The next morning, Park Jisoo was having a peaceful breakfast —or at least she was, until her mom barged into her room waving a pink flyer like a battle flag.
"Sweetie! Guess what!"
Jisoo blinked sleepily, spoon halfway to her mouth. "Please don't say we're being evicted again."
"Even better!" her mom grinned. "You've been registered for the campus beauty contest!"
The spoon clattered to the floor."I'M SORRY — WHAT?!"
Mrs. Park proudly slapped the flyer on the desk.
X University Annual Campus Festival: Beauty & Talent Competition!Special Guest Judge: Park Jinu.
Jisoo's jaw dropped."You did NOT—"
"Oh, I did," her mom said, hands on hips. "You've been trending for days! You might as well use that popularity for something good!"
"Like dying inside?!"
Her father peeked in from the hallway, wearing a sequined apron."I already told the bar regulars to vote for you, sweetheart! You're our Miss Universe!"
"Dad, please stop calling drunk men my fanbase."
By noon, the damage was irreversible.Jisoo's name was officially on the contestant list.People whispered in the corridors again — but this time, it wasn't all bad.
"Wait, she's joining?""Is this a joke?""I heard she's strong enough to break tables.""Maybe it's performance art."
Minji ran up to her, breathless."I tried to stop them, but your mom bribed the student council with free drinks!"
Jisoo groaned. "Of course she did."
The festival day arrived faster than she could blink.The whole campus was buzzing — food stalls, games, performances, and a huge stage glittering under the afternoon sun.
Jisoo stood backstage in a borrowed dress that was one size too tight.Her bangs refused to behave, her makeup felt heavy, and her stomach was threatening to file for a food refund.
Minji, acting as her reluctant stylist, tried to hype her up."You look… kinda cute!"
"Kinda?"
"Okay, more like an adorable bear trying her best."
"Wow, that's so reassuring," Jisoo deadpanned.
The host's voice boomed across the stage."And now, our special judge — the nation's sweetheart, Park Jinu!"
The crowd screamed.Jisoo's stomach dropped.
She peeked through the curtain and saw him smiling and waving at the fans, looking like he'd just walked out of a shampoo commercial.
"Of course," she muttered. "He's glowing. I'm sweating."
When her turn came, Jisoo stepped onto the stage, eyes half-closed, praying gravity wouldn't betray her.
The host asked with a grin, "Contestant number 8, any special talents?"
She froze.Her mind went blank.Think, Jisoo, think!
And then she blurted,"I can carry my brother bridal-style!"
The audience erupted in laughter.Cameras flashed. Jinu choked on his drink.
The host, trying to recover, laughed nervously. "That's… certainly unique!"
Jisoo bowed awkwardly. "Thank you. It's my greatest achievement."
Backstage, Minji was dying of laughter."I can't believe you said that in front of everyone!"
"Neither can I," Jisoo muttered, covering her face.
But then something unexpected happened.People started cheering for her.
"She's so funny!""At least she's real!""She's confident!"
And for the first time, the whispers didn't sound sharp — they sounded warm.
When the contest ended, Jinu found her behind the stage, still fanning her red face.
"You know," he said with a teasing smile, "you kinda stole the show."
"By humiliating myself?"
"By being yourself," he said softly. "You were the only one who made everyone laugh."
Jisoo blinked. That gentle tone wasn't like him.
"Stop being nice, it's weird," she said quickly, pretending to zip her mouth.
Jinu laughed. "Fine, fine. But… you looked good out there."
Her ears turned bright red."Go judge someone else, celebrity boy."
That night, Jisoo sat at her desk again, diary open.
Day 4: Accidentally became a meme again. This time for good reasons.Still fat. Still alive. But maybe… kinda pretty? A little?Okay fine, maybe just brave.
She smiled.For once, it didn't feel like she was living in someone else's shadow.