Chapter Text
It was just one of Lee Jihoon’s boring days, sitting on his couch as he flips through the tv channels. It was his request to have a week vacation. Vacation means, staying at his cozy apartment all day, free of stress. His friend Seokmin plopped himself beside him and took the remote from Jihoon, inputting SBC Channel. When the entertainment headline appeared, Jihoon can only roll his eyes while Seokmin gave him the grin.
“Producer and songwriter Woozi is once again the talk of the country when music awards shows released their set of nominees for Daesang and 80% of the songs nominated was made by him. As you all may know, Woozi is the faceless producer of Pleid Ent. who made his debut 2 years ago through the popular singer, DK, whose song Downpour is still unbeatable as the highest streamed song for a solo singer. Usually the artist or the group whom he chooses to sing his songs were able to grab at least one Daesang in award shows. We have interviewed a few of the artists Woozi produced songs with:
“ We haven’t really saw Woozi-nim’s face. We just enter the recording room and see a heavily tinted glass and he just speaks through the speakers.”
“His voice was quite small i think. But he has this stern voice that makes you want to listen and obey his teachings.”
“He’s really patient and he once encouraged me when I thought I won’t be able to sing the song properly. His songs were always so beautiful and meaningful. It was a pleasure and a big opportunity for having one of my songs--”
The interview was cut off and the tv was turned off after Jihoon finally stole the remote from Seokmin.
“Hey! Why did you do that. I was watching it.” Seokmin whine while pouting and Jihoon scrunches his face up in disgust. It was not cute at all.
“I don’t want to see your face being interviewed and to hear what you’re going to say.” He deadpans, while settling the channel to Animal Planet.
“But being the only artist to know who Woozi really is, is a privilege, hyung. And I’m so- so lucky to have such a wonderful and cute and--” Jihoon stuffed Seokmin’s mouth with the popcorn the younger had on his lap.
“Stop with the cheese. And I told you not to call me cute.” Jihoon snapped but Seokmin just laughed it off while munching the popcorn instead.
Jihoon is actually the one thankful to Seokmin. If not because of him, maybe, Jihoon won’t be where he is today.
2 years ago, Seokmin went to his apartment (he barged in) startling the older while he was eating his breakfast. “Write a song for me.” Seokmin says so serious he made Jihoon laugh since the Seokmin he knows doesn’t know what serious means..
“Your company will not let someone like me to make your songs, Seokmin.” Jihoon continued eating his breakfast, hearing the chair beside him being pulled.
“But hyung, I want to sing your song. I’ve heard thousand’s of them--”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“And everything is beautiful no matter what genre it is.”
“I really shouldn’t have let you hear them.”
“Please hyung, pretty please. I already told my company that I know someone who makes great music. I bet on it so you have to do it for me.” Seokmin, gave him this puppy-eye look and Jihoon sighed, placing his chopsticks on his plate.
“Look, Seokmin.” He turned to the younger, a sad smile on his face. “You know I stopped writing songs after high school. It’s been what? 2 years since then? I just can’t do it--”
“You won’t do it because it reminds you of him .” Seokmin interjected, a frown forming on his forehead and now he’s the one sighing. “Like what you said hyung, it’s been two years already. For two years, you suffered. It’s still as if your world only revolves around him, controlling you even though he’s not here anymore. Jisoo hyung said how you were always having fun writing songs and I know it's for him- But you also wrote a song for your parents and for Jisoo hyung-- you told me you'll delete your songs and move on when you made me listen to it. Did you even do it? And don’t even deny it when i say you still write because i saw your scribbled songs thrown on your trash can.”
There was silence between after Seokmin spoke, more like snapped and Jihoon knows the latter is right. He heard the screeching of the chair again, and Seokmin stood up from his seat. “You need to move forward, hyung. Don’t let the past stop you from doing what you love.”
And then Seokmin was gone.
A lone tear escaped from Jihoon’s eyes and he couldn't stop it. He constantly wrote songs whenever he thinks of something but stops in the middle of it once he remembered the reason why he stopped writing. He was looking for the compliment he wouldn’t get anymore since he’s gone already.
Jihoon shook his head, chuckling because as much as he doesn't want to say it, Seokmin was right. He should be done moping about him and move on already. Waiting for someone who haven’t showed up for four years feels like a loser. He wiped his tears away and continued eating while tapping on his phone. One ring and the call got answered.
“Come here tomorrow at 9 and don’t be late.”
“Jihoon, we have a new project.” The first thing their CEO told him right after his vacation. He loves (not in a romantic way) their CEO, Choi Seungcheol, but hates him at the same time. He looks at Jihoon like he’s some sort of a toddler and coos at him every time Jihoon is frowning. You’re too cute , he says. Then Jihoon can only roll his eyes and pretends not to hear him.
One thing Jihoon was glad though was when Seungcheol agreed for Jihoon to hide his identity and be called “Woozi”. After seeing Seokmin being chased by paparazzis and antis spreading false rumours, Jihoon would rather stay hidden and live a normal life. After listening to Jihoon’s song, Seungcheol asked him to work for him and immediately gave Jihoon a recording studio of his own where the glass which separates him and the artist is tinted.
“Carat Ent. is going to debut a solo artist and they want you to produce for their song.” Seungcheol has this smile on his face that Jihoon couldn’t decipher. “After having a long talk with their CEO, I’ve decided to agree with their offer.”
“Okay?” Woozi sounded doubtful. There’s something their CEO is not telling him. He shrugs it off anyways. “He or she? What’s their name?”
“His name is Hoshi .”