Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: I'm a Member of Blue LUV?
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Han Ji-ah tossed the handbag slung over her shoulder onto her computer chair the moment she got home.
Without even taking a shower, she collapsed onto the bed.
The bed was a place she always lay down on only after washing up.
It was a rare sight for Han Ji-ah, who held such an ironclad rule.
"Haa..."
The long sigh she let out clearly revealed her low spirits.
It wasn't because today's interview had gone poorly.
The weather was unusually hot today, but it didn't matter much to her since she had her own car.
It was just that one girl she'd met today kept lingering in her mind for no reason.
"Jeong Da-jeong... right."
Even backwards, it was Jeong Da-jeong.
Han Ji-ah burst out laughing unconsciously at the phrase the girl had tossed out like a catchphrase during her self-introduction.
Height around 152? 153? Something like that.
A small, delicate frame with snow-white skin.
Her thick black hair, uncombed and fluffy, contrasted sharply, but that very messiness drew Han Ji-ah's eyes.
"Pfft... she looked like a cat that hadn't been groomed."
Her eyes were yellow too, which probably made it feel even more that way.
But even calling her a cat, she didn't give off the scrappy, feral stray vibe.
She felt more like a cat with a heartbreaking story of being abandoned by her owner.
"How long has it been since someone was genuinely happy to call me pretty..."
She murmured softly and briefly recalled the memory.
It had probably ended around middle school at the latest.
She was basically the pretty type by default.
She'd gotten offers for modeling and entertainment from a young age.
Inheriting her Irish father's bloodline, her blonde hair and blue eyes added an exotic charm that drew countless gazes.
So compliments like "pretty" were nothing new to her, honestly just commonplace praise.
She wasn't foolish enough to show it off, but she always responded with thanks.
But when her eyes first met those of the girl named Jeong Da-jeong today.
The unconscious "you're pretty" that slipped from the girl's lips rang differently.
No, not just different—it felt sincere, truly touching her heart.
Even though they were strangers meeting for the first time, that's what Han Ji-ah thought while looking at Jeong Da-jeong.
This person likes me for real.
How long had it been since she'd received such pure goodwill?
That's why the slip-up afterward hurt even more.
'I wanted to apologize for that mistake.'
This time, unable to voice it, Han Ji-ah tightly hugged the large doll beside her.
Even if the harsh reality played out where one passed and one failed.
At the very least, she wanted to hold onto that connection with the girl.
That's why, after the interview, she'd used the cafe as an excuse to try exchanging contacts.
But who knew it would backfire like that.
- That's not it. My parents aren't around anyway.
With eyes showing not even a hint of sorrow.
No, actually smiling as if to reassure her.
Recalling how calmly the girl had said it, Han Ji-ah felt a pang in her chest.
The faint mold stains on the edges of her white waist bag, which looked somewhat old.
The white t-shirt that seemed worn out and stretched, not designed that way to expose shoulders.
Every little detail stirred pity.
For that girl, maybe this Blue Project was a miraculous opportunity in life.
She even thought that far.
'No, don't presume to judge someone else's circumstances.'
After much deliberation, Han Ji-ah shook her head to shake off the thoughts.
But the girl's bright smile wouldn't fade easily.
- Oh, I was really happy to meet you today. Please pass for sure, Ji-ah!
Like someone she'd never meet again.
No, like someone she mustn't meet again.
Bidding a final farewell.
The girl's retreating figure, waving goodbye, flickered in her mind.
'I want to see her again.'
Ideally as a fellow group member and colleague.
With that wish in her heart, Han Ji-ah quietly closed her eyes.
The doll's fluffy texture unnecessarily brought back the girl's small, animal-like appearance.
It's already been ten days since the interview.
Time seems to be flying by somehow.
Yeah, that's a good thing.
It means our Blues' debut is getting closer.
I want to make clip channels again, produce videos, and enjoy peaceful fanning like before.
...Of course, I need to look for a part-time job first.
"Nom nom..."
I bought tofu on special at the mart yesterday and topped it with soy sauce, munching away.
Tofu really is a complete food.
It's cheap, no need for rice or anything.
I could eat this three times a day for a week no problem.
"Ah, gotta eat veggies too..."
To get some vitamins, I add vegetables.
I chop up the cabbage I bought yesterday and munch on it.
It doesn't have much flavor without seasoning.
But getting the nutrients is what matters.
Clatter—
I dumped the empty dishes in the sink and returned to the living room.
Too lazy to wash up now, so I'll put it off till dinner.
I'll use the extra time to look for part-time jobs.
"Mm..."
Not long after eating, I sprawl on the bare floor, tapping my phone.
I open a job site and search for gigs around home.
Pretty decent list comes up.
Oh, convenience store too.
But it mentions probation period or whatever, so rejected.
Most places like that use it to dodge minimum wage, so I skip them easily.
PC bang too.
But I hear PC bangs hiring girls check faces a lot.
Since main customers are guys, they aim for pretty part-timers, I think.
Self-elimination then.
I don't even know if my face is pretty or not.
Honestly, when I first became a girl, I thought this was pretty decent.
But after meeting Ji-ah recently, my thinking changed.
Well, no way someone like me becomes pretty just by turning into a girl.
I'd barely met women before, so something must've clouded my eyes.
Know my place and find a job I can actually do.
Ring ring ring—
"Huh?"
Huh, a phone call?
No one calls me.
A few days ago, there was one for the interview notice.
But that's done, so now it's all loan scams.
Or voice phishing at best.
Press—
I ended up pressing the red button shaped like a receiver to hang up.
Loan calls usually ring briefly then hang up seconds later.
This one's persistent, huh.
Ring ring ring—
"Argh, seriously!"
Trying to get back to the job site, it rings again.
Same number as before.
Thinking it's a super persistent loan call, I pick up ready to give them a piece of my mind.
Today it's do or die.
"I don't need loans! I've got 200,000 won in the bank, you know?!"
- ...Pardon?
Bluntly declaring my assets and yelling first, a flustered voice comes through the smartphone.
Huh, the reaction's weird.
- Um, excuse me... is this Jeong Da-jeong's phone?
"Yes? Yes... I'm Jeong Da-jeong."
Feeling a strange déjà vu, I state my name.
Then the woman on the other end clears her throat with a 'ahem' and speaks again.
- I'm Haneul Bom. I'm calling regarding your Blue Project interview results—you passed.
"...Pardon? Haneul Bom?"
Haneul Bom is our Blues' president.
Why would someone like her call me?
Come to think of it, there was some weird word mixed in earlier.
Passed the interview?
The only interview I did was Blue Project.
But that's a definite fail.
Of course, only I from the future know that.
The Blue LUV members are already set.
In that case, a pass call—what does it mean?
High-level voice phishing maybe?
- Ah, maybe I don't have your number saved? I was the one who called for the interview notice too...
"Huh? W-wait a sec...!"
Mid my chain of suspicions.
I jolt at Haneul Bom's cautious words and check recent calls.
Luckily, only two recent ones: a survey and a loan call, so easy to spot.
Oh, it's real.
The number from then matches now.
So it really is Haneul Bom.
"S-sorry... I've never saved a contact before..."
Remembering I yelled at a high-up's call, I bow instinctively.
But Haneul Bom doesn't sound mad at all.
No, for some reason flustered, she repeats my words like an echo.
- You've never... saved a contact?
"Yes... sorry."
I have no one to call or receive from anyway.
So my contacts are really empty.
Honestly, I use the phone just for internet and a bit before bed.
I've used it as a communication tool maybe countable on one hand.
Ugh, embarrassing.
Practically admitting I'm a total shut-in.
But at least to the person I wronged, I owe the truth.
- Oh, no, no need to apologize. More importantly, as I said earlier, this is about your final pass.
"Final pass?"
...Huh?
Wait a minute.
If the person on the phone is really Haneul Bom, then everything she said is true.
She definitely said interview pass earlier.
And the only interview I took was Blue Project's second round.
Which means...?
- Yes, congratulations. As of today, you're the fifth member of Blue Project. We'll discuss contracts and debut details later, so could you stop by the company again soon?
"......"
Haneul Bom kept talking from the other end, but none of it reached my ears.
So... I'm the fifth member of Blue LUV now?