Chapter 9

A week later, things felt… normal again.

Mina sat at her cubicle, fingers hovering over her keyboard, screen glowing with half-finished work. It was the middle of the week—nothing special, nothing dramatic. Just another day. And yet, she caught herself thinking, wow… things are actually going really well.

Her and Momo, especially.

They’d settled into something easy. Comfortable. They talked more now—about work, about random things, about nothing at all. They grabbed coffee together sometimes, lingered in the break room longer than necessary. And aside from that one moment—that moment, the strange adrenaline rush that had completely caught her off guard—nothing like that had happened again. Surprisingly.

And honestly? Mina didn’t know how to feel about that.

She felt safe with Momo. Comfortable in a way she hadn’t expected. She genuinely liked being around her, liked how effortless it felt to talk, to laugh, to just exist in the same space. Maybe… maybe that was enough for now. She didn’t need to overthink it. Didn’t need to label it.

Yeah, Mina thought, exhaling softly. This is enough.

By the time lunch rolled around, she’d packed up her things and headed to the floor kitchen like she always did. Nayeon and Chaeyoung were already there, sitting at their usual spot, food spread out between them. Mina joined them without a second thought, slipping right back into routine—three coworkers, midweek lunch, the comfort of something familiar.

For now, at least, things were simple. Suddenly, Mina’s phone buzzes against the table. She glances down at the screen and groans softly. Oh. Right.

It was that time of year again. The email was from work—Business Trip Lottery Results.

Their company did this whole lottery system where different floors or units would get picked to go on international business trips every year. In theory, it rotated fairly. In reality? Mina was convinced it was low-key rigged. Their department had been picked once in the last three years. Once. Meanwhile, there were only, like, six units total, and somehow Research & Development had magically gotten picked two years in a row.

It was suspicious. Extremely suspicious. Before Mina can even finish skimming the email, Nayeon scoffs loudly. “Did you guys see the email?”

Chaeyoung barely looks up from her food. “Yeah.”

Mina scrolls a little further, eyes widening. “…Product Management got picked?” she blurts out. “What the hell?”

Nayeon throws her head back. “I know, right? Isn’t that some bullshit?”

Chaeyoung groans dramatically. “And they get to go to fucking China. I wanna go to China!”

Mina laughs. “Okay, but we went to Thailand last time.”

Chaeyoung immediately shoots her a look. “Yeah, that was in our first year—back when we weren’t even real employees yet. We were basically glorified interns.” She stabs her food with unnecessary aggression. “It was great and all, but god, I wanna go to fucking China.”

“This shit is rigged,” Mina mutters in return. “Absolute bullshit.”

Nayeon just laughs, shaking her head. “Tell me about it.”

The three of them sit there complaining in unison, half-joking, half-serious, feeding off each other’s frustration. Just another day at work. Just another reminder that the company they worked for was—politely speaking—a mess.

“God, this is so annoying,” Nayeon groans, stabbing at her food.

“Seriously,” Chaeyoung says immediately. “I wanted to travel for free. I haven’t gone anywhere in forever.”

Mina just watches the two of them, amused, biting back a laugh as they spiral together. Then—out of nowhere—

“God, I’m about to nag Jeongyeon about it,” Nayeon mutters. “Bet she’s fucking stoked.”

Silence swallows the three of them. Both Mina and Chaeyoung freeze and slowly turn to look at Nayeon.

“…What?” Mina says.

Nayeon blinks. “What do you mean, what?”

Chaeyoung narrows her eyes. “No. What did you just say?”

Mina leans in slightly, eyes lighting up. “Did you just bring up Jeongyeon?”

Nayeon’s face instantly goes beet red. “I—” she starts, then stops. “I didn’t—”

Chaeyoung lets out a loud laugh. “Oh my god. You’re cooked.”

Mina grins, delighted. “So you are talking to her.”

Nayeon groans, dropping her face into her hands. “It’s not—okay, it’s not like that.”

“Uh-huh,” Chaeyoung says, fully unconvinced. “Sure.”

Mina just giggles, watching Nayeon absolutely spiral. Oh, this was way more interesting than a business trip results email. She just sits there, wide-eyed, watching Nayeon’s face cycle through embarrassment, denial, and mild panic in real time.

“I don’t know why you guys are acting so weird,” Nayeon says defensively, waving her chopsticks. “You’re making this a thing.”

Mina tilts her head. “Us acting weird?” she says lightly. “You were the weird one. Especially that day you came back from that lunch.”

Chaeyoung perks up immediately. “Yeah, yeah, that lunch,” she says, pointing her chopsticks like she’s presenting evidence in court. “You never told us what happened.”

Nayeon stiffens. “Because nothing had happened.”

Mina raises an eyebrow. Even she doesn’t believe that. Chaeyoung leans back in her chair, squinting at Nayeon. “So let me get this straight. You went to lunch with her. You came back all flustered. You were quieter than usual. And now you’re telling us nothing happened?”

“Yes,” Nayeon says too quickly. “Like I said, nothing happened.”

Chaeyoung hums, clearly unconvinced. “Mmm. Interesting.”

She leans forward, lowering her voice like she’s about to share a secret. “So you’re telling me you just… ate food. No awkward tension? No weird flirting? No staring?”

“Absolutely not,” Nayeon snaps.

Chaeyoung’s grin slowly spreads. “Then why are you so defensive?”

Nayeon opens her mouth—then closes it. Mina bites her lip, trying not to laugh. Chaeyoung presses on, fully instigating now. “What are you hiding from us, Nayeon? It’s been, what, a week? Something had to have happen between you two.”

“There is literally nothing going on between us,” Nayeon says, voice rising. “So just drop it.”

Chaeyoung nods slowly. “Wow. That was the least believable sentence you’ve ever said.”

Mina finally loses it, laughing. “Yeah… sorry. I don’t buy it either.”

Nayeon groans, face burning. She slumps back in her chair. “Why are you both like this?”

Chaeyoung grins, victorious. “Because you’re lying. And you’re bad at it.”

Then out of nowhere, chaeyoung’s eyes light up instantly. Oh. This is her moment. Nayeon rolls her eyes hard. “Again, nothing happened, so just drop it. It’s not that serious anyway.”

“That’s exactly what people say when it’s serious,” Chaeyoung replies immediately. She squints at her. “Wait—are you guys, like… dating or something?”

Nayeon looks like her soul leaves her body. “Why the fuck would that be happening?” she blurts. “You know me.”

Chaeyoung shrugs, completely unfazed. “I don’t know. You’re being weird.” Then, with zero hesitation: “Did you sleep with her?”

Mina freezes. Her face drops like she just witnessed a crime. Nayeon nearly chokes. “Hell no!” she snaps. “Do you know who the fuck I am? I would not sleep with that girl.”

Chaeyoung hums thoughtfully. “I mean… from what you guys told me about that last shit show lunch—with you, Mina, Momo, and her—I wouldn’t be that surprised.”

Nayeon smacks Chaeyoung on the head without thinking. “Shut up. Jesus. No.” She exhales sharply, rubbing her temple. “God. Me and Jeongyeon are just friends.”

Mina and Chaeyoung both go quiet.

“…Just friends?” Mina repeats slowly.

“Yes,” Nayeon says, already embarrassed. “Just friends. We agreed to be friends.”

Chaeyoung’s eyebrows shoot up. “You agreed?”

“And,” Nayeon adds, like it’s no big deal, “she has my personal phone number now.”

Silence settles over the table. Mina stares at her like she just announced she joined a cult. Chaeyoung’s mouth slowly falls open. “…You gave her your personal number?”

Nayeon freezes. “…It’s not like that.”

Chaeyoung leans back in her chair, crossing her arms slowly, a grin spreading across her face. Dangerous. “Oh my god,” she says. “You’re doomed.”

Mina nods faintly, completely serious. “Yeah. You’re absolutely doomed.”

Nayeon groans, dragging her hands down her face. “I hate both of you.”

But Chaeyoung isn’t done. She leans forward now, eyes narrowing slightly. Curious. “Wait,” she says. “I still haven’t even met this girl.”

Nayeon stiffens.

“It’s been—what? A week?” Chaeyoung continues. “And suddenly she’s your friend?” She tilts her head. “I need to meet her.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do,” Chaeyoung says immediately. “What does she even look like?”

Nayeon grabs her drink way too fast. “She looks like a person.”

“That’s not helpful,” Chaeyoung deadpans.

Mina hums softly, thinking. “…She’s really pretty.”

Nayeon’s head snaps toward her. “Oh my god.”

“She is,” Mina insists, calm. “Like—really pretty. She kind of looks like a princess.”

“A—no she doesn’t,” Nayeon says immediately, flustered. “Why would you say that?”

“She does,” Mina shrugs. “She’s hot.”

“Okay, you’re both being weird.”

“I wanna see her,” Chaeyoung says, fully locked in now. “Show me.”

“I don’t have a picture of her,” Nayeon says quickly.

Mina’s eyes light up. “Oh—wait. I can get one.”

Nayeon turns to her slowly. “…Don’t.”

Mina is already pulling out her phone. “I’ll just text Momo.”

“MINA—”

Too late. Message sent. They wait. Two seconds. Three. Then Mina’s phone buzzes. “…Oh,” she says, blinking. “Momo replied fast.”

“Of course she did,” Nayeon mutters, slumping back in her chair.

Mina opens it. And then—”Oh.”

Chaeyoung leans over immediately. “What? Show me.”

Nayeon covers her face. “I hate you both so much.”

Mina turns the phone. Chaeyoung freezes. “…Wait.” A beat.”…Oh, she’s fine.”

Mina nods, a little impressed. “Her hair looks really good today.”

“She does look like a princess,” Chaeyoung says, squinting. “Like a hot one.”

“What is wrong with you two?” Nayeon snaps, grabbing her drink again, flustered, fanning herself slightly without realizing it.

Chaeyoung glances at her. Then back at the phone. Then back at Nayeon. Slowly. “…Oh, I really need to meet her.”

“No,” Nayeon says immediately.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“I’m serious,” Chaeyoung says, sitting up straighter now. “What the fuck is going on?”

That shift is subtle—but real. Mina notices it too. She lowers the phone. “…Yeah,” she says quietly. “What is really going on?”

Nayeon looks between them, already defensive. “Nothing. We’re just friends.”

Chaeyoung just stares at her. “…Do you hear yourself?” she asks.

“We are.”

“Okay,” Chaeyoung nods slowly. “Then why are you acting like this?”

“I’m not—”

“You are,” Mina cuts in gently. “You’ve been… off.”

Nayeon exhales sharply. “I’m fine.”

Chaeyoung leans forward again, this time not smiling. “Are you playing her?”

That lands. Hard. Nayeon blinks. “…What?”

“You heard me,” Chaeyoung says. “Are you playing with her?”

“I’m not like that.”

“I know you’re not,” Chaeyoung says. “That’s why I’m asking.”

Silence hits them.

“You hooked up with people, yeah,” Chaeyoung continues. “But you don’t do—” she gestures vaguely, frustrated, “—this.“

Mina nods slightly. “It doesn’t feel casual.”

Nayeon looks away. Jaw tight.

“She likes you, doesn’t she?” Chaeyoung adds, softer now. “That’s obvious for sure.” Then there’s another beat. “I’m just saying,” She finishes, holding her gaze, “don’t play with her feelings now.”

“I’m not,” Nayeon says quickly. Too quickly.

Mina and Chaeyoung exchange another look. Neither of them believe her.

“…We’re really just friends,” Nayeon repeats, quieter this time.

Chaeyoung leans back again, exhaling through her nose. “Yeah,” she mutters. “Okay.” A beat passes. Then— “I still need to meet her though.”

Nayeon groans again, dropping her head to the table. “I hate both of you.”

Mina can’t help it—she giggles, shoulders shaking a little as she looks at Nayeon, clearly entertained. Nayeon snaps her head up immediately, eyes narrowed, still flustered and annoyed. “Oh no, you do not get to laugh at me,” she says. “You have absolutely no right. What’s going on with you, huh? What’s going on with you and Momo?”

Mina feels the air catch in her throat. “Oh—” she starts, then stops.

Chaeyoung’s head whips toward Mina like she’s been waiting for this. “Yeah, actually,” she says, pointing at her. “What has been going on with you two? I’ve noticed you’ve been sneaking off during breaks, lunches, after work—”

“I am not sneaking,” Mina blurts.

Chaeyoung ignores her. “Is it just strictly professional at this point?”

Mina feels heat crawl up her neck, into her cheeks, her ears—everywhere. “What is wrong with you guys?” she says quickly. “Of course it’s professional. We’re working on our project together.”

Nayeon leans back in her chair, arms crossed, looking way too pleased. “Mm-hmm,” she says. “Sure. Just the project.”

“Yes,” Mina insists. “The project.”

Nayeon tilts her head. “Then why are you two always alone together now?”

Mina stares at her, completely stunned. “Are you serious right now?”

Chaeyoung’s grin spreads instantly. “Yeah, Mina. Funny how that works.”

Mina sputters, then points at Nayeon. “You said you didn’t want to get involved anymore! The last time you were around us, you literally said that!”

Nayeon blinks. “…That’s not—”

“Yes it is!” Mina cuts in, flustered now. “You said you didn’t want to deal with it, so I stopped inviting you! That’s not my fault!”

Chaeyoung leans back in her chair, thoroughly entertained. “Oh, so now you’re just… privately hanging out with her?”

“I am not—” Mina starts.

“You are,” Chaeyoung says, pointing at her. “You be sneaking around.”

“I do not sneak around!”

“Girl,” Chaeyoung snorts, “you literally disappear half the time. ‘Oh, I’m busy.’ Busy doing what? Momo?”

Mina’s face goes red. “You—this is—why are you both attacking me?!”

Nayeon laughs under her breath. “We’re not attacking you.”

“Yes, you are!”

Chaeyoung shrugs. “I mean, I was supposed to meet with you guys that one time, remember? And then suddenly it’s just… you and her again.”

“That was one time!” Mina insists.

“Mhm,” Chaeyoung hums. “And now it’s every time.”

Mina looks between them, betrayed. “You guys are so annoying.”

Nayeon smirks. “Oh, don’t act innocent. You started it by laughing.”

Mina groans, dropping her face into her hands. “I hate this place,” she mutters.

Chaeyoung laughs. “No you don’t.”

Nayeon nods. “Yeah. You love it.”

Mina peeks up at them, cheeks still warm. “…I hate both of you.”

They both just laugh harder. Mina’s face is fully on fire now. She suddenly lifts her head, flustered, voice coming out faster than she means it to. “We’re— we’re just getting to know each other right now, that’s all.”

Nayeon immediately latches onto that. She leans forward, squinting at Mina like she’s analyzing evidence. “Oh?” she says. “So getting to know each other? Hmm. So you’re not really friends then, right?”

Chaeyoung jumps in instantly. “Yeah,” she says. “What does that even mean? ‘Getting to know each other’ sounds fake.”

Mina throws her hands up. “I don’t know!” she blurts. “It’s just—this shit is new to me, okay? You guys know this. I’ve never—like—met anybody like this before. We talked about it a little bit, and we’re just… getting to know each other as people.”

Even as she says it, it sounds like she’s trying to convince herself. Nayeon grimaces. “That sounds like a whole headache.”

The three of them laugh for a second. And then there’s a pause. Then—Nayeon’s eyes narrow. “…Wait.”

Chaeyoung tilts her head. “What?”

Nayeon leans forward slowly towards Mina, like she just caught onto something. “You’re deflecting.”

“I am not—”

“You are,” Nayeon cuts in immediately. “You do that when you’re hiding something.”

Chaeyoung’s eyes light up. “Oh my god, she is.”

Mina freezes. “…I’m not hiding anything.”

“Then why do you look like that?” Chaeyoung asks, grinning. “You look like you’re about to explode.”

“I do not—”

“YOU DO,” Nayeon says, pointing at her. “Your ears are red.”

Mina immediately covers her ears. “Oh my god, shut up.”

Chaeyoung leans in closer. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“What happened, Mina…..”

“Nothing!”

Nayeon squints at her. “…Did you guys kiss finally?”

Mina CHOKES. “WHAT—no!” she blurts, way too fast.

Both of them go dead silent. Then—”…Oh my god,” Chaeyoung breathes.

Nayeon slaps the table lightly. “YOU ALMOST DID, DIDN’T YOU??”

Mina covers her face instantly. “Oh my god, I hate both of you—”

Chaeyoung is LOSING IT. “Wait—wait—when?!”

Mina groans into her hands. “It was—like—weeks ago—at the copier room—”

“I KNEW IT,” Nayeon shouts.

“And then—” Mina keeps going, because she’s already committed now, voice muffled, “—it almost happened again the other day when we had lunch.”

Silence hits them. Then both of them scream.

“AGAIN?!”

“TWICE?!”

Mina drops her hands, completely flustered. “YES, okay?! TWICE. It just—it keeps happening and then something interrupts us and I—” she gestures helplessly, “—I think it’s going to happen soon!”

Chaeyoung leans back in her chair like she just heard the best news of her life. “Oh my god.”

Nayeon is grinning like a maniac. “Did you write this in your diary?”

Mina freezes. “…What….”

Chaeyoung immediately jumps in. “Oh, she definitely did.”

“I DID NOT—”

“You absolutely did,” Nayeon says. ” ‘Dear diary, we almost kissed today. Again.’ “

Chaeyoung clutches her chest dramatically. ” ‘Her hand was on my heart—’ “

“STOP,” Mina snaps, face burning. “Oh my god, you guys are so embarrassing—”

Nayeon wipes a fake tear. “This is so cute.”

Mina groans, slumping in her seat. “This is not cute. This is stressful.”

“Why?” Chaeyoung asks, still smiling.

Mina hesitates. Then quieter—”…..Because I’ve never kissed anyone before.”

Silence hits them. Nayeon blinks. Chaeyoung blinks. Then— “…WHAT?” they both say at the same time.

Mina immediately regrets everything. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“NO, no—wait—” Nayeon leans in, fully invested now. “You’ve never kissed anyone? I could have sworn….”

Mina shakes her head, mortified. “No.”

Chaeyoung’s jaw drops. “Oh my god.”

“I know,” Mina says quickly. “I KNOW. You don’t have to react like that—”

“No, this is serious,” Nayeon says, sitting up straighter. “We need to prepare you.”

“Prepare me??”

“Yes,” Chaeyoung nods. “This is a big moment.”

Mina stares at them like they’ve lost their minds. “It’s just a kiss!”

“Exactly,” Nayeon says. “And you’re gonna fuck it up if we don’t help you.”

“HEY—”

“I’m just saying,” Nayeon shrugs. “You can’t go in there stiff like a board.”

Chaeyoung nods seriously. “Relax your face.”

“What does that even mean?!”

“Like don’t overthink it,” Chaeyoung explains. “Just… go with it.”

Nayeon adds, “And don’t smash your face into hers.”

“I would not—”

“You might,” Nayeon says. “You’re nervous.”

Mina is losing it. “Oh my god.”

“And don’t forget to breathe,” Chaeyoung says.

Mina stares at her. “I know how to breathe.”

“Okay but people forget!” Chaeyoung defends. “It gets intense!”

Nayeon leans back, smirking. “Also—eye contact.”

Mina covers her face again. “I’m not doing this with you guys.”

“You are,” Nayeon says. “Because clearly you need help.”

Mina peeks through her fingers. “…What if I mess it up?”

Chaeyoung softens just a little. “You won’t.”

Nayeon nods. “Yeah. If anything, she’ll probably think it’s cute.”

Mina’s heart does a weird little flip at that. “…You think so?”

“Obviously,” Nayeon says. “Have you seen yourself?”

Chaeyoung grins. “Yeah, you’re fine. You’ll survive.”

Mina exhales slowly, still embarrassed—but slightly reassured. “…I hate you guys,” she mutters.

They both smile.

“Yeah,” Nayeon says. “You love us.”

Chaeyoung nods. “And you’re definitely kissing her soon.”

Mina groans. But she doesn’t deny it. There’s a beat. Then Nayeon tilts her head slightly, eyes narrowing again. “…Okay, but let me ask you something.”

Mina immediately tenses. “What?”

Nayeon points at her. “That night, at the club.”

Mina’s stomach drops. Chaeyoung groans softly. “Oh my god, here we go.”

Nayeon ignores her. “Are you still sure that was Momo?”

Mina doesn’t even hesitate this time. “Yes.”

Both of them blink at how fast she answered. Mina swallows, then doubles down, quieter but firm. “The shoes matched. Her vibe… matched. The way she—” she cuts herself off, cheeks heating again. “It was her. I know it was.”

Chaeyoung leans back in her chair, arms crossed. “Or you think it was her.”

Mina shakes her head. “No. I’m telling you—it was. You saw her shoes Chae!”

Nayeon hums, considering. “Has Momo ever brought it up yet?”

Mina pauses.”…No.”

“Of course not,” Chaeyoung mutters. “Why would she? They barely know each other. That’s not first-date conversation.”

“Hey, remember that time I was in a random bathroom stall?” Nayeon adds dryly. “Yeah, no.”

Mina presses her lips together. “Exactly.”

Chaeyoung shrugs. “Honestly…. maybe it doesn’t even matter anymore.”

Mina looks at her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Chaeyoung says, “you’re getting to know her now. Like, as an actual person. Not… mystery bathroom girl.”

Nayeon snorts.

“But,” Chaeyoung continues, “it is kinda weird.”

Mina groans softly, dropping her head into her hands. “I know.”

“Like,” Chaeyoung goes on, “you technically hooked up with her… and she has no idea it was you.”

“…Yeah,” Mina mumbles into her palms.

“That’s kind of insane,” Chaeyoung finishes.

Nayeon waves a hand. “Then don’t tell her.”

Mina lifts her head. “What?”

“Take it to the grave,” Nayeon says simply.

“Girl—” Chaeyoung starts.

“I’m serious,” Nayeon says. “Why would Momo ever need to know? It was anonymous for a reason. She probably doesn’t even care about it, and moved on.”

Mina frowns. “But what if she finds out somehow?”

Nayeon raises an eyebrow. “How would she?”

“I don’t know!” Mina says, spiraling a bit. “What if it comes up randomly and she realizes, and then she thinks I’m weird or—like—a creep or—”

“Hey,” Chaeyoung cuts in firmly. “Relax.”

Mina exhales shakily. Nayeon rolls her eyes. “Also, let’s be real. Momo walked into that situation herself.”

Mina blinks.

“She chose that,” Nayeon continues. “She doesn’t get to judge you for participating in the exact same thing.”

Mina hesitates. “…She could’ve been really drunk.”

“And you weren’t?” Nayeon shoots back.

“…Okay, fair.”

Chaeyoung sighs, softer now. “Look… just don’t spiral about it. What’s done is done.”

Mina goes quiet.

“You like her,” Chaeyoung adds. “She likes you. That’s what matters right now.”

“The past is the past,” Nayeon says with a shrug.

Mina still looks unsure. After a second, she leans forward, serious now. “Okay—but you guys cannot tell her. Or anyone. Like—seriously.”

Nayeon immediately holds up her hands. “Relax. I’m not about to start announcing your business.”

Chaeyoung nods. “Yeah. You’re good.”

Nayeon smirks a little. “Even though I still think it’s not that serious.”

Mina glares. “Nayeon.”

“I’m just saying,” she shrugs.

Mina groans, dropping her head back down at the table. “Oh my god….”

Nayeon laughs under her breath. “You’re kind of cooked.”

“Shut up,” Mina mutters.

But despite everything—the panic, the confusion, the mess of it all—there’s still something warm sitting in her chest when she thinks about Momo. And that might be the most dangerous part.

Chaeyoung doesn’t miss a beat. “I mean,” she says, shrugging at Nayeon, “your situation doesn’t sound any better.”

Nayeon rolls her eyes hard. “My situation is fine. Me and Jeongyeon are just friends. People wouldn’t bat an eye at us,” Then suddenly, she looks back at Mina with a suspicious little smile.”As for Mina, I don’t know, beacuse….. I did see your social media recently.”

Mina freezes. Like—freezes. “…What?” she says slowly.

“Oh, come on,” Nayeon continues casually. “Momo follows you now on instagram. And she’s liked—what—basically every picture on your main page? Like, spam-liked everything.”

Mina’s face goes nuclear. “How the fuck do you even know that?!”

Chaeyoung’s eyes widen. “WAIT, really?” She immediately pulls her phone out to see. “Hold on, let me check.”

“No—Chae—!” Mina lunges, reaching across the table to grab her phone. “What are you doing?!”

Chaeyoung leans away, laughing. “Relax, I’m just curious!”

Mina’s mortified. “What is wrong with you guys?!”

Nayeon completely loses it, bursting into laughter, clutching her stomach as she watches Mina desperately try to snatch Chaeyoung’s phone away. And after a couple of seconds, Chaeyoung makes it to Mina’s instagram page. She let’s out a low whistle.” Oh wow Mina…. she’s going all in huh?”

“Oh my god,” Nayeon wheezes. “This is so much better than my situation.”

Mina groans, dropping back into her seat, face still burning. “Once again, I hate both of you.”

Chaeyoung finally lowers her phone, still grinning. “Yeah,” she says. “But you love us.”

Mina just hides her face again while Nayeon keeps laughing like she just won the lottery. Out of nowhere, Chaeyoung’s work phone buzzes. Then it buzzes again. She quickly reaches for it, glances down at the screen, and sets it face-down on the table like nothing happened.

Nayeon notices immediately. She just stares at her, eyes narrowed, lips curling into an amused little smirk. Chaeyoung looks up. “What?”

“Hmm,” Nayeon hums slowly. “I don’t know. I’ve just noticed lately you’ve been texting a lot. Checking your phone a lot, too.”

Chaeyoung scoffs. “Yeah? That’s normal.”

“Is it?” Nayeon tilts her head. “Or do you have, like… a secret girlfriend you’re not telling us about?”

Chaeyoung’s face heats up instantly. Mina’s eyes widen. “Wait—really?”

“No!” Chaeyoung blurts out. “What the hell? Why would I have a secret girlfriend?” She gestures vaguely at her phone. “It’s nothing. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Nayeon isn’t buying it. She leans back, crossing her arms. “Mhm.”

Chaeyoung rolls her eyes hard. “It’s just that damn intern, okay? That’s all.”

Nayeon’s face lights up immediately. “Oh my god—wait.” She grins. “Is it that bubbly baby intern we met?”

Chaeyoung groans like she’s in physical pain. “Oh my god, shut up.”

Mina starts giggling too now. “Wait, what’s her name again?” she asks innocently. “I don’t remember.”

Chaeyoung lets out a long, defeated sigh. “…Her name’s Tzuyu.”

Nayeon gasps dramatically, as she remembered that nickname situation. “Chewy-ah!”

Mina laughs. “Ohhh, Tzuyu! Chewy! “

Chaeyoung buries her face in her hands. “I hate it here.”

At this point, Nayeon is fully hysterical—like, laughing so hard she has to bend forward, one hand clutching her stomach, the other wiping at the corner of her eye. Chaeyoung, meanwhile, looks like she’s two seconds away from committing a crime. Her phone buzzes again.

Nayeon’s laughter immediately spikes. She points at the phone like she just won a case in court. “Wow. That girl is really texting you a lot. You sure she’s not your girlfriend?”

Chaeyoung’s jaw drops. “Will you just shut up? Jesus Christ.” She rubs her face. “I’m literally her mentor. Of course she’s texting me. Nothing is going on.”

Mina watches her closely, head tilted, eyes sharp in a way that says she’s clocking everything. The tight jaw. The defensive tone. The way Chaeyoung won’t look at her phone for more than half a second. “…Are you sure?” Mina asks softly.

Chaeyoung snaps her gaze to her. “Yes. I’m sure.” She exhales sharply. “I’m just a mentor to an intern. That’s it.”

Her phone buzzes again. She barely glances at it this time before flipping it face-down on the table like it personally offended her. Nayeon squints. “Yeah, no. No one believes you.”

Chaeyoung barks back, irritated now, “I’m telling you—seriously! You’re being fucking delusional.”

The two immediately start bickering over each other, voices overlapping.

“You’re hiding something.”

“I’m literally not.”

“You’re acting weird.”

“You’re projecting.”

Buzz.

Mina doesn’t even realize she’s moving until she is. In one smooth motion, she leans forward and grabs Chaeyoung’s phone off the table. Chaeyoung’s head snaps up instantly. “Hey—what the fuck are you doing!?”

Mina turns the screen on. The message banners pop up. Her eyes widen. Then she starts laughing. Like, genuinely laughing. Chaeyoung lunges halfway across the table. “Stop snooping through my shit!”

Mina looks up, still grinning, and reads aloud, completely unfiltered: “‘Miss Pervert?'” She raises an eyebrow. “What exactly is going on in those messages, Chae?”

Chaeyoung freezes. Her soul leaves her body. Nayeon’s jaw drops—and then she loses it, laughter exploding out of her so loudly that a couple people nearby glance over.

“Oh my god,” Nayeon wheezes. “MISS PERVERT?”

Chaeyoung sinks back in her chair, hands dragging down her face. “I hate both of you. I genuinely hate both of you.”

Mina is still laughing, shaking her head. “Yeah,” she says. “Totally just an intern.”

Chaeyoung is actually spiraling now. She’s half-standing, half-slumped over the table, one hand clutching her chest, the other gripping the collar of her shirt like it’s the only thing keeping her alive. “Guys—guys, I’m serious,” she wheezes. “I’m gonna have a fucking panic attack. I’m about to lose my fucking JOB. I’m gonna be fired! I’m gonna be escorted out by security!”

Nayeon doesn’t even hear her. She has fully slid out of her chair and onto the floor, back against the cabinet, laughing so hard she’s screaming, legs kicking slightly like she’s possessed. “MISS—” she gasps, “—MISS PERVERT—OH MY GOD—”

Mina is bent over the table, one hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking violently as she tries—fails—to keep it together. Her face is bright red. Tears are forming. She looks like she might pass out from holding in laughter. People in the hallway are definitely staring now. A couple employees slow down. Someone outright stops and looks in.

The kitchen sounds like a zoo.

Mina finally managed to inhale. “Okay—okay,” she said, still laughing. “We need to calm down. We’re being way too loud.”

Chaeyoung looked like she was about to pass out. “I’m serious. I’m gonna lose my job. This is it. This is how it ends.”

“No one called HR,” Mina said, reaching over to pat her shoulder, though she was still visibly fighting laughter. “You’re fine.”

Nayeon leaned back in her chair again, wiping under her eyes. “I haven’t laughed like that in years.”

Chaeyoung turned to her slowly. “You’re evil.”

Nayeon immediately lost it again. “Miss Pervert!”

Chaeyoung made a strangled noise and slumped lower in her chair. Mina squeezed her shoulder once more, then looked at her with entirely too much calm. “Okay. But for real.” Chaeyoung peeked up through her fingers. “What happened?”

There was a beat. Then Chaeyoung exhaled hard, wiped at her forehead, and muttered, “…Something happened.”

Both Mina and Nayeon straightened immediately.

“Oh my god,” Nayeon said.

Mina leaned in, eyes bright. “Go on.”

Chaeyoung glanced around the kitchen like she was about to hand over classified documents. Then, in a low voice, she said, “It’s been fucked since the first day Chewy got here.”

Nayeon and Mina both went dead still. Chaeyoung swallowed, then started talking. “Her first day, I got her settled in. Showed her her cubicle, the usual stuff. Everything was fine. Totally normal.” She paused and grimaced. “Until later.”

“How much later?” Nayeon asked.

“Like… not that much later,” Chaeyoung said. “She came to get me because she needed help logging into the system. So I go over there, and she had these sticky note packets hanging off the desk, about to fall.”

Mina was already covering her mouth.

“And I reached to grab them,” Chaeyoung continued, visibly embarrassed, “and then she bumped into the cubicle and—”

She stopped. Nayeon stared. “And?”

Chaeyoung closed her eyes. “Her skirt flew up.”

Nayeon slapped the table. Mina choked on air. Chaeyoung pressed on before either of them could interrupt. “I saw her panties, okay!? It was an accident! A complete accident! I didn’t know what the hell to do!”

Nayeon was laughing again, quieter this time, shoulders shaking. “Oh my god.”

“She saw that I saw them,” Chaeyoung said, voice rising slightly, “and she was pissed. She called me a pervert.”

Mina leaned back in her chair, shaking her head. “Oh my god, Chae.”

“I know,” Chaeyoung said. “I told her to fix her skirt because she cannot be wearing a skirt that short around the office. Like, ever again.”

“Did she fix it?” Nayeon asked, still grinning.

Chaeyoung frowned. “Yeah, obviously. But that’s not even the point.”

“The point is,” Mina said carefully, “you haven’t seen her in person since then right?”

Chaeyoung shook her head. “Not really. We’ve only texted.”

Nayeon’s grin widened. “And she’s calling you Miss Pervert.”

Chaeyoung looked like she wanted to throw herself into traffic. Mina tilted her head. “Okay… so what’s the actual problem now?”

Chaeyoung hesitated. Then muttered, “She asked me to lunch.”

Both Mina and Nayeon immediately lit up.

“She what?” Mina said.

“She asked me to have lunch with her,” Chaeyoung repeated, more quietly this time. “Like, a week ago.”

Nayeon blinked. “And?”

“And I’ve been avoiding it,” Chaeyoung admitted. “I kept saying I was busy.”

Mina frowned a little. “Why?”

Chaeyoung stared at her. “Because I’m scared.”

Nayeon let out a laugh. “Scared of what?”

Chaeyoung sat up straighter, genuinely stressed now. “What if she reports me? Or blackmails me? Or wants something insane from me?”

Nayeon stared at her for a second. Then started laughing again. “Blackmails you?”

“I’m serious!”

Mina shook her head, smiling now. “If she was gonna report you, she would’ve done it already. That happened, what, over a week ago?”

“Almost two,” Chaeyoung muttered.

“Exactly,” Mina said. “You’d know by now.”

That made Chaeyoung pause. Then slowly—very slowly—some of the panic drained out of her face. “…You think so?”

“Yes,” Mina said. “I really don’t think you’re getting reported.”

Chaeyoung exhaled so hard her whole body sagged. “Oh, thank god.”

Nayeon snorted. “You are so dramatic.”

“It felt dramatic!” Chaeyoung shot back.

Mina laughed softly. “Seriously, just have lunch with her.”

Chaeyoung looked between them. “Why are you both acting like this is normal?”

Nayeon shrugged. “Because it kind of is.”

“No, it’s not.”

“She’s probably teasing you,” Mina added. “That’s what Miss Pervert sounds like to me.”

“Exactly,” Nayeon said. “Also, maybe she likes you.”

Chaeyoung nearly choked. “No.”

Nayeon raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“Because she’s playing with me,” Chaeyoung said immediately. “There’s no way she actually likes me.”

Mina and Nayeon exchanged a look. Then Mina said, “You’re really bad at this.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means,” Nayeon said, grinning, “you’re definitely into her too.”

Chaeyoung opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “…I hate both of you.”

Mina smiled. “That’s not a denial.”

Chaeyoung slumped back in her chair, defeated. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll have lunch with her.”

Mina clapped once. “Good.”

Nayeon looked way too pleased. “There we go.”

Chaeyoung pointed at both of them. “If I lose my job over this, I’m haunting you.”

“Noted,” Nayeon said.

Mina glanced at the clock, then suddenly jolted upright. “Oh shit.”

“What?” Chaeyoung asked.

“It’s past one.”

All three of them froze. Then looked at the clock. Then at each other.

“…We’ve been in here way too long,” Nayeon said.

Chaeyoung groaned and grabbed her things. “Great. Now I really am getting fired.”

Mina stood too, still laughing under her breath. “You’re not getting fired.”

Chaeyoung muttered, “That’s what you think.”

The three of them cleaned up in a rush and headed back toward their cubicles, still drawing the occasional curious stare from people passing the kitchen. Mina couldn’t help smiling to herself as they walked. The whole lunch had been completely ridiculous.

But honestly?

It had been hilarious.

——-

The parking garage is dim, lit by those flickering overhead lights that never fully decide if they want to work or not. The air smells faintly like concrete and oil, footsteps echoing too loud in the empty space.

It’s late. Everyone’s gone. Mina dipped out first. Nayeon disappeared right after—no explanation, of course. Typical. Chaeyoung walks toward her car, bag slung over her shoulder, already mentally clocked out for the day when—

Buzz.

She glances down. It’s Tzuyu.

“You was thinking about my panties earlier huh….? 😏”

Chaeyoung stops walking. “…What the fuck is wrong with you?” she mutters under her breath.

Then there’s another buzz.

“u liked it, dont lie Ms. Pervert”

Chaeyoung immediately turns her work phone off. “Yeah. Nope. Not dealing with that.”

She shoves it into her bag and exhales, rolling her shoulders—And that’s when she sees her. A few rows over.

Leaning against a car, keys in hand, head tilted slightly like she’s debating whether she has the energy to drive or just sit there for ten minutes first.

Short hair. Broad shoulders. Black jacket. Effortless. Chaeyoung stills….Oh. She knows exactly who that is. Not because she’s met her. But because—The way Mina described her. The picture. The vibe. Everything matches.

Chaeyoung squints slightly. “…You’re Jeongyeon, right?”

The girl looks up. Confused at first. Brows pulling together just slightly.

“…Yeah?”

A beat passes. Then Chaeyoung steps a little closer, adjusting her bag. “I’m Chaeyoung. Mina’s friend.”

Recognition clicks. Jeongyeon lets out a small ohhh, straightening up a bit. “Right,” she says. “You’re the one who connected Momo with Mina….”

There’s a pause. Then, a small, knowing tilt of her head. “So you’re Chaeyoung, huh…”

And just like that—There it is. They both know. A quiet, unspoken oh, you’re connected to her too.

They stand there for a second. Sizing each other up. Chaeyoung is subtle about it. But she’s watching everything Posture. Tone. The way Jeongyeon holds herself—relaxed, but there’s something underneath it. Tired. Like she’s carrying something she’s not talking about.

Jeongyeon, on the other hand, just looks… calm. Not guarded. Not defensive. Just—aware.

“…Long day?” Chaeyoung asks, casual.

Jeongyeon huffs out a small breath. “Something like that.”

“Same.”

There’s a beat. Silence settles. Then Chaeyoung tilts her head slightly. Blunt, like always. “So… you’re the one… dealing with Nayeon….”

Jeongyeon’s mouth quirks. Just a little. “Depends who you ask.”

That lands. Chaeyoung lets out a short breath through her nose. “…Yeah. That tracks.”

There’s another pause. Then—They both know exactly where this is going. Chaeyoung shifts her weight, expression tightening just a little. Not aggressive. Just… serious. “Look,” she says, quieter now. “I don’t know what she told you—”

Jeongyeon doesn’t interrupt. That’s what makes it worse.

“But if you think this is, like… something real…” Chaeyoung hesitates, and chooses her words carefully. “…just don’t let her play you.”

The air shifts. Not hostile. Not explosive. Just—heavy. Because that wasn’t an attack. That was concern.

Jeongyeon doesn’t react right away. She just looks at her. Really looks at her. And something in her expression—softens. Not in a comforting way.

In a damn, you really don’t know way.

A small exhale leaves her. “…Nayeon didn’t tell you anything, did she?”

That—That hits. Chaeyoung blinks. “…What?”

Jeongyeon doesn’t answer. Not directly. Instead—She reaches into her pocket. Pulls out her phone. Unlocks it. Scrolls. No drama. No buildup. Just—calm. Then she turns the screen toward Chaeyoung.

“Here.”

Chaeyoung steps closer. Glances down. And—Freezes. It’s a thread. Long. Too long. Her eyes move quickly at first—Then slower, and slower.

“does this look okay or no”
(a selfie. Nayeon. Soft lighting. Hair slightly messy. Looking straight at the camera.)

“you look fine”
“just fine??”
“you look good. relax”
“wow okay rude”
“you asked”

Chaeyoung’s brows pull together. Then she scrolls.

“are you awake”
(sent at 1:37 AM)

“yeah. what’s up”
“nothing”
“…okay?”
“just checking”

Then she scrolls, and there’s random TikToks. Instagram reels.

“this reminded me of you”
“why???”
“figure it out”

She scrolls some more. Then Chaeyoung sees….Voice notes. Multiple. One from Nayeon. Short. She doesn’t play it—but the existence of it is enough.

Then she scroll again and see’s more. A photo. Jeongyeon had clearly taken for someone. Casual. Unposed. But intentional.

Chaeyoung continues scrolling. There’s another photo. This time—Both of them. Close. Too close to be nothing. And—Emojis. So many fucking emojis. Hearts. Laughing faces. Dumb ones. Too many.

Chaeyoung’s stomach drops. Slowly. Because this—This isn’t casual. This isn’t “just friends.” This is—Something else. Something Nayeon never mentioned. Not once.

Her eyes lift from the phone and meet Jeongyeon’s. And for the first time—Chaeyoung doesn’t have anything to say. Because now she understands.

…Oh.

She’s not playing her. She’s—

She’s doing something worse.

Jeongyeon watches her reaction. Quiet. Then gently takes her phone back. Locks it. Shrugs, just slightly. She exhales through her nose. And says, almost casually— “She says we’re just friends.”

Silence waves over them. Heavy. Thick. Jeongyeon glances off to the side, then back at her. A small, tired smile. “So,” she adds, softer now—”I’m trying to act like that’s true.”

The space was silent. Chaeyoung doesn’t have a comeback. Doesn’t have a joke. Doesn’t have anything. Because what is she even supposed to say to that?

Stop?

Too late.

Be careful?

She already knows.

She doesn’t mean it?

That would be a lie.

“…She’s not good at this,” Chaeyoung says finally. Quiet. Honest. It’s not even defensive anymore. Just—truth.

Jeongyeon lets out a small breath. Not surprised. “I know.”

There’s another pause. Heavier now. Like something just… settled between them. Jeongyeon reaches for her car door. Pulls it open. Pauses. Just for a second. Like something catches in her chest. She exhales—slow. Controlled. “…I tried to step back,” she says.

Chaeyoung looks at her. That wasn’t expected.

Jeongyeon huffs a small, almost humorless breath, eyes dropping to the ground for a second. “After that lunch,” she adds. “I thought—yeah, this is… not a good idea.” A beat. “So I tried to pulled back.” Another beat. And then—

“But she didn’t let me go.”

That lands heavier than anything else.

Jeongyeon finally glances at her. There’s no anger there. No frustration. Just… acceptance. “She texted me first, and then kept texting me more,” she says. “She hangs out with me a lot now. Acting like….you know……” Her jaw shifts slightly. “And I realized—”

She stops. Like even saying it out loud feels too real.

“…it’s already too late.”

Silence hits them. Chaeyoung doesn’t say anything. She can’t. Jeongyeon’s grip tightens slightly on the car door. Not enough to be obvious. But enough.

“I should’ve just left her alone,” she admits quietly. A beat. Then, softer—”But I didn’t.”

She looks away again.

“…and now I don’t really want to.”

That’s the truth. That’s the part that hurts. She starts to get into the car—then pauses again. This time, she does glance back. Not sharp. Not accusing. Just… steady.

“If you’re her friend…” A small pause. “Don’t let her pretend this isn’t anything.”

And then she’s gone. Door shuts. Engine turns over. Headlights cut through the dim garage as she pulls out—and disappears.

Chaeyoung just stands there. In the quiet. The echo of the engine fading. Her phone still off in her bag. Everything… still. And it hits her. Slow. Heavy. Unavoidable.

Oh. She’s really not playing her. She’s—going to hurt her more. Chaeyoung exhales, dragging a hand over her face. “…Fuck.”

Because the worst part?

Nayeon doesn’t even know she’s fucking doing it.