Lost and Found

Five

Everything seemed to have calmed down the following week. Minji slowly started to feel better until she saw the trainees again. She avoided them like the plague, trying not to let her mind wander to those parts. She couldn't let herself fall into that rabbit hole again. Yes, that was her kid, but she couldn't do anything about it.

She was torn in two most of the time. Wanting to go to the kid and tell her everything. Tell her that she wasn't alone in the world. But the other half was telling her to just leave it alone, that clearly she was better off. She was happy. No conflicts of any kind in her life. Why should she meddle with what seemed like perfection?

"We have a problem. Big problem." Bora had come running up to her in the middle of the hallway, dragging her into a nearby restroom before shutting the door and locking them inside.

"What problem?" Minji frowned.

"The kid knows I was poking around for information about her. She got curious and asked why. I panicked and told her that I always do that with new people so I can see how much potential is being brought into the company." She frowned. "But then she looked so upset and asked if I was lying."

"Well, you are lying." Minji sighed. "What else did you say?"

"I told her that I wasn't lying and that she needed to go back to practice," Bora muttered. "But she's catching on. She's going to start asking more questions."

"We aren't even prying for information anymore. We got my answers and now I'm just struggling." Minji let out a sigh, looking at the younger girl. "Do you think she's going to really question us?"

"Most likely," Bora admitted. "Maybe she won't though..." She quickly added when she noticed the look of terror on Minji's face. "If she does... And she guesses... Why not tell her the truth?" She frowned.

"Because I don't know what she knows. Me telling her the truth would shatter her world." Minji frowned.

"But she's your daughter Minji... I really think..." Bora frowned when she saw the clear conflict on the older woman's face. "It doesn't matter what I think. We'll get through this together." She held the leader's hand, allowing her to feel a little bit of comfort.

"Thank you," Minji whispered.

Right before the holidays, everyone was pretty much in holiday mode. No one wanted to do anything except sleep and relax. It was a little funny to hear the whining and complaining mixed with laughter in the company. They watched the snow fall before the trainees came by. Each of them was shocked that the snow was really sticking.

"Youngeun-ah, where's your coat?" One of the staff members shouted at her.

"I think I left it at the studio..." She answered.

Minji frowned at the conversation, looking down at her own. She abandoned her members, walking over to the young girl.

"Here." Minji shed her coat, helping the younger girl into the large coat. "It's a little big, but it'll keep you warm until you get to where you need to be." She whispered while zipping up the front.

Youngeun watched her every movement, before glancing up, feeling a sense of warmth from the older woman. Minji smiled at her, a small smile, but enough to show she cared a lot.

"But you don't have a coat..." She whispered.

"I'll steal a blanket," Minji stated before walking away from the group of trainees.

Each one was in awe at the interaction, trying their best to keep their squealing to a minimum while Minji made her way back to her own group. Bora gave her a knowing look before Yoohyeon spoke up.