334: Chapter 314, "The Irresistible Witty Bubble," is shared here for everyone~

The morning training content shifted from physical fitness and combat to more professional domains.

The second basement level of the training base was a specially modified indoor tactical training ground. The vast concrete space was divided into multiple zones; currently, the central area was set up as a simulated "complex indoor environment"—stacked shipping containers, discarded office desks and chairs, waist-high obstacles, and even several scrapped car shells with engines removed.

Light slanted down from high skylights, casting mottled shadows on the concrete floor. Dust motes floated slowly in the beams of light, giving the entire scene a cinematic quality.

Jiang Zhiyu stood at the edge of the field. On a long table in front of him, several handguns were neatly arranged—not training props, but simulation models that had undergone strict safety checks and could not fire live rounds, yet were identical to real guns in weight, feel, and structure.

He was still wearing the same deep gray training suit today, but a tactical belt had been added to his waist, hung with several empty magazine pouches and a holster. At the moment, he was picking up a Glock 17 pistol, skillfully removing the magazine, checking the chamber, and dry-firing to check the trigger.

Every movement was as fluid as if he had performed it thousands of times.

Park Hae-soo, Kim Seo-woo, Im Yoona, and the "experience student" IU stood by the long table, watching with focused eyes.

“What we are going to touch upon today is the basic firearm knowledge and tactical movements that Withe would use in the movie.” Jiang Zhiyu's voice echoed in the empty training ground, clear and steady. “But before that, I need everyone to understand one thing—”

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the four of them.

“Gunfights in movies and real-life gunfights are two different things.”

Jiang Zhiyu picked up the pistol and pointed it at the distant target area—where several human-shaped targets were hanging.

“Movies need visual language, aesthetics, and the need for the audience to see clearly what is happening. So the actors' movements will be slowed down, exaggerated, with all sorts of flashy spins and dodges.”

He paused, his tone becoming serious:

“But a real gunfight, especially close-quarters combat in an indoor environment, often ends within a few seconds. No slow motion, no flashy spins, and not that much nonsense.”

“The one who survives is the one with faster reactions, more accurate shots, and more decisive decision-making.”

As he spoke, he raised the pistol with one hand, his posture standard and stable, his eyes instantly becoming as sharp as an eagle's.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three consecutive simulated shots were fired, the movements so fast they were almost a blur, but the slight recoil feedback after each "shot" caused the muscle lines of his wrists and arms to tighten instantly before immediately returning to stability.

“This is the Mozambique Drill,” Jiang Zhiyu explained as he lowered the gun. “Two to the body, one to the head. Body shots are for quickly stopping the opponent's movement; the headshot is to ensure the kill.”

His tone was as calm as if he were explaining a math problem.

“In the movie, we will adjust the rhythm and expression of this set of movements according to the needs of the camera. But at its core, as a former top mercenary, Withe's muscle memory and conditioned reflexes must be built on this efficient, lethal shooting logic.”

Next, Jiang Zhiyu began to explain in detail the structure of the pistol, the grip, the sight alignment, breath control, trigger prep... Every detail was explained simply and clearly, paired with demonstrations, making it understandable even for someone who had never touched a firearm before.

Im Yoona listened exceptionally intently.

She discovered that when Jiang Zhiyu explained this professional content, his entire aura changed.

He was no longer that gentle, youthful President Jiang, nor was he the strict but patient coach on the training field.

He was... an expert.

An expert with profound knowledge and experience in this field.

His eyes were focused, his tone certain, and every gesture carried an unquestionable accuracy. That sense of confidence and professionalism radiating from the inside out made everyone present instinctively believe in him.

Even Park Hae-soo—a veteran actor who had filmed many action movies and undergone firearm training—nodded from time to time, a clear look of admiration in his eyes.

“Alright, that's it for the basic explanation.”

Jiang Zhiyu put down the last gun and looked toward the simulated environment in the center of the field.

“Next, I will demonstrate a gunfight sequence from the script of 'the crab'.”

Just as he finished speaking, the door on the side of the training ground opened.

A dozen staff members wearing black tactical gear, goggles, and helmets filed in. They moved quickly and quietly, soon dispersing to various corners of the simulated field, occupying different covers and firing positions.

These people were clearly well-trained; their shooting stances were standard, their steps light and steady as they moved, and their eyes scanned the surrounding environment alertly.

“These are colleagues from the TG Security Department,” Jiang Zhiyu introduced briefly. “They will assist me in completing the demonstration today.”

He turned to the four of them: “Please go to the observation room upstairs to watch. There are surveillance screens there that can clearly see every angle of the field.”

The group followed the staff to the second floor.

The observation room was a glass-walled room directly facing the training ground below, offering an excellent view. Inside the room were also four large screens displaying surveillance footage from different angles.

Im Yoona stood in front of the glass wall, looking down.

Jiang Zhiyu had already entered the simulated field.

He stood in the center of the field, the Glock 17 tucked into the holster at his waist. He didn't strike an exaggerated defensive pose like in the movies; he just stood naturally, hands at his sides, his eyes calmly scanning the surroundings.

But his entire physical state—the center of gravity shifted slightly forward, shoulders relaxed but not loose, and a leg posture ready to exert force at any time—exuded a cheetah-like alertness.

“Demonstration beginning.”

Jiang Zhiyu's calm voice came through the walkie-talkie.

The next second—

Bang!

The first gunshot came from the right side of the field.

Almost at the same instant, Jiang Zhiyu moved.

It wasn't a roll or a jump, but an extremely fluid and efficient way of sidestepping, crouching, and moving behind the nearest container for cover. The entire movement was so fast it was almost impossible to track; by the time the group reacted, he had already finished moving and drawn his gun.

Then, the counterattack began.

Bang! Bang!

Two shots, lightning-fast as he peeked from the edge of the cover and retracted.

On the monitoring screen, a sensor on one "enemy" lit up with a red light representing a hit—both shots were in the torso.

Jiang Zhiyu did not stop.

He flickered like a ghost from the other side of the cover, moving rapidly to the next position. During the process, more gunshots rang out, and bullets (training marking rounds) hit where he had just been, kicking up a small puff of dust.

But his movements didn't stall in the slightest; he didn't even look back.

It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head.

Bang!

Another shot.

This time, the head.

The third "enemy" was "killed."

The next three minutes became Jiang Zhiyu's personal performance.

He wove between obstacles, his movements devoid of any redundant flair; every move precisely utilized cover, and every shot was decisive and lethal.

Two to the body, one to the head.

The Mozambique Drill was utilized by him to its fullest extent.

Even more shocking was the Close-quarters gun combat part—

When an "enemy" suddenly lunged from the side, Jiang Zhiyu didn't choose to fire (the distance was too close, making friendly fire easy); instead, he instantly raised his elbow to parry, while his other hand grabbed the opponent's gun-wielding wrist—a twist, a pull, and a knee strike.

The moment the opponent lost balance, he had already drawn his own pistol, the muzzle pressed against the opponent's chin.

Simulated fire.

Then he let go and continued moving.

The entire process was smooth as flowing water without a trace of delay, each movement carrying a cold, efficient beauty.

That wasn't a movie fight.

That was... the art of killing.

The observation room was dead silent.

Park Hae-soo's eyes were wide, his breath held.

Kim Seo-woo covered her mouth, her eyes full of shock.

IU...

IU's gaze was glued tightly to Jiang Zhiyu.

Her fingers gripped the railing tightly, knuckles turning white, her body trembling slightly with excitement. In those eyes burned a light bordering on obsession.

So cool.

So strong.

This is Jiang Zhiyu...

This is the man she had set her sights on.

Not just talent, not just looks, not just that gentle temperament...

But also this lethal aesthetic of violence hidden beneath the calm surface.

She wanted to see more of him.

Wanted to see what he looked like truly firing a gun, wanted to see his expression when facing real danger, wanted to see those clean eyes when they were stained with killing intent...

Wanted him to touch her with those hands that could easily snap someone's neck.

To treat her with that instinct honed on the edge of life and death.

To possess her.

And Im Yoona...

Im Yoona stood before the glass wall, also staring fixedly at Jiang Zhiyu below.

Her heart was beating very fast.

But not because of excitement, not because of obsession.

It was because of... anger.

And an indescribable, complex emotion.

Jiang Zhiyu was below, "killing" "enemies" one by one with ease like a movie protagonist. His movements were clean and efficient, his gaze cold and focused, his entire being radiating a powerful and confident aura.

So handsome.

So... dazzling.

But what Im Yoona was thinking was—

This handsome?

This good at fighting?

Marksmanship this accurate?

Shibal!

But I want to take a gun and shoot you to death even more!!!

She thought of the ordeal of not sleeping all night, thought of those messy fantasies, thought of his sincere expression this morning when he praised her for having "eyes full of killing intent"...

She thought of his line "I believe in Noona," and that earth-shattering gossip that was making her feel like she'd burst from holding it in...

All the anger, frustration, and the pain of insomnia now transformed into a raging killing intent.

Im Yoona watched Jiang Zhiyu perform a beautiful sliding turn below, dual-wielding (at some point he had picked up another gun) and firing simultaneously to "kill" the last two "enemies"...

Then he stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and looked up toward the observation room.

Through the glass, his gaze seemed to meet Im Yoona's.

He tilted his head slightly and then—smiled at her.

That smile was clean, gentle, and even carried a bit of youthful shyness.

As if the person who had just gone on a killing spree down there wasn't him.

As if he were just a student who had finished his homework and was waiting for a teacher's praise.

Im Yoona's fingers tightened on the railing.

Her knuckles turned white.

She looked at him, at that innocent smile, at his clear eyes...

Only one thought was in her mind:

Jiang Zhiyu.

Wait until I learn how to use a gun.

The first person I'll shoot to death is you.

For sure.

—

After the shocking morning demonstration, the afternoon training content shifted to practical operation.

It was still the underground tactical training ground, but now the field was divided into four independent shooting zones. In front of each zone stood a half-body human target, with vital areas marked in bright colors—the center of the torso and the head.

Park Hae-soo and Kim Seo-woo had already gotten into the zone. Both had experience with action movies after all; although they hadn't touched real guns, they understood prop guns and basic shooting stances. After Jiang Zhiyu's brief guidance, they quickly mastered the basic grip and began practicing aiming and dry-firing at the targets with some semblance of form.

As for Im Yoona...

Im Yoona stood at her shooting position, holding that Glock 17 simulation model, feeling that this thing was much heavier than imagined.

The cold metallic touch transferred from her palm, and the weight of the gun made her wrist feel a bit sore. She tried to recall the standard posture Jiang Zhiyu had demonstrated—feet shoulder-width apart, body leaning slightly forward, both hands gripping the gun, arms extended but not stiff, eyes following the sight alignment toward the target...

But when she actually tried to do it, everything went haywire.

“Your wrist is dipping.”

Jiang Zhiyu's voice suddenly rang in her ear.

Im Yoona jumped in surprise, her hand twitching, and the muzzle skewed to the side.

Jiang Zhiyu had walked up behind her at some point, very close—close enough that she could smell that familiar, ripe fruit-like sweet fragrance on him—though today there seemed to be a hint of faint, crisp herbal scent mixed in, like cedar, or grass after rain.

“Relax.” His voice was very light, carrying a soothing quality. “Don't be too nervous; the gun is just a tool.”

As he spoke, he reached out and gently grasped her right hand which was holding the gun.

Im Yoona's body instantly stiffened.

Jiang Zhiyu's hand was very warm, his palm dry, his fingers long and powerful. His fingers covered hers, adjusting her grip on the gun—the position of the thumb, the angle of the index finger on the trigger, the curvature of the wrist...

Every adjustment carried an unquestionable precision.

“The web of your hand should be tight against here, but don't use too much force.” His voice was right by her ear, his warm breath brushing against her auricle. “The pad of the first joint of your index finger should lightly touch the trigger, prep it, don't jerk it.”

Im Yoona's heart began to race uncontrollably.

She felt his hand completely enveloping hers, felt his chest almost pressed against her back, felt the slight vibration in his chest when he spoke...

It was too close.

So close she could see the fine fuzz on his profile, see the shadows his eyelashes cast under his eyelids, see his slightly pursed lips when he was focused on teaching.

Her breathing began to grow erratic.

Her fingers trembled slightly under his palm.

“Line of sight.” Jiang Zhiyu's voice pulled her back from the chaos. “Look forward, look at the sights, don't look at the muzzle.”

Im Yoona forced herself to concentrate, looking at the target ahead.

But all her senses were concentrated on the hand he was holding.

His hand was very steady, steady as a rock. Under his guidance, the gun in her hand gradually stopped shaking, and the muzzle pointed steadily at the bullseye.

“Good, maintain this posture.” Jiang Zhiyu let go and took half a step back. “Now, dry-fire three times, pay attention to your breathing rhythm—inhale, hold, pull the trigger, exhale.”

Im Yoona took a deep breath and followed his instructions.

Bang, bang, bang.

Three simulated shots; the recoil feedback made her wrist move back slightly, but this time she wasn't as flustered as before.

“Not bad.” Jiang Zhiyu nodded. “The stability of your wrist still needs practice, but the posture is correct.”

He paused and added: “Noona learns very fast.”

That "Noona" again.

Im Yoona's heart skipped another beat.

She lowered her head and whispered, “Thank you...”

—

“President Jiang~”

A cloyingly sweet voice interrupted their conversation.

Im Yoona looked up toward the adjacent shooting position.

IU was standing there, holding a gun, her posture... disastrous.

The muzzle was skewed ridiculously, her wrist was limp, and she looked like she could be knocked over by the gun's recoil at any moment.

But she had a brilliant smile on her face, her eyes curved into crescents as she stared straight at Jiang Zhiyu.

“President Jiang, I don't understand this at all over here~” Her voice was drawn out, carrying a coquettish tone. “Can you come over and teach me?”

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at her, then at Im Yoona, seemingly weighing his options.

Im Yoona immediately looked away, pretending to focus on practicing her aim.

“IU-xi, please wait a moment,” Jiang Zhiyu said, then gave Im Yoona a few more pointers before walking toward IU's shooting position.

As soon as he left, Im Yoona let out a sigh of relief.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

However, a strange sense of loss welled up in her heart.

She stole a glance to the side.

Jiang Zhiyu was standing next to IU, beginning to guide her posture. But IU was clearly... doing it on purpose.

"Is it like this? President Jiang~" IU intentionally held the gun even more crookedly, her body nearly pressing against Jiang Zhiyu.

Jiang Zhiyu frowned and took a half-step back: "IU-xi, your wrist needs to be like this."

He reached out to adjust her posture, but IU took the opportunity to hand him the gun: "Oh my, I really don't know how. President Jiang, could you hold my hand and teach me?"

Her voice was as sweet as honey, but her eyes flickered with undisguised cunning and possessiveness.

Park Hae-soo and Kim Seo-woo were at the other two shooting lanes. They clearly sensed the subtle atmosphere and exchanged a glance, tacitly pretending not to notice as they continued their practice.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at the gun IU held out, then at her innocent smiling face, and remained silent for two seconds.

Then, he sighed.

"IU-xi," his voice held a hint of helplessness, "take this seriously."

"I am being serious." IU blinked, her expression extremely innocent, "I really don't know how~ President Jiang, you were so patient when you taught Im Yoona-xi just now, why can't you do the same for me?"

As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't move, just watched her.

His expression didn't change, but IU keenly sensed—his breathing rate seemed to have sped up, just a little.

And his ears...

IU's gaze fell on his auricle.

There, under the bright lights of the training ground, it was tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible red.

The corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably.

Sure enough.

He wasn't completely indifferent. He was just hiding it well.

Jiang Zhiyu could smell the rich perfume on her—a sweet, cloying floral scent that contrasted sharply with the crisp, medicinal herbal scent he carried.

He could see her meticulously drawn eyeliner, her lips painted in a bean-paste color slightly pouting, and the undisguised, provocative desire in her eyes.

IU's gaze greedily scanned his face.

So close.

Close enough to clearly see the state of his skin—warm and fair like fine jade, with almost no visible pores. His eyelashes were long, casting faint shadows beneath his eyelids. His nose bridge was straight, and the line of his lips was clean and defined.

And that scent...

IU unconsciously took a deep breath.

The originally rich, fruity sweetness seemed to have really changed today. It was mixed with a crisp, herbal breath, like a spring in the deep mountains, like a pine forest after snow, cold yet inexplicably... alluring.

Making one want to get closer. To inhale deeply. To... take a bite.

IU's teeth were itching.

She wanted to take a bite.

She wanted to use her teeth to leave a mark on his neck, to taste his skin, to make those eyes that were always calm lose control because of her...

But she held back.

It wasn't time yet.

IU's lips curled into a triumphant arc, her voice dropping lower, carrying a coaxing tone:

"How about this..."

She blinked, her eyes flashing with a cunning light.

"Call me 'Noona' and let me hear it."

Jiang Zhiyu's expression froze instantly.

IU's smile deepened, and she leaned forward again, almost pressing against him.

"Maybe if I'm happy, I'll take it seriously? Hmm?"

The final "Hmm," with its drawn-out ending, carried obvious teasing and probing.

Her gaze remained locked on Jiang Zhiyu's eyes, not missing a single subtle change in his expression.

Call me "Noona". Just like you called Im Yoona. Call it for me to hear.

—

—

Starting today, I will update Ji-min's Bubble~ (As a bonus Bubble, starting today, even if the chapter isn't updated, the Bubble will be updated~ The Bubble won't be deleted. By the way, I really need to subscribe to Bubble! The last time was back in '22-'24, I think?)

[ February 26, 2026 07:15 - First Selfie ]

Karina stood in front of the window of her Seoul apartment, raising her phone. Outside the window was Seoul in early spring; the sky was just turning a pale white, and the Han River was faintly visible in the distance. She was wearing a loose beige sweater, her hair hanging down casually, and though bare-faced, she looked radiant.

Click.

She lowered her head to edit, adding a speech Bubble to the photo:

"February 26, 2026. Seoul today, sunrise is at 07:02. I saw the sun earlier than you. But that's okay, I watched it for you."

Send.

[ 07:30 - First Video Reply ]

Karina sat by the window holding a coffee cup, the camera aimed at herself. The morning light shone in from the side, gilding her eyelashes with a faint golden hue.

"Someone asked me why I got up so early..."

She took a sip of coffee, her eyes gazing out the window.

"Because today there is a meeting for the 'twelve star envoys' fifth-anniversary special project. Time flies so fast, right? Five years ago, you watched me wear that silver-white tulle dress for the first time, and now... now you've known me for five years."

She paused, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

"Five years, are you still there? If you are, then... then blink. I know you can't really blink, but I know you're there."

Video ended.

Send.

[ 08:00 - Second Selfie ]

Karina changed her clothes and stood in front of a full-length mirror. Today's look was very professional—a black turtleneck sweater paired with khaki wide-leg pants, topped with a short trench coat. Her hair was simply pinned up, revealing her delicate collarbones and the small star earrings on her earlobes.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Fifth-anniversary meeting, need to be a bit more formal. Does it look good? This is the style you like, right? I remember you said so. Don't ask me how I remember, I just... I just have a good memory."

Send.

[ 08:30 - Third Selfie ]

Karina arrived at the TG Entertainment building. A banner for the 'twelve star envoys' fifth anniversary hung at the entrance, featuring photos of her and the other members. She stood next to the banner, raised her phone, and took a picture of herself and the version of her on the banner together.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Arrived at the company. Look, me five years ago. I was so green back then. Now... is it better now? You aren't allowed to say 'both look good,' you have to say 'now is better.' I don't care, that's what I want to hear."

Send.

[ 09:00 - Before the meeting starts · Fourth Selfie ]

Karina sat in the conference room, with project proposals and coffee laid out on the long table. She raised her phone and photographed the document in front of her—the cover read 'twelve star envoys' Fifth Anniversary Special Project: The Return of the Stars.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"The meeting is about to start. Today we're discussing the fifth-anniversary special program. Do you have any suggestions? Let's hear them. It's okay if you can't say anything, I wouldn't really listen anyway. But you can say it, and if you do, I'll pretend I thought about it."

Send.

[ 09:45 - During a meeting break · Second Video Reply ]

Halfway through the meeting, Karina walked over to the window. She faced the camera, her expression earnest with a hint of emotion.

"Just now we were discussing the behind-the-scenes stories from the filming back then. The director said that for my wish-making scene, the wish I made actually came true."

She lowered her head, her voice softening.

"I wished for... I hope you stay forever. Now it's been five years, and you're still here. So... thank you. Not just to be polite, but truly, thank you. Thank you for making my wish come true."

Video ended.

Send.

[ 10:30 - Meeting finished · Fifth Selfie ]

The meeting ended, and Karina walked out of the conference room clutching the project proposal. She raised her phone and photographed the document in her hand—tucked inside was a behind-the-scenes photo from five years ago, the moment she looked back while standing next to a star prop.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Meeting finished. We're going to film a special program for the fifth anniversary, and we might go back to that studio from back then. Do you want to come? Not really come, just... just come in your heart. It's okay if you can't, I'll go in for you."

Send.

[ 11:30 - Lunchtime · Sixth Selfie ]

Karina was eating at the company cafeteria. Today's lunch was bibimbap; she took a picture of it all mixed up, then another picture of the bowl half-eaten.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Eating. Have you eaten? What did you have? I had bibimbap. The spiciness is just right; if you don't eat spicy food, you might not be able to handle it. But you can watch me eat. Then it won't be spicy."

Send.

[ 12:15 - Lunch break · Third Video Reply ]

Karina sat on the lounge sofa, flipping through an old photo album. She opened it to a page for the camera—a collection of behind-the-scenes photos from the filming of 'twelve star envoys' five years ago.

"Look, this is me making a wish. This is me standing next to the star. This is me after work, tired and asleep... You were the one who took a screenshot of this, right? I remember you said this was your favorite."

She pointed to the photo of her asleep and laughed.

"Looking at it now, I still think... I was so silly back then. But I'm still silly now, because you're still watching. Five years, and you're still watching an idiot; you're pretty silly too."

Video ended.

Send.

[ 13:30 - Afternoon schedule · Seventh Selfie ]

Karina arrived at another location—a gallery in Seoul, where she had to shoot a magazine pictorial today. The background was a minimalist white exhibition hall, hung with pieces of modern art. She stood in front of an abstract painting in shades of blue and raised her phone.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Afternoon photoshoot. Is this exhibition hall pretty? This painting... is a bit like how you look in my heart. Understandable yet incomprehensible. But it's pretty. It's enough that I think it's pretty; your opinion doesn't count."

Send.

[ 14:20 - Eighth Selfie ]

Karina changed into her outfit for the pictorial—this time a bolder style, a black velvet long dress, vintage red lips, and hair curled into lazy big waves. She stood in front of the mirror and raised her phone to take a full-body shot.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"How is this look? Is it a bit too... too much? Do you like it? Even if you don't, I'm wearing it. If you do like it... if you like it, I'll take a few more."

Send.

[ 15:00 - During a shoot break · Fourth Video Reply ]

Karina sat in the makeup room touching up her makeup, speaking softly to the camera.

"Someone asked me what the biggest change has been in these five years..."

She thought for a moment, her eyes softening.

"The biggest change is... going from 'It's not like I did it for you' to 'It was exactly for you.' From 'Don't overthink it' to 'It's okay if you overthink it a little.' From 'I thought of you in passing' to 'I've been thinking of you the whole time.'"

After she finished, she felt embarrassed herself.

"Oh my, that's too cheesy. Delete that part. No, wait, can't delete it. If you heard it, you heard it. Anyway, it's been five years, what haven't you heard?"

Video ended.

Send.

[ 16:30 - Ninth Selfie ]

The shoot finished, and Karina stood at the entrance of the gallery waiting for her car. The early spring wind was still a bit chilly, so she pulled her trench coat tighter and raised her phone to take a picture of herself with her neck slightly hunched.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished for the day. The wind is a bit strong. Are you cold over there? If you're cold, wear more. Even if you aren't, you should still wear more, because if you get sick, I'll worry. I don't want to worry, so you'd better stay healthy."

Send.

[ 17:30 - Tenth Selfie ]

Karina returned home, changed into lounge clothes, and curled up on the sofa. She turned on the TV, and it happened to be rebroadcasting 'twelve star envoys' from five years ago. She raised her phone and took a picture of herself on the TV and herself now together.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Look, that's me five years ago on the TV. And me now on the sofa. Which one is better? You aren't allowed to say 'both look good,' you have to say 'the one now is better.' Because the me now knows how to miss you more."

Send.

[ 18:30 - Dinner · Eleventh Selfie ]

Karina ordered fried chicken for delivery and set it on the coffee table. She raised her phone and photographed the fried chicken and herself getting ready to start eating.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Dinner is fried chicken. Have you eaten? If you haven't... I'll share a piece with you. How to share? Close your eyes and open your mouth. I'll feed you. Can you feel it? If you can't feel it, keep them closed for a bit longer."

Send.

[ 19:30 - Fifth Video Reply ]

Karina finished the fried chicken, wiped her hands, and curled up on the sofa facing the camera. The TV was still on, with the theme song of 'twelve star envoys' from five years ago playing in the background.

"Someone asked me what I want to do in five years..."

She thought about it seriously.

"In five years... I want to watch the 'twelve star envoys' tenth-anniversary special program with you. I want to roast my outfit from back then with you. I want to hear you say 'I've been here for these five years too.'"

She laughed, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Am I being too greedy? Let me be greedy then. Anyway, when it comes to you, I've always been quite greedy."

Video ended.

Send.

[ 20:15 - Twelfth Selfie ]

Karina stood up and walked to the window. Outside was the Seoul night view, with lights in every home. She raised her phone, photographed the city outside, then turned to photograph her own reflection on the glass.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Seoul at night. Look, so many lights. Behind every light, there's someone. But the only one I want you to look at is this light. The one that's me. Shining, waiting for you."

Send.

[ 21:00 - Thirteenth Selfie ]

Karina finished her shower and sat on the edge of the bed drying her hair. Her phone was on her knees, and she took a shot from above, showing her wet hair and bare face.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished showering. It's been five years, and I still can't dry my own hair. Do you want to come help? If not, forget it. I'll dry it myself. But next time we meet, you have to dry it, consider it... consider it a fifth-anniversary gift."

Send.

[ 21:45 - Sixth Video Reply ]

Karina dried her hair and curled up under the covers. Only her face was visible, facing the camera, her eyes gentle enough to melt anything.

"I flipped through so many photos from five years ago today. Back then I always said 'It's not like I did it for you,' 'I didn't think of you specifically,' 'I wasn't waiting for you specifically'..."

She paused and laughed.

"I don't say that anymore. Now I'm telling you, it was all for you. It was all specifically thought of for you. It was all waiting for you. I waited for five years, and I'm still waiting. What about you? Are you still here? If you are, then... then just stay forever. It's a deal."

Video ended.

Send.

[ 22:00 - Last text reply ]

Before turning off the lights, Karina sent one last message:

"February 26, 2026, the end. Today was a very happy day. Because I have memories from five years ago, and because I have you now. See you tomorrow. No, wait, I have to see you tomorrow too. Because tomorrow is also just another day within the five years. Every single day is."

Send.