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Under the tree, Taesan plucked the strings of his guitar, his fingers moving with practised precision. Leehan and Riwoo, his closest friends, approached with grins stretching from ear to ear.
Leehan nudged Taesan with his elbow. "Hey man, what's cookin'? Another love ballad?"
Taesan flushed a sheepish smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, kinda. It's about Jiwon."
Riwoo's eyes widened with intrigue. "Jiwon? The one from math class?"
Taesan nodded, his cheeks tinged with pink. "Yeah, her. I can't seem to get her out of my head."
Riwoo plopped down beside him, his eyes sparkling. "Well, don't keep us in suspense! Let's hear it."
With a hesitant nod, Taesan began to sing, his voice trembling with vulnerability yet filled with longing.
I forgot how I used to cry so much just because of one word I take it off, you end it,
whatever is happening now is inversely proportional
that time, only the advantages of each other are visible, but what's left now only harsh words with bitter feelings are you going to be a stranger like this?
I, who stupidly love you, can't let you go this easily can you be okay after seeing it? now I'm going crazy even though it's so sad, just for a moment
letting go of love when only the wound is getting bigger I don't want to lose everything because of one thing seems to be slowly buried
now it's nothing, I guess I loved you
Leehan's laughter cut through the melody, causing Taesan to falter mid-verse. "Dude, seriously? You're serenading her now?"
Riwoo shot Leehan a reproachful glare before turning back to Taesan, his expression softened. "Ignore him, Taesan. That was beautiful."
But despite Riwoo's encouragement, Taesan couldn't shake the feeling of embarrassment that haunt at him.
Weeks passed, and Taesan found himself haunted by the memory of that moment. Then, fate intervened surprisingly.
During lunchtime, as Taesan strolled through the school hallway, his eyes caught sight of a group of people crowding the announcement board. He then saw a colourful poster plastered on the board. "KOZ Singing Competition," it announced in bold letters, with details of the venue and prizes listed below.
Taesan stopped in his tracks and ran joining the crowdering group of people, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Could this be his chance to prove himself, not just to Jiwon, but to himself as well?
Leehan and Riwoo noticed Taesan's sudden pause and turned back to see what had caught his attention. "What's up, Taesan?" Leehan asked, following Taesan's gaze to the poster.
Taesan chewed his lip nervously before speaking. "It's a singing competition. I'm thinking of entering."
Riwoo's eyes widened with excitement. "That's amazing, Taesan! You've got an incredible voice. You should go for it."
Leehan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, man. This could be your big break."
Taesan hesitated, the weight of doubt pressing down on him. "I don't know, guys. What if I mess up again? Plus if you look at the name of judges, there's Jiwon's name."
Riwoo placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Hey, we've all got your back. And besides, who knows? Maybe this time, things will turn out differently."
Taesan smiled gratefully at his friends, a spark of determination igniting within him. "Thanks, guys. I think I'm gonna do it."
And with renewed resolve, Taesan set his sights on the competition ahead, ready to face whatever challenges lay in his path.
As Taesan stood on stage, his heart raced like a runaway train. The spotlight bore down on him, casting a warm glow amidst the sea of expectant faces in the audience. He clutched his guitar tight, the familiar weight grounding him as he took a deep breath, stealing a glance at Jiwon, one of the judges.
The room buzzed with anticipation as Taesan began to sing, his voice trembling with emotion yet ringing clear and true. With each note, he poured his soul into the melody, his fingers dancing across the strings as if they were extensions of his very being.
As the final chord echoed through the hall, there was a moment of hushed silence before the room erupted into thunderous applause. Taesan's heart swelled with a mixture of disbelief and euphoria as he looked out at the crowd, their faces beaming with admiration.
After a few minutes when the winner was about to be called, Jiwon rose from her seat, a radiant smile gracing her lips as she approached the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen," she announced, her voice ringing out with pride, "the winner of this year's KOZ Singing Competition is... Han Taesan!"
Tears welled in Taesan's eyes as he stepped forward to accept the trophy, the weight of his victory sinking in with each step. He glanced at Leehan and Riwoo in the crowd, their faces alight with joy and pride, their cheers mingling with the applause that enveloped him like a warm embrace.
But amidst the whirlwind of celebration, Taesan's gaze found Jiwoo's, her eyes sparkling with admiration and respect. She nodded in silent approval, a silent affirmation of his talent and courage.
Taesan knew that this moment would forever be etched in his memory. As he held his trophy, a sense of gratitude washed over him, for in that moment, he knew that he had not only won a competition but had also found the courage to chase his dreams, one note at a time.
At the backstage, Taesan waited for Jiwon to arrive and wanted to speak with her. But, Jiwon appeared before him, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Your song was beautiful, Taesan," she said softly. "I've admired your talent."
Taesan felt a warmth spread through him at her words. "Thank you," he murmured, his heart soaring.
Jiwon's smile widened. "Would you consider being my partner for future competitions?"Taesan heart skipped a beat as he met her gaze. "I'd love to," he replied, a smile spreading across his face.
