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MINA'S POV

The deadline loomed, a suffocating weight on my chest.  Each tap of my pen against the worn wooden table echoed the frantic rhythm of my heartbeat.  I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose, the pressure a temporary balm against the throbbing headache forming behind my eyes.

"Still can't do it?"

A gasp escaped my lips. My heart leaped into my throat; I stumbled back, hand flying to my chest.  Nayeon stood there, a mischievous grin playing on her lips, silhouetted against the dim light of the room.

"Oh my God, Don't pop out like that! You scared the living daylights out of me!" My voice trembled slightly.

"Hehe, my bad," she said, her grin widening.

I returned to my report, the words blurring before my eyes.  The deadline wasn't the only thing on my mind.  A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.

"Mina, you need to unwind. You won't finish anything like this," Nayeon's voice, soft yet firm, broke through my thoughts.

"I know, Nayeon," I sighed, pushing away from the table. The effort felt monumental.

"Oh, you're going home?"

I nodded, glancing at my phone. 7:23 PM.  The university campus was already deserted, the air thick with the quiet of approaching night.

"Come on, Minari! Let's go get a drink!" Nayeon's voice was bright, but her foot tapped an impatient rhythm against the floor.

I chuckled, a genuine sound that surprised even me. "Okay."

"Yes!" she yelled, practically bouncing towards the door.  "Meet me at my car!" Her voice faded down the hallway.

I gathered my belongings, the familiar weight of my bag a comforting presence.  Switching off the lights, I stepped out into the cool evening air.  Nayeon's car was parked across the road, her hand waving enthusiastically from the window.

I joined her, settling into the passenger seat.

"Let's go?" she asked, her smile radiating warmth.

I expected a bar, a bustling club, something to drown the anxieties of the day. Instead, we pulled up to a brightly lit food tent, the air thick with the aroma of grilling meat and sizzling spices.

"I thought we were going to a bar," I said, a chuckle escaping my lips.

"Hah, I'm not Jihyo," Nayeon laughed, "I said we'd unwind, not get wasted."

We joined Jihyo, Momo, and Sana at their table.  Three unfamiliar faces sat with them.

"Heyyaa, took you long enough," Jihyo greeted us. Momo and Sana were deep in conversation with the newcomers.

"Oh Mitang, you're here!" Sana exclaimed, rising to kiss my cheeks.

"Hmph, I'm here too, you know," Nayeon pouted playfully, feeling slightly ignored.

Sana laughed, returning the affection.

We ordered food, the anticipation building with each delicious aroma.

"Oh Nayeon, Mina, meet the juniors!" Sana announced, gesturing towards the three girls.

The shyest one, her cheeks flushed, seemed hesitant to speak.  But the palest one, with bright, curious eyes, stepped forward.

"Hi, I'm Kim Dahyun. Nice to meet you, Mina Unnie, Nayeon Unnie," she beamed, nudging the others.

"Um, I'm Tzuyu, Chou Tzuyu. Nice to meet you," Tzuyu bowed, her gaze drifting to the third girl, who was engrossed in her drink.

The girl finally looked up, a dimpled smile lighting her face.  "Um, hey, I'm Son Chaeyoung. Nice to meet you, Unnies."

The night unfolded in a flurry of laughter and shared stories.  We devoured several dishes, our conversations ranging from trivial to profound.

The cheerful atmosphere shattered when a drunken man stumbled into the tent, his voice loud and slurred.

"Oh, the bitch is here!"

All eyes turned to him as he swaggered towards Chaeyoung, spewing insults.  "You bitch, living happily like this after wrecking us like that!"

The tent owner tried to intervene, but the man's rage seemed unstoppable.  Chaeyoung's face was a mask of icy composure.  She finished her drink, a quiet dignity in her movements.

"If you'll excuse me, Unnies," she said, placing some money on the table and bowing slightly.

Tzuyu reached out, her hand grasping Chaeyoung's wrist.  "Chaeng..."

Chaeyoung smiled faintly at Tzuyu, then gently disengaged her hand and walked away, the drunken man trailing behind her.

The sudden silence hung heavy in the air.  The other patrons returned to their meals, but the incident left a bitter taste.

"Hey, are you sure it's okay to leave Chaeyoung like that?" Jihyo asked, concern etched on her face.

Tzuyu remained silent, her eyes fixed on some unseen point. Dahyun's jaw was clenched tight.

Nayeon and Sana started to speak, but Tzuyu abruptly stood, her movements sharp and decisive, and walked out.

We followed, our initial concern morphing into alarm.  We found Tzuyu in the parking lot, her fists clenched, her shoulders shaking.

We tried to question her, but she only shook her head, her voice choked with unshed tears.  Chaeyoung was gone.