Morning Cuddles and the Zombie Editor
Sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, tickling my eyelids. Yawn... what a refreshing morning. I tried to drag my stiff body upright, but there was a soft, warm weight on my chest. 'What the...?' Slowly lowering my gaze, I saw a fluffy white cotton ball curled up there, breathing softly in its sleep. Maximus, whom I'd been hugging right up until I dozed off last night. Looks like he'd climbed onto my stomach while I was out and made himself at home. But... 'using my boobs like a pillow...' Honestly, when I curiously poked them earlier, they were pretty squishy. I get it, Maximus. You're a boy too. Man, though—his sleeping face was just too adorable. My heart ached with it. The way his tiny chest rose and fell with each breath, those dainty front paws resting on me, his little nose twitching. Could a living creature be this lovable? I carefully reached out and stroked his soft back, and he wriggled deeper into my cleavage.
"Urgh... you're making it impossible to get up... nah, forget it, I'm staying put..."
In the end, I surrendered completely to Maximus's cuteness. That's when his ears perked up, and those button-round eyes slowly fluttered open. I couldn't resist—I showered his little head with kisses and rolled around with him, fawning over him for a good long while.
"Heavens, looks like we've got two puppies now!"
Grandpa had appeared at the doorway without me noticing. He was beaming warmly at me and Maximus.
Ah... how long have you been standing there, Grandpa...
"Our little one’s totally smitten with Maximus, eh?"
"N-no, it's not like that. I was just trying to get up, and he wouldn't budge..."
"Euhahaha! Enough of that—come eat breakfast. I’ve got doenjang stew on!"
Doenjang stew! Gurgle.
The thought of Grandpa's homemade doenjang stew made my stomach rumble honestly. "...I'll be right out."
"Euhahaha, that's the spirit!"
In the living room, the antique European-style dining table was laden with hearty doenjang stew, perfectly grilled fish, and glossy rolled omelet. A feast straight from Grandpa's loving hands.
"You made all this first thing in the morning? You could've woken me up..."
"What, wake a soundly sleeping girl over something this simple? You sleep like a log on your own anyway."
"Still..."
"Come on, come on. No more nonsense—dig in."
I sat down and took a spoonful of the stew. Deep, savory flavors bloomed on my tongue. The rolled omelet and grilled fish were divine too. Whew, have I been overeating lately? Though it does feel like my appetite's grown a bit since the start.
I even downed a bowl of cool sikhye for dessert before gearing up to head back to Seoul.
"Headin' back today? Such a shame... stay another night."
"I'd love to, but the campervan rental's up today. I'll come back soon, though."
"Alright, next time bring that other friend too. And take Maximus with ya."
Packing up in the yard, the reluctance just wouldn't fade. It'd been ages since my last visit, but this easy, warm vibe was perfect. With everything loaded into the campervan, I said goodbye to Grandpa.
"Grandpa, I'm heading out."
"Drive safe."
Before climbing in, I pulled him into a tight hug. Last time I'd seen him, he'd seemed frailer with age, but now his sturdy, rugged frame was holding strong. A second youth granted to us both. This time, I'd make sure he gets regular checkups.
"I'll be back soon. Next time, no broadcasting—just hanging out... with friends."
"Euhahaha! Gimme a heads-up before ya come—I’ll butcher a pig for ya."
We kept repeating our goodbyes—promises to return, take cares—right up until I boarded. As the van pulled away from the yard, I glanced in the side mirror. Grandpa was still standing at the gate, watching. His figure shrinking in the distance, I couldn't help rolling down the window and yelling,
"I'll be back soon!!!"
Heading back to Seoul in the campervan, yesterday's events and my chat with Grandpa swirled in my mind. Our family's unexpected wealth, Dad's stubborn foolishness, Grandpa's hidden worries.
'...Complicated.'
We were family, yet all these secrets. ...Though the wealth thing was just me being clueless.
Then I remembered Maximus sleeping in my arms that morning. 'Maximus... so cute.' Luckily, my place was a jeonse rental, and I recalled the landlord saying pets were okay when I moved in. The thought of a new family member joining my solo home filled my heart.
The campervan cruised the highway, and around lunchtime, we hit a rest stop. I needed to wrap up last night's unfinished stream. I ordered a bowl of udon at the restaurant and fired up a live broadcast on my smartphone.
About five minutes in, the udon arrived, and I angled the camera at it.
"Alright, everyone. I'm on my way back to Seoul. Left this morning and stopped at a rest area for lunch."
"Permission? What permission? And anyone who mentions the gaoliang story again gets banned. For real—it's my black history, don't dig it up."
The chat flooded with teases like 'Oppression!' and 'Obviously marriage!' but I'd gotten used to it. I knew they weren't serious—just rowdy folks having fun. This lively chaos even felt familiar now.
Chatting with viewers over my udon, time slipped by. Gotta head out soon or I'd be late...
"So, that's it for the campervan trip stream... I'll see you next time with different camping content. Might not do lives for a bit..."
"Lives are fun, but I'll stick to regular camping vids for now. Alright, really gotta go. See you later."
Viewers vented their regrets, but I ended the stream. Some longing's best left as is. I cleared up and hit the road back to Seoul in the campervan.
A few more hours, and the familiar apartment complex came into view. The long-yet-short 2-night, 3-day trip was over. Pulling into the ground-level parking lot, two familiar figures stood waiting by my spot.
'...Boss makes sense, but why does he keep dragging Park PD along...'
I parked and stepped out. Kim Manho greeted me with his usual kindly smile.
"Areum! Great work. Enjoy the trip?"
"Yeah, thanks to you. It was amazing. Appreciate the rental help."
My eyes flicked to Park PD beside him. Flinch. Wh-what... is that a human being?
I froze, forgetting to breathe. Where was the Park PD from before departure, dark circles gone, a spark of life in her eyes? These were deeper, blacker than at the station—shadows creeping down to her nose bridge, sucking away any vitality. She stood unsteadily, like she'd collapse any second. Less living person, more...
"Zom...bie...?"
"Pardon? What was that, Areum?"
"N-nothing... great work, Park PD... you look exhausted..."
"...I'm f-fine..."
No, you're not. Ask a hundred strangers—you're 100% not okay. What the hell happened in a few days...? Did she really monitor and edit solo?
I averted my gaze from her face. Business had its hidden complexities I didn't know.
'...Yeah, pretend I didn't see. Best policy.'
"Yesterday's live was fantastic! Especially the chats with Grandpa—pure gold. Your back-and-forth with viewers was spot-on too."
"Really? All I remember is embarrassment..."
"Hahaha, that was entertaining too. You're so clever, always. That over-the-top reaction to hype the mood!"
'Clever...?' I always think Kim Manho overestimates me. It wasn't over-the-top—it was genuine agony. Or... since it was live, maybe my reactions amped up naturally? With him praising me like this, maybe I do have hidden talent on camera???
'Sigh, nah.'
Praise makes whales dance. No arrogance here.
"Haha, thanks for watching kindly."
But if business partners think that way, no need to correct the misunderstanding. Overestimation benefits me.
"We'll head out then. We'll call for the next content. Oh, keep up the regular camping too."
"Of course—it's my routine anyway."
"Haha, got it. Let's go, Park PD."
"Yes..."
They boarded the campervan—with Park PD in the driver's seat. Wait... driving in that state? Drowsy driving risk? But contrary to my worries, she maneuvered out smoothly, more skilled than me. Whoa... she's a pro driver too. Great at work, driving, and close with the boss who drags her everywhere. Kim Manho's a workaholic ex-exec who climbed to department head at a big corp. Im Nana's got freakish talents (mostly physical...). Does this company only hire superhumans?
Watching the campervan signal and pull away, I thought, 'I might've joined a ridiculously elite company without realizing.'
Dragging a handcart piled with gear into my place. Long drive left me wiped, but unpacking same-day was rule one. After sorting and showering, tension finally eased from my body. I slumped to the computer in exhaustion.
Habitually checking my YouTube channel subs and growth, I tabbed to the studio—then froze.
"...What's this?"
A new video at the top—one I'd never seen.
Perplexed, I clicked. It was a slick 20-minute edit of Day 1: me bantering with TTS in the campervan. Subtitles, pro sound effects, cinematic visuals. Even the full live was split into four 3-4 hour vids.
'She did this... already...?'
Park PD's face from the parking lot flashed in my mind. Dark circles to her chin. Body swaying on the verge of collapse.
...And what those circles meant.
"...No way."
Pieces clicked, chills racing up my spine.
"Park PD... you really do this because you love it...?"