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Johnny couldn’t recall when was the first time he saw his neighbor. He’s pretty sure he moved in first, because somewhere in his memory, he remembered catching a glimpse of various cargo boxes next door while he got out to buy some drinks for Yuta and Jaehyun who visited him. Although, it wasn’t really clear when that happened. He didn’t give it a second glance.
He could recall, however, the first time he saw his neigbor dance.
Before you come to any conclusions: no, Johnny wasn’t spying on his neighbor on purpose. He was not a creep. It simply happened by chance. He stayed up late to finish a presentation he’s supposed to show at work the next day, and it’s very uncommon for him to still be up at around two in the morning. He was stretching his limbs after packing up his desk, getting ready to go to bed when he caught a glimpse of something moving by his window.
Two am isn’t exactly the non-scariest time, so Johnny couldn’t blame the hairs on his arms and back when they rose up in surprise. He himself jumped out in his spot when he saw the movement. In a hurry, he went towards the window with the intention of closing the blinds so his mind would stop playing tricks on him.
He didn’t even manage to go halfway through that.
The presence of a silhouette froze Johnny in his tracks. At first, all he could see was a figure moving around the room. However, as he found himself watching said figure for a few more minutes, he then realized that the figure was dancing.
Johnny knew his neighbor’s name, of course. He spoke to Taeyong maybe once or twice when the guy knocked on his doorstep to borrow Johnny’s vacuum cleaner because his own equipment broke down. He knew that Taeyong was a sous-chef in one of the seafood restaurants down the next block because he often sees him from his window bringing home a few leftovers from work. He also knew that Taeyong had a younger brother living with him because said younger brother once came by his doorstep to share some roasted chicken from Taeyong’s work with Johnny.
However, that’s all he knew, and he never really bothered to get to know Taeyong any more than that.
However, on that night, when Taeyong spun in his place and the light both from the moon and the lampposts illuminated his being, Johnny concluded another thing.
The figure was dancing, and the figure was beautiful.
Johnny can’t really hear the music that Taeyong was dancing to, but he didn’t really have to. For all he knew, Taeyong couldn’t even be dancing to any beat. But regardless of that, his carefree movements while his eyes were closed and the tips of his lips were tugged upwards still looked so breathtaking.
Taeyong was a good dancer, Johnny could really see that. But there was something else that drew Johnny to the window and admired the way Taeyong would subconsciously smile as he gracefully executed every dance step.
Soon enough, said smile reflected on Johnny’s face. He glanced at his wrist watch and saw that fifteen minutes had already passed. He still had a presentation tomorrow, so he really needed to sleep. Johnny gave a silent nod towards a still dancing Taeyong before he finally resigned to his bed.
There was something in the way Taeyong danced that kept every single one of Johnny’s heartstrings tugging. He couldn’t figure out what, but Johnny knew there was something.
The smile did not leave his face even as he fell asleep.
Johnny didn’t intentionally wait to watch Taeyong dance every single time. Although the other guy definitely left an impression on him, that didn’t mean that he would voluntarily stay up at night just to see if his neighbor dancing was a one time thing he just happened to catch or if it was a routine. He mostly minded his own business and just tucked the memory somewhere at the back of his head, not really putting too much thought in it.
However, on the times where the studio would require Johnny to stay up late again to work on demos and come up with more ideas, he’d get a glimpse of the next door apartment’s window, and he’d see the same silhouette dancing freely inside their room. Before he even knew it, his lips were turned up to a smile.
There are nights where Taeyong would be dancing to what seemed like hip hop choreography, and then there are nights where he’ll be gracefully moving along to traditional dance. Sometimes, he just goes freestyle as well, creating movements that society wouldn’t be able to classify because they were all his own.
In all those nights, though, Johnny appreciated him. Taeyong looked like he was really dancing to his heart’s content, and those bits of hearts that flowed through his every movement managed to reach the opposite apartment, where Johnny was admiring him.
Johnny has worked in the music industry for a good number of years now. He studied it for half of his life and was now planning to spend the next half working for it. However, not once did he ever think of this type of music, of the silence that still manages to create a rhythm for someone to create an entirely beautiful dance.
The days are dreary, but nights like these make Johnny smile even just a little bit.
Johnny should’ve known that Taeyong wouldn’t really be dancing every single night.
On a particular Monday, after discussing the studio’s new internship program and then grabbing drinks with Jaehyun and Yuta afterwards, Johnny found himself arriving home at one in the morning. His only plan that time was to freshen up, download the minutes of the meeting that would be emailed to him, and then sleep.
During times like these, Johnny would try to catch a glimpse at the window just to see if his neighbor was still dancing his heart out. He wondered what type of dance it would be this time.
However, he didn’t see a familiar silhouette dancing.
He just saw a regular window with the blinds closed.
Johnny paused for a moment, thinking about how unusual that was, but then again, he realized that it wasn’t really a worrisome thing if Taeyong doesn’t dance for one night.
He fell asleep that night while convincing himself that it wasn’t a big deal.
“No second years,” Yuta said. “As much as I want them to fully appreciate their potential, the amount of schoolwork they have will just hinder their overall performance.”
“I see your point,” Jaehyun countered. “But if they really want to work for this internship as early as possible, who are we to deny them that?”
“I just don’t want to push them too hard,” Yuta reasoned out. “Last time we had second years in the studio, they were all so close to breaking down. They lost so much sleep and all.”
Jaehyun opened his mouth to say something, but then he paused and shut it. He turned to Johnny who was just silently watching their exchange. “Are you asking me?”
Jaehyun shrugged. “You’re the big boss.”
“Yeah, what do you think?” Yuta added.
Johnny sighed, gathering his thoughts before he spoke. “I think you both make fair points. Although I understand Yuta when he said that he didn’t want second years to compromise their education and health for this, I also understand Jaehyun that closing this door of opportunity for them might hinder growth. But the thing is, none of us here are second years, so we don’t really know their way of thinking.”
Yuta and Jaehyun exchanged looks, realizing together that Johnny made a point.
“You should try hearing out a previous intern who worked during their second year here and also one who plans on working this year,” Johnny said.
Jaehyun nodded. “You’re right, you’re right.
“Guess we’ll have to check on Jungwoo to relay it to the students,” Yuta said, moving to his computer. “I’ll draft the email.”
While Yuta started to work, Jaehyun turned to Johnny. “Any luck on your side of the job?”
“You know me,” Johnny said. “I accept everyone.”
“Yeah, but this is a big deal, you know?” Jaehyun said, scooting his office chair nearer to Johnny’s so he can minimize the volume of his voice. “This is your first time producing a song all on your own. I know you usually command producing teams and they have huge respect towards you, but having you do it all alone is a really big deal.”
“I never denied that,” Johnny told him. “And if you’re telling me this just to convince me to still use a professional singer and not an aspiring college undergraduate, I will not hear you out.”
Jaehyun shrugged. “Worth a shot. I’m just looking out for you and your big break.”
Johnny looked around at the studio that he once only dreamed of, at the rooms that were once just sketches he drew at the back of Yuta’s third year transcript notes, at the buzz of life around the area who belong to people looking up at him, and all he could return to Jaehyun was a smile. Still, it was a smile that was enough.
“I’ve already had my big break,” Johnny told him, still fondly looking around. “It’s time I let someone have theirs too.”
Johnny shouldn’t be worried, but he was.
Two nights after the unusual lack of dancing silhouette by the nearby window, Johnny came home late after celebrating the birthday of a co-worker’s fiancé. He was half expecting to see another glimpse of Taeyong dancing by the window when he got home that night.
However, there was none.
The window wasn’t shut as well, and the blinds weren't closed. And yet the darkness inside the room was there, like Johnny had never seen it before.
Quiet.
It wasn’t the same silence that he was sure made Taeyong dance.
Johnny shouldn’t be worried, but he was.
On one particular night, Johnny stayed up binge watching a particular drama that Jaehyun recommended. He convinced himself that he was doing this because the plot was getting really good (it really was!) but a small part of him knew that he’s doing this because he was worried.
When the clock hit two am, he craned his neck a little bit from his bed to check out the neighbor’s window.
The only thing that greeted him was the same, quiet darkness.
Johnny let out a heavy sigh as he fell asleep.
He tried again the next night, but the exact same thing greeted him.
He tried again for several nights, but there was still no sign of the vibrant dancer next door.
After a few more tries, he eventually gave up, after mildly convincing himself that it wasn’t something to lose sleep over. It was no big deal.
(Still, he couldn’t stop thinking about it.)
There was a knock on his office door. Before Johnny could even open it, Jaehyun was already letting himself in.
“Your young artists are here,” Jaehyun said, leaning against the doorframe. “Also, I talked to Jungwoo a while ago and apparently, the only production plan he knows are the usual production routines we do every year?”
Johnny blinked at him. “And?”
Jaehyun sighed. “You haven’t told them that you’re going to participate and produce on your own.”
“I didn’t want to tell anyone,” Johnny replied.
“You told Yuta and me.”
“We’ve known each other since we were wearing halloween costumes in fifth grade. Of course I’d tell you.”
Jaehyun shrugged. “Any particular reason as to why you’re keeping your little project a secret?”
“You know why!” Someone said from the hallway, and then after a few seconds, Yuta was standing right beside Jaehyun by the door in Johnny’s office. “He might be the big boss here, but people will interfere.”
Johnny laughed and sent Yuta an appreciative nod. “Thanks, man.”
“Anytime,” Yuta beamed, and then he turned to Jaehyun. “People like you, may I add.”
Jaehyun gave Johnny a deadpan stare. “You told him?”
It was Johnny’s turn to shrug.
“I, on the other hand, think it’s a great idea to let a student sing the song you’ll produce,” Yuta winked. “I’m glad you’re giving them more opportunities.”
“Exactly what I meant,” Johnny said, standing up from his seat and making his way to his friends. He turned to Jaehyun with a smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll put my faith in you.”
“Me?” Jaehyun pointed to himself. “All of a sudden?”
“Yeah,” Johnny said. “You’re the one mentoring the vocal department of students, right? Maybe you can find a dreamer for me in there.”
Jaehyun looked pleased at the thought of Johnny placing his trust on him, so he smiled and patted Johnny on the shoulder. “Will do.”
That night, Johnny took his chances again. However, Taeyong’s window was still filled with quiet darkness.
Jaehyun entered the office with a disheveled look, the takeout he ordered barely dangling from his hand as he grudgingly made his way to Johnny’s desk.
Yuta, who almost had a spoonful of coleslaw in his mouth, dropped his food and raised an eyebrow at Jaehyun. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Jaehyun sighed. Johnny immediately pulled the chair beside him so Jaehyun could sit. “Just… Some students are a bit difficult to handle.”
Yuta shrugged and finally ate his food. “You’ll manage.”
“Easy for you to say,” Jaehyun said, taking out the paper box of the rice meal he ordered. “There are no interns in the design team. They know what they’re doing and they want to be here.”
Johnny’s eyebrows furrowed at Jaehyun’s last sentence. “Come again?”
“Just this one third year,” Jaehyun sighed. “When we did our preliminaries, he was really good. Amazing control and technique, unique voice color, remarkable range. Really great vocalist. But, during our lessons, I could see him slacking off. I thought it was just his nerves at first, that’s why I let him be for a few more days. However, his behavior didn’t change so I told him gently that if the company decides to end his training, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Yuta let out a low whistle. “That’s money wasted.”
Johnny shook his head. “No, we usually refund if they end their training. It’s a monthly paying basis anyway.”
“Yeah, and when I told the student that,” Jaehyun continued while fixing his food. “I was expecting him to be sad. But, he looked like he liked that option.”
“Of dropping out of training?” Yuta asked.
“Yes,” Jaehyun answered. “I was a bit saddened but then I saw him a while ago by the canteen, he was looking at Doyoung and the others. You know, the team that makes the guide vocals for our songs? And he was looking at them so admiringly, like he wanted to be there. And I was genuinely confused because if he really wants to drop out, then why does he look at them like that? Like he wants to be here?”
A little bit of silence reigned in the atmosphere for a while, and the only sounds that can be heard are the airconditioner in the room and Yuta’s spoon scraping the coleslaw from the container walls.
“He must be going through something,” was the only thing Johnny could offer.
“I was thinking of the exact same thing!” Jaehyun exclaimed. “I really want to help him out and I don’t want to waste his potential, but he’s just… so closed off and unpredictable.”
“You can’t exactly force him to open up to you,” Yuta pointed out. “But I feel bad. If it’s something serious, I’m sad that the kid had to be burdened by it when he’s supposed to be having fun and discovering himself and pursuing what he loves.”
“And you know what?” Jaehyun added. This time, he gave Johnny a particular look. “When I first heard him, I really thought he was the perfect one for your song. I just… I don't know how to help him.”
Johnny patted Jaehyun’s shoulder. “You know, the fact that you’re concerned about him is telling enough.”
“I agree,” Yuta chirped. “Don’t beat yourself up too much, Jae. I’m sure you’re doing all that you can do.”
Again, no dancing Taeyong that night.
“What’s taking Yuta so long?” Johnny asked Jaehyun as they stood by the entrance of the studio. “I thought he was just looking for his phone?”
“And his wallet,” Jaehyun added. “He forgot where he left it.”
Johnny only laughed at that.
They proceeded to talk about things in the studio, about the new project that the lyrics team is proposing, the upcoming wedding of one of their co-workers, and reminiscing about their college days when a bunch of interns passed by the entrance and greeted them on their way home.
“Johnny,” Jaehyun’s voice dropped into a whisper.
Johnny moved closer, confused. “What?”
“Okay, don’t be obvious,” Jaehyun whispered. “But remember that kid I told you I was worried about?”
Johnny nodded.
Jaehyun made a slight nudging gesture with his head towards a certain direction. “That’s him.”
Johnny did his best to be subtle as he slowly raised his head and looked around. When he finally saw the person Jaehyun was talking about, he almost froze in his spot.
He knew that face.
It was the same face that offered him roasted chicken from his brother’s restaurant. It was the same face he’d see outside the street, helping his brother out while he trimmed the bushes in front of their apartment. It was the same face he’d encounter sometimes in the local grocery store nearby.
It was Taeyong’s brother.
The worry that Jaehyun shared with him a few days back started to get on him as well, the words rushing back to his head. Whenever Johnny saw Taeyong’s brother, he would always be cheerful. However, that’s the exact opposite of what Johnny was seeing right now.
He then remembered about Taeyong no longer dancing in his room, and Johnny felt even more concerned. Surely, this wasn’t a coincidence.
“You know him?” Jaehyun asked after registering the look on Johnny’s face.
Johnny sighed. “Kind of…”
“Donghyuck!”
For the second time today, Johnny froze. He knew that voice.
Jaehyun looked startled as well, probably wondering who could be calling for his student.
Just like Johnny predicted, there by the pavement stood Taeyong, waving Donghyuck over with a small smile.
“Must be his brother,” Jaehyun mused as Donghyuck made his way to Taeyong.
Johnny smiled a little bit. “He is his brother.”
“Seriously, do you know them?”
“Yes,” Johnny glanced at them from the corner of his eye. Taeyong was ruffling Donghyuck’s hair. “They’re my next door neighbors.”
“Oh,” Jaehyun said, nodding slightly. “I’ve never seen them whenever we came over.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s not like you had to be familiar with the people I live around with.”
“Hyuck, we’ve talked about this,” they heard Taeyong say.
Both Johnny and Jaehyun didn’t dare to turn their heads. Johnny figured that Taeyong and Donghyuck must be having their own conversation and that just a few seconds ago, Taeyong raised his voice.
“I know, but I still don’t think it’s fair,” Donghyuck countered, his voice raising as well.
“How can it not be?” Johnny swore Taeyong almost sounded broken. “It has been your dream since you were little. This is the greatest opportunity that came your way.”
“But I don’t want the way I have it!” Donghyuck said. “You gave up your dream years ago just so we could live comfortably. And then you had to give it up again! I don’t want that, hyung.”
Johnny felt Jaehyun grip his arm subtly. He could feel the other guy’s concern as the pieces slowly started to fit together.
There was a pause, and Johnny could hear a little bit of shuffling before Taeyong spoke again. “I know you believe that dancing has been my dream since I was young—“
“Because it is!”
“—and it’s true. That’s why when the opportunity to dance again came up, I was excited. But Donghyuck, the moment you were born and Mom was asleep and Dad wasn’t around and the doctors let me hold you in the meantime, I knew that making you happy was my new dream. And it’s a bigger dream than any other dream I’ve ever had. Do I regret not taking that training opportunity at the dance center just so I can take that job at the restaurant? No. Because if I didn’t do that, then we would still be stuck at that house, with a Dad who doesn’t care and a Mom who’s no longer there. Making my little brother happy is the biggest dream I have. Trust me.”
“B—but,” Donghyuck replied, and it’s only then that Johnny could hear faint sobs. Jaehyun gripped his arm harder. “But I’m not happy because… because I held you back again.”
“You did not hold me back, Hyuckie,” Taeyong reassured. “This was my choice. Okay? I just really had to pay our dues that time, and it was my choice to use my funds for the dance program. When I have extra money again, I promise you, I’ll take that program.”
“Just let me drop out,” Donghyuck insisted. “It’s not even a month yet. They’ll refund the money and you’ll have money to enroll.”
“No,” Taeyong said firmly. “I won’t let you do that.”
After that, their voices were once again lowered to whispers. Both Jaehyun and Johnny could no longer hear the conversation, and they did not bother trying again. They both knew that the next words would be too personal. They’ve already pried enough.
They heard a little bit of shuffling, and then retreating footsteps, and when Johnny looked at the same spot again, both Taeyong and Donghyuck were gone.
“Oh god…” Jaehyun sighed. “Now I know why.”
“Yeah,” Johnny mumbled as he kept staring at the pavement where Donghyuck and Taeyong used to be. From the background, he could hear Yuta calling out to him and Jaehyun about finding his phone and wallet already. Still, Johnny could only focus on what just happened.
“Now I know why.”
As expected, there was no dancing Taeyong by the window.
The worry that Johnny used to feel is now replaced by a sad feeling of heartache.
As Johnny started to think more about it, he started to piece everything together. From Jaehyun’s statements and the abrupt stopping of Taeyong’s dancing, it just all fit.
He knew it shouldn’t bother him a lot, but it did. Even though he didn’t know these people the way he knew Yuta and Jaehyun, he still wanted to help. He didn’t know where this sudden surge came from, but he knew that from the moment he caught a glimpse of Taeyong dancing his heart out happily that one night, he knew that something had changed.
“Okay,” Jaehyun told him. “You can stay there behind that window. It’s tinted, so you can watch them but they won’t be able to watch you. They’re my best picks for your song. Choose well.”
Johnny nodded and sat on the chair reserved for him. “Thank you, Jae.”
Jaehyun then went out the door and Johnny was left to observe the students that Jaehyun hand picked for his producing debut. For years, Johnny always worked with a team and contributed greatly. This time, he’s doing it all on his own, so he had to choose right.
“When is Mr. Jeong coming?” Johnny heard one of the students say.
“In about ten minutes?” Another one answered. “I hope he doesn’t come, though. I’m tired.”
“I know, and we haven’t even started yet!” Someone added. “Did you know I only took this training because it’s the closest one to uni?”
“I feel you,” another one laughed. “I don’t really like singing. But I heard famous artists drop by here every now and then so I thought to myself that there’s no harm in entering.”
Several more conversations like that resurfaced, and although there were a few who were there because they genuinely wanted to sing, he still felt down. Jaehyun was probably aware of their attitude and that’s why he suggested this observation to Johnny, so Johnny could see it for himself.
Johnny thought about how there are so many people who’d do anything to be in their spots right now, and yet there they are, not even appreciating it.
It broke Johnny’s heart.
When Jaehyun entered the classroom and the conversations ended, Johnny only sighed and left.
The quiet darkness was still the one by the window that night.
It’s been a few weeks since Johnny last went out for groceries, and he was running out of food in his fridge. That was how he ended up by the fruit aisle of the nearby grocery store, deciding on which brand of preserved apple should he buy. He even texted Yuta to ask which brand he should get, but Yuta only unhelpfully replied with an “idk”. Jaehyun didn’t know anything about apples either, so he didn’t bother trying.
He was about to consider another brand when he heard someone singing.
“You had to do it all alone; make a living, make a home. It must have been as hard as it could be.”
Johnny paused for a while. He knew that voice somewhere. Soon enough, the singing started to become louder.
“And when I couldn’t sleep at night, scared things wouldn’t turn out right. You would hold my hand and sing to me.”
That’s when Johnny realized that the song wasn’t coming from a person. Sure, it was a person singing it, but from the way Johnny is hearing it, it was more of a recording than anything else.
Indeed, when he turned his head sidewards, he saw someone holding the phone that was also the source of the singing voice.
And then Johnny saw the person beside him, and he froze.
Taeyong was there, looking at the selection of fruits as well. When he noticed that someone was staring, he turned to Johnny’s direction and their eyes met.
Johnny couldn’t recall if he and Taeyong ever made eye contact with each other for more than a split second other than the time Taeyong borrowed his vacuum cleaner. He didn’t know what to react so he just stood there, staring at Taeyong.
Taeyong was the one who broke the silence and smiled. “Hey! You’re Johnny from the apartment next door, right?”
Johnny blinked and regained his stance. “Y—yeah, that’s me.”
Taeyong decreased the volume of his phone and then put it inside his pocket. “Sorry about that… my earphones were broken and I’ve made it a habit to listen to my brother’s covers whenever I shop.”
“Oh?” Johnny mused. “That was your brother?”
“Yeah,” Taeyong said, and there’s unmistakable pride in his voice. “He’s a really great singer.”
“I heard that,” Johnny chuckled. “You must be really proud of him.”
“Very much,” Taeyong beamed. “I love my brother a lot. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”
Thinking about the conversation he and Jaehyun overheard, Johnny’s heart ached at Taeyong’s words. However, there was also that admiration he felt whenever he saw Taeyong dancing. The look on Taeyong’s face right now was the same look he had whenever he delivered his movements—full of heart.
It made Johnny smile.
“So,” Taeyong said, breaking Johnny’s trance. “What were you buying?”
“Oh,” Johnny scratched the back of his head. His almost empty cart looked a little funny next to him. “I didn’t know which brand of apples to pick.”
Taeyong picked out a pack whose brand was neither of the ones Johnny considered and then handed them to Johnny. “Try these. I always use them when making fruit salad at the restaurant. They’re also not that expensive, and they’re really tasty.”
Johnny took the pack of apples and placed them in his cart. “Thank you.”
Somehow after that, their conversation just naturally flowed between them. They mostly talked about Taeyong’s job and the rest of their neighbors on their street. Somehow, Taeyong ended up helping Johnny pick out his groceries and Johnny did the same to him. Occasionally, whenever Donghyuck is mentioned, Taeyong would speak with more pride and Johnny could tell that he really loved his brother.
They took the same way back since their apartments were right beside each other’s anyway, and when Taeyong finally bid him goodbye, there was only one thing that Johnny could think about.
This was a guy who deserved to dream.
When Johnny stayed up that night and saw that there was still no dancing silhouette, he grabbed his phone and texted Jaehyun, no longer caring about the time.
jae, he typed. i know what i want to do.
Jaehyun handed the files to Johnny with a smile. Leaning by the doorframe, Yuta smirked. “Still think it’s not a good idea that he’ll let an aspiring undergrad sing his song?”
“You’re right,” Jaehyun admitted, still smiling. “It’s better this way.”
Johnny read through the file and signed the pages. “Did you tell Donghyuck yet?”
“I did,” Jaehyun replied. “I made sure to let him know about it first thing he got here.”
“He did,” Yuta agreed. “I swear, the kid almost cried. My heart went out for him. I’m really glad you’re doing this, Johnny.”
“Me too,” Johnny said, handing the papers back to Jaehyun. There was a big smile on his face. “Me too.”
“How’s he doing?” Johnny asked Jaehyun when he came across him in the studio.
Since Johnny chose Donghyuck to be the one he’ll produce music for, Jaehyun was allowed to give him extra vocal lessons and training. Because Donghyuck would be the one working for Johnny, he wouldn’t have to pay for anything else because Johnny would be the one handling expenses. That meant he would be continuing his training for free.
“He’s doing great!” Jaehyun said. “Brighter than I’ve ever seen him. You’ll love working with him. When are you planning to meet him again? Apparently, when I told him the head of the studio will produce a song for him, he didn’t know that it was you.”
“Probably tomorrow,” Johnny said. “As you’ve said, he’s doing great. It’s about time we start working anyway.”
“I agree—“
“Mr. Jeong!”
Johnny saw Donghyuck rushing towards where Jaehyun stood.
“Hey there,” Jaehyun greeted, ruffling Donghyuck’s hair. “What’s up?”
“I’ll go ahead first,” Donghyuck said. “My brother will be here in a while to pick me up and—oh hello!”
It was only then that Donghyuck realized that Johnny was there. Recognition reflected on his face as soon as he saw Johnny.
“Hello,” Johnny greeted back.
“I didn’t know you worked here, hyung,” Donghyuck beamed. “I haven’t seen you around!”
“Well, I’m mostly lounging in my office, that’s why,” Johnny chuckled. “I do occasionally come out of it whenever Jaehyun would drag me out.”
“I don’t drag you out. That’s Yuta,” Jaehyun clarified from beside him.
“You have your own office here?” Donghyuck marveled in awe. “That’s so cool.”
Johnny then met Jaehyun’s eyes, and a silent moment of understanding passed between them. Jaehyun gave him a shrug and mouthed a little go for it before Johnny turned back to Donghyuck.
“I do,” Johnny started with a smile. “I’m actually the head of this studio.”
Realization dawns over Donghyuck in an instant. From the corner of his eye, Jaehyun could see Johnny smiling fondly at the scene. But then again, Johnny was smiling too.
“Wow…” Donghyuck breathed out. “I—I can’t thank you enough. This means a lot to me.”
Johnny smiled warmly at him. “You deserve it.”
“For real!” Donghyuck beamed, and Johnny could see a little bit of his brother in Donghyuck’s eyes—full of heart, as always. “This means a lot to me, and to my brother as well. Ah, hyung, I don’t know how to—“
He’s cut off by a little ping coming from his pocket. When Donghyuck opened it, his face lit up and then he looked back at Johnny.
“Hyung,” he said with a glimmer in his eye. “Come with me.”
“What—“
But Donghyuck was already walking towards the front door. When Johnny turned to Jaehyun, his friend simply shrugged once again and said, “Go ahead. I’ll hang out with Yuta in a while anyway.”
Johnny nodded and went after Donghyuck.
“Hey,” he said once he stepped out of the entrance. “What’s up—“
He didn’t get to finish what he was saying because he froze in his tracks. He immediately spotted Donghyuck by the pavement, waving at him. Right beside him, of course, was Taeyong, who looked like he just arrived to pick up Donghyuck.
“Johnny?” Taeyong asked the moment he registered the guy’s presence. “You work here?”
Johnny scratched the back of his head while laughing. “I’ve never told you that?”
“You told me you were a producer,” Taeyong mused. “I didn’t realize you work here.”
“Well…” Johnny trailed as he carefully made his way to where they were. “Now you know.”
“He’s the head,” Donghyuck immediately interjected. Taeyong’s eyes went wide. “He really is! He’s the one who chose me for his solo project.”
Taeyong was simply at a loss for words.
“Yeah, that’s me,” Johnny chuckled. “Your little brother’s really talented. I can’t think of any other person who deserves this opportunity more than him. I’m really thankful that he came to the studio.”
“So are we!” Donghyuck beamed. “If it weren’t for you taking me in, my brother would’ve given up on this dance program that he really wanted to go to.”
“Hyuck…” Taeyong warned, but he was smiling. He then turned to Johnny once again. “Thank you. I— I really don’t know how to thank you. I—“
“It’s okay,” Johnny reassured him. A thought crossed his mind, and then, “I was once a dreamer too.”
So long as you still put your heart in everything you do, Johnny thinks. Then we’re good.
He didn’t say that out loud, but Taeyong’s smile widened, as if he got the message even though Johnny did not speak. “By the way, Donghyuck and I are going to head to my restaurant in a while. We’re serving a risotto special today so I want him to taste it. Would you like to join us?”
Taeyong’s expression was familiar. It was the same expression he had when he was dancing and when he was talking about Donghyuck—full of heart. And maybe, that’s just how he really is.
And the fact that Johnny is seeing all of this up close, it was really impossible to say no.
“Sure,” Johnny replied. “I’d love that.”
Johnny stayed up accompanying Yuta in his Netflix Party as they watched the latest episode of the drama they were anticipating. When the episode ended, it was already two in the morning. Yuta bid him good night and Johnny did the same.
As he was packing up his laptop and cords, he caught a glimpse of the neighbor’s window again, and this time, he couldn’t help the smile that was on his face.
Gone was the dark, quiet silence that used to reside by the window these past few weeks. What was there was the silhouette of a guy dancing his heart out to a rhythm nobody can hear but everybody can feel.
Johnny couldn’t help but watch Taeyong as the guy laughed to himself happily while dancing around the room.
And then, Taeyong did his usual spin and when he stopped, he made eye contact with Johnny from his window.
Johnny braced himself, thinking about how Taeyong must be feeling embarrassed and then he would close the blinds and then he’ll be apologizing to Johnny the next day.
However, Taeyong did none of those things. When he saw Johnny, he simply smiled and waved.
And right there, in that moment, Johnny felt so full of heart—he thought about how the happiness in Taeyong’s face when Johnny first saw him dancing was enough for Johnny to help him reach his dream.
He smiled at the thought. After all, the world could use a little kindness, a lot of dreams, and people full of heart.
With that, while still smiling at Taeyong, he waved back.