Fate

Chapter 188

Mina's P.O.V.
"Urgh.. What's a synonym for lavish?"
Why I had the fancier word in mind was unbeknownst to me, but I needed a simpler word. My detective wasn't as knowledgeable of the dictionary as my forensic biologist was. It would be out of character for him.
"I want to finish writing that chapter.."

Did I hear something? Maybe Mushu just sighed. "Fancy."

"Câlisse!"
Mother of Christ! I thought he was in the shower! What in the world?
"Joon! Stop making me jump like that."

He laughed. "You didn't hear me from the bathroom."

I took off what dulled my hearing. "Because I'm in my room with an earbud pushing music in my ear."

"Riiight, Niimi's in business mode."
I loved when he used my pen name, the name my great aunt gave me.
"Fancy's a synonym for lavish."

Yes! "It's slapping me in the face! How did I not see that? Thanks, handsome."
I changed the word right away.

"How bad is it?"
He motioned at his right ear.
"Is that why you didn't notice me coming in? Is that why you learned ASL?"

"I'm not deaf. Gotta thank my paternal genetics for the hearing loss, but it's not that bad. You were far. You know the physics of sound."
An eyeroll. Are you amused now?
"ASL was an interest. I didn't think I'd wish people knew it because reading lips is hard when I'm overwhelmed, can't hear or can't talk."
I was lucky enough not to have to do it often.
I had perfect hearing on my left-
"Is that why you're always on my left side? I thought it was odd. I told you about it in April. You've never noticed in years. You can see it's not that bad."

It wasn't worry, more like curiosity.
"I know. How would you describe it? You couldn't hear me from 10 meters away."

I shrugged. "Again, I can't hear through walls. I'm not a superhero. I'd say it's like having my noise reducing plug in your ear all the time. It cuts the sound by half, so it's a bit worse than what it actually is."

"Your nice ones that you wore at the award shows last year? Did you get your new pairs?"
Yes? In a few colors, actually.
"Can you lend me the old ones?"

"You want my blush pink ear plugs?"
He nodded. Right, he liked pink. He wouldn't care. I took them out of the drawer.
"Suit yourself, Namu."
He took them and put one in his right ear.
"Are you making fun of me?"

He seemed so confused at the sound of my voice.
"You mean to say that's what it feels like? That's what I sound like to you?"

"Don't exaggerate. You look so surprised."

"Because I am."
He leaned in for a kiss.
"I'm going to dance practice with this."

"Practice?"
Another peck.
"What for?"

"Freshening up and getting back into it. I'm done with my samples and we're working on those after practice. They should be polished enough to record the guys in a week or two max. Kook's leaving in November for a trip."

Oh, I know. "Going to see his special lady. Meg will be so happy! Should I expect you home tonight?"

"Can't promise anything, but I'll try. Any plans for you this evening?"

Bummer, but it was expected. "I'm having dinner with some girl friends."

"Irene and Moonbyul." Why are you so close?

I grinned. "Obviously. The TEA I have on Kookie, Tae and Hoseok oppa is insane! We're having Meg on video chat too."

"Should've asked if I'm seeing you tonight."
Move back! You're too close.
"Am I in your space?"