Jihoon and Taeyeon faced one another, enveloped in silence while the remnants of their meals sat untouched, and let their imaginations run. Although it was not the cause of any conflict, the embarrassment was more than enough to compel both of them to scarf their meals.
Eventually, Jihoon paid for the meal, and they departed the eatery.
There was still silence on the return walk to Taeyeon's dorm, with the tense atmosphere giving off the feeling of awkwardness.
Jihoon coughed into his fist as they entered her building. "I will see you in the studio tomorrow. Make sure to be there at ten because we need to start work on the OST."
Taeyeon smiled slightly, nodding. "Understood. See ya."
While she headed into her dorm, Jihoon headed home.
Still, even with the effort poured into forgetting the incident, thoughts leaped to the time her chest had collided with his arm.
The sensation, warm and smooth, sent tingles through his body. The incident was unintentional, and yet, the effects it caused were unparalleled.
Even as he lay in bed that night, his mind would not let go of the memory.
The feel of her two soft curves, the warmth irridiate as taeyeon rubbing her breast against his arm—everything replayed in his head on repeat.
It was embarrassing to admit, but it affected him in a way that he could not shake.
As sleep finally caught up to him, his subconscious took over and the thoughts he had been pushing aside became a dream—a blatant, vivid dream with Taeyeon in it.
Not sure if it was this 18-year-old body that was new to sex or the leftover effects of his past life's inexperience, Jihoon's dream was too real. The touch, the warmth, the sensations—everything was so real. Suddenly, a blazing flash of pleasure shot through him, jolting him bolt upright as his body released a healthy substance.
His breathing was strained, and he looked down, realizing the shameful aftermath. His boxers were wet with a sticky, glue-like material, proof in itself of what had transpired when he was asleep.
He winced, rubbing his temple. "This must be the downside of being single for two lifetimes," he grumbled to himself before letting out a deep sigh.
The sun streamed in through the window, bathing Jihoon's room in a warm golden glow as he stretched happily.
Wiping away the final remnants of sleep, he rolled out of bed, feeling rather more cheerful than he had any right to feel after the stress of yesterday lunch.
He quickly washed up, changing into clean clothes before heading to the kitchen.
The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee filled the air as he poured himself a strong cup, warming his fingers on its heat. It was a new morning, and there were matters to take care of.
His destination, SM Entertainment.
Newly resolved, he grabbed his belongings and stepped outside, breathing the cool morning air.
But regardless of how fiercely he tried to focus, certain thoughts from a dream last night persisted in infiltrating his brain.
A smile tugged at his lips.
How ridiculous, he thought, but the memory cheered him up in ways he couldn't quite put into words.
He wasn't foolish—he knew he was attracted to Taeyeon.
There was something about her that intrigued him, made his heart race in ways he had never felt before. But this wasn't some melodrama where he could just blurt it out and expect a fairytale love story.
The reality was far more complicated.
He was still waging his own battle with the industry giants, fighting to regain control of his career.
Bringing Taeyeon into that sort of world would not only be irresponsible—it would be selfish.
She was a newcomer herself, and any level of scandal whatsoever would shatter everything she had worked so hard to build.
And then there was the biggest question of them all—what did she think of him?
Jihoon had no answer to that.
If he came out and professed his feelings now and she didn't feel the same way, their friendship would be forever ruined. At this point, losing her as a friend was a risk he wasn't willing to take.
He shook his head, drank more of his coffee, and smiled to himself. "One step at a time, Jihoon," he told himself. He stood firm, swept the unwanted thoughts aside, and walked out with a small but sure smile on his face.
Jihoon entered SM Entertainment, his footsteps light but firm. He stopped at the front desk, signed in, and flashed a cheerful smile to the receptionist before making his way to the recording studio.
He was early and not wanting to waste time, he pulled out his phone and hastily sent a text message to Lee Sooman, letting him know that he had arrived at the studio.
Having time to spare, Jihoon settled into the dimly lit studio, excavating the music sheets he'd worked on the night before.
He ran his fingers over the notes, mapping the melody in his mind. The plan was simple: record the track, adjust the melody, and mix it all up using the studio's cutting-edge technology.
Easy.
Or so he thought.
Hours flew by like minutes while Jihoon became one with the process of changing tones, piling harmonies, and mixing the instruments.
He was in the groove, tweaking the tune and accumulating the sounds, when he felt… a presence.
He gradually turned his head and nearly jumped out of his seat—Lee Sooman was stretched out on the studio couch, arms crossed, one leg casually flung over the other. His sharp eyes were fixed on the speakers, silently taking in Jihoon's work.
"Jihoon-ah," he finally said, his voice dripping with approval. "Your skill at composition is truly one of a kind. I've been thinking about it... maybe I should formally hire you as an in-house composer at SM."
Jihoon's lips twisted into a smirk.
He settled back in his chair, the arrogance of a king surveying his kingdom emanating from every pore. "Uncle Lee, please. You could not afford me. I am a man whom you can't have."
He even raised his chin, giving off the smugness of a peacock in full feather, as though waiting for applause.
Lee Sooman burst out laughing loudly, thumping his knee. "This child! No sense of decency whatsoever!"
When his laughter eventually subsided, he gestured toward the studio door. "Speaking of talent, this is BOA."
"She's the 'little pea' that I have prepare for your OST." His grin mischievous. "I'm sure you two have already met before?"
Jihoon was brought to a standstill.
Oh. Oh no.
His eyes flashed toward the entrance, where BOA stood with arms crossed, expression calm. That cringe-worthy encounter from yesterday came rushing back into his head like a bad dream.
Falling into sheer instinct, Jihoon leaped from his seat and bowed deeply. "BOA noona, I'm Lee Jihoon. I really apologize for what I did yesterday—it was my fault. I didn't realize who you were."
BOA's eyebrow twitched. She had completely expected Jihoon—to be someone of higher social standing to brush off the incident as though nothing has happened. But there he was, bowing and apologizing like a newbie junior in front of a seasoned senior.
"It's all right, Director Lee," she replied graciously, returning the courteous bow. "I wasn't focusing either when I bumped into you."
Jihoon, going the extra mile, bowed again.
BOA, on autopilot, imitated him.
Jihoon bowed.
BOA bowed.
Jihoon—
"YA! Stop bowing! It's not your wedding!" Lee Sooman grasped his forehead in frustration. "We don't have time for this ridiculous game of bowing!"
Finally shaking off their vicious circle of etiquette, Jihoon cleared his throat and BOA suppressed a snicker.
"Now that the misunderstanding is dispelled," Lee Sooman announced, turning into high gear, "let's work. BOA has come to record the OST."
Jihoon stood there in a moment of stunned immobilization.
"Eh… about that…" He scratched his head sheepishly. "I forgot to tell you, Uncle Lee, I already invited Taeyeon to sing the OST too."
"But don't worry! This movie has two OSTs, so we can decide which singer is best suited after recording both versions."
Lee Sooman's eyebrows shot up. "YA! You brat! Taeyeon is still a trainee! You know dating is forbidden in SM right?!"
Jihoon blinked. "…What?"
"YA! Don't play dumb! You picked Taeyeon twice in a row for your ost! Are you trying to start a scandal or something?!"
Jihoon's mouth fell open. "Uncle Lee, I swear it's only because she's the only singer I know! And the tune I came up with really does fit her voice. What more could I have done?!" He put on his angelic face—the one which might be able to fool a baby but not Lee Sooman.
Lee Sooman arched an eyebrow, staring at him like a detective interrogating a suspect.
The longer the silence stretched out, the more skeptical he became. Was Jihoon telling the truth… or merely that good at feigning innocence?
Finally, Lee Sooman sighed in resignation. "Fine. But remember—trainees are forbidden. And next time, pick other singer from the company don't just use taeyeon!"
Jihoon, sensing his triumph, let his signature smirk creep back. "What makes you think I'll have an SM artist sing my next OST?" He playfully stuck out his tongue and added, "Bleh!" like a mischievous child.
But beneath the teasing facade, Jihoon knew the truth. He had orchestrated everything—every decision, every excuse—all to ensure one thing, more time with Taeyeon.
Lee Sooman's eye twitched.
With one swift motion, he picked up a bunch of papers, crumpled one of them, and hurled it at Jihoon's head. "YA! SHIBAL! You brat! You promise me that SM will produce all your film OST!"
Jihoon expertly dodged the incoming paper missile and dramatically dusted off his shoulder.
"Hmm, I don't recall making such a promise. Maybe it's because someone yelled at me too much."
Lee Sooman stared at him, utterly speechless.
BOA, who had been present the whole time, and Taeyeon, who recently entered the room, covered their mouths, struggling to stifle their laughter. Watching Jihoon get Lee Sooman all worked up was too funny, but they knew better than to laugh out loud—unless they wanted to get scolded too.
[Author's Note: Heartfelt thanks to Wandererlithe for bestowing the power stone!]