VINTAGE MELODIES

The Slip-Up

After her suspicions from the previous week, Hanni couldn't shake the idea that Minji and Min might somehow be connected. The thought lingered in her mind, teasing her curiosity with every passing day. She spent her free time scrolling through social media and checking her phone, trying to find any little detail that might confirm her theory. Her heart told her there was something more to Minji than met the eye, and her intuition urged her to keep looking.

At school, she made a point to sit with Minji at lunch and walk with her between classes. Minji was often reserved, but Hanni noticed her friend was increasingly nervous around her, as if she could sense the subtle investigation. And despite her shyness, Minji always seemed willing to hang around Hanni—even as she clearly tried to keep a distance.

---

That Friday afternoon, Hanni returned to *Rewind Records*, more determined than ever. She'd come up with a plan to get Min to talk about himself. If she could get just a few more clues, maybe everything would finally make sense.

"Hey, Min," she greeted as she entered, her voice smooth but slightly mischievous.

Minji, in her work attire and back in her "Min" persona, gave a polite nod, feeling her nerves rise. The dual life was becoming harder to maintain, especially now that Hanni's gaze seemed sharper, more attentive than ever.

Hanni leaned casually on the counter, watching Minji as if she were trying to read her mind. "I was wondering if you could help me with something personal today," she began, glancing around the empty shop.

Minji's expression stayed neutral, though a flicker of worry crossed her eyes. "What do you need help with?"

"I want to make a playlist for someone close to me," Hanni said, carefully studying Minji's reaction. "They're... someone quiet but deep, you know? Someone who likes old music with a story to tell."

Minji's heart skipped a beat. She knew Hanni was describing her. She tried to maintain her composure, but her hands fidgeted ever so slightly with a stack of CDs.

"Sure," Minji said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I could put something together for you. Maybe a few jazz classics or some early alternative rock."

"That would be perfect," Hanni replied with a small, knowing smile. "Funny thing is... this person reminds me a little of you."

Minji tensed, but she kept her eyes focused on the counter, sorting the CDs with intense concentration. "I'm sure I'm not that interesting," she said, trying to deflect.

Hanni leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Why don't you tell me more about yourself, then? You're here all the time, giving everyone advice on music, but nobody really knows anything about you. Where do you go to school? What do you do for fun?"

Minji felt her pulse quicken. Hanni's curiosity had reached its peak, and it was only a matter of time before the truth slipped. She could feel herself teetering on the edge.

"I prefer to keep work and my personal life separate," Minji replied coolly, though her voice shook just a little. "I'm just here to help people find good music."

Hanni smiled playfully, sensing Minji's discomfort but refusing to back down. "Come on, Min. You don't have to be all mysterious with me. I thought we were friends."

At that word—"friends"—Minji felt a pang of guilt. She "did" consider Hanni a friend, perhaps more than a friend, and that realization made the deception feel heavier.

---

The next day at school, Hanni decided to try another approach. She pulled out her phone, going over the playlist Min had recommended, hoping for another clue. As she sat in class, she glanced over at Minji, who was absorbed in her notebook, sketching as usual.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a notification—"Rewind Records" had posted a new photo on their social media. Hanni tapped it open, noticing the picture featured a handwritten music recommendation list in the store. She recognized the handwriting immediately—it was unmistakably Minji's.

Her heart raced. This was it. The handwriting matched perfectly with the notes she'd seen Minji scribbling in class. She'd been right all along.

---

After school, Hanni didn't wait. She caught Minji just outside the classroom, determination in her eyes.

"Hey, Minji," she called, her voice firmer than usual.

Minji turned, her heart sinking as she saw Hanni's expression. She knew she couldn't avoid this any longer.

"I need to ask you something, and I want the truth," Hanni said, stepping closer.

Minji nodded, barely able to breathe.

"You're... Min, aren't you?" Hanni's voice was softer than she'd intended, a mixture of hurt and surprise.

For a moment, Minji stood frozen, unable to meet Hanni's gaze. She could feel her carefully constructed facade crumbling. There was no use hiding anymore.

"Yes," she whispered, looking down at her feet. "I'm Min."

Hanni took a step back, processing the revelation. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I thought... I thought it would change things," Minji admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "At first, it was just a way to keep my life separate. But then... you started coming by, and it was harder to keep the truth from you. I was afraid you wouldn't understand."

Hanni took a deep breath, trying to wrap her head around it all. "But... why the disguise?"

"Working at "Rewind Records" let me be someone else," Minji said quietly. "Someone confident, someone people could look up to. It was easier than being the quiet girl everyone ignored at school. I liked feeling like I could be your friend, even if it wasn't completely honest."

Hanni's expression softened as she realized just how vulnerable Minji felt. "Minji, you didn't have to pretend. I liked hanging out with you because of who you were, not because of some mystery. You're *already* that person. You didn't need to hide it."

Minji looked up, a small, tentative smile on her face. "You really mean that?"

Hanni nodded, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Of course I do. I mean, you still owe me an explanation for the whole double-life thing. But... I get it now."

They stood there in silence, a newfound understanding settling between them. The weight of the secret had lifted, replaced by a tentative trust.

"So, now that the truth's out," Hanni said with a playful grin, "maybe we can hang out somewhere other than *Rewind Records*. What do you say?"

Minji's face broke into a genuine smile, the relief and warmth flooding her expression. "I'd really like that."

As they walked down the hallway together, side by side, Minji felt a lightness she hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time, she was free to be herself with Hanni, no disguises, no secrets. And she knew that was all she'd ever really wanted.