Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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“Seongjae, aren't you working yourself to the bone without any sleep these days?”
“I'm good. I make sure to take my supplements on time.”
“That's no fun, hogging all the good stuff for yourself...”
Detectives Yoo Seongjae and Kim Jin-ho were chatting as usual at the station.
The police station buzzed with late-afternoon activity, but the two had worked together for so long that even while buried in the Park Gwangho case, they traded light jokes now and then to catch a breather.
“I'll grab some supplements for you tomorrow when I head home.”
“Thanks. But if you keep grinding like this, you'll get promoted before me.”
“With all the disciplinary actions I've racked up? No way I'd leapfrog you.”
“Who told you to take kickbacks from those merchants?”
“...Yeah, fair point.”
Yoo Seongjae had taken bribes from merchants because his detective salary couldn't cover his younger brother Yoo Seonghyeon's hospital bills.
Kim Jin-ho knew this all too well.
Yet they could joke about it like this—their bond ran that deep.
Kim Jin-ho crossed his arms and shot Yoo Seongjae a sidelong glance.
“Why so down? Our real competition isn't promotions, right?”
“Then what is it?”
“Who gets married first.”
“I don't stand a chance against you there.”
“You never know till it's over.”
“...Anyone overhearing us would think a couple of single guys are full of hot air.”
Just then, the TV in the corner of the office started playing the news.
The two paused their chat and turned to the screen. The anchor reported the story in a steady voice.
Yoo Seongjae's face hardened instantly. He swiveled his chair toward the TV, eyes locked on the screen.
Kim Jin-ho watched Yoo Seongjae in silence for a moment.
He didn't need words to guess what was churning in his partner's head.
Dr-r-r-ruck.
Kim Jin-ho stood abruptly, grabbing his coat from the chair back and draping it over his shoulders. He clapped a hand on Yoo Seongjae's shoulder and jerked his chin.
“What're you waiting for? Let's go see Kim Seok-hwan.”
*
Hmm.
I let out a quiet breath.
The living room had fallen still.
It had been full of lively chatter and laughter just moments ago, but now even the clink of teacups felt loud.
On the table sat half-eaten apple slices and cooling tea.
Jiwon-i's mom sat across from me on the sofa, sipping her tea slowly and tilting her head.
“Haeseong, you had a question for me?”
I'd held back earlier.
With the other ladies around, dredging up Soeun-i's incident felt too hasty.
Now it was just us. Perfect timing.
“Auntie.”
“Yeah? What is it, Haeseong?”
Her face stayed light, but I caught a faint wariness beneath it.
Experience like hers was hard to fool.
She looked like she'd instinctively sensed an unexpected question coming.
“It's about... Soeun-i.”
At that moment, her expression shifted ever so slightly.
She reflexively gripped her teacup but didn't lift it to her lips.
That tiny motion betrayed her tension.
“Hm... Soeun-i?”
She sounded natural enough, but unease lingered at the edge of her voice.
I pressed on regardless.
“Yeah. She came back home this time, right?”
“Y-Yeah.”
“...But I heard she stabbed a female colleague's arm with a ballpoint pen at her company in Seoul.”
Clack—
Jiwon-i's mom set her teacup down on the table.
Her eyes widened a fraction as she looked at me.
“H-How did you hear about that?”
“Just overheard it somewhere.”
“Oh... I see.”
Her voice dropped lower than before, her face subtly stiffening.
She seemed at a loss for words, hesitating.
“Was it just an accident?”
If it were a mere slip-up, it wouldn't have escalated to petitions and all.
I played it careful, emphasizing I didn't know much to draw her out.
The calmer I stayed, the more she'd share.
She rubbed the rim of her teacup with her fingertip, biting her lip.
“...If I tell you, Soeun-i's mom will chew me out...”
Her tone mixed reluctance and hesitation.
But I couldn't drop it easily.
After all, I'd nearly been on the receiving end myself.
I needed the straight story.
“Auntie.”
I called her again, softening my expression. She fiddled with her cup, frowning slightly.
“I'd love to tell you, Haeseong, but if Soeun-i's mom finds out...”
“Auntie, I'm tight-lipped. I'm just asking as Soeun-i's hometown oppa who's curious.”
“I know that. You've never been one to gossip since you were little.”
Still, she tapped the teacup's edge with her finger.
Deep in thought—wrinkles creased her forehead.
“You know I never blabbed about consulting with you over Jiwon-i's issues, right?”
She stared at the floor in silence for a beat, then finally looked up.
“...Alright, I'll tell you. But you know this stays between us—can't let it leak out.”
“No way it'd spread. Don't worry.”
Unlike her earlier fidgeting, she now seemed resolved.
I leaned forward slightly, sensing she was ready.
“So, this is what Soeun-i's mom told me when she came asking for a petition on Soeun-i's behalf.”
“Go ahead.”
“Soeun-i's mom was in the dark too, since Soeun-i clammed up about it. She asked the lead detective, and apparently... it was over a boyfriend.”
“...What? Boyfriend?”
“Seems Soeun-i had a boyfriend in Seoul. She was looking at a photo on her phone of them together. A passing coworker peeked and made a comment.”
The tension built; I swallowed dryly.
“What comment?”
“Said they looked good together.”
“...Huh?”
“Just that one line: 'You two look great together.'”
My mind blanked for a second.
Did I hear that right?
I blinked and asked again.
“So... Soeun-i was viewing a photo of herself and her boyfriend. A coworker walking by says 'You look great together,' and she stabs her with a pen?”
“Yeah.”
“Am I the only one who doesn't get this?”
“I didn't either, so I double-checked with Soeun-i's mom. In her statement, Soeun-i just said something like 'I got mad and did it.'”
“What the...”
“The detective pushed for a reason, but she never budged.”
It defied all logic—my head spun.
I rubbed my temple, murmuring to myself.
“Stabbing over a compliment like that... Unless it was a photo with an ex?”
“Who knows. Soeun-i's mom said she still won't talk about it.”
I sat speechless for a while.
The scene replayed in my mind.
Soeun-i scrolling her phone. Coworker glances over: “You two look great together.”
Then bam—Soeun-i grabs her pen and stabs.
I ran the simulation over and over, but it made zero sense.
Why...?
No, why!?
“Ha... I just don't get it.”
I'd hoped to uncover Soeun-i's past today, but we were back to square one.
I sighed deeply. Jiwon-i's mom hesitated, then continued cautiously.
“But Soeun-i's mom said something weird...”
“What?”
She sighed and tilted her head.
“As far as she knew, Soeun-i had never dated anyone...”