MICHELLE

A SIGNATURE AND A SECRET

A deafening roar erupted from the crowd.

One by one, fans switched on their light sticks, filling the arena with a sea of glowing lights.

The stage slowly opened, and the members of BTS stepped onto it.

The cheers grew even louder.

As the stage lights brightened, the first person my eyes found was Taehyung.

I couldn't help but smile.

I turned to Ardee, who was already looking at me. He smiled, and I smiled back.

Moments later, the music began.

It was the same song I had heard the previous night—"Swim."

Without realizing it, I found myself singing along.

Halfway through the concert, Sia suddenly appeared and wrapped her arms around Ade from behind.

I quietly stepped aside to give them space.

The excitement around me suddenly didn't feel as exciting anymore.

An hour later, the concert came to an end.

The audience erupted into another wave of cheers as the members disappeared behind the closing stage.

Immediately, fans rushed toward the autograph section, each hoping to get their favorite member to sign a photo.

I clutched the picture of Taehyung I had brought with me.

Hopefully, I'd be lucky enough to get his autograph.

The line, however, was unbelievably long.

Not far away, Ardee and Sia sat together near the funfair, laughing and talking as though they had forgotten I was there.

A sharp ache settled in my chest.

Feeling completely out of place, I quietly walked away to explore the venue.

Eventually, I reached a quiet hallway where only a few fans lingered.

Finding an empty bench, I sat down and buried my face in my hands.

I just want to go home.

Maybe this outing was never really about me.

Maybe Ardee only invited me so he could spend time with Sia without making it obvious.

The thought hurt more than I wanted to admit.

As I sat there, another thought crossed my mind.

Where's Leegon?

A gentle tap landed on my shoulder.

I looked up.

My breath caught.

"Leegon?"

"Hey," he said with a small smile.

"H-hey," I replied, quickly standing up.

"I thought you weren't coming. It's been over an hour. Where have you been?"

I met his blue eyes.

I just wanted to make sure you were okay...

Instead, he answered, "I went to get some water."

I folded my arms.

"You're lying”.i said reading his thoughts.

His eyes widened.

"You followed me here, didn't you?"

"No... I mean..."

I gave him a look.

He sighed in defeat.

"Okay... fine. I did."

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"I saw you sitting alone at the funfair. You looked... left out. When you walked away, I got worried, so I followed you."

For a second, I didn't know what to say.

Finally, I looked down at the picture in my hands.

"I should probably head home," I said quietly. "I couldn't even get Taehyung to sign this."

I turned to leave.

"Wait."

His fingers gently wrapped around my hand.

A chill ran through my body.

My heart skipped a beat.

I quickly pulled my hand away.

"I'm... sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay," I lied, trying to calm my racing heart.

He looked at the picture I was holding.

"You wanted an autograph?"

I nodded.

"Yeah... but I guess it's not happening."

He smiled.

"Come with me."

Without questioning him, I followed.

He led me to a large door before stopping.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I frowned.

"For what?"

He smiled mysteriously.

"Close your eyes."

Almost without thinking...

I did.I felt the door swing open as someone gently guided me inside.

I clutched the portrait tightly against my chest.

A second later, the door closed behind me.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

"You can open your eyes now," Lee-gon said softly.

I slowly opened them.

My eyes widened.

"What...?"

Standing right in front of me were the BTS members.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

Instinctively, I took a step back, but Lee-gon gently caught my arm before I could run.

Only then did I realize where I was.

Their relaxation room.

Goosebumps spread across my skin.

The members smiled warmly as they walked toward me.

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.

Taehyung stepped forward with a gentle smile and held out a handkerchief.

"You okay?" he asked.

I nodded repeatedly as I wiped away my tears.

Without thinking, I threw my arms around him.

For a brief moment, it felt like I was dreaming.

He chuckled softly and patted my back before gently pulling away.

I smiled through my tears.

One after another, I greeted the other members before nervously holding out the portrait of Taehyung.

"I... I was hoping you could sign this."

"Of course."

He took the pen from me and carefully signed his name across the picture.

I stared at it in disbelief.

Then I turned to Lee-gon.

He was standing a few steps away with a satisfied smile on his face.

Without hesitation, I ran over and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you," I whispered.

When I finally let go, I reached into my bag and pulled out seven customized pens I had brought as gifts.

"I... I got these for you."

The members accepted them with grateful smiles.

I was too shy to say anything else.

"So..." Taehyung said, smiling at me. "Did you enjoy the concert?"

His voice sounded much softer than it had on stage.

"Yes," I answered with a smile. "I've been waiting for so long to meet you... and to get your autograph."

The room filled with warm laughter.

Just then, one of the security guards walked over and whispered something into Jimin's ear.

Jimin nodded before looking at me.

"You know," he said, "our original plan was not to do any autograph sessions tonight."

My heart sank.

"But..." he continued with a smile, "seeing how excited you were reminded us why we do this."

He looked at the other members, who nodded in agreement.

"So we've decided to invite thirty fans for a surprise autograph session."

The room erupted in applause.

"Lee-gon," Jimin called.

"Yeah?" Lee-gon replied.

I looked back and forth between them in confusion.

Jimin laughed.

"I guess we forgot to introduce ourselves properly."

He rested a hand on Lee-gon's shoulder.

"He's my younger cousin."

My eyes grew even wider.

That explains why they look a little alike.

Why didn't he tell me?

"Come on," Lee-gon said with a grin.

We walked out together.

The moment fans spotted the BTS members, screams echoed through the venue.

Crowds rushed toward them, but the security team quickly formed a barrier.

Lee-gon reached for my hand.

"Let's get out of here."

Before I could respond, he gently pulled me through a side exit, leaving the excited crowd and the commotion behind us.We finally reached a quiet corner of the venue and stopped walking.

Lee-gon turned to me with a serious expression.

"Please... don't tell anyone about what happened back there."

I smiled reassuringly.

"You have my word. Your secret is safe with me."

He let out a relieved sigh before reaching into his pocket and handing me a small velvet box.

"I hope I made your night."

Curious, I opened it.

Inside was a delicate diamond necklace.

My eyes widened.

"Why are you giving this to me?" I asked.

He smiled.

"It's a tradition. The BTS members always prepare a special gift for the first fan they personally meet after a show."

I looked down at the necklace in disbelief.

"I guess you're one lucky girl."

Before I could thank him, he took a step back.

"I should get going now. See you at school tomorrow."

With that, he turned and walked away.

I watched until he disappeared from sight.

Carefully, I placed the necklace back into its box and tucked it into my bag.

Then I texted Ade.

Me: I'm waiting at the car.

A few seconds later, my phone buzzed.

Ade: Sorry. Sia wasn't feeling well, so I had to take her home. I'll explain tomorrow.

I stared at the message.

He left...

Without even telling me.

My chest tightened.

For several minutes, I stood outside the venue, unsure of what to do.

I didn't want to call Dad because I knew he'd worry.

Just when I was beginning to panic, a middle-aged woman approached me.

"Are you okay?" she asked kindly.

At first, I lied and told her I was waiting for someone.

But after she gently questioned me a little longer, I admitted that I had been left behind.

I glanced into her thoughts.

She genuinely wanted to help.

Feeling reassured, I followed her to her car.

Using the directions I gave her, she safely drove me home.

"Thank you so much," I said as I got out of the car.

She smiled before driving away.

"Ade is such a jerk," I muttered under my breath.

Taking a deep breath, I quietly opened the front door, hoping to sneak inside unnoticed.

No such luck.

Dad was sitting in the living room, the television playing softly in the background.

"Good evening, Dad," I greeted nervously.

He looked up.

"Why didn't you come home with Ardee?"

"I... I'm sorry. He had an emergency and had to leave early."

Dad studied me for a moment before his expression softened.

"It's alright. I just hope you got home safely."

"I did."

Then I couldn't contain my excitement any longer.

"Dad... guess what!"

"What?" he asked.

"I got Kim Taehyung to sign my picture!"

"What?!" Kyla shouted as she came running out of the kitchen.

"I don't believe you!" she exclaimed. "Show me!"

Laughing, I pulled the portrait out of my bag and handed it to her.

Her eyes grew wide.

"Oh my goodness... it's real!"

"And that's not all."

I opened the velvet box.

Inside, the diamond necklace sparkled under the living room lights.

Kyla gasped.

"They gave you this?"

I nodded proudly.

"It was a special gift."

She looked from the necklace to me in complete disbelief.

"How did you manage all this?"

I grinned.

"It's a secret."

Before she could ask another question, I ran upstairs.

"Michelle!" she called after me. "Come back here and tell me!"

"Nope!" I laughed.

I slipped into my room, locked the door, and collapsed onto my bed.

Taking the portrait into my hands, I traced Taehyung's signature with my fingers before smiling to myself.

"What a night," I whispered.