The week after your appointment, you entered the recording studio again, a little nervous and expectant. This time, you weren't alone. IU was already there, quietly reading the lyrics into the microphone.
"came?"
She looked up, found you, and smiled slightly, a smile a little more natural than before.
“Yes, I’ll buy the coffee today.”
The two took a short break before recording began. IU nodded in gratitude as you poured the small coffee beans you had brought into her cup and handed it to her.
“I’ve been having a hard time working lately, but I feel stronger because you’re by my side.”
You also smiled and replied to that.
“I feel the same way. I get moved every time Ji-eun completes a lyric.”
While recording, we exchanged ideas and even occasionally joked around, like old friends.
After finishing the last song, IU spoke cautiously.
"In this song, I tried to express my feelings more honestly. I wanted to show you."
Then she took out her phone and played the recorded music. The song was soft and warm. The emotion contained in every note of her voice touched your heart.
“I really like it… I can feel the ‘heart’ that Ji-eun was talking about.”
IU smiled shyly and added quietly.
“Let’s… have a meal together next time, if you have time. Definitely.”
You nodded and answered.
“Yes, I look forward to it.”
That evening, you left the recording studio and thought,
‘I wonder if he’s no longer just a colleague sitting next to me, but someone a little more special.’