11 PM, Dormitory Living Room

The room was enveloped in darkness and silence, with only the lights from the bustling streets outside streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Im Nayeon relaxed her weary body—tired from hours of activity since the afternoon—on the massage chair JYP-nim had bought for TWICE. With her eyes tightly shut to block out even the faintest hint of light, she donned her headphones and immersed herself in her own world.

Familiar lyrics, repeated endlessly over the past few days, lingered in her ears. The gentle, soothing melody seemed to lull her toward a blissful dream. Truth be told, she would have loved to drift off right there, but she knew that come morning, Park Jihyo would scold her for choosing to sleep anywhere but the warm, comfortable bed waiting in her room. Jihyo would never understand how, the moment Nayeon lay down in that bed, her nerves would stretch taut, rendering sleep impossible.

The presence of someone special just a short distance from Nayeon's bed kept her restless and uneasy. Sleep evaded her. If she opened her eyes, she'd see the beautiful face of that person—or, at times, the small face of a child nestled in their arms. Both of them seemed so serene in their sweet slumber, while here she was, wide awake, cruelly denied the solace of sleep by her own restless thoughts.

At times, Nayeon wondered if she should simply give up her room to Mina and Chaeyoung altogether. Perhaps then she wouldn't have to endure the awkwardness of such situations and could finally sleep soundly. But deep down, a part of her resisted the idea. This was understandable.

"You came to me with the wind like the swaying flowers..."

The heartfelt singing brought Nayeon back to the early days of meeting Mina. Among the Japanese members, she found herself more intrigued by Myoui Mina than Momo or Sana. Shy and reserved, Mina always seemed to use her long black hair as a shield, hiding her face—or at least her gaze—from others. Perhaps she didn't want to draw too much attention from the other trainees, yet her demeanor made her utterly captivating. Unlike most newcomers, Mina caught Nayeon's eye almost immediately.

Back then, Im Nayeon was a standout among the trainees. With her stage-ready looks, undeniable talent, and considerable time spent training, she naturally attracted many who wanted to approach her. But her appearance suggested she wasn't the easiest person to befriend, making most people hesitant to strike up a conversation. Nayeon was well aware of this, but she never felt compelled to play the role of a "Miss Congeniality." If someone genuinely wanted to befriend her, she'd respond warmly; otherwise, she rarely initiated contact. Thankfully, she already had a circle of close friends among the trainees.

Then came the day when Myoui Mina approached her with an unexpected request.

It was after the trainees' showcase, and Mina was set to fly back to Japan the very next day. Amid the lively backstage atmosphere, Mina walked up to Nayeon, her timid yet endearing voice breaking through the noise.

"Unnie, can we take a picture together?"

Needless to say, Nayeon was caught off guard. She hadn't expected someone as reserved as Mina to take the initiative to approach her. That was the first time Mina made such a vivid impression on her. That day became etched in Nayeon's memory as the moment they truly got to know each other.

Even now, as she reminisced, Nayeon could vividly recall every detail of Mina's expressions and movements.

After speaking, Mina licked her lips nervously and glanced around, her eyes betraying her anxiety. Then, she smiled softly, as if to mask her unease. When Nayeon nodded her approval, Mina broke into her signature gummy smile, radiating warmth like sunlight.

Nayeon remembered the way Mina tucked her hair behind her ear before the photo, a faint trace of her shampoo's scent wafting through the air. She also recalled the subtle fragrance of Mina's perfume lingering as they stood close for the picture. Side by side, their heads tilted slightly toward each other, they faced the camera. Nayeon offered a soft smile while Mina beamed brightly. "One, two, three—click." The perfect photo was captured. Mina glanced at the picture, then at Nayeon, her smile suggesting she wanted to say something.

"Nayeon-unnie, you look so beautiful today."

Nayeon had been complimented on her looks countless times, so aside from the surprise of hearing it from Mina, the words didn't affect her much. But it seemed that the compliment had a profound impact on the one who uttered it. The young Japanese girl, visibly flustered, avoided meeting Nayeon's gaze, hurriedly bid her goodbye, and scurried off to another corner.

Recalling the shy, adolescent Myoui Mina made Nayeon chuckle to herself. Back then, she had felt little about the encounter. But now, as she revisited the memory, her heart stirred in an unfamiliar way.

It turned out they once shared a moment so simple yet so beautiful. Im Nayeon hadn't realized that the seventeen-year-old Myoui Mina, pure and unspoiled like a drifting cherry blossom, had come into her life. She could have reached out and caught the falling petals, but instead, she let the opportunity slip away. Now, no matter how much she wished to hold on, the petals would inevitably drift beyond her grasp.

Nayeon no longer had the photo of the two of them, but if she saw it again today, she was certain the fond feelings it evoked wouldn't fade—though they might be tinged with a hint of pain. She didn't want to ask Mina about it, fearing she might have deleted the photo. Besides, there was no need to search for it when that day's scene remained vividly preserved in her memory.

Once again, Nayeon found herself unable to escape the endless stream of thoughts about Mina. Despite her exhaustion from the day's activities, her mind was unusually alert. Try as she might, she couldn't erase the events of the day from her thoughts.

Nayeon woke up to the sight of Mina's peaceful sleeping face. Remembering that they would be heading to the company today to practice a new routine for Music Bank in Chile, a hint of excitement filled her. What if she prepared breakfast now? Though not entirely confident in her cooking skills, Nayeon figured a simple breakfast was within her ability.

However, Nayeon was always a step behind. When she entered the kitchen, she saw Son Chaeyoung already there. Still wearing her adorable sleepwear, Chaeyoung had donned a brand-new apron. It was rare to see TWICE members in the kitchen, so the scene felt a bit foreign. But Nayeon quickly guessed what Chaeyoung was up to.

"Are you making breakfast, Chaeng?"

Hearing her unnie's voice, Chaeyoung turned and flashed a bright smile, her excitement evident in her tone.

"Yup, an American-style breakfast! I thought of this last night. I wanted to prepare it for you, Momo unnie, and Minari before we head to the company."

Seeing Chaeyoung eagerly talk about her plan, her voice rising like an excited child, Nayeon couldn't help but laugh. She decided to let Chaeyoung take over breakfast duties since her own idea was just a spur-of-the-moment thought, whereas the younger girl had planned it in advance.

Nayeon approached to ask if Chaeyoung needed help, but the latter quickly waved her off, saying she had it under control. She only asked her unnie to wake up Momo and Mina.

Nayeon agreed readily. She headed toward Jeongyeon and Momo's room, intending to stir up some mischief. But upon entering, she found only Jeongyeon lying in bed.

"Who's there? Nayeon? You're here for Momo, right? I already woke her up; she's in the bathroom. Now leave so I can sleep."

Jeongyeon, clearly annoyed by the noise, quickly blurted everything out and shooed Nayeon away. The eldest muttered a playful "Tsk!" before leaving and returning to her own room to wake Mina.

Mina was still sound asleep, cocooned in her blanket like a little chrysalis. The sight was so endearing that Nayeon couldn't help but smile. Mina, usually poised and composed, often felt like the most mature one in the group. Moments like these, when she looked childlike, were rare treasures.

Nayeon stood by Mina's bedside, wondering how to wake her. She hesitated, reluctant to disturb the peaceful scene, but they needed to get ready.

"Mina, wake up," she called softly, gently shaking her.

Unfortunately, there was no response from the person in the blanket. Nayeon raised her hand to tap Mina's cheek but stopped midway. She stared at her hovering hand and then at Mina's face, silently scolding herself for being too soft. She worried that her touch might not come off as a nudge but as a caress.

Not wanting to break the serene quiet of the room, Nayeon refrained from raising her voice. In the stillness, only the hum of the air conditioner and Mina's steady breathing could be heard.

Nayeon's mind began to drift, imagining a morning where she'd wake up in Mina's arms. She'd stay still, watching her sleep and listening to her breaths dissolve into the quiet. She would trace every beautiful line of Mina's face in her memory.

Every morning now, Nayeon could do just that, but she was painfully aware of her boundaries. The same actions, done with different feelings, would bring entirely different emotions.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled her lips into a gentle smile, hoping Mina would see it when she opened her eyes. She tried again.

"Mina, come on, wake up."

"Let me sleep, unnie. It's still early," Mina murmured groggily, her voice thick with sleep.

Recognizing the telltale tone of someone wanting to snooze, Nayeon decided to use a different tactic.

"Don't you want breakfast, Mina?"

"No, I just want to sleep. I can eat at lunch."

"But Chaeyoung worked hard to prepare breakfast..."

Nayeon let out a small sigh, her tone tinged with sadness, as she waited for Mina's reaction. As expected, Mina shot up from her blanket cocoon like a spring.

"I'm up! I'm up!"

Still groggy, Mina rubbed her head, causing Nayeon to panic.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just dizzy," Mina mumbled.

"See? That's what happens when you sit up too quickly. Honestly, just hearing her name gets you moving—so predictable," Nayeon teased, amused.

Mina offered a sheepish smile, her eyes still tightly shut, clearly too sleepy to fully open them. Nayeon chuckled at the sight and instinctively reached out to ruffle Mina's messy hair, making it even messier.

"If you don't want mornings to feel this rough, stop staying up late playing games," she reminded, her tone half-scolding but mostly indulgent.

With that, Nayeon left the room, vowing to remind Mina to sleep earlier whenever they had early schedules.

As she approached the kitchen, the smell of toast and the sound of cheerful laughter greeted her. It was unmistakably Momo and Chaeyoung's voices, and it instantly lifted Nayeon's mood.

"You two haven't eaten yet?"

"We're waiting for you and Mina! I'm starving over here!" Momo whined, earning a playful head pat from Nayeon.

On the table were four plates of beautifully prepared food. Each had sunny-side-up eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and butter, accompanied by a small bowl of strawberry jam.

Momo sat before a plate decorated with a peach drawn in ketchup, while Chaeyoung's plate had a strawberry design. Nayeon took her seat in front of a plate featuring a bunny face, glancing over to Mina's plate—a simple red heart. A smile tugged at her lips. Chaeyoung, though childish at times, was also quite thoughtful.

"Wow, smells amazing," Mina exclaimed, her voice livelier than usual as she entered the kitchen and beamed at Chaeyoung. Sitting beside Nayeon and across from her girlfriend, the room seemed to fill with unspoken affection.

"Mina, do you see anything special on your plate?"

Mina looked down and saw the bright red heart, grinning from ear to ear. She glanced up at Chaeyoung, who was gazing at her with sparkling eyes. Mina blinked in acknowledgment, her cheeks tinged pink, before both of them shyly lowered their heads, sharing a quiet giggle.

"Why does Mina get a heart? She's supposed to be a penguin!" Momo teased, her voice carrying mock indignation.

"She's my heart," Chaeyoung replied shyly.

Hearing this, Mina's gummy smile made an appearance, and she clapped her hands gleefully. Seeing Mina happy made Chaeyoung feel over the moon.

"Ah, seriously..."

Nayeon could only shake her head, while Momo added with a grin, "Unnie, we're going to need extra energy to deal with these two today. Better eat up!"

Momo noticed that the eldest sister seemed lost for words, so she chimed in and began her breakfast.
"The strawberry jam was made by my grandma for me. Everyone, eat up!"

Son Chaeyoung added, her big round eyes narrowing with pride as her face lit up. Seeing such a childlike expression, Myoui Mina couldn't help but smile, leaning across the table to pinch her lover's cheek gently.

"Got it, you little kid!"

The other three said nothing more and continued their meal in silence. The atmosphere was quiet but comforting.

The reason only the four of them were heading to the company today was that they had been selected for a special stage in Chile. All four of them would be performing Gashina by senior artist Sunmi.

When she received the news, Nayeon thought fate had an odd sense of humor. How could everything line up like this? It was one thing for Mina and Chaeyoung to be paired together—nothing surprising there—but why did she have to be part of the group too? She regretted ever dancing to this song on Weekly Idol.

Somehow, Nayeon always ended up working separately with Mina and Chaeyoung. There had been countless times when the group was split into trios for photoshoots, and she always found herself grouped with MiChaeng. Even though the two refrained from showing any affection in front of the staff, Nayeon, fully aware of what was going on between them, still felt uneasy. Those photoshoots were always a bit awkward and uncomfortable for her, though perhaps only she felt that way.

Honestly, she wished for one of two things: either to be with just Chaeyoung or, even better, just Mina—or to steer clear of both altogether. Nayeon simply wanted to feel more at ease while working. Every time she saw the two clinging to each other, a wave of loneliness swept over her, a subtle but nagging ache in her chest. Thankfully, Momo was part of this group, which might help ease the awkwardness, though it probably wouldn't make things entirely comfortable.

The rehearsal went smoothly, as everyone already knew the moves. All that was left was to arrange the formations. The spacious practice room was filled with just the four of them. Three were chatterboxes, and the other laughed along, creating an atmosphere as lively and bustling as when all nine members were present.

Caught up in the busy practice, Nayeon temporarily forgot about the sadness she had been carrying these past few days. Occasionally, glimpses of affectionate looks or sweet gestures between the pair crossed her vision, but she quickly brushed them aside.

Besides, Hirai Momo's well-timed presence made it hard for Nayeon to feel down. Momo was constantly calling, "Nayeon unnie, Nayeon unnie," encouraging her when she couldn't get the moves right and showering her with praise when she did. When Nayeon complained about being sore, Momo rushed over to massage her shoulders, asking if she was tired and if she wanted water, even offering to go buy some.

Momo's cheerful and enthusiastic nature felt like a dose of vitamins for Nayeon, lifting her spirits. It made her wonder why she didn't like someone like Hirai Momo instead of falling for someone unavailable like Myoui Mina.

Perhaps it was because Mina didn't pay attention to her the way Momo did—neither too sweet nor too cold with her, or with anyone for that matter. Mina always seemed to only have eyes for Son Chaeyoung, which made Nayeon envious and wistful. Or maybe it was just destiny.

"Let's take a break; I'm exhausted."

Son Chaeyoung was the first to raise the white flag, plopping onto the sofa in the practice room, panting heavily. It was rare to see this side of the usually energetic little tiger. But before she could rest for long, Myoui Mina appeared, pulling her to her feet.

"No sitting after intense exercise."

"But I'm so tired; I don't want to stand."

Chaeyoung tried to sit again, but before her bottom could hit the sofa, Mina pulled her back up.
"Then lean on me."

"Just exercised hard—who allows hugging?" Chaeyoung mimicked Mina's tone but obediently leaned against her, or more accurately, let her entire weight collapse into Mina's arms as Mina held her close.

"Oh, so you say, 'no hugging,' but your hands are clinging tightly to her back. Son Chaeyoung, can you at least have some shame?"

"Leave me alone, Momo. You're just jealous you can't do this, huh?"

"Nayeon unnie, are you tired? Come lean on me instead!"

Momo opened her arms, waiting for the eldest sister to throw herself into them. But instead, Nayeon merely smiled faintly, which caught Momo off guard. She had expected Nayeon to join in teasing MiChaeng as usual, but it seemed she wasn't in the mood for jokes this time.

"Nayeon unnie doesn't want you anymore, Momoring."

This comment came from Mina, who decided to join in on her lover's teasing. Her words were quickly echoed by Chaeyoung, who giggled while still resting her face on Mina's shoulder.

"Nayeon unnie, don't hug Momo unnie. Wait until I'm not tired, and I'll let you lean on me."

For some reason, Chaeyoung's words prompted Nayeon to step forward and hug Momo tightly. Momo, still a bit embarrassed from being teased by Mina and Chaeyoung, blinked in surprise.

"Who needs Mina? I like Momo more."

"I meant you could lean on me, not Mina..."

Chaeyoung's voice carried a hint of poutiness as she tightened her grip around Mina's waist.

"Oh, so it would've been better if you leaned on me from the start, right? Instead, I've been teased by them this whole time."

Momo spoke, her lips forming a playful pout, but she didn't expect what came next—a kiss on the cheek from Nayeon.

Momo's wide eyes and continuous "Eh, eh" were adorable. Despite the surprise, she couldn't deny how much she enjoyed receiving kisses from the eldest sister.

On the other side, Mina and Chaeyoung were equally surprised. They were used to Nayeon's spontaneous moments, but they had never seen her kiss someone so fervently before. Im Nayeon planted multiple kisses on both of Momo's cheeks, then hugged her tightly. Momo could feel the force behind the embrace, but she couldn't understand why Nayeon was suddenly acting this way. Regardless, she hugged Nayeon back just as tightly.

Of course, Nayeon understood Chaeyoung's implication, which was also the reason she impulsively initiated skinship with Momo. She felt a pang of guilt for taking advantage of Momo, but she couldn't suppress her irrational actions. She knew exactly what was going on within herself.

Being irrationally jealous of someone else's lover might be the silliest thing she'd ever done, but when it's love, it's justified—or so she convinced herself.

Seeing the affectionate display of the Peach Sisters, Son Chaeyoung naturally kissed Myoui Mina on the cheek. At first, Mina didn't react, but a few seconds later, she leaned in and gave Chaeyoung a quick kiss on the lips. Chaeyoung could only beam with delight. Just as she was about to rest her head on Mina's shoulder again, she caught a glimpse of a scowl and a sharp glare from Im Nayeon, who still had her face buried in the crook of Momo's neck. A moment later, Nayeon closed her eyes, while Chaeyoung's attention shifted to the soft voice whispering in her ear.

"What do you want for lunch?" Mina asked.

Chaeyoung looked up to see Mina gazing at her, her long lashes fluttering slightly as she blinked. Chaeyoung's heart began to race.

"Why are you blushing? Am I too pretty?" Mina teased, gently stroking Chaeyoung's lightly flushed cheek. Secretly, she thought if it weren't for Nayeon and Momo being here, she'd kiss Chaeyoung as much as she wanted.

"How about beef bone soup?" Chaeyoung suggested.

"No."

"Oh..."

"Just kidding! You can eat whatever you want—even me." Mina smirked.

Seeing Chaeyoung's downcast eyes, Mina immediately stopped teasing. She pulled Chaeyoung into a hug and gently swayed her back and forth. Mina whispered something softly into Chaeyoung's ear, causing her to giggle, partly because of the words, partly because it tickled. Unable to hold back, Chaeyoung pushed Mina away and laughed.

Meanwhile, every move the two made was within Nayeon's line of sight. While she and Momo were discussing lunch plans, her mind was still focused on Mina and Chaeyoung.

"Hey, let's go get lunch. I'm starving," Momo said, swinging Nayeon's hand playfully.

"I was about to say that. Let's get beef bone soup," Mina cheerfully suggested, taking Chaeyoung's hand as they approached Nayeon and Momo.

"But Nayeon unnie and I just decided on budae jjigae (Korean army stew)," Momo said, her enthusiasm dimming. She glanced down as she felt Nayeon's grip on her hand tighten slightly.

"But Chaeyoung said she wanted to eat..." Mina started but was quickly interrupted by Chaeyoung.

"I've changed my mind. Let's go for budae jjigae, Mina."

"Are you sure, Chaeng? How about this: let the two unnies eat their stew, and we can have beef bone soup. You said that's what you wanted," Mina said.

Even though Chaeyoung put on her aegyo—a trick she only used when she wanted to persuade Mina—Mina was determined to stick to Chaeyoung's original choice. Mina knew Chaeyoung was only changing her mind out of consideration for the two older members, but to Mina, Chaeyoung's preferences mattered most.

Chaeyoung understood Mina's intentions but couldn't help feeling frustrated that Mina didn't grasp hers. She wanted to accommodate the two unnies, yet Mina seemed unwilling to compromise. Worse, Mina even suggested splitting into pairs for lunch. What kind of suggestion was that? Wasn't eating together more fun? Mina's words felt dismissive of Nayeon and Momo's feelings. If she offended them, it would be a hassle.

"But Nayeon unnie said she wanted budae jjigae," Momo interjected, causing the tension to rise. Just as Mina was about to retort, Nayeon spoke up quickly.

"Then let's have beef bone soup. It's just lunch—no need to make a fuss and waste time."

"There's no need for that, unnie. You mentioned budae jjigae, and now I'm craving it. Let's go for that. As for Mina, let her eat whatever she wants," Chaeyoung said, her sharp tone accompanied by a piercing glance at Mina, who could only laugh it off awkwardly.

Nayeon quietly observed Mina, then grabbed her bag and coat. Mina, who seemed unaffected by Chaeyoung's remarks, merely chuckled.

Nayeon's decision to yield wasn't out of a desire to compromise but a realization that arguing further was pointless. She could already predict Mina's rebuttal: "I said we should just split up."

Mina, usually resolute in her decisions, became even more stubborn when it came to Chaeyoung. Her insistence felt like an immovable force, so Nayeon chose not to argue.

While Mina's suggestion to split up didn't anger Nayeon, it illuminated something for her. In that moment, she saw a strange flicker in Mina's eyes. Nayeon realized Mina wasn't solely catering to Chaeyoung's preferences. She wanted alone time with her. If Mina saw Nayeon and Momo as mere third wheels, then Nayeon would fulfill her role—she'd never let them be alone together. Conveniently, this also aligned with her own intentions.

Seated at the lunch table, even though they were eating her preferred meal, Nayeon still didn't feel satisfied. Momo had stepped out to take a call, leaving Nayeon alone with the overly affectionate couple. She tried to focus on her phone, but her attention kept straying to the two.

In truth, Mina and Chaeyoung weren't engaging in any overt displays of affection beyond leaning close while playing a game together. Mina was engrossed in the game, while Chaeyoung rested her head on Mina's shoulder and held onto her arm. Since they were in a private dining room, there was no need for pretense.

This seemed to be a routine for them. Chaeyoung often stayed close to Mina during these moments—not to do anything specific, but simply to be there. Her presence made Mina feel secure. Far from being distracting, Chaeyoung's occasional jokes and soft giggles seemed to energize Mina, making her game even more thrilling. Consequently, Mina often ended up winning.

That's why Mina recently started calling Chaeyoung her "goddess of luck." Chaeyoung thought the nickname was way too cheesy and even threatened Mina, saying that if anyone else ever heard it, she'd get mad. Mina didn't mind, though; she was already used to this contradictory girl. Despite obviously liking it, Chaeyoung always tried to say the opposite. It was just part of Son Chaeyoung's shy nature.

"Have we ordered yet?"

Momo returned with a bright smile but immediately sensed a strange atmosphere in the room. One side felt warm and cozy, while the other seemed to radiate a faint chill.

"Yeah, we did. The food should be here soon," Chaeyoung replied cheerfully, her eyes still glued to Mina's phone.

"Yes, I won!"

Mina put down her phone and flashed a V-sign, catching Nayeon's attention, who had been seemingly uninterested until then.

"Well done."

Myoui Mina beamed as she received a head pat from the younger girl.

"Mina and Chaeyoung, let me warn you two—don't do anything that'll ruin my appetite later."

"Or what?" Mina raised an eyebrow.

"I won't eat anymore."

"Great! Then we'll just have to show lots of affection, won't we, Chaeng?"

"I think so, too."

Mina and Chaeyoung had mastered the art of bouncing off each other effortlessly, likely because they were often the targets of endless teasing.

"You two are too much," Momo pouted but quickly cheered up when the food arrived.

All this time, Nayeon hadn't said a word. Being sensitive by nature, Chaeyoung quickly picked up on the eldest's unusual behavior. Even though she seemed focused on Mina, she had noticed Nayeon stealing complicated glances at them several times.

Thinking Nayeon might feel uncomfortable seeing her and Mina being affectionate, Chaeyoung stopped responding to Mina's displays of affection altogether. When Mina offered to scoop some noodles into Chaeyoung's bowl, she declined, saying she'd do it herself.

Mina was surprised but didn't press further, attributing it to Chaeyoung's notoriously fickle moods.

"Mina, have some of this."

Nayeon smiled as she placed a piece of sausage into Mina's bowl, drawing the attention of not only Mina but also the two others at the table.

All three pairs of eyes turned to her, making Nayeon feel a little awkward. She had only wanted to show Mina some care since Mina had been busy serving Chaeyoung the whole time. But now, her gesture made her the center of attention. If it had just been Mina and Momo, the situation might not have been so awkward. But with Son Chaeyoung present, Nayeon felt utterly embarrassed, though she couldn't pinpoint why. It was as if she feared people would discover how much she yearned for something that wasn't hers.

To cover her tracks, Nayeon quickly served meat and sausages to Momo and Chaeyoung, urging everyone to eat. From that moment, she remained silent at the table, avoiding even the slightest glance at Mina.

The meal passed peacefully. Nayeon eventually became more talkative, mainly with Momo. She reminded herself that letting others affect her emotions wasn't ideal. Why let someone else's actions dictate her mood? Damn these feelings.

Im Nayeon couldn't help but marvel at how well Chaeyoung could pick up on her emotions. While it didn't exactly make her feel better, she was still grateful to Chaeyoung.

"Nayeon unnie, look who's holding hands under the table!"

Momo teased, nudging toward the pair across from her. Both Mina and Chaeyoung turned as red as tomatoes. Momo had bent down to pick up a dropped spoon and caught them in the act. It was hard for Mina and Chaeyoung to sit still without some form of contact.

Nayeon could only smile awkwardly, unable to comment. So they were being affectionate all along—she just hadn't noticed.

"I'm going to the restroom."

As Nayeon passed Mina and Chaeyoung, she saw their hands still clasped together, despite being caught. When she returned, they were still holding hands, as if they had no intention of letting go. She didn't know when they had started or how long they planned to continue, but it was clear that this simple act made them very happy.

"Dinner's over, but I don't want to go back to practice. What should we do?"

Momo clung to Nayeon, whining as she returned to her seat. The comment sparked an idea in the 19-year-old's lively mind.

"Let's go to a norebang (karaoke)!"

"Oh, you really know me, Son Chaeng!"

Chaeyoung exclaimed excitedly, making Momo's eyes light up. Myoui Mina, as usual, remained calm, smiling as she watched the noisy duo. She glanced at Nayeon and immediately smiled when she saw Nayeon looking back at her. Today, Nayeon's gaze felt different—more deliberate. Her subtle smile seemed unlike her usual self, surprising Mina.

Mina worried that Nayeon might not be able to join in the fun, so she offered a slightly hesitant smile.

But as if reading her mind, Nayeon suddenly smiled brightly, dispelling her earlier gloom. This genuine smile eased Mina's concerns.

"Nayeon unnie, what do you think of the idea?"

After marveling at their "shared brilliance" for a while, Momo and Chaeyoung remembered to ask for others' opinions. Not that Mina's mattered much—she'd agree to anything.

"When don't I like karaoke?"

"Then let's go!"

"Wait, are we really going?"

Mina grabbed Chaeyoung's hand as she stood, her words leaving Momo stunned, though Chaeyoung didn't seem to care.

"Why wouldn't we?" Chaeyoung replied without looking at her.

"But we haven't finished practicing." Mina blinked innocently, keeping her gaze fixed on Chaeyoung.

"We'll practice later tonight."

Nayeon's response earned Mina three "friendly" stares. Once the fun mood was set, resistance was futile—even Mina gave in.

"Don't pretend, Myoui Mina. You always go wherever Chaeyoung goes."

"Fine, if Mina unnie doesn't want to go, let her practice alone. The three of us can go!"

Chaeyoung freed her hand from Mina's grasp and turned to leave. But before she could take a step, two hands grabbed her waist.

"Let's go. I was kidding; how could I not go?"

Chaeyoung turned to see Mina flashing her gummy smile, her crescent-shaped eyes sparkling with affection. At that moment, Mina felt less like a penguin and more like man's best friend. Chaeyoung tried to maintain her poker face, but the thought made her burst into laughter. She really wanted to take this puppy-like Mina home.

All four of them headed to Im Nayeon's favorite karaoke spot. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, especially Momo and Chaeyoung. The two linked arms, chatting and laughing ahead, leaving Myoui Mina and Im Nayeon walking quietly behind, neither saying a word.

Nayeon admitted to herself how much she hated this situation. She wanted to say something but couldn't bring herself to speak. The atmosphere around them felt colder, and Mina didn't seem as comfortable as she appeared to be.

Nayeon's gaze fell on Mina's dangling hand, reddened slightly by the chill. She tucked her own hand into her coat pocket, the warmth inside doing little to fill the emptiness. It wasn't as though her pocket was particularly spacious.

Sighing, Nayeon silently reprimanded herself. What had she promised that day? That she'd get closer to Mina. Yet, here she was, unable to make it happen.
Perhaps it was because she didn't dare. She feared that if she got any closer, Mina might disappear.

It was irrational—how could Mina vanish like a dream? She was right here, walking beside her. Her steady footsteps reassured her breathing even despite their long walk. Myoui Mina was truly here with her. If Nayeon reached out, she could touch her, yet it felt like she couldn't quite reach.

Looking down, Nayeon noticed their mismatched strides. It puzzled her—weren't people who walked together often supposed to naturally sync their steps? Was even this small detail a sign that they'd never share the same world?

Mina glanced at Nayeon, who was walking with her head bowed. She placed a hand on Nayeon's shoulder and waited for her to look up before smiling gently.

"Unnie, if you keep looking down like that, what if you bump into something?"

"Mina wouldn't let that happen, right?"

Nayeon forced a smile as she replied. To her surprise, Mina didn't smile back. Instead, she frowned slightly.

"It seems like Nayeon unnie has something on her mind today."

"Was it that obvious?"

"Not really. But if you care enough about someone, you notice."

Nayeon felt her heart race. What was it doing? It was just simple concern between groupmates—she shouldn't overthink it!

"Can you tell me about it?" Mina's voice was calm, yet her side profile exuded a clear, cool elegance. Though she seemed detached, her tone carried genuine concern.

How could Mina be both warm and distant? How could she pretend not to care yet make Nayeon feel so seen? How could Myoui Mina be so utterly captivating?

"Can't I?" Mina's lips curved faintly as she added, "You've been looking at me a lot, so I thought you had something you wanted to share. Or am I being too confident?"

Lost in her thoughts, Nayeon didn't answer, leaving Mina slightly disappointed. If she recalled correctly, the two of them had never truly confided in each other. They weren't that close, after all.

Of course, Nayeon longed to tell Mina everything in her heart. Wouldn't it be amazing to share joys and sorrows with someone she cared for? But this matter was directly related to Mina—something Nayeon herself couldn't even fully face. How could she possibly put it into words?

"It's not what you think. I just need a bit more time to figure it out. It's nothing worth dwelling on."

"Really?"

Mina stopped and turned to look directly into Nayeon's eyes, wanting to confirm she was okay. But her questioning gaze only made Nayeon feel worse. Her lips trembled, and she had to fight the urge to blurt out, "I wish that were true."

"Of course. I'm more mature than you think. I can handle and overcome things on my own in the strongest way possible."

"But if it ever becomes too much, please say something. Don't bear it alone. Even though I know how strong you are," Mina said earnestly, holding Nayeon's shoulders. Nayeon could only respond with a faint smile.

"Yeah, I understand."

"If you want to think, that's fine. But hold onto my arm so I can guide you—this way, you won't bump into anything."

"Aren't you worried Chaeyoung will get jealous?"

"She's too busy clinging to Momo unnie," Mina said nonchalantly before grabbing Nayeon's hand and wrapping it around her arm. Nayeon's heart fluttered as she instinctively tightened her grip. Despite Mina wearing both a hoodie and a jacket, Nayeon could feel her warmth seeping through.

She stole a glance at Mina's face, catching a faint smile at the corner of her lips. Under the brim of her cap, Mina's eyes sparkled with light.

For the first time that day, Nayeon felt her mind calm.

"I'm weak, so I'll let myself lean on you just a little longer."

Chaeyoung glanced back briefly and found their closeness a bit strange. But she quickly dismissed it—they'd arrived at the karaoke room.

The spacious room quickly filled with the loud shrieks of Momo and Chaeyoung, who picked a flurry of dance tracks in both Korean and English. They threw themselves onto the small "stage," dancing wildly.

Mina, as usual, sat quietly to the side, enjoying the show with an uncontainable smile. Seeing Chaeyoung carefree and authentic made her deeply happy. At some point, Mina had resolved to do whatever it took to let Chaeng be herself, even if it came at a personal cost.

Mina didn't mind indulging Chaeyoung's childish tantrums or jealous fits, like when she casually mentioned her and Jeongyeon calling each other by first names. Mina didn't fear others suspecting them—she would simply suppress her emotions in public, no matter how uncomfortable it was.

Time would pass, and everyone would mature. But Mina always hoped Chaeyoung could express her true self with her. Mina loved Chaeyoung for who she was. If Chaeyoung had to hide her most authentic self, would she still be Mina's Chaeyoung?

Giggling at MoChaeng's ridiculous dancing, Mina glanced at Nayeon. It was strange—normally, Nayeon wouldn't give up the spotlight, yet tonight she seemed unusually quiet.

Mina didn't ask why. They were seated a bit far apart, and the room was too noisy for her soft voice to carry. She watched as Nayeon seriously picked a song and decided to let her be.

When MoChaeng scored a perfect 100, Chaeyoung leapt into Mina's arms, exhausted but triumphant. Mina held her tightly, her hands soothing Chaeyoung's back despite her playful chiding.

"Why overdo it and end up like this?"

Her voice was gentle, devoid of scolding. As Chaeyoung pretended to pull away, Mina only hugged her tighter.

"I don't want to."

She kissed Chaeyoung's forehead, smoothed her disheveled hair, and planted a fleeting kiss on her lips. Surprised yet delighted, Chaeyoung held Mina tighter, unwilling to let go.

The melodious music diverted Son Chaeyoung's attention elsewhere. Her eyes fell on Im Nayeon's small back. While enjoying the feeling of being held in her lover's arms, she was also excitedly waiting to hear Nayeon sing. It had been a long time since she had heard her sister sing a ballad. However, this didn't seem to be Nayeon's favorite song, but coincidentally it was a song that Chaeng really liked to listen to.

Do you see my heart? Why is it love?

I was never gonna fall in love again

But I'm such a fool

Why am I happy? I think of your face

Chaeyoung frowned slightly when she saw Nayeon glance at her. No, she looked at Mina to be exact. She was a little surprised but then she assumed that she was simply drifting off to the song because the older girl turned away immediately.

Son Chaeyoung could feel that each line of the song was coming from the other person's heart because of the way the person polished each word.

"Are you singing your heart out?"

Chaeyoung looked up and caught Mina's attentive gaze on Nayeon, and Momo was also very serious listening to her eldest sister sing. Chaeng told herself not to think about anything else but to focus on enjoying the performance in front of her.

The red and blue lights in the room seemed to surround Nayeon. Her eyes were closed, her shoulders trembled slightly with each breath, this moment she was unexpectedly attractive.

The singing filled the space, each lyric was deeply engraved in someone's mind. Im Nayeon seemed to pour out all her heart to sing, but the more she sang, the more it seemed to be filled with more, not lessening at all. Perhaps because she was singing in front of someone special, however, she couldn't say that this song was for that person.

My flawed heart and my love

Will you accept it? Me?

Chaeyoung's heart skipped a beat when Nayeon suddenly opened her eyes and looked straight at Mina. Chaeyoung heard something like a fast and strong heartbeat.

"Myoui Mina, do you know who you're holding in your arms that your heart is beating so fast?"

Nayeon's eyes didn't move away until the last notes of the song sounded. For some reason, Chaeyoung's heart suddenly felt a little colder.

"Unnie, that was amazing," Momo exclaimed, clapping enthusiastically. Mina stayed silent, her face calm, but Chaeyoung could hear her pounding heartbeat echoing her own.

Nayeon only smiled lightly at the compliment. She had hoped for more than Mina's calm demeanor as if nothing had happened. Clearly, Nayeon had noticed Mina's eyes widening when she sang the last line, but was disappointed that she couldn't discern the emotions within them.

"'I'm in Love'? Who chose this song?" Momo wondered as the new song appeared on the screen.

"I did."

Son Chaeyoung answered while decisively breaking free from Myoui Mina's embrace. She had chosen this song when they first entered the room, wanting to sing something for her love. But now she no longer felt as excited as she had imagined.

It's true that I was afraid to fall deeper in love

For fear of getting myself hurt...

I believe that it is YOU

That I've been praying with all my heart and yearning for.

I'm in love...

I'm falling in love...

I'm not afraid as long as I'm with you

The world is so beautiful

Chaeyoung's voice suited the song perfectly. Though she was hesitant at the beginning, as the song progressed, "I'm in Love" seemed as if it was written for Chaeng. It was the song Son Chaeyoung wanted to sing when thinking about that person, and it encompassed all her thoughts.

Sometimes she worried Mina wouldn't understand her feelings, as it seemed Chaeng only received from her but rarely gave back. Chaeyoung wasn't good at expressing herself, even though she often drew abstract things that only she knew were referring to someone, or wrote poems expressing her emotions when with Mina. But of course, everything remained safely within Chaeng's diary. No one would know how deep her feelings ran, or how precious Mina was to her.

No one wants to expose their precious things for others to see. Moreover, Mina was Chaeyoung's weakness, and she never wanted anyone to know that.

I can be a good lover

Wanna be your 4-leaf clover

I feel I'm the happiest woman in the world

You gotta believe me

Make you never gonna leave me

I'll never doubt you

I'll trust you...

Chaeyoung felt relieved seeing Mina's smiling face. Though she often called her wooden-headed, surely she would understand what message she was trying to convey?

Standing above, Chaeyoung could clearly observe everyone's expressions as she sang. Momo was cheerful, Mina was affectionate and tender, and Nayeon... was simply emotionless.

Chaeyoung also noticed Nayeon glancing to the left, where Myoui sat. She counted three such glances in total; otherwise, she kept her eyes on the ground or directly on her. Did this matter? Nayeon could look wherever she wanted, but Chaeng felt something wasn't right. Combined with Mina's earlier reaction, it left something stuck in her heart that she couldn't untangle.

Although these jumbled thoughts troubled her, Chaeng had performed her song excellently. Chaeyoung felt slightly embarrassed when she returned to sit beside Mina, fortunately, the pink on her cheeks wasn't noticeable under the multicolored lights.

Mina noticed Chaeng's embarrassment and said nothing, despite the floating feeling in her heart that made her want to fly. Mina knew Chaeyoung was singing for her, as her eyes while singing had said it clearly. But something inside Mina told her she shouldn't show how happy she was. She just held her companion's hand tightly in thanks.

Myoui Mina had once said she preferred expressing affection through small gestures like holding hands. When Im Nayeon saw their clasped hands, she understood her feelings could be given but not returned.

Yet falling in love with someone is always easier than letting them go.