I am not a Yandere chapter 44

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After wiping down different areas of the store, Yeongdeok finished once the floor was gleaming.

He moved to the counter and turned on the POS screen when Jihoon spoke again.

“So, what did you get for Christmas?”

“It’s in my coat pocket. You want it?”

He was planning to toss it anyway, so Yeongdeok took the chance to unload Seonwoo’s gift on Jihoon.

“What is it that you’re giving it to me?”

Though suspicious, Jihoon rummaged through Yeongdeok’s coat pocket, found the box, and opened it. He burst out laughing.

“What the heck is this giant ribbon? Did you get the wrong gift?”

Holding the large black ribbon, Jihoon spun it around and stuck it on Yeongdeok’s hair, who was busy looking at the POS screen.

When he felt something strange on his head after hearing a click, Yeongdeok frowned.

“What are you doing?”

“It suits you,” Jihoon praised him, patting his shoulder.

Now that both Seonwoo and Jihoon were pushing their limits, Yeongdeok thought he might have been too lenient lately.

He shook his head, and the ribbon, poorly fixed to his short hair, quickly fell off.

Jihoon picked it up and put it back in the box.

“If you don’t want it, sell it online.”

“Sell it online? What’s that?”

He thought he’d learned most words from gaming, but apparently not.

His eyes filled with question marks as he looked at Jihoon.

“It’s an online marketplace where you sell stuff you don’t need. You can make some extra cash.”

“Interesting. How do I do it?”

“First, you sign up.”

Selling unwanted items didn’t seem like something a possessive person would do, so Yeongdeok decided to follow Jihoon’s advice.

Once he signed up, Jihoon explained further.

“Take a photo of the item, check what others are listing it for, and price it reasonably. There are lots of weirdos and bargain hunters, so be flexible.”

Jihoon believed that Yeongdeok would handle things just fine since he could be more of a troublemaker than any online marketplace oddballs.

With his explanation over, Jihoon stood next to Yeongdeok and looked out the window, where couples were walking hand in hand.

“Ugh, working on a precious Christmas Eve.”

Jihoon sighed, casting a sidelong glance at Yeongdeok, who was browsing the online listings.

“If you don’t want to work, you can leave. You’re the one who refused to take the day off to earn money.”

“Yeah, but still…”

“Then leave.”

Yeongdeok pointed at the door without a hint of regret.

Jihoon pouted, feeling foolish for even bringing it up.

“I was just saying. Can’t a guy talk?”

“Christmas Eve is just another day. I don’t see what’s so special about it.”

Jihoon clicked his tongue at Yeongdeok’s lack of sentimentality.

He wondered if Yeongdeok had acted the same way toward Eungyeol.

The thought of him treating Eungyeol more kindly than he did Jihoon made his mood sour.

“Did you treat Eungyeol like this too?”

Jihoon immediately regretted bringing up Eungyeol, nervously watching for Yeongdeok’s reaction.

But Yeongdeok simply turned off his phone and headed to the kitchen.

Jihoon followed, unsure of what to say.

“Uh, I mean…”

Yeongdeok, now holding a knife, started chopping cabbage.

The sharp blade gleamed under the light, making Jihoon flinch, but Yeongdeok calmly sliced the cabbage into even pieces.

Watching his precise cutting, Jihoon scratched his neck.

“I misspoke. Sorry.”

“What are you talking about? And stop hovering around me.”

Jihoon’s constant lingering annoyed him. It was getting in the way.

“When was I following you?”

“You’ve been doing it since earlier.”

Had he? Jihoon replayed his actions and blushed.

“D-damn it.”

Cursing under his breath, Jihoon stormed out of the kitchen.

Once Jihoon was out of sight, Yeongdeok finally felt at ease chopping the cabbage.

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Christmas Eve was busier than usual.

The store was packed with customers inside and out, and the atmosphere was chaotic.

At midnight, as Christmas Day began, the customers cheered, clinking their beer glasses with family, friends, or lovers.

To Yeongdeok, Christmas was merely the day Jesus was born—nothing more.

Yet everyone celebrated it so excessively. Confused by the over-the-top joy, he tilted his head.

As the wild night wore on, customers gradually left the store.

Exhausted, Jihoon said to Yeongdeok as the business finally wound down.

“Man, that was rough.”

“Indeed.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me I did a good job?”

“You did a good job.”

Since Jihoon wasn’t asking for anything difficult, Yeongdeok casually gave him the compliment, hoping it would stop him from pestering.

Jihoon, slumped over like a zombie, straightened up with newfound energy.

While Yeongdeok was turning off the lights one by one, Jihoon approached him.

“Hey.”

“What is it?”

“What are you doing later?”

“Why are you asking that?”

After some hesitation, Jihoon spoke. His voice filled the dimly lit store.

“Let’s spend Christmas together.”

Jihoon had gathered the courage to say it, but to Yeongdeok, it sounded absurd.

“Aren’t we already spending it together?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Jihoon bit his lower lip anxiously, then took a deep breath and looked at Yeongdeok again with renewed determination.

His eyes were filled with intensity.

“I just meant, if you’re free, let’s grab lunch together today.”

As soon as Jihoon finished speaking, the last remaining fluorescent light flickered off.

Yeongdeok, confirming that all the lights in the shop were now off, left without hesitation.

Jihoon, who hadn’t yet received a response, wondered if he’d been ignored and hurriedly followed him.

“Hey, why didn’t you answer me?”

“I got it.”

“Really?”

Jihoon’s voice cracked with excitement, and the corners of his lips began to curl upward in a smile.

While Jihoon was overjoyed at Yeongdeok’s agreement, Yeongdeok’s thoughts were solely focused on revenge against PetitRolang. There was no better tool than Seo Jihoon to mess with that writer.

“What time should we meet? Just let me know that in advance.”

“Then let’s say noon. I’ll pick a restaurant and make the reservation. Do you have any favorite foods?”

Favorite food. Yeongdeok didn’t hesitate too long to answer.

“I like chicken.”

“You fry chicken all the time; aren’t you sick of it? Pick something else.”

Why ask for a favorite food if he’s just going to tell him to choose something different?

Yeongdeok thought about it again, but nothing else came to mind.

“I’m not picky, so just make the reservation.”

“You’re serious, right? No changing your mind later?”

What kind of place was he planning to reserve that he was being so cryptic?

But Yeongdeok, who had braved fast-food joints with the Beautiful Life members, was no longer afraid of any food. Eating with his hands?

No problem.

Yeongdeok looked at Jihoon with a confident expression, as if to say, “Take me anywhere.”

Jihoon, meanwhile, wondered what on earth was going through his mind as he stared back so intently.

“Alright, see you at noon.”

“Got it.”

“And don’t forget our promise.”

“I’m not dumb enough to forget something like that.”

Only after getting confirmation from Yeongdeok did Jihoon walk off, swaggering toward the street.

Yeongdeok watched Jihoon’s pitiful retreating figure for a moment before exhaling into the cold air. His breath lingered, white against the dark night sky.

What’s so special about Christmas, that everyone’s making such a fuss?

‘I wonder if that fool Jihoon still believes in Santa at his age.’

Shivering, Yeongdeok shoved his hands into his coat, questioning Jihoon’s intelligence.

ꔚ

The time to meet Seo Jihoon was noon.

After waking up and finishing breakfast, Yeongdeok headed to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and fiddled with his bangs in front of the mirror.

His hair was growing fast, and his bangs were about to cover his eyebrows.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the kitchen scissors and trimmed them.

After leaving the bathroom, he opened his closet, greeted by clothes in a variety of colors. Gone were the dull suits that once filled the space.

Feeling satisfied with that change, he picked out an outfit.

Once ready to leave, he passed the time by playing a few rounds of his favorite high-end watch game, and noon approached quickly.

Shutting off his computer, he stepped outside, right on time.

The moment he opened the door, he saw Jihoon, who was about to ring the doorbell, frozen in place with his arm extended.

Awkwardly, Jihoon rubbed the back of his neck.

“You’re out early?”

Yeongdeok had never come out early. He was, in fact, right on time at noon.

“When did you get here?”

Jihoon’s ears were red, as if he had been standing outside in the cold for some time.

But since Jihoon lived next door, there was no reason for him to wait outside for long, was there?

Noticing that Yeongdeok was staring at his ears, Jihoon responded, perhaps sensing his persistent gaze.

“I came out a bit early. Just wanted to get some fresh air.”

Yeongdeok, knowing Jihoon wasn’t great with the cold, found his behavior baffling.

“Let’s go.”

“Where are we headed?”

“I’ve got it all planned. Just follow me.”

Jihoon smiled confidently, as if everything was under control.

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