chiyo
what happened

chiyo
what did you do 🤨

chiyo
GASP 😲 does this have something
to do with yuta 🤔

chiyo
BIGGER GASP 😵😵 ARE YOU
ACCEPTING YOUR FEELINGS
FOR HIM?????

niko
how do you know me so well?
i literally said one word...

chiyo
IM YOUR SISTER DUH

niko
well... you got most of it

chiyo
most?????

niko
i'm not ready.

chiyo
oh

chiyo
that's okay! you shouldn't
force yourself to open up

niko
what happened to "your
trust issues scare me" ??

chiyo
😅 i realized it isn't my place
to try and force you out of your
shell yk esp since it wasn't me
in the relationship

chiyo
sometimes i forget how hard it was
for you.. we were all in a bad place
after mom but it was different for you

chiyo
so im not saying i'll support single
and lonely and partially emo niko
forever BUT I AM ALWAYSSSS
#TEAMNIKO

niko
im signing up now

chiyo
for what?

niko
therapy

chiyo
oh real

niko
😭😭?

chiyo
SORRY IM NOT SURE
WHAT TO SAY

chiyo
good for you nik!

niko
thanks? 😭

niko
she has good reviews so

chiyo
who are you seeing? not the
same one as before i assume

niko
absolutely not.

niko
her name is jinseo i think

niko
dr. heo

chiyo
oh yeah she does have good reviews

chiyo
damn lmk how it goes. maybe
i'll sign up next lol

niko
i will 😀👍

"so," the therapist began, blinking in a confused manner as she slowly pulled her glasses off. "according to you, you decided to try therapy because you have feelings for a guy?"

"well, when you say it like that, it sounds dumb."

the therapist, jinseo, let out a soft chuckle. "maybe phrased like that it is, but your worries are genuine. you're afraid to open up, is that it?"

niko was quiet, her gaze trained on her hands as she mindless picked at the skin around her nails. "yeah... it's not exactly that i'm afraid to open up, it's that i physically can't." she paused, not wanting to trauma dump on the poor lady who she was paying to trauma dump to.

she took a breath. "it's just... when i feel things, they're supposed to be romantic and gushy and cute. when this guy makes my heart race, it's supposed to be a positive thing. all i feel is crushing anxiety, and it isn't fair that i don't get butterflies like other girls and guys in love."

jinseo placed the glasses back on her nose and flashed niko an almost maternal smile. "it's normal to feel the way you're feeling, niko. i know first hand how scary it is to develop feelings for someone new, especially after heartbreak."

"he's taken so much from me already," niko spilled, her lip curling in disgust and regret to show jinseo that she was no longer talking about yuta. "i've finally escaped him, and yet i can never be free. haven't i suffered enough?"

she could see that jinseo was holding herself back from placing a hand overtop of niko's trembling one, her eyes sad. "you have suffered more than anyone your age should. you've been through so much, and yet you've come out the other side stronger. you're here now, talking about it, to help yourself heal. that's more than many can do in a situation like yours."

niko's teeth sank into her bottom lip, and she scoffed humorlessly. "you won't charge me extra if i cry, will you?"

jinseo handed her a box of tissues.

niko
so i started therapy

niko
and my therapist says i should
try to tell people how they make
me feel instead of keeping it in

niko
sooooooo i love you guys. and
i'm extremely thankful for you
and all you've done for me, even
when i feel i don't deserve you

niko
don't make a big deal out of it

haechan
🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

haechan
WE LOVE YOU TOO NIK 💝
💘💘💞💓💓💞💘💝💖💖
💕💞💓💗💗💝💝💞💓💓

niko
i am embarrassed 😆

taeyong
i personally think you've grown
a lot since we first met😊

taeyong
and haechan's right we love you too

haechan
WAIT

haechan
why are you in therapy

haechan
DID YOU HAVE A MENTAL
BREAKDOWN???? PLS DONT
CANCEL YOUR DEBUT

niko
i didn't have a mental breakdown

niko
i'm just trying to sort some
stuff out that's all

taeyong
thats great nik💓💓

haechan
yeah. the guys and i just share our
intrusive thoughts in the group chat

taeyong
we probably need therapy

haechan
probably

niko
heo jinseo is who i see

niko
super sweet

taeyong
can't believe we've come to a
point in our friendship where we're
openly sharing therapists😭

haechan
best friends forever!!!!!!!!

niko
lmaoooo

niko
i don't think i'm ready to do anything
drastic yet but it's only been one visit

haechan
maybe your next homework will
be to make a new friend 😍😍

niko
i have friends

taeyong
you have us

niko
i have more than just you two

taeyong
who else got an i love you text?

niko
..

haechan
exactly

niko
i'm literally in therapy and you're
bullying me to be more open 💀

haechan
WERE HELPINGGGG

niko
that's what i'm paying someone
for. thanks tho xx

taeyong
well anyway. we're proud
of you nik💓💓

niko
thank you guys 🖤

•
niko therapy eraaaa

your mental health is so important okay make sure you're all taking care of yourselves 🫶