"You do know this is really weird for me, right? Bro, are you on drugs or some shit?," he heard Gun exclaim from the other line, sounding very suspicious. He can't blame the guy for feeling that way though.

Kio sighed while checking out some Prada boots displayed on the racks. He can feel the presence of his manager and some of the sales staff meters away. Good, they knew he hates it when they follow him around when shopping.

"It's your fault I need to ask, in the first place. If you didn't leave me alone with her that night, then I shouldn't have owed her for taking care of me." Of course, he has to be in character and hide the fact that he actually likes what he's doing—buying a gift for Lilac.

"Come on! Who would've expected she will actually take care of you? She hates your guts. I thought she'll just leave you there alone to make a fool out of yourself."

"That's because she's not you."

What happened back then just proved something—either it's his world's Lilac or the parallel Lilac, there's one thing that she will always possess—kindness. Maybe that's what he needs to focus on, the common denominators between the two versions, so that he can stop dwelling on his guilt and finally fulfill his initial purpose for coming into this world.

"Ohoho... what is this I'm hearing, huh?," Gun suddenly taunted, "are we having a change of heart? Is the animosity you feel for my dear best friend finally starts vanishing from that contaminated brain of yours?"

"You know, I always wonder..." Kio then drawled, "why can't you use those big words in writing songs and rap verses, instead? Maybe that way, your boss will approve your submissions."

"Damn you, asshole. That's a low blow!"

He chuckled, "are you going to answer my question or should I just ask Soonho instead? It seems like he knew Lilac better than you."

"Are you kidding me?! I've known my best friend for more than fifteen years, of course I know her best!"

"Then answer the damn question. Christ, you're annoying." He plopped down the couch by the corner of the department store, and pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

It's not like he didn't know what Lilac would love to get. Of course he knew, he was her boyfriend for almost three years and a close friend for a year prior. Yet he still ended up asking Gun because he can't help but feel a bit doubtful. He should not eliminate the possibility that her preferences may have changed in this world.

"She's into vintage shirts and bucket hats... yeah, she's pretty much obsessed with those. Rings as well, she's into Bvlgari rings nowadays 'cause I heard the brand's wooing her into being their ambassador. You know stuff like that, the girl is hella in demand."

He can't help but smile. There you go, still the same. Another proof that maybe, she really is still the Lilac he used to know. It was only her attitude and views in life that changed, because she experienced everything in this world differently.

She grew up here independently, that's why she learned to handle things all on her own. She gained the courage and confidence solely for herself, unlike in the other world where her growth depended on him. He guessed Lilac also realized how toxic their relationship was back then, the words written on her last letter can attest to that.

The way she asked him to let her go however that night ends. She knew she needs to stop depending on him and start facing the world alone so she could actually soar. She knew it was time for her to learn loving herself above all else.

Thinking of it now, he can't help but feel guilty once again. He was the one who trapped her. He was the one who entered her life unwarranted, messed it up and insisted to be a part of it, only to leave her broken and doubting her self-worth. What a fucking monster, he is.

He must make sure she will never experience that kind of pain this time around.

"Hey! Are you still there? Even though I'm not as famous as you, I'm still busy you son of a bi—"

"Thanks for the info," Kio laughingly said before hanging up. Not even a second after, he felt his phone vibrate non-stop as his friend bombarded him with texts. He just shook his head, putting his phone back inside his pocket. He stood up and was about to continue strolling around when his manager suddenly tapped his shoulder.

"You only have thirty minutes left," Manager Chen reminded.

The mall he is currently in may look like it's already closed on the outside, but the truth is, his company requested for an hour after its closing time for him to shop privately. It wasn't the first time VN Ent. did this actually, it's already a normal thing to do whenever he and the members need to shop. He bet the mall's management and Chief Kang already have some kind of agreement.

He nodded at the man and looked around, just to see if he can find the brands Lilac usually liked wearing. He momentarily stilled when his eyes caught a familiar poster not that far from where he was standing. 

The image printed on the glossy poster is simple and neat. Just a classic black background and a ray of golden light coming from the side, making the three rings the brand was trying to promote sparkle and stand out. Bvlgari's well-known typeface was at the bottom, and in a smaller font on top of it were the words; 'Eternal Promise.'

It is the brand's ad for their engagement rings.

His gaze is glued on the simplest ring among the three. It may not be as eye-catching as the other two but he knew how special it is. The familiar three-carat, heart-cut diamond ring caught his attention just like back then.

An image of Lilac wearing it invaded his mind, and spread an overwhelming warmth in his heart.

"Did you finally figure out what you're going to buy? You should have just come back tomorrow night or order online," his manager's voice resounded beside him once again.

"No," he uttered without thinking twice, "I found it..." again.

Two knocks came from his already open door, causing him to look up from his phone. Hei-won casually entered his room in a matching tracksuit.

"Manager Chen was frowning while leaving," the older guy laughed. "Care to explain?"

Kio smirked and started untying his shoes, "he's probably wondering why I paid for some custom-made jewelry."

"You paid for what now?!"

He removed his shoes and socks before sitting up again, "I got her custom-made jewelry as a gift. You told me to get her a thank you gift for that night."

Hei's eyes comically widened, "when I told you that, I was expecting some simple bag or a pair of shoes, not custom-made jewelry!"

"Why not?"

"Don't tell me you actually started liking her because of those... dreams?"

"No, it's not like that," he quickly denied, looking away. "It's just simple jewelry, you don't need to put any meaning behind it."

"It's because you rarely spend your money on stuff like this. Makes me think you actually found a person you would willingly spoil."

Kio shrugged, standing up and changing into more comfortable clothes. "It was actually a ring at first, I saw an ad and one of their rings caught my attention. But I thought it will be weirder to get her a ring, so I asked if there's a matching set. They said it can be custom-made."

"And how much was it?"

He smirked, "you don't have to worry about that."

Hei-won groaned and laid down his bed, "and how are you planning to give it to her?"

"I have a plan."

.°•⏳°.•

Ki-Ryeong walked down the hallways of VN Ent.'s new building with a particular destination in mind. He'd bow from time to time whenever some employees or some of his juniors pass by and greet him. Once he found the practice room, he immediately knocked. The music inside didn't stop but the door was pulled open by one of the girl group's managers.

He smiled, "hey Manager Im, are Bora and Yulhee inside?" He tried looking past her and eventually saw all Opalle members practicing, causing him to smile more in relief.

The female manager wasn't able to move for a couple of seconds, before she was finally snapped out of her reverie by one of her the dance instructors. It is someone who he is already acquainted with.

"Kio!" the man exclaimed quite loudly, making everyone in the room turn to their direction.

He grinned towards the girls who now stopped doing their choreography. "Hello," he waved, making the members laugh endearingly.

"What are you up to now, kid?," the group's leader quipped before picking up one of the water tumblers on the side.

He bowed in respect, "can I talk with Bora and Yulhee for a moment, noona?"

The older girl's brows raised, "what do we get in return? Our time is precious."

He groaned, "fine, fine I'll buy you all some fried chicken!"

The six instantly cheered in excitement before finally letting his two friends step out of the room. He lead the girls in the nearby sitting area where they took the couch, while he brought a stool in front of them before sitting down.

"What? Are you planning to prank Enzo again?," Bora chuckled. "What's with the serious face...?"

"I bet you did something stupid," Yulhee assumed next.

He rolled his eyes, "come on! I just want to ask for your help, how can you slander your friend like this?"

"Well, can you blame us? You and the guys are always up to no good," Yulhee then shrugged.

The other girl snickered and leaned back against the couch lazily, "let's hear it. What do you need help with?"

"I need you two to start a conversation about having a Christmas party in our group chat."

The pair looked at each other with confused faces, before turning back to the suspicious boy in front of them.

"You're drunk." Yulhee stated as a matter of fact, not bothering to ask anymore.

"Of course not! It's so early in the morning, how can I be drunk? Seriously."

"Why don't you do it yourself? Surely, everyone will agree because it's the first time you'd actually ask for something like this," Bora suggested.

"That's the problem, it's out of my character. See, you two didn't even believe me at first, that's why I'm asking you to do it instead. A Christmas party with all of us would be great, don't you think? It's been a while since we had a perfect attendance."

"Hmm..." Yulhee's brows furrowed. "I refuse to believe you don't have any ulterior motive for doing this."

Maybe I could actually convince them if I tell the truth? But I know these two, they'll surely jump into conclusions and make their own assumptions, then they'll tell the other girls... ugh, whatever.

"You see, I got drunk back in the afterparty and there's someone who took care of me..." he absentmindedly scratched the back of his head, "so I want to thank her."

"Her?!" Yulhee squealed.

"OMG! It's a girl?! Tell us!" Bora hurriedly perked up on her seat.

"I heard from Gun you're actually considering to stop playing around, is it because of her?" The former's eyes are literally sparkling in excitement. He bet the girl is already making up scenarios inside her head.

He exhaled; I knew this would happen.

"Come on, don't put any malice in it. I just want to simply thank her, no need for exaggerated reactions—"

"JUST TELL US!"

Christ, I almost fell off the stool.

"It's Lilac, okay? Now,will you help me or not?"