paste you to the pages of my heart

Chapter Sixteen

While Nayeon is still reeling from the knowledge that there'll be a company teambuilding with Mina in it, she still manages to focus on work and get things done before five.

And despite the dread that lies in the pit of her stomach at the mere likelihood of her and Mina sharing a cabin with just the two of them for five days, she still goes down to Mina's floor to ask a question she's been planning to ask for days now (never mind all the revelations and complications the past few days).

"You wanna pick Minji up from school with me?"

Mina is surprised at Nayeon's presence in her office—more so by the invitation—but her eyes light up as if she's been gifted something special. "I can?"

Nayeon shrugs. Mina is a good influence on Minji—always telling her stories from her time in Japan and cute little facts about random things. Just because Nayeon has warring thoughts every time they're within a five-foot radius of each other doesn't mean she'll rob Mina and her daughter of the chance to bond.

And it's also Nayeon's way of saying thank you for Mina's effort to solve the plagiarism complaint ASAP.

"Of course. She's your daughter, too."

It's a line that Nayeon has kept saying over and over lately, and she isn't entirely sure if she says it for Mina's sake or hers.

Maybe both.

Mina is nodding vigorously. "Okay. I, uh, I just need to prepare my things. Is that okay?"

Nayeon hums with a nod as she turns away and heads for the door. "Go ahead."

A smile is thrown her way. "Thanks, unnie. Be right with you." Then Mina practically jumps out of her seat just as Nayeon leaves her office, and she swears she's never seen Mina this excited before.

It's... cute. How thrilled Mina can get whenever she gets the chance to see Minji. Whenever Nayeon allows her to (even though Nayeon knows deep down that she's not being entirely fair to her).

But Nayeon can't help but also notice that despite Mina's enthusiasm, there's still hesitance behind her every action. As if she's afraid she's crossing an invisible line she's drawn herself. Not that Nayeon blames her.

They still haven't talked about their issues, after all, and their civility towards each other for Minji's sake can be considered fragile (never mind the fact that they've had... slips lately).

Nayeon's pretty sure Mina doesn't want their civility to break lest she's forced to stay away from Minji. Dahyun is right about that.

But just thinking about trying to separate Minji and Mina is already putting a strain on Nayeon's heart, which makes her think that it'll be quite impossible to do that if necessary.

Nayeon desperately hopes it won't come to that.

"Sorry, I took so long," Mina pants once she reaches Nayeon.

Nayeon doesn't even notice how long she's been standing near the elevators so she simply waves off Mina's concerns. "That's fine. You ready?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. Let's pick Minji up."

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"Mommy!"

Halfway through the schoolyard, Minji abruptly stops as she notices the other woman standing beside Nayeon.