendly enough, but not trying to stand out. That was the key to slipping in. And sure enough, a few days later, Chris invited me to sit with him and his friends. It was casual, no pressure, but I knew what it was. A test. He was feeling me out, seeing if I fit in.
I nodded, keeping it simple. "Sure."

From then on, I was part of the group—or at least, I was close enough to observe. Chris didn't push too hard, didn't make it obvious that he was watching me, but I could feel it. He was smart. He didn't need to force anything. He just let people come to him, like it was the most natural thing in the world. His friends followed his lead without question, and it didn't take long for me to understand why. Chris didn't need to dominate conversations or act like he was in charge. His presence was enough. He was the center of everything.

The more time I spent with them, the more I realized how tight-knit the group was. Each of them had a specific role, but Chris was the glue that held them all together. And that made him dangerous. He didn't just lead with words or power—he led with loyalty. Everyone around him was fiercely devoted, and that was something I had to be careful of.

As the days passed, I got used to the rhythm of their group. Chris was always at the center, but he had a way of making everyone feel included, like they were all important. But there were moments—small, fleeting moments—where I could see the real Chris. The one who didn't rely on charm and friendliness. The one who could shift from laid-back to deadly serious in an instant.

I couldn't let myself forget that side of him. He might have been good at hiding it, but it was always there, just beneath the surface. And I wasn't here to get caught in his orbit. I had a job to do.

Chris might have been good at making people feel comfortable, but I wasn't like everyone else. I wasn't here because I wanted to be. I was here because I had to be. I had to get close, learn what I could, and get out before things got too complicated.

And Chris? He was just another part of the mission.

At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

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