Her Song, His Heart

Stepping into the Light

Mannon stared at the lyrics she had written the night before, her heart heavy but steady. The words stared back at her, challenging her to take the next step. She hadn’t felt this vulnerable in a long time.

The house was quiet that morning, the boys still asleep after a late-night movie marathon. Mannon decided to take advantage of the peace and headed to the small studio Chan had set up in the house.

She closed the door behind her, sat at the keyboard, and began to play a soft melody. Her voice was tentative at first, barely a whisper, but as the song grew, so did her confidence.

Unbeknownst to her, Hyunjin had woken up early and was passing by the studio. He stopped in his tracks when he heard her voice, his heart skipping a beat. He stayed by the door, listening intently, afraid to disturb her.

The lyrics hit him hard:

“I’ve been running from the shadows,
Chasing dreams that feel like ghosts.
But in the dark, I found my light,
A spark I thought I’d lost.”

Her voice was hauntingly beautiful, each note laced with raw emotion. Hyunjin couldn’t move, couldn’t think. He had never heard her sing like this before.

When she finished, Mannon sighed and rested her hands on the keys, lost in thought. That’s when Hyunjin decided to step in.

“You’re incredible,” he said softly, startling her.

She turned, her cheeks flushing. “Hyunjin! I didn’t know you were there.”

He walked over, his gaze never leaving hers. “Why didn’t you tell me you were working on something?”

“I wasn’t sure I was ready,” she admitted, looking down at her hands. “But... I needed to get this out. It’s been building up inside me.”

Hyunjin knelt beside her, placing a hand over hers. “You’re ready, Mannon. More than ready. This song... it’s powerful. It’s you.”

---

As the day unfolded, the house came alive with its usual chaos. Mannon stayed in the studio, working on her song while the boys busied themselves with their own projects.

At lunch, Mannon finally decided to share her progress with Chan. She pulled him aside and handed him her journal, her hands trembling slightly.

“What’s this?” he asked, flipping through the pages.

“My song,” she said quietly. “I think... I think I want to record it.”

Chan’s eyes widened as he read the lyrics, his expression softening. “Mannie, this is... wow. This is something special.”

She smiled nervously. “You think so?”

“I know so,” he said, pulling her into a hug. “And I’ll help you every step of the way.”

---

That evening, Chan gathered the group in the living room. The boys lounged on the couches, curious about the impromptu meeting.

“So,” Chan began, glancing at Mannon with a proud smile. “Mannie has something to share.”

Mannon stood, her heart pounding. “I... I’ve written a song. And I want to record it.”

The room erupted in cheers and applause, the boys rallying around her with enthusiasm.

“Finally!” Felix exclaimed, grinning. “I’ve been waiting for this day!”

“Same,” Jisung said, leaning forward. “When can we hear it?”

Mannon laughed, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. “Soon. I promise.”

Hyunjin caught her eye from across the room, his smile warm and supportive. The unspoken connection between them grew stronger, and for the first time, Mannon felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

---

Late that night, Mannon sat in her room, scribbling in her journal. She thought about the journey ahead and the people who stood by her.

For so long, she had been afraid to step into the spotlight, afraid to let the world see her true self. But now, with her family, her friends, and Hyunjin by her side, she was ready to embrace her voice.

The whispers of doubt still lingered, but they were quieter now.

And as Mannon drifted off to sleep, she felt a sense of peace she hadn’t known in years.