People usually complained about time passing by too quickly. But for Jihyo last two months passed incredibly slowly. She was in a, well, ty situation. She tried to talk with Mina at least once. She tried to reach her and apologize for her behavior. But there Sana always found a way not to let Jihyo meet Mina. Probably ever again. Which was unreasonable to her. Sana acted as if Jihyo killed someone close to them. But she only just raised her voice on Mina. Though it wasn't her only problem. Dahyun was still a little upset with her. She tried not to show it but Jihyo could just tell. She just didn't know what to do. Jihyo didn't want to put that pressure on Dahyun. The little girl was too young. It was enough that she had to listen to whatever bull their mother said. And yeah, their mother really started worrying her. She was waiting for Jihyo every day outside of their apartment. Jihyo always called for Jeongyeon and when the two were together, their mother never engaged anything. Albeit, Jihyo knew there would be a day where she was alone. And she was the most scared of that. She was waiting at the kindergarten, after everyone was picked up, for Jeongyeon. Dahyun and Chaeyoung were just coloring a book. Jihyo didn't have a chance to talk with Mina again. Momo and Nayeon came to pick Tzuyu up. Which was the first time Jihyo ever met the actress. Or a celebrity in general. Nayeon seemed great to her. But the biggest indicator that the actress wasn't a bad person was that Tzuyu really liked her. The little Hirai was talking about Nayeon a lot. Jihyo even heard the three little friends talking about a new mommy for Tzuyu. It was definitely precious. But Jihyo wondered if Momo and Nayeon knew about that. Jihyo checked the time. Jeongyeon should've been here already. Her phone rang after a few minutes and Jihyo sighed when Jeongyeon's name was shown.
"Jihyo, I am so sorry. I can't get off work now. The boss gave me another cover to shoot." Jihyo started preparing herself mentally for the inevitable encounter. Jeongyeon felt really awful that she couldn't make it. She was worried as well. 
"It's okay. I will take Chaeyoung to mine." Jihyo didn't have any other choice. She hoped that her mother decided not to wait for them that day. Jeongyeon didn't have the time to protest though, as Jihyo ended the call. 
The walk to the apartment was silent. The two kids sensed that Jihyo was anxious and they just stayed calm not to give her anymore worries. Though Dahyun and Chaeyoung knew why Jihyo was like that. They also were scared of Mrs. Park. There was no doubt she would be waiting for them. And Jeongyeon wasn't there with them. So who would protect them? Jihyo was scanning every recess. They were getting close and so far there was no sight of their mother. Jihyo held the little girls' hands tightly still and was ready to get them in her arms and run if it was needed. They were on the street where they lived and still no creepy woman was waiting for them. Jihyo relaxed and loosened her grip on the girls' hands. But before they could enter the building someone stopped them by grabbing Dahyun's arm. Jihyo immediately turned her head to see their mother. 
"Let her go." Jihyo's voice was shaky. She wanted to sound intimidating but in reality, she sounded scared. She was never sure what would their mother do.
"Jihyo, you have been avoiding me for months. I don't have any money. I can't buy myself food and other necessities. Why are you so heartless and you don't want to help me?" Their mother always said those things so Jihyo should've been used to them. She wasn't though. Those words were still hurting her. What Jihyo the most worried about, was that Dahyun would start believing their mother. 
"Let go. I won't give you money for drugs and alcohol. Find a job." Jihyo held on to the little girls' hands so tight that she was sure it was hurting them. But she couldn't care about that then. She couldn't risk that her mother was here with some criminal and they would try to harm the girls. Their mother was ready to say something albeit someone stopped her.
"Ma'am. Please, let go." Jihyo couldn't believe that the one that put her hand on their mother's shoulder was Mina. Their mother eyed Mina and decided that she wasn't a threat to her. So she didn't move.
"I am their mother. Jihyo doesn't care that I don't have money and I live on the street." Mina's expression didn't change. She still looked intimidating. She only glanced at Jihyo once. 
"Okay, now let go, ma'am." It was obvious that their mother thought Mina would feel bad for her and would try to help her. But Mina knew better. When she saw how scared all three of them looked, there was no doubt she had to help. 
"Who do you think you are? You can't tell me what to do." Their mother played herself then. Jihyo was sure they would be fine now. 
"I have all the rights to do that, ma'am. You will be under arrest if you won't let go of Dahyun's arm." Mina showed her badge to their mother after saying that. Jihyo watched as their mother's face changed expression in a split of a second. She was the one that was terrified then. She let go of Dahyun's arm and started walking away. Mina observed the woman disappear slowly. She didn't dare look away just in case. Only when she was sure there was no danger she looked at Jihyo and the little girls.
"Mina, thank you." Dahyun hugged Mina's leg and Chaeyoung followed her friend. Mina caressed their heads. 
"You are safe now." The little girls nodded but didn't let go. They let their emotions lose and started crying. Jihyo got closer and kneeled to embrace the kids. They stayed that way until Dahyun and Chaeyoung calmed down. Then Mina escorted them to the apartment. 

"How were you there?" Jihyo and Mina were sitting in the kitchen while Dahyun and Chaeyoung played in the living room. There was silence between them for the most part but Jihyo decided she needed to fix the things with Mina. 
"I actually wanted to talk with you. So I drove here from work. I am glad I got here just in time." Jihyo was glad to hear Mina wanted to see her after all of that. Mina was really a person everyone needed in their lives.
"Thank you. But most of all, I am so sorry, Mina. For yelling at you. For being so defensive. I shouldn't have done it." Jihyo lowered her head in shame and waited for any type of answer. She really would take everything. As long as she could still do something to make it up to Mina. 
"Jihyo, don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have forced you like that. If you didn't want to talk I should have respected that." Mina met Jihyo's big eyes and the two didn't say anything for a few seconds. 
"But it's not your fault. You were just worried. You wanted to help." Mina smiled softly and for the first time in a long time, she realized something. That perhaps, it wasn't always her fault.
"It's neither yours nor my fault then. Let's go with that." Jihyo smiled back and nodded. It was probably true in that case. Though a different thought appeared in her mind. 
"Wait. What about Sana? You should be home now right?" Mina sighed heavily and looked at the ground. Jihyo was shocked because she knew from the reaction, what happened.
"I told her my colleagues wanted to go out and eat something." Jihyo wasn't sure what to say so that she wouldn't say too much. But she had to comment because it was a once in a lifetime situation.
"You lied to her? Oh my God, Mina. Did you knock yourself on the head?" Mina whined in response. She wasn't proud of herself. She was very disappointed actually. She never lied to Sana and Momo. So she was feeling incredibly guilty about that.
"I feel like a jerk. I regretted lying as soon as I ended the call. I should've been honest." Jihyo laughed and Mina shot her a glare. Though it didn't end the laughter. Mina waited patiently for Jihyo to stop laughing at her misery while playing with the hem of her shirt.
"This is a new one. I never knew you had the guts to do that. Well, officer, I am proud." Mina looked at Jihyo with a confused expression. She wasn't exactly sure why Jihyo was proud of her lying. 
"I lied. This is not something people should do." Jihyo rolled her eyes because of course, Mina would say that. 
"Yes, you lied. To see me and talk everything through. To fix the things between us. You thought about yourself." Jihyo was sure Mina would still be confused about that. But she could take it. Because it could have been the start of Mina actually changing that part of herself.
"I didn't do it for myself. I am here for you." Jihyo knocked Mina lightly on the head.
"Silly. You care about me. So you wanted to do it so that you can keep being my friend. That sounds like thinking about yourself to me." Mina thought about that for a moment and seemed to get to the same conclusion. She really did it for herself. It somehow felt different when she thought about that. 
"I guess you are right." After Mina admitted that Jihyo was right she got pulled into an embrace. She held back without any hesitation. She smiled softly into Jihyo's shoulder. 
"I actually owe you an explanation." Jihyo broke their hug and gestured for Mina to take a seat. Mina obeyed and waited for Jihyo to sit down and tell her what was going on. "So that time I had a similar encounter with our mother. It actually happens a lot. Recently, she's been waiting for us here every day and we were left alone only thanks to Jeongyeon. She became like that after she found out our father was cheating on her. She just left one day and didn't come back for a long time. I was left alone with little Dahyun. I managed through thanks to Jeongyeon. She helped me so much. I was able to find jobs thanks to her, I could study. I could give Dahyun a decent life. But our mother started coming back for money." Jihyo stopped there. She wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't easy to admit it. It was embarrassing that Jihyo still was hesitant to do anything about that just because it was their mother. Mina noticed the internal struggle Jihyo was going through. Mina had an idea as to why Jihyo was so hesitant. The smell of alcohol was very strong. Mina knew what that meant. And she knew why Jihyo didn't want to tell her about that.
"Jihyo, I could tell your mother was intoxicated." Jihyo looked at Mina with embarrassment. What else was she supposed to feel? Protecting your drunk mother. It was pretty pathetic. "I think she needs to go to rehab. And you should file for a restraining order. She is unpredictable. She may harm you and Dahyun. If not herself then with the help of someone else. Please, don't let that happen."
"She's still our mother." Mina grasped Jihyo's hand. Mina understood her friend but she couldn't just let it be. Jihyo and Dahyun were in danger. They needed to do something.
"I know. But she won't be if this continues. Either you will get hurt or she will. This is a good way to try fixing it. Please, Jihyo. I will help you. My department takes care of cases like that. It is between a mother and their children. And that mother is a hazard to their lives. I need to take care of that." Jihyo stayed silent for a moment. She stared at their joined hands. She really had to do it. She had to keep them safe. 
"Okay. Yeah, let's do that." 

Tzuyu was trying everything. She really did. Then why wasn't her mom and Nayeon getting closer? Even she could tell they obviously liked each other. So they should be together. Just like auntie Mina and auntie Sana. It was the same situation. Tzuyu was getting impatient. To her two months was a lot. She just couldn't wait for Nayeon to be her second mommy. She observed her mom and Nayeon intently while eating a breadstick. Momo and Nayeon were sitting on the opposite sides but their faces were somehow close. Tzuyu didn't really pay attention to the topic of their conversation. Something about what is on pig's mind. She was wondering if it had a double meaning. Auntie Mina told her about words that can have different meanings. And auntie Mina is the smartest person in the world for knowing that. Tzuyu decided to take the lead in that situation. She will try to be vague. Or something like that. Auntie Sana told her that she could act like that if she wants people to figure out what you mean. She definitely used it a lot on auntie Mina. Tzuyu never understood what auntie Sana meant but auntie Mina always figured it out. Okay, she got this.
"Miss Nayeon? Do you like dancing?" Tzuyu was very proud of herself. Her mom was a dancer and she loved dancing so if Miss Nayeon loved it too, it meant she liked her mommy too. Tzuyu was nearly as clever as auntie Mina after all.
"I love dancing a lot. I even danced for a few years but in the end, I have chosen acting." Tzuyu's face lightened up and a huge grin appeared on her face. Momo wasn't sure why Tzuyu felt so happy about that. Only for a moment because Tzuyu explained what she meant right after.
"Mommy is a dancer. So if you like dancing you also like" Tzuyu paused abruptly. Nayeon had an idea what she was going to say though. And she was glad the little girl didn't finish. She wouldn't be able to answer that with Momo there. "No, wait. I wasn't supposed to say that. How auntie Sana do it?" Momo was very much confused. She stared at Tzuyu and then looked to Nayeon. The actress started watching her plate and playing with the food. 
"Nayeon? What are you doing here?" Nayeon felt like her heart stopped for a second after hearing that voice. It was none other than Jinyoung's mother's voice. She looked up and saw exactly who she thought she would. She was screwed. 
"Evening. I am having dinner." Nayeon's answer was the most pathetic thing she ever said. Obviously, she was eating dinner, what else would she be doing in a restaurant? 
"Is this your friend? And who is this little charming sweetie?" Momo really kept getting confused that day. She noticed that Nayeon became seriously nervous. And Momo didn't like that. 
"Hi, I am Momo and this is my daughter, Tzuyu." Jinyoung's mother bowed to them and smiled at Tzuyu warmly. Tzuyu clung to her mom's arm because she was too shy. 
"It's nice to meet you. I hope Nayeon isn't neglecting this friendship. She doesn't even have time for her family." Nayeon started laughing awkwardly to stop Jinyoung's mother from talking further. But the older woman was an unstoppable force. "I am Sooyoung, Nayeon's mother-in-law." Nayeon was seriously ed. She observed Momo for any reaction but she just stared blankly at them. It looked like she was trying to process what she just heard. Nayeon had to do something.
"It's not like that." Sooyoung waved her hand dismissively at Nayeon.
"Fine. Future mother-in-law. You and Jinyoung really should be planning the wedding soon. You have been together for three years. And you are not getting younger." Momo had an unreadable expression. And Tzuyu looked sad. That wasn't what Nayeon wanted. Not at all. It couldn't end that way. God! Why did Jinyoung's mother have to come here?
"That's true. You shouldn't waste the time and just get married, Nayeon." Nayeon was surprised by Momo's answer. The thing that got her though was Momo's smile. It wasn't the same bright smile that brought happiness. It looked forced. 
"Even your friend has more common sense. May I ask what is your husband doing, Miss Momo?" Of course, the situation had to get worse. Because why wouldn't it? Nayeon wanted to scream. She wanted to kick Sooyoung out of there. 
"I don't have a husband." Sooyoung's features softened. She felt bad for asking such a sensitive thing. Momo definitely didn't look happy about that.
"I am sorry. Please, forgive me." Momo shook her head and it calmed Sooyoung down.
"It's alright. This is what everyone asks me." It surely was the number one question when it came to Momo. Because of course, she would be married when she had a child. That's how a family should be for a lot of people. 
"I know there is a stigma about single mothers. I hope you have great people around you that help you." Nayeon was glad that at least there was one thing that Jinyoung's mother didn't destroy that day. She could tell Momo felt more comfortable after she was sure she wouldn't be ridiculed.
"I do. They are all more than great. Thank you, miss. Anyway, it's getting late. We need to get back home. Tzuyu will fall asleep here if we won't. Thank you, Nayeon. Have a good night, both of you. Come on, Tzu." Momo held onto Tzuyu's hand and headed for the exit. Nayeon got up right after and excused herself for a moment. She had to explain everything to Momo. She couldn't just let her go because she had a feeling they wouldn't be able to talk soon after. She stopped Momo and Tzuyu outside the restaurant. 
"Momo, can I explain?" Nayeon was ready to beg if she had to be frank. She just wanted Momo to know. Though Momo didn't really want to listen to explanations.
"I get it. I am happy you have someone like that. It's great really. I don't think I need any explanation. And don't leave miss Sooyoung like that. I will talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight." Momo turned to get to the bus station but Nayeon jogged ahead to block their way. Momo had to roll her eyes because Nayeon was acting silly.
"Please. Momo. It's not like that, really." Tzuyu didn't like that situation. She didn't like that Nayeon had someone she liked already. Because it meant she couldn't be her mommy. And that she didn't like her mom. 
"Yeah, sure. I understand. Can we go now? It's Tzuyu's bedtime." Momo didn't want to talk. She just wanted to take a bath and forget about that night. So she moved forward and didn't stop when Nayeon called out to her. She was truly an idiot. Good thing she learned about that so soon. At least she saved herself from looking like a clown later. She would be fine though. It wasn't serious. Definitely. Momo wasn't in love yet. She would be fine. 
"Mommy. So, miss Nayeon doesn't like you?" Momo was taken aback by Tzuyu's sudden question. She looked at her daughter who was sitting with a frown on the bus seat. She just didn't know what to say. 
"She likes all of us. Don't worry." Momo's words didn't relieve Tzuyu's sadness though. But she didn't say anything else. She just stayed silent and hugged her mom. She felt like it was unfair. That Nayeon wouldn't be with them after all.