Her Song, His Heart

Art and Companionship

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the apartment as Mannon prepared for the day ahead. She had spent the last few days catching up with the boys, trying to get back into the swing of things after her time in Australia. But today, there was something different on her mind—a desire to reconnect with her creative side.

She loved photography. Loved capturing the world as it was, through her lens. The beauty of everyday moments, the art of shadows and light, the stories that could be told in a single frame. Photography had always been a way for her to express herself, to get lost in something that made her forget about everything else. And today, she felt the urge to lose herself in the world of art again.

She grabbed her camera bag from the corner of the room, her fingers brushing against the leather strap as she slipped it over her shoulder. A soft smile crossed her face as she looked in the mirror, adjusting her outfit for the day. A simple white blouse, tucked into dark jeans, her hair in loose waves, and minimal makeup. She didn’t need much—just the camera in her hands and the world in front of her.

But as she moved toward the door, she was met with a familiar voice.

"Mannon, where are you off to?" Chan’s voice rang out from the kitchen, his eyes narrowing when he saw the camera bag slung over her shoulder.

Mannon paused for a moment, looking at him over her shoulder. "I’m going to take some photos," she said, her tone casual. "There’s an art exhibit I’ve been meaning to visit. Just a quick trip. I’ll be fine."

Chan set down his coffee mug, his expression immediately shifting to one of concern. "You’re not going alone," he stated firmly, crossing his arms. "I don’t care if you’ve been to a hundred art shows by yourself. You’re not going alone today."

Mannon blinked, surprised by his sudden protectiveness. She was used to Chan being a bit overbearing at times, but today, it felt different—he was serious. And when Chan was serious, there was no convincing him otherwise.

"Chan, I’m fine," she said, trying to ease his worries. "It’s just a trip to the museum. I’ll be okay."

"No," Chan insisted, stepping closer. "I don’t want you going alone. You’ve been through a lot recently. And it’s not like I can always be around to protect you, you know that."

Mannon sighed, rolling her eyes. "It’s not like I’m going to get kidnapped or something, Chan."

But Chan didn’t budge, his expression unwavering. "I’m serious. If you’re going, someone’s going with you. I’ll make sure of that."

Mannon opened her mouth to argue, but before she could say anything, Hyunjin appeared from the hallway, a grin spreading across his face.

"I’ll go with her," Hyunjin volunteered, his tone light but with a hint of something more serious behind it. He looked at Mannon with a wink. "I’ll make sure she’s safe. Plus, I think I’d love to see the exhibit too."

Mannon raised an eyebrow, giving him a teasing smile. "Are you sure you want to go with me? I’ll be spending my time looking through a camera lens, not at you."

Hyunjin chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I’ll survive," he replied, winking. "Besides, I owe you a trip to the museum. You’ve got me curious now."

Mannon couldn't help but laugh at his playful tone. "Alright, alright. I guess I’ll let you come along."

Chan gave them both a long, scrutinizing look, his protective instincts still evident. "I’m trusting you, Hyunjin," he said, his voice firm. "Look out for her. Don’t let anything happen."

Hyunjin gave him a reassuring nod. "Don’t worry, Chan. I’ve got her back."

With that, Chan relented, turning back toward the kitchen with a sigh. "Fine. But I’m still going to have eyes on you two. No funny business."

Mannon rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Chan could be a lot sometimes, but she knew he only did it because he cared.

---

The two of them arrived at the art exhibit later that morning, walking side by side as they made their way inside. The gallery was quiet, with only a few other visitors wandering through the halls, admiring the displays. The soft hum of ambient music played in the background, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

Mannon immediately felt a sense of peace as she took in the art around her. She loved this—being surrounded by creativity, by the stories and emotions captured in the brushstrokes and photographs. Her eyes scanned the pieces, taking in the subtle details of each one, before she pulled her camera from its bag.

Hyunjin watched her with a quiet admiration as she started snapping pictures of the art. He couldn’t help but notice the way her eyes lit up with passion as she focused on capturing the perfect shot. It was a side of her he hadn’t seen before—the side that was lost in her own world, so immersed in her art that nothing else seemed to matter.

He leaned against the wall, watching her work, a small smile playing on his lips. He had always admired Mannon’s creativity, but seeing her in this element, so confident and focused, made something stir within him.

It was a feeling he hadn’t fully acknowledged until now—a realization that, maybe, there was more to his feelings for her than he had initially thought.

"Isn’t it amazing?" Mannon’s voice broke through his thoughts, and he blinked, looking over at her.

She had moved on to the next piece, her camera clicking away as she captured the intricate details of a sculpture. The way she looked at the art with such intensity made him feel like he was seeing her in a new light.

"Yeah," he replied, his voice soft. "It’s beautiful. You’re really good at this, you know?"

Mannon looked over at him with a surprised smile. "Thanks, Hyunjin. I love it. I could get lost in this place for hours."

He took a few steps closer, his gaze still on her as she adjusted her camera. "I can tell. It’s like you become part of the art."

Mannon’s heart fluttered slightly at his words, but she quickly brushed it off with a small laugh. "Well, it’s my way of expressing myself. Maybe one day, I’ll have my own exhibit, who knows?"

Hyunjin grinned, the thought of her being the star of her own show making him feel proud. "I think that’s a great idea."

They continued through the exhibit together, with Hyunjin keeping pace as Mannon found herself more and more immersed in her work. He was content, simply watching her as she lost herself in the art. There was something peaceful about this moment, something that made him feel closer to her than he had in a long time.

And, as they walked through the gallery, Hyunjin realized something.

He hadn’t just agreed to accompany Mannon to the museum for Chan’s peace of mind. He had come because he wanted to be with her, to see her in her element, to understand her better.

In this moment, he knew one thing for sure— he was falling for her.