IN THE MALL

Noah was walking out of the apartment, stealing quick glances at the neighboring doors as he tried to read the names graved on them. Ren was noticing the curious reactions of the boy and how drawn he was into the new surroundings. Not to waste the amazing opportunity, she moved closer to him to the level, her hands brushed against his. As he was wearing the over sized sweat shirt, her skin brushing against his was unnoticed by him until he had to stop in front of the elevator.

"Try doing it on your own." She insisted as if it was a way for her to teach him new things.

"Uhh?" He gave her a confused look as to why she was behaving like he was a noob.

He pressed the arrow down button in front of him and waited for the elevator to drop down to their floor as he tapped his feet hesitantly. He was really curious and excited to go out but at the same time something was pulling him in. What if he doesn't fit into the norms of the society?

"Are you tensed?" Ren asked as she noticed the boy fidgeting with his fingers and chewing his bottom lips.

"Hmm, it is my first time." He answered still continuing his activities.

Ren really didn't understand what he was meaning by it. what he meant by saying it was his first time. She assumed that he would be from some far away country side where there was no way of learning anything. Their languages were the only things that somehow matched but he really didn't look like Japanese. Maybe, more like a Korean or a Thai? Who knows?

The elevator opened in front of them which scared Noah for a bit as it was sudden but he got in quick and stood at the back end. Ren smiled at the boy's cuteness as his eyes widened at the small movement of the elevator as she pressed the button. He may know how everything works but he has no experience so his curiosity wouldn't hide even if he tried.

"You like it?" Ren asked trying to make him feel comfortable but it worked the opposite.

"I would like to be normal among you all, so I had appreciate if you treat me like one instead of a baby."

"I am sorry, I didn't mean it." She was disappointed because impressing him was the only thing in her list.

"It is fine." He said absent mindedly while looking down at the view through the glass window as the elevator slowly took them to the ground floor.

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"Is this where we are going?" Noah asked as curiousness hit him again seeing the big shopping mall.

"Hmm." She just hummed as response because she was worried about answering anything.

"Ren, I am sorry for what I said. It was just that..... I was feeling kind of left out. I know there are a lot of things for me to learn but can we do it slowly?" He asked as he looked at her properly for the first time since they left the apartment.

"It is not your fault. I am fine." She gave him a warm smile as his confession took away her pain.

"Then lets go?" He showed her, his smile for the first time and that was enough for her to lose her senses.

The boy had a bright warm smile which was contagious that it hit her like a train. His eyes went really small as if he wouldn't be able to see if he smile so bright and his lips, it was unique. The smile made his lips go wide apart and the open box shaped smile or butterfly smile, if she may explain it more.

"Come on, let's go." He squealed before jumping out of the car not waiting for her to process the world into which he pulled her in.

"How can I let go off you? You look way too good for me to give up on." She muttered before turning off the engine and marching to him before losing him in the crowds.

To be honest, Ren regretted not taking a face mask for the boy as everyone in the mall already locked their eyes on him. She saw some girls who commented on him as they paced behind as if they were busy shopping. Ren glared at them with all her might and moved a little close to Noah to show as if she was with him.

"Where do we first go?" He asked her while taking off his hands which was dug in his jeans pocket.

"To there." She pointed at the H&M store next to them and that was enough for him to drag her into the store.

It didn't take much time for her to finish the shopping because the boy not much picky about the cloths and pretty much everything suited him well. The staffs were praising him as he jumped out of the trial room a couple of times making Ren a little red as she flushed.

"Your boyfriend is really handsome." One of the staff praised her while he was in the trial room.

"Haha, I know." She answered as she didn't want to lose the feel of being called his girl friend.

Soon, he walked out of the trial room with a couple of dresses selected for him which could run for like two months. Noah then got some more necessities for him like the toiletries and some books to kill the boredom. They were about to have a lunch when he reminded her something.

"We need to shop for Lia too."

Ren nodded her head because she saw it coming from him but wanted to finish off lunch before. The words he spoke killed her mood as well as appetite but she just showed him a smile and proceeded to another store. Her steps were slow and less excited but on the other hand, the boy was more excited for the shopping.