painkiller // namhyeok

7: JEALOUSY JEALOUSY

She expected it to happen.

Namra quickly followed Onjo but didn't stop her from slapping Gwinam real hard. Onjo turned to Cheongsan and asked, "Why is he here?!"

"He's on our side now," Cheongsan answered.

Gwinam remained silent, just holding his cheek that had already turned red with the shape of Onjo's hand. Namra felt bad for Gwinam but nonetheless, he deserved it. Even more than just Onjo's slap. Daesu and the others should too just to release their anger towards the guy.

"Cheongsan, he took your eye and killed you!" Onjo reminded her friend.

"I know that I can't justify what he did to me, but please give this man a chance," Cheongsan smiled at them nervously.

"Let Gwinam talk," Hari said. "Let him explain himself."

Gwinam looked nervous around the newcomers; Hari and Mijin noticed it yet didn't speak.

"I'm sorry," Gwinam apologized. "I was just scared to be behind bars if Cheongsan passed that phone to a police officer. I only wanted us to be even so I followed your group around to get his eye, just like what he did to mine."

"But y-" Onjo was about to hit him again when Mijin rushed to stop her.

"Let's talk first," Mijin said. "Hari, please come with us to the living room." Hari silently followed.

Left in the dining room, Daesu crossed his arms over his chest and slit his eyes on Gwinam. "Are you sure you've changed?"

"Before Gwinam could answer, Cheongsan said, "We've been living under the same roof for three months. He hasn't hurt anyone." He gave his friends a reassuring look then added, "Don't get me wrong. I still hate his guts. I could still have two eyes if he didn't obsess with getting even." Suhyeok and Daesu glared at Gwinam. "But then again, I became a hambie. Technically, I didn't die. And having enhanced strength and hearing are a plus too."

"But consider Onjo's feelings as well," Suhyeok reminded him. "Talk to her after the seniors." He turned to Daesu. "We'll eat our breakfast as fast as we could to attend the meeting."

"I'll just tell Junwoo about your situation," Namra told Cheongsan.

"I'll go get your baby a bottle of milk," Gwinam said then walked to the refrigerator.

"You have a baby bottle here?" Daesu whispered to his friends.

"He went out last night as soon as he heard that there's a baby and other kids with us," Cheongsan whispered back, which left the other three to look up and watch Gwinam.

"He has a younger sibling," Namra said, eyes glued on Gwinam in awe. "Or he just loves kids."

"Either way, he has a soft spot for the young ones. We can count on him to protect the kids," Cheongsan attested.

Daesu nodded, still looking at Gwinam. "Fine. I can live with him. But if he does anything to harm others, I'll make sure he doesn't get up on his feet this time." Suhyeok chuckled and patted his friend's back in support.

Although still wary, Suhyeok gave Nabi to Gwinam so he could eat his food faster. Daesu didn't find any trouble eating fast, but Namra felt like Suhyeok could choke on his food any second. In concern, she placed four glasses of water on the table - two for the boys, and two for her seniors when they get back.

When Daesu and Suhyeok were done eating, Namra told Gwinam to continue feeding Nabi while they go to the empty lot for the meeting. Before they left, Cheongsan was already trying to comfort his best friend.

"How old is she?" Gwinam asked Suhyeok, since he's the only guy who he had any connection with before the outbreak.

"Three months," Suhyeok answered. "Have you seen two officers in the area?"