Chapter 8.2

Chapter 8.2

“See? I just meekly gave in to you like this.”

“…How long have you known?”

“Since you started giving me those seductive looks?”

Yeonwoo’s mouth curved up on one side, and he stepped closer to Haewon. Under the dim lighting, his delicate features became clearer. It was a completely different feeling from when she had looked down at him moments ago.

Yeonwoo reached out, cupped Haewon’s chin, and then, as if imitating her, caressed her cheek with his thumb.

“Anyway, our lips have met—no, almost met. So, let’s at least get to know each other’s names.”

Yeonwoo grinned, his thumb tracing Haewon’s lower lip. Haewon turned her head, evading his touch, and retorted,

“I’m sure you already knew my name ages ago.”

“I don’t know everything.”

Did that mean her existence wasn’t part of his plan?

Yet, she couldn’t trust Yeonwoo’s words entirely. There were far too many suspicious elements about him.

After a long pause, Haewon answered his question.

“…Lee Haewon.”

“Your age?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“Wow.”

Yeonwoo smiled, as if delighted.

“We’re the same age. Let’s be friends.”

“Friends, my foot.”

Haewon scoffed, a sneer in her voice.

“Why not? We might get along better than you think. Seems like we both enjoy using our bodies.”

Haewon disliked Yeonwoo’s way of speaking, as if he harbored ulterior motives towards her.

“Do you talk to all women like this?”

“Do you think so?”

Answering a question with a question meant he didn’t want to elaborate. Haewon felt that continuing the conversation would only drag her further in without any benefit, so she gave up and headed for the bathroom. Yeonwoo didn’t try to stop her.

“Anyway, what do I do about this…”

He muttered to himself, looking down at his lower body.

Haewon opened the inner bunker door and stepped inside, surveying the makeshift kitchen and bathroom. The pantry along one wall was stocked with water and food on every shelf.

She picked up a few items, checked their packaging and labels, then placed them back with a suspicious gaze. Drinking them without caution felt unsettling.

She suppressed the surge of thirst and stepped into the bathroom. Inside, there was a shower stall just large enough for one person. She wanted to check her physical condition, so she immediately stood before the mirror.

When she’d briefly checked earlier, her arms and legs visible outside the towel had been clean, but her torso was still covered in dried dirt and blood. At least he had some decency; Kwon Yeonwoo didn’t seem to have touched her further.

Haewon slowly examined her body. From her shoulders to her toes, there wasn’t a single uninjured spot. A body covered in wounds and scars was her norm anyway, so she felt no particular emotion.

She unwound the bandages covering her body to check her wounds. The meticulous dressing surprised her.

Kwon Yeonwoo must have done it himself, but it was this neat? How many medical supplies did they even have here?

The more she looked, the more astounding the bunker’s existence became. It didn’t look like it had been built on a shoestring budget.

What kind of power was behind this, to make all of this possible?

Haewon shook her head, then stepped into the stall.

Her clothes were hanging inside the shower stall. Judging by their condition, they seemed to have been washed, but just as Kwon Yeonwoo had said, they were torn and burned in various places, reduced to rags.

“Well, I guess I can wear them.”

Clothes, after all, only needed to cover her body.

Haewon finished showering under a steady stream of hot water and stepped out. Her clothes were still damp and couldn’t be worn. She reluctantly wrapped herself in a large towel again when a knock sounded from outside.

“What is it?”

“Can I come in?”

“Just a moment.”

She secured her towel tightly so it wouldn’t unravel, then opened the door. Kwon Yeonwoo stood there, holding a set of men’s clothes.

“If I give you this, will you look at me a little more favorably?”

Haewon looked down at the clothes he offered. It was a short-sleeved T-shirt and a rather thick zip-up jacket.

“Not bad.”

She replied impassively and took the clothes. It was a shame there were no pants, but considering his leg length, they would have undoubtedly been comically long on her anyway.

“It would be even better if you gave me a gun.”

Haewon’s honest reply made Yeonwoo cross his arms. He stared at her for a moment before speaking.

“Oh really? Then I’ll give you a gun if you grant me a wish.”

Haewon’s hands, which had been feeling the fabric of the clothes, stilled. She slowly looked up at Yeonwoo and said,

“Is it your last wish?”

At her words, Yeonwoo’s eyes instantly curved into a smile.

“So you’re planning to kill me first once you get the gun?”

She didn’t answer, just looked at his smiling eyes and his grin. His smile was surprisingly clear, considering his enigmatic intentions. It suddenly dawned on her how handsome he was.

Haewon turned her gaze from his face and said,

“Well, if possible.”

“Wow, saying you’ll kill me dressed like that makes me feel a bit… turned on? No, excited?”

“Please, just shut up.”

Unable to tolerate it any longer, Haewon flung the tissue next to her squarely at him.