I am not a Yandere chapter 141

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Yeongdeok felt a slight tremor through their joined hands and was at a loss for words.

“I don’t know why you’re doing this because you’ve never told me.”

“…….”

“You probably don’t trust me enough to open up, right? I’m younger than you, haven’t even graduated college, and don’t have anything to offer.”

“…….”

“But… at least let me share the weight of your feelings. I might not be able to help you, but maybe I can at least take some of the burden off your heart.”

Jihoon’s voice was thick with emotion, on the verge of tears.

Hearing the raw tremor in his voice, Yeongdeok felt like he was sinking into a deep sadness.

Realizing that Jihoon was facing him with complete sincerity, Yeongdeok suddenly felt that he, too, didn’t want to respond with pretense.

When Yeongdeok finally spoke without filtering his words through the original storyline, the tone was natural, unrestrained by the careful tone of Cha Dowon’s character.

“If what you’re saying is true, that you’re upset because I’m pushing myself too hard—what does that have to do with you?”

“…….”

“Is it because we’re friends, and you’re worried? Even that doesn’t explain it fully. I still… don’t understand you completely.”

Jihoon let out a faint laugh.

Why was he upset?

The answer had been clear to him for a long time.

Now, all he had to do was decide whether or not to say it aloud.

Ordinarily, he would have kept his mouth shut, swallowing down the words as usual.

But today, for some reason, he felt like those words he’d kept buried wanted to come out, as if they were pushing up from his throat, pounding to be let out.

It was a feeling he’d first recognized after his experience with Park Haemin.

He had hidden his feelings for a long time, but they had grown so much that Jihoon could no longer control them.

By now, he was tired of hiding these surging emotions, tired of silently watching Yeongdeok while wondering what was going on in his head.

Some might call this selfish.

After all, a confession was ultimately a one-sided act of conveying his feelings to the other person, especially in a situation where he knew the other’s feelings weren’t reciprocated.

Recognizing his emotions and hiding them had been a long process, but letting out the words took only an instant.

“I feel this way because I like you.”

“…….”

“That’s why I didn’t want to see you struggling alone.”

Yeongdeok didn’t respond, merely blinking as if he’d heard something trivial.

Seeing that Yeongdeok didn’t seem to grasp the weight of his words, Jihoon decided to confess again.

Now, he could have played it off as a joke, but he didn’t.

Once he’d said it aloud, the rest came tumbling out as if a dam had broken.

“You probably never noticed, but I’ve liked you for a long time. Do you know? You may seem cold, but you have this subtle warmth. It’s hard not to fall for you.”

“…….”

“You look like you don’t believe me. But I’m telling the truth.”

Jihoon pulled Yeongdeok’s hand and placed it against his chest.

Feeling the steady rhythm of Jihoon’s heartbeat and hearing the sincerity in his voice, Yeongdeok realized that Jihoon truly had feelings for him.

Until now, he’d thought Jihoon liked Eungyeol.

The revelation hit Yeongdeok hard, shattering his long-held assumption.

But, as the truth sank in, a different thought came to mind.

If that’s the case, then Seo Jihoon has already veered off the original story, hasn’t he?

Yeongdeok didn’t even need to interfere—Jihoon had changed all on his own.

“You’re probably dense about things like this, which is why I’m saying it now. I don’t mean ‘like’ as in just being friends. I want to hold your hand, hug you, kiss you… I like you so much that I want to go even further than that.”

Jihoon gently kissed Yeongdeok’s hand.

The soft sensation tingling on the back of his hand jolted Yeongdeok, like he’d been struck by lightning.

What was I even thinking about in this moment?

“I’m not asking you to answer right away. Just think it over and let me know. Even if you reject me, it’s fine.”

“……”

“I’ll head in first.”

Yeongdeok watched Jihoon’s back as he walked away, unable to take his eyes off him until he disappeared from view, as if drawn by some invisible force.

He’d managed to push Jihoon out of the confines of the original story, just as he’d wanted, yet he didn’t feel entirely satisfied.

Instead, a dull ache filled his chest, and he clenched his fists tightly.

Lost in thought, Yeongdeok was startled by a vibration from his phone.

Someone was messaging him.

Who’s texting me at a time like this?

He wondered, and hesitated the moment he read the message.

[Rose: Yeongdeok oppa… Actually, my brother recently got hurt in an accident.]

[Rose: He’s had surgery and is recovering, but…]

[Rose: If you have some time, could you come visit him?]

If his condition is improving, then why was Rose messaging instead of Baek Seonwoo himself?

Could it be that he injured his hand and couldn’t type?

The process might be different, but the outcome was the same as in the original story.

Surely, PetitRorang must have done something to Seonwoo…

Yeongdeok’s thoughts stalled.

Just as when Jihoon had confessed, upon hearing that Seonwoo was injured, he found himself not worried about Seonwoo, but thinking about PetitRorang and the original story.

His gaze wavered.

He felt as though PetitRorang was dragging him down into the mire named Cha Dowon, but he knew getting lost in his own thoughts now wasn’t the right move.

Calmly, he asked where Seonwoo was hospitalized.

After hurriedly hailing a taxi, Yeongdeok headed to the hospital Rose had mentioned.

As he navigated the hospital corridors, he spotted Rose at a vending machine, looking uncharacteristically pale, her bright face now gaunt and tired.

“Baek Choa.”

At the sound of her name, Rose turned, her face crumpling as she spotted him.

“Yeongdeok oppa…”

She rushed over and clutched his sleeve tightly.

Despite her sudden behavior, Yeongdeok didn’t scold her for her lack of formality; instead, he gently ran his hand through her hair, reassuring her before moving into Seonwoo’s hospital room.

“So, what happened to that Baek Seonwoo punk?”

“…He fell down the stairs.”

How could anyone possibly fall down the stairs like that?

Yeongdeok thought, but kept his doubts to himself and asked Rose, “Did he hurt his hand?”

“Ah, well…”

Yeongdeok opened the door to Seonwoo’s room before she could answer.

Seonwoo was lying on the bed by the window, and as Yeongdeok approached, Seonwoo briefly glanced his way before looking out the window, murmuring softly.

“Cha Yeongdeok-ssi, do you see that tree over there?”

Seonwoo’s question puzzled him—there was no single tree outside the hospital window but several. Being summer, the view was lush and vibrant with greenery.

“When all the leaves on that tree fall… I’ll probably be gone too.”

Seonwoo’s eyes were tinged with melancholy, sadness lingering in his gaze.

Looking at the thick, sturdy branches covered in leaves, Yeongdeok thought, ‘He’ll live a long time.’

At least past ninety.

He checked Seonwoo’s hand, but there wasn’t a single bandage or plaster.

So, it’s not his hand… Yeongdeok’s gaze shifted to Seonwoo’s head.

“So, it was your head you injured, then?”

“Heh… I’m just joking. I’m bored out of my mind here, so I thought I’d tease you a bit.”

Laughing with a sparkle in his eyes, he brushed away a stray tear clinging to his lashes.

He looked surprisingly lighthearted for someone who had been in an accident.

But if he wasn’t seriously hurt, why had Rose been so worried?

Yeongdeok turned to Rose with a look that demanded an explanation, and she hesitated, biting her lip.