The Idol who can't smile

Chapter 1.

"Can you smile too?" asked the cameraman as he peered through the lens of the camera. But when I didn't comply with his instructions, he let the camera drop slightly and looked at me. His forehead furrowed in confusion. I offered a slight bow as an apology. "I'm sorry. I won't smile," I replied politely. The older man hesitated for a few seconds.

"Not even a little one?" he asked, adjusting the camera again. He waited for some movement from me. I forced a small, barely noticeable smile. However, he only took one photo before removing the camera again. He sighed, "No, no. It's okay. Your serious face has something special too. Go back to looking normal," he said. I immediately did as he asked.

It didn't take too long for all the photos to be taken. I bowed once again and stepped aside. My manager handed me an already open bottle of water. "Thank you," I said, taking a sip from the bottle.

But my attention was quickly drawn to the fashion designer, who was approaching me with a wide smile. I hadn't been the Ambassador of the Tommy Hilfiger brand for very long, so I wasn't here often. Nevertheless, it seemed that the elderly man had taken a liking to me.

Mr. Hilfiger opened his arms to embrace me, and I returned the embrace. His hand gently brushed over my hair as he smiled kindly at me. "I'm glad to see you here, my child," he said, looking me straight in the eyes after letting me go. He chuckled softly, "You promised me last time that you'd teach me the new choreography," he said.

I blinked several times and nodded my head. "Let's get started then," I said. I proceeded to show him the short choreography for our song "Super Shy." After several attempts, he got the hang of it. He laughed joyfully, causing my face to relax completely.

With a smile, he led me to the glass door, continuing to ask me questions. Just before we parted ways, he handed me a bag and smiled at me. I bowed in thanks, which only made him laugh. With a smile, he said that I could always reach out to him if I needed anything.

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Sighing, I took a sip from my beer. I was currently at a restaurant with my fellow members, and of course, everything was being filmed. Since the others weren't yet 21 years old, they couldn't order alcoholic drinks here in America. Haerin stared at me with her cat-like eyes. Thanks to her, I knew what it was like to have a little sister who always stared at you.

I remained mostly silent as the others engaged in conversation. They kept laughing throughout the meal. When I finished my food, or rather, when I was full, I pushed my plate towards Hyein, who had previously mentioned that she was still hungry.

With a wide grin, she looked at me. "Thank you, Unnie," she said, sweet as sugar. I nodded my head, a small smile forming on my face. I didn't smile. Honestly, I didn't even know why or when it started... Eventually, I just couldn't smile anymore, no matter how happy I felt.

Hanni had teased me about it often. She would pull up my cheeks to make my mouth form a smile. Even though I was older than her! But I didn't mind. I also didn't really like being called "Unnie" when the age difference wasn't too big. But in front of the camera, they all had to call me that.

"No, no. I've told you before. None of the books say that dinosaurs were the first animals in the world," Danielle said. She waved her fork around as she spoke in her Australian-accented English. Hanni sighed in response and shook her head.

Haerin continued to stare at me. I looked at her. "Don't look at me like that. You're not getting a sip," I said as I picked up my beer again to take a drink. Haerin, however, continued to stare, which was starting to frustrate me. Minji, right next to me, chuckled softly. She nudged me gently with her elbow and smiled at me.