adore you

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/22886053.

Rating: Not Rated

Archive Warning: Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: F/F
Fandom: TWICE (Band)
Relationship: Im Nayeon/Myoui Mina, Park Jisoo | Jihyo/Yoo Jeongyeon, Hirai
Momo/Minatozaki Sana, Hirai Momo/Myoui Mina, Kim Dahyun/Son
Chaeyoung
Character: Im Nayeon, Myoui Mina, Yoo Jeongyeon, Hirai Momo, Minatozaki Sana,
Park Jisoo | Jihyo, Kim Dahyun, Son Chaeyoung, Chou Tzuyu
Additional Tags: kinda slowburn, kinda angsty, Kinda Fluffy, kinda filthy, Eventual Smut,
kinda business au
Stats: Published: 2020-02-26 Completed: 2020-09-28 Chapters: 12/12 Words:
85125

adore you
by NabongsBunny

Summary

Nayeon, the bratty heiress of ImTech, is put under the care of the cold Team Leader Myoui,
who will teach her the ropes about handling the family business. Things get awkward when
they recognise each other from a one-night stand.

Notes

Welcome to my first Minayeon multichapter fic!

As what I usually do with my other fics, I’m giving song suggestions hehe:
1. Adore You - Harry Styles
(title is based off this song too hehe)
2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
3. Comfort Crowd - Conan Gray
4. Michelle - The Beatles

See the end of the work for more notes

 just let me adore you (like it’s the only thing i’ll ever do) [M]

It is a well-known fact that Im Nayeon is the sole heiress of ImTech, which is one of the, if not the
largest technology providers in South Korea, and the biggest private partner of the government.

However, it is also a well-known fact that despite her name’s popularity penetrating the different
social classes, not many have seen her personally. Rumours are spreading that the influential Im
couple does not have an heiress in the first place, and having a daughter is just a hoax to ward off
other competitors that might take interest in acquiring the company in the future.

As for the crust in society who were blessed to have witnessed the young Im daughter during
exclusive gatherings, majority have offered arranging marriage with their sons, some even willing
to wait for Im Nayeon to bloom into a lady, ready for courtship. Though her parents did not refuse
these offers explicitly, these cries for marriage fell into deaf ears. (Maybe the Im couple were
blinded by naiveté and joy of having a firstborn that is why they don’t entertain these strategic
moves yet. Maybe in the near future, these prominent families will try proposing this idea again.)

For the meantime, what the Ims thought would be best, was to send their young daughter abroad to
study in an exclusive boarding school, known for admitting students from prominent families
around the globe. Their precious princess would be far away from the prying eyes of the public,
and far away from proposals of mediocre boys.

This was a pivotal decision, as it shaped and moulded the person of Im Nayeon.

She vividly recounts one of her last encounters with her parents while she was still in Korea. Her
hair was braided into twin tails, her cheeks were plump and red, she was wearing a pink dress -
exactly what a rich Im daughter would look like.

“You promise me that you will be a good girl in LA?” Her father kneels to meet her eyes.

“Yes, Abeoji. I’ll be good.” The young Nayeon smiles brightly, exposing her cute bunny teeth.

“Promise your mother the same thing.” Her dad pulls her for a tight hug before releasing the little
girl for her mother’s turn to dote.

“I promise I’ll be a good girl, Eomma.” Little Nayeon says before offering her pinky finger for a
promise. Her mother takes her little pinky and seals the promise.

Making a little girl promise to be good is kind of worrying and problematic to a certain extent.
What does good even mean? Who will teach her what is good or not?

Nayeon promised to be a good girl. And the hell did she become one. No, actually, she became the
best.

Being physically away from her parents gave her the independence and freedom not most
daughters of chaebols have. It was liberating and lonely at the same time though.

Nayeon excelled in her academics. She had no choice but to perform well, as it was expected of
her. But of course, she had this (self-imposed) burden, on top of the pressure coming from her
parents. An Im doesn’t just give in to the game. An Im is a playmaker.

Despite this natural pull of an Im to dominate, competing with the cream of the crop was never
Nayeon’s dream. She never had the ambition to study abroad so she can take over family business.
It just...happened. In fact, as a kid, she just wanted to be a mascot, recounting how much happiness
(bear) mascots gave to people.

Nayeon just didn’t want the drama of family business. If given the chance, she would’ve stayed in
Korea with her parents. She’s their only child, for crying out loud! She would’ve chosen to take a
different major, probably theatre arts or something in the humanities. She would’ve wanted to be
spoiled by them every minute. She craved their attention. But being far away from home can only
make her resort to other remedies.

Though most of the time she got sermons reminders from her parents to do well in school to uphold
the family’s honour, it did not get in the way of Nayeon being the best at having fun: What Im
Nayeon wants, Im Nayeon gets (and sometimes, who Im Nayeon wants, Im Nayeon gets).

Nayeon managed getting through this limbo of emotions and experiences, with the help of some
friends like Park Jihyo who entered the same year as her (also from a prominent family in South
Korea); and that goddamn Yoo Jeongyeon, her on-off lover, belonging to a political family back
home.

(Well, in terms of dating, Nayeon’s parents never really had a rule against it. They just trusted her
and assumed she was smart enough not to get into trouble by choosing some boy who will bring
dishonour to the clan).

Nayeon never had boy problems. Never had an official relationship with one. Just some flings. No
reports from the headmaster of Nayeon getting into relationships. So her parents thought she was
being good as she promised. The fact that she was an academic achiever also contributed to
keeping up her facade of being well-composed and put-together.

But every girl who studies in an exclusive boarding school can attest that the set-up has its own
charms. Why is there a need to look for boys when girls are more than enough to satisfy their
curiosities and desires? Nayeon’s story is a testament to that. Girls just wanna have fun. Nayeon
breathed and embodied that chant.

At times it felt like Nayeon was living double lives: Reporting to her parents about her pristine
academic record, while hiding the fun she’s been having exploring and messing around.

At the end of the day, her sense of duty remains atop her constructed personality. From the get-go,
Nayeon was certain that ImTech will be hers. There are just caretakers laying down the path for
her coronation. ImTech IS her birth right. She was sure it is for her taking.

But just a thing about Nayeon...she can be wrong at times too.

When she caught wind of the news that her father’s health was deteriorating, her mother
immediately recalled her back to South Korea. Though ImTech was known to be a blue chip
company, when the news spread about Chairman Im’s health, investors flocked in to buy out
shares and acquire the company.

Some shareholders have also proposed a shift in policy, which is to have the successor be chosen in
terms of merit and shares, and not lineage. Some board members put into question why Nayeon
would be the rightful successor, when all this time, she had been far away in a foreign land, not
even concerning herself with company matters.

Chairman Im, of course had foresight and vision. Three years before news regarding his health
came out, he had already devised a plan to make sure his daughter Nayeon, will still inherit the
company as CEO.

He handpicked five top performing employees from different departments and divisions in the
company and tested each of their loyalty and skills. At the end of his selection, a young lady by the
name of Myoui Mina emerged the victor.

Myoui Mina is a young professional coming from a scientific background, who rose through the
ranks because of her invaluable contribution to clothing warming technology. This gave way for an
opening of an ImTech sister-company dealing with winter wear. The research was sound and
groundbreaking. Mina however, did not patent the discovery as her own, but instead attributed it to
ImTech’s endless support and funding for her venture. When other companies turned down her
idea, only ImTech recognised its potential. This act was seen as a source of doubt by many,
questioning the young professional’s intentions, but at the end, she proved herself to be trustworthy
to Chairman Im.

At her age, she is revered (even envied) by her colleagues and seniors. Her work was exceptional,
and she had a penchant for perfection.

Chairman Im assigned her to supervise Nayeon once she returns from the States. Mina’s job was to
teach Nayeon the ropes and tricks of the trade of handling the Research & Design Division. Her
job was to ensure Nayeon becomes worthy a successor. It was simple: Mina had to mentor Nayeon
and make sure that whatever the hell Nayeon learned in LA, it would be used and applied as
valuable addition to the company’s trajectory.

A thing to learn about Myoui Mina though: Human relations was absolutely not her forte. You can
assign her to read up on different types of cloths and fibres or even a thick operations manual, for a
whole day and she won’t complain, but assigning her to welcome guests is a different ball game —
what more assigning her to mentor the CEO’s daughter, in a hands-on approach, that is
unquestionably out of her field and skill set?

However, Chairman Im and Directress Im promised Myoui Mina great compensation for helping
out their daughter, and Myoui Mina is not one to back down just because of minor hindrances.

So Mina strived hard to become suitable and capable of managing a team. She developed her
competencies and interpersonal relations. Though her ways were unorthodox and sometimes
considered cold, Myoui Mina became the Team Leader for the Research and Design Division, a
feat no one has achieved in such an age.

As a leader, if there was no choice but to be loved or feared by her subjects, Myoui Mina will
definitely choose the latter.

Due to her poise and somewhat unwelcoming demeanour, suitors don’t even give it a shot. For
those who dare (shoutout to those cocky and arrogant newcomers to the company), may their
hearts and efforts rest in peace.

Chairman Im and Directress Im saw that Mina was determined and focused at doing well in her
job. Avoiding suitors was just a plus. She would be a good mentor to Nayeon: responsible and
loyal to the company.

So for almost three years, Chairman Im, Directress Im, and Team Leader Myoui planned for the
return of the Im Daughter.

Nayeon kicks her shoes off and relaxes herself at the back of the limousine. She navigates her bag
with eyes closed, feeling for her sunglasses. She immediately puts them on and sleeps all the way
back home from the airport.

She shows no sign of interest in the towering skyscrapers, billboards, and whatnot, constructed by
the very company she is about to inherit.

Home. Why didn’t it feel like home though? LA is her home. Not their three-storey mansion in
Korea, and most definitely not the new company building, equipped with cutting edge technology
and whatever sensors.

The black vehicle speeds down the building’s basement. Nayeon was escorted to the VIP entrance
and took the lift that goes straight to the penthouse.

This place is foreign and unfamiliar. It felt so constricting. But whatever. She’s seeing her parents
again after some time.

“Nayeon, look at you! You’ve grown so beautifully!” An elegant face welcomes her and exclaims.
Nayeon misses the familiar warmth wrapping around her.

“I got it from you. You’re still ageless, Eomma.” Nayeon chuckles and kisses her mother’s cheek.
She takes a small paper bag from her coat pocket and gives it to her mum. “I got you something
simple. Some ruby necklace.” Nayeon beams, knowing it’s her mother’s favourite stone. “Where’s
father?”
“Did I hear the CEO of ImTech looking for her old man? My, my! You’re divine! You’re
definitely my daughter.” A deep voice follows, Nayeon’s father bursts into a proud roar. “Welcome
back, heiress Im.” he pats her on the back.

Nayeon slumps herself on the nearest couch and yawns. “What time are we gonna have dinner?”
she asks as she buried herself into the pillows.

“Oh, darling. Are you suffering from jet lag? I can get you some cure before we proceed to
dinner.” Her mother asks in a concerned voice - one Nayeon hasn’t heard in a very long time.

“Nah, I’m fine. Let’s get some beef. I need meat.” Nayeon says. “And authentic kimchi! My god
I’ve been craving!”

“Okay, okay. We’ll get beef for dinner, sweetie. But before we get going, I’d like you to meet
someone first.” Chairman Im interjects.

“Uh, dad, I just got back. I’m in no mood to meet a potential fiancé.” Nayeon grabs the nearest
pillow and covers her face with it, whining.

She just hears her father laugh at her silly remark. Nayeon keeps the pillow on her face, as her feet
remain dangling on the couch. She suddenly hears steady footsteps approaching. Clicking heels,
actually. Who the heck is it this time?

“Hello, Im Nayeon-ssi. It’s my honour to finally get to meet you. I’m Myoui Mina, Team Leader of
the Research and Design Division.” The voice was firm but infused with gentleness and poise. It
was a voice Nayeon was acquainted to.

“I heard I’ll be under your supervision. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me.” Nayeon extends
her hand nonchalantly, not even bothering to meet the team leader’s face. Team Leader Myoui took
Nayeon’s hand and shook it firmly.

Something about this team leader seemed weirdly familiar. The voice, the grip of the handshake,
her scent.
“Myoui Mina.” Nayeon repeats. “You sound like a Michelle though.” She uses Mina’s hand to
hoist herself up. Nayeon doesn’t know why she said that, but her tongue slipped.

Michelle. A treasured memory in Vegas.

And fuck. Michelle. No wonder the vibe seemed familiar.

When Nayeon is finally seated, their eyes meet, and it finally hits them both at the same time.

Fuck. This isn’t the first time they’re meeting.

Holding each other by the hand, they both realise that the hell? They held more than just each
other’s hands in their previous meeting.

Vivid memories started flashing at the back of their minds.

Skin on skin. Teeth sinking on lips. Gasps. Bodies grinding against each other. Pulled hair.
Strangled moans. Sucking. Flicking of tongues. Bruised thighs and knees. Hitched breaths.
Hickies.

Nayeon was the first one to let go. She plops back to the couch, hitting her head lightly.

“Are you okay, Ms. Im?” Mina checks on her instantly.

Nayeon just nods, temporarily paralysed. Can’t believe she’s seeing Michelle after what? Two?
Three years? And now she finally knows Michelle’s real name. And Michelle knows about hers.

“Are you two acquainted already?” Chairman Im observes the two quite suspiciously.

“No!” They answer at the same time. Suspicious indeed.

“Well, okay. You can get to know each other during dinner. Darling, I hope you don’t mind Ms.
Myoui tagging along for tonight. We have lots to discuss including your arrangements with her.”
The chairman notes.

“Huh? Arrangements?” Nayeon is paranoid panicking.

“Yes, honey. We’ll talk about it later.” Her mother says before taking her purse. “You and Ms.
Myoui can take the same ride going to the restaurant. Your father and I are trying out the latest
limo.”

“I wanna ride with you! I missed you!” Nayeon mumbles. Well, it’s not a complete lie, but it’s not
a whole truth either.

“I didn’t know you missed us that much.” Chairman Im gestures for Nayeon to come for an
embrace. “Ms. Myoui, you can ride the backup car. We’ll meet you there.”

Mina bows politely and follows suit.

To say that the dinner was awkward, is an understatement. It was a mess.

“Nayeon dear, just some years in LA and you don’t know how to use chopsticks anymore?” Her
father jests, seeing his daughter have a hard time picking up meat (when in reality, she can’t just
look straight since the team leader, who she had met before is sitting right in front of her, looking
like a full course meal, way more appetising than this quality cuisine).

“Ah, no no. Please don’t worry about me, abeoji. I can manage.” Nayeon’s laugh falters as her eyes
meet Mina’s.

There’s that enigmatic look from the team leader. Nayeon can’t read Team Leader Myoui’s eyes
and she hates it. She narrows her own and looks at the glint in Mina’s eyes.

This woman knows something.

Can this woman really be the Michelle she met years back? Or is she just a doppelgänger? No way.
The way her hands felt, the way her voice made the hair on the back of Nayeon’s neck stand -
this...this Team Leader Myoui is definitely Michelle.

To have a semblance of sanity at the dinner table, Nayeon temporarily let go of her thoughts and
listened to the plan her parents have carved out for her.

Over dinner, it was reiterated how Nayeon would be under Mina’s department, as they would need
to work closely with each other.

Chairman Im will hold a stakeholders meeting to announce Nayeon’s arrival, and how she would
work rigorously to deserve the position. He will make statement saying that the skills Nayeon
acquired while studying and working in LA would be great input for the company’s target goal to
go global. Nayeon will be tasked to share about Western trends in technology and things related to
that.

Nayeon will be eased into the company through being briefed by department heads, but mostly
Mina. Chairman Im thought that it would be most strategic to put Nayeon in a division that
produces output and insights, since it’s where Nayeon’s skills and aptitude can be showcased. The
Research and Design Department is perfect for that, as it is the division people are expecting to get
new output and ideas from. In a span of three months, Nayeon can launch her own project already.

To give it to Nayeon, she really tried. She has been trying not to stare at Mina. Nayeon’s not a
pervert, but Mina’s slightly exposed right collarbone is making Nayeon’s mind short circuit, to the
point that she spilled sauce on herself, and almost broke her wooden chopstick into half.

“Dear! Are you okay? Are you still dizzy from your flight? We can talk about these matters
tomorrow.” Nayeon’s mother offered.

“Yes, yes. I’m fine. Sorry if I’m acting a bit strangely. I’ll just wash up.” Nayeon says before
standing up to head to the washroom.

“You shouldn’t have overloaded her with company matters. You could’ve let the girl breathe some
air and eat some meat.” Directess Im scolds her husband. “I don’t think she’ll regain her appetite
once she comes back to this mess. Let’s end the dinner here and try again for tomorrow. I’ll make
sure to give her the best welcome back breakfast since her dinner is ruined.”
Chairman Im shakes his head but agrees. They were never the best in terms of the parenting
division, so they didn’t know how to handle this situation.

“Ms. Myoui, if you don’t mind, could you please check up on Nayeon? She might need help
cleaning the sauce off her sleeves. Tell her to relax for the night. Her father and I will just see her
tomorrow. The bill’s paid for already. The driver will be ready to take her home. You can be
driven home after too. Please take care of Nayeon tonight.”

“Not a problem, Ma’am. It will be my job to look after her anyway.” Mina smiles before following
Nayeon to the washroom, saying goodbye to the old couple.

On her way, she meets a bodyguard and instructs her to fetch a pair of new clothes for the CEO’s
daughter.

“Ms. Im?” Mina knocks on the door before opening it.

She sees Nayeon rinsing her hands and mumbling to herself.

“Oh hey.” Nayeon replies. “What’s up?”

“Your mother told me to check on you to see if you’re alright. Do you need any help? They left
already and told me to tell you they will just meet you tomorrow. ” Mina informs her.

“Typical.” Nayeon clicks her tongue and continues washing her hands. “You’re Michelle, right?”
Nayeon smirks.

“I’m sorry?” Mina’s face contorts to a frown.

“Vegas. Two or three years ago. We met there.” Nayeon nods. “That’s you, right?” she insists.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ms. Im.” Mina seems unfazed.
Damn it. This team leader’s hard to crack. Nayeon’s sure they’ve met before already. Why is she
putting on the act that they haven’t? Is Team Leader Myoui scared of losing her job when
Nayeon’s parents find out she had slept with their only daughter she was bound to mentor? Is that
it? Maybe.

So Nayeon lets it slide.

“Ah. I might’ve been mistaken. Sorry.” Nayeon laughs. “Being to different places can get one’s
facial recognition mixed up. Sorry, Team Leader Myoui.” she smiles mischievously before walking
past her supervisor. “Oh, and before I forget...” Nayeon turns around and points to Mina’s lips.
“You have a little something there. I wanted to remove it for you, but you may misunderstand.”

Mina traces her own lips with her finger and licks whatever crumb Nayeon was referring to.
Honestly, there was no crumb to begin with. It was just some little test of Nayeon to check
something.

“Come on!” Nayeon puts her tongue against her cheek. “Are you a believer of the What-happens-
in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas bs?”

Just then, they hear a knock on the door. It was a female bodyguard, delivering the clothes Mina
asked for Nayeon.

“Ms. Myoui, here’s the change of clothes you requested for the chairman’s daughter.”

Mina thanks the bodyguard and hands Nayeon the paper bag. “Please change into this.”

“Oh, so you came prepared?” Nayeon raises her eyebrows. There was an unmistakable sinful look
in her eyes.

“What?” Mina maintains her composure. “Please get changed into this and I will take you home, as
ordered by your parents.”

“Please help me change.” Nayeon pouts, still having her head on the game.

“Ms. Im, just a gentle reminder. I’m your team leader, not your personal assistant.”
Nayeon doesn’t respond. Just stares at Mina’s eyes. Challenging her. Nayeon offers her wrists,
showing the spilled sauce on the cuffs.

“You’re a grownup woman, Ms. Im. You should know how to do this by yourself.”

Mina’s words were betrayed by her own hands as she found them unbuttoning Nayeon’s shirt. She
removes Nayeon’s polo, careful not to make any contact with her skin.

Nayeon turns her back against Mina, takes her hands, and now they both see themselves in the
mirror - a similar reflection and position they have been in before.

Mina’s chest tightens and she suddenly can’t breathe. Nayeon takes this as an opportunity to guide
Mina’s hands around her waist. She pulls Mina closer, to the point where her back makes contact
with Mina’s chest.

All this happens as they maintain their eye contact.

When Nayeon leans her head back, Mina breaks.

And this is how it starts.

Las Vegas - Three Years Ago

It was winter and Nayeon had no plans of spending it sulking about her parents cancelling their
plans of visiting her.

Instead of moping, she books the earliest flight to Vegas to get wasted and have fun. She wanted to
temporarily forget the mess going on in her life.

Her best friend Jihyo is not around for the season, and her ex Jeongyeon had some other plans
better than make up sex.

So she gets lost. Lost in the city lights, in faces of strangers, in poker chips, in whatever she could
not find herself in.

She just needed something or someone’s company. And that is what the godforsaken club
downtown, gave her. Somewhat like a divine intervention.

Just outside the club’s entrance stood an attractive lady wearing a denim jacket, a green halter top,
a choker, and a pair of shorts exposing her god-like figure.

For a second, Nayeon started batting her eyes, trying to see if this woman before her was real.
Nayeon was in a drunken state and it’s hard to trust herself when she’s drunk.

The hot girl was real, apparently, and not just a product of Nayeon’s drunken thoughts.

Nayeon approaches the girl, who was apparently talking to someone on her phone.

“Are you Asian?” Nayeon asks abruptly once she sees the call dropped, trying to act sober.

The girl just stares at her. “Sorry, I don’t speak English.” she replies to Nayeon.

“I’m sorry too, but I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. You were speaking perfect English.” Nayeon says.

“Ah shit.” The lady curses in Korean.

Nayeon’s eyes widens at this and immediately asks the girl in Korean if she was Korean.

“No.” The girl replies in Korean in a reflex.

“Insane. How’d you understand what I asked you though?” Nayeon continues her probing in her
mother tongue.

“I’m Japanese.” the girl stares at Nayeon blankly.

God, these deadly stares will end Nayeon tonight.

“Are you alone?” Nayeon inches closer, assuming they have broken down at least one barrier.
Thank God for being Asian, now she has one similarity with someone she finds hot.

“No. I’m out with friends.”

“I see. Do you mind if I stay here outside with you for a while?” Nayeon asks.

“Yes.”

“Yes means you mind.” Nayeon tries to clarify.

“I know.” The girl replies. She seemed off, as if looking for some people. Or hiding from them.

“Are you okay?” Nayeon tilts her head, sensing there might be something wrong.

“You know what, kiss me.” The girl looks around and slides her arm around Nayeon’s waist.

“Uhm-what?” Nayeon was dumbstruck. An opportunity just fell into her lap.

“Did I misread you trying to flirt with me moments ago?”

“No.”
“Good. Then let’s make out.” The girl initiates the kiss.

What started out as a make out session turned into a wild night. The two end up in Nayeon’s hotel
room.

Clothes were off the moment they enter. Nayeon’s shirt was partly ripped in the process of taking it
off. The girl’s jacket has flown across the room. A beautiful mess.

Nayeon’s hands were on the girl’s hair, and the girl’s hands were exploring Nayeon’s curves.
Everything going on was the right amount of passion and roughness.

“W-wait.” Nayeon stops mid-kissing. “What’s your name?”

“Why does that matter?” The girl rejoins their lips together, putting in a little more of tongue than
teeth.

“How do I know what name to scream tonight then?” Nayeon starts kissing down the girl’s neck,
eliciting an ungodly moan. She licks the spot repeatedly, until she hears a hiss.

“Ah-ah. Just call me whatever you want.”

Nayeon doesn’t stop kissing. She sucks on the spot repeatedly like a replay button, wanting to hear
her favourite sound over and over again. It’s a sound that would be hard to live without now.

“You look like a Michelle.” Nayeon says through her nibbling. She likes the sweet and salty taste
against her tongue.

“That would do.” Michelle says.

Nayeon continues to make out with the girl as she pulled her to the dresser with a big mirror in
front. “I want you...to please me.”

She takes the girl’s hands into her own and caresses her body with it. Nayeon’s breath hitches
when Michelle’s hands started moving on their own accord.

The girl looks at her through her reflection, careful not to break the eye contact. Nayeon moans
when she feels soft kisses against her neck, matched with the heat of the girl’s palm on her
hardening nipples.

Nayeon tosses her head back, her mouth craving to capture her partner’s lips again. Her lips
crashed the girl’s and it became a duel of tongues, halted abruptly when her mouth opens to a gasp
upon feeling Michelle’s fingers going down to where they should.

“You’re so wet.” The girl feels Nayeon’s folds through her panties, the only article of clothing left
on each of them.

The sight on the mirror and the sensation Nayeon’s feeling pushes her to demand for more. The
slender fingers play along Nayeon’s panties until she groans and asks for something deeper. For
tonight she needed company, and so far, she’s getting the best one. “I need them inside.” Nayeon
commands. “Off.”

“I got something better in mind.” In a span of a second, Nayeon was on the bed and the girl was
kneeling at the mercy of Nayeon.

It was heavenly. Nayeon felt like she was being worshipped. Her only response was to grind on the
the girl’s tongue to cause more friction. It’s the only thing she can do now while being fucked
senseless.

Michelle doesn’t allow this to happen and holds Nayeon’s hips down with one palm, while using
the other one to continue stimulating Nayeon. “Let me do it for you. You ask, you receive. For
tonight, just let me adore you.”

Nayeon was squirming like a mad woman, attuned to the rhythm Michelle’s tongue plays on her
clit. Her body responded to every swipe, every lap of tongue it received.

She wasn’t able to hold back any longer. “Fuck! Michelle!” Nayeon screams. “Fuck me harder!”

And indeed she was fucked harder. The pleasure written all over Nayeon’s face translated into her
nails digging deeper on the Michelle’s skull.
Nayeon orgasms by surprise, evident of her expression. She wasn’t even able to give a warning.
Her body quivers and spasms with pleasure, but the kind girl allows her to ride out her high.

“Your-your turn.” Nayeon pants.

“I’m good. I can manage. I’ll just clean you up first.” The girl continues to lap up the juices
flowing freely from Nayeon’s core.

“No...no. I need to return...the favour.” Nayeon insists.

But given the state she was in that night, drunk, lonely, and tired, her words didn’t amount to any
action. Instead, she fell asleep.

“You can’t return the favour when you’re passed out.” The girl chuckles, putting a blanket over
Nayeon’s naked body. “Also, the name’s not Michelle. It’s Mina. Not like you would remember
when you wake up.”

Nayeon wakes up the next day feeling sore but satisfied. Her head was throbbing from a hangover,
but one name occupies her mind: Michelle.

This woman standing in front of her is confirmed, the Michelle she met in Las Vegas.

Nayeon isn’t drunk tonight. It’s about time she returned the favour.
 i’ll be your sinner in secret (when the lights go out) [M]
Chapter Notes

Thanks for waiting! Hehe

Some songs for this update:

1. Sanctify - Years and Years

2. Make Me Feel - Janelle Monáe

See the end of the chapter for more notes

When an Im returns a favour, an Im returns it well. Mina has learned this through the years,
working with the Chairman and the Directress. She promised to mentor their daughter, and in turn,
she got promoted to a high-paying position, topped with bottomless benefits. She also learns that
the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.

So locked in the four walls of the washroom, when Im Nayeon pays back, she makes sure Mina is
paid back what she is due.

Nayeon’s payback was slow yet satisfying. From their earlier position, she easily maneuvers their
bodies and lifts Mina’s light body in a swift motion. She places her gently beside the sink, and it
was mutually understood that all Mina had to do was spread her legs open.

Nayeon drops to her knees, like a devotee about to worship her saint. Mina is, for lack of better
words, sexy. And Nayeon feels it would be her duty to sanctify Mina’s body with pleasure and
pain. So she does.

Nayeon didn’t even need to be instructed. It was her instincts guiding her to place gentle kisses on
Mina’s inner thighs. The fact that Mina was already squirming encouraged Nayeon not to stop. She
continues licking and sucking Mina’s creamy thighs, until she reaches the team leader’s core. She
stops a bit and looks up, but Mina’s act of pushing her head back down was enough sign to be
understood as consent.

Nayeon intertwines her hands with Mina’s, but does not let the other go idle. Her wandering hand
lands itself on Mina’s still-clothed breasts, spending its time squeezing and fondling them. From
Mina’s mounds, Nayeon lets her fingers trace a line to Mina’s abs then back down to her legs.

Nayeon carefully slips off Mina’s panties, like a child peeling the wrapper off her Christmas gift.
There was no other better gift than seeing Mina already dripping wet with Nayeon doing bare
minimum.

“Oh, Mina.” Nayeon sighs, satisfied she finally knows the name; satisfied she’s in this position.
The name was sweet on her lips, but it wasn’t the only sweet thing she will taste.

Nayeon didn’t really enjoy her dinner, but Myoui Mina more than makes up for it. It wasn’t a
wonder when Mina finds Nayeon’s face buried between her thighs, relentlessly giving back, diving
in and finally tasting Mina’s nectar.

She starts with a slow lick, making sure she feels everything at once, and follows through with a
hastened pace, realising she could do this all night like a routine, like it was her life mission. It
didn’t take long for her to create a rhythm of pleasure for Mina. Nayeon waits a while before she
accompanies her tongue with a finger. And then two. It slipped in so easily; Mina’s body
responded like magic.

Mina’s eyes roll back as she groans. She was practically grinding on Nayeon’s tongue and fingers,
rolling her hips backward and forward to add intensity. She also tightens her grip on Nayeon’s
hand, trying to find an outlet for the heat and passion she’s experiencing.

“It’s okay, baby. You can scream my name.” Nayeon continues her dutiful licking and sucking.

Mina stifles herself from moaning.

“No?” Nayeon stops when she doesn’t hear a response.

Mina needs to at least put up a faux wall of defiance, though all her mind is screaming is “Please
continue. I need you, Im Nayeon.”

But Nayeon is merciful tonight. She’s just returning a favour after all. So she doesn’t stop. For long
minutes, Nayeon eats Mina out. Devours her.

Mina’s walls of dignity have been torn down. Her gritted teeth and acts of defiance have been
mellowed to wordless moans and gasps that fill Nayeon’s ears. Her straight back now arched; her
fierce eyes, now half-lidded, evident of pleasure.
“Ah! I’m-I’m close.” The first coherent sentence Mina was able to form.

“I got you.” Nayeon slurps Mina in, inserts and curls her fingers deeper. She darts her tongue out in
a quicker motion to give final flicks to Mina’s throbbing clit.

“Nayeooon!” she finally growls.

Mina finally comes undone. She tightens around Nayeon’s fingers and out came her heavenly
juices, flowing freely.

Nayeon laps them up, seemingly drinking from the holy grail. She licks Mina clean, savouring
every last drop, as if she’s been in three years of drought.

As the cherry on top, Nayeon makes sure to make the night memorable. “I want you to taste
yourself.”

Nayeon frames Mina’s face with her thumb and traces Mina’s lips with it before letting Mina suck
on her finger for a little while. Nayeon makes Mina taste herself through a passionate kiss.

Mina kisses back fervently, proving that Nayeon hasn’t completely depleted her. She is the first
one who breaks the kiss.

“I need to take you home.” Mina says firmly, sounding like she just got out of a trance.

“For a second round?” Nayeon replies with a smug smile.

“For the stakeholders meeting tomorrow morning.”

“Ugh. Mood killer.” Nayeon clicks her tongue. “Well, at least I returned the favour already, team
leader.” she smirks before picking up her change of clothes.
Mina reaches out to pick up the underwear Nayeon has stripped off her earlier, but Nayeon gets her
hand on it first.

“Ah, I’m keeping this.” Nayeon wags her finger before pocketing Mina’s soaked underwear. “I’ll
see you tomorrow, team leader-nim. Don’t worry about tomorrow. I’ll behave. I’m programmed to
be a good girl.” Nayeon winks before closing the door behind her.

Once the door shuts, Mina closes her eyes and scolds herself. How could she have given in so
easily? She should’ve stood her ground and pretended not to recognise Nayeon. It would’ve been
better. Easier.

She wouldn’t have been in this situation where she needs to be at her toes at all times. This news
can easily damage her career, and ImTech’s future.

But who was she kidding? It was Nayeon. Nayeon may not know (and maybe Mina won’t ever tell
her), but Nayeon saved her that night in Vegas.

Maybe it will just be an endless cycle of them repaying each other. Maybe.

It took a total of three hours, eleven minutes, and two seconds to prepare Nayeon for the
stakeholders meeting. Her hair is down, she is wearing a white top, a sleek black skirt, and a black
bow on her chest; something simple but projects power and clarity. Her ears were also decorated
with diamonds.

It’s not often the only daughter of ImTech’s CEO, returns. Nayeon’s homecoming has been long
expected by many, friends and foe alike. It will sure run the headlines for a whole two weeks, at
least.

It’s also the first time Nayeon will be officially introduced as the heiress of the company. She
needs to be introduced with a bang. She will be the face of ImTech.

Nayeon’s parents meet with her for breakfast. Her mother apologises profusely for last night, while
her father just encourages her to eat well. They initiate small talk about some family matters, old
memories — anything, actually, to try to get the conversation going.
Mid-breakfast, they were interrupted when the doorbell rings.

“Ms. Myoui is here already, Sir.” A bodyguard informs the family.

“Tell her to come in and join us for breakfast.” Chairman Im says.

Mina walks in confidently in a cream dress. She’s dolled-up for the event too. She looks drop dead
gorgeous, Nayeon almost dropped her chopsticks.

“Good morning.” Mina bows politely.

She scans the table, looking where she should sit, but Directress Im saves her from mulling over it.

“Take the seat beside Nayeon. You’ll be working closely with her anyway. You need to get used to
being around each other often.”

You don’t even know how close we got last night. Nayeon thinks.

Mina averts Nayeon’s eyes and sits beside her.

Food was served to Mina, and it was a pretty good distraction. Who knew well-done steak can
actually save her? The amount of effort it takes to cut off the pieces, was good enough distraction
for Mina. Today is the day Mina pardons everyone who prefers their steak well-done.

Despite the difficulty to cut through meat, there is something else in the atmosphere that was so
thick, one could slice through it: Tension.

There was tension between them. Tension everywhere. Tension between Nayeon and her parents;
tension between Nayeon’s parents and Mina; and sexual tension between Mina and Nayeon.

“So...just to recap, dad will be introducing me to the stakeholders, I’ll be giving a short speech
which has been checked by mum, and Team Leader Myoui will welcome me to her team?” Nayeon
pokes at her steak, hating how it was cooked.

“Yes. I’m already excited for them to see my beautiful daughter!” Directress Im clapped her hands.
“Time for you to show them some teeth.”

“After all these years, they’ll finally see we actually have an offspring.” Chairman Im notes.

Offspring. Nayeon almost chokes on her food. Why does everything sound so formal and
transactional when it comes to her parents?

“I’m thrilled.” Nayeon notes unenthusiastically.

“Your mother and I will be going ahead...unless you want to ride with us again.” Chairman Im
says.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll ride with Team Leader Myoui. We can go over some stuff.” Nayeon smiles at
her dad.

“Good. She may be able to brief you about personalities who will be present in the meeting later.”

The old couple left the table once they finished breakfast, leaving the two young ladies behind.

“Why are you so quiet?” Nayeon asks, breaking the deafening silence.

“I have nothing important to say.” Mina replies concisely.

“You weren’t this quiet last night.” Nayeon sips from her glass.

“What happened last night...” Mina responds immediately.

“...will remain our little secret.” Nayeon finishes the sentence, and finally looks at Mina straight in
the eye. “I told you. I’m well-behaved.”

Mina feels an impending headache in the form of Nayeon. She sighs, hoping for the best.

“I’m done with my meal. I’ll wait for you in the car, Ms. Im.” Mina excuses herself.

On the way to ImTech HQ, Mina gives a rundown of shareholders that will be present in the
meeting. Mina identifies who are happy to hear about Nayeon’s return, and she also points out who
are against Nayeon’s inheritance of the company.

All these happen as they stay at least three feet away from each other in the limousine.

Awkward. But a comfortable(?) kind of awkward.

The meeting room was full. No members were absent (and that never happens). It was the first
time in so many years that all board members were present.

There was chatter everywhere. It was chaotic, yet there was some semblance of order.

Everyone was wondering why Chairman Im called for a meeting. Others are speculating it was
because of his health; others are saying he is going to dissolve some shares; others are saying he
will choose his successor. No one really is certain what the meeting is about. There was just a
memo that blasted through the ImTech network saying that there is an urgent announcement to be
made concerning ImTech’s future.

The room quiets down when Chairman Im enters. His aura exudes authority, though one would
notice signs of his failing health if only one would look closely. He proceeds to the podium to give
his announcement.

“For the last three decades, ImTech has been a pillar of economic growth and development for our
country. It has bridged people and nations. It has bettered millions of lives. This company, which I
have founded together with my wife, continues to imbibe the spirit of newness and adaptability
through efforts of our hardworking employees and officials. The spirit of ImTech lives on and
seeps through the life of ordinary citizens.” he takes a pause.

“I know that there have been reports stating that I am ill. It is true that I am ageing, and ageing
entails weakening. I am here to say that despite the natural deterioration of my health, ImTech will
remain a firm and strong company, built on years of experience and trust.” Chairman Im looks at
his wife.

“The Ims have a reputation to keep. History has proven our trustworthiness not only to our business
partners, but also to the nation. Leadership, trust, and competence run in our bloodline.

Apart from addressing the issue regarding my health today, I would like to put an end to more than
a decade’s worth of doubt and uncertainty regarding the inheritor of ImTech. I will not be swayed
by some statements of board members who have not contributed significantly to this company. I
will stand firm by my decision which I have decided upon years back. This company is founded by
an Im, and it will be continuously run by one.

In this regard, I would like to introduce someone from the Im family. Many think she’s a product
of our imagination or that she is a made-up story to discourage competitors from buying out
ImTech’s shares. Her arrival has been long-awaited by many and even doubted by some, but I
believe this company will run as efficiently and even reach greater heights, with her as the future
CEO.

Ladies and gentlemen, my daughter, in flesh and blood, Im Nayeon.”

Two gates open ceremoniously and Nayeon strides in, embodying poise, beauty, knowledge, and
everything everyone would want to have. Her physique speaks sophistication. She looks like she is
everything.

She walks to her father’s side and bows to everyone, disarming every person in the conference
room with her divine smile.

Some mouths fell wide open; some were in disbelief. A celestial body was standing right before
their eyes.

“I am aware that some board members are pushing for the decision to choose the successor based
on merit, and not through passing it down to my daughter. I stand here before you today to say that
my daughter is competent and talented enough to take over this company. Her years of exposure in
the States have broadened ImTech’s foreign network. She will incorporate her learnings and
experiences with the cutting edge technology provided by ImTech’s research and facilities.

So as not to bypass procedures and to prove she is worthy, she will be under the supervision of
Team Leader Myoui Mina, one of our most valued associates. They will work hand-in-hand to
deliver and develop new products based on the latest global trends.

Without further ado, my daughter.” Chairman Im yields the floor to Nayeon.

“To my parents, members of the board, secretariat, esteemed colleagues, good afternoon.” Nayeon
starts her spiel with charm. “As I have been introduced, I am Im Nayeon, the daughter of ImTech’s
CEO Im Kyeong-up and Directress Cheon Se-ah. As of speaking, the assistants are circulating
copies of my background including my education, work experiences, and skills. For those who
doubt my credibility, I will let the file speak for itself and prove to you my capabilities as I work
for this company. I promise to persevere and toil for the future of this company. ImTech will be
safe in my hands. I am giving you the assurance that ImTech will remain a pioneering brand in the
market. I will work hard to be the leader you deserve. Thank you.” Nayeon ends her brief speech
with the right amount of grit and grace.

She was met with applause and several flashes of the camera. People were already in line, getting
ready to be introduced.

The next two hours were spent getting to know the top officials, members of the secretariat,
department heads, business partners, name it. Nayeon’s head was swirling with names and
designations, but she keeps herself composed, like what is expected of her.

It wasn’t even noon, but Nayeon’s schedule (not even for the day, but for the whole week) was
fully booked. It will be spent on lunch meetings with board members, dinner with friends political
families, media interviews. It felt like she was a celebrity. Well, she’s not far from being one since
she just got offered to have a shoot with one fashion magazine.

The welcome “parade” or whatever it’s called for Nayeon, ended late afternoon. She wasn’t even
able to have lunch. And god knows how moody and bratty she gets when she misses a meal.

Everyone was back to their cubicles and work stations. The whole place had a lethargic vibe.
Nayeon’s sure she already hates this place.
It was a weird feeling that Nayeon didn’t know where to go. It was her empire but she didn’t know
her subjects, or anyone else as a matter of fact.

Thank God for Myoui Mina though.

“Ms. Im.” Mina calls for her.

“Team Leader-nim!” Nayeon replies a little bit enthusiastically. It was calming to see a familiar
face in this corporate space full of strangers.

Mina tilts her head, not expecting the warm greeting. “I was about to pick you up from the
conference room. I’m going to show you where you will work. Please follow me.”

Nayeon drags her feet and follows Mina. She notices how Mina’s demeanour is different when
she’s in her element. Strong leader vibes. Nayeon finds it extremely attractive.

“Is it far? My feet hurt already.” Nayeon whines.

“No.” Mina replies in character.

“Am I sharing the space with someone else?” Nayeon asks.

“No.”

“So it’s really like my own office?”

“Yes.”

“Dad prepared the office for me?”

“Yes.”
“Mum had it furnished?” Nayeon continues her tirade of questions.

“Yes.” Mina answers stoically.

“Will there be enough sunlight for me?”

“Yes.”

“Is the door voice activated?”

“Noooo.” Mina drags the vowel, wondering where all these questions come from.

“Are you gonna reply to me just with yes or no?”

“No. Depends.” Mina keeps walking.

“Wow. You finally have a new vocabulary. Are my questions annoying you, team leader?” Nayeon
snorts.

“Yes.” Mina doesn’t mince her answer. “I prefer if people talk only when necessary. I don’t like it
when people ask worthless questions. Waste of time. Waste of words.”

“I see. Why are you answering my questions though?” Nayeon prods.

“You’re the CEO’s daughter and you’re my boss, technically.”

“Are you aware people call you a devil in disguise?” Nayeon interjects.

“Yes.”
“And why is that?”

“I’m a workaholic. Some don’t get it so they see me as an antagonist.” Mina explains
monotonously.

“Should I be scared of you, team leader?”

“No.”

“Are we near yet?” Nayeon whines again. “We’ve been walking for like a whole minute.”

“I think legs are made for using.”

“Did you just smart mouth me?” Nayeon’s brows furrow in amusement.

“No.”

“Do you really know the way to my office?”

“Yes.”

“Have you actually been there?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”
“Do you know all the people in your department?”

“Yes.”

“Will I have a personal assistant?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know you look attractive even from behind?” Nayeon spits it out, wanting to throw the
team leader off guard.

“Yes.”

Nayeon’s eyes widen. “Wow. You amaze me. You’re so consistent with your answers. Can’t even
catch you off guard. Do you also know how attractive you are when you lick your lips? That’s how
I figured it was you. No one does it like you.”

“We’re here.” Mina sighs, finally pointing to the glass door, ignoring Nayeon’s question. “This
will be your office, Ms. Im.”

“Sweet! It looks so pretty.” Nayeon says before entering the glass office.

Mina just watches her from the outside, until Nayeon calls for her.

“Team leader?”

Mina anticipates her question.

“Where’s your office?” Nayeon looks around.

“There.” Mina points to the room across. “You can phone me if you need something. Or you can
call someone over to pass files if your feet are too tired from walking or something. The meeting
room’s down the hall. We have a meeting tomorrow morning at 9AM sharp. I’m strict with time.
Latecomers get punished. For tomorrow, you just need to sit in and feel around the division. I will
introduce you to the employees as well.”

Nayeon nods.

“I left a short briefer in your table. It includes tomorrow agenda. I also left a ledger beside the
folder. You can browse through it for other details. You can ask me questions tomorrow if you
have any. You can put a sticky note or highlight unclear information, then we can discuss it
tomorrow.”

“You’re so formaaaal.” Nayeon complains.

“I’m just doing my job.” Mina retorts.

“How do I reach you? What’s your number?”

“Here.” Mina hands out a card. “My official business hours are 7AM to 8PM. My hours are
extended because I extended them myself. Please don’t call beyond 8PM unless it’s really
important. If it’s not that urgent, please send an email first.”

“And I thought I’m the boss here.” Nayeon sits on her swivel chair, spinning around.

“You are the boss, Ms. Im. But technically, I am your boss too.”

“Can I just call you Mina? I don’t wanna be calling you team leader nim every time.”

“Ms. Myoui will do if you don’t like team leader. Not...Mina.”

“Okay, Mina.” Nayeon flashes her angelic smile. “I’ll call you team leader when there are people,
but you’ll be Mina when it’s just the two of us.”
“Okay, Nayeon.” Mina fires back. There’s a glint of menace in her eyes, but there’s still a layer of
professionalism holding her back.

Mina senses that there was building tension. If Nayeon gives a suggestive response any minute
now, Mina knows she might lose it again. So she hurriedly says goodbye and goes to her office.
Chastity is key. (As if).

Mina enters her office and sits back. Just when she has settled, she sees Nayeon waving at her from
the other room.

She takes the remote and closes the blinds immediately. The last thing she saw was a horrified
Nayeon, probably about to complain about blinds closing on her.

Mina sighs. It’s all she’s been doing since the CEO’s daughter has arrived. Was it the right
decision to be the heiress’ mentor? Was it the right decision to be Nayeon’s mentor?

She takes her mind off that thought for a while by browsing through the project proposals on her
desk.

Mina was interrupted from her reading by a knock on the door. She didn’t need to ask who it was
because the glass door showed her that it was Nayeon.

“Yes, Ms. Im? Is there anything you need?”

“This bothers me.” Nayeon hands out the briefer Mina gave her.

“Which part of it does?”

“The graphs. They don’t correspond to the right figures.” Nayeon gives an unsatisfied look.

“Took you long enough to notice. What have you been doing the past hour?” Mina takes the folder
from Nayeon’s hand and replaces it with a correct file.
“What do you mean? You were testing me?” Nayeon sounds pissed.

“I don’t consider it a test. It was a simple thing I made to check if you were going to read the
files.”

Nayeon gasps. “How can you do that to your boss?” she semi-stomps her foot.

“I do that to everyone on my team to make sure they stay on their feet all the time. I haven’t
welcomed you properly earlier, so this is it, I guess. Welcome to the Research and Design
Division.” Mina extends her hand.

Nayeon just crosses her arms and huffs. “Devil in disguise.” she mumbles under her breath.

Mina retracts her hand and continues reading.

“If you were a new-hire, I would’ve fired you immediately. Oh well. What can I do now?”

“You’re unbelievable. You’re so-you’re so-you’re mean!” Nayeon can’t believe her subordinate-
technically-her-boss treats her this way.

“Are you going to Malfoy me on this?” Mina sits back.

“What are you talking about?”

“My father will hear about this. Harry Potter. Familiar? No? You know that, right?” Mina likes the
reference.

“I’m gonna deal with you myself. You may think that I’m just a bratty entitled CEO’s daughter,
but I’ll prove you wrong.”

“Please do.” Mina says, closing the folder she’s been scanning for a minute, rejecting the idea. “If
that’s all, I’ll see you tomorrow, Ms. Im.”

“Whatever, Team Leader Myoui.” Nayeon bitterly says, putting air-quotes in Mina’s deisgnation.
“I finally know why you have such a big office. A small space can’t handle the amount of audacity
you have.”

Petty. Mina thinks. Childish. Mina thinks. But kinda cute. Mina also thinks.

As Nayeon storms back to her room, she makes some initial observations. She hypothesises that
Mina’s interpersonal and sexual skills are indirectly proportional. The greater she is at pleasing
(Nayeon) sexually, the lesser she is at being a nice person.

But whatever. Why is she even thinking about Mina in that way again? Now they’re just business
partners. Last night was just for purposes of returning a favour.

To give credit to Mina, she knows when she’s been too much of an asshole, and she knows when
she needs to apologise (especially when it’s the company at stake or when her career’s on the
line).

Like any other person in a high position, Mina has pride, of course, and it won’t be easy to get her
to apologise. So she finds a way to do it subtly.

Mina pretends that she needs to remind Nayeon about something for tomorrow’s meeting.

“Ms. Im, I forgot to remind you. You’ll be taking down notes yourself for tomorrow. No personal
assistant.” Mina says, entering Nayeon’s room.

Nayeon just makes a face, mimicking what Mina just said.

“Also, here’s something. I know you weren’t able to have lunch because of meeting people.” Mina
drops a brown paper bag on Nayeon’s desk. That was her apology.
“What’s this?” Nayeon asks, inspecting the food inside.

“Just a sandwich. I don’t know what you like so I just got something from the cafeteria.” Mina
shrugs.

It may have seemed like a simple task, but it wasn’t. Myoui Mina never goes to the company caf.
She made an exception just this once.

“I won’t eat it if it has ketchup.” Nayeon warns.

Mina cringes slightly. “No...ketchup?” Who doesn’t like ketchup?

“No ketchup. I don’t eat ketchup.”

“That’s a pb and j sandwich.” Mina notes before turning around. “Eat so you won’t go hungry.”

As Mina leaves, Nayeon makes another observation. Maybe Mina’s not that much of bitch. The
cold team leader may have a heart after all.

It’s quarter past eight and everyone seemed to have left for home already. As usual, it’s Mina who
stays behind, dealing with her unending pile of work. Being the team leader of the busiest
department has its perks but it also has added weight and responsibility. On top of that, since Mina
is a perfectionist, she can’t just leave work and be okay even with the slightest mistake. So she
stays behind. All the time. A habit that has turned out to be useful now.

As she exits her office, she notices that there is still light coming from Nayeon’s office. Though the
blinds were drawn, Mina can’t figure if someone was inside, so she steps in to turn the light off. As
she did, she hears someone shriek.

It was Nayeon.

“Why did you turn the lights off?!” Nayeon screams her head off, and Mina does her best to find
the switch instantly.

“I’m sorry, I thought no one was here already.” Mina says as she finally turns on the light.
“Everyone has usually left by this time.”

“Well, I’m here.” Nayeon answers.

“Okay then. I’m leaving already. Goodbye. Don’t be late for the meeting tomorrow.”

“Wait!” Nayeon calls before Mina closes the door.

“What?”

Nayeon didn’t actually know why she called for Mina. So she lagged for about five seconds, trying
to come up with a reason.

“Uh...why can’t I have a personal assistant tomorrow?” she shoots.

“Your personal assistant will only be available during field visits. When you’re here in the office,
it’s just you. You need to learn about how the company operates and that includes doing tasks
regular employees do.” Mina answers.

Nayeon just nods. “Okay.”

“Okay.” Mina says and turns to leave again, but Nayeon calls for her again. “Do you have any
plans to make me go home?” Mina darts her a stare before looking at the clock, emphasising it’s
past her official work hours.

“You can go.” Nayeon dismisses Mina.

“Okay. Again, don’t be late tomorrow.”

“I know, I know. I don’t have to be told twice.” Nayeon rants.

“Sure. See you, Ms. Im.” Mina bows slightly, with a smoky voice.

Well, at least for Nayeon it was smoky. It sounded appealing and challenging. There’s just
something about Mina’s voice that triggers a switch inside Nayeon.

Whenever Mina speaks, there’s pride and confidence. Nayeon hates this woman’s guts. Mina
seems so pretentious and stiff and unnatural and condescending.

Nayeon hates(?) her. How dare she put Nayeon to a test? Mina’s just a team leader. Nayeon
doesn’t need Mina’s approval; she’s the boss anyway.

But why does Nayeon find the woman-she-apparently-hates, writhing on her lap, grinding on her
thigh, and moaning her name in her office in the middle of the night? Why does Nayeon crave and
yearn for the sounds this daring woman makes? Nayeon wants to please Mina, and that’s the truth.

There’s just something about being able to please someone known for being finicky and uptight.

It just happened. Again. One minute they’re bickering about who has worse attitude; the next
minute they’re fucking like teens with raging hormones.

“We...should...stop...doing this...every night.” Mina pants, as she thrusts herself deeper into
Nayeon’s fingers.

“Oh yeah?” Nayeon continues playing with Mina’s folds.

“Yes...we shouldn’t...ah! Yes, yes! Right there. Faster!” Mina was a mess, what she’s saying
doesn’t even make sense anymore.

Nayeon secures Mina’s waist and holds the lady down, as she raises her thigh to rub against Mina’s
dripping core. This elicits a throaty moan from Mina.
“You like that?” she demands an answer.

Mina just whimpers. She tosses her head back to rest on Nayeon’s shoulder, just allowing the
CEO’s daughter to please her however she sees fit. Nayeon sees this as an opportunity to pepper
Mina’s neck with kisses. She feels Mina’s hardened nipples against her palm as the team leader
bounces on her fingers.

It doesn’t take long before they both reach their high. Nayeon gets off on giving, and Mina
definitely, from receiving.

The session wasn’t as passionate as last night, but the novelty of doing it in the office with glass
windows and blinds drawn, with the risk of anyone walking in on them at ang moment, was
enough to add flavour to the coupling.

“You don’t seem to be bothered we just did it...in the office.” Nayeon comments, wiping her
fingers with tissue.

“Oh, but I am bothered.” Mina replies as she buttons her blouse.

Nayeon doesn’t know if it was sarcastic or not. Mina’s lack of emotional expression makes it hard
to read her. The only time Nayeon is certain of Mina’s disposition is when she’s feeling pleasure.
It’s written all over her face. Other than that, there’s still work needed to figure out the distant team
leader.

“Let’s ride the lift together. I’m scared taking it on my own.”

Mina sighs and relaxes. She waits for Nayeon to pack her stuff. Did she sign up for being a
babysitter?

The lights behind them shut off as they walk together towards the elevator. The office looks like a
ghost town at this time.

Nayeon doesn’t notice, but she’s walking so close to Mina already. She only does when she gets
called out.
“What are you doing?” Mina asks coldly.

“Huh?” Nayeon appears surprised, only to notice herself clinging to Mina’s arm. “Oh. I’m scared
of the dark.” she giggles.

“You act so tough but you’re actually scared of the dark?” Mina smiles devilishly. She has a plan
to mess with the newcomer.

“Shut up, bottom.” Nayeon doesn’t let go of Mina’s arm.

Mina scoffs. She was just called a bottom. She keeps in mind to make Nayeon retract that
statement some other time. “You know, this ImTech building’s actually built on an old cemetery.
That’s why some people who stay late at night say that they see—“

Nayeon stomps her feet and whines. “Mina shut up. Stop scaring me! That’s not true!” she wails
like a child.

Mina’s heels echo through the halls. She starts walking faster, and Nayeon does her best to keep
up. Mina stops to turn around when they finally reach the lift.

“Wait, you go ahead. I left something on my desk.” she teases.

“I’m coming with you.” Nayeon replies. “I don’t wanna be alone here.”

“No, it’s okay. You won’t be alone.” Mina plants seeds of scary thoughts in Nayeon’s imaginative
mind.

Nayeon ends up hitting her arm. “Stop it, I’m serious!”

Mina gently shakes Nayeon’s hand off her arm, and when Nayeon won’t budge, she grips
Nayeon’s hand and holds it firmly.

Then there it was again. Nayeon’s body tenses at Mina’s touch.

“You go ahead.” Mina instructs Nayeon.

“I swear to god if you take another step, you’re gonna regret it.” Nayeon says, her voice not whiny
this time. It was more of a warning.

“Oh?” Mina challenges back.

When she sees Nayeon about to lean in, Mina laughs. “I’m teasing.” she giggles.

Nayeon thinks this is the first time she’s seen Mina laugh like an actual human, and not be like a
robot forced to smile or something.

“Were you gonna kiss me? We just did it minutes ago. I’m too tired for another round.” Mina
chuckles lightly. “I’m jokinh about getting something from my desk. Let’s go now.” She pulls
Nayeon into the elevator and presses B, not letting go of the brat’s hand.

“You can let go of my hand now.” Nayeon says.

“Right, right.” Mina lets go abruptly, and wipes the sweat on her dress.

They both laugh awkwardly.

“We should stop whatever this is.” Mina attempts to break the ice. “Dangerous. Tonight’s our
last.”

“Last?” Nayeon complains.

“Uhh...do you need like closure for this? Do fuck buddies need closure?” Mina looks at Nayeon
nervously.

“Ah, no. Okay. Tonight’s our last then. We’re not even fuck buddies.” Nayeon nods.
 “Yes. That’s right. We’re business partners.” Mina chimes in.

It was so awkward to have the conversation. They just make affirmative sounds to fill in the
silence.

“Let’s just keep it a secret between the two of us. Like a memory we could bond over. As business
partners.” Mina suggests.

“As business partners.” Nayeon agrees.

They were saved from another minute of awkwardness when the lift finally opens. Once they reach
the basement, Mina heads to her car and waves goodbye.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Team Leader Myoui.” Nayeon bows.

Nayeon walks to her car and just sits there for a while, replaying what has happened the whole day,
up until her parting moment with Mina. Nayeon sees her reflection in the mirror, smiling. She
shakes her head before turning the engine on.

Myoui Mina is weird. Nayeon thinks. But kinda cute. Nayeon also thinks.

Later that night, both of them have trouble sleeping. Both their minds drift to the thought of what
had happened earlier. It was good they stopped whatever this is before it turns to a huge mess. It’s
not likely for them to have sex after having it for two consecutive days. It’s their last, right?

Wrong.

They have never been so wrong in their lives.

Chapter End Notes

Ty for reading!!! Other members will show up in the next chapters haha

Pls lmk what u think hahah it’s my first time writing something this unholy so idk
hhah

Talk to me:
TWT: @NabongsBunny
#TWICEAdoreYou
 baby, i’ll never leave if you keep holding me this way [M]
Chapter Notes

Sorry for the delay!!! Here it is haha

Reminder for kids not read this filth lol omg

Song suggestions:
1. Change Your Ticket - One Direction
2. Sexual - NEIKED
3. Nothing - Bruno Major

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Nayeon swears she tried not to be late. Despite several reminders from Mina, here is Nayeon,
having the time of her life walking to the meeting room, 14 minutes late.

Once she enters, all eyes are on her. She didn’t mind, it wasn’t a new thing, getting stared at.
Everyone appears mortified and irritated though.

Standing at the end of the meeting room is Mina in her white suit and high ponytail, with nothing
but death written on her face, and a timer on her hand.

“Hi everyone, I’m Nayeon. Sorry I’m late.” Nayeon says as she tries to grab the nearest chair.

Mina starts pacing towards Nayeon. The sound of her heels resonates within the room. It was so
quiet one could hear a pin drop. But in this instance, all they can hear is Mina’s heels, and probably
the beating of their own hearts. They were terrified of the team leader. There were about nine to ten
people in the meeting, and not even one of them can move. It felt like Mina was sucking the soul
out of every employee she walks past.

“Ms. Im, what time is the meeting?” Mina quizzes Nayeon sternly.

“9AM.” Nayeon replies, not sensing she’s in trouble.

“And what time is it now?” Mina asks, now in front of Nayeon.

“Uhh. Hold on.” Nayeon checks her phone. “9:14. You can go on with the meeting.” she smiles.

Mina blinks. “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.” she slams the timer on the
table and hisses. “I hate, no, I loathe people who don’t value my time, especially those who think
that their time is more valuable than others.” she massages her temple left temple.

“I’m sorry I was late. We can proceed with the meeting now, Team Leader Myoui.” Nayeon
gestures for Mina to continue.
“As the heiress of this company, I expected more from you. Turns out I’m wrong.”

Nayeon almost gasps in disbelief. How dare Myoui Mina? Her eyes are widened and she places a
hand over her chest. She’s so offended.

Mina turns back and walks to the podium. “You’ll work extra hours at the archives tonight, Ms.
Im; together with Ms. Son.”

Nayeon’s eyebrows were now furrowed. She wanted to say something but then a black-bob-cut girl
cranes her neck to look at Nayeon and gives a little wave. There’s chaos in the girl’s eyes, Nayeon
likes her already. So Nayeon waves back.

“Do you think this is a soirée? You can meet and greet each other after the meeting.” Mina
expresses her dissatisfaction.

Mina finally proceeds with her presentation. She seems to be in a terrible mood. Nayeon’s not sure
if it’s because she was late or Mina’s just not a morning person.

The meeting drags on for another hour, discussing the project proposals Mina approved and
disapproved. Out of five proposals, four were turned down. The last one barely made it.

Nayeon observes Mina. The team leader was serious when it came to work. It was amazing how
she can give constructive criticism and comments objectively, though there are times some of her
“meanness” spills.

This idea is a waste of time.

It’s a shame your mother had to carry you for nine months in her womb when all you can produce
is this mediocre idea.
Does anyone in this room aside from me, have more than one braincell?

Yup. Definitely just a slip of the tongue.

But the worst is how she delivers her line without even raising her voice. People were right. She’s
definitely the devil in disguise. A satan incarnate. How can a sweet face say such derogatory words
without even flinching?

Nayeon was convinced Mina’s ruthless. She then reassess her situation. She misjudged Mina.
Mina’s not sweet. Mina’s scary. Just remembering the savage words Mina just uttered, makes
Nayeon shiver.

The team leader ends the meeting with several reminders. The rest of the team pack up and head
back to their respective spaces.

“Team leader-nim!” Nayeon calls.

Mina looks uninterested. She continues shutting down her laptop.

“Team Leader Myoui!” Nayeon says.

“What?” Mina finally looks up. “Go talk to Ms. Son and discuss how you’ll split the task. She’s
the resident latecomer during meetings. You’ll learn a lot from her. Come to my office after.” she
remarks.
“Wow someone’s in a bad mood.” Nayeon chuckles.

“And who put me in it?” Mina stares at Nayeon.

“Ms. Son?” Nayeon guesses.

“No. You. Get back to work.” Mina exits the room.

Wow. She can really be a bitch. What an attitude. Nayeon thinks.

“Hi! Ms. Im, it’s a pleasure meeting you. I’m Son Chaeyoung. I’m the Ms. Son, Team Leader
Myoui was talking about.” the cheerful chap greets Nayeon.

“Just call me Nayeon.” she smiles. “Sooo...I heard you’re always late for meetings? How come
you’re still alive with a bitch of a boss like that?” Nayeon laughs.

“Ah. I got desensitised. Team Leader Myoui’s actually nice when you get to know her. She’s being
like that to you because you’re new. She hates new people. Especially late people.” Chaeyoung
explains. “To be honest, I was only late for one time, well two, including today. But that’s two
many to be considered an offence. Get it? Two? Too? It’s okay.” she laughs at her joke.

“Ha ha. I’m giving you a pity laugh because you seem nice. What are we supposed to do as
punishment anyway?” Nayeon asks.

“We’re gonna sort out some old files so we can shred the ones that have lapsed their date.”
Chaeyoung explains.

“That actually sounds fun.” Nayeon visualises shredding paper. Kinda therapeutic.

“But it’s noooot.” Chaeyoung complains. “Team Leader Myoui will be supervising us the whole
time. She has this portable desk and she’ll work in the same room as us. Man that’s like the work
version of detention.”

“Ugh. Doesn’t she have anything better to do?” Nayeon huffs.

“She’s quite the multi-tasker. So she can oversee what we’re doing while she does her stuff. She’s
pretty intimidating at times. But she can be nice too.” Chaeyoung laughs.

“Nice? I don’t think there’s any strand of nice on that woman’s DNA.” Nayeon disses.

“True. I just said that because you might tell me off because you’re my boss too.”

“Chaeyoung, I’m a cool boss, okay? We can talk trash about Myoui Mina. You won’t get fired for
saying the truth.” Nayeon puts her hand on the junior’s shoulder, assuring her that she’ll be alright.

“Really? Then okay. She’s a pain in the ass.”

And a pleasure. Nayeon smiles. But she keeps it to herself.

“Don’t worry. We’ll take her down by showing we can finish the task well. Let’s do this!” Nayeon
raises her fist for a bump, and Chaeyoung bumps it back.
Nayeon walks to her office to drop off her stuff before going to Mina’s. She knocks on the glass
door, waiting for Mina to acknowledge her presence, but the latter doesn’t. So she just barges in.

“Did I allow you in?” Mina asks, not looking up.

“It’s me.” Nayeon says.

“I know. No one else knocks on my door. They’re too scared.” Mina closes the folder she’s reading
and looks up at Nayeon. “Well, at least you understood my instruction to come to my office.”

“You have so much attitude. I don’t know how that small body of yours is able to contain it.”
Nayeon grits her teeth.

Mina suddenly laughs.

“What? What’s funny now?” Nayeon demands an answer from the team leader.

“Nothing.” Mina snorts.

“You annoy me!” Nayeon shrieks. “Why did you ask me to come here anyway?”

“Go over these files, Ms. Im.” Mina takes several folders from her desk. “Those are some
proposals from the team members. I’ve already selected which are for approval and which are for
rejection. I want you to tell me which to select and reject. Just to see if we’re working on the same
page.”

“You’re testing me again?”

“No, not really. This is like our first collaborative work. I’ll listen to your suggestion.” Mina says.

Just then, Nayeon notices someone standing outside Mina’s room. It was a girl who looks pale,
fiddling with her thumbs.

“See? I told you. No one dare knocks. They just wait outside for me to let them in. And they don’t
barge in.” Mina looks at Nayeon before gesturing for the girl to come in.

Nayeon recognises her from the meeting a while ago. She’s the only one whose project got
approved.

“Yes, Ms. Kim?” Mina asks.

“Uh-uh. Here are the revisions you asked for. I also added extra details to clarify some of the parts
you said were unclear.” Ms. Kim says, trembling.

“Okay. Good work. Give it to Ms. Im. She’ll go over those revisions.” Mina heads back to her seat.

“I’m Kim Dahyun. It’s an honour meeting you, Ms. Im. Here’s the file. Thank you.” Dahyun
passes it to Nayeon and immediately leaves the room.

“You traumatise people, Myoui.” Nayeon points an accusing finger.

“It’s unintentional, I promise.” Mina opens her laptop at the same time she turns on her computer.
“Well, you can’t just keep gawking at me all day, Ms. Im. I have work and you have work. So let’s
get to it, shall we? Let’s work harder to make ImTech a more productive place.” she forces a fake
smile, accompanied by a clenched fist.

“I hate it when you boss me around.” Nayeon hates this rude team leader for real. She makes sure
to stomp her feet heavily on the way out, as a way of manifesting her little protest.

Every now and then, when she sees Mina from her office, she distorts her face, but smiles instantly
when the team leader looks up.

When Mina feels like Nayeon’s eyes are on her, so she purposely licks her lips. She just wants to
mess with the lady in the opposite office for a bit. She remembers Nayeon mentioning how that
lip-licking trait of her was attractive, and now Mina is using it against Nayeon.

Ugh. Goddamnit. Myoui Mina is messing with her head. And her hormones.

Nayeon tries to think straight. She knows the team leader is teasing her. She can’t be mentally
undressing the woman in front of her. That’s unprofessional. And also, that’s the same woman who
bosses her around. So yes, keep Mina out of her mind. Easy task.

As if. There’s no chance she’ll get turned on with Mina licking her lips like that. There’s no chance
she’ll actually think about the ungodly things they did the night before at the exact same spot she’s
sitting in at the moment. There’s no chance she’ll crave feeling that body against hers. There’s no
chance she’ll succeed forgetting about the feeling of ecstasy when she’s doing it with Mina.

This time around, Nayeon’s the one who closes the blinds in her office.

Mina takes it as a win.

Nayeon doesn’t bother knocking this time. She marches straight to Mina’s desk then drops the
project proposals. She crosses her arms and taps her foot until Mina looks up. “We should proceed
with the first two and ditch the last one.”

Mina takes the files into her hands and smiles.

“What? Are you gonna fight me on it and say—“

“No, we actually have the same decision. No further discussion needed. You may head back to
your office.” Mina nods approvingly. “And also, don’t forget your extra hours in the Archives. I’ll
be there.”

“Were you like a hall monitor in high school? Because it shows.” Nayeon looks at Mina, cringing.

“Yes.”

“That explains your weird behaviour.” Nayeon snorts.

“I don’t see it as an insult.”

“I’ll come up with a better one.” Nayeon says.

“Whatever floats your boat. Just so you know it’s 11:45AM.”

“So what?”

“Just reminding you of the time. I’m not sure if you have difficulty reading your watch. Maybe
that’s why you were late. I’m just trying to be the understanding one here.”

“Christ. You’re such a stickler to rules and a complete asshole.” Nayeon looks at her with pity.

“Arriving on time is bare minimum, but if you see it as a rigorous task, you should start reassessing
your journey here at ImTech. Can’t even go a minute without cussing your boss out. Christ.” Mina
mirrors Nayeon’s expression.

“Boss?!” An indignant Nayeon asks.

“Yes, employee?” Mina continues typing.

“I’m the boss, in case you forgot.” Nayeon tells.

“Oh right, right. Sorry, Boss Im Nayeon, daughter of Big Boss Chairman Im.” Mina stares at her
deadpan, trying her best to sound apologetic.

The “boss” storms out the room and heads back to her office. She can’t wait to sort out dusty files
later!

When Nayeon found out she was to be put in the Research and Design department, she thought she
would be developing her own project immediately. She even has her own timetable outlining how
she can launch her own project by the end of the year. But what is this team leader doing, cornering
her into doing mundane tasks and treating her like this?

This was supposed to be fun. But whatever. This is for the company. This is for keeping the Im
legacy. Whatever it takes to keep the family’s honour.

The moment Nayeon has been dreading since morning finally comes. Every step she takes towards
the Archives room felt like a step towards death. She just hopes Chaeyoung is wrong about Mina
supervising them as they sort old files.

The Archives room was like a blast from the past. Despite ImTech being the leading technology
provider for the country, the room was like an abandoned library, with no trace of being included
in the agenda of technological advancement. It smelled old, the books look antiquated, papers were
everywhere, file boxes were not arranged, some shelves were barely holding up; in short, a mess.
No wonder it will be used as a place for punishment. Myoui Mina sure is evil. And this might as
well be her lair.

Nayeon coughs aggressively. Her body isn’t used to places like this.

“You’re late.”
Nayeon hears the condescending and condemning tone of the team leader. She sees Mina behind a
mini table, not even looking up (as usual) to welcome her.

Honestly, it wasn’t a good day for Nayeon. Being dragged into this work version of detention
definitely doesn’t make it any better.

“Whatever, team leader. Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. Let’s get this over with. Where’s
Chaeyoung?”

“I let Ms. Son leave early.”

“Uhh...so does that mean I can leave early too?” Nayeon looks confused.

“No.”

“No?!”

“No.”

“And why is that?”

“Since you’ll be the future leader of this company, you should know how to cover up for your
subordinates’ shortcomings. You’re technically the face of ImTech now. Whatever mess the
company gets into, you’ll be the representative to speak during press briefings. Might as well learn
how to cover up minor issues. Start with this task.” Mina finally pauses.

She gestures toward a line of boxes with no lids.

“Those boxes have files that need to be sorted by date. Place the ones 1-5 years on the first shelf;
6-10 years on the second shelf, and those 10 years or older, over there.” Mina points to a corner.
“You’ll shred them later. Sort through them please. Now.” Mina instructs.

Nayeon blinks repeatedly, still trying to process the amount of labour Mina is trying to make her
do.

This isn’t even part of the job description of someone from the Research and Design department. Is
it? Nayeon forgot to read the handbook. Damn it. She could’ve sassed the hell out of Mina.

Mina looks at her expectantly, waiting for her to start. “Are we supposed to wait until tomorrow to
start?”

“Fine, fine, fine. Christ. I’ll start sorting.” She throws her hands up.

“By the way, just a brief intro, this is the Archives room. It’s where some confidential files are
kept. Contracts, research proposals, whatever. It’s a mess here. That’s why extra hands are
needed.” Mina narrates.

“Okay.” Nayeon replies. “Thanks for the valuable info, tour guide.”

Nayeon spends the next hour sifting through files and piling them into different stacks. She shoots
Mina death glares ever so often. Mina remains unfazed, just typing in her laptop.
“Can I take a break?” Nayeon whines after hitting the one-hour mark.

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? I’m thirsty!” Nayeon grumbles.

“Okay. Be back in a minute or I’ll add workload.”

Nayeon speeds out the room to drink water and comes back immediately. “That was 35 seconds!
Don’t you dare add anything!”

“I won’t.” Mina smiles sweetly.

After 15 minutes or what seemed like an eternity for Nayeon, she finally finishes sorting the
papers. She starts putting them into the boxes. After, Nayeon begrudgingly places the boxes on the
shelves, making sure to let Mina know about her frustrations with every exaggerated sigh she
makes.

“Do you need an inhaler? You seem out of breath. You’re breathing so loudly, it’s disturbing my
thinking process.” Mina looks up from her laptop after counting Nayeon’s twentieth, now twenty-
first, sigh. She takes note since it was bothering her too much.

“Whatever. You’re enjoying seeing me suffer.” Nayeon rolls her eyes and sighs another time. 22.

Mina’s irritation is increasing with every sigh Nayeon makes. So she makes a bet with herself. If
Im Nayeon doesn’t shut up with her annoying sighing, she will teach the girl a lesson about
keeping quiet. 25 sighs. That’s the limit.

Nayeon sighs again. Mina’s tapping her fingers in a calculated rhythm. Thinking. There’s
something about Nayeon that gets her riled up. It’s not just the attitude. That’s 23.

It’s Mina turn to sigh this time. She cracks her fingers, stretches her arms and neck, rolls up her
sleeves, as if preparing for battle.

She just stares at Nayeon, patiently this time, waiting for the whiny woman to make another sound.

Nayeon lifts another box and mumbles angrily under her, uttering curses directed at Mina,
something about the CEO’s daughter not deserving this kind of treatment. Once she places it on the
the third shelf, she huffs and sighs.

That’s 24, Mina counts. One more and this brat will get it.

Mina looks at Nayeon amusingly. Nayeon stares back and makes a face. The latter stomps her feet
as she takes another box, and tiptoes to place it on the top rack. She dusts her hands and walks to
the line of boxes she still has to sort out.

The team leader’s attention was focused on Nayeon’s every move and sound.

Nayeon turns around and places her hands on her waist. “This is a labour code violation. You
know what? I’m done for the day.”
Mina just snorts.

Nayeon hates that smug face.

“If you read through the employee manual, you’ll know that what I did wasn’t really allowed. I
can’t “punish” an employee this way.” Mina notes and chortles.

“Oh my god. Unbelievable. You think this is funny? It’s not funny. I’m gonna report you.”

“Under what offence? What proof?”

Nayeon looks around the room and sees there were no cameras. This is sabotage! “Ugh. Fuck off.”
Nayeon says. “Team leadernim.” she doesn’t forget to add, exaggerating.

Mina snickers again. She shakes her head.

“You’re so annoying. Eat my ass, Myoui.” Nayeon spits out, obviously displeased.

“Then bend over.”

“What?” A startled Nayeon asks.

“Bend over, Im.” Mina stands up from her table. “I’ll eat your ass out.”

“I wasn’t serious when I said that I—I—I thought...I thought last night was our last.” Nayeon
stammers. She finds herself flustered, temporarily caught off guard. The hell.

Is Mina kidding? Doesn’t look like it. It’s so hard to read her. One minute she’s grilling Nayeon,
the next she’s ready to eat her out? Goddamn Myoui Mina, for real. The woman’s insane.

“Okay.” Mina shrugs and closes her laptop. “I’m leaving then.”

“Wait. No. Stay.” Nayeon calls, trying her best not to sound desperate. “Lock the door.”

Mina doesn’t need to be told twice. She walks to the door and locks it. By the time she turns
around, Nayeon was already there, pushing her back against the door.

“I hate your guts, Myoui.” Nayeon says before pressing her lips against Mina. It was teeth and
tongue, and a little bit of hair pulling. Gotta take advantage of the fact Mina’s wearing a high
ponytail. Nayeon takes out her frustrations through making out fiercely with the team leader.

Mina’s hand pulls Nayeon’s neck to deepen the kiss, while she uses the other to unbutton Nayeon’s
polo.

“Wait, wait.” Nayeon scans the ceiling.

“No CCTVs here. It’s okay.” Mina reconnects their lips immediately. She pushes Nayeon forward
and rams her into one of the shelves. Nayeon doesn’t mind though. They almost stumble over a
box of files, but Mina secures her hand around Nayeon’s waist.

Mina was anything but gentle. She presses Nayeon’s body against the shelf and pins it with her
own hips. “I hate your guts too, Im.” she whispers against Nayeon’s neck before sucking on the
exact same spot, eliciting a low moan.

They continue their makeout session until one of the boxes falls from the shelf. “Shit. I just sorted
that one earlier.” Nayeon breaks the kiss.

“Don’t mind that. That’s not important anyway.” Mina replies, bringing their lips together again.

Nayeon was about to complain, but Mina preempted it, so she bites Nayeon’s lower lip, earning a
groan instead of a complaint. Maybe Nayeon wasn’t the only one who needed to let off some
steam.

Nayeon being impatient wasn’t out of the ordinary. But tonight, she was needy. After all that work
Mina put her through, she deserves to be rewarded well. And who would be the best rewarder other
than the team leader who put her into this? So tonight, Nayeon doesn’t mind getting her needs met.
She needed to let some steam off.

“Fuck me on that pathetic desk.” Nayeon pants, gasping for some air after Mina relentlessly kissed
her.

But as soon as they reach the table, Nayeon changes her mind last minute.

“Bend over, Myoui.”

“What? I thought I’m gonna be the one to fuck you?”

“You’ve fucked me over just enough today with all those unnecessary work you made me do. I get
to be the one who fucks you. Now bend over.”

“No.”

“It’s either I fuck you or we don’t have sex at all.” Nayeon gives the condition.

“You’re so difficult.” Mina groans. “Fine fuck me then.”

Mina divests herself off her pants, revealing a black lacy underwear, leaving her stilettos on,
however. She also gives Nayeon a little striptease to keep the night going and does the honour of
bending over and laying her arms flat on the table, gripping the desk’s edges.

This makes Nayeon inhale sharply and bite her own fist. “Fuck. You’re so hot.” she wasn’t able to
resist saying before reaching out to grab the two cheeks.

She gives Mina’s ass a slap before falling to her knees. Even Mina surprises herself with how loud
she moaned. This ignites something within Nayeon that made her more eager to adore the body
before her. Worshipping Mina like this is the only acceptable kind of bowing down Nayeon will do
to the team leader.

Nayeon bring her lips to adorn Mina’s thighs with soft kisses. She continues caressing Mina’s
thighs before burying her face in the team leader’s ass and finally enjoying tonight’s main course.

When she feels that Mina is ready, Nayeon runs her thumb along the rim of Mina’s ass, before
painstakingly inserting her middle finger, careful not to hurt the lady.
The screams Mina made were sinful. Thank God it was past working hours and no one was left
except them. It was a wordless flow of sounds, now Nayeon’s favourite sound in the world.

“Fuck Mina you’re so tight.” She grits her teeth, as she pushes deeper.

Mina just replies with incoherent moans. She grips on the table harder, knuckles turning white,
letting pleasure course through her whole body.

“Is this okay?” Nayeon makes sure Mina is comfortable.

“Yes, yes.” Mina’s voice is strained.

When Nayeon is knuckle-deep into Mina’s ass, she starts pumping in and out. Nayeon maintains
this rhythm until Mina comes undone.

Mina’s knees give up on her but good thing Nayeon’s already standing to hold her up. Nayeon’s
arm circles around Mina’s waist, bringing her to an upright position. She places gentle kisses on
Mina’s shoulder, a contrast to the roughness she’s been exhibiting.

“Last time tonight?” Nayeon asks, still not stopping claiming Mina’s shoulder.

“Last time tonight.” Mina answers before turning around to seal their lips with a languid kiss.

“Let’s get out of this place. It’s too dusty here. At least let’s make the last night memorable.”
Nayeon suggests. “Unless you’re satisfied already?”

Mina, still drunk in lust, pulls Nayeon for one more kiss. “No. Let’s go. I can take you all night
until morning since this is our last.”

Im Nayeon drains all the poise and grace from Mina. This might be the end of her someday. The
ruthless team leader becomes a needy mess for Nayeon.

“Let’s go to my flat in Gandgong-gu. It’s just 15 minutes from here, and there won’t be a chance
my parents will be there.” Nayeon helps Mina dress up.

The moment they arrive, clothes were immediately off. All that was left were naked bodies dancing
to a sensual tempo.

The set-up wasn’t ideal given the nature of their jobs and key positions in the company, but it
wasn’t that uncommon either. Officemates having sexual relations isn’t news.

But for Mina and Nayeon, it goes like this:

Mina bosses Nayeon around, Nayeon retaliates with sass, they fuck. It becomes a cycle.

As the months flew by quickly, they pretty much understood what they are. They both knew that
their “last nights” ALWAYS don’t end up being their lasts. It was pointless to deny they satiate
each other’s needs.

So they tried to establish rules so as not to cross the line, if there is still one, that is. Although it
was written down on some used table napkin, they shook hands on it, and that’s good enough to
seal the deal. The rules are simple:

1. No feelings involved (only mutual hatred bc I hate ur guts)

2. No sex/sexting during work hours (Sexting is okay!!! Lunch break is ok)
3. No sex in the office (pantry ok)
4. Sex will always be at Nayeon’s place
5. No one else will know (but blind item is ok when telling story to friends)
6. No weird kinks

Mina basically wrote all of it down, but Nayeon made modifications written in parentheses and
through striking out the 6th rule, arguing that the definition of “weird” was too vague and
restricting.

“What happens when we break the rules?” Nayeon asks.

“I don’t intend to break them, so there won’t be consequences needed.” Mina shrugs.

“But what if I break them? Like what if I badly need to fuck you before a 2PM meeting on heat
energy, and we have to do it during work hours since seeing you in red turns me on so much?”

“That sounds way too specific.”

“It’s because that meeting starts in half an hour.” Nayeon points to the wall clock.

“Pantry. Now.”

Well, they eventually break Rules 2 to 6, but they’re always careful not to break the first one. So
they made a seventh rule, authored by Nayeon.

7. It’s ok to break the rules at times, but Rule #1 is the golden rule. Do not break. ✔️

Mina draws a small check beside it, as a way to acknowledge the added rule.

“That’s so Myoui Mina of you.” Nayeon comments.

“Which one?”

“Putting a check mark beside it.”

“Why? Aren’t you used to getting checks on your paper? Have you been used to failing marks?”
Mina counters.
“Why do you always attack me?” Nayeon retorts.

“I was kidding.” Mina snorts.

“With you, I never know if you’re kidding or not.” Nayeon crosses her arms.

“If I say it like this, I’m not kidding.” Mina says monotonously. “But if I say it like this, I’m
joking.” she says in the exact same tone.

“There’s no difference!”

“There is! Look.” Mina demonstrates. “This is serious, and this is joking.”

“Whatever Team leader, you’re just messing with me.” she rolls her eyes.

“I thought I’m ‘Mina’ to you when it’s just the two of us.”

“Oh? But I actually prefer calling you babygirl because that makes you come faster, I noticed.”

“You come faster when I call you babygirl.” Mina defends herself, sounding a little bit whiny.
“You like it when I top you and call you cute names.”

“No, I don’t.” Nayeon denies.

“Bet?” Mina challenges.

“Pass. Red days are here. I’d take you up on that offer some other day.”

“Excuses.” Mina rolls her eyes.

“God, do you want me that much?” Nayeon smirks.

“You wish.” Mina’s lips curve up. “The meeting will start in 5 minutes by the way.”

“Do you want a quickie or what?” Nayeon teases.

“I’m reminding you not to be late.” Mina’s disposition shifts.

“Oh yeah. Christ. You know sometimes when we fuck, I forget how much of an asshole you are as
a team leader, but then when you’re like this, you make my blood boil.” Nayeon laughs. “You’re
weird, Mina.”

“You’re weird, Nayeon.”

“I’ll see you in the meeting.” Nayeon waves before stealing a quick kiss from Mina’s lips.

“Hey!” Mina says, but Nayeon was out of the room already. If Nayeon had stayed a second longer,
she would’ve seen a hint of red creep up Mina’s cheeks.

When the meeting starts, Nayeon winks at Mina, but since she can’t really do it, she ends up
blinking.
“Do your eyes hurt?” Chaeyoung asks her.

“Huh?”

“Your eyes seem to be twitching. Are you on something?” the junior asks.

“What? No. I’m fine. Thanks, Chaeng.” Nayeon assures her.

This time, Nayeon catches Mina smiling for a second, probably internally laughing at her.

Mina sticks her tongue out, but hides it in the guise of licking her lip.

Nayeon was about to react violently, but Mina prevents it from happening, by calling on her to
give a suggestion about the new line of product they’re developing.

Neither of the two admit, but they actually enjoy it this way. They “hate” on each other, have sex,
banter, work, tease, then repeat. It was a comfortable and convenient set-up.

They eventually become friends despite the mean exchange of words during meetings and work
hours.

“How’s Nayeon doing in your department?” Chairman Im asks for Mina’s assessment.

“She’s doing well. I think she already has a grasp of what R&D is about. She’s ready to explore
the different departments.” Mina praises Nayeon.

“Do you think she can work with a different department starting today?”

“Sir, I think it would be better if she stays a little longer with me. I mean with R&D. Her input is
valuable and we need her critical analysis and skills for the new line of product we’re developing.”
Mina argues.

“Well, okay. You take care of her. I know she’s in good hands since it’s you, Team leader Myoui.
That’s all. I just wanted to know how my daughter is doing. You’re dismissed.”

There’s an unsettling feeling in Mina’s stomach when she thinks about Nayeon being transferred to
another department. She knows that as the CEO’s daughter, Nayeon should be well-rounded and
well-versed in handling the different departments, but there’s this something unknown Mina is
feeling.

Maybe she’s disappointed R&D will lose a quick-witted member. Maybe Mina will miss having
someone to challenge her ideas and make the team function more efficiently.
“Do you wanna transfer to a different department?” Mina asks Nayeon, who is now spooning her.

“Hmm?” Nayeon asks groggily, still recovering from their banging.

“Do you wanna explore being in different departments for ImTech? Like Finance or IT?” Mina
plays with Nayeon’s fingers and intertwines it with hers.

“No.” Nayeon kisses Mina’s ear.

“Why not?”

“I don’t think there’s a team leader I can sleep with in different departments. I don’t think there’s
anyone who can fuck me like you do.” she kisses Mina’s neck this time. “You’re the best team
leader.”

“Suuuure.” Mina snuggles closer to Nayeon, curving her body to fit Nayeon’s shape.

“I’m serious. I mean even if you’re a bitch at times.” Nayeon laughs.

“Okay, that’s it. I’m leaving.” Mina feigns getting up, only to be held back by Nayeon’s arms.

“Nooo! Baby, stay.” Nayeon whines.

“Fine.” Mina giggles.

Nayeon’s starting to like Mina’s giggles more than her moans. Mina’s moans are more fire and
passion, but Mina’s giggles are warmth and spring. Nayeon doesn’t know what that means though.

They find out more about each other the more they work together.

Nayeon learns that Mina’s optimal learning curve is at 9PM, at any quiet place. She thrives during
these hours and will give the best of ideas. Nayeon understands that when Mina raises her right
brow, she’s interested in the topic and would like to hear more of it; if it’s the left, the idea will
sure be junked and should be immediately revised. Nayeon also notices that Mina licks her lips
when she’s about to make a decision.

Mina learns that Nayeon’s ideal working environment is opposite to hers. Nayeon prefers working
in cafes or crowded places, wanting the background noise and movements be a source of brain
juice. Nayeon’s sleeping schedule is a wack, but she manages to come up with better ideas when
there’s no specific time given. Mina notes down that Nayeon doesn’t use the Oxford comma, so
they argue about it until the latter bows out. Mina makes sure to debate with Nayeon through text,
to prove a point.

[Team Leader Myoui]: For your birthday, I’ll be inviting strippers, your father and mother.
[Im Nayeon, future CEO]: Why would my parents be the strippers???

[Team Leader Myoui]: Exactly. That’s why you should use the Oxford comma. Thanks.

Nayeon discovers that Mina is ticklish on the left side of her neck, while the other side can elicit
heavenly moans. She numbers the moles on Mina’s face, and learns the team leader gets weak on
the knees when Nayeon kisses her on her moles. She also picks up that Mina likes it when Nayeon
holds her on the waist. Mina familiarises herself with Nayeon good enough to know that Nayeon’s
right middle finger is slightly longer than her left. Mina also learns that Nayeon’s cheeks are the
softest, and she looks like a bunny when she pouts. Nayeon also likes holding hands while having
sex, and Nayeon likes it best when Mina is on her lap.

Nayeon discovers that Mina is a great chef, and Mina discovers Nayeon is a decent one who can
fry eggs and make sausages. Nayeon finds that Mina drowns her egg in ketchup. Mina learns that
Nayeon likes her truffle pasta best.

Nayeon learns that Mina spends her free time watching boring documentaries or playing games.
Mina observes that Nayeon likes sappy romance films. She also learns that Nayeon totally sucks at
games. They learn that they’re actually both couch potatoes.

One weekend, Mina enters Nayeon’s flat, keying the 6-digit passcode (IU’s birthday, one of
Nayeon’s favourite artists). She find Nayeon in an oversized shirt, flipping through channels, on
the couch.

“Ah, you’re here.” Nayeon acknowledges Mina’s presence with a nod. “I thought you had a
meeting?”

“You father cancelled the meeting last minute.” Mina replies as she takes off her coat and shoes.

“Sounds very much like him.” Nayeon scoots over and welcomes Mina into her arms.

Mina pecks Nayeon’s cheek before sliding into her arms. She melts into Nayeon’s embrace before
she sneakily steals the remote.

“If you change it to Animal Planet, I’m gonna kick you out.” Nayeon warns.

“There’s a special episode today about Arctic Penguins. You know I like penguins.” Mina pouts,
trying to gain sympathy.

“If our coworkers find out you’re actually this soft, they won’t be peeing their pants whenever you
walk near them.” Nayeon adjusts to make Mina lay on the couch more comfortably.

“That’s why Kim and Son don’t respect you. You treat them as bros.” Mina comments, now
successfully tuning in to Animal Planet.

Mina claps before making a little sound that somewhat sounded like ‘yaay’. Nayeon finds it
extremely adorable, so she lets Mina’s boring choice pass.

Not even after a minute, Nayeon groans in frustration. “Minaaaa, this is too boring. They’re just
waddling.” she buries her face in the crevice of Mina’s neck, pulling the petite woman closer to her
body.

“Shhh.” Mina just shuts Nayeon up.

“I didn’t know there was a change in management in this household. Maybe you should start
paying rent, Ms. Myoui.”

“Nayeonie, I’m watching.” Mina smiles, knowing she pulled out a strong card. She was able to
figure out that Nayeon’s more likely to listen to her when she uses cute names.

“Ugh. Fine.” Nayeon cuddles Mina tighter.

Mid-show, Mina notices that Nayeon has fallen asleep, evident of the rising and falling of her
chest. Mina can also feel Nayeon’s steady breath hitting the back of her neck.

She decides to turn off the TV and shift her position, so that she is now facing the sleeping
Nayeon. Mina throws her arm around Nayeon and places a feathery kiss on her jaw.

“Why are you staring at me?” Nayeon asks with her eyes still closed.

“I’m not.” Mina closes her eyes.

“I can feel your eyes on me, like you wanna eat me.” Nayeon snorts.

“I’m not always in the mood for that.” Mina defends herself, as she shifts closer to Nayeon, resting
her head on the latter’s shoulder.

“Sure.” Nayeon runs her fingers along Mina’s waist.

Mina just giggles. It warms Nayeon’s heart.

“I want truffle pasta when I wake up.” Nayeon demands, kissing the crown of Mina’s head.

“Make it yourself.” Mina retorts.

“No, I want you to cook for me. I like your cooking. Besides, I’ll burn the kitchen down.”

“I’m not your personal chef, Nayeon.”

Nayeon finally opens her eyes and sees Mina with her gummy smile and closed eyes. At that
moment, Nayeon comes to a realisation that she would trade several sunsets for the sight of Mina
being soft like this. She doesn’t know why the thought came about though.

“Please, Mina?” She tucks loose strands of hair behind the team leader’s ear.

“Fine.” Mina moves to turn and stand.

“Wait, where are you going?”

 “I’ll make pasta.”

“Stay a while. I need more cuddles.” Nayeon pouts, holding on to Mina’s hand.

“No, but I have to cook, right? It’s now or never. Take it or leave it.” Mina says.

“You’re really so difficult. But fine, I choose cuddles. Come back here.” Nayeon pulls Mina in.
“Don’t cook pasta anymore.” she kisses Mina’s lips. It tasted sweeter than before. “Did you use a
different lip gloss?”

“No. Why?”

“Nothing.” Nayeon replies. “Come closer. I need to cuddle you so I can sleep. Forget about the
pasta.” she mumbles. She holds onto Mina until she eventually falls back to sleep.

Nayeon wakes up to truffle pasta anyway.

It has come to the point where they’re this comfortable around each other. Sometimes too
comfortable, it gets dangerous. Dangerous, in the sense that the Golden Rule might be broken.

Chapter End Notes

Thanks for reading!

It’ll start to be messy the next updates. Who do you think’s gonna fall first? Hehe. Or
will someone actually fall?

Twt: @NabongsBunny
#TWICEAdoreYou
 come on, baby play me like a love song [M]
Chapter Notes

Hello thanks for waiting! This won’t be angst yet I changed my mind haha angst is
postponed for now hehe so there’s a change in song recos:

1. lowkey - NIKI
2. I Would Do Anything for You - Foster the People
3. Bloom - Troye Sivan
4. Lips on Lips - Tiffany
5. Stockholm Syndrome - One Direction

Sorry this was unbeta’d so I apologise in advance for errors

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Perhaps in another universe, it could’ve been Mina who breaks the Golden Rule. But in this, it’s
Nayeon. It’s Nayeon who falls, who breaks; helplessly—

It only takes a matter of time before she comes to terms with herself.

The sun creeps past the curtains, making its way to Nayeon’s eyes.

Mina.

Mina.

Mina.

She thinks about Mina even before her instincts guide her to shield her eyes from the sunlight.

Her first thought in the morning is Mina.

Mina actually stayed the night. The team leader was sleeping peacefully, using Nayeon’s arm
(which now feels numb) as her pillow, and Nayeon didn’t want to disturb her, so she carefully lifts
Mina’s head before slipping out of the sheets.

Nayeon stays a little while to wonder how someone was created so beautifully. Nayeon finds her
breathing synchronised to the rise and fall of Mina's chest. She shakes off the unsettling feeling in
her chest and puts on her robe before heading to the kitchen to make some kombucha. Mina says
she hates it, but Nayeon knows the team leader actually loves her brew.

So Nayeon goes through the tedious process of making it for Mina, to prove the team leader that
her brew is superior. She does it for bragging rights. (It takes a lot of time and effort to brew
kombucha, but Nayeon thinks Mina is worth all that hassle).

Nayeon carefully takes out the tea she’s been fermenting for almost a week, takes out an expensive
bottle of whisky she got from Japan, some ice, and a whole lemon to prep the glass. She skilfully
pours half a shot of whisky (Mina doesn’t like it when it’s too strong), followed by two shots of the
tea. She adorns the glass with a slice of lemon.

Nayeon hears soft footsteps approaching, and she suddenly feels her heart pick up pace. It’s never
been like this.

Excluding the fact that it’s only Mina apart from her who’s in the flat, she already memorises the
sound of the team leader’s footsteps. It varies. When Mina wears heels, her footsteps sound like
rolling thunder. When Mina’s barefoot, they barely make a sound, but the little waddles vibrate
through the floor, and Nayeon’s body is attuned to this. Her body seems to be alert to every sound
Mina makes. So she turns to face Mina.

“Morning!” Nayeon smiles widely at the grumpy-faced lady.

“Morning.” Mina rubs her eyes and stretches, exposing the part of her waist Nayeon marked last
night.

“You’re so grumpy in the morning. I made you some kombucha.” Nayeon serves her the glass.

“I don’t like kombucha. Only people who seem to get their lives together drink it.” Mina
comments but her face lights up the moments she takes a sip, her eyes forming into little crescents.
“I only drink if it’s you who made it.”
Nayeon’s heart flutters. Was it her ego being satisfied or was it something else?

“It’s Sunday. You don’t have to leave immediately.” Nayeon says. “It’s not like you go to church
or a temple.”

“I know. We’re both going to hell.” Mina replies. “You just want me to stay because you want
someone to cook for you.”

“Well, that’s...not a lie.” Nayeon retorts. That’s not a complete truth either. (I want you to stay
because I like you here).

“I’ll take the kombucha as payment. You’re one of the richest in Korea. Get your own chef. Like a
professional one.” Mina teases, but she puts on an apron anyway and starts tying her hair.

Nayeon rests against the wall and watches Mina in amazement. “Why would I need someone else
when I have you?”

Mina bursts into laughter. “You sounded so serious. You sounded like-like-like you wanna start
dating me or something.” she covers her mouth with her hand, a habit she often does when
laughing too hard.

“And what’s wrong with that? I mean you’re fuckable and attractive. Maybe cute and smart. A
little bit feisty at time. So why not?” Nayeon was testing the waters.

“Golden Rule.” Mina smirks and wags a finger at Nayeon. “We can’t be emotionally-involved.
This is already a mess, what we have. If your parents find out, we’re both dead. Besides, it’s fun
this way.” Mina returns to slicing tofu. “Why? Falling for me already, Ms. Im?”

“You wish.” Nayeon says. Half-heartedly. “I’ll take a shower first. Breakfast better be ready when
I finish.”

Mina takes a pinch of salt and sprinkles it towards Nayeon. “No ‘please’? The daughter of
Chairman Im doesn’t have manners?” she prods.
“I don’t need to say it to you. Besides, I don’t beg.” Nayeon says.

“Last night tells me otherwise.” Mina smirks.

“Oh my god fuck yourself, Myoui Mina.” Nayeon blushes as she retreats to her room.

“I’d rather fuck you.” Mina says under her breath.

“I heard that!” The room muffles Nayeon’s voice.

Mina just shakes her head. She enjoys teasing Nayeon.

Nayeon returns to a colourful table. Mina made her a breakfast bento.

The fried rice was shaped into a bunny figure who had beef as eyes, sausage as tongue, seaweed as
mouth, tofu as teeth, and omelette as a blanket. The background was studded with veggies and
berries.

Nayeon snaps a photo and adds it to her ‘Favourites’. (When one looks at the album, it’s actually
just a compilation of photos of food Mina cooks for her).

“Ugh!” Nayeon groans.

“What?” Mina relaxes and sits in front of Nayeon. Her grin suits her.

“This is the best! Quit being a team leader and be my personal chef instead. I’ll pay you double or
triple.” she exclaims in excitement. Only Mina knows the acceptable texture of egg Nayeon’s
palate accepts.

Nayeon does her happy dance with chopsticks on each hand.

“Is it that good?” Mina smiles.

“You just wanna keep hearing compliments.” Nayeon says before picking up a piece of meat and
some rice, bringing it up to Mina’s mouth. She places her hand under Mina’s chin in case any grain
falls.

“You’re right. Maybe I should just be your personal chef.” Mina beams, satisfied. “Well, I have to
prepare now. I still have some errands to run. I’ll get dressed.”

Mina comes out looking fine as ever, sporting a baby blue suit coordinates.

“Perfume’s on the dresser.” Nayeon reminds Mina. “It’s so not you to forget about stuff so easily.”
she laughs as she follows Mina into her room.

She trails behind the team leader, her heart filled with some kind of ecstasy just with the thought
Mina knows her way around the flat.

“The only reason why I don’t have any of my stuff with me is because someone here was so needy
last night, she can’t even wait for me to finish packing up.” Mina smirks.

“Shut up. You really have to emphasise that?” Nayeon reaches for the bottle of perfume and
initiates to spray it on Mina.

“Of course.” She tilts her neck so Nayeon can spray it on her collar.

“I like my perfume on you.” Nayeon hugs and nuzzles against Mina’s nape.

Mina shrivels up. “Nayeon, stop. I’m ticklish there, you know that.” she giggles.

It’s a wonder to Nayeon how the cold team leader shifts into a soft and giggly girlfriend, no they're
not together girl when it’s just the two of them. It’s also a wonder how Mina becomes so sensual
and alluring when they have sex. It’ll be Nayeon’s life long mission to know the different facets of
Mina.

“Okay, okay.” Nayeon lets go. “See you at work tomorrow.” She pecks Mina’s lips before heading
back to eat. “Thanks for the breakfast!” she says cheerfully, waving goodbye.

“Thanks for the dinner.” Mina winks and Nayeon blushes again. “You tasted great.”

“Since when did you get so cocky?” Nayeon shoos her away.

As the door closed, it suddenly seemed darker in the flat. Nayeon deflates.

Nayeon’s been more sensitive and observant to Mina’s needs lately, not just in the sexual sense (in
fact, it’s Mina pleasing her most of the time), just in the general sense. She notices when Mina
hasn’t had lunch yet. She notices when Mina’s frustrated about a project. She notices when Mina
despises the business partner. She notices when Mina needs kombucha.

Nayeon learns that there is more to the cold and unfeeling facade of Mina. She doesn’t know the
reason yet, but she’ll allow Mina space and time to be the one to open up.

——

As the pioneer technology provider in the country, the government Land and Housing Corporation
has been working hand-in-hand with ImTech to provide quality homes for low-income earners.
This partnership is on top of other contracts and partnerships ImTech has with other housing and
residential business conglomerates.

ImTech recently dropped RepTiles, a tile manufacturing partner since it was discovered the
company was involved in illegal transactions, snaking their way into unlawful exportation. ImTech
had to nip the issue in the bud, thus cutting off the partnership completely. Because of this, the
housing projects of ImTech have been lagging, and they need to select a new partner soon. There’s
a long list of applicants, but wise judgement is needed.

It is under the Research and Design department to select the materials that will be used, so it it their
burden to choose the next partner. Being the team leader for R&D, a huge chunk of work is
shouldered by Mina. There’s only so much one can carry until they breakdown.

——

Nayeon doesn’t know what’s more distracting: Mina licking her lips or Mina spinning her pen
incessantly. Either spells out trouble. Just a minute later, as predicted, Mina turns down another
design proposal, reasoning that the research is inadequate and the project is nowhere near feasible
as the materials they have to source are twice the price of the usual ceramic and granite. She leaves
the meeting room with deep sighs and a long face, reminding everyone on the team to keep up and
do better since the team will not function if individuals roles don’t get fulfilled. Mina doesn’t even
have the energy to raise her voice.

Nayeon sensed Mina’s frustration, so she immediately follows the team leader to her office.

She sees Mina already busy sketching a design, using her laptop as reference. One hand, massaging
her temple.

“Hey.” Nayeon greets.

“Hey.”

“You should get some rest.” Nayeon places a bottle of kombucha on Mina’s desk. She intended to
give it in the morning, but the morning meeting didn’t go well.

“Thanks, but I need to finish these ASAP. We’re lagging behind by almost a week. The Design
team can’t even give me a decent profile so I’m doing it myself.”

“I can help you with that.” Nayeon offers.

“No, it’s okay. Just focus on the research. You can go with Ms. Son to the testing facility later to
see which tile’s most durable.” Mina waives the offer. “Then send me your assessment. I’ll
approve it right away so it can be forwarded to the next department.”
Nayeon clears Mina’s desk and sits on it.

“What are you doing? Not now, Ms. Im.” Mina says, visibly irked. Can’t Nayeon gauge the
situation? Now’s not the time for office sex.

“Mina, you should get some rest. It’s obvious you have a headache.” Nayeon looks at Mina with
worried eyes, no hint of a sensual insinuation.

“I can do this. I’m okay, really.” Mina taps on Nayeon’s thighs for her to get off the table. “I’ll just
finish sketching this and I’ll drink up some kombucha you made for me, okay? Are we good?”

“You’re so hardheaded at times, you know that?” Nayeon takes away Mina’s pen and places her
hands on Mina’s temples. “Does it hurt here?” She starts massaging the team leader.

Mina wanted to resists, but she finds herself succumbing and just nodding. She closes her eyes as
she allows Nayeon to massage her temples, and play with her hair a little bit.

Nayeon has been nothing but comforting these past few days. Mina is seldom fazed, but the recent
blow of the terminated partnership is taking a toll on her. Nayeon has been there to be her shock
absorber however.

“You’re doing so well already, you dont have to overwork yourself, Mina. We’ll make it in time for
the deadline, okay? We’ll figure out the best partner.” Nayeon assures her.

Mina sighs and just like that, tears started flowing out of her eyes.

“Oh no, oh no, oh no, baby.” Panicked words escape Nayeon as she uses her thumbs to dry Mina’s
tears. “Shhhh. It’s okay. Everything will be okay.”

Mina keeps her eyes closed, just letting herself cry freely as she’s held by Nayeon.

It’s not a Myoui Mina thing to be vulnerable, but with Nayeon, it’s okay.
Nayeon’s heart breaks just a little bit, seeing Mina cry like this. With her hands already framing
Mina’s face, Nayeon brings herself closer to capture the team leader’s lips. It was her instinct
telling her it was the right thing to do. And it really was. The kiss was warm and flavoured with
care and concern, a stark contrast to the usual passion and lust. Nayeon loses herself in the kiss,
eager to make Mina feel better. Won’t stop kissing Mina until the team leader’s tears stop.

For a moment, all of Mina’s burdens were lifted. Everything seems lighter.

When Mina finally smiles into the kiss, Nayeon knew she succeeded her mission. She gives a final
peck before breaking away. She’s lightheaded and intoxicated. Kissing Mina’s troubles away is a
different kind of high she can get used to. It’s divine, it’s healing.

“There we go. Didn’t know my kisses can make you smile so much.” Nayeon says smugly, to keep
her character.

“Shut up.” Mina snorts, wiping her eyes.

Nayeon leaves a kiss on her forehead before finally hopping off the desk, patting Mina on the
shoulder as she did.

“Thank you.” Mina says in a soft whisper.

“You’re welcome.” Nayeon beams at her.

All her life, Nayeon has struggled with the idea of being enough. Having to live with high
standards, walking on eggshells with her parents, it seemed like everything she does won’t ever be
enough. But hearing those two words from Mina? That’s more than enough to make Nayeon feel
enough.

“I’m going to the testing facility with Chaeyoung now.” Nayeon says before waving a small
goodbye to the team leader.

She leaves Mina’s office feeling enough.

Nayeon denies it at first. She rationalises that she doesn’t actually like-like Mina. It’s just that
she’s been spending way too much time with the team leader to the point where she’s becoming
fond of her. In a friendly manner.

So she texts her best friend to verify what she’s feeling.

[Im-possible]:

How do you know when I like somebody?

[Jihoe]:

When u start texting stupid questions like this lol who is it this time?

The sister of a potential fiancé? A bartender? Your team leader? Hahah

[Im-possible]:

U take a guess since you know me so well bitch

[Jihoe]:

Well, bitch let me tell you what. Are u falling for your team leader?

You said no strings attached

[Im-possible]:

Idk im confused

[Jihoe]:

Wanna meet up?

[Im-possible]:

Sure. Bring your pathetic gf HAHAH

Tell her I said hi and ask her if she misses me

 [Jihoe]:

Fuck you nayeon - jeong

[Im-possible]:

See u losers later. My place at 6. Penthouse.

“You seem happy.” Mina interrupts the smiling Nayeon. “Who is it?”

“Ah no one. Just Park Jihyo.” Nayeon slides her phone to the pocket of her blazer.

“Your best friend who ended up being girlfriends with your ex?” Mina snickers. By this time, Mina
already knows bits and pieces about Nayeon's life. Some she learns because Nayeon shares, some
she learns by spending time with the CEO's daughter.

“Yeah, that bitch.” Nayeon frowns, feigning anger, but laughs in a second.

“How did you deal with it?” Mina places a folder on Nayeon’s desk.

“I dunno. Just rolled with it. They look great together.” Nayeon shrugs, showing no sign of
resentment. “I wanted Jihyo to be happy, and with Jeongyeon, it’s a relationship that’s hard to
explain. I don’t hate them for ending up together.”

“I see.”

“Anyway, what do you have for me?”

“Your mother told me to give you this. It’s a shortlist of potential partners.” Mina taps on the
folder.
“For ImTech?”

“For you.”

“Ah, I see. So you handpicked these men for me already?” Nayeon complains begrudgingly.

“Yes. Their profiles seemed the most acceptable.”

“But you know men disgust me.” Nayeon whines.

“What do you want me to do? Choose their sisters? Daughters of other chairpersons? Do you want
me to put myself there?” Mina jokes.

“I’d pick you.” Nayeon says.

“Come on.” Mina chuckles.

“I said I’d choose you.” Nayeon reiterates.

“Ha ha funny. Just pick one and I’ll set up a lunch meeting next week. Your mother won’t stop
nagging me about it.“

“Is this part of your job, Mina? They should pay you extra for doing this. It’s hard screening a list
of men who aren’t even worth my time.” Nayeon remarks as she flips through the first page,
immediately cringing. "I'm only choosing so they won't nag you."

“Since I’m your mentor, I think your parents thought I would know you best, entailing I would
know who’s best for you.” Mina replies.

“Who’s best for me, Mina?”

“Based on my assessment, the third candidate. But I’m here because at the end of the day, you
should still be the one who gets to choose who’s best for you.”

Nayeon nods. “I’ll give it some thought. Thanks, team leader.”

She doesn’t even open the file. Nayeon has already made a decision.

“Fuck you, Yoo Jeongyeon.” Nayeon greets her ex.

“Hello to you too, Nayeon.” Jeongyeon laughs before going in for a hug.

“Where’s the big-eyed hoe?” Nayeon squeezes Jeongyeon into a tighter embrace.

“Doing her thing.” Jeongyeon proudly says.

“What thing?”

“Parking.”

“What?” Nayeon looks confused.

“Park. Park Jihyo. Parking?” Jeongyeon laughs.

“No wonder we broke up. Thank god you’re her problem now.” Nayeon disses.

“Thank god I wouldn’t have to deal with your dramatic ass.”

“Oh, my ass is doing just fine being taken care of by someone else.” Nayeon retorts.

“Ugh. TMI! I didn’t need to know that.” Jeongyeon pretends to barf.

“As if you and Jihyo don’t do it anyway.” Nayeon rolls her head back laughing like a mad woman.

“You’re crazy.” Jeongyeon sighs.

“The queen has arrived!” A loud voice shouts from the hallway.

She runs toward Nayeon and jumps in for a hug. They fall flat on the floor.

“My god! Do you wanna top me this much? Are you sick of your bottom?” Nayeon groans,
pushing Jihyo off her.

They gang up against Jeongyeon, laughing at the silver-haired lady.

“Anyway, how hot is this team leader of yours that she managed to get through your thick skull?”
Jihyo asks before she settles on Nayeon’s couch.

“An 11.”

“No way!” Jihyo’s eyes become wider than they already are.

“Nayeon rating someone an 11? Wow. Her standards are getting more lax.” Jeongyeon snickers.

“Shut up, 5.”

“Go to hell. You told me I’m a 9 because you’re the one for me.” Jeongyeon makes a face.
“Goddamn Nayeon.” Jihyo cackles. “That’s so cheesy.”

“She fell for it anyway.” Nayeon laughs. “Anyway, here. That’s her beside me.” she shows her two
bestfriends a photo of Mina.

“Why?” Jihyo asks.

“Why what? Why was she beside me? It’s a photo.” Nayeon mumbles.

“You know what I’m asking.” Jihyo narrows her eyes.

“I don’t.” Nayeon pretends to be clueless. She completely understands what Jihyo is asking. Why
do you like her?

“Why do you like her?” Jihyo verbalises.

“I said I’m confused about liking her.”

“She is hot, but Nayeon, you’ve had a lot of hookups. Why the team leader hangover?” Jihyo
interviews.

“She’s different. I mean for the past few months, I haven’t been seeing anyone else but her. I don’t
even find other girls appealing anymore. Mina’s peak sexy for me.” Nayeon explains.

“And?” Jeongyeon prods her to go on.

“And she’s brilliant. She’s smart as hell. She’s intimidating. She can handle my mood swings. She
understands me. There’s just something about her that makes me want to protect her from all the
evil in this world. She’s...I don’t know. Perfect. Mina likes things to be perfect, and she’s just that.
And I don’t know. We make a great team.”

“But?” Jihyo asks.

“We had this thing like rules we shouldn’t break as officemates with benefits. We can’t have
feelings for each other because then things will get messy and you know how my family is.”

“Honour. For the Ims.” Jeongyeon puts her hand to her chest.

The three of them crack into laughter.

“You never really cared about what your parents think. You don’t even wanna inherit the
company. Is that the real reason you’re holding back?” Jihyo shoots.

That’s true. The only reason why she does what her parents tell her to do is because she wants to
avoid being nagged and feeling she’s inadequate. She’s cooperating more for herself than the Im
Legacy.

“I don’t know. I guess...I think...I think I’m scared she doesn’t like me back the way I like her. I
know she likes me enough to keep me as a fuck buddy or something, but I don’t know if she can
like me more than that.” Nayeon smiles sadly.

“Why do you say that? Christ you’ve been acting like girlfriends based on what you’ve been telling
us the past months.” Jeongyeon says.

“Mina’s different. Wait. Look. Here. It’s like this. Mina’s mind is a waffle. It has different
compartments. She can easily set aside emotions from work or from sex. She can assure you that
feelings won’t get involved and she means it. My mind’s a truffle pasta. It’s messy and
everything’s somehow connected and I’m being attached.”

“Why truffle pasta?” Jeongyeon snorts. “You could’ve just said spaghetti.”

Because Mina makes the best truffle pasta and she’s somehow gotten into every aspect of my life
that simple metaphors about myself are even about her.

“Seriously, Jeong? That’s your takeaway?” Jihyo side-eyes her girlfriend. “Well, anyway, don’t
you think you like her because it’s convenient? You like her because she spends a lot of time with
you?”
“I don’t know. It’s more than just her physical presence.”

“I think at this point, there’s no use denying you like her. You like her, Nayeon. If you heard
yourself, you would’ve heard someone talking about a girl she likes...a lot.”

“I...” Nayeon wants to counter, but only a pregnant pause follows. “Well fuck.” Nayeon pours
herself a drink. Pours both Jihyo and Jeongyeon too. “Cheers to breaking rules. There’s no harm in
having a crush. I’ll just try to keep it lowkey.” she resigns with a faltering laugh.

“That’s a lot to unpack, Nabongs. Why don’t you talk to your therapist?” Jeongyeon suggests.

“Yeah, I should probably talk to Momo. If there’s one person who I trust my whole life with apart
from the both of you, it’s her. I haven't spoken to her in months, but she's a low maintenance friend,
so it's okay. I'll do that.” Nayeon smiles, fondly remembering her therapist who became her soul
sister. “But for now, this is the only therapy I’ll have.” she raises a glass.

Jihyo and Jeongyeon join in Nayeon‘s epiphany. Both of them know Nayeon’s way deep into
liking Mina than a simple “crush”. They don’t say it out loud anyway.

The three of them drown themselves in liquor.

Very much like in boarding school. When the three of them were awaiting the headmaster’s
punishment for them breaking rules such as curfew, dress code, and whatnot; they drink. That was
years ago when they were young and carefree. Nayeon wasn’t afraid of the consequences since her
parents can easily pay off the school and she’ll get an earful of nagging and that’s it.

But it’s different this time. Nayeon has never been more scared of breaking a rule.

————————

[Team Leader Myoui]:

Do you know how to use the photocopier?

 [Im Nayeon, Future CEO]:

No...

[Team Leader Myoui]:

Then learn.

[Im Nayeon, Future CEO]:

Wtf??? Dont want.

[Team Leader Myoui]:

Meet me now. Photocopying room.

[Im Nayeon, Future CEO]:

Pass.

[Team Leader Myoui]:

Okay. Not my loss.

[Im Nayeon, Future CEO]:

What? Ugh. Omw

Nayeon pushes the glass door open and sees Mina in front of the machine, standing with both
hands on her hips, waiting for some copies to be churned out of the machine.

“Why’d you make me come here?” Nayeon demands an answer.

“Oh, I haven’t made you come yet.” Mina says, pacing towards Nayeon.
“What?” Nayeon’s eyes shift from side to side, taking time to process what Mina wants.

“Relax, it’s almost lunch time. People will be heading out soon.” Mina smiles devilishly.

“Yeah, it’s almost lunch time meaning people are still here.” Nayeon steps backward until the back
of her thighs hit the table.

“Stop whining. Since when were you so scared of getting caught?” Mina begins kissing Nayeon’s
neck.

“Team leader.” Nayeon sounds out. “People will see us. Can’t you see we’re in between a fucking
glass window and door?”

“Then don’t squirm too much.” Mina reasons out, motioning with one arm how narrow the wall is,
giving them little to no margin for error. If Nayeon moves just a little bit to her left, they would be
seen immediately.

Nayeon just mentally thanks the gods the photocopying room is not all-glass like their offices.

She hisses when Mina starts sucking on her neck.

“Mina, I don’t have a concealer.”

It seems Mina didn’t hear, so Nayeon repeats more firmly “Mina, I didn’t bring a concealer with
me.” This time, Nayeon was sure Mina was ignoring her words.

Mina sucks harder, making sure to leave a mark. She presses herself against Nayeon’s body, and
gently puts an arm around the latter’s neck.

Nayeon’s left defenceless. In another occasion, she would’ve shown some resistance, but now, she
just can’t.
The team leader was lost in lust, letting her carnal desires take over her body. She starts nibbling on
Nayeon’s ear, letting a little bit of tongue trace its outline. Mina lets her hand slide lower to
unbutton Nayeon’s polo, replacing each undone clasp with a searing kiss. She tosses Nayeon’s polo
to the photocopier.

“Mina!” Nayeon is startled by the team leader’s bold move. People might not see them because of
the wall, but Nayeon’s article of clothing hanging on the photocopier will sure get attention.

Before Nayeon tries to retrieve her polo, Mina divests Nayeon off her bra, throwing it across the
room, rendering her unable to move. The team leader starts kneading the two mounds in front of
her, giving each hardened nipple equal attention with flicks from her tongue and pressured
pinches.

Nayeon can no longer hold back her whimpers so she lets out a long indecent moan as her nails dig
deeper into Mina’s head.

“Ah...ah! Mina! Fuck!” Nayeon says in a repeated chorus, temporarily forgetting someone can
walk in on them any minute now.

“I thought you didn’t wanna get caught?” Mina caresses Nayeon’s thighs and brings it up, and in a
swift movement, Nayeon’s legs were around Mina’s hips, making her skirt hike up her thighs.

Mina has been working out diligently and now she’s reaping the fruits of her labour. It was without
difficulty when she lifted Nayeon and placed her on top of the table. When she sees that Nayeon’s
skirt is now bunched up in her upper thighs, she takes the liberty to just take it off along with the
panties. All she wants is Nayeon (to be comfortable). She takes a good few seconds to appreciate
the bare body in front of her.

A hint of pink creeps up Nayeon’s cheeks, suddenly conscious under Mina’s lascivious gaze.

“You’re beautiful.” Mina says before holding Nayeon by her tiny waist, keeping her in place as she
decorates Nayeon’s body with hungry and unchaste kisses.

Nayeon involuntarily reclines and rolls her head back, allowing Mina further access to her body.
Mina uses her thumbs to play with Nayeon’s nipples, as she takes her time licking Nayeon’s abs,
making the latter rub her thighs together, trying to supress the heat pooling in her core. Mina
notices this and decides against it, so she spreads Nayeon’s legs instead. A sinful moan escapes
Nayeon, and the team leader uses this opportunity to insert two fingers into Nayeon’s agape mouth.
It’s already muscle memory for Nayeon to suck on Mina’s fingers, priming it for the blessing she’s
about to receive. As she was expecting, Mina parts Nayeon’s folds with the very fingers she sucked
on.

“You’re so wet for me already, babygirl.” Mina says, making Nayeon groan. She uses her thumb to
play with Nayeon’s clit.

It’s a not-so-recent discovery for Mina that Nayeon loves dirty talk, so Mina makes sure to give
Nayeon that.

“Do you wanna be fucked hard on this table? Do you wanna get fucked even if someone can walk
in on us now?”

“Yes!” Nayeon screams, not caring anymore if they get an audience. In fact, she’ll gladly perform
if there were employees to watch.

“Yes what?”

“Yes, I wanna be fucked hard!” Nayeon whines. “Fuck me!”

Mina seems impatient this time, getting straight to pleasing Nayeon without teasing much.
Nayeon’s folds are pink and soaked, ready for Mina, so the team leader flattens her tongue and laps
up Nayeon’s lips. She joins her tongue with two digits, first teasing the entrance before going deep,
knowing well enough that just one won’t please Nayeon.

“God, you’re so hot, fuck!” Mina curses. All that can be heard in the room now is the sound of
fervent slurping and sullied moans.

Nayeon gasps and moans, her quivering face a testament of the pleasure Mina is giving her. Mina
writes a letter of adoration using her tongue on Nayeon’s slit with raw passion.

“Fuck! You’re so good at this!” Nayeon says, panting. Her mind goes blank, but all that she can
remember is Mina’s name, as if it’s carved into her brain. So that’s what comes out of her lips.
“Mina!”
In no time, Mina’s svelte fingers are pumping in and out of Nayeon in a hastened pace. When she
feels Nayeon’s walls clamping and tightening around her, she stops.

“Mina, please I wanna come.” Nayeon complains, thrusting her hips forward to keep the tension.
It’s a miracle she was able to form a complete thought.

“Fuck yourself using me. Ride my fingers.” Mina commands. And Nayeon obeys just like that.
Nayeon thrusts her hips on Mina’s slender fingers, in hopes of getting her release soon.

“Ah! Ah!” She lets out a stream of moans, her arm now around Mina’s neck.

“I want you to scream louder.” Mina retracts her hand slightly.

“Ahhh!” Nayeon holds Mina’s hand down and screams. She is now dripping. “Minaaaa! Mina!
Mina!”

“You’re doing so well, baby.” Mina encourages Nayeon. “Grind faster if you really want to
come.”

Nayeon’s hips start bucking, signifying her orgasm is near. “Can I come please, team leader?” she
continues her assault on Mina’s fingers.

“What if I say no?”

“Pl-pleaaase!” Nayeon screams out loud giving zero fucks if they get caught.

“You’re such a slut for me.” Mina teases further, provoking Nayeon’s want for filth.

“Mina please, please, I need to...ah!” her hips are gyrating on their own, seeking the high. “Team
leader please!”
“Come for me then, baby.” Mina permits, curling her fingers inside Nayeon.

Nayeon squirts instantly. Her juices flow as her body spasms uncontrollably, just letting the
pleasure course through her whole body.

Meanwhile, Mina is stroking her head gently, complimenting how much of a good girl Nayeon has
been.

While Nayeon’s recovering from the euphoria of being fucked by Mina, the team leader retrieves
Nayeon’s clothes and assists the latter putting it on. She takes Nayeon’s hand and helps her off the
table.

“It’s a good thing I took this off you. It’s limited edition, right?” Mina snorts, helping Nayeon get
into her skirt.

Nayeon can barely reply so she just nods. Mina brings their lips together just to seal the end of the
session.

“What was that all about?” Nayeon asks, still panting.

“I wanted to thank you the other day for finding the best candidate among all suppliers.”

“Mina, it wasn’t even fuck o’clock.” Nayeon pouts, complaining about the untimely sex. “And
weren’t you scared we’d get caught? Ugh. I’m leaving my dignity behind in this room.” Nayeon
buries her face in her hands, the realisation of consequences finally sinking in.

“I’d do you in every room so you have little pieces of your dignity scattered around this building.”
Mina jokes. “It’s your building anyway.”

“You left yours at the Archives.” Nayeon fires back.

“You left yours at the pantry.” Mina rebuts.

“Hey! You left yours at the pantry too!” Nayeon complains.

“You left yours at the parking, the meeting room, Hall A, Hall B. Shall I go on?” Mina counts on
her fingers the places where they did the deed within the building.

“No. Okay fine. I have more pieces of dignity scattered around the building. Stop.” Nayeon makes
a face at Mina. “Ugh. For sure someone heard my screams. I’m so embarrassed.” Nayeon
facepalms herself.

“Sound. Proof. Glass.” Mina taps on the glass window, accentuating each syllable with a tap.
“Brought to you by ImTech. Only the best!” she says in a singsong tone, imitating the company
jingle.

“You’re so cheeky.” Nayeon rolls her eyes. “Are you sure it’s soundproof?”

“Not really. I just thought that maybe it was.” Mina says looking worried.

“What? Myoui Mina!” There is a mix of emotions painted on Nayeon’s face: disbelief, confusion,
mischief.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding! It’s soundproof. I checked and tested.” Mina giggles.

“What do you mean you tested?” Nayeon eyes her suspiciously.

“With Ms. Kim.”

“You had sex with Dahyun?!“ It was hard to decipher what emotion Nayeon has with her contorted
face.

“No, silly. Look.” Mina takes Nayeon by the hand and faces her to the window. Nayeon was
suddenly hyperaware of Mina holding her hand. “I was shouting at her earlier but she didn’t seem
to hear. Hey! Tofu!” Mina demonstrates but Dahyun doesn’t look back.
Nayeon still eyes her suspiciously. “Okay. If you say so.”

“You sound jealous.” Mina teases.

“Don’t be too ambitious.” Nayeon makes a face at Mina. That’s her default behaviour when she
can’t deal with whatever Mina is saying. “It takes a lot before I like someone.”

“Do you mind if I actually have sex with other people apart from you?” Mina finally brings it up so
casually, after months of their set-up.

“No, why? Do you mind if I sleep with someone else?” A knee-jerk response from Nayeon.

“I just wondered since you seem scandalised when you thought I had sex with Ms. Kim. And no, of
course I don’t mind.” Mina smiles.

Nayeon understands that this is how Mina reinforces the wall she’s building between the two of
them.

“Ah. It’s just that she doesn’t look like someone who’s into office sex.” Nayeon tries to defend
herself. “And I’m not sleeping with anyone else. Just you. Just saying.” she spews out, and right
then and there Nayeon wanted to slap herself so bad. She didn’t have to say that. She sounded so
desperate.

“To appease your soul, I‘m just gonna compliment you and say I have the best sex with you. Are
you happy?”

Nayeon just rolls her eyes.

Mina didn’t confirm nor deny if she was sleeping with someone else. It’s not Nayeon’s business
anyway.

“It’s true, babygirl.” Mina plants a kiss on Nayeon’s shoulder. “You’re the best.”
“Don’t butter me up too much. Get back to work, team leader.” Nayeon commands.

“Yes, boss.” Mina salutes lousily. The moment she leaves the room, her aura changes at once,
maintaining the strict and uncaring team leader vibe she’s been keeping up.

If one were to see her come out of that room, no one would even suspect there was something
indecent that transpired. Myoui Mina is bulletproof.

Nayeon watches as the team leader walks to her office. She sighs to herself, she didn’t even learn
how to photocopy files.

Nayeon attends the lunch with a potential fiancé Mina set up for her.

The guy was okay-looking, sounds too full of himself, wears too strong a perfume, laughs too loud.
He’s too much. A total opposite of the other date Nayeon went to, where the guy was stuttering
around her, too shy to even start a conversation; that guy was too lacking.

Nayeon scrolls through her phone, browsing through the photos she took of Mina cooking for her,
Mina blocking the camera away from her face, Mina glaring at her, and Mina doing Mina things.
Mina is enough.

She can’t sit still anymore, her annoyance heightening every minute spent with this guy. She can’t
wait to call Mina and rant about setting her up with a jerk. Nayeon can’t wait to get home.

“So? You’ll give me a call, Nayeon?” The guy asks once they finish dinner (Nayeon’s food barely
touched). Nayeon hates the way her name rolls out of this man’s tongue.

“Yeah.” Nayeon replies. Didn’t even bother remembering the guy’s name.

The ride home felt empty. Nayeon finds herself looking for Mina in the faces of people crossing, in
 streetlights, in every single fucking thing. She misses Mina.

Immediately after the driver drops her off her flat, she sighs heavily with relief. It’s tedious living
up to standards made by someone else. She can’t live as herself.

She sees the light in the hallway turned on, and her heart bursts with warmth and joy.

“Squishy baby is home!” she calls in her heavily-accented Japanese. It’s a phrase Mina taught her
once, while they were eating some Japanese for breakfast.

For a second, Nayeon deflates, thinking she might be mistaken a special someone’s in her flat. But
then she hears it.

“Welcome home!” A small voice from the kitchen replies.

Mina is enough.

Whatever they currently have is enough. For now, Nayeon wouldn’t risk losing whatever this is.

Chapter End Notes

Thanks for reading! Hope you liked the chapter. Lmk what u liked abt the chapter
hehe or lmk what u think in general.

Also, I already gave some fluff. There'll be angst next time hehe

@NabongsBunny on twt
#TWICEAdoreYou
 religion (u can lay your hands on me) [M]
Chapter Notes

Thanks again for waiting! Just saying in advance that this chapter's LONGER than the
previous ones bc a new character is introduced hahu sorry abt that haha anyway the
spacing's also wack idk what happened huhu (as usual this was not beta'd so sorry for
possible mistakes heh)

1. I Like U - NIKI
2. Focus - H.E.R.
3. We Won't - Phoebe Ryan, Jaymes Young
4. My Beauty - VERIVERY

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Nayeon’s pulling faces at her again. Mina decides not to be distracted by the mad woman across
her office, so she shuts the blinds down, a smirk forming on her lips. She lets out a snort.

She counts on her fingers.

8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1

“How dare you close the blinds on me? Again!” Nayeon whines as she throws her hands
indignantly in the air. “I was trying to make you smile.”

Nayeon rushes to Mina’s office, as predicted.

“The faces you were making weren’t funny. They’re annoying. And what are you? A toddler?”
Mina replies, continuing her work.

Nayeon makes another funny face by scrunching her nose and sticking her tongue out, and rolling
her eyes.

This time, Mina wasn’t able to hold back her laugh. She giggles heartily, covering her mouth
delicately with one hand.

“You laugh so elegantly what the hell.” Nayeon shakes her head in disbelief. It’s a wonder how the
team leader can remain this composed (and attractive) while laughing. Even the sounds she makes
are attractive. Nayeon thinks that Mina’s giggles are rainbows and butterflies, while hers is of
hyperventilating horses.

“You got a laugh out of me already. Get back to work now.” Mina gives Nayeon a thumbs-up as a
seal of approval (or defeat), letting her know that her presence is acknowledged, and she succeeded
getting Mina’s attention.

“Why is your thumb slightly bent to the left?” Nayeon tilts her head before taking Mina’s hand to
examine it.

“Huh?”
“Nothing. I just made up an excuse to hold your hand.” The woman cackles loudly, as she
intertwines their hands together and shakes it.

Mina returns to her stoic expression, the look in her eyes, furtive. “Finish your work now.” She
‘pulls away’ from Nayeon’s grip.

Nayeon just tightens it and stares their interlaced finger. “They fit perfectly.” She then stares at
Mina for a second.

“What?” Mina asks. “We’re not in a romcom film. Stop flirting with me. It’s not even noon.” Mina
has mastered the art of feigning annoyance.

“So you mean I can flirt with you during lunch?”

Mina just groans in frustration. She fiddles with the loose end of her coat with her free hand. “Just
get back to work, Nayeon.” she sighs.

Nayeon pouts but finally lets go, dramatically, of course, imitating the ‘I’ll never let go scene’
from Titanic. She marches back to her office with a smile on her face.

For months now, Mina has observed a pattern while working with Nayeon: when Nayeon’s bored
in her office, if she isn’t dozing off or slouching in her chair scrolling mindlessly in her phone, she
would be coming up with weird antics to get Mina’s attention. Nayeon would make faces; spam her
phone with emojis, memes, and pointless texts; pretend to be a mime; wriggle her eyebrows
suggestively; tempt her to have a quickie; dance; take photos of Mina and send it to her; pretend to
know Morse code by using the phone camera’s flash— anything actually, just to get Mina to pay
attention to her.

If Mina hasn’t been reading all these signals wrong, she thinks there’s a probability Nayeon may
like her.

But she immediately debunks this idea for some reasons. First, they have the Golden Rule (they
promised not to break that, so Nayeon’s probably following it in good faith). Second, Mina thinks
it’s uncharacteristic of Nayeon to like her since Nayeon practically hates her guts. Third, Nayeon
probably has several flings she’s talking to, and she’s not one to like someone easily (Nayeon has
mentioned this quite a number of times).

The team leader isn’t usually one to snoop around, but she notices that when a certain “ ” pops up
in Nayeon’s notifs, Nayeon immediately hides her phone or slides up the notif. Mina didn’t bother
asking about it since it may seem she’s jealous, but she’s not. She’s just curious who’s making
Nayeon smile like a fool when a certain text tone rings (by now, Mina knows it’s the classic Glass
text tone).

Mina didn’t mind Nayeon distracting her, though. Nayeon can be funny and entertaining at times,
and when there are moments Mina really needs to focus, she can easily close the blinds on Nayeon.
She also learned that it takes more or less 8 seconds before Nayeon comes stomping into her office
to whine about it.

‘How dare you close the blinds on me...again?’ There’s always a dramatic pause before again.
Nayeon says it so animatedly and differently every time, Mina finds herself amused and wanting to
see more of its variations.

Nayeon has been explicitly flirting with her recently. From insisting to change Mina’s contact name
to something less formal, to calling Mina cute names, to teasing touches, stolen kisses. This doesn’t
concern Mina, because at the end of the day, the Golden Rule remains a safety net for the both of
them.

Mina also likes it when Nayeon gets flustered when she flirts back.

[Just Mina]:
Send it back with comments to Ms. Kim.

[Im Nayeon]:
Ok babe

[Just Mina]:
Don’t babe me

[Im Nayeon]:
Why not babe :(

[Just Mina]:
You might accidentally send it out and cc everyone

[Im Nayeon]:
I won’t babe

[Just Mina]:
Ughhh. Fine. You’re so annoying babe

[Im Nayeon]:
WHAT OMG
OMG OMG HAHA
KAHSGAKFGSPOWUW
YOU CALLED ME BABE
♥️ babe
Oh my god ☠️

[Just Mina]:
Get back to work babe.

[Im Nayeon]:

Mina omg I can’t believe you know how to flirt back???

It was fun for Mina. On top of sleeping with each other, late night snacks, brunches, dinners,
random grocery runs, all-nighters for work, and inside jokes about Chairman Im and ImTech, this
is all fun. It’s nice having Nayeon around. Mina likes it.

Mina likes to keep it this way. For a long time.

“How have you been?”

The question burns in Nayeon’s mind. It was so simple yet she can’t think of an answer. She
shouldn’t even second-guess herself. Besides, it’s just Momo asking - Hirai Momo, her soul sister,
her therapist, her lifeline.

They met in junior high when Momo was a visiting student for a semester. They became close
when Nayeon adopted her to join her friend group. The two of them lost contact for a couple of
years, but when Momo eventually became a therapist, Nayeon sought her help, which deepened
their friendship. Nayeon became vulnerable and more open to sharing about her life with Momo.

Mina. Nayeon wanted to answer Momo with that name, but that isn’t even a valid answer to the
question. Yet it makes sense to Nayeon. Her days are filled with Mina’s snide remarks, laughter,
and moans. If anyone were to ask how Nayeon has been, Mina is the answer.

“Was that too hard a question?” Momo anchors Nayeon back to reality and circles her arm around
the dumbstruck girl. “Judging from your response, or lack thereof, I’m guessing you‘ve been doing
so-so.”

Nayeon snorts. “I was just...distracted. Stop therapying me.”

“There’s no word like that.” Momo laughs before engulfing Nayeon in a warm embrace. “I missed
you.”

“I missed you too.” Nayeon clings to Momo’s arm and they start walking.

“Wah. Liar. You barely text me then now you say you miss me.” Momo pushes Nayeon away in
jest. “You only call me when you have girl problems. Maybe you really just see me as your
therapist.”

“Shut up. You only messaged me like twice or thrice and I was in a meeting. I’m the one who’s
been diligently sending you memes and restaurant recommendations but you’re just leaving me on
seen. Who’s the liar now?” Nayeon huffs.

“In my defence, I thought you were just sending white girl quotes so I muted your notifs.” Momo
bursts into laughter. “Like the ones you kept sending while you were still in LA.” the therapist
continues. “Real girls aren’t perfect, perfect girls aren’t real; Bad choices make good stories;
Nothing stands between a girl and her coffee. Those stuff.”

“Oh my god shut up! You did not just bring that up!” Nayeon says in straight English with her
Valley accent.

They break into hysterics, not giving a care about how loud they were laughing in the middle of a
street with hundreds of people walking by.

They almost stumble on their feet, but Momo’s grip on Nayeon is tight, so they don’t fall — it’s
always been like this between the two of them. It’s Momo who keeps Nayeon safe and grounded.

“The food is great here but you should be paying attention to me, okay?” Nayeon whines, dragging
Momo to a Greek restaurant.

“Food over Nayeon.” Momo recites before getting kicked on the shin. “I always listen to you
anyway even if you don’t bribe me with food. If I don’t listen you’ll say I’m a bad friend and
you’ll say you’ll tell your therapist no one listens to you. But I am your therapist. The struggle.”
she complains.

They order some tzatziki, beef souvlaki, Greek salad, pita, and hummus (what would this
restaurant be if not for their hummus).

“Okay Hirai Momo, listen. The reason why I’m willing to spend so much on you for some dinner
is because I’m sick.”

“You’re dying?” Momo chews on her food as she rips apart the pita nonchalantly.

“And you really care more about how equal you half that bread? Unbelievable.” Nayeon scoffs.
“What I’m saying is, I’m sick in the head.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

Nayeon grabs the pita from Momo and shoves it to her own mouth. “I hate you. What I’m really
saying is...I’m going crazy about someone!” Nayeon exclaims.

This makes Momo almost choke on her pita.

“Nayeonie, I didn’t think you were this sick. What’s gotten into you?” Momo places her palm
against Nayeon’s forehead to check the latter’s temperature. “You? In love?”

Mina.

Momo’s remarks are drowned out by a resounding name.

Mina. It’s getting hard not to think about her all the time. Nayeon feels the need to include her
name in every sentence. Mina is part of Nayeon’s syntax.

“Did Chairman Im hit your head with something?” Momo asks with 'genuine' concern in her eyes.

Nayeon swats Momo’s hand away as she tilts her head back to let out a laugh. “It’s not like I love
this girl already, it’s just that I think I like her. I don’t know. Jihyo and Jeongyeon said I like her.
They figured it out for me.”

I like Mina.

“You can’t figure it out yourself?” Momo digs back to her meal, now completely engrossed with
eating her souvlaki.

“She’s my team leader, name’s Mina, she’s hot, we fuck around, she stays over sometimes, we see
each other almost everyday, but then I wanna see her again the moment she leaves. I’m infatuated,
I think. Maybe I’m just in for the thrill since I know I can’t have her. We had this stupid set of rules
and one of it is we can’t get feelings involved, just sex. We broke the others, but not this one. So I
don’t know if I genuinely like her. I’m going crazy, I think I really like her I don’t know if it’s lust
or what. What do you think?”

Momo stays silent for a while, her eyes were shifting, it looks like she was about to say something,
but she can’t open her mouth.

“What?” Nayeon asks.

“Ah, finally.” she speaks. “The beef was stuck ok my teeth, sorry.” Momo laughs.
“Goddamn, I thought you were preparing an earful of scolding for me.” Nayeon breathes, now
relaxed.

“Hmmm...I think your good feelings towards her are valid. You like her. Simple. It’s not the thrill
or anything. You enjoy spending time with her and it seems like you care about her enough. I know
you, Nayeon. You wouldn’t just let anyone into your life. You really like her.”

“That’s it? You’re just affirming what the two buffoons told me! You should tell me to get a grip
because she’s my team leader and we should stay professional.” Nayeon whines.

“But you won’t listen to me anyway. You know what? I’m saying go for it. You broke the other
rules, why not the don’t-have-feelings one?”

“That’s the thing. I think I’ll be the only one breaking this rule.”

Nayeon sighs in frustration. She swirls her wine in her hand as she enters another realm of thought
that’s only reserved for Mina. She thinks. She thinks. She thinks. This is crazy. Mina is driving her
crazy.

“Hey.” It’s Momo’s job to always pull Nayeon back to reality. “Hey, Nayeon. Nayeon?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you understand what I said?” Momo asks her.

Nayeon nods. “Yes, continue.”

“I wasn’t saying anything.” Momo shrugs and continues eating and squints her eyes at Nayeon.
“Anyway, for the next few weeks, just feel it out. If you see there’s a chance she’ll reciprocate then
boom! Go for it. If there’s none, and I’m sure you’ll be able to feel it, let go. Find someone better.”

“But she’s the best already.” Mina is what’s best for me. Nayeon decides.

“You’ll find someone else.” Momo takes Nayeon’s hands into hers.

“Is that how you got over your ex? Is that how you got over me? Is that how you found Sana?”
Nayeon’s teasing but there’s a hint of seriousness infused in her words.

Momo just makes a face.

“Alright. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I won’t bring up how you were head over heels for me. How’s
Sana?” Nayeon transfers a whole stick of beef to Momo’s plate.

“She’s still around.” Momo gives an enigmatic smile. “I wonder how she puts up with me.”

“You’re a lucky woman. You keep pushing her away but she still stays. But maybe that’s the
charm of your relationship.” Nayeon points out.

“I’m lucky indeed.” Momo agrees.

The rest of the dinner was just a recap of the happenings concerning ImTech. They just pick up
from where they left off. Nayeon’s a broken record saying she doesn’t want to take over, how her
parents don’t care about her, how they don’t even know her. And Momo just listens.

Nayeon missed this. Nayeon missed Momo so much. Nayeon missed the warmth in her chest only
Momo can bring.
Mina didn’t bother knocking on Nayeon’s door.

“What do you want?” Nayeon asks in an elevated tone.

Nayeon hates how Mina looks so dashing this early in the morning, in her plaid suit and turtleneck
with her hair down.

“Someone’s in a bad mood.” Mina arches her right brow, verbalising her observation. “I’m in a bad
mood too. We’re even. So talk to me properly.” The team leader demands.

Nayeon hates how Mina can handle her attitude.

“What do you want, Team Leader Myoui?” Nayeon forces a smile before crouching to get a bottle
of kombucha from her bag to give to Mina.

“You didn’t go to the dinner with Director Yang’s son?” Mina asks even though Nayeon is certain
she already knows the answer.

The team leader’s voice was monotonous and her face was blank, so Nayeon can’t decipher if she
should answer cheekily or seriously. She pushes her luck.

“The son’s a dickhead.” Nayeon reclines her chair and spins around. “Much like his father.”

“Director Yang’s a huge contributor to ImTech’s success. Be careful with your words. You also
know that his son’s one of the top actors in Korea. Chairman Im said we need to bring him on
board as an ambassador for the latest phone we’re releasing. The guy just asked for one date with
you. It was your job to get him to sign. I told you this.”

Mina struggles opening the bottle, so Nayeon motions for her to give it. Nayeon returns the the
uncapped bottle to the team leader. (Sometimes Nayeon seals it tighter than usual so she can “help”
Mina open it).

“I don’t care who he’s associated with or how famous he is. It doesn’t change the fact he’s a
misogynistic pig offscreen.” Nayeon doesn’t stop. “Besides, he doesn’t even look that good. I
know he wants to sign this deal since he’s trying to cover up the gambling rumours, which I know
is true.”

Mina’s chin drops before letting out a heavy sigh. There was no response from her, so Nayeon
takes this as a sign to proceed.

“Is that why you’re in a bad mood? I didn’t go and my father scolded you? Is that it? I’ll go then.”
Nayeon finds Mina’s eyes. “For you.”

“No, no. It’s not that.” Mina’s shoulder tense up. “I’m just upset your parents are doing this to you.
They don’t even consider how you feel about it.” Mina explains, her voice tender. “I understand
it’s part of business meeting people in that manner to get a deal, but still—“ she cuts herself off and
blows out a shaky breath, as if she’s been caught red-handed.

“What?” Nayeon thinks she may have misheard Mina. She searches for the team leader’s evasive
eyes.
Lately, it has been a habit of Nayeon to imagine situations that she’ll never be in with Mina. Momo
advised her not to colour everything Mina does or says, red, but those words that just came out of
the team leader’s lips...those were words of concern, right? Nayeon drives these thoughts away.

“Nothing. Sorry. I just...never mind. I’ll see you later at the meeting. Don’t worry about Director
Yang’s son. It may be raised as an issue later but it’s nothing to worry about. I’ll handle it, okay?
Trust me. Get back to work.” the team leader instructs. “Thanks for this, by the way.” Mina raises
the bottle.

“Sure. Okay. See you.” Nayeon just nods and smiles.

Mina mirrors Nayeon’s smile and walks back to her office.

It was a very confusing exchange. Mina can’t just barge into Nayeon’s office and show some
concern without warning. Nayeon’s heart was not prepared. And perhaps it never will be.

The meeting with the board of directors was a whole hour of updating the list and status of
shareholders and subsidiaries, and another hour discussing the logistics and process of launching
the new phone.

Everything was going well until Director Yang inquired about the brand ambassadors that will be
promoting the product. “It’s important that we get actors or idols to endorse this phone, right? It’s
not that...laborious, difficult, to get them to sign with us, right? Right?”

Way to go captain obvious. Nayeon rolls her eyes.

Nayeon knew Director Yang ever since she was young. The director was stout and stood a good
five-foot-five. When he would give teasing remarks about Nayeon, she just kept silent since the
man was towering over her, and she didn’t know how to speak up then. But now, they’re almost
the same height and Nayeon doesn’t long for anything else at the moment but to punch this man’s
nose. Nayeon knows well enough he just wants his son’s face sprawled across billboards and
subways. She also sensed the passive aggressiveness of the inquiry, although not explicitly directed
at her.

She has mentally prepared a speech, but before she even gets to address the director-who’s-getting-
on-her-nerves, Mina speaks up.

“Good afternoon, Director Yang. I am Myoui Mina, Team Leader of the Research and Design
department. We are taking careful measures and pulse surveys to ensure that the endorsers we
select are the ones our target market is drawn to these days. The research is being conducted by the
Research Team of R&D, in different clusters. It is slightly early to select which endorsers will be
good for the product, since the launch is still three months away. A lot of events can still transpire.
If you can turn to page 23 of your briefer, you’ll see a shortlist of actors and idols we selected
based on the results of our research. If you have any questions, you may direct them to me. Thank
you.” Mina explains in a composed manner.

The roguish director (how Nayeon describes him) raises his hand once more. “I don’t see my son’s
name being included here. Sejong is one of the top actors in Korea. Why isn’t he included, Ms.
Im?” He blatantly directs the question to Nayeon, instead of the team leader.
Because your son is a scumbag like you.

“As what Team Leader Myoui has mentioned, those are the results of the pulse surveys and
research. If your son is indeed what the consumers want, his name would have appeared on that
list, Director.” Nayeon smiles venomously. “Besides, it would be best for the company not to
select celebrities who are involved in some serious issues. It would be a gamble for our part. We
aren’t their PR team.”

Nayeon sees Director Yang curling his hands into fists. Across the room, she can also see her
father giving her a disapproving look that says we’ll talk later.

Before the director can respond, Chairman Im stands up. “We’ll make sure to include Sejong in the
promotions. The team will make sure to go through the results with a fine-toothed comb. It should
be no source of worry.” he states. “If there are no other concerns, I’m adjourning this meeting.
Updates will be sent via email.”

Nayeon stays in her seat waiting for the other directors and shareholders to leave. Mina’s sitting
three seats away from her, not even looking back at her.

“Myoui. Follow me. You too.” Chairman Im commands, not even bothering mentioning his
daughter’s name, much like a taboo word.

Nayeon wanted to protest, but her feet found themselves following her dad.

The lift was filled with sighs and coughs from Chairman Im. Nayeon can feel her stomach
lurching. She knows she’s in trouble for sassing out Director Yang, but what she’s worried about is
Mina. She takes a glimpse at her team leader and sees that Mina is unfazed, as usual. Such skill.

The elevator opens to the penthouse and Chairman Im walks toward his desk with the two ladies
following suit.

He sits himself on a tall black leather couch, not inviting the two to do the same.

Both Mina and Nayeon’s heads are bowed as they stand in anticipation of what the CEO will say.

It takes almost a whole minute of the chairman just stroking his beard before he speaks.

“Ms. Myoui, I’d like to express my /extreme/ disappointment in you. I expected better from you. I
also thought you were mentoring my daughter well and moulding her into becoming a decent and
polite heiress of ImTech.” He stresses.

“It’s not her fault!” Nayeon butts in.

“I apologise Mr. Im. I will strive to do better. I will be more responsible for Ms. Im. We will secure
Mr. Yang Sejong’s deal by Monday next week.”

“Don’t apologise, it’s not your fault.” Nayeon looks at Mina disapprovingly before facing her
father. “Director Yang’s son sucks just as much as his dad. He just wants to cover up some
gambling issue. It doesn’t matter if he’s one of the top actors. He’ll taint ImTech’s image. I don’t
understand why you have to succumb to Director Yang’s requests unless he has some hold over
you or something.” Nayeon argues.

“Watch your tongue, Im Nayeon. I didn’t raise you to have such a foul mouth.” Chairman Im
widens his eyes and points an accusing finger.
“Oh? That’s new. Last time I checked you and mum left me to fend for myself in a foreign land.
Then as soon as I got back, you have someone teach me the ropes of doing this whole family
business instead of doing it yourselves. But if that’s what raising me means to you, then okay.”

Chairman Im lifts his hand, ready to slap his daughter. Nayeon doesn’t flinch. Her eyes were
daring, challenging her father to actually hit her.

“I promise to discipline Ms. Im. She is inexperienced and she does not know what she is saying.
Please spare your daughter this time.” Mina bows in front of the chairman, shielding Nayeon.

The chairman’s hand hovers for a few seconds before it falls to his side. He glares at the two
before disappearing into his study.

“My office. Now.” Mina sternly says, walking out of the office toward the lift.

“I was only expla—“

“Now.”

Mina walked in long strides towards her office, not looking anywhere but straight. Her jaw was
clenched, and the pen she’s holding is near breaking.

This is bad. Nayeon knows she’s done for.

Both Dahyun and Chaeyoung give Nayeon a worried thumbs up when they see her walk past them.
Nayeon manages a weak nod. She doesn’t even get to tease her two juniors holding hands.

Mina closes the glass door gently and closes the blinds.

“What was that, Ms. Im?” she asks calmly.

Nayeon has never seen her like this. Mina’s eyes betray her placid tone. The team leader was
furious.

“Yeah what was that? You didn’t have to apologise to him, you did nothing wrong. And what I
said about Yang is true.” Nayeon’s voice was strained and she was mumbling, trying to defend her
actions.

“You are my responsibility.” Mina is shaking. “Whatever you say, whatever you do, it reflects on
me because I am your team leader.”

“But Mina, I—“

“From now on, you address me as Team Leader. Maybe getting friendly with you was a mistake.
You seem to blur the lines between your emotions and work. Work is work no matter what. Even if
you are the supposed heiress of this company, it won’t excuse your bad behaviour. God! I feel like
I’m schooling a child.” Mina speaks in a rushed tone as she aggressively massages her temples. “I
just needed you to trust me, Ms. Im. I told you I will handle it.” Another sigh.

Nayeon avoids Mina’s eyes. She looks around. The interior in Mina’s office was pretty nice. A
good distraction right now.

“Are you listening to me, Ms. Im?” Her tone’s slightly higher this time. More evident of her
vexation.

“Yes, Team Leader Myoui.” Nayeon’s voice is breaking. Her lips are quivering and she bites on it.
She can feel that she might tear up soon if Mina keeps talking to her angrily.

Nayeon calls herself a bad bitch and she can be a brat, but when someone raises their voice at her,
especially someone she cares about, Nayeon is sensitive and she actually breaks.

“You made me look like an incompetent fool out there.” Mina sighs. “Anyway, report to HR
tomorrow. I’m filing a complaint against you for disrespecting a senior and a shareholder.”

Nayeon relaxes her jaw and really tries her best to look around. She doesn’t even dare talk back.

“That’s it. You can go back to your office.” Mina sighs once more in frustration.

“I’m sorry, Mi—Team Leader Myoui.” Nayeon says before darting out of Mina’s office, keen to
make sure Mina doesn’t see her shed a single tear.

It’s been an hour since Nayeon has dried her tears. By now, she’s busy with peeling the dead skin
off her thumb and basically just doing everything to distract herself and make her forget what just
happened.

That’s it. She decides. She doesn’t like Mina anymore. Myoui didn’t even let her speak. Myoui
called her inexperienced. Myoui didn’t even put an effort to try to understand her. Nayeon only
wanted Myoui not to take the blame for something she’s not responsible for, but the team leader
can’t see that, and instead, she even got mad. Nayeon’s un-crushing Myoui Mina. This is the day
she un-likes that heartless team leader.

But Nayeon also justifies Mina’s actions. Mina only got mad because she wanted to protect(?)
Nayeon too. Mina assured her in the morning that Mina will take care of it, yet she disobeyed
Mina. The team leader was just doing her job. Mina’s actually right. That’s it. Nayeon settles she
likes Mina again.

Nayeon makes a mental table. One column for reasons to un-like Mina, and another for reasons to
keep liking her. She passionately starts listing for the Un-like.

Un-like:

Mina shouted at me
Mina called me inexperienced
Mina made me cry
Mina is making me go to HR tomorrow
Mina bosses me around all the time

Like:

Mina said she was responsible for me

Mina was concerned and stood up for me
Mina looks hot when she’s angry
Mina has the best smile
Mina’s giggle are the cutest
Mina’s great at sex
Mina’s smart
Mina’s just-woke-up look is divine

Nayeon continues listing Mina’s traits and actions that should be grounds for disliking and un-
liking the team leader. Soon enough she realises it has ended up being a list of reasons why she
likes Mina, and a little bit of reasons that prove Mina is human too and can make mistakes (which
can also be a point for Like).

She groans at herself, pulling her hair. Just like that she comes to terms with herself. She admits.
There’s a fluttering in her stomach and a lump in her throat.

Why have I grown to like you so much?

Nayeon pulls out her phone and texts someone who can un-mess up her mind. Momo.

[Tokkitive person]:

Not a white girl quote this time so notice me drink with me tonight! I wanna get wasted lol

[ ]:

Sounds bad. What time? Where?

[Tokkitive person]:

Sowon’s club. 8PM?

[ ]:

Where’s that? Too early.

[Tokkitive person]:

Sending u the location.

Ugh come on I need to drink it’s never too early for one.

Someone made me cry I need to be dragged out of sobriety

[ ]:

Fine fine. I’ll see you.

[Tokkitive person]:

Are you bringing Sana w you?

[ ]:

Maybe. We’ll see, she’s busy with work.

[Tokkitive person]:

Kk. see u!

[ ]:
Nayeon doesn’t know what’s gotten into her. Maybe it was the harsh day taking a toll on her or just
the decision to finally fully accept she likes Mina, but she ends up turning on her phone camera’s
flash to send a Morse code before leaving for the bar. Mina’s blinds were down and she probably
won’t see, but it doesn’t matter. Nayeon knows Mina doesn’t bother decoding her codes anyway,
after Nayeon mentioned she just presses it randomly and doesn’t know much about the system.

But that wasn’t entirely true. Nayeon learned about the Morse code when she was a scout. She
even used it to send messages at night to Jihyo, when their rooms got separated.

For now, she’s relying on the fact Mina can’t understand it or if she does, won’t take it seriously.

Nayeon’s confession is subtle yet visible. With her phone light, she sends a message in cowardice:

.. -- / ..-. .- .-.. .-.. .. -. --. / ..-. --- .-. / -.-- --- ..- / .. / .-.. .. -.- . / -.-- --- ..- / .- .-.. .-. . .- -.. -.-- / .. -- / ... ---
.-. .-. -.--

When Momo and Sana arrive, it wasn’t a task finding Nayeon. The girl has always been the life of
the party anywhere she goes, so naturally, she was easily spotted at the centre. Nayeon was already
lost in the sick beats on the dance floor with drunken bodies swaying and moving. She likes
forgetting things this way. The two pull her aside just to see how inebriated she is.

Nayeon’s steps were weaving when they dragged her to the counter. She was giggling excessively
and shouting words to hype up the crowd. In her slurred voice, she finally complains. “What took
you guys so long? I was alone.” she says, still putting her hands up to the beat.

Nayeon motions for the bartender to give them some drinks. She puts her two pointer fingers on
each side of her head before growling. The bartender understood she was asking for the Devil’s
Spring Vodka shot she has been served earlier. She likes the warmth alcohol brings to her chest.
Soothing.

Momo and Sana exchange looks of worry, but they take a shot with Nayeon anyway. They now
understand the drink’s namesake.

If gas is to car, vodka is to Nayeon. Just another shot fuelled her up for another two hours of
dancing. It didn’t take long before the three of them become an intoxicated trio giving their all on
the dance floor.

Nayeon ends up twerking on her friend Sowon’s lap, while Sana and Momo grind on each other.
Nothing much happens between Nayeon and Sowon, since the latter passes out. Nayeon chants
“Weak! Weak! Weak!” before she makes her way back to the dance floor, leaving Sana and Momo
making out.

When Nayeon’s had her fill of intoxication, a not-so-sober thought creeps up her brilliant mind.
She would’ve been making out with someone today too if she just didn’t get into a heated argument
with her father and that rotten ass director.

Nayeon ignores gawking eyes of people surrounding her. Nayeon knows she’s naturally a head
turner, but with her pretty tight multicolour chrome red dress and pearl chokers, she definitely
stands out. She doesn’t need the attention of /other/ people. She’s only craving the attention of one
person.

Nayeon should‘ve known better than to keep her phone with her. Her drunken self spams a certain
someone with texts telling the person to pick her up. When she doesn’t get a reply, she presses on
speed dial and ends up calling the number. The contact name’s blurry but Nayeon’s sure it’s
someone important. Might be Jihyo or Jeongyeon. She just knows the contact name starts with ‘J’.

“Come here with me! Please! I miss you!” she yells to hear herself in the crowd.

“What? Where are you? Why are you out so late?”

“Pick me up. I feel sick!” Nayeon says, as her feet shuffle towards the bar. She rests her head on
the counter and passes out from all the alcohol she’s consumed.

“Hello? Nayeon? Hello?”

The call drops and Nayeon is left sleeping on the counter.

____

Out of the three, Sana is the quickest to sober up, so when she regains her sobriety, she peeks at her
phone and sees it’s already past 3 in the morning. She halts her makeout session with Momo and
helps the girl up from their seat. They need to go soon but they need to find Nayeon too.

Sana spots Nayeon passed out by the counter, so she takes the groggy Momo there too. As she
props Momo on the chair opposite to their drunken friend, when she turns around, she sees that
someone is by Nayeon’s side already.

Mina twists and turns in her bed, it’s almost 3AM but she can’t sleep. She’s been replaying the day
on her mind ever since she got home and she can’t quite put a finger on what she’s feeling about
her argument with Nayeon.

It was unlike her to blow off and get mad like that. Most times, she can stay level-headed when
dealing with Nayeon, but for some reason, being up in arms with Nayeon today was different.

Mina figures she won’t be getting a wink of sleep tonight, so she decides to get up and just do some
work. Before she reaches for her phone, it starts ringing.

Nayeon’s calling her.

What would Nayeon want at this time? Sex? An apology?

Mina reluctantly picks up anyway.

“Come here with me! Please! I miss you!”

Mina wasn’t expecting to hear that. Despite the loud background music and people cheering, she
managed to make out what Nayeon said. Nayeon’s drawn out syllables and the blaring music just
means that Nayeon has been drinking somewhere and this is a drunk call.
“What? Where are you? Why are you out so late?”

"Pick me up. I feel sick!” Nayeon whines.

Mina can hear her bumping into people and spilling something. She doesn’t hear from Nayeon
after a good few seconds.

“Hello? Nayeon? Hello?”

When Nayeon doesn’t reply, Mina figures the girl may have passed out drunk already. She checks
her phone and sees that Nayeon has been flooding her with messages. Thankfully, one of it is the
club’s location.

Mina didn’t even consider changing into something decent. She puts on a coat over her turtleneck
and sweatpants and takes another coat for Nayeon, just in case the other woman needs it. She takes
her keys and programs her GPS to go to where Nayeon is.

Clubbing was never her cup of tea, but Nayeon was probably in danger, so tonight she has to go
through that hell hole to pick up the girl that’s been bothering her all day.

She was led to an exclusive club 15 minutes away from her flat. She managed to sneak in and her
eyes immediately spot Nayeon, as if they were trained for that purpose.

Nayeon was a wreck, her hair disheveled and makeup smudged. Mina takes the extra coat she has
and walks over to the girl to put it on her.

“Nayeon, let’s go.” she gently wakes the drunk mess in slumber, securing Nayeon’s arms.

“She’s with us.”

Mina hears a voice way too familiar and she feels like a wound that hasn’t been healed completely,
opened again. She looks up.

It's fucking Minatozaki Sana.

Mina maintains her composure. “I’m responsible for taking her home.” she firmly says. She’s
assessing if the woman in front of her recognises her. Just over Sana’s shoulder, she sees a black
haired woman passed out. She barely sees the face but she knows.

That’s Hirai Momo.

Mina swallows.

When Sana sees Mina looking past her, she steps sideways to block the sleeping person.

So she remembers?

There was a moment of staring at each other’s eyes. Mina’s eyes were flashes of anger and pain,
while Sana’s were guilt and drunkenness.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m taking her home.” Mina ducks to sling Nayeon’s arm around her
neck while supporting her waist.

“She came with us. She’ll go home with us.” Sana’s eyes are glued to the floor.

“What are you to Nayeon?” Mina asks through gritted teeth.

The look of shame and guilt is washed down from Sana’s face. It was easily replaced with an
arrogant look. “We’re her friends. What are /you/ to Nayeon?” Sana questions Mina with an
accusing tone. “Who are you to take her home?”

Who was she to Nayeon? Team leader? Fuck buddy? Friend? Employee?

“That doesn’t matter. She texted me to pick her up.” Mina steadies Nayeon by the waist and starts
walking.

“No.” Sana blocks Mina.

“God, Minatozaki! Just move.” Mina finally breaks the act of not remembering her ex-bestfriend.
The name itself tastes of venom and betrayal.

“I said Momoring and I will take her home.” Sana stands in front of her.

Momoring and I.

That stings more than it should.

“You don’t even know where she lives. I know every apartment and property Nayeon has. I’m the
one responsible for her. It’s me.” Mina spits. “Nayeon chose me...to take her home. Why? Until
now you can’t accept the fact someone chooses me over you?”

Sana just stands.

Mina eyes Momo.

“Bringing home two drunk people would be too much of a hassle. If you wanna bring Nayeon
home so much, go. I’ll take care of Hirai.”

Hirai. What a foreign feeling on her tongue. Mina feels her mouth go dry just by saying that name
aloud.

“No. I’ll take care of Momo.” Sana backs away in defeat.

Of course you will. Mina sneers.

Mina didn’t look back and just kept walking ahead with her arm around Nayeon. She was holding
Nayeon tightly so the other won’t trip, but Mina feels like she’s the one breaking right now.

It’s true Mina knows about every property and apartment Nayeon owns. But tonight, she wants to
take Nayeon home. She wants to prove Sana, Momo, Nayeon, and even Chairman Im, and most
importantly herself, that she is the one responsible for Nayeon.

So she takes Nayeon to her own flat.

Nayeon has never been to Mina’s place. It has always been Nayeon’s place every time they have
sex or sleepovers. It wasn’t as grand and luxurious as an Im residence, but it was neat and sharp,
overlooking the whole city.

The intoxicated woman finally wakes up as soon as they arrived at Mina’s pad, making it easier for
Mina to lead Nayeon to her room.

“Why were you the one who picked me up?” Nayeon mumbles. The alcohol still dominant in her
system.

“You called me.” Mina explains. “Don’t drink too much if you can’t handle it.”

“Where are my friends?” Nayeon asks, giggling.

They were my friends too.

“I don’t know. Probably having fun together.” Mina dismisses any further discussion about the two
by changing the subject. “Just sleep here tonight.”

“You know...since I’m drunk and I can’t remember, I’m gonna let you in on a secret.” Nayeon says
in a hushed tone, putting a finger against her lip.

“What is it?”

They finally reach the room. Mina helps Nayeon to the bed and carefully lifts her down.

“You know, my friend Momo? She doesn’t really love Sana. I can tell. Maybe she’s still not over
her ex.”

Mina freezes on the spot. “Well, that’s their problem. I’ll just get you some water.” Mina says,
gently pushing hair away from Nayeon’s face. “Why are you telling me this?” Mina tries to keep
herself together.

“Because I can’t tell them.” Nayeon motions shushing finger before choking on her own laugh.

Nayeon’s drunk as fuck and she probably won’t remember anything from tonight. Mina thanks the
heavens Nayeon has bad memory when she drinks. “I’ll get you some water.” Mina repeats.

“I haven’t met Momo’s ex though. But she’s probably gorgeous as fuck for Momo not to forget
her.”

Mina doesn’t want to hear any of this.

Mina doesn’t want to hear lies.

“Where are you going?” Nayeon whines as she tugs at Mina’s arm. “I need you.”

Despite Nayeon being drunk, Mina knows this wasn’t a lie. Nayeon needs her and it’s the only
truth that matters tonight.

When Nayeon tugs harder, the team leader ends up falling on top of her. Mina tries to hoist herself
up, but Nayeon pulls her in for a kiss.

Mina needs Nayeon tonight too.

So Mina kisses back with gusto. She runs her hands along Nayeon’s exposed thighs and moves to
kiss the other’s neck. Nayeon moans, and it’s just the sound Mina needs. She pins Nayeon’s hands
against the bed as she kisses her. Mina occasionally slips her knee in between Nayeon’s thighs, and
gains a more audible moan from the woman pinned under her. When she feels Nayeon grinding in
a needy manner against her knee, she decides it’s time for them to undress.
Clothes were off in less than a minute. Mina repositions Nayeon who is now straddling her lap.
Nayeon grinds on her thigh more aggressively as she caresses Nayeon’s hair.

“Do you really need me?” she asks, moving her leg for more friction.

“Yes! God, yes!” Nayeon answers helplessly in whisper, her face buried in Mina’s neck, her words
sending a chill down Mina's spine.

Mina pulls Nayeon down, and they collapse. Mina’s back is on her bed, and she pulls Nayeon’s ass
so that the latter is now grinding on her well-defined abs.

The feel of wetness coming from Nayeon’s core, now in contact with her stomach, is enough to
elicit a moan from Mina.

“You feel so good.” The first coherent words that escape Mina.

Nayeon was rolling her hips furiously against Mina, the rhythm was addicting. Mina grabs onto
Nayeon’s thighs to stop her, and she receives a whine as Nayeon continues.

“Trust me. Stop.” Mina reaches for Nayeon’s hips, waiting for the other to slow down. “Ride my
face.”

Mina crawls back to the headboard with her elbows, while Nayeon temporarily dismounts from
her.

“Come here, baby.” Mina finally invites Nayeon to sit on her face. “I’ll eat you out.”

Nayeon positions herself on top of Mina’s face before holding onto the headboard. Mina never
imagined to be in such a heavenly yet sinful position. She clings to Nayeon’s thighs to make sure
she doesn’t squirm too much.

Mina finally lets her tongue have a taste of Nayeon. She flattens her tongue against Nayeon’s
splayed and wet folds, and drags it along to her clit, in one slow movement. Nayeon’s body reacts
instantly with her neck extending together with her back arching. Her mouth falls open and releases
a drawn out moan.

The team leader pulls her down and starts inserting her tongue in and out of Nayeon. This results to
a cadence of wanton moans and Nayeon grinding further on Mina’s tongue. The sensation of
Mina’s nose hitting her clit adds pleasure coursing through her body, enough to make her thighs
shake.

Soon enough, Nayeon is bouncing on Mina’s face in a steady pace. Mina’s nails dig deep on
Nayeon’s thighs as she tries to keep the girl in position. Mina moans and groans as she eats Nayeon
out, the vibration of her sounds adding flavour to their session.

Nayeon gasps when Mina darts her tongue out, and immediately sinks down, pushing herself back
to Mina’s mouth. Mina can’t help but smile, knowing she was successful in teasing the woman in
dire need to be fucked by her. Mina doesn’t hesitate further and starts hitting Nayeon’s clit with
constant flicks. Nayeon’s orgasm comes as a surprise. She herself didn’t expect to come this fast.
Mina intertwines their hands, and rubs Nayeon’s thumb as she gets off from her high. When Mina
supposes Nayeon is done, she gives a few licks to clean Nayeon up, and a few gentle kisses.
Nayeon comes again. She hops off from Mina and starts making out with her instead. After a few
moments of tasting herself on the team leader’s tongue, she goes down on Mina. Mina willingly
spreads her legs, welcoming Nayeon who’s ready to devour her.
 Mina wasn’t expecting a drunk Nayeon to have stamina even after coming (twice), based on their
previous experience in Vegas. So she appreciates the extra mile when Nayeon is buried between
her thighs, lapping up her juices. Mina doesn’t want to think anymore, so she just lets herself be
pleasured.

Nayeon makes use of her middle finger, and slides it into Mina’s dripping core. Mina’s eyes roll
back at the sensation.

Her eyes shut and an image of someone appears in her mind. She remembers the sensation of
kissing that person, the feeling of making love and not just fucking. Mina remembers. But she
pushes these thoughts aside. She has Nayeon tonight.

Nayeon continues sucking on Mina’s clit until she feels Mina reach the brink of her climax.

“M-Mo...mo...mo...” Mina pants heavily. “More.” She tries to save herself.

Nayeon didn’t seem to understand Mina’s undisclosed cries. She only understands the last word.
More. Mina needs more, so Nayeon gives it to her. She withdraws her finger and sucks on it before
she puts it inside Mina again, this time, adding another digit. Mina whimpers in pleasure from the
new sensation of Nayeon's finger stretching her out.

“You’re taking me so well.” Nayeon praises Mina as she gives her light kisses on her thighs.

Mina grabs onto Nayeon’s wrist and starts pushing Nayeon’s fingers deeper into herself. She needs
all the pleasure and distraction tonight, and Nayeon is giving her just that.

When she comes, tears fall to the side of her face. It’s a good thing the lights are off; Nayeon won’t
see her breaking.

Nayeon passes out to sleep and Mina throws a blanket over them to keep themselves warm. She
pulls Nayeon close into a hug, whispering praises and kissing Nayeon’s forehead lightly. She basks
in the intimacy of their bare bodies just touching and woven together under the blanket.

Nayeon is her religion tonight.

— and in this universe, Mina’s still in love with someone else. She's sure as hell not over Hirai
Momo.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading! hehe

It's not that angsty hahu so pls dont get mad hehe we'll see more conflict next chapter

#TWICEAdoreYou
(Edit!!! DONT SPOIL UNDER THE HASHTAG PLS HAHHUHUHU) thanks!
@NabongsBunny on twt
 if you want to keep me, you gotta love me harder [M]
Chapter Notes

Thanks for waiting! Here’s some songs you can listen to hehe

1. Tightrope - Michelle Williams

2. The Cure - Lady Gaga

THIS WAS UNBETA’D SORRY

See the end of the chapter for more notes

And on and on from the moment I wake

To the moment I sleep

I'll be there by your side

Just you try and stop me

I'll be waiting in line

Just to see if you care

(Shiver, Coldplay)

“Momoring, do you think it’s us ‘til the end?” Mina asks softly, her head resting on Momo’s chest
as she draws small hearts with her finger on Momo’s shoulder, her leg draped across her lover’s
body.

“We’re endgame, Mitang.” Momo answers confidently, stroking Mina’s hair, gently pulling her in
for a kiss.

Mina has been doing so well for so long not letting Hirai even into her dreams. Tonight however,
Momo doesn’t break in forcefully; she enters Mina’s thoughts through the front door, as if
expecting a warm welcome. Mina’s mind is Momo’s home.
We’re endgame, Mitang.

No. Hirai is nothing but a distant memory.

If someone were to hack Nayeon’s phone, the last three apps she used would reveal who’s taking
up her headspace.

1. Naver - A long search history of questions about Mina:

How do you know when you already love someone

What to do when u fall for someone you can’t

How long does it take to fall in love

Is love just a chemical reaction

Is love a kind of sickness

Developing feelings for fwb

How to know if your fwb has feelings for you

How to know if someone likes you back

ImTech Myoui Mina

Is it possible to undo feelings

2. Phone - A call log with several outgoing calls to a contact named [Just Mina] and a missed call
from her housekeeper

3. Messages - Drunk texts to contact [Just Mina] telling said person “I miss you in the middle of
the night so it’s you who has to pick me up” in variations

Nayeon’s head is pounding, but when she reaches for her phone and sees the last message she sent,
she sobers up surprisingly quick and throws her phone across the room, only to realise she isn’t in
her own flat.
This is a room Nayeon has never been in, but she feels a weird sense of familiarity. When she
retrieves her phone and looks around the room, she observes that it’s tidied up — shelves are filled
with books arranged alphabetically and thematically, figurines are lined up neatly, a small photo of
a dachshund is framed nicely, even the items on the dresser are arranged — the way things would
be, if organised by Mina.

It’s too early to think about Mina, but here she is, doing just that. To give credit to herself though,
she has gone through another process of coming to terms with herself. First was accepting she likes
Mina, and the latest is accepting she’s falling (not fallen, because every minute spent with Mina
just makes her fall harder) in love with the team leader.

She falls harder especially when she hears the sound of violin playing from outside the room. It
wasn’t coming from speakers or a turntable, it was being played live by someone. The music leads
Nayeon to the living room, where she finds Mina.

She sees Mina with messy morning hair, wearing an oversized shirt, bare legs showing, playing a
violin with her eyes closed.

I love you. Nayeon sighs as she watches Mina. The tiny voice in her head surprises her.

Nayeon stays slack-jawed, standing there in awe of Mina. If only Mina’s eyes were open, she
would’ve seen Nayeon’s twinkling eyes of adoration.

Mina’s right arm is perfectly curved, her wrist at the perfect angle, as she saws gracefully through
the strings. Her once-calloused fingers press against the strings to make the violin cry with melody.
The piece sounds morose and despairing, reflective of Mina’s demeanour; furrowed brows and
pursed lips. The piece transitions from minor to major notes, marking the second interval as playful
yet mellow. Despite the intended mood change, Mina plays more aggressively as if wanting to
lose herself in the virtuosic language of the piece she’s playing. It’s far better than being drowned
in her increasingly restless thoughts.

Mina clutches the neck of the violin and doesn’t finish the piece, overwhelmed by unwanted
memories.

She opens her eyes to see Nayeon watching her. “Oh hey, you’re awake. Did I wake you with
this?” Mina puts the violin and bow back to its case before walking towards Nayeon.
“Nah, you didn’t. Thanks for the morning serenade.” Nayeon claps.

“You can barely call it that. I didn’t even finish the piece.” Mina takes Nayeon’s hand.

Since Nayeon is attuned to almost every detail about Mina, she easily sensed Mina’s uneasiness
just through her touch - the way Mina holds her hand is different. It’s shaky, uncertain, and cold.
Nayeon waives the thought aside and thinks maybe it’s from playing the violin. “What’s the song
called?”

“Liebesleid.” Mina leads Nayeon to a small kitchen, where the table’s set already. “Love’s
Sorrow.” she translates.

“You’re in sorrow?” Nayeon asks.

“Yes. Because of your cupboard love for me.” Mina teases as she pulls Nayeon to the dining table.
“Here’s your breakfast.”

Nayeon just snorts. My love for you is not shallow. “I didn’t know you play the violin.”

“I actually don’t play anymore. Before today, the last time I played was three or four years ago.”
Mina explains as she sits Nayeon down.

“You just wanted to show off and impress me.” Nayeon eyes her with a playful grin.

“I don’t need to impress you anymore. We’ve been together for months, I’m pretty sure I’ve
proven myself worthy in the eyes of the Im daughter.” Mina shrugs and tries to wink. “Anyway, I
made you some haejangguk for your hangover. The soup’s still hot. You should finish it. You were
pretty wasted last night.”

Last night.

Fuck.

Nayeon’s suddenly reminded of the messages she sent, plus her call log that had four to five calls to
Mina.

“Oh shit! I’m so sorry about last night. Sorry for the drunk messages and calls. I was wasted.”
Nayeon ducks her head and covers her eyes with her hands.

“Seemed like you really were.” Mina maintains a calm tone as she scoops a ladle of soup for
Nayeon. “I had to pick you up even if we fought last night.”

Nayeon’s cheeks redden immediately, remembering the reason why she had to drink.

“Are you still mad at me?” Nayeon still doesn’t remove her hands from her eyes.

“A bit.” Mina smirks.

Nayeon drops her hands and looks at Mina with apologetic eyes with a matching pout. “But I
already said I’m sorry.”

“Okay, I’m not mad anymore. Can’t argue with your pout.” Mina just shakes her head and gives a
faint smile. “Sorry I lashed out on you. I’ll fix the deal with Yang.”

“Yang? No director?” Nayeon laughs.

“I don’t have to call him director. We aren’t in the office.” Mina smiles smugly. She pours Nayeon
a glass of cold water and sits across her. “Now, eat.”

“Wait, shit! My friends! When you picked me up last night was I alone? Fuck, I think I left my
friends behind.” Nayeon closes her eyes again and tries to remember what happened last night.

Mina shifts in her chair. “You don’t remember anything from last night?” she tries to remain as
stoic as possible, her body turning rigid, as she asks the question.

If Nayeon remembers the scene in the bar, it would be a total mess. A huge part of Mina’s past she
has chosen to bury, will be unearthed and may cause some trouble, to the point where her career
may be put on the line. Hirai and Minatozaki are from Mina’s past, and they don’t need to and they
shouldn’t interfere with her present. (But they do, unknowingly and subconsciously. They seep
through Mina’s psyche like a venom that can’t be completely flushed out from her system - they’re
always almost gone, but never quite).

Nayeon not remembering would be the best case scenario. Mina can resume living uninterrupted
and continue trying to heal the wounds that have been reopened.

There was palpable tension between them and Nayeon can’t tell if it was sexual or something else.
It’s as if Mina’s hiding something.

Nayeon looks up and squints, trying to remember last night. “No...why? Did I do something? Did I
say something?”

Mina releases a sigh she didn’t notice she had been holding. Relief washes over her, but a knot in
her throat is forming. “Nothing.”

“Really?” Nayeon eyes her nervously, scared that she might have said something she should have
kept to herself.

“You confessed your feelings to me.” Mina says point blank, to divert the topic and rid herself off
Nayeon’s doubt.

“W-what? What are you talking about?” Nayeon swallows. For the nth time, she hates how she
can’t read Mina. If she really confessed, then it’s game over.

“I’m kidding.” Mina takes a sip of coffee from her cup. She knows exactly how to fluster Nayeon
and that’s what she did. She needed to change the topic to something not about Minatozaki and
Hirai.

Nayeon sticks her tongue out and makes a face at Mina, trying to imitate her ‘I’m kidding’.

“Just finish the soup then shower.” Mina taps her fingers on the table.
As she was preparing some towels for Nayeon, Mina receives a text.

[Unknown number]:

It’s better if we don’t remember. I won’t tell Momo.

No need to tell Nayeon.

Let’s try to continue living our lives separately.

Mina can only laugh. She was never a violent person but at this point, she wishes she can strangle
someone through the screen.

It’s sexual tension. Nayeon finds the answer to her query when she turns her head back and sees
Mina asking for permission to join her in the shower.

“May I join you?” The tone in her voice says that Mina wasn’t really asking.

How can Nayeon say no to Mina in her birthday suit? Nayeon’s imagination runs wild and all she
can utter is a simple “Of course.”

When the team leader reaches for soap past Nayeon, Nayeon can feel Mina’s nipples brush against
her back. Nayeon bites her lip and shuts her eyes at the sensation, already anticipating the pleasure
she’ll be experiencing in this glass stall.

“Let me help you.” a sultry whisper escapes Mina’s lips. She makes a good lather with the soap in
her hands, and trails down kisses from Nayeon’s neck to her shoulder before starting to massage
Nayeon with the body wash. Mina’s hands slide up and down Nayeon’s body, feeling her curves,
purposely avoiding areas where Nayeon wants to be touched.

Nayeon melts at Mina’s touch and finds herself rolling her head back and leaning on the team
leader as Mina continues soaping her up. She doesn’t know if it’s Mina or the shower getting her
wet, but the fact that her bare back is pressing against Mina’s firm round breasts is making her
mind go berserk.
Mina likens Nayeon’s body to a violin. Pressing the right strings would make the right sound. Mina
plays Nayeon like a fiddle, and the bathroom is their concert. Mina vows to finish the song this
time.

Nayeon’s screams are low and full. Mina turns the girl around and pushes her against the cool tile.
When Mina slips her leg in between Nayeon’s, she hears cries that are an octave higher. Nayeon
begins to rub and grind herself to an upbeat tempo on Mina’s leg, while Mina’s hand find its way
closing around Nayeon’s neck, earning herself a whole ungodly growl.

Their exchange of screams and moans echoes through the whole room. When Nayeon comes and
reaches her high, she cries out Mina’s name like a plea, like a prayer. It’s way louder than the
thoughts occupying Mina’s mind.

As they clean themselves off the mess they made, there’s a sinking feeling of guilt in Mina’s
stomach that she can’t wash away - the guilt of realising she’s using Nayeon and the guilt of
knowing Nayeon will most likely be okay with it.

Mina’s not dumb and dense. Though she hasn’t dated in years she isn’t totally inexperienced in the
love department.

She’s well aware the Im Nayeon likes her. Only a fool or someone as thick as a brick cannot see
that. Mina just chooses to ignore it. She wasn’t technically lying when she said Nayeon confessed
to her last night. Nayeon actually did when she was sober, through her morse code confession.
Mina had always known how to use the code. She was taught as a kid how to use and understand it,
as it can be a lifesaver during times of crisis.

Even before the incident last night, Mina was certain she likes Nayeon too. Seeing Hirai with
Minatozaki last night didn’t change the fact she likes Nayeon, but it changed her outlook in liking
Nayeon.

Mina concedes that she has broken the Golden Rule herself, but she questions if her feelings for
Nayeon are genuine and sincere. Does she only like Nayeon because it’s convenient or does she
like Nayeon for Nayeon? Why does it feel like she’s using Nayeon? It’s the first time years where
Mina finds herself not knowing her own mind.
She hates how Hirai and Minatozaki can easily tear down the walls of healing she’s been building
just by the sight of them being together. It made Mina question if her years of sublimation in
ImTech were enough. Apparently, they aren’t.

“There’s a meeting later at 5PM. I’m sure you’re aware. Just reminding you.” Mina visits
Nayeon’s office and sees her busy scribbling. “What are you up to?”

“I’m so bored. I’m done brainstorming, Team Leader Myoui.” Nayeon complains and shows Mina
the sticky notes with doodles on it, like a toddler wanting her teacher’s approval.

“You’re wasting supplies. Don’t use up all the Post-its.” Mina hovers above Nayeon’s shoulder.

“I’ll take note of it.” Nayeon laughs. “Get it? Note? Sticky notes?”

“Christ. You sound like Ms. Son.” Mina shakes her head.

“Chaeyoung’s a nice kid. I like her. Do you know she’s dating Dahyun?” Nayeon tells.

“I never meddle with my subordinates’ personal lives. But cool.” Mina nods this time.

“But you meddle with mine.”

“You’re saying you’re my sub?”

“Subordinate as in junior because you’re my team leader. Not what you’re implying.” Nayeon
protests.

“Yes, of course, of course.” Mina replies sarcastically.

Nayeon slaps Mina’s ass, causing Mina to yelp unexpectedly.

“You’ll pay for that.” Mina warns her. When she reaches for her bum, she realises that Nayeon
stuck a Post-it on her ass that reads:

This fine ass belongs to Im Nayeon

Mina pokes her cheek with her tongue as she crumples the paper. She takes a sticky note from
Nayeon’s stack and starts scribbling. She rips it off and sticks it to Nayeon’s forehead.

“I’ll be heading to my office. Director Park and Director Lee want to see me first.” she waves
goodbye.

When Nayeon sees that Mina is back in her office, she removes the sticky note on her forehead and
immediately snorts.

It says: Mina’s.

“You want me to go against Ms. Im for the election of the next chairperson? Are you doubting
Chairman Im’s endorsement and Ms. Im’s credibility?” Mina asks calmly as she sips from her
glass of kombucha.

“It’s not like that, Team Leader Myoui. What we’re suggesting is Ms. Im can be the chairperson
after you, but now you’re the most suited for this job.” Director Park says.

“You dislike me. You even voted against my promotion as team leader.” Mina points out.

“Let’s put the past behind. We’re giving you our support now.” Director Lee says. “Besides, this
will be a two-year plan. Taking over ImTech can’t happen overnight.”

“You have 5% of shares, Ms. Myoui. Both of us have around 15% put together. We can gather a
few more supporters. We can convince Ms. Chou to support you.”
“Apart from the fact I most certainly do not agree with this proposal, you know it’s difficult to go
against Chairman Im since he is the CEO and also a major shareholder of the company. Currently,
he owns 18% and when you combine that with his wife’s and daughter’s, that will add to up to
40%. That doesn’t even include his supporters. Chairman Im is still capable and efficient in
expanding ImTech. I believe Ms. Im shows the same potential.” Mina explains without stuttering.

“We can convince Yang and we can try reaching out to Ms. Chou.” Director Park suggests.

“Ms. Chou never shows up during meetings. She always has a proxy, even from the very beginning
when she started investing. We don’t know her true identity.” Mina argues.

“We can try to—”

“I still believe in the Im legacy. If you really support me, you will support Ms. Im’s ascendance
when Chairman Im steps down.” Mina says firmly this time.

“Chairman Im’s health is failing and we don’t know if the Im daughter capable. She is merely your
apprentice.” Director Lee comments.

“You underestimate Im Nayeon.” She says. “With all due respect, I would have to decline your
offer of being the sacrifice for your ambitions.” Mina stands up from her seat. “If that’s all, I will
see you later during the meeting. Sirs.” Mina bows.

Nayeon’s bored out of her mind and she’s basically done crafting a set of questions for the
presenters later, so she texts the first person who comes into mind when she wants to bother
someone.

[Annoying]:

Whats up

[ ]:
What do you want

[Annoying]:

HAHAH y so angry??? Am I still named as annoying in your contacts?

[ ]:

No...

[Annoying]:

Chou Tzuyu!!!

[ ]:

You can’t spell annoying without NY. Fine I’ll change it.

[@NN0Y!NG]:

Yaaay!

[ ]:

What’s a grown woman like you doing at this time complaining about your contact name?

Don’t you have anything better to do? Dont u have work?

[@NN0Y!NG]:

I do have work. But I missed you so I’m just texting

[ ]:

I missed you too

[@NN0Y!NG]:

Aww baby I love you

[ ]:

Don’t push it.

[@NN0Y!NG]:

Hahah send me photos of Kookeu.

Thanks, my favourite dog-sitter ♥️

[ ]:

Ok later when I get home. I’m actually working now.

[@NN0Y!NG]:

K love you.

[ ]:

Focus.

[@NN0Y!NG]:

I will. Love u Choutzu ♥️

[ ]:

Ok.

Love u too

Nayeon decides that she needs to have good dinner. The meeting sucked the life out of her because
some directors seemed to target her even if she wasn’t presenting anything for the day. She
messages Jihyo and Jeongyeon to meet her.
When she sees Mina packing away, she thought about inviting her to dinner as well, to finally meet
her best friends. She taps softly on Mina’s door.

“You knocked? That’s new. What do you need?” Mina asks, looking up to her smiling.

“You wanna have dinner with me?”

Mina considers the thought. “Okay. As long as you bring me home to my place. I still have
unfinished documents to work on. Where are we eating? ”

“Just a restaurant a block away. Beef. Tofu stew. They have good stuff.” Nayeon says. “Oh by the
way I invited friends to join. Is that okay?”

Mina freezes on the spot. Fuck what if she invited the two?

“Who? How many?” Mina asks.

“Just two.” Nayeon answers.

Fuck. Two. There’s a huge possibility it might be Hirai and Minatozaki.

“Who?” Mina repeats her question, seeing Nayeon only answered one.

“Jeongyeon and Jihyo.” Nayeon replies.

Mina sighs in relief. “Okay cool. It’d be nice to meet people who can handle your attitude.”

Nayeon smiles. “They’re a little bit judgmental but don’t worry you’ll balance out each other’s
judgmental-ness.” She laughs.

When they arrive at the restaurant, Nayeon receives a text from Jeongyeon saying that the couple
won’t be able to make it.

“Oh. They just texted they won’t be able to come. Jihyo’s shoot isn’t over yet and Jeongyeon won’t
leave without her.“

“You know, you could’ve just told me straight out that you wanted to ask me out for dinner date.”
Mina smirks.

“What? No! This isn’t a date. I didn’t set it up! They were really supposed to eat with us.” Nayeon
raises her voice.

“It’s cute when you’re defensive like this.” Mina laughs. “I was kidding.”

“I’m cute no matter what I do.” Nayeon’s blushing like crazy. “Shut up.”

Mina finds herself amused at how animated Nayeon is when telling stories. She wasn’t able to
focus on understanding them, she just nods and looks at Nayeon with a smile.

“Why are you so quiet?” Nayeon asks in the middle of her story.

”You’re just loud. I don’t mind though.” Mina takes a strip of beef and places it on Nayeon’s bowl.
“But, you have to eat too.”

Nayeon nods. She uses her chopsticks to transfer mushroom to Mina’s bowl. “Come to think of it,
we should’ve just went to your place. You cook better.”

”I know.” Mina smirks. “I know you like my cooking best.”

”And you like my kombucha best.” Nayeon brings up.

“Of course I like it best. It’s the only one I drink. So technically, there’s no competition. I like it.
Period.”

”Whatever. Someday I’ll put up my own pub and I’ll make my kombucha a house special. It’s not
really a drink-drink, but more like a healthier option.”

”Sounds promising. I’d like to see it.” Mina affirms. “Where’d you plan to put it up?”

“Maybe abroad. In Vegas?” Nayeon shrugs. “Where I met you.”

“That’s a pathetic excuse for finding hot girls to sleep with.” Mina shakes her head.
“I was trying to be reminiscent of our past and you bring that up. You sound jealous. Don’t worry, I
don’t actively search for hot girls. They just come to me.” Nayeon laughs.

They spend the rest of the dinner bantering over movies, songs, anything under the sun. Just
spending the night like this makes both of them feel lighter.

Though there’s a voice at the back of Mina’s mind condemning her for being with Nayeon, she
chooses not to listen to it. Besides, there’s another voice that has been occupying her mind the
whole day, despite her avoiding it.

When they finish dinner, Mina excuses herself to go to the washroom, and tells Nayeon to just wait
for her by the exit. Nayeon follows Mina's order and waits patiently by the door, just watching the
people passing by, counting cars, whatever.

It was then when Momo passes by.

“Yah!” Nayeon shouts to catch her friend’s attention.

“Yah!” Momo shouts back, acknowledging her friend. They go in for a hug, and almost stumble
around. It’s as if they didnt see each other last night. “You disappeared last night but Sana said
someone picked you up.”

“Ah, yeah. What time did you guys get home? I was so wasted.” Nayeon finally lets go.

“Around 5 I think? I dunno. I was passed out drunk. I just woke up and Sana and I were already
home. How bout you? Who took you home?” Momo nudges Nayeon lightly, teasing her.

“I did.” A voice answers from behind Momo.

“Ah, Momo. Here’s my team leader, Myoui Mina. Team Leader Myoui, here’s one of my best
friends and therapist, Hirai Momo.”

Mina just stares at Momo, her eyes devoid of emotion.

We’re endgame, Mitang.

“Hi.” It was a brief response from Momo, but painful nonetheless. Momo extends her hand.

Is this how they should greet each other now? By shaking hands? They wouldn’t acknowledge that
they know each other? Has Momo forgotten about her?

We’re endgame, Mitang. The sound keeps ringing in her ear.

Mina just stares at the extended hand. She gets flashes of memories of this hand. This face. This
person right in front of her. Mina feels a sudden sense of overwhelming emotions. She’s
experiencing sensory overload. The streetlights seem so bright; the people passing by and the card
are so loud; the smoke coming from the street vendor’s grill is thick; she can’t feel her hands; her
chest is tightening. Mina feels suffocated she might actually pass out. Her eyes start getting blurry.

“Ah, don’t worry about her. Our team leader’s usually like this to strangers. She’s not much of a
handshake person.” Nayeon tells Momo. She darts Mina glaring looks and mouths ‘what?’

“I feel sick.” Was all Mina can say. “Let’s go.” She can hear her own heart shattering. Mina walks
ahead, past Momo and Nayeon, before her tears even spill.

“Maybe we’ll see you next time Momo. I promised to bring her home so I have to. She’s the team
leader I was telling you about. The one I like.” Nayeon waves goodbye and half-jogs to catch up to
Mina.

“Hey, hey. Slow down. Are you okay?”

No. I’m not. Can’t you see I’m breaking? “Yeah. I just feel sick. I need a drink.” Mina says,
soothing her chest.

“A drink? Do you think alcohol is medicine?”

“Yes, for internal wounds.” Mina mutters under her breath before walking again.
We’re endgame, Mitang. The words replay on Mina’s mind. She can feel her head splitting into
two. She just wants it to stop.

Nayeon looks at Mina confused, but follows anyway. Mina looks so sick like she wants to throw
up. When Mina’s fingers brush against hers as they walk, Nayeon decides to just hold Mina’s hand
and place it in her pocket. It seems like Mina needed to be held.

Mina feels like she’s floating away to nothingness and it’s only Nayeon holding her down, keeping
her grounded. She curses the universe for putting her in this position, but thanks it anyway for
Nayeon’s existence. She appreciates Nayeon’s silence throughout the stretch of their walk.

They end up in a pub a few blocks away from Mina’s place. The pub was all sorts of loud and
crazy, but maybe that’s what Mina needs - something louder than the voice of Hirai playing in her
head.

Nayeon leads Mina to the counter and places two orders of something light. Mina retracts the order
and tells the bartender to give them something stronger. Nayeon looks at her worriedly, but lets
Mina have what she wants. Mina raises their shot glass, and they down it in one go.

If one were to look intently at Mina, they would see that past her facade of being calm and
composed, there is brokenness - she has cracks and crevices in her grace, in her beauty, in her
goddamn laughter. Sometimes, it may be fleeting, but Nayeon notices how loneliness swallows
Mina’s eyes.

“Why are we drinking?” Nayeon asks.

“We’ve never had a drink together.” Mina replies, unable to think of a proper response.

Just then, Nayeon feels her phone vibrate through her pocket. “Ugh. Jihyo just texted me
Jeongyeon got her blueberry smoothie after her shoot.” Nayeon complains as she downs another
shot with Mina. “Jeongyeon never had that kind of dedication for me.” Nayeon rolls her eyes as
she replies ‘angrily’, chuckling.

“Are you jealous?” Mina teases, downing another shot.

“What? No. I told you, I’m over Jeongyeon.” Nayeon laughs.

“I asked you before about how you handled having your best friend get together with your ex and
you said you just rolled with it because they look good together.” Mina looks at Nayeon. Her eyes
were a proof that the alcohol has finally hit.

“Yeah. Why?”

“What if you made promises with your ex that you’d end up together in the end?”

“I don’t know. It was easy accepting it because it was Jihyo and I can see that she actually loves
Jeongyeon and Jeongyeon loves her back. Why are you asking anyway?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m drunk.” Mina snorts. “I just remembered a similar thing happen
to me some time ago.”

“Oooh I’ve never heard this story. Let’s drink to that.” Nayeon raises her glass. She’s surprised
that drunk Mina’s being so open about the topic of relationships. Sober Mina would’ve avoided it
all costs. “You had a bestfriend who got together with your ex?”

“In my case, my best friend was my sister. I found out recently that they’re still together.” Mina
takes a shot. “My sister ended up with my ex.”

Mina hates how all those experiences of joy, pain, and anger are oversimplified into seven words.
/My sister ended up with my ex/. It was more than that. My sister, Minatozaki Sana ended up taking
Hirai Momo, the person I love most, from me.

“Oh shit that’s fucked up. But wait! You have a sister?” Nayeon is shocked hearing about this for
the first time. “You never told me.”

“Woops. I have no filter when I’m drunk, I reveal too much about myself.” Mina says, giggling.
“and...you never asked.”
Nayeon can say the same thing.

Mina shifts in her seat so she can rest her head on Nayeon’s shoulder. Mina’s heightened sense of
affection when she’s drunk is not helping Nayeon think straight at all.

Nayeon just lets Mina lean on her for a while, taking her hand, intertwining their fingers, and
rubbing circles on her thumb.

“Thanks for drinking with me, Nayeonie.” Mina hums softly.

Just when Nayeon thinks the team leader has fallen asleep, Mina sits up straight to order another
set of shots and takes them like there’s no tomorrow. It was a house special called Truth Serum.

“Woah, woah, woah. Chill!” Nayeon takes a glass from Mina. “I’ve never seen you this desperate
for liquor. What’s gotten into you? You were okay earlier.”

Hirai Momo.

“I just want to drink. It’s on me. Drink more too if you want. You don’t have to take me home
anymore.” Mina tilts her head, looking buzzed. Her words are not as slurred as a typical drunken
person, but her words are dragging.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll take you home. I’m still pretty sober.”

“You don’t have to.” Mina’s leaning too closely to Nayeon, their foreheads touching.

“But I will.” Nayeon steadies Mina in her seat.

“No.” Mina tries to push Nayeon away with her words.

“Yes. You’re drunk. I have to take care of you.”

You shouldn’t. Save yourself, Nayeon.

Mina straightens her back and blinks, staring at Nayeon. “Why? I’m saying you don’t have to.
Why will you take me home? Why do you spend so much time with me? Why do you always stay
by my side?” There was anger in her tone, but it wasn’t directed at Nayeon.
“Because I like you.” Nayeon admits.

“Bullshit.” Mina reaches for another glass.

“You’ve had a couple of drinks already. Let’s get you home.” Nayeon stands between Mina and
the bar.

“Why are you making it hard for me?” Mina rests her head on Nayeon’s chest.

“Hard for you?” Nayeon asks, hurt in her eyes. She envelopes Mina into a hug, caressing her hair
gently.

Mina just lets herself be engulfed by Nayeon’s embrace. “We have the Golden Rule. Why are you
breaking it?” God, I like you too. But I can’t because you don’t deserve to be in this mess. In my
mess.

“It wasn’t intentional.” Nayeon’s hold on Mina is firm. “I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.”

“You should stop liking me, Nayeon.” Mina verbalises it this time. She brings her head up and
tries to push herself away from Nayeon.

“If it were that easy I would’ve done it as soon as I realised I like you. Don’t worry though, I won’t
act on it unless you tell me I can. You don’t have to like me back, Mina.” Nayeon takes Mina’s
hands into hers, assuring her she doesn’t have the obligation to return mutual feelings.

“I’m too drunk to have this conversation.” Mina says. She’ll lose her mind tonight if this keeps
going.

“I like it better this way. So you don’t filter your words and it’s easier for me to understand. It’s
hard read between the lines when it comes to you.”

“I like you.” Mina answers truthfully. The Truth Serum deserves its name. “But—“
Nayeon puts up a hand. “Stop. Knowing you like me back is enough for me. It means I have a
chance.”

“Nayeon, please don’t do this to yourself. You’re setting yourself up for trouble and pain.” Mina
sighs in resignation and defeat. “I’m not over my ex. I’ve grown fond of you, Nayeon. I don’t
wanna break you.”

Mina’s unfiltered words hurt like a bitch but it’s way better than passive, sugarcoated lies.

“You wont be breaking me. I’m okay with that fact. I don’t mind. I feel happy when I’m with you,
Mina.” Nayeon bends her knees to meet Mina’s eyes.

”That’s a premature statement you’ll regret saying.” Mina avoids Nayeon’s gaze.

“I’m willing to risk it. I’m willing to walk the tightrope with you.”

“This would be unfair to you.”

“It’s not. I’m entering whatever this is, willingly. I’m willing to help you through it. Mina, I mean
it. We’ll get over your ex together. Let’s give it a shot, hm?”

“You don’t understand the terms.” We’re not the only ones involved here. It involves your friends,
your family, and ImTech.

“Then make me.”

Kissing Nayeon is the only language Mina is fluent in when she’s drunk. So she speaks in her
mother tongue.

Nayeon’s body heats up to the feel of Mina’s lips on hers. But she also realises that the heat is
literally coming from Mina.
“Wait. You’re burning.” Nayeon breaks the kiss, as she places her hand against Mina’s forehead.
“No more drinking. I’ll take you home.”

Mina doesn’t resist this time. She finally feels the effect of alcohol hitting her like a hammer, on
top of the rollercoaster of emotions she experienced tonight.

Nayeon puts Mina on her back and gives her a piggyback home. Mina’s flat was just three blocks
away, and thankfully, Nayeon still had the strength and sobriety to carry the team leader on her
back.

Nayeon drops Mina off in her bed. Mina groans and coughs.

“Where are your meds for fever?” Nayeon tucks Mina into bed.

The team leader just points to the bedside drawer.

Nayeon pulls the first drawer and sees it’s empty. She pulls the bottom one and finally sees a
pillbox. Nayeon gets some water from the kitchen and brings it to Mina so she can take her
medicine. She also places a soft cooling gel fever on Mina’s forehead.

She pulls a chair to observe Mina for a while, trying to get her temperature every 30 minutes.
Nayeon has never been more worried about someone else.

When Mina’s fever has gone down, Nayeon decides it’s time for her to get proper sleep too. She
thinks that it would be best to let Mina have the whole bed to herself, so she’ll just sleep on the
couch.

Nayeon returns the thermometer to the medicine cabinet and the pillbox to the drawer. As she was
trying to close the drawer, it seemed like something was keeping it from closing.

Nayeon sees that a box jammed it, so she takes off the lid to close the drawer.
She notices that the lid had Myoui Mina’s initials etched on it: M.M.

But on the lower right corner, Nayeon sees a familiar name. Minatozaki. Like Sana’s.

Nayeon didn’t give it further thought. She knew that the Minatozakis are a powerful family in
Japan, and maybe this box is just a packaging of one of their products. Good for Momo she has
someone loaded to take care of her.

But when Nayeon opens the drawer again to return the lid, she notices that there was an envelope
on the box.

The addressee’s name was Minatozaki Mina and there was no return address.

Nayeon swallows, not knowing how else to react. She can’t make any sense of it. Her hand
fumbles as she tries to put the lid back on the box, but then an old photo catches her attention.

The photo had three girls in it. The tallest one had blonde hair, the one in the middle had ginger
hair, and the last one had a brownish shade of blonde.

Nayeon easily identifies Mina as the ginger-haired girl. When she looks closer, she sees that Mina
is sandwiched between two people she knows: Momo and Sana.

Mina’s arm was on Momo’s waist, while Sana’s arm was around Mina’s neck. Momo was kissing
Mina’s cheek.

Nayeon was caught in a whirlwind of confusion. Mina knows her friends? But earlier it seemed
like Mina didn’t know Momo?

Then it clicks. It doesn’t take a genius to solve the puzzle. The truth sinks its fangs on Nayeon’s
heart.

“My sister ended up with my ex.”

 Mina is a Minatozaki. Sana is her sister. Sana ended up with Momo. Mina is not over Momo.

Nayeon quickly seals the box and shuts the drawer close. Her hand is against her chest, she starts
sweating and feeling cold. She questions if she belongs in this place, if she should be the one
taking care of Mina, if she is worthy to be called Momo’s best friend. There were so many thought
racing her mind, she thinks she may be hallucinating. Maybe she should get her eyes checked. She
can’t be sure about her theory.

She was about to step out of the room when Mina starts mumbling in her sleep. It looks like she
was in pain and having a nightmare. Nayeon rushes to Mina’s side and strokes her hair gently. She
notices that Mina’s temperature has gone up again. Mina is shivering and the only thing Nayeon
can think about doing is cuddling her to keep her from shaking too much.

Nayeon slips into the sheets, careful not to wake Mina, and starts cradling the team leader in her
arms, continuously shushing and telling her everything will be okay.

“Everything will be okay. I’ll be here with you when you wake up.” Nayeon coos. I love you,
Mina. She wants to say.

But then Mina calls out a name. Nayeon never imagined hearing her best friend’s name can feel
like a stab in the heart.

“Momoring.” Mina cries in a whisper as she quivers in her sleep.

It’s one of those times when Nayeon sees Mina’s brokenness. Nayeon makes a decision that she’ll
do everything to fill in those cracks and empty spaces. She chooses Mina.

“I’m sorry it’s just me.” Nayeon hugs Mina tighter. “I’m sorry I’m not Momo. But I’m here and
I’ll take care of you.” I’ll fix you with my love, if you let me. Even if you say you’re fine, I’ll be
here anyway.

Chapter End Notes

Woah woah hehe hope u enjoyed some of the reveals hehe

PLS DONT SPOIL UNDER THE HASHTAG :( HAHAHHA just react hehe bc some
readers said they get spoiled bc of it haha thanks lmk what u think ♥️
#TWICEAdoreYou
@NabongsBunny on twt
 here I stand in your glow, should I stay or should I go? [M][TW]
Chapter Notes

Thanks for waiting! Please don’t spoil under the fic’s hashtag hehe

Talk Me Down - Troye Sivan :)

*TW: internalised homophobia

See the end of the chapter for more notes

They fit. Mina’s first realisation the moment she wakes is how perfect she fits in Nayeon’s arms,
and how Nayeon’s arms were made as if knowing they were to cradle her someday.

“Hey, baby.” Nayeon plants a soft kiss on the tip of Mina’s nose, seeing she’s now awake. “Just
yesterday you were the one taking care of a drunk me. Now it’s my turn to take care of you.”

Can we just do this forever? Can we just keep taking turns taking care of each other?

“Your temperature’s pretty high. Good thing it’s a weekend. You wouldn’t have to go to work. Get
all the rest you need.” Nayeon says, still stroking Mina’s hair.

“Thank you.” Mina replies and drifts back to sleep immediately, too weak to stay awake.

The second time Mina shakes out of sleep, Nayeon’s hand is holding hers. There’s weariness on
Nayeon’s face, a result of watching over Mina all night. Mina squeezes Nayeon’s hand as tightly as
she could, hoping to transfer some energy. “Thank you for staying.” she whispers before snuggling
closer to Nayeon.

The third time Mina wakes up, Nayeon’s not beside her anymore. She reaches for the thermometer,
then notices the lower drawer is ajar. She suddenly feels cold and succumbs to her fever, dragging
her back to slumber.

As she wakes again, she sees Nayeon watching over her.

“Hey.” Nayeon says in the most gentle tone. “You’ve been asleep all day. I can’t let you go on an
empty stomach.” she helps Mina up. Nayeon brings the tray she set up for Mina. It has porridge,
some fruit slices, and water.

“Do I need to spoon feed you?” Nayeon chuckles.

“If I say yes, will you do it?” Mina snickers, her eyes brighter this time but still drowsy.

“Of course. Anything for you.” Nayeon says. And she means it.

Mina knows Nayeon means it too.

Mina giggles. “You’ve done enough, Nayeon. I can lift my spoon myself.” Mina says a kind ‘thank
you’ before eating her first meal of the day.

Nayeon just sits across and waits for Mina to finish. Her eyes are fixated on the wall behind Mina,
her mind wandering off.

It’s silent. Unspoken thoughts and questions float in the space between them.

You dont have to stay.

I want to stay, I love you.

You shouldn’t.

Is Momo really your ex? Why can’t you get over her? Did she hurt you? Will you let me be there
for you? Please take a chance on me.

“My cooking skills have rubbed off on you.” Mina commends Nayeon.

“In more ways than one.” Nayeon jokes. Mina blushes but blames it on her fever.

When Nayeon walks closer to get the tray, Mina grabs her by the wrist. “I know you have a lot of
questions to ask. I noticed the box was opened—“
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to! It was an accid—“

“Don’t worry! Don’t worry. I’m not blaming you for snooping or anything. Let’s talk after I get
better.” Mina says, devoid of an accusing tone.

“We don’t have to talk about it immediately. Take all the time and space you need. I’m not
pressuring you. Just talk to me about it when you’re ready.” Nayeon nods and reassures Mina. “I’ll
just bring this to the kitchen first.” she kisses Mina on the forehead before excusing herself out of
the room.

Mina feels suffocated by Nayeon’s kindness. It’s a double-edged sword that warmly tugs at her
heartstrings yet pierces it in an excruciating way. Nayeon makes her feel safe, but she feels
undeserving of this kindness.

“Rest up until tomorrow. Don’t even think about working tonight.” Nayeon says from the
doorframe, watching Mina eyeing her laptop.

“I just have to email Mr. Oh about—“

“ImTech’s strategy to shift from coal plants to gas plants? Done.” Nayeon boasts.

“And Chairman Im—“

“I know he makes you send monthly progress reports about my performance. I sent him your
evaluation of me already. Though I changed some parts.” Nayeon chortles and winks.

“Nayeon! That’s confidential!” Mina raises her voice and ends up coughing.

“But you gave me an 8/10? I tweaked it to 8.5! You’re so stingy I think I did an 11.” Nayeon
argues for that half-point playfully.

“I would’ve given you a 10/10 if not for the Im scale your father crafted. A huge component is
attendance and being on time so I really—“

“Shhh. Don’t explain. I was just teasing. You evaluated my performance fairly. I didn’t think you
thought of me as R&D‘s sleeping dragon.” Nayeon snickers.

“It was a filler since it was a draft. I wrote that when I was sleepy.” Mina peers away from Nayeon.

“Sure.” Nayeon shrugs. “But anyway, the motion stands. No work for you until Monday. And I’m
staying here tonight to make sure you’ll get rest.”

“You’re staying?”

“Of course! You’re sick.” Nayeon replies as if Mina asked the most obvious question.

“Nayeon, you don’t have to.”

“I’m doing it anyway because...because...because you’re sick and you can’t be spreading virus
around. It’s my moral obligation as a responsible citizen to make sure you get well asap.” Nayeon
struggles delivering her pathetic made-up excuse.

Because I love you, is what she doesn’t say.

“If you’re so against me spreading virus, you should sleep at the guest room.” Mina says.

“The virus is scared of me. I can scare it off your body.” Nayeon cajoles, putting her hands on her
waist, posing like a superhero with an imaginary cape. “Will you let me?”

“No.” Mina giggles. “You’ll end up having colds too.”

Nayeon pouts.
“Nayeon no! You’ll get sick!”

“Then we can just get sick together.” Nayeon slips into the sheets

“That’s so unwise and impractical.” Mina says but scoots.

“I put the Im in impractical.” Nayeon moves closer to spoon Mina.

“You’re impossible.”

“And in impossible too.”

“No kisses. Virus travels through kissing.” Mina hides her lips with her palm.

“Wow. Didn’t know you’re a doctor now.” Nayeon rests her chin on Mina’s shoulder.

“In another life I probably am. I might be a microbiologist. So trust me. No kisses.”

“Goddamnit, Mina.” Nayeon captures Mina’s lips anyway.

Nayeon sinks into the bed, satisfied she’s cuddled Mina to sleep. Her mind drifts to the talk they’ll
have when Mina gets better. She’ll cross the bridge when she gets there. For tonight, her only
mission is to cuddle away Mina’s fever.

“You must’ve went to the wrong class. This is for senior high. Junior high school’s at the other
building.” Momo tapped Mina’s shoulder to get her attention.

Mina felt her cheeks heat up at the thought of her crush recognising her well enough to know she
was a batch lower. She shook her head and replied politely. “I got accelerated.”
“What?”

“While you were at exchange, I skipped a level.” She explained in her hushed voice.

“Ah. I see, my bad. Congratulations then! Welcome to the same batch.” Momo scratched the back
of her head in slight embarassment. “You’re the one who plays violin, right?”

“Yeees.” Mina answered with her brows furrowed.

“Why do you sound uncertain?” Momo chuckled.

“It’s the first time someone associated me with playing the violin. It’s always ‘Are you
Minatozaki’s sister?’ or something along those lines.” Mina mumbled through her explanation.

Don’t get her wrong, it’s not that she didn’t want to be associated with Sana. She’s well aware of
how fond her sister is of her, and how she is Sana’s pride. But for once, someone actually
recognised her for herself, not by association.

“Ah. Sana-chan.” Momo laughed. “I think you’re her favourite thing in this world. She loves you
more than yogurt. You may know I’m good friends with your sister so don’t tell her, okay? But I
think you’re prettier.” she leaned in to whisper to Mina’s ear. “And also, I was there during your
recital. I heard you play the violin. I was amazed.”

Mina melted in her seat. Momo’s compliment, on top of feeling Momo's breath against her ear,
was enough to make her head swirl.

“I know you know my name and I know yours, but let’s just pretend we don’t. Just for the sake of
formal introduction. So...Hi, I’m Hirai Momo. And you are?”

“Minatozaki Mina.” she flashed her gummy smile before shaking Momo’s hand.

“To be honest, I see you whenever I come over to your house to hang with Sana, but I never said hi
since you looked busy. Now I feel rude. So...I’m gonna make up for all the times I didn’t say hi. Hi!
Hi! Hi! Hi!” Momo sounded like a broken record.

“The class is about to start.” Mina shushed Momo.

So Momo lowered her voice and leaned closer to Mina’s ear. She whispered “Hi, hi, hi! Maybe I
should say double-hi’s every time I see you until I make up for the times I didn’t.”

Mina just shook her head and snorted. It was such silly, but it’s Momo who did it, so it turned out
cute.

When the class ended, even before Mina can leave the room, Momo trapped her. “Your sister and I
will go to the arcade later for Dance Dance Revo. You can come if you promise you wont tell her
what I just said earlier.”

“I still have to finish some workbooks.” Mina replied apologetically.

“Oh come on! Mitang, please?” Momo batted her eyelashes and folded her hands together.

“Mitang?”

“I just came up with that nickname for you to sound cute and convince you.” Momo pouted.

“I can’t, Momoring.” Mina tried her best to decline the offer with a pout as well.

“Momoring? I’ll take that.” she chuckled. “Please? Only for today. We’ll help you finish your
workbooks.”

“It’s advanced calculus.”

“On second thought...” Momo laughed, signifying defeat. She’s nothing against numbers.
“I was kidding. Okay, I’ll go with you and Sa-tan. And I promise I won’t tell her what you said.”
Mina held out her pinky for Momo to seal the promise.

“Give me your number.”

“What, why?” Mina panicked.

“So I can text you when Sana-chan and I are there.”

“She has my number. She’s my sister.” Mina reminded Momo.

“Oh right yeah. I forgot about that. Give it to me anyway?” Momo looked at Mina like a shy
puppy.

Mina took her phone and happily punched in her number. She waved Momo a goodbye and
excused herself to go to her next class.

As she was walking away, her phone rang. “Hello?”

“Ah so it’s working. I’ll see you later, Mitang!” Momo dropped the call.

Mina can’t believe she just talked with her long-time crush. She’s always noticed Momo whenever
the girl would visit Sana, but Mina just buried herself in books and practiced violin in her room
instead. Momo was too cool and way out of her league.

The afternoon at the arcade was the start of Mina and Momo’s friendship. The three of them,
including Sana, became the best of friends. Soulmates, more so — unbreakable, indestructible.
Everyone envied the friendship the trio had.

Eventually, as Mina hung out with Momo, her feelings developed. She never expected this stupid
crush to bloom into something more than infatuation and adoration: love.
It has been a week since the ‘incident’ happened, but it very much felt like a year. A week turned
into two, then three, and eventually a month. Neither of them bring up the topic or anything
remotely close to it. It was a very confusing and frustrating phase for the both of them. Each
passing second feels like a lifetime.

Nayeon’s thoughts are restless and unending, but she’s willing to wait for the right time the truth
ripens to something bearable enough for Mina to share. She makes no attempt to reach out to
Momo and Sana either. She doesn’t have a clue as to how she’ll talk to them. She resolves that
pretending everything’s fine just as how she’s doing with Mina, would be the way to go, so she
would be giving them time as well.

Even Nayeon herself thinks she's not ready to hear the entirety of the truth. So she settles for an
act, the calm before the storm — an indefinite space and time for a hundred decisions and
indecisions.

Nayeon is in a liminal stage of letting go and staying. She finds herself occupying a space where
she incessantly questions if being with Mina would be the best option. Would staying with Mina
help her get over Momo or would it constantly make her feel guilty for ‘using’ Nayeon? Would it
be an act of betrayal to be with Mina, considering the possibility Momo may still not be over her?
How would Sana feel about this? These are the thoughts that infiltrate her mind. She didn't bother
about ImTech too much; she has Tzuyu for that.

Mina is in a similar threshold, but faces different variables: moving on by herself or moving on by
letting Nayeon in to help her. It may seem that letting Nayeon go would be the far better and
selfless option, but it’s not as easy as that. Mina’s been used to making compromising decisions as
a team leader, but it’s never easy to weigh options especially when it involves people she cares
about. She has genuine feelings for Nayeon - both actions of giving her a chance and rejecting her
will hurt her. Mina needs to weigh the damages. And then there's Hirai. and Minatozaki. and
ImTech. Mina has so many decisions to make, she ends up setting them aside. Instead, she deals
with matters she has control over, like business projects or maybe getting a haircut.

Initially, she only wanted to trim her bangs, but it ended up being an above-the-shoulder-length
haircut. Some say that chopping one’s hair off marks a change or shift, signifying the end and
beginning of a chapter in one’s life. For Mina, it signified a sense of false hope.

Short hair suits Mina well. The turning heads and dropped jaws of the whole office act as evidence.
If Mina previously exuded elegance and grace, now she’s still that, but in its superlative form.
People would be breaking their necks doing double takes. But all those didn’t matter. Mina’s only
waiting for the reaction of one person: the woman across her office.
When Mina settles down on her chair, she sees Nayeon from the other room, busy working on her
laptop. Mina is as patient as a predator waiting for its prey. And then Nayeon looks up. She looks
back to her screen and brings her eyes back to Mina. Her eyes widen, her mouth falls, and she finds
herself biting on her knuckle. It takes a millisecond for Nayeon to decide she’ll pay Mina’s office a
visit.

“Well look what we have here. What made you decide to go for a milf look?” Nayeon wriggles her
eyebrows.

“A what? What’s a milf?” Mina asks, confusion painted on her face.

“Are you serious? You don’t know what milf means?” Nayeon roared with laughter.

“I don’t.” Mina answers deadpan. “What is it? You don’t like my new hair?”

“What? No, no! I like it. I love it!” Nayeon waives Mina’s worry. “Milf’s actually an acronym. It
stands for...uh...Mina I’d Like to Fuck. M.I.L.F.” Nayeon stutters as she spells it out. "It suits you
so much I'd like to...you know." Nayeon turns shy.

“You really thought I didn’t know what it meant?” Mina chuckles and puts a hand up to cover her
laugh.

“How dare! But—“

“It’s okay. It’s funny seeing you come up with your own definition.” Mina giggles and takes out
her laptop to scan the schedule for the day.

“Shut up.” Nayeon’s cheeks along with her ears have turned red.

“Now you’re telling Mommy to shut up?” Mina coos.

“Oh shut up for real, Myoui!” Nayeon rolls her eyes. “I’m heading back to my office. Don’t bother
me by looking pretty like that.”
Mina drums her fingers on the table. “Okay. I’ll see you around.”

“Don't want.” Nayeon replies without thought. She’s unable to tear her eyes away from Mina. The
short hair framed Mina’s face better, so much so it feels like a crime for it not to be stared at.

“You don’t want to see me?” Mina asks.

“The milf hair has gotten into your head. Stop being so cheeky.” Nayeon jokes.

“You have lunch with your mother later.” Mina smiles and reminds Nayeon.

“You told me you won’t be free for lunch today.” Nayeon looks at her phone, trying to check if she
remembered correctly.

“Oh. I was talking about your biological mother. But sure, you can call me mommy too. I don’t
mind, babygirl.” Mina smiles mischievously.

“Oh my god Team Leader Myoui! What if someone hears us? Shhh! Please!” Nayeon looks
around, paranoid.

“Okay, okay. I was just teasing. It’s been long since I last saw you this flustered. You started it
anyway. But okay, get back to work, Ms. Im.” Mina’s had her fun, so now she returns to work. She
still throws suggestive glances at Nayeon every now and then.

And suddenly it feels like they’re teleported back to their courtship-but-not-courtship phase of
being flirty and seducing each other, skirting around office etiquette, (un)afraid of being caught.
This set up serves as a backdrop to the truth they’re both running away from. But backdrops are
temporary and plays end. It’s only a matter of time before their little utopia crumbles.

Mina’s been trying to tell Nayeon, really. Every night she comes up with an outline, a script, a
timeline, or whatever prop she needs, to tell Nayeon about her past, but come morning, her plan
disappears into thin air, and she’s left with nothing but pretence that everything’s still okay and it
can wait.

Baring one’s soul to another can be an intimidating exchange because it strips one off their
defences and walls, for once, they’re vulnerable and unmasked. It’s intimate, but it can also be
agonising. For Mina, it’s both. She has never opened up to anyone after moving from Japan. She
decided to remain closed off to friendships and relationships in general; she found it tiresome.
Nayeon would be the first soul she’ll be letting into her life, once she’s shared about her past. It’s
concurrently agonising because Mina would be forced to relive the memories she’s been trying so
hard to avoid and erase. Hirai and Minatozaki and all those. She’s been doing so well pretending
they don’t exist.

But she promised Nayeon an explanation and Nayeon deserves an answer, at least. Mina knows
she can’t keep Nayeon forever trapped in this labyrinth of emotions. She can’t hold Nayeon captive
and tied to her, it’s unfair. It’s either she clearly rejects Nayeon’s offer to help her move on, or she
accepts Nayeon into her life. She knows she can’t give a definite answer anytime soon, so an
explanation, Nayeon will get.

Mina just needs one more day. Or two.

“Yes?” Nayeon asks as Mina enters her office. “Is everything okay?”

Mina looks pale and sick. Her hands are cold, eyes glued to the floor. She opens her mouth but
closes it at once. Her brows are pulling in, she blows her cheeks out and sighs heavily. “Can we
talk?”

In Nayeon’s experience, nothing good ever comes after ‘can we talk?’. It’s never ‘Can we talk
about pizza?’ or ‘Can we talk about cute puppies?’. It always has something to do with something
negative, in varying degrees. Nayeon just hopes it’s not that bad.

“Oh. Okay. Do you wanna sit? What’s it about?” Nayeon stands to approach Mina.

Right there and then, Mina chickens out. “Actually, nothing. Uhhh...your parents invited me for
dinner. So I’ll join you later. Just a heads up.”
“You came here to warn me to behave? Okay, I’ll behave.”

Mina knows Nayeon knows that wasn’t what Mina came for. But it’s okay. Nayeon is willing to
wait.

___

The dinner was awkward, it would’ve been weird if it wasn’t. But both Mina and Nayeon have
learned how to tune out the nonsense talk at the dinner table, and strategically identified the talking
points where they should say something. It usually starts with updates about ImTech, projects
launched, projects to be launched, problems, and typically ends with Nayeon’s marriage to some
guy.

“So, Nayeon have you decided which boy you'll have a dinner with?” Her mother asks.

“If I may include my input, I think Mr. Oh is the best candidate. Young, already established, good-
looking. Owns a mall chain.” Chairman Im adds.

“I think Mr. Oh’s handsome but he’s not my type.” Nayeon gives a respectful laugh. “And I don’t
see any of the ‘candidates’ qualifying as my type.”

“What’s your type then? Would your team leader know? You're always together she may have
shared it to you by chance. Ms. Myoui do you know what our daughter’s type is?” Nayeon’s
mother asks.

Me. “I think she likes someone dependable and trustworthy. Someone who can handle technology
well.” Mina describes.

“You just described yourself.” Nayeon smiles knowingly which results to Mina slightly nudging
her with an elbow. “Well...anyway, I don’t think I’ll be dating anytime soon. Let’s end this
conversation please. I still have work to do. Team Leader Myoui assigned me something for a new
project. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Nayeon bows and says goodbye. Mina follows shortly.

“Was that your idea of behaving?”

“Sorry. I just got tired of being married off to subpar men.” Nayeon snickers before sliding in to
her car. “Are you gonna stay the night or should I drive you home?”

“Depends on which flat you’re coming home to.” Mina fastens her safety belt.

“For tonight maybe the one in Seongsu-dong? Or Seocho-dong? I don’t know, Mina. I have too
many houses but none of them feel like home. Should I buy a new one?” Nayeon teases. “Help me
decide?” Nayeon bats her eyelashes.

“Fine, you can sleep over tonight.” Mina says, knowing well enough Nayeon likes her place.

Nayeon claps and does her signature happy dance before driving away. Mina just shakes her head,
giggling at Nayeon’s dorky dance moves.

En route Mina’s place, Nayeon’s phone rings and the caller appears on the dashboard screen. It’s
the contact ‘ ’. Tzuyu’s calling her.

From her periphery, Nayeon can see Mina looking at the screen. Nayeon rejects the call.

“Who’s that?” Mina asks as nonchalantly as possible, but Nayeon detects a hint of jealousy.

“Someone important.” Nayeon avoids Mina’s eyes as she takes a left turn.

Mina takes this as a sign to let the topic go. But she can’t deny that she’s a bit jealous. Who is this
woman in Nayeon’s life?

Another caller dials Nayeon. It’s Jeongyeon this time. Nayeon picks up in an instant.

“Are you busy?” Jeongyeon sounds elated but nervous.

“For you? Always. I’m driving. I’m with my team leader.” Nayeon replies. “Just text me what you
have to say. I can’t focus.”
“Okay. I’ll text. It’s not like I have the courage to say it out loud anyway. Bye. Take care.”
Jeongyeon hangs up immediately and Nayeon receives a text in less than a minute.

[Jihyo’s burden]:

I’m gonna propose to Jihyo.

I’m panicking. Help me plan. Thanks.

I think I’m gonna die now.

Lunch tomorrow.

Nayeon slides her phone into her pocket without viewing the text, deciding she’ll reply to her
friend after driving.

When they arrive at Mina's place, Nayeon immediately kicks off her shoes and plops herself to the
couch, as if this house is her own. Mina extends a hand and Nayeon gives her coat for Mina to
hang on the rack.

“I made sorbet this morning. There’s still some left. Do you want some?” Mina offers. “I made it in
your favourite flavours just in case you’d drop by. And you did.” Mina smiles.

“How can I refuse anything you make?” Nayeon jumps out of the sofa and accompanies Mina to
the kitchen. She helps Mina scoop out the strawberry+peach+mango sorbet into one bowl they’ll
share.

Instead of heading back to the sofa, Nayeon follow Mina walking towards the balcony.

“The view here is nice. You can see everything.” Nayeon takes a teaspoonful of sorbet.

Mina just nods. “Let’s finish our sorbet?”

“Okay.” Nayeon agrees, but senses that tonight’s heading somewhere different. This sweet dessert
is just a primer for something bitter(?) to come. She’s not sure.
“Can we talk?”

There we go. Nayeon thinks.

Mina mumbles as she scrapes off whatever’s left from the bowl of sorbet. Her inability to meet
Nayeon’s eyes is worrying the latter.

“Of course.” Nayeon takes the bowl from Mina’s hand and sets in aside for now. She replaces it
with her hands.

Her most dreaded question. How she wishes they’ll just talk about sorbet.

“I think I’m ready to explain.” Mina’s breaths are getting heavier.

“Okay, relax.” Nayeon strokes Mina’s thumb with hers.

Mina averts Nayeon’s gaze. She’s constantly wetting her lips and sighing. Her heart's about to
jump out her throat.

“Mina, you don’t have to if you’re not re—“

“No, it’s okay. It’s long overdue anyway.” Mina breathes out.

“Do you wanna at least sit?” Nayeon offers to grab a chair.

“No. I...uh...explain things better when I’m standing.”

“Okay then. I’m all ears.” Nayeon nods.

“I know things are bound to change after this, but I hope...I hope you won’t see me any
differently.” Mina says. Nayeon just tightens her grip, and that’s enough for Mina to be reassured.
“I had this script rehearsed several times but now it’s just messy. Pardon me. I’ll just try to be
concise.” Mina takes a deep breath. “Hirai is my ex, and her girlfriend is my sister. I’m a
Minatozaki.” Mina didn’t mince her words and went straight for a bullseye, a clean and direct hit.
Her lips and hands were quivering and trembling.

“I was supposed to be the heiress of Minatozaki Inc.,. Just like you, I was fattened like a calf, for
slaughter someday. It was a very difficult time for me growing up. My sister had it easy because
they wanted to marry her into the royal family, but for me, it was hell. Minatozaki and Hirai got
me through that hell. They made it bearable. Hirai was my solace back then. We lasted for 5 years.

In due course, my father found out about I was into girls and he didn’t take it well. He gave an
ultimatum: breakup with Hirai or be disowned. I was willing to risk it all for her. Breaking up
wasn’t an option for me. My father was furious so my mother sent me abroad and told me to wait
until my father cools down. Minatozaki helped me and Hirai see each other. The three of us went to
Vegas and had fun, pretended everything was okay. But one night, I walked in on Hirai fucking my
sister.” The words came out bitter.

“I was so lost that night, but then you found me.” Gratefulness replaced the bitterness on Mina’s
tongue.

Flashes from that night start playing on Nayeon’s mind. She remembers Mina’s distraught state the
night they met. Even when she tried to put a brave front, Nayeon sensed something was wrong
back then. She also remembered herself that night. They were two lost souls who found each
other.

“Eventually, I got removed from the family registry anyway. Minatozaki got to stay because she
and Hirai have been best friends ever since, and my father never suspected a thing. I was expecting
everyone to turn their backs on me, but not the two of them. But I guess they make a great couple.
Apparently, judging from what I recently saw, they’re still together.” Mina tries to project a blank
face, but Nayeon can see past it. It’s full of pain.

“I was on my last year of finishing my mechanical engineering major, specialising on

thermodynamics, in Japan when that happened. Since I was out of the family, I had to change my
name. I was cut out of the will and my accounts were frozen too.” Mina’s eyes were dead but she
kept going. Finally unloading to someone after years of keeping this to herself is relieving.

“Anyway, I still had a sem left but I had no funds, so I applied for a scholarship under ImTech, and
I worked part-time too. ImTech absorbed me into R&D, and I did pretty well. Chairman Im made
me undergo some selection test and I ended up being a team leader. I was trained to train you. I
poured all my time and effort and devoted my life to ImTech to make a name for myself, and to
prove the Minatozakis I can be successful even without that family name.”

Mina pulls away from Nayeon’s hands this time. She chooses to stare from the balcony
overlooking city lights.

“I did my best, everything, to forget about Hirai. I thought being a workaholic can evict her from
my headspace. But it doesn’t work. She resides there.” Mina taps on her temple with two fingers.
“And in my heart too.

They say it takes equal amount of time you spent together with someone to get over them. Hirai’s
taken so much of my time and space. I don’t think it will only take 5 years to be over her. I’m so
far from being over her. Seeing her a month ago with Minatozaki made me realise that.” Mina
explains.

“And this leads me to you.” Mina has her back on Nayeon. She moves further away from Nayeon
and rests her arms on the railings. There’s a vacant stare in her eyes. “I can’t let you do this to
yourself.” her voice shakes. “I’m not worth your time and feelings.”

Nayeon laughs sadly as she slips her arms around Mina’s waist and rests her chin on the team
leader’s shoulders.

They stay in this position for a moment until their breathing is synchronised — Nayeon just
holding Mina in her arms, Mina just resting her back on Nayeon — swaying with no music on, just
Nayeon humming sweet nothings to Mina’s ear, telling her how much she adores her, that she’s
proud of how far Mina has come, how brave Mina is, how great she’s been doing as a team leader,
how she’s every definition of beautiful, and how she's worth it.

Nayeon suddenly hears Mina sniff, so she turns the team leader around. Mina resists and grounds
them in place, not letting Nayeon see her. She tilts her face away from Nayeon.

“Are you crying?” Nayeon asks tenderly.

Mina’s chest tightens. She closes her eyes, trying to hold back her tears. Nayeon is too kind, too
good for her. Nayeon deserves better than someone who can’t get over her ex. “Ah, no. Something
just got into my eye. Fine dust.”
Nayeon hugs her even tighter. “Whatever you’re crying about, it will come to pass. I won’t let go
of you until you feel okay.”

“But I’ll never be completely okay.” Mina stifles a sob.

“That means I’ll just need to keep holding on to you then. Even if it takes a lifetime.”

“Nayeon, n—“

“Shhh.” She doesn’t let Mina finish. “It’s up to me to decide who’s worth my time and feelings.
When you gave me a list of potential guys I can date some months ago, you told me that at the end
of the day it’s me who gets to choose who’s best for me, right? Mina, it’s you.” Nayeon turns Mina
around, and this time the team leader doesn’t resist. “Look at me, Mina. I don’t care how long it
will take for you to get over Momo. Like what I told you, I’ll wait it out with you. I’ll go through it
with you. We’ll recapture time and space and make new memories.”

Mina shakes her head. “Nayeon, I like you, but I still love her. I can’t do this to you.”

“I’m fine with not being the one you love now. I’ll be patient. Please give me at least a chance to
prove to you that I can be worthy of taking up your time and space too. I’ll try my best to make you
happy.” Nayeon’s eyes are pleading. “If you’re going to say no, please don’t refuse me outright. At
least pretend that you took some time to think about it.” Nayeon’s on the verge of tears herself.

“I’ll consider it. I just need time.” Mina breathes. "Please give me some time to think about it. For
the meantime, can we stop seeing each other like this?”

“Like what? What do you mean?”

“Like we’re together.”

“Why?” Nayeon searches for Mina’s eyes.

“I need space from you, Nayeon. My judgement’s clouded when I’m with you because you make
me feel enough. And that’s a dangerous feeling. I don’t wanna decide based on what you make me
feel, but on how I feel about you.”

“I can’t stay away from you.” Nayeon’s voice cracks.

“We have to try. I’ll give you my decision then.”

“Okay, okay.” Nayeon fans her face. She’s really trying not to cry. “What do we do now?”

“No sleepovers, no time that we’ll be alone together, only work, no sex, no kisses, no holding
hands, no late night calls, no good night texts, no kombucha, no truffle pasta. Can you do that for
me, Nayeon?”

Nayeon looks away, at the buildings, at the night sky, at Mina. “Of course, anything for you.” Her
chin lowers to her chest. “Will you...will you talk to Momo?”

“I don’t know yet. I probably shouldn’t.”

“You should.” Nayeon says. “To have proper closure.” There’s numbness in her chest now.

“I don’t think I’m the one who needs to initiate.” Mina replies.

“Okay.” Her lungs feel like they’re filled with water, and she can’t breathe. “Can I kiss you one last
time before it starts?”

“Okay.” Mina says under her breath.

“Close your eyes.” Nayeon steps closer towards Mina. This is the closest yet farthest she’s been to
Mina tonight.

Mina does as she was instructed. Nayeon’s lips hover over Mina’s, but she hesitates. Instead, she
presses a kiss on the crown of Mina’s hair.
“Good night, Team Leader Myoui. Take care of yourself. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Nayeon turns her
heel, leaving Mina at the balcony.

A good night has never sounded more painful than a goodbye.

Just a few minutes later, Mina hears a faint knock on her door. She groans internally because she’s
already changed to her nightgown.

“Nayeon, did you forget something?” She shouts from her couch and looks around for something
Nayeon may have forgotten. “You could’ve keyed in the code yourself.” Mina raises her voice as
she walks to open the door.

But it wasn’t Nayeon. Standing before her is a pair of sorry eyes, black hair in a hime cut, in a
shape of a woman her mind refuses to recognise.

“Hi, hi.” Momo greets, adds another, to make up for the last time she only said it once.

Mina’s instincts lead her to slam the door. The moment she does, she hears something hit the door
and someone yelping in pain. She sees that Momo has stuck her foot in between the door frame,
and now she’s down on the floor wincing and groaning in pain. Mina curses at herself for still
caring, but she opens the door and slings Momo’s arm around her neck, guiding her to the living
room.

“Stay here. I’ll get some ice pack. Leave immediately after the swelling stops.” Mina clicks her
tongue and darts to the kitchen. She comes out a minute later with an ice pack on her hand and a
med kit on the other.

“That was stupid. You shouldn’t have left...your foot there.” Mina grumbles and hands Momo the
pack. She kneels to help Momo get her shoe off, but Momo was reaching for it too. Their fingers
touch and Mina feels her skin burn.

“Sana and I were never together.” Momo blurts out. "We aren't together."
The words ring in her ear. Mina immediately lets go of Momo’s foot.

When she stands with the intention to leave, she notices something. “Shit! Your forehead.” Mina
runs back to the kitchen to get another ice pack. “You hit your head on the door too? How careless.
Irresponsible.” Mina grits as she places it over Momo’s forehead, her jaw taut with restraint and
repression. Her eyes avoid Momo’s eyes, nose, or lips which she can feel are breathing into her
own skin. She hates this proximity.

“Mitang listen, Sana and I were never together.”

Fuck. That’s her name. Mitang.

Mina pretends to hear nothing, but inside she’s shaking violently. Her hand reflects her disposition,
and soon enough she can’t hold the ice pack still. Momo takes Mina’s wrist and brings it down.

“It was an act. Sana and I weren’t and aren’t together. Please believe me.” she repeats for the nth
time.

“Lies.” Mina says. She tries to yank her hand from Momo, but the other girl’s grip is stronger.

“Mitang, listen! Let me explain.”

Mina stands from the couch and tugs her arm away, but when Momo tugs back, she ends up
pulling Mina in, making her land on top of her.

The moment Mina feels Momo tipping her forehead against hers, she melts and breaks.

We're endgame, Mitang.

If there’s one person who can read Mina, it’s Momo. So when Momo tilts her jaw closer and Mina
doesn’t move, Momo understands Mina wants this just as much as she does.

Mina feels Momo’s lips move against hers. It was anything but gentle. All the pain and pining pent
up for the past four years dissolve into nothing but a heated moment of passion. Momo sinks her
teeth on Mina’s lip, causing the latter to open her mouth and release a gasp. Mina retaliates and lets
her tongue do the talking.

It surprises Mina how Momo’s hands and lips still know their way around her body. Momo’s right
hand slides to her back, pushing Mina downwards for their bodies to meet, while her other hand
stays cupping Mina’s cheek. Momo’s fingers walk her thighs and touches them in a way that makes
Mina tingle and moan.

Momo takes this brief pause as a cue to undress Mina. There wasn’t much task left because she
was just wearing her nightgown. She was also lucky enough Mina didn’t bother wearing an
underwear tonight. In less than half a minute, the team leader was completely bare. It was Mina’s
turn to strip Momo off her clothing, a simple cream shirt and sweatpants, typical Momo wear.
Undressing Momo is like unwrapping a Christmas gift. Just this time, Mina exactly knows the
gift(s) she’s getting.

She should be hating Momo, she really should, but why does she find herself mounting the
woman’s silky thighs and slowly grinding to get her release? There were sirens blaring inside
Mina’s head, warning her that they should stop, but she chooses to remain deaf to it. The only
sound she entertains is Momo's throaty moan and praises.

Mina shifts into a position where both her thighs are framing Momo’s waist. As she straddles
Momo and starts rocking her hips against Momo’s flat stomach and toned abs, their eyes meet.
Both reflect unbridled lust. This triggers Mina to hold onto the two blessed mounds in front of her,
and dip in for a kiss.

Momo moans as she feels Mina’s tongue adore her bosom, her lungs being filled with the the scent
of Mina’s skin — a mix of sweat, jasmine, and years of longing. Her hand skillfully finds its way
in between Mina’s thighs, and she composes a beautiful symphony with her fingers through Mina’s
willing moans and grunts.

“You’re so...so wet. Let me.” Momo pumps a finger in and out, while her thumb is preoccupied
with rubbing small circles against Mina’s sensitive bundle of nerves. She easily slides in another
digit when she feels Mina already thrusting with her hips and riding her fingers. Mina collapses on
top of Momo as her hips move uncontrollably. She's unable to control her toes curl and nails dig
into Momo’s skin. She’s never been so worked up with sex, but it’s too early too feel a knot
forming in the pit of her stomach.

“Fuck!” Mina hisses. There was desperation in her voice. Mina latches her lips onto Momo’s neck,
peppering it with languid open-mouthed kisses.
 Momo uses Mina’s weakened state to her advantage, and easily maneuvers her nimble body to pin
the younger one under her. Never mind her injured foot. Momo starts descending into Mina’s body,
leaving a trail of kisses. Her hand skims Mina’s abs and follows her lips down to Mina’s drenched
slit. Diving into her was a cathartic yet carnal experience. Momo drags the flat of her tongue from
top to bottom, earning herself a loud shriek and an involuntary stream of moans, coming in a
variation of ‘aaah fuck’ or ‘fuck, fuck, fuck’ or plain incomprehensible syllables. She continues
flicking and sucking on the sensitive nub with her tongue before lifting her head to praise Mina.
“You taste so good!”

“Oh yeah?” Mina‘s breathing is laboured as she pushes Momo’s head down back to its rightful
place between her thighs, letting the older one momentarily take lead. She doesn’t even need to tell
Momo to go fast, or slow, or in circles, or even long strokes. Momo just does it. Momo’s hands
return to helping Mina where she needs to be in. Her slender fingers slide in and out of Mina to the
point she’s knuckle-deep.

“Momoring...” Mina is panting, her hips bucking to the rhythm Momo has created, not even
realising she just uttered the taboo name. “Gonna...come.”

Momo is relentless until Mina orgasms. Once. Then twice. But it doesn’t end there. They fuck each
other into the morning, making sure both of them are sated and absolutely spent.

Sex is indeed better with someone you love.

Meanwhile, Nayeon’s stuck in her car, fumbling over her phone, constantly revising and
composing a good night text for Mina. She's never been this nervous texting Mina, but because
they just had the talk, she decides to respect Mina's wishes and not to send something too cheesy or
sexual. Instead, she sends something short that will still reflect her feelings.

Good night, Mina! I'm willing to wait. I'll see you tomorrow. :)

Chapter End Notes

Hmmm thanks for reading!!!
Please comment/let me know your thoughts hehe

Admittedly not my best chapter, but it’s ground work for things to fall into place.

#TWICEAdoreYou
@NabongsBunny on twt hehe

Pls dont spoil under the hashtag hehe ty

 i don’t want your body but i hate to think about you with somebody else
Chapter Notes

Chill guys, not much angst in this chapter. Promise!

More in the next. :)

I listened to What Would I Do Without You by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors as I
wrote this chapter hehe and ofc, the title SOMEBODY ELSE BY THE 1975

No time to have it beta'd/edit it so sorry if there are mistakes. Nonetheless, enjoy!

PLS DONT SPOIL IN THE TAG

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Mina’s fists grip lightly on the sheets, holding them up to her chest. She doesn’t know if it’s the
cold air hitting her bare back or the person lying on her bed, making her shiver. She’s sitting on the
edge of the bed, shoulders curling in, one foot tapping endlessly on the floor; her phone beside her,
open to the last text she got from Nayeon the night before.

Her body feels heavy and sore — she’s an exhibit of bruises and marks from last night’s mistake.
She doesn’t notice she’s shaking until a gentle hand on her back steadies her.

Momo crawls to Mina’s side and adorns the latter’s shoulder with a series of feathery kisses. Mina
recoils on the fourth kiss. She raises the sheets up to her chest further, like a last hurrah, a final act
of defiance to show the enemy hasn’t triumphed. But Mina knew she was lying to herself. All the
defences and walls she’s built have been torn down the moment she let Momo step foot into her
home.

“What’s wrong?” The grogginess in Momo’s voice disappears the very moment Mina flinches
away from her.

There’s a million ways to answer the question, really, but a single word will suffice. “This.” Mina
scoffs and points back and forth to Momo and herself. “Get dressed and leave immediately.”

“You haven’t let me explain yet.” Momo mumbles a sorry reply.

“I don’t think you’ve earned the right to.” Mina walks to her closet and clothes herself with a robe,
the only semblance of comfort and warmth she’ll be having this morning.

Momo stares at her feet and sweeps her hair back until her hands circle at the back of her own neck.
“I still love you, Mitang.”

Mina takes this as her cue to exit the room. Momo scrambles to get on her feet, and realises she left
her clothes outside at the living room, so she grabs the nearest top hanging at the back of the door.
It’s an emerald green sweatshirt, one she’s seen and held before — it’s the one she gifted Nayeon a
year back.

“Mina, I—“

“You can’t just show up after all these years, fuck me senseless, and expect everything to return to
how it was before.” Mina cuts Momo off.

“I know that. I’m not expecting things to revert to how they were before. I know the damage I
caused you is irreparable and irreversible, but I want to set things straight.”

“Why now?” Mina’s jaw clenches. “I was doing fine. I was healing. Then you come along and do
this. I know, I admit, it takes two to tango, but you didn’t have to show up at my door. I hate you
for showing up, but I hate myself even more for letting this happen.” Mina feels the ache in her
chest as if her ribs puncture her lungs every time she breathes in.

When Momo gives nothing but silence as an answer, Mina takes it upon herself to continue the
conversation by unloading her emotions. “I hate the fact that I welcomed you so easily, so
desperately. I left myself defenceless and unarmed.” There’s no point in holding back her tears.
“I’m disgusted with myself.”

The words suddenly hit the switch in Momo’s mind that triggers her therapist mode. It pains
Momo to hear those words, but she allows the Mina to reveal her thoughts further.

“I hate how I’ll be hurting Nayeon when she finds out this happened.” Mina sobs uncontrollably.
“It feels like I’ve wronged her.”

A realisation hits Momo, but even a random passerby can tell: Mina cares deeply about Nayeon. It
may or may not reach the threshold of loving someone, but it’s somewhere there, lingering in the
blurred line between liking and loving someone.

And this sudden awareness comes as a slap across Momo’s face. She shouldn’t have done this. She
should’ve known better than disrupting Mina’s healing process and swooping in to take the girl her
best friend likes. But she’s human too. Reason doesn’t always triumph over emotions. How can it
be so wrong to run back to the arms of the one you love?

“Stop analysing my words and speak up, goddamn it!” Mina slams her hands on the table.

“It’s long overdue, but I wanna say I’m sorry. For everything. When-when I saw you with Nayeon
recently, it dawned on me that I was scared to lose you completely.” Momo stammers. She actually
had a speech rehearsed in her mind, but being in front of Mina is an entirely different thing.

“You already lost me in Vegas years ago.” Mina looks away, staring at the opposite wall. She
can’t face Momo like this. She doesn’t want Momo to read her like an open book.

“What happened in Vegas...” Momo sighs. “That wasn’t me and Sana.”

“Bullshit. I saw Sana and you, under her. I heard her scream your name.” Mina spits out with
distaste. It’s also the first time in years she uttered her sister’s name. The name feels bitter on her
tongue.

“That wasn’t me with her. It was a random girl we met at the casino.”

“And you expect me to believe that?” Mina replies indignantly.

“Yes! Because I followed you when you ran away crying. I saw you wandering alone going to
some pub. But I can’t approach you, so I held myself back. We needed you to believe it was real.
You needed to break up with me and hate me. I needed you to stay away from me. And then...”
Momo swallows. She shakes her head in denial. “I saw you making out with a stranger that night. It
turns out I knew her. I lost you to Nayeon that night, Mitang.” Momo says, exasperated.

“So this is about Nayeon? You came back into my life because you saw me with Nayeon again?
Don’t you dare bring her into this! You can’t absolve yourself from the pain you caused me all
these years just because you caught me making out with someone after believing you were
sleeping with my sister. I told you then, I didn’t care what my father did to me. I told you I was
willing to risk it for you, for us. I didn’t care if I got kicked out of the registry.”

“You didn’t know how far your father was willing to go! Sana heard him say that you’re just
confused because you haven’t been exposed to a real man. He was going to send you a guy to make
you realise ‘what you’re missing’.” Momo’s head falls.

“W-What?”

“We were just so scared of what he was gonna to do you, Mitang.” Momo tries to approach Mina a
little closer, and this time, Mina doesn’t flinch or move away. “When Sana heard your father
talking to someone on the phone about it, she was so scared. I’ve never seen her more distraught in
her whole life. She wanted to protect you so she reached out to me. She explained that you and I
had to breakup, or else you’ll be put in danger. I knew you were ready to risk everything for me,
but I wasn’t ready to lose you.”

Mina shakes her head. “I fell for your act hook, line, and sinker, but it shouldn’t have been that
way. You should’ve told me. We could’ve made it work. We could’ve found a way out! We
could’ve been together until now.”

“Mitang, what’s done is done and I’m terribly sorry. That’s why I’m trying to make it up to you
now. Please give me one more chance to make things right. One last.”

“That’s a selfish request.”

“I know, I just—“ Momo takes Mina’s hands into hers.

“We will hurt people if we do that.” Avoiding Momo’s eyes was harder than what Mina expected.

“We’ll make it work this time. Please?”

“Sana’s my sister and best friend. She likes, no she loves you. And Nayeon...you’re Nayeon’s best
friend. And I like her.”

“Sana and I...just love each other platonically. And I know Nayeon likes you...” Momo sighs. “As
her best friend and as her therapist, I’m so angry and frustrated with myself. I don’t even have the
right to call myself that. But as Momo, as myself, I’m saying please give me another chance. I’m in
love with you, Mitang. I’m so in love with you even after all these years.”

“Do you even hear yourself right now? I still love you too...but you don’t deserve that.” Mina lets
out when she finally looks Momo in the eyes. Her eyes are an abyss of hurt, betrayal, confusion,
anger, desperation, fear, disgust, and a slight bit of hope(?).

“I understand that and I’m willing to do everything right this time just to be worthy of your love
again.”

Mina can’t find it in herself to refuse Momo outright. She just can’t. She still loves her after all.

“Mitang, I’m not forcing you to take me back or do anything you don’t want to. But I’ll be here,
proving myself to you.”

But Momo didn’t even have to ask Mina to reconsider. Mina’s been through this debate with
herself for years. When Momo comes back and asks for a second chance, will I let her in? Though
she tried to come up with excuses and let logic take control, the answer is always, without fail, a
pathetic yes. But then again, things have changed and this choice does not involve only the two of
them.

She knows her sister best. From the way she stood the night of their encounter, Mina knows the
love Sana has for Momo isn’t just platonic. It’s something more profound. She can’t hurt her sister
like this. And Nayeon too. Nayeon doesn't deserve any of this. It would be unfair to Nayeon if
Mina makes a decision now.

So she answers with uncertainty. “You need to leave now.”

Momo looks at Mina with her signature puppy eyes, but Mina averts her eyes quickly, knowing it’s
a trap. She changes into her clothes and heads out. “We’re endgame, Mitang.” Momo says as a
goodbye.

Mina hears the words in flesh after years. It’s instinct for her heart to do a flip, but this time, it hurt
more than it warmed her heart. Momo’s words send Mina to a spiral of reflection. Were they really
endgame? Does Momo deserve a second chance? Was Momo lying? How did Momo even find her
address? Does Nayeon deserve her love more? All these questions chain Mina down in shackles
she has to walk with for an indefinite time.

[Sana ]:

How did it go, Momoring?

How is she?

[Sugar Mom-o]:

We talked and I explained everything.

She needs time, and I’m willing to wait.

She doesn’t seem okay.

[Sana ]:

I miss Mina. I miss my baby sister so much.

I’m giving her time to think about things first before I talk to her.

I know she hates me, so...

[Sugar Mom-o]:

I don’t think she hates you. Mitang said there’ll be people hurt if we get back together.

Nayeon for one, and you.

But you won’t get hurt, right? You’ll be happy for us?

[Sana ]:

Of course, I’ll be happy. I love the both of you. I love Mitan.

I love you.

If she takes you back, you better take care of her well!!!

[Sugar Mom-o]:
 Of course!

[Sana ]:

How about Nayeon?

When will you talk to her?

[Sugar Mom-o]:

Idk yet. I’ll figure it out.

And hey

[Sana ]:

What?

[Sugar Mom-o]:

Thanks for letting me go.

I mean we weren’t together-together, but you took care of me so well you made me feel like we
were.

[Sana ]:

Not a problem at all!

___

But it was a problem.

“Yah! Im Nayeon, are you even listening? Your best friend’s gonna propose to your other best
friend.” Jeongyeon tries to get Nayeon’s attention, whose eyes are locked on her phone.

“I guess it really has started. It’s really happening, huh?” She sighs and slides her phone to her
pocket.

“What has started?”

“Nothing. Sorry, I got distracted. Continue. Where were we? If you give Jihyo a lousy and lame
proposal, I’m gonna stage my own and marry her instead.” Nayeon warns. “Have you talked to her
family yet?”

“Yeah. I asked permission from her parents. And sisters. And her cat too. And now I’m asking for
your blessing too.”

“The cat was first before me?!” Nayeon frowns and puffs her cheek.

“Save the best for last, of course.” Jeongyeon winks.

“You’re walking on thin ice, Yoo. Anyway, your plan. Go.”

“I’ll take her to our kindergarten, since that’s where I first met her. I was thinking our campus in
LA but kindergarten sounds cuter.”

“Yeah, that actually sounds cuter. And when you think about LA, I know you think about me.”
Nayeon sticks out her tongue and laughs. “How do you plan to get her there?”

“I’ll say I’m donating funds for renovation. I’ll ask her to check it out with me. When we’re there,
I’ll lead her to the playground because that’s where I fell for her, literally. Can you believe it, she
was so feisty even as a toddler! She pushed me off the swing.” Jeongyeon laughs.

“Okay, okay. Sounds cute so far.”

“And then we’ll play in the swings. I’m gonna swing so hard until I fall to the ground and then
someone will blast Here, There, and Everywhere through the speakers and I’ll pull out the ring
and pop the question.”
Nayeon feigns wiping her tears away. “Yoo Jeongyeon that’s so cute! Give me a hug!”

Jeongyeon embraces Nayeon. “Do you think she’ll say yes?”

“Of course, she will! If she doesn’t, call me up and I will!” Nayeon laughs. “I’m so excited! I’m so
proud of you guys. Look at you, about to propose to Jihyo. You were just a snotty bob back then.”

“Shut up, Nabongs.” Jeongyeon’s almost in tears too. “Look at you being a supportive best friend
even after all the shit we’ve been through.”

“If you’re saying that just to get me as your maid of honour, I’m Jihyo’s. Get your own.”

Jeongyeon pokes Nayeon’s side. “I’ll just get Momo then.”

“Sure.” Nayeon face slightly dims at this remark. It’s not that she dislikes the idea of Momo being
Jeongyeon’s maid of honour. It’s just that she doesn’t know how to talk to Momo. It’s been over a
month and she hasn’t heard from one of her bestfriends. “Anyway, I still have work. I need to get
going. I’m so happy for you, Jeong.”

They exchange a few goodbyes and insults before finally parting ways. At least two of her friends
got their shit together.

The deal about keeping distance from each other for a while was benefitting Mina more than she
expected, especially with her mistake from last night, it’d be best not to be close to Nayeon. She
doesn’t have the courage to face Nayeon. When she arrives at the office, the blinds in Nayeon’s
office were thankfully shut, the files (minus cute notes) Nayeon reviewed were already on her
table, and there’s no bottle of kombucha waiting for her. From Mina’s perspective, it seems like
Nayeon’s handling it just fine. But it was a misjudgment.

On the other end, Nayeon realises how much her days had been filled with Mina. She has too much
free time alone now that she’s not by Mina’s side. If their deal hadn’t pushed through, she would
be sitting across Mina right now in some restaurant on their bucket list of trying every restaurant
within a 3km radius from the office. If their deal hadn’t pushed through, she would be casually
brushing the back of her hand against Mina’s as they walk, and Mina would’ve taken it.
Avoiding Mina when they’re not supposed to be together is already difficult, but avoiding Mina
when they’re supposed to be in the same space and same time because of work, proved to be a lot
harder.

“Ms. Im, thoughts on Ms. Son’s design?” Mina asks from the far end of the table.

“I think Dahyun’s research was well-integrated into Chaeyoung’s design. It just proves they make
a really good team. However, it wasn’t mentioned how the smart house will be lit.” Nayeon
answers, but she wasn’t looking at Mina.

Chaeyoung looks at her puzzled, wondering why Nayeon was looking at her instead. She points to
Mina with her two thumbs, telling Nayeon to direct her eyes to the team leader.

“Valid point. Make a presentation about it and let’s discuss it with the team next time.” Mina
replies, looking at Dahyun.

“Do I present again, team leader?” Dahyun asks.

“No, Ms. Kim. I wasn’t talking to you.” Mina shuffles the papers she was holding.

“Oh. Okay. Sorry, I just thought you were, since you were looking at me.” Dahyun bows
apologetically.

“Is there anything else aside from lights I should include?” Nayeon clarifies, looking at
Chaeyoung.

“I don’t know. I’m the one who forgot to include it.” Chaeyoung chuckles.

“Ah, I was asking Team Leader Myoui.” Nayeon’s cheeks redden.

“Then why were you looking at me?” Chaeyoung’s eyebrows are knitted.
“I can’t look at that direction because...because the sun’s blinding my eyes—“

“It’s raining outside.”

“Anywaaaay,” Nayeon stops Chaeyoung from exposing her too much. “Do I need to include
anything else, Team Leader Myoui?” she finds Mina’s eyes. And yes, looking at the sun can be
blinding. Nayeon reminds herself she’s no Icarus and has no wings to melt, but why does it feel
like getting too close to Mina will burn her someday?

“No, just the lights.” Mina glances up at Nayeon and holds her gaze for a couple of seconds before
blinking out of the trance.

It’s the first time they’ve actually locked eyes today, and good god Mina’s stare melts Nayeon on
the spot.

The meeting ends and Nayeon wants to stay longer. She misses Mina, so she cherishes every
second spent with her in the same time and space. Nayeon fixes her files sloppier than usual;
makes a fuss about her feet aching from her high heels, causing her to walk out the room slower;
dropping her pen and picking it up. But she knows she has to leave eventually. The trick about
leaving is just doing it and not looking back, so she does just that and exits the meeting room. But
she allows herself to look at Mina — a mistake.

“Hi.” Nayeon says over her shoulder. “I meant bye. Thanks for the presentation.”

“I didn’t present today, Ms. Im.” Mina bites her lip to suppress a smile.

“I...uh...I meant the presentation you assigned me, ugh—never mind. I can’t get my way out of
this. I’ll see you around, Team Leader Myoui.”

What the hell was that? Nayeon wanted to punch herself on the face for messing up so badly in
front of Mina just because she missed her. Nayeon walks briskly to her office and reprimands
herself repeatedly to get it together.

It turns out Nayeon’s not the only one having withdrawals. Mina finds her own feet walking to
Nayeon’s office as if they had their own mind. Her hand acts on it own too and knocks on
Nayeon’s door.
“Yes, team leader?” Nayeon sits up straight, alert for instructions Mina will give.

“I just need you to review these files.” Mina says as a knee-jerk response.

“What files?”

Both of their eyes travel to Mina’s hands but see her empty-handed.

“Ah sorry, I think I sent a soft copy. Just check your email. Thanks.” Mina says and strides back to
her office. She doesn’t look back.

That’s how you do it. Nayeon tells herself again. The trick when leaving is not to look back, and
Mina just did that.

No going home together and no good night kisses or texts. How can Nayeon manage to do that?
When it’s time to go home, she paces around her office thinking about what she’ll do. She sees
Dahyun and Chaeyoung joking around and packing up, and Nayeon decides it’s a good time to
finally get to know her juniors.

“Can I go home with you guys?” Nayeon jogs to them with her bag slinging on her shoulder.

“We take the bus, unnie.” Chaeyoung says.

“So? I can take the bus too.” Nayeon raises her eyebrows.

“By taking the bus, we don’t mean acquire the means of transportation and streamlining it to
ImTech’s bus line.” Chaeyoung smiles at Nayeon.

“We can teach you how to ride a bus.” Dahyun offers. “Where do you live though?”

“I’ll just get off at whatever station you’re getting off at.” Nayeon says and slips her arms to both
Dahyun and Chaeyoung’s. “I’ll probably have a flat nearby.”

“Eat the rich!” Chaeyoung declares with her fist up in the air. “I’m kidding. You’re a nice kind of
rich. Please don’t fire me. Ha ha.”

“I’m gonna fire you if you don’t let me go home with you guys.” Nayeon warns in jest.

Dahyun and Chaeyoung spend the night teaching Nayeon how to navigate through the city with the
bus. The adventure momentarily takes Nayeon’s mind off Mina, but whenever she sees street
names, brands, stores, and anything remotely related to the team leader, she crumbles. She’s
extremely grateful for Chaeyoung’s loud rant about art and politics.

She arrives in her apartment almost an hour away from office. Looks like she’ll be taking the long
way home from now. Home never seemed so empty. She immediately heads to bed and stares at
her phone, waiting for Mina’s reply to her text. Or any notification from Mina. None.

Alone time meant a lot of thinking for Nayeon. She wants to prove herself she doesn’t only want
Mina for sex and company, but she genuinely cares about the girl, and not just the benefits. She
also wants to prove Mina that she too, is capable of loving and being loved by her.

How can Mina resist her this easily? Here she is losing her mind every minute, fighting every fibre
of her being wanting to call Mina, and yet Mina seems to be handling it just fine. In the same
manner Mina thinks Nayeon is doing fine, Nayeon thinks the same way. It was a misjudgment.

In her apartment, Mina sits in a corner, hugging her knees close, sobbing her eyes out until she has
no tears left to cry, seething in anger, and drowning in self-loathing.

Rolling all synonyms of slow into one word, would be the perfect definition of how the following
days went. Apart from the days being slow and torturing, it’s as if Mina and Nayeon went back to
square one. Snarky remarks and intellectual clapbacks.

Mina goes to work earlier than usual so as not to have the chance to share the same lift going up,
and she leaves later than everyone else. Nayeon spends her lunch and free time with the kids
Dahyun and Chaeyoung.
There are times when Nayeon wants to break out of the cage of logic and barge into Mina’s office
to annoy her and just spend time with her, but Nayeon fights against that urge and repeats to herself
some words of encouragement: Mina’s worth the wait.

But some days, Nayeon simply can’t stand the thought of being away from Mina. And today,
Nayeon misses Mina terribly. Their plans of avoiding each other are aligned; so well-aligned that
Nayeon hates it too much she ends up breaking the schedule. So today, she decides to go early just
so she could share an extra moment with Mina alone, even if they won’t be talking, even if there
are glass walls separating them.

The universe had its own way of warning Nayeon not to do exactly that, but Nayeon turns a deaf
ear and chooses to be blind to it. People have the tendency to court trouble when they’re in love,
and in Nayeon’s case, she’s past the point of courting; she’s straight up asking for trouble’s hand in
marriage.

It started with her alarm not waking her up on time, then her shower heater being broken, then
coffee spilling on her favourite white polo, then misplacing her keys. If it were any normal day, she
would’ve let the inconveniences ruin her day. But she made up her mind that today, she’ll be going
to work early for Mina. No cabs are passing by her area and her phone turned out not to be
charging the whole night, so she can’t book one either. She jogs to the nearest corner where taxis
are hailed, and she waited for almost 10 minutes before getting into one. Then it started pouring.
At least it didn’t rain when she was waiting for a cab. The driver took a different route and ended
up on the wrong side of the ImTech building.

That’s when she sees a familiar car pulling up by the lobby entrance. Nayeon immediately pays for
her cab and runs out to the other side of the road, despite the rain. She sees Mina gets out of the
said car, hair a little bit disheveled, not in the brightest of moods, and she walked straight to the
glass doors.

Nayeon tries to catch up, but a tugging feeling plants her feet in place. Her eyes shift to the car
again, and that’s when it sinks in.

It’s not Mina’s car. It’s Momo’s.

Momo just dropped Mina off for work.

Momo just dropped Mina off for work.

Momo...just dropped Mina off for work.

Momo...Mina...

Sometimes, when the universe shows signs, it’d be best to follow them.

Nayeon waits for Mina to take the lift before she enters the building. A couple of employees greet
her, looking at her with confusion and concern. Nayeon sees her reflection on the elevator doors,
and sees the image of a desperate woman, drenched in rain, with coffee spilled on her shirt. It was
unbecoming of ImTech’s heiress to be this untidy, but fuck what everyone else thinks. Nayeon’s
not okay.

She drags her feet to her office and slumps to her chair. Nayeon notices that Mina hasn’t shut her
blinds yet, and the team leader was probably able to witness her walk of despair to her table.
Nayeon’s posture was sagging, her eyes were vacant, her hair was damp. As she sees Mina looking
at her with concern, she immediately clicks the button to shut the blinds down. This morning was a
splash of water to her face, in both literal and figurative ways. What she needs least is pity from
Mina.

Nayeon replays the scene in her mind, of Momo dropping Mina off. Maybe it’s just Mina getting
closure. If Mina already made a decision, Nayeon was sure the team leader would’ve told her
already. So again, she tells herself, Mina's worth the wait.

It was enough to keep her going.

The day goes smoothly, she changes into a pair of new clothes, takes the kids Dahyun and
Chaeyoung out for lunch, reviews some files, walks to the bus with the kids, drops them off their
apartment, walks home to her own. It’s slowly becoming a routine, and it honestly isn’t so bad.
Mina is worth the wait, anyway.

It’s been three weeks since Mina asked for time and space away from each other. Avoiding Mina
used to be extremely difficult to the point Nayeon can feel her heart being clawed down, but after
these three weeks, she’s just desensitised (or at least she makes herself believe she is). It’s not that
easy to distance herself from Myoui Mina. It’s not that simple keeping her feelings for Mina locked
in a chamber. A relapse is bound to happen.

___

“Team Leader Myoui! You have to try these cookies.” Chaeyoung springs up from her seat as soon
as Mina passes by.

“I’m wary of my calorie intake.” Mina politely declines.

“Oh okay. All for me then.” Chaeyoung smiles at the cookies.

“I didn’t know Nayeon unnie was into baking these days.” Dahyun comments, loud enough for
Mina to hear and look back.

“Naye—Ms. Im made those?” Mina asks.

“Yeah.” Chaeyoung stuffs another one into her mouth and munches on it heartily. “It’s so chewy!”

“Chewy? Well, I guess one wont hurt.” Mina takes one from the container. Nayeon makes cookies
now?

“She’s pretty anxious about how it tastes so she gave a whole batch to the office to see everyone’s
reaction. Word is she learned baking for someone special.” Dahyun comments and wriggles her
eyebrows.

Mina was never one to join in office gossips, in fact she had a rule not to be involved in talking
about workmates behind their back, but this is about Nayeon, and Mina may not know, but she was
actually clinging to the hope it was her, Nayeon’s baking cookies for.

“I bet she’s learning to bake for her boyfriend. I saw Mr. Oh drop by her office earlier.” Dahyun
wriggles her eyebrows.
“Or girlfriend. I heard her on the phone with some girl and when she saw me she looked secretive.”
Chaeyoung shrugs.

“What do you think, Team Leader Myoui?”

The thought of Nayeon being with someone else doesn’t sit well with Mina. But who was Mina to
think that way, anyway? Nayeon deserves someone else, someone better. “That’s none of our
business.” She answers.

As she makes her way to the meeting room, she got reminded of the ‘ ’ contact on Nayeon’s phone
who is ‘someone important’.

___

“Unnie, Chaeyoung and I are betting whether you baked the cookies for your boyfriend or
girlfriend. Which one of us is right?” Dahyun whispers before the meeting starts.

“Neither.” Nayeon laughs.

“Oh my god! My friend said there’s someone breaking in at the lobby who refuses to be
identified.” Chaeyoung shows a short clip of security personnel lined up in the lobby.

“Breaking in? I’m sure the security will handle it.” Mina enters the meeting room and strides to
her seat. “Let’s not worry about the person breaking in and start the meeting immediately. Ms. Im,
you’re up to discuss the research for the lighting we’ll use for the ImTech houses in Cheongdam-
dong.”

Nayeon connects her phone to the projector and starts her presentation. “The flats in Cheongdam-
dong that we are offering, are considered the most esteemed residential units in the area because of
high-quality materials for construction, integrated with ImTech’s cutting-edge technology. Since
the brand we’re selling is a ‘smart house’, every detail from the door, floorboards, windows, beds,
to lighting, is important. I figured the best type of lighting would be a mix of LED and halogen
bulbs. If you refer to the—“ Nayeon is interrupted when her phone rings.
Since her phone is connected to the screen, everyone in the meeting saw that the ringer flashed ‘ ’.
Nayeon rejects the call instantly and proceeds with her presentation.

The missed call is followed by a text from :

‘Meet me at the lobby they wont let me in lol’

Nayeon’s eyes widen and she disconnects her phone from the screen at once. “I’ll be back!” She
darts out of the room as fast as she could, almost pushing everyone in her way.

She’s in luck since the lift opens just when she gets there. There are other floors the elevator still
has to go to, so Nayeon apologises to the people in the lift with her before she bypasses it with a
swipe of her card (perks of being an Im), bringing her straight down to Ground.

“She’s with me!” Nayeon half-screams, ordering security to let Tzuyu pass. Apparently, Tzuyu’s
the person ‘breaking in’. The guards immediately make way for Nayeon. She’s panting from all
the running she did, but she grabs Tzuyu by the wrist and takes the lift going back to her floor.

“Why didn’t you text me you’re coming today? You caused trouble.” Nayeon sticks her tongue
out, trying to get as much air as she can.

“I texted you. Like a few minutes ago.”

“People thought you were breaking in. You’re even dressed like a college student who has no
business here!”

Tzuyu just chuckles and shakes her head. “I have business here. I wasn’t breaking in. I just didn’t
want to give an ID. I said I was meeting you, then they asked if I made an appointment with you.
Your secretary said no. I didn’t know it was that hard to book a moment with you. Anywaaay, they
thought I was being suspicious.”

“That was suspicious, Tzuyu! Anyway, I’m in the middle of a presentation. Just stay in my office
first. I’ll go to you after I finish. I made some good stuff for you.”
“What good stuff?”

“Chewy.”

“What?”

“No, I meant chewy as in munch-munch, not your name. I don’t know if I have the recipe right
since it’s my first try and I didn’t know you were coming today.”

“Cookies? You made me cookies! You’re the best!” Tzuyu tackles Nayeon for a hug.

Just in time, the elevator doors open, and standing in front of them is no other than Mina.

“Uhh...Team Leader Myoui.” Nayeon taps Tzuyu’s arms to let go of her.

“You stepped out in the middle of the meeting, where you’re the one presenting by the way,
without even giving the slightest explanation as to why.” Mina’s arms are folded.

“Sorry! I can explain. I’ll head back right to the meeting after dealing with my guest.” Nayeon
bows and drags Tzuyu by her wrist to the end of the hall.

“Oooh. Is that the team leader you’re pining for?” Tzuyu looks back to take a glance. She sees that
Mina’s looking, no, glaring at her. “She looks jealous of me.”

“Since when did you become so talkative? Wait here in my office. The meeting will be for another
hour. You can do whatever you want here. It’ll be yours soon anyway.” Nayeon pats Tzuyu’s head
and kisses her on the cheek. “I missed you, little one.”

Tzuyu’s eyes disappear into her laugh.

“Shut up. You’ll always be Little One. I’ll go back to the meeting. Behave.”
Nayeon doesn’t notice but Mina actually witnessed the whole thing. When Nayeon gets back to the
meeting, she resumes her presentation. She observed that Mina asked more difficult questions than
usual, but she’s happy she actually had everything prepared. As expected, the meeting ended an
hour later.

“Nayeon unnie, who was that girl earlier?” Dahyun and Chaeyoung immediately hound Nayeon
with questions about Tzuyu’s identity.

“She’s the one ‘breaking in’ at the lobby.” Nayeon laughs.

“Is she your girlfriend?” Dahyun raises her eyebrows suggestively.

From her periphery, Nayeon can see that Mina was packing her notes, but listening attentively, so
she makes sure Mina hears her answer loud and clear. “What?! No!” she says as if it’s the most
obnoxious thing ever.

“Then who were you baking cookies for?”

“Her.” Nayeon shrugs. “But it doesn’t mean she’s my girlfriend. Get back to work, kids.”

Dahyun snickers at Chaeyoung. “Pay up.”

“Oh my god. Did you bet on whether she was my girlfriend or not?” Nayeon puts her hands to her
waist.

“No! We’ll head back to work.” Dahyun grabs Chaeyoung out of the room, leaving Nayeon and
Mina alone.

“I—uh. Sorry for leaving the meeting earlier, Team Leader Myoui. I just had to attend to someone
important since she was being held at the lobby.” Nayeon bows.

“So I’ve heard.” Mina acknowledges from her seat.

“And she’s not my girlfriend!” Nayeon blurts.

“Oh?” Mina releases a shaky breath she didn’t know she had been holding.

“Mina, I told you. I’m willing to wait for you. I know I shouldn’t be saying this but you don’t have
to worry about her taking me away from you. I’m yours, Mina.” Nayeon relapses just like that.
“Oops. Sorry, sorry. Time and space. Time and space. That’s what you asked for.” Nayeon mutters
almost incoherently, trying to cover up her moment of weakness. “Either way, I’d like you to meet
her.”

“I don’t think I need to meet your friend.” Mina pretends not to hear the previous statement.

“It’s not like a friend-introduction thing. I want you to meet her for business matters.” Nayeon
explains. “Shall we head to my office?”

Nayeon just takes Mina’s hand as they walk to her office, but drops it straight away, the moment
she remembers she shouldn’t be doing that. “Sorry. Just got used to it.” Her relapse is pretty bad.

Once they reach Nayeon’s office, they arrive to Tzuyu sitting on the swivel chair, facing the wall.
“So you’re back, Im Nayeon.” Tzuyu spins in her chair, her hands forming a triangle, imitating a
diabolical villain expecting the hero to show up. “Oh. Oh my god I’m sorry. I thought you came in
alone.” she’s quick to stand up.

“So...uhh. Team Leader Myoui, this is Chou Tzuyu. She’s the Chou investor everyone’s been
wondering about for years.“ Nayeon explains. “And Tzuyu, this is Team Leader Myoui of R&D.”

“I apologise for not being able to introduce myself properly earlier, Ms. Chou. I’m Myoui Mina.”
She extends her hand.

“Just call me Tzuyu. I’ve heard great things about you. Not from Nayeon unnie. From the progress
reports and financial statements of ImTech.” Tzuyu shakes Mina’s hand firmly.

“Team Leader Myoui, another reason why I wanted you to meet her is because she’ll be the newest
addition to R&D.”
“I’m sorry?”

“I think she’ll be great addition to the team. We’ve been coordinating for a long time regarding the
responsibilities of R&D, and she fully understands, so you don’t need to train her much. She’s very
capable. In fact, she’s the one who actually made the presentation you approved two weeks ago.
She’ll be under my supervision and she’ll stay in my office for the meantime.” Nayeon
recommends. Before Mina can say something, Nayeon gets to her point. “I’m proposing this not as
a team member of R&D, but as a member of the Board. What do you think, Team Leader Myoui?”

She needs Tzuyu to get in. It’s the first time Nayeon uses her teeth as an Im, on Mina. Figuratively,
at least.

“Of course, Ms. Im. I trust your decision.”

“Very well then. Tzuyu, you can start working tomorrow. We’ll meet Father tomorrow.” Nayeon
emphasises. “I’ll just speak with Team Leader Myoui.”

Nayeon follows after Mina to the team leader’s office. “I’m sorry I had to bring her in just like that.
Don’t worry, she’ll contribute greatly to ImTech.”

“Ah no, it’s totally fine. I trust your decisions as the heiress of ImTech.” Mina bows. “How’d you
meet her?”

“Connections.” Nayeon winks. “Anywaaay, I’m gonna head back to my office before my mind
comes up with something else to do.”

Mina’s eyes trail Nayeon as she walks back to her office. One. She counts.

That same night, Nayeon decides she has to stop impending relapses, so she drops by Mina’s office
to say good night.

“Team Leader Myoui, here are the proposals I approved. The last one is kinda urgent and needs
your recommendation. I hope you can approve it as soon as possible.” Nayeon submits a stack of
folders almost an inch thick, and a white envelope at the bottom of it all.

“Okay, thank you, Ms. Im.” Mina replies with her head low, avoiding Nayeon’s eyes.

Nayeon wishes that even just once, Mina would stop being so good at sticking to the deal. But
Mina is Mina, and she’s a stickler to rules.

“Well, then. I guess my job here is done.” Nayeon dusts her hands. “Good night, Mina.” she smiles
sadly, longingly at Mina.

Mina watches Nayeon turn her heel and leave the office. Two.

Almost three hours later, Mina finishes the last folder Nayeon brought her. She finally notices the
white envelope and examines it. Nayeon said it needed her recommendation and approval as soon
as possible. When she turns it over, the heading says “Two-Week Notice”. Mina blinks rapidly and
she wipes her palm on her pants. She opens the letter in trepidation, feeling a knot form in her
throat.

To Ms. Myoui Mina

Research and Design, Team Leader:

Good day!

I am requesting for immediate transfer to the Finance Department. I believe my time in the
Research & Design...

...to grow in another department, integral in the operation of ImTech.

Thank you for being my mentor this past year. You have taught me how being an Im is a
privilege...

...With this, I am respectfully requesting that you take Ms. Chou Tzuyu as your mentee as my
replacement. Attached to this letter of request to transfer is a letter of endorsement of Ms. Chou.
I hope for a favourable response.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours,

Im Nayeon

Mina wasn’t able to read and absorb the entirety of the letter. She can’t seem to wrap her mind
around the idea of Nayeon leaving. It’s only a transfer of department, but it sure feels like Nayeon
actually leaving.

Adrenaline surges through Mina, and she takes the letter into her hand and rushes to her car. She
tries calling Nayeon, but the latter wasn’t picking up. Mina didn’t know which apartment Nayeon
went home to tonight. Finally, she arrives at the fifth flat Nayeon owns. The lady receptionist
confirms Nayeon is indeed upstairs, and Mina doesn’t even wait for the elevator. She climbs the
flight of stairs and ends up in front of Nayeon’s doorstep. There was loud music coming from
inside, but Mina rings the doorbell anyway. There was no answer the first time, but after several
tries, she hears Nayeon’s voice.

“Who’s there?” Nayeon slurs drunkenly.

Mina may have heard Nayeon stumbling over things before reaching the door.

“Oh.” There’s a look of shock in Nayeon’s face. Mina’s the last person she expected to see tonight
in front of her door. “What brings you here, Team Leader Myoui?” Nayeon giggles, clearly
inebriated. She was only wearing a robe and her cheek’s flushed with a shade of pink only alcohol
can bring.

“Can we talk?” Mina clutches Nayeon’s letter of request in her hand.

“Of course!” Nayeon replies, unaware she’s being loud. She pulls up the robe to cover her neck.

“Can I come in?” Mina asks. It’s then when she notices
 “Ooof. I...don’t think now’s a good time, Team Leader.” Nayeon scrunches her nose and smiles.
She closes the door a little bit more so only her head is popping out.

“Oh. I see. We can just talk in my office tomorrow.” Mina cranes her neck just a little bit to see if
someone’s inside with Nayeon.

Nayeon turns her head back when she hears glass breaking from the kitchen. “Good night, Team
Leader!”

Three. Mina counts.

A shrill shriek comes from the kitchen just before Nayeon closes the door. It’s a voice Mina can
identify even in her sleep, even if it’s muffled. It’s a voice Mina grew up loving, but has grown to
resent. It’s a voice that’s sweet yet stabbing at the same time — it’s Sana’s.

Chapter End Notes

Sanayeon??? HAHAH

This chapter serves as a transition. To what? Secret.

And wow, Mina is counting. Counting what? Secret.
And oh Momo(?) dropping Mina off??? Was it really Momo? Secret.
HAHAH

For those who only read this for smut, sorry HAHAHA

Lmk your thoughts and comments! this will end soon. will probs extend until ch 11.
idk haha

Thank you for reading heheh

#TWICEAdoreYou
pls dont spoil in the tag
@NabongsBunny on twt
 ‘til fate brings you home, i’ll wait through your phases
Chapter Notes

We back! But dont expect too much angst!

maybe, i’m afraid - lovelytheband

The song is so sad haha I suggest you listen to it too hehe

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Nayeon welcomes two unexpected guests for the night.

Her first guest comes in the form of incessant doorbell rings. She figures it's Sana. Sana's the only
one as impatient as her when it comes to little things (like elevator doors closing slowly, traffic
lights turning from red to green, and such).

"What's up?" Nayeon rushes to open the door and wonders why someone who has been avoiding
her for more than a month is now at her doorstep.

"Wanna hang?" Sana raises her hand, shaking a bottle of tequila by its neck, and a bag of chips on
the other, her eyes pleading like a puppy.

"What can I do? You're already here...with booze," Nayeon titters and makes way to let her visitor
in. "Mind telling me what actually brings you here?" Nayeon thinks she knows what this is about,
but she wants to hear it straight from Sana.

Sana fiddles with her thumbs and makes sure to keep distance from Nayeon. She exhales sharply
before she speaks. "I'm here to apologise for ignoring you and not talking to you sooner. I just
thought I wasn't in the place to explain stuff to you. But now that Mi-chan has explained things, I
think it's time I talk to you; just to try to make you understand me."

Nayeon gives a wordless nod and leads Sana to the couch. She notices that her visitor leaves a
noticeable gap between them, enough for three people to fit in. They weren't really the closest of
friends, but Nayeon was often at the receiving end of Sana's shower of affection and sunshine, and
in a way, since Sana is (supposedly) Momo's girlfriend, she was an extension of Nayeon's lifeline.
"Yaaa, Sana. It's just me. You don't have to be nervous or anything. Just tell me the story like how
you spill tea and gossip." Nayeon initiates sitting closer and pats Sana on the shoulder.

"I...this might be heavy. Give me a minute to gather courage."

"I guess that's why you brought drinks? Let's talk about heavy stuff when we're less sober, yeah?"
Nayeon tries to lighten the mood. Sana lifts the liquor and giggles, as if Nayeon just read her mind.
She trails behind Nayeon to the kitchen to search for the bottle opener. Nayeon must've left it at
the other flat, so now they're left with no choice but to open it manually.

"Are you sure this will work? The glass won't break?" Sana questions Nayeon's suggested method
as she strokes the expensive bottle of Patron while holding a lighter against it.

"Yeah. Just direct the fire to the neck. The pressure will force the cork to pop out," Nayeon
instructs, "Then hold it like this. Wait, actually, let me do it." she takes over and angles the lighter
so it would be heating the right place for the cork to pop out, while Sana observes her "skills" like a
devoted apprentice, curious if the master's methods would work. "Shit it's not working. Why'd you
have to bring such an expensive one with a cork? You could've chosen the easy-to-open one."
Nayeon clicks her tongue and continues heating the neck of the bottle.

"I'm sorry I thought gifting with you with an expensive—"

Pop!

"Ah fuck!" Nayeon exclaims, "The cork hit my neck." she winces and rubs her thumb on the sore
spot.

Sana erupts into laughter before coming to Nayeon's aid. "Well, at least we know your method
works." she scrambles to get an ice pack from the fridge and helps dab it on Nayeon.

"Thanks. For the ice, and for the tequila." Nayeon says, embarrassed of how her bottle-opening
trick blew up on her face. She takes two shot glasses from the counter and pours Sana and herself a
drink.
"Kkkkkkkk." They hiss at the same time, letting the warmth of the liquor travel down their throats.
They manage to finish the bottle in silence and in clinking of glasses in less than 10 minutes.

"Another one?" Nayeon offers. They're not drunk enough. Nayeon can still feel her lips and can
walk a straight line. She takes a bottle of Jäger, a person favourite. This time, she avoids liquors
with corks.

"You're offering me cough syrup? I hate that drink." But Sana downs a shot anyway. Her cheeks
heat up and her eyesight starts going hazy. A good sign, she tells herself. Nayeon follows suit until
they drain the bottle.

"Hmmm...another one?" Doctors would most definitely not recommend drinking the amount of
alcohol Nayeon and Sana had consumed (so far), but at times like this, alcohol isn't even a
question; it's the answer. So when Nayeon asks, Sana willingly gives her glass.

"Ooh, I got a nice one here. Absolut Kurant. You like this, I remember, because it's fruity." Nayeon
comments. She almost bites her tongue, unable to feel her lips. Fuck. She's drunk, and it's not in the
slightest way making her feel bad. She misses feeling drunk. Hard liquor is liquid happiness.

Nayeon staggers toward the speakers and blasts house party music for them to dance to. First on
shuffle was Moby Rich's Yoko Ono. She starts popping and locking rhythmically and putting her
hands up while Sana also dances in an energised manner. Next on the playlist was Rihanna's
Consideration, and both of them start swaying sensuously. They went from alluring and
provocative dances to messy and silly dance moves. As the night progressed, they went from
twerking and grinding, to dancing like Weird Al, side by side, hands around each other's shoulders
and kicking outward to the left and right, accompanied by weird hand movements. By the end of
the playlist, Nayeon struggles to make it to her phone. She chooses her brokenhearted playlist.

Right on cue, the floodgates of Sana's eyes open. Now they're drunk enough to talk about heavy
stuff.

"I don't know where to begin and how to explain stuff, so I'll try to summarise it as best as I could.
Here goes. Our father found out Mina was in a relationship with a girl and that's the total opposite
of his plans. He said he'll give Mina time to call the relationship off or else there will be
consequences. He arranged for some man to make Mina think otherwise about her relationship. I
knew whoever he hired didn't have innocent intentions so I had to do something to break my sister
and my best friend up. Knowing how strong-willed Mina is, she won't just let Momo go. So I
reached out to Momo instead and came up with the stupid plan to make Mina believe she got
cheated on by the people she loved and trusted most.

It was a foolish plan, I didn't consider how it will hurt both of them in the long run. I just needed
Mina to be safe as soon as possible. When she chose to disappear from our lives, not a day goes by
that I don't hate myself. Even until now, I do. Momo resented me too for suggesting such an idea.
So I promised her that we will find Mina and make everything clear; that the person she loves most
didn't cheat on her; that I'm still her sister, her protector, who'll do everything to keep her safe. I
failed as her elder sister in many ways. Instead of protecting her, I actually hurt Mi-chan more. On
top of it, the most damning thing...I was supposed to keep Momoring safe until she's reunited with
my sister, but I..." Sana stops.

"You fell in love with her." Nayeon exaggerates a gasp and finishes for Sana, before pulling her
into an embrace. "We don't choose people we fall in love with, Sana. It just happens. Even if it's
the most damning and destructive thing."

Nayeon realises that all these years, Mina, Sana, and Momo have been living in a tangled mess of
emotions and misunderstanding. It must've been extremely difficult for them to have been chained
to invisible baggage they'd have to carry around everyday. This is a complicated issue of love in its
different facets.

Sana proceeds with explaining how she's been skirting around her father's rules and paying off their
people to not report about her and Momo's relationship. Eventually, Momo just agreed going along
with the title for convenience. Sana defends Momo by saying the latter's not at fault for loving her
back since Sana knew what she was getting into in the first place, and how Momo has been taking
care of her well actually the past years.

It's a wonder how they understood each other's slurred words, but it doesn't matter. When Whitney
Houston's classic Where Do Broken Hearts Go started playing, Sana grabs the nearest ladle while
Nayeon takes the shamoji (rice spoon) turning it into faux microphones for their karaoke session.
They end up screaming their lungs out when the pre-chorus starts. "SO HERE I AM, AND CAN
YOU PLEASE TELL MEEE, OH..WHERE DO BROKEN HEARTS GO? CAN THEY FIND
THEIR WAY HOME..."

That's when Nayeon hears the second doorbell for the night.

"Wait, pause, pause, pause. I wanna sing this when I get back. I'll just check who's at the door."
Nayeon grips onto the cupboard to help herself up and answer whoever's at the door. The floor was
weaving under her feet, but she was determined to get to the door. The stinging pain of the cork
that hit her temporarily distracts her, but she still charges for the door, with her reflexes slowed
down and delayed by her drunkenness.

Her exchange with Mina was all a blur. All she remembers is how beautiful Mina is standing
before her, and that's just about it. Probably a fever dream.
On the other end, Sana doesn't process what Nayeon just said, so she doesn't pause the song,
instead, she chooses to emote to the next lines, 'and if somebody loves you, won't they always love
you' as she hugs her knees. Then it came in an instant and Nayeon's words suddenly register in her
mind: Nayeon told her to pause the song. Sana instantly rolls to the floor and tucks her knees in so
she can sit up and then stand. As she stands up, she ends up knocking over the latest bottle of glass
they just emptied, making her scream in horror.

Nayeon rushes to the kitchen and sees the shattered glass of vodka on the floor.

"That's a representation of my heart." Nayeon chuckles and ends up not being able to stop herself
from laughing. She was laughing so hard until tears started forming at the corner of her eyes. Soon
enough, her laughter turned into sobs as she sinks to the floor beside Sana.

"Do you like that vodka so much?" Sana cradles Nayeon in her arms, leaning on the counter.

"I like that vodka very much," Nayeon buries her head in Sana's chest as she cries non-stop, "I love
that vodka so much it hurts."

Even in her inebriated state, Sana can understand that it was more than just a pathetic bottle of
vodka. "I love that vodka too," she strokes Nayeon's hair away from her face, "and I miss that
vodka dearly."

Nayeon hums in response. When her breathing evens out, Sana knows it would be best not to wake
her anymore up by moving her to the bed, so she pulls her down to lie on their backs instead, and
uses her arm as Nayeon's pillow. They sleep on their backs against the cold kitchen floor, but
Sana's warmth was enough to keep Nayeon cozy for the night.

That same night, Mina and Sana share the same dream; a memory.

Mina's violin teacher was scolding her for the nth time for not holding her elbow up in a particular
angle. "Little miss Minatozaki, how do you expect to improve when you can't follow simple
instructions such as keeping your elbow up here?" the teacher used the end of her stick to lift
Mina's elbow up to the right angle.
"I'm so sorry, but my arm hurts already." Mina was at the verge of tears. Her father chose to
extend her violin lessons from two hours to three, and now her little arm is feeling the soreness
brought abut by that extra hour. How does one expect a 6-year old to hold up a violin for so long?

The teacher glowered at Mina and all the little one can do is suck up the tears that just trickled
down her face, and hold the violin properly. After playing the piece she had been practicing since
last week, the teacher called for a 10-minute break. They still have 45 minutes left.

Mina sank into her seat and started shaking out the soreness from her arms. It was then when she
heard a voice. It was a voice Mina cherished dearly.

"Pssst!" Sana's voice came again, and Mina tried to look around to see where it's coming from.
"Mi-chan!" Sana jumped from behind the curtains and tackled Mina into a hug.

"Sana-chan!" Mina giggled into the hug.

Sana helped her up and dusted off Mina's dress. "Your teacher's such a meanie! We should just
leave and play."

"Father will be cross with me if I don't master this song in time for his birthday," Mina gently
removed her hand from Sana's, "and the teacher may catch us."

"Mi-chan our house is so big we can play hide and seek with her the whole day and she won't find
us. Besides, don't your arms hurt already?"

"They do." Mina shows her left arm to her sister, her eyes pleading.

"Then we should go now. I have a present for you. I got it on the way home while Mother and I
were buying dresses. It's a new book."

"Is it Dr. Seuss?" Mina replied excitedly.

"Yes!" Sana returned the enthusiasm. "It's Oh, the Places You'll Go! I was supposed to keep it a
secret but I know you'll like it. Shall we go to the library now?"
"But what about my teacher?" Mina looked worried; genuine fear in her eyes.

"I'll handle her." Sana placed her hand on Mina's shoulder.

"You will?" The fear in Mina's eyes dissolved into nothing but hope and admiration of her sister.
"What if she gets mad?"

"Of course, I will! I'll protect you, Mi-chan. That's my role, I'm your big sister." Sana ruffled
Mina's hair and helped her hide behind the curtains. "Mi-chan you have the cutest giggles in the
whole world but you have to keep quiet when your teacher comes."

Mina nodded in agreement and covered her mouth, trying to suppress her giggles. She was just at
awe of how cool her big sister is.

"Where's your sister?" Mina's violin teacher asked when she came back.

"I haven't seen her." Sana shrugged nonchalantly. "Miss, you look tired, I think you should go
home. If you get tired, you'll get old and wrinkly fast. Do you wanna get old and wrinkly fast?"
Sana tilted her head, as if examining the teacher's face. "It's starting now."

"I should leave." The teacher packed her sheets of notes and violin case before leaving the room.

"You lied?" Mina asked her sister. "Mother said it's bad to lie."

"I didn't lie! She looked like she was getting older." Sana took Mina's left arm to massage it.

"You said you haven't seen me. You lied, Sana-chan."

"I'd lie for you if I have to, Mi-chan." Sana once again enveloped Mina in an embrace and started
stroking her hair.
Nayeon and Sana's morning was nothing but a blame game of who initiated drinking too much and
sleeping on the floor. Since it was Sana's idea to drink, she had the consequence to drive Nayeon to
work.

"Why are we using Momo's car?" Nayeon gets into the same car she saw about a week ago.

"What do you mean? This is my car. Momo's car is red." Sana responds before sliding into the
car.

"So...it was you who dropped Mina off at the office once?" Nayeon asks.

"You saw that? Well...yeah. I went to apologise to her first. It was better than expected. She just
didn't say anything."

"How is that better, Sana?" Nayeon puts on her safety belt.

"She could've screamed at me or ripped my hair out. I mean of course she wouldn't do that, she's a
darling. But yeah. Things could've been worse. But I guess Momoring's explanation got her
thinking."

"Oh. Momo explained to Mina already? When?" Nayeon tries her best not to sound bothered and
jealous. Keyword, tries.

"I don't know exactly when but I she said they talked about it already. Mina didn't tell you?"

"Mina and I aren't really on speaking terms, well at least informally. All we talk about is work now
since she said she needed some time and space to think."

"Think about what?"

"You know. Things. Like choosing me or Momo." Nayeon stills in her seat and Sana understands.
The rest of the drive was quiet.
"Team Leader Myoui told me to tell you to go to her office." Tzuyu greets Nayeon a good morning
and point to Mina from the other room.

It's a miracle how the team leader's blinds aren't closed this time. Nayeon can see how Mina's nose
is yet again buried in the stack of papers.

"What are you doing in my office? Go out there and make new friends." Nayeon points to Dahyun
and Chaeyoung laughing outside.

"You know I'm not really the social type."

"I can't be your only friend, Tzuyu."

"Who says you're my friend?" Tzuyu counters playfully.

"I'll deal with you later. For now, wish me luck."

Nayeon goes to the room across hers and sees Mina looking up, waiting for her already. She sees
that Mina's eyes land on her neck right away, with the big bruise (from the cork) exposed.

"I went over to your house last night to discuss this, but it seems like you were busy." Mina says in
her signature monotonous voice as she shows Nayeon's letter for request of transfer.

"Oh, it's not what you think. I got hit by a cork and...never mind. Okay. Let's discuss that." Nayeon
takes the seat in front of Mina.

"I can't let you transfer to another department."

"Why? It will be better for the both of us," Nayeon argues. She wasn't expecting this reaction.
"I know, and it was my initial decision to let you go. But something came up," Mina begins, "it's
about ImTech. Just last night, after I went over to your place, I got notified that R&D's system was
accessed by someone from the team, and some files were downloaded and transferred. The design
for the smart house was leaked."

"What? Did you find out who did it?"

"I'm suspecting someone, but I hope you don't take it the wrong way."

"It's not me. I was drunk at home. I was...oh wait. You're not suspecting me..." Nayeon's voice
falters as her eyes are guided to the girl across Mina's office. "You're suspecting Tzuyu, aren't
you?"

"I know you're the one who recommended her, but it's the best guess I can come up with," Mina
shrugs. "The access was from a new device. And Ms. Chou's the newest addition to the team. You
trusted her so much already and gave her access to almost everything in just a day. Who else could
it be?"

"Just because Tzuyu's new, doesn't mean she'll leak files to the competitors." Nayeon says with
certainty.

"How can you be so sure? Her persona's been questionable for many years. We don't know if she's
working for another company. She might be a huge stakeholder, but her persona's dubious."

"Dubious? It's because I kept it that way!" Nayeon stands up from her chair.

"What do you mean?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to shout," Nayeon calms herself, "I was the one who kept Tzuyu's profile a
mystery. To protect her."

"Why do you need to protect her?"

Nayeon sucks in air with her teeth and closes her eyes. She reaches for the button that closes the
blinds. "Remember when you revealed to me you had a sister and I asked why you didn't tell me,
then you told me it's because I never asked? I can say the same thing. Tzuyu's my sister, Mina.
She'll be the one to inherit ImTech. Not me. I don't want ImTech, you should know that by now.
I'm just paving the way so it would be easier for her to take the position once Father passes."

"But...you're the only child of the Chairman and..."

"I was born out of an arranged marriage, for economic and political purposes. Tzuyu was born out
of love. My father had an affair with his first and true love 5 years after he had me. He doesn't
know about Tzuyu, and I'm sure it will cause a ruckus when he finds out, that's why I've been
trying to keep her hidden for years, while building her up as a stakeholder and a suitable heiress of
the company. Whatever it is I'm doing, it would of ImTech's best interest. I'm planning to introduce
Tzuyu to him today."

"Ms. Im..." Mina's left speechless.

"Team Leader Myoui, whoever that mole is, I'll find out for you by the end of the day. I just need
you to trust and support my decisions." When Nayeon is talking business, Mina trusts her without a
shadow of doubt. "I'll get back to work and leave early. I'm taking Tzuyu to see her father. And my
request for transfer, please approve it. I promise to find the mole."

"There's something else I need to tell you, but I'll just let you know after we figure out who the
mole is."

"Okay," Nayeon smiles.

"Okay." Mina replies.

Nayeon exits the room. Four. Mina counts.

"Get dressed, Tzuyu. We're going home." Nayeon informs her younger sister.
"But I am dressed already and it's not even lunch time."

"I'll introduce you to Father today."

"What? No! Why today? I'm scared, Nayeon unnie." Tzuyu sinks herself deeper into the chair, not
wanting to get up.

"I'll be here beside you all the way, Little One." Nayeon reassures her.

Nayeon's never seen Tzuyu this nervous. The girl always had a mischievous smile or something up
her sleeve, but this time, she was sitting at the other side of the car, spinning her phone with her
fingers, sighing loudly every now and then.

"It'll be fine." Nayeon scoots closer to her sister and leans on her shoulder. It's the first time in a
long while that Nayeon felt like an actual elder sister.

When they arrive at the Im Mansion where the Chairman resides, Tzuyu breaks into cold sweat
and pleads Nayeon that she go alone first. Nayeon understands, so she goes ahead to meet her
father.

Chairman Im was awake in his bed, mulling over things. He didn't notice Nayeon come in, the
sound of the machines probably masked his daughter's footsteps.

"Father," Nayeon calls gently "how are you?"

"My daughter. I'm not doing well. I was fine a week ago, but my health worsened instantly in a
matter of days. I don't think I'll last long."

"Don't say that," Nayeon comes closer and takes the seat beside the bed. "Where's Mother?"

"She's shopping with her friends. They'll have dinner later and your mum's trying to secure a deal
with one of them. Your best friend Jihyo's mother, I think? I hope she seals the deal."
"You're sick but you're still thinking about ImTech." Nayeon laughs softly.

"ImTech is my life. I want to make sure my life will go on through it. I know you'll make a good
CEO, Nayeon."

"About that...I don't think I will be the one taking over ImTech." Nayeon bows.

"You sure know how to make your old man laugh." Chairman Im convulsed with laughter before
getting into a coughing fit.

"No, I'm serious, Father. I can't do it."

"Nonsense. You are an Im. You were made to rule over ImTech as if it's your own kingdom." his
coughing doesn't stop. "If you're here to talk about not stepping into my position which I have
warmed nicely for you, then you may leave. We have been training you for this, Nayeon. Your
mother and Team Leader Myoui know how much I need it to be you. I can't let that sly old Director
Yang take my life's work from me. ImTech would go to my daughter."

"It will go to your daughter. Your daughter will manage it," Nayeon explains, "just...not the
daughter you expect."

"Im Nayeon, my only daughter, what nonsense are you talking about? Have you been taking some
stuff? What's gotten into your head? Shouldn't you be at work now?"

"Do you remember Huang Yenling?" Nayeon brings up the name.

"No." An empty reply.

"I think you do." Nayeon takes her fathers hand into hers.

"Get out," he commands Nayeon. "I need to rest."

"Father, listen to me. You have a daughter with her." she finally divulges. "5 years after I was born,
you had a business meeting in Taiwan. But it wasn't just a business meeting, was it, Father?"

"Are you accusing me of being unfaithful to your mother? Are you accusing me of infidelity in my
own home?!" His voice grows.

"Father, I'm not here to hold your actions against you. I'm giving a solution so the Im Legacy can
continue even without me taking over your position or giving birth to a son," Nayeon
reasons. "Huang Yenling. That's your true love. She's your first and only love, right?"

"Im Nayeon you better learn how to hold your tongue."

"You had a daughter with her!"

"Nonsense! Get out!" Chairman Im is seated upright by now, motioning for Nayeon to get away
from her.

"She's waiting outside the door."

"Im Nayeon, I am warning you. You've always had that rebellious spirit, but you're crossing the
line now. You better stop with whatever you're doing. I'm going back to bed to rest." the Chairman
presses on his chest and winces in pain.

Nayeon storms out of the room to take Tzuyu, but when she returns, the heart monitor is beeping
loudly along with the other machines. The nurses on standby rush into the room.

It all happened so fast, Nayeon didn't even get to process what was happening right before her
eyes.

Chairman Im took Tzuyu's hand into his and croaks "Tell your mother I love her."
The Chairman was rushed to Yulje Medical Centre and was confined at the VIP ward. The whole
stretch of the hall was studded with different personalities, ranging from politicians, tycoon
owners, business partners, and even celebrities, who went to visit and give support to the Chairman
who got into a stroke. Everyone was wearing gloom on their faces, but it was most evident in
Nayeon's.

Nayeon's staring at the wall by the stairway, far enough from the ward to avoid the guests. She
doesn't have an ounce of energy left to entertain them and explain what happened to her father. He
got into a stroke and is fighting for his life because of me. It's been hours of her constantly blaming
and beating herself up for causing this. She shouldn't have pushed her father that way. She could've
taken a gentler approach to introducing Tzuyu. She was never a prayerful person, but just this
once, she asked if God can extend her father's life.

She must've been gone for too long because when she checks her phone, it's flooded with several
notifications.

[Son Chaeyoung R&D]:

Ms. Im, you've been nothing but kind to me. I'm sorry for leaking the files.

[Kim Dahyun R&D]:

Nayeon unnie, I am so embarrassed of what Chaeyoung has done, and I feel instrumental to this
crime.

Please accept my apology and my resignation.

Nayeon massages her temples. First, her father got into a stroke, now one of her most trusted
colleagues is the mole, while the other is resigning. Can her day get any worse? Yes, it can.

[Yoo Jeongpoop]:

Nabongs pick up

Im Nayeon pick up!

I can't do this

Im Nayeon you have to keep your promise

Nayeon help me

You told me if Jihyo said no, I should call you up

Jihyo rejected my proposal...

Nayeon rings Jeongyeon's phone but the service operator replies instead, saying the number cannot
be reached. She tried to dial again several times, but there was no response still. Great. She leaves a
voice message instead and tells Jeongyeon to call her as soon as she gets it.

As she was walking back to her father's room, she bumps into Mina.

"I just came to visit the Chairman," she says, "Your mother was there. I was looking for you."

Nayeon releases a heavy and shaky breath before placing herself in Mina's arms. "It's my fault."

"No, it isn't," Mina's quick to tighten her hold on Nayeon, "it's not your fault, Nayeon."

"It is. I forced him to get to know Tzuyu, then the next thing I know he was hyperventilating and
the nurses were rushing in and now he's in a coma. If I hadn't marched down to him and raised my
voice, he wouldn't be in this position." Nayeon sobs into Mina's shoulder.

"Shhh, shhh," the team leader hushes Nayeon and spends about a minute tenderly cradling her until
she feels a little bit better, "what's important is he's still alive and the doctors are doing their best."

When Nayeon's sobbing has stopped, she takes a step back to dry her tears. "I...I know this isn't the
best time to discuss this, but I know this is what Father wants. I'm gonna make it quick because the
guests might be expecting me there," Nayeon disentangles herself from Mina's arms. "The Board
needs to vote on who will be the next chairperson of ImTech. My mum's the acting chair, but I
know she won't be able to handle it for long and she doesn't want to either. Neither do I. The
expression on Nayeon's face changes — it's the one Mina sees during important business
negotiations: it's Nayeon's work mode. "Mina, I want you to take over ImTech."

"What?!"

"You heard me. Go against me for the position during elections next week."

"Nayeon, I can't do that. ImTech belongs to the Ims. Chairman Im wants it to be yours. He wants it
to be his daughter's. You worked hard for it. Your family established it. It's rightful that you have
it. You earned it, Nayeon." Mina explains.

"ImTech will still belong to me technically, I just won't be the one managing it. I'm absolutely
certain ImTech will be in better hands when you become the chairperson. I'm not ready for it and I
never will be. And so is Tzuyu. She's not ready yet but she will be your successor when the proper
time comes. My father will witness Tzuyu bloom into the rightful heiress under your management.
He was supposed to see it sooner, but things...didn't go as planned. Things changed."

Nayeon has long been planning for ImTech's future. She'd always been averse to the idea of
inheriting and managing the company, but she went along with the training process anyway
because things changed. Suddenly, going to the office doesn't seem like a chore; suddenly she
started seeing the fun in working at ImTecg; suddenly, there's Mina.

"Nayeon, please. I can't—"

"You poured your years into ImTech. You're a pillar of the company. You know how the system
works. You don't just care about profit; you care about the people, the service, the quality that
ImTech serves. I don't know anyone more deserving than you. I'll vote for you. Tzuyu will vote for
you."

"That won't be enough."

"Director Lee and Director Park will back you up. I was the one who sent them to your office
before to convince you to run for the position. I wanted to know back then if you were interested in
taking over ImTech, and you weren't. You cared more about keep it stable. You cared about
ImTech enough. You trusted in my father's vision. You trusted me. Now, I'm trusting you. I'm sure
my father trusts you just as much as I do. He sees you as a daughter too." Nayeon rationalises.

"Don't you think this is going too fast? Your father is in critical condition. Don't you think the other
directors and stakeholder will think I'm being a—"

"Don't mind what they think. I got you, Mina. I'll handle your endorsement. You trust me, right?"

"Yes."
"Good. Then tomorrow, you'll be sending out a notice of intent to run for CEO. ImTech's stocks
will plummet, but it will quickly recover once investors know it's under the care of someone
trustworthy." Nayeon holds Mina's stare firmly.

"What will you be doing while I'm CEO?" Mina asks meekly, she's still unconvinced and wants to
protest against the idea, but she trusts Nayeon.

"Supporting you. We can talk more about this when I come back to work next week. Let me walk
you to your car." Nayeon taps on Mina's shoulder and lets her lead the way. The elevator ride was
silent, until Nayeon remembers to bring up her discovery. "I found out who the mole is by the way.
It's Chaeyoung."

"Ms. Son?" Mina enlarges her eyes in shock and disbelief. Of all people, Chaeyoung's the least she
expected. Chaeyoung was the most enthusiastic when it comes to coming up with designs.

"Dahyun's resigning too. She didn't have anything to do with it, but she said she felt instrumental to
the leak because Chaeyoung's her girlfriend. What a loss to the company. I really like them. I'm
sure they didn't do it to undermine ImTech. I'm gonna deal with it after things get better here at the
hospital," Nayeon sighs, "Anyway, you told me you were gonna tell me something earlier this
morning after we find out who the mole is."

They finally reach Mina's car.

"What is it?" Nayeon wonders.

"I don't think now's a good time. It can wait." Mina's eyes start darting from side to side and she
becomes visibly uncomfortable.

"No, it must've been important. You wouldn't have told me otherwise." Nayeon prods.

"No, Nayeon, it's...it's nothing, really. I don't wanna add to the burden you're carrying now."

"Is it that bad? Try me. I mean it's better to hear it now so I can just deal with my problems
collectively, in one go." Nayeon opens her arms wide.
"Nayeon, some other time. You need to get some rest first."

"Mina," Nayeon emphasises her name, "I wanna hear it, please." Nayeon's heart is thumping and
her gut twists into a knot.

"It would be insensitive to tell you now." Mina repeats.

"I'm the one who asked for it anyway, so it's on me. Just tell me please."

Mina looks away. She takes a deep breath. And another. Instead of speaking, she lets her lips do
the talking. Her hand instinctively finds it way to cup Nayeon's cheek and later moves on the neck
to pull Nayeon closer into the kiss. The team leader shivers at the feel of Nayeon's lips and tongue
against hers. It's been way too long since she last felt this kind of right, just this time, there's a
bittersweet taste.

The voice in Mina's head starts screaming, and her heart wants to rip itself off her own chest. Why
is she kissing Nayeon when she's just about to break her?

Was it because she pitied her? Was it because she wanted to make Nayeon feel better? Was it
because she felt bad that Nayeon's life is falling apart while hers is slowly coming together?

Mina has deep affections and fondness of Nayeon, that's for sure; but it's the kind of affection that
is so close to love, one would easily confuse the two.

So when Mina pulls away, she makes it clear. "Nayeon, I'm sorry. I'm choosing to give Momo
another chance."

Oh. Nayeon is frozen in place. Her immediate instinct is to wrap her arms around Mina, enveloping
her in whatever warmth that's left of her. "Thank you. For considering me, at least. For thinking I'm
a worthy choice. I respect your decision," she snickers. She ruffles Mina's hair a bit before assuring
her it's okay she wasn't the one Mina chose. "I think it's time for me to head back inside. The
guests..." Nayeon turns to the side and wipes off her tear.

"Nayeon..."
 "No, no. It's okay. I'm fine." I'm not. "I-Can you send Momo a message for me?" Momo, you hurt
me. I can't breathe, Momo. What do I do now? Who do I talk to about this pain and emptiness? I
need my therapist back. I need my best friend back. I need my lifeline back. "Please tell her to drop
by. I'm not mad at her. I just...I could really use a best friend right now." Nayeon's voice is
strained.

"I'll let her know." Mina nods as she reaches for Nayeon's hand, but when she does, the latter
flinches and takes a step back.

"Good. Take care on the way home, Team Leader Myoui." I love you still. She buries the words
along with other things left unsaid and manages to give a goodbye wave and a thumbs up. She
finally walks and and wills herself not to look back, but she does and sees Mina getting into the
car.

When Nayeon disappears into the elevator, Mina rests her head on the stirring wheel. Five. Mina
counts. She doesn't know why she still keeps tab, but her mind (or heart) automatically does.

Nayeon returns to the VIP ward and sees that Sana has just arrived. It takes one broken soul to
know another. That's why no words were needed. She just collapses into Sana's arms and breaks
into silent tears, finally allowing herself to come undone after holding everything in for so long.

With everything going wrong in her life — from her father being in critical condition; to her plan
with Tzuyu; to her trusted colleagues leaving work; to Jihyo rejecting Jeongyeon's proposal; to not
being chosen by the person she loves — Sana holding her close at this moment is the only thing
that's right.

Chapter End Notes

Since you’re already here, kindly sign these petitions! Hehe

https://blmsites.carrd.co/
https://yemenhumancrisis.carrd.co
https://parasapinas.carrd.co/

Everything fell apart this chapter hahah I’m sorry to fic Nayeon for hurting her. I wish
nothing but the best for irl Nayeon though haha

PLEASE DONT SPOIL UNDER THE HASHTAG :)

#TWICEAdoreYou
If you're still rooting for Minayeon endgame, under the tag, say shawarma to confuse
those who havent read yet HAHA if you're against minayeon ending up together, say
kebab HAHA. I mean this wont affect the ending bc it's already decided, but it's just
fun seeing some readers get mad hahah
@NabongsBunny on twt

ALSO, I’ve been dropping hints since ch6 about Tzuyu’s relationship w/Nayeon
hahaha the past few chapters haha

See you next chapter! The end is near haha. The next chapter’s not the end (I think).

This is my longest endnote sorry haha. Again, ty for reading the fic! Hehe
 caught between your love and a hard place
Chapter Notes

sorry for keeping u waiting :)

Waste - BROCKHAMPTON
Hard Place - H.E.R.
Hope u enjoy reading!

PLS DONT SPOIL UNDER THE TAG HUHU

See the end of the chapter for more notes

To Mina, the hall leading to Momo’s apartment feels like a winding road. She barely has the
strength to hold herself up, let alone walk. Considering all things that just happened, she shouldn't
be the one feeling this way. She was the one who just broke someone's heart, why was she feeling
as if it were her heart that broke? But she feels broken. Mina is broken for breaking Nayeon.

She ends up standing in front of Momo's door, motionless. It's only when Momo opens the door
when she speaks. Momo heads out her flat in a timely fashion, initially for a late convenience store
run, but now to take Mina into her arms. “Mitang?” she says tenderly.

“Nayeon told me to tell you she’s not mad. She’s not mad at you,” Mina tells, “or me. She’s just
hurt. I know I don’t have the right to feel this way but--”

It’s muscle memory for Momo to cradle Mina this way. Long years of them being apart never took
away her instinct to wrap one arm around Mina’s neck, while the other slides down her waist. She
makes sure to caress the side of Mina’s face with her thumb while snuggly pulling her closer.
Momo holds Mina like this for a few moments before she feels her collar being soaked in tears.
When Mina starts sobbing, Momo uses the sleeve of her sweater to wipe Mina’s tears. She
carefully guides Mina inside and sits her down comfortably on the couch. It’s as if she was taking
care of a kicked puppy left in the rain. Mina's eyes are full of tears but no words come out her
mouth. Momo doesn't prod her to say anything too, because she understands. Momo understands
completely. So she just keeps holding Mina against her and continues patting the younger girl's
back until she drifts to sleep. "It's okay, Mitang. It's okay," she whispers repeatedly to Mina (and
herself). A single tear rolls down her cheek before she too falls asleep. It's okay.
Nayeon paces around the hallway just outside her father's room. Her day has been so long talking
to doctors, entertaining guests, checking in on her father, making sure her mom and Tzuyu are
okay, and avoiding the press. Sana was kind enough to bring her breakfast and lunch since she
didn’t have time to get one for herself. The sound of people being paged over the intercom, the
beeping of the heart monitor, doctors talking over each other, nurses' footsteps entering and exiting
the room; all became white noise to her, temporarily blocking her thoughts about Mina. Nayeon
was near breaking point; she feels suffocated, and right now, she needs someone to bring her back
to life. It can’t be Mina, for sure. It can’t be Jeongyeon or Jihyo, given last night’s failed proposal.
It can’t be Tzuyu, all this must have been a shock to her too. It can’t be Sana either, she’s been
there since last night and she has to rest too.

Her lifeline.

“Momo?” Nayeon calls most gently when she sees the familiar figure approaching her. “Have you
come to save me again?” she asks in a downhearted tone, accompanied by a rueful smile. She
missed Momo. So much. She missed having a soul sister who she can rant to and get actual
professional practical advice. She missed talking nonsense and trying out new restaurants. She
missed her lifeline.

Momo hastens her steps toward Nayeon whose arms were already held wide open. “I’m so sorry,
Nayeon unnie,” she exhales heavily. She repeats it quite some more before Nayeon pulls away
from the hug.

“For what? Momo, I understand why you acted the way you did,” she rubs Momo’s back, “it’s
because you love her. I understand. Trust me. I mean I’d know. I’d do questionable things for her
too,” Nayeon gives a sad chuckle to somehow diffuse the tension. Nayeon knows that it was never
Momo's intention to hurt her. It just happened that they both fell for the same person; and in this
version, Nayeon's collateral damage.

“I should’ve reached out to you sooner and explained and—" Momo was frantically trying to
explain, but only incoherent phrases come out. She doesn’t know if she should feel worse or
relieved when Nayeon shushes her.

“You two were separated by a tragic circumstance which wasn’t even your fault. Of course, you’d
win her back,” Nayeon says, “You don’t have to worry about me in that regard. I admit I’m hurt
and jealous, but I just have to live with the decision she made. I respect her and I respect you
enough to not act on my feelings further. I can manage to heal,” Nayeon reassures Momo. “Also, I
know you can’t be my therapist anymore. Sana explained to me last night, she said so you won’t
have to. She told me it’s got something to do with countertransference, the therapist’s emotional
entanglement with a person thingy.”
“Sana did that?” Momo asks. In their few minutes of conversation, she notices Nayeon has chosen
not to mention Mina's name. In years of being Nayeon's therapist, Momo has observed that
avoidance is the coping mechanism Nayeon resorts to most often. Nayeon stays away from things
that hurt her or she doesn't acknowledge that they hurt her in the first place. Momo's knees grow
weak in her realisation of where she stands. She is hurting Nayeon (and will continue hurting
Nayeon with her relationship with Mina), yet Nayeon welcomes her with open arms, knowing fully
of the situation. She doesn't deserve Nayeon's friendship. The least she can do is go with the
direction Nayeon is steering the conversation to. Away from Mina.

“You know she’ll do anything for you,” Nayeon gives a defeated smile on behalf of Sana. "But
anyway, I know you'll be there for me when I need you. You don't have to actually be my therapist.
You just have to continue being my lifeline." Nayeon's words are sincere and she wants to make
sure the message comes across clear. She holds no resentment against Momo or Mina, and even
she is unable to believe it. Nayeon wasn't in denial of what she was feeling. She acknowledges that
she's hurt and jealous, but she couldn't detect resentment anywhere in her heart. She has Momo to
thank(?) for that. It was Momo who guided her through being in touch with her emotions. It was
Momo who helped her become a more understanding person.

"I wish you'd hate me just a little bit," Momo's throat thickens. It might be guilt or gratefulness
choking her up. She knows Nayeon is genuine with her words.

"Then you'd have to pay for my anger management sessions," Nayeon nudges Momo lightly before
slinging her arm around the girl.

Momo takes out a pack of Bento Squid from her jacket and offers it to Nayeon. When words fail,
food comes to the rescue. Nayeon's face instantly lights up because said snack is her comfort food,
and only Momo knows exactly which flavour to get. She rips the pack open and starts chewing on
a piece loudly. When Momo looks at her with judging eyes, they both break into laughter. It's a
stupid inside joke they share about how much Nayeon hates loud chewers but is one herself. The
air of awkwardness between them dissipates and is easily replaced with familiar warmth, though at
the back of their minds, both are aware things won't go back to how they were. The warmth of
friendship is familiar yet different at the same time. Nayeon wants to believe things will stay the
same and Momo hopes too. Both are optimists in this situation.

Once Nayeon finally opens up about things piling up on her (Chairman Im in a coma, Tzuyu, her
two other best friends' failed proposal, the security breach in ImTech), Momo dissolves her worries
away. When Momo assures her that it wasn't Nayeon's fault these are happening to her, Nayeon
believes. Because it's Momo and it's always been Momo's job to reel Nayeon back into the ground
whenever she's drowning. Temporarily, they pretend to forget about the whole situation involving
Mina. They pretend that everything is how it used to be: Momo comforting Nayeon and telling her
everything will be okay; Nayeon telling Momo random stories, Momo being amazed by Nayeon's
anecdotes, Momo just listening to Nayeon, Momo being like a doting little sister to Nayeon.
Normal.
But forgetting isn't an easy thing especially when the thing or person to be forgotten is right behind
them.

"Baby?" Mina calls. Both Momo and Nayeon's heads snap back to her voice though it was only
meant for one. It was an honest mistake, really. Mina should've been more careful. She inflicted
damage with just a single word. It was too late when she realises, but she's quick to cover it up. Her
eyes shift from Momo to Nayeon. "I...uh...I brought you something to eat." Six, she counts.

Nayeon feels small under Mina's gaze. It's as if she was caught redhanded, doing something she
shouldn't be doing. When Mina says 'baby', it's not you, she takes a mental note. The wound is still
fresh from last night. Why would Mina come all this way to rub salt in her wound by being with
Momo? She takes the paper bag from Mina's hands and gives a polite bow. "Thank you, Team
Leader Myoui," she returns the bow. Everything they had is now dissolved into a language of
politeness. There's no going back. "If you need to go, I don't wanna hold you two any longer. It's
kinda late and other directors will be coming over anyway. Speaking of, please remember to send
out the statement tonight or tomorrow, Ms. Myoui." It's so fucking formal it's suffocating.

"Ms. Im, I don't think I --"

"Ms. Myoui," Nayeon's voice shakes, "please. If you don't, someone unworthy will do it first.
You're the best choice."

"Statement?" Momo's eyebrows furrow in confusion.

Just then, a nurse calls for Nayeon, informing her that her father has regained consciousness.

"Ah, guess I'll leave Ms. Myoui to explain it to you. I have to head back inside. Thanks for visiting.
It means a lot to me," Nayeon says gratefully before giving Momo a goodbye hug. And Mina?
How should she say goodbye to Mina? She shakes the paper bag on her hand to thank Mina for the
dinner. She waves goodbye and turns around abruptly to jog to her father's room. Nayeon thinks
Mina must've been the one who drove Momo to the hospital, and her thoughts were confirmed
when she overhears Momo asking about some parking ticket. Things are seamlessly falling back
into place for Mina and Momo. She doesn't want to look back and see them walking away together.
She's afraid to see something she knows will hurt her. So she continues jogging to her father's
room.
"My daughter," Chairman Im croaks.

Nayeon rushes to his side and holds his hand against her cheek. "I'm so sorry for coming at you
like that. It was disrespectful and inconsiderate."

"It's me who has to apologise. To you and your mother. I have to apologise for my infidelity. I talk
about honour all the time, but it's me who didn't walk the talk. I broke the sanctity of marriage and
family," he says weakly. "I know it's late, but I have to take responsibility for my shortcomings and
past actions. I've been neglectful and you made me realise that."

Nayeon understands that this does not only involve the issue of her father having a child from
another woman. She knows her father's also talking about her upbringing. "You're talking too much
for someone who just regained consciousness. Now it's clear who I got my talkativeness from.
Please get some rest," Nayeon interlocks their hands as she urges her father to go back to sleep.
"We can talk more about it when you've recovered."

"Nayeon, I put ImTech under your care for the time being. I know some directors are itching to
take my position. Protect ImTech," he states firmly.

"Even when you're in this situation, you talk about ImTech," Nayeon shakes her head. "But since
we're in this conversation already and I know ImTech is your lifeline, Father, if you trust me, you'll
trust the decision I made. Will you be willing to listen to my plan even if it means I won't be
ImTech's inheritor?"

"Go on, I'm never too tired when it's about ImTech."

"I vetted Team Leader Myoui for the position and she'll have my endorsement during the
nominations. I believe Ms. Myoui's capable of handling the position. She has good working
relations with the other members of the board, and she's qualified. She will be the acting CEO
while Director Park will be the COO. To keep the Im legacy alive, Tzuyu will take over the
company after being trained more extensively. In the long run, an Im will still be the one managing
ImTech. All her life, Tzuyu has devoted herself to studying ImTech and the crazy world of
business. Your other daughter, my sister is the rightful heiress. Not me. I've been coordinating with
her for years. She reached out to me because she couldn't get to you. I met her two years ago and
when she told me the story of how she is your daughter. I didn't want to believe at first, but the
resemblance is uncanny. Tzuyu took after you. You even have the same mannerisms. We then
crafted a plan to gradually integrate her into ImTech. She's the mysterious Chou investor the board
has been wondering about. She has invested her life in this. She's reliable and trustworthy. Please
give her a chance to prove herself to you."
"Those are premature recommendations," Chairman Im coughs, "but I approve of them because I
trust your judgment. I just advise you to make haste slowly. I'm sure other directors will be coming
at you. You should be prepared. We can discuss more of your plan when I feel better. When your
plan pans out, while Ms. Myoui manages the company and when your sister finally takes over
ImTech, what will you be doing?"

"Finding what I actually wanna do in life," Nayeon says. Her answer is vague but it's the only
truthful answer she can come up with. All her life has been set walking towards the path to success
that has been carved out for her. Maybe it's time Nayeon charts her own. "Now, please rest.
ImTech will be taken care of. You can sleep soundly."

Chairman Im chuckles heartily. This is the closest thing to a validation Nayeon has received in
years, from her father. Her father trusts her decision. Her father actually let her go from being
chained to ImTech. When the Chairman's laughter subsides, it was easily replaced with deep sighs.
"Please let me be the one to tell your mother," Chairman Im requests, and when he gets a nod in
response, he closes his eyes and sighs in relief. When Nayeon thought he has drifted back to sleep,
he says almost in a whisper, "Tzuyu. I'd like to meet her."

Nayeon squeezes his hand in response. There's relief in her smile, a result of being absolved from
years of expectations and obligations. Nayeon knows things aren't as easy as they sound, and there
is a long way to go before the plan works, but she feels something stirring up in her chest, a feeling
that has long been absent, Nayeon almost forgot it existed: freedom. The world can be cruel, but it
can be kind too at times. She sighs deeply knowing her problems can't be resolved overnight, but
this time, there's light at the end of the tunnel. A huge burden (ImTech) was just lifted off her
shoulders. She can now breathe, but at what cost? What did she lose to gain this freedom?

When Chairman Im has fallen back to sleep, this time for real, Nayeon messages her mother about
the news her father had regained consciousness. She also sends Tzuyu a text telling her not to
worry because their father is now past critical condition, and is recovering. Her thumb hovers over
Mina's contact as she debates with herself on whether to call or text Mina. She decides against
calling, so she shoots her a short message instead.

To: [Team Leader Myoui]

The Chairman has expressed his support for your candidacy. Please release your statement of
interest and cover letter tomorrow morning. Thank you.

Nayeon turns off her notifications for the night and slides her phone into her pocket. She then pries
open the paper bag Mina handed her earlier. When she takes out the container, a familiar earthy
and distinct aroma wafts out. It makes Nayeon's heart sink and soar at the same time. She opens
the lid and sees what Mina brought her. It's truffle pasta. Mina must've cooked it for her. Why is
Myoui Mina making it so hard for Nayeon? Every mouthful of the pasta reminds Nayeon of better
days with Mina. Why would Mina do this to her?

Nayeon wakes up beside her father's bed and feels a thick layer of jacket covering her. She tilts her
head to see who it belongs to and sees Mina sleeping on a chair at the other end of the room.
"What are you doing here?"

"I just thought I'd stay with you," Mina says when she senses Nayeon has stirred awake.

"You're staying with me?"

"Yes, baby," Mina nods, tears brimming in her eyes, "I'm staying with you."

It was then when Nayeon feels someone shoving her and shaking her up. Her eyes open and sees
Jihyo now poking her cheek. "Nabong."

Nayeon finally wakes up from her dream. At least in her dream, Mina chose her. She doesn't even
try to hide her annoyance from being woken up when Jihyo pokes her cheek once more. Instead,
she gnarls at her best friend and feigns biting her finger.

"Heeey," Jihyo drags out the word.

"Don't 'heeey' me. Explain what happened with Jeong," Nayeon folds her arms then stands up to
lead Jihyo out the room. Her father needs as much rest as he could get, and she won't let her
scolding of Jihyo be a reason to disrupt that sleep.

"How are you first?" Jihyo asks. She looks like she didn't get a wink of sleep last night too.

"Managing. Father just regained consciousness. My story can wait. Now, tell me what happened."

"I said no to Yoo Jeongyeon."

"Because?"

"We're going too fast. I can't just get married now," Jihyo argues as she plays with the hem of her
shirt. Nayeon has never seen her this unsure.

"You know she'll wait a lifetime for you. She's been waiting for more than two decades. I think
she'll be willing to wait a little more," Nayeon points out.

"How does one know if someone's worth the wait anyway? What if I'm not good enough for
Jeong? What if I'm not the person she deserves?"

"Well, I don't know. Someone's worth the wait if you can see them in your future. They're worth
the wait if you see them having a place beside you 5, 10, 20 years from now. They're worth it if
you see yourself growing into a better person because of them. Park Jihyo, you're worth it. And it's
up to Jeongyeon to decide if you're worth it or not, and her proposal is proof enough to think she
does. Now, it's your turn to decide if she's worth it for you."

Jihyo is certain Yoo Jeongyeon is worth all the time in the world. They just have to wait a little
longer.

"No wonder you're my maid of honour," Jihyo nods in agreement and breaks into a smile. "Wait, I
assumed you'll be mine, because what the hell if you chose Yoo Jeongyeon just because she was
the one who proposed I'm gonna--"

"God, you're so dramatic! Of course, I'll be yours," Nayeon rolls her eyes. Jihyo tackles her into a
hug and kisses her on the cheek. Nayeon pretends to vomit from the display of affection, but
ruffle's Jihyo's hair anyway. "Now call her up and talk to her if you don't want me stealing your
bride," she warns. She imitates Jeongyeon crying on the phone last night, asking for her hand in
marriage because Jihyo rejected her. "You better make it up to her, or else..." Nayeon rocks her fist
back and forth, as if ready to stab.

"I'm not ready to get married, in all honesty. I think it's more of the concept of marriage I'm
worried about. Not Jeongyeon. But I don't know. Marriage is...uhh...I'll find the words to explain to
her," Jihyo shrugs. "How 'bout you, Nayeon? Do you think Myoui Mina's still worth the wait?"

Nayeon was so sure before, but now she just lets the question hang.
Yes? Maybe? It depends. I'm not sure.

She shifts the topic to something less disturbing to her peace. Yet, when Jihyo leaves, the question
remains dangling like a sword on her head.

Mina's announcement of her interest and intent to be the next CEO, citing health reasons to replace
Chairman Im, was not taken amiably by the other board directors, as expected. But soon after, said
directors also sent out their statements of interest to fill in the position. It's going to be a blood bath,
but Nayeon is sure Mina will win. Some shareholders also exited the board upon hearing of
Chairman Im's state of health. The elections were moved to a later month to give time to other
aspirants to prepare. There will be turbulence in ImTech in the coming weeks, but Nayeon is sure
she will be by Mina's side.

Three days into the chairman's admission to the hospital, he started showing signs of being stable.
Nayeon decided it was time for him to meet the future heiress of his company. Nayeon takes
Tzuyu out for breakfast to give her a pep talk on meeting their father.

"Unnie, did he really mean it when he said he wanted to meet me?"

"Yes, Tzuyu. Breathe. He won't harm you or anything. He's your dad," Nayeon shakes Tzuyu's
shoulders.

"I'm just scared that he won't accept me since--"

"He'll accept you. I already put in a good word for you," the older one winks.

"That's why I'm scared. Who knows what you told him?" Tzuyu snorts before leaning on Nayeon's
shoulder. "Thank you, Nayeon unnie. For accepting me as your little sister."
Nayeon strokes Tzuyu's hair. If there was a role she liked, it was being Tzuyu's elder sister.
"Anyway, I have a task for you now that you're officially working under R&D."

"What?" Tzuyu is always ready to prove herself.

"Get Kim Dahyun and Son Chaeyoung back on the team. I know there was a reason Chaeyoung
sold the info. It's not because she wants to sabotage the company. I think she was just struggling
financially. Convince Dahyun to come back too. She didn't do anything wrong," Nayeon challenges
and she gets her answer immediately when Tzuyu checks her phone to look at the contacts.

When Tzuyu walks up to Chairman Im, the chairman welcomes her lovingly. Nayeon left the two
to talk since they have years worth of stories to catch up on. She says a little prayer for her mother,
however, who might not be ready for this conversation. In the meantime, she just wishes things
would be easier from here.

Little by little, the burden she's carrying is getting lighter. Fewer things holding her back now.
Once one gets a taste of freedom, they will never be content being bound in chains. Nayeon's
pursuit of freedom continues and it may be the key to her moving on.

Despite being transferred to another department, in the weeks leading to the elections, Nayeon
spends more time with Mina to help her prepare. Nayeon made sure, however, that the two of
them will never be left alone together, and that either Momo or Sana or Tzuyu should be there with
them. She called it a self-control mechanism. She needs Momo to be there to remind her of where
she stands with Mina; she needs Sana to be there to ground her back to reality; she needs Tzuyu to
be there to help her have a work-related mindset. She doesn't trust herself enough to be left alone
with Mina. It's not the type of distrust where she won't be able to hold herself back physically or
sexually, (she knows she's bound to hurt the people she cares about if she chooses to act on her
carnal desires); it's more of the distrust where she knows she'll fall more helplessly in love with
Mina. She's already fallen too deep and falling in deeper is something she should avoid.

It was pathetic, Nayeon thought. Anyone sharing the same space as them would see how she is still
desperately in love with the team leader. In little subconscious ways, Nayeon still doesn't give up.
There's still that little spark of hope that someday, Mina might change her mind and choose her.
She transfers this energy to making sure Mina's spot as the next CEO is secured.

As planned and predicted, Mina dominated the elections.

The conference room had an unwelcoming atmosphere, every shareholder had their noses held up
high, carrying their names with ego and pride. Nayeon called the session into order, being assigned
by Chairman Im to be the presiding officer. On the final slate, only Mina and Director Yang were
up against each other since two nominees backed out last minute and endorsed Director Yang in
their place. Mina entered the war zone in her battle gear -- a white suit, high ponytail, six-inch
pumps, and winged eyeliner. Just hearing her footsteps sent chills down the spine of the other
shareholders present for voting. Director Yang merely entered the room. The results ended up 65-
35% in favour of Mina. To Nayeon, the win was expected. Mina was the promising choice, no
comparison needed. She had a better platform and track record. Besides, Nayeon can't have the
good-for-nothing director take her father's place.

When Mina looks at her after the announcement, Nayeon feels a tug in her chest like a frayed string
was snapped apart. Was it heartbreak or freedom or both? It was unclear to her.

Mina's win is pivotal to ImTech and the country's history. Being the leading technology provider in
the country, ImTech has a name to live up to; and Mina has big shoes to fill in. To show their
support of the new management, the board of directors decided to throw an inauguration party for
the new CEO. Before the day ended, some personnel already started transferring some of Mina's
belongings to the penthouse. The penthouse suite has traditionally been the office of the CEO, and
now that Chairman Im has stepped down, it belongs to Mina. Mina grants the Events Department
to decorate the room for the celebration party to be held next week.

The chief designer decided to go with a Great Gatsby theme, choosing black, white, and gold as the
main palette. From being a room filled with antiquated collections of books, figurines, trophies, a
whole 7-foot portrait of the Im Family, the penthouse suite was stripped down into bareness. The
pieces of furniture were rearranged to accommodate six tables for the guests and other decorations
to fit the theme. In the end, the room looked like a set taken from the movie. There were gold
streamers, sparkling diamonds, silver balloons, little gold ornaments and figurines, an impressive
spread of buffet, a mobile bar, a stage for a live band, and a dance floor. It was grand and lavish
and extravagant, and pretentious, Mina thinks.

On the eve of the celebration, Nayeon pays Mina a visit.

"I was looking for you in your office, but then I realised it's here," Nayeon approaches Mina who
was looking over the city lights.

"Can I help you with something?" Mina faces Nayeon.

"Nah, I just wanted to personally thank you for trusting me and running for the position. At first, I
wondered if I was just using you as a scapegoat to absolve myself of the responsibility of handling
ImTech. I also thought that I'm choosing you blindly because I like you. But seeing you win that
thing and seeing you here now, I realised it was never about me. You're meant to be the CEO. You
were destined for it. This is the world you belong in," Nayeon says. And I don't belong in this
world of yours.

"I'm glad you hold me in high regard," Mina's voice is strained.

"I hope you think of me highly too, team leader," A smile blooms on Nayeon's lips. It wasn't
forced this time. It was a sincere smile of acceptance.

"Of course," Mina wants to say more but a lump in her throat forms, rendering her unable to speak.

A heartbeat passes and Nayeon just looks at Mina, waiting for her to say something. One last sign.
Anything. She'll take it. Nothing? Nothing. "Well, uh, I'll just make it quick. I just wanted to say
that..." there was a pregnant pause before Nayeon plucked up the courage to continue "this is me
letting go. Officially. I enjoyed our time together, Mina. Thank you for those wonderful memories.
But I realised we, more like I, can't be stuck in the past. We have to live with the decisions we
made and just keep moving forward," Nayeon nods continuously, affirming her thoughts.

"Thank you," Mina mumbles.

For what, Mina? "Okay. That's everything I wanted to say. Good luck tomorrow too when you
officially become the CEO. It's annoying how you'll be the boss," Nayeon sticks her tongue out.

"Thank you," Mina says more clearly yet heavily this time. There's so much to the weight of her
tone, but Nayeon doesn't have time to decipher her anymore.

"I lo..," Nayeon stops herself, "I'll see you tomorrow!" She flashes Mina another smile before
waving goodbye. Nayeon doesn't turn around. She'll never get to say the words she wants to, but
it's for the best.

Seven. Seriously, Mina should stop counting. Her mind's been made up. She tells her mind to shut
up, but the tab continues. Seven. It's because it's not her mind that does the counting. She just needs
time to figure that out.
Mina had always been composed whenever it came to social events. She carries grace and elegance
like an accessory. But tonight, her hands were shaking and she feels uneasy, so she paces around
the room back and forth her old office. There are too many memories in this room. Mina's not sure
if she's ready to let go. She then hears a faint knock on the door and sees her sister coming in to
bring her flowers.

"Mitang, you look so pretty!" Sana tucks a loose strand of hair behind Mina's ear. It's been way too
long since Mina has been in this position, with her big sister calming her down. She feels safe and
secure in Sana's words. "Look at you being a CEO," Sana smiles with pride.

"Thanks for coming tonight," Mina says as she wipes her sweaty palms on her dress.

"I wouldn't miss it for my life. You're my baby sister," Sana giggles and ruffles Mina's hair, while
Mina backs away to prevent her sister from messing with her hair further. "You're nervous. I can
hear your thoughts. You don't have to be. There's a lot of us supporting you. You have me, Momo,
Nayeon, Chairman Im, the other directors. Don't mind those nasty toad-faced directors."

"Will you fight them for me?" Mina's cold and cruel team leader persona turns into a cute and
dependent little sister around Sana.

"Of course! That's my job as your elder sister. I'll protect you from those uglies." Sana's just
thankful she was given another chance to be Mina's sister. There's still a lot to work on, but things
are getting better for them.

They were easily brought back to the time when Sana stood up to whoever was giving Mina a hard
time.

"Have you seen Momoring?" Mina asks, worried. Momo was supposed to be there by Mina's side.
She should be here by now, but she's nowhere in sight, and her phone can't be reached.

"Not yet. I thought she'll be here by 8 PM. Don't worry. She'll be here soon," Sana assures her that
everything will be fine, and excuses herself to go ahead to wait for Mina upstairs at the party. She
puts up her fists and shouts Fighting, Mitang! as adorably as possible.

When Momo doesn't arrive, Mina walks alone to the party.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the new CEO of ImTech, CEO Myoui Mina!" The emcee
announces and welcomes the new chairperson of the board. The sound blares through the speakers,
welcoming Mina's arrival. The party looks so much like one Jay Gatsby would throw. However, it
looks exactly like the place where Jay would lose his Daisy as well. Gold and rose gold streamers
popped upon Mina's entrance, along with confetti and balloons from the ceiling.

Mina is glowing in her deep violet dress. Her short hair accentuated with curls at the end frames her
face beautifully. She exudes elegance and sophistication. Nayeon has never seen anyone more
stunning. Mina earns cheers and claps from the guests. Some of the R&D members jeered on to
make Mina deliver a speech. She gives in to the pressure and takes over. "Those who worked under
me will know I'm a person of few words. So, I just have a brief speech," Mina smiles awkwardly as
she adjusts the microphone. "I owe this night to ImTech. ImTech picked me up from the ashes and
made me into the phoenix that I am today. I would like to thank Chairman Im and the Directress,
as well as other directors for being great mentors. Chairman Im in particular has been a father
figure to me. I thank his family and the legacy he has left. I also thank every shareholder, staff
member, and supporter of this great company. As I said earlier, I promise to keep ImTech on top. I
offer this toast to everyone here and most especially to the person who has been standing by my
side ever since. You know who you are," she lifts the glass of champagne just handed to her and
takes a sip.

Nayeon stares at her own glass. She badly wishes Mina was referring to her.

Mina searches for Momo's face in the room full of guests and unfamiliar personalities. Instead, she
finds Nayeon smiling at her from across the room. Nayeon's wearing a cream lace dress with
matching pearl earrings. Her hair cascades down her shoulders. Simple yet elegant. Definitely a
head-turner. But the thing that stands out the most is her eyes. Out of anyone in the room, Nayeon
has the proudest eyes. Just looking at Nayeon was enough to make Mina feel better about being in
the party. Mina gives Nayeon a slight nod of acknowledgment and Nayeon takes it to mean Mina
will be over in a minute, after getting past congratulatory motions with some directors.

Nayeon just waits. When Mina finally walks toward her, the crowd of people seemed to part and
make way for them to meet. It was magical seeing Mina walk towards her this way. Nayeon thinks
it only happens in movies where time slows down when you see someone you love walking
towards you, but Mina debunked her theory. Time didn't only slow down, it stopped. Myoui Mina
made Nayeon's time stop.

"CEO Myoui," Nayeon emphasises the new title, "wow!" Her cheeks almost hurt from smiling too
much. Her eyes gleam with nothing but pride and adoration of Mina. For a moment, her mind lags
and is unable to decide which is the most appropriate greeting: a kiss on the cheek? a hug? a
handshake? A handshake it is. She extends her hand and congratulates the new chairperson.

"I wouldn't have done it without you, Ms. Im, so thank you. For everything." Mina bows politely.
It takes another couple of seconds before she realises Nayeon hasn't let go of her hand. Or was it
the other way around? Regardless, they both drop their hands at the same time.

Mina, you look beautiful.

Mina, you're the prettiest in this world.

Mina, I miss you.

Mina, I miss your cuddles.

Mina, you drive me crazy.

Mina, you're not mine.

Mina, I love you.

Mina, I'm in love with you.

Mina, I'm trying to fall out of love.

Mina, why are you making it so hard?

"Ms. Myoui, you're the best choice. You're the only choice," Nayeon says, "for the position," she
adds.

The emcee declares the dance floor open for the night. The live band starts playing an upbeat
rendition of The Way You Look Tonight. Nayeon and Mina exchange knowing stares and goddamn
it. Nayeon just wants to ask Mina to dance, but she's so scared. She's so scared of holding Mina
because she knows she'll need to let go again. But she wants to dance with Mina, hold her close, tell
her she's beautiful. Every atom in her body is screaming at her to just ask Mina to dance. There's
nothing wrong with one dance. Before Nayeon can come up with the courage to ask Mina, a voice
cuts through the music already playing.

"Baby?" Momo's voice reaches the two. Mina's eyes turn to Momo, but Nayeon's eyes remain on
Mina.

"Baby," Mina acknowledges in return. Seven, Mina counts. Fuck.

When Mina says baby, it's not you. Nayeon reminds herself again.

"Nayeon unnie!" Momo greets. When Momo takes Mina's side and her hand slides down and
wraps itself around Mina's waist, it would be a lie to say Nayeon wasn't jealous. Momo was talking
about how she got caught in traffic, how she bumped into something or someone, and ended up in
the wrong tower.

The words were all a blur to Nayeon since the throbbing rhythm in her chest was all she could
hear. Nayeon's head is swirling and her chest is tightening. The beat in her chest is steadily
increasing, she physically feels her heart breaking apart. Her eyes land on Mina and Momo's
intertwined hands, and that just does it for her heart. "I still have to talk to Director Park about
some partnership. I'll leave you two to celebrate. The night is yours, CEO Myoui," Nayeon smiles
wistfully, "and you, Momo, take care of the CEO. Enjoy the party!" she excuses herself abruptly
and lets her feet drag her anywhere else but there. She finds herself by the mobile bar, ordering the
strongest drink they offer. She won't get drunk tonight, she wouldn't want to ruin Mina's night. She
just needs something to glue and piece back her shattered heart.

"Pssst!"

Nayeon feels a tap on her shoulder. "Where were you?" she asks her fellow martyr, who just
vanished before Mina was called onto the stage.

"I had to pick Momoring up since she thought it was at the other tower," Sana giggles as she
shakes her head. "Tsk, Momoring."

"They look perfect together," Nayeon points at Mina and Momo dancing happily together in the
middle of the dance floor. She has never seen Mina this happy. Mina's gummy smile is fully
exposed, her eyes are sparkling and turning into half-moons, her nose is wrinkled from smiling too
much, she holds Momo so close like she's scared Momo might be stolen from her any minute.
Mina is oblivious to the judgmental stares of some guests. She's just all about Momo. But the thing
is, they do look perfect together. They dance so gracefully as if they were the extension of one
another. Momo is sleek and careful with the way she keeps her hand on Mina's waist, and Mina is
smooth and soft, letting Momo hold her that way. They look as if a higher being created them to be
together, not apart. Mina was happy in Momo's arms, and Momo is happy in Mina's.

"You don't have to hurt yourself...or me like that. Saying it out loud makes it more real," Sana
pouts and coos. She gives Nayeon a resigned look but nods anyway. There's so much longing in
both their eyes, one could bottle it up and sell it. "Maybe we're the broken roads that led them to
each other."
"Oh my god, Minatoazaki...do you know how cringe-y that sounds?" Nayeon bursts into laughter.
It's the first one she had for the night.

"Shut up and let me be heartbroken like this," Sana buries her face in Nayeon's neck, to hide her
embarrassment. And probably to avoid the scene unfolding in her eyes.

"I thought I could do it, you know? Watching them be happy together. I thought I'd be happy with
them being happy, but I can't do that fully. I can't, because my heart still longs for Mina
somehow," Nayeon pats Sana's head. "But then it dawned on me. For a short while, I thought
Momo was the one getting in the way of Mina and me being together when in reality, I was the
boulder blocking their paths to each other."

"That's like my broken road analogy!" Sana complains, which makes Nayeon laugh once more. She
never knew Sana could be this funny.

"Anyway, just look at them. From now on, I'll be rooting for Mina and Momo," Nayeon stares at
the couple longingly.

"Stop it," Sana uses her hand to block Nayeon's view and disrupt Nayeon's longing trance. "Stop
watching them. Stop hurting yourself, you masochist." She disentangles herself from Nayeon and
starts blocking the older girl's view. Sana starts dancing funkily with her arms and head, doing her
best to hide Mina and Momo from Nayeon's periphery.

"Sana, people are looking at you," Nayeon puts Sana's arms down.

"As they should," Sana breaks free from Nayeon's hands and starts swaying with her hands up in
the air.

Past Sana, Nayeon catches a glimpse of Mina resting her chin on Momo's shoulder, with the
biggest smile on her face. All the lights in the room were dancing in her eyes. Mina looks happy.
That's all Nayeon needs to see. "You know what, we should get out of this place," she suggests.

"Where do we go?"

"I don't know, Sana. My heart's set on anywhere but here."

"Okay. Now?"

"Now."

"You won't say goodbye?"

"I think I've said my goodbye countless times in varying ways," Nayeon thinks back and recalls the
times she's tried letting Mina go. "Mina won't even notice I'm gone. She's preoccupied," Nayeon
says as-a-matter-of-factly before peering a little bit to confirm her statement. Mina was still happily
dancing with Momo.

"Same goes for Momoring," Sana shrugs. "You and I are in a very similar situation. You know
what they say about two halves making a whole?"

"Thanks for the math lesson, I guess," Nayeon takes one last sip from her drink. To freedom.

"They said two broken hearts can make a whole," Sana clinks her glass with Nayeon before
downing the whole thing. "You wanna be broken and whole together?"

"Sana, I don't know where you're getting all the sap, but I'm in."

"You sure?"

"A hundred percent. So? Let's go?" Nayeon's just acting on pure instinct and adrenaline now. If she
truly wants to let go of Mina, she needs to take advantage of the night calling her to do something
she'll probably regret in the morning. So she does. When her hand brushes slightly against Sana's,
she intertwines their fingers. Hand in hand, they disappear into the night, leaving the people they
love most, to be happy alone and unbothered together. To freedom.

Nayeon doesn't notice but Mina's head rises from Momo's shoulder to let her eyes follow Nayeon
leaving the room.
Eight, Mina counts.

Meanwhile, Mina and Momo are left on the dance floor with the other guests. Momo notices that
MIna's feet stopped dancing and her breath was getting heavier. With her hand against Mina's back,
she guides her to the nearest chair. She tells Mina to follow her breathing, and she tells her most
calmly. Inhale. Hold for eight seconds. Exhale. Momo continues until Mina's breathing is evened.
Momo takes Mina away from the crowd and brings her to the balcony to get some air.

"I'm just tired, baby. That's all," Mina looks up and slackens her jaw to prevent herself from
crying.

"It's okay, Mitang. I understand," Momo rubs Mina's back to keep her warm.

Momo is warm and familiar and safe. It's comfortable with Momo. Mina knows her way around
Momo's skin, Mina knows how to make her happy, Mina knows her. That's why she chose Momo.
That's why she gave Momo a second chance. Because Momo deserves it. Momo is gentle and kind.
Momo is supportive. Momo is ideally everything Mina needs. Momo has been waiting on her for
years. Momo sought after her. Momo loves her and she loves Momo.

And Nayeon...Nayeon is dangerous and risky. She's reckless, gets on Mina's nerves, pushes her
buttons. Nayeon is the unknown. Nayeon is a minefield, uncharted waters, a dark forest. But
Nayeon...she's laughter at 3 AM, whines at 2 PM, kombucha at 7AM, truffle pasta at 12 NN, lazy
and stolen kisses at 5PM, sorbet at 8PM, cuddles at 10PM. Nayeon is selfless and forgiving.
Nayeon is daring. Nayeon loves Mina...Mina's fond of Nayeon.

When Mina succumbs to tears, Momo is there to dry them for her. Momo holds Mina close against
her chest, stroking her hair continuously. "Hey, why are you crying?" Momo asks and Mina just
shakes her head. Mina says she's overwhelmed by the party, by the sudden realisation of the
responsibility she now carries. Momo knows it's more than that, but she doesn't force the answer
out of Mina. She's willing to wait for the time Mina is at peace with her own truth. "It must've been
so hard for you to handle this on your own," Momo says. Momo says nothing specific in particular,
but Mina feels that Momo understands her more than she does herself. "Does it happen to you
where your heart's set on something but your mind decides against it, so you end up siding with
your brain because it's the more practical response?"

Mina nods. Eight times, actually. She can pinpoint exactly eight times when it happened. "Why?"
 "Sometimes, you should listen to the heart too," Momo smiles at Mina and places her hand against
Mina's chest. She doesn't expect Mina to understand it instantly, especially now that her judgment's
clouded, but she's willing to stay with Mina through it. Even if it pains her. Because she
understands. "It's okay," Momo tells Mina. She has been repeating it more often lately. It's okay.

...and Mina loves Nayeon. She just doesn't know it yet.

But her time is up.

Chapter End Notes

This isn't the end!!! see u next chapter

but too bad Mina didn't realise sooner lol. who knows where sanayeon and went and
what they did hahah and poor momo :( y'all been hating on her when she's just a soft
ball of warmth and understanding haha she's just in love. cut the girl some slack
HAHAH

Let's change it this time:

Pineapples on pizza for Minayeon
No pineapples on pizza for not-Minayeon

#TWICEAdoreYou PLS DONT SPOIL UNDER THE TAG HUHU

Hahahah ty for reading.

 and baby, I'm so terrified of if you ever walk away
Chapter Notes

:)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Never in a million years did Nayeon expect to be caught up in a sticky situation like this. How did a
simple one-night stand when she was a drunken mess bloom into something more profound and
all-consuming? How did Mina make all this possible? It's really a wonder. Nayeon keeps
wondering what explanation the universe has to offer for letting her meet Mina without giving
them a chance to be together. Or maybe the universe already gave them one, and they might have
missed that very slim one.

Nayeon thinks it was still worth it. Taking a chance on Mina is something she doesn't regret.
Nayeon knew it was a gamble in the first place, and she was the one who chose to go all-in despite
knowing the odds. In loving Mina, chances just weren't on her side. She understands how the same
love for Mina requires courage and strength -- to face the fact she wasn't the chosen one; to accept
Mina and Momo are the ones meant to be together, and that it is time to let go.

Walking out of the party was Nayeon's first step towards liberty. It was an instance where her
mind, heart, and body chose to act in unison to stay away from Mina. This is me letting go, Nayeon
tells herself for the nth time, but this time, she was able to convince herself to act on it physically.
She can't just say she's letting go without actually working on it. So she finally does with the help
of another broken soul.

"Where do we go from here, Minatozaki?" Sana's hand is small and warm under Nayeon's. They
have been circling the ImTech lobby for about five minutes already, unable to decide where to go.

Sana playfully whines, complaining it was Nayeon's idea to ditch the party, but suggests that they
head home first to change into more comfortable clothes.

"But won't Momo and..."

"Ah, you have nothing to worry about. I actually don't live with Momoring, so there's no chance
we'll be seeing them tonight," Sana finishes off Nayeon's thought as if it were her own. "When we
went here to Korea, we got separate flats. I just sleepover at her place sometimes until I eventually
unofficially moved in with her. Now, I'm back at my place, because you know..."
Nayeon knows, so she responds by tightening her grip on Sana's hand. Home is such a foreign
concept to both of them now. Sana never had a home in Momo, and Nayeon's home is was Mina.
Now they're just two lost souls wandering around with no one to come home to. Anywhere is home
when someone doesn't have one, so at the moment, they find it in each other.

When they arrive at Sana's flat, Nayeon notices how empty the space is. There was a table, a TV
set, an AC, a couch, a single shelf barely filled with books, the kitchen, and Sana's room at the end.
It wasn't the usual zen aesthetic of model apartments; it was bare. There were several scented
candles on the top rack of the shelf, surrounding a huge framed photo of Momo in a black hoodie,
and beside it, another picture of Momo in a yellow dress where Sana was clinging unto her.

"Why do you have a shrine for Momo?" Nayeon jokes as she makes her way to the couch. "If you
lit the candles now, then we can start worshipping."

"Shut up. I was into candle-making the past few days since I had a lot of time to spare. I just had
nowhere to place them, so now they're just lined up like that. I even made you one," Sana pouts.

"Oooh! What scent?" Nayeon claps excitedly as she makes her way to the small collection.

"Grapefruit."

"You're only giving it to me because you don't like grapefruit!" Nayeon whines. "I'm taking the..."
she sorts through the candles and finally takes her pick, "daffodils."

"But, I made that one for myself!" Sana stands between Nayeon and the scented candle. They have
a stare off for a good ten seconds before they burst into laughter at the realisation of how petty
their fight is.

When Nayeon rummages through Sana's closet to find something she can change into, she finds an
old tie-dye shirt they got as a trio with Momo when they went to some theme park a few years
back. She happily points it out and urges Sana to find the other one that belongs to Momo, so they
can have matching shirts. Sana disagrees and says she can wear whatever she wants in her own
place, but Nayeon won't stop bugging her about it. They spend the next minutes looking for the
shirt in Sana's closet and suitcase. They eventually stop looking for it when Sana argues it's
probably somewhere else. Too tired from looking for the shirt, they end up lying on the floor
instead. They could've been dancing the night away or going out to have some fun to forget about
their heartbreaks, but now they're just lifeless on the floor.
"This is so weird," Nayeon remarks as she lays on Sana's belly.

"My tum-tum?"

"No," Nayeon chuckles. "Us two, sprawled on the floor like this; heartbroken. It's becoming a
routine," she continues. "I never expected us to end up this way. I mean yeah, you're cool, but I
never thought we'd be this close this way, or you'd be like my pillar."

"We're like two panes of glass leaning against each other. Without you, I'd shatter," Sana beams.

"Without you, I'd shatter," Nayeon repeats with a nod.

When Sana giggles, Nayeon's head bounces, which throws Sana into a laughing fit. They laugh
about it for a whole minute until they forget what they were cackling about in the first place. Once
they've regained composure, Nayeon starts asking Sana questions about the Minatozaki business in
Japan. Momo has always been the default topic of their conversations, but given the mess they're
in, they'd rather talk in a language they're both familiar with.

Nayeon learns that Sana and Mina's father is still hands-on with the business, and it seemed like he
lost his mind in it, pretty much like Chairman Im, whose soul belongs to the empire he has built.
Sana explains how she's technically disowned by their father as well when she decided to go with
Momo in search of Mina. However, the implications aren't as severe since their father doesn't have
time for family drama. She just exists as a Minatozaki by attending meetings now and then.
Nayeon empathises with Sana and jokes about how they have daddy issues. This throws Sana into
another series of wild laughter, bright enough to cast away the room's looming darkness.

"Hey Sana, you're smart and you know business," Nayeon starts, "I'm sure you're aware of sunk
costs."

"I didn't know I signed up for a quiz tonight," Sana smirks. "As far as I can remember, it's money
spent which can't be recovered anymore. It also leads to people's tendency to pursue an option
since they've invested money or some resource in it already. Why?"

"Yeah, that's right," Nayeon affirms, "It's like buying an expensive, ugly shirt but wearing it
anyway, so you get your money's worth."
"What's up? ImTech problems?"

"Let's say there's a blue-chip company I invested in. I put almost all my savings on that company,
but recently, it's not doing well, and it's heading towards bankruptcy. I'm not getting a return on
investment and I'm sure I won't be getting any returns soon. My investment is a sunk cost, right?"
Sana just hums in response and lets Nayeon finish whatever she's getting on to. "I know the logical
thing would be to pull out from that investment, but...I gave my all for that company. I don't care if
it's a sunk cost. The company's worth it."

"You're avoiding the loss because you invested so much in it. You're afraid to abandon the
investment because you'll be actualizing the loss and the impact of a loss twice as much as its gain.
But think of the prospect cost. You'll be more hurt in the long run if you don't pull out, Nayeon,"
Sana replies knowingly.

"I wish things were as easy as doing business," Nayeon sighs.

They're caught in a string of silence.

"Do you...do you think your love for Mina is a sunk cost?" Sana's quivers. In asking Nayeon this
question, she has also asked herself about Momo. Nayeon's not the only one who has invested love
in someone. Sana has been investing her life in Momo without expecting any returns.

Nayeon doesn't answer. It's a tragic waste of courage to keep loving Mina. It's a sunk cost. Nayeon
only thinks but doesn't say. The moment one says something, it becomes more real. Nayeon's not
ready to face that loss. Instead, she rolls to Sana's side and rests her cheek on the younger one's
shoulder. They fall asleep holding hands, just like otters afraid of drifting away from each other
while sleeping. Nayeon and Sana need each other now, and staying together is their way of staying
afloat. Without you, I'd shatter.

As soon as Momo takes Mina home, she pulls a little surprise. The door opens to a room lit with
fairy lights while the speakers start playing a song Mina has deliberately avoided for years.

Take my hand
I'll teach you to dance
I'll spin you around
Won't let you fall down

Mina is rendered speechless for a few seconds before it finally registers. It's their song.

"This is the real reason I was late for the event. I wanted to surprise you with something when you
get home, CEO Myoui," Momo says coyly as she scratches the back of her neck. She looks at
Mina with doting eyes, which never changed through the years.

Eyes on you
Eyes on me
We're doin' this right

Mina's lungs are unexplainably filled with warmth. She missed Momo's romantic and cheesy
gestures so much. She missed Momo. As she takes in all of what's happening, her eyes begin to
water.

"Baby, you don't like it?" There's genuine fear in Momo's eyes.

"No, no! Baby, I love it," Mina takes Momo into her arms. When Momo asks her to dance for the
second time this night, she says yes again.

'Cause lovers dance when they're feelin' in love

Spotlight's shinin', it's all about us

Their bodies sway to the rhythm like clockwork - Momo's hands on Mina's hips, Mina's arms
wrapped around Momo's neck.

"Thank you for your surprise. You didn't have to," Mina says, in a whisper.

"I had to. It's the least I can do, Mitang."

They were teleported back to younger days when they were still living happily. It's as if they were
the same teen Mina and Momo, madly in love. That was the closest thing to perfect.
Momo's the closest thing to Mina's idea of perfect. It's as if a higher being heard her prayers and
gave her exactly what she wrote on a Build-a-girlfriend checklist. Momo was a great listener, a
shoulder to cry on, extremely talented, drop-dead gorgeous and sexy, insightful, forgiving,
understanding, and kind. Mina is a firm believer that the world is too cruel for Momo. However,
after the "cheating" incident, Mina thought Momo was the absolute worst; yet in that worst, there
were still some good parts of her Mina found lovable. Mina loves Momo even at her worst. She
loves Momo exactly the way she is, not what she thinks Momo should or could be. It's so easy,
loving Momo. Mina doesn't even have to try, she just loves Momo, and it's not like she ever
stopped. That's why when she found out Sana and Momo plotted the whole cheating incident
ultimately for her own good, she can't help but rethink and recalibrate her life. She used to picture a
future with Momo, but now she was in one without. Momo coming back may be the universe's way
of telling Mina that they possibly might be endgame. It would be unfair to Momo if Mina lets
another chance of them being happy together, slip away. The ball is in her court now.

So she made her choice. Mina chose Momo because she loves her. That's a truth and that's the only
truth she needs to live by. However, in making that choice, she forgoes the idea of being loved by
Nayeon and loving her back.

As Mina rests her head on Momo's shoulder, she tells herself that being confused should not be an
excuse to keep hurting the people around her, unintentionally or not. She reminds herself she needs
to stop counting. Mina resolutely convinces herself she made the right choice. All she needs to do
is live by it -- a task easier said than done.

Some days, Nayeon finds it easier to wake up. Most days, there’s a numbing ache in her chest,
brought about by reliving the moment Mina chose Momo instead. This is the fate of the one not
chosen: being stuck in an endless loop of moments that could've been different if some actions
were taken or not; the what-ifs and maybes. If they hadn’t dined out in that restaurant that night,
maybe they wouldn’t have bumped into Momo. Maybe Mina and Nayeon would still be having
fun enjoying each other’s company now. Maybe Nayeon would’ve confessed she loves Mina.
There’s so much love she has left for Mina, but never, not even once, did she get to tell her. Maybe
if she did, things would’ve turned out differently. If they hadn’t been each other’s fuck buddy,
maybe she could’ve won Mina’s heart another way. Maybe she could’ve proven she was more than
just a good fuck, and she would make a great girlfriend. Maybe she could’ve been a little more
sweet than daring and purposely getting on Mina’s nerves all the time. Maybe things would’ve
been better if Nayeon didn’t give a fuck about Mina. No, she can’t do that. Maybe things would’ve
turned out differently if they didn’t sleep with each other in Vegas. Nayeon shouldn’t have left LA
that night. In all these maybes and what ifs, there is one that wounds Nayeon the most. If Mina
actually loved her back, maybe things would’ve turned out differently. Maybe it would’ve been
easy choosing Nayeon. Good God, it would’ve been so beautiful to love Myoui Mina and be loved
back.
In especially difficult days like this, Nayeon chooses to drown herself in Sana’s laughter and
unsuccessful trials of moving on; Jeongyeon and Jihyo’s endless banter of getting married or not;
Tzuyu’s inquiries and stories of how her day went; her father’s instructions about business; her
mother’s rants and gossip about the wives of other chairpersons; crunching numbers at work.

One day, her pick was listening to Tzuyu talk about how she managed to get Dahyun aboard the
R&D team again. The Little One is undoubtedly skilled and charming in her own right. Nayeon’s
impressed with how Tzuyu managed to do that, given she had little time to establish rapport with
the employee. Tzuyu informs her that she has been in close communication with Chaeyoung, and
the design head will be back on the team in no time. She also told Nayeon how she managed to
convince Chaeyoung to stay with R&D, despite knowing there are sanctions for her act.

The other day, she chose to spend time with her two best friends, as if she was on the Board of
Directors of their relationship. Jeongyeon and Jihyo were debating on marriage, with Jeongyeon
saying she wants to walk down the aisle and exchange vows and do the usual wedding ceremonies,
and Jihyo saying getting married is just for formality, and they’re basically a married couple now.
Sometimes the sides switch, and it’s Jihyo arguing for a wedding ceremony. Nayeon plays a little
game with herself, scoring both her friends’ arguments and sides. So far, it’s 5-0, in favour of
Jihyo, no matter what side she chose. Okay, maybe 4-1, so Jeongyeon would get at least a point.
After having the catch-up lunch with Jeongyeon and Jihyo, Nayeon buries herself in a binder of
numbers, assessing ImTech’s financials.

Yesterday, Nayeon spent time with her parents. Chairman Im is in a much better condition
physically, but mentally his mind was always on ImTech and keeping it on top. He was in constant
communication with the new CEO, and he tirelessly continues working from home. Nayeon’s
mother, on the other hand, is still cross with the fact her husband bore another child. However,
she’s taking necessary steps for damage control when announcing Tzuyu is an Im daughter. She
complains to Nayeon how women are always cleaning up after men. Nayeon says this is precisely
why she's turning down all the suggested matches and proposals she was getting from other
chairmen's sons. When Nayeon went to have lunch with her parents, they asked her about her
future plans. They never took interest in Nayeon's personal life since their intervention always had
to do something with work, but now things have changed, they're more open to talk with Nayeon
freely.

“Nayeon, you told me that you'll be looking for what you actually want to do in life after your plan
works.. With Ms. Myoui as CEO, and your sister already doing well in the company, what’s your
plan?” Her parents are curious.

“Would it be okay with you if I left the company?” Nayeon asks. It was a question, but it sounded
more of a decision she already made. A part of her fears her parents objecting to her leaving the
company, but there's the other part not giving a damn anymore. Lately, Nayeon has been putting a
value on her pursuit of freedom.
“If that’s what will make you happy, then, by all means, resign. You’ll still be a member of the
Board anyway,” the old man approves.

"If you disliked working in ImTech so much, you could've told your father and me. You managed
to work for more than a year. What made you stay?"

Mina, obviously. “The Im Legacy, of course! I can’t just drop the family like that. I have to let you
down easy,” Nayeon chortles.

“You’ve been a great daughter your whole life. Break my heart a little this time, and go do
whatever you want,” her father says. Her mother follows after him and gives a smile and a nod of
approval, telling Nayeon it’s okay.

Nayeon takes this as a victory. She also realises how she’s been using the whole Im Legacy and
honour thing as an excuse to stay in ImTech when she knows that the real reason is Mina. Maybe
she really isn’t where she should be.

Today, her choice of distraction is Sana. They’ve actually been spending everyday together,
leaning on each other, giving each other advice for moving on they know neither would even take.
But it’s comforting that way; being with someone who is broken like oneself and knowing there’s a
long way to go. Sana makes this whole moving on thing easier. As they find their way to mend
their hearts, they have each other as support. Some days, when Sana is too broken to function,
Nayeon keeps her together. Alternately, when it’s Nayeon drowning in her sea of maybes, it’s Sana
throwing her a lifeline. When both are too broken, they remain broken as they keep each other
intact: together.

Slowly, they crawl through each day knowing Mina and Momo are happy together, hoping that
they too will be happy someday. It's an extremely challenging thing, especially when the people
they love are people they have to see almost every day. Nayeon can't just cut Mina off. She's her
boss. She can't do the same for Momo too. Sana wouldn't be able to stay away from Momo too
since Mina is her sister, and it's inevitable they see each other. Both Nayeon and Sana are held in a
limbo of moving on and getting stuck. They go through the process of getting over Mina and
Momo, only to be dragged back to point zero whenever the two are together. Despite this, they
persevere. They painstakingly face it day by day. Soon, they don't even notice that it has been a
month since Mina's inauguration as ImTech's new CEO. God knows if they can last another year
like this. It goes from a month to another, and another. Until a whole quarter passes them, yet
they're still in the same situation, it's becoming unbearable. They're bound to break soon, it's only a
matter of time.
The new set-up was suitable for everyone, and everything was okay, at the surface, at least.
Nayeon was busy splitting herself into different roles. She takes time to ease herself into the
Finance Department, help Tzuyu with R&D tasks, spend time with her friends and parents, and
continue her moving-on project with Sana. Mina, on the other hand, is as busy as ever, spending
her first few weeks as the new CEO, building the trust of directors, investors, and the consumers,
all the while getting support from Momo. At the end of the day, they come home to new homes
they have built separately.

It was both relieving and frustrating how they avoid each other. Relieving, because they wouldn't
have to deal with their messy past (wow, it's really behind them now); frustrating, because there's
so much left unsaid and god it's killing both of them acting like they don't know each other. It's
awkward for the most part, but it's also undertones of pain and guilt. In over a year of working
together, they have mastered the art of adapting to each other. As a result, they work so well in
avoiding one another. At least in that aspect, they work together.

It goes something like Nayeon chasing the elevator ride, but when she sees it's Mina on the lift, she
pretends to have forgotten something in her car (she walked to work), making her take the next ride
instead. It's Mina walking early into a meeting with the Board of Directors, and upon seeing
Nayeon's the only one currently present, she pretends to forget her coat in her office (she was
wearing it already). It goes like this, but it works. Neither of them wants to rock the boat since it
would mean dealing with consequences. Nayeon refrains from initiating conversation because she
just knows she will break. At the same time, Mina avoids talking because she is consumed with
guilt (she already has Momo, and she has hurt Nayeon enough).

But there are times when conversation is unavoidable, and they just have to face each other.

"Good morning! How's the CEO life been treating you, Ms. Myoui?" Nayeon asks. She's curious.
She hasn't heard from Mina in more than a month. This is the first time they're actually having a
conversation in a room where it's just the two of them. She notices how Mina glows differently
now. Her hair had gotten a little bit longer, her eyes brighter. Mina seems more composed yet soft,
she exudes the aura of a top executive. She made the swivel chair her throne. The new design of
the CEO's office suits Mina so much. It was elegant yet spacious and neat. This is where Mina
belongs, Nayeon thinks.

"Headaches on top of headaches," Mina smiles.

Nayeon's hand trembles. It's an instinct for her to reach out to Mina to give a comforting touch, just
to make sure the pain goes away. But that's not how things should be now. So she fights against
herself. Nayeon tucks her hand into the pocket of her slacks and diverts the topic elsewhere.

"Anyway, here's the financial report for the previous quarter, I was told --"
Mina's phone rings, and she immediately knows who's calling from the ringtone. For a moment,
she hesitates, but Nayeon signals it's okay for her to take the call. She excuses herself and steps out
to the balcony.

Nayeon hears a faint "Hey, baby," some "I miss you," and an "I love you," to end the call. Triple
kill. The room suddenly feels chilly and suffocating. It was shrinking and trapping Nayeon. She's
not strong enough yet.

When Mina returns to her desk, Nayeon has already left the room. A part of Mina wants to call her
back and tell her to stay so they could talk more, but the rational side won over and told Mina the
file is already on her desk. Calling Nayeon back would do more harm than good. So she lets
Nayeon go for the nth time. There's a tiny voice in her head that hasn't spoken in almost a month.
But today, it does again. Nine, it counts. Mina wanted to rip her head apart. Why, why, why did her
stupid mind continue counting again? She thought she was at peace with her choice. She buries her
face in her palms and shakes her head. Mina was thankful she had an online meeting in a few
minutes to take her mind to somewhere productive.

A few hours after, she hears a buzz on the door. The receptionist said it was Sana. She immediately
lets her in.

"Mi-tan, I brought you lunch!" Sana chirps, skipping happily to Mina's desk with a brown paper
bag on her hand. "How's my CEO sister?"

"I just finished an online meeting with some suppliers. I'm so busy I don't even have time to get
myself something, so thanks for bringing me food. You're the best," Mina flashes her sister a
gummy smile with a matching thumbs up, sincerely expressing her gratitude. "What did you get for
me? Is it from the pasta place across the building?" she inspects the paper bag Sana was holding
and it had the black circle logo of the restaurant she and Nayeon used to go to.

"Yes, that one! I got you shrimp scampi with linguini," Sana takes one container out of the bag.
"They said it's the best-seller."

Mina claps happily and makes grabby hands at Sana. She missed having a sister who spoils her
with random gifts or acts of kindness. When they were young, Sana used to bring Mina snacks or
books or toys or whatever trinket the older one found just because she wanted to. Now that they've
reconciled, Sana's habit of randomly bringing her treats, has come back.
"Okay then, I'll be off now," Sana says promptly, once she sees Mina ready to partake of her meal.

"You won't be eating with me? I thought you will be since you had another container in the bag,"
Mina pierces a piece of shrimp and pops it into her mouth.

"Not today, Minari," Sana scrunches her nose as an apology. "This actually isn't for me. It's for
Nayeon."

"Oh," Mina continues munching on her food. "What flavour is that?"

"Pesto?" Sana checks the receipt.

"But Nayeon doesn't like pesto," she murmurs. "She didn't ask for the truffle cream?"

"She specifically asked not to get that. I wonder why she doesn't like it," Sana shrugs. "Why do
you ask?"

Yeah, Mina. Why are you asking? She scolds herself. Nayeon's business is not hers now. Why
should she care about what pasta Nayeon wants? But heart unexpectedly dips. It used to be
Nayeon's favourite, but now she purposely avoided it. Mina knows exactly why. There's a pent-up
breath sawing out of Mina's lips and all she can utter is "No reason."

Sana hums. She was about to leave the office when she turns around and looks at Mina. "That
night when you chose Momoring, when Chairman Im was rushed to the hospital, Momoring texted
me in the afternoon. She told me, 'She'll choose her.' Momo thought you'll choose Nayeon."

Mina blinks in response. The space between them grows. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Are you sure about your decision?"

There wasn't any hint of accusation in Sana's question, but it hit the spot in Mina's brain she had
long been avoiding. All this time, she had been convincing and telling herself she made the right
decision, but she evaded the question of certainty. How was she so sure she made the right
decision. "Yes, I made the right choice," she tells Sana firmly. "I chose Momo because it's Momo I
love."

"Then why do you act like you're in love with Nayeon?" Sana's voice is pained. "You look at her
the way someone in love does. And it hurts me, no, it tears me apart when I see the look on
Momoring's face whenever you and Nayeon are in the same room. Her eyes reflect defeat and fear.
As if she's gonna lose you any moment. Like you're hers, but it's not like you are!" This time, Sana
makes sure her sentiment comes across. She doesn't sugarcoat her words. It's the first time she has
expressed how she really feels, instead of bottling it up.

"You don't know what you're saying," Mina replies coldly.

"Mi-tan, you're my sister. I know you," Sana retreats to her soothing voice.

"I may be your sister, but I'm not the same Mina you know from before. You don't know how I
feel and think," Mina tries to say calmly. Her breaths are getting shallower by the second.

"Then prove it. Look straight into my eyes and tell me you don't love Nayeon." Sana approaches
Mina and stares at her intently.

Mina's hands curl into fists. There's a clutching feeling in her chest, and a knot forming in her
throat. She stares right into Sana's eyes. "It's Momo I love. I don't love Nayeon."

When they were younger, Mina used to call her out for lying, despite Sana explaining she did it to
protect Mina. Sana wonders when Mina started forgetting. "It's bad to lie, Mina," Sana says in a
resigned whisper before heading for the door. "Also, I'll be leaving Korea. I was planning to have
dinner with you, but now it seems that won't be possible," tears were flowing freely out of Sana's
eyes. "I love you, Mi-tan. You know that. But I can't bring myself to heal when I'm around you
and Momo all the time. I can't hold out any longer. It'll kill me."

Mina doesn't respond. She's still caught up in what she said that can turn out to be a lie.

"I'll be off then. I'll see you. Goodbye, Mi-tan."

The CEO was left standing behind her desk, unable to move or think properly. Did she lie when
she said she doesn't love Nayeon? Was it the reason for her counting? What about Momo? She
knows she loves Momo. But what does it mean now? and Sana. Sana. Oh my god. Sana's leaving?
Her sister is leaving her? Mina hurt Sana. And Momo. And Nayeon. Mina breaks into a puddle of
tears when she realises how she has been hurting everyone. She feels sick to the core at the thought
of hurting the people she cares about most.

Mina falls to her knees and rests her forehead on the desk. When she closes her eyes, she
remembers the times she started counting.

One. When she asked time and space from Nayeon, and Mina mistook Tzuyu as Nayeon's new
lover. Mina felt like she wanted to just cut to the chase and be with Nayeon right there and then.
She wanted Nayeon to be hers, not someone else. But then Momo's back. And she just slept with
Momo. What does this mean?

Two. When Nayeon drops by to say good night, it seemed like her mind was set on giving Mina
time and space. No, that's not what Mina really wanted. Mina wanted to take the risk and be with
Nayeon. She can’t seem to wrap her mind around the idea of Nayeon leaving. It’s only a transfer of
department, but it sure felt like Nayeon actually leaving.

Three. Nayeon is drunk and all she wants to do is take care of her. But Sana was with Nayeon.
Why was Sana in Nayeon's flat? But then there's Momo too. Mina knows Momo is waiting on her.

Four. Nayeon is slipping away. Mina doesn't care who the mole is. Why is Nayeon so formal with
her? She misses the Nayeon who messes with her. She wants to stay by her side. But then Momo
involuntarily seeps into Mina's mind again. Momo threw away her life for Mina. Momo didn't
actually cheat on her. She did it to protect Mina. Momo only wanted what's best. It would be so
unfair to Momo if Mina held something she didn't do against her. Things didn't go well for them,
but was it enough to warrant another chance? Momo deserves it. Momo...but Nayeon...

Five. Mina chose Momo. Driving to the hospital, Mina made up her mind that it's Nayeon she'll
give a chance. On the way, she realises how much she has broken and hurt Nayeon. Mina was
afraid of how much pain and criticism and backlash Nayeon will receive when people find out
about them. Momo. Momo deserves another chance to try again. Momo didn't do anything wrong.
She remained faithful and steadfast. Mina was scared of the potential of hurting Nayeon. In her
fear, she ends up doing the thing she wanted to avoid. Hurt Nayeon. Mina chooses Momo.

Six. She's right between the two people she would die for. Nayeon and Momo. When she calls
'baby', why did a part of her expect Nayeon to be the one who looks back? She calls Momo, baby,
and realises it doesn't really sit well with her anymore. Nayeon is looking at her with longing eyes.
Mina can see that. But she already chose Momo. She can't just change her mind abruptly. Mina
loves Momo, and she will stick with her decision.
Seven. God. Mina wanted to dance with Nayeon. She missed Nayeon's touch and it's not even in
the sexual way. She craves the warmth of Nayeon's fingertips on her skin. She missed Nayeon
pressing kisses on the crown of her head. She missed dancing to music at all. But when Momo calls
for her, she is reminded of her choice. Momo loves her and Mina loves her back. It shouldn't be
that hard to live by her choice. But why does Nayeon make it so hard?

Eight. Nayeon walks away. This time, Mina knows that's it. Nayeon's not turning back. Nayeon
won't try to win her anymore. And Momo is here beside her. Momo is the best person she could
ask for. Momo is perfect. Momo is devoted to her. Momo is too pure for this world. Mina can't
break Momo. Mina vows she will take care of Momo. They're endgame anyway. But why...why
did Momo tell her it's okay to listen to the heart sometimes?

Nine. It's been months, but seeing Nayeon up close, just the simple act of talking to her breaks
something within Mina. Did she make the right choice? Why did she choose Momo? Should she
have chosen Nayeon? Why does it feel like she should have? When Nayeon leaves her alone in her
office, there was a stabbing pain in her mind and chest she couldn't understand, as if the two were
at war. Who should Mina listen to?

It was as if she was playing Taboo with herself, and she can't mention the word 'love'. But in
reality, that's all she needed to make herself understand what she was feeling. It wasn't just
fondness, attraction, and affection. She does love Nayeon. Mina loves Nayeon. But she also loves
Momo. Fuck. But she already made her choice. Mina should stop being selfish. The best way to do
that is to make a clear goddamn choice that her mind, body, and soul, will be at peace with.

Sana had been thinking about leaving Korea for a while now. In the 4 months of barely staying
alive, she has finally decided to put boundaries for herself for her to actually heal. She figures that
being near Momo and Mina all the time is not just good for her health anymore. The people who
used to bring her joy, now cause her pain. And it hurts more because she knows she should be
happy for them. She's also aware that this is a decision she has to make for herself, but she
considers her other half of a glass pane. Without you, I'd shatter. She knows Nayeon won't take the
news lightly, given that they had been each other's support system, so she's giving her a two-week
heads up.

"Are you crying?" Nayeon asks when she sees Sana enter with a paper bag on her hand.

She just came from Mina's office and had a fight, but Nayeon doesn't need to know that. "There
was a bee chasing me," Sana's quakes. She takes the sleeve of her coat to dry her tears.
"What?" Nayeon erupts into deafening laughter.

"I know you would've ran away and left me if you were there," Sana says before placing Nayeon's
food on the table. "That's pesto."

"I don't like pesto but because it's from a pretty girl who got chased by a bee, so I'll take it,"
Nayeon takes the container and the fork and starts eating sloppily.

"Are they starving you here at ImTech?" Sana laughs. "Why do you seem so hungry?"

"I'm so tired of counting money. There's too much," Nayeon jokes.

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you. The money counter machine keeps beeping, it's overworked," Sana
counters.

It's a banter between the rich. Nayeon smiles as she remembers some members of the R&D. If
Chaeyoung were here, she'd definitely shout 'Eat the rich'. Ah, how she misses her old department.
When Nayeon thinks of R&D, her mind automatically, somehow goes to Mina. She should stop
doing that. Why is her mind making everything about Mina?

"I came here to tell you something," Sana fiddles with her pointer fingers and starts pouting.

"What?" Nayeon asks, "Why are you looking at me like you wanna try being with me? Have you
fallen in love with me?" she prods when Sana doesn't answer. She flips her hair, winks, and flashes
Sana a smile. There was basil stuck on her teeth.

"Yes, Im Nayeon. I've fallen head over heels for you," Sana laughs sarcastically. "No!"

"The hell? Why do you make it sound like it's so bad to fall in love with me?"

Sana motions for Nayeon to get the food out of her teeth, and they sing a chorus of cackles and
snorts. It takes a while before Sana proceeds to explain the reason why she was there in the first
place.
"I'm leaving Korea," she says at Nayeon's most unguarded moment.

"What?"

"I'm leaving Korea, Nayeonie," she repeats.

"Huh? What? Why? When? How? Where are you going?" Panic was stirred in Nayeon's chest. The
person she's been leaning on will be gone.

"I realised I can't move on when I'm here. It's already damaging for my mental health and well-
being in general. I need to be away from here," Sana begins. "I'm leaving two weeks from now. I'm
going back to Japan, probably help out in the business, or I don't know."

"Oh, I see," Nayeon tries to take it in. "That's good for you. I'm proud of you for having the
courage to do that."

"You should learn to be kind to yourself too," Sana suggests. "I know it's hard to let some people
go because they've made us the happiest at some point, but you have to learn to grow apart from
them. That's what I'll be doing," she continues. "I actually learned that from a counseling session
Momoring had with one of her clients. Who knew it would apply to me?"

"Well, trust the therapist, I guess," Nayeon chuckles nervously.

"Will you be okay?"

"Of course. I mean, I can still call you when I breakdown. And I have Jeongyeon and Jihyo and
Tzuyu. Will you be okay?"

"Me? I'll try to be." There's determination in her voice. "You should keep your phone open all the
time, so I can call you at random hours," Sana says. When she was preparing to tell Nayeon about
her leaving, she was expecting Nayeon to be the one crying. In the end, it's her.
"Why are you crying? Shhhh, it's okay. I'll answer your calls," Nayeon shoots up to cradle Sana in
her arms.

"Nothing, I'm just thankful for you. Thanks for going through this with me," Sana sniffs.

"No. Thank you for being here for me," Nayeon pats Sana's back.

Sana has been Nayeon's solace and pillar for the past few months. It would be difficult without
Sana. It would be selfish to convince Sana to stay just because Nayeon needs someone to stay by
her side. Nayeon understands that Sana deserves to heal. With this understanding, Nayeon knows
that she should find healing, and it should be away from Mina and Momo too.

That night, Nayeon makes sure to take advantage of the time Sana has left in Korea, so she
volunteers to take Sana out for dinner. They enjoy a scrumptious three-course meal at some fancy
restaurant, exclusive to members. Nayeon also drives her friend home instead of asking the
company driver.

The car slows to a stop until only the sound of the engine can be heard. Nayeon and Sana
synchronously unbuckle their seatbelts and stretch out their legs.

"Is this really the last time I'll be seeing you in a while?" Nayeon pouts as her way to convince
Sana to stay.

"Yes, unless you'll help me pack the next few days and volunteer to drive me to the airport. I get
free cab fare and a pretty lady to send me off," Sana teases.

"Fine, I'll drive you. Just send me the flight details. You're enjoying making me your chauffeur,"
Nayeon clicks her tongue, feigning annoyance. "Come here and give me a hug. 'Without you, I'd
shatter,' bullshit. What now then?"

Sana roars with laughter, tears almost spilling from her eyes. Nayeon sounded so bitter and cute, it
made Sana giggle so hard. "Nayeonie, I'm sorryyy. I've made up my mind," she explains sweetly as
she tugs on the older girl's sleeve. "I need to give myself time to heal, away from Momo and Mina.
I won't be able to move on from Momo when I see them together all the time. That's overkill," Sana
laughs. "You know, some people say it takes double the time you were with someone to get over
them," Sana tells. "So, maybe it'll take a lifetime for me to get over Momoring. Maybe two
lifetimes? Or three, I really don't know. She's basically my life. I need all the time away from her so
I can move on. "

"I know." Nayeon pulls Sana into a tight embrace and pats her head. "Mina and I weren't even
together," she laughs through her nose, "How do I get over someone I wasn't even with? But I
guess it'll take me some time to get over her too. I mean, I love her," she says. "What does moving
on from someone mean for you?" Nayeon shakes Sana a little to get a response out of her. She
doesn't let go of Sana, however.

"Reclaiming parts of oneself that belong to them?" Sana looks up to face Nayeon. She sounds
unsure yet certain at the same time. "It can be places you went to, movies you watched together,
songs you associate with them, food you shared, your sanity. Just...getting yourself back. It's more
about me than them. When you love someone, you give parts of yourself to that person, both the
good and the bad, willingly or not. When you move on, you just reclaim these parts as yours. It
doesn't have to be physically taking back stuff you gave them; it's more of disassociating stuff from
them. There's so much of Momo in me. I need to be Sana again."

"Then find Sana again, Sana."

Sana hugs Nayeon tighter. Her silence speaks volumes; only the heartbroken can understand.

"Sana," Nayeon calls, "Sana." Her slim fingers caress the side of Sana's cheek until they make
their way to tuck loose strands of hair behind the younger girl's ear. "I need to be Nayeon again,"
Nayeon's voice was fragile and frail. Her legs are barely holding her, and Sana's arms are the only
thing keeping her upright.

"Then find Nayeon again, Nayeon."

"Sana," Nayeon calls once more.

"Nayeon."

"Can I come with you?"

"Most definitely."
 In choosing to walk away, Nayeon chooses herself.

Chapter End Notes

THE END. JK. HAHA but i can end it here hahaha i mean it makes sense even if it
ends here haha

Thanks again for patiently waiting for the chapter

Here were some songs i listened to while writing the chapter :(

Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol : fits sanayeon so much
Chances - Five For Fighting
A Little Braver - New Empire
All About Us - He Is We (Mimo's theme song haha cute)
Midnight Train - Sam Smith

N E WAY... we have one last chapter left HAHAHAHEHEHIHI will probs post in
next minayeon day

Last pulse survey which won't change the ending bc it's been long decided. Under the
#TWICEAdoreYou:

If still rooting for minayeon, say arf arf

If not minayeon, say meow
HAHAHAHJK dont do this

If rooting for minayeon, pls say Stream More&More Eng ver on Youtube
If not minayeon endgame, pls say stream More&More Eng ver on Spotify
hitting two birds with one stone hha

See u next chapter i guess haha

 i've only got forever and forever is fine
Chapter Notes

Happy Minayeon Day!!!

See the end of the chapter for more notes

It takes Nayeon and Sana until dawn to finalise the destination of their healing journey. The initial
plan was for Sana to go back to Japan, but since Nayeon joined the picture, they had to recalibrate
it. They're in this together. It became Hawaii (because who wouldn't want to find healing in
Hawaii), and then it was Switzerland (because just the scenery is healing enough), but then it
became Las Vegas — the place where Nayeon met Mina, where Sana lost Momo. It's the perfect
place to reclaim, Sana suggested, and Nayeon agreed. They both laugh at the thought of finding
healing in a hopeless place.

"Are we really doing this? In Vegas?" Sana's high-pitched laughter fills the room. Her once-empty
apartment has been filled with a different kind of warmth. It's not so lonely anymore.

"Yes, we are," Nayeon's hearty laugh joins Sana's in filling the room.

"To healing and finding ourselves again," Sana says with certitude.

"To healing and finding ourselves again," Nayeon affirms.

The very same night, they book two one-way tickets to Vegas.

Two Weeks Before Departure

Nayeon realises she doesn't have many people to say goodbye to. Korea had never been her home
anyway. She figures she had to say goodbye to each of them in different ways so, she decides to do
it by the level of difficulty.
The easiest to say goodbye to are Jihyo and Jeongyeon, mostly because goodbyes with them don't
actually mean ending the friendship and cutting them off. It's the see-you-soon, or I-don't-wanna-
see-you-ever-again-I'm-just-kidding type of goodbye. Nayeon pays them a visit first.

"Go away," Jihyo says as soon as the door opens. She opens her arms for a hug anyway.

"As expected," Nayeon chuckles.

Jeongyeon soon follows with her own version of insults before pulling Nayeon into a tight
embrace.

"Jihyo, look at her still head over heels for me," Nayeon jokes, motioning for Jihyo to join the hug.
The couple pats Nayeon's back and eventually mess up her hair and wrinkle her clothes.

"So...you're really leaving?" Jeongyeon asks. "You can't leave me alone with Park!" Jeongyeon
wanted to show panic in her eyes as she looked at Jihyo, but all there was is love.

"Then I'm taking Jihyo with me," Nayeon clings to Jihyo's arm.

Jihyo winks at Jeongyeon before she and Nayeon disappear into the living room. "Healing, huh?
I'm proud of you for finally setting boundaries for yourself. It's unhealthy already, Nabongs. You
deserve what's best, and sometimes it's not what you want. I have nothing more to say because if I
keep going, you know I'd just talk shit about that Myoui Mina woman. Still, I know you'll defend
her like she put the stars in your sky even if she was the one who stripped them off," she says in
one breathing.

Nayeon is about to respond when Jeongyeon butts in. "What she's trying to say is we're proud of
you for being brave enough to choose yourself," Jeongyeon translates Jihyo's words, "and we love
you," she adds.

"You totally get me. Thanks, honey," Jihyo glances approvingly at Jeongyeon. Nayeon makes
vomiting sounds on the side. "You. What will you do in Vegas? Sin?"

Nayeon just wriggles her eyebrows suggestively. "Nah, I'm kidding. I don't know, really. I have no
solid plan. I just need time to find myself again."

"It's not that I'm putting malice into your friendship with Sana, but does it have to be with her?
Aren't you setting yourself up for another heartbreak? Like maybe you're becoming each other's
rebound."

"Sana and I aren't like that. We just...we just get each other. We understand each other's pain,"
Nayeon explains, and her best friends nod in synchrony.

Nayeon spends the night over at their place, watching The Notebook (Jeongyeon's favourite movie,
Jihyo just can't say no to her), just like how they used to when they were teens. When the
confrontation scene between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams comes up, Jihyo stands in front
of the screen, pulls out a velvet, crimson box, and gets down on one knee.

"I'm so sorry for turning down your proposal the first time. I needed time to think if it's really what
I want. I'm thankful to Nayeon as well for helping me realise that. I love you, Jeongyeon," Jihyo
pauses, it was perfectly timed to match the scene, "I want you. I want all of you forever. You and
me, everyday. Yoo Jeongyeon, will you marry me?" she professes her love.

Jeongyeon is left slack-jawed, unable to react. She gets up and lets the kiss be her answer. Yes. It's
definitely a yes.

"Booooo! I can't see the screen." Nayeon throws popcorn at them.

The couple tackles Nayeon to the ground, showering her with hugs and kisses. "Park Jihyo
proposed to me! And I said yes!" Jeongyeon reports to Nayeon as if the older one wasn't there to
witness what just happened. The three of them jump together in a circle, celebrating the successful
proposal.

"Here's to us finding our way to each other and to Nayeon finding herself!" Jihyo was quick in
taking out a bottle of champagne. She was really prepared. The trio clinks their glasses together and
spends the rest of the night celebrating new beginnings. They get ahead of themselves and start
planning the wedding in advance, but they get stuck on choosing the location. Nayeon tells them to
look for a planner instead. They've been too immersed in planning, they didn't notice it was already
past midnight. The three squish together in one bed, taking turns insulting each other lovingly until
they fell asleep.
A little past 2 AM, when Nayeon thought the two were asleep, she sneaks out into the balcony for
some fresh air. She hears footsteps following, so she realises she must've woken Jihyo up.

"Can't sleep?"

"Yeah. Congrats again," Nayeon takes Jihyo's hand. "I'm really happy for you two. If Jeong were a
puppy, her tail would've been wagging so fast. She was so happy. I know you are too."

"I am." Jihyo rests her cheek on Nayeon's shoulder. "Thanks for helping me realise I'm good
enough for Jeong, and that some things are worth fighting for. Nayeon unnie, you know you're the
best, right?"

"I should've put that on record!" Nayeon snaps her fingers. "You're the best too. Thanks for helping
me realise some things should be let go of."

The two slip back into the sheets and Nayeon makes sure she's in between the two. "I'm your first-
born," she whispers to Jihyo. Jeongyeon, who was half-asleep, places her arm around Nayeon, and
Jihyo follows suit. Nayeon's lucky to have them as best friends.

When morning bleeds into the night, Nayeon leaves and says goodbye.

Saying goodbye to her parents is something Nayeon got used to growing up. Being away from
them is not new, but it would be different now. Back then, there was always something tying her to
the Ims, but now that her chains are cut off, it's another kind of freedom she'll enjoy. Without the
weight of ImTech on her back, Nayeon knows this is a different kind of goodbye. She's saying
goodbye as a daughter, not as the company's future heiress (not that she is, anymore).

"I didn't think you'd actually leave ImTech immediately," Chairman Im says. "Nevertheless, I
support your decision. You deserve rest too, Nayeon."

"How long will you be gone?" Her mother asks.

"I'll be away indefinitely, but I'll keep in touch for sure. Don't worry too much about me. I'm a big
girl already. You two should focus and take care of your health instead." Nayeon smiles. "I have
one request, though. Please take care of Tzuyu and take her in as a legitimate Im." Nayeon makes
sure Tzuyu is safe and protected when she leaves. She wants Tzuyu to find a home with her parents
because it's something she never experienced.

The goodbye was uneventful; no parents breaking down into tears or Nayeon saying she'll miss
them so much. In short, it was normal. Nayeon was surprised, thinking it would be dramatic like
parent-child pep talks about honor, responsibility, and happiness, but it was just like she asked if
she can have a vacation abroad. That was easy , Nayeon thinks. But she also knows it won't get
easier from here.

One Week Before Departure

When it comes to Tzuyu, Nayeon feels a tinge of guilt. It's a shame they never truly had the time to
spend with each other as sisters since their exchanges had always been through phone calls,
FaceTime, and rarely face-to-face. As much as Nayeon would want to be there for Tzuyu in her
training at ImTech, Nayeon can't do that now. She promises herself she will be at Tzuyu's eventual
ascent to the chair. Hopefully, by then, she'll be strong enough not to crumble at the sight of Mina.

"I'll tell the new R&D team leader to take care of you," Nayeon tells her little sister.

"Noooo, the others will just pick on me. They'll say I'm having special treatment," Tzuyu dissuades
her sister.

"But you deserve special treatment," Nayeon shrugs. "You're a baby," she coos and pinches
Tzuyu's cheeks.

Tzuyu swats away Nayeon's hands and moves away from her. Nayeon spends a whole minute
pestering Tzuyu with her affection while Tzuyu playfully pushes her away. "Don't call me crying
when you miss me," Nayeon makes faces at her.

"Just send me cookies, and I'll be good," Tzuyu smiles. In a matter of seconds, her demeanour
changes. "Before you leave, I just wanted to tell you that you're the best sister I could ask for.
Thank you for accepting me and treating me like a real sister, even though we have different
moms. You never made me feel like I wasn't deserving to be an Im. I know you're only a call away.
I'll miss you so much," she says, biting on her lower lip, looking up to the ceiling and holding her
tears.

"Oh my god, Tzuyu! Don't cry! I'm gonna cry!" Nayeon fans her eyes because the tears are
coming. "Tzuyu!" Nayeon buries her head in the crook of Tzuyu's neck and repeatedly pats the
younger one's back.

Tzuyu keeps Nayeon in her arms, while Nayeon finally lets tears fall to her cheeks. The younger
one teases that Nayeon always has a flair for drama, and she is the actual baby. When Tzuyu
complains that Nayeon has cried enough and is distracting her from work, Nayeon puts more effort
into getting her younger sister's attention. She spends the rest of her day lounging at Tzuyu's office,
casually interrupting her every now and then. It's easy to say Tzuyu didn't get any work done for
the day. Instead, the sisters talk about dogs; their parents; office gossip; Dahyun and Chaeyoung
being Tzuyu's new friends; the new R&D team leader Ms. Chong; Nayeon joking Tzuyu is so
much like her, having a type on team leaders; and anything that comes into Nayeon's mind.

When the day ends, Nayeon says goodbye to Tzuyu. She crosses another name off her list.

Six Days Before Departure

"Sana, I can't do it," Nayeon says, tracing the embossed design on her passport case.

"Then it's okay. You don't have to come with me," Sana answers reassuringly. She makes sure
Nayeon knows she doesn't have to force herself to go to the other side of the world just to move
on.

"No, I have to. I'm just second-guessing myself. I'll be fine. You'll be there with me, right?"

Sana takes Nayeon's pointer finger and meets the tip with her own, forming an arrow-like figure.
"We lean on each other like this. Of course, I'll be with you."

"Then let's finish packing your stuff," Nayeon gets up and pulls Sana to her feet as well. While
going through Sana's desk drawer, Nayeon sees a red, velvet box buried at the corner. She's seen
something like this before. When Jihyo proposed to Jeongyeon, she had a similar box. "Sana,
what's this?"

"Ah, that." Sana tilts her head to see the square box on Nayeon's hand. "It was supposed to be for a
stupid pact Momoring and I had as kids, even before Mi-tan. You know the thing best friends
promise each other? The one where when they reach a certain age and they're still single, they
marry each other? That one. I just bought that in case. There's no use for that now. You wanna have
it?"

"Is this how you propose to me, Minatozaki?!" Nayeon lets out a scandalised laugh.

"No offence, but my type is someone who's emotionally unavailable and doesn't love me back."
Sana sticks her tongue out.

"As if I'll say yes to you anyway," Nayeon scoffs.

"Hmm...rejection. Now I'm interested," Sana jokes.

Nayeon shakes her head in disapproval and adoration. She can't believe she's starting a new life
with Sana by her side. Unexpected but comforting.

Five Days Before Departure

Nayeon's bored as hell in her apartment. She didn't report to work because she's basically done with
all the paperwork. She already gave a heads up to her team leader that she'll be leaving the
company in a few days, but made him promise not to say anything until then. She's thankful the
team leader actually remained mum and hasn't said a word about her departure.

As she lazes on her bed, she figures she can do something that will last about three to five days—
brew kombucha. A small brew usually takes less than a week to process, so maybe she can brew
one last batch before leaving. She tells herself this is also a way of reclaiming the drink. It's not
about Mina now. It's not about the level of sweetness Mina prefers. It's not about the right amount
of whisky Mina wants. It's about Nayeon doing something she enjoys pre-Mina. It's actually
therapeutic brewing it, so she starts setting up her mature continuous brewing station for
kombucha.
"Mina, why don't you learn brewing your own kombucha?"

"Drinking and brewing kombucha sound so pretentious," Mina shrugs. When Nayeon glares as her
with flames reflecting in her eyes, Mina divulges the real reason. "I don't wanna learn it so you'll
keep making it for me. It's my way of making sure you stay with me," she confesses.

Nayeon remembers the conversation she and Mina shared in the exact same spot. I can't stay with
you anymore, Mina.

Four Days Before Departure

Mina and Momo. How does Nayeon even say goodbye to them? There's fear creeping at the back
of Nayeon's mind, one that is founded on love. Compared to other goodbyes with her loved ones,
saying goodbye to Mina and Momo will be weird. There's a sense of finality that doesn't sit well
with her. Goodbyes with Momo only used to be temporary as they would eventually see each other
after weeks or months, and everything would be okay despite that. They just pick up from where
they left off. Goodbyes with Mina...well, they never really had goodbyes. Just good nights.

Nayeon's scared to say goodbye to people she loves, knowing it might be the last time. A farewell,
an ode to a friendship she treasures dearly; to a love that could have been. However, the thought of
each of them finding happiness when they are apart is enough to cast out the very fear Nayeon has.

There's an unexplainable clench in her chest whenever her mind wanders to Momo. It's not betrayal
that comes to mind, but helplessness. Momo didn't exactly betray Nayeon when she was just
claiming her rightful spot in Mina's life. Nayeon knows it was never Momo's intention to hurt
anyone. As much as Nayeon wants to keep Momo in her life, she understands how that won't be
possible, for now, at least. The situation's just helpless. She can't do anything but remove herself
from the picture and move on.

When she texts Momo to have dinner with her, she makes sure it was in a restaurant they've always
wanted to try. If things go wrong, at least they get to eat great food.

"Momo-yah," Nayeon calls Momo over to the table she reserved.

"Nayeon unnie," Momo greets. It's noticeable how Momo's more reserved now, bound by guilt and
shame.

"Let's eat first. I ordered ahead. I know you'll like these!" Nayeon points to the dishes served on
the table.

Momo uses her chopsticks to pick up the piece of meat Nayeon offered. When it slides off, Nayeon
picks it up for her. "Here," she whispers and places it on Momo's plate. Momo gives a slight bow
in gratitude. They start feasting on the roast lamb, beef brisket, and curry. All they can hear are
munching and chewing sounds along with nods and satisfied smiles. There's small talk about the
weather and the food, but that's that.

"Tsk tsk, you're just like how I met you years ago when you were an exchange student. Momo,
you're a grown-up now. How are you still eating like a baby?" Nayeon laughs as she hands Momo
a napkin to wipe the side of her mouth with.

"It's because I know you're there to take care of me," Momo replies.

"I can't take care of you like I used to. Momo, I'm leaving," Nayeon drops the bomb.

Momo swallows the tender piece she just took a bite of. She takes a big gulp of water from her
glass. With downcast eyes, she faces Nayeon. She knew the time for this would eventually come,
but now that Nayeon is telling her, she doesn't know how to respond exactly. She understands
Nayeon well enough to know this is something her mind is set on already. When she studies
Nayeon's eyes, she sees someone who's barely staying afloat. Momo's supposed to be her lifeline,
but she left Nayeon kicking and flailing her arms alone, learning how to swim on her own. "I know
you don't wanna hear it, but I'm sorry," Momo is desperate.

"We've talked about this. Don't feel guilty, please. I'm not going away because of you and Mina.
I'm doing this for myself. I owe it to myself to heal. Momo, you deserve healing too. You've gone
through so much just to be where you are now. I think the first step you should take is forgiving
yourself. That's what you've told me countless times. Walk your talk, Ms. Therapist," Nayeon
snorts.

Momo smiles warmly at Nayeon and stands up in an instant to wrap her arms around the older girl.
When Nayeon meets her halfway, Momo believes she can start forgiving herself.
"I hope with all my heart and soul that you find the happiness you deserve, unnie," Momo wishes
for Nayeon.

"I hope so too," Nayeon gives an affirming pat on the back. "Also, Momo, can I ask for a favour?
Can I be the one to tell Mina I'm leaving?"

"Of course, of course," Momo nods continuously. It's something she won't deprive Nayeon of.

"Thank you," Nayeon smiles, kind of relieved. "Well, uh...I think it's time for us to part," Nayeon
looks at her watch. "I still have some things left unpacked, and I have to help Sana too."

"Please send my regards to Sana. She's...not answering my calls," Momo requests. "Please tell her
to take care, and I'm sorry." If there's one person Momo owes her life to, it's Sana. She's taken so
much from Sana, it would take several lifetimes just to return the amount of love she received. But
it doesn't work that way with Sana. Sana never asked for anything in return. Just being with Momo,
regardless of being loved back, had always been enough for her. But a thing as simple as that,
Momo can't give. Because Momo only ever truly belonged to Mina.

"Sana loves you unconditionally," Nayeon says, and it's everything Momo needs to know.

"I'm forever grateful for that love. It was, is, and forever will be enough. I can't keep taking more."

"Sana will be happy to know you felt that her love was enough. I'll let her know," Nayeon enfolds
Momo in her arms, this time tighter. It's an embrace that will make up for all the time Nayeon
won't be there to do it anymore.

"Goodbye, Nayeon unnie."

"Goodbye, Momo."

Just one more person left.

Three Days Before Departure

Nayeon sifts through her belongings and sorts what she should bring with her, what she should
leave, and what she should return. She underestimated the task, and now she's tired out.

It's been a while since Mina has visited Nayeon in her sleep. In her dream, Mina holds on to her
tightly, snuggling closer to her on the bed.

Nayeon wakes up to an empty bed filled with things she still has to pack. She should really get
going with her packing.

Two Days Before Departure

"Yuck!" Tzuyu makes a disgusted face upon tasting the brew Nayeon offered her.

"What? You don't like it?" Nayeon grabs the bottle from Tzuyu and tastes it herself. There was
nothing wrong with the taste. It was perfect, actually, just like how Mina likes it.

"Who even likes kombucha?" the younger one shakes her head, immediately earning an earful from
her elder sister.

When Nayeon says goodbye a second time to Tzuyu, she promises her that she will come home
when it's Time for Tzuyu to be the CEO. She also tells Tzuyu that they would be in touch, and
Nayeon will always be there. Nayeon informs that she designated Jihyo and Jeongyeon to take care
of her for needs concerning living in Korea, making new friends, and whatnot; and Dahyun and
Chaeyoung, plus the new team leader for work-related affairs. Nayeon also assures her there would
be no problem being an Im daughter, and she can enjoy the benefits of being one because she is
one.

Nayeon's feet find their way to the new R&D team leader's office. She was supposed to leave some
care instructions for Tzuyu, but it seems like the new team leader hasn't occupied Mina's old office
since it was left as it was before, with some of Mina's things still in place. Nayeon enters the room,
not even knowing why, and a flood of nostalgia rushes into her. Last look at the place, perhaps?
She runs her fingers through the couch as she makes her way to Mina's desk. They used to share
laughs and have fun on this couch, she remembers. Some of Mina's books were still stacked neatly
behind her desk, already gathering dust. Nayeon hurriedly takes something from her pocket and
slips it into one of the pages of a book. The curtain's blades were open at an angle Mina likes,
exposing a view of the city lights and how they look beautifully under the moon. Mina's mini
penguin figurine wasn't anywhere to be found; she probably brought it up to the pent office. This
space holds a special place in Nayeon's heart. Being in it is enough for her to temporarily re-live
the memories she and Mina spent there together. With a bottle of kombucha in her hand, it felt like
she was thrown back to earlier days when she would just march into Mina's office to give her a
drink then go straight into annoying the team leader.

"What are you doing in my office?" A small voice asks.

Nayeon probably didn't hear her enter, being immersed in re-living happy moments. Nayeon's not
ready to say goodbye yet. She wasn't supposed to see Mina until tomorrow when her goodbye
speech is polished. Fuck it. She has spent all week trying to avoid Mina, but here she is. "Last time
I checked, this isn't the office of the CEO," she turns to Mina with a lopsided smile. Her heart may
have clenched a little when Mina returns the smile. "Anyway, uh...I just visited Tzuyu, and I was
looking for the new team leader so I can leave some instructions," Nayeon explains. "What are
you doing here?"

"Just checking on the different departments. I just came from Finance. I wanted to get some of my
stuff here too," Mina answers, taking the nearest book within her reach. "The office of the new
team leader is at the opposite end."

"Ah. I see I see," Nayeon replies, voice faltering. Her nails were digging into her palm. She can't
even look straight into Mina's eyes. "Uh...you might have been lying to me," she brings up as she
scratches the back of her head. If this would be goodbye, might as well make the most out of it.

"What do you mean?" A knot forms in Mina's throat, she shifts her weight to the other leg. She
feels as if she's been caught doing something she shouldn't be doing. What lying was Nayeon
talking about? Does Nayeon know? Mina tries her best to look unfazed. Does Nayeon know I love
her too?

"Tzuyu said my kombucha tastes bad. Did you just pretend to like my kombucha?" Nayeon
laughs.

The knot loosens. A sigh of relief. "What? No! I like it, I really like it!" A panic-stricken Mina says
in defence.

"You do?"
"Yes, really!" Mina's eyebrows are knitted, and her cheeks almost puffing.

Cute. Nayeon missed riling Mina up. "Then you can have this." Nayeon extends her hand along
with the bottle of kombucha, "It's supposedly Tzuyu's, but she drank from mine and didn't like it.
Don't worry, it's unopened!"

"Oh, wow. Thank you." Mina receives the bottle from Nayeon, their fingers almost touching. She
tries to open the bottle to prove she actually does like Nayeon's kombucha, but it was tightly
sealed. Nayeon abruptly takes the bottle from Mina and hands it back to her already opened. Mina
mumbles a shy thanks before taking a sip. It was the perfect brew, right amount of sweetness,
bitterness, and kick from the whisky.

"So...to what direction are you planning to take ImTech?" Nayeon tries to resuscitate the dead
conversation back to life. She hates how their interactions are reduced to business talk, but she's
making do with it, trying to extend the conversation as much as possible before the inevitable
farewell.

"Up? Forward? I'll keep it on top. Just as I promised you and Chairman Im," Mina states firmly. If
there's one thing that hasn't changed, it's Mina's sense of responsibility.

"Are we heading in the right direction so far?" Nayeon asks.

"Of course, we are," Mina smiles reassuringly.

"Wait, wait. Are you saying it as the green creature?" Nayeon breaks the damned bubble of
formality.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Mina's head tilting slightly to the right indicates that whatever
Nayeon said wasn't clear at all to her.

"The joke! The Star Wars one. The green creature with pointy ears? The one you showed me!"
Nayeon puts her hands behind her head and crouches to imitate whatever it was she was saying.
When Mina doesn't get it, Nayeon whines in frustration, "The meme, Mina!"
She called her Mina. How she missed the feel of the name on her tongue. Mina.

Mina. Mina. Mina. Mina. Mina. Mina. Mina.

"Nayeon, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

Mina called her Nayeon. Why does it hurt?

"The meme where the green creature with pointy ears was asked if they were headed the right
direction and he said 'Off-course, we are,'" Nayeon reminds Mina with exaggerated expressions.

Upon realising what meme Nayeon was referring to, Mina breaks into an uncontrollable, high-
pitched, whistle-like giggles, knees bending, almost giving up on her. Her eyes form crescents and
her cheeks hurt from laughing so much.

"Damn, Myoui. Your giggles could break the glass," Nayeon comments, pretending to cover her
ears. Goddamn. It's nostalgic yet painful seeing Mina laughing like this. The familiarity of Mina's
giggles pierces through Nayeon's chest.

"Wait, no, I'm sorry. I just...green creature with pointed ears," she covers her mouth this time,
muffling her laugh. "That's Master Yoda."

"Laughing at me, you should stop," Nayeon tries to imitate Yoda, but fails miserably, making
Mina giggle a little bit more. She thinks Mina's laughter is the most adorable thing ever. "I can't
believe you made me marathon Star Wars with you. It was so boring!" Nayeon complains. She
rolls her eyes at Mina like she used to. Warmth and familiarity rush back in, sweeping Nayeon from
her feet. It almost feels like nothing's changed at all.

"You said it was fun! I bet you didn't even watch it properly," Mina retorts.

"I just said it was fun so you'd keep cuddling me in peace," Nayeon laughs and immediately
realises her mistake. They go silent and their blissful smiles disappear, instantly replaced with
wistful ones. Maybe if—Nayeon stops herself. She looks at Mina. Mina holds her gaze and Nayeon
feels like her head is about to explode. Goddamn it, Myoui. She doesn't know what Force pushed
her to do it, but the next words that come out her mouth are the ones she's tried to hold onto for so
long.
"I love you," Nayeon says.

"I know," Mina replies. Ten. She somehow hopes the point gets across. "Nayeon, I know," she
repeats a second time, more desperate in manner and tone. It's both an admission and resignation.
Mina's frozen in place.

"Oh." There's a hint of disappointment in her voice. But what was she expecting? An I love you
back? "Well, I finally got it out of my chest. I've always wanted to tell you, I just...never had the
chance to. Please don't take it the wrong way, though. I'm not saying it now to disrespect your
relationship. I'm saying it because I want you to know."

"I know," Mina replies a third time. She wishes Nayeon had paid more attention to The Empire
Strikes Back.

For another second, Nayeon waits. Maybe Mina might say something else, something more this
time. Maybe she'll say it back? Nayeon's head dips, and her lips form into her default I' m-okay-
but-not-really smile when there was no response. "So I guess this is it," Nayeon breathes out in
resignation. Is this her cue to say goodbye? "I'll go now," she points out the door with her
thumb. Tell Mina you're leaving (for good), Nayeon pushes herself to say something. That was the
plan anyway. But she cowers in fear last minute, afraid Mina won't even care she's leaving.

Nayeon takes a small step back. Her stare holds words she wishes Mina can understand. Mina,
please say something before I leave. I wanna spend more time with you. Don't let me leave you this
easily.

As if Mina just read Nayeon's mind, the CEO blurts out something in a rush. "Wait! Can you help
me find my pen?" That's the first thought that came into her head. In hindsight, she should've
chosen something else as a way to keep the conversation running, but her brilliant mind was able to
come up with a lame excuse to make Nayeon stay a little longer. "Can you stay?"

"What?"

"My pen. I think I left it here in my old office." Mina feels it in her bones Nayeon is slipping away.

"Is it a really nice pen? I can just buy you a new one," Nayeon offers.
"No, I mean yes, no, yes. I need to find that pen today," Mina struggles to find her words. And 'her
pen'.

"What does it look like?" Nayeon looks at her, confused.

"I don't know. Like a regular pen," Mina shrugs.

"Then why bother looking for it?" Nayeon frowns.

"I just need that pen in particular!" Mina slightly raises her voice in defence. Coming up with lame
excuses stresses her out so much.

Nayeon doesn't say it out loud, but she knows Mina's hiding something. "Woah woah, okay, CEO
Myoui. Chill. Let's find that regular pen of yours. Don't get mad at an ordinary employee just
because she couldn't find your pen," she chortles. She's thankful she gets a glimpse of Mina's 'cold
attitude' before she leaves. When Mina gets mad and defensive, it's funny and endearing. "Did I tell
you I liked getting you mad before?"

"You didn't have to. I figured." Mina pretends to look for the pen in her drawer. As if there was a
pen to look for in the first place. The search for the regular pen continues for almost five minutes.
The two of them turn the room upside down, trying to look for something that isn't there.

"Oh my god, why did you black his teeth out and draw horns on his head?" Nayeon takes a
crumpled piece of paper near the bin and examines it. She recognises the face in the print-out as
one of the arranged dates she had back then when her parents were eager to marry her off. "Mina,
you even put swirly eyes!" Nayeon laughs. She never thought Mina was capable of doing
something as petty as that.

Mina's cheeks turn a deep shade of pink from embarrassment. "You weren't supposed to see that,"
she takes the paper away from Nayeon's hands and throws it to the bin. "It's because you told me
he was a jerk to you and I didn't like the thought of you being with him," she explains.

"I remember that night when I came home from the set-up date. I was in a terrible mood when I
arrived, but you were already in my flat, making us dinner. The moment I heard you welcoming me
home, I felt all my problems disappear," Nayeon recalls. "That night. I was too scared. I should've
taken the risk. It would've been the perfect time to try. We could've been so happy."
"Nayeon..." Mina reaches out but gets cut off.

"Ah, what am I saying? Forget what you just heard. You know I have a habit of oversharing,"
Nayeon talks over Mina before she can hear the latter's response. "But I mean it when I say I want
you to be happy. Not for me, not for Momo, or anyone else, but for yourself. As for me? I wanna
be happy too. Let's root for each other in finding our happiness," she says gently.

When she sees Mina looking at her with nothing but a soft, tender gaze, her heart breaks. The urge
to take Mina's hand into hers has never been this strong. Nayeon brings her hands to her sides self-
consciously, fighting against the yearning to feel Mina's fingers bent around hers. She'd be damned
if that were to happen again. Instead, she folds her hands together as one would do when praying.
A silent prayer escapes her lips. I hope in another life, it's you and me.

Mina takes a step forward, but each step she takes is partnered with Nayeon stepping back. When
she stops, Nayeon remains still, maintaining her distance two feet away from Mina. "Mina, I have
to go," she says. She doesn't tell Mina where. She doesn't tell Mina she'll be gone for an indefinite
time. She doesn't say she loves her one last time. Once is enough.

"Good night," Nayeon bids farewell.

The moment her feet step out of the room, she wills herself to keep moving forward. Don't look
back, don't look back, don't look back, don't — she turns around and gives Mina the warmest smile
she could. She turns her heels and marches down to the hall with all her might. There's no turning
back now.

This is it.

Mina is left standing in her office, alone with her thoughts. Nayeon just said good night, but it
seems to Mina it was a goodbye. It's because it is.

On her way out, Mina picks up some books from her desk. A small piece of paper falls out from
one of the books she was carrying — it was a yellow Post-it, slightly crumpled, and on it was a
single word: Mina's
"Hey, baby. Welcome home. How was work?" Momo meets Mina by the door with a kiss on her
cheek.

"Tiring. I didn't know what I was signing up for when I agreed to become a CEO," Mina relaxes
into Momo's arms. "How 'bout you? Any new clients?"

"Nah, just the same ones." Momo helps Mina take off her suit. She takes Mina's bag and carries it
for her to the room. "I made you some rosu katsu with your favourite side dishes," she shouts from
the room.

Mina claps in satisfaction and gratefulness. "Itadakimasu!" she lifts her chopsticks and starts
enjoying the meal Momo prepared.

"You like it?" Momo asks, hugging Mina from the back, peppering the younger one with kisses.

Mina nods enthusiastically as she munches on her food.

Momo sits across her and just watches Mina eat happily. Mina raises her eyebrows as if trying to
ask if there's something wrong. Momo just shakes her head and smirks. Mina's eyes narrow, but
she continues eating. All the time Mina was in front of Momo, the older one was just doting on her.
Mina finishes her meal and reaches for Momo's hand, gently intertwining their fingers. She stares
back at Momo with a glint in her eyes. It's Momo's turn to look at her with suspicion, and they end
up breaking into giggles, like the ones they used to share in middle school, or first year at uni, or
every time they looked at each other. They don't even need words for it, but they both understand
that it's love in one of its many facets.

Around midnight, when Mina keeps tossing and turning in her bed, Momo sits up and stays awake
with her in silence. "You can talk to me. People say I'm good at listening. Others even pay me for
it," Momo snorts, tapping Mina's shoulder. She's quick to wrap her arms around Mina's waist and
softly kiss her shoulder.

Mina doesn't reply for almost a minute. She rocks back and forth, letting herself be enclosed in
Momo's arms. When she stills herself, she turns to search for Momo's eyes. She inhales sharply and
slowly lets out a shaky breath. "You know, don't you?" Mina says. She can feel her throat closing.
"You're the only one who can read me like an open book," she whispers.
Momo just nods and takes Mina's hand, stroking her thumb with her own.

"Why didn't you say anything? Why are you acting as if it's fine?"

"At first, I kept mum because I was scared of losing you again. I thought that if I pointed it out to
you, you would choose Nayeon unnie over me. At the same time, I also realised I wasn't in the
position to tell you what you're feeling. It was for you to realise. I wanted you to be the one to
choose what to do with your feelings,"

"Momori—"

"Now that you've realised that truth, you can choose again. Mitang, I know you love me but I know
you love her too. I want you to choose again, but this time, I want you to listen not only to your
mind but also to your heart," Momo looks at her intently. "I want you to make a decision you won't
regret. If you choose me, then I'll be forever grateful. If you choose Nayeon unnie, then I'll root for
the two of you, and I'll still be grateful that you chose me twice in this lifetime."

There's an inexplicable weight lifted off from Mina's chest. She had always felt somehow guilty for
loving Momo and Nayeon at the same time, but Momo talking to her so gently like this, easing her
worries away, holding her tight, washes away that guilt from her. It makes her feel so loved and
understood.

"But you have until tomorrow to choose," Momo adds.

"Tomorrow?" Mina wonders why Momo gave an ultimatum.

Momo realises Nayeon hasn't told Mina yet. "Yes. I know it's not an easy decision to make, but
you have to decide the soonest."

Momo drift backs to sleep while Mina stays up all night, not getting a wink of any.

One Day Before Departure

Mi-tan, I'm sorry I can't be the big sister you deserve. I'm sorry I can't fight bad guys for you
anymore. I love you. Sana shoots Mina a text.

Momoring, I love you, and I love Mi-tan too, but it's breaking me already. I hope you understand.
Sana finally replies to Momo's messages.

"There," Sana exhales as she throws her phone to the bed, "I said my goodbyes already. Are you
done with yours?"

"I said goodbye to Jeongyeon and Jihyo, my parents, Tzuyu, and Momo already." Nayeon was
mindlessly peeling the skin on her thumb. She's sprawled across the floor, staring at the ceiling,
hoping the ground will just swallow her whole.

"And?"

"I think I said goodbye to Mina too, already. In my own way. I just haven't told her that we're
leaving, but yeah. I don't think I can face her again. I'll surely break. I can't keep breaking." Nayeon
rolls over to sit beside Sana on the bed."Besides, I'm scared if she'll even care. I don't wanna expect
her to stop me from leaving, then get disappointed."

"So you're not telling her?"

"Maybe I'll just post on insta when we're at the airport tomorrow. When she sees it, she'll know I'm
coming with you. I'll deactivate after she views my story," Nayeon verbalises her plan.

On any other day, Sana would've laughed at Nayeon's plan. But not today. She understands that
Nayeon's fear is valid and real. She doesn't push Nayeon further. Instead, she tells Nayeon to get
some rest and good sleep because tomorrow is a big day for them. It will be the 2nd first day of
their lives.

Nayeon falls back to sleep in an instant from fatigue and stress. She hopes Mina visits her dreams
again. It's only in dreams where they can be together again.
Mina plays a cheerful piece on her violin.

"Baby, you're playing again? What's the song called?" Nayeon asks when Mina finishes.

"Liebesfreud," Mina flashes her gummy smile as she puts down her bow, "it means Love's Joy."

"Sounds like a happy tune. Are you in a happy mood?"

"Yes." Mina makes her way to Nayeon.

Nayeon cups Mina's cheeks with her hands and adorns her moles with kisses. "Why are you
happy?"

"Because you're with me."

"I have nowhere else to go," Nayeon smiles.

"You're not going anywhere?" Mina buries her face in Nayeon's neck, slowly wrapping her arms
around the older one's waist.

"I'm not. I'm staying right by your side."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"I lo—"

Mina's words turn into muffled words as her face fades away.
Nayeon jolts awake, breaking into cold sweat. There's a sinking feeling at the pit of her stomach
and a force pressing down on her ribs. Intense longing fills her lungs, making it so hard to breathe.
She craves to be by Mina's side, and she just wants to scream in silence because it hurts so much
that it couldn't happen. As tears stream down her face, she clutches her chest and pushes it down
with her palm, trying to counter the pain.

It's really time to go.

D-Day

Mina's careful not to wake Momo up, so she tiptoes to the stocked mini bar in the living room to
pour herself exactly half a glass of whisky. She paces around the dim-lit room, sleepless. She's
been up all night. She fiddles with a knob on the sound system and plays a soft tune of classical
music. This is her way of clearing her head. On top of the pile of documents for review and
approval, she has to make the decision. Mina needs all the preparation she needs, given the short
amount of time.

Nayeon's last words replay on Mina's mind. Good night. Good night. Good night . As Mina looks
back, she realises it was more than just a simple good night. For all the times Nayeon has tried
walking away, this is the sole moment where Mina felt she had actually lost Nayeon already. Her
mind takes her back to the exact moment she was standing in the room with Nayeon.

Nayeon told her she loved her. Mina wonders why Nayeon said it this time. She could've said it
before when she was giving way to Momo. Why did Nayeon tell her now? It's not that Mina didn't
know. It's just that Mina finds the timing peculiar. It felt like Nayeon was saying her last words.
But Mina actually confessed her feelings too, in a cowardly manner, through a reference Nayeon
might not even get. Will it mean something if Nayeon understood what she meant? Did Nayeon
understand it but chose not to act on it because of Mina and Momo's relationship? Mina asks
herself why she asked Nayeon to stay a little bit longer. Was it because she knew it was the end?
Something was stirred inside her that pushed her to make Nayeon stay. It was love.

But that love is something Mina cannot hold onto any longer. Mina can't keep loving Momo and
Nayeon with half of her heart. That's selfish, she tells herself. They both deserve to be loved
wholeheartedly, and Mina should finally commit to one of them.

Mina can't apply all the cost-benefit analysis methods she knows of in this situation. As Momo
said, she has to use her heart and brain in choosing again. Momo knew about her loving Nayeon,
but Momo went along with it because she was understanding and considerate of Mina's feelings.
Momo has been waiting on her, her whole life. How can Momo be this loving?

And why...why does she always choose Momo over Nayeon despite all the despites?

Mina turns the music down and drains the whisky on the sink. She's made a decision.

"Momo, it's you. I'm choosing you again," Mina kisses Momo's cheek to wake her up.

"W-what?" Momo replies sluggishly.

"It's you," Mina repeats.

Momo sits up straight. It's too early for the gears in her brain to grind, but she's sure Mina still
doesn't know Nayeon's leaving. There's a battle inside her, warring on whether to tell Mina or not.
Nayeon wanted to be the one to tell Mina, but why isn't Nayeon telling her? Does she plan not to
tell Mina? "Nayeon's leaving," she blurts out the confession. "She told me she'll be the one to tell
you, but she hasn't told you. I think you need to know before you make a decision."

"I know," Mina replies. "I figured. She didn't have to tell me explicitly."

"How?"

"I know Nayeon's eyes," Mina says. She knows when Nayeon is happy, sad, irritated, hurt, in love,
slipping away. Nayeon had always been transparent to Mina. Nayeon had her heart on her sleeve
whenever she was with Mina, and it had always been easy for Mina to figure her out.

"And despite that, you're still choosing me?" The pulse on Momo's neck beats louder; she feels like
she can't breathe.

"I thought I was just seeking out the familiar when I chose you. I thought I chose you because you
were the safe choice. But you're more than the familiar. You're home, Momo. That's why I chose
you. I love you," Mina explains. "In all honesty, I don't know what to do with the love I have for
Nayeon. I can't just dispose of them. I've tried it."
"You can't just un-love her overnight, and you don't have to. You, being in love with her, doesn't
diminish your love for me." Momo's tears are flowing freely down her face. Momo's tears are of
gratitude, relief, and pain. Her heart soars for being chosen by Mina, but at the same time, it sinks
and bleeds for Nayeon.

"Momoring, no, why are you crying?" Mina uses her thumb to dry Momo's tears. When Momo
doesn't stop, Mina places a gentle kiss on her lips. It felt like home.

Momo's tears stop and she pulls away. "Thank you, Mitang."

It's so beautiful to love Myoui Mina and be loved back.

Mina prepares a poke bowl for Momo before leaving for work. En route ImTech, she changes
direction and takes the flyover to the airport. Nayeon deserves a proper goodbye. That's the least
Mina could give. Mina dials Nayeon's number, but the operator said it was unavailable.

Nayeon takes a last look at the drop-off area at the airport. She cranes her neck from left to right
before going inside the premises. Maybe Mina will show up just to say goodbye. Mina, last
chance. Please. Please. Please. No? Okay. Until the end, she hopes.

Just before Nayeon and Sana enter the boarding gates, Nayeon chucks out the sim in her phone to
the bin and replaces it with a new one. She also deactivates her social media accounts, not even
posting about her departure.

She doesn't say goodbye to Mina. She just can't.

This is the final boarding call for passengers Im Nayeon and Minatozaki Sana booked on flight
928MNY to Las Vegas. Please proceed to gate 3 immediately. The final checks are being
completed, and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately five
minutes' time. I repeat. This is the final boarding call for Im Nayeon and Minatozaki Sana. Thank
you.

Hand-in-hand, they dash to the gates and enter the plane.

It's a new life.

Mina's too late even for a goodbye.

It's so hard without you here.

Why aren't you here with me?

Six Months After

'ImTech continues it supreme reign under new management as top technology provider in Asia'

Momo cuts the clippings from the newspaper and pastes it on the wall of achievements she has put
up for Mina. She thinks being devoted to propelling ImTech forward is Mina's way of returning
favour to Nayeon. In this way, Mina nurtures ImTech as if it were the love that could have been.
There's so much more to learn and unlearn, but it's one step toward healing.

One Year After

"Mitang, I think you should give her a call," Momo brings it up nonchalantly in the middle of
washing the dishes, "For closure, for peace, for sanity. She deserves it, you deserve it just as
much."
It takes Mina off guard because it's been a year since Nayeon left, and everything is okay. Mina
bites on her lip, contemplating on Momo's suggestion. Will she dare break that false sense of
peace? Will Nayeon even care? "I don't think she wants to talk to me anymore. What do I even tell
her? " she sighs.

"What you've always wanted to," Momo gives a reassuring smile.

"What if she doesn't pick up?" Mina's frowns. "What if I disrupt her healing process? What if I
reopen the wounds that time healed for her?"

"Time forces us to move forward, not move on. You may have moved forward in your career,
relationship, or whatever, but it doesn't necessarily mean you've moved on," Momo says. "I think
the same goes for Nayeon unnie."

"You don't mind if I call her?"

"Would I have suggested it if I mind? Mitang, I understand. It's okay. Besides, I'm secure in your
love." Momo takes off her gloves and hangs them on the rack. She takes Mina into a tight hug,
casting away Mina's worries and fears. "Give her a call whenever you're ready." She plants a kiss
on the tip of Mina's nose.

Im Nayeon, what do I say to you?

One Year and Six Months Later

"I think I'm brave enough to call Momo now," Sana says as she rests her head on Nayeon's lap.

"Really? I'm proud of you then," Nayeon continues stroking the younger one's hair.

"Can you stay beside me while I make the call? I'll just ask how she and Mi-tan are, and I'll...I'll
tell her about you," she asks for approval. "I mean, if it's okay with you."
"Of course!" Nayeon replies with a toothy grin.

Sana finally makes the call. Momo sounds just the same. The first few minutes were awkward, but
they picked up from where they left off as friends once they got past that initial barrier. Even
Nayeon was surprised how they both transitioned into a light, teasing atmosphere as if nothing
heavy happened before. Maybe it's easy like this if people are soulmates. She wishes it would be as
easy as this, if ever Mina would call.

Two Years Later

It's past five in the afternoon, and it's been a slow day. Nayeon wipes her hands on her denim apron
and tucks her hair behind her ear. She takes a huge bowl and pours the brewed mixture of
kombucha into three identical bottles and squats to check if they're equally filled. Once she levels
them, she screws a cap on each bottle and places stickers to seal them.

On the other end of the room, Sana makes an inventory of scented candles sold for the day, taking
note that Clean Cotton is running out of stock. She retrieves a box from the stockroom and replaces
the emptied shelf with new candles. She also erases the doodles drawn in chalk on the sandwich
board outside and brings it in. Once she's done, she looks over her shoulder to see Nayeon
immersed in lining up her bottles of kombucha. "Do you wanna close early tonight?" Sana's
honeyed voice reaches Nayeon.

"Hm?" Nayeon replies for the sake of answering. She's biting on her tongue as she scribbles expiry
dates on the bottles.

"I said, do you wanna close early tonight? I'll take you out for dinner." She quickly switches off the
lights at the storefront and makes her way to the busy bee.

"I can't say no to a pretty girl," Nayeon puts down the bottle. She uses her finger to make Sana
crash into her with a hug. For long seconds, Nayeon brushes through Sana's hair with her fingers,
while the latter clings to her. "Let's close down the shop? I don't think anyone would come
anymore."

"Close it down for tonight or forever?" Sana's eyes are wide, and her lips automatically form into a
pout.
"Just for tonight. But if you want, we can close it down for good. We're barely getting customers,"
Nayeon laughs.

"Whose idea was it to buy a club and turn it into an artisanal shop for healthy options? In the
middle of Vegas! Where did your business degree go?" Sana teases.

"It's called disruptive innovation! We created a new market, Sana!" Nayeon was quick to pull out
the business term on top of her head to defend herself. Besides, Sana already knows the reason why
Nayeon chose this club in particular. It's exactly where Nayeon met Mina. It's the space she wants
to reclaim.

"I like it when you use your sexy brain," Sana disentangles herself from Nayeon and pecks her
cheek. "We'll keep this store open as long as it makes us happy. Who knew we could turn our
hobbies into business? I'll keep making candles because it makes me happy, and you keep brewing
kombucha, horchata, tepache, or whatever you want as long as it makes you happy. Just keep doing
what makes you happy." She gives Nayeon a thumbs up, a seal of approval.

"You make me happy. Should I do you?"

"You and I will have a talk when we get home," Sana replies with a tongue-in-cheek remark. "I'll
just do a final inventory in the stockroom, then let's go. I promise it won't take more than 30
minutes."

"Go at it in the stockroom?" Nayeon retorts naughtily.

"No! Ohmygod. Go home. Tsk tsk, Im Nayeon," Sana blushes and wags her finger at Nayeon.
Nayeon just winks to further tease Sana.

As Sana goes over the items in the stockroom, Nayeon's phone buzzes. She sees an unknown
familiar number flashing on the screen. Her finger hovers on top of the 'Decline' button, but she
answers it anyway. "Hello?" her tone is cautious and polite. For about 5 seconds, Nayeon doesn't
hear anything, but then she hears someone breathing on the other end of the line. "Hello?" she
repeats, walking to a different spot in the room, the signal probably messing up the call. "Hello?"
Nayeon doesn't even ask who it is.

"Ms. Im." The tone was cheerful yet restrained. " It's me. Myoui Mina. CEO Myoui," she introduces
herself.

"CEO Myoui," Nayeon repeats. "Hi, hello." In two years of being away, Nayeon had always been
expecting a call from Mina, even at least once. She even had a dialogue planned, outlined into three
points: 1) How are you, 2) ImTech, and 3) I'm doing fine. Her words don't fail her this time, and
she's actually able to follow her script. "How are you? How's ImTech?"

"I'm still keeping my promise. ImTech's still on top. It's doing well. I'm doing well too," Mina
answers.

There's a lull after her answer because how is Nayeon supposed to respond to that? I miss you.
"That's good. That's good to hear," she nods through the phone. "What can I help you with? What's
the purpose of your call?"

"I..." Mina stutters. I just miss you. "I wanted to ask..." The static noise temporarily fills in Mina's
silence. "I wanted to ask if you'll be attending the year-end board meeting."

"Oh, that," Nayeon hums, playing with the loose strand of thread in her apron, "Tzuyu will be my
representative. She'll be attending on behalf of the Im family," she informs Mina.

"Okay, I'll take note of that," Mina's voice is quivering.

"Okay," Nayeon says, expecting the call to end already. Didn't Mina have a secretary to take care
of trivial matters like attendance?

"Okay," Mina mirrors Nayeon's response.

"Okay..." Nayeon snorts. "Is that all you wanted to ask?" The gentleness in her voice never
changed.

"Ah, yes, yes," Mina replies frantically.

"Okay. It's nice to hear from you, Ms. Myoui." A beat of silence. "I'll hang up now, okay?" Nayeon
bites on her bottom lip.
"W-wait!"

"Hm?" Nayeon can hear Mina's shallow breaths through the phone.

"How are you?" Mina finally asks.

"I'm doing well. I'm happy," Nayeon smiles; she means what she's saying. "I hope you're happy
too, with everything," she adds.

"I am." Mina's answer was brief, but it was all Nayeon needed to know.

It makes everything feel worth it. It makes it feel like both of them made the right decision.

"Then good. That's good. I told you that it's what I want for both of us, and now we're both at this
point. That's good," Nayeon is going through a loop. Another moment of silence ensues. "What is it
you really wanna say, Mina?" Nayeon asks knowingly like she knows exactly what goes on inside
Mina's head. The meeting can't be the only reason she called.

"I know it's a little too late, but I'm sorry. Nayeon, I'm so so sorry. I'm sorry for everything, "
Mina's voice cracks.

I'm sorry for giving you hope.

I'm sorry for not trying with you.

I'm sorry for not choosing you.

I'm sorry you're not the one I call baby anymore.

I'm sorry for realising too late that I loved you too.

I'm sorry I'm not over Momo.

I'm so sorry you had to meet me in a lifetime where it can't be us

Nayeon drums her finger at the back of her phone. "Mina, I've long forgiven you. I hope you
forgive yourself too. I hope you don't beat yourself up for not choosing me. If you feel bad about
hurting me because of that, it's behind us now. Mina, I don't know if my memories of us will fade,
or if I even want them to, but I know it's a difficult thing to get stuck in the past. I knew what I was
getting into when I said I'd wait for you then. I understood that it meant there was a possibility you
wouldn't choose me. Still, I was the one who insisted. So, it's okay now. Okay?"

Mina sniffs through the phone. It was somehow muffled by some cars beeping in the background.

"Wait, wait, don't cry, please!" Nayeon wants to reach out.

"No, I'm just thankful. I'm undeserving of your forgiveness. I put you through so much pain."

"That's for me to decide, and I think you're worth it," Nayeon says. "Sometimes, things fall apart so
they can fall into place. I think the pain we went through was still worth it. Being away from you
made me find myself again, so I think it more than makes up for everything."

Nayeon hears indistinct chatter from the streets on the other end of the line, almost drowning out
Mina's small voice. Despite it, she hears a simple request..

"Nayeon, can I see you?" Mina asks.

"I think we're both growing and healing into better, happier, healthier versions of ourselves, and
we're spending it with the people we love. That's what's important. So, I think we should just
continue moving on towards happiness," Nayeon replies, slight hesitation slipping.

Mina understands what it means. "Are you happy with Sana?"

Of course, Mina knows about her and Sana. When Sana called Momo up a few months back, she
shared the news of them being together. Sana was pretty nervous calling Momo then, but Nayeon
was beside her, just being with her all the time.

"I am. Don't worry, I'll take care of her. She takes care of me well too," Nayeon replies gently. "It
may not be the ideal and dreamy love story one sees in movies, but it's something worth living for.
It doesn't have the same fervour as romantic love, but it's one that gives me peace of mind and a
sense of security. I found a companion in Sana. D-do you get what I mean?" her words are jittery.

"Yes, I do," Mina replies, there's a soft smile on her lips. She does understand. It's what she feels
when she's with Momo.

"If you ask me if I think Sana is the one, honestly, I'm not sure. And she knows that. I can't control
how she feels about me, and I'm not sure if she'll change her mind being with me. However, I'm
staying with Sana not because I'm sure we're destined to be together; I'm staying because I know I
could love her like we were. That's the only thing I can be sure of."

"Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for taking care of Sana. I'm
happy for you, really. I'll keep rooting for your happiness." The tone of Mina's voice hints the call
will end soon.

"I'll keep rooting for your happiness too." Nayeon isn't desperate to extend the conversation this
time. "I'm lucky and grateful to have met you in this lifetime, Myoui Mina,"

"So am I, Im Nayeon," Mina breathes out. "So I guess this is goodbye? Goodbye, Nayeon."

Nayeon nods as if Mina can see her. "Goodbye, Mina." It may have been two years late, but
Nayeon finally got to say goodbye.

The call lasts for another silent second before Nayeon hears the click from Mina's end. The phone
call ends and so does a chapter in Nayeon's life. She had always expected the call to be dramatic
and full of emotions, but the call she just had was an example of how much they've grown. Growth
is a process, Nayeon tells herself. She's been going through the cycle of breaking and picking up
the pieces, but this time, it feels like she can hold the pieces together without falling apart for a
long time.

Nayeon returns to work and starts lining up the bottles of kombucha by the storefront window.
From across the street, she sees a familiar face framed by gold, blonde hair. When she blinks, the
face has already disappeared into the crowd of people. Or maybe it wasn't really there. She
continues placing the last two bottles before following Sana into the stockroom and doing the
inventory.

Ten feet from the store, Mina can see Nayeon was busy lining up some bottles of kombucha. She
thinks short hair suits Nayeon well.
 In this universe, it's Nayeon who breaks the Golden Rule first.

In this universe, Mina's still not over Momo.

In this universe, Nayeon finds herself again.

In this universe, they find happiness in people they love.

Perhaps in another universe, hopefully, with all the luck they can get, with all the wishes on a
shooting star, 11:11s, and a love that is equally given and received, it's Nayeon and Mina happily
together.

- END -

Chapter End Notes

AS LONG AS THERE IS LOVE, THERE WILL BE GRIEF

The grief of time passing, of life moving on half - finished, of empty spaces that were
once bursting with the laughter and energy of people we loved.
As long as there is love there will be grief because grief is love's natural continuation.
It shows up in the aisles of stores we once frequented, in the half - finished bottle of
wine we pour out, in the whiff of cologne we get two years after they've been gone.
Grief is a giant neon sign, protruding through everything, pointing everywhere,
broadcasting loudly, “Love was here."
In the finer print, quietly, “Love still is.”
- HEIDI PRIEBE

^As an ending, I'm sharing with you this poem because it's beautiful and it suits
Minayeon's story :)

Last songs that inspired the finale. I recommend listening to them hehe
1. Vegas Skies - The Cab (one of my fave songs ever) this is one of the main reasons
the ending is like this hahah PLEASE LISTEN TO IT AND BE SAD WITH ME
2. Autumn's Song - Stephen Day
3. Someday We'll Know - Mandy Moore
4. Ending Scene - IU
5. You Always Hurt the One You Love - Silver Screen Sound Machine

ANYWAY NE WAY ENIWEI

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH ME IN THIS JOURNEY! I know
some of u will be sad it wasn't the Minayeon endgame you expected, but I tried to
make the ending as realistic as possible. Minayeon ending up together is just not it in
this fic HAHA im sorry. Others might disagree with a Sanayeon endgame, but it's
 more than just romantic love and lust haha theyre companions. Just to clarify, this is
chapter 12.5 because it's 10.7k words haha I don't think I'll write an alternative
ending/epilogue for this.

Scream at me? #TWICEAdoreYou

I know it's hard not to spoil hahah but idk maybe put a spoiler tag for ppl who havent
read? hehe ty

Also, I think I'm retiring from Minayeon Nation HAHA I think I've reached my peak
of rooting for them HAHAHAHAH it's been a great year haha i think the max time i
can stay in 1 ship is a year. Happy Minayeon day haha. This is my (parting???) gift to
the minayeonation thats why i posted it today :) I mean ofc I still ship them, but im
taking the backseat when it comes to being trash for them

I wrote another minayeon fic "before the sunset" a few months back haha. You can
check it out if u want :)

Once again, thank youuuuuuuuu!

End Notes

Find me on twt @NabongsBunny haha

#TWICEAdoreYou as the hashtag???

Sorry this was un-beta’d! Hehe.

Please drop by the archive and comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!