Her Song, His Heart

Shadows in the Light

The morning started like any other, with the group gathering in the dining area for breakfast. Felix was flipping pancakes, the sweet scent filling the room as the members chatted noisily. Mannon sat at the table, a faint smile on her lips, though her mind was elsewhere.

Chan, seated beside her, noticed the tension in her shoulders. He nudged her gently. “You okay, Mannie?”

She nodded quickly, forcing a brighter smile. “Yeah, Channie. Just a lot on my mind.”

Chan didn’t press, but the look in his eyes told her he wasn’t convinced.

---

After breakfast, Mannon slipped back to her room to get ready. She kept her routine casual, throwing on a hoodie and jeans before tying her hair into a low bun. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself, especially not today.

A soft knock on her door made her pause.

“Come in,” she called, expecting Chan.

Instead, it was Hyunjin. He stepped inside, his expression curious.

“Hey,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “Heading out?”

“Yeah, just errands,” she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Hyunjin’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Want some company? I’m free for a bit.”

Mannon’s heart skipped a beat. She hated lying to him, but there was no way she could let him come.

“No, it’s fine,” she said quickly. “It’s boring stuff—dry cleaning, groceries. You’d hate it.”

Hyunjin hesitated but eventually nodded. “Alright. Be safe.”

“I will,” she said, offering a small smile.

As soon as he left, Mannon grabbed her bag and slipped out of the dorm.

---

The drive to the clinic was quiet, the hum of the city muffled behind the closed windows of her car. Mannon gripped the steering wheel tightly, her mind racing with thoughts she wished she could silence.

When she arrived, the receptionist greeted her warmly.

“Good morning, Miss Bhang. Dr. Lee will see you shortly.”

Mannon nodded, taking a seat in the waiting area. The walls were painted a soft blue, designed to soothe anxious minds, but it did little to calm her.

“Miss Bhang?”

She looked up to see Dr. Lee, a kind-faced woman in her late 40s, standing in the doorway of her office. Mannon followed her inside, taking a seat across from her desk.

“How have you been, Mannon?” Dr. Lee asked, her tone gentle.

“Alright,” Mannon said, though the weight in her chest told a different story. “I’ve been busy.”

Dr. Lee nodded, her gaze understanding. “Any new episodes?”

Mannon hesitated. “A few. Nothing too bad, though. I’ve been keeping up with my meds.”

“That’s good to hear,” Dr. Lee said, making a note on her clipboard. “But you know you don’t have to handle this alone. Is there anyone else you’ve told besides your brother?”

Mannon shook her head. “I can’t. They’d look at me differently.”

Dr. Lee sighed softly. “Mannon, you don’t have to be ashamed of this. You’re doing everything right—seeking help, managing your condition. The people who care about you would want to support you.”

Mannon didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the floor.

---

Back at the dorm, the members were lounging around when Felix spoke up.

“Where’s Mannon?”

“She said errands,” Hyunjin replied, though his tone was skeptical.

“She’s been acting weird lately,” Seungmin said, glancing at Chan. “Is something going on?”

Chan tensed, his grip on his phone tightening. “She’s fine. Just busy.”

Hyunjin’s gaze lingered on Chan for a moment before he leaned back on the couch. “If you say so.”

---

Mannon returned to the dorm late that afternoon, her body heavy with exhaustion. She slipped inside quietly, hoping to make it to her room unnoticed, but Hyunjin was waiting in the hallway.

“Hey,” he said, his voice soft. “You alright?”

“Yeah,” she replied quickly. “Just tired.”

Hyunjin studied her for a moment before stepping aside. “Get some rest.”

As she closed her door, Mannon leaned against it, her heart pounding.

The walls she had built around her secrets were strong, but cracks were beginning to form. And Hyunjin, with his quiet persistence and sharp intuition, was getting closer to seeing through them.