After giving herself enough time to weigh Chaeryeong’s suggestion about enrolling in night classes, Jisu finally decided to take the leap. The previous evening, she had sent a carefully worded email to President Shin. She didn’t expect a reply so soonㅡmuch less one that came within the hour, warmly agreeing to a meeting.
Now, standing in front of the President’s office, Jisu drew in a deep breath, steadying the storm in her chest. She hesitated, bit her lip, then lifted her hand and knocked three times against the polished wood.
A calm voice called out, “Come in.”
She cracked the door open, peeking in before stepping over the threshold. President Shin sat behind her desk, her attention completely absorbed by her laptop, fingers dancing across the keyboard with a speed that hinted at decades of mastery. Her brows were furrowed, the click-clack of her typing filling the quiet room.
Jisu lingered just inside until the President finally looked up. The furrow eased. Her features warmed. “Ah, Miss Choi,” she said, her voice touched with both familiarity and admiration. She gestured toward the chair across from her. “Please, take a seat. Just give me one moment.”
Jisu nodded and obeyed, settling into the seat with careful posture, her hands folded politely in her lap, back held straight. Her gaze drifted over the room while the President wrapped up her work. A few final keystrokes, a quick review, then a decisive click as the laptop was closed.
“Miss Choi,” the President said again, her tone firm but friendly. “I always make it a point to remember the names of our most promising students. And yours... well, your excellence has not gone unnoticed.”
Jisu’s chest bloomed with quiet pride. Her nerves didn’t vanish, but they softened. “Thank you, President Shin. That truly means a lot to me.”
“So,” the older woman leaned back slightly, her fingers threading together atop her desk, “you mentioned something in your emailㅡnight classes, for Painting majors?”
Jisu nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I was wondering if it’s still possible to enroll. Balancing everything between my dual majors has been... more difficult than I anticipated.”
President Shin tapped her fingers against the desk, her eyes narrowing just slightly in thought. Silence stretchedㅡtense but thoughtful. Jisu held her breath, unsure which way the scale would tip.
Then, just as quickly, the President’s expression shifted. A small, approving smile curled her lips.
“I believe we can make that happen,” she said at last. “I’ll speak with the faculty about shifting the schedule to better accommodate you. Expect a formal update from me very soon.”
Relief came like a tide. Jisu exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, her shoulders dropping as her lips curved into a grateful smile. “Thank you so much, President Shin. I really appreciate this opportunity.”
“Not at all,” the President replied. “It’s always a pleasure to support students who show this level of dedication.”
Jisu stood and bowed respectfully, her voice steady now despite the lingering flutter in her chest. She turned to leave, stepping out of the office with lighter feet, the door clicking quietly shut behind her.
──⇌••⇋──
Four days later, with President Shin’s approval in hand, Jisu found herself finally able to breathe.
YOU ARE READING
Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)
FanfictionIn a world that felt just a little unrealㅡlike a moment lifted from an old filmㅡJisu found herself caught in something delicate and dangerous. It wasn't just love. It was something more complicated, something shadowed. When Ryujin entered her life...
