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33

Chaeyoung's POV

"Um… coffee?" I offered, as Mina emerged from her room, bag in hand.

She looked surprised.  "Wow, you're early," she chuckled, and I mirrored her amusement.  "And yes, coffee, please," she added, setting her bag on the kitchen table.

I poured her a cup, catching a glimpse of the bag's contents: a multitude of medicine bottles.

"What's all that for?" I asked.

She zipped the bag shut, a smile playing on her lips.  "Just some medicines I carry around.  Cons of being a law student," she joked.

"Drink your coffee before you go," I said, a warmth spreading through me.

"Thanks. Sorry I can't cook breakfast today.  Gotta be early, y'know, ballet things," she teased.

I chuckled.  "No need to worry. Just eat there, okay?"

She smiled, a genuine, happy smile that sent a flutter through my chest.  "Yes, ma'am."

I drove her to school, the quiet ride filled with unspoken comfort.  Later, during afternoon rehearsals, I spotted Dahyun and Momo, who were soon joined by Tzuyu and Sana.  The tension between Tzuyu and Sana was palpable, Momo and Dahyun awkwardly trying to mediate.

I joined Dahyun and Momo, heading to the music room where Nayeon, Jihyo, and the other band members were setting up.

"Oh, hey, kiddos!" Jihyo greeted.

"Yah, I'm older than you," Momo retorted.

"Yeah, but you act like a kid, Momo," Jihyo teased back.

I chuckled at their playful banter.  Nayeon turned to Dahyun. "So, Dahyun, are we finally getting back to business?"

As we joined them, I noticed Momo's lingering gaze on Dahyun.  Something was definitely going on.

"Nah, I'll just be the piano girl. I won't sing, Unnie," Dahyun said.

Nayeon nodded.  Jihyo called for a start.

Momo waved goodbye, stealing one last glance at Dahyun before leaving.  Hmm… that’s… I thought, a knot forming in my stomach.

Do I have to try my best doing this? I wondered, the weight of the upcoming performance settling heavily on my shoulders.

A hand touched my shoulder.  "You can do it," a familiar voice said.

"Mina Unnie," I breathed, my heart doing a little skip.

Jihyo greeted Mina.  "Oh, Mina, didn't notice you were here."

"Well, I passed by and saw you starting, so I snuck in," Mina laughed, her voice light and carefree.  Her words, simple as they were, had an unexpected effect on me.

"Geez, Unnie, go now. No peeking at our performance. We don't do spoilers here," I teased, trying to hide my flustered reaction.

Mina chuckled, nodding.  "Fine, I'll get going now."

She left, and we resumed practice, the foundation event looming large.  I sighed, then smiled, Mina’s words echoing in my mind, a quiet source of strength.

Later, after practice, I wandered around the campus, watching students set up booths for the upcoming event.  The festive atmosphere was infectious.

"Chae," a voice called.  I turned to see Jeongyeon.

"Jeongyeon Unnie, what are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.

She chuckled.  "Well, this will be my school in a few days. That's what I'm doing here."  So she'll see Mina often now?  A pang of something akin to jealousy, quickly dismissed, struck me.

"Then let me show you around," she offered, her arm slipping around my shoulder.

Students watched us, their gazes drawn to Jeongyeon's striking beauty.  Why do I feel so insecure? I thought, pushing away the unwelcome feelings.  She's my sister, after all.

Jeongyeon was excited, marveling at the campus's size, then asking about the performance schedule.  I told her about the concluding performance, and mentioned Mina's morning performance.  I lied, telling her I had campus duties tomorrow, avoiding a family dinner.  I couldn't face Mom.

As we reached the gate, a familiar car pulled up.  Mom's piercing gaze met mine, softening only when she saw Jeongyeon, her smile warm and genuine.  I chuckled.

Jeongyeon greeted Mom, who didn't even acknowledge me.  Jeongyeon then invited me to dinner, but I declined, knowing Mom wouldn't want me there.

The car drove away, leaving me alone, the weight of Mom's disapproval heavy on my shoulders.  My phone buzzed.  It was Mina, asking if I'd be home.  As much as I wanted to be with her, I couldn't risk falling deeper.  I couldn't, I shouldn't.

Guess I'll sleep in the art department's storage room, I thought, a wry smile touching my lips.  Same old days.