VINTAGE MELODIES

The Mysterious Employee

It all started on a rainy afternoon. Hanni, an upbeat high school junior with a knack for fashion and a passion for music, was wandering through the quieter part of town. She loved this area with its small cafes, thrift shops, and quirky boutiques—each place with a personality as unique as her own. Today, though, she was on a mission. Her dad's birthday was around the corner, and she wanted to
surprise him with something special.

That's when she spotted *Rewind Records*, a vintage CD and vinyl store tucked away between a used bookstore and a dimly lit coffee shop. She'd heard about the place but had never been inside. As she stood outside, taking in the faint scent of rain mixed with warm vinyl, something pulled her in.

The tiny bell above the door chimed softly as she stepped inside, and instantly, Hanni was wrapped in a world of rich, earthy sounds. The walls were lined with rows upon rows of records and CDs, each one promising the magic of old, forgotten melodies. And there, at the back counter, stood an employee with an air of quiet mystery.

He was tall and slim, dressed in loose vintage clothes that seemed to match the store's ambiance perfectly. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, framing his serious expression. But what struck Hanni most was the way he moved—calm, focused, and with a subtle elegance that somehow made him stand out even in this eclectic setting.

Trying to play it cool, Hanni approached the counter and held up a random CD. She cleared her throat. "Hey, do you have any recommendations? I'm looking for something... unique."

The employee glanced up, his eyes briefly meeting hers before he returned his attention to the CD she held. His voice was soft and deep, with a steady tone that felt perfectly in tune with the ambiance of the shop. "That's a good one, but if you're looking for something really unique... try this."

He slid a different CD across the counter. Hanni looked at the cover—a faded image of an old jazz band wave to earth, nothing she'd ever think to pick up on her own. But she trusted his judgment instantly. There was something about his calm confidence that made her want to know more.

"Thanks," she said, feeling a little starstruck. As she paid for the CD, she noticed he didn't wear a name tag, only adding to his mysterious aura.

"See you around," he said, offering her a small, polite nod as she turned to leave.

Walking out of *Rewind Records*, Hanni's mind was buzzing. Who *was* this guy? He hadn't said much, but his presence had left a lingering impression on her. She found herself wishing she could return just to ask him more about the music, about his style—anything, really. For the first time in a while, someone had managed to leave her genuinely curious.

---

Back at school the next day, Hanni took her usual seat near the back of the classroom, where her assigned seat was right next to Minji, a quiet and reserved girl who kept mostly to herself. Unlike Hanni's bright, lively style, Minji's wardrobe was simple, almost blending into the background. Hanni had tried to chat with her before, but Minji usually offered little more than polite responses and brief nods.

Today, though, Hanni was in a great mood, her mind still spinning with thoughts of her "mystery guy" at *Rewind Records*. She caught herself sighing dreamily during class, thinking about how cool he'd looked, wondering what else he knew about music.

"What's with you today?" a friend whispered from a nearby desk.

"Oh, nothing!" Hanni grinned, catching herself. She didn't mind the teasing; it was all part of her usual vibe. "I just found this awesome CD shop yesterday. You should have seen the guy working there. He's, like... I don't know. Really cool."

From her peripheral vision, Hanni thought she saw Minji's shoulders tense slightly, but she didn't think much of it. As she continued telling her friend about the "mystery employee" who was obviously her latest crush, she noticed Minji growing unusually still beside her.

Unbeknownst to Hanni, Minji's heart was pounding. She could barely believe what she was hearing. Of all the customers who visited *Rewind Records*, Hanni was the one who had come in that afternoon. Hanni—the same girl who sat right beside her in school, so full of light and life, talking openly about her "crush" on the "cool guy" in the CD store.

Minji glanced at Hanni from the corner of her eye. She was talking with animated excitement, her eyes sparkling as she relived her brief encounter. And here she was, right next to her, sharing a laugh with her friends as if Minji weren't there, hiding a secret that she suddenly didn't know how to handle.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Hanni stuffed her things into her bag, still chattering with her friend. "Maybe I'll go back this weekend," she mused aloud. "I'd love to get another music rec from him. I mean, who knows what he might suggest?"

Minji took a deep breath, keeping her face calm and steady as she packed up her own things. She couldn't afford to react or let her thoughts slip. As much as Hanni's enthusiasm was oddly endearing, she knew that revealing herself wasn't an option. She wasn't ready to lose the quiet anonymity she had at the store.

But as she watched Hanni leave the classroom, her heart fluttered in a way she couldn't quite ignore.