Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Lulu-chan! Happy Birthday!
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Even though it was supposed to be a birthday party, I hadn't prepared anything myself.
In fact, I had wanted to put together all sorts of things.
But the company advised me to just purely enjoy what everyone had prepared for me today, at least for this one day.
So, for today at least, I decided to fully savor the moment.
I browsed our fan cafe, checking out the commemorative videos and various content uploaded by fans.
There was even more than I expected, so it took quite a while just to go through it all.
"How can you do goroshi even on my birthday?!"
Among them were comics that seemed made just to tease me without fail, even today.
"Wow, that cake is so pretty...! Are you secretly running a cake shop or something?"
Someone had even made and uploaded a custom cake modeled after me.
"Wow, everyone...! Isn't this map so pretty? It's too bad to use it just for today and discard it..."
Someone had even used the VR World's map maker to build a memorial hall for me. Inside, there were fan arts of me uploaded to the cafe so far, and works from various fans exhibited to commemorate the occasion.
Before I knew it, time had flown by as I looked through all this.
The stream that started at 4 PM had already stretched to just past 8 PM.
Now it was time for the final item: the video prepared by the company.
I could guess the contents without even watching.
It was surely a collection of video letters from the members to celebrate my birthday.
That made it all the more exciting.
Truth be told, I hadn't seen the members' faces lately because they'd been so busy.
I wanted to meet them at least on my birthday, but our schedules just didn't align.
So I wanted to hear their voices through the video, at least.
"Then... should I play it...?"
Ah, no way?!
I swore I wouldn't cry!
And I already expected the members to appear, so no way it'll happen!
Just watch me!
Click—
Quietly chiding the Cherries who were already assuming I'd cry.
I moved the mouse and hit play.
The first thing to appear on the big screen was...
"Ellin sis...!"
It was none other than Ellin—Ji-ah sis.
Not her usual calm tone, but a brighter, more bubbly voice.
She appeared with super high energy, then quickly returned to normal and continued.
"Our group's maknae, but always loving everyone like the eldest sis—I'm always so grateful to Lulu. She points out my mix-ups, helps the members even in busy times. I think Blue LUV could come this far because of Lulu."
"Even though I'm the sis, I learn and realize so much watching Lulu. Love for fans, attitude toward work, care for this group."
"Lulu always says she's lacking, but I wish she'd know we all—from this sis onward—feel gratitude and respect for her. Got it?"
"Yes...!"
Her sincere words made me nod without hesitation.
Come to think of it, Ji-ah sis always said it.
That she often got lost in ways unfit for the eldest, and thanked me for holding her steady.
Just like the feelings she occasionally shared, her true heart shone through in this video letter too.
As her turn ended, the screen transitioned.
Next up, as everyone expected, was Ra-hee sis—Lucrezia.
"Hey, Lulu? Having a fun birthday?"
"Hehe, yeah...!"
Even her friendly eye smile and waving hand felt so Ra-hee sis-like.
I couldn't help but smile.
"It's been almost a year since I met you, Lulu. Time flies. I thought you were just a cute maknae at first, but after debut, I've only been getting help from you. Sorry for being such a bother, sis."
"My little sis was thrilled about your birthday too and insisted I pass this on—it matched what I wanted to say."
"You're the most precious being in the world, so don't forget that. Stay our cute maknae forever! If not, I'll come straight to your house."
"Gasp...!"
Her words were the warmest, yet the scariest.
I gulped and widened my eyes reflexively.
When Ra-hee sis says it, it doesn't feel like a joke—because she's literally the neighbor next door.
On the other hand, she's the type who subtly struggles to express sincerity.
Maybe she said it that way to hide her shyness.
In a way, it was a perfectly Ra-hee sis video letter.
"Ahem, come here! Where's my Lulu?!"
"Lilith sis...!"
Next was, naturally, Lilith—Chae-yoon sis.
It was anything but ordinary from the start.
Who starts a birthday video letter like that?
"Ahem, video letters feel awkward, dunno where to start? Birthday wishes first, I guess. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. To my beloved Lulu~."
"Oh, hold up. Flubbed it. Eh, they'll edit it later. Anyway, happy birthday to our baby maknae! Hope you ate something tasty? You didn't skimp on birthday food just 'cause you're busy, right?"
"Sometimes I tease or bully our pure maknae 'cause I like her too much, and I worry she might think 'Sis hates me?' But that's never true! Never! You know sis's heart, right?"
"Hehe, of course."
I had a delicious lunch, too.
No way I'd think that of sis.
I know full well the members love me more than I deserve.
"You recommend fun games, help with my content, thanks to maknae I hit 200K subs... Always grateful. I'm bad at expressing 'cause words fail me, but I hope you know I'm always thankful."
"Have fun with the Pistas today, adios!"
True to Chae-yoon sis form.
She finger-gunned a crisp goodbye and vanished.
Impressive as one of Blue LUV's talkative duo—she had the longest segment.
Alright, she thanked me for game recs.
So after the jar game, I'll recommend more.
She said it, so I'm innocent, yup yup.
Rationalizing like that, I moved to the next video.
This time, it was Yuki-chan—my only same-age member, Yuna.
"Hi! Ahaha, video letters feel weird? Having a good birthday, Lulu-chan?"
"Yuki-chan...!"
As one Cherry said, this was the only one filmed with a cake ready.
She even had one of those illegal party horns in her mouth.
She seemed to be enjoying my birthday the most.
B-but... why the bump on her head?
"Grr, truth is, I snuck into the anniversary cafe to grab limited merch for you, but President caught me red-handed. Got scolded. So I had to prepare a cake for this birthday video!"
"On your birthday, wanting to gift fans instead— so Lulu-chan. Even as a friend, every time I see you, admiration wells up. Sometimes you feel so much younger, sometimes like a sis. I always lean on you, Lulu-chan!"
"R-really...?"
Even I think I'm pretty clumsy.
Yet Yuna relies on this clumsy me.
Surprised by the unexpected words, I blinked.
"Remember when you collapsed once? I said you need to treasure your body more, love yourself more than others. But watching, I realized that's impossible. 'Cause you love us too much. You give others even the love for yourself."
"So I thought it through and concluded: 'If we love Lulu-chan so much she doesn't need to love herself!' That's why I'm expressing affection maximally. Hope it's getting through? How's it look to you, Lulu-chan?"
"Yeah, it's coming through fine."
That's why Yuna's been more proactive lately.
Sometimes overwhelmingly so—that's why she showered me with love.
Now I get the reason. I let out a soft sigh and nodded.
"Glad if it is, if not I'll try harder. Anyway, today you deserve the most love of the year. I'll amp it up! Love you, Lulu-chan!"
"Y-yeah, me too...!"
I beamed brightly, sending a big heart back as she ended with her arms forming one.
Yuna had been pondering my worries in her own way.
Knowing that made me so happy, emotions welling up a bit.
Uu, I was holding it together somehow.
Where do they learn all these pretty words?
But I won't cry. I decided.
Today, I'll part from the Cherries with a smile.
"Yeah, Lulu. Happy birthday. Should've said it face-to-face, kinda sad I couldn't. Not sure how your actual birthday went..."
"President...!"
Next came the President's letter right away.
As the Cherries said, unlike members starting high-energy or streamer-mode.
President opened casually, like waving to an old friend.
Y-yes, that's our President...!
"Today reminded me of first planning Blue Project and seeing you in the interview room. Thought you were so unique, such a pure kid. Had this baseless confidence you'd bond the members—and you proved it. So grateful."
"At first, watching you shaken without self-confidence made me anxious, but now you're a proper VTuber receiving so much love. So proud."
"All our members are like daughters, little sisters... but seeing you, Lulu, I always think 'Is this what a daughter is like?' So much attachment, want to hold you, let you experience great things."
"Ah..."
She gives heartfelt advice sometimes.
But President's mostly stoic personality.
This was the first time baring her inner truth like this—I let out a choked sigh unwittingly.
"President's not great at expressing 'cause she's quiet, but hope you know I rely on you a ton. Not just as company employee or group member. You get it, right?"
"Later, let's travel wherever you want... eat more delicious things, share fun experiences, make lots of good memories."
"Happy birthday, and rely on President more when times are tough. Got it?"
"Uu..."
That was probably when it started.
Controlling the surging emotions got harder and harder.
Uu, this is foul play.
Even President speaking so warmly...
They all planned to make me cry for sure.
"Ah, I'm not crying...!"
The Cherries seized the moment to tease me about crying.
But I stubbornly held on, continuing the video.
After that, more streamers appeared, giving me birthday greetings.
The brigand who'd bonded with me over a last collab.
Nyatamon, who'd gone casual after a recent collab.
And finally, Verdia—Line-chan...
There were tough moments in between, but I endured somehow.
Managing to finish the video, I sighed in relief.
I figured there was nothing left to make me shed tears now.
But then...
Beep beep biiing—
"...Huh?"
A faint sound from beyond the soundproof wall.
Suddenly, a subtle vibration rumbled through the floor.
Burglar? I hurriedly grabbed the door handle to check outside.
"Lulu-chan! We're heeeere!"
"Lulu! We got cake!"
"Happy birthday, Lulu!"
"Can't leave our maknae alone on her birthday!"
"Ugh, what a marketplace racket..."
Before I could even turn the knob, the door burst open.
Beyond it, the members and President appeared.
Carrying a huge cake and bags stuffed with all sorts of food.
"H-how are you all here...?"
I blinked in confusion at the sight.
They all smiled like What kind of question is that?
"Did you think we'd leave you alone on your birthday?"
"Nah, no way!"
"We planned a group surprise."
"Yeah. We agreed among ourselves to tell you we couldn't make it that day."
"Hehe, surprised a lot?"
Squeeze—
President warmly hugged me as I stood dazed.
The warmth hit me then, and the emotions I'd held back surged again.
I'd truly thought we couldn't meet today.
I understood the circumstances, but honestly, I was a little sad.
I wanted to spend this joyful day with everyone, not just through a screen.
Like butterflies I'd let go despite my regrets had returned.
Seeing the members like this made me so happy and grateful.
This moment felt like a miracle.
Hard to hold back the rising feelings.
Uu, I tried to hold it.
Tried not to cry today.
You're all too much.
Scaring me like this... I have to cry...!
"Pueeeeng...!"
Finally bursting into tears.
Varied reactions poured from everyone watching me.
"Pffft, Lulu's crying! Crybaby!"
"No but how do you cry 'Pueeeng'? So fascinating."
"Say that later, sis? Comfort Lulu-chan first!"
"There there, shocked a lot? Our maknae? Secretly upset thinking you couldn't see us on your birthday?"
"Sigh, I said no hidden cams 'cause this might happen..."
Even as they comforted me and I bawled.
My lips were definitely curved in a clear smile.
That's how happy I was.
If this was a dream, it'd be too much.
"Alright, Pistas! We'll take Lulu-chan now!"
"You've had your fun, right? Share a bit. Got it?"
Apologizing to the Pistas watching live, against their will.
We wrapped the stream a bit earlier than planned.
Then spent the remaining hours of July 7th together.
And that day, I realized for the first time.
How joyful it is to receive birthday wishes from someone.
How fun a birthday shared with someone is.