Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Inviting Yuna to My House!
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We had a slightly early dinner around 5 p.m.
It couldn't be helped because the President suddenly had a schedule come up.
Still, since our stomachs were completely empty after wandering around sightseeing all day, we got to enjoy a delicious dinner at the omakase restaurant she took us to.
"Whew, that was so good... It felt like a trip to heaven."
"Me too... I could die happy right now."
"Pfft, you two are always so over the top."
After finishing our meal and leaving the restaurant, Yuna and I patted our full bellies.
We stared blankly up at the sky, as if we were drunk on something.
The President, who had been watching us, gave a wry smile and pulled out her phone to check the time.
"Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'd love to buy you coffee and see you off, but I don't have time today. Sorry."
"Aw, no, President."
"Yeah, if anything, we should be the ones buying you coffee..."
I'd seen the bill when we paid earlier.
It felt kinda bad to just let her go like that.
But with her packed schedule, there was nothing we could do.
We'd just have to look forward to next time.
"I'll take the thought. Anyway, I'm gonna swing by the office before heading home, so you two have fun together or whatever. Da-jeong, you still have some time, right?"
"Yes, I told them I'd be a bit late today, so it's fine."
Yuna was off-streaming anyway.
I usually go live around 7, but I'd said it'd be 8 tonight, so we had plenty of time.
Enough to grab coffee and chat a bit before heading home.
"Don't get so caught up in your date that you're late. You know you'll get in trouble if you do."
"Hehe, don't worry."
"Well, Da-jeong always handles things responsibly. Not like you, Yuna."
"President!"
With that final bit of banter, we parted ways.
Well, more precisely, the President headed back to the office alone, while Yuna and I continued our date a little longer.
"Yuna, so where should we go? A café, right?"
"Yeah, let's do that. There's actually one I've been wanting to check out!"
"A café you want to go to?"
I tilted my head at Yuna's eyes sparkling like she'd seized an opportunity.
Come to think of it, Yuna was amazing at finding good spots like restaurants.
If Ra-hee unnie specialized in atmospheric dining places,
Yuna was the queen of cafés and dessert shops.
So whenever the members stopped somewhere,
Instead of searching online, we'd often ask in the group chat first: 'Yuna, any good cafés around here?'
Alright, then let's check out that café Yuna's been wanting to visit today.
The café Yuna wanted to go to was pretty close to my house.
Even walking, it'd take less than 20 minutes.
I had no idea there was a place like this here—it was tucked away in such a secretive spot.
We each ordered a café latte and a chocolate latte, then took our seats.
The place wasn't huge, which actually made it feel cozy and nice.
The total opposite of that café I'd gone to alone with Chae-yoon unnie before.
"They do latte art here like this, and it's so pretty. What do you think? Cute, right?"
"Yeah, it looks like a snow bunny living on a mountain."
Yuna showed off the puffy foam bunny on her mug, grinning brightly as if to say, 'Look at this!'
Yeah, honestly, Yuna's cuter than the bunny.
But that's kinda embarrassing, so I'll keep that to myself.
"Ehehe..."
"...?"
Anyway, Yuna's been looking at me and giggling nonstop since earlier.
Is there something behind me?
Or do I have something on my face?
Of course, Yuna's the type who laughs a lot anyway.
But today, it feels like she's smiling at the drop of a hat.
Like she can't help but smile whenever she looks at me. It's kinda weird.
"U-Um, Yuna... Is there something on my face?"
I finally couldn't hold back my curiosity and asked.
Her innocent reply came right back.
"No, why?"
"Y-You're just keep staring at my face and laughing..."
"Oh, sorry. I guess I'm just so happy that I keep smiling?"
"Happy?"
Happy? About what?
I asked out of pure curiosity, and Yuna nodded vigorously, cupping her face like it was a flower on a pedestal.
Well, it kinda is a flower.
"Your original song is coming out soon. I'm just so excited about that."
"Huh? Th-That...?"
I was sipping my chocolate latte and trying to read her expression.
Her unexpected answer made me pull away from the mug.
That's what she's happy about?
"Of course! You know how mad I was when only your original song hadn't been greenlit? I wanted to go complain to the President."
"The President had her reasons, I'm sure. She said back then that she couldn't find the right person to handle it."
I remembered that incident too.
But it hadn't bothered me much.
Making a song is business, after all, and that involves all sorts of compromises.
Even after announcing it,
The President called me personally to apologize.
She knew any explanation might feel like discrimination from my perspective.
She promised good news soon and asked me to wait just a bit.
But I was actually glad at the time, so I brushed off her apology.
If they'd rushed my song and delayed someone else's, that would've been worse.
In that sense, the offer from the VN composer was a real blessing.
Thanks to her, I got a high-quality song out of nowhere.
And without messing up anyone else's schedule.
"Even so, I hated feeling like you were being left out. We're Blue LUV—we go together or not at all, right?"
"Yuna..."
At the same time, I was incredibly grateful for Yuna's feelings.
Honestly, when I heard that back then and didn't mind,
Part of me was thinking, 'My song doesn't have to come out anyway.'
We're one.
It's what we half-jokingly say all the time when we're together.
But deep down, there's a part of me that distinguishes between Blue LUV and Lulu.
So I was thankful.
It felt like she was holding back the me who always steps aside.
Like she was beckoning me with 'Come here' and pulling my hand. I felt so much gratitude toward her.
Squeeze—
"Thank you, Yuna. I'm happy you're my friend."
I grabbed Yuna's hand on the table tight.
I smiled brightly, pouring out my sincere thanks.
For some reason, Yuna's cheeks flushed bright red.
"G-Geez, you say stuff like that without any shame."
"Huh? D-Did I say something wrong?"
"I don't know!"
She muttered in a slightly snippy tone, uncharacteristic of her.
I tilted my head, wondering if I'd said something upsetting.
But seeing her fiddling with our linked pinkies, it didn't seem like it.
"Anyway, you're starting recordings soon, right? When?"
"Probably in about a week? The lyrics should be done by then."
"I see... What's the vibe of the lyrics?"
"Hehe, secret."
"Tch, so mean."
Yuna clicked her tongue and jerked her head to the side.
But she never let go of our clasped hands. So cute.
Sorry, Yuna.
But this time, I really don't want to tell anyone.
No, especially not the members.
This isn't just some new song release.
It's the song where I wrote the lyrics to take a step forward as a Virtual YouTuber and as a member of Blue LUV.
So I want everyone to hear it together.
"Oh? Da-jeong, it's past 7 already. Shouldn't you head out soon?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, it is."
Before we knew it, time had flown by while we chatted away.
It was about time for me to head home and prep for my stream.
Hmm, but somehow, I don't wanna part ways just yet.
We talked plenty, but it feels like incomplete combustion or something.
I just don't want to send Yuna home like this.
"Ugh...! Guess I should hurry home and guard the house. It's been a while since I'll be alone."
"Alone? Why? Is no one home?"
"Yeah, Mom and Dad are at a couples' meetup, and my siblings are sleeping over at a friend's. So even if I go back, it'll just be me."
I see.
What perfect timing.
But wouldn't being alone in a house full of family feel lonely?
I've lived alone my whole life, so I wouldn't know...
"I'll boil some ramen, play some games, and crash! Maybe it's 'cause I ate all that seafood earlier? I'm craving something spicy."
Yuna stretched her back with a groan, mumbling to herself.
Watching her, a great idea popped into my head, and I grabbed her wrist.
"U-Um, Yuna...!"
"Yeah?"
"W-Would you maybe..."
She's off-streaming today anyway.
This should be fine, right?
With that thought, I carefully spoke up.
"Wanna come to my house and have some ramen before you go?"
Then Yuna's expression changed like she'd been hit with a hammer.
Huh? D-Did I say something wrong?