BLOOMING||SVT FANFIC

Chapter 3

A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter! Just wanted to update you guys before I get super busy this weekend! 

Nari tied up the last trash bag. The last of the guests had left about an hour ago and the four of them were finishing cleaning up.

"Nari-ah, do you want me to pack up some things for you?" Her aunt asked, peeking her head through the kitchen. Unsurprisingly, she had ended up with a ton of leftovers.

Nari walked into the kitchen eyeing all the delicious food. "Imo, do you even have to ask?"

Her aunt laughed before grabbing some tupperware. Every time she visited, Nari never left the house empty-handed. As Nari started to grab a box to help, her phone vibrated with a notification.

Pulling it out of the back pocket of her jeans she saw that she received an email to her business account. Reminding herself to check it later, she went back to helping.

The two of them finished in no time, and Nari began preparing to go home. It was still pretty early, the sun hadn't set yet, but she decided that she wanted to hit the gym later today.

As she put on her shoes, Hyunwoo came up to her. "I'm stopping by the bakery to collect the croissants later today."

Standing up she put her hand on the door handle, prepared to make an exit. "Oh nooo, I'm so sorry but we're closed today!" She opened the door already slipping out, as Hyunwoo began yelling.

Running down the stairs she turned around at an angry Hyunwoo by the door and yelled. "See you later!"

___

Nari panted as she collapsed on the bench. Why did she ever convince herself to work out? Sehee suggested they do ten more minutes on the stair master, but Nari felt like she was about to black out and could already feel how sore she was gonna be tomorrow. However, this could be considered a wake up call on how truly out of shape she was. Honestly instead of feeling super dejected, she mostly felt inspired to work out more often.

Sehee was still going strong on the machine as she made time to work out regularly. Trying not to pass out on the bench, she instead decided to check the email that she had gotten earlier. Her business account had been pretty dead since it was opened, so she was genuinely curious to see who could have contacted her.

To Ms. Bae Nari

This is an email regarding our interest to film with you and your bakery, La Fleur. We are a production crew representing a 9 member idol group who are interested in creating a content episode for our show featuring you and your bakery.

We chose you out of other Korean bakeries for a multitude of reasons. We feel that with your gender, young age, and unique desserts, you set yourself apart and will therefore connect with the members in a way other bakers cannot. Furthermore, after one of our staff members has personally tried an item on your menu, we felt more inclined to reach out to you.

Unfortunately, we cannot disclose any information about our company or the members through this email, due to safety concerns. However, If you are interested we hope to set up an in person meeting time for further discussion.

Please reach out to this email within three business days if this is an opportunity you would be like to be involved in.

Thank you.

Nari re-read the email twice just to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her. Was this is a scam? But then again, they weren't asking for money or anything. They just wanted an email back, she thought.

Sehee sat down next to her, patting her face with a towel. She eyed her friend whose eyebrows were scrunched up in thought. "What's up? Why do you look so concerned?"

Nari just passed her the phone, deciding that would be better than her trying to explain.

Sehee's eyes widened as she reached the end of the email. She slapped Nari's arm in excitement, as Nari winced. Her biceps were currently the sorest part of her body.

"Yah!" Sehee exclaimed, causing a couple people to turn around at the noise. Nari mouthed an apology on behalf of her friend, and quickly bowed her head towards them. She gestured for Sehee to quiet down.

"Yah! This is such a good opportunity!" Sehee now excitedly whispered. "This could give your cafe so much more exposure, and you get to meet idols!"

Nari furrowed her eyebrows, still sceptical. "Are you sure this isn't a scam though? Is their security really so high that they can't spill anything?"

Sehee quickly nodded. "No, this is similar to some of the endorsement emails our company got when we were still small. They have to protect the idols' privacy, so they don't reveal anything until they get you locked into a contract."

Nari exhaled at the intensity of Korean entertainment culture. Sure she knew celebrities were protected to a certain level, but it just seemed ten times intensified in Korea. Hearing about some of the horror stories of saesangs that showed up to Sehee's company when they were filming a shoot, she felt bad for the people under a spotlight in this country.

She looked at Sehee whose eyes were sparkling in excitement. "Are you sure I should do this? I know it'll be a good opportunity, but I don't know."

Sehee placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "Hey, I'm speaking to you as an advertisement executive right now. I genuinely think this opportunity will do wonders for your business. Obviously, I believe that you'll blow up eventually due to your talent, but why not just speed the process up a little."

Nari nodded at her friend's encouragement. Honestly, Sehee was right. It would be a waste to turn down a good opportunity like this to promote her business which was currently heading to bankruptcy. Although her aunt and uncle have offered multiple times to help support her financially, she could never accept. This was something she wanted to do on her own. For herself, and most importantly, for her parents.

"You're right. I think I'll do it." Nari confirmed, opening up a draft email to respond to them. Sehee squealed, causing a couple people to turn around again in annoyance. This time she mouthed an apology, before excitedly waving her hands at Nari.

She laughed at her friend's enthusiasm. "Yah, why are you so excited?"

Sehee looked at her dumbfounded. "The better question is, why are you not?! This is gonna be so good for you Nari!!" Nari nodded in half-agreement. Obviously she knew this would be good for her, but she kept getting a gut feeling. It wasn't a bad gut feeling but it wasn't good either. Something was telling her that this opportunity was gonna change her life, for better or for worse.

But looking at Sehee who was obviously over the moon about this, some of the enthusiasm began spreading to Nari and she started smiling. "No, no, I'm excited! I think it just hasn't hit me yet."

The bright smile made its way back onto Sehee's face, but then she brought her finger to her chin in contemplation. "I wonder who the idol group is... the email said 9 members?" Nari nodded.

"No way! Could it be TWICE? SF9? Stray Kids?" Sehee became more and more excited as she listed out more names. Nari didn't recognize any of the groups she was saying, but giggled as Sehee acted like a little kid deciding which candy to pick.

Even as they left the gym, Sehee kept talking. She went on about how Nari had to find the perfect outfit, wondering how old the idols would be, and even saying how they would all fall in love with Nari after trying her baked goods just like how she did.

While Sehee kept chattering, Nari finished writing the acceptance email. Her finger hovered over the send button for a second, but then without thinking too much she just sent it. 

How does everyone feel about our local tiger's tiger anthem? Dude, what would Hoshi be if he wasn't an idol? Like him working a 9-5 is more unimaginable then him actually turning out to be a whole ass tiger.

As always, like comment and share!! I'm excited for Cheol and Seventeen to enter the story soon!! (P.S. I made the email based on what the florist for a Run BTS episode said the company emailed him. They really out here taking safety measures to the extreme, as they should.)