Present day: Seoul Korea, Y/Ns apartment
Mina’s POV
How do I even start…
“Well, remember that day in the practice room? The night that I had my breakdown?”
She shifted slightly facing me. I can feel her looking at me. Connecting.
“Yes… we all knew something was wrong for a couple weeks but we didn’t know how to help…”
I faced her. Our eyes met for the first time since the car. I need her to understand I appreciate their support.
“I know Unnie, you guys have never been the problem, it was all in my own head. I had no idea what was going on or why I was feeling the way I was but you guys always tried to help.”
“We all just wanted you to feel better.” She said with a smile.
I smiled back, something warm filling my chest.
Nayeon POV
Oh Mina’s finally opening up about that time! It was such a confusing time for all of us.
“Well that night when I broke down. I ran out of the practice room and was having a full blown panic attack. Then I ran into Y/N.” she said.
“You ran into him?”
“Mmhm, I literally ran into him. I hit my head right on his chest while I was running away.”
What is this? It’s like a K-Drama.
“You disappeared for a while before coming back and later that night you let us know you weren’t coming on tour with us.”
Mina’s gaze shifted down, her eyes softening. A slight tint in her cheeks.
“Yes, after I ran into him, I was broken. Completely broken. He just stayed there for me, he kept me company in that hallway, not saying anything, not much anyways. He seemed to know what I needed, he calmed me enough to come back. He gave me a little strength back, at least enough to say what I did later that night.”
She paused for a second fiddling with the hem of her hoodie.
“When I talked to the company afterwards, after I told them I needed a break. I-I asked for him to be my manager.”
I stiffened. Something twisted in my chest as the puzzle pieces fell into place.
He didn’t go on tour with us because she asked for him to stay with her. I always thought that she was the reason he didn’t come, but I didn’t know she asked for him to stay.
“I know it was selfish but he became my anchor after that. The morning you guys left I was devastated, he came in early and made me breakfast. Japanese breakfast, it was so thoughtful and considerate.” She let out a soft sigh
“Wow he never cooked like that for the rest of us…”
Mina's eyes shot up to me.
“I’m going to make him cook for me too”
She settled back into the couch.
“After that he was just always… present”
“At first it was just appointments… Then meals… then just—
“It became… normal”
“I was struggling with progress and he would do anything to cheer me up.”
Mina’s words are pouring out now.
“We basically lived together”
I blinked once.. then again.
“Wait, you’re saying he stayed with you?” I said surprised
“Mmhm. At some point he just stopped leaving.”
“And you were ok with that?”
My jaw tightened slightly.
“I needed him.” She said without hesitation.
My pulse quickened the more she spilled.
“And he just… Gave. He didn’t ask for anything in return, he didn't complain. He… liked taking care of me.”
“Unnie, are you ok?”
I didn’t realize but my whole body was tense, my hands balled into fists, jaw tight.
This wasn’t just managing… it was a whole life they had together.
History I don’t have with him.
“…Did you love him?”
The room went still.
Mina’s lips parted slightly.
Her fingers tightened in the fabric of her sleeve.
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