343: Chapter 322 Liu Zhimin: I'll take the nanny van straight to your opening ceremony and frantically steal your offerings.

On the internet, a "Pig Head Storm" unexpectedly ignited by aespa's maknae Kim Minjeong is spreading and fermenting at a viral speed.

#Kim Minjeong Livestream Leak# was the first to break into the top ten trending topics, followed immediately by even more impactful and topical hashtags that shot up like rockets:

#Karina the Pig Head Thief#

#aespa Leader Stealing Offerings#

#Karina Phantom Thief Behavior#

These hashtags were followed by labels like "Hot" and "Explosive," instantly pushing the already hotly debated "Opening Ceremony Pig Head Theft" incident to the peak of a nationwide frenzy.

[Hahahahaha, I'm laughing so hard the neighbors called the police! Karina?! That Karina who is so cool on stage and a gentle leader off stage?! Stealing a pig head?!]

[Her persona has collapsed! But why is it so funny that it collapsed!]

[SM's ancestral variety sense? This time it's a criminal sense (doge face)]

[So was the pig head found? In the aespa dorm? (pointing fingers)]

[That sentence from Kim Minjeong's livestream is the essence: "It's not necessarily a pig head~" Isn't this just a disguised admission?!]

[Dongdong: I didn't do it on purpose, my nose is just too sharp (innocent face)]

[Is there any pro who can Photoshop the fan-taken photos of Karina Unnie at the event today? The kind where she has an elegant smile on the surface, but inside: "Just as planned!" Is she beautiful? But I'm thinking about how to steal a pig head...]

This suggestion received an immediate and enthusiastic response. In just over ten minutes, various Photoshopped memes were freshly released. Some showed Karina standing on the red carpet, her eyes gazing "affectionately" at the pig head on the distant altar; some had her Photoshopped as the lead on the poster of the classic movie The Italian Job, holding a pig head in her arms; even more extreme, some replaced the image of Phantom Thief Kid from detective conan with Karina's face, with a shiny, oily pig head hidden under her cape...

Internet creativity reached its peak at this moment, and a joyful atmosphere filled the entire web. The attention on TG Entertainment and the movie the crab also rose accordingly, although the method was a bit... peculiar.

The SM Entertainment PR Department was currently shrouded in an eerie silence and a faint smell of something burning.

The staff monitoring public opinion watched the outrageous trending topics and hilarious memes on the screen, their faces turning green. This was definitely a serious image crisis! The leader of aespa had actually been caught up in such an absurd "theft" scandal (even if it was food), and it was known to the whole internet!

The PR Manager almost smashed the desk. He was about to contact the aespa Manager immediately to start emergency PR, issue a statement to clarify, condemn the rumors, and even consider legal means...

However, at the moment he picked up the phone, a short message from a higher-up popped up through the internal system.

The sender had extremely high authority.

The content was even simpler: [Regarding the interactions involving aespa members during President Jiang Zhiyu's TG opening ceremony process today, it has been reported to Teacher Lee Soo-man in advance and received his tacit approval. For the online public opinion, just give it the cold treatment.]

PR Manager: "..."

His hand holding the phone froze in mid-air, and the anger on his face was gradually replaced by a sense of blankness and the absurdity of "did I miss something."

It was reported?

To Teacher Lee Soo-man?

And... he gave his tacit approval???

So, all this seemingly absurd farce was actually... planned? Or at least within the expectations and permission of certain people?

The PR Manager took three deep breaths before he managed to suppress the feeling of powerlessness that "this world is crazy." He slowly put down the phone and waved his hand at his tense subordinates who were waiting for instructions, his voice a bit ethereal:

"...Just play dead."

"Huh?" The subordinates were all confused.

"Didn't see it, don't know, no response." The PR Manager rubbed his throbbing temples. "Let the heat... fly on its own for a while."

Although he completely couldn't understand the thought process of the higher-ups (especially Teacher Lee Soo-man), an order was an order. The SM PR Department instantly switched to "ostrich mode," ignoring the "Pig Head Thief" carnival raging on the internet, as if the fact that aespa's leader was being turned into a meme by the whole web simply didn't exist.

Meanwhile, the other protagonist of the storm—Kim Minjeong—was still sitting safely on the carpet in the dorm living room, conducting her "sudden whim" livestream.

After the initial climax of the "leak," she seemed to have steered the topic toward safer, more conventional directions, such as sharing recent songs she listened to, movies she watched, and interesting things during practice. Although the heat in the livestream room had dropped slightly, it still remained at a very high level. In the comments section, besides those who continued to play with the memes, many fans were chatting normally.

However, there are always some viewers who "just want to see the world burn" and persistently pulled the topic back.

[Dongdong, tell us more about the opening ceremony! Did you really not go?]

[Did Karina Unnie have any unusual behavior at the scene?]

[I heard there was a little girl at the scene shouting "Stealing the pig head"? Who was it?]

Kim Minjeong looked at these comments, her face still wearing that innocent and harmless smile, but her eyes curved slightly, flashing with a hint of craftiness.

She tilted her head as if remembering seriously, and then said in a slightly regretful and envious tone:

"Ah, that opening ceremony... I couldn't go because I had to practice, what a pity. I heard about it all from Ji-min Unnie when she came back."

She paused and added as if casually:

"But Ji-min Unnie said the scene was really lively, the firecrackers were so loud, and the pig head... ah, no, the offerings, were laid out very nicely."

She thought about it "carefully" again and continued:

"Ji-min Unnie also said that when she was standing there, she saw someone (she didn't say who) who seemed particularly interested in the pig head, hanging around nearby, and then while everyone wasn't paying attention, swish... (she made a quick grabbing motion)"

The details of the action she described were unexpectedly vivid—how to use positioning to block the line of sight, how to quickly bend down, reach out, and bag it... it was almost as if she had seen it with her own eyes.

Then, a look of "lingering fear" and amusement appeared on her face:

"The funniest thing was, that person had just succeeded and wanted to run, but it seemed like Tima (Lee Tima) saw them! Tima was standing right there (she pointed to an imaginary spot), and without saying a word, she started (she imitated Lee Tima's action, slowly raising her hand and pressing down her fingers one by one)... counting down like this!"

She imitated it perfectly, even capturing a bit of Lee Tima's slightly mischievous smile.

"When that person saw Tima counting down, they were so scared that they ran off holding the bag! So fast! After Tima finished counting down, she clenched her fist and shouted... Everyone knows what happened after that~"

She spoke so vividly, as if she had experienced it personally, completely forgetting her persona of "not having been to the scene."

The comment section boiled over again.

[??? Dongdong, how do you know so clearly if you didn't go?]

[These details... Did Karina Unnie review the crime process with you?]

[LMAO, Lee Tima! It's her again! That little devil from TG!]

[Forcing back the pig head thief with a countdown, Lee Tima, as expected of you!]

[So Dongdong, you're actually an accomplice, right?! You know it so clearly!]

Kim Minjeong looked at the comments and quickly covered her mouth, looking panicked as if she had "let it slip," waving her hands repeatedly:

"Ani, ani! It's all my guess! I heard Ji-min Unnie say the scene was very chaotic, so I imagined it myself! Everyone, don't take it seriously!"

The more she denied it and emphasized "imagination," the closer the credibility became to zero.

The livestream room was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Meanwhile, in a van speeding through the Seoul night, the atmosphere was completely different.

The low pressure was like a physical substance, almost condensing into ice.

Karina sat in the middle of the back seat, her face ashen, her lips pursed into a straight line, and her eyes burning with enough anger and killing intent to incinerate everything. Her phone screen was still lit up, staying on Kim Minjeong's livestream, where Kim Minjeong's voice imitating Lee Tima's countdown and her own panicked explanation were coming through.

With every sentence she heard, Karina's fist tightened a bit more.

Kim Minjeong... you're finished.

Jiang Zhiyu... you're finished too.

Lee Tima... you can't escape either!

NingNing, sitting to her left, was already holding back laughter so hard that her whole face was distorted, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. She could only bite her lower lip hard and turn her face toward the car window, pretending to look at the scenery, but in fact, the car window reflected her expression, which was somewhat contorted from trying so hard to hold back laughter.

Uchinaga Eri, sitting on the right, although uninterested in the "pig head" itself, showed great interest in "observing" this absurd drama co-starred by their own maknae and leader (though the leader was forced). She held her phone, constantly refreshing the trending topics and memes, occasionally letting out low exclamations like "Wow" and "This one is well-Photoshopped," occasionally looking up at Karina's face which was about to explode, then quickly lowering her head, the corners of her mouth rising crazily.

The driver felt the terrifying low pressure and the eerie atmosphere of suppressed laughter from the back seat through the rearview mirror, and silently increased the car's speed, only wanting to quickly deliver these three great deities (especially the one about to explode) back to the dorm.

The car made a beautiful fishtail and stopped downstairs at the dorm.

Karina pushed open the car door almost the moment the car came to a steady stop. Without saying a word, she strode toward the building, her back enveloped in visible black energy and killing intent.

NingNing and Uchinaga Eri looked at each other, one still suppressing laughter, the other full of excitement to watch the show, and quickly followed.

The elevator went up.

The numbers kept jumping.

Karina stared at the rising floor numbers, her eyes cold.

Kim Minjeong, your livestream... should end.

And your good days have come to an end.

—

"Ding—"

The moment the elevator doors opened, a surge of killing intent mixed with cold low pressure, almost condensed into a physical form, surged out of the narrow cabin like a tsunami, sweeping through the quiet corridor.

Karina, like a goddess of revenge returning from hell, had a dark face, and every step she took made the floor seem to tremble. NingNing and Uchinaga Eri behind her tried their best to minimize their presence, one still struggling to smooth out the remaining smile on her face, the other with "I'm just passing by to watch the show" written all over her face.

The dorm door was slightly ajar, and Kim Minjeong's crisp, crisis-free laughter could be heard faintly from inside, along with the blurred sound of comments scrolling in the livestream room.

Karina stopped at the door and took a deep breath—this breath was so deep and long, as if she were compressing all the oxygen in the world into her lungs and then transforming it into a power that could destroy everything.

Then, she slammed the door open!

" Clang！"

The sound of the door hitting the wall gave Kim Minjeong, who was sitting cross-legged on the living room carpet smiling at the phone screen, such a jolt that she almost threw her phone.

She turned her head and saw Karina, who was full of killing intent and eyes scraping over like ice blades. A flash of guilt instantly crossed her face, but it was immediately covered by her signature innocent and harmless smile.

"Unnie! You're back! So fast!" Kim Minjeong's voice was sickeningly sweet. She even tried to lift the phone and point the camera at the door, her face showing a brilliant smile with zero survival instinct, "Come, say hello to the MYs~ Our Ji-min Unnie is back!"

She tried to use the thousands of livestream viewers as "hostages" to force Karina to maintain her image in front of the camera, thereby escaping her fate.

However, she still underestimated her leader's current anger level.

Karina walked into the living room step by step, each step feeling like it was stepping on Kim Minjeong's heartbeat. She walked to the coffee table, stopped, and looked down at the rapidly scrolling comments on the phone screen filled with "Hahahaha," "Unnie is here!" "The Pig Head Thief appears!" "Confess and be treated with leniency!" and then looked at Kim Minjeong's face, which was feigning innocence and written with "I was wrong but I'll do it again next time."

She suddenly smiled.

It wasn't the usual gentle, leader-like smile, but a kind of "smile" born of extreme anger, with the corners of her mouth rising but her eyes cold enough to freeze.

This smile made NingNing and Uchinaga Eri beside her subconsciously take half a step back.

"If I didn't come back now..." Karina's voice was very light, but it had a texture like grinding teeth, "you would have torn the house down!"

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Before the words had even faded, she stepped forward with the agility of a cheetah, snatching the phone away before Kim Minjeong could even react.

The movement was clean and efficient, carrying an unquestionable air of dominance.

"Ah! Unnie!" Kim Minjeong exclaimed, wanting to grab it back, but she was glared down by one look from Karina.

Karina didn't even look at the comments exploding on the screen; she simply pointed the camera at her own face, which still held lingering anger but was forcing a "Captain-like calmness."

"Hello everyone, I am Karina." Her voice had returned to its usual gentleness, but her speech was slightly hurried, carrying an urgency to end the situation. "Regarding the various speculations and jokes circulating on the internet today about the 'braised pig head'..."

She paused, seemingly weighing her words, a flash of extremely complicated emotions (containing anger, shame, helplessness, and the urge to kill) flickering in her eyes.

"I am here to formally state that I know nothing about this and am unaware of the specific situation." She spoke with absolute finality, as if that "pig head" truly had nothing to do with her. "There is indeed some braised meat in my room, but it was a private gift from a friend I am 'very close' with, and it has nothing to do with any items from today's opening ceremony."

She specifically emphasized "very close" and "private gift," the teeth-gritting tone between her words almost transmitting right through the screen.

"Because of the private actions between this friend and me, public resources were occupied, and I deeply apologize for the unnecessary trouble and misunderstanding caused to all MYs and friends following this matter."

Speaking up to this point, the formulaic apology on her face was almost failing to hold up, and she shot a sharp glance at Kim Minjeong, who was already huddled into a ball, trying to minimize her presence.

"After the live stream ends," Karina's tone suddenly became unusually "gentle" and "firm," "I will immediately set off to go to this 'friend's' house to 'communicate properly' with him about how to correctly give gifts, and... how to educate one's own ignorant 'pet'."

"That is all, today's live stream ends here. Thank you all for your attention, we will see you next time."

Having said that, she didn't give the fans any chance to react or ask questions; she swiped her finger rapidly and cleanly cut off the live stream.

The world was quiet.

But also more dangerous.

Karina slowly turned around, tossed the now-black-screen phone onto the sofa, and her gaze, like two ice-tempered knives, shot straight at the tiny figure on the sofa attempting to shrink herself into the cushions.

She walked over, step by step.

Kim Minjeong felt the dangerous atmosphere like Mount Tai pressing down on her, and tried to reveal a fawning, pitiful smile: "Unnie..."

Karina leaned down, stretched out both hands, precisely pinched the excellent-feeling soft flesh on both sides of Kim Minjeong's cheeks, and then... pulled hard to both sides!

"Ah... Unnie, appayo~ (It hurts~)" Kim Minjeong felt the pain, her voice slurred, her eyes instantly becoming watery, attempting to use the aggrieved tactic.

"Hurts?" Karina leaned in close, a fake, skin-deep smile on her face, squeezing the voice out through her teeth, "Wait until I dispose of that damned pig head, then I'll come to properly 'handle' your 'little Maltese' dog head! I think your skin is itching for a beating!"

"Little Maltese" is a nickname fans gave Kim Minjeong, describing her as cute as a Maltese dog, but at this moment, coming out of Karina's mouth, it was full of the threatening implication of "I think you're asking for a lesson."

At this moment, NingNing, who had been acting as the background, finally couldn't hold it in. She pointed in the direction of the room Karina had just come out of, her eyes wide, her voice full of shock and... a hint of excitement:

"Daebak! Unnie! That... that pig head... is it really yours...?"

Uchinaga Eri also covered her mouth; although disgusted, her eyes were filled with the disbelief of "It's actually real!"

"Don't. Say. A. Word!" Karina turned her head abruptly, firing death rays at the two.

But it was already too late.

NingNing's curiosity and appetite clearly overcame her awe of the leader (especially in the case of seeing that the "stolen goods" might be very delicious). She put her hands together, made a pleading gesture toward Karina, her eyes sparkling:

"Unnie, Unnie! That... since you've already brought it back, what a waste it would be to throw it away! Can I... eat one bite before throwing it out? Just one bite!"

Karina looked at NingNing's gluttonous look, then looked at Uchinaga Eri, who was disgusted but seemed a bit shaken as well, and then thought about the source of the sinful aroma in her room, as well as the face she had just completely lost on the live stream...

A deep sense of powerlessness and the thought of "might as well just let it all fall apart" surged up.

She released her hand that was pinching Kim Minjeong's face, her whole person seeming to have been drained of strength, collapsing backward listlessly and stiffly, falling heavily into the sofa with a dull "thud."

She stared blankly at the ceiling, as if her soul had already left her body, waved her hand weakly at the air, her voice drifting:

"Do... whatever... you... want..."

Having received the "pardon," NingNing cheered, immediately pulling the still-hesitant Uchinaga Eri, and rushed toward Karina's room.

In the living room, temporarily, there was only Karina, who was "burned out" and sprawled on the sofa, and Kim Minjeong, who had survived the disaster and was carefully rubbing her cheeks.

Kim Minjeong looked at Karina's "life is meaningless" appearance, and the little triumph in her heart from the successful prank was finally replaced by a sliver of guilt (only a sliver). She shifted her butt, scooted next to Karina, and tried to make amends with a soft voice:

"Karina Unnie... actually, I just smelled it a moment ago, maybe... it's not a pig head? Could it be braised pork knuckle? Or... something else?"

Her voice got quieter as she spoke because Karina couldn't even be bothered to lift her eyelids.

Just at this moment—

"Wow!! Daebak!!!"

NingNing's exclamation came from the room.

"It's crazy... it really is a pig head! And it's so big!" NingNing's voice was full of the excitement of "discovering a treasure."

Karina: "..."

She slowly lowered her hand covering her eyes, the veins on her forehead visibly bulging one by one, throbbing.

Kim Minjeong: "... (pursing her lips)"

Kim Minjeong shrank to the farthest corner of the sofa, curled herself into a ball, and completely dared not make a sound.

Soon, NingNing walked out carefully, holding with both hands (wearing disposable gloves) a whole braised pig head inside a red plastic bag, shiny with oil and overflowing with aroma. Uchinaga Eri followed behind her; although her expression was still a bit disgusted, her eyes couldn't help but glance at the pig head.

That pig head, under the bright lights of the living room, appeared so "hideous," yet so... alluring.

Karina looked at the "culprit" that caused all her misfortune tonight, feeling that her last bit of strength had also been drained, and she just wanted to sleep forever.

NingNing placed the pig head on the coffee table (with several layers of kitchen paper underneath), examined it carefully, and suddenly let out an "Eh."

She leaned in to smell it, then used her fingers (wearing gloves) to gently poke the skin of the pig head, a look of realization and surprise appearing on her face:

"Karina Unnie, is this... made by 'Master' (her private nickname for Jiang Zhiyu)? The aroma of these braising spices, and this doneness... it feels very familiar!"

Karina, who had already been sprawled out like a salted fish, felt her eyelids twitch violently upon hearing the word "Master."

And Kim Minjeong, huddled in the corner, upon hearing the name "Zhiyu Oppa," was like a puppy receiving a special command, "whoosh" straightening her back, her eyes instantly becoming sparkling, flashing with astonishing light.

"Oh? Zhiyu Oppa?" Kim Minjeong's attention immediately shifted from "fearing the captain" to "food." She scooted over at once, lie in front of the coffee table, like a puppy that found a bone, staring fixedly at the pig head, "Oppa made this himself? Then... then I must properly taste the seasoning!"

As she said this, she had already spontaneously gone to find disposable gloves and plates, her movements incredibly fast.

NingNing also nodded repeatedly: "That's right, that's right! Master's craft absolutely cannot be wasted!"

Uchinaga Eri looked at the two's instantly rising enthusiasm, then looked at the aromatic pig head, hesitated again and again, and finally couldn't resist the temptation of curiosity and the aroma, saying softly: "Then... I'll taste a little bit too..."

Thus, by the coffee table, a "booty-sharing meeting" regarding the "braised pig head" quickly kicked off.

Karina, as the captain and the "thief" (forced), was instead excluded, only able to continue sprawling on the sofa, listening to the heartbreaking, happy sounds coming from beside her—

"Wow! This pig ear! So crunchy! Braised so well, full of flavor!"

"Cheek meat! The cheek meat is the most tender! Minjeong Unnie, save some for me!"

"OMG... this taste... it's truly amazing... (This was Uchinaga Eri, although she was disgusted with her mouth, her body was very honest)."

"Zhiyu Oppa is too amazing! Even a pig head can be made this delicious!"

"Karina Unnie, aren't you eating? It's really so delicious!"

The three younger sisters giggled and fought (mainly NingNing and Kim Minjeong), completely forgetting the tension and "sense of guilt" from just a moment ago, immersed in the pure happiness brought by the food.

And that laughter, that sincere praise for "Zhiyu Oppa's" craft, and the increasingly dense aroma of braised meat permeating the air...

Every sound, every wisp, was like sharp little knives, repeatedly slicing at Karina's already fragile nerves.

She felt the blood in her whole body flowing backward, a fishy-sweet scent rushing straight to her crown, her vision darkening in waves, almost really fainting from anger.

She stiffly turned her neck, looking at the three heartless sisters by the coffee table, eating happily, listening to their praises for that culprit...

In her mind, only one thought remained, as clear, deep, and unswerving as if engraved with fresh blood:

I will definitely kill you, Jiang Zhiyu!

In this life... I am not done with you!

Absolutely! Not done!!

——

(Karina transforms, puts on a mask, and becomes Phantom Thief Zhimin~ And then... steals my heart~)

[13:30 - Seventh Selfie]

After eating, Karina stood by the window to digest. The clouds seemed to have thinned a little, and sunlight occasionally leaked through the gaps in the clouds, casting brief spots of light on the ground.

Click.

Caption:

"The clouds thinned a little. The sun comes out occasionally. Doesn't it look like you? Appearing occasionally, and then disappearing. When you appear, I'm happy; when you disappear, I wait. I keep waiting, keep waiting. Waiting until you appear next time. Waiting until you appear constantly. Waiting until you appear forever. Waiting until you are by my side forever. Forever, forever, forever."

Send.

[14:00 - Seventh Reply Video]

Before afternoon training started, Karina stretched in front of the camera. She placed her leg on the barre, leaned forward, her face almost touching her knee.

"It's afternoon. Keep practicing. It's cloudy today, but I'm not cloudy. My mood is very good. Because you are here. Because you miss me. Because I like you. Liking you makes me happy. Happy makes me have strength. Having strength means I can practice better. Practicing better means you can see a better me. So you must always be here. Always miss me. Always like me. Always, always, always. Forever, forever, forever. Infinite, infinite, infinite."

She switched legs and continued stretching.

"Do you know how many times I thought of you today? I haven't finished counting yet. I'll tell you tonight. It's definitely more than yesterday. Yesterday was 521 times. Today's goal is 600 times. Do you think I can finish it? If you think so, nod. If not, nod anyway. Anyway, I can. I have confidence in myself. I have even more confidence in you. Because you are worth thinking about 600 times, 700 times, 1000 times, infinite times, every day. Infinite, infinite, infinite."

Video end.

Send.

[15:45 - Eighth Selfie]

Training ended, Karina took a selfie in the mirror, drenched in sweat. Her hair was soaked and stuck to her face, her face was flushed, but her eyes were bright, smiling very happily.

Click.

Caption:

"Finished practicing. Exhausted. But happy. Because I learned the fourth part of the new dance today. Because I didn't fall once today when jumping, turning, and landing. Because the sun came out occasionally today. Because I missed you today. How many times have I missed you? I haven't finished counting yet. I'll tell you tonight. It's definitely over 600 times. I have confidence in myself. I have even more confidence in you. Because you are worth thinking about 700 times, 800 times, 1,000 times, infinitely many times every day."

Send.

[ 16:30 - 8th Video Reply ]

Karina sat in the car on the way home, talking to the camera. The sky outside the car window was still overcast, the clouds thick, with occasional glimpses of a little light in the distance.

"On the way home. Training went very smoothly today. Learned the new dance. The teacher praised me for my fast progress. I said it's because someone is waiting for me. Someone is cheering me on. Someone is thinking of me. So I have motivation. So I can dance better. The teacher asked who. I said it's a secret. I won't tell you. I'll only tell you. You are my secret. My favorite secret. My most precious secret. The secret I least want to share. Secret, secret, secret."

She breathed onto the car window, and a layer of fog formed on the glass. She drew a heart in the mist.

"Look, a heart. It's for you. Did you receive it? If you received it, reply to me. If you didn't receive it, receive it carefully. Receive my heart. Receive my affection. Receive my longing. It's all yours. All of it, all of it, all of it. Yours, yours, yours."

Video ends.

Send.

[ 17:15 - 9th Selfie ]

When Karina returned home, the first thing she did was rush to the window and take a picture of the sky outside. The clouds were still thick, but the clouds in the west were slightly thinner, revealing a little glimmer of light.

Click.

Bubble caption: "Home. Still so many clouds. But there is light in the west. The sun is setting soon. Although I can't see the sun, I can see the light. Isn't it like you? Although I can't see you, I can feel you. Feel that you are here. Feel that you like me. Feel that you are thinking of me. I am thinking of you too. Always thinking. Thinking every minute and every second. Thinking forever. Thinking infinitely."

Send.

[ 18:00 - 9th Video Reply ]

Karina finished her shower, changed into pajamas, and curled up on the sofa. Today's pajamas were a light purple cotton set, soft and fluffy; she looked like a little grape.

"Good evening. Are you tired today? I'm quite tired. But happy. Because I made progress in training. Because I learned the new dance. Because I can talk to you soon. Talking makes me not tired. Talking makes me happy. Happy means I have energy. With energy, I can continue training. Continuing training means I can dance better. Dancing better means you can see an even better me. A virtuous cycle. Cycle, cycle, cycle."

She hugged a cushion and buried half her face in it.

"Do you know, when I was training today, I was thinking about you the whole time. Thinking about what you were doing. Thinking about whether you ate well. Thinking about whether you missed me. Thinking about whether you saw the messages I sent. Thinking about whether you replied to me. Thinking about whether you were missing me just as much. Thinking about it gave me energy. With energy, I could dance better. So you helped me train, too. You are also my teacher. The teacher who taught me to dance. Although you didn't teach me, your existence is the best teaching. Because you are my motivation. Do you understand motivation? It means I can't do it without you. With you, anything is possible. Anything is possible, anything is possible."

Video ends.

Send.

[ 18:45 - 10th Selfie ]

Karina started preparing dinner. She opened the fridge and took a picture of the ingredients inside—eggs, green onions, kimchi, tofu, pork belly, zucchini, bean sprouts, rice cakes, and the fried rice left over from yesterday. Today, she was going to make kimchi tofu soup with rice.

Click.

Bubble caption: "Making kimchi tofu soup with rice for dinner. Do you love soup? Even if you don't, you have to. Because I made it. I will make it super delicious so you fall in love with it. After falling in love with it, you will love me even more. Because I made it. The logic is perfect. Right? If it's right, nod. If it's not right, nod anyway. If I say it's right, it's right. You must listen to me. Because I am your chef. The chef who cooks especially for you. Although you can't eat it now, you will be able to in the future. I'll cook for you every day in the future. I'll cook until you get annoyed. Even if you're annoyed, I'll keep cooking. I'll cook until you can't live without my cooking. It's right that you can't live without me. I'm the one who makes you unable to live without me. Can't live without, can't live without, can't live without."

Send.

[ 19:30 - 10th Video Reply ]

Karina recorded a video while cooking the soup. The soup in the pot was bubbling away, and the aroma of kimchi and tofu seemed to travel through the screen.

"Cooking soup. Smells so good. Can you smell it? If not, never mind. When you come, I'll cook soup for you every day. Kimchi soup, soybean paste soup, ginseng chicken soup, army stew. I know quite a few, don't I? Actually, I only know these few. But I can learn. I'm willing to learn anything for you. If I can't learn it, I'll keep learning. Until I know how. Until I can make delicious food for you. Because I like you. Because I like you, I want to make delicious food for you. Seeing you happy while eating the food I made. That is my happiest moment. Happiest, happiest, happiest."

She tasted a spoonful of soup and nodded with satisfaction.

"Hmm, delicious. You will definitely like it. You'll know once you come and taste it. Even if you don't like it, you have to. Because I made it. Everything I make is good. I am a good person too. So you have to like me too. Always like me. Forever like me. Not allowed to change. If you change, I'll cry. If I cry, you have to coax me. Coaxing me takes time. Spending time means you like me more. So, going around in a circle, you still like me. So just like me directly. Less trouble. Less trouble, less trouble, less trouble."

Video ends.

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[ 20:15 - 11th Selfie ]

Dinner was ready. Karina arranged the soup, rice, and kimchi and took a picture. The soup was red, the tofu white, and the kimchi red too; it looked very appetizing.

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Bubble caption: "Dinner is ready. 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? In 18 days. After the concert. We'll go eat together. What do you want to eat? I'll treat you. You pay. Fair, right? Not fair? Then let's make it fairer: You treat, you pay. I'll be responsible for eating. Perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect."

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[ 21:00 - 11th Video Reply ]

Karina finished her meal and lay on the sofa to digest. The sky outside was completely dark, and she could hear the sound of cars in the distance, and occasionally the sound of wind blowing past the window.

"Finished eating. So full. I don't want to do anything now, just want to lie down. Just want to talk to you. If we don't talk, that's fine too, just staying like this. As long as you are here, it's fine. If you are here, I am at ease. Being at ease is comfortable. Being comfortable makes me want to sleep. But I can't sleep yet, I still have to talk to you. Talking is more important than sleeping. You are more important than sleeping. You are the most important. Most important, most important. More important than anything. More important than eating. More important than drinking. More important than training. More important than the concert. More important than anything. You are the most important. The most, most, most important. The most important in the universe."

She rolled over, lay on her stomach on the sofa, and swung her legs.

"Do you know, how many times did I think of you today? I counted. Up to now, 589 times. And there's still the evening, I can think of you even more. Today's goal is 600 times. Do you think I can complete it? If you think so, nod. If not, nod anyway. Anyway, I can. I have confidence in myself. Even more confidence in you. Because you are worth thinking about 600 times, 700 times, 1,000 times, infinitely many times every day. Infinite, infinite, infinite."

Video ends.

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[ 21:45 - 12th Selfie ]

Karina stood up, walked to the window, and took a picture of the night view outside. There were still many clouds tonight, no stars to be seen, and the lights of Namsan Tower looked a bit blurry under the clouds.

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Bubble caption: "No stars tonight. Too many clouds. But Namsan Tower is still there. Isn't it like you? Even if I can't see you, you are still there. Always there. Forever there. Infinitely there. I am there too. Always there. Forever there. Infinitely there. Waiting for you. Thinking of you. Liking you. Forever, forever, forever."

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[ 22:15 - 12th Video Reply ]

Karina finished her shower, changed into pajamas, and curled up on the sofa. Today's pajamas were that pink fluffy one; she looked like a little bunny.

"Today, March 3rd, is over. Time passes so quickly. How many times did I think of you today? I counted. 632 times. 32 times more than the 600-time goal. Amazing, right? If it's amazing, praise me. If you praise me, I'll work harder. Working harder means I can think more. More means infinite. Infinite means forever. Forever means always, always, always. Always, always, always means forever, forever, forever. Forever, forever, forever means I love you, I love you, I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you. Say important things three times. Three times isn't enough. Say it countless times. Countless, countless, countless."

She yawned, her eyes unable to stay open.

"No, I'm a bit sleepy. But I still have to say goodnight to you. I can only sleep after saying it. If I don't say it, I won't sleep peacefully. If I say it, I can sleep well. Once I sleep well, I can continue thinking of you tomorrow. So, saying goodnight now. Goodnight, my poop scooper. Goodnight, my sun. Goodnight, my favorite person. Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight."

Video ends.

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[ 22:45 - 13th Selfie ]

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

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Bubble caption: "In bed. Getting ready to sleep. Today's weather: Cloudy, 7 to 14 degrees. Tomorrow's weather: Cloudy to overcast, 8 to 13 degrees. Might have light rain. Remember to bring an umbrella. I checked the weather forecast, especially to tell you. Because I'm worried you'll get rained on. Worried you'll catch a cold. Worried you'll be uncomfortable. So you have to be obedient. Bring an umbrella, dress warmly. Eat well. Sleep well. Because you are mine. I need to take good care of my things. If you can't take care of yourself, leave it to me to take care of you. I'll take care of you. Take care of you for a lifetime. Take care of you forever. Take care of you infinitely. Take care, take care, take care."

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[ 23:00 - 13th Video Reply ]

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

"Tomorrow... Wednesday... middle of the week... you have to work... I have to train... we both work hard... but our hearts are together... hearts together means we are together... distance is not a problem... weather is not a problem... nothing is a problem... because I miss you... you miss me... that's enough..."

She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow.

"Goodnight... Goodbye March 3rd... Hello March 4th... On March 4th I will miss you even more... miss you more every day... miss you more forever... infinite cycle... infinite liking... infinite, infinite, infinite... oh right... tomorrow's weather... cloudy to overcast... 8 to 13 degrees... might have light rain... remember to bring an umbrella... I will check... if you don't bring an umbrella I'll be angry... if I'm angry I'll make you coax me... coaxing me means you have to think of me more... thinking of me more means I like you more... so going around in a circle I still like you... so just like you directly... less trouble... less trouble, less trouble, less trouble..."

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

Video ends.

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[ 23:15 - Last Text Reply ] Before turning off the lights, Karina used her last bit of strength to send a message:

"March 3, 2026, 632nd time thinking of you. I love you. Goodnight. Tomorrow's weather is cloudy to overcast, 8 to 13 degrees, might have light rain. Remember to bring an umbrella. I will miss you. Always miss you. Forever miss you. Infinitely miss you. Infinite, infinite, infinite. Goodnight."

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