❝ Back then, if we could have heard each other's voices, everything would have been so much better. ❞

━ ISHIDA SHOUYA.

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flashbacks | primary school

KWON CHAERIN.

"Class, meet your new classmate," Mrs. Lee spoke, silencing the once crowded room. Every pair of eyes in the room were drawn by her voice, sparks of exciement must be leaking from our inner selves since we were going to have a new mate. A new competitor, in our case.

Those who loved competitions of bragging their wealth were scrutinizing the new student from head to toe, giving a quick judgement through attire and began making quick assumptions of which social class he belonged to. The rich kids wouldn't want to give up their thrones for anyone else.

However, instead of giving proper introduction as a new student usually do, the new boy remained silent, lips pursed tightly, clutching onto his red backpack straps.

His silence was, well... baffling. He remained frozen until Mrs. Lee heaved a sigh, tapping his shoulder lightly. His shoulders stiffened.

The boy took off his red backpack and hugged it in one arm while the other one delved into it, rummaging its contents.

He pulled out a white notebook, which rendered us with confusion. Normally, introductions would go like: telling us his name, age, small background, and hellos. But instead of doing it according to stereotypical procedure, it seemed like the boy had his own way. 

' For communications. '

Was written on the book cover. It's weird, yet interesting at the same time. I could feel the wind of change slowly blowing, returning the colors that used to be in my world. The different gradations began rising; from the wall, blackboard, and my surroundings. Everything suddenly became so lively once again.

' My name is Kim Taehyung. '

It was written on the first page with thick black mark. Our eyes widened after he flipped into the next one. What was written on it was truly unexpected for us.

' I am mute. '

At first, I thought he was just shy, and turned he wasn't. He had no ability to say a single hello.

' I hope we could get along well. Through this book, I want to speak with all of you. '

' So if you have anything to say, feel free to write it! '

He showed us his boxed smile, his eyes formed crescents. Why? I wonder. In my circle of friends, having a disability means being accepted by no one. It's amazing how he could still pull a smile. Personally, I wouldn't be happy, leave alone smiling, if I had a disability. Would my parents still treat me as their kid if it was true?

Mrs. Lee smiled at him and pointed at an empty seat beside me. He nodded and made his way to the seat, smile never left his face even for a split second. Before taking a seat, he grinned to me.

My cheeks flushed in fascination. No one had ever been so friendly; not in this classroom nor among the people I knew, at least. His smiles were genuine, resembling that of a sunshine. And seeing his smile made me felt warm, there was a part of myself wanting to cuddle him and protect that smile.

"Jimin and Chaerin, please help Taehyung if he needs anything. I hope you guys would take care of him," Mrs. Lee said to us since we were the ones who sat near him. Jimin sat behind him while I sat beside him. The kid who sat in front of Taehyung was counted as the notorious kid, so the teacher probably did not trust him that much.

After that, the lesson continued with a few changes here and there. Once in a while, Jimin or I would have to stop and  told Taehyung what we were doing. So our attentions weren't fully given to the teacher.

He gave me more works to do but I was okay with it and seemingly, Jimin did not mind too. And after a few periods, it's finally lunch time.

Crowds immediately formed around Taehyung's seat and my classmates began examining him with interest, as if they just found a new toy. While me, I turned my sitting position to face him and smiled, seeing him trying to communicate with others through his book. And the others seemed to enjoy talking to him too, even though they would have to put extra works to talk to him.

It was really a pleasant and rare sight to see, friends talking to one another with genuine smiles. Everything was because of Taehyung's presence. And I thought my classmates would change and we would finally build our bonds.

But in the end, I was wrong. His happiness didn't last for long. Some notorious and powerful kids in the class came out with an idea to entertain themselves which was: turning Kim Taehyung to a bullying object.