Her Song, His Heart

Shadows in the Light

The sun was just beginning to rise when Mannon left the house. It wasn’t unusual for her to keep her clinic visits private—only Chan knew the details—but today, something felt off. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was a nagging feeling in her chest. She shook it off as paranoia, something she had to battle more often than she cared to admit.

The streets were quiet, the early morning haze creating an almost serene atmosphere. Mannon kept her head down as she made her way to the clinic, clutching her bag tightly. As she walked, the sensation of being watched prickled at the back of her neck. She glanced around, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

---

At the clinic, the familiar routine brought her a momentary sense of peace. The receptionist smiled warmly, greeting her by name. “Dr. Kim will see you in a few minutes, Mannon.”

Mannon nodded, finding a seat in the waiting area. She scrolled through her phone, trying to distract herself from her racing thoughts. The appointment wasn’t unusual; it was just a routine check-in, but the weight of her condition always made her feel exposed, vulnerable.

When the nurse called her in, Mannon took a deep breath and followed, her heart pounding in her chest.

“How have you been feeling, Mannon?” Dr. Kim asked once she was seated, her voice calm and steady.

Mannon hesitated, staring at her hands. “It’s been... up and down. Some days, I feel like I’m managing. Other days, it’s like the walls are closing in.”

Dr. Kim nodded, jotting down notes. “That’s normal, given your diagnosis. It’s a journey, not a straight path. Are you still taking your medication regularly?”

“Yes,” Mannon said, her voice quieter now. “But I hate how it makes me feel. Sometimes I feel like... like I’m not me when I’m on them.”

Dr. Kim leaned forward, her gaze empathetic. “I understand, Mannon. The side effects can be tough, but the medication helps keep the symptoms at bay. You’ve made incredible progress, and I want to make sure you stay on that path.”

Mannon nodded, though the lump in her throat made it hard to speak.

---

As Mannon left the clinic, the crisp morning air hit her like a wave. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and started down the street. The feeling of being watched returned, stronger this time. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart skipping a beat when she noticed a figure lingering across the street.

The person was dressed casually, a hoodie pulled over their head, sunglasses obscuring their face. At first, she thought it was just someone waiting for a bus, but the way they stood—still and focused—made her stomach churn.

Mannon quickened her pace, trying to shake off her unease. But as she turned a corner, she heard footsteps behind her.

“Excuse me,” a voice called out, and she froze.

Slowly, she turned to face a tall man with sharp features and a disarming smile. “Mannon Bang?”

Her heart raced. “Who are you?”

The man raised his hands in a mock display of innocence. “Relax, I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to talk.”

“About what?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“You’re quite the mystery, aren’t you?” he said, taking a step closer. “A rising star, a brand ambassador, and yet you keep sneaking off to places like this. Interesting, don’t you think?”

Her stomach dropped. “Have you been following me?”

“Following is such a strong word,” he said, his smirk widening. “Let’s just say I’m... observant.”

Mannon backed away, her hands clenched into fists. “Leave me alone.”

The man tilted his head, his smile never faltering. “You can’t run from who you are, Mannon. The world will know eventually. Secrets don’t stay hidden forever.”

Before Mannon could respond, a voice interrupted.

“Hey! Is there a problem here?”

Both turned to see a passerby—a woman in her mid-thirties—approaching with a concerned expression.

The man hesitated, his smirk faltering for the first time. “Just a misunderstanding,” he said, backing away. “Have a nice day.”

He disappeared into the crowd, leaving Mannon shaken and breathless.

---

When Mannon returned home, her hands were still trembling. She locked herself in her room, trying to calm down, but her mind raced with questions. Who was that man? What did he want?

A knock at the door startled her.

“Mannie?” Chan’s voice was soft but firm.

She hesitated before opening the door, her eyes meeting his.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

“I... someone followed me today,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chan’s expression darkened. “Who? What happened?”

“I don’t know,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. “He said he wanted to know the ‘real me.’”

Chan pulled her into a tight hug, his protective instincts kicking in. “You’re not going anywhere alone again. Do you hear me?”

She nodded, her tears soaking into his shirt.

Hyunjin appeared in the hallway, his face filled with worry. “What’s going on?”

Chan glanced at him, his jaw tight. “Someone followed her. We need to figure out who.”

Hyunjin’s gaze softened as he stepped closer. “You’re safe now, Mannon. We won’t let anything happen to you.”

Mannon tried to smile, but the fear lingered. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The shadows of her past were creeping closer, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to face them.