The morning after the festival, Ji-eun woke up feeling like she was floating on air. Her phone buzzed with messages from friends who couldn't stop talking about how magical the event had been, and her thoughts kept drifting back to Ji-hoon's confession.
As she got ready for school, Ji-eun decided to skip the makeup she usually relied on. For the first time, she felt confident in her natural self. Her reflection in the mirror seemed brighter, her smile more genuine.
When she arrived at school, the campus was buzzing with post-festival chatter. Ji-eun walked through the halls, and for the first time, she didn't feel the urge to blend into the background. Instead, she felt a sense of belonging.
"Ji-eun!" Mia called, rushing over to her. "You look amazing today. No makeup, huh?"
Ji-eun nodded, smiling. "I figured it was time to stop hiding."
"Well, you look great," Mia said, looping her arm through Ji-eun's. "Come on, everyone's talking about the festival. You're the talk of the school, you know."
As they walked into the classroom, Ji-hoon was already there, chatting with their classmates. When he saw Ji-eun, his face lit up. He walked over to her, his expression warm and full of admiration.
"Good morning, Ji-eun," he said softly.
"Good morning," she replied, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks.
"Are you free after school?" Ji-hoon asked. "I thought we could go for coffee or something. My treat."
Mia smirked from the sidelines but didn't say a word. Ji-eun glanced at Ji-hoon, her heart racing. "I'd like that," she said.
The day passed in a blur, and before Ji-eun knew it, school was over. Ji-hoon waited for her by the gate, and they walked to a cozy café nearby. The atmosphere was relaxed, and they talked about everything from their favorite books to their plans for the future.
Ji-hoon reached across the table, taking Ji-eun's hand in his. "You know, last night was the best night of my life," he said. "Not just because of the festival, but because of you."
Ji-eun's cheeks turned pink, but she didn't pull away. "It was the best night of my life too," she admitted.
As they left the café, hand in hand, Ji-eun realized how much had changed in just a few months. She had gone from feeling invisible to feeling seen, not just by others but by herself.
With Ji-hoon by her side and her friends supporting her, Ji-eun knew she was stepping into a new chapter of her life—one where she could finally embrace the real her.