5. a new opportunity

5. a new opportunity

days passed since the fansign, but yumi couldn't seem to shake the joy of that day. her heart still fluttered when she thought of joshua, his smile, the warmth in his eyes. it felt like a dream she was slowly waking up from, but one she didn't want to forget.

at work, she found herself often drifting off, replaying every little detail of the event in her head. she was staring at her screen, trying to work on a design project she had, when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

turning around, she saw hojin standing there with two cups of coffee in his hands.

"hey," he greeted, offering her one of the cups. "you got a minute?"

"sure," she said, accepting the coffee.

"look, i owe you an apology," he started, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "i'm really sorry for the way i treated you. i didn't understand what the whole fan meeting thing meant to you, until i saw how happy you looked after attending the event. i'm so sorry."

yumi raised an eyebrow. "really?"

"really." he chuckled. "we have different interests, and i'm supposed to support you as your best friend, not judge you and make you feel bad about the things you love. i was a jerk, i'm sorry."

yumi felt a smile tugging at her lips. "you were a jerk. but thank you."

hojin smiled back, his usual grin starting to creep onto his face. "so, are you going to tell me all about it or what?"

yumi's eyes brightened, the excitement rushing back to her all at once as she told him everything that happened that day, from the moment she left her house, to the moment she walked into the venue, to the moment she met seventeen. she also showed him the album they signed.

"hojin, you wouldn't believe it, joshua is so handsome in real life!" she squealed. "he has the dreamiest eyes, the most gorgeous smile. and the way he leans his head back when he laughs, it's the cutest! and his hands are so soft! i think i'm actually in love with him."

hojin laughed at his best friend. "relax girl!"

yumi was about to answer when her manager walked in, and everybody turned their attention to him.

"everyone," he called out. "we got an amazing offer. seventeen asked us to work for them as their designers!"

everyone in the office cheered, jumping around and hugging each other. but yumi just sat there, her eyes widened in shock.

"they've been looking for a new design team to work for them on their upcoming album concept and promotions," he continued. "they saw our page and loved our designs, and they contacted us!"

hojin looked at yumi, a huge grin on his face.

"oh my god, your obsession with them is finally paying off!" he laughed. "you're actually going to work with them!"

"wait, i'm not dreaming?"

"no, you aren't, you idiot!" hojin carried her, pulling her in a tight hug.

yumi smiled as she hugged him back, her heart filled with excitement. this was an amazing opportunity for yumi. it wasn't just about being a fan anymore—it was about stepping into the world she had always dreamed of.

and this time, she wasn't just watching from the sidelines. she was finally going to be a part of it.

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