Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Lunar New Year Approaches!
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A minor incident did pop up, but...
Anyway, after safely getting through Christmas and the end of the year,
once the new year rolled around, the big national holiday of Lunar New Year suddenly snuck up on us.
So, a week before Lunar New Year,
we gathered at the company for a quick meeting and catch-up.
To sort out our individual schedules and content,
and since we'd probably have a hard time seeing each other on the actual holiday, to exchange greetings in advance.
"Come on in, everyone."
"What's this, all of you showing up together today?"
We members had agreed to meet in front of the company at the promised time and headed inside,
where So-eun unnie greeted us with her usual bow, waist bent low.
Followed by the president, who was lounging in her chair at a slight angle.
"Hehe, we didn't want anyone to be late, so we all came together!"
Yuna explained on behalf of the group why we'd arrived en masse.
The president tilted her head, stroking her chin, then dropped a sharp jab.
"Late? So this is because of Chae-yoon, then?"
"P-President! I've been coming early lately...!"
"Have you?"
Chae-yoon unnie did have a bit of a reputation for being late.
Not like half an hour or an hour late, no.
But she wasn't the type to show up super early and wait like Nana or Ji-ah unnie.
Being five minutes late was basically treated like a passive skill.
Still, just like Chae-yoon unnie said, she hadn't been late much recently...
Guess image really is everything.
Yeah, I absolutely can't be late.
"Anyway, our maknae, it's been a while, huh? Almost a month?"
"Yeees... hehe."
The other members had each met with the president separately at least once,
but I hadn't seen her since Christmas.
Feeling a bit awkward at that, I scratched my cheek.
The president beckoned me over, like come here.
"Aren't you way too busy these days? Not even making time for me. You're not really planning to defect to Prism Company, are you?"
"That's too much...! Just the other day, I asked to see you, and you said you were busy...!"
"Oh, right? Sorry."
I shot back fiercely, on the verge of tears from the injustice,
but she just shrugged with her usual nonchalant tone.
Sniff, too much...
She kills me like that and just brushes it off.
This is abuse of power!
"Aigoo, our maknae's upset? The president's sorry. Come here, come on."
"Uuu..."
The president patted her lap invitingly,
but the fresh memory of her teasing made me pout for a good while.
Still, thinking how comfy her lap was, I toddled over and climbed on.
Squeeze-
"President, keep that up and you really look like mom and daughter."
"Hey, how old do you think I am? At least say big sister and little sister."
"Sure, Yuna. It'll still hold when the president turns thirty."
"Hey, Ra-hee!"
"Kyaaah...!"
Today's conference room was chaotic as ever.
It's called a conference room, but we've never just had a normal meeting there.
In the midst of it, with me nestled in her arms,
the president gave up trying to grab Ra-hee unnie and hugged me tighter instead, which was kinda funny.
Normally she'd tell me to step aside and chase after Ra-hee unnie.
"So, President, what are we doing today?"
"Hm? Just a quick new year check-in, and going over your Lunar New Year schedules."
Eh? Schedules?
The word came out of left field, making me and the members tilt our heads in unison.
We basically never took days off except for special occasions,
so the president mentioning schedules outright meant we were getting a day off.
"Huh? We're off for Lunar New Year?"
"We just had back-to-back days off at Christmas, you sure that's okay?"
Chae-yoon unnie's delighted face contrasted with Ji-ah unnie's worried one.
Seeing our split reactions, the president gave a wry smile and nodded.
"We couldn't take off during Chuseok since it was right after debut, so we should this time. But not much—just the day before. Spend time with family then come in on the day itself to hang with the Pistaz."
"Wow! President is the best!"
"Mom's been nagging me to come home for Lunar New Year... What a relief."
Yuna and Chae-yoon unnie's joyful voices rang out,
and then,
"So unnie gets to be alone with Auntie?"
"Yeah, Dad's coming back for Lunar New Year this time too. We'll all be together."
"Nice, that's great."
Seeing Ra-hee unnie and Ji-ah unnie smiling and chatting,
everyone must've wanted at least one day with family during the holiday deep down.
Yeah, that's good.
"What about you, Da-jeong? Heading back home for the day or something?"
Yuna, all hyped up, had been prying into everyone's holiday plans,
and finally turned to me with her question.
She probably assumed I'd do the same as everyone else—family time was the norm.
"Oh, yeah. I don't really have anyone to meet... So I'll do a deep clean and just relax for the day."
"...Ah."
"......"
I gave an awkward smile in response,
followed by Yuna's sigh, and the mood suddenly chilled.
"S-Sorry, Da-jeong. I messed up..."
"No, it's fine! I'm the weird case here, so you wouldn't have thought of it."
Yuna hurriedly tried to apologize and smooth things over,
but I waved my hands vigorously to stop her.
I didn't think Yuna meant any harm.
Spending holidays with family was just common sense.
I was the odd one out for not having that.
"Hehe, still, it's great. At least everyone can spend Lunar New Year having fun with family."
"Da-jeong..."
Holidays like Lunar New Year or Chuseok had always just been red days on the calendar to me.
I didn't feel hurt or anything.
If anything, I was happy the members could enjoy time with their families.
Plus, it meant I got a full day off to relax.
I could do the deep clean I'd put off since New Year's,
and tackle some backlog stuff.
"...Da-jeong."
"Yes, President."
I was kicking my legs, mentally mapping out my Lunar New Year plans,
when the president hugged me tighter and whispered softly in my ear.
"Might be rude to ask, but how'd you usually spend holidays?"
"Eh... Just normal. Sometimes the neighborhood office would give out rice or meat or gift cards before the holiday, so it felt a little special."
"Just by yourself at home?"
"Yeah... No relatives or family."
The next-door grandma was around sometimes,
but her family came for Lunar New Year, so I couldn't join.
She did share some holiday food, which I was grateful for.
But basically, holidays were always solo.
"...I see. What about this year?"
"This year?"
"Yeah. Ever think you'd like to spend it with someone? Sure, being alone is comfy, but sometimes you might want company."
Of course.
I didn't always want to be alone on holidays.
Sometimes, stepping out for air, I'd hear laughter from next door or other houses, and it'd stick with me.
Not that I envied them or wondered why I didn't have that.
But I had wondered if I'd ever have a holiday like that someday.
"Less 'wanting company' and more... I'd like to know what it feels like. What it's like to spend Lunar New Year with family, with someone..."
I opened up a bit honestly to the president.
Of course, I'd be with the Cherryz on Lunar New Year itself this year,
but that probably wasn't the kind of 'together' she meant.
The kind where you're close enough to feel body heat,
hearing each other's laughter,
sharing delicious food—that sort of holiday.
Yeah, I'd like to experience that once.
Stroke-
"Alright, then how about spending it with family this year?"
"Eh? Family?"
The president looked down at me for a long moment,
then stroked my head,
and with eyes full of mixed emotions, dropped a bombshell.
W-What does that mean?
I don't have family to begin with.
Can't just make some up...
"Yeah. Spend Lunar New Year at my place. Sound good?"
"Eek...?! Y-Your house, President?"
No way, that'd be too rude.
On a normal day, I could pop over like a casual visit,
but crashing on the actual holiday...
"Mom's been dying to see our maknae anyway. Said to bring you over and she'd cook up a storm."
"Th-Thank you, but... even so, it'd be too much trouble on such a busy day..."
Plus, relatives might visit for Lunar New Year.
The house would be bustling—me squeezing in would just be a nuisance.
Grateful for the offer, but I should decline.
"Nah, we don't do ancestral rites or anything, no visitors either. Was planning a quiet family day anyway."
"That's... how it is?"
"Yep. Oh, if you wanna chill at home alone, no pressure. Just offering if you'd get lonely."
"Ah..."
She stepped back a bit at the end, leaving it up to me.
I glanced at her face, then at the members.
No one said anything when our eyes met,
but they smiled encouragingly, like go for it.
They didn't want me spending the holiday alone while they were with family.
"Then... is it okay if I impose just for the day?"
"Of course. I'll tell Mom you're coming. She'll whip up a feast."
"N-No need for all that...!"
I didn't want to be a rude freeloader asking for extras,
so I protested hard, but she turned away like she wasn't listening.
Tap-
Something warm settled on my flustered head,
and looking up, I met Ji-ah unnie's gentle smile.
"That's great, Da-jeong. Right?"
"Hehe, yeah...!"
It felt a tiny bit burdensome, sure.
But thinking this would be my first holiday with someone,
I nodded with a bright smile.
Blue LUV really is a miracle in my life.
Today drove that home more than ever.