Cherry Blossom Festival (1)

I woke up the next morning in the curtained bed, just like always, nestled against The Queen. "Awake already?"

"Yes... It's already the day of the cherry blossom festival. I'm a little nervous..."

"Nervous?"

"I'm such an introvert... I'm still not used to hanging out with the popular crowd..."

"You don't need to be nervous. Only good things are going to happen."

Still pretending to be half-asleep, I deliberately burrowed deeper into The Queen's chest. "I hope so..."

"There's a good way to deal with nerves, you know."

"What is it?"

The Queen spoke in the gentle tone one might use with a child. "You pat their back like this and say, 'Nerves~ fly far, far away~'"

"..."

Sometimes The Queen's kind side was just too wonderful. Little by little, I began to feel my heart settle.

"That's nice..."

"You can't fall back asleep. We need to wash up and get ready to go out."

Now that I was calm, my eyelids started growing heavy again. "Just five minutes..."

"No."

"Three minutes..."

"Get up."

"One minuteeee..."

Practically dragged out of bed, I ate breakfast and washed up in a drowsy haze. When we reached the dressing room, The Queen handed me a pink sleeveless dress.

"I picked something with a cherry blossom vibe."

"It's so pretty."

I slipped it on and looked at myself in the full-length mirror. The fluttering hem of the skirt, the enormous chest that drew every eye no matter what I wore.

"W-wait, are cherry blossoms supposed to look this lewd..."

"It looks good on you. That's all that matters."

"If you like it, Queen, then I'm happy too..."

"Then I'll take some cherry blossom honey with me."

"Huh?"

The Queen cupped my chin and kissed me deeply.

"Mmmh..."

"So sweet."

"W-what are you going to wear, Queen?"

"Me? This."

The Queen changed into a coat, white t-shirt, and jeans. No matter how many times I saw it, the sight made my heart race. The Queen really was the best.

"You're beautiful..."

"Shall we head out now?"

"Did you pack the lunchbox?"

"Yes, the butler put everything in the trunk for us."

"I see..."

"Here, take my arm."

With a shy expression, I linked arms with The Queen and we walked out together.

"Are we going straight to the park?"

"We're meeting at Apple Fitness first."

So she asked Ga-eun unnie to help with the broadcast filming. Wait, more importantly—

"W-we're not working out before we go, right!?"

"You want to? Should we?"

"No no no!"

"You're so cute when you're desperate."

Inside Apple Fitness. I stepped into the gym to see Ga-eun unnie.

"Good morning, you two!"

The one waiting for us was Aram.

We exchanged greetings with Aram and continued chatting.

"Kyaa~ Tteongi-nim, that pink dress is so pretty! And Danbal Queen-nim, your coat looks amazing too."

"You look beautiful too, Aram."

"Yeah, that outfit really suits you, Aram. Is it new?"

Aram was wearing a hoodie with a tennis skirt.

"Cherry blossom festival means popular-people culture! I did a little cash-spend with the money Tteongi-nim gave me!"

"Popular people have no blood or tears. You should be careful."

"I'll keep that in mind!"

Then, looking a little hesitant, Aram held out my Maksim and a oil-based marker.

"Oh, and I brought this... could I get an autograph?"

"Of course. Should I sign the front cover?"

"Thank you so much!"

I quickly wrote 'Tteongi ♡' on it.

"Ehehe... I'm so happy."

"Please sign mine later too, Tteongi-nim."

"Yes, Queen."

Right on cue, Ga-eun unnie and the other fitness trainers came out together.

"Hey everyone."

"Kyaa~ Hello, Tteongi-nim!"

"Hello."

Among the trainers was the one I'd chatted with at the end of the photoshoot.

"Whoa~ All three of you dressed up so nicely for the cherry blossom festival? Tteongi really came dressed like a cherry blossom."

"Please call me a living cherry blossom. Shortened to 'Hello, Living Blossom.'"

"Ah, she actually countered with 'Hello, Living Blossom'..."

Ga-eun unnie barely managed to respond, probably because my pun was too strong.

"Anyway, Tteongi, if it's okay, could you take some photos and sign a few things for these guys? I don't want them bothering you too much."

"Of course! Everyone who's my fan, shout for me!"

"Me!"

"Kyaa! Tteongi-nim, I bought Maksim too."

One of the trainers showed me her copy of Maksim.

"Oh... you actually got one."

"I went to about a hundred bookstores."

"I'm so touched..."

"I'll go change real quick."

While our little fan meeting continued, Ga-eun unnie changed into a brown leather jacket and black jeans.

"Hngh... I'm so glad I worked out at the gym with Ga-eun unnie."

"J-just from this?"

"Whoa... Ga-eun unnie looks so cool in that leather jacket."

"Aww~ you don't have to compliment me. Alright kids, I'm heading out."

"Ga-eun unnie, Tteongi-nim~ Have fun!"

We left the gym again and headed toward The Queen's car. I was the first one to reach it.

"I'm first, Aram!"

"Ugh... as expected of the speedster Tteongi-nim."

Meanwhile, Ga-eun unnie and The Queen were walking slowly, chatting as they came.

"Tteongi's really excited."

"She is. She's like a puppy, it's adorable."

"Queen~ Hurry up! The cherry blossoms will fall!"

"Yes, Tteongi-nim. Could you step back from the door for a moment?"

I took one step back from the car door. With a beep, the door automatically lifted upward.

"Whoa~"

"Miss Tteongi, our next destination is the cherry blossom festival."

"Hehe, perfect. Aram, shall we go?"

The Queen and Ga-eun unnie sat in the front seats while Aram and I took the back, preparing for our respective streams.

"How about we do the same as yesterday and go all-in on one stream? Straight to mine."

"That's not happening."

"Darn."

"Kyaa~ Tteongi-nim is so shameless it's insane."

"I-is that a compliment?"

"Of course."

This time Ga-eun unnie sat in the driver's seat.

"I'll drive."

"Thanks."

The Queen picked up her selfie stick and started preparing her broadcast.

"Ga-eun unnie, you have a driver's license too?"

"Yep. Class 1 regular."

I turned to Aram, who was sitting beside me again.

"As expected of The Queen's team. The specs are top-tier."

"Tteongi-nim, I have a bicycle license."

"W-well then that's valid. Let's turn our own stream on too."

"Yes ma'am!"

Tteong-i-ing donated 1,000 won! The broadcast title has a typo~

"What? I am popular though."

ViolentTteongi donated 1,000 won! Isn't this a cum-stream lololol

"This is why introverts are the way they are. Well, as an ultra-popular person like myself, I suppose I have to understand you guys."

I spoke in the refined young lady tone from before.

"Aram, where are we heading right now?"

"We are currently heading to Seoul Grand Park."

"That's right. Our destination is the cherry blossom festival, and to match the theme, my outfit is... hehe..."

SoftTteongi donated 1,000 won! I'm gonna pump Miss Tteongi full of baby seeds♡ You'll definitely get pregnant♡

"I'm dropping the young lady concept."

"Anyway, Aram, could you film my whole outfit from top to bottom?"

"Yes! Please strike a pretty pose."

My own pretty pose. I wasn't sure what to do, so I just pushed my chest out.

ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won! Cow, you cow

"W-well, I am a Year of the Ox, after all."

"I'm a 25-year-old Year of the Ox!"

GentlemanlyPerson donated 5,000 won! Bro shut up and show us your armpits already

"Are armpits really that good?"

Since I'd received money, I raised my right arm and showed my armpit.

"Kyaa~ Tteongi-nim's armpit view is insane."

"A-Aram..."

ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won! What does it smell like?

I brought my nose close and sniffed. Since I'd washed, it smelled nice. Wait a second. Why was I seriously trying ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to answer this?

"It just smells like body wash."

ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won! It should've ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been sweaty damp armpit view, I'm disappointed

"Tteongi-nim, while we're at it, could we film your feet too?"

"Sure, whatever's comfortable for you."

The shoes were also pink heels that The Queen had picked out for me.

ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won! Open-toe?

"It's a full pink coordination."

ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won! While you're at it please check the panties

"Instead of panties, I'll introduce you to Ga-eun unnie."

"That sounded a bit weird."

"How does it feel driving such an expensive car instead of The Queen?"

"It's definitely smooth because it's an expensive car."

"If we get in an accident, won't you have to sell the gym?"

"...I need to focus hard now."

"Even if we get in an accident, I'll take care of it, so don't worry, Ga-eun sunbae."

"Thanks."

"And The Queen is sitting right next to you."

"Nice to meet you, viewers of Tteongi's stream."

The Queen held out the selfie stick and continued speaking.

"Tteongi-nim, please greet the viewers of our stream as well."

"Hello~ Queen viewers, I am the living cherry blossom, Living Blossom Tteongi."

"Kids. We're here. Let's get out."

"Hello, Living Blossom!"

ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won! Hello Living Titty!

"Not titty, blossom."

"L-let's get out, kids..."

We parked in the outdoor lot and got out. Cherry blossom petals were already fluttering everywhere, creating a beautiful scene.

"Whoa. What a spectacular view."

"Tteongi-nim~ Could you stand next to the cherry blossom tree and strike a pose?"

"Sure?"

The Queen seemed interested too. She looked at me and said, "Supermodel Tteongi-nim~ I'm looking forward to it."

"What supermodel... If you say that I'll think you're serious."

Every time I heard compliments, I felt good but also embarrassed. It was quite troublesome. Anyway, I stood in front of the cherry blossom tree and gazed at the falling petals.

"Should I stay like this, all sentimental?"

"Ugh~ You're so fucking pretty!"

Still, standing still made my mouth feel empty, so I decided to say some kind of line. Something that matched the falling cherry blossoms. There was only one thing that fit.

"Scatter, Tteong Bonang."