Chapter 222
Chapter 222
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 222
Chapter Title: Chuseok is Approaching!
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There’s one day you absolutely can’t miss in autumn.
Chuseok, one of the nation’s biggest holidays.
Last Seollal, I spent time with my family for the first time in my life.
More precisely, with the President’s parents.
But imposing on them two years in a row felt too rude, so I planned to spend this one alone.
And the timing worked out perfectly.
The President’s parents had to head to the countryside this year too.
Apparently, her paternal grandfather wasn’t doing well health-wise.
I hope he recovers soon. That’s all I can do.
“Okay, excluding Da-jeong, what are everyone else’s Chuseok schedules like?”
The President tossed out the question casually while we were all gathered at the company for once.
Last Seollal was our first holiday, so we took it off like vacation.
But starting with Chuseok, we handled holidays a bit differently.
She was probably checking in and confirming schedules.
It wasn’t anything too special, though.
Members who could stream would keep streaming.
Those visiting parents or heading out took time off.
But those who didn’t take off Chuseok got compensatory days off, like paid leave, to use later.
Probably because fans complained about the Seollal hiatus, so they adjusted it this way.
“My parents are going on a trip with my little sister, so I’ll just stream from home.”
Ra-hee Big Sis raised her hand first in response.
I figured she’d spend it with family since her parents’ place was close.
Surprisingly, she chose to stream.
“Huh? You’re not going, Ra-hee?”
“Yeah, they’re heading to France... I went there a lot as a kid, so I’m kinda over it.”
“...Yeah, that sounds like you.”
The President asked in surprise.
Ra-hee shrugged it off nonchalantly.
From casually mentioning frequent childhood trips to France, the President looked incredulous but nodded anyway. It felt like another world.
Wow.
Normally, that’d come off as bragging.
But from Ra-hee Big Sis, it just sounded like genuine burnout. No desire to go.
Is this the power of the speaker?
“I’m going to Ireland briefly with Mom to see Dad. Gotta say hi to Grandma too after so long.”
“Ireland? That’s far. You’ll be okay condition-wise for streaming after?”
“I’ve been a few times, so I’m used to it. Should be fine.”
“Alright, you’re thorough about that stuff, Ji-ah. I trust you.”
“Yes, President.”
Meanwhile, Ji-ah Big Sis said she’d head to Ireland since her dad was back home for work.
Made me wonder what Ireland was like.
“I’m going to the countryside with my parents!”
“Right, your folks said your hometown’s pretty far, huh?”
“Yep!”
“Okay, have a good trip.”
Yuna’s turn was super quick.
Classic holiday plan, really.
“Last up, Chae-yoon?”
“I’m still deciding. Haven’t taken many breaks lately, so I thought about going home to rest, but Mom’s nagging would make it impossible.”
Chae-yoon Big Sis was the only one undecided.
She had to go home for the holiday but dreaded facing her parents.
But still, straight-up avoiding nagging? Isn’t that too much, Big Sis...?
“Ugh, the flaming filial daughter strikes again.”
“Hey! What flaming filial daughter? I gave Mom so much pocket money this month for rice cakes and stuff...!”
Yuna clicked her tongue lightly and scolded her.
Chae-yoon Big Sis raised her voice indignantly.
No one here seemed to sympathize, though.
“So, just chill in your place during the Chuseok break?”
“Nah, that’d make me feel guilty...”
“You worry about the weirdest things.”
“I’d feel bad for the Black Moon Squad.”
The President suggested something to ease her dilemma.
But Chae-yoon Big Sis didn’t seem keen.
True to Blue LUV’s top tsundere, she cared about fans despite the back-and-forth.
If she was gonna rest, she wanted the excuse of properly spending it with family.
Yeah, very on-brand.
“By the way, Da-jeong, you said you’re spending Chuseok alone at home, right?”
I was nodding to myself and sipping orange juice when Manager So-eun Big Sis, the only one standing, asked me.
“Yeah. The President’s parents aren’t home this year, and I didn’t wanna impose twice.”
“Oh, that’s why? I didn’t know.”
“You’re the only one who didn’t, dummy.”
“Hey, Kang Yuna! You picking fights again...?!”
Chae-yoon Big Sis reacted like she hadn’t heard.
Yuna teased her, and they started bickering again.
Ji-ah Big Sis just looked away, done intervening.
Suddenly, light sparked in Chae-yoon Big Sis’s eyes.
She slammed the table, leaning forward excitedly.
“Oh, right! Maknae, wanna come to my place?”
“Huh? Your house?”
I blinked in shock at the unexpected invite.
Flashback to last Seollal hit instantly.
“Yeah! Mom misses you tons.”
“Eh? Why...?”
“She watches our streams sometimes, and she’s always saying how great you are and wants to meet you. Whaddya think?”
“Gasp...”
Your mom watches my streams?
UwU, super grateful, but...
I’ve probably shown some unfiltered sides...
Should’ve managed my image better.
“Plus, when we lived together briefly before, you cooked a ton for me. Mom was so grateful.”
“N-no, I should be the thankful one as the freeloader.”
“Anyway, what do ya say? Come with? Mom might nag less with you there.”
The offer was sweet.
But a doubt crept in.
She’s not just using me as a shield from nagging, is she?
Mentioning Mom to drag me along...?
Nah, no way.
“I’d love to, but... won’t I impose? I already did on the President’s parents at Seollal...”
“Pfft, whatever. That was their place. This is ours—first time.”
“True, but...”
UwU.
Should I accept?
Can’t keep learning to impose everywhere.
Might end up thinking it’s normal to hop between members’ homes every holiday.
“Cool, you’re in. I’ll text Mom now?”
“Eek?! W-wait, Big Sis! Hold on...!”
She couldn’t wait out my pondering.
Before I could stop her, she fired off the text to her mom.
No backing out now.
And just like that, I ended up imposing at another house for Chuseok.
Cherries might be a bit sad...
But I’ll stream extra hard after. Yeah.
Time flew by, and Chuseok day arrived before I knew it.
Like last Seollal, I prepared gifts and got ready to head to Chae-yoon Big Sis’s house.
She insisted no gifts, but...
A few days of imposing? Gotta bring something.
Last time, we rode with the President to her parents’ place.
Today, we’d meet at her house using our own transport, so I took a cab.
“Big Sis!”
I waved at her from afar as I arrived.
She’d been pacing by the gate and hurried over upon spotting me.
Oh, and her family lived in a house, not an apartment.
Not a mansion like Ra-hee Big Sis’s, but plenty big for a family of three.
“You got here fast. What’s that in your hand?”
“Chuseok gift!”
“Ugh, I knew it. Told you no gifts, but you never listen.”
Hehe, she said that.
But I anticipated it!
Got my line ready!
“Hehe, it’s for your parents, not you. So it’s fine!”
“Oho? Our maknae’s got some sass now? Time to rein you in?”
Piiiinch—
“Eeee, too mean, Big Siiiis...”
Thought it was a solid comeback.
But fists beat words, huh.
Cheeks trapped in her grip, I surrendered quick.
UwU, cheeks are toasty...
“Anyway, Big Sis, why were you out here instead of inside?”
As we passed the gate together, curiosity hit.
I tilted my head and asked.
Her body trembled faintly.
Like a thief hearing footsteps.
“W-well, waiting to go in with my maknae, duh.”
Straight-laced answer, but...
I didn’t quite buy it.
Nope.
Something else seemed off.
If she delayed entering just to wait for me, then it had to be...
“...You weren’t scared of Auntie nagging and waited for me as backup, right?”
“Hey! Don’t you dare, maknae!”
...Yup, nailed it.
Guessed it vaguely, but spot on.
Yuna’s “flaming filial daughter” might fit perfectly.
“C’mon, let’s go in. You lead?”
“It’s your house...?”
“N-no, Mom doesn’t care about that.”
She does!
Who enters someone’s home for the first time leaving the host behind...!
But she showed zero signs of going in.
No choice—I’d lead.
Ring the doorbell first...?
Ding-dong—
I pressed gently.
Faint sounds from inside.
Usually, you’d hear “Yes, who is it?”
Just vague presence, then suddenly...
Click—
“You rotten girl! You say you’re bringing Lulu and don’t even tell your own mom...?”
The door flew open with thick dialect.
Dialect was hearty, but the tone? Not at all.
Furious voice made me shrink back.
She stopped upon eye contact, and I finally greeted cautiously.
“Ah, hello...? A-are you Chae-yoon Big Sis’s mom?”
“......”
Not sure if she heard.
She stared for seconds—the presumed mom.
“Oh my, you’re Lulu? Nice to meet you.”
Suddenly hands on my cheeks.
Like the dialect never happened, fluent standard Korean in a refined tone.
...Feels like overlapping with the President’s house visit.
Just my imagination?