Day Nineteen. 4:45 PM.
It rained like the sky was dumping its emotional baggage all over Seoul.
Min-Jae peeked out the window. "Movie marathon night?"
Soo-Min, wrapped in a burrito of three blankets and Bokki, nodded. "But only if I get to pick the first movie."
"Fine, but no 4-hour tragic romances. I emotionally dehydrated last time."
"You cried into a rice cracker."
"That cracker felt things."
---
Scene 1: Movie Madness
They built a blanket fort. Not for function. For vibes.
Movie 1: A cheesy action film. Soo-Min mocked every explosion.
Movie 2: A sad animation. Min-Jae cried into Bokki, who fled.
Movie 3: A rom-com. Halfway through, they weren't watching — they were arguing about who would survive a zombie apocalypse.
"You'd die in the first five minutes!" Soo-Min shouted.
"I have excellent hiding instincts!"
"You screamed when we watched that raccoon documentary!"
"IT WAS VERY SUDDEN."
---
Scene 2: The Fan Mail Problem
Between movies, Soo-Min checked their mailbox.
Inside were five pink envelopes.
Each addressed to: Min-Jae, the Cute Roommate™
"What is this?" she asked.
Min-Jae opened one.
Inside: A glittery poem.
> Your eyes sparkle more than kimchi jars,
Your laugh heals my emotional scars…
If Soo-Min leaves you, call me, babe. 😘
Soo-Min stared.
Min-Jae blinked.
"Well. That escalated."
She held up another.
"This one has a photo of a plush rabbit wearing your face."
He recoiled. "I'm frightened."
She folded her arms. "Are you enjoying this attention?"
"No. But my ego is confused."
"You are now banned from walking shirtless on the balcony."
"You said it was accidental."
"Accidental abs don't exist."
---
Scene 3: Bokki Goes Live
That night, while scrolling, Min-Jae found something shocking.
TalkShowTV Official Post: "Tune in tomorrow at 9PM! Guest star: Bokki the Viral Cat and his confused humans!"
"WE'RE GOING ON TELEVISION?!"
Soo-Min screamed from the kitchen.
Bokki, lounging on a pillow, lifted his head with a smug blink.
They called the network.
"Yes, hello? You invited our cat?"
"Correct," the producer said. "He has more followers than your apartment building combined."
"Do we talk too?"
"Only if Bokki approves."
Min-Jae looked at the cat.
Bokki yawned like royalty.
---
Scene 4: Pre-Show Panic
Next day. Wardrobe fitting.
Soo-Min: "Why is Bokki getting a custom tuxedo and I'm wearing a recycled blazer?"
Stylist: "Because Bokki pulls in the sponsors."
Min-Jae: "Do we need cue cards?"
"No, just smile and don't interrupt the cat."
Backstage, Bokki got powdered.
They got anxiety.
---
Scene 5: Lights, Camera, Cat
The host grinned. "Ladies and gentlemen, our next guest is fluffier than your dreams and sassier than your ex: BOKKI!"
The crowd roared.
Bokki strutted out like a seasoned pro.
The host handed him a tiny mic.
He meowed once.
The subtitles read: "I am the drama."
Cut to: Soo-Min and Min-Jae sitting on the couch, blinking at each other.
"Are we even needed here?"
"We're the plus-ones to a cat."
Bokki curled into a ball, then flashed the camera his good side.
The crowd swooned.
---
Scene 6: Back Home
That night, they collapsed on the couch.
"Did we just attend our pet's talk show debut?"
"Yes. And I signed an autograph by mistake."
"For who?"
"A baby. I think."
They laughed.
Bokki curled between them, now wearing his branded bowtie.
Soo-Min smiled. "He's a celebrity. We're just his emotional support humans."
Min-Jae kissed her cheek. "I'm okay with that. As long as he never writes an autobiography."
"Too late. The title's probably Nine Lives, No Patience."
---
End of Chapter 20