Love Again

21

Taehyung sat in the recording studio, his fingers resting lightly on the control panel as the sound of the track played through the speakers. He leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, listening carefully to the vocals of the new female singer he was working with. The melody was hauntingly beautiful, her voice rich and filled with emotion. It reminded him of the early days when he first started producing music-back when things were simpler.

The singer, Minji, stood behind the glass in the recording booth, adjusting her headphones as she waited for his feedback. She was talented, undeniably so, and Taehyung had been excited to work with her. She had a raw, powerful voice that could easily captivate an audience, and her lyrics came from a place of deep emotion.

Taehyung clicked the intercom. "That was great, Minji. Let's try it one more time, but with a little more softness on the bridge. I want it to feel more intimate, like you're speaking directly to someone."

Minji gave him a thumbs up, her bright eyes sparkling with determination. She was eager to impress, and Taehyung could see a lot of potential in her.

As she started again, Taehyung's mind wandered, as it often did these days. The music provided a temporary escape, but it wasn't enough to keep the nagging thoughts of Seokjin and Jungkook away. It was hard to focus when everything in his life seemed to be spiraling out of control.

The scandal with Jennie, the public breakup with Seokjin, and the fallout from everything he'd done were still fresh in his mind. His career, once thriving, had taken a hit. And though he was trying to move forward, there was always a sense of regret lingering in the back of his mind. Regret for how things had ended with Seokjin. Regret for how he had let his selfishness destroy something so pure.

But Taehyung was determined to move on. That's why he had thrown himself into his work, producing and mentoring new artists like Minji. It kept him busy, kept him distracted from the emptiness that gnawed at him when he was alone.

"Perfect!" Taehyung said, snapping out of his thoughts as Minji finished the final take. "That's exactly what I was looking for."

Minji beamed, clearly pleased with his praise. She stepped out of the booth and joined him in the control room, taking a seat beside him. "Thanks, Taehyung-oppa. I was nervous at first, but you make it so easy to work in here."

Taehyung smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You did great. You're going to make a big impact with this track."

They spent the next hour going over the recordings, adjusting little details and adding final touches. Minji was full of energy, asking questions about production techniques and showing a genuine interest in learning from Taehyung.

As they worked, Taehyung couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in seeing her talent grow. But there was also a bittersweet edge to it. He couldn't help but think about how, in another life, Seokjin might have been sitting here beside him, listening to the music, sharing in his passion.

Minji must have noticed his momentary distraction because she glanced at him curiously. "Is everything okay, oppa? You seem... a little off."

Taehyung blinked, surprised by her observation. He quickly shook his head, offering her a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, just tired. Long days in the studio, you know?"

She nodded, though she didn't seem entirely convinced. "Well, I hope you're taking care of yourself. You're a great producer, but even you need to rest."

Taehyung chuckled softly, appreciating her concern. "I'll be fine. Let's focus on making this song perfect for you."

They continued working, but Taehyung's thoughts kept drifting. Every time he looked at the screen, the waves of audio felt like a reflection of his own chaotic emotions. The past haunted him, and no matter how much work he did, it wasn't enough to drown out the memories.