Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Word "Cute" is Forbidden!
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The first thought that hit me when I saw the avatar was simple.
‘Is this really me?’
The avatar's quality was just that high.
The members were all speechless for a moment, just letting out awed "oohs."
They must have commissioned some incredibly talented illustrator.
It didn't quite suit me, but there was this heart pose that was all charm and sparkle.
Pink hair in a wild, untamed mess just like mine, and sky-blue eyes.
And overalls, dressed simply just as I'd requested.
The doll on top of her head was probably a Uparupa.
After all, my avatar's motif was straight-up Uparupa.
Why Uparupa? Well...
The options were all pretty standard stuff.
Like a puppy or a kitten.
But President told me to think about the form I wanted to become, so I pondered it a bit.
I got bitten by a dog when I was little, so puppy was out.
And as for a cat? It felt too much like a loner, which wasn't my vibe either.
That's when Uparupa popped into my head.
Back in the day, I'd gotten some cultural experience voucher from the government or whatever.
First time I ever went to an aquarium.
I saw Uparupa there, and its dopey yet adorable look just clicked with me.
I envied how it swam freely through the water, too.
So, figuring it'd get shot down anyway, I timidly told President, "I want to be a Uparupa."
She stared at me for a long while, then burst out laughing and said okay.
I thought I'd misheard at first.
"I was worried it'd be creepy since it's a Uparupa, but it's just super cute!"
Yuna, who'd been staring intently at the avatar, lit up as she said it.
She seemed even happier than when her own avatar was revealed.
Honestly, I was a little dazed myself. My avatar was this cute?
"Well, yeah, it's Uparupa, but as a person. That's why."
"I love the doll on her head, too. Imagining Da-jeong hugging one like that at home... so cute."
"U-um, we don't have stuff like dolls at my place, Big Sis..."
Ji-ah unnie dropped that bombshell mid-conversation, and I frantically waved my hands in denial.
Of course, I know it's silly to gender stuff like this.
But still, a boy having a cute doll like that in his room? Kinda doesn't fit.
Hey, I'm a proper guy here.
Or... was a guy.
Anyway, I never requested any doll.
The avatar creator or the company must've added that concept on their own.
It was cute, but it didn't suit me.
"Um, President."
Having made up my mind, I cautiously spoke up.
The members' eyes turned to me one by one.
"Yeah?"
"Sorry, but... could we remove the doll on her head?"
"No issue there, but... why?"
President asked for a reason, and the members chimed in with their own "Yeah, why? It's so cute..." sounding disappointed.
I mean, I knew it was cute.
That's exactly why I wanted it gone.
"It's too cute. Doesn't fit me at all."
"Huh... what? What do you mean?"
President tilted her head like my words didn't compute.
The members looked baffled too, cocking their heads.
Huh? Did I say something wrong just now?
Wondering if I'd messed up, I shrank back a bit and tried again.
"I-I'm not cute. So it doesn't match with a doll like that."
"Not... cute?"
"Yeah."
I nodded vigorously, clenching my fists tight.
President's head tilted even further to the side.
"Saying that is cute in itself?"
"...Pardon?"
Cute? Me?
Where's this cuteness coming from?
I blinked blankly at the first time I'd ever heard that.
Maybe President dreamed about some other Da-jeong?
Nothing else made sense.
"Ask the members. All ten of them will say you're cute. I'm not weird."
"Eh? N-no way..."
Blinking, I turned to find the members surrounding me.
Not believing it, I went to Ji-ah unnie first.
She seemed least likely to lie.
"U-unnie. No way, right? Me, cute...?"
"Uh, yeah...? I think you're plenty cute..."
What was that about?
Was Ji-ah unnie secretly a pro at lying?
I trusted her!
"Da-jeong, do you hate being called cute or something?"
Chae-yoon unnie asked as I hung my head glumly.
"It's not that. It's just... it doesn't suit me, makes me cringe..."
It was praise, so it didn't upset me.
But as a former guy, hearing it made my insides itch.
Like I wanted to scream "Argh!" every time.
"S-so, the word 'cute' is forbidden! At least in front of me... mmph?!"
I thrust my hand out dramatically, trying for some dignity in my decree.
Then suddenly, something filled my vision again, choking off my breath.
Déjà vu from earlier?
"Da-jeong, you're doing this on purpose, right? You know it makes you cuter, so you're flirting with us unnies?"
"Mmph, not fl-flirting at all...!"
How was that line flirting?
I thrashed to escape Ra-hee unnie's embrace, protesting, but she wasn't letting go.
Nooo!
I haven't even seen our Blues debut yet—I can't die now!
"Phaaa!"
Luckily, her arms loosened, and I wriggled free.
Almost shook hands with the Grim Reaper there.
"Wonder if I could shrink Da-jeong down and carry her in my pocket?"
"Modern tech isn't there yet..."
I tackled Ra-hee unnie's weird serious musing and sat back in my chair.
"Even sitting down, Da-jeong's cute."
"Ugh, have mercy..."
Chae-yoon unnie plopped down in front of me lotus-style and hit me with another "cute."
Drained of resistance, I melted like slime, flopping onto the table and whining.
"Sniff..."
Then a sweet scent wafted into my nose.
Wait, this smell feels familiar...
"Want some snacks, Da-jeong?"
"...Gasp!"
My nose hadn't failed me.
Peeking my eyes open, there was Yuna holding out chocolate snacks, wrapper peeled back.
The same ones I'd scarfed down nearly ten of in the interview waiting room.
"Say ahh~."
"Ah, ahh~."
I hadn't minded feeding Ra-hee unnie earlier.
But being on the receiving end felt kinda embarrassing.
Maybe the dynamic—like a baby bird getting fed by its mom.
Still, snacks are innocent. Yeah.
Crunch-
"Tasty?"
"Hehe, yeah. Super tasty. These are my favorite."
"Whoa, really?"
She looked surprised, like she'd just handed them over without knowing.
I nodded, face still smooshed on the table, munching away.
"Yeah, but they're pricey, so I can't get them often."
p>Only downside.
This perfect sweetness and crunch was heavenly, but a box had just eight pieces for five thousand won.
Back when I worked part-time, I'd only splurge on them special days.
"...Gotcha. Then eat up! There's tons here."
‘I'll peel more,’ she said, unwrapping another and bringing it to my mouth.
Could I really pig out on these expensive treats like this?
And it was all coming out of President's pocket.
"Hurry up, my arm's getting sore."
"Uh, okay."
Couldn't keep Yuna waiting, so I went for number two.
Thinking back, interview-day me devouring ten on the spot was impressive.
Guess I lost it over the rare treat.
But they're too good—can't help it.
Blame the snacks. Yeah.
Like a smoker on the wagon, I couldn't stop at two and secretly hoped for three.
"Y-Yuna."
"Yeah? What's up, unnie?"
"Can I have one too?"
"You want some, unnie? Here."
"Th-thanks."
Suddenly Ji-ah unnie and Yuna were chatting, and another snack appeared before me.
But the hand holding it looked different—longer fingers, subtle nail art.
"D-Da-jeong. Ahh~."
"...Huh?"
Turns out Ji-ah unnie had taken over feeding duty.
She gazed down at me with expectant eyes, mimicking Yuna perfectly.
Felt like feeding a cute animal.
Though Ji-ah unnie wouldn't see me that way.
Anyway, just eat. No overthinking.
Crunch-
"How's it...? Tasty?"
"Yes!"
"R-really? Heh heh heh..."
Obvious question, but I nodded anyway.
Then came a head pat, with an uncharacteristically creepy laugh.
Wait, shouldn't we be practicing for the broadcast?
Nah, President's watching quietly, so it's fine.
Gonna rest a bit in the meantime.