The day of the community event arrived faster than Rina had anticipated.
She stood behind the makeshift stage, clutching a folder that held her notes and sample cards.
Her palms were clammy, and her heart was racing as she peeked out at the crowd.
There were far more people than she expected—locals, business owners, and curious attendees.
The air buzzed with excitement and chatter, but to Rina, it felt suffocating.
"You've got this," Jiho's voice cut through her thoughts.
She turned to see him leaning casually against the wall, a confident grin on his face.
"You say that like it's easy," Rina muttered, clutching her folder tighter.
"It is easy," Jiho said, shrugging. "Just be yourself. Talk about what you love. People will see your passion."
Rina glanced at him skeptically. "And what if I mess up?"
Jiho smirked. "Then laugh it off. No one's perfect. Besides. A little crowd won't stop you."
His teasing tone made her lips twitch upward despite her nerves.
The event organizer called her name, and Rina felt her stomach drop.
"You're up," Jiho said, nudging her forward.
With a deep breath, Rina stepped onto the small stage. The chatter in the room quieted as dozens of eyes turned to her.
"Good afternoon, everyone," she began, her voice shaky. "My name is Rina Kang, and I run a small handmade card business called Rina's Creations."
Her introduction was met with polite nods.
"I started this business because I believe in the power of personal connections," she continued.
"In my old life—" She caught herself.
"I mean, in the past, I saw how a simple card could brighten someone's day. It's not just paper and ink; it's a message of care, of thoughtfulness."
As she spoke, her nerves began to settle. She pulled out one of her cards, holding it up for everyone to see.
"This is one of my designs," she said, her voice growing steadier. "I make each card by hand, paying attention to every detail. Whether it's for a birthday, an anniversary, or just to say thank you, I want my customers to feel like they're giving something special."
She glanced at the audience, noting a few smiles and nods of approval.
"Running this business has been a learning experience," Rina admitted. "I've faced challenges I never expected. But through it all, I've discovered that I'm stronger and more resourceful than I thought."
She ended her pitch with a small bow. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my story. I hope you'll consider supporting Rina's Creations."
The audience clapped, and Rina felt a surge of relief and pride as she stepped off the stage.
Jiho was waiting for her, arms crossed and a smug expression on his face.
"See? Told you you'd kill it," he said.
"I didn't kill it," Rina said, though her tone was lighter than before.
"But I didn't embarrass myself either."
Jiho laughed. "That's the spirit."
As the event continued, several attendees approached Rina to compliment her presentation and inquire about her cards.
She handed out business cards and answered questions, the nervousness she'd felt earlier replaced by a sense of accomplishment.
That night, as Rina sat in her room going over the orders she'd received, she allowed herself a moment of satisfaction.
Today had been a step forward—a small victory in a world she was still learning to navigate.
And for the first time since her reincarnation, she felt like she was truly building something that belonged to her.