I am not a Yandere chapter 55

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“If you can’t do it, just keep your mouth shut. Don’t say anything and just nod your head.”

Although merely staying still won’t create friendships, Jihoon thought that staying silent was the best way for Yeongdeok to maintain his image.

Yeongdeok’s expression showed that he was once again questioning why he had to go along with this.

Jihoon let out a quiet, deflated laugh, and the irritation he’d felt earlier disappeared like a mirage, leaving only a feeling of emptiness inside him.

“I don’t know. Just do whatever you want.”

“You don’t have to say it; I was going to do that anyway.”

“Sure, as if there was any doubt.”

After that, the sound of the recorder once again filled the silence between them.

As Jihoon listened, he found himself annoyed by how pleasant Yeongdeok’s playing sounded.

“By the way, how long are you planning on staying at my place?”

“I guess it’s about time for me to leave.”

Yeongdeok, feeling that he had practiced the recorder enough, stood up and headed for the door.

Jihoon followed him to the entrance, opening the door to see him off.

“I’ll see you at the shop later.”

“Got it.”

Once the door to Jihoon’s home closed, Yeongdeok entered his own place after unlocking the door.

He was taking off his shoes when his phone buzzed in his hand.

He thought it might be a notification from the ‘Beautiful Life’ group chat, but it wasn’t.

-Meeting Pot

[Kim Dalsu: Hello, Yeongdeok hyung!]

[Park Haemin: Is this the guy? Nice to meet you!]

That sly guy from earlier had invited Yeongdeok to a group chat.

There were initially three members in the chat, but Jihoon quickly joined, making it four.

• Seo Jihoon has entered the chat.

[Kim Dalsu: Jihoon’s here too, lol.]

[Park Haemin: Jihoon, what’s up? You usually don’t come to stuff like this.]

• Seo Jihoon has left the chat.

[Kim Dalsu: ? What’s with him? Why’d he leave as soon as he joined?]

• Seo Jihoon has entered the chat.

[Seo Jihoon: Sorry, that was an accident.]

[Park Haemin: Really? Was it?]

[Seo Jihoon: Yeah.]

[Park Haemin: For real?]

[Seo Jihoon: Yeah.]

[Kim Dalsu: ??? What’s with the one-word replies?]

Yeongdeok stared at the group chat, reading their messages before finally typing his own.

[What’s this conversation even about?]

[Park Haemin: Sorry, haha. Are we talking too much among ourselves?]

[Park Haemin: I heard from Dalsu that you’re 28? Can I call you hyung?]

Yeongdeok checked Park Haemin’s profile picture.

He had a tidy appearance, holding a designer wallet and smiling confidently.

[No.]

[Park Haemin: Is that your chat style? It’s so unique.]

[Park Haemin: Dalsu, where did you find this guy?]

[Kim Dalsu: I went to Jihoon’s place, and he was there.]

[Kim Dalsu: The moment our eyes met~]

[Kim Dalsu: I knew right away. He’s the one!]

[Kim Dalsu: It was destiny, don’t you think?]

A frown formed on Yeongdeok’s face as he read Dalsu’s message.

Destiny’s destiny?

That’s literally what he said.

Why repeat the same word?

Puzzled, Yeongdeok quickly typed his response.

[What nonsense are you spouting?]

[Kim Dalsu: You may be grumpy, but I’m sure if you met him, Haemin, you’d feel the same spark.]

[Park Haemin: ???]

[Kim Dalsu: I felt the pull of fate, man!]

Dalsu and Haemin continued chatting, but Jihoon’s messages were noticeably absent from the conversation.

[Kim Dalsu: Why is Jihoon so quiet? He’s not like this in other chats.]

[Park Haemin: Haha, no idea.]

[Kim Dalsu: Seriously, what’s up with him?]

[Kim Dalsu: ???]

[Kim Dalsu: ??????]

[Kim Dalsu: @Seo Jihoon]

[Kim Dalsu: @Seo Jihoon]

[Kim Dalsu: @Seo Jihoon]

Dalsu was just as noisy in the chat as he was in person.

Seeing that, Yeongdeok turned off the notifications and put the phone away.

As soon as Yeongdeok arrived at work, he switched on the lights.

The white fluorescent bulbs lit up the space, and around that time, Jihoon clocked in as well.

Jihoon tied on an apron to help prepare the store for business.

After sweeping the floors, he stopped near the counter where Yeongdeok was standing.

“How’s the group chat? Doing okay?”

“Honestly, it’s giving me a headache. But Jihoon.”

“What?”

Hearing his name called, Jihoon gripped the broom handle tighter, sensing a shift in the mood.

“You didn’t say a word in that chat. Any reason for that?”

Yeongdeok found it odd.

In his eyes, Jihoon wasn’t the type to stay quiet, especially in a group chat with those other two guys.

If anything, Jihoon would usually be the one to dominate the conversation.

“I just didn’t feel like it.”

“There’s no such thing as ‘just.’”

“I don’t know… I just don’t vibe with that Park Haemin guy. But don’t worry about it—it’s between me and him.”

“Is that so?”

Yeongdeok nodded and started heading toward the kitchen, but this time, Jihoon called after him.

“Hey.”

“What is it?”

Jihoon almost asked if he was seriously planning to go to that meeting but bit his tongue instead.

“Never mind. Let’s just work.”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d finish what you started to say.”

“It wasn’t important.”

Jihoon put the broom away and grabbed a mop, aggressively wiping down the already spotless floor. He scrubbed so hard that the sound echoed throughout the shop.

As opening time approached, customers began trickling in.

With the new year just around the corner, many people were visiting Yeongdeok’s shop.

Jihoon, the only part-time worker at ‘Yeongdeok Chicken’, rushed around attending to the customers.

“Excuse me… Can I pay now?”

“Oh, sorry! One moment.”

Jihoon quickly ran over to the counter, accepting the credit card from the waiting customer.

“One fried chicken, 8,900 won.”

As the payment processed, Jihoon glanced at the customer.

A black cap, a black mask—this person had recently caught his attention, coming alone each time and ordering just one fried chicken.

Jihoon debated striking up a conversation.

The man seemed like he might become a regular, but at the same time, Jihoon worried about making him uncomfortable.

After some hesitation, he cautiously spoke.

“You’re here again today?”

“Oh… Yeah.”

The man’s discomfort was evident, and Jihoon immediately regretted saying anything.

He imagined the man’s social media post: “I used to like this chicken place, but the part-timer made things awkward, so I’m never going back.”

Already picturing it, Jihoon mentally apologized to Yeongdeok for losing a customer.

The man hesitated, glancing toward the kitchen.

Jihoon followed his gaze and saw that he was looking at Yeongdeok.

Why is he staring at Yeongdeok?

Just as Jihoon wondered this, Yeongdeok, who was frying chicken, suddenly turned around.

Startled, the man quickly ducked down to hide.

Jihoon was left confused, wondering what in the world was going on.

“Excuse me, what are you doing, sir?”

“It’s nothing… No need to worry.”

Damn it.

If it were you, could you not be concerned?

Jihoon barely managed to hold back from saying that.

“You’re not feeling unwell, are you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

The man gripped the counter, scanning the room like a meerkat before standing back up.

Jihoon thought, ‘There are so many people in this world, and so many weirdos like Cha Yeongdeok’.

Jihoon quickly handed over the credit card and receipt to get rid of the man.

“Your payment went through. Have a nice day.”

“Thank you. And, uh…”

Even though the transaction was complete, the man lingered.

If he had something to say, Jihoon wished he’d say it quickly and leave.

Jihoon could only think about cleaning the messy table and preparing for the next customer.

The man, who had been hesitating, finally lifted his head and looked at Jihoon.

His droopy eyes gave off a gentle impression, but the unwavering black irises made him seem unexpectedly resolute.

Jihoon felt like he had seen him somewhere before.

“Could you pass a message to Mr. Cha… I mean, to the owner?”

“What kind of message?”

Please don’t tell me this guy also has a thing for Cha Yeongdeok and is asking for his phone number.

Jihoon recalled the trouble he had gone through pacifying and sending away other difficult customers.

“Just tell him the chicken was really delicious.”

Jihoon’s mind was suddenly filled with question marks. Why was he acting so shy over something so trivial?

He could have just said “It was good” on his way out.

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