On a sprightly spring morning where this season is often looked at as offering a new start for people, alongside new years ofcourse. When the cherry blossoms bloom and the flowers begin to sprout once more. The case wasn't to be for Y/n, its the same old shit. The grungy unfulfilled life she was heading towards was gaining momentum, her only shining light now? Her child and maybe sometimes her older sister, once she had gotten rid of the resentment she felt previously.

A dumb mistake in the freshman year of university, a typical party. Not her finest moment, struggling with her sexuality, burdening parents. When she was kind of dating a guy but they weren't official yet and then she ended up having a drunken hookup with some random dude. Needless to say she's keeping that secret to the grave, especially when she's now and still together with that guy from university. San.

Ofcourse he thought it was his and Y/n let him believe it, anyways her parents found out and she was forced to leave university and keep the baby. So now she has a dead end job, a boyfriend she doesn't love, a turbulent relationship with her parents and a clever, sweet and kind child, which ultimately keeps her going. If it weren't for Lily, Y/n is not quite sure what her life would be like, but here she is and this is the reality.

Y/n just wants Lily to grow up and do everything Y/n couldn't, she wants to be a parent that supports their child in every way and hope it leads to success.

Meanwhile Tzuyu has been back in her hometown for around 6 months, returning after being at university for 4 years studying pharmacy and taking some time out to reset before she found herself a job back home. She has to commute around 40 mins to work, but it's worth it knowing she found her perfect job after graduating while also staying close to home.

Catching up with friends from high school and keeping her close relationship with her family was important to Tzuyu. She only recently over the last couple of months got back in touch with her high school friends and began to hang out solidifying the life she had chosen to pursue.

......
On a weekend Tzuyu and her small group of friends decided to get together and go out to a common spot for the younger generation. It was a vibey little spot, somewhere where at one side of the place the DJ was set and you could dance, while on the otherside there was clear paneled walls with open doors where you could sit, chill and still see what was going on. The music was still able to be heard, the panels blocking some of the carrying sound, but it wasn't overbearing allowing conversation without having to shout at each other.

The group of five consisting of Tzuyu, Chaeyoung a short blonde she had a relaxed but goofy personality. Jeongyeon she was tall almost level with Tzuyu in height, had a tomboy kind of style but mothered the group often. Somi, a petite woman with an outgoing personality and then lastly Sana, cute but sexy and very flirtatious. It was around 8.30pm when they met up and found a table in the club.

Tzuyu gathered her bearings, being unfamiliar with the place while her other four friends had been here numerous times. The bar was along the wall right between the seated area with tables and the dance floor which meant no matter where you were in the place it wasn't far to walk to the bar.

"What do you want to drink Tzuyu?" Jeongyeon asked bringing Tzuyu back from observing her surroundings, she hummed as she thought.
"I will take a vodka and coke please." Tzuyu replied smiling to which Jeongyeon nodded.

"No probs, the usuals for you guys?" Jeongyeon then asked the rest of them a chorus of 'yes's' came her way.

"It's nice in here, I like how the music doesn't drown everyone out over in this part." Tzuyu casually said.

"Right, it's our favourite spot at the moment. There's been some good times here! Are you still enjoying being back home Tzuyu?" Chaeyoung responded and Tzuyu nodded happily.

"Yes, now I'm all settled back it feels like I've never left. I know we didn't contact each other much and all lost touch but I'm glad we are back together again too!"

"I'm so happy the gang is back united aswell.....well minus one." Sana side hugged Tzuyu who she was sitting next to.

"True, it kinda sucks Y/n drifted from us completely." Somi added. A few seconds later a chinking of glasses was heard as Jeongyeon returned with their drinks. "The round is innn!!!......why do you all look like that?" Jeongyeon glanced around confused at the slightly glum faces.

"Oh we were just on about how we were glad to be together again but.....we are obviously one down from our original group." Chaeyoung explained as Jeongyeon mouth formed an 'o' shape.

"How come she isn't part of the group anymore? What happened after I left for university?" Tzuyu questioned, while the others took a sip of their drink. They gave Tzuyu a sympathetic look, out of the group Tzuyu was certainly the closest to Y/n. Back then the pair would be quite affectionate with each other, would hang out separately just with each other and there would be some lighthearted flirting.

All their friends probably thought they would eventually end up together. In contrast it totally turned out the opposite once Tzuyu left to study further. "It's a long story Tzuyu, shit.....happened. It doesn't feel right us telling you as some of it may not be true. Maybe you should.....contact her again." Jeongyeon tactfully spoke, at that Tzuyu had even more questions.

"Anyways we came here to have fun right!?" Sana announced changing the subject.

Tzuyus mind was wandering, zoning in and out of the conversation that her friends were having around her. She was known to be on the quieter side, going away to university had certainly made her more outgoing and decisive. Now that she was back with her old friends though she had resorted to old habits.

"Holy shit.......no way....." Sana gasped staring towards the bar, her friends noticed her shock and turned their heads in the same direction.

"Is that?......Y/n?" Chaeyoung wondered aloud.

"She's actually out, it's not often that happens." Chaeyoung added. Tzuyu saw the woman now sitting on the stool at the bar alongside an unknown man. It was definitely Y/n, she was still pretty just like in high school except her aura looks to have changed, it was dull. Something about the scene in front of her didn't sit right with her either.

By the looks on the rest of her friends faces they didn't particularly like it either. Sana tutted. "Can't believe she's still with that guy." Tzuyus brows furrowed, she guessed he had something to do with Y/n not hanging out with them anymore. Tzuyu wasn't sure how to reach out to Y/n again, it had been years since they last talked and by the situation she can't just go up to the two and introduce herself that would be weird and uncomfortable.

The group went back to conversing and throwing a fee more drinks down their necks, Tzuyu always had half an eye on Y/n observing the unorthodox couple. It seems her friends had caught on though. "Yah Tzuyu, are you trying to pass telepathic thoughts? You keep staring." Jeongyeon called her out chuckling. Tzuyu awkwardly laughed taking a drink out the glass. "No I'm just curious, it's been years and I haven't seen her......she's....different."

"She is.....I dont want you to think we don't like her or have bad feelings towards each other. It's nothing like that, we got told some stuff and I don't know how much of it is true. Then she just stopped contact, something changed and we don't know the full story. She was closest to you Tzuyu so maybe now that you are home, you maybe try talking to her." Chaeyoung explained and the others agreed.

The graduate was more curious than ever and needed a way to to talk to Y/n, hoping to get some insight on what went down. She certainly didn't like the guy Y/n was with just from observing, he looked very abrupt and overbearing, Y/n never once looked interested or comfortable. In the meantime she saw Y/n stand up and looked to quickly converse with her boyfriend, then began walking towards the toilets.

Tzuyu saw the opportunity and stood up. "Where are you going?" Sana asked.
"Oh just to the bathroom, be back in a sec." Tzuyu returned and walked into the toilets. Now that Tzuyu had a bit more life experience under her belt, she had become a little bolder. She glanced around saw that someone was finishing off washing their hands and another stalls door closed assuming Y/n was in there. She stood at the mirror touching up her make up while she waited for the random woman to leave and Y/n to finish.

The elegant beauty heard the latch open on the door and Y/n come out heading to the sink, Tzuyu stood gazing in the reflection of the long mirror taking in Y/n appearance up close.

Y/n felt the presence and didn't think anything of it at first then she looked up into the mirror. Someone she hadn't seen in years and someone she thought she actually might not see ever again. Recognising her almost immediately, Tzuyu had a soft gaze but an expecting look on her face. "Tzu....Tzuyu?" Y/n gasped quietly out.

"It's me Y/n......its been a long time." Tzuyu softly spoke allowing a small smile to appear.
"I didn't think I'd see you again." Y/n said with a apprehensive look, Y/n wasn't sure whether Tzuyu knew of what's gone on in her life. Y/n was a little worried that Tzuyu had heard things and would think of her a little differently.

"I always planned to try and come back once I finished university, I wanted to still be close with my family and friends." Tzuyu replied calmy resting against the countertop. Hearing what the brunette said Y/n looked down abit ashamed.

"I see....." Y/n drew out quietly before shifting to dry off her hands then return to face Tzuyu, as remembered Tzuyu was still beautiful as ever and had her usual calm aura which Y/n used to love. "Umm...I should get back, San will wonder where I am." Y/n let out in a fast manor trying to step away to exit.

"Hey wait!......I just started hanging out with our old friends again.......you should join?" Tzuyu kindly invited, she knew Y/n would say no but wanted some kind of clue as to what was going on, Y/n seemed withdrawn when in the past she was more bubbly.

Y/n stumbled for a reply. "Uhh, I can't....sorry Tzu." She had a glum expression.

"Oh sure maybe next time, it was good to see you Y/n/n." Tzuyu was ready for the denial and threw in her old nickname hoping to surface some of old memories.

Y/n hesitated for a second hearing her old nickname from her closest friend, but sharply made her exit from the toilets.

Tzuyu sighed and then another random came into the bathroom, so Tzuyu decided to return to her friends who were now fairly tipsy. "I see you met the new Y/n?" Somi probed as she had her arm tightly around Chaeyoungs shoulder. "You could say that....." the tall woman responded.

The rest of the night they drank and had a good time, they all seemed rather drunk apart from Tzuyu who kept a steady pace and was still pretty much in control of herself. Everyone was getting all affectionate engrossed in human contact mainly Sana.

They managed to make it outside the bar and call in taxis, Tzuyu bundled the 4 into a taxi as she would get another because she lived in the other direction. That taxi pulled away and she scanned around for another, then she saw Y/n and her boyfriend. Y/n was basically hauling him towards a taxi struggling quite abit as he was so drunk and out of it. Tzuyu couldn't just stand there and watch so headed over to help.

"Let me help." Y/n heard from her side too preoccupied with San she just agreed. The asshole was drunk again amd Y/n although used to it, was pissed off with him. She felt the body get lighter as the two bundled him into the back seat of the taxi. Y/n brought herself upright again to thank the stranger only to find it was Tzuyu.

"Oh.....thanks Tzuyu." Y/n awkwardly spoke ready to join her boyfriend in the car. Before she could Tzuyu gently grabbed her arm. "Do you still live where you used to?" Tzuyu questioned lightly.

Y/n slowly nodded her head. "Not the same house, but in the same general direction......" Y/n answered and then Tzuyu smiled.
"Cool, do you mind if I join you? I'm struggling to get a taxi out here" Tzuyu carefully asked this was an opportunity to delve deeper.

There was a pause and Y/n looked between San and Tzuyu seeing that sweet smile Y/n couldn't say no. "Sure....hop in...."

San was incapacitated slumped in the back seat with Y/n who didn't seem concerned and Tzuyu found it odd. Tzuyu was in the front seat, they would be heading to Y/ns house first.

It took around 20 minutes and the car journey was pretty silent, Y/n thanked the taxi driver and got out the car. "Can you wait here? I'm going to help her." Tzuyu asked the taxi driver in a friendly tone and he gave a nod. Tzuyu quickly joined Y/n outside the car and began helping Y/n. "I can manage, I'm used to it." She huffed out as she grappled with the dead weight.

"Maybe so but you don't have to struggle, I'm helping, end of." Tzuyu bluntly told her also grappling with the man. Eventually they maneuvered him into the house, dragging him through the house which Tzuyu noticed was very basic it didn't feel homely at all and there were child's toys scattered. She remembered Y/n had an older sister maybe they are her nieces.

The pair got him to the bedroom and just threw him onto the bed however which way. "He will be fine like that." Y/n casually said.
"If you say so...."

Slowly wandering back into the hallway in the general direction of the front door. "Why don't you talk to us anymore?" Tzuyu blurted out stopping them before she left. Y/n sighed looking down and played with her fingers. "What did they say?" Y/n responded cautiously.

"They didn't say much, just that you stopped contact and something changed. I also think something is going on. I gather you won't tell me because we haven't been close in a while but I promise you I never stopped caring about you, I hope we can rekindle our friendship and pick up where we left off." Tzuyu replied sincerely placing her hand comfortingly on Y/n arm.

Y/n almost broke down right there that one touch from Tzuyu, it was warm and safe, she was her comfort place back in high-school and it was bringing back alot lf emotions. With alot of willpower she kept a neutral face. "I guess....." Y/n responded.

"Alright well.....have a good night, sleep well. See you around." The graduate sweetly told her before leaving. Once Tzuyu left, some stray tears ran down Y/n cheek. Y/n wanted to tell Tzuyu and her friends what the situation was but she was ashamed and didn't want pity. Maybe she could rekindle some kind of friendship with Tzuyu atleast at first before the rest of the group, the struggle was going to be San.

After the encounter with Y/n Tzuyu was determined to help Y/n with whatever obstacle that was going on in her life and there was numerous messages in the group chat between the friends, obviouslywithout Y/n for now.

After work one evening Tzuyu took her two dogs out for a stroll, she had certainly missed her two fur babies when she was away studying and was making up for lost time. It was a serene early evening as she walked through the park, the brunette seemed to be the only one out with dogs.

From behind her she heard fast footsteps and a small blur whur passed her as she walked, it was a child. The kid slowed down and stopped when she saw the dogs, eyeing them with a bright expression then looked up at Tzuyu. "Doggies!" The unknown child called out excited, before trundling over. "Can I please pet them lady?" Tzuyu almost chuckled at the kids question, she had never once been called lady but least the kid was polite.

"Sure kid, they are friendly little ones." Tzuyu answered sweetly and the child knelt down in front of them petting them gently as Kaya and Butter wagged theirs tails getting the attention. Tzuyu stood their observing wondering where this girls mother was. "What are their names? They're so cute!" The small girl questioned her pitch getting higher from excitement.

"This one is Kaya and this one is Butter." The graduate gestured from left to right.

"Lily!"

"What did I tell you about running to far ahead?" Came a voice of worry mixed with irritation from behind Tzuyu. The woman made an appearance taking a look at the situation and went from worry to confusion to startled. "Tzuyu!?"

Tzuyus demeanor never flackered as she saw Y/n again, if anything this was a good thing. Tzuyu gave a genuine smile and Y/n still looked a little flustered. This must be Y/ns older sister Nayeons kid Tzuyu pondered that was until the child opened her mouth to respond to Y/n.

"Sorry mummy......I was just excited." Lily mumbled with guilt and that made Tzuyus eyes widen. Y/n saw the change of expression from Tzuyu.

Tzuyu was smart she quickly worked out that Lily was atleast one reason why things changed between all of them.

"It's okay, just please be more careful okay sweety. Luckily this woman is trustworthy and isn't dangerous. We talked about this remember?" Y/n didn't see the point in lying but tried to distract from the awkwardness.

"I know.....we don't talk to strangers." Lily lowly answered as she looked down.

"I'm sorry Tzuyu." Y/n let out, Tzuyu wasn't quite sure if she meant for not telling her about her child or for her child's behaviour. "It's okay." Tzuyu replied gently looking dead at Y/n willing her words to be heard in all context.

"Lily is her name?" Tzuyu let out rhetorically before speaking again directly to Lily. "I'm Tzuyu and ofcourse you've already met Kaya and Butter. You're so tall how old are you?" Tzuyu spoke in a friendly way as the actually small child smiled proudly.

"Hi Tzuyu, I'm Lily and I'm 4 years old!"

Tzuyu smiled fondly, then let her brain do some quick math. Everything happened around the same time, she stopped talking to her friends a little while after Tzuyu left for university, Tzuyu also remembers Y/n was kind of talking to a guy too. Moreover Y/n didn't have the best parents either so they could be involved aswell.

"Wow! Look at you big and strong." Tzuyu responded to the cute child.

"She's sweet and polite, you've done a good job."

Y/n saw Tzuyus initial reaction and expected a look of pity or worse. She realised those thoughts were stupid and unfair of her friend. Tzuyu was always an understanding person and clearly still is after hearing her words. Y/n blushed and admired Lily who had gone back to stroking the dogs. "Thank you, it means alot."

"Y/n? What's going on?" The brunette opened her mouth concerned, she also thought this might backfire.

There was silence for a few seconds before Y/n anxiously looked around. "I.....I can't talk about it here......not with Lily around.....I have to get going." Y/n spoke almost whispering to make sure Lily didn't hear while she scribbled down something on a notepad from her handbag then proceeded to hand it to Tzuyu.

"Come on Lily we have to get home, San is waiting for us." Y/n called upon her daughter.

Tzuyu already despised this guy, she knows she shouldn't judge someone before knowing them however her gut said he wasn't a good person. As the mother and daughter started to head away from Tzuyu, she held her wrist before coming closer to Y/n.

"Whatever it is. I want to help. Please trust me." Tzuyu whispered then let go. The two disappeared