While DAY-TA Entertainment covers the costs for their lessons, dorms, facilities, and their meals with a fixed budget, expenses for their personal belongings and clothing were covered by the trainees themselves. 

Being a trainee for two years, Song Noah didn't really have a lot of money left. He even had to resign from his former part time job before joining DAY-TA Entertainment since the company didn’t allow trainees to work. 

Since most of his basic needs were already covered, there wasn’t really any need for him to possess much in the past. He didn't buy any clothing unless his current ones were already worn out, and if ever he did end up buying something, it was only products for his personal hygiene. 

For that reason, he recalled rejecting most invitations to hang out with the other trainees, limiting his expenses towards what is necessary. 

If it were him from the past, he probably would've rejected Cipher's invitation too. But right now, there's so much gratitude that Song Noah was never able to express before regressing. 

Yullei's death had been painful for all of the members, but Cipher remained tough as everyone grieved. He was the one who faced the media and the company executives, and until the very end, he fought for the organizers to be held responsible. 

And for Song Noah who was already falling apart, he remained patient and persistent. 

“Noah, it's been three days… Won’t you eat with us? Daiki cooked something delicious. I also bought your favorite drink.”

“They're wrong— Don't listen to them! So please, don't blame yourself.”

“If you’re not ready yet, I’ll talk to the company about it. The fans would understand, they care a lot about you.”

When the group had disbanded, Cipher also called and visited frequently to check on him, bringing him all sorts of gifts just to cheer him up even if it's just a bit. Sometimes he'd trim his hair, or bring him to clothing stores and restaurants. It was the language that Cipher knew. 

Back when Dynamic Error was still active, he was quick to pick up when something was wrong with the members, and in his own way, he tries his best to cheer everyone up and resolve any conflicts before it gets big. 

He had been like that even as a trainee. And right now, this was his way to resolve the ‘conflict’. 

Despite Noah lying to cover for Yullei, it was obvious that he wasn't fully convinced. 

After the three retrieved their phones from the staff, Cipher booked a ride for a four-seater Taxi. His former leader ended-up sitting at the front, leaving Yullei and Noah to sit together at the back. 

During the entire ride, Cipher made small talk with the driver, while the two of them sat in silence. Somehow, Song Noah thought that the driver looked familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had seen him. 

“Are you all idols?” the driver asked in curiosity. 

“Not yet Ahjussi, we’re still trainees.” Cipher replied, “Would you support us once we debut?”  

“Haha, of course! My son actually wants to be an idol too. You’re from DAY-TA Entertainment right? Is it any good?” Since he picked them up in front of the agency building, it was a natural guess. 

“They’re not too strict, nor too lenient. It’s not a perfect company, but the instructors and the staff are all good people! The weekdays are busy, but they give us freedom during weekends.”

“Ah, I’ll encourage him to audition there then! Please take good care of him.”

As Cipher and the driver continued to chat, Song Noah remained seated in his seat, silently counting in his head to remain distracted. He could smell the perfume that Yullei had consistently used even after debut, and the warmth of his thighs made him more ‘alive’. It was like a reminder that this Yullei wasn’t just something he could see and hear, but someone who really is there. 

There was a small space between them in the backseat, but Song Noah found himself moving closer to the car’s door.

Noticing his sudden movement, Yullei turned his head towards his direction. There was a slight furrow in his brows, and the sight of it made Noah instinctively turn away. 

“...” 

He seems annoyed.

It was a feeling that can be felt during the entire ride. 

============

Louie, the trainee who would be called ‘Cipher’ in the future, couldn't help but be concerned. While it was normal for Song Noah to be quiet and passive, there was usually a refreshing and gentle vibe whenever you looked at the other trainee. However, he didn’t seem composed during the evaluation yesterday.

He looked unnerved, as if he was out of it.

While he could tell that Noah was trying to appear calm, the anxiousness in his face was evident, and his eyes looked both listless, yet tearful. 

It was easy to assume that it was due to Yullei performing his song. 

Cipher himself thought that it was unreasonable and inconsiderate for Yullei to do so, but he couldn’t help but feel that there’s more to it than what they see. 

He recalled something odd that occurred before the evaluation.

More than half an hour before the evaluation began, Cipher began looking for Yullei at the vocal practice rooms. He was expecting to find Yullei practicing inside, but when he saw him, he was standing like a guard in front of one of the doors. 

Rather than the usual indifferent expression he had, he looked puzzled.

“Why are you just standing there? Already done with the vocal practice?” 

“Noah is inside.” 

“Oh really? I’ll wish him luck then!”

When Cipher’s hands reached for the door’s knob, Ha Yullei grabbed him in his arms. The suddenness and the pressure from it was a surprise, but what was even more surprising was the firmness in his opposition.

“You can't enter."

“Why?”

“You just can't.”

He refused to give any reason, but his gaze carried persuasiveness. Cipher didn’t ask more, but when Ha Yullei performed Joyful Parade during the evaluation, Cipher figured that something must've happened between the two.

He confronted Yullei after the evaluation was done, but the other man’s lips remained sealed. 

“What you did is wrong! Noah practiced for four weeks for the evaluation, did you even see how he looked earlier? This isn’t just any evaluation– They’re selecting candidates for the debut line-up!”

“...I am aware. But, his lack of ability to manage his emotions isn't my fault.”

“If you are aware, then apologize. What you did is terrible.”

He made sure to drag Yullei the following noon to apologize, but even then, Song Noah covered for Yullei. It didn’t seem like the two held any hatred towards each other, but there was still something odd.

Song Noah still didn’t seem like his usual self. 

Cipher thought that a fresh air, or just spending the day outside the agency would help, but if he were to outright invite the two of them to the mall, he knew that he would be met with an outright rejection, so a casual suggestion of going to the market was what he proposed.

Thankfully, Noah and Yullei agreed.

Cipher purposely sat in the front seat to give them a chance to have some ‘awkward talk’, but unfortunately, it was only dead silence. At some point Noah moved away to the side and turned his focus on the car’s windows, but from the rearview mirror, he could see Yullei taking glances, as if he was contemplating whether he should speak at all.

When they finally arrived at the supermarket, the tense atmosphere between the two became less as the three of them focused on getting items that they’ll need. 

“Did you both get everything that you need?” he asked once they were done paying for their items in the cashier. 

Song Noah nodded his head, and Ha Yullei did the same. Unlike Noah who only bought toothpaste and a soap, Yullei bought a lot of stuff. The snacks that he bought were only plain biscuits, but there were packaged fruits, a few yogurts and cans of strawberry drinks.

For Cipher’s bag, it was a mix of instant foods, biscuits, fruits, and the majority are for his own personal care. 

“Are you sure? We still have a lot of time, and I don't wanna go back yet.” Struck with an idea, he clung into Noah’s left arm, “Noah, my dear~ Want to go shopping with Louie Hyung?"

He was expecting Noah to say no, but he figured that it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. 

To his surprise though, Noah said the opposite.

“I don't mind, I guess.”

“How about you, Yullei?”

Yullei stared at them for a few seconds. It was hard to distinguish what his expression meant, but eventually, he responded, “...I’m going as well.” 

Whether he agreed to join in order to make-it-up to Noah was unknown, but Cipher was glad that Yullei was making an effort in his own way. Yullei didn’t really get along with a lot of trainees, and there’s a high possibility that the three of them would debut together in the same group.

At least, it was what he wished. 

With the two of them agreeing, Cipher brought them to the nearby underground mall. It was a mall that Cipher liked, though a lot of trainees also frequent here due to the wide variety. 

The agenda is to lift Noah’s spirits, and potentially, make him and Yullei settle whatever it was. Still, there’s nothing wrong with making the most of their time, right?

After heading inside one of the stores, Cipher browsed through their clothing racks with excitement. 

“Noah, you should try this, you'll look good wearing it!” Cipher said, showing him a white dress shirt with an embroidered flower pattern. 

“It's okay, I don't really have—”

“If you’re worried about the cost, I'll buy it for you.” he told him, “I just think it'll be a waste for you not to wear it, you know?” 

Honestly, he had always wanted to see Noah in different styles, but Noah doesn’t really come whenever he’s trying to invite him. One reason Cipher could think of is his financial limitations. He rarely sees him get new clothes, or just buy anything for himself in general. 

“That would be too much hyung, there's no need.”

“Can you at least try it on?” Cipher asked him with a slightly pleading look, “Pretty please?”

Finally taking the clothing off from his hands, Song Noah agreed. He went inside the dressing room to try it on, and while he was doing it, Cipher took the opportunity to question Yullei. 

He spoke as quietly as he could. There was loud music playing at the store, but he still wouldn't want Noah to overhear them from the dressing room. 

“What really happened yesterday? I know that you didn't have any agreement.” 

The thing that gave it away was Yullei’s reaction. If there really was an agreement, he would’ve clarified it himself, but he neither confirmed nor denied what Noah said.

Ha Yullei was bad when it comes to lying.

There was a slight hesitation with Yullei's response, “I simply gave him time to practice. He was ruining the song”.

It was difficult to believe, and he can tell that there was omission with what he said. It couldn't have been the full picture.

Cipher had heard and watched Song Noah perform Joyful Parade during practice, and his performance was always exceptional. 

The fact that Yullei also  didn't want him to enter yesterday didn't match up. If Noah really was only practicing, there's no reason for Yullei to prevent him from entering the practice room. 

One thing became clear. It wasn't just Noah covering for Yullei; Yullei was covering for him as well. 

He won't pry for now, but there's still something he wished to address. 

“You should be kinder to other trainees. I know that Noah is one of the few trainees who can stomach your sharp tongue, but he can get hurt too.” 

There’s still a possibility that Yullei had said something to upset him, or cause him to look unnerved. 

“...”

After around three minutes had passed, Song Noah came out of the dressing room, wearing the dress shirt. The first two buttons of the dress shirt were undone, similarly, so were the buttons on his sleeves. 

The plain bangle bracelet on Noah's arms caught Cipher's attention. 

It was the first time he had seen him wearing it. The only accessory Noah would wear was a single earring in one of his ears, which was his gift to him for his birthday last year. Song Noah didn't really wear much accessories. 

If Noah would only allow him, he would've gifted him an entire wardrobe by now. 

Actually, if it would be possible to adopt someone one year younger than him, Cipher would've done it. For a reason he himself did not understand, there’s always been a  strong urge to dote on the younger trainee. 

“My eyes really aren't wrong, I knew you'd look good on it!” Cipher smiled, “Isn't that right, Yullei?”

Ha Yullei eyed him from head to toe, replying with what was barely a nod, “...He doesn’t look ridiculous.”

Since it wasn't an insult, it meant that it was a compliment. 

“What compliment is that? If he looks nice, say it properly.” Cipher scolded. 

“Um, can I change back now, hyung?” 

“Wait.”

Cipher formed different sets outfit from what was available in the racks and shelves, making Noah try them one at a time.  He tried to make Yullei try on some outfits too, but he was firm with his ‘no’. It was easy to be sidetracked when Noah made a pretty model, so by the time Cipher remembered what the agenda should be, there were already a total of thirteen garments in the basket.

Oops. 

… But since they were already in his basket, it would be a shame not to buy at least a single one of them. 

He ended-up buying it all. 

“Hyung— this is too much…” 

Song Noah’s ears were red, embarrassed at the amount of clothing Cipher willingly spent on him. He considered it a nice progress since he didn’t look as disheartened as he did.