The Girl Wants to Be Murdered

TL/Editor: Butter Cat

Status: 4/week mon-thurs

Illustrations: none

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〈 Chapter 48 〉 Chapter 48. 17(?)

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I don't want a lot for Christmas

I don't care about presents underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own more than you could ever know

Make my wish come true...

All I want for Christmas Is you...

《All I Want For Christmas Is You — Mariah Carey》

**

A letter written in neat and clean handwriting, as if reflecting the writer's emotions.

The letter, which would have evoked feelings of joy and admiration with its meticulous penmanship, unfortunately had most of its writing smudged due to some liquid.

Drip, drip.

The letter, once crisp and new, was now soaked and swollen from the liquid seeping into it.

And the words, once carefully written, one character at a time, were now washed away by something that had poured like rain, their original forms unrecognizable.

It was a sight that could only be described as heartbreaking.

The letter itself, in its ruined state, was a tragedy, vividly showing the reader the writer's emotions during those brief moments of writing, bringing tears to everyone's eyes.

Her family, her friends, everyone.

Despite the letter being in such a messy state, the fact that she had placed it in her favorite envelope, the one she always cherished, and carefully sealed it, showed her true nature.

She always wanted to use good things for others, rather than for herself.

No matter what happened, she always tried her best not to be rude or cause trouble for others.

Always acting for the sake of others.

That was, just like her.

Yes. She was a kind child, too kind for them, loved by everyone and loving everyone until her death.

Moving down to the bottom of the letter.

The place where the letter ends.

There, miraculously, was a single line, untouched by tears, perfectly readable.

No fear of the impending death.

No resentment towards those who had driven her to this.

No gratitude, no love, nothing, for the family and friends who had cared for her.

A sentence that evoked only despair in those who read it.

[—I'm so sorry, Yeri. I'm sorry. Please, forgive me.]

An apology to the friend who had lashed out at her.

That was the only thing left there.

That's right.

She died without any salvation, until the very end.

Lonely and alone, in an empty classroom.

Fighting against the fear of death.

**

Clack, clack.

The teachers' office, a place that would evoke nostalgia and memories for some.

The students had all left, and the daytime hustle and bustle had subsided, leaving only the sound of keyboard clicks filling the air.

No, except for one person's voice.

"—Teacher Yeri, why don't you head home soon?"

"........Excuse me?"

That pleasant noise, almost like a melodic song, was interrupted by an unwelcomed visitor.

Tap, a female teacher entered, opening the door, and addressed her colleague, who was sitting at her desk, working late and organizing materials.

The person sitting at her desk, called Teacher Yeri, flinched slightly at the sound.

Seeing that, the teacher who had entered let out a small sigh.

She's like a troublesome student, she muttered softly as she walked towards Yeri, who was still sitting at her desk.

Taking care of her colleague, who always seemed to be chased by something, always looking stressed, had become a habit, a small hobby no one knew about.

Well, a few people in the teachers' office had already noticed it, but still.

She had come to the classroom just in case, and as expected, her colleague was still there, working late.

".....Ah, it's already this late…"

"It's Christmas Eve tomorrow, you know? Leave the work and go home! Take a good rest!"

".........."

"....Teacher?"

What is the privilege of being a teacher, a civil servant?

The answers would vary from person to person, but she believed that clocking in and clocking out on time was the most beautiful right.

Moreover, tomorrow was Christmas, a golden holiday. She couldn't understand why her colleague, who was pretty and popular, was still here at this hour when she could have finished up quickly and gone out to meet her boyfriend.

As for the person in question, her face stiffened the moment she heard the words "Christmas Eve."

As if she hadn't known that tomorrow was Christmas Eve.

As if she had heard something she shouldn't have.

"....Are you feeling unwell?"

"......Ah, I'm fine, Teacher Sehee."

Did I touch a nerve?

Sehee, who had thought that, watched as Yeri slowly packed her things, preparing to leave. She then left the teachers' office, thinking about the happy night that awaited her tomorrow.

Thinking that everything would be fine.

And so, the woman named Sehee walked towards the parking lot where her car was parked.

"........."

Behind her.

Unaware of Yeri who was standing still, staring blankly at the empty space.

**

Yeri was slowly walking down the street, snow falling around her.

Christmas Eve, when the stars begin to twinkle in the sky above the trees.

A night that was neither silent nor holy.

She walked past the brightly lit shops and the dazzling neon signs, past the people with hopeful, cheerful expressions, and then she threw herself into a narrow, dark alley.

She took out a slim cigarette, but couldn't bring herself to light it, just leaned against the cold wall, her back against it.

Click, click. The lighter in her hand sparked, creating small flames.

"........."

Sigh.

The white breath that escaped her lips slowly rose into the air, then gradually faded and disappeared within seconds.

Even so, Yeri continued this meaningless act, watching as the smoke dissipated.

The breath, as white as the clouds floating in the sky, which she thought would float forever, was easily scattered by the slightest breeze and vanished.

Born, and gone.

Created, and abandoned.

"—Yuna!! Look at this!!"

"Wow!! It's so, sparkly!!"

"........"

Her ears, lost in thought, caught the sound of childish voices, and her dull eyes shifted towards the entrance of the alley.

There, visible through the entrance, two little girls were standing in front of a brightly lit shop window, holding hands, looking at something.

They weren't students she taught, but they were about the same age.

The children, their tiny hands clad in cute tiny mittens, reached out towards the objects on display beyond the window, chatting amongst themselves.

Standing so close to each other that they seemed to be touching, their faces turned towards each other as they talked, a sight that most adults would be too embarrassed to do, it was a display of childlike innocence, untouched by the world.

Just like Yeri and—

"...."

Yeri, stared at them, mesmerized.

Silently. In a dark alley, unseen by anyone.

Did they choose what they wanted? Or did they just want to go into the warm store.

The girls, who had been chatting excitedly, entered the store, their gloved hands joined together, sharing their warmth.

Beyond the frosted window, she could see the children placing an order to the kind shopkeeper.

They looked so happy that Yeri averted her eyes slightly.

And a few minutes later, the children emerged from the store, smiling, their appearance changed from before.

At that moment, a cold yet refreshing breeze, unique to winter, blew past.

And in that breeze, the sky-blue and pink scarves the two children wore fluttered.

Beautifully.

Right before her eyes.

—Thud.

"....Haa....Haa..."

The unlit cigarette she had been holding in her mouth fell to the ground.

Yeri exhaled strongly and clutched her chest hard with her right hand.

Countless wrinkles appeared on her neatly ironed blouse and her pristine, spotless clothes, devoid of even the smallest stain, creaked and groaned as if in pain.

Her breath ragged and her lips so cold from the frost that they no longer formed a mist, Yeri could barely breathe.

But even after a few minutes had passed, Yeri's breathing didn't calm down.

Rather, it became faster, more erratic.

"...Ha, haa, ha, haa, haa."

She was no longer just crouching, her entire body had fallen to the ground.

Lying on the cold, snow-covered ground, she trembled, her body shaking uncontrollably.

Her body grew increasingly numb, and her lips and eyelids were twitching in small spasm.

It was a serious situation, one that anyone would recognize as such, but Yeri, her face growing paler with each passing moment, didn't call for help, instead, she slowly started to strangle herself with her left hand.

As if, trying to die.

And so, she forced her disobedient hand to move.

Her pupils, slowly dilating, were fixated on the image of two scarves fluttering in the distance.

"....Haha."

A hollow laugh, echoed through the empty alley.

**

Make my wish come true...

All I want for Christmas Is you...

**

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