Sunyeong rolled her eyes as she watched the school's clown enter the classroom and trip in air.

 

“Who was it!?” the boy asked regaining his balance and looking at the floor behind him.

 

Instantly laughter rose among the students in the room, the boy looked around and a goofy smile stretched his lips as once again he succeeded on making others laugh.

 

“Yah, Onew-ah, have you drunken again?!” a boy asked from the back of the classroom.

 

“Are you the one who put soju in my chicken this morning?” came the clumsy one's retort as he smiled stupidly.

 

Sunyeong could only sigh.

 

It wasn't that she didn't like that guy or anything – actually she enjoyed the light atmosphere he managed to install anywhere he went –, it was because his never-fading smile enervated her.

She couldn't bring herself to appreciate it because somehow, she couldn't believe someone who was always smiling like that. She couldn't help but to think he was just acting to gain some popularity and “friends”. What else would he want? Wasn't popularity the most important thing a student could have? Being a kingka, that high social ranking in school – that brought you not only several friends, hundreds of admirers and fan-girls/fan-boys but also the teachers special treatment – was every(?) student's dream and goal.

 

“Hi there Sunyeongie~!” Onew sat at his desk by her side as the teacher entered the classroom and demanded order.

 

“Hi, Jinki.” She replied with a quick glance towards him before looking at the teacher who was starting his class.

 

“Eh...stop calling me that.”

 

She could practically hear the pout in his voice.

 

“As far as I know it's still your name.” she replied.

 

He chuckled.

 

“Point taken.”

 

The rest of the class was spent without major incidents apart from Onew's occasional interruption with his lame jokes that surprisingly still brought laughter from their classmates and even sometimes the teacher.

 

“Okay class, listen.” Mr. Goo clasped his hands together. “You'll have a new group project to do for next week.”

 

Grunts of discontent rose among the students. Sunyeong sighed, she could already say good-bye to her lazy week-end.

 

“Yeah, yeah I know you are all very happy about it.”

 

Mr. Goo smirked, taking a bunch of papers from his desk.

 

“And you'll be even more happy to know that I'll be the one assigning your partners.”

 

More protests were heard. Onew rose a hand, a small smile gracing his lips.

 

“Yes, Mr. Lee?”

 

“Teacher, does the project involve the growth of the chicken population in the country?”

 

Silence.

 

Sunyeong counted in her head.

 

3...2...1

 

Bursts of laughter echoed in the room.

 

Sunyeong rolled her eyes. She was pretty sure they weren't laughing because of the stupid question their classmate had just asked, but simply because they felt like it. Onew's constant playing-around was just an excuse for them to let their immature self run freely.

 

“Okay, calm down class!” came the teacher's demand.

 

Slowly the students started settling down once again.

 

“Very funny Mr. Lee,” Mr. Goo said sarcastically. “but try not to have your bursts of humoristic inspiration during my explanation next time, okay?

 

Sunyeong watched from the corner of her eye as Onew's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

 

“But it wasn't a joke teacher,” he countered. “it was an actual question.”

 

She couldn't help the grunt of frustration to escape her lips as she struck slightly her head against the desk, trying not to shout at her desk-mate how stupid he was being.

 

More laughter.

 

Oh, how she hated that sound.

 

“Silence!”

 

The class grew quiet again as the teacher went on with his explanations, ignoring Onew's question. It was rude, yes, but Sunyeong understood completely Mr. Goo. She would like too, to be able to just simply ignore the boy seated by her side.

 

“Hey, Sunyeong-ah,” he whispered, leaning to her. “do you think we can actually work on the chik-”

 

“No, Jinki.” she cut off.

 

“But-”

 

She gave him a look and he immediately shut his mouth, a pout forming on his lips.

 

“But it would be fun.” she heard him mumble.

 

Such a kid, she thought, another sigh leaving her lips.

 

“I'll announce the groups now.”

 

Sunyeong instantly turned her attention to the teacher as he started calling the names of her classmates.

 

“Lee Soonkyu, Lee Jinki and Park Sunyeong.” he said after having announced three other groups.

 

“Yes!” Jinki cheered by her side, doing a little celebration dance on his chair.

 

“I'm glad you're happy with it Mr. Lee, but sit still please.”

Sunyeong rolled her eyes, again.

 

She noticed, after having spent nearly three years in the same class as the clown beside her, that she used to do that a lot – together with sighing and grunting – when she was near him.

 

Suddenly she remembered something.

 

“Teacher,” she called raising a hand. “Soonkyu is still in the hospital. She won't come back before next month.”

 

“Oh...I forgot that.” Mr. Goo said. “Hum...good luck on dealing with Mr. Lee on your own then.”

 

The teacher smiled at her.

 

“What is that supposed to mean Mr. Goo?” Jinki asked, frowning.

 

“Nothing, nothing...” the man shook his head and proceeded on announcing the groups.

 

Sunyeong sighed. Luck. She would definitely need it as she knew her new partner wasn't exactly the kind to take things seriously. Maybe with a little luck, he would make an effort in this project.

 

 

At the end of classes, Sunyeong found herself waiting on a bench on the school's yard for Onew to come, so that they could decide how to start their project.

 

And of course, he was running late.

 

She sighed. He had assured her he would be there at the right time, what could have possibly happened?

 

Taking out her mobile phone, she checked the hour. Suddenly, a finger was pressed in between her furrowed eye-brows and pushed her head back slightly. Startled, she tried to avoid the sudden gesture and glared at her 'aggressor'.

 

“Stop frowning pretty girl,” Jinki said with a bright smile stretching his lips. “you'll get wrinkles like that.”

 

“Where were you?” she asked, ignoring his remark and glaring at him.

 

As a response, her classmate let out an awkward chuckle and scratched the back of his head.

 

“Er...some friends stopped me on my way and...I kind of...got distracted.”

 

“You're kidding, right?!” she exclaimed, raising up from the bench. “I've been waiting like an idiot here for the last fifteen minutes!”

 

“So- sorry...” Onew said, an apologetic smile making its way on his face. “I won't do that again. Promise!”

 

He held his pinky to her, who only stared at the finger before rolling her eyes and huffing.

 

“Whatever.” she said. “Where do we start?”

 

“Library?”

 

“It's closed by now, genius.”

 

She observed as Jinki seemed to be thinking really hard, his lips pursed and fingers tapping frantically on the strap of his backpack which was passed over his shoulder.

 

“What about your house?” he asked, eyes twinkling.

 

“No way.”

 

She said taking her own backpack from the bench and passing the strap over her shoulder, walking ahead of him to the school gates.

 

“Why not?” Onew asked, following her like a lost puppy.

 

“My father would get into his protective-mode. You're a guy, if you haven't noticed, and he doesn't trust guys around me.”

 

Jinki laughed.

 

“Can't you tell him we're doing a project?” he asked, before mumbling. “Even if I wouldn't say no to a little make-out session.”

 

Sunyeong stopped in her tracks and turned around to glare at him. She pointed a threatening finger on his chest, her eyes narrowing to two crescent moons.

 

“Don't even think about that.” she said. “And my father wouldn't believe me.”

 

“Wow!” Jinki exclaimed, raising his hands in the air in a defensive way. “I'll stop.”

 

“You better.”

 

And with that Sunyeong started walking again.

 

“What about yours?” she asked after a few seconds of silence.

 

“Mine...?”

 

“House, stupid.”

 

“I don't have one.”

 

Silence.

 

Sunyeong stopped walking again, bringing her classmate”s steps to a halt.

 

“Stop joking around.” she said sternly, yet another glare tearing holes at the elder.

 

“I'm not.” he replied shortly before starting to walk again. “I live in the orphanage near the primary school, since I'm not legal yet.”

 

Sunyeong couldn't believe her ears. He had to be kidding, after all, he did that all day long, why wouldn't he be doing so right now too?

She sighed again.

 

“You know,” she said, following him. “if you don't want us to go to your place you just have to say it, no need to make up some dramatic scenario of the abandoned orphan.”

 

There, Jinki threw his head back in a fit of giggles.

 

What was so funny?

 

After having calmed down, the clumsy boy looked at her, his smile so large, Sunyeong swore she could see all of his teeth.

 

“I'm not making up any scenario,” he said. “I'm telling you the truth. I never knew my parents.”

 

Sunyeong stared at him surprised. Was he really telling the truth?

 

“What about that...we go to the café and try getting started there? Do you have your geography book with you?”

 

Still incredulous, Sunyeong nodded.

 

“Good, let's go.”

 

The walk was made in a complete silence and Sunyeong was feeling very uncomfortable with it. She was not used to Jinki being silent – the guy always had something to say, or some lame joke to make – and she feared she had upset him with the talk about his home and family.

Maybe his smile was only a mask after all, just like she had suspected. She couldn't help but feel kind of proud of herself for having been able to see through his act, yet she couldn't ignore that voice in the back of her mind telling her how insensitive she had been.

 

After a good ten minutes walk, the both of them entered the small café near their school – the only one actually. And as Jinki pushed the door a little bell rang and he pushed himself aside, gesturing for her to enter first.

 

“Ladies first.” he said with a gentle smile.

 

She didn't know how to react exactly. What was that bubbling feeling inside her stomach?

 

After a little hesitation, she nodded with a little “thank you” before going inside the cosy place. Once inside, Jinki led her to a table at the back of the café. They sat down and not even two minutes after, a waiter came up to them.

 

“Hi hyung!” the waiter smiled. “Who is this beauty?”

 

The tall young man with short black hair and big brown eyes smiled charmingly at Sunyeong who looked up at him a little taken aback.

 

“None of your business, Minho.” came Jinki's reply, his eyes glaring playfully at his friend. “Bring me the usual please...Sunyeong-ah what do you want?”

 

The girl looked at Jinki who was grinning at her.

 

“Er...”

 

Actually all she wanted was to get started with the project. The sooner they started, the sooner they finished and the faster she could get away from Jinki and that strange feeling his smile was causing her.

 

“hum...the same as you.” she said.

 

“Are you sure?” Jinki asked.

 

“Yeah, yeah...we better start the project.” she said with a little wave of her hand.

 

“O-kay...I guess.” Jinki said, looking back at Minho who was scribbling on his note-pad.

 

“I'll be right back.” the waiter said.

 

Once he turned away, Sunyeong took her books from her backpack and disposed them on the table, avoiding looking at her classmate.

 

“Are you okay?” Onew asked suddenly. “You seem kind of...uncomfortable.”

 

She looked at him and was met with a worried expression on his face.

 

“I'm alright.” she answered.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

She hummed positively and opened her geography book, taking out a blank sheet of paper and a pen.

 

“Let's start okay?” she asked, her eyes once again looking down. “What should we begin with?”

 

“I still think that talking about the chicken population is more interesting than the demographic development in the non-industrialised countries.”

 

Sunyeong gasped in disbelief.

 

“Are you kidding?” she looked up at him and this time his bright smile was what she met.

 

“This time I am.” he replied.

 

Sunyeong bit her lower lip.

 

“Here is your order.” Minho approached them and set two cups of fuming bubble tea and two plates of mini-muffins on the table.

 

“Thanks Min.” Jinki said.

 

“Thank you.” Sunyeong bowed her head slightly at the waiter who sent her a wink.

 

She gasped and Jinki slapped him on the arm.

 

“Yah, no flirting with the costumers, brat.” he scolded. “Go back to work.”

 

Minho massage the sore spot on his arm and stuck his tongue out at Jinki before turning away once again.

 

Sunyeong shook her head.

 

“You two seem close.”

 

“He's like a little brother to me.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“That kid lived at the orphanage when we were little. But he was adopted when he was five, since he didn't move from the city we still went to the same school, I kind of rose him up.”

 

Sunyeong pursed her lips. She couldn't still wrap her mind around the fact that Jinki was parent-less. How could he be so happy all the time when he didn't even know what parental love was?

 

“Why are you always smiling?” she asked suddenly.

 

“Huh?”

 

She bit her lower lip.

 

“You're always so happy...I was just wondering how you managed...you know...when you don't even...”

 

His eyes, usually so gleaming with happiness seemed to lose that gleam for a second. Sunyeong watched with curiosity as her classmate's smile seemed to fade slowly, as the lively energy his body emitted seemed to die out and as for the first time, a sad gleam seemed to replace the over-joyed one.

 

Yet, in the blink of an eye, everything returned to normal.

 

His eyes twinkled, his smile was bright, the energy around him was livelier, the sad gleam had disappeared, as if it had never been there.

 

For a second, Sunyeong thought she had imagined things, that the sudden change in the boy's behaviour had only been a trick, an illusion.

 

Then came his words, in that soft and melodious voice of his, destructing her assumption of an illusion.

 

“Because I've grown tired of crying.” he said. “So I learnt how to replace my tears by stunning smiles.”

 

Again, his grin stretched his lips.

 

She frowned. Had he cried that much? She was unable to imagine the happy-clown she had met during her first day of high-school as a sad, crying one.

 

“I'm sorry you never got adopted.” she said, feeling bad.

 

She knew that she probably shouldn't bring the topic up, but she couldn't help it. She felt bad for having judged him without even know his story. Maybe playing stupid, the court jester was a way he had found to cope with his loneliness.

 

“Oh, but I did once, when I was eight.” he said. “But they passed away two years later, so I was sent back to the orphanage since apparently no one in the family wanted me.”

 

Now, Sunyeong felt awful.

 

“I'm sorry.” she said again.

 

“For what?” Jinki asked, a surprised expression on his face.

 

“Well...you've been through so much...I just...”

 

He chuckled.

 

“You don't even know what you're sorry for, Sunyeong.” he remarked.

 

She let out a little sigh and looked down at her cup, and started tiring the hot liquid, trying to keep herself occupied. She would hate to admit he was right.

 

“People say sorry for nothing,” he told her. “it's just because that is how society functions. Something bad happens to someone, and to show sympathy, you tell them you're sorry; yet you don't even fully understand what they're going through, it's just the 'right way to act'. It's funny actually. This is life, there's no point in being sorry. It won't change anything.”

 

Sunyeong didn't even dare to look at him right now. Every little word he uttered seemed to sink in her mind with a loud and painful thud.

 

“I smile because crying implies being sorry...and honestly, I'm not. This is is all a big joke, Sunyeong. You should laugh too, life's short, you don't know when you'll be able to feel joy for the last time.”

 

Sunyeong bit down at her lower lip again, he was so right. Suddenly his clumsiness, his lame jokes and stupid way of acting seemed to make sense. He was just avoiding being sorry. He was avoiding self-pity.

 

“Look at me.” he said.

 

Slowly, she looked up and found that gentle smile from earlier, the one that made her stomach churn.

 

“I've never seen you smile... Do you even know how to?” he asked.

 

She pouted, cheeks turning red.

 

He chuckled.

 

“How about that,” he said. “we do this project together and at the same time, I teach you the art of putting on a smile?”

 

Sunyeong shook her head. He was so incredible, one second he was speaking with much seriousness and the other was back to his silly-self.

 

“So?” he asked.

 

“Why not?” she replied.

 

And for the first time in front of him, a small smile graced her lips. Maybe it wouldn't be that difficult to learn Lee Jinki's secret art.