Return to Familiar Halls (Please like and follow)

The following day, with SM Entertainment's approval secured, Jihoon returned to campus to meet with Professor Kim Minsoo. As promised, the professor would guide him through the submission process for the Cannes Film Festival.

Pulling up the university's intranet system, Jihoon quickly located Kim Minsoo's whereabouts—still in the middle of his Modern Art Design lecture. Rather than wait, he decided to step into the classroom, feeling a rare urge to slow down and ground himself in something familiar. The past months had been a relentless sprint, every moment consumed by the film's production.

So, without hesitation, he decided to attend the class, finding it the perfect opportunity to slow things down for a bit before tackling his next major task. Since completing the film, he had been running on pure momentum, and returning to an academic setting offered a much-needed moment of calm. For the first time in a while, he allowed himself to simply be a student, soaking in the lecture with quiet interest.

As the class wrapped up, Kim Minsoo gathered his notes and noticed Jihoon waiting by the door. Without surprise, he gave a small nod. "Come to my office," he said.

The professor wasted no time once they arrived.

"Before we discuss submissions, I need to watch the film," Kim Minsoo stated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"I have a reputation to uphold. If it isn't up to standard, I won't risk my name backing it."

"That's the harsh truth of this industry—everyone prioritizes their own interests first."

"It's a lesson you need to grasp before you step out of these university walls."

Jihoon understood the sentiment all too well. He lived by the same principle. He had always prioritized his interest above all else, which was why he had no close friendships to speak of. Success demanded a level of selfishness, and he had long made peace with that.

Without a word, he set up the film and pressed play.

Kim Minsoo watched it in silence, his face unreadable. He nodded occasionally, jotting notes on a pad, but offered no immediate reactions. Jihoon, despite knowing the strength of his own work, couldn't help but scrutinize every shift in the professor's expression, searching for any sign of approval or criticism.

Then, the screen faded to black.

Kim Minsoo leaned back in his chair, exhaling softly before meeting Jihoon's gaze. A flicker of something new—appreciation—gleamed in his eyes.

"This…" He let the word hang for a moment. "This is remarkable."

Jihoon felt something settle in his chest—not relief, but affirmation.

"From a professional standpoint," Kim Minsoo continued, "your storytelling is gripping, the cinematography is stunning, and the emotional depth is far beyond what I expected from a debut director."

He let out a quiet chuckle. "To be honest, I was prepared to tell you no. But this? This film deserves a shot at Cannes."

The weight of those words landed, but Jihoon remained composed. He had never sought empty praise—only recognition of his work's worth.

"I'll handle the submission," Kim Minsoo assured him. "But Jihoon, listen carefully. If this wins, your life will change forever."

"Are you ready for that?"

A small, confident smile curved Jihoon's lips.

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

With Kim Minsoo personally overseeing the Cannes Film Festival submission, one major hurdle was out of the way.

However, another challenge remained—securing a distribution deal with CJ Entertainment. Up to this point, Park Jaehyun had been handling the negotiations on Jihoon's behalf.

It was worth noting that while CJ Entertainment remained under the umbrella of the larger Lee family business empire, it was managed by a side branch—one that had lost to the Samseong Lee family in a relentless inheritance struggle. 

Being part of the Samseong Lee branch meant that dealing with CJ's leadership would be a sensitive and potentially challenging task. The lingering friction between the two factions turned negotiations into a delicate dance—one Jihoon wasn't especially keen on navigating.

For now, though, he chose to set that issue aside. There would be time to address CJ Entertainment later. Jihoon remained in Kim Minsoo's office a while longer, engaging in a detailed discussion about the artistic and technical elements of his film. Their conversation flowed naturally, touching on cinematography, symbolism, and the depth of storytelling—subjects Jihoon rarely had the chance to explore in such depth with someone who truly understood the craft.

Eventually, their discussion was cut short when Kim Minsoo glanced at the clock. Another class was about to begin. Jihoon took the cue and rose from his seat, offering the professor a polite bow.

"Thanks for everything, Mr Kim. I'll leave it in your hands," Jihoon said.

Kim Minsoo adjusted his glasses, a rare, approving smile crossing his face. "You've created something remarkable, Jihoon. Now, make sure the world sees it."

With that, Jihoon stepped out of the office, deciding to take a break for the day—a moment to clear his mind before diving into the next set of challenges. The weight of negotiations and industry politics could wait. For now, he simply wanted a breather.

His feet carried him across the campus, toward a familiar coffee shop where the scent of freshly ground beans wrapped around him like a quiet embrace. Ordering an Americano, he stood in silence, listening to the rhythmic hum of the espresso machine, the soft murmur of conversations blending into the background. When his drink was ready, he took it without a word and stepped back into the crisp autumn air, the warmth of the cup grounding him.

As he walked, he took a slow sip. The sharp bitterness bloomed across his tongue, unfurling memories with it. It was a taste he had known all his life—one that never truly left him. A reminder of past struggles, of relentless ambition, of the sacrifices that had once defined him.

His mind drifted, tracing the path of his past life. He had climbed higher than most, had seized success with both hands, only to find himself alone at the summit. The power, the accolades, the empire he had built—none of it had softened the cold isolation that met him at the top. He had paid the price without hesitation, only to realize too late that the cost had been himself.

Now, given a second chance, the question pressed against the edges of his thoughts: Was it worth it? Was the pursuit of greatness worth the loneliness that came with it?

He exhaled, watching as the steam curled into the air, dissipating like an unanswered thought. Perhaps life had never been about avoiding bitterness. Perhaps it was about learning to embrace it—not as suffering, but as depth, as contrast, as proof that one had truly lived.

For the first time in a long while, Jihoon didn't rush to find an answer. He simply let the bitterness linger, mingling with the crisp autumn breeze, and allowed himself to savor the moment.

Jihoon eased onto a bench, his gaze settling on the basketball court. The rhythmic bounce of the ball, the squeak of sneakers against the polished wood, and the occasional bursts of laughter filled the air—a simple, thoughtless distraction. Just what he needed. He let the scene wash over him, the motion, the noise, the energy of it all serving as a quiet balm against the weight of his thoughts.

But his solitude was short-lived.

A voice, familiar and unmistakably playful, called his name. He turned his head, eyes landing on Kim Taehee.

She was a four-year senior he had first met at a department meeting, back when he was still adjusting to the program. Their shared love for art and film had made conversation effortless between them. Despite moving in different circles, their connection had remained easy, unforced.

But Taehee wasn't just another student. She was a rising star—one of the country's most well-known actresses, her name propelled to nationwide fame after last year's "Stairway to Heaven". The drama had not only cemented her place in the entertainment industry but had also earned her the title of "Korea's No. 1 Natural Beauty" from the media.

Yet, standing in front of him now, there was none of the usual spectacle surrounding her. No cameras, no flashing lights—just a familiar face with an amused smile.

"Jihoon," she called again, her lips curving into a teasing grin. "Haha! I knew that was you!"

She took a step closer, arms crossed. "Didn't expect to find you just sitting around doing nothing. Usually, you're buried in the library or off chasing something."

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, the words laced with a lighthearted challenge, as if daring him to explain himself.

Jihoon returned her smile, leaning back against the bench. "It's been a while, Taehee Noona."

His voice carried a hint of warmth, the familiarity of an old friend easing the tension he hadn't realized he was carrying.

"Yeah," he added, glancing down at the coffee cup in his hand. "Just wanted to take a break for a bit."

Taehee raised an eyebrow, her expression laced with curiosity. "A break? That's rare coming from you," she mused before settling down beside him.

She turned to face him fully, resting her elbows on her knees. "I heard from Professor Kim that you're directing a film. Is it true?"

Jihoon exhaled softly, a ghost of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Word gets around fast, huh?"

"Well, you are quite the topic of conversation," she teased. "So? Is it true?"

He nodded, swirling the coffee in his cup before taking a sip. "Yeah. It's an independent project."

"Something I've been working on for a while."

Taehee's eyes lit up with interest. "That's amazing! What's it about?"

Jihoon hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting back toward the basketball court. He wasn't sure how much he wanted to say—how much he was ready to say. But then again, Taehee had always been someone he could talk to without pretense.

"It's a story about time and love," he finally said, his voice softer. "About cherishing the people around us… before they become just memories."

Taehee studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Jihoon had always excelled in class, effortlessly acing tests and showcasing undeniable talent, but at the end of the day, he was still just a first-year student. The idea of his first film becoming an instant success seemed far-fetched.

Still, despite her doubts, she wanted to support him. With a knowing smile, she gave his shoulder a light nudge. "Sounds like you're putting a lot of yourself into this."

Jihoon chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Maybe," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

He knew Taehee didn't have high expectations for his success, yet she still chose to encourage him. That, more than anything, made him appreciate her words.

He chose to keep the Cannes Film Festival submission to himself for now. It was still uncertain whether the film would even be nominated, and if it wasn't, he'd only end up looking like a fool for boasting too soon. Worse, Taehee would never let him live it down, teasing him at every opportunity. Aside from Professor Kim and a few key figures at SM, no one else knew about it—and for now, he intended to keep it that way.

Taehee leaned back, stretching her arms. "Well, if you need an actress, you know where to find me." She shot him a playful wink. "But only if there's a good role for Korea's No.1 Natural Beauty."

Jihoon laughed at that, the weight in his chest lifting just a little. "Haha! I'll keep that in mind, Noona."