Her Song, His Heart

A Song for Her

The gallery had been a peaceful escape, a quiet place where Mannon could lose herself in the art, the moments captured in time. As the day wore on, the two of them wandered through the exhibit, occasionally stopping to take in the finer details of the pieces. Hyunjin had fallen into a comfortable silence, content with simply being by her side.

But as they left the museum, the atmosphere shifted, the city streets buzzing with energy, the chaos of Seoul just beginning to settle into the evening. It had been a while since Mannon had felt so alive, so connected to something that made her forget everything else. The art had sparked something within her, a renewed sense of passion. And Hyunjin, in his quiet way, had been the perfect companion—no pressure, no expectations, just the two of them walking side by side.

Mannon’s heart was lighter than it had been in days, the heaviness she’d been carrying seemingly lifted by the simplicity of the day.

As they strolled down the sidewalk, their conversation flowing effortlessly, they passed a small street musician set up in a corner of the street. His guitar was slung across his back, the sounds of an acoustic rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love" floating through the air.

Mannon paused, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "This is my favorite song," she said softly, her eyes glinting with the familiar warmth that came from hearing it.

Hyunjin, always aware of the little things that made her happy, noticed the way her eyes lit up when the melody drifted past them. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride, knowing he had introduced her to a few of his own favorite songs before.

As they continued walking, the music continued to play in the background, and without thinking, Hyunjin began to hum along quietly, the melody filling the space between them.

Mannon glanced over at him, surprised by the soft hum of his voice. "You like this song too?" she asked, curious.

Hyunjin gave her a small smile, his voice quiet but steady. "I think I do. It’s a classic, isn’t it?"

Mannon nodded, her gaze softening as she continued to listen to him. His voice was gentle, raw, and as he hummed along, she could feel the sincerity in it. It wasn’t just the music—it was him. The quiet side of Hyunjin that no one ever really got to see, except for her.

As they continued walking, the street music faded into the background, but Hyunjin, still caught in the moment, suddenly broke into song, his voice carrying the familiar lyrics.

"Wise man said, only fools rush in…" he sang, his voice smooth and steady, drawing her attention as he continued to walk beside her.

Mannon stopped in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat. She had heard those words countless times before, but hearing them from him felt different. His voice, the way the words seemed to float effortlessly from his lips, sent a warmth through her chest. There was something deeply genuine about it, and she couldn’t help but feel like it was meant for her.

Hyunjin turned to look at her, noticing her silence. "You okay?" he asked, his voice a bit more uncertain now that the song had paused.

Mannon blinked, surprised by the depth of emotion the song had stirred inside her. She didn’t speak at first, unsure how to respond to the sudden surge of feelings. Instead, she gave him a soft smile, a gentle nod.

"Yeah, I’m just… surprised," she said quietly, her voice tinged with the vulnerability she rarely showed. "I didn’t know you could sing like that."

Hyunjin chuckled softly, a small but genuine laugh that made her heart flutter. "There’s a lot you don’t know about me," he teased, the warmth in his tone making her feel both at ease and slightly self-conscious.

She took a breath, finally speaking her thoughts. "I guess, I never really stopped to listen," she admitted. "It’s like… you have this side of you that’s so calm, so… real. I don’t know how to explain it. But when you sing, it feels like you’re sharing a part of yourself with me."

Hyunjin’s expression softened, his eyes catching hers in the dim streetlight. He had always been careful around her—careful not to let his feelings show too much, but in this moment, there was no denying the pull he felt toward her.

"You know," he said, his voice a little quieter now, "wise men might say fools rush in, but maybe we’re meant to take the leap. Maybe… sometimes it’s okay to rush."

Mannon met his gaze, the intensity in his words sending a twinge of electricity through her. Her heart beat faster, the growing connection between them undeniable. But, as always, her mind pulled her back, reminding her of the complexities of their relationship, of the walls they both had built around themselves.

"Maybe," she whispered, her voice soft but full of meaning.

They stood there for a moment, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions. And just when it seemed like the weight of their feelings might consume them both, Mannon stepped back, breaking the moment.

"We should get going," she said, her voice a little too casual. "It’s getting late."

Hyunjin looked at her for a moment longer, his gaze filled with a mix of longing and understanding. "Yeah. Lets go, Chan might skin me if I come home late with you" he said softly, stepping closer.

Mannon smiled, touched by his concern. "Hahaha, alright, let's go."

As they continued walking, the lingering tension between them was still there, but there was something else too. An unspoken promise, a connection that neither of them could ignore.

And as they walked side by side, the distant hum of the street musician’s guitar still floating in the background, Hyunjin found himself wondering if, maybe, they weren’t just rushing after all. Maybe this moment—this connection—was exactly what they needed, even if they hadn’t figured it all out yet.

But one thing was certain—Hyunjin was falling for her.