Ji-eun's heart raced as she clutched the shiny golden ticket in her hands. A BTS fan meet, the one event she had dreamed of attending for years, was finally happening, and she was going. It felt surreal, almost too good to be true.
She stared at the ticket for the hundredth time that day, running her fingers over the bold, glittering text. Her idols, the people who had unknowingly carried her through some of her hardest days, would be standing right in front of her. The thought made her giddy, but it also filled her with nerves. What would she even say to them?
The night before the fan meet, Ji-eun was a whirlwind of emotions. She tried on every outfit in her closet, finally settling on a simple yet stylish look that balanced her Irene persona and her true self. She wanted to look confident but not over the top.
Her sister, Hye-jin, popped her head into the room. "You're going to be late if you overthink this outfit any longer."
Ji-eun laughed nervously. "I know, I know. I just want to make a good impression."
Hye-jin raised an eyebrow. "They're BTS, not mind readers. Just be yourself."
The words echoed Ji-hoon's advice from earlier that week, and for a moment, Ji-eun wondered if she even knew who "herself" was anymore.
---
The next morning, the venue buzzed with excitement. Fans dressed in BTS merchandise crowded the entrance, holding banners and light sticks. Ji-eun clutched her ticket tightly as she joined the line, her heart pounding with anticipation.
When she finally entered the hall, she was struck by the sight of BTS seated at a long table on the stage. They looked even better in person, their smiles bright and genuine as they greeted fans one by one.
When it was Ji-eun's turn, she felt her legs turn to jelly. She stepped forward, her breath hitching as she met the eyes of Jeon Jungkook, her bias.
"Hi," Jungkook said with a warm smile. His voice was soft but carried a weight that made Ji-eun feel seen.
"Hi," she managed to squeak out, her cheeks burning.
"What's your name?" Jungkook asked as he signed her album.
"I'm Ji-eun," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.
"That's a beautiful name," he said, glancing up at her. "Thank you for supporting us."
Ji-eun felt her heart swell. "Your music... it means everything to me. It's helped me through so much."
Jungkook paused, his expression growing serious. "That means a lot to hear. Keep going, okay? You're stronger than you think."
Those words stuck with Ji-eun long after the fan meet ended. Walking out of the venue, she felt lighter, as though a weight she hadn't even realized she was carrying had been lifted.
---
Back at school the next day, Ji-hoon noticed the sparkle in her eyes as she recounted the experience to her friends.
"Sounds like it was amazing," Ji-hoon said, leaning against the desk beside hers.
"It really was," Ji-eun replied, smiling. "Jungkook told me I'm stronger than I think."
Ji-hoon chuckled. "Sounds like he knows what he's talking about. Maybe you should start believing it."
Ji-eun's smile faltered slightly. Could she really believe it? Could she let go of the mask and let herself be strong without it?
As Ji-hoon's gaze lingered, Ji-eun felt that same flicker of hope she'd felt when he encouraged her before. Maybe, just maybe, she could.