Chapter 211
Chapter 211
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Between Guilt and Dreams
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Jang Ji-won.
She was the woman who had once posted hate comments about Lulu.
Of course, after that, she had personally apologized to Lulu herself and even received forgiveness.
These days, she was nothing more than a devoted Pista who loved Blue LUV more than anyone.
But the past mistake she had made still lingered in her heart like a thorn stuck in her throat, prickling uncomfortably.
To her, an unexpected notification arrived.
It was news that she had passed the first round of auditions for Blue LUV's second generation recruitment.
“Ha, passed...?!”
She stared at the incoming text, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Though she'd heard a few times that she sang well, she never imagined she'd even make it past the first round.
She didn't have any standout talents otherwise.
So while this fact brought joy, it also left a nagging unease.
“...Do I really deserve to step into that interview room?”
The reason she had applied for Blue LUV's second generation recruitment was simple.
She wanted to shine like the benefactor who had first taught her the happiness of cherishing and loving someone.
Even if she couldn't match that level, she wanted to become someone who glowed.
It was the first time in Jang Ji-won's life that she had felt such admiration.
And at the same time, the trigger for her very first desire to become like someone else.
But doubts had plagued her ever since.
The brightest star she had ever found in her life.
Did she, who had hurt that star, truly deserve to seize this opportunity?
To be precise, it was guilt.
“Gasp...! Hey, did you really pass?!”
“W-What...! When did you come in?!”
She was lost in thought, staring intently at the text, when a familiar voice startled her.
It was her brother, Jang Ji-seok, who had slipped into her room unnoticed and was peering at her phone.
“You didn't answer when I knocked, so I thought you might've died. But seriously, you passed the first round?”
“Y-Yeah. For now...”
He knew she had applied for Blue LUV's second generation recruitment.
So he looked at her in disbelief and asked.
Jang Ji-won nodded reluctantly.
To her brother Jang Ji-seok, this reaction was baffling.
Of course, being close to what people called a "king of normies," he didn't know much about Virtual YouTubers.
But thanks to his fanatic little sister, he was aware of Blue LUV's existence.
And how thrilled she had been when news of the second generation recruitment broke.
So why this reaction now that she had actually passed the first round?
Maybe nerves about the interview? But that didn't seem right.
“Why the long face? You're making your already ugly mug look even uglier.”
“Ugh, you wanna die?! I'm already stressed out enough—why pick a fight?!”
“I'm just curious. You were dying to do this, and now your face looks like death.”
Even faced with his murderous little sister, he replied calmly.
Jang Ji-won shot up from her seat, then flinched and sat back down.
“...I told you before. I'm that crazy bitch who posted hate comments about Lulu.”
With a sigh, she brought up the past she had confessed to her brother.
But Jang Ji-seok, listening, just scratched his ear with an expression like, "What’s the big deal?"
“You're a crazy bitch anyway. What's new abou— Ow! Why hit me, you psycho!”
“Because you deserved it!”
“You called yourself a crazy bitch firs— Aaaagh! Fine, I get it!”
Needless to say, poking at her already troubled mind earned him a beating.
“That's why I'm agonizing over it now. Whether someone like me should even go to the interview...”
Of course, passing wasn't guaranteed.
In fact, Jang Ji-won was convinced she would fail anyway.
But even so, the fear of going stemmed from the weight of her past mistake pressing on her shoulders.
Yet watching his sister spill her guts, Jang Ji-seok looked utterly dumbfounded, like she was spouting nonsense.
“Sigh, are you an idiot? If that was gonna bother you, you shouldn't have applied in the first place.”
“I-Is that so?”
“Yeah. Someone else got cut because of you. If you bail now, you'll be the world's biggest trash.”
“Ah...”
His words were rough, laced with profanity.
But his objective analysis of the situation made Jang Ji-won let out a sigh.
Right.
Even at the initial application, she hadn't agonized much.
About whether she was worthy of submitting it.
Dwelling on it now would just be hypocrisy.
In the end, she had chosen.
Prioritizing her desire to become part of Blue LUV over her guilt.
“You already got forgiveness from the person herself, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then go crash and burn thinking you'll fail anyway. As if someone like you would pass?”
“Argh, seriously... Look at how you say it.”
She itched to give her cheeky brother a loving smack.
But deep down, she knew.
This was his rough way of cheering her on to at least try.
“...Okay, I'll do it.”
Buoyed by this, she resolved to accept the situation and move forward.
And at the same time, another decision formed in a corner of her heart.
Whatever it was, only she knew.
＊＊＊＊＊
Today was finally the day of the second generation interviews.
I was at home, heart pounding, chatting with the members on Discord.
“Phew, I feel like I'm shaking just thinking about it.”
『Kkhuh, why are you nervous, maknae? It's not like you're the one interviewing.』
“Because I was super nervous during my interview too. I bet the people interviewing now feel the same...”
The memory was still vivid.
I was so tense.
When the staff called my name, I thought my heart would drop out.
『Classic chain empath...』
『At this rate, Da-jeong's F score would be like 200%.』
『I swear, if someone tripped in front of her, she'd cry instead.』
“What’s that supposed to mean...!”
They found my reaction amusing, giggling among themselves and teasing me.
By the way, "chain empath" is a nickname Pistaz have recently given me.
Apparently, when watching videos on the cafe or hearing Cherries' worries during streams,
I react so intensely, just like it's happening to me, that the nickname stuck.
I think it's a fun nickname, but... it doesn't make me happy at all!
It's always used to tease me!
『Ha, anyway, I wonder what kind of members we'll get. I'm so excited.』
Anyway, Chae-yoon unnie was muttering in a bright tone, clearly as eager about today's interview results as I was.
『For starters, I hope we don't get another tomboy like Chae-yoon...』
Ji-ah unnie voiced her wish in a slightly timid but firm tone.
In response, Chae-yoon unnie fired back with a babyish sniffle.
『Heol...! Unnie, isn't that too harsh? Chae-yoon's sulking~?』
『Ugh. W-Wait. I gotta hit the bathroom...』
『You little—wanna die?!』
This handed Yuna, who had been gearing up to "goro" Chae-yoon unnie, the perfect prey.
...That said, two people like Chae-yoon unnie?
The energy would overflow, but it'd be total chaos.
If they synced up their hype... Yeah, that might be a disaster.
“So, aside from another Chae-yoon unnie type, what kind of people do you think would be fun as new members?”
After hearing Chae-yoon unnie, curiosity struck, so I tossed the same question to the others.
『I'd love someone who'll play games with me hard.』
『Hmm, nothing specific comes to mind. I'm happy with our Da-jeong.』
『I'd prefer someone quiet, if possible.』
The answers varied, but each one screamed their personalities.
Yuna's always recruiting for Discord games.
Ra-hee unnie... yeah, let's say that's her.
Ji-ah unnie, worn out by the high-energy members, clearly wants someone similar in chillness.
If I had to pick, I'd want someone like me too.
Though if they're as timid, talking might be awkward...
But sharing woes with similar people doesn't sound bad.
...Definitely not because I need someone to share the sandbag suffering with, nope.
♪~
We were chitchatting away when suddenly my phone rang with a song, displaying the caller's name.
Seeing it, I was pretty shocked.
“Huh? Call from the President?”
『Huh? President?』
『Isn't she in interviews right now?』
『Yeah, why's she calling?』
『Some emergency?』
The members tilted their heads, puzzled by the sudden call.
Whatever the reason, I should take it first.
“Yes, President. What's up?”
『Da-jeong-ah, you busy right now by any chance?』
I muted my Discord mic and answered.
She asked in a slightly subdued voice.
“No, it's my day off stream, so not really.”
『Oh, right. If it's okay, could you come to the company now? I'll send a taxi, just hop in that.』
“To the company?”
Why call me to the company all of a sudden?
Plus, today’s the second gen interviews.
『Yeah, there's someone I want you to meet briefly. Oh, I should explain first. Don't freak out and listen well.』
“Okay...”
She seemed to remember something urgent, explaining quickly.
Who could it be?
『Actually...』
My puzzled expression shifted constantly as she continued.
After finishing, the President asked for my thoughts.
『...So that's the situation. Wanna meet? If not, just say no—it's fine. I'll handle it on my end.』
“No, I really want to meet.”
My answer was already set, so I accepted without hesitation.
Then I excused myself from Discord, shut down my computer quickly, grabbed just my phone and wallet, and dashed out of the house.