The vivid memory of him holding a scalpel, while bravely slicing the sleek metal across his own skin kept sitting in his mind. Though he tried to push it away, tried to think about other things, clearly it's not as effective as the memory currently occupying his mind. He couldn't remember whether it was painful or not; but he did remember he was so desperate to cover his tracks that he would do anything, including blindly ripping the ID chip off his neck. He couldn't see the wound, but from his senses he could feel the lines etched across his skin. He disinfected it, but the scar would definitely remain. The only solution he could use was to cover it with his clothes. Besides serving as a disguise, the hoodie he wore could cover up the desperate attempt for him to erase his tracks.

Without his ID chip it's hard to keep living, since almost everything nowadays would require identification. Even the act of buying a drink from a convenience store could be tracked. Luckily, he had someone who's willing- or at least half-willing to help him. However, he didn't know how long he could last. If he's lucky, they might never track him. But he probably couldn't stand it. If he's not, they could burst in through the door any minute. Then he would bid goodbye to his two-week journey as a runaway.

He took off his hoodie and threw it into the sink in the bathroom. The bathroom wasn't exactly clean, but he could live with it. Grime could be seen covering the surface of the tiles, and he couldn't even see his reflection clearly in the mirror. He's in no position to complain, and he didn't need a mirror to tell him how he looked like. Not that it mattered anyway. While half-naked, he spun the tap to let the water flow, grabbed the detergent powder Yoongi was kind enough to give him and rubbed it on the article of clothing. After making sure it was clean enough to be worn again, he hung the hoodie near the window, hoping the sun would dry it up faster.

He went to the bathroom again, scooped some water in his hands and splashed it onto his face. That at least helped him feel a little bit fresh. He hadn't had breakfast yet, and Yoongi hadn't been knocking on his door either. He was too paranoid to go outside, yet his stomach kept telling him to go find some food.

He had no money, so what was he supposed to do, steal?

He might be the most wanted man in the country, but he couldn't bring himself to do that.

He wet his hair, pushed it back and let out a deep breath. Just around one month ago everybody praised him, yet now all of them were turning their backs on him. How could all of this happen in such a short amount of time?

Humans. They only believe what they want to believe.

***

She woke up to an empty apartment, but this time around Eunwoo left her a note:

I'm out for a bit. If you're hungry, go cook yourself.

She rolled her eyes at his 'thoughtfulness' and was about to curse him when she saw another message at the bottom.

P.S. I'm just kidding. You can go to the restaurant; MJ hyung would probably be there and you could ask him to cook for you. Just, be careful on your way there.

"Huh, so he's not that bad," she whispered to herself. She tried to put on a straight face when she caught herself smiling at the note. She looked around, as if Eunwoo might be spying on her. Pushing away her paranoia she got around to take a shower and put on the restaurant's uniform. Eunwoo dragged her home last night that she didn't even get to change at the restaurant. She grabbed a long coat, since the weather was chilly. She was still cautious around the 100, 000 won dress; she hadn't even touched it ever since she saw the price tag.

Putting on her shoes; she made sure she grabbed her card with her and set off towards the lift. There was a couple waiting for the lift, and the both of them nodded slightly to her. She acknowledged them, but she wished the lift would arrive faster as she didn't want any unnecessary questions. She was relieved when the door opened and they filed into the vehicle. Since the three of them were in the lift, she didn't have to take out her card to make the buttons appear. The girl asked her what floor she was going to and she just mentioned the ground floor.

As the three of them arrived at the designated floor, she let out a sigh of relief when they went towards the opposite direction. She swore she felt like she was being watched; like they could sense she's not fully human. Or were they just judging the way she dressed? It's not like she had any other options. Without Eunwoo by her side she felt quite vulnerable; she felt like any person could've jumped onto her and slapped a paper with 'cyborg' written on it onto her forehead. It didn't happen of course, and before she knew it she was already staring at the exterior of the restaurant. The restaurant's name, ASTRO was carved on the wall. She still wondered how Eunwoo managed to own a restaurant at such a young age, but then again she didn't seem to know how the world worked.

There was someone at the restaurant, but it wasn't MJ. Haeun peeked through the kitchen window and saw that Rocky had his back towards her. She suddenly felt awkward; the treatment she had received from Rocky for the past two days wasn't exactly a good one.

"Hyung, did you buy the herbs I told you to?" Rocky shouted, oblivious that Haeun just entered, and not one of the other members of the team.

Haeun stood there, completely frozen. She could run away now, but why should she, anyway?

"Hyung-" Rocky finally turned around, and he dropped the ladle he was holding when he saw Haeun near the door. "Haeun- no, uh, noona... What are you doing here?"

"I'm hungry." Okay, so that was not the best answer.

"Eunwoo hyung didn't cook for you?"

"He was out and he asked me to come to the restaurant. I don't exactly know how to cook..." She did some weird hand motions, as if trying to justify her points. She was ready to hear the word 'no', or hear Rocky kick her out, but his answer surprised her.

"You can wait while I cook for you. Just... stay in the main area. I get distracted easily."

Haeun was about to point out that he didn't get distracted when Eunwoo and MJ were in the kitchen together with him, but she decided to just keep quiet about it. After all, her stomach had been begging to be filled. She wasn't about to pass that chance. Also this might be the opportunity for her to get to know him more and find out why he's been acting that way towards her. She heard Rocky starting to work; the sound of chopping, oil sizzling and the smell of cooked food dominated the whole area. It took her all her will not to bring herself to the kitchen.

She wondered whether the menu would be eggs since she heard the cracking of eggs, and she was right. Rocky came out of the kitchen, bringing a plate of vegetable omelette with a generous serving of ketchup on the side. She reminded herself not to lick her lips when he saw Rocky coming closer. He served the plate in front of her, and handed her a fork and spoon.

"Thank you, I will eat it well."

Rocky slightly bowed his head, without making eye contact with her. She needed to get to the bottom of this problem, but first she needed to fill her stomach. After she took the first bite, Rocky came to her again, bringing a glass of water. He was quiet as he made his way back to his workplace.

While munching on her breakfast, she couldn't keep herself from glancing towards the kitchen. Or specifically, towards Rocky. He seemed busy, or he's just making himself busy. One moment he was washing the pots and pans, and another moment he was busy prepping up. One second he's wiping the walls, yet one second he's searching for ingredients. She kept staring at him that she didn't realize she finished her breakfast. She finished the water in one gulp while still staring at Rocky.

Rocky was still busy, careful to keep his back towards Haeun.

That's it. She had to approach him, no matter what. Or else, it would bother her for the rest of the time she's going to work here.

"Thank you for the food, it was really delicious." She set down the plate inside the sink, ready to clean it up.

"No problem." He made a gesture, saying he would clean the plate. "I'll do it."

She was amazed at how he managed to avoid looking at her.

"Did I do anything wrong?" Haeun spoke up.

Rocky's hand froze, gripping the sponge tightly. He was so flustered that Haeun came into the kitchen that he didn't even put on gloves.

"Maybe I'm being over-sensitive but I know you're not treating me normally. So I wondered, did I do something wrong?"

"It's nothing."

"If it's nothing then why do you keep avoiding me? Pretending like I don't exist?"

"Because I don't want to pretend like you exist!" Rocky shouted, releasing the plate and sponge he was holding. His chest rose up and down. His eyes were wide and now he's staring straight into Haeun's eyes.

"What do you..." Haeun stopped short when she heard the bell, a sign that the front door was open. MJ was back.

"Rocky! I bought the herbs! Oh, Haeun, you're here too?"

Haeun glanced slightly, and saw MJ making his way to the kitchen. She returned her attention to Rocky, hoping to get an answer. MJ was coming closer, and Rocky was picking up the plate.

"It's just... You remind me of someone I don't want to remember; and I hate that."