Her name is Bae Hana, Z explains, And you need to protect her with your life.

What? Namjoon frowns, looking up at the girl intently. She has beautiful, dark eyes and long golden brown hair. She chatters animatedly, her expression similar to the guy beside her.

Kim Taehyung, Jeon Jungkook, Park Jimin, Z lists quickly, Those are her close friends.

Ok, ok ok, Namjoon shakes his head slightly, How am I supposed to know which one is which?

Use your brain, Namjoon, Z snaps, sounding genuinely annoyed for the first time in a while.

Namjoon looks back at them, recalling what he overheard them saying just moments ago.

"Good morning TaeTae!" Hana responds to the guy, "Where's kookie?"

"He's over there, running late as usual," the guy affectionately nicknamed TaeTae points to a well-built guy rushing over to them, dragging a shorter guy behind him.

"Sorry, Jimin was taking too long in the bathroom," The guy nicknamed Kookie explains, gesturing to the guy that must be Jimin.

Namjoon frowns, looking between them. That must mean the handsome loud one is Kim Taehyung, the broad guy is Jeon Jungkook, and the shorter adorable one is Park Jimin.

I see... why is this important? Namjoon asks, his anxiety increasing. Z doesn't respond, ignoring his question.

Hello? Z? Mister? Namjoon closes his eyes, resting his head on his propped hand.

Z stays silent.

"Z?" Namjoon asks aloud.

"Huh?" Taehyung turns to look at Namjoon, his eyebrows raised, "Did you say my name?"

"What?" Namjoon frowns.

"V... my nickname?" Taehyung chuckles, "Did you call for me or not?"

"No... sorry I was just thinking aloud," Namjoon explains.

"Oh, have you two met?" Namjoon looks to find Seokjin has returned to his seat, looking between them expectantly.

"Seokjin," Taehyung cheers, standing up from his seat, "How are you?"

"I'm good, it's been a while, huh?" Seokjin clasps Taehyung's hand as they bow.

"Of course," Taehyung grins, looking back at Namjoon, "What's your name?"

Namjoon recalls Z requesting he befriends this person.

"Kim Namjoon," He grins, bowing slightly to the guy in front of him. Hana and the other two guys turn to look at him, finally noticing Taehyung's absence from their conversation.

"Oh, hello," Jungkook raises his hand in a casual salute.

"Hey," Jimin smiles, lifting his hand in a small wave.

"Hi," Hana smiles awkwardly. She must be a shy person.

They all introduce each other to each other as the professor enters the classroom.

"Alright, everyone," The professor calls out, getting their attention, "Quiet now, let's get started,"

Everyone returns to their chosen seats and faces the front, opening their laptops or notebooks to begin the lesson.

Alright, this lesson is going to be a summary of English basics. Anything you struggle with I'll remind you, okay? Z speaks up as if he wasn't just ignoring him moments before.

Oh? Now you want to talk? Namjoon frowns. Z doesn't respond. Namjoon takes this as his cue to focus on the class.

After an hour, class is finished and Namjoon collects his things, looking at his class schedule. Luckily, they provided a map with the schedule so the students can find their classrooms. Not that Namjoon needs it. Z usually provides him with answers before he even realises he has a question.

Usually.

"Hey, what do you guys have next?" Hoseok asks, looking between Namjoon and Seokjin.

"I have biology," Seokjin squints at his schedule.

"I have physics," Namjoon responds.

"Oh? Physics?" They look at Jungkook, who has picked up on their conversation, "I have that next too,"

"Poor you," Taehyung smirks, joining in, "I have nothing until after lunch,"

"Did you even sign up for any subjects?" Jimin frowns, holding up his full schedule.

"I did, but only the things I like learning about," Taehyung grins.

"So, your schedule is empty?" Hana chimes in, giggling at Taehyung's reaction.

They start walking off as Taehyung playfully chastises Hana for teasing him. The rest of them follow, separating at the door of the classroom. Taehyung, Hana, and Hoseok walk left while Namjoon, Jungkook, Seokjin, and Jimin walk right, heading to their respective classes.

Namjoon looks over his shoulder at Hana, feeling worried. How is he supposed to protect someone he doesn't know?

Seokjin and Hoseok have always tended to befriend anyone they meet. Seokjin is the most socially awkward out of the three of them, but he seems to attract people either way. Hoseok is just simply the definition of an extrovert.

This leaves Namjoon trailing along, meeting random new people every time he is with them. Occasionally, he'll befriend a new person here and there, with Z's input. But his social battery and preferred social interactions are limited. He's surprised he has maintained his friendship with those two for this long. He has Z to thank for that.

"So, physics?" Jimin enquires as Seokjin turns down a hallway, walking to his class away from them.

"Yeah, it's just a special interest," Namjoon shrugs.

"Really? You do physics for fun?" Jungkook asks, looking shocked, "Wow..."

"Yeah, I guess," Namjoon blushes, "What do you have next, Jimin?"

"I have dance class next," Jimin responds, smiling happily.

"That sounds fun," Namjoon nods.

Soon, Jimin turns down another hallway that leads out of the building, waving at them as he goes.

Namjoon and Jungkook head to class and sit beside each other. Jungkook seems really nice and becomes increasingly easier to talk to as Z provides Namjoon with more information.

Alright, Jeon Jungkook, 20 years old, only child. He is studying physics to become a physicist, but he'll most likely leave to study a chef course once he realises his dream to become a chef. He is a very spontaneous, relaxed individual. He is quite introverted but starts to open up after a while. He is really good at reading people though, so be careful.

Namjoon listens to Z whilst also trying to pay attention to the conversation with Jungkook. He has become very good at listening to two conversations at once considering he has been doing it for the majority of his life.

I see... Namjoon thinks to himself, watching as Jungkook starts to become excited about his dream to become a physicist.

"So, yeah... that is my dream!" Jungkook finishes, beaming happily, "Isn't science awesome?"

Namjoon smirks and nods.

"Of course, science is amazing," Namjoon agrees, "What other subjects are you doing?"

Jungkook lists off his classes happily. Not one of them involves cooking.

"That's interesting," Namjoon nods, "We share a few classes... I did want to get into the hospitality class, but I'm not sure if it would be fun or not,"

"Hospitality?" Jungkook frowns, "Do you like cooking?"

"Of course, it's a very important skill," Namjoon points out, "Plus, I'm currently a waiter and I love working in the kitchen when I can,"

This is what Namjoon does. Z provides him with information about the person, and Namjoon subtly engages with them and provides them with things that are necessary for their growth. Z hasn't necessarily encouraged Namjoon to do this, but helping people is something he loves. Even if it is something simple or something huge, Namjoon would lay down his life to help someone, and Z supports that.

Jungkook listens as Namjoon begins talking about his job. Honestly, he doesn't actually enjoy his job. But it pays him, so he works hard. But Jungkook doesn't need to know that.

Jungkook's expression seems to lighten as he reveals his own desire to work in a kitchen. However, the teacher soon interrupts their conversation, ready to start the class.

As they listen to the professor, Namjoon watches Jungkook carefully. He seems to be contemplating what he has said, his eyes glazed over and not taking a single thing in.

They finish the class and head to lunch, finding the rest of the group in the middle of the food court. It was not hard to find them considering how loud they are. They eat lunch and head off to more classes. Hana does not share any other classes with Namjoon, only English. So lunchtime is the last time he interacts with her.

Z! Help me out here! I don't know how to talk to her, I don't know how to protect her... you need to give me more information here!

Z doesn't respond, once again. Namjoon sits in class, fuming at his insistence and silence.

Fine... you know what? I won't protect her. All you've given me is her name. Screw you, I'm not doing it!

Fine.

Z's voice is loud and angry in Namjoon's head, making him flinch slightly. Seokjin smiles at him, silently asking if he's okay. Namjoon smiles back before returning to his work.

Talk to Taehyung. He knows her well.

Seriously? Seriously?? You know everything, yet you can't tell me directly?

Z goes silent again. Namjoon starts to feel frustrated at the ludicrous situation. In his 20 years alive, stuck with this entity in his mind, he has never been ignored. Z has always provided the answers. Namjoon returns to his work, slowly coming up with a plan to deal with this.

. . .

"Hey, Taehyung!"

Taehyung turns around, spotting Namjoon running after him. He is walking alone, heading out the front gate of the university.

"Hey, Namjoon, right? What's up?" Taehyung asks.

"Are you catching the subway?" Namjoon asks, keeping pace with Taehyung once he reaches him.

"Yeah, why? You catch the subway too?" The subway station is right next to the university, so they don't have far to walk.

"Yeah, I get off at stop 77, Line 3," Namjoon explains.

"Oh, really? That's Hana's stop too," Taehyung smiles, "That's crazy! I take line 3 to stop 80. How far from the station are you?"

"About 5 minutes," Namjoon smiles, grateful for a reason to bring up Hana, "Hana is that girl, right?"

"Yeah, the one I hang out with,"

"Where is she?" Namjoon frowns, "I mean... she's not walking with you,"

"Oh, she got picked up by her Dad for a family dinner," Taehyung explains.

"I see," Namjoon nods, "What's her deal? She seems pretty shy?"

"Yeah, she is similar to Jungkook," Taehyung says, smiling fondly, "Just takes a bit to open up, you know?"

"That's fair," Namjoon ponders a moment, looking for the right words, "Is she... reserved for a reason?"

Taehyung frowns as he taps his subway card. Namjoon follows him, tapping his card as well. Once they reach the train platform, he looks up at Namjoon.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... like... trauma or something?" Namjoon chuckles awkwardly. Taehyung raises one of his eyebrows, looking weirded out.

This is why I don't go seeking information Z, Namjoon thinks to himself, because then I end up asking really weird questions!

"No... she would be the only person I know who has had the perfect childhood," Taehyung explains, "I know her parents and I've known her since the beginning of high school..."

"Oh, I see," Namjoon looks away, trying to find a reason for such a strange question.

"Do you do the psychology class?" Taehyung asks.

Yes... yes! Psychology!

"No, not at all. Just interested in human behaviour... sorry," Namjoon chuckles. This seems to ease Taehyung as he laughs in return.

Kim Taehyung, 20 years old, a month younger than Jimin. He doesn't have a dream yet, but he will end up becoming a teacher. But he has this urge to get into something to do with fashion, something he goes on to regret.

Z explains, finally speaking up.

Yeah, whatever, Namjoon ignores the urge to roll his eyes.

In no time, Namjoon engages Taehyung in a conversation about fashion, using the recent news about a Korean name-brand model as a segway into Namjoon's desired conversation. During this conversation, Namjoon also manages to learn a few more things about Hana.

. . .

"Alright," Namjoon says aloud 30 minutes later as he enters his apartment, "She is younger than me but older than Taehyung. She has no siblings and two loving parents. Their names are Bae Jinyoung and Bae Chaerin. She went to school with Taehyung and Jungkook. She grew up with Jimin. She didn't experience any bullying and her parents have normal jobs and a normal house on a normal street," Namjoon concludes, "Why the hell do I need to protect her?"

Just do it. Why are you questioning me suddenly? Z responds.

"Because this is the first time you have ever requested me to protect someone. And it's the first time you have ever refused to talk about a human!" Namjoon gestures around the room wildly, his frustration becoming palpable.

I don't have to explain myself to you, boy! Z snaps, She will need protecting, you'll see.

"From what?"

Protect her. Z growls.

"Can't you just tell me?" Namjoon sighs, feeling exhausted. Z doesn't respond.

"Great, the silent treatment again! Whatever," Namjoon grumbles, storming up to his bedroom to begin his nightly routine, feeling more confused than ever.

(A/N) 🫰🫰🫰