Chapter 02

 

"Welcome to my humble abode!"

Nayeon announces cheerfully as she steps into the gates of her family home, spreading her arms as if to show her entire house to the girl following her. Locking her car down, Jeongyeon smiles at the older girl then adjusts Chaeyoung who is safely tucked in her arm. Her other arm easily hauls the plastic bags filled with goods they think will be necessary to take care of a baby.

Noticing Jeongyeon's apparent struggle, Nayeon takes Chaeyoung from her partner's (Nayeon shudders when she thinks of that word; partner) arm. The younger girl grins gratefully as she walks towards the door of the Im residence.

"Thanks, Nabongs. Here, let me unlock the door for you," Jeongyeon offers her help when Nayeon seems to have difficulties unlocking the door while holding Chaeyoung.

Seeing Jeongyeon's back as she unlocks the door for the three of them, bringing a plastic bag filled with grocery while she herself is cradling a baby feels painfully domestic for Nayeon. Pain sears through her chest as she remembers how happy she was when she's with Jeongyeon.

Keyword, was.

It sends another painful throb to her chest and Nayeon sighs heavily.

A soft voice from below her makes Nayeon looks down, meeting Chaeyoung's concerned gaze. It was lost on the older girl how does Chaeyoung notice her uneasiness, but the baby's small pout and firm grip on her blazer blooms a smile on the bunny's face.

"You okay there, little one?"

Oh, I'm okay. Do you?

"I'm fine, Chaenggie."

Hearing Nayeon's words, Chaeyoung is mortified.

Wait you heard me–

"Come on, we can't stay here forever."

Oh, you're not. Thank God. Because I think I'm going to badmouth the two of you for the rest of the day

Chaeyoung turns her attention from her mother-of-the-day when she hears a huff from her front. She sees Jeongyeon smiling at her and she giggles playfully, prompting the short-haired girl to bend a bit and places a brief kiss to her cheek.

"Okay, what do you want to do today, Chaenggie?"

I would rather see you two ing each other but that's quite impossible, I guess

"I think I'm going to cook something first," Nayeon hums as she saunters deeper into the empty house. "Momo devoured most of the pancakes you made. I'm still hungry."

"Ah, me too," Jeongyeon places their groceries on the living room and rummages them for a bit before she follows Nayeon, holding a pack of baby food in her hand. "Chaeng's gotta eat something, too, right, Chaenggie?"

I'd rather eat Dahyun-unnie but she's not ready yet so fine I guess

"I'll make both. You play with Chaeng," Nayeon holds Chaeyoung out to let Jeongyeon take her.

"Okay," Jeongyeon easily takes Chaeyoung to her arms, positioning the baby so she's comfortable in her hold. But Chaeyoung lets out a whine and starts moving her hand around as if reaching for Nayeon.

"Seems like someone's unwilling to be with me," noticing the baby's miserable wail, both Jeongyeon and Nayeon sigh. Nayeon shakes her head as she takes Chaeyoung back from Jeongyeon, stifling a giggle when the baby immediately nuzzles her neck, and her wailings reside.

"What's with you? I can't cook if you don't let me go," Nayeon asks softly but Chaeyoung only looks up with her round eyes. The bunny squeals almost instantly, charmed by the cutenes radiating from the youngest member in the house. "Awww... you make me want to have a child already."

Then make one, coward

Chaeyoung raises her hand to pat Nayeon's cheek. This elicits another giggle from the older girl and she nuzzles her face to Chaeyoung's stomach.

OMG UNNIE STAHP I'M TICKLISH

Much to Chaeyoung's relief, Nayeon stopped almost immediately when she feels Jeongyeon's burning gaze to her. She cleared in awkwardness for Jeongyeon was so intent in watching her interaction with Chaeyoung, and that seems to snap her back to reality.

Jeongyeon's cheeks heat up and she blushes, averting her gaze to anywhere aside from Nayeon and Chaeyoung. The two refuse to look at each other for a while until Nayeon speaks up.

"Yo what's up Yoo."

Jeongyeon whips her head and squints. "Don't call me like that."

"You were being weird," Nayeon shrugs nonchalantly.

"I–" Jeongyeon hesitates. She sighs heavily after that and groans. "You know what? It looks like Chae doesn't want to be far from you, so I'm gonna make you some sandwiches. You okay with sandwich?"

"Sandwich is good," Nayeon nods, grinning from ear to ear. "How about you, though? Don't you want to eat, too?"

"I'm gonna eat some bread. Not really interested in sandwich now."

"But we didn't buy any jam."

"Don't worry. I like mine with no jam."

Silence.

Jeongyeon stares at Chaeyoung.

Chaeyoung stares back.

Nayeon is glaring.

"EYYYYY."

EYYYYYYY

"Get the outta my house."

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"Mitang we're going out and that's final."

Mina almost spits her drink when Momo suddenly barreled into the kitchen, yelling for the whole world to hear. The younger Japanese places her glass on the countertop with a slightly trembling hand. She takes a deep breath before she turns, facing Momo who stood in the doorway, hands on her hips with Dahyun perched prettily on her shoulders.

Mina hates herself for stuttering. "G-g-g-g-going o-o-out? U-us?"

"YES!" Momo nods firmly. "Your apartment is barren and I'm hungry!"

If you hear closely, there's the faint sound of Mina's heart breaking into two.

Of course, Myoui, of course.

Hirai Momo loves food more than anything, even herself. Don't get your hopes up.

She missed the way Dahyun pulls Momo's hair until the older yelps, the baby facepalming herself for Momo's choice of words.

Sighing, Mina walks toward Momo, raising her hand when Dahyun reaches down to play with her fingers. "Okay, where do you want to go, Momoring?"

Momo grins. "I know a place."

An hour later and they're already at a small cafe in the remote corner of Seoul that Mina doesn't even know exist. Momo had pulled her around some shady alleys and even shadier roads, to the point that Mina got dizzy and lost if not for Momo's firm grip on her wrist, for about half an hour before they arrive at this place.

At a glance, the cafe (if you could even call this place as a cafe) looks like a regular house. What makes this place questionable for Mina is the eerie, creepy atmosphere surrounding it. The road in front of the cafe is barren, save for some wild cats roaming the streets, staring at them with unblinking yellow eyes.

How on earth did Momo find this place, Mina doesn't know and doesn't want to ask.

And if she doesn't know better, she must have thought that Momo's doing some drug dealing behind all their idoling schedules.

"We're here!" Momo says gleefully, pushing the double doors open for Mina and Dahyun to come inside. An elderly woman peeks from behind the counter, smiling as bright as the sun Mina almost forgets her doubts about Momo's choice of place beforehand. "Halmeoni! Good afternoon!"

"Good afternoon, Momo-chan!" the woman greets Momo as enthusiastically as the young idol did, waving at the two other trailing Momo silently. "And you must be Mina-chan! I would never be mistaken, that pretty face of yours is basically everywhere by now! Momo-chan told me a lot about you!"

Momo must have been a frequent customer for the halmeoni to address her so casually. But, wait. She told her about Mina, a lot?

"Halmeoni!" Mina doesn't notice the flustered Momo when she herself is hanging her head low, stuttering in her soft voice only for Dahyun to hear.

"Now, now, what brings you here?" the woman steps from behind the counter, noticing Dahyun staring at her with her curious round eyes. Reaching up to Dahyun's cheek, the baby giggles and takes the wrinkled fingers between her hands.

"Omo, she's so cute! Your daughter?"

"NO!"

Mina and Momo yelled in unison. The two look at each other, realizing what just happened then whipped their face away from each other with a very apparent blush. The elderly woman laughs at their reaction, and Momo wails to the woman while tugging her sleeve.

"Halmeoni don't tease meeeee..."

"Alright, alright," she giggles. "So what brought you here? It's been a while since you come by, Momo-chan."

"Oh, right," Momo seemingly just remembered her intention of coming here. "So halmeoni we're hungry and we have nothing. Can I have the usual, please?"

The woman smiles. "Sure, sure! What about you, Mina-chan?"

"Do you have any baby food? And one ramyeon, please."

"No, I don't have one. But I do have porridge, can she eat that already?"

Mina looks at Dahyun.

Dahyun nods.

"She can."

OMG LMAO WAIT WHAT DID MOMO-UNNIE'S STUPIDITY JUST RUBBED OFF OF MINA-UNNIE OR WHAT I'M–

"Okay, then," walking to behind the counter, the kind woman smiles her dimpled smile and bows. "Just relax and wait for a bit!"

Momo cheers while Mina bows back, and the older Japanese tugged the younger's wrist to lead her to one of the empty seats. Courteously, Momo pulls back the chair for both Mina and Dahyun, which make the former blushes and stutters a soft thank you. The two then talks, about their schedule, about their plans to leave to Japan together once they have any free time with Momo grinning giddily all the time and Mina smiling shyly while sometimes tucking her hair to the back of her ear, or rocks Dahyun slightly as the baby is still safe in her arms.

Dahyun holds back her tears.

These two are so soft God I don't have the heart to troll them Chaeyoung help me

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"THIS IS UNFAIR!"

Jihyo sighs.

"CONSPIRACY! GOD MUST HAVE HATED ME SO MUCH TO DO THIS TO ME!"

Tzuyu sighs.

"WHY NOW, UNNIE WHYYYY?!!!"

Manager-unnie sighs.

"JYP-nim personally asked you to come. Something about collaboration etc etc."

Sana bawls her eyes out.

"BUT TODAY IS A HOLIDAAAAAAAYYYY!!!"

Manager-unnie rolls her eyes at the other side of the line.

"I know but you know how he is. So you better prepare because he wants you there in fifteen. Bye, Sana-ah."

Shaking her head in disbelief, Jihyo adjusts Tzuyu's position in her arm to pat Sana's head sympathetically, with the older girl wailing miserably to her phone. Only an hour after the two other little families (?) left them alone at the dorm, Manager-unnie called Sana to tell her that their company owner summons her to the main JYPE building to talk about something.

As expected, Sana immediately throws a tantrum, for she had wanted to spend her holiday to play with their maknae-turned-baby Tzuyu. Sana always had a fondness to children and she was not going to let this rare opportunity go.

Who cares about how did Tzuyu became a baby. She's cute now, even cuter than before, and that's all Sana needs to adopt her.

She stares at the two younger girls as she sniffles, then proceeds to hug Jihyo and squishes Tzuyu who is held carefully in the leader's left arm.

"Forgive me my love for I have to go."

"I have a girlfriend."

The Japanese wrinkles her forehead.

"I was talking to Tzuyu."

Tzuyu chokes. Totally did not expect that.

Jihyo notices the baby's distressed voice and pats her back to ease her choking. She exhales in relief once Tzuyu calmed down just enough, then turns to the taller girl who is still staring at them both with tears b in her eyes. Rocking Tzuyu slightly, Jihyo nudged Sana to snap her back to reality.

"Come on, you're gonna be late. You don't want JYP-nim to scold you again, don't you?"

"But I can't leave you alone with Tzuyu," Sana pouts.

Jihyo rolls her eyes. "I believe I would be just fine. Tzu's a nice kid."

"No, I phrased that wrong. I can't leave Tzuyu alone under your care. Who knows what would you do to our innocent maknae."

A resounding slap. Tzuyu winces as Sana rolls around on the floor holding her throbbing after Jihyo smacked her.

"You better get your going before I get my whip and beat the outta you," scowling, Jihyo pushes Sana away with her foot, earning herself a pitiful whine from the older girl. "Though, maybe you were right. I can't take care of Tzuyu alone. I should call Seungwan to come over."

"NO!"

The speed which Sana uses to return to standing back on her feet is beyond extreme. Careful of the young baby still safe in Jihyo's hold, Sana shakes Jihyo's broad shoulders until the younger girl got dizzy.

"You can't do that! What would she think if she knows that Tzuyu turned into a baby? What if she tells Joy? Or Irene? Or Seulgi? Or Yerim? Oh God, Yerim will tell the whole world. You know how loose that girl's mouth is! It's going to cause an uproar! Try picture this, channels making news and videos about, 'TWICE's maknae lines turned into babies?! Here's how cute they are as toddlers!' Dispatch will be tailing us and without Dahyun we can't chase them away! We can't let that happen, Jihyo! This is our problem and ours only. No one aside for us is allowed to know!"

After Sana finishes her rambling, Jihyo nods slowly as if she's digesting the older's words. "Alright, fine. I'm not going to tell her blatantly that it was Tzuyu who turned into a baby. But I'm still going to call her so she can help me with chores."

Sana considers that for a bit before she raises her thumb in approval. "Okay, that's good for me. Tell her to tidy up our room, too, okay?"

"...she's not our maid."

"She will if you beg hard enough."

"I'm never going to beg her."

"That's not what you said when she's inside–"

"OKAY THAT'S ENOUGH!" Jihyo yells and she swats her arm wildly to the older girl, face bright red as Sana cackles maniacally. The leader snarls when she kicks Sana's shin with no mercy. "GET OUT! SHOO! DON'T COME BACK HERE UNTIL I TOLD YOU SO! GET OUT! NOW!"

Still roaring in laughter, Sana snatches a random hoodie strewn on the couch to at least seems presentable before she runs out from the front door, sticking her tongue out playfully. "Bye bye baby Tzu! Take caree!!"

With that, Sana slams the door closed.

Jihyo groans as she massages her temple. It's been enough of a headache for her when the maknaes turned into babies, and now Sana had to leave her so she has to take care of Tzuyu all on her own. It's not like she dislikes it, Tzuyu's actually a really nice kid she hasn't even made any trouble from since she woke up. The thing that makes Jihyo's head pounding is how she's supposed to tell this to their managers. And what if their condition as babies last for a long time? Or worse, what if they can't return to their adult self? That would be a disaster. TWICE can't lose three members at a time, especially because of something as crazy as this.

The leader groans again, then turned to the baby in her arm when she feels someone staring at her intently.

"What is it, Chewy-ah?"

Tzuyu squints her eyes.

Unnie, I can't believe that you've committed adultery

But of course, Jihyo didn't understand.

"Are you hungry?"

I thought you are one of the purest in our group, what with the other unnies being filthy as hell. I felt so betrayed

"I'll make you some porridge."

And to think that you were my favorite unnie

"Can you eat a porridge already?"

I will never see you the same anymore

"Do we even have any porridge?"

I’m so disappointed in you, unnie

"Or do you want some milk, Tzuyu-ah? I know you like milk."

YES UNNIE I WOULD LOVE ME SOME MILK THANK YOU I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING THAT I SAID–

"Milk it is."

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"I think you should give Chaeyoung a bath."

Jeongyeon looks up from her activity of sweeping the floor at the light voice from the couch. Nayeon, who was playing with Chaeyoung, is staring at her with her eyebrows raised and lips pulled in a smile. The younger Korean nods then put her broom away, approaching the two with her arms outstretched.

"Why don't you do it?" she hums as she picks Chaeyoung up, eyeing Nayeon who dives headfirst to the couch with a cheerful glee. "She likes you more than me."

Nayeon went silent for a while before she giggles, seemingly having a funny sentence formed in her mind. "Oh, come on! Daddy's got to work, too!"

"What."

"What."

What

Nayeon clears with a blush apparent on her cheeks. "Did I say that out loud?"

Jeongyeon sighs and shakes her head. "For the sake of us both, I'd pretend you didn't."

"Deal."

An awkward silence befalls them. Though it doesn't stay long for Jeongyeon adjusts her hold to Chaeyoung's small body, sauntering away to the bathroom to bathe her. "I'll prepare the bath, now, then. Can you find us the soap and shampoo we brought earlier? I think I left the bag in the kitchen."

"Okay!"

Nayeon was gone in a flash. Jeongyeon sighs again, heavier this time as she goes on her way to the bathroom. She had memorized the whole interior of the house thanks to Nayeon who used to invite her for a sleepover way back at their trainee days. Walking through the familiar environment fills Jeongyeon with a sense of longing, reminiscing the days she shared with Nayeon before all this mess happened.

She was surprised that Chaeyoung taps her cheek, seemingly worried over her sudden silence.

Jeongyeon smiles. "I'm fine, Chaenggie. Come on, we're going to bath! Let's take your clothes off."

Chaeyoung's worried expression turned to pure horror in one milisecond.

Oh no

"Come on, hands up!"

NO!

"Waaaaaaaa!!!"

Jeongyeon almost lost her grip on Chaeyoung when she suddenly cries, struggling to break free from the older's hold.

"Chaeyoung oh my God what's wrong?!"

NOOOOOOO I DON'T WANNA STRIP I DON'T WANNA STRIP AAAAAAAA

"Oh, come on," clicking her tongue, Jeongyeon immediately tightens her hold with one arm, forcing Chaeyoung to submission and rips her short pants off with surprising skill and agility.

THIS IS HARRASSMENT UNNIE YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVE MY CONSENT HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME–

It was unclear how could Jeongyeon dodge all of Chaeyoung's crazed kicks, or how she manages to take her shirt off, but she somehow succeeded once she put the baby on the bathtub. She then picks the already Chaeyoung up to open the tap, filling the tub with lukewarm water.

Seemingly realizing that all her effort has gone to waste, Chaeyoung went silent.

JEONGYEON-UNNIE HAS SEEN ME I’M SORRY DAHYUN-UNNIE YOU’RE NOT THE FIRST TO SEE MY EVERYTHING–

"Chaeyoung?" Jeongyeon asks carefully as the baby in her arms stopped struggling to stare at the abyss blankly.

–I’VE BEEN UNFAITHFUL, I’VE BEEN TAINTED BY MY OWN BRO I’M IMPURE I’M–

"Chaeyoung, are you okay?" Jeongyeon's worry increased, especially with how Chaeyoung suddenly started tearing up.

I’m going to commit seppuku

"WAAAA!!!" Chaeyoung flails around frantically, crying, trying to free herself from Jeongyeon's hold and maybe dives headfirst to the bathroom floor. The once again surprised Jeongyeon scrambles to tighten her hug so that the small baby won't kill herself. The effort earns her a slap from Chaeyoung's tiny hand, and the girl groans at the pain stinging her cheek.

"Chaeyoung! Chaeyoung, calm down! It's alright! It's alright!"

"WWAAAAAAAA!!!!"

Meanwhile, Nayeon was just happily prancing to the bathroom with a bar of baby soap and shampoo in each of her hands when she hears Jeongyeon's scream combined with Chaeyoung's.

"Oh my God what is happening?! Jeooong?? Jeong!"

The girl with the bunny teeth yanks the bathroom door open only to find Jeongyeon wet– scratch that, drenched, crouching inside the bathtub with a half-submerged Chaeyoung pressed to her front. Nayeon crosses her arms over her chest.

"Jeongyeon I asked you to give Chae a bath not taking one with her!"

Jeongyeon scowls. "Well, I'm sorry, Mommy because your daughter here tripped me until I fell on the tub."

"You fell?" Jeongyeon had to applaud Nayeon for changing her expression in a speed of light. "Oh gosh, did any of you hurt? Is Chaeyoung okay?"

Chaeyoung sobs.

I'm okay it's just my dignity hurts

"She's fine, you don't have to worry," Jeongyeon shrugs. "I fell on my , though, and now it's kinda sore. Can you hold Chaeng for a while? I'm going up to check."

"Do you want me to check it for you?"

"No I– wait," Jeongyeon squints her eyes. "Did you just offered to check my sore ?"

"Hey," Nayeon puts her hands on her hip. "I know you're checking my everyday so it's only fair if I get to check yours."

"I didn't– nevermind, just take Chaeyoung for a while, will you? I'm really wet and the floor's slippery. I don't want to fall again, please?"

"Well, okay because you ask so nicely," Nayeon pulls a towel from the rack and wraps Chaeyoung with it. "Do you need any other help?"

Jeongyeon pauses, looking at Chaeyoung who seems so contented wrapped in Nayeon's arm. "How about we take a bath together? All three of us. I mean she clearly is calmer when you're around so I guess having you here could help her."

"..."

"...?"

"Jeong."

"Nay?"

Nayeon inhales.

"If you want to see me so badly just say so."

Jeongyeon chokes.

"I sAId ThAT wRoNG."

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"So you found this place when we were trainees       ?"

"Yup!" Momo nods eagerly while sipping her miso soup. "The foods are good and the prices are very reasonable! You know how I won't refuse delicious food!"

Half an hour had passed after the three arrived at the humble cafe (?) courtesy to Momo's suggestion. The older Japanese, with her big appetite, ordered her usual menu which consists of one portion of Jokbal, one big bowl of miso soup and one plate of rice. While Mina is already satisfied with a medium bowl of ramyeon. Besides, she's also in charge of feeding Dahyun, so she repeatedly turns to the toddler to feed her the vegetable porridge made by the kind cafe owner.

It's a blessing for them that Dahyun eats everything given to her.

Yea I mean it's not like I can eat pizza in this state

"Ah, Dahyunnie, you're such a messy eater," Momo looks up from her bowl of miso soup when she hears Mina mumbling something under her breath. She sees the younger girl patiently wiping the toddler's stained face, a bit slack-jawed because of how cute the two girls across the table look like, then knits her eyebrow when she notices something.

"Hey, Mitang."

"Hmm?" Mina raises her gaze from Dahyun's face, blinking questioningly at the older girl. She finishes wiping Dahyun clean from her messy feeding and folds the napkin back. Turning her body so she is fully facing Momo, Mina leans in on the table. "What is it, Momoring?"

She did not expect Momo to reach over and the corner of her lips with her thumb, grinning. Her heart is beating wildly in her chest, threatening to burst open. Her tachycardia worsens when Momo innocently the ketchup stain on her thumb which Mina is sure coming from her lips.

"You were messy, too. Be mindful of your food," Momo grins wider, unaware of the effect of her action to the younger girl.

If she could, Mina would have waved a white flag of defeat courtesy to Momo's pure cuteness.

It doesn't help that Dahyun practically chokes on her food.

Oh my God why are you guys so kyeopta I can't take it anymore–

"Dahyunnie!" thankfully, Mina hears the toddler's choking sounds and hurriedly pats her back, helping Dahyun in swallowing her food. Despite the sting in and the tears welling in her eyes, Dahyun giggled once she managed to swallow her food without killing herself.

"Oh God, be careful, okay?" as if emphasizing her words, Mina Dahyun's hair once, smiling tenderly when the toddler reacts accordingly. She then reaches for the spoon, offering another scoop of porridge for Dahyun who eagerly swallows her food whole.

Mina could hear a sigh coming from Momo and she turns her head, blushing when she realizes that the older is staring at her with dazed eyes.

"Momoring stop staring at me like that," Mina giggles playfully, trying to lift the mood by patting Momo's hand.

"You're so pretty, you know that, Mitang?"

Well that escalates quickly.

The blush covering Mina's cheeks intensifies. "W-what?"

"I mean," Momo stirs her iced tea. "You're pretty, you sing beautiful, you take care of everyone and you're good with kids!"

"T-thank you... Momoring..."

"Yeah, well even I, Mitang, would really love to be your–"

Mina holds her breath.

"–daughter! Awww... Mitang I believe you'll be such a good Mama! I think I'm going to envy your daughter in the future for having a mother as amazing as you!"

Dahyun facepalmed herself.

Good Lord please let Mina-unnie survive this day

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"Ah, I should call Seungwan."

Jihyo suddenly says after she finishes feeding Tzuyu. She threw the bottle of milk to the dishwasher (since when did TWICE have bottles for baby? Only God knows), reaching for the box of tissue to wipe the baby's mouth clean. Tzuyu her lips gratefully, giggling a bit to show Jihyo her gratitude and starts pawing her chest when Jihyo doesn't seem to notice.

"You've eaten already, Tzu," Jihyo answers absentmindedly as she fumbles with her phone.

Tzuyu stops her movement and she looks at the older girl in disgust.

That's not what I meant to say...

Huffing, Tzuyu only pouts as Jihyo put her down on the couch, adjusting her slightly to prevent her from falling if she moves too much. Even though Tzuyu has no intention of moving around, she silently lets Jihyo arranges the pillows to make a fort around her. It's easier for both of them if she keeps her silence. Besides, she doesn't actually want to mess with Jihyo and ruin her holiday, but the magician's magic affects her as well so she has no other choice.

And her actual target is out of the picture as well. That's so sad Alexa plays I'm a Fool on loop.

Tzuyu is still sulking a bit when Jihyo gave her a ball of yarn–probably belongs to Mina–to distract her while she's making a phone call.

Does Jihyo-unnie thinks of me as a kitten or what actually

Succumbing to her fate, Tzuyu decides to spend her time poking the ball with her fingers, and as time goes, somehow becoming so engrossed in inspecting the way the yarn is put into a ball, tracing with her index finger to see where every strand goes. Meanwhile, Jihyo sits down on the couch adjacent to Tzuyu's with her phone pressed to her ear, smiling fondly at the adorable creature currently glaring at the ball of yarn when she fails to figure it out.

The change of tone startles Jihyo, even making Tzuyu looks up to her with surprise clear in her face when the petite leader jolts.

"Hewwo, Jijii?"

"Hey, Wannie."

There's a chewing sound from the other side of the phone, followed by the sound of food being swallowed and the trickle of water as Jihyo pictures her girlfriend eating something at her own dorm.

"Sorry, babe, I was eating with the girls. Can I put you on speaker?"

"Sure enough."

"Owkaayy."

There's a rustle from Seungwan's side of the call. Jihyo waits patiently until the petite girl speaks again.

"So... what's up, baby?"

"I want to tell you something. Are you free right now?"

"Ehh... hold up," Seungwan then yells to somewhere at the dorm, asking her bandmates about their schedule before returning to her phone. "We're actually free for three days. Or, well, me and Seul and Yerim. Rene-unnie's out to film something and Joy's going to leave for another drama filming in a few hours."

"You're free then? Can you come over?"

"Sure, sure! Maybe in an hour or two, need to do something else at the dorm."

Another rustle and the clink of fork meeting the plate.

"But.. hey... are you okay?"

Jihyo blinks. "Huh?"

"Yeah, I mean," Seungwan sounds a bit worried. "You sound tired. Is something happens at your place?"

Yes, our maknaes turned babies and now I'm babysitting one of them.

–was what Jihyo wanted to say. But then she remembers Sana's words and she heaves a sigh as she takes a look at Tzuyu, already struggling with her yarn again.

"It's... complicated."

If it's possible, Seungwan grows even more worried. "Babe, is something wrong?"

"No it's... how to tell you," humming, Jihyo taps the armrest to try to find the right words to convey her situation to Seungwan. The important thing is that she shouldn't tell Seungwan that Tzuyu becomes a baby. After a bit of pondering, Jihyo finally decides that she should warn her girlfriend first. "So I... hmm... okay, so I think you're going to be surprised because I, too, was surprised as when I found out today."

Now, Seungwan sounds terrified. "Jihyo? Is something happens to you? It's okay, tell me. Anything."

"Yeah, I don't know exactly how the does this happens but, well, apparently," Jihyo sighs. "I have a baby, Wan."

Silence.

Jihyo missed the choking sound coming from somewhere behind Seungwan as she continues. "Crazy, right? I mean.. that's kinda impossible for.. y'know. But, well, I don't think I can take care of Tz– the baby, alone, so I need your help. I would really appreciate it if you come over to my dorm and we'll... figure it out together?"

Still silence.

Jihyo thinks nothing of it because Seungwan may sometimes space out in the middle of a phone call, but when the silence stretches to almost a full minute, she grows suspicious over her girlfriend's well-being.

"Wan? You there? Are you still with me?"

The voice that answers Jihyo is different from before. "Umm... Jihyo-sshi?"

She immediately recognizes the voice and scrunches her nose in confusion. "Seulgi-sshi?"

"Yeah, it's me," somehow, the usually calm voice of the designated teddy-bear of Red Velvet sounds anxious and strangled when she speaks to Jihyo. "Jihyo-sshi I– I don't know what to say, really, umm... I mean, umm... congratulations? I guess... but–"

"Why are you congratulating me?"

Seulgi ignores Jihyo. "But Seungwan– she stopped moving and I don't think she breathes for a few seconds already–"

"Wait, what?"

Jihyo hadn't got her answer when all hell breaks loose.

"Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God OH MY GOD!!!"

"He's a really bad boy?"

"NO! JIHYO-SSHI SEUNGWAN SHE'S– YERIM CALL 911 YOUR UNNIE IS FOAMING FROM SHE'S DYING (should I call Mom, too?) NOT YET DON'T TELL JOOHYUN-UNNIE JUST YET–"

"Did Yerim just called Irene Mom–"

"Seungwan? SEUNGWAN ANSWER ME OH GOD. SOOYOUNG! SOOYOUUUUUNGGG!!! COME DOWN HERE HELP ME (bark?) STOP BARKING AT YOUR DOG HELP ME SEUNGWAN COLLAPSED (arrrroooooooooooo)–"

"Why is Joy-sshi howling–"

"–NOOOOOOO SOOYOUNG WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME (Unnie Daniel is coming quick!) I SAID 911 YERIM NOT WANNAONE ARE YOU DEAF OR WHAT (I panicked, okay!) OH MY GOD WHY IS IT SO HARD BEING THE RESPONSIBLE ONE IN THE FAMILY–"

Jihyo carefully puts her phone down.

"What the was that?"

She should have been worried over her girlfriend's safety, but the ruckus from before had left her confused and she finds herself staring at Tzuyu who stares back.

It might be just Jihyo's imagination, but she's sure as hell that Tzuyu shrugs her shoulders at her. At the baby's near-blank stare, Jihyo sighs and reaches out to ruffle Tzuyu's silky baby hair.

"Right, so I guess it's only you and I now, Tzu."