The day flew by for Nayeon, who didn't get to accomplish anything particularly striking today. Because her days are always the same, nothing new ever happens. This is one of the reasons she never disagrees when people tell her how boring her life is. That is perfectly correct, but it does not imply that Nayeon wishes for another. How could she when that was the only way of life she had ever known?

If she had to compare her lifestyle to something, it could be anything that is a performance or a competition. The only way she could win was to perform the similar material she had already perfected. While mistakes are perfectly acceptable, the fewer mistakes made, the better the chance of success.

Returning to how uneventful Nayeon's day had been, the only thing that had had her thinking was the photo Momo had shown her earlier today. She finds it silly that this laughable thing continued to haunt her all day. In fact, she had been highly distracted as a result of this, which everyone knows is atypical for her. Still, she couldn't accept the fact that the mere idea of Dahyun and Sana getting together was becoming a source of fragility for her.

Her whole lot of thoughts were interrupted as the phone buzzed above her bedside desk. Nayeon proceeded towards the desk, from the spot where she was standing, both hands still in her pockets.

The device's screen was still lit up, allowing her to see the notifications. There are two of them: one from Jeongyeon and one from her mother. It wasn't unexpected that Nayeon checked Jeongyeon's message first, because, as Sana describes her, she prioritizes her career.

"As much as I don't want to put pressure on you and the team, I'm genuinely worried about us. We don't have much time to prepare for a new design. What is your plan for this? Should we just let this go and win next year?" says Jeongyeon in a text message.

Nayeon could only shake her head and scoff, "let this go? I'm not going to let that happen," before sighing. She lacks the inspiration to come up with something right away. And it's a shame that the pressure isn't getting to her when it should.

Nayeon chose not to respond and instead checked her mother's text message. "It's your birthday the following day, you should come over. I'll cook your favorite. Let's have a small gathering," it said. Only then did Nayeon recall her forthcoming birthday. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary for her in the first place. She believes that celebrating getting older is a waste of time.

"Right," she said quietly. "But what about my father?" "I'm sure he'd want to be with me on that day as well."

Just then, she received another message from her mother, saying, "If Nam-gil wishes to take part, you should invite him as well." This caused Nayeon to pause and ponder for a moment. She was confident Nam-gil wouldn't say no.

"That screams pandemonium," she said. Nam-gil and Dae-won are feuding, and the two will very certainly derail Yu-jun's plan for Nayeon. Not to mention that Nayeon and Dahyun are like dogs and cats, constantly misunderstanding and instigating fights with each other, adding to the chaos. "It's not like I asked for it," Nayeon shrugged her shoulders.

Sana, on the other hand, has just gotten out of the shower and is hoping for a decent night's sleep after a long and exhausting day. She wouldn't complain, though, because her weariness had a positive effect on her. It's as if Sana struck two birds with one stone. She is one step closer to discovering what Nayeon wanted her to uncover, and she has also found a means to repay the money Dahyun lent her. Furthermore, the payment Nayeon offered her is more than sufficient, which is a win for her.

Despite the fact that she had always been unfortunate, all of her thoughts about the circumstance did not come out as horrible as she feared. Maybe crossing paths with Nayeon again wasn't so bad after all. She might have been even a little luckier with the woman back in her life.

Sana returned to this place for the first time after Momo and Mina's wedding. It was too difficult for her to be alone in such a large space, but she would rather deal with it than stay at Shirou and Sayuri's house. The main reason is that Sana wishes to avoid her uncle as much as possible. She is still upset about him, but if she keeps seeing him, she will eventually forgive him as if nothing happened. Shirou, she reasoned, must share her frustration with that hasty decision.

Sana couldn't help but deeply miss the couple as she looked around at the picture frames with the three of them. When the two moved out, everything changed for her. She used to grumble about being a third wheel, but now she misses it. She couldn't get hold of the two all at once. She couldn't even find time to meet Mina and let the woman catch up on her life.

The ringing of the doorbell cut her off in her tracks. As a result, Sana furrowed her brows, dumbfounded as to who may be out this late. She just had not anticipated any visitors.

Sana checked the video doorbell just to make sure that she wouldn't be letting in something that could harm her and saw Momo standing there. "Ah, you're here," Sana said into the built-in microphone.

Momo swiftly responded by clicking the little button and shouting, "Open the door already, I'm carrying two boxes of doughnuts!"

"Two boxes?" Sana asked, reaching for the doorknob to unlock it. Momo let out a tiny shout of delight upon seeing Sana after a few seconds. It was even followed by an embrace. "It's as if you haven't seen me in three years," Sana commented, chuckling lightly.

"Who told you I hugged you because I missed you?" Momo snarled as she rushed in after Sana stepped aside.

"So, what's the reason?"

"Perhaps I was a little worried?"

"Worried about what?" Sana inquired, confused by what her buddy was attempting to communicate.

"Your uncle called," Momo replied.

"Does he have your number?"

"No, but your aunt has it." "He called me using your aunt's phone," Momo explained, setting down the boxes of doughnuts, then finally turning to face Sana, who was looking down. "I didn't say it to make you feel guilty, Sana," she uttered, sighing. "What I mean is that I, too, became worried, but it's a good thing I knew where to find you."

Sana could only sigh softly. She didn't know what to say because, despite her best efforts to appear indifferent and distant, she truly felt terrible about leaving Shirou and Sayuri behind. Shirou would understand her feelings fully, but Sana is concerned that Sayuri will be most troubled by it.

"You know what?" Momo asked, her gaze returning to the boxes of doughnuts she had brought here. "Let's just eat and put everything else aside," she suggested.

Sana chuckled, feeling slightly lighter. "Why did you bring two boxes?" she questioned, approaching the counter where the boxes were put. "Did you think you were still bringing doughnuts to Mina and me?" she inquired.

That was their normal practice back then. Momo was the one who brought home meals for the three of them because she was the last one to arrive home from work due to her hectic schedule. Sana just couldn't help but think of that because of the food Momo had given her tonight.

"I suppose so," Momo said, nodding her head. "It's good to be back here," she had to add.

"You can always come around, you know," Sana replied, and noting, "and please bring Mina as well; I miss that girl."

"We'll definitely drop by some time," Momo promptly agreed, filling Sana with excitement. "By the way," she said, "your uncle's call wasn't the only reason I came to find you." This grabbed Sana's attention.

"What... what is it?"

"You are already aware of the stolen design."

"Yeah, what about it?" Sana inquired, taking one of the stools and sitting down to listen closely.

"Ms. Lim may not be as outspoken about it to us, but I know she's struggling, and it must be difficult carrying all the weight for us," Momo added, taking care not to leave out vital facts. If she wants to persuade Sana, she should describe the matter thoroughly. "I understand you hate her, but I was wondering if you could help her in any way. I just have a feeling she'd accept it if you were the one to offer it to her."

"Help her?" Sana muttered, unsure of it.

"Yes," Momo nodded, in anticipation of a response.

"But I have no idea how to do it," Sana admitted honestly. Aside from the fact that her ego is preventing her from doing so, she is unsure of what Nayeon needs.

"It's not literally to help her with creating a design as a substitute for the missing design or anything, Sana," Momo said, as well taking a seat. "I don't think that's what she needs," she continued.

"I don't understand, Mo," Sana said, puzzled.

"You have to admit, Ms. Lim is a fantastic artist." "I can't be the only one who is swept away by her original artworks," Momo uttered, her eyes gleaming just thinking about it. "She's brilliant when it comes to that," she said.

"Just get to the point," Sana answered, scratching her brow. She wasn't sure how she felt about her friend idolizing her ex-girlfriend, whom she considered to be a jerk from the past.

"What she lacks is inspiration; every artist, at some point—" Momo was interrupted when Sana stood up.

"What are you talking about— Ah, there's no way I can be an inspiration to her!" the lady said in a high-pitched tone. Momo just looked at Sana with wide eyes, perhaps startled by the loud voice. "Look, I hate Nayeon," Sana stated simply. She sat down again and calmly continued, "but believe me, Momo, she hates me just as much as I hate her." "She just doesn't show it because she wants to maintain her reputation of being the most problem-free person who ever lived," she explained. "Even if I tried, she wouldn't see me as an inspiration. Instead, she'll see me as someone bothersome who meddles in her private matters."

"That's not how I think she sees you," Momo reasoned.

"You don't have any proof of that," Sana shrugged.

Momo could only sigh as she realized she had blown their last chance of winning the competition. That's what she cared about the most. Winning that one has the most impact on the staff than Nayeon, and Nayeon herself handed it to them as a reward for their efforts. The only thing the woman would get is fame and increased recognition.

"I understand your position, Sana," was all she could say to her friend.