“I’m sorry Mina unnie, I can’t meet up today. I have to go to work”, Dahyun says, phone in one hand while making breakfast with the other: a simple sandwich with the cheapest chocolate spread her local supermarket sells. “You’re overworking yourself, Dahyun”, Mina says through the phone. 

Dahyun sighs. They have this conversation all the time. Dahyun knows Mina’s just concerned and wants to help, but she doesn’t have a choice. The rent she has to pay every month is a lot, not too mention that she also needs to buy food to survive.

Dahyun works as a barista in a coffee shop. The job pays just enough to pay the rent, but not enough to eat something else than instant ramen.

“I don’t have a choice, Minari. I need the money to pay for everything. Don’t you think I’m tired of eating instant ramen every single evening?”, Dahyun asks, clearly irritated.

It stays silent for a while, but then Mina sighs. “I understand, it’s just that I can’t bear to see you like this”, she says with a sad tone. Dahyun guesses she’s probably pouting right now. “I know Minari, but don’t worry too much about me. I promise I’ll take it slow, so that we need to have this conversation anymore”.

“Alright. Good luck at work today, Dahyun. We’ll meet up another time”, Mina says, clearly disappointed. 

“Thanks Minari, I swear I’ll call you when I have some time to meet up!”, Dahyun says, and she hangs up. She doesn’t like to disappoint Mina, but she has no other option. 

—

“Mina’s just concerned about you, Dahyun. And she’s definitely not the only one”, Jihyo says during their break, and she takes a bite out of her apple. Dahyun sighs and nods. “I know she’s concerned, but she can’t help me”. Jihyo nods sadly. “Maybe you should just talk-“.

“Girls, you have