Lost in your lens - NewJeans' Minji x M!Reader

Ch. 12 - Time Difference Blues

Incheon Airport was too bright for 5 AM. Everything felt harsh and over-exposed, like a photo with the wrong settings. Minji's camera hung silent at her side for once - maybe because some moments were too real to capture, or maybe because her hands were too busy holding mine.

"Gate 23," Haerin read quietly from the ticket she was helping manage. Trust Haerin to be practical even at this hour.

"I still can't believe you're actually GOING!" Hyein's voice echoed through the terminal. Several early morning travelers turned to stare.

Danielle pulled out her meticulously annotated checklist one last time, comparing it against the growing line at the check-in counter. "You'll need to exchange some money before you leave the airport," she reminded Minji, marking things off with an architect's precision. "And remember the subway pass we got you works on most New York lines."

"I have everything," Minji assured her, but she was squeezing my hand tighter. "I've checked three times."

"Four times," I corrected softly. We'd spent last night going through everything, finding excuses to repack just to stretch out our remaining hours.

The first boarding call made my heart stutter. Two months had felt manageable when we were planning it. Now it felt like eternity.

"Time for goodbye hugs!" Hyein announced, already tearing up. "GROUP HUG!"

We all piled together, a mess of winter coats and early morning emotions. Minji's camera pressed uncomfortably between us, but nobody moved to adjust it. Some discomfort you want to remember.

"Don't forget to document everything," Hanni reminded her.

"But live it too," Haerin added quietly.

"And remember time zones when you call!" Danielle held up her phone with its multiple city clocks displayed.

"And-" Hyein started, but her voice cracked.

Final boarding call.

The others stepped back, giving us a moment. Minji finally raised her camera, hands shaking slightly.

Click.

"Sorry," she whispered. "I just- I need to remember your face exactly like this."

"Even with my ugly crying?" I tried to joke.

"Especially with your ugly crying," she managed a wobbly smile.

I pulled her close to me, and gave her a hug.

When we pulled apart, she quickly wiped her eyes and straightened her camera strap - that nervous gesture I'd grown to love.

"Two months," she said firmly.

"Two months," I echoed. "Go be amazing."

She kissed me one last time, quick and soft, then turned toward security before either of us could break completely. Just before she reached the gate, she turned back.

Click.

One last photo. One last moment.

Then she was gone, disappearing into the bright airport lights that suddenly felt too cold, too artificial.

"Alright," Haerin took gentle charge, always the practical one. "Breakfast? We can help Y/N set up their phone for international texting."

"And plan our group calls!" Hyein had moved from crying to planning with whiplash speed.

"And figure out care package timing," Danielle added, already pulling up shipping information to New York.

"And-" Hanni started listing more ideas, but I was looking at the last photo Minji had sent to our group chat: