Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: You Are a Precious Child
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Why...?
She scanned everyone in the meeting room with that exact expression on her face.
And every single one of them was looking back at her with a smile.
"W-Why me? If it's a solo debut, wouldn't it naturally draw way more attention than the other members...?"
"That's exactly why it has to be Da-jeong."
"Right."
"Eek...?!"
The members responded to her words with such firm certainty, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
A bizarre noise slipped from her lips as a result.
She had no idea what was going on.
What on earth had they seen in her to make this choice?
No matter which member they picked—anyone but her—it would have made perfect sense.
"If you had to pick the one among us who'd get the most love from people, anyone would choose Da-jeong, right?"
"That's what I think too."
"Yeah, yeah. Da-jeong has this lovable charm that no one else does."
"We're actually more surprised that you're surprised."
M-Me? Lovable?
Even a passing dog would laugh at that.
Of course, she always felt how much the members, the President, and So-eun unnie cherished her without exception.
But that was just the attention she got as a fellow Blue LUV member and the maknae.
If you asked whether she had a personality that could win over the general public, the answer was absolutely not.
"P-President. Say something, please."
"Why? It seems like a brilliant choice to me."
She'd tried reaching out to the President for some help.
But instead, the President just presented a completed schedule and gave an enthusiastic affirmation.
"I'm actually hoping this opportunity helps Da-jeong gain some confidence."
"Confidence...?"
"Yeah. It feels like you don't really know your own worth."
"M-Me? Have worth...? Blugh...!"
She timidly fidgeted with her hands, trying to protest.
But the President grabbed her cheeks and stretched them out like kneading sticky rice cake.
"P-Pweesident... It hurtsh...!"
"See? How cute is this right now? If you just show them this side of you, everyone will melt."
"I-It'sh not... that... cutshe...!"
How could getting pinched and stretched by someone look cute?
The President's words continued, utterly incomprehensible to her.
"Of course, if it's too much pressure and you really can't do it, I'd consider it. But if you're refusing because you think you're not worthy of the spotlight, I won't change my mind. Got it?"
"Ugh..."
She rubbed her warmed cheeks and let out a whimper.
It seemed the decision was truly set in stone.
There was no escape now.
Of course, she knew the President and members meant well, trying to boost her up.
But even if they told her to have confidence, it was honestly tough.
- Sigh, this is why orphans are...
- You think there's anywhere else that'd take in trash like you? Be grateful we even let you work here.
- Always showing up looking like a mess... You're not a beggar—can't you afford new clothes?
A wave of melancholy hit her, dragging up memories she'd rather forget, flashing by like a montage.
She frowned at the ache in her chest.
Clutching her heart with one hand, biting her lip, desperately trying not to show it—that was when.
Squeeze—
"Da-jeong."
"Y-Yes... President."
Startled by the sudden embrace, she replied.
As always, the warmth of another person held incredible power.
Just feeling each other's heat like this could quell the surging anxiety, even if just a little.
"I don't know why you undervalue yourself so much. But I can assure you—you're more precious than anyone. You get that, right?"
"Yes..."
She nodded, but honestly, it didn't sink in.
It wasn't that the President's words felt like lies.
It was just that the Jeong Da-jeong she knew felt far too insignificant to accept them right away.
"So let's try it just once. If you can't believe in yourself, believe in the people here."
"Ah..."
A gasp escaped her at those words.
She looked at the members one by one, starting from the left, meeting their eyes.
With each exchange, they nodded with bright smiles, as if to say, Trust us.
Yeah, she thought she understood.
To her, these people were incredibly precious and amazing.
So if they cherished her, that must mean she was precious too.
That had to be it.
Of course, it was still hard to fully accept.
Did she really have value or charm worth loving?
Those doubts lingered.
But as the President said.
If she didn't take that step forward here.
It would mean she couldn't trust the people who cared for her.
"Not just for the debut broadcast, but hold onto that thought from now on. Got it?"
"...Yes!"
Like making a pinky promise with a child, the President held out her pinky.
Gathering what little confidence she had, she answered as energetically as she could.
"Ughhh..."
Splat—
Letting out some incomprehensible groan, she flopped onto the bed like boiled bracken fern.
That was all she'd done since getting home.
She'd wrapped it up coolly enough, but thinking about actually doing the debut broadcast filled her with worry again.
How on earth could she make people remember her?
A plain self-introduction wouldn't cut it.
The company had prepared a template, but it wasn't all that extensive...
Maybe ask the members for a little help?
It felt like cheating, but this much should be fine.
It felt like a few more messages came in after that, but she was too excited to check and immediately turned on her computer.
Yeah, if her roots were as a Pista, there was no need to force a change.
Blue LUV could have one member like that.
A Pista who cherished and loved the members more than anyone.