Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Flirting Master Uparupa
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After Lilith announced the collab stream, the communities lit up once again with hype.
It was the monumental day approaching for Blue LUV's first-ever two-person collab—and an offline one at that.
Most reactions consistently boiled down to uncertainty about Lilith and Lulu's chemistry.
Unlike other members who got frequent shoutouts during streams, Lilith had barely mentioned Lulu before.
But on the flip side, that very unknown factor made it all the more exciting for many.
Whether it flops on day zero or explodes to 100—that's something you only know after watching.
That's the thrill of the unknown.
With fans' puffed-up expectations riding high, Blue LUV's long-awaited first offline collab was about to curtain up.
I woke up feeling incredibly refreshed today.
Why?
Because it's the day of my first collab with Chae-yoon unnie!
Of course, I'm a little nervous, but that just amps up the excitement.
"Unnie, good morning. Sleep well?"
While preparing breakfast, I greet Chae-yoon unnie as she steps out of her room.
Her tousled bedhead looks pretty unique—super intriguing.
"Mm... Yeah, Da-jeong. You sleep okay?"
"Hehe, actually, I was so hyped about the collab with you today that I barely slept."
"Eek, you still need your rest, though. Anyway, cooking again? Must be a hassle..."
"It's fine. Not hard at all."
I clench my fist tight and stuff the prepped ingredients between the bread slices.
Today's breakfast is simple morning bread sandwiches and soup.
I studied the recipe last night just for this.
Hope unnie enjoys it...
"Here, unnie. Coffee too?"
"Oh, yeah. Mind if I ask?"
"Sure!"
Following what she taught me yesterday, I approach the capsule machine and brew a cup.
It's surprisingly easy—way simpler than I thought.
Just pop in a capsule and press—boom, coffee.
Truly living in a great era.
"Thanks, Da-jeong. Digging in."
"Enjoy!"
I grab my portion, sit across from her, prop my chin, and watch her eat.
Her eyes widen as she devours one sandwich in seconds—must taste good.
"Whoa, this is seriously delicious. Exactly my style."
"Really? Phew, glad to hear it."
Unnie's praise fills me with pure joy.
She keeps her head down, polishing off a second sandwich and nearly half the soup.
Then suddenly, she looks up, stares at me, and tilts her head.
"Hey, Da-jeong, aren't you eating? Why just stare at unnie? It's embarrassing."
"Hehe, watching you enjoy it makes me so happy already."
I rarely get to cook for anyone.
Don't cook much to begin with.
And even if I did, it'd be something simple like sweet-and-spicy chicken for the neighbor grandma.
So maybe that's why.
Watching someone devour my homemade food right in front of me feels so fresh and fun.
I get what they mean by "full just watching."
"Sniff... Our maknae is too sweet... Unnie might cry."
She mumbles softly behind her hand as I finally munch on a sandwich late.
Her voice is so quiet I barely catch it...
Gasp! Is she forcing it down because it tastes bad?
No need to do that!
Just before noon, the computer finally arrived.
The company staff set it up personally before heading out.
I offered lunch out of gratitude, but they had work and rushed back.
"Today's stream's gonna run long."
"Yeah."
I nod at Chae-yoon unnie's casual remark while eyeing the setup desk.
Probably because today's collab is split into Parts 1 and 2—we decided that over breakfast.
Part 1: Pure offline collab with Just Chatting.
Part 2: Back to my room for online-style gaming collab.
Lots of fans wanted both when she posted the notice.
"Almost 3 PM—time to prep?"
"Yes!"
We head to her room side-by-side, revealing a view I hadn't fully taken in yesterday.
How to put it... surprisingly sparse.
More focused on function than flair.
Just the bare essentials—no extra furniture or clutter.
"Room feels kinda empty, huh? Unnie doesn't decorate much. Hope our maknae isn't disappointed?"
I'm blankly scanning the space when Chae-yoon unnie scratches her cheek, a bit embarrassed.
Oh yeah—Lilith mentioned once she often hears she's not "girly" enough, and it bugs her.
This room might be something she doesn't love showing off.
"No, unnie. It totally feels like your room—love it."
That's my honest take.
Not flattery.
It suits Lilith and Chae-yoon unnie's face perfectly.
A bit bare, sure, but not empty.
The minimal stuff fills it just right—I dig that.
"Gasp, you weren't shading me, right?"
"Unnie...!"
Despite my sincerity, she pulls a mischievous face to tease.
She knows I didn't mean it that way!
"Pfft, sorry—kidding. Don't get mad."
"Ugh, meanie..."
Even as a joke, how could she twist my true feelings like that!
As I pout, she chuckles and tosses a question.
"Oh, how about intros? Everyone does 'em different per room."
"Just do our usual? You go conriri, I go hi-roo."
"True. No need to overthink."
We settle on simple intros and a loose order.
As we set avatars...
"Huh...?"
"Unnie, what's wrong?"
"Da-jeong's avatar isn't tracking well. Distance issue maybe?"
"Ah."
Yeah.
Office chairs mean armrests keep us apart.
That's messing up my avatar only.
What now?
Enable facial tracking on hers, manual for mine?
But then my expressions stay static—viewers might find it off.
"Oh! Unnie, what about the living room couch?"
"Couch?"
"Yeah—fits two, perfect height."
Mid-deliberation, I recall the small two-seater in the living room and suggest it.
Pretty high for a couch, desk-friendly size too.
"Sounds good. But it's snug—might have to sit shoulder-to-shoulder. Okay with that?"
She nods but flags the tight fit.
Yeah, more like oversized single than true two-seater.
Still, I'm small—we can make it work snug.
Plus...
"Yeah—snuggling unnie sounds great to me."
Sitting tight with unnie? Total win for me.
I grin and answer—hehe.
Unnie suddenly goes quiet.
Stares for a bit, averts her eyes slyly.
"Uh... Da-jeong, don't say stuff like that carelessly outside?"
Stern face, scolding me.
Did I mess up?
Never said that to anyone else.
"Only with you, unnie."
"No, even that's kinda..."
I tilt my head to clear it up.
She dodges my gaze even more flustered.
"F-First, let's grab the couch."
"Okay."
We bolt up and head to the living room.
A tad heavy for two, but...
Collabbing with unnie has me so pumped.
Feels light as a feather.