Just one smile

Chapter 3

After hearing those words, Hina's eyes stared at Jaemin in bewilderment. Her face immediately flushed red while Jaemin's aura remained calm. How can Jaemin say such a thing? For all she knew, he wasn't interested in her in the first place.

"He's jo-" She was cut off when Jaemin spoke.

"....someone I like as a dongsaeng"

Of course. That's it. Just a younger friend.

"How can you even joke with a serious face?" Mark scoffed. Jaemin mumbled something but Hina didn't actually understand what it was. No one except her seemed to care anyway. The two decided to join the round table with Hina and Jeno, making the little space feel more cramped. Jeno had to move beside Hina to give space for the others. In the end, Hina sat in between Jeno and Jaemin. Minutes later, the old woman also served the food that was ordered by them.

Hina ate in silence, thinking whether she should speak. The boys, especially Jeno and Mark were engaged in their conversation while Jaemin was eating silently as well. She noticed that he was being unusually quiet right now. Before during lunch breaks, she would often see him along with his friends at a table eating their lunch. He was talkative and always had that smile that never leaves his face. Right now he's just, eating quietly.

Hina didn't even realize that she was staring at Jaemin until Mark spoke. She cleared her throat and continued eating. "Hina-sshi, from what faculty are you?"

"Communication Arts, Film major" She replied with a smile.

"I'm from Political Science, just like these two here" He answered back, nudging the two boys beside him.

"Jaemin too?" she asked in disbelief.

With the mention of his name, Jaemin raised his eyes to look at her. "You sounded like you couldn't believe I'm taking up Political Science"

She realized what he was referring to and quickly apologized. Jaemin looked at her with a hint of a smile forming on his face.

"But seriously, Jaemin, I thought you are considering KAIST? I was shocked when Lami told me that you are going to study here" Mark sounded really surprised. "But it's better.. We now have lots of handsome boys in the faculty"

Lami? So Mark knew Lami as well? Hina thought.

"And how about you two, how did you even get to know each other?" Mark asked. Hina looked at Jeno first before she answered.

"We're online friends"

"Hul. Is cyber dating still a thing?" Mark jokingly asked, earning a slight slap on his arm from Jeno. In the end, Jeno explained how they got to know each other through a game. Mark seemed to have understood the situation and later on changed the topic to a new game that was released recently.

When they finished eating, Jeno gladly paid all the food that was ordered including Mark and Jaemin. The older male thanked Jeno for the treat. "As expected, from our Jeno". Hina felt guilty and offered to pay half but Mark just told her that Jeno's daily allowance is worth his monthly allowance. She thought that Jeno must be rich.

It was already dark outside and just like any other day, the weather felt cold.

"You should join us this coming Saturday. We're having a small party. Jeno and Jaemin will be there. You know, some Political science students" Mark declared. Hina thought of the things she needed to finish by Monday. A reaction paper about her favorite movie and some test papers that need to be answered. As much as she would love to come, when she was about to decline the offer, Mark cut her off.

"No alcohols and drugs! And also, I'll bring some girls so you won't feel alone"

Left with no choice, Hina agreed to the plan. Today was Wednesday. Meaning to say, she has three days left excluding Saturday to finish the things she needs. They exchanged numbers and Mark instructed Jeno to accompany Hina since she's still not familiar with the outskirts of Seoul.