paste you to the pages of my heart

Chapter Three

She's here.

Mina is here and she saw Minji.

Mina is here and she watched as Minji called Nayeon her mommy.

Mina is here and with her and Minji practically side by side, there is no denying that she and Minji look like replicas of each other.

Fuck.

Like, seriously, fuck. Mina looks as beautiful and as elegant as the last time Nayeon has seen her. The past five years have been good to her—she appears more mature now especially with her hair up in a messy ponytail. And with her black blazer, blue blouse, and dark pantsuit, Mina screams of sophistication.

God, she looks good.

Why does she have to look good?

"Minji!"

The collective call of Minji's name catches their attention. Nayeon knows it's her friends but she can't do anything but just stare at Mina.

She's here. In the flesh.

And Nayeon still can't wrap her head around that fact.

Mina is here.

And looks more beautiful than ever.

Goddamn.

It's Sana who first reaches them.

"Minji, my baby!" She immediately takes Minji away from Nayeon—who is still frozen and staring at Mina—and gathers her in her arms. "We were so worried!"

"I'm okay, Auntie Sana! I was with Auntie Penguin."

"Auntie Penguin?" Sana and Momo ask at the same time and it's only then that they—alongside Jihyo, Tzuyu, Dahyun, and Jeongyeon—notice the other woman with them.

There's a gasp—Nayeon thinks it's probably from Sana—and then silence.

And then Jeongyeon's quiet, "Minari."

Ever the smart and curious child, Minji quickly catches on. "Aunties, you know Auntie Penguin?"

Nayeon can feel the stare of everyone on the back of her head and she has to force herself to swallow the lump in her throat before saying, "Ladies, can you please pay for our groceries and then take Minji to the ice cream parlor down the street?"

Mina just watches her, silent, as Nayeon takes a deep breath and turns around to face her daughter and friends.

The smile she plasters on her face is as fragile as her tear ducts but she wills herself to put up a strong front for her daughter. "Minji. Baby, be good now, okay? Don't let go of Auntie Sana's hands. I just need to talk to... Auntie P-Penguin. I'll be right with you."

Minji is confused but she gives Nayeon a gummy smile. "Okay, mommy!" And then, without any warning for Nayeon's already delicate heart, Minji glances over Nayeon's shoulder and waves at Mina. "Thank you, Auntie Penguin! See you soon!"

Nayeon's never seen her daughter's eyes shine so brightly with admiration before—not even with Sana who is arguably Minji's favorite aunt—and the sight of her daughter looking at her other mother like that easily breaks down Nayeon's defenses.

And then Mina's quiet but clear reply delivers the final blow that completely breaks Nayeon's heart.

"You're welcome... Minji."

Nayeon quickly wipes away the lone tear that managed to escape before Minji can look at her again.

And then she meets her friends' eyes, whose expressions vary from worried to sad, and Nayeon just wants to break down and stop acting strong for once.