Blessing in Disguise

Chapter Thirty-Two

Y/N

1/8/2020

As the school year started up again in 2020, Y/N and Yunjin found themselves slipping back into their old routines. Walking side by side, they left a particularly exhausting chemistry class, both of them letting out long, dramatic sighs as they strolled down the hallway toward the cafeteria. Y/N couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Yunjin rubbing her temples as if she were already done with the semester.

"Alright, so... lunch to recover from that disaster?" he asked, nudging her shoulder playfully.

"Absolutely," she replied, rolling her eyes but grinning as she looked up at him.

Once they grabbed their food—Y/N opting for a sandwich, and Yunjin piling her tray with her usual mix of fruit, a salad, and a plate of fries—they made their way to their usual spot by the window. The sunlight filtered through, casting a warm glow across the table as they settled in.

For a moment, Y/N just watched her, soaking in the familiar comfort of sharing lunch together. It felt as if the past years hadn't taken her to Korea, hadn't made them face challenges. He was so grateful to have her here, sitting across from him, laughing at his lame jokes, just like before.

But then, his mind drifted back to the decision that had been weighing on him for weeks. He wanted to share it with her now, before their other friends joined. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand over hers gently to get her attention.

"Hey," he started, his voice steady but with an edge of seriousness that made her eyebrows lift curiously. "I've been thinking a lot lately... about college and USC."

She tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful as she searched his face. "Yeah? I thought USC was the dream?"

"It was," he admitted, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But lately... it doesn't feel right. I want to be where you are, Jen. I don't want to be on the other side of the country while you're somewhere else. It just doesn't feel like the right choice if it means we're not together."

Her expression softened, her hand reaching across the table to intertwine with his. "Y/N..." she whispered, a mix of surprise and warmth in her eyes.

He took a deep breath, feeling a surge of relief as he finally voiced what he'd been carrying. "I know I'll have to tell USC soon if I'm going to decommit, but I'd be willing to do it. I want to go to whatever school you're going to. I want us to experience all of this together, you know?"

She stared at him, her face a mixture of disbelief and joy. After a moment, she squeezed his hand, her voice barely a whisper. "Are you serious? You'd do that... just to stay close?"

"Of course," he replied, a smile spreading across his face. "There's no dream school or basketball program that's more important to me than you are. Wherever you go, I'll make it work. We'll make it work."

A wide smile broke across her face, her eyes gleaming with happiness. "Future husband," she teased gently, her voice filled with affection. "You're a lot cheesier than I remember."

Y/N laughed, feeling his cheeks warm. "Hey, I take my future-husband duties seriously."

They stayed like that, sharing the warmth of the moment, both of them letting the possibilities settle in, all while the noise of the bustling cafeteria faded away. When their friends finally joined them, Y/N didn't even mind—their future, wherever it led, felt brighter now that they'd chosen to face it together.

Yunjin

1/10/2020

Yunjin took a steadying breath as she pulled Y/N's spare jersey over her hoodie, letting his number settle comfortably across her back. There was something grounding about it—a simple reminder of the bond they shared. Just that morning, the coach had given her a knowing look when she'd asked to join Y/N in the locker room before the game.