╸𝔇𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔯𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 ╸

╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸

ℜ𝔢𝔫𝔧𝔲𝔫'𝔰 𝔭𝔬𝔳

╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸╸

-

Months After
the Anniversary

-

"Where to next Jun?"

"Next, we just need to go to the old convenience store to get some stuff. Then we can head back home and finish decorating~"

"Great~. I know that Jaemin and Jeno are probably getting impatient. We should hurry"

"Right"

Mark and I are out and about, shopping for the new season and holidays.

Halloween is quickly approaching, and we're all super excited for it. During the Halloween season, lots of people dress up in different costumes, and as many different monsters and creatures. Because of this, Jeno and Jaemin are free to be themselves out in the open, but only for one month a year. We often hope that one day, people will learn to accept them for who they are. But for now, we can only keep them safe and let them have their fun, just for this month.

We arrived at the convenience store in no time, and were greeted by a new but familiar face at the register.

"Welcome back you two~"

The cashier beamed from behind the counter.

Mark doesn't work here anymore, since he got a better job as a librarian in town. Because of this, he recommended the new job opening at the convenience store to one of his old friends.

And luckily he got hired.

His name is Lee Taeyong, and he's a very kind and bubbly person, despite his seemingly cold exterior. He greets everyone he meets with a warm and gentle smile, especially us.

"It's good to see you too hyung~"

"How have you been?"

"I can't complain~. I love working here, and I get to meet so many nice people every day~"

Taeyong cheerfully smiled.

Mark stayed by the counter to catch up with him, while I retrieved the little things that we needed. I returned to the counter, and Taeyong immediately rang up our items once I set them down.

"That'll be ₩35,967.39~"

"I'll take care of it Jun"

Mark smiled, taking out his wallet.

"Fine, but I'm paying next time"

I insisted, and Taeyong bagged up our items after we paid.

"So, did you guys finish decorating for Halloween yet?"

"Not yet. We've finished decorating the inside of the house, so now we just have to put the finishing touches on the outside"

Mark explained while I took the bags and receipt from Taeyong.

"You two better hurry home then. It'll get dark soon, and I wouldn't want you working in the dark. I'm gonna start decorating the shop a bit, then I'll head home myself"

"Sure thing. Have fun with that hyung~"

"We'll see you next time~"

"Looking forward to it~"

We waved to him as we exited the store, and quickly got in our car to head home.

-

15 Minutes Later
Inside of the House

-

"Welcome back~!"

"You're finally home~~!"

Jeno and Jaemin came thundering down the stairs as soon as we walked in, and immediately gave us a hug.

"And we have surprises for you both~"

I went into one of the bags and pulled out a chocolate milk for Jeno, and an americano for Jaemin.

"Thank you hyung~~!"

"Thanks so much~~!"

They immediately opened their drinks, and wondered off whilst they were drinking them.

Mark and I took the rest of the bags to the kitchen, and he took out both of the banana milks that we bought for us.

"What's on your mind Jun? I can tell that something's bothering you"

Mark questioned, leaning up against the counter whilst sipping his milk.

"On our way back, when we stopped at one of the red lights, I saw a black cat with green eyes. It just stared at me, even when we pulled off"

"Have you seen this cat before? It wouldn't be bothering you if it was the average stray cat right?"

I nodded at his question.

I took a sip of my milk before I continued.

"Back when I ran away from Jeno and Jaemin, I remember seeing a cat just like that when you took me to your old place"

"Do you think it might be the same one?"

He curiously asked, and I nodded.

"It's not just that I think that it's the same cat. I think...that it could be following me"