Sentience

05

"Ji Changmin, you shouldn't be selfish, you know."

The abrupt remark made Changmin halt from munching his meal. His brows furrowed and his head pondered as he looked at Chanhee across from him. That remark wasn't supposed to be ejected. Especially when they were having lunch.

"What did I do?" He asked with a mouth full of food.

A faint scoff then left Chanhee's lips before he showed his phone screen to his friend. He was scrolling on social media and stumbling upon Changmin's recent post; 11 hours ago it showed.

Changmin was famous for his aesthetic photos which he would upload on his social. Sunset, sunrise, signboard, flowers or even insects, his touch to photograph them was kind of intriguing. His followers didn't know or realize, but every picture he took was full of story and message.

Perhaps that was the reason why people were attracted to him.

The one Chanhee was showing right now was the late evening view of a playground. The dusk view made the single picture seem so emotional. He didn't know why exactly he wanted to post that picture instead, but a small part of him hoped that Anne, mother's daughter, would stumble to his posting one day. He hoped she could recognize the playground and eventually remembered her mother who was sitting there every evening waiting for her.

It was a small wish Changmin made.

"Ah... what about it?" He queried, resuming munching his meal while his eyes darted on his friend.

Chanhee loudly scoffed, portraying his anger. "Where is this place? Why didn't you tell me about it? Or simply bring me there too?"

"Why should I?"

"So that I can have pictures taken there too! I can upload it on my social as well."

It was then Changmin's turn to scoff. For a brief moment, he doubted his hearing, he couldn't even believe that Chanhee would shamelessly say that on his face.

Like Changmin, Chanhee also was famous for his shots. But, he was totally different from Changmin. The vibe he exuded in all of his posts was self-loving.

"Don't be funny!" Changmin pointed his fork towards the latter. "Your social is full of your face. Why do you need to take pictures of scenery?"

Chanhee bitterly chuckled, "Ji Changmin, you really... At least, take me with you! I thought we were friends."

"Why must I take you? I have my personal life as well."

"What?"

"Woah... woah boys..." A voice came in between, not wishing to see any bloody battle happen. Kevin's; the member of this circle, face was tight as he flickered his gaze from Chanhee to Changmin. "You guys scared me."

"It's normal though," another figure then joined, patting the latter's shoulder with his big palm before he plopped down next to Changmin. "There will be no day without their fight."

The remark sent sounded so calm, Juyeon; another popular student among the circle, smiled ever so endearingly towards the three. He was truly in contrast with Kevin and also the other two. Maybe that was how this circle seemed to be perfect. Because their differences had completed each other.

Because the opposite did attract.

"What is it about today?" Kevin questioned as he plopped down next to Chanhee, concerns painted all over his face.

Chanhee didn't answer, but instead, he showed his phone to the latter, the same thing he addressed to the photographer earlier. A small oh formed from Kevin's lips before he passed the phone to be swallowed into Juyeon's hand.

"I saw this posting last night," Juyeon confirmed, returning the device to its owner. "Why though?"

Chanhee gasped, truly disbelieved. "He has been hangout alone. Without us! Don't you guys feel mad?"

Before the other two could answer, Chagmin had jolted up, leaning across the table to hit Chanhee's on the arm. The pretty boy groaned, shooting daggers in return.

"Why I'm hanging out alone will be the issue?" Changmin sighed as he sat back, Juyeon next to him rubbing comforting circles on his back.

"You were alone?" It was Kevin, slightly startled at the finding. "I thought you were with Belle... You know, if you were not with one of us, you were always with her."

Once again, Changmin sighed, he almost lost his appetite as he pushed his plate forward. "We were together at first and then she went home. She also has life..."

The last remark he made was thrown directly at Chanhee intimidatingly. But, even though he raised a brow and widened his eyes, the latter didn't seem to be scared, Chanhee mocked him more.

Then, there was something unsettling Changmin felt. A brief conversation with the three had turned on a switch inside him that had urged him to move. Maybe, he should thank Kevin for simply mentioning Belle. Because it made him check his watch.

Her class has finished, with that thought, he jolted up, swinging his backpack over his shoulder. Which, surprisingly, did not make any of his friends wonder at all. It's the time, they would say.

So, Changmin bid them a simple goodbye before he rushed out of the cafeteria into the corridor. Belle's class wasn't far from here; just one turn at 10 feet ahead and the entrance could be accessed.

The class had totally dismissed. Changmin could confirm it when he spotted a few girls, Belle's coursemates, in the corridor, having a few photos taken for their OOTD look. They noticed him passing by; nobody could resist turning their heads at him, gasps then heard.

"Changmin, hi..." one of the girls greeted, making him halt returning a smile. "Can... you please take a few pictures of us?"

Though he wasn't really friendly with girls, he didn't reject the request. Gladly he opened his palm, asking for their phone. Changmin probably didn't know but the wide smile on the girls' faces as he took some pictures from various angles were genuine. They felt victorious to have Ji Changmin take their photos.

"You guys look good," he complimented, returning the phone to them, which they started reviewing; happy squeals echoed.

Instead of thanking him, they proposed, "What if, you upload our pictures in your social? This also is your touch. You should promote, we can be your first female models!"

He needn't think further about it. Not even needed to consider. For it was the strongest barrier he put between himself and girls.

He might have made his circles as the model sometimes, taking their pictures and posting them on his social, but he strongly refused to post any female creatures on his social. Even Belle never made it and never asked for one.

"Have a good day..." he said as a rejection and walked away. He hoped they didn't keep any grudge against him.

Changmin then peeked inside from the door, finding Belle. There was a group of students, male and female, making a crowd, who seemed to be discussing something. Perhaps, assignments.

Belle was there, laughing at a remark her friend made. She looked the happiest right now, unlike her when she was with Jinwoo. Changmin unknowingly hung a smile as well.

A figure next to Belle, who Changmin knew as Amy, Belle's closest friend, spotted him at the door. She waved her hand before she nudged Belle.

"Your boyfriend is here," she said.

A frown on the latter's face before she whipped her head to the door to check the nonsense. And as she found the long-neck boy waving at her, she jolted up and rushed towards him.

"Why is she running?" Changmin was left dumbfounded. Belle looked so excited when she ran that he needed to block her and let her crash over him before she hit another thing. "You could fall."

"Tell me!" She beamed, springing on her feet. "What did you talk about with the aunty yesterday?"

Changmin chuckled. So, this is what she was excited about, he thought.

However, the realization then struck Changmin hard. What should he tell her?

Because what he told Mother was all about her beauty.