Chapter Text
Her daughter is starting to look like Mina.
It’s the first thing that comes to Nayeon’s mind as she stares at her daughter’s sleeping features.
Growing up, Minji seemingly inherited Nayeon’s features—from the chubby cheeks to the confidence—but as years went by, Nayeon’s starting to notice the moles scattered across her daughter’s face like constellations and the gummy smile that is so uniquely Mina.
It’s worrying.
Especially after hearing the news earlier that day.
“Minji’s going to melt if you keep staring at her like that.”
Nayeon rolls her eyes at Jeongyeon’s remark but she does tear her gaze away from her child’s face to focus instead on her best friend.
They’re both leaning against the doorjamb of Minji’s bedroom and Nayeon fights the urge to smack her friend for obviously trying to imitate her actions.
Nayeon’s been doing that a lot lately—resisting her urges. Oh, look at what motherhood did to her.
“Yah, why are you even still here?” she asks in a low voice, not wanting to wake her daughter up. Minji, after all, is a light sleeper. Like her other mother.
Jeongyeon shrugs as she moves away from the doorway to probably steal some more snacks from Nayeon’s pantry, and Nayeon gives her sleeping daughter one last look before following her friend.
She makes it halfway through the kitchen before throwing a crayon at Jeongyeon’s back to stop her from stealing another one of Nayeon’s chips.
Jeongyeon whirls around and she stalks towards her best friend with a frown. “Did you just throw a damn crayon at me?”
“Language!” Nayeon hisses, automatically looking over her shoulder to check if Minji’s anywhere near even though she’s fast asleep. Not that Nayeon’s subconscious cares; it’s too used to checking after Minji’s welfare after all. “How many times do I have to tell you to keep your potty mouth clean when you’re in my apartment?”
Jeongyeon huffs but she doesn’t say anything as she goes to the fridge and steals another one of Nayeon’s Sunkist.
“Seriously, Jeong? Stop stealing our groceries!” Nayeon says as she stalks towards her friend and grabs the Sunkist from her hand. “This is Minji’s drink for her first day at kindergarten tomorrow!”
At hearing her goddaughter’s name, Jeongyeon halts from stealing back her stolen juice. “Huh, it’s her first day at school tomorrow?”
Nayeon nods, returning the Sunkist to its rightful place—which is in the fridge—before grabbing Jeongyeon’s hand and dragging her to the living room to stop her from stealing the Ims’ groceries again.
“She’s old enough to go to school?” is the first thing that comes out of Jeongyeon’s mouth when they finally settle down on the couch.
Nayeon flicks her best friend’s forehead and she automatically dodges the slap that Jeongyeon aims to deliver to her arm. “She is, paboya. Have you seriously forgotten? Weren’t you there when everyone said they’re going to pick up Minji and drop her off at school like some royalty?”
Recognition dawns on Jeongyeon’s face and she can barely contain her laughter as she says, “Right. Didn’t Momoring say that she’s going to rent a limo?”
Nayeon nods, chuckling at the memory of the day when her friends learned that Minji is going to kindergarten already. “I doubt that she found an actual limo, but hey, at least I know I don’t have to worry about traffic.”
“You’re not worried, are you?”
The sudden seriousness in Jeongyeon’s question catches Nayeon off-guard. Her best friend is rarely serious when they’re together, and so even after decades of knowing each other, Nayeon can still get surprised at her friend’s sincerity.
“Of course I am,” Nayeon eventually answers, eyes staring into space. “I’m her mother. I think it’s pretty ingrained in a parent to worry about their child. But, I raised Minji to be a strong, independent lady, and I know Jihyo won’t let anything happen to her under her watch.”
“Nice speech,” Jeongyeon comments, “but I wasn’t talking about Minji going off to school. I was talking about her return to Korea. She’s back, Nayeonnie.”
Ah. No wonder Jeongyeon sounded so serious.
Well, now, that is different.
And in all honesty, Nayeon isn’t even sure what she feels knowing that she and Mina are now in the same land once again.
It’s been almost five years since Mina went home to Japan and learning that she’s returned to Korea for some reason unknown to Nayeon is worrying.
Especially with Minji looking more and more like her other mother.
And it seems that it’s not only Nayeon who has noticed the change in her daughter’s features.
“I’m just asking because Minji is starting to look like her, and with that kind of visual evidence, it’ll be hard to deny that Mina isn’t part of Minji’s DNA.”
Nayeon’s voice is quiet as she says, “So, you noticed it too, huh?”
Jeongyeon nods. “Hard not to. Their moles are practically identical. I don’t know how the hell that’s possible but Minji is like a mini-Mina now at this point.”
“Language,” Nayeon scolds even though her heart isn’t in it. Realizing that Minji is starting to look like Mina is one thing but talking about it with her best friend is another.
It makes it more… real.
Jeongyeon only looks at her with something akin to sympathy. Nayeon hates it. Hates the fact that she has to worry about her daughter’s first day of school and her ex’s return.
Can’t she deal with things one at a time, please?
“Are you sure about your decision?”
The question isn’t judgmental, just curious, and Nayeon has to heave out a heavy breath before replying, “She can’t know.”
“And if she finds out? What then?”
“I’ll cross the bridge when I get there.”
“Nayeon-unnie.”
Nayeon’s voice is stern. She may be unsure of what she feels knowing that Mina is back in Korea, but of this, she is certain—Mina can never know. “I didn’t hide my pregnancy from Mina just so I can tell her that we have a daughter together five years later. Minji is my life.”
Jeongyeon purses her lips, and she looks as though she’s carefully choosing her next words. “We both know she won’t take Minji from you.”
That makes Nayeon scoff. Yeah, right. “You don’t know that.”
“I know Mitang.”
Nayeon can’t resist the urge to let out a bitter laugh. “I thought I did too, but she left me. So, really, just how well do we know her, huh, Jeong?”
Her best friend doesn’t answer but Nayeon doesn’t need her to.
They both know that this conversation is over. For now.
But that’s alright.
For now, Nayeon can focus on worrying about Minji’s snacks and lunch and what kind of hairstyle she should wear to school.
For now, Nayeon is simply a single mom who’s both excited and worried about her daughter’s first day of kindergarten.
For now, Nayeon isn’t the woman that Mina stood up on their wedding day.
For now, she’s just Im Nayeon, mother of Im Minji.
And Nayeon is totally fine with that.
“Im Minji, come back here, young lady!”
“Mommy, I said no awready!”
“Already!” Nayeon automatically corrects even as she continues running after her daughter who is refusing to take a bath. “You need to pronounce your L’s properly, miss!”
Minji’s huffing can be heard in their apartment and while Nayeon loves her daughter dearly, she’s tired of running around their place. It’s not even seven in the morning and Nayeon’s already sweating!
That’s it.
“Minji, no ketchup for you for one week if you don’t take a bath!”
That effectively stops Minji from running around the kitchen island again. “What!”
“Don’t ‘what’ me, miss. Where did you even learn to answer like that?”
“Minji, my baby!”
The familiar exclamation catches both of the Ims’ attention and before Nayeon can even prepare herself for the inevitable chaos that comes with that greeting, her daughter is already running towards the one who greeted her.
“Auntie Sana!”
Sana is already kneeling by the doorway with her arms wide open and Minji readily barrels towards her favorite aunt’s arms.
Momo, Jihyo, and Dahyun are right behind Sana and the three of them all flock together to give kisses and hugs to Minji—who is giggling and enjoying all the attention and affection from her godmothers.
She’s Nayeon’s daughter, alright.
“Aunties!”
“How is our baby Minji? Are you ready for school?” Jihyo asks with a huge grin. As the vice-principal of Minji’s school, Jihyo is equal parts thrilled and proud that her goddaughter had no problem acing their school’s entrance exam.
Minji’s answer is as enthusiastic as her bouncing in Sana’s arms. “I am, I am!”
“That’s my girl! Be sure to beat everyone’s asses there, alright?”
“Momo, language!” Nayeon and Jihyo exclaim at the same time.
Nayeon watches as Dahyun sneakily pinches Momo’s side and she can’t help but laugh at how the Japanese woman flinches and winces but manages to hide it behind a strained smile.
All because Minji is grabbing at her cheeks.
“Auntie Momo, did you bring me a wong car?”
Momo’s smile this time is genuine. “You bet your cute little bum that I did!”
Dahyun, who’s already making her way to the kitchen to prepare the breakfast takeout she brought, looks at Nayeon and whispers in a conspiring tone, “I booked that limo because she forgot about it.”
The whisper is loud enough to be heard by Momo who rolls her eyes at the reminder and Jihyo who only shakes her head in exasperation.
Minji, however, now has her attention occupied by Sana’s silver necklace. Oh, to have the attention span of a four-year-old. “Auntie Sana, did Auntie Yoda give this to you?”
Momo can barely contain her laughter at hearing Tzuyu’s designated nickname and Dahyun, once again, pinches her side.
“Yah, you’ll bruise me if you keep doing that,” Momo complains, and Nayeon just shakes her head as Momo and Dahyun start arguing against each other.
Not wanting to see them… sucking faces or whatever—because that’s what they always end up doing after arguing, anyway—Nayeon shifts her attention to her daughter instead and she’s in time to hear Sana saying, “Do you like it?”
Minji’s nodding and looking at Sana like she’s fascinated by her simple question. Nayeon ought to be jealous that her daughter is so fond of someone else that isn’t her but all she feels is contentment and affection towards the both of them.
This is her found family, after all, and they’ve been through a lot in the past five years.
And honestly? Her friends practically treat Minji as their own daughter.
So there’s no need for Minji’s other parent to be included in the picture.
Like seriously.
Each of her friends has a designated role in Minji’s life. Jihyo is Minji’s self-proclaimed tutor, Jeongyeon is her loyal chef, Momo is her overly protective bodyguard, Dahyun is her designated driver, Tzuyu is her doctor for Mr. Pengu, and Sana is her favorite sitter.
So, really, they are more than enough.
There’s a tug at Nayeon’s sleeve and she blinks to see Minji, who’s still in Sana’s arms, looking at her, head tilted to the side. “Mommy, are you okay?”
Nayeon is quick to plaster on a smile. “Of course, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t hear you. What is it?”
Minji looks at her for a second longer—and Nayeon worries that her daughter is already too smart for her age that she can already pick up Nayeon’s sudden glum mood—but then, Minji’s smiling and Nayeon can breathe freely again. “Auntie Sana and I are going to bath!” she announces.
“Going to take a bath,” Sana gently corrects with the tone she only reserves for her fiancée and Minji. “You and I are going to take a bath, baby Minji.”
Minji diligently imitates Sana and they’re both giggling with each other as they make their way towards the bathroom.
Momo pats Nayeon on the back on her way to sit on the couch. “Rough morning, huh?”
With Minji out of earshot, Nayeon finally lets out the breath she’s been holding since she woke up earlier. It’s not even seven in the morning and she’s already tired. “She didn’t want to take a bath before you arrived. I feel like I ran a marathon with all the chasing.” Nayeon shakes her head. “Anyway, what did Sana offer her?”
“Coffee-flavored chocolates.”
Nayeon’s jaw drops. “Satang! You know Minji is not allowed to eat that!”
Nayeon has to admit that having a limo escort her, her daughter, and her friends to school is both hilarious and exhilarating.
As a single mother, Nayeon’s budget is mostly allocated for Minji’s needs—food, education, health plan, toys, and whatnot.
Even with her salary as the Creatives Director for Kim Interiors, a renowned Korean architecture and interior design firm, Nayeon still has to ensure that everything her daughter may ever need can be given to her.
She has to be prepared for whenever Minji has the sudden need to have the largest Heinz ketchup bottle in South Korea in the middle of the night. Or when her daughter wants to buy ten versions of the same penguin plushie. Thus, Nayeon’s inability to splurge on… wasteful things.
Momo and Dahyun don’t have a problem with that, though, and Nayeon’s glad for that.
“Wook, mommy, I can run from here—” Minji runs from Nayeon’s seat and goes to the other side of the limo to where Sana, Dahyun, and Momo are sitting, “—to here!”
Sana readily claps at Minji’s ‘performance’ and she showers kisses on her face while hugging her close. “Aw, baby Minji, you’re becoming a runner now!”
“Don’t enable her,” Nayeon half-groans, half-scolds. Their early morning marathon around the apartment is proof enough that Minji can run, and the last thing Nayeon needs is her daughter’s favorite aunt’s ‘approval’ of her chosen ‘sport.’
Sana and Minji absolutely adore each other and the two of them bonding together over something as dangerous as running can seriously give Nayeon a headache.
The last thing she needs is her daughter becoming a ‘runner’—a term that Jihyo uses for kids who love being chased around and running away from their already exhausted parents.
“Think of it as an exercise, Nabongs,” Momo comments, unhelpful as ever.
Thankfully, Dahyun readily pinches Momo again and Nayeon just shakes her head at her friends’ playful antics. And to think that those two are already planning to settle down to start a family of their own.
Speaking of couples who have plans for marriage…
“Satang, where’s Tzu? And Jeong?” Nayeon asks, having completely forgotten about her two other missing friends during the morning chaos.
With Sana busy playing with Minji while fixing her pigtails, Jihyo takes it upon herself to answer. “Tzuyu had to go to an emergency operation for a client. Jeongyeon said something came up.”
That’s sketchy. “Something came up?” Nayeon asks, suspicious. Jeongyeon, after all, promised to see Minji off with the rest of their friend group.
Beside Nayeon, Jihyo shrugs. “She didn’t tell me what it was.”
Nayeon just hums. She doesn’t want to think that her best friend is doing something related to Mina’s return.
Even though Nayeon knows that Jeongyeon practically treated Mina as her sister, she also knows that Jeongyeon won’t do anything to disrespect Nayeon’s decision of keeping Minji as a secret.
But it’s suspicious that Jeongyeon missed Minji’s first day of school, especially after their talk yesterday.
“She’s not going to betray you or whatever, you know.”
“I know that,” Nayeon says without looking at Jihyo, or Dahyun, or Momo who are all scrutinizing her.
Thank God Minji is preoccupied with Sana’s hair and necklace (she’s really fascinated by it for some reason) so Nayeon can freely express her worries quietly. “I’m just… stressed.”
“Is it about work?” Momo asks while munching on the donut Dahyun supposedly bought for Nayeon. “Is Jennie breathing down on your neck again?”
“That was one time. I’m just stressed.” She emphasizes the word, hoping that her meaning comes across.
But it’s Momo, so really, what does Nayeon expect?
“Stressed about what? We literally hired a driver and a limo to drop off Minji and everyone else at their offices. What’s—”
Dahyun’s elbow to Momo’s ribs effectively shuts her up and before the Japanese woman can groan and complain, Dahyun pulls at her girlfriend’s ear to bring it to her lips and explain what Nayeon’s trying to say.
“Did you have a drink last night without me and Jeong?” Nayeon asks when it takes a full minute for Momo to understand whatever her girlfriend is trying to explain to her.
“Nah.” Jihyo chuckles. “It’s Monday. That’s Momoring’s default setting on Mondays.”
Before Nayeon can reply, Minji comes barreling towards her, a gummy smile plastered on her chubby face. “Mommy, wook at my hair!”
Everyone, even Sana who fixed Minji’s hair, coos.
“Oh, my!” Nayeon exclaims with a hand to her chest for maximum effect. “You look so pretty, baby!”
“Pretty!” Minji repeats, jumping up and down, and Nayeon decides to pick her daughter up before she can fall down on her butt. The limo, after all, is still moving and her daughter is very accident-prone.
“Are you excited for school, sweetie?” Nayeon asks as Minji makes herself comfortable in Nayeon’s lap.
Never one to stay still, Minji starts playing with Nayeon’s blouse’s collar. “I am! Auntie Jihyo wiw teach?”
“Will,” Jihyo and Nayeon correct at the same time and they share a quick look before Nayeon focuses on Minji again. “Auntie Jihyo will be there to supervise.”
“Soup…vice?”
“Oh, baby Minji!” Sana exclaims and before Nayeon knows it, Sana is practically on her lap trying to get Minji again.
“Yah, hands off, Satang!” Nayeon resists the urge to swat at Sana’s grabby hands lest she teaches Minji a bad habit. “You’ve been hogging my daughter for the past ten minutes! Make your own with Tzuyu!”
Minji only laughs at Nayeon’s exclamations—she probably understands a quarter of what Nayeon said—and at Sana’s pout and huff.
“You think I haven’t been trying?” Sana replies with an even larger pout if that’s possible. “I would already have a mini Yoda if I had it my way.”
There are groans from everyone in the limo and Momo can’t help but quip, “There’s a child, Satang. Keep it in your pants, perv.”
“Perv,” Minji copies.
“Momo!”
They arrive at Yongsan International School without another word copying incident courtesy of Momo, and Nayeon is grateful for small miracles.
Maybe the universe finally decided that Nayeon has enough stress for the day even though it’s barely 8:15.
That is until they alight the limo and Nayeon sees a whole ensemble of mascot varying from bears, cats, dogs, pandas, and penguins in front of the school gates. Did they arrive at the wrong place?
What the fuck?
“What the fuck?”
Thank goodness Jihyo is holding Minji because this time, Nayeon doesn’t resist the urge to smack the back of Momo’s head. “How many times do I have to tell you to keep your mouth clean around my kid, huh?”
Momo rubs the back of her head with a scowl. “Smacking me makes you a bad role model.”
“One more expletive from you and I will bleach your mouth, Hirai, I swear to God.”
They both glare at each other for a few more seconds before Dahyun nudges them and points at the person behind all the mascots parading at the gates.
“Auntie Jeongyeon!” Minji stops hugging the penguin mascot long enough for her to run towards Jeongyeon and wrap her arms around her godmother’s legs.
Jeongyeon’s lips curve into a smile and she heaves Minji up to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Hey, sweet pea! Did you like my surprise?”
“Yes! I wuv penguin!”
Nayeon purses her lips at her daughter’s obsession with penguins. She doesn’t know why her daughter loves that animal so much especially when Nayeon deliberately removed all penguin-related things from her apartment when her ex-fiancée left her. But if such creatures can make her daughter smile so brightly, then Nayeon will swallow the bitter taste in her mouth at the memory that penguins remind her of.
For Minji.
Everything Nayeon does, after all, is for Minji.
Jeongyeon grins, satisfied that she made her goddaughter smile. Not that it’s hard. Minji is basically a ball of sunshine and happiness. “You do, huh? How about the bear and the other animals?”
“Penguin, number one!”
Nayeon shakes her head, resigned to the fact that her daughter is way too loyal to that animal.
Her observation of Minji and Jeongyeon’s interaction is interrupted by Momo’s nudge against her shoulder. “Bet you ten thousand won that this is Jeong’s ‘something came up.’”
Sana sidles up next to them, having just finished being distracted by one of the mascots. Sometimes Nayeon wonders if Sana is actually a seven-year-old stuck in a thirty-year-old body. “Oh, it definitely is.”
“How are they not escorted away? Isn’t this prohibited or something?”
Jeongyeon walks up to them, a devious glint visible in her eyes. “They have a permit, of course.”
Upon hearing that information, Nayeon turns to Jihyo only to see her greeting other incoming parents whose children are entertained by the mascots.
How convenient of her to be acting like the vice-principal when I want to question her.
“You do know that I wouldn’t have missed baby Min’s first day of school, right?” Jeongyeon says while tickling Minji’s side to hide her side-eye in Nayeon’s direction.
Nayeon only rolls her eyes but she can’t help the affectionate smile that curves on her lips.
This is her chosen family, and she wouldn’t have them any other way.