26 — Hello, I’m Tifa!

I stared at myself in the bedroom mirror, not to preen my handsome appearance, but to analyze the extent of Eun Ha's hickey. On one side I had Mia's signature in a faint, fading purple ink, while on the other, Eun Ha's reddening stamp was still quite vivid.

As long as I was careful, no one would notice. Well, that required me not to get naked with Mia before the bruises faded completely.

Which, frankly, should not take more than a couple of days. My healing factor was also bordering on being supernatural. If one day, a long-lost, smoking hot, cousin were to barge into my life, claiming to be some superpowered alien from a distant cluster of galaxies, I'd totally believe them!

Yes, perhaps it was an embellished view of my situation, but this body couldn't be regarded with normal standards. At this point, I was willing to believe anything.

I wondered if my parents had a similar constitution, or if I was the only anomaly in this world.

Thinking about them left a bitter taste in my mouth.

The memories were diluted. I vaguely remembered my father's face, or my mother's. Everything was hidden behind a flash of light or a blurry filter. Father was an academic, a man who sought opportunities. He was deeply entangled with Yeong Gu; they had known each other for a long time.

Yet... something was very wrong...

A lance of pain stabbed my head. I staggered back, until my legs hit the bed and I fell down on it. The soft cushion helped me relax a little, and gradually, the sudden headache tapered off.

I breathed in and out, uncoiling the tension from my muscles.

"What… just happened…"

I stared at my hands. They were trembling. My heartbeat had skyrocketed too, pulsing with such ominous power that, for a brief moment, I thought I was about to die, again.

Thankfully, the trembling came to a stop, and my body was back to its optimal condition.

'That's very concerning…'

A chirping melody lit up the screen of my smartphone. I ran a hand over my face, organizing my thoughts. Memories of the World Cup flashed through my mind, but I promptly waved them off.

I rolled around, stretched a hand to grab the phone, and rolled back around.

It was a notification from my KakaoStory. It was the mainstream social media platform Koreans used. I rarely logged in, to be honest. And the only reason I made an account there was because I wanted to link it to my NewTube channel.

I opened up the notification, noticing a somewhat familiar name.

'Lil' Tifa.'

There was no profile picture.

But the string of text that appeared as soon as the chat overtook my screen was quite eye-catching.

— Lil'Tifa: Hiii, I'm Tifa! I'm sorry if this is random (｡◕‿◕｡) but I saw your video on NewTube! Omg, it was soooo good! I loved it! You probably don't know me, but I'm the one who posted that video about you. I'm sorry if I did it without your consent. I didn't make any money off of it. If you want, I can take it down (=^ェ^=)

Oh… so she was 'TifaFootballUwU'.

She was partly the reason why I started this NewTube channel. I was quite surprised she didn't monetize it. Back when I played professionally, there were many channels that monetized clips and highlights of me.

I clicked on the text bar, and the digital keyboard immediately showed up.

I started typing.

— Dae Ho: Hello. Thank you for reaching out, and thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your honesty, but there's no need to take it down. That video you posted was the sole reason my channel got so many subscribers in the first place.

She had, after all, updated the description of that video with the link to my channel. I benefited a lot from it. In fact, my channel had already broken through 10,000 subscribers, which reminded me that I had to upload new content soon.

This girl was surprisingly kind. Not everyone would have contacted me to simply apologize. Hmm. Was she even a girl to begin with? I was aware that the internet could be a cesspit of shady people, and among them, guys who disguised themselves as girls.

Tifa, who was online, immediately began to type.

— Lil'Tifa: Wheew! I thought you'd be angry╰(⸝⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝⸝)╯But really, you're so good, and so nice too!

— Lil'Tifa: Umh…

— Lil'Tifa: Can I ask you something?

— Dae Ho: Sure

— Lil'Tifa: Are you by any chance looking for an editor? I saw your video, and it's well done, but the editing is… amateurish. If you want to make it big on NewTube, you need a good editor. And I'm reaaaally good haha (๑˘ᵕ˘) I promise

I was a bit taken aback, but there was truth in her words. I knew how to do basic things with a computer, but editing wasn't something I ever saw the need to learn. Except that I wanted to either ask Go Bong, or perhaps even Su Ah.

The other issue was that I didn't have enough money to hire an editor, let alone a self-proclaimed 'good' one.

— Dae Ho: I'm flattered, but I have to refuse.

— Lil'Tifa: Huh? Why????????

— Lil'Tifa: Wait… you don't believe me, do you? Let me send you a few clips I've edited!!

I was about to type back a response when a bunch of videos popped up in the chat, barely taking a few seconds to load before they were ready to be played.

'Well… watching them wouldn't hurt…'

Out of curiosity, I tapped on the first video.

It was a well-put-together compilation of clips from famous football players. It had a catchy background melody, and it wasn't particularly loud either. It was just enough to make it immersive without being annoying.

The second video was a very pleasing to watch, albeit short, clip of anime characters. The editing was very smooth, with incredible transitions, bursts of light, and bouncy effects.

The third and last video was probably the most striking I had seen so far.

It was a kinetic typography lyrics video of a k-pop song.

I didn't know what was the benchmark that distinguished a good editor from a bad one. The videos edited by Tifa were really great, but perhaps it was not that good in the eyes of a professional editor?

Regardless, there was no way I could pool up enough money to pay her, even if I asked Mia — which I had no intention of doing.

I decided to be honest.

— Dae Ho: You're really talented, Tifa. The edits are wonderful. The problem is that, at the moment, I don't have enough money to pay for your work. Perhaps we can collaborate in the future? I'm definitely interested in hiring your talent.

— Lil'Tifa: Awww, thank you!! (^-^*)ノ

— Lil'Tifa: And I'm willing to do it for free!! Free of charge!!

I stared at the chat, speechless.

There was no way someone would be willing to work for free, especially when said 'someone' was a random stranger. It made me wary that she — or, potentially, he — had bad intentions.

— Dae Ho: I would feel really bad if I didn't pay you…

— Lil'Tifa: Please! Give me a chance! Pleaseee! And if you want you can pay me when your channel generates enough revenue.

Probably sensing my discomfort, she immediately continued.

— Lil'Tifa: I saw you play the other day. It was only for a short while, but it's undeniable that you're talented! I have this gut feeling that one day you'll play for the big teams, and it might be a little selfish of me, but I'd really like to know you, help you, and share some of your glory. With your skills and my edits, the whole country will bow down to your talent.

— Lil'Tifa: Please, don't deny me this opportunity…

I heaved a deep sigh. It was not as if I needed her to be scouted by good teams, but it was also true that with her help, the channel would have smooth sailing. More views. More revenue. More attention.

And, inevitably, more opportunities.

After a whole minute of indecision, in which Tifa started typing and deleting constantly, I finally replied.

— Dae Ho: Alright, since you're so eager, I guess there's no harm in cooperating. I feel a bit guilty for not paying you, but I'm confident that the channel has a good future ahead. And with your help, we'll get there soon.

— Lil'Tifa: Yes! I won't disappoint you! (*^ ‿ <*)♡

──⇌ ⋆★⋆ ⇋──

Tifa's POV:

A cheer of unbridled joy burst out of Tifa's lips. She rolled around her bed, left to right, right to left, squealing and giggling. She held her phone tightly against her chest, as if it were her most precious treasure.

"He said yes!"

In her mind, Tifa had already drawn their entire future together.

It'd start with their first meeting, where it'd be love at first sight. They'd get googly-eyed, blush, and be really awkward. But it was fine! Because they'd get past that stage and become intimate.

They'd hold hands. Hug. And share a kiss on a moonlit balcony. He'd tell her she was the most important person in his life, and she'd cry, because no one had ever told her such a beautiful thing.

He'd invite her to a fancy restaurant. He'd go on his knees, and with the most awkward speech ever, he'd propose to her, and she'd say yes!

And then they'd get married.

They'd have a beautiful kid. No, two kids. No, they'd have at least ten children!

Nevermind. Make it eleven. A whole football team for their daddy Dae Ho to coach.

Daddy Dae Ho.

It sounded so good!

"Haha…" Tifa blushed madly, eyes glowing with pink hearts. "Hahahaha!"

She stared at the chat, heaving a dreamy sigh as she did so.

— Lil'Tifa: We'll see each other soon, yes?

She tucked her thumb between her teeth and started nibbling it anxiously.

— Dae Ho: Yes, I have a few ideas that might work out, but I'd like to get your opinion on them first. I'm not particularly acquainted with NewTube and what's currently popular. Having your input would definitely be of help.

— Lil'Tifa: Don't worry, I'll teach you everything you need to know!

— Dae Ho: Thank you. I appreciate it, really.

— Lil'Tifa: Hehe, no problem!

Tifa released her thumb and stared at the ceiling, an eager smile adorning her face. It was so eager, in fact, that it stretched from ear to ear.

She brought her phone up to her face, zoomed in on Dae Ho's profile picture, and with her other hand, she slithered it down, between her writhing thighs.

"Good things are worth waiting for, but for you, I'll make an exception. I'll go and get you myself."