Chapter 214
Chapter 214
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: I Met a Like-Minded Comrade!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Normally, you're not supposed to give them the acceptance news ahead of time.
But given the unusual circumstances, Jiwon was confirmed as a second-generation member right on the day of her interview.
After everything had finally settled, Jiwon and I headed to a nearby cafe.
It was a place we members often visited when we gathered at the company.
They even had private rooms, making it perfect for chatting without worrying about prying eyes.
"Wow, so Jiwon, you have an older brother?"
"Yes, that's right. He's three years older than me."
"I don't have any siblings, so I'm really curious what that's like. It must be so much fun..."
"It's not bad in its own way. When we were kids, we fought all the time, which was a problem."
"Everyone says that. Did you really fight that often...?"
"Don't even ask. Back then, we were like wild dogs—we'd fight the moment our eyes met."
We briefly shared stories about our family backgrounds.
"So, you're still working at your current job?"
"Yes, but now that I've been accepted, it's time to put in my resignation."
"Yeah, holding down two jobs is tough."
"That's part of it... but this is my first real dream, so I want to go all in."
"I'll cheer you on! I'm sure you'll do great."
"Th-thank you. I'll cheer hard for Lulu from now on too."
"N-no need to call me that even in real life."
We encouraged each other's dreams and had a really enjoyable time.
The stiff, awkward atmosphere from just moments ago felt like a lie.
"Ehehe... By the way, it feels kinda embarrassing to just blurt out my real identity to a fan like that."
Now that the mood had relaxed and I'd revealed my real name.
Somehow, facing each other up close felt shy and awkward, so I fiddled with my cheeks.
If she were just a regular second-gen candidate, maybe not—but knowing she was originally one of our hardcore fans made it even more so.
"Oh, actually... I have something to tell you about that."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"The truth is, I already knew your face... Lulu—no, Da-jeong. I'm sorry for not saying sooner."
"Eek?! H-how?!"
I was nibbling away at the cake, waiting for Jiwon to continue.
But her unexpected words nearly made me drop my fork.
It was that shocking.
She knew my face? How...?!
I'd searched online before in case it had leaked somewhere.
But no one seemed to know my real identity.
The other members were the same, of course.
"Da-jeong, didn't you come to Hongdae to see the electronic billboard for Lilith's birthday?"
"Yeah, I mentioned it on stream..."
"Actually, I was the one who took your photo with her back then. You suddenly ran up and asked me to take it, so I was startled."
"Wha...? That person was you, Jiwon?!"
A vague memory from that time surfaced, and I couldn't hide my shock.
Right, yeah.
Chae-yoon unnie and I wanted a photo just the two of us, but there was no easy way.
So I handed my phone to a passerby who looked totally like an ordinary person.
No matter how I looked at her, she didn't seem connected to the industry at all, so I felt safe.
Who would've thought she was a Pista.
Not to mention, someone who'd become a Blue LUV second-gen...!
The world is so small.
"I wasn't totally sure at first, but your voice gave it away. Plus, I could tell from your unique way of speaking..."
"Y-you figured it out just from that? That's even more amazing."
"Well, I'm a Cherry. Of course I had to know."
Jiwon shrugged nonchalantly at my exclamation of awe.
Ah, but surely not every Cherry would notice.
Of course, if they watched my streams often, familiarity might help.
We didn't even talk that long, so she could've brushed it off as a maybe.
That means she must watch my streams a lot, right?
"And at the birthday cafe, you showed up live, remember? I was there too."
"Really...?! You were at the birthday cafe too."
Wow, the birthday cafe.
I heard the competition for spots there was pretty fierce.
Making it in means heaven itself picked Jiwon as a true Pista, doesn't it?
"Yeah, when I heard I'd won a spot, I nearly punched through the ceiling. It was the happiest day ever."
"Hehe, glad you had fun. It was my first time, so I thought it'd be lacking..."
"It was the best. I still carry a few of those goodies from that day in my bag."
"The goodies?"
I looked at her with eyes full of disbelief.
Jiwon rummaged in her shoulder bag and pulled out the cup coaster and keychain we'd given out back then.
Gasp, for real...?!
Wh-why carry these around outside?
"Wh-why not use the coaster at home...?"
"It felt too precious to use. Thinking of Lulu's face wearing out... I just couldn't. So I wrap it in this thin plastic bag and carry it like a good-luck charm."
"Wow..."
Rustle—rustle—
Holding the coaster as Jiwon explained.
I could see it really was wrapped in thin plastic.
How sincere could she possibly be?
"S-so, about that... I know it's shameless, but could I ask one favor?"
"Of course! Anything."
When it's a fan's request, I'm all in.
Not cheek-pinchy stuff like smooch-smooch, though!
Still, Jiwon didn't seem the type to ask something like that.
So I nodded confidently.
Then she unwrapped the plastic from the coaster and pulled out a name pen from her bag, holding it out.
"Could you sign here? I want to keep it as a lifelong treasure..."
"Huh? R-right here?"
"Yes. Paper's nice, but... I wanted Lulu's signature on the goodie itself."
Her totally unexpected request left me pretty flustered.
Virtual YouTubers don't get real-life signing requests, after all.
The official merch from the company never included signatures either.
This would be my first time ever signing anything.
"I-I designed signatures with the members, but I've never actually done it... It might not be great. Is that okay?"
"Gasp...! So I'd be the first person to get Lulu's signature?!"
"I... guess so?"
Huh? Somehow it turned out that way.
Jiwon would be the first to get my signature.
Feels kinda weird.
"Hngguuuh, I'm glad I was born...!"
"J-Jiwon...?!"
As I took the name pen and brought it near the cup coaster.
Watching me, Jiwon suddenly face-planted on the table, pretending to cry... no, she's actually crying?!
W-wait! Why are you crying!
"Sorry. I never dreamed I'd get Lulu's signature... and being the first? It's just so overwhelming..."
"St-stop it. We're gonna be Blue LUV members together, so no need to act like that."
"No way. Even if I join Blue LUV, I'll be a Cherry for life. Lulu says it all the time—before Blue LUV, she's a Pista."
"W-well, true."
Her perfectly logical response left me speechless.
When I called myself a Pista, it never felt weird.
No, it actually made me proud and happy.
But hearing someone else say it back to me feels strange.
Scribble—scribble—
"Here. Sorry it's a bit crooked."
"No, that's even more unique...! I'll treasure it forever."
"P-please don't..."
Imagine her future kids seeing a cup coaster as a family heirloom. How shocked would they be?
For the sake of family peace, please hold back.
No—for the sake of my dignity.
That's my plea.
"By the way, you said you're a Cherry—do you not watch the other members' streams much?"
"No way."
As I handed back the signed coaster, a sudden question popped into my head.
She'd introduced herself as a Pista at first, sure.
But she'd called herself a Cherry so much during our chat that I got curious.
Jiwon shook her head vigorously and whipped out her phone, showing me photos in her gallery.
Her room was filled with Blue LUV goodies.
Not just mine—all the other members' too.
Wow, this must've cost a fortune.
"I try to watch all Blue LUV streams. Of course, if times overlap, I prioritize my favorites, but I catch up later on Blue Hour channel. The edits are so good, it's fun."
"Ehehe..."
The sudden praise embarrassed me a bit.
But hearing that the videos I made of the members were fun made me grin without thinking.
"Lately, I've been watching Lilith and Yuki a lot too. I'm bad at games, but their streams are so entertaining. Probably because their reactions are amazing."
"Hehe, right? Right?"
Hearing praise for those two—the undisputed highest-energy duo among the first-gen Blue LUV.
I got even happier than when it was about me, clapping and nodding along without realizing.
Chae-yoon unnie and Yuna's streams go without saying.
Chae-yoon unnie especially is super serious about games.
Yuna's a bit less skilled, but her creative plays create tons of highlight moments.
"I didn't watch Ellin much at first, but after her original song dropped, I'm hooked. I binge every karaoke stream. It's like listening to a radio show—so relaxing. Her voice is just cheat-level..."
"Exactly. Ellin unnie's voice feels like heaven the more you listen."
Right, right.
Ji-ah unnie's voice is truly angelic.
The review saying it's free of even a speck of dust isn't an exaggeration.
Even when we record together, no one wants to go right after Ji-ah unnie.
...Yeah, that's me.
"And for Lucretia, I love how she's attractive even to girls, you know? Like the big sis who charms women. Impossible not to fall for her."
"Totally. Even when we hang out, Lucretia unnie winks and blows kisses. Then Ellin unnie's like, 'Why do you keep flirting? Stop seducing her!'"
"Whoa, that'd melt my brain... I'd be dead already."
Jiwon dramatically leaned back and shook her head.
Her reaction cracked me up so hard I burst out laughing for a while.
Hehe, probably because I don't have anyone in real life to talk about this with.
Meeting a comrade like this for basically the first time feels exhilarating.
I could chat with Jiwon all day.
Approved!
Of course, the president had already given her the green light.
But in my heart, I reaffirmed my confidence in Jiwon's potential and gave a thumbs up.
If she's this serious about Blue LUV, her skills can't be bad!
She's bound to be an amazing Virtual YouTuber!
Yeah, I guarantee it!