Our Old Manager.

Back to the hearts she left behind.

"Can we talk?"

It was not a command from Jennie. It's a request filled with four years of unsaid things.

Y/N's pulse kicked. "We are talking."

"I mean, can we talk alone?" Jennie added. Y/N nodded, too quickly. "Yeah, my office. We can... you know, talk there."

Jennie nodded once, relieved but anxious in a way only someone who's rehearsed this moment a hundred times would be.

Y/N began to lead the way, but Daniela's face stopped her.

The Latina isn't dramatic about it. She doesn't gasp or look heartbroken. She just... stills. A soft flicker of something crosses her features. Something unmistakably hopeful.

Like she was thinking Y/N was hesitating because of her.

And for the briefest second, Y/N wished it were that simple. She cleared her throat, "Nayeon?" She called out.

Nayeon looked at her like she's been waiting for the cue this whole time. "Do you need me to be with you?"

"Can you please? If you don't mind?" Y/N turned to Jennie who knew to smile. Of course, she knew how much the cousins needed one another.

Daniela, however.

Her hopeful expressions grew by a degree. Not Smug. Not triumphant. Just quietly pleased. She has no idea that this is not about rivalry. This was simply how the cousins moved.

A two-person unit.
Calibrated for crisis.
Ride or die, woven into the same thread since childhood.

Daniela leaned back in her chair, shoulders relaxing, misreading the moment completely.

To her, Nayeon joining meant Y/N does not want to be alone with Jennie.

To Nayeon, it meant her cousin needed a shield to lean on.

And to Jennie... it was a new rule she hadn't accounted for.

Y/N stepped closer to Jennie, voice low. "Office is this way."

Jennie nodded and followed, her fingers brushing the necklace at her throat out of habit, the tiny initial catching in the light.

Behind them, Kwangjoo walked up to the young woman. "Don't look too happy." He spoke with the little English he knew. Daniela tried to hide her smile, "I am not happy."

"You look very happy," He deadpanned.

Daniela nudged him away, but does not deny it.

Meanwhile, Y/N lead Jennie towards the office door, Nayeon a steady presence at her side. And just as Y/N was about to reach for the doorknob, Jennie's quiet voice drifted after her.

"Thank you for not sending me away."

Y/N does not turn around. If she does, she might break into pieces again.

The office door clicked shut with a soft finality. The café noise outside faded into a muted hum.

Inside the small room, the air felt thicker, as if the walls themselves were listening.