Her Song, His Heart

Back to Seoul, Back to Reality

Mannon stepped off the plane with a mix of excitement and reluctance. Australia had been everything she needed and more—time to think, to breathe, to reconnect with herself. The quiet days with Amara had given her the clarity she so desperately needed. But now, it was time to return to the bustling chaos of Seoul, the city that never slept, the city that demanded so much of her.

She stepped through the airport, her luggage rolling beside her as she glanced around, feeling a rush of anticipation in her chest. Her time away had done wonders, but the pull of her career, the expectations of her work, and, if she was honest, the pull of Hyunjin, had brought her back. She was ready for whatever the next chapter was going to bring.

Her phone buzzed just as she was about to step into a cab, and a message popped up from Hyunjin: “Can’t wait to see you again. We’ve missed you.”

Her lips curled into a soft smile as she typed back, “Missed you too. I’m back.”

---

By the time Mannon arrived at the apartment in Seoul, it was late in the evening. The boys had already finished rehearsals for the day, and the apartment was quiet. But as soon as she stepped inside, she could feel the familiar energy of the place.

"Hey, you're back!" Felix exclaimed, practically jumping up from the couch to greet her.

But it was Hyunjin who caught her eye the moment she entered the living room. He stood up from his chair, his gaze locking onto hers, and for a moment, time seemed to stop.

Mannon’s heart skipped a beat. Damn. Had he always looked this good?

Hyunjin’s hair was a little longer, his jawline sharper, and his body? His body was insane. He had always been tall, but now his physique was muscular in a way that made Mannon’s pulse race. His tailored outfit fit him perfectly, hugging his frame in all the right places, and there was something different about his presence—something that made her feel like he was no longer just the sweet, funny guy she’d known, but someone who could make her heart race just by looking at her.

But it wasn’t just Hyunjin who had changed. Mannon noticed the way she felt too—the shift in her own body, her newfound confidence. Maybe it was the Australian air, or maybe it was something deeper that she couldn’t quite put her finger on, but as she stepped further into the room, her body seemed to have caught up with her mental shift.

Her dress—a simple yet elegant black mini skirt and fitted top—accentuated her curves in all the right ways. Her hair, loose and wild, framed her face like a crown, and the soft makeup she wore made her look effortlessly stunning. She had the kind of beauty that caught people's attention without even trying.

As she walked further into the room, Hyunjin’s gaze never left her. His eyes were darker than usual, filled with something unreadable that made Mannon’s heart beat a little faster.

"You look... amazing," Hyunjin murmured, his voice low, a hint of something deeper in it.

Mannon’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she shook her head with a smile, trying to downplay the effect his words had on her. "It’s just the Australian air, I think. Makes everything a little better."

Hyunjin laughed softly, but there was an intensity to his gaze that she couldn’t ignore. "I don’t know about that. You’ve always looked incredible, but now? Damn... You look like you could stop traffic."

She laughed, trying to shake off the heavy tension in the room. "You're not so bad yourself."

The rest of the boys greeted her warmly, but Mannon could feel the atmosphere shift whenever her eyes met Hyunjin’s. There was something in the air, something unspoken, but she couldn't quite tell if it was just her or if he felt it too.

---

The evening passed in a blur of conversation, laughter, and the familiar chatter of the group catching up. But no matter how much she tried to focus on the others, Mannon kept finding herself drawn back to Hyunjin. Every word he spoke, every glance they shared, seemed to be laced with something deeper, something more. She couldn’t deny the way her heart fluttered every time his eyes locked with hers.

As the night grew later, the group began to settle in for bed, but Mannon could feel her pulse quicken as Hyunjin lingered by her side. She couldn’t help but wonder what this sudden shift between them meant. Could it be that everything between them was changing? Was she ready for that?

---

Hyunjin stood by the door of the living room, his hand on the frame as he leaned against it, his eyes still focused on Mannon. She could feel the heat of his gaze, and for a moment, everything else in the room faded into the background.

"You know," he said slowly, his voice dropping even lower, "You’ve been on my mind a lot since you left."

Mannon's heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Her mind raced. Had he been thinking about her the same way she had been thinking about him?

"Hyunjin..." she whispered, almost unsure of how to continue.

His lips curled into a slow, playful smile, but there was something undeniably serious behind it. "I think we need to talk. About everything."

Mannon swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment. She knew exactly what he was talking about, and the anticipation of it all made her skin tingle.

Her heart raced in her chest as she stepped closer to him, the tension between them building with every step.

"Let’s talk then," she said softly, her voice steady but her insides twisting with nerves.

As she moved closer, their proximity was almost unbearable. Hyunjin’s eyes dropped to her lips, and the air seemed to crackle with unspoken words, unsaid feelings.

For a moment, it was just them—the world outside fading away.

And then, just as it seemed like he might finally close the gap between them, someone knocked on the door.

"Hey, Mannon, Hyunjin, we’re gonna head to bed soon!" Felix called out from the hallway.

Mannon pulled back, her breath hitching as she straightened up, trying to ignore the ache in her chest. Hyunjin’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he straightened as well, clearly frustrated by the interruption.

"Yeah... right. We’ll talk later," he muttered, his voice thick with unspoken words.

Mannon nodded, her heart racing faster than it should have been. She didn’t know what was going to happen between her and Hyunjin, but one thing was for sure—everything was changing. And whether they both liked it or not, they were both standing at the edge of something that could change everything.

All she had to do was take the leap.