Hyunjae begins to poke his index finger on Suhyeon’s left cheek after watching Namra and Suhyeok arise from their chairs to step closer to the red drapes compelling the others to follow them in curiosity.

While Suhyeon squeezed her hands in her pockets as Hyunjae pulled her along to get nearer to her twin brother.

Suhyeon is not upset with her brother anymore. Maybe in a different time, she will, but as of now, they aren’t completely certain about their safety and their lives so, resentments is temporarily out of her options.

That reminds her to have a conversation with Suhyeok later today and to chat with Namra too.

There is no reason to doubt Namra’s unique case. Hours have passed and yet she did not turn into one of the zombies. There is only one possible reason that Suhyeon suspected. It could be Namra who is the answer to their curiousness, she might be immune.

If she is immune obviously she has antibodies in her DNA and if it is proven then maybe if the government knew about it they can produce a cure with the help of Namra.

However, Suhyeon visualised a bad case scenario. That is if Namra is used as a lab rat. And that is something Suhyeon (& Suhyeok) will never let it to happen.

Veins emerge closely on Namra’s right earlobe as she carefully listens to the noise that the others couldn't hear and is currently happening outside the music room. Then, Hyoryung and Daesu ask On-jo if Namra is turning because of the veins appearing in her ear, Suhyeon eavesdropped and she quickly refuses the thought.

“Someone is puking,” Namra declared openly as she proceeded with listening to whatever or whoever she is overhearing to.

It could be a zombie puking or maybe if they are lucky enough, another survivor. Just like them.

“How was she able to hear that?”

Suhyeon leans her face nearer to Hyunjae’s face. “I don’t know. Maybe she has an extremely keen sense of hearing.” Her lip curled as she cling her hand on his arm making the young man's heart flutter.

Suhyeon has always been like that towards him but still, Hyunjae still finds himself stunned and gets all giddy with the excitement of her simple and harmless gesture.

“It stopped.”

Suhyeok brings up a question to Namra asking about what did she mean. “The puking,” She replied, a response to Suhyeok’s question.

“Do you hear something?”

“All I hear is the zombie.” Daesu answered Hyoryung’s question.

“I don’t think Hyoryung was asking you, Daesu.” Suhyeon stated.

Suhyeon set her eyes on the piano where the zombie beneath it was making more loud noises and then her eyes looked back to Namra, who seems to be staring at each one of the people present in the room.

As Suhyeon looks away, her gaze landed on Suhyeok’s. He was staring down making her follow where he is looking. Suhyeon breathed in as her eyes landed on her hand clung to Hyunjae’s as her fingertips keeps on tapping into his bare skin on his left forearm.

She crumpled her eyebrows and went back to stare at her older brother. Then, Suhyeok turned away as if he was avoiding her gaze. And that made Suhyeon scoff loudly.

Suhyeok really had the audacity to act like the strict and overprotective over his friend? Especially now that he can not even talk to Suhyeon.

“Let’s go out of her. This place feels weird.” Suhyeon bobbed her head in agreement with Namra as she grimaced at the zombie trapped on the piano.

It was Cheongsan who disagrees with Namra’s recommendation and his reason is indeed correct. There are a lot of zombies. They could not risk it, especially if their lives are the ones at stake.

“We should’ve gone to the rooftop when the music was playing earlier. Damn it.” Daesu complained before sitting himself on a stool.

“Music. That’s right. We have music.”

The smirk on Suhyeon’s lips from being proud of On-jo’s bright idea was dismissed by Daesu’s shitty comment.

“Hey, dipshit, we’re in the music room.” Hyunjae sneered as Daesu uses his finger to scratch the back of his head after On-jo took the video camera that they used earlier to record themselves and spill all that they wanted to say.

An adieu for their parents and friends. If the authorities are able to recover the camera from the school before or after they get rescued from the hellhole that they are currently in.

So far, so good.

Hyunjae is liking On-jo’s plan, so far. He would say that it is easy, but as always, hard to execute. Because of fear. The thought of dying terrifies him, particularly in the hands of the undead and just before he dies, he will have to feel the pain of every bite a zombie could plant on his entire body.

He is fine with dying. But not of undergoing an agonizing pain before dying. If only he can control how he dies, he would rather die quickly than suffer and feel pain.

But what frightened him the most was not his death. It is the thought of not doing his best to protect the lady he fancies. And quite frankly, he is displeased by himself.

They are already in the middle of a possible zombie apocalypse and yet, he hasn’t confessed his feelings.

He already has Suhyeok’s blessing yet he cannot still do it. Hyunjae could die anytime now, and if it comes down to it, he would like to die without having any regrets.

Lee Suhyeon never fails to be amazed by her friend, Nam On-jo. Sure, she is not academically good but among other aspects, she is great.

On-jo’s plan is quite simple. Build a barricade. Leave the front door open. Lure the zombies inside the music room with music and instruments. Use the back door and go up to the roof.

On-jo’s dad raised and trained his daughter well.

And since everyone agreed, the group went on with On-jo’s plan by proceeding to pile up desks and chairs up until it becomes taller than them. A barricade.

Suhyeon’s plan to talk to her brother did not happen. Yet. She thought that Suhyeok and Namra will remove the cloth that ties them to each other after it is proven that the latter is not infected by the unknown virus but was she wrong.

And as much as Suhyeon loves to see Namra and Suhyeok getting close to each other, Suhyeon feels bad for On-jo. Jealousy is painted in her eyes whenever she catches a glance of Namra and Suhyeok together.

Previously, she does not mind it that much but Hyunjae’s constantly updating her about Namra, Suhyeok, On-jo, and Cheongsan’s moves like as if she is that much invested in their love lives.

Besides, she doesn’t want to be reminded of On-jo’s pain while Suhyeon is silently jumping in joy as her ship continues to sail.

Why would Hyunjae even care about his Namra and Suhyeok’s relationship when he himself won’t make a move towards the girl he likes? They could die in an instance with just a single mistake, what is stopping him from confessing?

That is the question that keeps on flashing in Wujin’s mind.

He always got to sit close or across the uncouple so, he hears a few of what they are talking about. Hyunjae notifying the Suhyeon and her replying to him, uninterested in all of it.

In Wujin’s defence, he has a strong sense of hearing—although, it is nothing compared to Namra’s but it is still strong so, he is involuntarily listening to their conversation. He kind of blames the duo too. Because it seems that Hyunjae and Suhyeon cannot properly whisper.

Or maybe, he is too curious about what they are talking about and just decided to eavesdrop.

The first time Suhyeon was happy about Hyunjae’s update for the past hours have come. He told him that Suhyeok is finally untied to Namra, all thanks to On-jo.

Suhyeon commended the young lady for it.

Even if On-jo is hurting, she is still brave enough to face the one thing her heartaches, to talk to the Suhyeok and Namra. Hence, Suhyeon approaches Suhyeok and Namra with her hands trembling.

“Hi.”

Suhyeon said just to catch the attention of her older brother and the girl her brother likes. “Can I talk to Namra for a second?” Suhyeok and Namra shared a look for a moment before the former nodded his head and left the two important ladies in his life to have their talk.

“How are you doing?”

“Great,”

“That’s, uh, that is good.”

Never in her school life of admiring Namra, she felt an ounce of nervousness to talk to her. Suhyeon was always bright-probably acting like a bright child even if she really wasn’t—and excited to have a conversation with the class president. She kind of felt like she is about to talk to a stranger. And Suhyeon detested that kind of feeling.

Namra is no stranger.

Not to the twin siblings. Especially not for Suhyeon.

“So, uh, someone told me—”

“Hyunjae told you that I kissed Suhyeok. I saw him stealing glances at us and I heard him earlier.”

Suhyeon’s upper lip curled, nervous for her friend. Hyunjae sounded like a creep or a stalker just by hearing Namra’s words. Which reminds her to tell her best friend not to do that again.

And a bit of exaggeration might help to scare him off and put a stop to gossiping about Suhyeok and Namra’s growing relationship with Wujin and Daesu (since they are the only ones who cares).

“I don’t hate you for doubting me for a second. If I were in your shoes, I will react the same way too or maybe much even worse.” Namra replied.

Not even a glint of a sign of emotion is seen in Namra’s eyes or even in the tone of her voice. Gone was the smile she had when they had a conversation yesterday.

Namra did not detest Suhyeon, maybe she is quite dissatisfied but then, she saw it coming. She was bitten and after knowing from Cheongsan that Gwi-nam was bitten by a zombie, she is scared for herself too. For Suhyeon. Suhyeok. And to the other people in the room.

And somehow, Suhyeon did not feel any better. Her stomach felt like it turned upside down and she wanted to release something from her mouth that she usually does whenever she smells Suhyeok’s used and dirty socks.

“And if it weren’t for Suhyeok stopping me to leave, I wouldn’t be here talking you.” Suhyeon lowers her head as Namra has settled her eyes on the crimson curtain. “And, Suhyeon, you don’t have to explain your side. I completely understand. All’s well to the both of us.” She added.

Suhyeon raises her head a little bit, her brows raised, “We’re still friends, right?” It would be a bummer if their friendship ended already.

Namra quickly nods her head in enthusiasm. Of course, she still wants to befriend Suhyeon, she just have to be cautious. Not for herself but Suhyeon and Suhyeok.

Speaking of Suhyeok. Namra has decided to tell her friend about the sudden feeling that she had towards her friends’ older brother.

“Actually, I’m aware. Hyunjae and I were actually betting on who would make a first move between the two of you.” Suhyeon responded. She just cannot see her brother confessing to someone he really likes. She notices that Suhyeok would rather admire from afar rather than simply confess.

A trait that the twin secretly shares.

The younger twin is not really vocal about the guys she developed a silly crush on to her brother for three reasons.

One, Suhyeok is a loud snitch. Not to their parents (because they don't really care that much) but to their friends and in Suhyeon’s case is probably the worse for her that leads to reason number two.

The entire gang would tease and annoy the hell out of her every minute of an hour and every day of a week.

Lastly, if Suhyeok does not approve of her choice of guy, he would scare the hell out of the man (including Hyunjae, Cheongsan, and Daesu while Joonyeong, Wujin, and Gyeongsu would still tease Suhyeon but is willing to resonate with her) or just simply tell a lie towards his sister.

The first year of high school, Suhyeon brought a good looking guy to meet her brother and friends at lunch. She really thought that they will befriend him for her but was she wrong.

On their supposed second date, instead of the man arriving at their meet up place, it was his brother together with their friends bringing in a news that the man she was supposed to meet was only playing with her feelings and had already had a girlfriend.

He was in fact an asshole that is why Suhyeon never utter a word or any statement when the guy approached her to report the wrongdoings of Suhyeok and friends. She just looked at the guy sternly then she walked away.

They enjoyed making the boy’s life in school miserable, like hiding his notes and books before their final exam. Made a hole in his bicycles’ tires, putting rocks on his bag. And probably the worse they did is changing the guy’s passcode for his locker. Whenever they want to.

That was very frustrating for the man.

Of course, it did not result in any physical fights and such. Not only Suhyeon would be furious but also the group of friends do not like to be and be associated with and like the Hyosan high school’s bullies.

Suhyeok had witnessed a lot of instances of the group where Yoon Gwi-nam belongs would terrorise other students for no obvious and valid reason when he was hanging out with them. He abhors physical fighting unless it is a matter of life and death. Hence, he started punishing the man by making his life hard at school.

It is still bullying but, in Suhyeok’s defence, the man had the confidence to lie and hurt Suhyeon. No one gets to hurt his younger sister, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

No one.

Although the school administration did not catch them doing all those acts but Suhyeon did, which leads to them telling her why did they do all of that.

Suhyeok and his male friends found proof that they were correct about the information that the guy is already in a relationship with another girl, however, the girlfriend attends the high school of another town and is unaware of what her boyfriend is doing.

That is why the group terrorised the guy and also told the other girl that her man is being unfaithful.

“I will never put your brother in danger, you can trust me on that.” Suhyeon sourly smiled slightly shaking her head. “You don’t have to say it but I know you are worrying about his safety. I will fight the urges and distance myself if something happens. I’d probably have to kill myself if I am about to lose control.” Namra patted Suhyeon’s left shoulder before she walks away from the younger twin.

Suhyeon leaned on the red cloth, not knowing what to do. She would love to clarify herself to Namra but she does not want to be a little bit too annoying for her.

She does not want her friendship with Namra to just come and by.

“Suhyeon-ah, you know I will take care of you, yeah?”

Suhyeon looks over at her right shoulder, it was her brother. “I am your sister so, I kind of expected that from you. But you, telling it to me, that I did not expect. I mean, you were never the kind to say such words, so...” She responded to him while carrying a chair and handed it over to Hyunjae and took a desk while Suhyeok does the same as he still following his sister.

Of course, he will take care of her, she is his sister.

“How come you’re angry at me,” Suhyeok replied, helping his sister to carry the desk making Suhyeon let go while he put it above the barricade that they are currently working on.

Suhyeon stopped her motions to look at him, “I’m not. I was surprised. Disappointed. Upset. But I am not angry, at least, not yet. I think.” She lets out a chuckle, “Shit, why do I always make it about myself.” She raises a question for herself and continued to do what she is tasked to do.

“It is about you. Your safety. Our friends’ safety. Namra’s. And along with my not-so-stupid actions.” Suhyeok carefully grabs the wrist of Suhyeon after she places the chair on the barricade they are building. ‘I apologize for drastically making a decision without taking consideration of what you would feel about it.” His expression dulled as Suhyeon was carefully listening to him.

Suhyeok will protect his younger sister from anyone who will dare to hurt her, but at the same time, he is also willing to put his life at risk for Suhyeon and now, for Namra too.

His life. Just to stand for his actions.

Suhyeon is like she said is surprised, disappointed. She was utterly perplexed by Suhyeok’s action. She totally understands how Suhyeok protected and defended Namra, but, taking risks? What if Cheongsan was right? Is she supposed to just accept her brother’s fate?

Yet, Suhyeon did not stop him from tying himself with Namra. He already made up his mind, what makes her think that he is going to change it? So, instead of talking, she walked away. One thing is for sure. If Suhyeok did something, he will stand up to it and will take full responsibility for whatever consequence is lying ahead.

A man of his words.

“I am taking responsibility for my actions and I will probably do it again in a heartbeat. If I think it’s what is right.” Suhyeon's eyes welled up as Suhyeok paused to catch up with his breathing. “Besides, I have a good feeling that you will do the same thing too if you were in my shoes and Hyunjae on Namra’s.” He added as he constantly avoided her gaze.

Carefully, Suhyeon removed the clutched hand of Suhyeok off her. How could he say that? Is that how powerful his feelings towards Namra that he is willing to risk his own life?

“I have liked her ever since I can remember.”

And that sums up the answer that Suhyeon needed. She can feel the sincerity and how serious he is just by talking about Namra. She is happy for him, and for Namra too since their feelings towards each other are being reciprocated.

Oh, how she wish someone would show interest in her like that.

Suhyeon rolls her eyes, “I know,” She whispered, making her brother quickly turn in her direction with dilated pupils, “Even Hyunjae knows. Gosh, Suhyeok, you are not so subtle as you think.” She lets out a forced chuckle.

Suhyeok chortled before patting his younger sister’s head and he walks away to help the others to carry the chairs and tables up to the barricade as it is almost done.

•─────⋅☾ 𝔭𝔥𝔬𝔢𝔫𝔶𝔵𝔳𝔦 ☽⋅─────•

how is this chapter? i am hoping that you enjoyed this!

i am really really sorry for the long wait. i had a hard time with school since there are a lot of activities/homeworks that needed to be done.

so yeah, stay safe always and thank you for the 10k reads!!!!

have a great day/night :)