Compared to the previous practice that they had, Ha Yullei didn't make Noah redo the steps as frequently as he did before. Noah's dancing is still far from being perfect, but all that's important is that the three of them had the full choreography memorized. 

Rather than focusing on polishing their execution for now, the group focused on the formations and line distribution. 

Cipher took the lead in getting their parts assigned. 

“I’ll handle the pre chorus and verse 2 since those are the only rap parts. Are there any parts that the two of you prefer?” Cipher asked them, “My vocal range isn't high, so you can share the individual parts that require a higher range.”

Not wanting to risk affecting the result of the performance, Song Noah selected the same parts that he previously had.

“If it's okay, I'll do the intro and the bridge.” Noah answered, “I can also sing the individual lines in the second half of the first chorus… For the second chorus, I'll do the harmonies and adlibs.”

After marking Noah’s selected parts, Cipher turned to Yullei, “That leaves verse 1, the first half of the first chorus, the outro, and the second chorus. Are you fine with that?”

“... I have no objections.” Yullei said. 

Cipher marked and wrote their names in the printed lyric sheet that he had. Since it's only three of them splitting a single song, splitting it wasn't as difficult compared to when they're grouped in a larger number. 

Once the entire line distribution was finalized, Yullei worked on the formation of the group. To Noah's relief, each formation also remained similar to how it was arranged in the past. 

For a few hours, their practice seemed to be going surprisingly well. 

However, before their group practice ended, a female staff member approached them. 

“Excuse me, can Trainee Yullei go to the development office for a few minutes?”

Hearing her, Yullei silently nodded his head, following her outside the training room. 

It was impossible for the other trainees to not notice the sight. 

“Is Yullei in trouble?”

“Again?”

“Nah, he's probably just called for some debut stuff.”

“You're right.”

Since he was already a candidate for the debut line up, their interest in the situation didn't really last long.

But unlike them, Cipher remained intrigued. 

“Gosh… should we go to the office and give an explanation? ‘Yullei's tongue is sharp but he doesn't mean any harm. Please let him debut!’ something like that.”

‎“Hyung, I don't think Yullei is in trouble.” Noah admitted. 

“Of course I'm just joking! We've been with him almost 24/7 for the past three days, if he did something, we would’ve known.” Cipher laughed, “But, I do wonder why he was called there...”

‎Noah couldn't really recall if Yullei had also been called like this in the past, but since they just started rooming together, it's highly likely that they're just checking on him or giving him a few ‘warnings'. ‎

In the past, ‎Ha Yullei had always been someone the company closely monitored, and the members were equally nervous in the beginning of their career. 

Whenever he's interacting with another idol, their manager and the group were always on the verge of getting a heart attack out of fear that Yullei would unintentionally provoke someone in the industry. 

Those worries eventually dissolved, because Ha Yullei isn't someone tactless. 

After around twenty minutes of waiting, Ha Yullei finally returned, carrying a beige paper bag in his hands. 

“So, why were you called?” Cipher asked him. 

“... They're requesting some footage.” Yullei sighed, handing the paper bag to Cipher. 

Cipher immediately started rummaging through the paper bag.

“Oh it's a Lanon PowerLens G7 Mark III model- there's a standee and a ring light too.” once Cipher was done inspecting the contents, he lifted his head to ask again, “What type of footage are they looking for? Us practicing together.”

“Casual vlogs. Specifically, videos of our daily life ‘outside training’. We're required to submit two videos every Thursday.” 

From what Noah recalled, they were also tasked with the same thing, it only occurred once there were six of them in the debut line up. 

“That makes sense. ” Cipher started nodding his head, “But it's strange that they only called you there, did they say anything else? Wait… were you really in trouble?”

“It's none of your business.”

He's likely given a warning.

“We're debuting together, so shouldn't it be our business as well?” 

“Do you really think you'll debut with me?”

Cipher's expression froze for a while. 

As if realizing his words, Yullei opened his lips to speak again, but before he managed to say anything, Cipher was back to his usual playfulness.

“Well, duh! Isn’t it obvious? We're here together aren't we?”

“...”

Yullei was unable to reply. Despite the room being far from silent, it felt like it was. 

Even if he won't admit it, Noah knew that Yullei had long acknowledged their skills. 

To clear the awkward atmosphere, Noah cleared his throat, “Shall we wrap up for now, hyung? Yullei…?”

“Definitely, we were supposed to wrap up before Yullei got called anyway.”

==========

After eating dinner and returning to their dorm, the three remained busy. Other than personal care and doing the tasks that were left by their instructors, there's also the responsibility of managing chores. 

“I’m dropping my clothes to the laundry shop. Do any of you have some clothes to add? Don't worry, I'll cover everything.”

Ha Yullei handed him a plastic bag containing the clothes he had worn for the past three days, meanwhile, Noah declined. 

“I'm good hyung, I'll just wash them here.” Noah answered. 

Usually, they do laundry once or twice a week. For Noah, he usually does them on Sunday.  Most trainees use the washer in the dorm since going to a laundry shop can be pricey in the long run, but money isn't really an issue for Cipher and Yullei. 

“Are you sure? Since I'm going there anyway, I think it's better to include all of our laundry.”

“It's really okay, I enjoy doing it myself.”

When the group debuted, they mostly used professional services offering pick-up and delivery. But after the group's disbandment, it was doing simple things that kept him a bit grounded. 

“Really?”

“Yes, and I still have clean clothes for the rest of the week so…” 

“If you say so then. I'll bring these now before it gets too late.” Cipher looked at him, and then at Yullei, “You two, don't fight when I'm away.” 

Once Cipher left, Ha Yullei continued writing something in one of his notebooks, while Noah began his short skincare routine. 

There was silence between them for a few minutes, but to Noah's surprise, Yullei suddenly asked a question. 

“...Have you selected a song yet?”

Is he trying to start a small conversation?

They had interactions like this in the past, but before they were placed in a line up, Ha Yullei barely initiated a conversation with him. Well, unless he's criticizing something.

There's a reason why he believed that Yullei disliked him back when they were trainees. 

“No, I haven't yet.” he answered honestly, “Have you?”

Ideally, Noah would choose the songs that he performed in the past, but he could no longer recall what it was. But as strange as it is, he recalled what Yullei performed that day. 

Yullei nodded his head, “Yes, I already selected a song.” 

Since he already knew the song, there was no reason to ask. 

“I see.” 

Noah's response ended the conversation abruptly. Soon enough however, Yullei brought out a different the topic. 

“...You asked me earlier if I've seen Hajin-sunbaenim. To answer your question, I have. I also overheard everything.” 

Why bring this up now? 

“Debuted idols have their own practice rooms on a different floor. There's no reason for him to be there, especially at that hour.” Yullei said, “There are idols who– It's best not to get involved.”

Even without directly saying it, Song Noah understood what he meant.The fact that he's only mentioning this now meant that he must have been hesitant. 

“Thank you for worrying about me, Yullei.”

His words made Yullei's eyes go wide for a second. But unlike what Noah expected, he didn't deny being worried. 

Instead, he just returned to writing in his notebook. Similarly, Noah also began working on his trainee journal since he had just finished doing his routine. 

They worked there in silence for a few minutes, before Cipher returned, looking excited. 

“Sorry it took longer! Oh dear, I have some news!” 

His burst of excitement had caught the attention of the two. 

“I saw Jaewon at the laundromat and he said there's a new trainee!”

“A new trainee?” Noah asked. 

He already expected it. But, it would be strange if he didn't act surprised. 

“Yup! He said he saw a staff helping the new trainee to settle in the room next to his’, let's see… he also said that the new trainee is pretty handsome, and around your height? We'll likely meet him tomorrow.”

Noah still doesn't know how he would face him. Among all members, he was the one who had said the most painful words, but at the same time, he was also the one who was deeply hurt by Noah's inability to return to how he was. 

“Hyung, we're all hurting too! But if you're just going to be like this, then just join Yullei hyung!”

“What are you doing there?! I didn't mean what I said hyung, please… Don't leave us too.” 

He wasn't a bad person. And, he won't have any memories like everyone else. 

It would be fine. 

“Hey… Noah, are you okay?” Cipher asked, noticing his trembling fingers. 

“Yes, I'm okay hyung. It's just a bit cold.”

Cipher wasn't really convinced, but he increased the temperature in the thermostat anyway.