2. ????a

Three days had passed since then, and the people who had been scared were gradually learning how to fight the monsters. They also discovered a few facts.

The tentacled monsters would come at dawn, just as the sun was beginning to rise. They moved in groups of four and needed to hunt down one human each to be satisfied.

Of the remaining sixteen people in the three days, three had died, leaving only thirteen. They were all criminals who were unable to escape because they were tied up. The criminals continued to plead to the police and the others, but no one listened. The fact that the five criminals had become two also contributed to their voices getting smaller.

Twelve tentacled monsters had come in the past three days, but only three people had died. Nine of the tentacled monsters were killed by humans because they couldn’t take their prey.

Sehan found out that the tentacled monsters had weak heads, even though their tentacles were tough. The heads were like water-filled balloons that could be popped by throwing rocks or shooting guns. The humans were at a disadvantage in close combat because of the many tentacles, but they could win by destroying the heads.

No matter how many monsters were killed the day before, four would appear the next day. The people were becoming familiar with hunting monsters.

Today, for the first time, all four tentacled monsters were subdued without any casualties. Those who had killed the monsters and handled their bodies with skill slept longer in the morning when the sun was rising. They were afraid of when the dawn would break and were on edge at night.

Yuju, who was napping, woke up to the sound of rain tapping on the window. As she opened her eyes, she saw Sehan sitting in the driver’s seat staring at her.

“Are you awake?”

“Yes. It’s raining…”

Despite the situation, Yuju couldn’t help but be conscious of Sehan. She changed the subject, worried that she had slept in an unsightly manner.

“Would you like to wash up?”

“What?”

“Fortunately, it seems like it’s not acid rain.”

Sehan shook the pH test strip that he had already tested while Yuju was sleeping. The test strip had turned into a yellowish-brown color indicating neutral pH.

“Park Hyeong-jin-ssi had it with him.”

The elementary school teacher Hyeong-jin’s car was filled with useless junk, including the pH test strips.

“The rain that’s falling now seems harmless to humans. There are already four people who showered, and they’re fine.”

“Four… are you referring to the students in the camper?”

“Yes. Since it’s raining heavily, they had the tank filled with water to use for washing. They said they would lend it to us as well.”

Although they could wash their faces and brush their teeth, they couldn’t wash themselves in the open field. It was already uncomfortable enough, but it seemed that the students had decided to lend their camper to everyone.

Yuju came outside with her toiletries, a towel, and a change of clothes. Sehan’s car had a large umbrella, so they could stay dry even in the rain.

“What about the water?”

“We have it. Feel free to use it!”

There was something else that changed over the course of three days. Sehan was more relaxed and friendly towards the students.

“We were already feeling uncomfortable… so, thank you.”

“No problem. We are more grateful. We are always indebted to hyung-nim.”

Hansol, who was the oldest among the students, stepped forward in response to Yu-ju’s greeting and shook his head.

Although they had discovered the source of clean water, Sehan played a crucial role in killing and defeating the monsters. Without using a gun, Sehan accurately attacked the monsters’ heads and hunted more than two monsters alone each time.

With the help of Sehan, many people were able to save their lives. It was only natural that the students looked up to him. Their attitude of following Sehan’s lead was familiar to Yuju, who had been in the same department as him.

“I left the door open, so all four of you can get in the car.”

Out of consideration for Yuju, who was of a different gender, the students obeyed Sehan’s instructions without a word. They went to Sehan’s car, chattering about it being their dream car.

Yuju climbed up the camping car that the big students had just left with an awkward feeling of entering someone else’s house.

Thud, the sound of the door locking was heard.

Startled by the loud noise, Yuju turned to Sehan. He was leisurely looking around inside, pulling down all the window blinds. The camping car, now dark and with all the lights off, became dimly lit by the faint sunlight coming in through the blinds.

“Shall we take a shower together?”

She clutched the clothes she was going to change into tightly, and her feet fidgeted on the floor.

“Since the amount of water we can get at once is not large, it would be more efficient to shower toge… ther, Just kidding.”

“What?”

Sehan, who had been speaking nonchalantly, wiped his wet hair back and looked straight into Yuju’s eyes.

“I want to shower together.”

He, whom she always thought was cold, asked with eyes filled with heat. His voice asking for permission was gentle, but his gaze downward was sticky with lust.

“You don’t want to?”

“That’s not it!”

Yuju felt like she had shouted too loudly, so she glanced at Sehan. Instead of being upset, he smiled happily.

With Yuju’s permission, he leaned his body as if he could enter the shower room together anytime. Yuju hesitated with a sudden thought.

“I-It’s not that I don’t want to… C-Can I just wash my hair first?”

Since she had been wearing a hat for about two days, she was concerned about her hair after taking it off. She was always like this, not even overly self-conscious, but she would get too conscious of his gaze. She couldn’t help it because she liked him.

“Just for a moment… I want to prepare myself.”

Sehan could only nod at her desperate plea.

Yuju quickly went into the shower room. Inside the shower room, which was smaller than she expected, Yuju took off her clothes and sent the clothes that could get wet, including the towel and the replacement clothes, outside the door.

He observed from outside of the door as her naked arm disappeared into the bathroom, leaving behind only her discarded clothes. He had no idea what kind of imagination was running through her mind.

She washed her hair with her toiletries, but then came the problem. Yuju turned off the dripping shower head and stomped her feet while standing naked. It was because it was her first time exposing her naked body to him.

“Can I come in now?”

Sehan couldn’t wait any longer and asked impatiently.