Next day
*Imperials Mall – Group A Shopping Day*
"Just… how expensive are things here?" Nao whispered again, scanning the nearby price tags with slightly widened eyes.
The mall was shining, full of lights and soft background music. A few other students from different ranks roamed around, but it was mostly Group A taking over the space with their chatter, laughter, and shopping chaos.
*"Hey ladies—"*
Tashiba's voice echoed from the glass doors.
"*Heyyy Tashiba!!*"
Katherine practically bounced as she waved, stars in her eyes.
Yeon leaned over to Nao.
"*He really did come...*"
"Ha ha, *Nathan's* stubborn ass didn't though," Tashiba said, swinging a shopping bag as he entered.
"Oh wow." Blue chuckled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "*We almost had full attendance.*"
"*Finally!*"
Sato strolled in behind Tashiba, stretching. "Was starting to feel all weird surrounded by too many ladies."
Damion scoffed from behind the changing curtain.
"*Hey dude—I'm a guy too, you blind?*"
The group erupted into laughter.
"Ha ha! *Come look at this, Sato!* This outfit is totally your style!"Ria pointed to a dark blue streetwear hoodie with a lightning symbol on the back.
Sato scratched his head.
"...You mean 'cool introvert with a deep backstory' vibe?"
Everyone laughed again.
"Where's Nao?"
Tashiba asked, scanning casually.
"She's trying to hide from the bunny hoodie," Blue teased.
Nao peeked from behind a rack, the soft pink and white hoodie draped awkwardly over her arm.
"I swear if I wear this people might mistake me for a 12-year-old…"
"Oh no no," Ria grinned, walking up to her. "*They'll think you're an adorable 12-year-old with style.* Big difference."
Nao rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips.
"…Still not wearing it."
"Too late. I'm buying it for you."
Ria dropped it onto the counter nearby and handed the clerk her card without flinching.
Nao stared in shock.
"Wait—Ria! That's too much!"
Ria smirked.
"*Shhh. Let me spoil you.* This is the benefit of being friends with a shopaholic daughter of a department store owner."
Nao was still stunned.
Meanwhile, Tashiba and Sato had joined Damion, who was now flaunting a velvet jacket like he was a runway model.
At that moment, Nao got a ping on her phone.
*Kaze♡:*
*"So what's the verdict, Miss Style Queen? Matching or nah?"*
Nao blinked.
"Oh God, right…"
She typed quickly:
*Nao:*
*"Fine. You win. But nothing cringey, deal?"*
*Kaze♡:*
*"Too late. Found the perfect matching sneakers. You're gonna love it , I'm right behind you guys"*
She quickly turned looking around.
"Peekahbooh"
Kaze said sides her as she flinched a little.
"Ack_you scared me"
"Ha ha.."
He said as he put a bag on her head.
"Yours"
"Kaze here?"
Blue asked.
"This an all Group-A shopping kaze"
Katherine said.
"Omg..his so fine"
Yeon whispered.
"I'm here with Nao, I can stay ..right Nao?"
He looked at her putting on a sad face like a little child.
"Uh.."
Nao looked at them then kaze.
"I don't-"
"Yay..she wants me staying, anyways that hoodie cute"
He pointed to the one on Nao's hand.
"I know right?"
Ria said shouting as if she just won an award.
"You should try it on..gonna fit with mine"
He pointed to his shirt- A red overall ontop a white shirt that showed under his shirt.
By the chest pocket- Bunny-co
Same production as the one Nao was holding.
"Yes try it"
Sato said.
"Hm..ok"
Nao finally said walking to a changing curtain then came out min later.
"You see..it suits you better"
Katherine said.
Just then, the announcement speakers clicked on:
*"Imperials Mall will be closing in 30 minutes. Please proceed to checkout."*
"Alright Group A, let's gather!"
Tashiba called, lifting a few bags in one hand. "Let's see what kind of chaos we created!"
Everyone started to gather at the exit, giggling and comparing outfits.
Nao caught a glimpse of herself in one of the mirrors. Pink hoodie on her. Bag full of clothes. Smiling without even realizing it.
For once, she felt... like she belonged.
She turned just in time to see Ria snapping a candid photo of the group again.
*Ria:*
"#SquadGoals ✌️"
After the Shopping Trip*
The group chat hadn't stopped buzzing since the mall.
Photos. Emojis. Inside jokes he wasn't part of.
He scrolled past most of it, thumb grazing the screen until he caught one.
A blurry shot—Nao laughing, half-turned toward someone beside her.
Kaze.
Nathan's finger hovered for a second longer than he meant it to.
The two of them were standing too close. Or maybe he was just noticing too much.
He set the phone down.
Took a breath.
Then picked it back up.
*Katherine:*
*"Kaze and Nao totally matching •.•"*
*Ria:*
*"Bunny hoodie power couple? "*
He didn't laugh.
Instead, he locked the screen.
This wasn't supposed to matter.
He barely knew her. She wasn't his friend. She wasn't anything.
Just a new girl who showed up and suddenly—
Bam.
She's in the club.
She's on stage.
She's beside him in Group A.
She's… there.
Like a shadow in places he thought were quiet.
He glanced at the hoodie again.
Pink. White. Stupid little bunnies.
She really wore that?He could picture her in it. Not because he wanted to. Just… because he knew -
She didn't belong here—not with Viki, not with Kaze, not with any of them.
But she was trying.
And that made her dangerous.
Or foolish.
He couldn't decide which yet.
Another ping.
*Kaze:*
*"Still can't believe you picked that hoodie lol. Looks good on you tho."*
Nathan's jaw tightened slightly.
He didn't know why.
But he knew one thing:
*He'd be watching her more closely from now on.*
Not because he cared.
But because she was messing with the balance.
And people who messed with the balance in Imperial…
They either rose fast.
Or burned out hard.
---
*Campus Courtyard – Late Afternoon*
Nao adjusted the straps of her bag, arms full of folded clothes from the shopping trip. Most of the others had gone back to their dorms, but she stayed behind to grab something Ria left behind.
She rounded the corner—
And nearly bumped into him.
Nathan.
He looked up from his phone, stopping just short of colliding.
"I'm starting to think you trying to bump into me on purpose?" eyes dropping to her arms, then back to her face.
"what- I was Just… carrying some stuff back," she replied, gripping the bag tighter.
Silence lingered.
He looked like he was about to walk away. But then he didn't.
Instead.
"So..why didn't you come along..to the mall?"
She asked..as if they were friends .
"Hm.."
He glared at her .
"You dont talk at the Group chat either"
She said trying to get a conversation out of him.
"I don't usually talk in group chats," he said flatly. Then paused. "Especially ones named *'Group A Fighters'.*"
Nao chuckled softly. "Yeah… Ria."He looked at her, like he was studying something he didn't understand. Or maybe didn't want to.
"So, you Dating kaze?" he asked suddenly.
Nao's brows raised. "What?"
"You two were matching."
She shook her head quickly. "No! I mean—he just asked. We used to be close when we were kids. That's all."
Nathan nodded slowly.
Another pause.
Then:
"Careful," he said quietly.
"People around here don't always show you who they really are."
Nao tilted her head. "Including you?"
He didn't answer that.
Just stepped aside, hands in his pockets.
"…See you Monday," he muttered, and walked past her.
Nao turned to watch him go, a weird tight feeling in her chest.
She didn't know if she should be curious… or cautious.
Maybe both.
---