“This young lady requests a meeting,” Ren informed Hoseok. “Normally she would probably never get this opportunity…”

“But she knows the right people.” Hoseok finished and then nodded, “Fine. I will meet with her. Send her in.”

“I will wait outside for you,” Ren told Sung-kyung as she pushed her toward Hoseok’s office.

“Can’t you come in with me?”

“This is something you need to do alone.”

Sung-kyung knocked on the door and stepped inside and bowed. Hoseok didn’t stand but motioned for the girl to approach. “Take a seat.” He set an hourglass on the table. 

“One minute. Ready?” Sung-kyung blinked but he had turned over the hourglass and the tiny grains of sand started to flow into the next chamber.

Sung-kyung opened her portfolio, “I am here to apply for one of the Finite Scholarships for youth development…” but that was as far as she could go. Hoseok leaned back in his chair and watched the grains of sand, “I’m a small town girl who came to the big city not to find a better life but to find my sister. I’m not outstanding but one thing is mine and mine alone is my passion for drawing and creating beauty in this world. When you come from a town where the shades are grey and the sky is dark then creating a little colour is important. I want to be a designer. I may still have to find my sister but I also don’t want to one-day regret not doing the one thing that put a smile on her face. Here is portfolio it is my application.” Sung-kyung bowed and then waited.

Hoseok lifted the hourglass and she realised the time had already long run out but he hadn’t stopped her. “That was very heartfelt not quite what I’m used to when it comes to pitches,” Hoseok said.

“I’m sorry?”

“People usually prepare months in advance for the minute pitch. It’s usually not me who makes the decision…” he tapped the desk with his pen, “I cannot make any promises…”

“I understand and I thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

“Out of interest, why didn’t you approach the Lee Foundation? Separate from the Lee Corp Scholarship Fund that only sponsors engineering and architecture students, the Lee Foundation is headed by Song Gaelin and she is very generous with sponsoring students across all faculties.”

Sung-kyung didn’t meet his eyes.

 “A lit