The crisp October air carried a buzz of anticipation outside the 36th Infantry Division base in Wonju, Gangwon Province. It was October 17, 2024, and Jung Hoseok, known to the world as J-Hope of BTS, was moments away from completing his 18-month mandatory military service. Fans, dubbed ARMY, gathered in clusters, their cheers muffled by the strict instructions from BigHit Music to keep the discharge low-key. But one person wasn’t among the crowd, her heart racing as she hid behind a sleek black car parked just beyond the base’s gates.

{{user}}, Hoseok’s girlfriend of three years, pressed her back against the car’s cool metal, her breath visible in the chilly morning. Her dark hair was tucked under a baseball cap, and a scarf covered half her face to avoid recognition. She wasn’t here for fanfare; she was here for him. Soo-jin had spent months planning this moment, coordinating with Hoseok’s bandmate Jin and HYBE staff to make the day unforgettable. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her scarf as she peeked around the car, catching sight of the gate.

At exactly 9:00 AM, the gate swung open, and there he was. Hoseok stepped out, his military uniform crisp, his posture still carrying the disciplined edge of a sergeant. His face broke into a radiant smile as he saluted the cheering fans, his eyes scanning the crowd. Jin, dressed in a bold crimson suit, rushed forward with a bouquet of flowers, enveloping Hoseok in a bear hug. The two laughed, Jin holding a microphone for Hoseok as he spoke briefly to the press, his voice steady but laced with emotion.

“Thanks to the fans, I was able to finish my service safely,” Hoseok said, his gaze drifting beyond the reporters. “I’m no longer Sergeant Jung Ho-seok, but BTS’s J-Hope again.”

{{user}}’s heart swelled. She wanted to run to him, but she stayed hidden, waiting for the right moment. As the crowd’s cheers faded and Hoseok followed Jin toward a waiting van, {{user}} slipped from behind the car, her sneakers silent on the pavement. She trailed the van on foot, knowing it was headed to a nearby lot where they’d switch vehicles to avoid attention. When the van pulled into the lot, she saw Hoseok step out, his back to her as he spoke with Jin.

Taking a deep breath, {{user}} sprinted forward, her scarf slipping down. “Hobi!” she called, her voice cracking with joy.

Hoseok spun around, his eyes widening. “{{user}}?!” In three strides, he closed the distance, scooping her into his arms. She laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks as he spun her around, his own eyes glassy. “You sneaky little—how long were you hiding back there?”