Today, she had found a reason to be happy. The air was hot, just the way she liked it to be during the summer; she could still remember running through the grass in her home town, racing her sisters to the edges of the cliffs to watch the waves crash against the rocks and the shore so far down below.
The memories always left a sharp ache in her chest, but today, she could move past it and enjoy the moment. Soojin wandered through the park, shoes in hand so that she could feel the grass beneath her feet. It tickled in the most pleasant way against her bare skin.
Soojin had discovered a new song, I Only Know Love, and it was the source of her happiness. The song is more than a bit melancholy, but it reminds her of the way music used to be; the styles and tones, the rhythms and notes, it was the same as it was when she was growing up.
When she had been turned and left to fend for herself in a brand new, terrifying, cold world.
Soojin sang happily, imagining herself on stage, in the old bar she used to work in. She missed that place; it had been enough to satisfy the loneliness in her. She finished her song on a pure note, letting her shoulders drop with a satisfied sigh.
The approach of another almost startled her; she usually didn’t lose herself enough for someone to sneak up on her. Soojin watched the guy, but her apprehension disappeared with the compliment - and vanished completely with the rose.
He was different like her. And she didn’t meet others like herself often.
“My goodness, thank you!” Soojin bowed, holding the flower to her chest. It was cold to the touch and shimmered beautifully in the sun. “Oh, I was once upon a time. I’m glad you enjoyed my song!”
⸻ THE SMILE HE HAD RECEIVED FROM THE GIRL WAS REWARD ENOUGH FOR HIS LITTLE EXPLOSION OF COURAGE TO BE WORTH IT. “You have one of the prettiest singing voices I have ever heard.” Granted, the young man heard very little in his life but somehow he knew even with his limited experience that what he had experienced was exceptional. “You should be a professional singer, I think.” He continued speaking, smiling at the beautiful woman. “I’ve recently learnt of this thing called therapy by music and I didn’t understand it up till now but hearing you I can honestly imagine someone listening to you and genuinely healing.” Soo spoke out, not even thinking whether or not he was overstepping any boundaries or if he came through as genuine or not. He still didn’t know how to lie and for now at least, Jaehee had chosen not to teach him about such things so the creature spoke his mind fully, openly taking for granted that his words were heard and believed.
The man stood in front of the woman, looking at her with a smile before a thought hit him and he shifted in his position uncomfortably wondering whether or not he could impose upon a stranger. Quickly, he decided he would not know unless he asked her. “Uhm... may I ask what it was like? To be a singer, I mean.” He clarified almost immediately. “What does it feel like to have people come to you just to listen to your voice? What does it feel like to have the power to make someone smile?”