If there's one thing Jieqiong can surely look forward to, it's the phone conversations she has with Eunwoo at the end of a grueling day, right before she allows herself to fall asleep. That way, she can let herself go peacefully, temporarily relieved of the issues and anxieties that had once plagued her mind as she relays them to her girlfriend who is always there to listen to her. Simply hearing Eunwoo's familiar voice alone soothes Jieqiong, especially after those particularly draining schedules, when she doesn't even have the will or energy to speak. She usually wakes up feeling at least a little better than she did the day before. A good night of sleep tends to do that. (Besides, it's good to know what her girlfriend is up to these days when she isn't by her side to experience them with her.)

Tonight is different than the usual, but it's certainly nothing new. Jieqiong blames it on stress and exhaustion. It tends to bring out the worst in her. This time, it's that feeling of loneliness she simply can't shake off, regardless of what she's doing or how many people surround her. There could be hundreds, adoring her and cheering her name, and she'd still feel disconnected from her world. It may not be loneliness after all. Something is lacking, maybe from within. She doesn't know exactly what she wants, but she knows it's something more, something she doesn't have. It's an insatiable feeling, almost...greedy. Nothing seems to appease it, not even Eunwoo. Yet Jieqiong finds herself acting as if her girlfriend does, directing all of the pressure onto her, taking whatever she can get. the life out of her.

"Why didn't you call me back yesterday?" She knows how much Eunwoo hates it when she asks her these kinds of questions, but she really does want to know. One of these days, perhaps, she would finally receive the answer she wants to hear. The truth. I can't stand you sometimes.

There's a sigh, but she still hears Eunwoo murmur, "I