Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Lulu-chan's Original Song Has Been Released!
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The fans at the scene were all utterly shocked.
Not just because of Lulu's sudden appearance.
But what was most astonishing was that Lulu was conversing live with everyone present.
『Wow, by the way, you all came dressed so prettily? It kinda feels like you've dressed up even more stylishly than me, the birthday girl....』
The camera must have been showing the on-site scene.
Lulu looked around at the outfits of the Pistas filling the seats and showered them with compliments.
In kind, one Pista shouted out passionately.
“Lulu-chan, you're super cute today too!”
It was a single line voicing the feelings of every Pista there.
Everyone staring at the screen nodded in unison.
It wasn't lip service—Lulu right now was impossibly cute.
She was plenty adorable even as her usual avatar.
But in 3D, her dress fluttering as she wandered that room-like space—her charm was beyond description.
『C-Cute? I told you not to say that! Uu, but since it's my birthday, I'll let it slide.』
“Even that reaction is cute!”
『Nyaaak!』
Of course, true to form, Lulu exploded in denial at being called cute.
But had the Pistas here—more precisely, the Cherries—only seen such a Lulu once or twice before?
Seizing the chance, they teased her even harder, drawing an angry-cat yowl from Lulu.
『By the way, how was the birthday cafe for everyone? Fun?』
“Yes!”
“So much fun!”
“I wanted to snag those posters but held back!”
『Hehe, right? The artists put so much heart into drawing them! All the merch we handed out today uses brand-new illustrations!』
Lulu was thrilled to meet her Pistas.
The Pistas were thrilled to meet Lulu.
In the end, both sides were having a blast, chatting excitedly about all sorts of things for quite a while.
『Anyone here come from really far away?』
“Me! From Busan!”
“Jeju Island for me!”
“I'm from Italy!”
In the midst of it, Lulu tossed out a sudden question born of curiosity.
Several hands shot up, leading to an utterly unexpected response.
A Pista who had flown in from distant Italy after a grueling half-day flight.
『Eek?! I-Italy? Busan and Jeju were shocking enough, but Italy?! The ticket alone must've cost a fortune...!』
“Worth it to see Lulu-chan!”
『Gasp... Th-thank you so much. I had no idea so many of you would come from afar to celebrate my birthday... I'm over the moon, really.』
Her facial capture couldn't fully convey it.
Overcome with emotion, Lulu bowed deeply in gratitude.
Everyone on site shouted back as one.
“We're the thankful ones!”
“Thank you for being born, Lulu-chan!”
“Love you forever!”
Utterly scattered, yet brimming with heartfelt sincerity.
Watching it all, Lulu felt her emotions surging uncontrollably.
But she held them back and mustered a smile.
There was still plenty of schedule ahead.
She had vowed not to cry in front of her fans today.
She had resolved to show only happy faces from here on, to match the song she'd share soon.
『Thank you...! I'd love to keep chatting, but I gotta start the stream soon.』
“Nooo!”
“Don't go, Lulu-chan!”
The Pistas tried clinging to Lulu as she waved her thanks.
But it was all in words—they knew the truth deep down.
Today was Lulu's birthday, the monumental debut of her first original song.
Only this tiny group could make memories with her—not the wider world.
So at 4 PM sharp, Lulu had to head back and go live.
But knowing didn't ease the reluctance one bit.
Hence the final, desperate pleas.
『Ehehe, sorry. But these memories from right now? Our little secret, okay?』
Lulu apologized, leaning close to the camera and cupping the side of her mouth.
She whispered softly, conspiratorially.
Everyone on site gasped sharply.
“Huh...!”
“Foxy!”
“Seductive Uparupa!”
『F-Fox...?!』
Who else could so enchant people but a seductive fox Uparupa?
Her fan-handling had reached god-tier.
Infuriating in its perfection, yet everyone here knew escape was impossible.
“Bye, Lulu-chan!”
“Catch you soon!”
“We'll blast the new track!”
『Yes! Thank you all! See you on stream—byelu!』
Regretfully, they waved her off.
Lulu waved back, and the screen shifted.
To her new song's MV, now just five minutes from release.
Not even seconds passed before...
Ding- ding-
“Whoa! Lulu-chan's live!”
“Oh!”
Notifications lit up every Pista's phone as Lulu went live.
The MV screen shrank to the bottom right corner.
Lulu's stream claimed the massive main display.
『Everyone, haiyu! Thanks so much for coming today!』
Lulu appeared with a birthday party cone hat perched on her head.
She shook her body with glee, thanking her audience—triple the usual size—with wild enthusiasm.
The Pistas at the cafe felt quietly smug.
Just moments ago, Lulu had chatted so cozily right here, a secret shared only among them—like the special friends she'd mentioned.
『Truth is, I have tons to say to my Pistas right now... but I poured it all into the song! Hope you love it!』
“Oooo!”
“Here we goooo!”
“Let's dive in!”
Birthday cheers on hold for the moment.
The screen flipped at last, unveiling Lulu's first original song to the world.
On-site fans amped the hype with stream-chat cheers.
“5! 4! 3! 2! 1...!”
♪~
Like New Year's Eve bells tolling, they counted down as one.
The countdown hit zero, and the jet-black screen blazed to life.
As if mirroring Lulu's heart.
A crisp, upbeat intro kicked things off.
The MV matched with vibrant pastel tones overall.
Lulu dashed eagerly somewhere, hand outstretched.
『The words you shared for my sake.』
『Now I get it—running straight to you.』
『The tale I longed to share for yours.』
『A little late... but will you hear me out?』
Lulu's signature voice—bright yet mature beneath the youthfulness.
Building tension to match the backing track, drawing everyone in.
On screen, she raced ahead and seized the light waiting at the horizon.
The scene cut.
A somber mood seeped in.
Rat-nibbled wallpaper, furniture crumbling to ruin.
Lulu sat alone on the bed, staring vacantly out the window.
Desperately awaiting... something.
『Alone in a room no one visits.』
『Today again, waiting for someone.』
『Someone to answer the notes I pen each night.』
『Who could that be? Even I don't know.』
『Just hoping anyone would reply.』
『'Am I worthy of love?'』
That was it.
Lulu had always been alone.
Not merely lonely or isolated—that was hardship enough.
But from her earliest awareness, others' love had largely eluded her.
At first, it hurt.
This world that refused to love her.
Eventually, self-blame set in.
I'm just unworthy of it.
The world brimmed with radiant souls.
Hers felt dimmed to insignificance.
『One day, it hit me. The answer back then: no.』
『The world overflows with lights this bright.』
Four light beams bloomed in the MV, shaping into silhouettes.
Faint outlines, yet unmistakable to all.
Blue LUV's members.
Lulu's surroundings? Pure shadow.
She herself: stark black and white, colorless.
The stark contrast drew sighs from every viewer.
A glimpse into the profound darkness lurking within Virtual YouTuber Lulu.
『Then one day, you offered your hand and said...』
『You're my precious light too.』
『A reply to that old letter, arriving at last.』
A letter envelope fluttered to Lulu's feet.
The glowing Pista emblem sank into her heart.
Color flooded her space; her hair shifted to that familiar pink.
Yet hesitation lingered on Lulu.
Blue LUV members and Pista-like figures beckoned.
Still, she hung back, head bowed, eyes clenched shut.
『But I couldn't grasp that hand.』
『The me from those letter-scattering days...』
『Whispers, dragging me back.』
Behind her: the black-and-white Lulu on the bed.
Clutching the colored one, hauling her toward monochrome captivity.
『You spoke again.』
『You're precious beyond all.』
『Whenever I falter, you whisper once more.』
『You deserve love.』
The light around Blue LUV and Pistas swelled.
Yanking Lulu free at last.
Black-and-white Lulu's face twisted in horror as color reclaimed the world.
『But listen... I still wonder.』
『Is my light truly that brilliant?』
『Will your hand ever fade?』
Now standing tall with Blue LUV, facing her Pistas boldly.
Yet turmoil shadowed her expression.
Confusion reigned.
Could she ever repay their love?
Did she truly deserve their care?
And she loathed this version of herself.
Unable even to nod at their affection.
Too pathetic to face.
『But one day... I realized.』
『My worries? Utterly foolish.』
『Your hand needed no such doubts.』
Blindly cheering fans ahead.
Members drawing near, chatting warmly.
Enlightenment lit Lulu's face.
Yes.
When she'd fallen for Blue LUV, it was the same.
The group wasn't flawless.
Yet she treasured them above all, eyes blinded to flaws.
No—those flaws charmed her.
And her own flaws? Same to her fans.
Low self-worth, people skills lacking, occasional self-dishonesty.
All facets of Lulu's allure.
Realizing this, her frets seemed absurd.
No need to tally her shortcomings.
Her fans knew them—and loved her anyway.
『Not cute, kinda clumsy—that's me.』
『Forever hesitating, prone to gloom.』
『But everyone you love? That's all 'me'.』
Colored light orbs spilled from Lulu's form.
She gathered them herself, merging into one.
Acceptance.
No changing flaws.
Low self-esteem? Clumsy at love? Fine.
That was her foundation—she claimed it.
Low self-esteem's okay.
Clumsy self-love's okay.
Just stop rejecting the low-self self: Why am I like this?
Don't deny others' love over it.
『Weakness cast aside—no more doubt.』
『Words unspoken till now.』
『Today, I'll tell you.』
『Thank you for loving this me.』
『One more thing to ask.』
『Clumsy fool that I still am.』
『Will you love 'even this me' onward?』
Resolute, voice firm yet freed.
Gazing screenward, hand extended, voicing the title's hook.
A song baring Lulu's life, her heart's evolution raw.
Fans watched, breathless.
A girl tasting others' love for the first time.
Her first shared birthday.
Her shyest love letter, sincerity poured out.
The impact was profound.
Clap clap clap-
Lost in the echo, applause broke only after ages.
As if they got the gift, not the birthday girl.
The feeling? Beyond words.