Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Let's Enjoy Ji-ah Unnie's First Solo Song Together!
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After we all had lunch with the bread I brought,
we spent a bit of time chatting casually before turning on the stream.
Ji-ah unnie's room had been upgraded even more since the last time I'd seen it.
There were now several pieces of flashy new equipment,
and the dual monitors, which had previously been on wobbly stands,
were now firmly mounted on monitor arms, giving the whole setup a super clean vibe.
What can I say? Back then, it felt like a hobbyist's streaming room.
Now, it truly felt like the room of a full-time Virtual YouTuber.
"The room's a bit messy, right? Sorry, unnie's kinda lazy."
"No way. It's plenty clean."
Sure enough, as unnie said, the desk was a little cluttered with stuff.
But it didn't feel dirty at all.
If this counts as dirty, then my old place must've been a total disaster zone.
"Alright, shall we get started? It would've been great if we could have Da-jeongie's avatar up here too."
"Hehe, no helping it."
Unnie was right—it would've been awesome to have my avatar displayed alongside hers for a proper collab stream.
But since this was an impromptu guerrilla collab that wasn't in the plans,
I settled for just a voice cameo as we fired up the broadcast.
The Sparrow Squad flooded in the moment the stream went live.
Maybe because the title was 'Let's Enjoy the Solo Song Together,'
but everyone seemed to come in buzzing with excitement for Ji-ah unnie's first solo track.
"Welcome, everyone. Did you all have a tasty lunch?"
Ji-ah unnie's opening greeting was, as always, asking about meals.
Actually, I do the same thing whenever I start a stream—asking if they've had dinner.
Since Ellin was my oshi, I guess I naturally picked up habits like that from her.
"Yes, I did. I slept in super late today, so it was breakfast and lunch combined."
It really has such a calm, soothing vibe.
I don't know if it's because of Ji-ah unnie's unique voice,
but the Sparrow Squad is way gentler and softer compared to other fandoms.
The chats flow in this really warm, harmonious way.
Yeah, something unimaginable in our own chat room.
Where it's a total lawless zone with nonstop roasting flying back and forth whenever there's an opening.
"Me? Hmm, how should I put this..."
The incoming superchat made unnie hesitate for a moment as she glanced at me,
but figuring it was best to just say it herself, she smiled and opened her mouth.
"Actually, our maknae came over to my place today. She so sweetly brought bread from a delicious bakery nearby."
C-carrot?
I'd wave a carrot if I could, but I don't have my avatar here...?
No choice but to chime in with my voice.
"Hi Sparrow Squad! It's Lulu-chan, here for a voice-only guest spot today!"
I knew I wasn't visible, but
I waved my hand anyway to return the enthusiastic welcome from the Sparrows.
Maybe it looked a bit silly, because Ji-ah unnie burst out laughing with a "Pfft."
Ignoring that, I placed the SD illustration I'd pre-uploaded on my phone
right next to unnie's avatar. Plop.
Hehe, now it feels like a collab.
"Looks like Lulu stopped by a bakery near my place today. She was eating there, thought of the members, bought a bunch, and came straight over. Isn't that just the cutest, everyone?"
I-I don't think it was anything worth that much praise.
But hearing Ji-ah unnie praise me right to my face,
and then the Sparrow Squad piling on,
my cheeks couldn't help but flush red.
Ugh, guys, stop it.
I'm weak to compliments, you know.
It's just one loaf of bread—don't overhype it.
"Hehe... Truth is, I went to that bakery Yuki-chan recommended today. Once I started eating, it was sooo good, I just had to share with the members, you know? And then it hit me—I think I've been here before."
"Oh yeah, Lulu crashed at unnie's place that time she got drunk, right?"
"Yup. My black history..."
Ugh... but how could I not sulk about it?
That day, I got drunk, left comments on the Blue Oshi channel,
and ended up exposing my identity.
And it was right after debut, too.
That was my first time visiting a member's place,
and the reason was showing up wasted like an uninvited guest.
Even thinking back now, it's mortifying.
If only I could erase that memory from my head.
"Of course! My love for the members won't lose to anyone's!"
I pounded my chest confidently at the superchat, stating the obvious.
Ji-ah unnie, who had been giving me a weird look, tilted her head and teased.
"But Lulu says stuff like that, yet when unnies ask her to say she loves us, she gets all shy."
"Th-that's..."
N-no! That's not it!
It's not because I don't love them...!
I do love them, but saying it out loud is just a little embarrassing, you know?
It's this itchy feeling that makes it hard to spit out. Yeah!
There's no way I don't love the members!
"N-no, that's not it. I love the members too...!"
"Whoa! Everyone, Lulu says she loves us. So no more slander from now on."
It wasn't a joke—it was straight-up roasting!
She totally set me up to say it myself. I see through it!
But this time, I'll let it slide...!
Because Ji-ah unnie looked so happy.
I haven't seen her smile that brightly in a while.
Anyway, after that lighthearted just-chatting segment,
time flew by, and the moment for unnie's first original song arrived.
We all settled in to listen together.
Ji-ah unnie—no, Ellin's first original song is titled 'Beyond This Night.'
The reason this track became Ellin's signature as a VTuber is simple.
Its lyrics capture Ellin's story perfectly.
Ellin, or rather Ji-ah unnie, was originally an aspiring singer.
Even though she could sing well, she never passed auditions.
She only briefly worked as a vocal trainer, teaching others.
That's why unnie always told us:
She has a burning passion for singing.
No, not just us.
She always said it on stream too.
With her original song release coming up, her dream felt within reach.
And now, in this moment when it finally came true—how thrilling it must be.
I'll never forget the look in unnie's eyes and her profile as I listened to the song and watched the video.
『The night draws near. A pitch-black darkness where you can't see an inch ahead.』
The opening was deeply dreamy, serene, and melancholic.
The 'night' here probably refers to the edge of her dreams.
The moment Ji-ah unnie first gave up on her dream.
And just like that despairing night, Ellin's hair in the video was black.
『The moons that once greeted me no longer smile today. Just inky darkness.』
Ji-ah unnie once told us:
The night sky she saw coming home after deciding to abandon her singer dream—no moon in sight.
That was the first time she felt the world had abandoned her.
Those emotions seeped vividly into the lyrics.
『Where does this night's end lie? No one tells me. I wander aimlessly, searching for stars.』
In the video, Ellin trudged down a dark road.
Then the screen shifted with a brilliant light.
And morning finally arrived.
『Beyond the night, morning comes, illuminating my shadowed heart.』
Ahead, our members appeared faintly, waving.
Ellin sprinted toward them with all her might.
『I no longer search for stars. I've found something more brilliant than stars.』
She met the members, took their hands,
and walked toward a new path.
Beyond them, no pretty stars adorned the night sky.
But there was a morning brightly illuminating the members advancing together.
『Beyond the night, morning is sure to come. The light everyone's awaited.』
The lonely start built to a highlight, growing brighter and brighter.
The moment she stepped beyond night's edge into morning,
Ellin's dark hair filled with gold once more,
transforming into the Ellin we know.
As the song ended, unnie wore an expression mixed with myriad emotions.
She seemed at a loss for words, her lips trembling.
The viewers seemed to sense her feelings,
sending waves of encouragement and cheers.
As if responding to them,
unnie pursed her lips like she was swallowing something,
nodded, and finally spoke.
"Thank you so much, everyone. This moment I've waited so long for... my emotions just overflowed. I won't cry. It's too happy a day for that."
As the viewers chimed in,
unnie smiled in relief and glanced over here.
The moment our eyes met...
"Puuueeeeng...!"
"L-Lulu?! Why are you crying all of a sudden?!"
"B-but it was so moving..."
And there I went, bursting into tears and ruining the mood entirely.
B-but the song and MV were just too good!
I'd heard it before, but it was still amazing!
Plus, back then I was just watching Ellin on stream,
but now, sitting right next to her, feeling every emotion in her eyes up close—
it hit even harder.
Ugh, I was savoring the afterglow, don't tease me...!
I hate all you Sparrows!