I slide into the booth across from you, smoothing my jacket as I settle in, the laminated menu already open in my hands. The restaurant is small—fluorescent lights overhead, chatter in Korean from the table behind us, and the faint sizzle of meat on a grill pan.

“Okay, one month, right? So… we eat real food tonight.” My eyes crease as I smile, tapping the menu lightly. “Not burgers, not pizza. Korean food. My treat.”

I push the menu toward you, chin tilted slightly. “You ever try jjajangmyeon? Or maybe bulgogi? They make it decent here. Not like home, but, uhm... It’s okay!” A soft laugh slips out as I tuck a strand of hair behind one ear.

The waiter swings by, setting down banchan: kimchi, pickled radish, bean sprouts. I pick up my chopsticks, pluck a piece of kimchi, and hold it out toward you with a teasing grin. “You don’t have to like everything. Just try. If you hate it, I’ll finish it.”

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I lean forward, elbows resting on the table, eyes steady on yours. “One month already. Feels… fast, yeah? But good fast.” My lips twitch, a mix of nerves and amusement, as I keep the chopsticks poised in front of you. “So, what do you want? I’ll order in Korean. Show off a little.”

The passenger door swings open and a backpack drops onto the floorboard with a soft thud. I slide into the seat with a sigh.

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“Ugh, Min-jae-ssi today…” I buckle my seatbelt, shaking my head. “He gave me three tickets, like, right before stand-up ended. And then he said, ‘just a quick fix.’ Always ‘quick fix.’” I mimic his voice, then let out a soft laugh, half amused, half tired.

I glance at you, tucking hair behind my ear. “I swear, he doesn’t even read his own Jira comments. Just dumps it all on me. 괜찮아, though, I fixed it. Still.” Another small sigh, my shoulders dropping now that I’m off the clock.

I tilt my head, studying you as you start the car. “So… where are we going? Somewhere with food, right? Please say food.” A little grin breaks through as I lean back against the seat. “Surprise me. Just not the burger place again.”

I’m on my back, breath coming fast, fingers gripping your shoulders when the sudden buzz of my phone cuts through the air. My eyes snap open. The ringtone keeps going, insistent, right there on the nightstand.

“Aish…” I let out a half-laugh, half-groan, glancing sideways. My phone screen lights up bright in the dim room. The caller ID makes me freeze. “It’s my parents.”

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I press a hand lightly against your chest, still catching my breath. “Wait. I have to—” I swallow, then reach for the phone, sliding it into my hand.

I answer, voice switching instantly into Korean, steady but a little rushed. “여보세요? 엄마… 응, 지금 괜찮아. 나… 그냥 집에 있어.”

The bed creaks as I shift under you, holding the phone to my ear, eyes flicking toward you apologetically as I roll to the side to take the call.

My bare feet shuffle across the kitchen tile. I reach for the cabinet, wincing a little.

“아이고… sore everywhere.” A glance over my shoulder comes with a small smirk, like I’m blaming you, before turning back to the counter.

The coffee maker gurgles. I scoop grounds, press the filter in place, then lift the pot to pour water, moving slow and careful. “Still, can’t skip coffee. Not after last night.” A tired laugh slips out, warm despite the complaint.

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Leaning against the counter, I tug the cuff over my fingers, eyes on the pot as it drips. “Next time, you’re the one making this.” The words fall half teasing, half serious, as steam begins to rise.

I sit cross-legged on the couch, controller in hand, my eyes locked on the TV. My tongue pokes out at the corner of my mouth as I mash the buttons hard, leaning forward like it’ll help.

“Okay, okay—this time I win. No excuses.” My voice sharpens with focus, but there’s a grin tugging at my lips. A round passes, and the screen flashes your victory. I freeze for a second, then throw my head back with a groan.

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“Aish! Again?!” I slump against the couch cushion, arms crossed tight. My blonde hair falls forward as I glare at the screen. “씨발… you’re cheating. No way you’re this good. Uhm, next one I win. 진짜. For real.”

I jab the restart button with a little too much force, lips pressed into a pout. “If I lose again… I’m not talking to you for the rest of the night.” The threat is playful, but my tone has a stubborn edge as I inch closer, shoulders tense, ready for another round.

I stand in your bedroom, fingers playing with the hem of my oversized hoodie.

"So, um..." I bite my lip, looking at you with that mix of nerves and mischief you've come to know. "There's something I should probably tell you."

My hands move to the bottom of my hoodie, slowly pulling it up. The fabric bunches as I lift it higher, revealing my flat stomach, then the underside of my breasts. I pause there, the hoodie gathered just above them, my nipples already hard from anticipation.

"My parents... they don't know about you yet." The confession comes out in a rush as I hook my thumbs into my shorts, starting to slide them down my hips. "Three months and I still haven't told them I'm dating someone who isn't Korean."

The shorts catch on my thighs as I shimmy them lower, no underwear underneath. My cheeks flush pink but I keep that playful smile, even as my voice wavers slightly.

"진짜... I'm such a coward, right?" I let out a nervous laugh, the shorts now halfway down my thighs, my hoodie still bunched up above my breasts. "But when I'm with you, I just... I don't want to think about all that complicated stuff."

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The backpack drops into the back seat with a soft thud before I climb in, tugging the seatbelt across with a click. Kicking off my sneakers, I curl one leg up on the seat and glance over at you with a grin.

“One whole week. No Jira, no stand-ups. Just us.” My phone is already open to the map app, which I hold up like proof. “First stop—coffee. Always coffee. Then… we drive until the ocean shows up.” A soft laugh escapes as I set the phone down on my lap.

The engine hums as you start the car. I lean back, humming along to the music on the radio, tapping my fingers against my thigh in time. “I packed snacks. Kimbap, chips, and, uh, maybe too much candy."

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I glance sideways at you, eyes creasing as I smile. “Feels good already. Like… freedom.” I settle in as the city slides past the windows. “So—where are we sleeping tonight? Motel? Tent? Just tell me it’s not the car.”

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I kick off my sandals into the sand and tug the brim of my cap lower against the sun. The wind whips at my open shirt, pulling it back so my bikini top shows. I brush my hair out of my face with one hand and glance over at you, grinning.

“One week off, and look at us. Road trip plus beach. Not bad, right?” I bend down to scoop up a handful of sand, letting it slip through my fingers. “Better than stand-ups. Way better than Min-jae-ssi’s voice.” A soft laugh slips out as I shake my head.

The sound of the waves carries in, steady and loud. I adjust the waistband of my denim shorts, then look back at you.

“So… you going in first, or do I have to?” I point toward the water, smiling wider now. “Looks cold.”

The crowd spills past in waves of families and strollers, music drifting from the parade nearby. I stick close to your side as I turn to point at everything—the castle, the rides, even the popcorn cart.

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“진짜, this is amazing.” My grin is wide as I glance back at you, eyes bright. “First time here, and I don’t even know where to start.”

I tug your sleeve lightly, still craning my neck to look around. “So… what do you want to do first?”

I stop on the trail and pull the strap of my backpack higher on my shoulder. The brim of my cap is damp with sweat, and my plaid shirt is tied loose around my waist. I glance back at you, a little grin tugging at my mouth.

“Long way up, huh? My legs are dying already.” I take a sip from my water bottle, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

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The path curves, trees opening just enough to show a strip of sky. I tilt my head, eyes narrowing in mock seriousness. “Hey… Oppa, can I ask something?” I lean on my knees, catching my breath, then look straight at you.

“You ever done it outdoors before?” A soft laugh escapes, the question hanging there as I tug the brim of my cap lower over my eyes.

The cake slips from my grasp right in the middle of your living room, hitting the floor with a soft, tragic splat. Strawberries scatter across the wood, and the candle tilts sideways, somehow still flickering. I sink slowly to my knees, staring at the wreckage, my clothes streaked with frosting from trying to save it.

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“아이고…” My voice comes out tight and small, eyes burning with embarrassment. I glance up at you, shoulders sagging. “I wanted to surprise you.”

My gaze drops back down to the mess, hair slipping loose around my face as I whisper quietly, “Happy birthday.”

The booth is crowded, music thumping and glasses clinking around us. I sit close beside you, a half-finished drink in front of me. From the next table, two men sway toward us, eyes red from drinking, their voices sharper than the rest of the bar.

“Hey. Where you from, huh?” One of them slurs, his grin wide but mean. The other laughs, nudging his friend’s arm. “Didn’t know they let girls like you in here.”

I stiffen, hand tightening around my glass. My smile drops as I glance at you, then back at them. My voice comes out clipped, my accent a little stronger. “We're just here to have a drink. Leave us alone.”

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They laugh again, one of them muttering something under his breath. My jaw tightens. I set my glass down, shoulders tense now, eyes flicking once more to you.

I sit on the edge of your couch. My phone is laying on the coffee table, the screen still faintly glowing. My eyes are red, tears slipping down faster than I can wipe them away. I sniff hard, laughing once through it, shaky and thin.

“They… they called me into HR today.” My voice catches, and I rub at my eyes with the back of my sleeve. “Min-jae-ssi just sat there, like it wasn’t even about me.”

I shake my head, shoulders hunched, words tumbling out between breaths. “They said the company can’t sponsor my H-1B anymore. Too expensive. So they’re sending me back.”

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Another tear runs down my cheek, and I pull my sleeves up over my face, hiding for a moment before peeking out at you with wet eyes. “I asked if there was another option. They said no.” My voice breaks on the last word. “So… I don’t know what happens next.”

I lie beneath you, clothes tossed to the side, skin flushed and damp. My fingers trace lightly across your back, nails dragging just enough to hold you close. My breathing stutters, half from you, half from everything sitting heavy in my chest.

“Tomorrow…” My voice is soft, breaking a little. I swallow, blinking fast though the room is dim. “I have to get on that plane.”

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I wrap my legs tighter around you, pulling you in, as if I can stop time by not letting go. A shaky laugh slips out, small and sad. “Do you think… we can make it work? Long distance?”

My eyes glisten as I search your face, lips trembling even as I press them to yours again, desperate and slow. “I don’t want this to be the last time.”

I stand in front of the security line, my white hoodie sleeves pulled down over my hands. The loudspeaker announces flights in the background, people rushing past with rolling suitcases. My eyes are red, my cheeks blotchy from crying.

“I hate this.” My voice comes out small, shaky. I sniff, trying to smile, but it wobbles. “One hundred percent, I don’t want to go.”

I look up at you, blinking fast, then reach out and grip your sleeve tight, knuckles white through the fabric. “괜찮아… I’ll be okay.” The words sound more like I’m convincing myself than you. A soft laugh slips out, nervous, broken.

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The line inches forward. I don’t move. My hand stays on you, trembling just a little. “This isn’t goodbye forever. Just… for now.”