Chapter 154

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 154

Chapter Title: Da-jeong's Solo Song is Coming Out!

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Uwuu….

I pushed myself too hard during that collab stream, and now I've caught a cold.

It's really hitting home how important exercise is.

Still, I'm glad I recovered quickly just with the fever meds I had at home.

The collab ended on a high note, and then the cold hit.

I apologized to the Cherries and got to rest up for a full day.

"Tofu! Mommy's all better now!"

"Nya?"

"This means starting today, Mommy can play with you lots again!"

"Nya!"

I spread my arms wide toward Tofu, strutting like I was showing off my lighter body.

Tofu tilted her head at first, but she seemed to understand right away.

She raised her front paw in response.

Yeah, no doubt about it—Tofu totally understands me.

There's no other explanation.

[Yuna] - Da-jeong!!!!!!

[Yuna] - You alive? You're not dead, right?

[Ra-hee unnie] - How's your body feeling, Da-jeong?

[Chae-yoon unnie] - Maknae, speak up if you're struggling!

[Chae-yoon unnie] - Unnie will rush right over!!!

[Ji-ah unnie] - Da-jeong, got food at home? Want unnie to bring some over?

"Hehe…."

I gave Tofu some treats and plopped down on the floor for a bit.

Looking at the group chat, a smile slipped out before I knew it.

The members were really worried about me.

Of course—they were. I couldn't even message yesterday, just posted a notice and crashed.

Oh, and there are a ton of missed calls now that I check.

[So-eun unnie] - You up, Da-jeong?

[So-eun unnie] - Nothing urgent, but the President will share some updates briefly on Discord this afternoon.

[So-eun unnie] - Let me know if you're still not feeling well.

[So-eun unnie] - I can summarize the meeting for you later.

[So-eun unnie] - No reply means I'll mark you absent, so don't worry about it if you're sick—just rest up.

Oh, So-eun unnie messaged too.

Updates, huh….

Come to think of it, the President mentioned after the collab that we'd need to gather briefly in a couple days.

Yeah, I should say I'll join.

Plus, I've got tons to chat about with the members today.

We wrapped up such an epic collab, but no time to debrief after.

[Me] - I'm fine, unnie!

[Me] - Tell her I'm attending!

Even though it's just Discord, the thought of seeing the members has me buzzing already.

I fired off the message to So-eun unnie in a flash.

You can feel the excitement jumping off the text.

Alright, quick shower first.

Couldn't properly wash yesterday 'cause I was sick.

Can't meet the members like this!

"Tofu, wanna shower with Mommy?"

"Nyaaak!"

"Ugh, okay. Sorry. Mommy'll go alone."

Never bathed Tofu since bringing her home.

Figured it might be nice together, so I suggested it casually.

But cats gonna cat, I guess.

That reaction was fierce.

In the end, I slunk off to the shower all by my lonesome, feeling deflated.

Showered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and had lunch, and before I knew it, the meeting time rolled around.

I hopped into the Discord room.

Thought I'd be first as usual, but nope—today I was the last one.

"Hehe… sorry I'm late."

I got there right on time at 1 PM, but still, last is last, so I apologized.

The members' voices overlapped in a rush.

『Oh? Da-jeong's here!』

『Luha.』

『Hai ru.』

『Da-jeong, how's your body? You okay?』

Looks like the President's stepped out briefly.

No greeting or response.

"Yeah, I'm good. Had a little fever yesterday so I rested, but fever meds and sleep fixed me right up."

『Glad to hear it. We were so worried.』

『Totally. The Cherries flooded our rooms asking about you yesterday too.』

『Wait, yours too? Same here.』

『Cherries went wild yesterday. They came to our room and even did dones for you before leaving.』

Th-the Cherries did that?

Didn't expect it to be that bad.

Guess 'cause I collapsed once before, they were extra worried.

Sorry, Cherries.

I'll take better care of myself from now on.

Don't worry too much.

『Oh, everyone's here? How's Da-jeong feeling?』

"Hehe, I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you."

『Nah, no need to apologize. I was worried mid-collab and almost took a break, but you all were having so much fun I let it go. My bad for not thinking it through.』

After greeting the President who returned soon after,

we dove into the real talk.

『Anyway, today's just the big stuff. First up, Chae-yoon… your birthday's coming soon, right?』

『Yup! Spot on!』

Oh ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right!

Lilith-chan—no, Chae-yoon unnie's birthday is coming up.

March 13th.

Sure, some Virtual YouTubers set different birthdays from real life,

but we all use our actual ones.

They say it's not about hiding identities,

but wanting to truly celebrate with fans on the real day.

Such a romantic reason. Yeah.

『Chae-yoon's birthday already?』

『So she's the first among us to celebrate one?』

『Nah, we did Ra-hee's last year after debut.』

『Oh yeah.』

Right.

Ra-hee unnie's the only one who's had a birthday since debut.

First for the rest of us this year.

Chae-yoon unnie: March 13.

Next, Yuna: May 8.

Then Ji-ah unnie: June 5.

Then mine: July 7.

Ra-hee unnie's a bit later: November 1.

Yuna's uniquely on Parents' Day,

so her family buys each other flowers to exchange.

Such a charming, fun tradition. Yeah.

『Fans let us know—a billboard's going up for Chae-yoon's birthday.』

『Billboard? I didn't get one….』

『Ra-hee's was right after debut.』

『Chae-yoon unnie, making it big!』

"Congrats, unnie!"

I clapped as I sincerely congratulated her.

Even though it caught her off guard as news to her too,

she replied in her usual hearty, bright voice.

『Heh, thanks. Thanks. Living the high life, huh?』

Yeah, your own birthday on a billboard?

Not something most people can imagine.

『It starts this Wednesday, so check it out if you're curious, Chae-yoon.』

『Score! Gotta go snap pics! Bragging to parents too!』

『Pfft…! Unnie, that sounded straight outta Jammin.』

『What?! Your usual speech ain't much better?!』

『Tch, what?!』

『Please don't fight during the meeting…!』

Today's meeting's a chaotic mess as always.

At this point, maybe call it chat time instead?

But we do get stuff done… yeah.

Billboard, though.

I'm used to 'em in my old world,

but first time here.

Wanna see it in person sometime.

Perfect—unnie's going this week.

Ask if I can tag along?

"Chae-yoon unnie, mind if I come too?"

『Huh? Come where… the billboard?』

"Yeah! Hehe…."

Maybe she wants to go solo chill.

I ask cautiously, gauging.

Her voice perks up noticeably.

『W-wait, is the maknae asking unnie out first…? Is this flirting?』

"F-flirting…?"

H-how's this flirting?

Just wanted to check the billboard together.

But if she calls it a date invite… not wrong either….

"Dunno about flirting, but date invite yes! Just us two on a date!"

『Gasp!』

『Insane, so jealous unnie…!』

『Wish my birthday was sooner….』

Whatever, went for it—and Chae-yoon unnie inhales sharply,

while Yuna and Ji-ah unnie mutter jealously.

No clue what's happening,

but looks like we're going together.

『Okay, Chae-yoon birthday stuff done. Next, Da-jeong related….』

"Eh? Me?"

Next up, something for me?

The President hesitated a sec before continuing.

『Yeah, actually, your original song's done. Recording soon, then MV, aiming for early summer release.』

『Whoa!』

『Da-jeong getting an original too?』

『Jealous of Da-jeong…!』

『Congrats, Da-jeong!』

Total blindside.

Members shower congrats,

but I'm stunned, speechless for a while.

W-wait. Original song?

Why me of all people…?

And from memory, after Ji-ah unnie, it was Yuna next.

Even recent meeting said Yuna and others in works.

Nothing on mine.

Figured it'd come later, no biggie.

Now mine first?

Why?

『Oh, to avoid confusion—others are still in progress. Yours first 'cause it wasn't our commission.』

"Not your commission…?"

She elaborates to answer,

but it only deepens my confusion.

Not company job, but mine's done—what?

『This person's VN—super famous, works with actual singers. Contacted us outta blue. Made a song perfect for Da-jeong, wanna try it?』

『VN? The one on Yang Ye-in's album?』

『What? On Yang Ye-in's?!』

『Whoa, I listen to her a lot.』

I don't know much, but apparently huge.

Yuna sounds shocked.

Others blank on name at first,

but freak at the album artist's mention.

『Yep, that's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her. Known for scanning trends a lot—heard about you and wrote from that.』

『Whoa, huge…! So Da-jeong scoring from VN?!』

『We heard it—it's good. So we're going with it.』

Too fast, half lost,

but gist: famous composer made mine,

so ahead of others.

Even so, head still spinning.

Way too sudden.

『So we're thinking release on your birthday.』

"My birthday…?"

『Yeah.』

Ah, that's the early summer plan.

July 7.

Tight maybe, but song's done.

Doable.

『And assuming you're cool, how about you write the lyrics?』

"L-lyrics…? You want me to do lyrics?"

Next idea from President was the kicker.

Lyrics.

Messed with videos, drawings maybe,

but lyrics? Never.

Way over my head.

『Yeah, that's what VN wants too. If too hard, no biggie, we'll get someone else. Just wants to see you complete it.』

"B-but what if I ruin the song? Me on lyrics…."

『No need to stress. VN'll advise, worst case outsource. Point is, wants your story.』

Worried I'd blow this chance,

but President seems keen for me to try.

『Give it a shot, Da-jeong.』

『Such a great opportunity.』

『Wanna see lyrics by you.』

『Yeah, think our maknae can nail it.』

Members all backing me too.

I pondered, bit my lip, nodded.

Yeah, no point overthinking.

Backing out'd disrespect the composer.

She reached out trusting me first.

"…Yeah! I'll give it a try!"

For those believing in me,

a song with my story for my birthday.

Gift to Cherries.

Even if over my head, might flop.

This time, I'll step up.

Plenty time.

Think hard, work hard.

Better to try and regret than not and regret.