paste you to the pages of my heart

Chapter Ten

A/N: not super minayeon-centric chap but I need it for the plot. shorter compared to the last two chapters too but the next chapter after this has a different... theme so I had to separate this one.

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"Did you all know that Chaeyoung is in Japan?"

As the norm, five heads all whip in Nayeon's direction, and the way they all say, "What?" at the same time is almost comical.

Almost.

Nayeon is serious about grilling Jeongyeon. She even coaxed all of her friends to spend their Sunday afternoon in her apartment—going as far as dropping off Minji at her grandma's for the day—to ensure that she would get all the answers she needs to hear from Jeongyeon.

"Mina told me," Nayeon explains when her friends only blink at her. "Said Chaeyoung was in Japan and she actually managed to find her." She turns to Jeongyeon with accusations clear in her eyes. She's the one who promised to keep in touch with Chaeyoung after all. "Did you know anything about that?"

Jeongyeon doesn't shy away from Nayeon's intense gaze. "I do. Did Mitang also mention Chaeng's exhibit?" She shrugs as if it wasn't a big deal that one of them was actually in contact with Chaeyoung all this time.

Nayeon gasps. "You know about that, too?"

Everyone else in the room is now closely paying attention, too. They're all confused and intrigued at the sudden revelations, but they don't want to butt in in case they further fuel Nayeon's ire.

She's already high-strung as it is, evident by her clenched fists on top of the table.

Jeongyeon nods, unbothered by the questioning looks that she's receiving from their friends as she continues eating ramyeon. "Chaeyoung messages me sometimes. You know, updates and milestones."

"Wait, since when?" demands Jihyo, a frown forming on her face as Jeongyeon's admission finally sinks in.

So, she does know about Chaeyoung.

Again, a shrug. Jeongyeon's indifference is setting off alarms in Nayeon's gut. "Since she left to look for Mitang."

"Why didn't you tell me? Us?" If Jeongyeon knew about Chaeyoung staying in Japan and actually finding Mina, what else does her best friend know that she isn't telling Nayeon?

Nayeon doesn't want to think about it because once she does, she knows there's no going back and she doesn't want to stop trusting one of her best friends.

Jeongyeon stops slurping on her ramyeon, her expression suddenly apologetic. "Chaeyoung was embarrassed that she couldn't convince Mitang to come back here so she didn't want me to tell any of you."

"We don't keep secrets from each other. We promised." After Mina left, was left unsaid, but Nayeon knows Jeongyeon understands it just fine.

When Jeongyeon doesn't reply, Dahyun takes the chance to finally ask a question herself, "Even if Chaeyoung was ashamed about not convincing Mina-unnie to come home, why didn't you tell any of us about her location, unnie?"

There's a slight crease between her brows and Nayeon can only imagine the questions swirling in Dahyun's mind. She, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu are the closest in their group due to their proximity in age, and Nayeon knows that the sudden information about her best friend is sending Dahyun's brain into turmoil.

Sana is nodding, expression grave as well. "I was so worried about Chaeyoungie. I even thought she died or something."

Jeongyeon at least looks regretful with the way that all of their friends are now wondering why she's decided to keep such vital information from them.