Her Song, His Heart

Shadows and Sparks

The drive back to the hotel was quiet, save for the soft hum of the van’s engine and the occasional murmur of the members. Stray Kids, still riding the high of their successful concert, were physically exhausted but mentally alert, basking in the afterglow of a performance well done.

Mannon, however, wasn’t sharing in their exuberance. She sat near the window, her gaze fixed on the passing lights, the reflection of her face mixing with the dark night outside. She hadn’t spoken much since the concert had ended, retreating into herself, as she often did after large crowds.

Beside her, Chan noticed the silence, a subtle tension in the air. He leaned slightly toward her, his voice low. “You good?”

Mannon turned to face him, offering a quick smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah. Just tired,” she said, her voice soft.

“You sure?” Chan pressed, studying her face. “You’ve been quiet tonight.”

Mannon hesitated, then sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly. “I was just… thinking. It’s different when you’re on stage, you know? The energy, the crowd. I don’t get why people lose their minds over it. It feels like too much sometimes.”

Chan’s expression softened. “I get it. It’s not for everyone.” He gave her a small smile. “You’re always welcome to just hang out with us and avoid the chaos.”

Mannon nodded, grateful for his understanding. She wasn’t built for the spotlight, not like he was. She’d learned to blend into the background and stay out of the limelight, despite her connection to one of the biggest K-pop stars in the world.

---

After the concert, Mannon found herself in the hotel lobby, unable to fall asleep. The buzz of the crowd still echoed in her ears, and she needed to be alone for a while to decompress. She found a quiet corner of the lounge and sank into a comfortable chair, ordering a cup of tea.

She hadn’t expected company, but a few minutes later, Hyunjin appeared, looking freshly showered and comfortable in a hoodie and sweatpants. He spotted her across the room and made his way over.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” he asked, his voice light.

Mannon looked up, surprised but not displeased. She offered him a small smile. “Yeah. I guess it’s hard to turn off after all the excitement.”

Hyunjin took a seat across from her. “I get that. It’s the same for us after a show. But you didn’t seem… into it tonight.” He hesitated before adding, “Was there something bothering you?”

Mannon shook her head, her expression unreadable. “Not really. Just… observing. I guess it’s a bit overwhelming, being surrounded by all that energy.”

Hyunjin studied her for a moment. There was something about her—something that drew him in, even though she kept so much to herself. “I get it. Being on stage, it’s like you have to be someone else, you know? The crowd expects you to be perfect, and that pressure can be a lot.”

Mannon’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Not everyone is built for it.”

Hyunjin nodded. “You know, I thought you’d be more into it, given how involved your brother is. You seemed so calm compared to the rest of the members.”

Mannon chuckled softly. “I’m not really one for the spotlight.” She didn’t explain further, not wanting to delve into what she’d always kept hidden—the part of herself she wasn’t ready to share.

Hyunjin caught the change in her tone. There was something there, something that made her close off, and it piqued his curiosity.

“So, what do you do, if not perform?” he asked, his tone casual but with a hint of genuine interest.

Mannon met his gaze, her blue eyes sharp and direct. “I stay in the background.”

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow. “In the background? But you’ve got that look. You’re too beautiful not to be in the spotlight.”

Mannon’s lips curved into a small, wry smile. “Maybe that’s the problem.”

There was a pause, and Hyunjin couldn’t help but notice how easily she held his attention. Her words, her manner, her quiet confidence—everything about her made him want to know more. He wasn’t sure what it was, but there was something magnetic about Mannon.

“Do you sing?” Hyunjin asked, before thinking better of it.

Mannon stiffened slightly, her hand tightening around the tea cup. For just a fraction of a second, Hyunjin saw a flicker of discomfort in her eyes before she masked it again.

“I... don’t really talk about it,” she said, her voice lowering.

Hyunjin immediately felt the weight of her words. He hadn’t meant to pry, but it was too late now.

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, his voice sincere. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Mannon gave him a small nod, her expression unreadable. “It’s fine.” She paused before adding, “Just… don’t bring it up with the others, okay?”

Hyunjin frowned, sensing there was more to it, but he didn’t press. “I won’t.”

The silence between them grew, the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air. Hyunjin wanted to say something more, but the moment felt fragile. He wasn’t sure why, but something about Mannon made him feel like he needed to tread carefully.

Before he could speak again, Chan appeared in the lounge, spotting the two of them. His eyes quickly scanned the room, locking onto his sister before flicking to Hyunjin.

Mannon stood up quickly, brushing past Hyunjin. “I’m going to head to bed,” she said quietly, her voice carrying just a hint of finality.

“Yeah,” Hyunjin replied, watching her leave. He wasn’t sure if it was the conversation or something else, but he felt a strange emptiness linger after she walked away.

---

The next morning, as Stray Kids gathered for breakfast, there was an odd undercurrent in the air. Chan had warned the members earlier to avoid mentioning Mannon’s singing again, especially in front of her.

As they sat down at the table, Felix, ever the curious one, was the first to bring up the subject.

“So, Chan,” he began, trying to sound casual, “we didn’t get to ask you last night. What’s the deal with your sister singing? You said she’s—what was it?—a ‘goddess’?”

Chan’s face hardened slightly, his gaze flicking to Mannon, who was sitting quietly at the table. “Mannon doesn’t talk about it,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s personal, and we respect that.”

The members exchanged surprised glances, but they could see the seriousness in Chan’s face. They didn’t press further.

Hyunjin, however, couldn’t help but feel a pull of curiosity. There was something about Mannon’s silence on the matter, the guarded way she handled the subject, that left him wondering just what she was hiding. But for now, he kept his questions to himself.

Mannon, seemingly unbothered by the brief conversation, sipped her coffee quietly, her thoughts far away. But Hyunjin couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her than anyone realized.