Author's Pov:

3 months later:

Haeun and Yerin stood in the audience waiting for their friends to perform.

"So the next band is Seventeen from Diamond High School", the MC announced.

Haeun and Yerin cheered. All the thirteen of them came on stage. The lights dimmed. "Oh my gosh look at Chan", Haeun jumped. Yerin shook her head.

"Oh my gosh, look at Joshua too", Haeun said hitting Yerin in excitement. "Ouch! Haeun, I know you love both of them but calm down", Yerin shouted.

"Woohoo, Soonyoung, I love you", Haeun shouted. "Why did they keep the name as Seventeen, they had so many other options", Jiwoo asked.

Haeun laughed, "We just randomly pulled out a number between one to hundred amd it was Seventeen".

Jiwoo looked at them in disbelief, "What? You are joking right?". Haeun nodded, "I'll tell you everything after the performance".

Haeun smiled seeing the full focus on Joshua. His smile said he was enjoying it. His smile never wavered, and she wondered if he knew the impact he had on the audience.

His eyes wondered looking for one particular person, Haeun. Their eyes meet briefly and Haeun winked. Joshua grinned as the audience went crazy.

After all the performance, it was result time. Jiwoo once again asked the same question, "Why did they keep it as seventeen".

"The reason they have kept Seventeen is because it's 13 of them, there are some songs which they have divided into 3 groups kind of like units and one as a whole team".

Jiwoo frowned, "Huh?". Haeun sighed, "13 members + 3 units + 1 as whole team. So Seventeen".

"Wow, who uses such a brain", Jiwoo asked. "They used", Haeun said.

"Are your excited about results?", Jiwoo asked. Haeun and Yerin nodded. "Can't we go and meet them?", Haeun asked. Yerin sighed, "No, you are not doing that again".

"What did she do?".

"Well, they aren't letting anyone meet the participants so Haeun was about to sneak in but we were saved", Yerin said. Haeun pouted, "I wanted to wish them luck, I was too late to come here until luckily I didn't miss their performance"

"Well, the time has come. I ask all the participants to come on stage",  the host announced.

Haeun clasped her hands in excitement, "Please".

"Remember, you might even get a chance to debut as an actual kpop band", the MC said. Haeun, Yerin and Jiwoo crossed their fingers.

"So the winning band is..........

Seventeen!".

Haeun and Yerin jumped while they hugged each other enjoying their win.

"Soonyoung", Haeun ran pulling him in a tight hug. "Congratulations to you all", she said. "Everyone come here", Seungcheol called them.

She stood infront of Joshua who had the trophy in his hand. "Take this trophy and show it your father and tell him, you did it", Haeun softly said tightly holding his hands.

Joshua smiled, "They won't understand, Haeun. They will never understand". Haeun kissed his forehead, "Make them understand, you did your best Joshua. Even if they don't support you. We are here to support you".

"But this is your passion", she insisted. "You can’t hide it forever".

He smiled, running a hand through his hair. "I'll try, Haeun. For us".

"Guys, come fast. Let's take a group picture", Seungcheol shouted. Haeun grinned, "Coming".

They stood there, the 15 friends —bound by dreams and determination. The camera froze their laughter, their friendship, their unspoken vows. In that fleeting moment, they were invincible.

The friends chattered among themselves looking at the picture, their smiles, the trophy in the middle and the glances Junhui and Yerin took at each other.

"Joshua", Haeun whispered, her voice barely audible over the chatter, "Promise me you won't give up".

He turned to her, his expression softening. "Haeun, you know my family-"

"I know,", she interrupted. "But this is your chance. Show them what you're made of. Let your passion speak louder than their doubts".

2 months later:

"Why did the call us- Ahh", Yerin screamed due to the loud voice.

The room was dark. "What was that?", Haeun whispered looking for the switches. "Wait- don't turn on the light please. We are giving you a suprise", Seungcheol said.

Haeun laughed, "Fine, we won't but what's all this?". No one replied until the light turned on and the 13 of them stood giving a model pose.

"What's all this?", Haeun laughed looking at the awkward face Minghao, Jihoon and Hansol gave.

"Well, we got selected", Seungcheol said. "Where?", Yerin asked.

"In an entertainment company", Junhui answered. The two girls gasped, "What?".

The 13 heads nodded, "Yes, we aren't joking. We got selected by pledis entertainment".

The walls echoed with laughter and music—the sound of dreams taking flight. Seventeen had been selected from the audition, and now they were here, ready to chase stardom.

Haeun spotted Joshua across the room, surrounded by his bandmates. His eyes met hers, and she knew—they were in this together. She walked over, her heart swelling with pride. "Congratulations", she said, hugging him tightly. "We did it".
He grinned, pulling her into his arms. "We did, Haeun. And I couldn't have done it without you"

"Aww, If I look at right, it's Jo-Ha and if I look at right it's Yer-Hui. I hate this single life", Seungcheol whined.

Haeun laughed, "Jo-Ha and Yer-Hui? Sounds funny". The evening went in celebrating their start of trainee days.

Joshua and Haeun sat away from others. She rested her head in his shoulder, "You will be busy, won't you?". Joshua hummed intertwining their hands.

"Haeun promise me, this won't affect our relationship", Joshua said. Haeun smiled, "I promise. And you better not give up on your dreams because of someone".

Joshua smiled, "I won't no matter what", he whispered giving her a quick peck on lips.

3 years later:

Haeun and Yerin where in 2nd year of university, pursuing their degrees while the others were still working hard for their dreams.

Jiwoo, a day before their engagement, ran away just as she said. The engagement was called off causing his father to burn in anger but for this time, his mother supported Joshua. Only the Seventeen members, Yerin and Haeun know about her real location.

"I miss Joshua", Haeun whined. "Soonyoung atleast sometimes visits but Joshua, we rarely talk to each other".

Yerin smiled, "Same goes with Junhui but he sometimes messages me". Haeun smiled, "You two are my favorite couple". Yerin blushed, "Oh, I think they will be getting holidays for few days".

Haeun grinned, "Really?". Yerin nodded showing the message sent by Junhui. "You are so lucky. While this idiot replied to the message I sent 3 weeks ago", Haeun smiled.

Yerin laughed, "That's such a Joshua thing". Haeun smiled looking ather wallpaper, "But I still love this idiot".

Haeun opened the door for her house to see Soonyoung already waiting for her. "Woah, you are already back?", Haeun tired went and hugged him. 

Soonyoung smiled, "Missed me?". Haeun nodded, "How long are you going to stay here?". Soonyoung chuckled, "You don't want me to stay?". Haeun playfully nodded.

"Whatever, there's a suprise for you in the room", Soonyoung said.  Haeun frowned, "What is it?". Soonyoung smirked.

As she stepped inside, the room seemed to hold its breath. The soft glow of fairy lights adorned the walls, casting a warm ambiance. But it wasn't the twinkling lights that caught her attention—it was the figure standing by the window.

Joshua.

He smiled opening his arms. Haeun launched at him running across the room. Her laughter bubbled as Joshua stumbled backward, caught off guard by her playful attack. He recovered quickly, his eyes dancing with affection. Without hesitation, he spun her around, their laughter blending into the air like a secret melody.

Joshua's lips brushed against Haeun's – a sweet collision of longing and tenderness. It was as if time stood still, as if the world outside ceased to exist. Haeun's fingers tangled in Joshua's hair.

He deepened the kiss, pulling her closer until there was no air left between them. His breath was warm against her skin, and she felt the rhythm of his heartbeat. His lips moved against hers, a silent conversation that needed no translation.

And then he pulled away, just enough to look into her eyes. "I missed you so much, Joshua", she whispered, her cheeks flushed red.

Joshua cupped her face, "Haeun", he said, his voice soft, "I have something to tell you".

She looked up at him, her heart pounding, "What is it?".

He took a deep breath, "We will be debuting soon. We finally got a chance". Haeun gasped, "All 13 of you?". Joshua nodded.

"Joshua", she said, her voice filled with pride, "that's amazing!".

He nodded, his thumb brushing her cheek, "But it means busy schedules, late nights, and endless rehearsals. I won't be able to see you as often".

Her heart swelled. "Joshua", she said, "don't worry about me. Chase your dream. I'll be here, cheering you on from afar".

He searched her eyes, as if seeking reassurance, "You won't get tired of waiting?".

"Never", she whispered, "Because your dream is my dream too". Joshua kissed her forehead, and Haeun knew that no matter where life took them, they would find their way back to each other. Their hearts beat in harmony, a melody of hope and devotion.

And in that moment, surrounded by fairy lights and the promise of tomorrow, they sealed their love — a love that needed no grand gestures, only whispered promises.