Chapter Text
“Will you be there?” Soft, warm and begging.
“No.” Hard, cold and unforgiving.
Tzuyu chews on her lower lip as she weighs her next move. She could beg Mina. But Tzuyu had pretty much used all her cards onher. Maybe if they were meeting in person, Tzuyu would’ve had a better chance. As Tzuyu tiptoes on her next words she hears a sigh on the other line and Mina saying, “Tzuyu… You know that I love you, right? And that I never wanted you to be stuck between us.”
“Mina—”
“I love you and it’s why I would still pick up the phone every time you would call.” Momentarily forgetting about the incoming repercussions, Tzuyu allows herself to feel the warmth of the sentiment. Then Mina continues, changing her tone completely, “But I would appreciate it if it does not involve Nayeon. We’re done. I’m not getting back together… ever.”
Tzuyu breathes in deeply.
Ever.
It was chaotic in her head right now: trying find the right words to say, even though she’s not sure why she is even trying. Even as she stares at the cars passingby, or the pedestrians crossing the street – almost like ants from where she stands, the 24th floor of the Company building. Hearing those words… even though she’s not part of the relationship… makes her heart break. Almost as if the rejection and finality was directed towards her.
She heaves a sigh before saying, “She still loves you.”
And it is the truth. Or as much as Nayeon would love someone except herself.
Nayeon and Mina had been together for 2 years.
2 years.
Nayeon had a steady pace in her career going upwards. The Nation’s Sweetheart, is what they would call her: her cute face with a matching sweet personality. And what they love the most is her transparency. What you see is what you get. For some odd reason, the nation had fallen in love with Nayeon’s unrelenting conceitedness (and borderline narcissism). That and her undeniable charisma: undisputed confidence, girl-next-door image, and approachable aura. Everything about her is alluring and likeable. General consensus either wants to be her or be with her.
3 years after her debut, she breakthrough the internet again with a dating headline. Even though it was ill-advised. To make yourself unavailable to the public eye… more so to come out, Nayeon had did it. By that time, she had become an unstoppable force.
Mina is her complete opposite: shy, reserved, elegant and everything that Nayeon is not. To the public, she’s a pretty face with a convincing talent to bring any character to life. For years, she had never had headline about her personal life, only resurfacing if it’s a new Drama, a brand deal or topping ranking polls. Who she is as a person is a mystery to everyone else.
But somehow, it worked. They called it: opposites attract (or something).
Nayeon and Mina had made a broken through the barricade of prejudice and homophobic criticism.
To the media: it felt like the love story they needed. The power couple. The representation lacking from the industry. The icons. They were everywhere: front pages, trending topics, forum discussions and even magazines. People fuzzing over them every time they were together.
Maybe it’s from the contrast of their personalities that people fell in love with. Maybe it was how the media had portrayed the relationship. Maybe it’s because they’re just two girls loving each other. Maybe it’s because they had suddenly become a symbol of something unspeakable.
Eitherway, they had the public on their side.
And Nayeon loved the attention. (Probably just as much as she loves Mina)
However, Mina… didn’t. And it’s why they broke up. – or at least that’s the simplest version of it.
“Does she?” Then she hears Mina scoff on the other line. “Then why are you the one calling me and not her?”
“She’s in recording right now--”
“Uh-huh… Then she could’ve called me right after.” A bitter laugh comes next. “Funny, doesn’t she used to call me before? ‘Mina-yah~~ I’m done with the recording. I poured my heart into it. I hope you like it!’” Mina mimicks how Nayeon used to be.
Tzuyu would nod silently, gripping her phone at the memory.
2 years, 2 albums.
One for her love, all bubbly and smitten. Another for her heartbreak, all heart-wrenching and blue.
Both backed by the company, going all-in on their Ace, played strategically by the Marketing team, and executed flawlessly by Nayeon.
All lyrics written by Nayeon herself. Deep meaning behind every word. Songs dedicated to her.
Not to please the producers, not to appeal to the general public, not even to aim for the charts.
Everything was for her. Solely, for her.
And maybe… through her transparency , her true self, the nation had solidified her place among the top-tiers in the industry.
And as the nation mourns for the love short-lived, Nayeon, the nation’s champion, got all their sympathy.
One album to sweep the nation, another for the world.
“I would admire your patience with her, really.”
“She’s… family to me.”
And Nayeon is. Even though Tzuyu is just her Personal Assistant, Nayeon had always been nice to her.
“Make sure she sees you that way too, Tzuyu. I’d hate for you to treat her as your everything when you’re only a part of her something.”
And that… is the real reason why they broke up.
“She’s not like that.” Tzuyu was quick to say. Then she bit her lip, almost being burned by her own words. So she quickly adds, “You… you know what I mean.”
"You and I both know how Nayeon is."
====
“Tzuyu, Tzuyu! What did Mina say?!” High-pitched, bright and hopeful.
“She… said no.” Soft, apologetic and sympathetic.
No point in sugarcoating it. Although Tzuyu, always compassionate, is now ready to console Nayeon. Just like always, Tzuyu hands Nayeon her phone, and a waiting tea to soothe Nayeon’s throat. She pops Nayeon’s candy onto the singer’s mouth, and watches as Nayeon purses her lips, glaring at her phone.
There was a picture of Nayeon and Mina together going around online. Of them just talking, right after a common friend’s birthday party. Because regardless of how messy the break up was – well it wasn’t messy for them, but the aftershock hit the general audience differently, creating a chaotic mess no one could’ve anticipated – they still stayed civil towards each other. Or as civil as the industry had required them to be.
But what they couldn’t control is how the media perceive it. Rumors now of them getting back together has been circulating in the grape vine and it reached Nayeon’s ear. Of course, ever so eager, Nayeon had jumped to conclusions: Mina had finally realized she made a mistake and wanted to get back together. (Verbatim)
Tzuyu grimaces at Nayeon’s crestfallen face. “Huh… pretty sure I was having the vibes that she wants to get back together. Or is she playing hard to get? Maybe I should send her some flowers—”
“Or maybe you can call her yourself,” Tzuyu suggests. She nods before continuing. It does make sense in her head. “Nayeon… I think, it would really mean something if you call her yourself. Even for just a few minutes. I think if she hears your voice—”
Tzuyu used to think it’s romantic, to have witnessed their love right on front of her eyes. It’s not always grandeur and cheesy, like how Nayeon’s fans had pictured it. But it’s the simple things that gets Tzuyu. When Nayeon would come out of the recording booth, and Tzuyu would be waiting with a food and her phone with Mina’s waiting call, it was all vivid in Tzuyu’s memory. How Nayeon would smile on the phone, telling Mina about her day. It’s simple. But it’s real.
And in this industry, it’s a sight so rare.
Because always, everywhere, when the camera starts rolling, one’s self ends, another begins.
Nayeon sighs, and stayed still when the make-up artist continued to retouch her eyeliner. “She knows you always have my phone anyways. Did you tell her I was fully booked the whole day?”
“Yes… but—"
Nayeon groans and waves her hand to tell the makeup artist she is done. Tzuyu would not miss the make-up artist rolling her eyes. “What would her hearing my voice do? If she wants to meet—”
“Mina thinks… you’re not serious about this.”
Nayeon scoffs, “Does she think I would even reach out if I’m not? It’s like she doesn’t even know me…”
“Maybe if you meet her in person--”, Tzuyu insists. Why can’t Nayeon just show Mina how much she wants her back? (Or Tzuyu could be biased. She had always loved Mina the most among Nayeon’s partners. And she'd rather have Mina back than deal to whoever Nayeon decides is worth her time.)
“Isn’t that why I asked her out on a date?! So we could meet in person? Honestly, this is so typical of her. Putting the blame on me.”
Yap. And there she is. This is the side of Nayeon that makes Tzuyu want to punch her in the face when she opens her mouth.
“You know it’s not that. Just please? Maybe we could pass by her studio later?”
Nayeon glares at her, now done with the conversation. “You know how tight my schedule is. Why is she being like this? Your words are as good as mine—”
“If you just talk to her… Come on, I’ll dial her number right now.”
“Why? So she can reject me herself? No thanks.”
“Nayeon—”
But Nayeon had already stood up. “You know what? Why don’t you call Jennie instead? Didn’t you say she’s been begging to meet up since the after party of her album launch?”
“Uhmm… Well ‘begging’ wasn’t my choice of word.”
But Nayeon is not listening. She gets ready to move to another location. She nods to the sound director trying so hard not to listen in on the conversation but failing miserably. “I have to wrap this up, I have an event to go to.”
Before she can head towards the booth, she passes by Tzuyu and mumbles, “I told you it’s stupid to think Mina wants to get back together.”
All the annoyance left Tzyuyu, desperation growing bigger inside of her. She recognizes the tone in Nayeon’s voice and Tzuyu hold on to her wrist before she can move any farther. Nayeon closes her hand into a fist and looked at it with malice, “What?”
Tzuyu lets go of her wrist, almost like she's been burned, internally remembering what Mina had warned her. She licks her lips before continuing. Nayeon's not like that, she reminds herself. Still, reminded of her place, she says cautiously, “She just needs to see your intentions are pure.” Tzuyu steps back, but doesn’t lose the eye contact, “Can you at least try?”
The look on Tzuyu's face is enough to make Nayeon guilty. So, she puffs her cheeks and blew air on her bangs. She reaches out to Tzuyu, grabbing her hand as she brushes her thumb over Tzuyu's knuckles.
Tzuyu looks at the gesture questioningly.
Nayeon offers her a smile and squeezes her hand, "Okay."