I am not a Yandere chapter 38

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Irritated, Jihoon scooped up a spoonful of the porridge and pressed it to Yeongdeok’s lips with the spoon.

Whatever Yeongdeok was about to say in protest was muffled by the spoonful of porridge that was suddenly shoved into his mouth.

“Well? It’s not bad, right?”

“…It’s bland.”

“Shut up and eat. You’re sick, and you’re not supposed to eat anything too strong.”

“Don’t treat me like I’m an invalid. It’s irritating.”

“But you are sick.”

Jihoon handed him the bowl and spoon. Yeongdeok took another bite. It was still bland.

“Your cooking skills are lacking.”

“I put effort into making that, you know?”

“It’s edible, though.”

As he ate the porridge, Yeongdeok felt a strange emotion rising within him.

It wasn’t exactly unpleasant, but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

“Why are you doing this for me, anyway?”

“You look fine now… but you weren’t earlier.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ugh. You caught a cold because you gave me your jacket. I felt bad, so I’m doing this.”

“You think I caught a cold? That’s ridiculous.”

Yeongdeok’s eyes widened as if Jihoon had just said the world was going to end tomorrow. Jihoon sighed.

“Why do you always react like that? It’s normal for people to catch colds.”

“I thought only pathetic people like you caught colds.”

“Shut up.”

Grumbling, Jihoon took the empty bowl and headed back to the kitchen.

For all his complaints, it seemed the porridge hadn’t been that bad.

Jihoon returned with a glass of water and some medicine, handing it to Yeongdeok.

“If you’re done with the porridge, take this. And stop driving me crazy.”

“I feel a little off, but I don’t think I need medicine.”

Yeongdeok clenched and unclenched his fist, deep in thought as he assessed his condition.

“Were you always this rebellious as a kid? You’re really pissing me off.”

Jihoon shouted into the air in frustration before shoving the water and pills into Yeongdeok’s hand.

“Just take them. You have to get better so you can work tomorrow.”

Despite his confusion, Yeongdeok swallowed the pills when Jihoon mentioned work.

Seeing him do so, Jihoon warned him not to move and went back to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

The clattering of dishes quietly filled the room, eventually overtaken by the sound of running water.

When the sound stopped, Jihoon returned to Yeongdeok’s side and reached for his forehead.

Yeongdeok felt the rough but cooling sensation of Jihoon’s hand.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Not this again. I’m just checking your temperature.”

“Checking? You can’t accurately gauge someone’s temperature with your hand.”

“Have you never been cared for when you were sick?”

“I’ve never been sick in my life.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m serious.”

Jihoon, unsure whether Yeongdeok was telling the truth, shook his head, deciding it didn’t matter right now.

“Your fever seems pretty bad. I’ll get a wet towel.”

“How can you tell if it’s bad with your hand?”

“Just shut up and stay still. If it feels really hot, it’s bad.”

“That’s nonsense. You’re just guessing because you’re not that smart.”

“Whatever. I’ll be right back.”

Jihoon walked to the bathroom, wetting a towel in cold water.

The sensation of the cold water woke him up a bit, and he found himself briefly pondering reality.

How did I end up taking care of this difficult guy?

Jihoon grumbled internally but couldn’t shake the guilt of thinking he caused Yeongdeok’s cold.

He returned with the damp towel and placed it carefully on Yeongdeok’s forehead.

“Hey, you asleep?”

“I’m not. If you’re thinking of pulling something, forget it.”

“What are you talking about? I’m just putting a towel on you.”

“A towel, huh…”

Just as Yeongdeok opened one eye, Jihoon placed the wet towel on his forehead.

The sudden chill made Yeongdeok grimace.

“It’s too wet. I don’t like it.”

“It’s to bring down your fever, so just stay still.”

“Are you sure you’re not just using this as an excuse to bother me?”

“Why would I do that? Doesn’t it feel good?”

“I’d prefer your hand, honestly.”

Jihoon was at a loss for words, suddenly flustered. His face turned red as he stammered.

“Wh-what kind of nonsense is that?”

“Your hand was unpleasant, but it was pretty cool.”

Taking advantage of the moment, Yeongdeok grabbed Jihoon’s hand and held it against his face.

Jihoon, utterly confused, just stood there, unable to say anything.

“It’s even colder now.”

“Hey, you…”

Yeongdeok moved Jihoon’s hand to his cheek.

Jihoon, feeling the warmth and softness of Yeongdeok’s skin, snapped out of his daze and quickly pulled his hand away.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“You said it’s normal for guys to have this much physical contact, didn’t you?”

“No, this… This is not normal! What the hell are you talking about?”

Jihoon, his face now beet red, backed away in a panic.

Yeongdeok sighed, unsure of Jihoon’s bizarre standards for what was acceptable and what wasn’t.

“You’re so picky.”

“I’m not the one who should be called picky!”

“Stop shouting. It’s making my head pound.”

“Oh… Sorry.”

Jihoon immediately quieted down, glancing at the drowsy Yeongdeok before softly asking:

“Do you feel a bit better?”

“I don’t know.”

“How can you not know? God, you’re so frustrating.”

“I think I’m feeling okay.”

Yeongdeok smirked slightly as he looked at Jihoon. Jihoon swallowed dryly without realizing it.

“Well… I’m glad to hear that.”

Yeongdeok’s blinking gradually slowed. Watching him, Jihoon spoke.

“Don’t think about anything, just sleep deeply.”

“Why do you keep telling me to sleep? There might be customers waiting outside without knowing it’s my day off. I should open the shop.”

“You’re still saying that? Just stop. I’ll create a post on the shop’s SNS to let everyone know we’re closed today, so just sleep.”

“Hmm…”

Yeongdeok was skeptical. He wanted to argue back, but oddly, his eyes closed.

In that moment, his eyelids fluttered shut, and sleep took over.

Jihoon stared quietly at the sleeping face of Yeongdeok, biting down hard on his lips.

For some reason, his ears felt hot.

An odd sensation tickled Jihoon’s hand, as if the touch of Yeongdeok’s hand still lingered. Frustrated, Jihoon ruffled his hair.

‘Damn it… Am I going crazy?’

A complex tangle of emotions swirled in Jihoon’s gaze as he looked at Yeongdeok sleeping.

They had clashed so much over time, and not all the memories were good.

Yet, strangely, the one memory that remained clearest in Jihoon’s mind was the moment Yeongdeok had reached out his hand to him.

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Bzzz. Bzzz.

A faint vibration rang from Yeongdeok’s phone beside him, disturbing his sleep.

The persistent buzzing finally forced Yeongdeok to lift his heavy eyelids.

It had grown dark, and the only light in the room came from the phone screen.

Squinting, he checked the message.

[Rose: Christmas is coming soon. How about we meet on Christmas Eve and exchange gifts if everyone’s available?]

[Gwakdupall: Wow, sounds fun! I’m in!]

[Natsuyama Soseki: I’m in too, I’m in!]

It was a message from the “Beautiful Life” café’s group chat.

As Yeongdeok scrolled through the chat, a faint groan came from beside him.

“Ugh…”

“Seo Jihoon?”

Jihoon had fallen asleep with his face buried in the corner of Yeongdeok’s bed.

Slowly blinking, he raised his head.

“Oh… You’re awake?”

“Why are you still here?”

“I dozed off while looking after you. Ugh, sleeping like this messed up my shoulder.”

Jihoon winced and rotated his shoulder.

“I don’t recall asking you to watch over me while I slept.”

“Leaving a sick person alone didn’t feel right. Something might’ve happened.”

“I don’t like that you think I’m weak.”

“Damn it. Even when I’m trying to help, you complain. How’s your body? Feeling better?”

“Hmm…”

Yeongdeok tilted his head, checking in on his condition. He did feel noticeably lighter than before.

“I think I’m okay.”

“With you, I can never be sure. Let me check.”

Jihoon placed his hand on Yeongdeok’s forehead.

As their eyes met in the dim light, their faces were the only things clearly visible in the dark room.

Yeongdeok didn’t shy away from Jihoon’s gaze.

In the end, it was Jihoon who flinched and pulled back.

“I-I was just checking your temperature!”

“What did I do? Why are you getting upset by yourself?”

“Uh… sorry. It seems like your fever’s gone down.”

Jihoon scratched his neck awkwardly and turned on the light.

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