Tulle

She is the one.

That was the sole thought on your mind as you watched her grace the stage for one last time tonight.

Minju smiled as she held her microphone, “And that was our wonderful 2025 KBS Gayo Daechukje! Thank you so much to all the amazing artists and to you, our beloved viewers! Good night!”

Her co-host added his closing remarks, but your eyes were locked on her in that dress. The green dress was made up of layers upon layers of tulle, making it look like cascading water every time she moved. She was stunning, shining brightly as she owned the stage. Crazy to think how two nights ago this was the same woman that was curled up to you on the couch, super stressed out as she went over her cue cards.

The show wrapped up and the auditorium lights flickered on. The co-host shared a quick, friendly hug with Minju, you could see her shoulders relax and her smile become gentler. As she was making her way off the stage, it was clear she was searching for you, her gaze sweeping over the audience. You were sitting in the fifth row, to the left, just like you promised you'd be.

Her eyes met yours.

For a brief moment, her poise faltered. Her face brightened, and she made sure you caught her giving the smallest nod towards the side of the stage before she exited.

You moved with the throng heading towards the exits, then broke off, making your way to the “Staff Only” corridor that Yunah had texted you about earlier. A security guard glanced at your lanyard and waved you through. The backstage area was a mix of organized chaos, how were you going to find her with all these people around?

You walked down a long, brightly lit corridor lined with doors. At the far end, you finally caught sight of her. Minju was listening closely to a woman in a headset, nodding along. As the woman continued speaking, Minju’s eyes found you again. Without moving her head, she lifted her hand and subtly pointed two fingers at a door to your left before returning her full focus to the production staffer.

You opened the door and walked into a small dressing room. A lit mirror surrounded by bulbs, a rack of spare outfits, a small couch against the wall. The air smelled of hairspray and faint perfume. You decided to lean against the edge of the vanity with the large bouquet of white lilies and roses that suddenly felt conspicuous in your hands.

You waited there for what was maybe three minutes, but to you it felt like an eternity as you heard laughter and hurried footsteps pass the door. Finally it swung open and Minju slipped inside, quickly shutting it behind her, leaning back against it letting out a long, noticeable sigh.

“Hey babe,” she said.

The television glamour was still there, but up close, you could see the fine sheen of sweat at her temples, the slight smudging of eyeliner at the corner of one eye. Her chest rose and fell with deep, steadying breaths.

You pushed off the vanity and crossed the room, holding out the bouquet. “Hi honey, these are for you.”

She glanced at the flowers, then back at you, her smile bright. Taking the bouquet, she inhaled the scent of the blooms.

“They’re beautiful! How was it? From out there? Was it… was I okay?”

"Minju, you were amazing. You are amazing. I’m so incredibly proud of you that I could burst."

She let out a little shaky laugh, placing the flowers gently on a nearby chair. "I felt my hands shaking during the first few minutes. I thought the microphone was going to slip right out of my grip."

"It didn’t show at all. Not even for a second." You reached out, brushing a stray hair behind her ear and letting your thumb trail down her jawline. "And this dress… my god."

Her eyes locked onto yours. "You like it?"

"It's not fair. You're already the most stunning woman in any room. And then you wear this? No one else stands a chance."

A slight blush crept onto her cheeks. "The stylist noonas spent hours on this. I just stood there while they worked their magic."

Your hand gently cradled her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. "They did an incredible job, you truly lit up the entire building."

She leaned into your touch, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment. When she looked back up at you, the anxious energy had faded. "I kept searching for you. I finally spotted your silhouette during Kazuha-unnie's cover stage. It helped a lot."

"I promised I'd be there."

"I know." Her hands found their way to your chest with the layers of tulle from her dress brushing against your legs. "Thanks for being here. And for the flowers, they really are amazing."

Leaning down, you rested your forehead on hers. “Just as amazing as you did hosting a major end of the year festival for the first time.”

"And now it’s over and I’m just… me. And you’re right here."

"I’m right here."

Her lips met yours. It was gentle, a slow embrace of warmth. Her mouth had a hint of lip gloss, sweet and waxy. Your hands moved from her face to the back of her neck, fingers getting lost in the cool silk of her hair. Her arms wrapped around your shoulders, drawing you in closer. Her tongue traced the line of your lips, and you opened up for her, the slow, familiar rhythm feeling like a return home after the show.

After a bit, you pulled away, both of you breathing a bit faster. You rested your lips on her temple. "You must be wiped out."

"I am," she whispered against your neck. "But also… buzzing. My mind is still racing a thousand kilometers an hour."

“I can fix that.” You kissed her forehead. “When you’re done here, I’ll be outside in the car. We’ll go back to my place. I’ll fill up the bath for you and I’ll even put those ridiculous bath salts you like in there too. You can stay in there as long as you like in the peace and quiet so you can decompress.”

She pulled back to look at you, her eyes searching your face. “Your place?”

“Unless you want to go back to the dorm. With the girls who will definitely want to talk to you about the show for the rest of the night.”

She made a face. “Tomorrow. I love them, but… tomorrow. Your place. Please.”

“Your wish is my command, host-nim.”

She swatted your arm lightly. “Don’t call me that.” But she was smiling. “I have to do the post show photos with the production team. And change. It might be thirty minutes.”

“I’ll wait. Take your time.”

She gave you one more quick, firm kiss.

“Okay. Go. I’ll text you when I’m heading to the exit where no one else will see me getting into your car.”

You squeezed her hand, picked up the bouquet and handed it back to her, then slipped out of the dressing room. The hallway was still busy. You kept your head down, walking back the way you came.

It was freezing outside, it seemed like it could snow any second as you walked to your car in the private lot. You started the engine and turned on the seat warmers, making the car nice and cozy. While you waited, you watched a constant flow of staff and performers exiting through the private door, making their way to their waiting vans.

Twenty-five minutes later, your phone vibrated.

Minju 😍

Coming out now. ❤️

Just as you finished reading the text, she stepped out into the chilly air with one of her managers by her side. She looked tiny, completely buried in a massive, puffy black coat with a beanie tugged all the way down over her hair. In her arms, she was juggling a big tote bag and your bouquet, which was now neatly wrapped in paper. She shared a quick word with her manager, gave a polite little bow, and then her eyes started searching the parking lot. The moment she spotted your car, her face seemed to light up, and she broke into a brisk walk straight towards you.

Being the gentleman you are, you didn't hesitate, hopping out of the car to open the passenger door for her, taking the heavy tote bag from her arms and tossing it into the back seat. She melted into the warmth of the car, letting out a long, heavy sigh of pure relief. After shutting the door to seal out the cold, you jogged back around the hood and settled into the driver's seat beside her.