Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: DMT (Da-jeong the True Angel!)
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I thought my viewer acting was perfect, but why?
After getting scolded by the President.
In the end, I had to sadly retreat to the back room while Chae-yoon unnie took over the viewer role.
Fortunately, Chae-yoon unnie was a passionate fan who watched the President's streams regularly, so her acting wasn't too hard.
Thanks to that, we smoothly finished our first practice stream and stepped out of the company building for a breather.
"Woo woo...."
The President and Manager stayed behind at the company, just the two of them.
On the way to the cafe with the five of us.
I was still moping about getting scolded by the President, letting out little whimpering sounds.
I really thought it was perfect acting for a fifth-year Pista.
What went wrong?
"Da-jeong-ah, still feeling down?"
As we walked on the sun-baked, scorching sidewalk blocks.
Han Ji-ah unnie, who had fallen behind with me, approached and asked in a gentle tone.
"I'm not down or anything. I just thought my acting was perfect and can't figure out what was wrong...."
"Isn't that what being down is?"
"Y-Yeah, maybe it is."
What can I say.
It felt like my love for the Blues was being denied.
"What are you two doing back there? Hurry up and come on."
Was Ji-ah unnie slowing down too, trying to cheer up my slumped shoulders?
Yuna, among the members who had gone ahead, waved us over from far away.
"Ah, yeah. Da-jeong-ah, let's go."
"Okay."
Only then did I pick up the pace with unnie and make it to the cafe.
It was so hot that sweat poured down nonstop.
"Haaah, this is life."
"Whoa, it's cool...."
But once inside the cafe, the blasting AC made my breathing easier right away.
Yuna, weak to heat like me, took a deep breath and savored the cool air.
Is it because she's a snow girl avatar?
"The AC really makes it nice and cool."
"Huh? You don't turn on the AC at home, Da-jeong-ah?"
Chae-yoon unnie said worriedly, "'You'll catch a cold like that.'"
She added that electricity bills aren't that bad these days, so it's best to run it in summer.
But that wasn't the reason, so I smiled awkwardly and replied.
"Ah, our house doesn't have AC... In summer, I just leave all the doors open."
"Ah...."
Chae-yoon unnie looked like she'd made a mistake and let out a sigh.
The mood suddenly felt a bit heavy.
Did I say something wrong?
"W-Well, at least a fan is okay, right?"
"Ah, the fan broke. There was one from the neighborhood office a while back, but it was so old it wouldn't spin properly, so I threw it out."
To be precise, it wasn't given to me—I happened to stop by the office and picked up one they were tossing.
It was dusty, but I used it diligently for three years.
In the end, the motor wore out, and the blades barely turned, so I tearfully got rid of it.
"No fan either... Doesn't summer suck for you then?"
"It's fine. Our place is up high, so there's a lot of wind."
I wring out towels or rags and hang them around the house for decent cooling.
Sometimes I splash water in the yard.
If all else fails, I freeze a wet towel, lie naked in the living room, and cover myself—works in a pinch.
"Anyway, shouldn't we order first?"
"Ah!"
As we chatted, everyone went quiet, so I pointed to the counter.
The clerk had been peeking at us from the register.
"Yeah, don't just stand there—let's order. What do you want?"
Big sis Ji-ah unnie took charge, looking around at us.
The first to raise her hand was none other than Yuna.
"I'll have an iced Americano!"
"I'll go with... a white cafe mocha."
"I had coffee already, so green tea Frappuccino it is. Java chips, espresso, and whipped cream."
I rolled my eyes at their menu recitals.
Ra-hee unnie's order was the toughest.
Green... what? And extras on top?
Is ordering at cafes always this hard?
"Yeah? What about you, Da-jeong-ah?"
Ji-ah unnie calmly smiled, as if remembering every order, and turned to me.
Does Ji-ah unnie have perfect memory?
Putting aside the silly question, I checked the menu.
And nearly gasped in shock.
Whoa, so expensive.
The cheapest is almost 5,000 won!
Those weird cafe rumors I heard were true!
5,000 won is almost four days' food budget—five if I tighten my belt!
No way.
I might not even get a part-time job soon, and drinking that would....
"M-Me? I'm good. Just sitting here's cool enough... hehe."
In the end, I waved it off and skipped ordering.
Honestly, chatting with the members in a cool spot was joy enough.
No need for coffee.
"No, even so...."
But maybe my answer didn't satisfy, because Ji-ah unnie gave me a pitying look, her eyes softening.
Ah, would it be awkward if everyone else has something and I'm just sitting there?
Yeah, that'd be a bother.
Making others self-conscious.
"Or maybe just water? I don't like coffee...."
I pulled out my wallet as a backup plan.
Phew, luckily 2,000 won.
That should cover bottled water.
No matter how high prices are, water won't be over 2,000 won.
I smoothed out two crumpled 1,000-won bills.
Ji-ah unnie's face shadowed over, her lips parting like she had a lot to say.
"Nah, I'll treat today. Dad gave me plenty of allowance this time. So Da-jeong-ah, pick whatever."
"...Eh?"
Ra-hee unnie cut in, boldly flashing a card from her wallet.
Yuna awkwardly chimed in with an over-the-top "Whoa, unnie's the best!"
Chae-yoon unnie followed with an excited "Then I won't hold back!"
Ugh, hard to refuse now.
I already got an expensive meal from the President recently—now burdening the members too.
And Ra-hee unnie even picked me up today.
"Da-jeong-ah."
"Y-Yes?"
As I agonized.
Ji-ah unnie placed a hand on my shoulder again, speaking gently.
"You ate those chocolate snacks fine earlier. Like sweet stuff?"
"Ah, yeah... I do."
Especially chocolate.
I once bought 30 family-size bars at 80% off clearance, froze them, and nibbled away.
"Then try unnie's recommendation. It's super tasty?"
"R-Really?"
"Yeah, you'll love it."
She sounded like she was talking to a kid, but it was Ji-ah unnie's pick.
Just this once, lean on the kindness.
"I-I wanna try it."
"Okay, that's decided. No changes? I'll go pay."
Ji-ah unnie headed to the counter with a refreshing smile.
Ra-hee unnie, who'd proudly shown her card, chuckled awkwardly.
"I was gonna...."
"Big sis treats in times like this. Just grab seats."
I scanned for a spot right away.
Perfect—a semi-secluded corner, not too sunny.
Lots of seats there for five of us.
"Unnie, that spot's empty."
"Oh, perfect. You have good taste, Da-jeong-ah."
"Hehe...."
Not a kid, but praised and happy anyway.
Can't help it—it's from my fave.
Laughing at little things.
"Right! Da-jeong-ah, how was today's practice stream? I was great, right?"
Yuna hit the ground running with her usual high energy once seated.
The answer was obvious.
"Super cool. Veterans really are different."
"Hehe, right? I'm a Virtual YouTuber senior after all!"
'Just three months,' she teased, sticking out her tongue—adorable.
Man, wish I could film this.
"Here are your ordered drinks."
How long had we been chattering?
Ji-ah unnie returned with a huge tray of five drinks, cashier-style.
Looks precarious.
Should've helped.
"This one's yours, Da-jeong-ah."
"Thank youuu...."
The glass Ji-ah unnie set before me was huge.
And packed full.
Topped with white cream-like stuff and tons of dark chocolate chips.
"Take a sip and tell me what you think."
"Okay, I'll enjoy it, unnie."
"Sure."
I hesitantly slurped through the oversized straw.
Cool ice granules flooded my mouth instantly.
Brain freeze for a sec.
And this flavor....
"How is it, Da-jeong-ah? Tasty?"
"Yes! So delici—oops!"
Mid-sweet bliss.
Ra-hee unnie's question from across made me blurt instinctively.
Too loud—echoed everywhere.
Gazes turned my way.
I clapped my hand over my mouth, but the damage was done.
Eeeeek, embarrassing!
"It's... tasty...."
I mumbled head-down, voice tiny.
Kept sipping through the straw, though.
But sooo good.
Layers of sweetness blended just right—clean, sugary bliss.
Faint caramel too—perfect.
"Glad it's tasty. Next time, try something else together."
"Yeess."
Avoiding eyes, I sipped silently, chatting with members.
This felt like a dream—face relaxing on its own.
Probably dumb-looking now.
Don't care, though.
"Da-jeong-ah, your smile's ear-to-ear. That good?"
"Huh? Oh, this is...."
Chae-yoon unnie noticed, giggling and pointing at my face.
Thinks it's just the drink.
It is tasty, but....
"Actually, being with everyone is so great. Feels like a dream—I'm just happy."
All my joy came from the members.
Sharing that honest feeling, they stared blankly, blinking.
Seconds passed.
"Sniff...!"
"Our Da-jeong's too angelic...."
"Why was I born a year late...? Wanna make Da-jeong my little sis...."
"Our maknae, stick with unnies from now on, okay?"
Suddenly, they all covered mouths, mumbling softly.
Only Ra-hee unnie's voice was clear.
"Yes, unnie!"
She grabbed my head, petting away.
I could only watch my melting drink helplessly.
But unnie looked happy, so I let it be.