Dahyun's steps were light as she skipped down the university hallway, humming to herself with a stack of sheet music clutched to her chest. She'd been chosen to perform in the annual arts showcase—a big deal for any student at the music department. But there was a twist: the event would be a collaboration between music and literature students. Dahyun would be paired with a writer, and together, they'd craft a performance blending her music with his story.
As she neared the library, her eyes scanned the rows of bookshelves until she spotted him. Jeon Wonwoo. Tall, dark-eyed, and notoriously reserved, Wonwoo was a literature major with a reputation for staying buried in his work. Word was, he spent more time alone than with friends, a quiet, mysterious figure in the background of their bustling campus. Still, he was supposed to be incredibly talented.
With her usual sunny energy, Dahyun approached him, extending a hand. "Hi! I'm Dahyun. I guess we're partners for the showcase?"
Wonwoo's gaze flickered briefly from his book to her hand. After a moment, he shook it, his expression neutral. "Yeah... Dahyun, right?"
Dahyun beamed, not phased by his monotone response. "Right! So, what do you think? I thought I'd play some pieces, and you could write a story inspired by them."
Wonwoo raised an eyebrow. "Just... play, and I write?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! Music is all about feeling, right? I thought maybe my notes could spark a story for you."
He sighed, closing his book. "I guess we can try."She took that as a win.
---
Their first session didn't go as smoothly as she'd hoped. Dahyun had carefully chosen a piece she'd written—a light, melodic tune that reminded her of spring. She played it with closed eyes, letting the music fill the room, imagining colors and light, a world without words.
When she finished, she turned to see Wonwoo jotting something in his notebook. Curiously, she leaned over his shoulder to peek, only to find him scribbling the words: "pleasant but predictable."
Her jaw dropped. "That's it? Pleasant but predictable?"
He glanced up, not quite catching her frustration. "It's nice. But there's no tension. It doesn't tell me anything new."
Dahyun crossed her arms, a spark of irritation heating her cheeks. "Not everything needs to be tense and dark, you know. Music can be beautiful and still have depth."
Wonwoo just shrugged, unfazed. "And sometimes beauty isn't enough. There needs to be something real."
Frustrated, Dahyun gathered her things, trying to hold back her disappointment. This wasn't going to be as easy as she'd thought.
---
Days passed, each session bringing new clashes. Dahyun would play; Wonwoo would critique. She tried everything—songs in minor keys, faster tempos, sadder melodies—but nothing seemed to satisfy him. Her frustration grew until finally, she couldn't hold back.
