Her Song, His Heart

A Night to Remember

The atmosphere of the red carpet event was still buzzing as the group finally settled into the main venue. It was a grand ballroom with high ceilings, chandeliers dripping with crystal, and golden accents glimmering under the soft light. Celebrities, designers, and influential figures mingled, their laughter and chatter filling the space.

Mannon, despite her earlier confidence, felt a little out of her depth. She stuck close to Chan at first, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floors as she moved. The weight of eyes following her was impossible to ignore, whispers and stolen glances confirming what she had already suspected—tonight, she wasn’t just Mannon, Bang Chan’s sister. Tonight, she was someone else entirely, someone they couldn’t take their eyes off.

Chan, however, was on high alert. His arm hovered protectively near her waist as they navigated through the crowd. Every now and then, his gaze darted to someone who lingered too long, and his jaw tightened as though daring them to come closer.

“Channie,” Mannon whispered, leaning in slightly. “You don’t have to act like my bodyguard all night.”

Chan gave her a look, his brows furrowing in mild exasperation. “Are you kidding? You’re basically glowing right now. People are bound to test their luck.”

Mannon rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. She knew Chan meant well, even if his overprotectiveness could be stifling at times.

The rest of Stray Kids joined them soon after, their energy a mix of awe and playfulness.

“Alright,” Minho said, clapping his hands together. “Who’s this goddess walking with us, and where’s Mannon?”

“She got an upgrade,” Seungmin added with a smirk, though there was genuine admiration in his eyes.

“An ambassador for Versace,” I.N. chimed in, nodding approvingly. “Makes sense now. You look like you belong here.”

Mannon felt her cheeks warm slightly under their compliments. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention, especially not from them. But before she could respond, Hyunjin spoke up, his voice soft but carrying a weight that silenced the others.

“She’s always belonged here,” he said, his eyes locked on Mannon. His tone was sincere, almost reverent, and it made her stomach flip.

The group exchanged glances but wisely chose not to comment, though Minho raised a curious eyebrow.

---

As the night went on, Mannon found herself drifting away from the group, drawn to the elegance of the room and the pull of quiet moments where she could breathe. The grandeur of the event was overwhelming, but in the midst of it, she felt a sense of freedom.

She stood by the balcony doors, gazing out at the city lights beyond. The cool night air seeped through the cracks, and for a moment, she let herself relax.

“You okay?”

The voice startled her, and she turned to find Hyunjin standing a few feet away. He looked effortlessly handsome in his black suit, his long hair falling perfectly in place.

“Yeah,” Mannon replied, smiling softly. “Just needed a moment. It’s a lot, you know?”

Hyunjin nodded, stepping closer until he was standing beside her. He leaned against the doorframe, his gaze following hers out to the city. “It can be overwhelming. But you’re handling it like a pro.”

Mannon chuckled lightly. “You think so? Because I feel like I’m barely holding it together.”

Hyunjin turned his head to look at her, his expression serious. “You’re doing better than you think. Honestly, you’ve been kind of… amazing tonight.”

There was a sincerity in his voice that made Mannon’s chest tighten. She glanced at him, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. There was something in his gaze that she couldn’t quite place—something soft and unguarded, as though he was seeing her for the first time.

“I’m just trying to survive the night,” she said, breaking the tension with a small laugh.

Hyunjin smiled, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. “You’re doing more than surviving, Mannon. You’re shining.”

Her heart skipped at his words, but before she could respond, a familiar voice called out to them from across the room.

“There you two are!” Chan’s voice broke the moment, and Mannon felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment as her brother approached.

“Everything okay?” Chan asked, his protective gaze darting between them.

“Yeah,” Mannon said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just needed some fresh air.”

Chan nodded but didn’t look entirely convinced. He gave Hyunjin a pointed look, as though silently reminding him of some unspoken rule, before steering Mannon back toward the main event.

---

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of introductions, handshakes, and polite conversation. Mannon found herself speaking with designers, influencers, and even a few celebrities who seemed genuinely interested in her. She handled it all with grace, though she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

It wasn’t until they were back at the hotel, the adrenaline of the night finally wearing off, that Mannon let herself relax.

In the quiet of her room, she kicked off her heels and sank onto the bed, her dress pooling around her like liquid silk. Her thoughts drifted to Hyunjin—his words, his presence, the way he looked at her like she was something extraordinary.

She wasn’t sure what it meant, but she couldn’t deny the warmth that spread through her at the memory.

For the first time in a long time, she felt seen. And maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as alone in this world as she thought.