418: April 11, 2026 - Liu Zhimin's Birthday Bubble

(Let time slow down a bit~ I want to freeze every moment of her!)

——

[April 11, 2026, 00:00 - First Selfie]

Seoul outside the window has already fallen asleep, with only a few distant streetlights still lit. Karina sits by the bed, wearing a cream-white nightgown, her hair draped softly. She holds a small pink cake with a single candle flickering gently against her face.

*Click.*

She slowly edits the text, the corners of her mouth curving up:

"April 11, 2026. Midnight. My birthday. Thank you for being here. Even though you might be sleeping, or perhaps waiting for this moment. Regardless, I'll take it as you being here."

Sent.

[00:02 - First Video Reply]

Karina faces the camera, the candlelight illuminating her face, small specks of light dancing in her eyes. She smiles gently, her voice soft.

"It's my birthday. I'm a year older. I originally thought about spending it alone, but after thinking about it, I still wanted to be with you. So I lit a candle and took some photos. Will you wish me a happy birthday? Even if you don't say it, I'll take it as if you did."

She looks down at the cake and purses her lips.

"Let's make a wish. Three of them. The first is that I hope everyone is healthy. The second is that I hope the Comeback goes smoothly. The third... I won't tell you. It won't come true if I say it. But it's related to you. Guess."

Video ends.

Sent.

[00:08 - Second Selfie]

Karina blows out the candle and takes a photo of the cake. The candle is out, leaving only a thin wisp of smoke. There's a small white flower on the cream, with 'Happy Birthday' written next to it.

*Click.*

Bubble Caption:

"Blew out the candle. Made the wishes. They won't come true if I say them, so I won't tell you. But guess. Even if you guess right, it might not be true. Even if it's true, I won't admit it. So you guess away, I'm not saying."

Sent.

[00:15 - Second Video Reply]

Karina leans against the headboard, hugging a pillow, her voice low as if afraid of waking someone.

"I practiced until very late today, didn't get home until almost eleven. My Manager bought a cake and put it in the fridge. I took it out after showering and found there was only one candle. One is fine, anyway, you don't need many candles to make a wish."

She lets out a small yawn.

"There's training tomorrow too. Every day is busy before a Comeback. But being able to talk to you on my birthday makes me very happy. Thank you for being here. Even if you might not have done anything, it's enough that you're here. Just being here is enough."

Video ends.

Sent.

[07:30 - Third Selfie]

It's light outside, sunlight streaming through the gap in the curtains, drawing a golden line on the floor. Karina reaches out from under the covers and takes a photo of that beam of light.

*Click.*

Bubble Caption:

"April 11, 7:30 AM. Sunlight on my birthday. It's not beautiful because of you; it's beautiful on its own. But since you happened to see it, consider yourself lucky. Happy birthday. I'm not saying it to you, I'm saying it to myself. You don't have to say it."

Sent.

[07:45 - Third Video Reply]

Karina is still lying in bed, her hair spread softly over the pillow, the blanket pulled up to her chin. She smiles at the camera, her eyes crinkling.

"I slept very well last night. Maybe because I made a wish, I felt at peace. Training starts at nine today, so there's still a little time. I want to lie here a bit longer and talk to you more."

She pulls the blanket up a bit further.

"Training even on my birthday, isn't that a bit pitiful? But it's okay. Spending my birthday on stage is pretty good too. The fans will sing me the birthday song, and you will too, right? You don't have to be loud, just sing softly. I'll be able to hear it."

Video ends.

Sent.

[08:15 - Fourth Selfie]

Karina stands in front of the mirror and takes a full-body photo. Today she's wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and light blue sweatpants, her hair tied in a clean bun.

*Click.*

Bubble Caption:

"All changed. My training outfit for my birthday. I didn't pick it out specially; I just grabbed it. White and refreshing. Do you like it? If you like it, you like it; if you don't, you're not allowed to say so. Today I'm the Birthday Girl, I call the shots."

Sent.

[08:30 - Fourth Video Reply]

Karina stands in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of warm water and taking a Rice Ball out of the fridge.

"Breakfast. A Rice Ball, tuna flavored. Eating this for a birthday breakfast, isn't it a bit simple? I'll go eat something good after training tonight. What do you want to eat? I'll eat it for you. Anything you can't eat, I'll eat it all for you."

She takes a bite of the Rice Ball and chews slowly.

"Mmm, delicious. This piece is for you. Even though you can't eat it, the sentiment is there. Did you receive it? I've received many wishes today, but yours... I haven't received it yet. When are you giving it? I'm waiting."

Video ends.

Sent.

[09:00 - Fifth Selfie]

Karina arrives at the Practice Room and takes a photo facing the mirror. She's sitting on the floor changing into dance shoes, sunlight streaming through the window and casting a layer of warm light over her.

*Click.*

Bubble Caption:

"At the Practice Room. Birthday training has begun. I need to master the last part of the new song's choreography today. Are you at work? Be careful on the road. The weather is nice today, so your mood should be nice too."

Sent.

[10:30 - Fifth Video Reply]

During a break, Karina sits on the floor drinking water, some fine sweat on her forehead. She smiles at the camera and catches her breath.

"I've been practicing for two hours, the chorus part is almost there. I'm in great condition today, probably because it's my birthday, so I'm in a particularly good mood. You too, right? Are you in a good mood today? If not, think of me, and it'll get better. Because it's my birthday today, you have to be happy too. This is one of my wishes. You have to help me fulfill it."

She sets the water bottle down and tightens the cap.

"I'll stop here and get back to practice. Work hard, and remember to eat lunch. Keep it up today."

Video ends.

Sent.

[12:15 - Sixth Selfie]

Lunchtime. Karina opens her lunch box; a fried egg has been added today, with 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' written crookedly in ketchup next to it. She takes a photo of the box.

*Click.*

Bubble Caption:

"Lunch. Written by my Manager. The handwriting is a bit crooked, but the thought is there. Today's lunch box is more lavish than usual—there's a fried egg, beef, and a small piece of cake. Have you eaten? No matter what you eat, eat well. It's my birthday today, so you must eat your fill. That's an order."

Sent.

[12:45 - Sixth Video Reply]

Karina records the video while eating, eating slowly and seriously.

"Today's beef is delicious, and the fried egg is runny. Do you like runny eggs? I'll make them for you next time. One of my birthday wishes is to cook a meal for you. I don't know when it can be fulfilled, but I'll wait. You have to wait too."

She picks up a piece of beef and waves it at the camera.

"This best piece is for you. Even though you can't eat it, the sentiment is there. I've received many gifts today, but the one I want most... I haven't received it yet. Do you know what it is? Forget it if you can't guess. Even if you guess right, it might not be true. Even if it's true, I won't admit it. So stop guessing. Just eat your meal quietly and well."

Video ends.

Sent.

[15:30 - Seventh Selfie]

Afternoon training continues. Karina takes a photo facing the mirror; her hair is a bit damp, her face is flushed, but her eyes are bright.

*Click.*

Bubble Caption:

"Continuing this afternoon. The positioning for the last part of the new dance is finally smooth. I should be able to finish practicing it today. How's your day going? Regardless, remember to take good care of yourself. It's my birthday today, so you have to be well. This is the third wish."

Sent.

[16:00 - Seventh Video Reply]

Karina rests by the window, taking a photo of the sky outside before turning back to herself.

"The afternoon sunlight has turned gentle. I've been practicing all day; I'm a bit tired, but it feels fulfilling. Spending my birthday in the Practice Room is actually quite nice. Because it's one day closer to the Comeback, and one day closer to seeing you. Will you come to the music show performances? You don't have to be close; even from afar is fine. I'll be happy just knowing you're there."

She rubs her shoulders.

"Alright, back to it. Get back to your work, let's talk more tonight."

Video ends.

Sent.

[18:30 - Eighth Selfie]

Training is over. Karina sits on the floor, covered in sweat but smiling very tenderly. She holds up her phone and takes a photo in the mirror.

*Click.*

Bubble Caption:

"Training is over. It went pretty well today; I've basically mastered the new dance. I want to buy a milk tea on the way home, with extra pearls. A little reward for myself. You must be tired too, right? Go home and rest well. It's my birthday today, so you have to go to bed early too. No staying up late."

Sent.

[19:15 - Eighth Video Reply]

Karina walks home, the camera pointing at a roadside flower shop. Several bouquets are displayed at the entrance—pink roses, white daisies, and a small bunch of baby's breath.

"Passed by a flower shop and bought myself a bouquet. Pink roses, small but very pretty. Since no one sent flowers today, I'll send them to myself. You don't have to send any either; I've already sent them. But if you did... I'd be very happy. You don't have to tell me. It's fine if I find out on my own."

She holds the flowers and smiles at the camera.

"Is it pretty? No need to answer. I think it's pretty anyway. Today is my birthday, I call the shots."

Video ends.

Sent.

[20:00 - Ninth Selfie]

Karina arrives home, puts the flowers in a vase, and places them on the windowsill. She takes a photo of the flowers; the pink roses look very gentle under the lights.

*Click.*

Bubble Caption:

"The flowers are in the vase. The windowsill is a bit more lively now. It's my birthday today, and although I didn't do anything special, I'm very happy. Because I talked to you a lot. Thank you for staying with me. Even if you might not have done anything, it's enough that you're here. Just being here is enough."

Sent.

[20:30 - Ninth Video Reply]

Karina is already lying down, the blanket pulled up to her chin, only her face showing. The bedside lamp is still on, casting a warm yellow light on her face, her eyelashes throwing faint shadows under her eyes.

"Going to sleep soon. In the last five minutes of my birthday, I want to talk to you. What should I say... Thank you. Thank you for appearing in my life. Thank you for remembering my birthday. Thank you for letting me know what it feels like to be kept in someone's heart. It's warm and soft, like a spring breeze, like today's cake, like you."

She gently closes her eyes and then slowly opens them.

"The wishes I made for my birthday... I'll tell you one. Not the most important one, but the second one. I hope you can eat well and sleep well every day, don't get sick, and don't get too tired. I hope that every time you think of me, the corners of your mouth turn up. I hope that every time you see a message from me, your heart feels warm. I hope that every time you hear my songs, you know they're sung for you. I hope you know that someone is thinking of you. Every day, every hour, every moment. It's me. I'm thinking of you. Happy birthday... wait, no, it's my birthday. You should be happy too. Goodnight, my love. For next year's birthday, I still want you to be the first to know. Every year, I want you to be the first to know. It's a promise. You're not allowed to forget. If you forget, I'll find you. No matter where you are, I'll find you. And then I'll tell you: It's my birthday, and you're the first to know. Every year. Forever."

Video ends.

Sent.

[21:20 - Final Text Reply]

Before turning off the lights, Karina sent a message:

"April 11, 2026, my birthday. Thank you for remembering. Goodnight, my love. See you next year. No, see you tomorrow. I want to see you every day. See you in my dreams. I'll be waiting for you."

Sent.