---

Capturing that Smile

It's almost noon, the weather is forecasted to rain but the sky is clear and sunny instead.

Chansung walks towards the end of the block and still can't seem to find the store he's looking for. Feels like he's been going around the same block the past hour.
Looking down at the paper that Nichkhun gave him with the store's address written on it, he mentally slaps himself when he reads the second line 'Lantern Lane 3'.
"Damn it, I didn't see the '3' there" Chansung sighs and looks at the signboard across the road 'Lantern Lane 3 → ' . 

 

Crossing the road and making a right turn, it took him about 10 minutes before he located the store. Standing infront of the main entrance, Chansung looked up and read the sign board 'Snap Attack' written in green & black. "What a name for a photography shop..", mumbled Chansung.

As Chansung pushes the handle and enters the store, the usual door chime rings.
The store is brightly lit, with a pretty high ceiling that gives the interior a spacious feel despite being a small corner shop lot. Various famous photographs within classic-looking wooden frames decorate the walls as well as glass displays of cameras and lenses. Chansung couldn't help but name a few photographers based on the photographs he recognizes, in his mind. 

In midst of looking around, he realizes he is the only one in the store. As he was about to turn back to look at the cameras on his left, a young man walking backwards from the backroom caught his eye. The man is carrying a stack of camera boxes which Chansung assumes should be empty because there was no way one could carry so many at once. 

The young man whose name has yet to be known, turns around and when he sees Chansung looking right at him, he gasps in shock and the stack of boxes shake in his arms. He didn't hear anyone enter the store, so the sight of someone looking right at him surprised him causing the two boxes on top of the stack to fall over the counter.

Seeing this, Chansung couldn't help but chuckle at the sight before him and walks straight up to the counter to help. He sees the man trying to reach for the boxes on the floor by leaning over the counter so he bends down to pick them up. 

When Chansung stands up to put the boxes onto the counter, he almost meets face-to-face with the other man. The said man got surprised at the close contact, his eyes went wide and his cheeks flushed bright pink. 

Both men straigthened themselves and Chansung glanced at the name tag on the man's shirt 'Lee Junho'. He looks at the man before him, soft brown curls, small eyes behind a pair of black framed glasses, damn those pink lips that-

The man named Junho cleared which got Chansung's attention "Hello! How can I help you today?" and flashed a wide smile coupled up with a pair of eye smiles. 

It took Chansung a few seconds to respond because he was distracted by such combination of bright smiles. When Junho smiles it's like sunshine that takes your breathe away. Which is why Chansung had to blink twice and take a quick breath before asking Junho "I'm looking for Taecyeon, the owner? My friend Nichkhun ordered a set of lens for me, he told me to pick it up from Taecyeon."

"Oh, Taecyeon hyung isn't around until later in the afternoon but he did tell me to look out for a guy named..um.. Changsun..?" Junho was thinking hard to remember the name Taecyeon mentioned earlier.

"It's Chansung."

"Ah yes! Chansung! I'm Junho and I'm really bad at remembering names, so sorry!" he laughed and apologized before telling Chansung to wait as he went into the backroom once again.

The only thing that came to mind while Chansung waited was "He has such a beautiful smile, he's really cute too.."

Junho returned with the box of lens together with some papers. He passed the papers to Chansung to fill up, they were warranty forms and Junho slowly unboxed the lens. A small conversation between the two started as they were doing their own things.

Turns out, Junho is only 2 weeks older than Chansung, they are both 3rd year university students in different universities with the store in between the two. Hence, one of the reasons for Junho choosing this store for his part-time job on weekends during the semester. The other reason being his hobby in photography that he picked up last year. Junho is majoring in music while Chansung is majoring in psychology with a strong passion for photography. They talked and found out they both have cats.

"I have three of them. My three cute, naughty babies." Junho mentions like a proud dad with a huge smile on his face.

Chansung notices Junho's eyesmile whenever the latter laughs even the slightest bit. And he wonders how could someone have such a smile.

Once done with the paperwork, Chansung takes out his DLSR while Junho passes him the new lens to try out. Chansung secures the lens and points it towards Junho, a shutter sound is heard. The latter was caught off-guard and his face was priceless.

Looking at the preview of the shot taken, Chansung couldn't help but chuckle at Junho's puzzled face looking directly at the camera. 

"Hey, let me see!", Junho tried to reach for the camera to take a peak but Chansung moves the camera even further away, out of Junho's reach.

"Let me take a proper picture of you smiling and then I'll show them to you", Chansung smiled softly, his dimples faintly showing.

Knowing he cannot refuse that smile, Junho just laughed, "Alright, take it fast!".

Multiple shots of the beautiful sight before him were captured in mere seconds and Chansung was really content with the results. He showed Junho some of them and couldn't help but notice Junho's wide smile as he looked at the pictures. 

Both knew they couldn't not see each other again, so they exchanged numbers before saying their goodbyes.

Just as Chansung was about to leave the store, he turned back and told Junho "I'll develop these and give you a copy over coffee some time. If you're up for it" with a huge grin on his face.

"Sure, I'd like that. Very much. See you!" replied Junho while waving goodbye.

After a final exchange of goodbyes, Chansung headed out to go home. Throughout the walk home he couldn't stop replaying Junho's smile and laughter again and again, making a reminder to thank Nichkhun once he gets home.

 

He calls Nichkhun as soon as he steps through the door and thanks him happily. Probably with overflowing happiness as Nichkhun managed to sense Chansung's happiness. He asked if something good had happened today and Chansung could only respond with "Just the best thing ever hyung! Thank youuu for the lens!".

He definitely couldn't wait to see Junho again.

 

Like this story? Give it an Upvote!
Thank you!

Comments

You must be logged in to comment
curseofpandora
#1
This story was so short and sweet. ;____; Makes me incredibly curious how their story might go on, too <3
Thank you for sharing it with us. :3 You really brightened my evening with your words. <3
YoruNoTenshi
#2
Chapter 1: This was cute. And Junho's smile really gives me life XD
adeloveskyu #3
Chapter 1: nuneo's smile is contagious
charlesia
#4
Chapter 1: I also love seeing Junho smiling...can't help but smiling with him.
Thanks for the cute story.