painkiller // namhyeok

8: NEED TO KNOW

Ever since Namra saw Hyunsu try to confront Eun Wang, she has felt a little agitated.

Hyunsu had clearly explained to her how monsterization works, and him keeping a close distance with a kid with anger issues could be a real problem if a monster got hold of his mentality.

"That was a little reckless, don't you think?" she asked him as they walked back to their house alone.

"I know," he said. "But he was getting on everyone's nerves." He looked at her. "I'm sorry."

"It's not just about him. You have to control yung anger too, Hyunsu," Namra considered. "Even if you had a deal with him now, we can't be so sure what he'd do once he gets triggered."

Hyunsu nodded. "I'll keep a distance from that guy. I want to keep everyone safe as much as you do."

Namra patted his back. "I know you do."

"Don't you have to follow Suhyeok to their house? He looked glum when you left him for me."

She sighed. "Can I tell him about your situation? I want him to know why I left him just now."

"Of course," Hyunsu immediately answered. "I don't want to be involved in a love triangle either." Namra kicked his shin, to which Hyunsu grimaced. "Ow!"

"There will never be a love triangle in my relationship with him."

"Now when I saw those women eyeing him a while ago. And didn't you say you're not officially together yet?" Hyunsu teased. "How confident of you to assume there'll be no love triangle, Miss Choi."

Namra chuckled. "I don't think they passed Suhyeok's standards."

Hyunsu looked at her in disbelief. "And you do? The confidence level is getting higher."

She pushed him aside. "Shut up, Hyunsu."

When they arrived in front of their house, Namra and Hyunsu met one of the two officers who volunteered to be drivers, Song Jaeil.

"Oh, hey," Jaeil called when they saw them approaching. "I have the list." He cautiously stepped forward, his arm extended so Namra or Hyunsu could easily get the paper from him. Once Hyunsu took it, the officer stepped back and sighed.

"We won't hurt you, you know," Hyunsu assured the man.

Jaeil's eyes shifted from Hyunsu to Namra. "I'm not afraid of her. Suhyeok mentioned her to me a few times before." He looked at Hyunsu. "But you, and the adults with you, I don't know how you do things here."

Namra felt a bit embarrassed that she was being talked about by Suhyeok. Still, she kept a straight face. "You can talk to them inside if you want to make sure they're like me. I can sit beside you if that'll make you comfortable."

The officer smiled nervously. "I'll talk to them after we get the things we want. I actually left Nabi crying, so I can't leave her that long with Hocheol." The man dashed away even before either of the two could reply.

Hyunsu looked at the paper he was holding and skimmed the words enumerated. "I can get their things later." He looked at Namra. "Are you coming later?"

"Yes," she said. "I'll just have to talk to Suhyeok first. It's after lunch, right?"

He nodded. "Junwoo planned on having a welcoming party for the new survivors at lunch but I don't think that's happening."

"At least we won't waste a few days' food."

"You know the man just wants to get on the others' good side. It'd help him get everyone to get closer with each other too."

Namra nodded before opening the door.