Unwritten Chords Of Love

You

Winter break had finally arrived, and with it, the promise of time to reflect, recharge, and, most importantly, write. Hanni had spent the first few days of the holiday at home, practicing her guitar and continuing to work on new songs. The quiet of the season seemed to echo the quiet she had found in herself. It was a feeling she hadn't expected after everything with Minji, but it felt like the first breath of fresh air after a long, crowded room.

As she strummed her guitar in her room one chilly afternoon, Hanni realized that she was starting to look at things differently. She was no longer waiting for an answer from someone else about what love was or how it should look. She had learned that it wasn't something you waited for—it was something you built for yourself. Love, in its many forms, was something you gave, something you nurtured. Whether it was the love of friends, the love of music, or the love you had for yourself—it all mattered, and it all coexisted.

But even with this newfound clarity, Hanni couldn't help but wonder what the next step in her life would look like. The love story she had imagined with Minji was no longer a part of her future. She wasn't sad about it, not anymore. But there was a longing for something more—for deeper connections, for deeper experiences.

She'd been in touch with Jiwoo, of course, and their friendship had only grown stronger. It was easier now, lighter—Hanni could be herself with Jiwoo in a way she hadn't allowed herself to be with anyone else. But Hanni also knew that she needed to keep moving forward, not just for her own growth, but for the possibilities that still lay ahead.

It was a few days into the break when Hanni's phone buzzed with a message from Jiwoo.

*Jiwoo: Hey, I was thinking about something. Want to grab coffee later? I've got some news.*

Hanni raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. She'd known Jiwoo for long enough to know that "news" from her could range anywhere from a funny anecdote to something much more serious. Either way, Hanni was intrigued.

*Hanni: Sure! I'll meet you at the usual spot.*

She grabbed her coat, slinging her guitar case over her shoulder, and made her way to the café they always went to. When she arrived, she found Jiwoo already sitting at their usual table by the window, her coffee cup in front of her, her expression more serious than usual.

"What's going on?" Hanni asked, sliding into the chair across from her.

Jiwoo took a deep breath, her fingers circling the edge of her coffee cup. "Okay, so... I've been thinking a lot about what's next. About where I'm going, about what I want out of this year. And... I think it's time I start doing something for myself."

Hanni's curiosity deepened. "What do you mean?"

Jiwoo met her gaze, her eyes steady. "I've decided to audition for a music program at this arts academy in the city. I want to take my music more seriously, Hanni. I've been holding back for so long, but I think this is the right time."

Hanni's heart skipped a beat, a surge of excitement rushing through her. Jiwoo had always been a talented singer, but she'd never really pursued it beyond their casual jam sessions. Hanni knew how much this meant to her friend—how much it meant to *both* of them.

"Jiwoo, that's amazing!" Hanni exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across her face. "You're gonna crush it! When's the audition?"

Jiwoo laughed softly, a little nervously. "It's in about a month. I still have some work to do, but I wanted to tell you now because... I don't know, I guess I just needed to share it with you. I've been keeping it to myself for a while, but now I'm ready."

Hanni leaned forward, her gaze full of support. "I'm so proud of you. This is huge, Jiwoo. You've been working so hard. You deserve this. And you know I'll be here for you, right? Whatever you need."

Jiwoo smiled, her eyes bright with gratitude. "Thanks, Hanni. That means a lot to me. I'm nervous, though. It's a big step, and I'm not sure if I'm ready."

Hanni's voice softened, an understanding flickering in her gaze. "None of us are ever truly ready. But that's the whole point of taking a leap, right? We take it anyway, even when we're scared."

Jiwoo nodded slowly, the nervousness in her eyes slowly giving way to determination. "Yeah. You're right. I guess I've been waiting for everything to feel perfect before I go for it, but there's no such thing as perfect."

Hanni smiled, proud of her friend. "Exactly. And no matter what happens, I know you're going to do great. This is just the beginning for you."

The two of them spent the next hour talking about Jiwoo's upcoming audition, the songs she was preparing, and what this step meant for her. Hanni could see how much this meant to Jiwoo—how it was a bold declaration that she was ready to take control of her future, to put her dreams into action. It reminded Hanni of something she'd realized recently, something she had been telling herself more and more: it wasn't enough to just wait for life to happen. Sometimes, you had to make it happen.

When they finished their coffee, Jiwoo stood up, her energy lighter than before. "Thanks for listening, Hanni. You have no idea how much your support means to me."

"Of course!" Hanni said, standing up as well. "I'm always here for you. And hey, when you get that audition, I expect front-row seats to your first concert."

Jiwoo grinned, her smile full of hope and excitement. "Deal."

As they left the café and stepped into the crisp winter air, Hanni felt a renewed sense of purpose. Watching Jiwoo take this step was a reminder that life was about growth, about pushing past the limits you set for yourself. Maybe she hadn't figured everything out yet, but she was ready to start making her own moves, too.

---

That night, Hanni sat down with her guitar, her fingers moving almost instinctively over the strings. She wasn't writing a song for Minji, or for anyone else. This song was for her. For the parts of herself she was still discovering. For the lessons she'd learned.

As the music flowed from her fingers, the lyrics came slowly, but with more clarity than ever before. It was a song about self-discovery, about finding the strength to move forward even when the path was uncertain. It was about being brave enough to take the leap, even when you didn't have all the answers.

The song, for all its simplicity, felt like a culmination of everything she had learned. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't finished. But it was hers.

And for the first time in a long while, Hanni felt like she was ready for whatever came next.

As the last chord rang out, she smiled to herself, knowing that her journey wasn't over. It was just beginning.