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Yesterday's practice played a huge part. 

Perhaps, it was due to the fact that he had heard Yullei telling him to repeat the steps countless times. His strict direction, along with the tiredness that Noah felt in his entire body couldn't get any more real.  

While getting accustomed to Yullei being alive was easier than he feared, going back to being a trainee and spending a huge portion of his day dancing and honing his skills was more challenging. 

Song Noah may have already debuted in the past, but since he hadn't been an idol or a trainee for years, his mind was still adjusting to the intense practice and schedule. 

His body as a trainee was already conditioned, but his stamina, despite being better than before he regressed, still required a bit of work. 

Still, it was something that he could fix with consistency. 

For the very next day, he woke up an hour earlier, running to the treadmill before Ha Yullei and Cipher were already awake. Song Noah slightly increased his running time at the gym, and for the remaining time that he had left, he worked on practicing Triple Shot's choreography in one of the training rooms. 

He played NOXX PRISM's practice video on one of the two mounted TV screens in the room, using it as a guide. Since it was only 5:00 am, he was the only trainee inside, allowing him to focus better on each step. 

Being already familiar with the choreography, Noah mostly worked on correcting the remaining parts that he wasn't executing well yet. He broke down the parts that were unclear, following and repeating the video a few times in order to grasp a better understanding on how the steps were done. 

There wasn't any need for him to rush. They still had the entire month left since it was just recently assigned, but it felt like there was a lot for him to catch up to.

In the middle of practicing, there was a sudden creak on the door. 

He was expecting to see one of the trainees who may have entered for the same purpose, but instead, the reflection he saw in the mirror was from someone who had already debuted. 

It was Kwon Hajin, the main dancer of NOXX PRISM. 

Seeing him, Song Noah paused the screen. 

The older idol had a mix of a wild yet elegant appearance. He was wearing an all black jeweled outfit that exposed a bit of his chest, and his hair was gelled partially, leaving a few loose strands hanging. Based on how he was styled this early, Noah can guest that he'll be performing in a music show. 

Other than simple greetings and formalities during their overlapping schedules, Song Noah didn't really interact much with him in the past. Cipher was also only neutral with him. 

Five months after Dynamic Error's debut, Hajin would leave the NOXX PRISM. 

The reasons for it were never disclosed, but the rumors said that it was due to falling out with his members. 

Min Gaon idolized him, so Noah recalled him being sad for a while when he left. 

“Good Morning, Hajin-sunbaenim.” Noah greeted him with a bow. 

Hearing him, the idol greeted him back, “Good morning. You're Noah-ssi, am I correct?”

Even when he was a trainee, Noah had seen him watching the evaluation a few times when NOXX PRISM didn't have any schedule. Hajin knowing his name even before debuting wasn't too surprising. 

“Yes.”

“I heard our song playing, so I thought I might as well peek. Am I interrupting your practice?”

“Not at all, sunbaenim.”

Hajin stepped inside the training room, approaching him. 

They were at least three meters apart, but Song Noah caught a specific scent coming from him. The smell was mixed with a perfume, but there's no denying it. 

It was the smell of alcohol. 

The slight redness on his face also became an obvious confirmation. 

This early? 

Some idols drink once in a while. It was something that fans won't mind as long as you are responsible, however, it becomes a scandal when they're seen at clubs or bars, or if they have a "clean” image. 

The situation was a bit different for NOXX PRISM. Due to the tough, heavy, and sexier image that they had, a few already had a negative preconceptions when they debuted. 

-Who wants to bet on how long it'll take until one of them gets into a scandal? 

   ⤷ I'll give it a month

      

-They're giving the same vibe as the bullies from ‘School 20XX’. Wouldn't be surprised if one of them is a bully in real life.

-They haven't even done anything yet, but everyone's already making their assumptions. LMAO noticed how it's always stans from those big 3 companies, are you all threatened since their debut song is a hit? 

The group did their best to avoid getting associated with what was being expected from them, so seeing Kwon Hajin drunk possibly before a performance was more than surprising. 

Seeing his analyzing expression, Hajin looked at him directly in his eyes. 

“Did I disappoint you?”

Song Noah shook his head,, “I was just surprised, it's an early hour so…” 

“That's because it lasted until two.” Kwon Hajun let out a small laugh, then, he eyed Song Noah from head to toe, “I heard you're debuting, how about drinking with me one of these days?”

It was best not to get involved. He never really had an opportunity to hang out or talk to Hajin other than formal greetings, and agreeing may lead into another butterfly effect.

Though, from the very beginning, the entire events had already been too different. 

“I apologize sunbaenim, but I don't drink.” Noah tried his best to sound polite. He had tried it in the past, but he simply doesn't handle it well. 

Hajin thankfully didn't seem to take offense with his refusal. Though, he looked a bit disappointed.

“Is that so? Hmm, you can have a non-alcoholic drink then.”

Hesitantly, Noah replied, “I'll think about it, sunbaenim.”

“It's fine if you don't want to. What type of senior would I be if I forced a trainee into saying yes?” Hajin let out another laugh, “Well, time to get going now. I'll ask you again after your debut. Good luck, Noah-ssi.”

“Thank you sunbaenim, I'm also wishing you luck for today's stage.”

When Kwon Hajin eventually left, Song Noah thought that he would be able to continue practicing again. 

After a few seconds, however, another person entered the training room. 

“Inform us beforehand if you have plans to practice early.” Ha Yullei didn't look pleased.

Were they looking for him? His previous roommates didn't really search for him whenever he got up early in their dorm. 

Seeing as Yullei only went alone, Cipher probably went to look for him in other places. 

“Sorry.”

Rather than entering inside, Ha Yullei remained standing in front of the door, his eyes fixed on him for a few seconds. It wasn't really long, but thanks to the silence, it felt longer than it really was. 

“You should eat first if you haven't yet.”

“Okay, I'll be done soon.”

Song Noah played the practice video that had been playing before, further observing how they were executing the steps as he followed along.

Yullei didn't leave, nor did he enter inside the room. Instead, he was just watching in silence with the door opened. 

The practice video ended and got repeated a few more times, but the longer he stood there, it became clear that Yullei was waiting for him.

Deciding to finally wrap-up, Song Noah turned off the TV screen, picking up his bag before he made his way towards Ha Yullei. 

“Noah.” Ha Yullei called his name in a calm but neutral voice. 

Song Noah thought that he would have followed-up with something, but his lips remained sealed. Yullei's fox-like eyes only stared at him. 

Noah focused his gaze on the bridge of his nose, creating the illusion of staring directly into his eyes. 

For the past few days, it felt like a cat and mouse game. 

Without saying another word, Ha Yullei turned his back, beginning to walk as if he was cueing him to do the same and follow him. 

There was no invitation asking him to eat together, but it was enough for him to get his intentions. 

Song Noah did so, keeping enough distance between them. It was a silent walk heading to the cafeteria, with him trailing behind until Yullei stopped in front of one of the tables in the corner. 

After placing their items at the table, the two went to get their breakfast at the food counter. Song Noah ordered a protein-filled breakfast just like what was always advised for him, while Ha Yullei had a breakfast which consisted of oats, various fruits and egg. 

He initially sat diagonally from Yullei, leaving his front and sides empty. However, Ha Yullei moved to the empty chair on his side, facing him. 

There weren't really any words exchanged the entire time during breakfast. Song Noah just ate like he normally would, and Ha Yullei was also focused on his own meal. At some point, Noah wondered if he should start a small talk as a way to get more used to him. 

Should he talk about Kwon Hajin? He didn’t really have a topic in mind, but since Yullei arrived after he left, it's impossible for him not to have seen him. 

“I saw Hajin sunbaenim earlier, did you see him too?”

“...”

Not receiving any response, Song Noah just continued eating, immediately giving up with his attempt to talk. The silence that was once peaceful slowly became awkward. 

Thankfully, when Noah was about to finish his breakfast, a meal tray was placed beside him on top of the table.

“Hey, how could the two of you leave without waking me up?” Cipher asked them, appearing pouty as he occupied the seat next to Noah. 

Unlike how he usually looks, Cipher didn't have make-up yet, and his hair appeared wet. 

It looked like he had rushed his routine. He should still have a lot of time to dry his wavy neck-length hair, or to apply his daily make-up, but their absence in the room likely made him worried. 

But there was one thing that Noah realized. 

Ha Yullei looked for him alone.