Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: As Long as Da-jeong is Happy!
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This happened about half an hour before Da-jeong arrived.
Kang Haneul called the members in one by one under the pretext of one-on-one meetings and signing contracts.
Since she called them in order of age, it was only natural that Ji-ah was the first to enter the president's office.
"Come on in and have a seat, Ji-ah."
"Yes, President."
Ji-ah sat down as Kang Haneul gestured, scanning the room with a slightly tense expression.
Moments later, Kang Haneul picked up the contract from her desk and came over to sit on the sofa, at which point Ji-ah's back straightened like a rod.
"Pfft, why so nervous? You think I'm gonna eat you or something?"
"N-no, it's just... since it's contract signing day, I feel a bit..."
"I get it. But it's nothing grand, so no need to stress. I'll explain everything."
"Okay."
Only then did Ji-ah relax a little and check the contract Kang Haneul handed her.
It was divided into several pages, but the content was straightforward in summary.
Contract period, revenue split, company support items. Things like that.
"The signing bonus is listed as 1 million won here, right?"
"Yes, President."
"It might be a bit low and disappointing, but I made the revenue split more generous in compensation. Higher than the industry average."
"Disappointing? I didn't even expect you'd give us one."
Ji-ah waved her hand dismissively at Kang Haneul, who looked apologetic.
Though she wasn't an expert on the Virtual YouTuber industry, she'd heard that signing bonuses like this were often nonexistent.
Basically, debuting a Virtual YouTuber involved a lot of upfront costs from the company—like the avatar—so they usually skipped signing bonuses altogether.
On top of that, the revenue split was overwhelmingly better than what Ji-ah had heard beforehand.
The company had probably bent over backwards to accommodate them as much as possible.
She already felt immensely grateful for that alone.
"Anyway, check the terms, and sign if they look good. Let me know if you need more time."
"Ah... okay."
The terms were definitely excellent.
So Ji-ah saw no need to agonize over it.
Except for one single sticking point.
"...Um, President."
"Yeah?"
"Sorry to ask, but about this signing bonus..."
"Signing bonus?"
Was she asking for more, by any chance?
It wasn't a huge amount by any means, but Kang Haneul had put some thought into it.
Still, if she said it was too low, they'd have to revisit the terms.
Rather than jumping to conclusions, Kang Haneul stayed quiet, watching Ji-ah hesitate.
A few seconds passed like that.
Ji-ah, who looked like she had a lot to say and was fidgeting with her lips, finally spoke up a beat late.
"Could I... give my signing bonus to someone else?"
"Someone else? What do you... ah."
Kang Haneul tilted her head at the baffling question, then froze.
She suddenly felt like she knew what Ji-ah was getting at.
"...Yeah, if you approve, President, I was wondering if you could take out my signing bonus and add it to Da-jeong's share."
Kang Haneul's eyes darkened at the response, which she'd half-expected.
It was an even more extreme choice than just bumping up Da-jeong's bonus a little.
"Mind if I ask why? Is it pity?"
It was a somewhat sharp question, but Kang Haneul asked anyway, steeling herself.
She worried hasty pity might lead to regrets later.
1 million won might not be a fortune to some, but handing it over to Da-jeong could breed second thoughts down the line.
Ji-ah shook her head firmly.
"It's not quite pity. Actually, I just went to a café with Da-jeong."
"Yeah."
"She said it was her first time at a café. And she didn't have money for coffee, so she pulled 2,000 won from her pocket, gave it to me, and asked me to order her just bottled water."
"...I see."
It was heartbreaking just hearing it.
What was the go-to spot for girls that age hanging out with friends?
A café, of course.
While others casually dropped 5,000 or 6,000 won on a drink and laughed merrily.
Da-jeong had cherished every won so much she couldn't even peek into a café.
Where else in 21st-century Korea could such a tragic story exist?
"So I bought her a drink, and she was so happy while eating it. Watching her, it hit me—I just want this girl to be truly happy."
"...Got it. I understand how you feel."
If anything, it was closer to affection or care than pity.
They hadn't known each other long, but she'd grown close enough to genuinely wish for the other's happiness.
Maybe it was that unique charm of the girl named Jeong Da-jeong.
"So you want me to remove the signing bonus from your contract and add it to Da-jeong's?"
"Yes."
"No regrets? It's not a ton, but it's not nothing either."
"It's cheaper than Da-jeong's smile, at least."
"Fair enough."
Kang Haneul nodded with a self-deprecating smile, calling her own question foolish.
If that was her genuine wish, there was no need to stop her.
This might even strengthen the bonds between the members.
Squish-
With that, Ji-ah stamped her seal, finished signing, bowed, and left the office.
Next in was the second oldest, Ra-hee.
"President, about the signing bonus..."
Ra-hee, quietly reviewing her contract, said exactly the same thing as Ji-ah.
It gave Kang Haneul a strong sense of déjà vu.
"President, this signing bonus..."
"President! I have a request!"
Chae-yoon after her, and even Yuna.
As if they'd rehearsed it, they all said the same thing.
And so, the 1 million won signing bonuses earmarked for each gradually piled up for Da-jeong.
Kang Haneul's worries proved unfounded, resolved more neatly than even her own plan.
'What great kids I've got.'
With only Da-jeong left last, Kang Haneul sorted the signed contracts, a deep smile on her face.
Ji-ah had said she wanted Da-jeong to be happy.
But Kang Haneul thought differently.
At the very least, she wanted all these kids to be happy.
After signing, I headed home, pulled out the bankbook I'd stashed in the wardrobe corner, and went to the nearby bank.
The president had told me to deposit the signing bonus right away and check it as soon as I got home.
Clunk- clunk-
The ATM made a racket while processing my bankbook.
I watched anxiously, and soon it spat out the finished bankbook.
I snatched it with trembling hands and flipped to the updated page.
"Gasp...!"
I involuntarily gulped.
5,198,420.
The near-200,000 won I'd had was now joined by an absurd number.
Was this a dream or reality? I rubbed my eyes.
But the number on the bankbook didn't change.
Really 5 million won.
Wow, the most I'd ever made from a part-time job was just over 1 million won.
Of course, that was plenty to live on, so I'd never bothered earning more.
That's why even when Blue LUV allowed monetization, I didn't enable it on my Clip Channel.
Someone commented it was a foolish move back then, but whatever.
I see it differently.
Sure, more money is always nice.
But do I really need to take money for something I do because it makes me happy, because I love it?
They call it 'rice in games' sometimes.
Even if those people claim they're doing it for fun.
At some point, the game stops feeling like a game.
Items from bosses.
Costs to power yourself up.
The moment it all looks like bills and coins, it's no longer a game.
That's how Blue LUV was for me.
They were the only light in my dark daily life.
I wanted to keep them as my happiest, game-like existence.
That's what I'd thought.
It's kinda funny now that I'm the one in Blue LUV, getting paid for it.
But since it's money earned as an officially recognized Blue LUV member, I figured there's no need to refuse.
"Whoa...!"
Anyway, it's a shocking amount.
With this, I feel like I could do anything.
Not that I can splurge this rare windfall—I need to save it...
Glance-
Clutching my bankbook tight, I sneak a peek at the big café across the street.
I-it's been a while, right? Yeah.
Would be a shame to come this far and not.
Besides, the president said so.
Chocolate might suit my taste even better than caramel.
Ding-a-ling-
In the end, I couldn't resist and dashed into the café.
I had a fresh 10,000-won bill in my pocket.
"Um, excuse me... one chocolate frappuccino, please."
"Yes, chocolate frappuccino? How much whipped cream on top?"
"Huh?"
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I frantically recalled earlier memories.
Whipped cream must mean that white cream on top of the drink.
Super sweet, so soft it makes you crave more.
No need to hesitate then!
"A lot! As much as possible, please!"
"Hehe, got it. I'll load it up."
"Thank you...!"
Gonna be delicious.
Normally, I'd never indulge in such nonsense.
But the president said on days like this, treat yourself to something tasty. Yeah.
Just for today, one day, it'll be fine.
"Ah, wait...! Do you add chocolate chips on the cream too?"
"Oh, yes. Java chips? I'll add them."
"Hehe, thanks."
And gotta get the full experience.
Almost forgot.
"Your order is ready."
"Thank you. Have a good one!"
The cup brimming with chocolate drink came out, and I took it with both hands, pausing for a second.
Come to think of it, the members sometimes posted their food in the group chat.
Guess I should do it too today.
Snap-
[Me] - (chocolate frappuccino photo)
[Me] - Wanted to try the chocolate flavor, so I got it!
[Ra-hee unnie] - (kitsune thumbs-up emoticon)
[Ji-ah unnie] - Looks yummy lol.
[Yuna] - Omg Da-jeong so cute...!
[Chae-yoon unnie] - Eat lots of delicious stuff, Da-jeong!
Hehe.
Haven't even sipped yet, but my mouth's already flooding with sweetness.
Savoring the joy, I found a quiet corner seat and slurped at the drink.
Happiness made my legs jiggle on their own.
Still, it was tastier when we all went together.
Wanna go again next time, all of us.