Chapter Seventy-six: A Crossroad of Decisions.

The soft glow of the evening light streamed through the large windows of Min Jun and Soo Jeon's apartment, casting a golden hue across the living room. Soo Jeon sat curled up on the couch, staring at the open ballet journal in her lap, but her mind was elsewhere. As much as she loved ballet, the weight of her new role as principal dancer felt heavier with each passing day. Her body ached from endless rehearsals, and the constant pressure to perform perfectly gnawed at her confidence.

She glanced at the clock. Min Jun would be home soon. The thought of seeing him brought a brief smile to her face, but it was tinged with a hint of worry. Lately, even their precious moments together felt fleeting, stolen between work meetings, rehearsals, and late-night phone calls. He had seemed distant, distracted.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the front door clicking open. Min Jun stepped in, his tie loosened, a tired smile on his face as he set his briefcase by the door.

"Hey, you're home," Soo Jeon greeted, her voice soft but warm.

"Long day?" Min Jun asked as he joined her on the couch, leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Soo Jeon nodded. "The rehearsals are getting more intense. I feel like I'm pushing myself to the limit, but there's always something more expected of me."

Min Jun ran a hand through his slightly messy hair, leaning back into the cushions. "I get it. Things at work have been… tough, too. They want me to head up this international project, but I'm not even sure it's something I believe in."

Soo Jeon looked at him, concern flashing in her eyes. "What do you mean? I thought you loved these kinds of opportunities."

"I used to," Min Jun replied, his gaze distant. "But now, it feels like I'm just going through the motions. It's like I'm not creating anything that really matters. It's just another project, another client. I'm wondering if this is all there is to my career."

Soo Jeon shifted closer, resting her hand on his. "Have you talked to your boss about it? Maybe there's room for you to do something more meaningful, something that aligns with your vision."

He sighed. "I don't know. It feels like if I turn this down, I'll be seen as ungrateful or unambitious. But if I take it, I'm not sure I'll be happy."

Soo Jeon squeezed his hand gently, her thumb tracing soft circles over his knuckles. "Whatever you decide, I'll support you. But don't sacrifice your happiness for what other people think."

Min Jun turned to her, his gaze softening. "What about you? You've been carrying a lot on your shoulders, too. Are you happy?"

Soo Jeon hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "I don't know. I thought becoming a principal dancer would be everything I've ever wanted. But now that I'm here, it's... hard. I feel like I'm constantly trying to prove myself."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts. The weight of their respective challenges hung in the air, but there was comfort in knowing they weren't facing them alone.

Finally, Min Jun broke the silence. "You know, maybe we don't have to figure everything out tonight. But I do know one thing—whatever happens with work, with ballet, I don't want us to lose this. You and me."

Soo Jeon leaned her head against his shoulder, her worries easing slightly with the warmth of his presence. "I don't want to lose us either."