"Something on my face, or are you just admiring my good looks?"
"Neither, I was just zoned out and your ugly face just happened to be in my line of sight." She replied
The group moved as a single, chaotic unit through the mall, weaving between shoppers with practiced ease. Ren followed silently, carrying another pile of clothes like a reluctant prop in their little production. Every few steps, Kavin's eyes lit up at something he deemed "essential" for Ren's wardrobe though what counted as essential was, of course, entirely his own judgment.
"Over here!" Kavin exclaimed suddenly, tugging Ren toward a store that looked even more expensive than the last. Its glass doors gleamed, reflecting the bright mall lights and, unintentionally, the determined, slightly wary expression on Ren's face.
Inside, the store smelled faintly of leather, polished wood, and something that suggested both wealth and very high expectations. Mannequins displayed sharply tailored suits in every imaginable shade, but one in particular caught Kavin's eye immediately.
"This one," he said, pointing at a deep, rich blue suit, "is perfect. Just perfect."
Ren's eyes followed the gesture, and he gave a small, unimpressed blink. "Blue," he muttered.
"That's not the point," Kavin snapped, ignoring his tone entirely. "This is the suit. For your birthday. The one that will make everyone say 'wow.'"
MJ snorted from behind them. "Kavin, you really do think you're the stylist of the century."
"Shh," Kavin said, waving him off like the remark didn't exist. "Ren, try it on. Now."
Ren looked down at the suit draped across his arms. He could feel the weight of it already, the cut of the fabric promising sharp lines and something unmistakably... striking. He didn't move.
Thyme, clearly fed up with indecision, grabbed him by the elbow. "You're trying it. End of discussion."
With a sigh that spoke of both surrender and mild exhaustion, Ren stepped toward the fitting rooms. Kavin practically danced with excitement behind him.
Minutes later, the curtain opened, and Ren emerged.
The effect was instantaneous.
The deep blue fabric hugged his shoulders perfectly, falling straight and clean along his torso. The tailored cut accentuated his build just enough to look effortless, and the subtle sheen of the material caught the overhead lights in a way that made him glow without him trying at all.
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Kavin clapped his hands together, practically vibrating. "Yes! That's it! That's the one! Magnificent!"
Ren raised an eyebrow, expression flat. "Magnificent," he repeated, voice dry.
"No, you don't get it," Kavin said, now walking around him as if he were inspecting a priceless painting.
MJ and Thyme leaned in to nod in exaggerated agreement, clearly feeding off Kavin's excitement. "It does look good," MJ said slowly, still smirking.
