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35

Mina's POV

Three days. Three days since Chaeyoung had collapsed, three days since I'd last seen her at home. Every call I made was answered by Somi, her voice a tight, strained thread weaving through my growing unease. Why is she with Chaeyoung? She hasn't been home in three days.

The apartment felt hollow, the silence a stark contrast to the usual cheerful chaos. The girls had been sleeping over, exhausted from the events, but the lingering tension was palpable. Tzuyu and Dahyun still exchanged icy glares, their worry for Chaeyoung masked by their simmering resentment. Everyone was on edge.

We woke up each morning, heavy-eyed and weary, yet the festival raged on around us, a vibrant backdrop to our quiet despair. Momo and Dahyun, a strange pair, walked the campus together, Momo seemingly trying to distract Dahyun. Tzuyu and Sana remained locked in their cold war, Tzuyu's indifference a shield against Sana's increasingly desperate attempts at reconciliation. Typical Tzuyu, I thought, a sigh escaping my lips.

Nayeon's incessant whining about being single grated on Jihyo's nerves, a familiar, if tiresome, melody in our otherwise discordant symphony.

Without Chaeyoung, everything felt muted, the vibrant colors of the festival dulled to a somber gray.

"Mina," a voice called, startling me from my thoughts.

"Jeongyeon, you're here!" I exclaimed, relieved by the unexpected company.

She pulled me into a hug, and I welcomed the warmth. "Accompany me, I'm bored," she chuckled, and I laughed along, needing the distraction.

We wandered the campus, sampling food from the various stalls, the festive atmosphere a temporary balm to my worry. Jeongyeon mentioned her upcoming return to the university, her words a casual aside that triggered a sudden, sharp question.

"By the way, how's Chaeyoung?" I asked, immediately regretting the lateness of my inquiry. Dumb Minari, why didn't you ask earlier?

"Chaeyoung? I thought she was already back at her apartment?" Jeongyeon replied, her brow furrowing in confusion.

My blood ran cold. "What...? What do you mean? She's not at home..."

"You... live together?" Jeongyeon asked, her surprise evident.

I nodded. Chaeyoung hadn't told her?

"Wow... I didn't know..." Jeongyeon murmured. "Well, I called her last night. She said she was home. We even joked a lot over the phone."

The pieces didn't fit. Why was Somi answering my calls, claiming Chaeyoung was asleep?

Jeongyeon nudged my arm. "Hey, you okay?"

"I... uh, yeah, I'm fine. Sorry," I stammered, my mind racing.

Jeongyeon eyed me skeptically. The school MC announced the opening of the art department's exhibition.

"Let's go?" I suggested, needing a change of scenery. Jeongyeon's hand found mine, her touch warm and comforting.

I know she likes me. I'm single, but why do I feel like I'm cheating? I quickly disengaged, taking her arm instead. Thankfully, she didn't protest, leading me towards the art department building.

The exhibition hall buzzed with activity, a mix of students and professionals admiring the artwork. Jeongyeon and I navigated the crowd, her near-stumbles adding a touch of nervous humor to the afternoon.

After half an hour, the crowd thinned, allowing us to reach a far corner of the hall. There, on a canvas, I saw a familiar scene. It was me, captured in paint, my sophomore ballet performance, the one that earned me the "Black Swan Mina" moniker. The dress, the stage, the crowd... it was as if the painter had been in my shoes.

The artist's name was listed below: "Katarina Son."

"Oh, is this Chaeyoung's work?" Jeongyeon asked, her voice soft.

"Chaeyoung's? But it says Katarina," I said, confused.

Jeongyeon chuckled. "Yeah, that's her English name. Actually, I named her that. I never thought she'd use it as her artist name."

I stared at the painting, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. Why would Chaeyoung paint me?

"Waah, daebak! My sister is really the best," Jeongyeon exclaimed. "Before, she'd just draw gross and weird things."

I smiled, a genuine smile, the worry momentarily forgotten. Chaeyoung really was amazing.

"Um... did you really like it that much?" Jeongyeon asked, breaking the silence.

Panic seized me. "No, I don't like Chaeyoung. I just uh..." Shit. "I mean, yeah, I like the painting so much," I stammered, my cheeks burning.

Jeongyeon studied me, her expression unreadable.

A call interrupted us, and Jeongyeon left. Outside, I saw Nayeon and the others running towards me, pulling me along. I'd almost forgotten about Sana and Tzuyu's fashion show.

We arrived just as it was about to begin. In the hall, I saw Dahyun and Sana disappearing into a room. Momo arrived silently, the tension thick in the air. Dahyun soon returned, had they talked?

The show began, model after model showcasing stunning creations. Sana's walk was breathtaking, her red dress a fiery spectacle.

Nayeon's enthusiastic shouts of "Marry me, Minatozaki!" were quickly silenced by Jihyo.

The crowd's energy shifted as the "elegant boyish fits" section began. Then, Tzuyu appeared, a vision in a black suit-dress, two girls in seductive black dresses and blindfolds walking beside her, their necks linked to Tzuyu by chains. She was a dark empress, her power undeniable.

The crowd gasped, then erupted in cheers. Some girls were openly moaning at Tzuyu's commanding presence, her movements deliberate and captivating.

Then, Dahyun, beside me, shouted, "THAT'S MY FUCKING BEST FRIEND OVER THERE!" She laughed, clapping enthusiastically.

Tzuyu's eyes met Dahyun's, a smirk playing on her lips. Dahyun yelled again, "YEAH, YOU FUCKER, YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND!"

The crowd went wild. The show ended, a whirlwind of stunning visuals and raw emotion. But my worry remained. Tomorrow was the last day, and Chaeyoung was still missing. My calls went unanswered.