Unwritten Chords Of Love

Cherished

Months before the end of the school year, the countdown to Minji's graduation had started, but Hanni refused to think too much about the inevitable farewell. Instead, she focused on making the most of the time they had left, savoring each moment, each shared laugh, each song played. Their lives had changed in ways they couldn't have predicted, and with Minji's departure on the horizon, Hanni was determined to embrace every second of their remaining time together.

It had become a daily ritual of sorts—after school, they'd meet up, whether to rehearse for their band's final gig or just to hang out. The music room had become their haven, a space where time slowed down, and nothing mattered except the sound of their instruments and the connection they shared. They'd play anything—original songs, random covers, even just fiddling around with chords. The spontaneity felt freeing, like each jam session was a conversation without words.

One evening, after another impromptu rehearsal, Minji and Hanni sat on the floor of the music room, their instruments strewn around them. The warm glow of the setting sun filtered through the windows, casting soft shadows over the room. They had just finished playing one of their favorite songs, their voices blending together effortlessly.

Hanni leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes for a moment as she listened to the faint sound of cars passing outside. Minji, ever the quiet observer, was sitting beside her, her guitar resting on her lap. There was a peace between them now, a comfortable silence that spoke volumes without needing to fill every moment with words.

"You know," Minji began, her voice soft but steady, "I really don't want this to end."

Hanni turned her head, meeting Minji's gaze. There was a certain sadness in Minji's eyes, but it was mixed with something else—determination, maybe, or acceptance. The reality of her impending graduation weighed heavily on both of them, but Minji wasn't one to dwell on the heavy things for too long. She was good at finding the light, even in the darkest of moments.

"I don't either," Hanni said quietly, her heart tight. She wasn't ready to say goodbye. Not yet. But instead of focusing on the sadness, she reached out, gently nudging Minji with her shoulder. "But hey, we still have time. A few months. We'll make the most of it, right?"

Minji smiled softly, and for a moment, Hanni felt that familiar rush of affection. It was like a wave that pulled her under, warm and overwhelming. She didn't have the words for it, but she didn't need them either. The bond they shared was enough.

---

The days blurred into each other. They spent hours in the music room, playing together, laughing, and teasing each other. Sometimes, they'd take breaks to grab food at their favorite café, sitting by the window, their fingers entwined over their drinks as they talked about everything and nothing. It was in these little moments—sipping on iced lattes, sharing bites of pastries, and trading stories—that Hanni found herself falling deeper in love with Minji, even though she knew that love was temporary. Or maybe it wasn't—maybe it was just part of their journey, like the music they made.

They'd stay out late, watching the stars from the rooftop or talking about their hopes for the future. There were moments when Minji would rest her head on Hanni's shoulder, their arms brushing, and it felt like the world had paused just for them. The vulnerability they shared in those moments was everything. They had both grown so much since that first meeting, but the connection they had now felt even stronger. It was a quiet, steady thing, like a slow-burning fire that needed no words to prove its existence.

One evening, after a particularly intense jam session, they both collapsed on the floor in exhaustion. Their guitars lay beside them, the sounds of their last song still ringing in their ears.

Minji turned to Hanni, her face softening as she caught Hanni's gaze. "I don't know what I'd do without this," Minji said, her voice low and earnest. "Without you."

Hanni felt her chest tighten at the sincerity in Minji's voice. "You won't have to. We'll always have music. Even when you leave."

Minji gave a small, bittersweet laugh, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I hope that's true."

For a while, they just lay there, side by side, as the quiet of the room settled around them. Hanni wasn't sure what the future held, but in that moment, she couldn't imagine anything better than this. The music, the friendship, the closeness they shared—it was everything.

---

As the weeks passed, their time together seemed to shrink, and Hanni couldn't help but feel the pressure of the approaching end. Minji's graduation was just months away, and despite their best efforts to enjoy the present, it was hard not to think about what would happen when she left. Hanni didn't want to imagine a life without Minji's warm presence, without the late-night talks, without the laughter they shared. It was hard to even think about the band breaking up, knowing that Minji wouldn't be there to practice with them anymore.

One evening, when they were sitting on the rooftop, the sky painted in hues of pink and orange, Minji leaned into Hanni, resting her head on Hanni's shoulder. They had just finished a song together, the music still echoing in Hanni's ears, and the world felt quiet, like it was holding its breath.

"I don't want this to change," Minji murmured, her voice barely audible.

Hanni sighed, threading her fingers through Minji's hair, the touch soft and reassuring. "I don't either. But... you know, things don't always stay the same. And that's okay. We've made something beautiful, and I'll always cherish that."

Minji tilted her head slightly, gazing up at her with a gentle smile. "I'll always cherish you, Hanni. No matter what."

Hanni's heart fluttered at her words, the vulnerability in them touching a deep place within her. She had known, for a long time now, that she would never forget Minji. That no matter what came next, Minji would always be a part of her.

"I'll cherish you too," Hanni whispered back, her voice thick with emotion.

And then, as if the universe itself understood the importance of the moment, a gentle breeze swept through the rooftop, carrying the scent of the city and the distant hum of the world below. It was as if time itself had paused, allowing them this one final moment of peace before everything shifted.

---

No matter where Minji went, she would always carry Hanni with her, just as Hanni would carry Minji in her heart.

The future was uncertain, but in that moment, it didn't matter. They had each other now. And that was enough.