MEMORIES OF YOU

As the night deepened, Hye Ji managed to convince Min Ju to head over to the house with her. They slowly made their way back to the dormitory.

Her mother remained restless. Not knowing exactly what to do or where to start from as she paced down the corridors of the dorm. Her face registered her devastation and worry.

She just kept calling and rechecking her phone with hopes of getting through but to no avail. Just then, the door opened, and Min-ju walked in, her eyes red from crying.

"Min-ju, my baby!" her mother exclaimed, rushing towards her.

But Min-ju pushed her away, unable to bear the touch. "I'm fine, Mom. Just leave me alone. "She mumbled in a near whisper.

She couldn't face the other trainees nor bear their condolences. Hye Ji and her mother watched her back as she sauntered into the room and locked herself in.

Mrs Choi Sa Ra, her mother, kept calling and knocking on the door. But it remained sealed~ the silence was a piercing pain of spear to her heart. Hye Ji instinctively pressed a comforting hand on her shoulders.

"I think we should give her some time,eomma."Her words brought Sa Ra's gaze to her. " She'll come around soon, trust me."

As a mother, she hesitated for a moment but finally gave in.

Min-ju's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, her body wracked with sobs.

Surrounded by memories of Tae-hyun, she could neither sleep or eat. Her gaze blankly staring into space as the night wore away~ all she could see was Tae-hyun's smile, his bright eyes, and his warm touch.

The days that followed were a haze of funeral arrangements, condolence messages, and empty words of comfort. Min-ju went through the motions, her heart heavy with grief.

She spent the next few days in a daze, barely eating or sleeping. The world around her felt like a blur, and she couldn't shake the image of Tae-hyun's lifeless body from her mind. Hye-ji stayed by her side, offering comfort and support, but Min-ju felt like she was drowning in her grief.

Tae-hyun's death were a blur for her. She moved through her routines like a ghost herself, her mind clouded with grief and confusion. The practice room, once her sanctuary, now felt like a hollow shell. Every corner reminded her of Tae-hyun, and the pain of his absence was almost unbearable.

After days, weeks and months of the burial, headlines started flooding in with news rooms and TV shows discussing her hiatus or retirement~ considering her absence from the spotlight after Tae's departure.

Min-ju's days blurred together in a haze of grief. She went through the motions of training, but her heart wasn't in it. She couldn't bear the thought of performing without Tae-hyun by her side.

Hey Ji who came across the newspaper and outlets tried to get her to return to the media but nothing seemed to be working. Even Mr Kang too.

One day, while cleaning out Tae-hyun's locker, Min-ju stumbled upon a small notebook hidden away in a corner. As she flipped through the pages, she discovered it was Tae-hyun's journal.

The entries spoke of his love for her, his dreams for their future together, and his fears of losing her. Min-ju's heart ached as she read the words, feeling like she was losing him all over again.

But as she delved deeper into the journal, she found a passage that made her heart skip a beat:

"My dearest Min-ju, if anything happens to me, promise me you'll keep dancing. You have a gift, and the world needs to see it. Don't let your dreams die with me."

Tears welled up in her eyes. For some reasons, she felt Tae knew his life was in danger. She wanted to see him. She had a lot to ask– was it just a mere accident or a murder.

Why did he keep such a message in his journal? Quickly, Min Ju grabbed her things and left off to his gravesite. She stood there, her eyes fixed on his picture.

It felt like she had a lot to say but nothing came out. Her tongue felt stuck in her mouth but something inside her shifted. She realized she had two choices: let her grief consume her or find a way to honor Tae-hyun's memory and find out the truth behind his death.

Min-ju felt a surge of determination. She would keep dancing, for Tae-hyun, for herself, and for their shared dreams. Her eyes remained locked onto the headstone, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'll keep dancing, Tae-hyun. I'll make you proud and bring the truth to light."

With newfound resolve, Min-ju threw herself into her training, pouring her heart and soul into every step, every movement.

As she turned to leave, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and Min-ju could've sworn she heard Tae-hyun's whisper: "I'll always be with you, Min-ju."

It was already evening when she returned to the dorm. Without showering, she settled into her desk and pulled out the journal again. With hopes of finding further clues, she scanned further into it.

As Min-ju delved deeper into Tae-hyun's journal, she discovered a handwritten song lyrics. The words spoke of eternal love, loss, and longing. Min-ju's heart ached, knowing Tae-hyun had written this for her.

She couldn't help but wonder what their future would have held if Tae-hyun were still alive. Would they have performed this song together as members of RISE?

Min-ju decided to take a chance and share the lyrics with Rise' producer, Mr. Lee. Maybe, just maybe, they could bring Tae-hyun's song to life.

**************

The night soon gave way to the morning. Hye Ji strolled to Min Ju's room only to find it empty. " Where could she have left to this early morning?" She wondered but had no idea.

Min Ju's cab pulled up in front of the studio. " STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT " The head sign read. Not wasting much time, she hurried in after paying off the driver.

The recording studio, nestled in the heart of Seoul, was a sanctuary for Min-ju. The soft glow of the pendant lights, the plush carpet beneath her feet, and the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped her in a sense of comfort.

Before coming in, Min Ju made her mission known to the producer with sample sheets of the song. Mr. Lee was moved by the lyrics and agreed to help Min-ju produce the song.

As soon as she arrived, he immediately urshered her into the recording room.

The city outside seemed to fade away as she stood before the microphone. The hustle and bustle of Hongdae's streets, the vibrant street art, and the trendy cafes all disappeared, leaving only the echoes of Tae-hyun's words.

Min-ju closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let the lyrics guide her. Her voice poured out like a gentle rain, soothing and melancholic. The notes danced in the air, a poignant reminder of what could never be again. She felt his presence around her as they recorded the song.

Mr. Lee, the producer, watched with a knowing gaze, his eyes misty with emotion. He had seen Min-ju grow from a timid trainee to a confident artist, and now, he witnessed her heartbreak transform into something beautiful.

As the final notes faded away, the studio fell silent. Min-ju opened her eyes, and a soft smile spread across her face. She knew Tae-hyun was smiling down on her, proud of her for keeping their dreams alive.