IRREGULAR [NCT127xR.V.Seulgi]

16

Days turned to weeks. Ever since their fight, Seulgi and Taeyong barely made any more contact, despite him now joining them for dinner, and actually doing the dishes too. While the other members sometimes wondered if this really was Taeyong, they were secretly happy.

Today was exceptionally odd. Seulgi was simply being pulled across the building by the two youngests, and was soon in the van with the rest, minus Taeyong. She kept quiet the whole trip, until she realised where they came. "Why... Why are we out here?" she asked the others, her voice a little shaky as she looked out to see the mall.

"Well, we heard you never went out much," Doyoung said holding her shoulder, "so we thought we'd hang out, since it's Mark's birthday." he pointed out.

"But..."

"Come on Seulgi." Mark cut her off. "Please? For me?" he pleaded, bringing out his puppy eyes. Seulgi pinched his cheeks smiling and nodded. The group went out of the van and went around exploring the mall. Seulgi came across one shop in particular, sporting outfits and cosmetics. She observed the ladies inside as they tried on different items, showing them to each other.

"Like them?" she flinched, turning to see Yuta behind her. She smiled back and shrugged. "Why don't you buy one?" he told her, pointing at a dress he reckoned would have suited her.

But Seulgi shook her head, holding his arm to stop him from entering. "What's the point? Not like I'll need them anyways." she said. Yuta looked at her a little angry, which was a surprise to her.

"Come on. You shouldn't wear nice things to impress people, or make yourself feel better. You should wear them for your own satisfaction. Go on." he pulled her inside, and Winwin soon came following as the two went around with the store assistant, picking out things for Seulgi.

After a several try outs of outfits and make-up looks, the three exited the shop with several bags of clothes and cosmetics, both men having wide smiles as people looked at them as if her body guards. Seulgi shyly walked behind them, scared of all the attention being drawn to her.

As they neared their group, Taeil noticed her looking uncomfortable with the crowds of people walking around them, and quickly walked to her and held her hand, pulling her closer to him. She looked up at him, and he smiled, which made her feel comfortable again as the others soon surrounded them. She looked to see Mark with bags full of gifts, and he made her promise to bake him a cake once they go back, to which she happily agreed.

"Thanks a lot you guys." she told them before they were ready to leave. "Today was probably the best day ever. Hey look, firecrackers!" she suddenly pointed to a crowd in the outer center of the mall, where there were street performers. They decided to watch before going home, and the older guys kept a close watch on the youngers and Seulgi, knowing big crowds were not a good thing.

"Johnny," the man looked to see Jungwoo tugging his shirt, and followed his gaze towards somewhere, "they're AIS people!"

And just as he said it, Jungwoo grasped Johnny's arm feeling weak, along with Winwin, Doyoung and Taeil, which the others knew meant waves were now being passed. And looking at the performers, they soon understood they were the same when they collapsed, and the fire crackers suddenly started burning the building. "Guys, run!" Johnny shouted, but only so they could hear. The Green among them tried hard at keeping strong and fast, because they knew other waves would soon start coming out, and that meant no one, especially Seulgi, was safe.

They soon reached the van, and panted as they sat the weak ones in first. "Is everyone out?" Haechan asked as he looked around, when a sudden realisation hit him. "Wait where's..."

"What took you so long!?!" cut off by an angry yell, the group looked to see Taeyong unmounting his motorcycle in a cool manner. "I've been trying to call you ever since that stupid AIS van came! Come on, let's... Where's the lady!?!" he yelled realising there's no female among them, and they all looked at each other worriedly. "You've got to be kidding me! You left her in there!?!" he scolded, before he ran into the burning building.

Taeyong ran through the flames, and he could still sense the waves for Greens still going through the area. "Seulgi!" he called out, before he heard a yelp, and ran for it, finding the lady staggering as she walked. He ran to her and tried to hold her. "Seulgi! Akh!" he yelped when a sharp pain hit his hand that held her's. Her Irregular... Crap! "Hold it in Seulgi. You can't now!" he spoke a little more nicely and shook her, and could see how hard she tried to keep the red of her hair in, to the point where she fainted in his arms. "Seulgi!" without wasting time, he pulled her up onto his back and ran.

Outside, the group sat silent in the van waiting for some sign of good news. "Why is he fussing about her?" Yuta suddenly spoke, heads turning to him. "I thought he wanted the AIS to see her Irregular form, and they would know he's not as dangerous?" Taeil looked at him as if he had gone crazy. "Taeil, don't you see? Taeyong had this planned. He knew the AIS would come today. He told me this before she moved in. But why is he suddenly like this? Even if he forgot, he wouldn't have cared so much. I mean, I'm not saying he's right, but either it's what I hope it is, or the complete opposite."

"And..." Taeil spoke, "Which is which?" he asked, and Yuta sighed.

"I'm hoping he's actually changing. And the opposite, he's got a bigger plan in mind."

°

"Here you are sir, the certificate." the lady said, passing the file to Baekhyun.

"Thank you." he said, looking at the names before walking out of the office, looking at the broad daylight.

Lee Taeyong

&

Kang Seulgi

I'm sorry Seulgi, but this will keep you safe, more than I can...

°°°