The hallway was quiet.
Too quiet.
Elena stepped out of her apartment, holding the take-out bag casually in one hand. She wasn't really paying attention—
Until she looked up.
And saw them.
Her steps paused.
Oh.
The mall men.
Standing right in front of her.
For half a second, the world felt like it pressed pause.
Then—
A slow, knowing smile curved on Elena's lips.
Not surprised.
Not embarrassed.
Just entertained.
"Well… this building is interesting," she murmured softly.
At the same time, Roben and Joker had just stepped out of their apartment across the hall.
The door clicked shut behind them.
Joker stretched lazily—
then looked up—
—and froze.
"…Oh."
Roben followed his gaze.
And saw her.
The girl from the mall.
Standing directly opposite their apartment.
With a smile that looked far too calm.
For exactly two seconds, Roben's expression cracked.
Just slightly.
Surprise.
Recognition.
Then—
It disappeared.
Back to cold.
Back to controlled.
Back to Major mode.
Joker blinked rapidly.
Joker (inner voice):
Wait.
Wait wait wait.
Major's mysterious mall girl…
…lives in front of us?
This is either destiny or the universe trolling him.
He leaned closer to Roben and whispered, "Is this a coincidence… or are we in a romance novel?"
Roben ignored him completely.
Elena took a slow step forward.
Then another.
Her heels echoed lightly against the floor.
Joker cleared his throat and stepped ahead, pointing slightly.
"You're… the mall girl, right?"
Elena tilted her head slightly, pretending to think.
"Oh? You remember me?"
She walked closer—
but her eyes were locked on Roben.
"I'm exactly the one you're thinking about."
Her voice was soft.
Calm.
Dangerous.
Joker looked between them like he was watching a tennis match.
Elena stopped only a few steps away from Roben.
Then she smiled sweetly.
"Some people were missing me a lot," she said lightly.
"So I thought… why not move closer?"
Joker frowned immediately.
"Who was missing you?"
Elena didn't even blink.
"The one who spent nights with me."
The hallway went silent.
Even the air felt awkward.
Joker inhaled sharply.
Roben's eyes turned cold.
Not shocked.
Not flustered.
Just cold.
Joker (inner voice):
She just dropped a nuclear bomb in front of Major.
This girl has zero survival instinct.
Or… unlimited confidence.
Elena leaned slightly closer to Roben.
Her voice lowered.
"You missed me, didn't you… Major?"
She said the word slowly.
Teasingly.
Roben's jaw tightened.
He was about to respond—
When another voice interrupted.
"Elena! Why is the take-out taking so long?"
Lyra stepped out of the apartment behind Elena.
She walked forward—
Then stopped.
"Oh! It's you two!"
Her eyes widened in recognition.
"The mall guys!"
She looked at Elena.
Then at Roben.
Then back at Elena.
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"Elena… don't tell me your lover followed you here?"
She leaned in and whispered dramatically near Elena's ear.
Joker almost laughed out loud.
Joker (inner voice):
Another brave one.
Do women not fear Major at all?
Is there some kind of training program I don't know about?
Roben's expression dropped even lower.
If cold had a temperature, the hallway just entered winter.
Lyra immediately felt the pressure.
Her smile stiffened.
Elena calmly placed a hand on Lyra's shoulder.
"It's okay," she said softly.
"He's just upset."
She looked at Roben meaningfully.
"I left the capital without telling him last time."
Lyra blinked.
Capital?
Upset?
Wait what?
But she nodded quickly anyway.
"Yes. Yes. Very tragic story."
Joker's lips twitched.
Joker (inner voice):
Lady… your imagination deserves an award.
Reality is standing right here looking annoyed.
Roben had clearly reached his limit.
His eyes lingered on Elena for one long second.
There was something unreadable there.
Something sharp.
Something dangerous.
Then—
Without saying a single word—
He turned.
And walked away.
Calm steps.
Controlled breathing.
But his shoulders were slightly stiff.
Joker immediately hurried after him.
"Major— wait— I think she was joking— maybe— probably— fifty percent joking—"
Roben didn't respond.
Behind them, Elena watched quietly.
The playful smile slowly faded.
Her eyes softened for a brief moment.
Then—
It returned.
Lyra leaned toward her.
"…Okay. What was that?"
Elena adjusted the take-out bag.
"Entertainment," she replied simply.
And walked back inside.