Together?
The days after Jungeun left were a blur of emotions for Jiyoon. The farm, once her sanctuary, now felt like an empty shell. Every corner seemed to hold memories of Jungeun—her laughter echoing in the barn, her bright smile as they picked strawberries, the warmth of her hand in Jiyoon’s. The necklace Jungeun had left behind became her constant companion, its weight a reminder of the promise Jungeun had made and the dreams Jiyoon hadn’t yet dared to chase.
But amidst the ache of longing, a seed of clarity began to take root. Jiyoon couldn’t stop thinking about Jungeun’s words: Be ready to chase your dreams. For so long, she had allowed her fears to dictate her life. But now, with Jungeun gone, she realized something profound—she couldn’t let her go.
Late one evening, sitting under the sprawling oak tree that had been their favorite spot, Jiyoon opened her notebook. Her pen hovered over the blank page, her mind racing with emotions too big to contain. Slowly, the words began to flow, a melody forming in her heart as she poured herself into the song. It was a love letter to Jungeun, but also a declaration of her newfound determination—a promise to herself to take the leap.
The next morning, Jiyoon packed a small bag, her heart pounding with both fear and excitement. Her father, though surprised by her sudden decision, offered his full support.
“You’ve always had a fire in you, Jiyoon,” her father said, his voice steady with pride. “It’s time you let it burn bright, your mother would be so proud of you."
Jiyoon hugged him, tears in her eyes. With the necklace around her neck and her notebook clutched tightly in her hand, she set off for Seoul.
The city was overwhelming at first—the noise, the crowds, the sheer vastness of it all. But Jiyoon refused to let her fear take over. Instead, she focused on her purpose: Jungeun.
Through a mix of determination and a bit of luck, Jiyoon found her way to izna's new company. The sleek building loomed before her, its glass exterior reflecting the bustling streets around it. She took a deep breath and stepped inside, her palms clammy as she approached the receptionist.
“Hi, I’m here to see Jungeun,” she said, her voice wavering slightly.
The receptionist gave her a polite but skeptical smile. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but—” Jiyoon hesitated, then straightened her shoulders. “Please, it’s important. I’ve come a long way to see her.”
The receptionist frowned, but before she could respond, a familiar voice called out.
“Jiyoon?”
Jiyoon turned to see Jungeun’s bandmate, Mai, standing a few feet away, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.
“Mai!” Jiyoon exclaimed, relief flooding her. “I need to see Jungeun. Please, can you help me?”
Mai studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Follow me.”
The rehearsal room was alive with energy when Jiyoon stepped inside. Izna was mid-practice, their voices harmonizing beautifully as they worked through a new song. Jungeun stood at the center, her focus unwavering as she hit every note with precision and passion.
Jiyoon’s breath caught in her throat. Seeing Jungeun again, so radiant and confident, made her heart swell. But it also reminded her of the gap between their worlds—a gap she was determined to close.
When the song ended and the group took a break, Jungeun turned toward the door. Her eyes widened in shock as they landed on Jiyoon.
“Jiyoon?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chatter around her.
Jiyoon stepped forward, her legs trembling but her resolve firm. “Hi, Jungeun.”
Jungeun crossed the room in a few quick strides, stopping just short of Jiyoon. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone a mix of confusion and wonder.
“I had to see you,” Jiyoon said, her voice steady despite the rapid thudding of her heart. “There’s something I need to tell you. But first…”
She glanced at the others in the room, who were now watching the exchange with open curiosity. “Can I borrow a guitar?”
Jungeun blinked. “A guitar?”
Mai, ever the quick thinker, handed one over with a knowing smile. Jiyoon took it, her hands shaking slightly as she adjusted the strap and tuned the strings. Jungeun watched her, a mix of anticipation and disbelief in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Jiyoon began to play. The melody was simple but heartfelt, the chords resonating in the quiet room. Then she started to sing, her voice trembling at first but growing stronger with each word.
"I’ve been afraid of falling, of stepping into the unknown,
But your love has shown me a path I can’t ignore.
In your eyes, I see the courage I’ve always longed for,
And in your heart, I’ve found a home worth fighting for.
So here I am, ready to take the leap,
For love, for dreams, for the life we’re meant to keep.
Together we’ll face the world, no matter how far,
Because you’ve shown me who I truly are."
By the time Jiyoon finished, tears were streaming down Jungeun’s face. The room erupted into applause, but Jiyoon only had eyes for Jungeun.
“Jungeun,” she said softly, setting the guitar aside. “I’m ready. Ready to leave my comfort zone, to face my fears, to chase my dreams—if it means being with you.”
Jungeun stepped closer, her hands cupping Jiyoon’s face as her tears continued to fall. “Are you sure?” she whispered. “This isn’t an easy path, Jiyoon. There will be challenges, long nights, and sacrifices. I don’t want you to give up your life for me.”
Jiyoon shook her head, her own tears spilling over. “I’m not giving up my life. I’m starting a new one—with you. I’ll write songs, I’ll sing, I’ll do whatever it takes. Just… don’t let me go.”
Jungeun pulled her into a fierce hug, her arms wrapping around Jiyoon as if she never wanted to let go. “I’ll never let you go,” she whispered. “I love you, Jiyoon.”
“I love you too,” Jiyoon murmured, her heart soaring.
The weeks that followed were a whirlwind. Jiyoon moved to Seoul, splitting her time between writing songs for izna and working on her own music. Jungeun supported her every step of the way, encouraging her to push past her insecurities and embrace her talent.
Their relationship deepened as they navigated the challenges of their new lives. Late nights in the studio turned into quiet moments of reflection, where they shared their fears and dreams. Busy schedules tested their patience, but their love only grew stronger as they learned to balance their ambitions with their commitment to each other.
Jiyoon found joy in collaborating with izna, her lyrics adding a new depth to their music. Her own songs, inspired by her journey, began to gain attention in the industry. Slowly but surely, she started to carve out a space for herself, proving that she was more than just a girl from a small village.
Jungeun, too, thrived with Jiyoon by her side. Her performances grew even more passionate, her confidence bolstered by the love and support she felt from Jiyoon. Together, they became each other’s anchors, their bond a source of strength in an often chaotic world.
One evening, after a particularly successful performance, Jungeun and Jiyoon found themselves on the rooftop of their apartment building, gazing at the stars.
“Do you remember what you said under this sky?” Jiyoon asked, her head resting on Jungeun’s shoulder.
Jungeun smiled, her fingers tracing patterns on Jiyoon’s hand. “I said I’d come back for you.”
“And you did,” Jiyoon said softly. “But I think, in a way, I came back for myself too.”
Jungeun turned to her, her eyes shining with love and pride. “You did. And I’m so glad you did.”
They sat in comfortable silence, the city lights twinkling below them and the stars stretching endlessly above. In that moment, they knew they had found something rare and beautiful—a love that not only brought them together but also helped them grow into the best versions of themselves.
Jiyoon laced her fingers with Jungeun’s, her heart full. “Here’s to chasing dreams,” she said with a smile. “Together.”
Jungeun squeezed her hand, her smile mirroring Jiyoon’s. “Together.”
And as they sat under the vast expanse of the night sky, they knew they were exactly where they were meant to be.