Her Song, His Heart

Whispers and Watchful Eyes

It had been a few days since Mannon’s return from Dubai, and while she managed to settle back into her routine, she could feel the quiet scrutiny from the members of Stray Kids. Hyunjin, in particular, had been watching her with an intensity that made her both flustered and amused.

Chan had been on edge, too. Not in the overbearing way he usually was, but there was a layer of protectiveness wrapped tightly around him—more so than usual.

Breakfast that morning was a lively affair. The group was sprawled around the dining table in their dorm, laughter echoing as Felix regaled them with a story about a disastrous kitchen experiment. Mannon sipped her coffee quietly, the warmth a comfort against the crisp morning air.

“So, Mannon,” Minho began, his tone casual but his smirk telling. “What exactly do you do on these trips? Besides modeling, of course.”

Mannon nearly choked on her coffee, her gaze darting to Chan for help. He immediately straightened, the protective older-brother mode kicking in.

“She’s busy enough without you prying,” Chan said, shooting Minho a pointed look.

“Relax, Bang Chan. Just making conversation,” Minho said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

Hyunjin, seated across from Mannon, leaned forward slightly. “You looked… different when you came back.”

“How so?” Mannon asked, tilting her head, though she could feel her heart race under his gaze.

“More confident,” Hyunjin said simply, his eyes meeting hers. “Like something changed.”

Mannon shifted uncomfortably in her seat, suddenly hyperaware of the way everyone had quieted to listen.

“She’s allowed to grow,” Chan interjected smoothly, deflecting the attention. “But while we’re on the topic, I need to make something clear.”

Everyone turned to him, the sudden seriousness in his tone drawing their focus.

“I don’t want any of you pressuring her about singing.”

Mannon froze, her hand tightening around her coffee cup.

“What do you mean?” I.N. asked, confused.

Chan’s gaze swept across the table. “I mean, she’s not comfortable with it, and I don’t want it being brought up casually. End of story.”

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in.

“Understood,” Seungmin said finally, breaking the tension.

The others nodded, though their curiosity was palpable. Hyunjin, especially, seemed intrigued, his gaze flickering to Mannon. She kept her eyes firmly on her coffee, grateful for Chan’s intervention but wishing the ground would swallow her whole.

---

That evening, Mannon found herself alone in the dorm’s small lounge. The others were scattered across their rooms or the studio, leaving her some much-needed solitude.

She curled up on the couch, flipping through a fashion magazine while her thoughts drifted. The audition in Dubai had been a risk—a leap of faith she wasn’t sure she’d ever be ready to share with the group.

Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. She looked up to see Hyunjin standing in the doorway, his usual air of confidence softened by the dim lighting.

“Hey,” he said, his voice low.

“Hey,” she replied, sitting up slightly.

He crossed the room and settled into the chair across from her, his movements uncharacteristically hesitant.

“You okay?” he asked after a moment, his gaze steady.

Mannon nodded. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Hyunjin shrugged, leaning back in his seat. “You’ve just been… quiet since you got back. I figured something might be on your mind.”

Mannon hesitated, debating how much to share. “Just work stuff,” she said finally.

Hyunjin studied her, his dark eyes searching for something she wasn’t ready to give.

“You know,” he began, his tone thoughtful, “it’s okay to let people in sometimes. You don’t have to carry everything alone.”

Mannon’s heart tightened at his words, but she kept her expression neutral. “I’m fine, really.”

Hyunjin didn’t press, but the silence that followed was charged with unspoken words.

---

Later that night, Chan found her in the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked, his voice soft.

Mannon glanced at him, her expression guarded. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Chan frowned, leaning against the counter. “Hyunjin told me you two talked earlier. He said you seemed… off.”

Mannon sighed, closing the fridge door. “I’m fine, Channie. Just tired.”

“You’re sure?”

She nodded, offering him a small smile. “I promise.”

Chan studied her for a moment before relenting. “Alright. But you know I’m here if you need anything.”

“I know,” Mannon said, her voice soft.

As she headed back to her room, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her secrets were slowly unraveling.

Little did she know, the quiet moments of doubt and vulnerability she shared with Hyunjin and Chan were drawing them closer to truths she wasn’t yet ready to face.