337: Chapter 317 May the little dog Wenzheng always walk a flowery path in my writing! Reality is so casual~ Hmph!

At nine in the morning, Jiang Zhiyu's car smoothly pulled into the underground garage of the SM Entertainment building.

He was dressed formally today—a dark gray wool suit, a white shirt with no tie, and the collar slightly open, making him look capable yet easygoing. He carried two paper bags in his hand: one containing fresh croissants and baguettes from his usual bakery, and the other with five cups of hot coffee.

The elevator went up and stopped at a familiar floor.

When the doors opened, the faint sound of music and rhythmic footsteps could be heard in the corridor. At this time, it was the morning practice session for various groups.

Jiang Zhiyu first went to the PR Manager's office. For about forty minutes, they efficiently finalized the details for the subsequent filming of the collapsed daily life and the framework for a new aespa variety show collaboration. SM's attitude this time was almost eager, and the terms they offered were quite generous—clearly, TG had proven its content production capabilities with actual data.

“TG will submit the specific proposal within a week,” Jiang Zhiyu said, closing the folder and standing up. “I'll have you look it over then, Manager.”

“Thank you for your hard work, President Jiang.” The PR Manager personally saw him to the door, beaming with smiles. “We look forward to TG's new creative ideas.”

After leaving the office, Jiang Zhiyu didn't leave immediately. Instead, he carried the paper bags and headed deeper into the corridor.

His footsteps were light, and his direction was clear.

aespa's practice room was at the end of the corridor, the largest one with a full wall of mirrors. Before he even got close, he could hear the music coming from inside—it wasn't aespa's own song, but a Western dance track with a strong rhythm, heavy drumbeats, and layered electronic effects.

Through the glass window on the practice room door, he could see figures moving inside.

There were quite a few people.

Besides the four members of aespa, two Managers stood by the wall watching, three women who looked like assistants sat in the corner organizing things, and four male backup dancers in loose sportswear were doing warm-up movements to the music.

As for the four girls of aespa—

They were prone on the floor, doing planks.

Karina (Karina) was at the very front, her arms held perfectly straight, the lines of her back smooth, and the stray hairs on her forehead were wet with sweat and stuck to her skin. Her expression was calm, but her tightly pursed lips and slightly trembling arm muscles revealed the load she was enduring.

Uchinaga Eri (Giselle) was next to her, clearly reaching her limit. Her face was flushed red, and her breathing could be faintly heard through the music.

NingNing (NingNing) bit her lower lip and stared at the floor. Although her body was also shaking, she held herself steady.

And Kim Minjeong (Winter)...

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze fell on that petite figure.

She had her hair in a high ponytail today, but due to the sweat, several strands of hair were loosely stuck to the side of her neck and cheeks. Her sports vest was already soaked with dark sweat stains, and the section of her waist exposed was taut from the effort, showing clear muscle lines. Her face was turned toward the mirror, and Jiang Zhiyu could see her profile—her brow was slightly furrowed, her eyes half-closed, and her eyelashes were wet and clumped together with sweat.

Clearly it was very hard, yet she was still persisting.

Time passed second by second.

The music continued, every drumbeat hitting the rhythm of a heartbeat.

The clock on the wall showed that the plank had been going on for three minutes.

This was extremely demanding on core strength, especially for female idols.

The Manager watched from the side, with no intention of calling a stop. The backup dancers had finished their warm-up and stood aside, silently watching the four girls.

The air was filled with the scent of sweat and hard work.

Jiang Zhiyu stood outside the door, watching quietly.

He watched as Minjeong's arms trembled more and more visibly, watched her grit her teeth from the effort, and watched the beads of sweat slide down her forehead—one drop, two drops—landing on the floor and spreading into small, dark circles.

But he also knew that she wouldn't give up easily.

This girl possessed a resilience that far exceeded her appearance.

Finally, as it approached four minutes, the Manager clapped his hands: “Alright, rest.”

Almost the instant the words fell, the four girls relaxed simultaneously, collapsing onto the floor and gasping for breath.

NingNing simply rolled over and lay spread-eagled: “My abs... are going to split...”

Eri clutched her waist and wailed: “Can we not do it for so long next time...”

Karina sat up and wiped her sweat. Though exhausted, her expression remained relatively calm. She turned to look at Minjeong beside her: “Minjeong-ah, are you okay?”

Minjeong was still prone on the floor, her face buried in the crook of her arm, only showing her closed eyes and wet eyelashes. She gave a muffled “Mhm,” her voice raspy and tired from the exercise.

Watching this scene, the corners of Jiang Zhiyu's mouth curled up unconsciously.

Then, he reached out and gently knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Three knocks, neither too light nor too heavy.

Everyone in the practice room turned their heads to look at the door.

Through the glass, Jiang Zhiyu could see a flash of surprise on the Manager's face, the curious gazes of the backup dancers, and—

The reactions of the four girls.

NingNing was the first to jump up: “Zhiyu Oppa?!”

Eri also hurriedly sat up straight, frantically tidying her hair.

Karina stood up. Although her expression was composed, her eyes clearly lit up.

And Minjeong...

She pushed herself up from the floor and turned her head toward the door.

The moment she saw Jiang Zhiyu, those eyes, which had been somewhat unfocused from fatigue, seemed to light up instantly.

Bright, surprised, and even carrying a hint of disbelief.

Jiang Zhiyu pushed the door open and walked in.

“Sorry for the intrusion.” He smiled, nodding to the Manager and the others, then looked at the four girls. “Long time no see.”

“Oppa!” NingNing had already rushed over, her face showing undisguised happiness. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to SM to discuss some business and stopped by to see you all.” As Jiang Zhiyu spoke, he held up the paper bags. “I brought breakfast; I wasn't sure if you'd eaten yet.”

“Not yet!” Eri said immediately, her eyes fixed on the paper bags. “We just finished morning practice; I'm starving.”

Karina walked over and bowed politely. “Zhiyu Oppa, long time no see. Thank you for remembering us.”

“Of course I remember.” Jiang Zhiyu smiled, his gaze falling on Minjeong, who was the last to walk over.

She walked very slowly, probably because the planks from earlier had left her legs a bit weak. Her face still had a post-exercise flush, and sweat slid down her jawline, soaking the collar of her sports vest.

But her eyes were fixed on him.

They were sparkling, like they were filled with stars.

“Minjeong.” Jiang Zhiyu called her name, his voice unconsciously softening a bit. “Are you okay? You look exhausted.”

Minjeong walked up to him, stopped, and slightly tilted her face up to look at him.

Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just nodded and said softly, “Mhm... I'm okay.”

Her voice was very small, carrying the slight breathlessness after exercise.

But the light in her eyes was startlingly bright.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her—at her wet eyelashes, her flushed cheeks, and the elegant line of her neck exposed as she tilted her head back...

Somewhere in his heart, he softened.

He held up the coffee bag: “I brought you a hot Americano, less sugar. And a croissant, your favorite almond flavor.”

Minjeong's eyes grew even brighter.

She reached out to take the coffee and the paper bag. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against his, and a tiny electric sensation made her fingers curl slightly.

“...Thank you, Oppa,” she said in a small voice, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.

The others in the practice room watched this scene with varying expressions.

The Manager tactfully led the dancers and assistants out for a while, leaving the space to them.

Jiang Zhiyu and the four girls sat down in the rest area in the corner of the practice room, sharing the bread and coffee.

Morning light spilled in from the window onto the polished floor, and the air was filled with the aroma of coffee and the buttery scent of bread.

For a moment, there was no president and no idols here.

There was only an “Oppa” reuniting after a long time and four girls who could finally relax for a moment after working hard at training.

—

In the rest area at the corner of the practice room, the five of them sat casually cross-legged on the floor, forming a small circle.

The morning light passed through the glass window, casting warm spots on the floor. The air was thick with the rich aroma of coffee, the buttery scent of bread, and the faint mix of sweat and shower gel from the girls.

Jiang Zhiyu sat there with a relaxed posture. He had taken off his suit jacket and draped it aside. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his elbows, and two buttons at his collar were undone, revealing the clear lines of his collarbones. He sat there naturally with his legs crossed, holding a cup of coffee, a gentle smile on his lips.

The four girls sat around him, their gazes falling on him more or less.

NingNing took small bites of her croissant while secretly sizing up Jiang Zhiyu, thinking to herself: Zhiyu Oppa... has he become more handsome again? His looks are about the same as before, but he just feels different.

Eri felt the same way. Holding her coffee cup, her eyes flicked toward Jiang Zhiyu from time to time. She couldn't say exactly what had changed, but he was just... more charming? That steady and gentle aura was more attractive than simple good looks.

As the leader, Karina observed more closely.

She noticed that there was indeed a subtle change in Jiang Zhiyu's temperament. When he was a producer at SM, although he was exceptionally talented, he always carried a youthful sharpness and urgency. Now, that sharpness had settled, turning into a deeper, more composed certainty.

It was a composure that came from having experienced many things and met many people.

But that gentleness had never changed.

“Everyone must have been working very hard lately,” Jiang Zhiyu began, his voice sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet practice room. “I've been following you all frequently too.”

His gaze swept over the four girls in turn. “Karina and Minjeong livestream often, while Ningning and Eri do it a bit less.”

Ningning quickly swallowed the bread in her mouth. “I livestream sometimes too! It's just... the frequency isn't that high.”

Eri also nodded. “I prefer chatting with fans on Bubble.”

“Mhm, there's nothing wrong with that.” Jiang Zhiyu smiled. “While idols need exposure, some people don't like too much attention. Everyone has their own way and pace; just work hard at being yourself.”

He spoke naturally, without a preachy tone, sounding more like a casual chat between friends.

Minjeong sat directly opposite Jiang Zhiyu, holding her coffee cup with both hands and taking small sips. Her eyes were fixed on Jiang Zhiyu, listening intently like a focused student in class.

But when Jiang Zhiyu mentioned “following you all frequently,” she suddenly blinked, her lips curving into a mischievous arc.

“Oh~” she drawled, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness. “Oppa says he often watches mine and Ji-min Unnie's livestreams...”

She paused, tilted her head, and her expression became somewhat “questioning.”

“I don't believe it.”

Jiang Zhiyu was amused by her and put down his coffee cup. “Then how do you want me to prove it?”

Minjeong's eyes lit up, and she immediately straightened her back, assuming the posture of a “little teacher.” She cleared her throat: “With an exam, of course!”

She even made a show of pointing her finger in the air. “I'm going to test you, Oppa, to see if you really watched our livestreams.”

The atmosphere in the practice room suddenly became lighthearted and fun.

NingNing and Eri both burst out laughing, and Karina also pursed her lips, a smile in her eyes.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at Karina, his eyes clearly conveying the message: “Isn't the leader going to control this arrogant third oldest of yours?”

Karina received his look but only shrugged, returning an “I wouldn't dare control her” expression, her lips still curled in a smile as if waiting for the show to begin.

When Jiang Zhiyu turned back to look at Minjeong, the young girl's expression was already smug and arrogant. Her eyes were bright, like a proud little cat with its tail practically sticking up to the sky.

Looking at her like this, his slight helplessness instantly transformed into a heart full of softness.

“Fine.” Jiang Zhiyu picked up his coffee cup again, a gentle curve rising on his lips. “Test me then.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he added:

“But... is there a reward if I get them all right?”

The question was asked lightly, yet it carried a faint hint of... teasing?

Minjeong's face turned red in an instant.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the coffee cup, and her gaze flickered for a moment, but she soon plucked up her courage and said in a small voice:

“...There is.”

Her voice was as quiet as a mosquito.

“Then... if I get them all right,” Jiang Zhiyu looked at her rosy cheeks, his smile deepening, “what reward will Minjeong give me?”

Minjeong bit her lower lip, her eyes darting around, and then as if having made a great decision, she looked up:

“I... I'll treat you to BBQ, Oppa!”

She said it with great solemnity, as if it were some incredible grand prize.

But when Jiang Zhiyu heard it, he let out a snort of laughter.

He put down his coffee cup and leaned forward slightly, looking straight at Minjeong with eyes full of understanding and mockery:

“Ya!”

His voice was full of laughter, yet he deliberately put on a stern face.

“Kim Minjeong, you wouldn't...”

He paused, saying each word deliberately:

“Just... want... to... eat... it... yourself... don't... you!”

The moment the words fell, the practice room instantly erupted in laughter.

“Hahahaha!” NingNing laughed so hard she collapsed onto Eri beside her. “Minjeong Unnie! You've been exposed!”

Eri's shoulders were also shaking with laughter. “I knew it. Minjeong has been constantly talking about wanting to eat BBQ lately...”

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Karina covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents as she looked at Kim Minjeong.

And Kim Minjeong...

Her face was already as red as a ripe apple.

"O-Oppa!" She glared at Jiang Zhiyu in feigned anger, but the amusement in her eyes betrayed her, "I didn't!"

"Really not?" Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow, continuing to tease her, "Then, if I get a perfect score, can the reward be something else? For example... you grant me one request?"

Kim Minjeong froze for a second, and then her face turned even redder.

She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously picking at the wall of her coffee cup, her voice becoming even quieter:

"...What request?"

"I haven't thought of it yet." Jiang Zhiyu smiled, "I'll keep it as a debt and tell you when I've thought of it."

When he said this, his tone was very relaxed, as if he were joking.

But Kim Minjeong's heart rate uncontrollably accelerated.

She looked up, watching Jiang Zhiyu's gentle smiling face, and looked at her own reflection in his eyes...

An inexplicable, sweet feeling quietly spread deep within her heart.

"Th-then okay."

She said softly, then, as if to cover up her shyness, immediately put on that "little teacher" pose again:

"The exam starts now! Question one!"

The morning light was just right, and the room was filled with laughter.

This morning, because of someone's arrival, had become exceptionally gentle.

——

The exam officially began.

Kim Minjeong cleared her throat, trying hard to keep a straight face, but the amusement in her eyes and the blush on her ear tips betrayed her.

"Question one!" She held up a finger, "What color pajamas was I wearing during my livestream last Wednesday night?"

As soon as this question was asked, NingNing and Uchinaga Eri both showed expressions that said, "You can remember that too?"

Jiang Zhiyu, however, hardly thought about it and answered calmly: "The light purple set with the little white star pattern."

Kim Minjeong's eyes widened slightly.

"Question two!" She wasn't satisfied and held up a second finger, "In the middle of that livestream, what made me suddenly laugh so hard that I slid off my chair?"

"You saw a fan-edited 'Winter Puppy Eyes Compilation.' There was a clip of you yawning that had 'Awoo~' subtitles and wolf howling sound effects added to it." After saying this, Jiang Zhiyu couldn't help but laugh himself, "You said, 'What is this!', and then while laughing, you leaned back, and the chair wheels slid."

Kim Minjeong's face turned even redder, but this time it was from embarrassment. That was indeed one of her recent "dark histories."

"Question three! Last time I sent a voice message on Bubble saying goodnight, what was the last sentence I said?"

"It wasn't 'goodnight,' it was 'Everyone, have a clean and refreshing dream like the first snow of winter~'" Jiang Zhiyu imitated her tone, his voice rising slightly at the end, carrying her unique softness and a touch of playfulness.

It was exactly the same.

Kim Minjeong completely lost her temper.

For the following questions, no matter how tricky or detailed she asked—

"What was the final product of the craft Karina Unnie made during her livestream last month?"

("A crooked little clay dinosaur. She said it was Karina, but it looked like a lizard that had eaten too much." Karina covered her face to the side.)

"Which line did Ningning suddenly crack her voice on when she sang a Chinese song on VLIVE last time?"

("In 'Unstoppable Love', the line 'My dear, where are you hiding and daydreaming?', you didn't hit the high note and started laughing yourself." Ningning wailed: "Oppa!! Don't remember things like that so clearly!")

"What anime did Eri mention she was watching recently on the radio?"

("'Jujutsu Kaisen.' She said Teacher Gojo Satoru's blindfold was very fashionable and she wanted to buy the same one." Uchinaga Eri nodded: "That's right.")

Jiang Zhiyu answered all of them fluently.

Not only that, but when Kim Minjeong intentionally threw out some "memes" or "famous scenes" from the members' livestreams, Jiang Zhiyu could even accurately recreate the scene, tone, and even imitate a few signature moves.

For example, the helpless expression Karina had when she tried to use "leadership" to convince NingNing to quit late-night snacks, only to be retorted by Ningning with, "Unnie, you stole my potato chips yesterday."

For example, the segment where Uchinaga Eri told a dad joke on the radio, seamlessly switching between Japanese, Korean, and English, and ended up laughing until she collapsed after the joke fell flat.

For example, when Ningning demonstrated a newly learned Chinese dance move during a livestream, almost sprained her waist, and had a bewildered "Who am I, where am I?" look on her face.

He remembered every single detail clearly.

As if he really was, as he said, "often paying attention."

"You hummed the chorus of 'Snow Flower,' but you raised it by half a key, making it sound more like an improvisation."

"That thing that flashed by in Karina's VLOG was the raccoon plushie a fan gave last year, named 'Officer Raccoon,' right?"

"NingNing said she missed the sweet and sour pork her grandmother made, but felt the Chinese restaurant downstairs from the practice room didn't taste authentic. Eri said she wanted to go to Hongdae to eat at that newly opened Thai stir-fried rice noodle place, but hadn't been able to go because of her schedule."

Jiang Zhiyu's answers were calm, accurate, and he could even repeat the tone and context of their speech at the time.

As one question after another was easily solved, the "teasing" on Kim Minjeong's face was gradually replaced by surprise, then disbelief, and finally... it turned into a kind of uncontrollable, sparkling delight.

Even Karina, NingNing, and Uchinaga Eri stopped eating their breakfast and listened intently. They also realized that Jiang Zhiyu wasn't just being polite; he was truly paying attention, even more meticulously than many fans.

When Kim Minjeong racked her brain, even digging up a clip from one of her late-night livestreams where she was so sleepy that she was rambling and couldn't even remember what nonsense she had said, to "test" Jiang Zhiyu—

Jiang Zhiyu just tilted his head slightly to think, and then imitated the tone Kim Minjeong had at the time—drowsy and with a heavy nasal tone—saying intermittently:

"...'The universe... tastes like sesame... because the stars look... like sprinkled sesame seeds...' There's more, 'Manager Oppa says I'm a silly puppy... but I'm clearly a little fox... a little fox that catches sesame stars...'"

He mimicked it perfectly, accurately recreating even that soft, sleepy, and illogical cuteness.

As soon as he finished speaking, the practice room fell into a brief silence.

Then—

"Pfft, hahaha!" NingNing was the first to burst into laughter, directly slapping the floor, "Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly how Minjeong Unnie was rambling that day! I remember it so well!"

Uchinaga Eri also laughed until she couldn't straighten her back: "Oppa remembers even this! Minjeong-ah, you were really super cute and super funny that day!"

Karina pursed her lips, her shoulders shaking slightly, clearly also trying hard to hold back her laughter.

And Kim Minjeong herself...

She froze in place, her face turning red from her cheeks to her earlobes, and then to her neck at a speed visible to the naked eye. She stared at Jiang Zhiyu with wide eyes, lips slightly parted, looking completely shocked and extremely embarrassed, as if to say, "Damn, how do you know about this dark history and remember it so clearly?"

"O-Oppa!" She finally found her voice, filled with intense embarrassment and anger, "How... how do you remember even this!"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her flushed face and her eyes, which were exceptionally bright from embarrassment, and couldn't help but laugh.

That smile was clean and gentle, without a hint of mockery; instead, it was filled with a kind of... indulgent pampering.

He reached out and naturally ruffled Kim Minjeong's hair. Her hair was still slightly damp from sweating during the morning exercise, and it felt soft.

"Because it was our Minjeong who said it." His voice was very light, like a feather brushing against her heart, "And... it was very cute."

Kim Minjeong felt her heart being gently gripped by that warm hand, then released, triggering a tingling sensation. All her embarrassment and anger instantly vanished, leaving only a full, almost overflowing sense of delight.

He remembered.

He really was paying attention.

Not just as the idol "aespa member Winter," but every little detail of "Kim Minjeong" as a person.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at the uncontrollable, dazed happy expression on the girl's face, continued to ruffle her hair, and his tone became even softer:

"Our Minjeong is indeed walking on a flower path."

Kim Minjeong felt her heart was wrapped in warm honey.

She felt dizzy, her cheeks were burning, and the corners of her mouth were uncontrollably turning up. That sense of happiness from being cherished and remembered made her want to jump up and spin around a few times. She was like a kitten being petted until it was extremely comfortable; even her eyes became hazy and soft, just looking at Jiang Zhiyu and smiling foolishly.

The warm morning interaction came to a temporary end.

The practice room quieted down, leaving only the low hum of the air conditioner and the faint city bustle outside the window. The sunlight had moved a bit more, illuminating the dust floating in the air.

Kim Minjeong was still immersed in that happy, dizzy feeling, holding her coffee, which had already cooled down a bit, taking small sips, occasionally stealing glances at Jiang Zhiyu, and then quickly lowering her head, unable to suppress the curve of her mouth.

Jiang Zhiyu retracted his joking expression and sat up a little straighter. He looked around at the four girls, his gaze finally landing on Karina.

"Actually, I came today not only to see you, but also to discuss a serious matter." His tone became a bit more formal, "SM has sent a cooperation invitation to TG regarding aespa's new group variety show. You should already know about this, right?"

Karina immediately nodded, her expression becoming serious: "The Manager Unnie mentioned it to us."

As the leader, she was always extremely attentive to matters regarding the team's development. From Jiang Zhiyu's guidance when they were at SM before debut, to his overt and covert attention and help after TG was established, Karina was very clear about the special role this "Oppa," who was younger than her, played in their careers. She understood even more that maintaining this relationship that crossed company lines, based on talent and trust, was crucial to aespa's future development.

The other three also restrained their smiles and sat up straighter. Uchinaga Eri and NingNing both looked at Jiang Zhiyu, their eyes filled with anticipation and trust. And although Kim Minjeong was still blushing, her gaze became focused.

Facing this "one of our own" who had known them since they were trainees and had witnessed and helped them grow along the way, who would be in charge of the new group variety show project, the sense of satisfaction and reassurance was real. There was no need to worry about being perfunctory, no need to fear being treated as mere commodities; they knew Jiang Zhiyu would take aespa's uniqueness seriously.

"Hmm, we are still conceptualizing the specific plan." Jiang Zhiyu set his empty coffee cup aside and folded his hands on his lap, a habitual action when he entered work mode, "But for the general direction, I hope this group variety show can truly align with aespa's unique concept, rather than just being an ordinary reality show."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the four of them, as if confirming each person's characteristics.

"Your core is 'KWANGYA,' the connection and exploration between virtual and reality, 'self' and 'ae.' So the variety show should also revolve around this. Perhaps it could be designed as an adventure challenge that intertwines virtuality and reality? Letting you in reality and the 'ae's interact, cooperate, or even... compete under specific rules and tasks?"

His speaking speed was not fast, but his thoughts were clear; it was obvious he already had a preliminary idea.

"The task scenes can combine AR technology to create a visual spectacle of 'KWANGYA' in real-world venues. The task content can also be linked to your music and concept storylines, allowing fans to understand aespa's worldview more deeply while watching the show."

Karina listened very carefully, nodding from time to time. NingNing and Uchinaga Eri also showed expressions of contemplation, clearly attracted by this idea.

"Of course, this is just a preliminary idea." Jiang Zhiyu smiled, "How to implement it specifically still requires further communication with you and SM. The most important thing is that this variety show must be able to showcase the unique charm of each of you."

His gaze fell on Karina again, carrying a hint of teasing:

"For example, Karina, as the leader and 'core,' we might design some tasks that require leadership, strategic planning, and... hmm, 'strength'?"

He paused deliberately, his gaze falling on Karina's hands clasped on her lap—those hands were affectionately called "Little Mangosteens" by fans, fair and small, with slender fingers.

"After all, doesn't Karina's setting have 'Rocket Puncher'?" Jiang Zhiyu's tone carried a hint of teasing, "Although the fist is quite small..."

Karina: "..."

The smile on her face froze instantly, and then quickly switched to an innocent expression of "I don't understand what you're talking about" and "I don't know anything," but her slightly reddened ear tips betrayed her.

What "Rocket Puncher"... that was a nickname given by fans early on because of a cool and powerful punching move she did in the "Black Mamba" MV (even though her fist was very small), and later, for some reason, it became one of her signature memes.

NingNing and Uchinaga Eri were already giggling on the side.

Kim Minjeong also woke up slightly from her happy dizziness, and seeing her leader rarely being stumped, she couldn't help but curve her eyes.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at Karina's feigned calmness, the amusement in his eyes deepening, but he knew when to stop and didn't continue teasing.

"Oppa," Karina smiled, her voice calm, but every word sounded like it was squeezed out from between her teeth, "Let's talk about the specific framework of the variety show."

Subtext: Let go of my fist!

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

Jiang Zhiyu knew when to stop and let out a light laugh, returning to the serious topic: "Alright, no more joking. My point is that the new group variety show needs to highlight each member's characteristics. Ji-min's leadership and stage presence, Minjeong's reversal charm and talent, Ningning's vocal expressiveness and lively personality, Eri's rap advantage and international perspective... as well as your chemistry as a whole."

His gaze became serious and focused once more.

"aespa isn't a factory-line product; you are unique. I hope this variety show will let more people see that."

As those words fell, the practice room became quiet again.

But this time, the silence was filled with trust and expectation.

Sunlight spilled across the four girls' young faces, also illuminating the creator's conviction in Jiang Zhiyu's eyes.

A new chapter was about to begin.

—

(I like Ji-min more and more; I will always support you!)

[13:00 - Seventh Selfie]

After eating, the rain stopped. Karina walked to the window and took a photo of the clearing sky outside. The clouds dispersed, revealing a corner of blue sky as sunlight leaked through the gaps.

Click.

Bubble Caption:

"The rain stopped. The sky cleared. Look, sunlight. Is it clear where you are too? Or is it still raining? Whether it's clear or not, I miss you. I miss you on sunny days, and I miss you on rainy days. I miss you every day. Every moment. Can you feel it? If you can, reply to me. If not, then feel it properly. Until you do."

Sent.

[14:30 - Seventh Reply Video]

Afternoon training continued, and Karina faced the camera drenched in sweat.

"It's afternoon. Still practicing. So tired. But thinking about the concert makes me happy. Thinking about you coming to see it makes me even happier. You'll come, right? You have to. I don't care what you have going on, you must clear that day. If you can't, take leave. If you can't take leave, quit. If you quit, come be my full-time fan. Be responsible for screaming, applauding, and giving me flowers. Your job description is just to like me. Very simple, right?"

She took a sip of water and caught her breath.

"How's the salary? No salary. Liking me is enough. Liking me is the best salary. Am I good at accounting? Of course I am. So, you'll work for me from now on. I'm the boss, you're the employee. Employees have to listen to the boss. If the boss tells you to like me, you like me. If I tell you to keep liking me, you keep liking me. No quitting allowed."

Video ends.

Sent.

[16:00 - Eighth Selfie]

Training ended, and Karina sat on the floor, covered in sweat. She held up her phone and took a photo of her disheveled state—her hair was soaked and sticking to her face, which was flushed red, but she was smiling happily.

Click.

Bubble Caption:

"Finished practicing. I'm exhausted. But happy. Because it's one day closer to the concert. One day closer to seeing you. Are you counting the days too? You should. Let's count together. 1 day, 2 days, 3 days... we'll meet on that day. When we meet, I want to see you at first glance. If I can't see you, I'll look for you. When I find you, I'll hug you. And I won't let go. Not until the concert starts."

Sent.

[16:30 - Eighth Reply Video]

Karina sat in the car on the way home, talking to the camera. The sky outside the window had completely cleared, and the sunset was starting to appear, tinting the horizon with a faint orange.

"On the way home. The rain stopped today, the sky cleared, and the sunset is beautiful. Did you see it? If you did, take a photo for me. If not, never mind. I'll see it for you. If I see it, it's like you saw it too. I'll share half of everything I see with you. Half the sunset, half the sky, and half my mood."

She smiled, a very sweet smile.

"I'm in a great mood today. Because the weather got better, because I made progress in training, and because I can see you again tomorrow. Even if it's just through the phone, it still counts as seeing each other. Right? Nod if I'm right. Nod even if I'm not. If I say it's right, it's right."

Video ends.

Sent.

[17:15 - Ninth Selfie]

Karina got home, and the first thing she did was rush to the window to capture the evening glow. The sunset after the rain was exceptionally beautiful, with orange-red and purple interwoven like a painting.

Click.

Bubble Caption:

"Home. Today's sunset. Pretty, right? Can you see it from your side? If not, never mind. I took a photo for you. I'll take photos of everything beautiful I see for you. That way, you won't miss out. Am I thoughtful? Praise me if I am. Praise me even if I'm not. Anyway, I just want to hear good things."

Sent.

[18:00 - Ninth Reply Video]

Karina finished her shower, changed into pajamas, and curled up on the sofa. The sky outside was gradually darkening, and she turned on a warm yellow desk lamp.

"Good evening. Was today tiring? I'm quite tired. But happy. You know, while training today, I was thinking about the concert the whole time. Thinking about what to wear, what songs to sing, what dances to do, and also, how you'll look watching me from the audience. Will you hold a lightstick? Will you shout my name? Will you sing along?"

She hugged a cushion, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.

"Just thinking about it makes me happy. So no matter how tired I am, it's worth it. Because you're worth it. You're worth all my hard work. You're worth how much I like you. You're worth all the good things. So you have to be good to yourself too. Eat well, sleep well, and take care of yourself. Because you're mine. I have to take good care of my things."

Video ends.

Sent.

[18:45 - Tenth Selfie]

Karina started preparing dinner. She opened the fridge and took a photo of the ingredients inside—kimchi, tofu, pork belly, bean sprouts, and zucchini. She was making Kimchi Tofu Soup today.

Click.

Bubble Caption:

"Making Kimchi Tofu Soup for dinner. Do you like tofu? You have to, even if you don't. Because I'm making it. I'll make it especially 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. Perfect logic, right?"

Sent.

[19:30 - Tenth Reply Video]

Karina recorded the video while the soup was cooking. The soup in the pot was bubbling away, the aroma filling the air.

"The soup is almost ready. Smells so good. Can you smell it? Never mind if you can't. When you come over, I'll cook for you every day. Every day something different. Kimchi soup, Soybean Paste Soup, Army Stew, Samgyetang, Rabokki, Bibimbap. I know how to make quite a lot, don't I? No, actually, I only know these few. But I can learn. I'm willing to learn anything for you."

She tasted the soup and nodded with satisfaction.

"Mmm, delicious. You'll definitely like it. You'll know once you come and taste it. You have to like it even if you don't. Because I made it. Everything I make is good. I'm good too. So you have to like me too. Always like me. Like me forever. No changing."

Video ends.

Sent.

[20:15 - Eleventh Selfie]

Dinner was ready. Karina arranged the soup, rice, and kimchi neatly and took a photo. She made it look especially pretty and even paired it with a glass of water.

Click.

Bubble Caption:

"Dinner is ready. Here's a look before I start. Looking is the same as eating. So you're full now too. No need to thank me. Just treat me to a real meal next time. When? After the concert. We'll go eat together. My treat. You pay. Fair, right?"

Sent.

[20:45 - Eleventh Reply Video]

Karina finished her meal and lay on the sofa to digest. It was pitch black outside, and the sound of cars in the distance could be heard.

"Finished eating. So full. I don't want to do anything right now, just want to lie down. Just want to talk to you. Not talking is fine too, just being like this. It's enough that you're here. I feel at ease when you're here. When I'm at ease, I'm comfortable. When I'm comfortable, I want to sleep. But I can't sleep yet; I still have to talk to you. Talking is more important than sleeping. You're more important than sleeping. You're the most important."

She yawned.

"No, I'm really a bit sleepy. But I still have to say it. The weather changed so much today, raining in the morning and clear in the afternoon. Doesn't it look like my mood? Thinking of you until it rained in the morning, and then it cleared up when I saw you (on the phone) in the afternoon. Talking to you at night is the evening glow. The most beautiful time. You are my most beautiful time."

Video ends.

Sent.

[21:30 - Twelfth Selfie]

Karina stood up and walked to the window to take a photo of the night view. The night after the rain was exceptionally clear, and Namsan Tower could be seen in the distance, lit up.

Click.

Bubble Caption:

"Tonight's Namsan Tower. See it? The lights are on. Doesn't it look like it's saying hello to me? It's saying 'goodnight'. I'm saying goodnight to you too. But it's still early; stay a little longer. Stay with me for a while. Just a while. A little while is fine."

Sent.

[22:00 - Twelfth Reply Video]

Karina faced the camera and began sharing her weather summary for the day.

"Today's weather summary: Rain in the morning, cloudy at noon, clear in the afternoon, and cool at night. The temperature was about 10 to 15 degrees. Suitable for a sweatshirt plus a jacket. Did you dress right today? If you did, praise yourself. If not, remember it and dress right tomorrow. Because I'll be checking. How? Send me a photo tomorrow. If you do, you pass. If not... I'll imagine you dressed wrong. And then I'll laugh at you."

She laughed, a mischievous laugh.

"Opening the joke. I won't laugh at you. You look good in anything. Even in nothing... wait, I didn't say nothing. Don't overthink it. I'm not overthinking it. You're not allowed to either. If you do, you're in the wrong. But it's okay if you did, because I thought about it too. We're even."

Video ends.

Sent.

[22:30 - Thirteenth Selfie]

Karina picked up her phone and took a photo of the coffee table. There were a few new things on the table today—an open bag of gummies, an empty yogurt carton, a dance notebook, a pen, and a crumpled piece of paper.

Click.

Bubble Caption:

"Today's coffee table. Compared to yesterday, there are gummies, a yogurt carton, a notebook, a pen, and paper. One less apple core. Did you notice? If you did, it means you're watching me seriously. If not, look again. Look until you notice. I'm not in a hurry; I have all the time in the world to wait for you."

Sent.

[22:45 - Thirteenth Reply Video]

Karina was already sleepy; her voice became soft, and her eyes were struggling to stay open.

"Tomorrow is March 1st. Time flies. February is over just like that. How many times did I miss you this month? I've lost count. Anyway, many, many, many times. It'll be even more next month. Because there's a concert next month, and I'll get to see you. After seeing you, I'll miss you even more. Because seeing you makes me like you more. Liking you more makes me miss you more. Wanting to see you even more. An infinite loop."

She rubbed her eyes.

"Do you know what an infinite loop is? It's when you can't stop. That's how I am with you—an infinite loop. Always thinking, always thinking, always thinking. Can't stop. And I don't want to stop. Because thinking of you is a happy thing. Why would I stop a happy thing? I won't. I'll never stop. I'll think of you until forever."

Video ends.

Sent.

[23:00 - Fourteenth Selfie]

Karina lay in bed, showing only her face. She held up her phone and took a photo of herself buried in the covers, with only her eyes showing.

Click.

Bubble Caption:

"In bed. Getting ready to sleep. The weather changed today, and tomorrow might be even colder. You have to wear more. Don't catch a cold. It'll make my heart ache. If my heart aches, I'll feel bad. If I feel bad, I'll look for you. If I look for you, you'll have to coax me. So to keep me from looking for you, you have to take good care of yourself. Dress warm, eat well, and sleep well. Because you're mine. My things have to be in good condition."

Sent.

[23:10 - Fourteenth Reply Video]

Karina was almost asleep, her voice muzzy.

"Today... I thought of you... how many times... I counted... 312 times... 25 more than yesterday... because it rained... I think of you more on rainy days... because the sound of rain is like your voice... gentle... soft... so nice to hear... tomorrow will be even more... because tomorrow is a new month... a new start... a new missing you..."

She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow.

"Goodnight... my Butler... see you tomorrow... see you in my dreams... see you every day... see you forever... oh right... tomorrow's weather... cloudy to clear... 5 to 12 degrees... remember to wear something thicker... I'll check... if you don't... I'll be angry... if I'm angry... I'll... I'll make you hug me... then I'll be fine... so it's okay if you don't wear something thick... I have a way anyway..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter, until only the sound of breathing remained.

Video ends.

Sent.

[23:15 - Last Text Reply]

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

"February 28, 2026, the 312th time I missed you. Tomorrow is March 1st, a new month, a new start, a new missing you. Goodnight. Tomorrow's weather will be cloudy to clear, 5 to 12 degrees. Remember to dress warmly. I'll be thinking of you. Always. Forever. Goodnight."

Sent.