Sakura's POV:

I was furious when I saw Chaen flashed an apologetic look at Tomi and was even more livid when I found out that Tomi apparently warned her not to hurt me, that I didn't wait for Chaeyeon to elaborate, I walked out of the kitchen and raised my voice to Tomi who was seating at the living room and told her rather harshly to come with me out side. She obediently followed me, her head down until we reached the balcony at the end of the hall.

It hurt me to see my kids try to take care of me the past 5 months, it hurts me to see them try to cheer me up, it also hurts to know that I worried their young minds with something as trivial as my welfare, if there's anything, I should be the one to do those things for them. I knew who and how Tomi was, whatever she said to Chaeyeon may shock Chaeyeon. My sweet Hitomi would kill for her Kku Okan, without a doubt, she may have threaten Chaen.

Maybe I was played for a fool, but I am a smart woman, I never repeat my mistakes, not ever and certainly not now. I also know Chaen was a different person, Chaen is naturally a caring person based on my observation with her interactions with the team. Minmin trembles not in fear but her knowledge of Chaen's past. They've been training together for the last few years, surely Minmin knew who the real Chaen was. Tomi didn't need to warn off Chaen, if there was someone she should warn it was Jurina and Anna.

I waited for the two to come back, they did after 30 minutes, Tomi was seating with me now in the living room while the rest of Team IZ*ONME were in the kitchen. Tomi was initially kneeling in front of me asking me for forgiveness, as much as I wanted to say more harsh words, her initial stance made my heart hurt tremendously, so I pulled her up to the couch and sat her with me, I hugged her silently.

"I'm sorry my Tomi. You know how I hate it when you misbehave and threaten people. Chaen is a good person, as you saw earlier, she's really a calm person, she just wanted to help us acclimate to Korean culture, she's my first friend in my new life." I softly explained to Tomi.

"I know Kku Okan." Tomi looked up at me.

I placed a kiss on her forehead and smiled reassuringly at her. One of the reasons why Tomi and Nako were my 'Children' is because both are protective, kind hearted and calm young women. Tomi somehow is different than all three of us, Tomi is intense when she doesn't like something or someone, she warns the person and threatens them. If only I could tell her what not to do, but I realize that an 18 year old could not change her attitude, especially if she feels that one of her valued friends are threatened of another heartbreak. The thing is, I am not at all threatened by Chaeyeon, she's been nothing but a supportive leader to me and my two kids as well as her other members.

We decided to converge in the kitchen, Tomi and I held hands as we went to the Kitchen to help them set up the table. Tomi and I are still going to talk later at home, because although Chaen calmed us down and Tomi apologized, it doesn't mean that we are okay. I need to reprimand her about what she did. I can't let her get away with this, it was bad enough that she threatened Chaen, but to let her get away would be too much. What if she does this again? What if the next person she threatens take it by heart?

After helping set up the table, we had dinner. I scooped some Beef and Fishcakes Ramen into 9 bowls and served it to them, the 10th, I placed in a take away plastic take away bowl for Wonyoung. I carefully plated each one with Ramen Eggs, I also went and got the Shogayaki I prepared for them. Chaen did the same with her Gamjatang and Cheese Buldakgalbi she plated the dishes and served them to the Team.

I watched Minmin eat her Ramen, the healthier version because instead of serving it with egg noodles, I served it with Shirataki Noodles. Minmin must've liked her Ramen because her eyes sparkled at the first bite.

"Mmmm Eomma, this Ramen is great!" She said her cute fat cheeks showing.

"I'm glad you liked it." I answered her in a short Broken Korean.

Min-ju smiled happily at the bowl of Ramen she was eating. I gave her some Shogayaki which she received gratefully, it was my first time cooking for unhealthy eater Min-ju. I was bursting in happiness because she ate happily. It relieves my stress when my kids are happy with what they are eating and Min-ju is no different. Her cute cheeks especially was fun to watch.

"Eomma, if you keep cooking this great, I might have to ask you to cook for me a lot." Min-ju exclaimed.

"It's okay. I can cook for you. You can ask your Appa to drop by our dorm some time." I replied to her in Broken Korean.

"Really? Thank you!" Min-ju said in Japanese.

"Hai. Really, whenever you want food, you can come to my dorm." I said in Japanese and a mix of Broken Korean.

"Appa! This Cheese Buldakgalbi is great!" Tomi exclaimed to Chaen.

Chaen smiled at Tomi and said.

"It's good that you liked it, Hi-chan." Chaen said to Tomi.

All the other members complimented my cooking as well, I thanked them for liking my cooking. Soon, we left Chaen's dorm and headed back to our own dorm. Once we were inside, I stopped Hitomi and pulled her to the living room. Nako made her way to their shared room. While Hitomi and I sat at the couch.

"Now, tell me what you said to Chaeyeon. I want to hear everything." I told Hitomi.

"I-I uhm. I told her this: Saku Okan is fragile, she recently broke her heart, so if you are planning on hurting her, my fair advice is not to go through it, because I swear to the gods and goddesses of the earth, I will end you, I will end anyone who dares hurt her. Including you, Chaeyeon-chan, I don't care if you are the leader of the debuting team." Hitomi told me the whole thing she said to Chaeyeon, no words left unsaid.

"Tomi?! Why did you tell her that?! Why?" I asked her exasperatedly.

"Because I thought she was a bad person. I was proven wrong tonight. I'm sorry Kku Okan, I know better now not to judge anyone. I did it because I thought she was bad." Hitomi said.

I let out a sigh, it was still early but it felt like we had a sleepless night going on, my head hurts a little. I looked at Hi-chan again and pulled her into a warm embrace. It was the only thing I could do. I embraced her as if my life depended on it.

"I love you, Hi-chan, you know that right? I need you to promise me one thing. Never do this again. A person needs to get hurt, sometimes it is what's needed to propel some changes in a person's life, so if I am going to get hurt again on purpose, let it be, Hi-chan. You are not anyone else's savior but yourself. Are we clear, Hi-chan?" I told Hi-chan and slightly pulled away to see her face.

She nods her head lightly but says to me.

"I can't help it Kku Okan, I love you so much that it hurts when you are hurting." Hi-chan said.

This answer made me chuckle a little bit. She's really hard headed like this. I planted another kiss on her head and told her.

"Your Kku Okan needed to get hurt, there are times that we get hurt, it is normal. An inevitable part of humanity is getting hurt, physically or emotionally. Remember that always Hi-chan, we don't grow if we don't get hurt." I said to her gently.

"Now, go to your room and get ready for bed." I followed up with Hi-chan.

She lets me go and kisses me on my cheek, she goes to her room and I was left in the living room, I got up from the couch and went into my room. I took a quick shower and slipped into my silk pajamas. I laid in bed, thinking about Chaen. I got my phone from the bedside table and sent Chaen a message.

Me: Chaen? I'm sorry about Tomi and I'm sorry for everything. I feel bad. 🥺😭

A few seconds later, she sent me a message.

Chaen: Hey, don't feel bad about what happened, it's not a big deal. I'd appreciate it more if you work hard on your dancing and let me handle situations like what happened earlier. I don't want you to be under stress, you look scary when you're pissed. 🤣✌️

Me: Hmmmph! 😠😤 I think I like it when I'm pissed. Good night Lee Chaeyeon! 😤

Chaen: I'm kidding, please don't be mad. ☹️🥺

Me: Good night. 😒

Chaen: Seriously, please don't be stressed. You are more gorgeous when you're happy. I love seeing your face stress free. 😊

Me: So cheesy and greasy all