Echoes of the Alley

12 - Tangled Rhythms

The morning light filtered softly through Jisung's curtains, painting his room in warm, golden hues. He blinked against the brightness, reluctant to leave the comfort of his bed. The memory of last night's creative breakthrough lingered, but as the grogginess lifted, so did the return of familiar doubts.

What if it's not good enough? What if Minho hates it?

Jisung exhaled sharply and sat up, brushing away the negative thoughts. Felix had promised to meet him later to go over the song, and he needed to focus on that. Still, his fingers fidgeted with the edges of his notebook as he got ready for the day, flipping through the pages nervously.

—
Meanwhile, across town, Minho stood in the mirrored studio, his focus razor-sharp. The sound of Chan's playlist reverberated off the walls as Minho practiced the same combination for the third—no, fourth—time. Hyunjin lounged against the wall, sipping an iced coffee and watching.

"You know, for someone so naturally talented, you overthink way too much," Hyunjin quipped, arching an eyebrow at Minho.

Minho's movements faltered, and he sighed, dropping his hands to his sides. "It's not about overthinking. It's about precision. You wouldn't get it."

Hyunjin smirked knowingly. "You mean it's not about impressing anyone specific?"

Minho glared at him through the mirror. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing." Hyunjin's grin widened. "Just that someone who spends this much time 'perfecting' their craft might have a particular someone in mind."

"Shut up." Minho grabbed a towel and threw it at Hyunjin, who dodged it with a laugh. But as the teasing settled, Minho found his thoughts drifting to Jisung—his persistence, his earnestness, the way his face lit up when he talked about music. Minho shook his head, trying to banish the image.

He didn't have time for distractions.

—
Jisung met Felix at their favorite café, the one with the mismatched furniture and the faint smell of roasted coffee beans. The familiar setting helped calm his nerves, but just barely. Felix was already at their usual table, a smile spreading across his face as Jisung approached.

"Finally!" Felix said. "I've been waiting forever to hear this song you've been working on."

Jisung sat down, pulling his notebook from his bag. "It's... not much," he muttered, flipping to the right page. "Just a rough draft."

Felix leaned forward, eyes scanning the lyrics. As he read, his expression softened. "This is good, Sung. Like, really good."

"You think so?" Jisung's voice wavered with disbelief.

"I know so," Felix said firmly. "The way you've tied the melody to the lyrics—it's emotional but not overdone. It's perfect for... well, you know."

Jisung blushed, knowing Felix meant Minho without needing to say his name.

But as they continued to discuss the song, Jisung's anxiety began creeping back in. What if Felix was just being nice? What if Minho dismissed it the way he had dismissed Jisung's earlier attempts at conversation?

Felix must have noticed the shift in Jisung's demeanor because he reached across the table, placing a hand on Jisung's arm. "Hey. Stop overthinking. You're amazing at this, and Minho will see that."

Jisung nodded, though the tightness in his chest remained.

—
Later that evening, Minho found himself walking through the park, the crisp autumn air biting at his cheeks. He hadn't planned on being here, but his restless energy had driven him out of the studio. The park was quieter than usual, the paths illuminated by soft streetlights.

To his surprise, he spotted Jisung sitting on a bench near the fountain, his guitar resting beside him. Minho hesitated, debating whether to turn around, but something about the way Jisung was staring at the water, lost in thought, pulled him closer.

"Hey," Minho said, his voice cutting through the silence.

Jisung startled, looking up. "Oh. Hi, Minho."

"What are you doing out here?"

"Just... thinking," Jisung admitted, glancing down at his guitar. "Sometimes it's easier to clear my head when I'm not at home."

Minho nodded, understanding more than he let on. "Did you finish that song you mentioned?"

Jisung's grip on the guitar tightened. "Yeah. I think so."

"Play it for me," Minho said, sitting down on the bench beside him.

Jisung's eyes widened. "Right now?"

"Why not? I've got time."

Heart pounding, Jisung positioned the guitar on his lap. He took a deep breath and started to play, his fingers trembling slightly as they strummed the opening chords. But as the melody flowed, he lost himself in the music.

Minho listened intently, his gaze fixed on Jisung. There was something raw and vulnerable in the way Jisung performed, and it tugged at something deep within him.

When Jisung finished, the silence between them was deafening.

Minho finally spoke, his voice softer than usual. "That was... beautiful."

Jisung's face flushed. "You mean it?"

Minho nodded, his usual bluntness tempered by something gentler. "Yeah. You've got talent. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Jisung smiled, the weight of his doubts lifting slightly. "Thanks, Minho."

As they sat there, the fountain's soft trickle filling the air, Jisung felt a small spark of hope—like maybe, just maybe, things would be okay.

———————

— A/N: Sorry this chapter's kind of short, I gave up writing it halfway through.

— Recommended song for this chapter: "Motion Sickness" by Phoebe Bridgers