*(1)*
The evening rain produced gentle musical notes which seemed to be the world's apology to itself.
*(2)*
Eli Seo performed his final song in a dimly lit rehearsal space under dim fluorescent lighting.
*(3)*
His vocal delivery wavered between his ability to create beauty and his voice cracking apart.
His voice produced a sound which resembled a heart that used to believe in radiant light.
*(4)*
The microphones remained turned off.
The cameras had disappeared from the scene.
The stage had become nothing more than a distant memory.
*(5)*
The audience had lost interest in listening to him.
*(6)*
He used to envision performing on stages that would create such intense brightness it would overcome all sorrow.
His voice contained starlight according to his former lover.
He used to trust others.
*(7)*
His world collapsed when his songs were stolen and his name became the focus of tabloid scandals while his lover appeared with another man in media reports.
*(8)*
Eli Seo consumed an entire bottle of sleeping pills in an attempt to silence his voice through singing.
*(9)*
The last sound he heard was the rain's steady hum while he detected a faint musical note that persisted.
*(10)*
When he regained consciousness he discovered himself to be twenty-one years old.
*(11)*
The same inexpensive living space.
The same broken glass reflection.
The same calendar—
showing a date which matched his death by seven years.
*(12)*
He laughed.
Then cried.
Then laughed again—
the sound shaking like thunder against his ribs.
*(13)*
Rebirth.
*(14)*
He refused to believe in miracles yet he always trusted in music.
Music proved to be his strongest supporter because it chose to support him.
*(15)*
He reached for his old guitar which showed signs of decay through its rusty strings and dormant voice.
*(16)*
He spoke in a barely audible tone saying "Let's begin again."
I will not let anyone stop me from speaking this time.
*(17)*
The following days brought him intense anger which he kept hidden.
He dedicated his mornings to vocal training before performing for streetlights during evening hours while observing the world transform in new ways.
*(18)*
He stayed away from the producer who had destroyed him and the music company that took his compositions.
He kept watch on them from a distance while they revealed their entire being through their words and body language and hidden truths.
*(19)*
The person who used to plead for musical opportunities had transformed into a different person.
The storm learned to produce a harmonious sound as it evolved.
*(20)*
Noah became his new encounter after he had previously caused his downfall.
*(21)*
Noah failed to identify him.
How could he?
Eli wore his silence as a royal crown instead of carrying the weight of his past mistakes.
*(22)*
Eli and Noah stood together under stage lighting during their audition process.
Noah smiled at him with a gentle and soft expression without any recognition.
Eli returned his smile through his calm expression while his distant gaze recalled every detail.
*(23)*
The two melodies of revenge and love merged into a single musical composition which brought together two voices that had been apart for many years.
*(24)*
Noah proposed to create something which would leave a permanent impact.
*(25)*
Eli experienced a deep pain in his heart.
He whispered to himself "Unforgettable yet impossible to repeat."
*(26)*
The world started to transform its environment.
The performances took place on musical battlefields which disguised themselves as songs.
Every person who looked at him revealed their hidden feelings through their silent expressions.
*(27)*
Eli returned to life—
his powerful voice spread across all radio stations while his name regained its former glory in media outlets.
*(28)*
His achievements brought him a feeling of being watched by his former self who asked him when he would learn to forgive.
*(29)*
He had power now.
He had fame.
He had the world's applause.
*(30)*
But love—
love was still a fragile, unfinished note.
---
*(31)*
And so began his second life,
a story written in high notes and heartbreak,
in revenge laced with tenderness,
and peace hidden in a song only two souls could hear.
*(32)*
Because rebirth was not a gift.
It was an encore—
and he intended to sing until the very end