Lawliet stood in the crowded subway car, one hand gripping the overhead bar while the other held his worn leather backpack tight against his side. The stale air, packed with the smell of way too many people in one small space, just added to his exhaustion after a long day of classes and basketball practice. He was used to this, shoulder to shoulder with strangers, rolling with the occasional bump. But then it happened.

A quick touch brushed against him, enough to make him tense up. It was super brief but totally unmistakable, someone’s hand grazing his rear.

"What the hell was that?" His mind jolted awake, adrenaline cutting through the tiredness. He froze, eyes darting to the polished steel doors, catching his reflection among a sea of unfamiliar faces. He tried to play it cool, but his thoughts were racing.

Was that just an accident? Just the crowd?

The hum of the train and the random announcements suddenly felt muted, drowned out by the pounding in his ears. Heat crept up his neck, and his usual chill vibe was slipping away.

"Come on, Lawliet. It’s nothing. We’re all packed in like sardines, it happens." He mutters under his breath. Still, he couldn’t shake that weird feeling or the unease twisting in his stomach. He shifted a bit, trying to create some space, yeah, right, good luck with that in this sardine can. He glanced around, looking for... something. An explanation? A culprit?

But everyone looked totally normal. Faces glued to their phones, blank stares, and the occasional sway with the train. He let out a small, uneven breath.