The First Spark

A few days had passed since the dinner that night. The lingering warmth of shared laughter and conversation remained fresh in Jihoon's mind, but his focus had quickly shifted back to work. The film was nearing completion, and with only the final touches left, one crucial element still needed attention—the soundtrack.

Jihoon had always believed that music was the soul of a film. A well-composed soundtrack had the power to enhance emotions, elevate storytelling, and leave a lasting impact on audiences. With that in mind, he decided it was time to discuss the matter with Lee Sooman.

Upon hearing Jihoon's thoughts, Lee Sooman showed a keen interest. He had long recognized Jihoon's potential—not just as a film director but as an all-around creative force. Without hesitation, he generously offered Jihoon access to one of SM Entertainment's professional recording rooms.

"You should have a space where you can truly focus on the music," Lee Sooman said with an encouraging smile. "Use any equipment you need. Consider it part of the creative process."

Grateful for the support, Jihoon followed an SM staff member into the designated recording room. As soon as he stepped inside, he was struck by the sheer professionalism of the space. The room was soundproofed to perfection, with sleek walls adorned with acoustic panels. A state-of-the-art mixing console sat at the center, surrounded by high-end synthesizers, monitors, and an array of instruments. The dim ambient lighting created an atmosphere of pure creativity.

Taking a seat at the workstation, Jihoon ran his fingers over the piano keys, letting out a deep breath. He had learned composition in university and always had a deep appreciation for music. However, what truly set him apart was his knowledge—memories of melodies and harmonies from his past life. He possessed an advantage no one else did, a wellspring of timeless compositions that could now be brought to life in this world.

He closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift. Images of the film played in his mind like a silent montage. He envisioned the characters' struggles, their triumphs, their moments of despair and joy. Slowly, the first notes began to form.

As he began to compose, memories of music from his past life slowly resurfaced in his mind, flowing like a gentle stream. His fingers instinctively moved across the paper, jotting down lyrics that felt both nostalgic and timeless.

When he reached the most iconic part of the song, he found himself lost in the beauty of the words, as if transported to another world—

"The most beautiful thing isn't the rainy day,but the eaves that once sheltered us together from the storm."

These lyrics perfectly captured one of the film's most breathtaking moments—a quiet yet deeply emotional scene where the male lead and female lead found refuge together at a bus shelter during a downpour.

In the film, rain poured heavily, drumming against the pavement in a rhythmic symphony, drowning out the noise of the world around them. The two characters, once distant, now stood side by side under the small shelter, watching the city blur into soft streaks of gray. The dim glow of a flickering streetlamp cast shadows across their faces, illuminating the subtle emotions in their eyes.

The moment was delicate—unspoken words lingered in the air, the space between them filled only with the hushed sound of raindrops. The male lead hesitated for a second before reaching into his bag, pulling out a small, slightly crumpled umbrella. He held it out to her, but she only smiled, shaking her head.

"It's okay… just for a little longer."

She wanted to stay.

And so, they stood there, neither saying much, yet understanding everything.

This fleeting moment of warmth in the midst of the cold storm became one of the film's most defining scenes, encapsulating the unspoken connection between the two characters. Jihoon knew that the right song would make this scene unforgettable. With these lyrics, he had found that missing piece.

Little did he know, a familiar figure stood behind him, quietly observing as he composed his new soundtrack. Her eyes shimmered with admiration, drawn to the raw emotion woven into each note.

As the melody unfolded, she felt an unexpected connection to it—almost as if the scene had already been etched into her mind. Though she had no knowledge of the movie's plot, the music alone conveyed a story so vivid, so full of unspoken emotions, that she could already sense the lingering traces of love it sought to express.

Unaware of the presence behind him, Jihoon lost himself in the melody, his eyes closed as he hummed softly, immersing himself in the world he was crafting. He could see it all—the way the music would weave into the visuals, the gentle piano introduction painting the mood, the gradual build-up stirring emotions, and the soaring chorus breathing life into the scene.

In that moment, everything aligned perfectly.

This was it.

The first spark of something extraordinary.

Hours slipped away unnoticed as he poured himself into the melody. Each note, each chord, carried a piece of his soul, filling the room with an unspoken longing. When his fingers finally stilled on the piano keys, the last echoes of music faded, leaving behind a profound silence.

It was then that he heard it—soft, steady breathing, not his own.

Snapping back to reality, he turned his head, and there she was.

Taeyeon stood just a few steps away, her eyes shimmering with something indescribable. Admiration, wonder… perhaps even something deeper. In that quiet moment, surrounded by the lingering warmth of the music, Jihoon felt his heartbeat quicken.

Had she been there all along, listening?

Taeyeon was the first to break the silence, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"Woah! Is this the soundtrack you mentioned during dinner last time?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement. A soft, adorable expression played on her face as she looked at him with admiration.

Jihoon blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her presence. Then, as Taeyeon's words registered, a small chuckle escaped his lips.

"Yeah," he nodded, leaning back slightly. "This is the one I mentioned during dinner."

Taeyeon's eyes widened in amazement. "Woah… it's beautiful."

She took a hesitant step closer, her expression filled with curiosity. "I could feel the emotion just by listening to it. It's… warm, yet bittersweet."

Jihoon tilted his head, intrigued by her reaction. "That's exactly the feeling I wanted to capture."

He gestured toward the sheet music in front of him. "This part here—it's meant to reflect the scene where the leads take shelter from the rain together. The kind of love that lingers, even without words."

Taeyeon's gaze softened as she looked down at the notes. She reached out, lightly tracing the melody on the page with her fingertips. "Even without knowing the movie's full story, I can already see it in my mind," she murmured.

A gentle silence settled between them. Jihoon watched as she absorbed the music, completely captivated. For some reason, the way she connected to his song made his heart stir in a way he couldn't quite explain.

Then, with a playful glint in her eyes, Taeyeon looked up at him. "Can I try singing it?"

Jihoon was momentarily stunned before realizing what Taeyeon had just said. A burst of laughter escaped him as he shook his head in amusement.

"Hahaha! No wonder you kept showering the music with compliments!" he teased, flashing a playful grin. "You sly fox!"

Leaning back slightly, he added, "Honestly, you could've just asked. It's not like I have anyone else to turn to in SM besides you anyway!"

Taeyeon playfully stuck out her tongue, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Hehe! I had to give it a try! If I didn't, the chance wouldn't be mine," she said with a shy smile.

Jihoon smiled, his expression filled with appreciation. He understood her mindset all too well.

Just like in his past life, he had faced the same struggles—working twice as hard to secure opportunities, knowing that if he didn't put his pride aside and reach for them, they would slip away. Seeing Taeyeon's determination resonated with him deeply. It reminded him of himself, back when he had nothing but his own willpower, seizing every chance that came his way, climbing from the very bottom, step by step, until he reached the top.

Jihoon felt a deep sense of fulfillment in offering her this opportunity—it was like reliving a piece of his past.

With a warm smile, he said, "Alright then, let's get started."

As they stepped into the recording booth, Jihoon adjusted the microphone and glanced at Taeyeon, who was standing in front of it, her expression filled with determination. He had always known from past life that her voice carried a unique depth—one that could touch people's emotions effortlessly. Now, hearing her warm up, he was even more convinced that she was the perfect choice for the soundtrack.

"Take your time," Jihoon said, offering her an encouraging smile. "Just let the music guide you."

Taeyeon nodded, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath. The moment the instrumental began to play, she felt an unspoken connection to the melody. It wasn't just a song—it was a story, a moment frozen in time, waiting to be told through her voice.

As she sang, her voice carried a raw, heartfelt emotion that even took Jihoon by surprise. He watched from the control room, completely mesmerized. She wasn't just performing—she was living the song. Every note, every lyric was filled with meaning, as if she truly understood the emotions woven into the composition.

Jihoon leaned forward, his fingers hovering over the mixing board, fine-tuning the sound but barely making any adjustments. There was hardly anything to fix—her delivery was nearly flawless, the emotions pouring out naturally.

When the last note faded, a heavy silence filled the room. Taeyeon finally opened her eyes, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. She turned to look at Jihoon through the glass, uncertainty flickering in her gaze.

"How was it?" she asked softly.

Jihoon exhaled, a slow smile forming on his lips. "It was perfect," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You really brought the song to life."

A bright smile spread across Taeyeon's face, relief washing over her. She had given everything she had, and seeing Jihoon's approval made all the effort worth it.

"This demo," Jihoon murmured, more to himself than to her, "is going to be something special."