The days passed in a blur as Arzen found himself constantly juggling how to act around this world’s Arzen’s friends while keeping his distance from Raizel and Carsel.

Arzen noticed that every time he got tense, Hanjun would be the first to catch on. But instead of asking questions, Hanjun would just turn up the teasing, like he thought messing with Arzen would help him loosen up. Yuriel was another one to watch; he was sharp and always seemed to be observing. Arzen had to be extra careful around him, but even then, little by little, he was starting to fit in. It was weird, like the memories of this world’s Arzen were blending with his own, and he was almost getting used to it.

Without realizing it, Arzen was second-guessing himself less. He was slipping into the role naturally, almost like he’d been living it all along. But he still had those moments where he had to remind himself: this wasn’t his world. No matter how real it felt, he couldn’t forget that these routines, these friends—they weren’t really his.

Before he knew it, the weekend rolled around. Arzen woke up early, feeling the pressure of the day ahead. He got dressed, smoothing out his shirt, pairing it with dark jeans and a light blazer. He didn’t care much about clothes, but he didn’t want to stand out in a bad way, either. It was just another part of blending in, of pretending he belonged, at least on the surface.

‘I don’t care much about fashion, but I don’t want to embarrass them.’

By the time Arzen was ready, Yuriel and Elden were already waiting in the hallway. Yuriel looked sharp in a navy blue suit with a light blue shirt and a silver tie, his appearance polished and sophisticated. Elden, in contrast, wore a black bomber jacket over a white t-shirt and dark jeans, exuding a relaxed yet stylish vibe.

Hanjun had been absent for two days, busy with his family’s business. According to Elden, Hanjun was managing a significant project and moving between locations to handle crises.

They drove to the boutique, and as they approached, Arzen felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. The luxury surrounding them was overwhelming, a stark reminder of how different this world was from his own. He adjusted his blazer, his eyes darting nervously to the high-end storefronts outside the car window.

‘Why did I agree to this?’

They entered the boutique, the heavy glass doors sliding open with a soft whoosh. Inside, the space was bathed in soft, ambient lighting that highlighted the polished marble floors and elegantly arranged displays. The air was filled with the subtle blend of high-end colognes and the faint scent of fresh linens, setting a tone of understated luxury. A staff member approached, her smile professional, as she greeted them.

"Welcome, Mr. Harz, Mr. Desmond. We have your usual section ready."

Yuriel nodded confidently and turned to Arzen, his tone gentle. 

“This is our friend, Arzen. Please make sure he’s comfortable.”

The staff member gave a warm smile, her eyes briefly assessing Arzen with a professional curiosity. 

"Of course. We’re delighted to have you here, Mr. Arzen. If there’s anything specific you’re looking for, just let us know.”

She led them to a private section brimming with luxurious fabrics and designer clothes. Yuriel and Elden moved effortlessly, their familiarity with the boutique evident as they browsed through the racks. Their fingers brushed over the fabrics with a casual grace, discussing trends and styles like seasoned shoppers. 

Yuriel held up a finely tailored suit, inspecting the stitching under the light, his expression thoughtful.

“This is exquisite work. Is this from the new collection?”

The staff member smiled warmly. 

“It just arrived this week. Perfect for any occasion.”

Elden picked up a jacket, feeling the smooth texture between his fingers. 

“This feels amazing. What do you think, Yuriel?”

Yuriel nodded in approval, passing the suit back to the staff member. 

“It’s excellent. Let’s take one.”

Arzen followed behind, his gaze drifting to the price tags. The prices were overwhelming, far beyond anything he was used to. He did his best to keep his expression neutral, trying not to show his discomfort.

Without warning, Yuriel turned to the staff and requested Arzen’s measurements. Arzen looked up, surprised.

“What for?”

“It’s a thank you for coming along.” 

Yuriel explained with a smile, though there was a firmness in his tone that suggested he wasn’t open to debate. Yuriel wasn’t just trying to be generous; Yuriel and Elden had noticed that Arzen seemed off lately, often zoning out and looking more closed-off than usual. Arzen never talked about what was bothering him, and no matter how much they tried to nudge him into opening up, he always brushed it off. They knew better than to push, so instead, they did what they could—small gestures to show they were there for him, hoping to lift his spirits.

Arzen immediately shook his head, taking a step back.

“No, really, it’s not necessary.”

His discomfort was clear; he wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of such attention, especially not when it came out of nowhere like this.

Yuriel placed a hand on Arzen’s shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze. 

“You never let us treat you, so let it happen this time. It’s just a little thing.”

Elden stepped in, grinning as he clapped Arzen on the other shoulder.

“Yeah, Zenzen. Let us get you something, don’t overthink it.”

Arzen hesitated, feeling the clash between their insistence and his own discomfort. It was awkward, overwhelming, and not something he was used to. Yuriel and Elden’s intentions were clear and unlike this world’s Arzen, who knew exactly how to say no, Arzen struggled with where to draw the line.

He wasn’t as skilled at refusing without causing a fuss, and the last thing he wanted was to make things awkward between them. In the end, with a reluctant nod, he gave in, accepting their gesture even though it didn’t sit quite right with him.

“Okay, fine. But just this once.” 

Yuriel and Elden exchanged knowing looks as the staff finished taking Arzen’s measurements. When that was done, Yuriel immediately started pulling more clothes off the racks, tossing them into Arzen’s arms with a grin.

“Come on, you’ll look great in these.”

Arzen glanced at the growing stack of clothes, feeling like he was about to drown in fabric.

“Wait, you already got me a suit. Isn’t that enough?” 

He could feel his voice wobbling as he tried to keep up, his fingers brushing nervously over the expensive fabric.

Yuriel stepped closer, practically shoving another outfit at him, looking like he wasn’t about to take no for an answer. 

“Just try them, okay? It’s not that serious.”

Arzen hesitated, rubbing his neck and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. 

Yuriel’s hand landed on Arzen’s shoulder with a firm, friendly squeeze. 

“Look, we’ve known each other for more than a year, and you never let us do anything nice. Just this once, alright?”

Arzen bit his lip, his eyes darting around the room like he was searching for an escape route. Memories of this world’s Arzen flashed through his mind—how he’d always kept things at arm’s length, refusing anything too close for comfort. Arzen tugged at his collar, feeling like it was suddenly a little too tight. He ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the curls as he tried to think straight.

‘Yeah, this world’s Arzen had his reasons.’ 

Arzen thought, fidgeting with his sleeves as if they’d magically give him answers. 

‘And they make sense. But…’ 

He looked at the pile of clothes, his expression caught somewhere between dread and resignation.

‘But things are different now, aren’t they? I’m not this world’s Arzen. I’m here, in this world, with no guarantee that I’ll ever get back to where I belong. Maybe… maybe I should accept these clothes. I might need formal wear for various events down the line, and who knows how long I’ll be stuck here?’

Arzen shifted on his feet, crossing his arms before dropping them again, clearly at a loss. He glanced back at Yuriel and Elden, who were watching him with that hopeful look like they were trying to cheer up a sulking puppy. He sighed, biting his lip as his eyes darted back to the price tags, then up to the ceiling like he was asking the universe why he had to deal with this.

It wasn’t easy juggling the boundaries this world’s Arzen had set and the unfamiliarity of his own position. Resigned, Arzen nodded reluctantly, feeling the clash between his instincts and the awkward reality he found himself in. For now, giving in seemed like the simplest way to keep the peace.

“I just don’t want to feel like I’m indebted to you.” 

“You’re not. We’re just trying to do something nice, no strings attached.”

Elden reassured, as Arzen bit his lip and dropped his gaze to the floor. 

Yuriel’s hand stayed on Arzen’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze like he was trying to calm a skittish cat. 

“Exactly. You’re always there for us, so let us return the favor for once.”

Elden nodded, backing him up. Arzen sighed, feeling like he was slowly sinking into a quicksand of good intentions. His shoulders drooped in defeat. 

“I still feel uncomfortable.”

“Arzen, seriously, don’t overthink it.” 

“Yeah, and it makes us happy to see you happy, so just let it happen, okay?”

“Okay, fine. Thanks… I-I’ll try to repay you guys somehow.” 

Arzen muttered, the words feeling like a weak promise even as he said them. He let out another long sigh, his shoulders slumping further as he caved in.

Yuriel and Elden shared a triumphant look, practically beaming with victory. Arzen glanced at the growing pile of clothes, shaking his head slightly as it seemed to expand with every passing second. 

‘Maybe it’s better to just go with the flow. But still... it doesn’t feel right.’

He watched the stack of outfits build up, his disbelief mounting. He had long since given up trying to argue them down; it was like battling a wave—you either ride it or get knocked over. Their generosity felt like too much, but he couldn’t exactly deny that having a proper wardrobe would be useful.

‘Ha...ha...ha... Paying them back? How many part-time jobs would I need to pay this back? Let’s just forget it.’

He tried to shove the guilt to the back of his mind, but it lingered like an annoying itch he couldn’t quite scratch.

Eventually, a staff member approached with a polite smile. 

“Mr. Harz, Mr. Desmond, your purchases will be delivered to your assistant after packaging. The custom-made suits will be ready for pickup in a week.”

Yuriel nodded, looking pleased with how things had turned out. 

“Perfect. We’ll look forward to it.”

Elden seemed equally satisfied, but Arzen let out a deep breath, relieved that this shopping saga was finally coming to an end. Or so he thought. Just when he began to relax, Yuriel grabbed his arm, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Don’t think we’re done just yet, Arzen.”

The staff greeted them with the kind of attentive warmth reserved for VIPs, offering snacks and tea as if they were hosting some kind of posh tea party. Yuriel dove right into conversation with the staff about the various accessories on display, casually picking up items and discussing their merits like he owned the place. Elden, meanwhile, made himself at home with the snacks, clearly enjoying the perks of high-end shopping.

Without Arzen even realizing it, Yuriel had already started picking out a variety of watches, rings, and other accessories, adding to Arzen’s growing haul like a personal shopper on a mission. It was as if Yuriel had decided that if Arzen wouldn’t indulge himself, then he’d do it for him.

Arzen, on the other hand, was doing his best to blend in with the luxury decor, his discomfort steadily rising with each passing second. Just as he thought he might finally catch a break, he felt a light poke on his cheek. He turned to find Hanjun standing there, putting on his best wounded expression with a playful spark in his eyes and a hint of a pout on his lips.

“Leaving me out, huh?” 

Hanjun teased, his voice light but carrying just enough of an edge to make his point clear. 

“I thought you couldn’t live without me. Now you’re out here cheating on me with these guys?”

Yuriel, catching Hanjun’s dramatic entrance, chuckled from across the room, clearly entertained.

“Looks like someone’s upset about missing the party.”

Elden, eyeing a collection of watches, smirked without even glancing up. 

“Ah, the plight of the third wheel. What can you do when you’re not on the VIP list?”

Hanjun rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in exaggerated frustration. 

“Third wheel? Seriously, Elden? Well, this third wheel’s the one who saved Arzen when he almost missed the scholarship deadline. So who’s really indispensable here?”

“Really, Elden? Bottom of the top three? Who was it that saved Arzen’s when he almost missed the scholarship application deadline?”

Arzen rubbed his temples, already feeling the onset of a headache. 

‘Here we go again.’

Hanjun, clearly enjoying himself, pressed on. 

“And who made sure he didn’t walk into the wrong classroom on his first day? Yeah, that was all me.”

Arzen raised his hand, trying to cut through the noise. 

“Yeah, yeah, we get it. Can we just finish up?”

Yuriel waved a hand dismissively, unable to hide his grin. 

“Stop it, Jun. We’ll continue your ego trip after we’re done shopping, alright?” 

He laughed, giving Hanjun a playful shove. 

“Besides, if we let you keep going, we’ll never get out of here.”

Elden jumped in, grinning as he reached for a silver watch on display.

“Yeah, Hanjun, save some of your bragging for the next store. At this rate, you’re gonna wear out your best stories before we even hit the food court.”

Hanjun shrugged, looking pleased with himself but backing down. 

“Fine, fine. I’ll just keep an eye on Arzen and make sure he doesn’t get lost again.”

With Hanjun’s antics temporarily contained, Yuriel and Elden returned to browsing, picking out items and chatting easily with the staff. Arzen drifted around the store, trying to look interested but feeling more like an awkward tourist than a shopper. The scent of expensive colognes and polished leather filled the air, adding to the surreal feeling of being completely out of his element.

As Arzen’s eyes wandered, they fell on a simple yet elegant brooch resting on a velvet cushion. It wasn’t flashy, but it caught the light just right, standing out among the more extravagant pieces.

Without thinking, Arzen reached out to touch it. Just as his fingers were about to make contact, another hand reached for the brooch at the same time. Startled, Arzen looked up and found himself face-to-face with someone he hadn’t expected to see.

‘Damn! What are the odds?’

His thoughts spiraled, searching for an explanation, but all he could manage was a sense of disbelief. The week had been full of surprises since he transmigrated, but this encounter was on an entirely different level.

Arzen’s breath quickened, a cold sweat forming at the back of his neck. He couldn’t help but silently curse Hanjun, his presence suddenly feeling like a harbinger of bad luck.