As you all left the vinyl shop, Jaemin couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. "Don't worry about that kid because he is very rich like, damn," he said, his voice light with amusement.
You glanced at Jeno, who didn't react much to Jaemin's comment, just kept walking beside you with a calm expression. You knew Jeno came from a wealthy background, but he never flaunted it. Still, you could tell that Jaemin was right—money wasn't something Jeno ever had to worry about.
As you reached the food court, Yangyang and Shotaro, who had gone ahead to different fast food restaurants, waved you over. They had managed to get takeout from a few places, each carrying bags filled with various dishes. The scent of fried chicken wafted through the air, making your stomach growl.
"We got the goods!" Yangyang announced triumphantly, holding up a bag from a food stall that was famous for its fried chicken.
Shotaro nodded, grinning. "And we made sure to get extra sauce. Trust me, you'll thank us later."
You couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. Despite everything that had happened earlier, it felt good to be surrounded by your friends, doing something as simple as grabbing food together. It was a reminder that, no matter what chaos the day might bring, there were always moments like these to hold onto.
Jeno took one of the bags from Yangyang, a rare smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, guys. This looks great."
"Yeah, we're starving!" Haechan chimed in, already reaching for one of the boxes.
"Hold up, let's find a place to sit first," Renjun suggested, scanning the food court for an open table. After a brief search, you all found a spot near the back, away from the main crowd.
As you settled down, the conversation flowed easily. Jaemin and Yangyang were cracking jokes, Shotaro was talking about a new dance routine he was working on, and Renjun was trying to keep everyone from stealing his fries.
Jeno, who was usually more reserved, was surprisingly engaged in the conversation. You noticed how his eyes lit up when he talked about something he was passionate about, and how his laughter was contagious, making everyone else smile along with him.
But even as you enjoyed the moment, you couldn't shake the feeling that something was still lingering in the air—something unresolved. You caught Jeno's eye, and for a split second, you could see that same hint of worry you'd noticed earlier. He quickly masked it with a smile, but you knew him well enough to sense that he was still thinking about what had happened.
As everyone dug into the food, Jaemin nudged you with his elbow, pulling you out of your thoughts. "So, what's the plan for the rest of the night? Are we just gonna chill here, or do you guys want to do something else?"
Yangyang grinned, leaning back in his chair. "I'm down for anything, honestly. We could head to the arcade, or maybe catch a late movie?"
Haechan nodded enthusiastically. "Arcade sounds fun. I've been wanting to try out that new racing game they just got."
"I'm in," Shotaro added. "I need to blow off some steam after today."
Renjun looked around at the group, then shrugged. "Sure, why not? It'll be good to unwind."
Everyone turned to Jeno, waiting for his input. He paused for a moment, then nodded. "Arcade sounds good. Let's go for it."
You all quickly finished your meals, excitement building as you planned out the rest of the night. As you stood up to leave, Jeno hung back for a moment, catching your arm gently. "You okay?" he asked, his voice soft, just for you to hear.
You looked up at him, surprised by the question. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking."
Jeno nodded, his gaze searching yours. "If you need to talk about anything, I'm here, you know that, right?"
You smiled, touched by his concern. "I know, Jeno. Thanks."
He gave your arm a reassuring squeeze before letting go, and the two of you joined the others as they headed out of the food court. The arcade wasn't far, just a short walk away, and the group quickly fell back into their usual banter as you made your way there.
When you arrived at the arcade, the neon lights and the sound of electronic games filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was both chaotic and thrilling. Yangyang and Haechan immediately gravitated towards the racing games, challenging each other to a head-to-head battle, while Jaemin and Renjun wandered off to try their luck at the claw machines.
You and Jeno stood at the entrance for a moment, taking it all in. You could see the tension from earlier finally starting to melt away, replaced by a sense of normalcy that you both desperately needed.
"Which game do you want to play?" Jeno asked, his voice lighter now.
You glanced around, spotting a classic shooting game in the corner. "How about that one? It looks like fun."
Jeno grinned, nodding in agreement. "Let's do it."
The two of you made your way over to the game, and as you started playing, you could feel the weight of the day slowly lifting. Jeno was focused on the screen, his competitive side coming out as he tried to rack up as many points as possible.
You couldn't help but laugh at his intensity, and before you knew it, you were both completely immersed in the game, cheering each other on and forgetting about everything else.
For a while, it was just the two of you, lost in the moment. But as you finished the game, you couldn't help but notice the way Jeno's expression softened as he looked at you, a warmth in his eyes that made your heart skip a beat.
"Thanks for being here," he said quietly, his voice barely audible over the noise of the arcade.
You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. "Always."
As the night went on, you played more games, shared more laughs, and for the first time in a while, everything felt right. You didn't know what the future held, but in that moment, surrounded by your friends and with Jeno by your side, you knew that whatever came next, you'd face it together.
And that was enough.
