Guilty Parties [ NoRenMin ] | ✓

- Forty Two -

Jeno felt like something was off.

After the walk from the relaxing Spring, no one shared words, and even if they did, it was a quick whisper that wasn't to distract from the calming silence. But there was something pricking at the back of Jeno's mind, making something shift out of the balance, making Jeno feel offset.

He tried shaking it off, trying to relax before the next day for training.

Each step, he could hear fallen leaves crunch, each 'snap' of a stick would echo in his mind, everything seemingly heightened. He closed his eyes, eyebrows furrowed, forcing out the echoing noises, calming his breathing, and continued walking.

That seemed to work for the rest of the walk, as he looked up at the sky. The wonderful view of soft pinks and purples showed that it was nearing the end of the day.

They had been at the Spring for the whole day, without even knowing it.

Jeno could notice the tiredness from his friends, snickering lightly when Renjun stumbled a little from almost falling asleep when walking, earning a playful glare from the older.

They went through Yuta's illusion, feeling the damp grass under their bare feet, as they were too lazy to actually put their shoes back on at the Spring, and they continued to their home.

It felt weird to think of the large building that they had just starting living in home.

But it was already home to the rest of Neo City, so why not add seven more?

It comforted everyone that they finally had a place to call home. All the previous dorms weren't quite the right setting to be able to call it a home, but the large building sitting in front of them was more than enough.

Although they had some awkward moments with the rest of the boys throughout their meeting, Renjun couldn't help but feel that they were going to be just fine in this new place.

Why?

Because he finally had people he could confidently call family, and the others feel the same way.

They've always had comradery, no question about it, and they've always called each other family, save for Renjun though.

It wasn't until they started to live together, the initial plan of Project Dream, that they could feel a part of them fill with completeness, that they were a family.

Their addition to the Neo City population, they finally felt that they fit somewhere. Not the constant lessons, or long and tiring school days, where they already knew they were going to get an equally disappointing and tiring job in the future. They were just another body in Abigail's perfect dream of a perfect society.

Mark smiled at the thought.

We've ruined that for her now.

They finally got to the building, standing in front of the building, the dying sun reflecting its warm colors on the metallic surface.

Ten opened the seamless door, and let the boys go inside, telling the boys that dinner had already been fixed, and everyone was waiting in the dining area. Quickly, Mark grabbed their stuff, and hastily placed it on one of the three couches in the living room, and ushered the others to the kitchen, making them wash their hands as they were in there.

After finishing, they quickly walked in the dining area, where they others were indeed sitting, the food still steaming on the table.

Renjun caught Taeyong's eyes, and quickly bowed as he took a seat next to YangYang, who was trying to get the older boy's attention. Renjun smiled lightly at the attention, scratching his nape as he took his seat.