She stopped mid-melody.
One hand still resting on the keys.
The other reaching into her pocket.
Ha-Joon noticed first. "What are you doing?"
Ji-Ah didn't answer.
She pulled out her phone, tapped the screen a few times, then placed it gently on top of the piano.
A familiar intro crackled softly through the speakers.
Anyone who knew, knew.
That beat.
That rise.
That particular ache wrapped in rhythm.
Ha-Joon's eyes flickered in recognition immediately.
Ji-Ah smirked just a little.
"Don't look at me like that," she said. "It's been a while."
And then—
"Lost my way… found my way…"
She started playing along.
Not perfectly at first.
But confidently.
Her fingers caught the melody quickly, weaving the piano into the song like it had always belonged there.
The studio shifted.
Nisa gasped softly, both hands flying to her mouth. "No way."
Do-Hyun blinked once, then smiled slowly. "She chose that song?"
Of course she did.
Ji-Ah's head tilted slightly with the rhythm, that loose strand of hair bouncing every time she hit a stronger note.
Min-Hyuk straightened from the wall.
"Okay," he muttered. "Okay."
Seo-Yeon didn't say anything, but her eyes widened in quiet approval.
Ha-Joon?
He didn't move.
Didn't breathe much either.
He just watched her.
Because this wasn't just random.
This song was about losing direction. Finding it again.
Choosing your own path when everything felt uncertain.
And earlier tonight, he had walked past them like he didn't want to be found.
Ji-Ah's playing grew stronger.
More confident.
She wasn't just copying the melody now.
She was adding small flourishes. Soft harmonies underneath. Little emotional touches that made it hers.
Nisa started swaying unconsciously.
Do-Hyun chuckled under his breath. "I forgot she could do this."
"You didn't forget," Min-Hyuk said quietly. "You just haven't seen it in a while."
Seo-Yeon folded her arms, but there was warmth in her posture.
"She's dramatic," she murmured. "But she backs it up."
Ji-Ah hit the chorus fully now.
"Lost my way…"
Her left hand pressed deeper into the lower keys, giving it weight.
"…found my way…"
Her right hand danced lighter, brighter.
The studio filled with something bigger than sound.
It felt like reclaiming.
Ha-Joon finally leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees.
He smiled.
Not teasing.
Not sarcastic.
Proud.
She glanced at him mid-play.
Just for a second.
And there it was.
That look.
Not loud. Not obvious.
Just a silent I'm still here.
He gave the smallest nod.
Nisa wiped at her eye dramatically. "Why am I emotional?"
"Because you're soft," Do-Hyun replied.
Min-Hyuk shook his head, impressed. "She could've just asked what was wrong."
Seo-Yeon's gaze didn't leave Ji-Ah. "She did."
Ji-Ah finished the final progression, letting the last note linger.
The song faded from her phone.
Silence again.
But not the heavy kind.
This one felt earned.
She lifted her hands from the keys slowly.
"Well," she said, trying to sound casual. "I still remember."
Ha-Joon stood.
Walked closer.
Stopped right beside the piano.
"You never lost it," he said quietly.
She rolled her eyes.
"Careful. You're getting sentimental."
He gave a faint smirk.
"Don't get used to it."
But the way he looked at her said something else entirely.
And this time, nobody teased.
They all just stood there in the soft glow of the studio lights, knowing they had just witnessed something that wasn't loud…
But mattered.
-----
The last note still floated in the air when Ha-Joon straightened.
The softness in his face folded away neatly, like he had tucked it into a drawer for later.
He turned to Do-Hyun first.
"You," he said calmly, pointing. "And Nisa."
Then his gaze shifted to Min-Hyuk.
"And you."
Min-Hyuk blinked. "Should I be concerned?"
"Yes," Ha-Joon replied. "You all need new clothes."
Do-Hyun frowned. "For what?"
"For survival," Ha-Joon answered dryly. "Mom and Sister are coming."
That did it.
The room shifted.
Nisa inhaled sharply. "Already?"
"Soon," he confirmed. "Which means you can't show up looking like background characters."
Min-Hyuk glanced down at his outfit defensively. "This is respectable."
"This," Ha-Joon said evenly, "is comfortable. There's a difference."
Ji-Ah snorted.
Ha-Joon's eyes moved to her.
The tone changed slightly.
"You," he said.
She lifted her chin. "Me."
"Go pick up my suit."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"And yours."
"Why mine?"
"Because," he replied smoothly, "I trust your choice."
The room went quiet again.
Ji-Ah narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You trust my taste?"
"I trust you won't embarrass me," he corrected.
"That's not the same."
"It's close enough."
He walked toward the desk, grabbing a folder of papers like this was already decided.
"I have work to finish," he added. "I'm not going."
Min-Hyuk stared. "You're sending us alone?"
"You have four hours," Ha-Joon said, checking his watch. "Use them wisely. Or don't. But don't come back looking tragic."
Do-Hyun folded his arms. "You're very calm for someone who just played emotional background music."
Ha-Joon ignored him.
Nisa looked between Ji-Ah and Ha-Joon carefully. "You're really okay with her choosing your suit?"
Ha-Joon didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Ji-Ah felt that more than she expected.
She crossed her arms. "And if I pick something outrageous?"
"Then I'll assume you're declaring war."
Min-Hyuk laughed. "Please pick something outrageous."
Seo-Yeon nudged him. "You're not helping."
Ha-Joon stepped toward the door.
"Mall," he reminded them. "Now."
"Bossy," Ji-Ah muttered.
He paused at the doorway.
Turned slightly.
Met her eyes.
"You have good taste," he said simply.
Not teasing.
Not dramatic.
Just honest.
Then he stepped out.
The studio door clicked shut behind him.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Min-Hyuk exhaled. "Well. That was authoritative."
Do-Hyun nudged Nisa gently. "Ready to face fashion judgment?"
Nisa smiled nervously. "I suddenly feel pressure."
Seo-Yeon glanced at Ji-Ah. "You're smiling."
"I am not."
"You are."
Ji-Ah rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag.
"Four hours," she declared. "If I'm choosing his suit, he's going to regret giving me power."
But there was something lighter in her voice.
Because trust, from someone like Ha-Joon, wasn't loud.
It was deliberate.
And she intended to choose something unforgettable.