Blessing in Disguise

Chapter Nineteen

Yunjin

8/11/2018

Yunjin sat backstage after finishing her performance of "I Am" alongside Choi Yena, Lee Gaeun, and Ahn Yujin. The performance had gone well—better than she expected—but even that couldn't lift the cloud of negativity she'd been carrying. The constant online hate ever since the "Into the New World" center issue weighed heavily on her, dragging her spirits down. The comments felt like a storm she couldn't escape, and no matter how hard she tried, it was always there, lurking in the back of her mind. The exhaustion wasn't just physical—it was emotional, a heaviness she couldn't shake.

With a tired sigh, Yunjin picked up her phone, her fingers hovering over Y/N's name. She knew he'd probably still be on bedrest, bored out of his mind. Calling him always made her feel better. He had a way of making her forget about everything—his soft, textured jet-black hair that always seemed perfectly tousled, his gentle eyes that could be so expressive, and even sexy, especially when he was serious or annoyed. His sharp jawline and easy smile always brought a sense of calm to her, like she could drop the weight of the world, even for just a little while.

The phone rang once, twice, and then his face appeared on the screen. As soon as she saw him, her heart lifted a little. There he was, reclining on his bed, looking half-bored and half-amused as he answered the call. "Hey, superstar," he said with a teasing smile, his voice warm, familiar.

Yunjin smiled softly, leaning her head against the pillow. "Hey. Figured I'd call you since you're probably bored out of your mind."

Y/N chuckled, running a hand through his hair, which fell effortlessly back into place. "Yeah, bedrest is thrilling," he joked, his voice laced with sarcasm. "But seriously, how are you? You look exhausted."

Yunjin sighed, feeling the tiredness settle into her bones. "I'm okay. Just... tired, you know?" She hesitated before continuing, her voice softening. "The hate's still there. Every time I think I'm doing something good, it's like there's always someone ready to drag me down."

Y/N's face softened, his playful tone shifting into something more serious. "You don't deserve any of that, Jen. You've been amazing, and anyone who can't see that doesn't matter."

His words made her heart flutter, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the weight she felt. "You always know how to make me feel better," she murmured, her voice quieter now, almost shy.

"Well, it's a full-time job being your personal cheerleader," he teased, flashing her that signature grin that made her feel warm inside. "Besides, who else gets to see me like this?" He raised an eyebrow playfully.

Yunjin laughed, feeling a little of the tension in her chest melt away. "I'm pretty lucky, huh? I get the cute side and the serious side."

Y/N leaned back, giving her a mock-serious look. "Oh, so you think I'm cute?"

Yunjin smirked, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Only when you're not trying too hard."

Yunjin stretched out on her bed, her phone balanced against her knee as she studied Y/N's face through the screen. His usual playful smirk had faded slightly, and she could see the quiet weight behind his eyes—the same weight she felt every day with the pressure of the competition and the hate that seemed to follow her.

"So..." Yunjin began softly, biting her lip before continuing, "how are you dealing with all of this? I mean, the pressure, the expectations... I know it's been tough, especially with your injury." She tried to keep her voice light, but there was genuine concern underneath.

Y/N shifted slightly, glancing away for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "It's been... a lot, honestly. Not being able to play right now is frustrating, and with the college offers and everything, it feels like everyone's waiting for me to prove myself." He shrugged, trying to brush it off, but Yunjin could sense the tension in his words.