335: Chapter 315 My Exclusive Bubble-like Arrogant Girlfriend~

At that moment, time in the entire training ground seemed to have been pressed with a pause button.

Although Park Hae-soo was still practicing his aim at the target, the corners of his eyes were already firmly locked onto the movement at the neighboring shooting station. Kim Seo-woo stopped her movements completely, the muzzle of the gun in her hand dropping unconsciously, and she held her breath.

And Im Yoona—

Im Yoona's fingers tightly gripped the gun handle, her knuckles turning white from the force.

Her gaze was fixed firmly on Jiang Zhiyu and IU, watching IU's feigned innocent and coquettish manner, seeing her body almost pressed against Jiang Zhiyu, and seeing the undisguised, provocative possessiveness in her eyes...

And that sentence, which was light but stabbed into her heart like a knife:

"Let me hear you call me 'Noona'."

Noona.

When Jiang Zhiyu called her "Noona," his voice was always gentle, with a perfect sense of closeness and respect. It was the softest syllable she had ever heard him utter.

And now, IU wanted to snatch away this title.

In such a frivolous way, with obvious seductive intent.

Im Yoona clenched her teeth, her back molars grinding audibly, the roar inside her almost bursting through her throat:

Jiang Zhiyu, don't you dare call her that!

If you dare call her "Noona," if you dare speak to her in that voice...

I'll... I'll...

Her brain went blank with anger and an unspeakable panic, the final threat stuck in her throat, turning into a silent, teeth-gritting curse:

I'll really shoot you dead!!!

Her hand holding the gun was trembling slightly, not from fear, but from some intense emotion crashing through her veins. At that moment, she couldn't even tell if she was angry because of IU's provocation or because of some deeper possessiveness she didn't even dare to admit.

However, in the next second, the development of events completely exceeded everyone's expectations.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't call her that.

Nor did he back down.

He didn't even show any expression of being offended or troubled.

He just quietly looked at the triumphant IU in front of him, and in those eyes that were always clear and calm, something began to slowly change.

At first, it was a glimmer deep in his pupils, like a candle lit in the dark.

Then that light began to spread, from the edges of the pupils to the entire iris, and the originally clear amber color was gradually stained with a deep, almost eerie hue.

That wasn't an ordinary change.

It was a... complete subversion of temperament.

If the previous Jiang Zhiyu was like a clear mountain spring—clean, gentle, and relaxing.

Then at this moment, he was like an unfathomable deep pool, calm on the surface, but with heart-pounding undercurrents surging beneath.

His eyes—those eyes that were already excessively beautiful—were even more soul-stirring now.

The corners of his eyes seemed to tilt up slightly, the shadows cast by his eyelashes under the light were deeper, and a nearly demonic, charming luster flickered deep in his pupils.

Like a Nine-tailed Fox in mythology that seduces people into falling.

Like a demon staring at its prey from the abyss.

Like... an existence that could make people sink and release their darkest inner desires regardless of everything.

The triumphant smile on IU's face froze instantly.

She looked into Jiang Zhiyu's eyes, looking at those pupils that were now bottomless and seemed able to swallow all light, and her whole body was like she had been hit by a freezing spell, unable to move.

No, not unable to move.

She was being sucked in.

Her consciousness, her gaze, and all her attention were firmly caught by those eyes, like being dragged down, down, down by a whirlpool...

Then, she saw it.

Not with her eyes.

It was an image constructed directly in her mind.

---

Blackened IU looked up, staring fixedly at Jiang Zhiyu, her eyes burning with a more intense and crazed possessiveness than before.

But this time, there was a hint of... awe in that desire?

And a hint of a near-submissive shudder that she herself was unwilling to admit.

"No," she spoke, her voice extremely raspy from excessive panting, "I'm going back first."

After saying that, she almost stumbled as she turned around and rushed toward the training ground exit without looking back, her retreating figure as panicked as if she were escaping some predatory beast.

Jiang Zhiyu looked in the direction she left, his face still wearing that faint, polite smile.

"Take care."

His tone was calm and rippleless.

There was a dead silence in the training ground.

Park Hae-soo and Kim Seo-woo looked at each other, both of their faces filled with the bewilderment of "What exactly just happened?"

They only saw IU acting coquettishly and asking Jiang Zhiyu to call her "Noona," then the two of them stared at each other for a while, and then... IU's face turned red, her breathing became rapid, and she stumbled away?

Eye contact?

Can eye contact have such power?

Im Yoona was also stunned.

Her previous anger of "dare to call her that and I'll kill you" was completely extinguished by this bizarre development.

She looked at Jiang Zhiyu, looking at his calm, clean, and innocent face, and watching his natural and smooth movements as he tidied his collar...

There was only one thought in her mind:

Just now... what was that?

That was definitely not ordinary eye contact.

Although she was a bit of a distance away, the change in Jiang Zhiyu's temperament at that moment, and IU's near-breakdown reaction...

Both made a strong sense of unease surge in her heart.

Jiang Zhiyu...

Who... are you exactly?

As for Jiang Zhiyu, after watching IU leave, he turned around and looked at the three people who were still in a daze.

His gaze fell on Im Yoona, paused for a moment, and then he smiled slightly.

"Alright, let's continue practicing."

His voice was as gentle as usual, as if that bizarre interlude, which was enough to make anyone's psyche collapse, was just a small diversion during the training process.

But as Im Yoona looked at his clear eyes, the string in her heart tightened even more.

This person...

Is too dangerous.

---

In the private bathroom attached to the training ground, the sound of water splashed.

The rising heat filled the cramped space, blurring the mirror surface. IU stood under the showerhead, allowing the scalding hot water to wash over her body. The water slid over the shoulders, back and waist, bringing waves of comfortable numbness and finally gradually calming down the almost out-of-control physiological reaction.

She closed her eyes and tilted her face up, letting the water flow directly onto her face.

But even so, those eyes still appeared in her mind with terrifying clarity.

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes.

Just now, in that corner of the shooting area—those eyes that were originally clear and gentle, like a harmless youth's, suddenly changed in an instant.

It was as if the calm surface of a lake suddenly cracked, and hot, thick darkness surged from beneath.

Some bottomless vortex swirled deep in the pupils, dark, profound, and with an almost eerie charm.

Those were not human eyes.

Or rather, that was not the look any "normal human" in her knowledge should have.

It was more like... some ancient, non-human existence staring and tempting its prey through a human skin.

IU's fingers unconsciously pressed against the cold tiled wall.

Even through the hot water, she could still feel the lingering tremor in her body—the electric current surging from deep in her spine, the tingling sensation on her scalp, and the suffocating feeling of her heart racing so fast it almost exploded...

There are also those more private and more embarrassing physiological needs.

She bit her lip, the hot water sliding down her cheeks, making it impossible to tell if it was water or sweat.

Over a minute of eye contact.

She was like she was nailed to the spot, unable to move. All her reason, all her calculations, and all her pretenses collapsed under the gaze of those eyes.

Only the most primitive and instinctive reactions remained.

Wanting to get closer.

Wanting to touch.

Wanting... to be gazed at by those eyes for a little longer.

Even if that gaze might hide deadly danger.

"Ha..."

IU gave a low laugh, her voice sounding particularly clear in the empty bathroom, with a hint of self-mockery, but even more excitement.

She turned off the faucet and grabbed a towel to wipe her body.

The mirror had been completely blurred by the steam. She reached out and wiped a clear area on the mirror surface with her palm.

The mirror reflected her face.

Her hair was wet and clung to her cheeks and the side of her neck, with water droplets sliding down her collarbone. Her cheeks still carried the flush steamed up by the heat, and her eyes appeared exceptionally bright due to the stimulation just now, even carrying a hint of... post-satiation laziness.

That kind of expression was something she rarely saw herself.

It was not a deliberately posed sweet smile, nor was it a carefully designed innocent expression.

It was a... natural relaxation and flush after physiological needs were satisfied.

It was like...

IU's fingertips lightly touched her own cheek.

Burning hot.

She looked at herself in the mirror, looking at the light in those eyes that had not yet completely receded, a mix of shame and excitement.

Then, she smiled.

The corners of her mouth rose bit by bit, at first a small curve, then deeper and deeper, finally turning into an almost arrogant and aggressive smile.

Fear?

There was indeed some.

At that moment just now, when Jiang Zhiyu's eyes changed, she did feel a chill—the instinctive alertness of a biological being facing unknown danger.

But compared to fear...

There was more greed.

Possessiveness.

A strong desire to completely control that dangerous, mysterious, and seductive existence in her hands.

"Jiang Zhiyu..."

IU whispered this name, her voice somewhat raspy from the hot bath just now, yet even more low and alluring.

"You really are... more interesting than I imagined."

She had originally thought he was just a talented young president, a target worth investing in and winning over, a... prey that she could slowly tame.

But now it seemed things weren't that simple.

Under that gentle and clear youthful exterior, something deeper, darker, and more dangerous was hidden.

And that thing...

Had just revealed a tip of the iceberg to her.

Just a tip, and it almost made her lose control.

"What an unexpected surprise."

IU's smile deepened, a near-fanatical light flickering in her eyes.

She wasn't afraid of danger.

She was only afraid of being bored.

And Jiang Zhiyu... obviously wouldn't let her be bored.

She remembered the feeling of being completely seen through yet deeply attracted during the eye contact just now.

She remembered the burning temperature of his palm when he held her.

She remembered the sense of ease and control when he finally regained his composure and politely said, "IU-ssi, please practice well"...

No.

It wasn't him who was in control.

It was she who was being controlled.

Although it was only for over a minute, although he finally took the initiative to withdraw that dangerous look... IU knew clearly that in that short minute or so, all her reactions were completely seen through by him under his gaze, and even... guided by him.

This realization should have made her angry, made her alert, and made her want to escape.

But at this moment, what surged in her heart was a more twisted and excited tremor.

She wanted more.

She wanted to see those eyes reveal that dangerous light again.

She wanted to feel that sense of losing control that almost made her melt under such a gaze again.

She wanted to... conquer him.

Conquer that dangerous and charming existence hidden under the gentle exterior.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

"Just you wait, Jiang Zhiyu."

IU spoke softly to her reflection in the mirror, her tone filled with a sense of inevitable victory.

"I will make you..."

She paused, her eyes darkening.

"Completely mine."

Having said that, she pulled off the bath towel and changed into the clean clothes she had prepared—not her training gear, but a set of exquisitely tailored casual wear.

She needed a moment to process the shock from just now and reformulate her plan.

But one thing she was absolutely certain of—

She was determined to have Jiang Zhiyu.

Whether as a business partner, an investment target, or as...

The man who could make her lose control, yet also leave her satisfied.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, IU's face had already returned to its usual sweet smile.

But in those eyes, a deeper, more dangerous resolve was hidden.

Over at the training ground, shooting practice was still continuing.

She did not go back, but left the training base directly.

Some things require temporary distance to be seen more clearly.

And some prey...

Require patience to be fully captured.

— —

— —

(This Bubble content is self-designed; let me see if I can change it after a month? Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, but I feel buying Bubble has no cost-performance ratio. Like at our workplace, sending one message costs ten cents, so thirty yuan should at least cover three hundred messages!)

[February 27, 2026, 06:45 - First Selfie]

Karina reached a hand out from under the covers, groggily fumbled for her phone, and snapped a picture of the ceiling.

The photo only showed the white ceiling and half of her messy hair.

Click.

She squinted while editing, adding a speech Bubble to the photo:

"February 27, 2026, 6:45 AM. Woke up. The first thought was: Did I dream of you last night? Thought for three seconds, remembered. I did. Satisfied? If you're satisfied, go back to sleep, and if you're not, go back to sleep anyway, because I'm still sleepy."

Sent.

[06:52 - First Reply Video]

Karina was still lying in bed, her hair covering half her face, her voice raspy like a little duckling.

"I dreamed of you last night. I dreamed we went to the supermarket to buy groceries together. You were pushing the cart, and I was sitting inside. Yes, the kind of shopping cart for little kids. My legs are too long so it was a bit cramped, but I didn't care, I wanted to sit in it. You bought me lots of snacks and an extra-large lollipop. Then the cashier said the card transaction failed—you didn't have any money on your card. Then I woke up."

She turned over and wrapped herself up like a silkworm cocoon.

"It's all your fault for not having money even in my dreams. Earn more today; tonight in my dreams, I'm going to buy an even bigger lollipop. You figure it out."

Video end.

Sent.

[07:10 - Second Selfie]

Karina finally crawled out of bed and walked to the mirror.

She raised her phone and snapped a picture of herself just waking up—hair exploding, eyes puffy, pajama collar crooked to one side, revealing a sliver of collarbone.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Failed to get up for the second time. Now I'm really up. Do I look like a kitten that's been electrocuted? If I do, that's right, because when you threw me into the shopping cart in my dream, I was indeed shocked. Your job today is to smooth my fur. Starting now."

Sent.

[07:25 - Second Reply Video]

Karina was recording the video while washing her face.

Her face was covered in facial cleanser foam, with only her two bright, sparkling eyes visible.

"What's the schedule for today? Let me tell you, today's itinerary is super packed. Practice, recording, meetings, more practice, more recording, more meetings. But no matter how packed it is, I will make time to think of you. Every minute, every second. Even if I can't find the time, I have to make it. Just wait to receive my messages; I'll be sending lots and lots and lots today."

She rinsed off the foam with water, her face instantly clean.

"Scared? If you are, that's right. Even if you're scared, you have to receive them. I don't care if you're scared or not, I'm sending them anyway. You're my person, so you have to receive my messages. I don't accept rebuttals. Rebuttals are invalid."

Video end.

Sent.

[07:40 - Third Selfie]

Karina finished washing her face and took a selfie in the mirror.

Water droplets still hung on her face, her eyelashes were damp, and she deliberately made a pitiful expression, pouting her lips high.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished washing my face. I'm awake. But I still want to take a nap. I want you to sleep with me. Not that kind of sleep, just purely sleeping together. Don't overthink it. If you overthink it, that's on you. But it's okay if you overthink it, because I overthought it too. We're even."

Sent.

[07:55 - Fourth Selfie]

Karina walked to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took a picture of the leftover kimchi soup from yesterday.

The soup was still in the bowl, with a thin layer of grease on the surface.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Still a little bit of yesterday's kimchi soup left. Heating it up for breakfast. Are you going to say it's unhealthy? Don't you dare. If you say it, I'll cry. If I cry, you'll have to comfort me. Comforting me takes time. So it's best if you don't say it. Just ask me if it's tasty."

Sent.

[08:10 - Third Reply Video]

Karina was recording the video while heating the soup.

She was wearing that pink apron, her hair tied up in a messy bun, with a spoon in her mouth.

"Let me tell you, that kimchi soup from yesterday was really, really good. If you were here, you could have tasted it. When are you coming? Today? No, too busy today. Tomorrow? Also no, busy tomorrow too. The day after? Seems like I have stuff to do then too. Forget it, I won't ask; you're not coming anyway."

She sighed and took the spoon out of her mouth.

"Forget it if you're not coming. I'll bring the soup to find you. Where are you? The company? At home? Or in my dreams? Dreams are fine too, I'm going there tonight anyway. Remember to wait for me in my dreams. Bring enough money; I want to buy a big lollipop."

Video end.

Sent.

[08:30 - Fifth Selfie]

Breakfast finished, Karina took a picture of the empty bowl for the camera.

The bottom of the bowl was clean, not a single grain of rice left.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished eating. Not a single grain left. Am I a good girl? If I am, praise me. If I'm not, you still have to praise me. Anyway, I want to hear nice things. If you don't say nice things, I'll keep asking until you praise me."

Sent.

[08:45 - Fourth Reply Video]

Karina finished changing clothes and stood in the entryway, ready to head out.

Today she was wearing a light blue sweatshirt with a white skirt, her hair tied in a high ponytail, looking fresh and cute.

"Heading out. Gotta look beautiful today. Not for you, but for myself. You're just getting to see it incidentally. By 'incidentally,' I mean you're lucky. Don't thank me, it's only right."

She spun around in front of the mirror.

"Does it look good? Tell the truth. If you don't tell the truth... I'll come back and change into another outfit, and keep changing until you do tell the truth. Anyway, I'm not in a rush; if I'm late, I'll say it's your fault. You're responsible."

Video end.

Sent.

[09:15 - Sixth Selfie]

Karina arrived at the practice room and held up her phone to take a picture in the mirror.

She was changing into her dance shoes, bending over, her ponytail hanging down, revealing a stretch of fair nape.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Arrived at the practice room. Changing shoes now. Are you changing shoes too? If you aren't, change now. Let's change together. Even though we aren't in the same place, changing shoes at the same time counts as being together. Right? If it is, nod. If it isn't, nod anyway. If I say it's right, it's right."

Sent.

[09:45 - Fifth Reply Video]

Karina started to warm up, recording the video while stretching her legs.

She propped her phone up in front of the mirror, doing various stretching exercises.

"Warming up. So tired. But thinking of you makes me not tired. Are you my stimulant? If you are, that's right. Then I've taken my drug now, and I'll be super excited all day today. Get ready, today I'm going to be super clingy, super clingy, super clingy."

She did a full split, her face almost pressed against her leg, her voice muffled.

"The kind of clingy you can't shake off. If you can't shake me off, then don't. Just take me with you. I'm not heavy anyway. And I'm quite cute. Right?"

Video end.

Sent.

[10:30 - Seventh Selfie]

During a practice break, Karina sat on the floor drinking water.

She raised her phone and snapped a picture of herself covered in sweat—hair soaked and stuck to her face, cheeks flushed red, but her eyes shining bright.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Resting. So tired. Missing you. Doing three things at once. Am I amazing? If I am, praise me. If I'm not, praise me anyway. Anyway, I'm tired now and need to hear nice things. If you don't say nice things, I'll stay tired. Can you bear that? If you can't, hurry up and say it."

Sent.

[10:45 - Sixth Reply Video]

Karina faced the camera, beginning today's nth share.

"Let me tell you, while I was practicing just now, I remembered something. That dream yesterday, you were pushing the shopping cart, I was sitting inside, and then we passed the snack section. I saw a huge bag of chips, I wanted to grab it but couldn't reach. Then you helped me grab it. Then I said I wanted more, and you grabbed more. Wanted more, grabbed more. Then the cart was full, and we got kicked out by the supermarket security."

She laughed, rocking back and forth.

"You were super obedient in the dream. Whatever I wanted, you gave it to me. Is it like that in reality too? Want to try? I want you right now. Will you give yourself to me? If you do, I won't kick you out. If you don't... then I'll kick you out in my dreams. You choose."

Video end.

Sent.

[11:20 - Eighth Selfie]

Lunchtime, Karina opened the boxed meal the Manager brought.

Today's side dishes were pork cutlet, curry, salad, and miso soup.

She raised her phone, took three pictures from different angles, and chose the best-looking one.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Lunch is here. Pork cutlet. Guess which piece I'll eat first? If you guess right, I'll show you the next picture. If you guess wrong, I'll show you too. Anyway, I'm showing you regardless, just teasing you. Teasing you to make you happy. Happy? If you are, give me a smile. If you smiled, it means you were amused by me. Being amused by me means you like me. If you like me, that's right."

Sent.

[11:40 - Seventh Reply Video]

Karina was recording the video while eating.

She picked up a piece of pork cutlet and waved it at the camera.

"This piece looks the tastiest. For you. Open up—ah—"

She put the pork cutlet into her own mouth, squinting in satisfaction.

"Delicious. You tasted it, right? I just fed you. So you ate lunch too. Don't thank me. Just treat me to a real meal tonight. What to eat? You decide. Anyway, whatever you make, I'll love it. Even if I don't like it, I'll still love it. Because you made it."

Video end.

Sent.

[12:30 - Ninth Selfie]

After eating, Karina leaned against the wall to rest.

She raised her phone and snapped a picture of her bulging stomach—though it wasn't actually bulging at all, she deliberately sucked in her breath and released it to create the effect of being "full."

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Full. My stomach is bulging. Look, doesn't it look like I'm pregnant? Not pregnant, just ate too much. Because you fed me, so I ate too much. You're responsible. How to be responsible? Walk with me to digest. Starting now, every step you take, I take one. I've taken a hundred steps, what about you?"

Sent.

[13:15 - Eighth Reply Video]

Before the afternoon practice started, Karina made faces at the camera.

She contorted her face, twisted her mouth, completely disregarding her image.

"Gotta practice a new dance this afternoon. So hard. But I'll definitely dance it well. Because you're watching. You've been watching all along, right? If you are, nod. If you aren't, nod anyway. Anyway, I feel like you're watching. So I'm going to dance my best. Let you see how amazing your girlfriend is."

She suddenly realized what she had said, and her face flushed red instantly.

"Girl...friend? Did I say it wrong? Didn't say it wrong? Said it right? How do you know? No, how did you... Never mind, I won't ask. Anyway, that's what I meant. As long as you understand. If you don't... just take your time thinking about it. Think until you understand. I have plenty of time."

Video end.

Sent.

[14:00 - Tenth Selfie]

Karina changed into her dance outfit and took a full-body picture in the mirror.

Today's practice outfit was a black crop top with loose sweatpants, revealing a sliver of her slim waist.

She turned slightly to the side, making her waistline even more prominent.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Changed clothes. Black. The color you like. How do I know you like black? You said it yourself. Forgot? If you forgot, then fine. It's enough that I remember. I remember everything. What you like and what you don't, what you love to eat and what you don't, what time you wake up and what time you go to sleep. I remember it all. Impressive, right?"

Sent.

[14:45 - 9th Reply Video]

Karina is sweating profusely from practice, sitting on the floor panting. She faces the camera, her voice a bit hoarse.

"So tired, so tired, so tired. But I still miss you. Do you think I'm sick? Dying of exhaustion yet dying of missing you at the same time. What did you do to me? Why is my head full of you? Did you drug me? What kind of drug? A love potion? Then it's over, I'm poisoned. You're responsible for the antidote. If you don't provide it, it'll be like this forever. Constantly missing you, constantly missing you, constantly missing you."

She lies down on the floor, giggling at the ceiling.

"Actually, this is pretty nice. Missing you makes me happy. Happy means I'm not tired. So you should just keep drugging me. I'm willing. I don't blame you."

Video ends.

Sent.

[15:30 - 11th Selfie]

Practice over, Karina sits on the floor, drenched in sweat, hair sticking to her face in strands. She raises her phone and takes a picture of her disheveled look—face flushed, eyes bright, smiling happily.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Finished practicing. Exhausted. But happy. Because I missed you today too. Missed you so many times. More than yesterday. Yesterday 187 times, today already 200 times so far. Still half a day left, can miss you even more. Get ready, I'm going to scare you when I report back tonight."

Sent.

[16:00 - 10th Reply Video]

Karina is sitting in the car heading home, talking to the camera. Sunlight from outside the car window shines in, dancing on her face.

"On the way home. Are you on your way home too? Or at the company? Or at home? No matter where you are, I miss you. Just separated and I already miss you. Isn't it annoying? Being annoying is the point. I'm just an annoying person. Did you only find out today? You still like me even after knowing that? Then you're done for. I'll be even more annoying from now on. Annoying you until you get used to it."

She suddenly leans close to the camera, lowering her voice.

"Let me tell you a secret. When I was practicing today, I secretly set your photo as my phone lock screen. That way, every time I check the time, I can see you. Isn't that perverted? So be it. I like it. You can't stop me."

Video ends.

Sent.

[16:45 - 12th Selfie]

Karina gets home, the first thing she does is rush to the fridge, open the door, and take a picture. The fridge is a mess—kimchi, milk, eggs, half a cabbage, two cans of beer, an unopened pack of ham sausages.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Home. First thing is looking at the fridge. Second thing is missing you. Wait, no, first thing is missing you, second thing is looking at the fridge. Also not right, it's looking and missing at the same time. Whatever I see, I want to feed it to you. If you come, I'll make it all for you. If you don't, fine. If you don't, I'll eat it myself. If I finish eating it, you're the one losing out."

Sent.

[17:30 - 11th Reply Video]

Karina has finished showering, changed into pajamas, and curled up on the sofa. This time it's fuzzy pink pajamas, making her look all soft and fluffy.

"So tired today. But so happy. Because you're here. Even though you're not physically here, it feels like you are. You're in my phone, in my photos, in my head, in my heart. You're everywhere. Did you invade me? If you invaded, you have to be responsible until the end. You aren't allowed to quit halfway. If you quit, I'll chase you. Chase you to the ends of the earth."

She buries her face in a throw pillow, her voice muffled.

"Once I catch you, I'm going to stick around and not leave. Keep sticking, keep sticking. Stick until you can't leave me either. Then we'll be together forever. Always be together. How about that? Even if you say no, you have to say yes. I've already decided."

Video ends.

Sent.

[18:15 - 13th Selfie]

Karina starts preparing dinner. She raises her phone and takes a picture of the ingredients on the counter—ramen, eggs, green onions, rice cakes. Today I'm making ramen tteokbokki.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Making ramen tteokbokki for dinner. Do you like this? Even if you don't, you have to. Because I made it. I'll make it super delicious so you'll fall in love with it. Once you fall in love with it, you'll love me even more. Because I made it. Right? If yes, nod. If no, nod anyway. Anyway, if I say it's right, it's right."

Sent.

[18:50 - 12th Reply Video]

Karina records a video while cooking the ramen. The broth in the pot is bubbling away, the aroma wafting everywhere.

"Let me tell you, this ramen tteokbokki is my specialty. Even better than my kimchi stew. When you come, I'll make it for you. I'll make a huge pot, and even if you can't finish it, you have to. You can't leave leftovers. If there are leftovers, I'll get angry. If I get angry, then..."

She thinks for a moment, then suddenly smiles.

"If I get angry, you just have to hug me. Just one hug is enough. I'm super easy to coax. So you don't need to worry about me getting angry. You can make me angry whenever you want, as long as you give me a hug. Isn't that a good deal? Super good deal, right?"

Video ends.

Sent.

[19:30 - 14th Selfie]

Dinner is ready, Karina sets out the ramen tteokbokki, kimchi, and water, then takes a picture. She deliberately arranges it to look nice and even adds a pair of chopsticks.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Dinner is ready. I'm showing you before I start eating. Seeing it is the same as eating it. So you're full now too. You're welcome. Next time, just treat me to a real meal. When? Let's decide now. Tomorrow? Okay, tomorrow it is. You treat me to dinner tomorrow. No backing out. If you back out, I'll get angry. If I get angry, you just have to hug me. Once you hug me, it's all good. So backing out is fine too, I have a way anyway."

Sent.

[20:15 - 13th Reply Video]

Karina finishes eating and lies contentedly on the sofa. She rubs her belly, her expression happy and lazy.

"Finished. Delicious. If only you were here. We could eat together, watch TV together, space out together, waste time together. When are you coming? Tomorrow? The day after? The day after that? I'm free. I'm free every day. As long as it's you, I'm always free."

She rolls over, lying on the sofa, her legs kicking up and swaying back and forth.

"Do you know what my favorite time is? It's right now, after eating, lying down, talking to you. It's fine even if we don't talk, just being like this is enough. As long as you're here. As long as you're here. As long as you're here. Important things need to be said three times. Did you remember? If you didn't, I'll say it again. I'll say it until you remember."

Video ends.

Sent.

[21:00 - 15th Selfie]

Karina stands up and walks to the window, taking a picture of the night view outside. Tonight, the night sky in Seoul has stars, not many, but very bright. She reaches her hand into the frame and makes a heart shape.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"There are stars tonight. Did you see them? If you didn't, that's fine. I'll look for you. If I see them, it means you've seen them too. Anything beautiful I see, I'll share half with you. You're welcome. Next time you see something beautiful, just share half with me. Fair, right?"

Sent.

[21:30 - 14th Reply Video]

Karina faces the camera and starts sharing her day.

"Let me tell you, during practice today, there was a move I kept messing up. The one where you spin and then arch your back. I spun three times and fell twice. So embarrassing. Good thing you weren't there. If you were, it would be even more embarrassing. Because I'd get nervous. And once I get nervous, I do even worse. So it's better if you're not there. But I also want you to be there. Don't you think I'm contradictory?"

She sighs.

"Whatever, forget it. Either way, whether you're here or not, I miss you. I miss you when you're here, and I miss you even more when you're not. So you should just come. Come so I can miss you a little less. Otherwise, I keep missing you, keep missing you, my brain is going to explode. If it explodes, you're responsible for fixing it. If you can't fix it, replace it with a new one. The new one will be you too. Anyway, you can't run away."

Video ends.

Sent.

[22:00 - 16th Selfie]

Karina picks up her phone and takes a photo of the clutter on the coffee table—besides yesterday's remote, phone, charging cable, water cup, potato chips, and magazine, today there are a few new things: an opened pack of gummy candies, an apple core, a crumpled tissue, and a hair clip that fell on the floor.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"Today's coffee table. Compared to yesterday, there are gummy candies, an apple core, a tissue, and a hair clip. And one less cup of water. Did you observe that? If you did, it means you've been looking at me carefully. If you didn't, it means you're not paying enough attention. If you're not paying enough attention, look again. Until you observe it."

Sent.

[22:30 - 15th Reply Video]

Karina is a bit sleepy, her eyes starting to fight. But she forces herself to record the video, her voice getting quieter and quieter.

"Almost sleepy... but don't want to sleep... if I sleep, I can't talk to you... keep me company for a while longer... just a while... five minutes... no, three minutes... two minutes is fine..."

She yawns, tears coming out.

"No... really sleepy... but still don't want to sleep... coax me to sleep... sing... tell a story... say anything... once you say it I'll sleep... if you don't say it I'll keep waiting... wait until you say it... so hurry up and say it... I'm waiting... waiting and waiting until I fall asleep... if I fall asleep I won't blame you... but if I don't see you in my dreams I'll blame you... so remember to come to my dreams... I'll be waiting..."

Video ends.

Sent.

[22:50 - 17th Selfie]

Karina lies in bed, only her face visible. This time she's wrapped up tightly, only her eyes and nose showing, like a silkworm baby.

Click.

Bubble caption:

"In bed. Ready to sleep. But need to look at you one more time. Once I see you, I'll sleep. Did you see? Yes. Now I'm sleeping. Good night. See you in my dreams. Don't be late. You can't run away. Because I'll catch you in my dreams. Once I catch you, I won't let go. Keep holding on. Hold until dawn. Even at dawn, I won't let go. Always, always holding on."

Sent.

[22:58 - 16th Reply Video]

Karina is almost asleep, her voice groggy, eyes unable to open.

"Today... how many times did I miss you... I counted... 287 times... 100 times more than yesterday... tomorrow... will be more... get ready... oh right... tomorrow morning... the first thing I think of... is still you... always you... forever, forever, forever..."

She rolls over, phone almost dropping.

"Good night... my poop scooper... remember to come to my dreams... I have a lollipop for you... a super big one... I have money in my dreams... earned a lot today... will buy for you... buy everything for you... because you're the best... the best, best... the best, best, best..."

Voice completely gone, only steady breathing left.

Video ends.

Sent.

[23:00 - Last Text Reply]

Before turning off the lights, Karina uses her last bit of strength to send a message:

"February 27, 2026, 287th time missing you. Tomorrow will be even more. Good night. See you in my dreams. Don't be late. If you're late... I'll punish you by making you kiss me more tomorrow. Kiss where? Guess. If you guess right, I'll kiss there. If you guess wrong, I'll still kiss there. Anyway, I'm getting a kiss. So good night, see you tomorrow, see you in my dreams, see you forever."

Sent.