Unknown Number
Your phone lit up with a notification, stark against the darkness of your bedroom. You squinted at the screen—1:17 AM
Unknown number
Hey. It’s Jihoon. Got your number from Producer-nim. Hope that’s okay?
You sat up so fast your headphones yanked free from your laptop. The unfinished demo track you’d been agonizing over screeched to a halt in your ears, but all you could hear was your own heartbeat.
You’d replayed your brief encounter at Inkigayo in your head a dozen times, dissecting every second of that accidental collision—the way Jihoon had crouched to help gather your scattered lyrics, the quiet hum of approval when he’d read a line. But you never imagined he’d actually remember you.
Your thumbs hovered over the screen. A dozen responses flitted through your mind—Why me? or This is a prank, right?—before you settled on something painfully neutral.
You
Oh! Hi. Yeah, it’s fine. Surprised you remembered me, haha.
The reply came faster than expected.
Park Jihoon
Hard to forget someone who writes lyrics like “the silence between us is a language I’m still learning.”
You choked on air.
He remembered my words verbatim.
You were supposed to be asleep. Instead, you were curled on your side, phone clutched in both hands as messages piled up—each one unraveling the version of Park Jihoon you thought you knew.
The idol from variety shows was all polished charm, but this Jihoon was different. He sent voice notes laughing about his members’ snoring, complained about the saccharine coffee at schedules, and confessed he liked your lyrics because they “didn’t sound like they were trying to impress anyone.”
Park Jihoon
Most songs about love are either “I’d die for you” or “you ruined me.” Yours just sound… true.
Something warm unfurled in your chest.
You
You’re risking your reputation here. What if I’m secretly a terrible writer?
Park Jihoon
Then I’ll blame the sleep deprivation. But I don’t think I’m wrong.
Park Jihoon
Do you always stay up this late?
You glanced at the time—4:22 AM—and bit your lip.
You
Only when I’m avoiding rewrites. Or when famous idols text me out of nowhere.
His response was a voice message. You pressed play, heart in your throat.
Park Jihoon
Then I guess I’ll have to keep texting you (his voice low and teasing)
Park Jihoon
For the sake of your deadlines.
The sound of his laughter lingered in your ears long after the message ended.
Comments