With Cipher being someone who grew up with wealth, his perspective when it comes to money was a bit different. The ‘Song Noah before debut’ had known Cipher for two years as a trainee, but still Song Noah couldn’t help but think that it may be excessive for him to buy him all of those clothing.

In the past, Song Noah had given him a difficult time after Yullei’s death, so seeing how excited Cipher looked while picking and buying clothes for him, he just couldn’t find himself to decline. 

Cipher had always been someone who liked buying clothes and gifts for friends. To be exact, he was someone who just enjoyed styling people in different attires, whether it was about cheering them up or not. Song Noah recalled asking about it in the past, and it was the conclusion he ended-up with.

“Hmm… I just enjoy seeing people I like dressed in clothing and styles that suit them the best, I guess? I don’t really think about the cost, I’m just happy that I can see you all wear it. The fact that my gifts can make everyone happy is definitely a plus too.”

It was impressive how similar he remained. Though in the future, rather than wanting to see him styled, it became more on wanting to ‘see him happy’ for Cipher. 

I should repay him one day. 

Though he doesn't really know how. 

Before returning to the dorm, the three trainees decided to have their lunch at one of the restaurants inside the mall. The restaurant they selected offered a variety of dishes to suit everyone's taste. Since it was already afternoon, there were only a few people eating too, making the atmosphere quiet.

Song Noah never had a large appetite.  He only intended to get a light meal to eat, but after recalling his own reflection at the dressing room, he ended-up ordering a single portion of a beef rice bowl. 

He was never considered muscular as a trainee, but when he looked at the mirror earlier, his body was undeniably healthier compared to how he looked before regressing. There was a right amount of softness in his slender body, and his skin also had a healthy glow. 

Song Noah was aware that he didn't have the best lifestyle after Dynamic Error disbanded, but seeing a healthier and younger version of himself made him realize how much he had neglected his own health. 

He couldn’t neglect it again. 

He thought that eating a single rice meal should be enough, but while he was eating, Cipher still looked concerned.

“Is that all you're going to eat? You can order more. Look, even Yullei is eating a lot.”

There was indeed a lot of food on Yullei's plate, but it wasn't really a surprise to him because despite how he looked, Yullei is one of the members with a bigger appetite. 

Despite his appetite though, he remained disciplined with his diet when it's just their regular schedule or whenever there's an upcoming comeback. He'll also mostly be seen eating strawberries since they're low in calories. 

As he was lost in his thoughts, Ha Yullei suddenly placed a portion of his own Bulgogi on Noah's bowl, bringing his attention back. 

Song Noah didn't realize that he had been staring at his food. 

“Ah, it’s okay–  I'm not really that hungry.”

He tried to return the portion that Yullei tried to give him, but before he was able to place it back on Yullei’s plate, a sudden thought stopped him.

Since Yullei is around four months older, it would still be disrespectful to reject food given by him. 

Ha Yullei was also staring at him with a look that was almost glare, so instead of going with his initial plan, he brought a piece of Bulgogi in his mouth, eating it.

“Thank you, Yullei.” he thanked him after finishing a single piece of meat given to him.

“...”

Cipher watched the entire scene with a bewildered look, but he also joined in, placing three pieces of garlic flavored chicken in Noah’s bowl.

“Eat well, Noah. You did well yesterday. Don’t think too much about yesterday and just enjoy the food, okay?”

No, I could’ve done better. 

Rather than voicing those thoughts out, he just gave him a nod, thanking him, “Thank you, Louie hyung.”

He continued eating in silence after that, but it was impossible not to notice the concerned looks that Cipher kept giving him as he ate. He noticed Yullei staring too, but rather than worry or concern, it looked like he wanted to say something.

In the middle of eating however, Cipher’s phone began to ring.

“My brother is calling. Play nice while I'm away, got it?”

“...”

Hurriedly, Cipher then stood-up, answering the phone and speaking in a foreign language he couldn't understand. While he was away, the two continued eating their meal in silence. 

Thanks to Cipher's company earlier, it had been easier to ‘ignore’ Yullei most of the time, but with just the two of them at the table, it became impossible. Even without lifting his head to look, he could feel Ha Yullei observing him. He's been trying to avoid his gaze, but, if Ha Yullei were to notice it, he would seem too strange. 

I can't avoid him forever. 

If he wants to debut with the same members and save Yullei, he needs to be in the right state of mind. 

But, how can you forget about watching someone you cared about die? 

Unable to bear the tense and uneasy feeling, Song Noah excused himself, heading to the men's restroom to keep himself grounded. 

He splashed his face with the cold water from the faucet a few times, but when he was wiping his face dry with the hand towel, he saw Yullei's reflection from behind, standing a few steps away from him. 

Song Noah turned his back to leave, but Yullei immediately blocked the door, locking it. 

Yullei remained motionless for a few seconds, only staring at him in a piercing gaze. Song Noah tried to focus on his nose rather than his eyes. It was the only way he could maintain his sanity without looking too evasive. 

There’s still a disconnect in his head. Despite his mind telling him that Ha Yullei is now alive, he still wasn’t used to seeing him again.

“Is there anything you wish to say to me…?” 

“Why did you lie about it?” Ha Yullei questioned him, “You didn't need to cover for my own decisions.”

Because, the trainees were already whispering bad things about you. They're all untrue. 

If he were to tell him that, Yullei would have taken it as being pitied. 

It was a question he anticipated. He knew that Yullei is the type to not leave any questions unanswered, and he’s also aware that he didn’t like feeling indebted. 

He just shrugged his shoulders as a response, asking him back with a question, “How about you, why did you perform ‘Joyful Parade’?” 

“...You were wasting the song, I just showed you how it should be done.”

It was untrue. While it was the pretense and what most trainees would likely believe, Song Noah didn’t believe it.

“You wanted to stop me, didn’t you?” he asked him, “If I had performed ‘Joyful Parade’, you knew I would've been evaluated poorly.” 

“How assumptive of you… How you are evaluated is none of my concern.” 

He wasn’t expecting Ha Yullei to admit it. His actions had always been more reliable than his words, and there’s this distance that he continued to place between him and the rest. 

“Still, thank you.”

Thank you for saving me in another life.

He wished he could express the gratitude that he had towards the Yullei that stood in front of him, but Ha Yullei didn’t know about the past. He didn’t know any of the events that would occur, nor the relationships that he had towards him and the members of the group.

Despite being the same person, the Yullei in front of him isn’t the same. If he were to think of it like that, perhaps it would’ve been a bit easier to face him. 

“You thank people easily even when undeserved.” 

“I don’t think it’s undeserved.” 

The expression on Yullei’s face had softened a bit, but it only took a second before it reverted back to the cold indifference that it usually displayed. It looked like he had something more he wished to say, but after that, Yullei just stared at him with a hint of confusion and astonishment. 

If all of the expressions he made are similar, how can he think of him as a different Yullei?

“Yesterday, why were you— “ Rather than finishing his question, Ha Yullei took a deep breath, “Just forget about it.”

His fox-like eyes remained staring at him, looking like he wanted to ask him more. Song Noah remained standing there, not knowing how to escape his gaze.

“Is that really all you’re going to ask?”

Hesitantly, Ha Yullei finally responded, “I believe you haven’t answered my initial question.” 

Right. There was no way that Yullei would let it remain unanswered, but he knew that he also had other questions in his head.

“I just said it because it’s easier to explain it like that. The CEO and Ci– Louie hyung would have asked more questions if I had told them that it wasn’t something we discussed beforehand." He tried to make it sound as lighthearted as he could, as if saying he only did it because it was more ‘convenient’. While far from the truth, it should be a believable explanation.

“...”

Ha Yullei didn’t question him further, but it didn’t seem like his response had satisfied him. He opened his mouth as if he was about to ask another question, but before he was able to speak there was a sudden knock from the door.

“Is there someone inside?” a voice that sounded from an older man asked.

“...Can you unlock the door now? Other customers need to use it too.” 

Almost immediately, Ha Yullei unlocked the door, then proceeded to leave the men’s restroom. 

Song Noah followed in a hurry, apologizing to the man who stood in font before he left. 

When the two of them returned to the table, Cipher was already sitting there with a worried expression in his face. 

“Where did the two of you go? If it weren't for your bags here, I would've thought you'd both left.” 

“We went to the restroom.” Noah explained. 

“Together?”

“We ‘played nice’ like you told us to” Yullei's response caused Cipher's eyes to go wide. 

“Oh gosh.”

“We just talked, hyung…” 

After finishing what was left of their meal and paying at the counter, the three headed back to the dorm. Cipher and Yullei escorted him until he was in front of his room, making sure that he made it back safely, however, Song Noah headed out once again not long after his former members had left. 

==========

Song Noah didn't really have a place in mind, but after walking for a few minutes, his legs had brought him into a nearby park. 

He sat on the bench, watching the skies as he sorted out his thoughts. 

Eventually, he gained enough courage to do something shameless. With his fingers trembling, Song Noah dialed a number on his phone. It took three rings before the person at the other end picked up, and the first thing heard from the other line was a sigh. 

“Mom.”

“I told you not to contact me again. Don't call me that either.”

“Noona.”

There was another annoyed sigh at the end of the phone, “How much do you need? Name any amount, just stop bothering me.”

Every single time, the woman would ask the same question. He never said any amount in the past. Like a hopeless fool, he called every milestone too, only to be met with indifference. When the accident at the concert occurred, she never bothered asking him how he was. It was only until then when he finally stopped making calls and sending messages. 

Perhaps, the Song Noah from the past was starved for love. 

He felt pathetic. 

“...Can you give enough for me to last a year?” there was a shameful feeling with each word, “I will pay them back in the future.”

If he truly wants to get better and perform on the stage again, he's going to need professional help. 

For that, he needed money. Everything had to be done without the company finding out, because Song Noah wasn't supposed to be a mess. 

“Don't even bother.” the woman told him coldly, “I'll transfer the amount in your bank. I’ve already done my part, so do yours. Don't call me again.”

“I won't … Thank you, noona.”

When the woman on the phone finally hung up, tears began streaming on Noah's face.