Chapter 34

Lisa lasted exactly nine hours.

Nine.

Not ten. Not even a dignified twelve. Just nine painfully slow, dragging hours since Jennie Kim boarded her flight to Jeju Island for a one-day business meeting.

And in those nine hours, Lalisa Manoban had:

Checked her phone 173 times

Opened their chat just to stare at Jennie’s last “I landed safely, baby 💕” message

Hugged Jennie’s pillow like it personally offended her

Complained dramatically to Rosé and Jisoo (who both muted her after hour five)

By hour nine, she snapped.

“Oppa, how fast can we get to Jeju?”

Her manager didn’t even blink anymore. “Define ‘fast’ in your language.”

“Like… now.”

Three hours later, Lisa was stepping off a plane, sunglasses on, hoodie up, looking like a celebrity on a mission.

Because she was.

A mission to survive her devastating, heartbreaking, utterly tragic—

nine-hour long-distance relationship.

Meanwhile, Jennie sat in a sleek conference room, elegantly flipping through documents, her expression calm and composed.

“Ms. Kim, what do you think about—”

Her phone buzzed.

Once.

Twice.

Then aggressively.

Jennie frowned slightly and glanced down under the table.

Baby 🐣:
“I miss you.”
“I’m dying.”
“It’s been 9 hours.”
“Jennie I think I’m fading away.”
“Tell my cats I love them.”

Jennie pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.

She typed back:

Jennie 🐻:
“You’re dramatic.”

She looked up, regaining her professional composure.

“Sorry, please continue.”

Her phone buzzed again.

Baby 🐣:
“I’m in Jeju.”

Jennie froze.

“…Ms. Kim?”

Jennie blinked. “Excuse me one moment.”

She stood up, walked out of the room with controlled urgency, and immediately called Lisa.

The call was picked up in half a second.

“Jennie—”

“Where are you?”

“Outside your hotel.”

“…What.”

Five minutes later, Jennie stepped into the hotel lobby.

And there she was.

Lisa.

Standing there like a lost puppy—cap pulled low, oversized hoodie, hands tucked into her sleeves… but the second she saw Jennie—

Her entire face lit up.

“JENNIE!”

Lisa bolted across the lobby.

Jennie barely had time to brace herself before Lisa wrapped around her like a human koala, arms tight, face buried in her neck.

“I MISSED YOU,” Lisa mumbled dramatically.

Jennie stood there, stunned… then burst into soft laughter.

“Lisa. It’s been nine hours.”

Lisa pulled back, pouting. “Nine painful, agonizing, emotionally devastating hours.”

Jennie raised a brow. “You flew to Jeju… for that?”

Lisa nodded seriously. “Yes.”

“…You’re insane.”

“But I’m your insane.”

Jennie tried—really tried—to stay composed.

Failed.

Completely.

Her expression melted as she reached up, fixing Lisa’s slightly messy hair.

“You really couldn’t wait one day?”

Lisa shook her head, softer now. “I didn’t want to.”

There was something so simple in that answer.

So honest.

Jennie sighed, defeated in the best way, and pulled her into another hug—this time slower, gentler.

“Clingy.”

“Only for you.”

“Also,” Lisa added casually into her shoulder, “I booked us a suite.”

Jennie blinked. “You’re not even subtle.”

“I also ordered food.”

“…Lisa.”

“And canceled your evening schedule.”

Jennie pulled back. “You did what?”

Lisa smiled proudly. “You’re welcome.”

Jennie stared at her for a full three seconds.

Then shook her head, laughing under her breath.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Lisa grinned. “But you love me.”

Jennie leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to her lips.

“I really do.”

Lisa immediately brightened like the sun.

“Worth the flight.”

And just like that—

The world’s shortest long-distance relationship ended.

At exactly nine hours and a flight later.