All cameras turned. Focused on her.
Hundreds of lenses. Thousands of eyes watching through screens.
Soorin pushed back her a stray bang from her face completely. Faced the press fully.
No more hiding.
Her eyes found Haejin on stage. He was looking at her. Just her.
Like she was the only person in the room.
She took a breath.
"The thought of him being with someone else," she said quietly. Voice steady but raw. Honest. "The thought of not being able to see him every day, to talk to him, to just... be near him. I realized I couldn't bear it. I couldn't live with that."
The room was completely silent.
"So yes. This is real. This is us. And I'm not hiding anymore."
Brief pause.
Then applause.
Genuine, warm, thunderous applause from most of the room.
Some reporters were smiling. A few even looked emotional.
On stage, Haejin's expression had shifted. Something vulnerable. Exposed. Like he'd just been hit by something beautiful.
Soorin's eyes stung.
