Last Melody

The Weight of Silence

The rain stopped, but Seoul was still stuck in a heavy, gray fog that felt like a wet blanket. Min-Hee was on her balcony, holding the cold metal railing so tight her knuckles were white. She felt like a ghost in her own body. When she closed her eyes, the world spun; she could hear her voice cracking on that high note and the crowd yelling—it didn’t sound like cheering anymore, just wolves ready to attack.

The doorbell rang, loud and non-stop.

Min-Hee didn’t move. She didn't want to see Manager Kim’s sad look or Seo-Yoon’s angry face. She just wanted to disappear into the fog. But the bell kept ringing, then a voice that made her stomach turn.

“Min-Hee? Min-Hee, please. I know you’re in there.”

She walked to the door like a robot. She opened it a c***k, the chain still on.

It was Lee Ji-Hoon. He looked perfect, like he came out of a magazine—hair styled just right, wearing a coat that probably cost more than what she made from her first three songs. He looked like the main character in a cheesy romance show, but to Min-Hee, he looked like a thief.

“Min-Hee,” he said, sounding really sad. “Thank God. I’ve been calling and texting like crazy. Why aren't you answering? I was so worried.”

Min-Hee just stared. She looked at the eyes that used to make her feel strong, the mouth that promised “forever” while he was planning to ruin her. He kept talking, but his voice sounded far away—like a blurry picture of someone she never really knew.

“I didn't know Sora would put it out so soon,” Ji-Hoon said, getting desperate. “I only played it for her because I was so proud of you. I didn't think she’d actually take it. You have to believe me, Min-Hee. We can fix this. I can talk to her people—”

The more he talked, the hotter the hallway felt. Min-Hee felt anger growing in her chest, burning away the numbness. He stood there, looking rich, acting like he was the one being hurt.

“Min-Hee, say something,” he begged, reaching for the door. “Don't look at me like I don't even exist.”

“You don't,” she said. Her words were quiet, but they were sharp.

She took off the chain and opened the door, stepping into the hallway. He stepped back at how angry she looked.

“You want me to talk? Fine,” she said, her voice shaking with anger. “Thank you, Ji-Hoon. Thank you for showing me how little a soul is worth in this business. You’ve done enough. Way more than enough.”

“Min-Hee, I love you—”

“Don't say that!” she yelled, her voice bouncing off the walls. “Go away. Get out of here. Get out of my life. If I ever see you again, I don't know what I’ll do.”

A car screeched to a stop. A bright yellow car pulled into a spot, and Seo-Yoon jumped out, her purple hair messy, looking ready to kill someone when she saw Ji-Hoon. She didn't walk; she ran.

“You son of a—!”

Seo-Yoon didn't wait for him to say anything. She kicked Ji-Hoon in the side like she knew what she was doing. He gasped, falling to the ground, his expensive coat spread around him.

“Seo-Yoon! Stop!” Min-Hee said, but she didn't really mean it.

Seo-Yoon stood over him, breathing hard, pointing a finger. “You’ve done enough, you two-faced jerk! You sold her out! You ruined her! Get up and leave before I finish the job!”

Ji-Hoon got up, holding his side. The “perfect boyfriend” look was gone, replaced by a nasty look. He looked at Min-Hee, then at Seo-Yoon, his eyes cold.

“You think you’re so great?” he said, backing away. “Look at yourself, Min-Hee! You’re a joke! You’re done! Without me, without that song, you’re just a has-been. You’ll be begging me for help when you're down and out!”

The gate slammed shut as he left.

Sora was on a couch, happy about her #1 hit. She held a tablet, her eyes glowing from the screen, then, she said into her phone, “The accountants are done, Ji-Hoon. Every bit of Min-Hee’s debt is now tracked back to her secret accounts. She won't just be broke; she’ll be a criminal.

"I didn't just take 'Let It Burn,' Ji-Hoon, she said, tapping the tablet. I deleted all her old work. Every song she never put out. Everything she did. She has nothing left to prove she was ever good".

Back in the apartment, it was quiet again. Seo-Yoon turned to Min-Hee, her anger gone, replaced by worry. She tried to hug her, but Min-Hee felt like she was about to break.

“Come on,” Seo-Yoon said. “Let's go inside.”

They barely made it to the living room when the door opened again. This time, it was Manager Kim. He didn't knock. He walked in looking sad.

“Kim-oppa?” Seo-Yoon asked. “What happened?”

Manager Kim looked at Min-Hee, his eyes red. He put a letter on the table.

“The Board met this morning,” Kim said. “Because of the song scandal... the bad song... and the money issues... they’ve ended your contract. Right now.”

Min-Hee felt dizzy. Ended?

“There’s more,” Kim said, looking away. “They’re using the debt thing. They’re taking the apartment, the car, and your money. You have two days to leave. Min-Hee... they’ve left you with nothing.”

A sound broke the silence. A small laugh. Min-Hee started to laugh—a scary sound that got louder. She laughed at how crazy it all was: the boyfriend who stole her, the friend who kicked him, and the company that used her and threw her away when she was no longer useful.

The laughter ended, turning into a sob. She fell to the floor, crushed by everything. She didn't just cry; she broke.

Meanwhile, Lee Do-Hyun was at a gate made of bone and mist, in a place with no sun or wind.

The Entrance to the Spirit World.

He saw a bright light on the other side—promising warmth. He tried to walk forward, but his legs were heavy. Something blocked him.

“It is no use, boy.”

Do-Hyun turned. The Gate Master was there, wearing dark robes, his eyes like dying embers.

“Why can't I go through?” Do-Hyun asked. “I'm dead. I fell. Why am I still here?”

The Gate Master stepped closer. “You have something you need to do. Something so strong it's keeping you here. Your soul is tied to the living world.”

“The notebook,” Do-Hyun said.

“You are a Wanderer now,” the Gate Master said. “But be careful: this place is dangerous. Souls that stay here too long start to change. They become evil, full of the fears they couldn't leave behind.”

Do-Hyun gasped as his hand hurt.

He looked down. Black lines were spreading up his skin.

The change had started.

“If you don't do what you need to do soon,” the Gate Master said, disappearing into the mist, “the darkness will take you over. You will become the monster that destroys the thing you stayed to protect.”

Do-Hyun looked at the light of the spirit world, then at the black on his hand. He thought of Min-Hee—her broken heart, her stolen song, her ruined life. He didn't go toward the light. He turned back to the living world.