Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Finally Moved!
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Four days after the President's 3,000th broadcast.
While I was packing alone in my room, Chae-yoon unnie suddenly poked her head in.
She was holding a toothbrush and a charger in her hand.
"Da-jeong, you forgot these."
"Whoa, thanks, unnie...!"
I nearly wasted money on a new charger.
I thanked her profusely and crammed the toothbrush and charger into my bag.
Thank goodness my luggage wasn't too much, so there was plenty of space.
I zipped up the bag and did one final check, just to be safe.
Yeah, I think I've got everything.
This should be good enough.
Squeeze—
"Ha, what am I gonna do without our Da-jeong?"
"Unnie, I can't breathe...!"
I was just about to head out when Chae-yoon unnie hugged me fiercely.
If Ra-hee unnie tries to smother me with her overwhelming chest...
Chae-yoon unnie hugs me like she's trying to crush me with her unmatched strength among the members.
Gack, gack.
Tap, tap...!
Help! Let go!
But knowing her mood, I couldn't bring myself to push her away.
And it was understandable.
Today was the day I was moving into the house the President had secured for me.
In other words, my fun roommate days with Chae-yoon unnie were coming to an end.
Of course, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad.
But on the flip side, I felt relieved too.
At least now I wouldn't be a burden to her anymore.
"You better take good care of yourself there, okay? Eat properly, and don't go back to just tofu and cabbage like when you lived alone, or I'll come for you."
"D-don't worry. I'll eat properly from now on."
Truth be told, I had planned to revert to my old diet the moment I lived alone, so it stung a bit.
But I waved it off, pretending otherwise.
That said, I wasn't just saying empty words.
I could afford a more comfortable life now, to some extent.
I had no intention of splurging, but there was no need to cling to my old impoverished ways either.
Like when I lived with Chae-yoon unnie.
A normal diet and a normal routine sounded nice.
To me, that kind of normalcy was closer to something special, but I was looking forward to experiencing a life I'd never known before.
Ding-dong— Ding-dong—
What kind of life would unfold?
I was lost in pleasant imaginings, a hint of excitement bubbling up.
When the doorbell rang loudly.
So-eun unnie must be here to pick me up.
"Oh, looks like So-eun unnie's here."
"Already? Ugh, forget it. I'm not letting our maknae go."
"Unnie...!"
I figured Chae-yoon unnie would let go once it got to this point.
But my words only seemed to rile her up more, and she hugged me tighter, rubbing her cheek against mine.
She finally released me only after a message came from So-eun unnie, who'd been waiting impatiently.
And naturally, Chae-yoon unnie got an earful from her.
On the drive to my new home.
I sat in the passenger seat, watching So-eun unnie's profile the whole time.
Come to think of it, this is the first time we've been alone together for so long.
"Da-jeong, did you say goodbye to Chae-yoon properly?"
"Yeah, she clung to me till the end, begging me not to go... but somehow."
"Pfft, Chae-yoon's totally smitten with you now. She used to be the least intense one with the members."
"R-really?"
Her words made me realize something.
Chae-yoon unnie definitely hadn't doted on me this much before.
She wasn't neglectful, but she wasn't as extreme as Ra-hee unnie either.
She just treated the maknae like a maknae, that's all.
But lately, she'd been treating me like I was the cutest thing ever.
Was it just because we'd grown closer living together?
We'd been close enough before, though.
"Speaking of which, you went back to your old place recently, right?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Did you need to pick something up? You seemed to have brought most of your stuff already."
"N-no, nothing like that... I just visited the grandma next door."
"Grandma?"
So-eun unnie looked puzzled.
Oh, right. She doesn't know about the neighbor grandma I'm close to.
I'd mentioned her to the members before, but not to the manager.
"Yeah, she's someone I'm really grateful to. She grows a garden and brings me sweet potatoes or potatoes sometimes... She treats me like her own granddaughter."
"Sounds like a wonderful person. Did you go to say a final goodbye?"
"Hehe... Yeah, a goodbye, and also to give her a little something in return for everything."
It was embarrassing to say it myself, so I scratched my cheek.
Honestly, my "return" wasn't anything grand.
"Her teeth have been really bothering her lately. So I took her to the hospital and paid for her implants."
"Implants? That must've cost a fortune..."
"It wasn't as bad as I thought. The doctor was kind and gave us a discount..."
It would've been astronomical to my past self.
But with the hefty settlement I'd received, it wasn't a big burden.
I might've hesitated if it were for myself.
But for the grandma who'd been like family to me, with no relatives of my own...
It was nothing. I was happy to do it.
"Was she happy?"
"She cried a ton. More than the money, she was thrilled that I'd made it this far."
"...She really was like your own grandma."
"Hehe, yeah. I guess I'm pretty lucky."
There was a time when I felt my life was a bit unfortunate.
But I don't think that anymore.
No, it's not "anymore."
Ever since I learned about Blue LUV and discovered my own happiness, those thoughts vanished completely.
"She'd love it if you visited occasionally."
"That's why I plan to drop by now and then. Once she can chew meat again, I'll bring some tasty beef and eat together."
"...Anyway."
Smooth—
She stroked my head as I clenched my fist in excitement, giving me a smile that said she had a lot on her mind.
"Da-jeong, you're the type no one can help but love."
"Huh?"
She tossed that out casually and focused back on driving.
The other members might say stuff like that.
But hearing it from So-eun unnie for the first time felt both awkward and joyful.
The apartment entrance to my new home, where I'd live from today.
An unexpected guest was waiting for us there.
"President...?!"
"Oh, you're here? Let's head up."
It was the President.
"Y-you must be busy, you didn't have to come for me."
"Of course I did. It's our maknae's new place, and it'll be a dorm for the others later. As the president, how could I not check it out?"
Oh, that makes sense.
From her perspective, ensuring a good living environment for her employees was important.
Especially since she'd invested her own money.
"I heard all your stuff's been moved in. If there's anything you don't like, just say so. I'll get someone to help rearrange furniture if needed."
"Okay."
That was as we rode the elevator up.
Knowing my personality, I'd probably just live with minor inconveniences to avoid bothering anyone.
But if I said that, she'd scold me.
So I nodded and stepped out on the fifth floor.
"The code's 0000 for now. Change it to whatever you want later. Instructions are inside the door lock."
The President punched in the code herself, explaining as she went.
Scared I'd forget, I hurriedly pulled out my phone and jotted it down in my notes.
Click—
The front door opened, revealing my new home at last.
"Wow...!"
The moment I saw the sunlit interior sparkling, an exclamation burst from my lips.
No way, this is really my place?
It seems way too nice.
"What do you think? Does it suit you? It's a bit small in square footage, but fine for one person. New building, so everything's clean inside."
"Y-yes...! I love it. The space is huge—practically a playground!"
I didn't know the exact size.
But two rooms, a spacious living room, and an attached kitchen? It was more than satisfactory—overkill, even.
And as the President said, the cleanliness was the best part.
My old place was so rundown, mold everywhere.
Rats and cockroaches didn't visit daily for nothing.
Spiderwebs in the bathroom all the time, too.
"P-President! Can I look around more?"
"Of course. It's your home. Take your time."
"Hehe...!"
If I had a tail, it'd be wagging like crazy.
Basking in that joy, I left the President and So-eun unnie behind and dashed to the master bedroom.
"Pfft... She's like an excited puppy."
"Must be thrilled. Glad she likes it."
I vaguely heard them chatting behind me.
But too far to catch details.
"Whoa!"
The master bedroom drew another gasp from me.
The new bed the President bought when I moved to Chae-yoon unnie's.
The built-in wardrobe was massive—would it even fit everything?
Patter-patter—
Then the kitchen and the small room with the computer.
After inspecting every nook and cranny, a profound happiness filled me.
This house was too good for me.
"So, Da-jeong? Satisfied?"
"Yes! I love it! B-but... is it really okay for me to live in a place this nice?"
"That's why I gave it to you, Da-jeong. You think I'd do this for just anyone?"
She stroked my head as she spoke.
Don't feel burdened—just live happily.
Not asking me to work hard on streams, but to simply be happy.
Those words warmed me to my core.
Tears nearly welled up, but I held them back.
What I owed the President who helped me like this wasn't tears, but a smile.
"Thank you, President. I-I'll stream hard enough to make you proud from now on!"
"That's the spirit."
Streeetch—
At my resolute answer, she stopped petting.
And stretched my cheeks with both hands.
Ehehe.
I'm so happy right now, it doesn't even hurt.
Happiness as an anesthetic—who knew?
"President, let's go out for lunch! I want to treat today!"
"Oh? Can't say no to the maknae treating."
"Perfect timing—I'm hungry anyway."
I worried she might refuse.
But thankfully, she accepted my offer graciously today.
Great! I'm treating everyone!
Not that this repays her debt.
But it's basic manners!
Ring ring—
"Hm?"
As we headed out for lunch.
My phone in my pocket suddenly rang.
Oh, it's Ra-hee unnie.
"President, Ra-hee unnie's calling... Can I take this quick?"
"Go ahead."
I excused myself and answered.
Meanwhile, the President and So-eun unnie went to check out the master bedroom.
『Da-jeong, you said you're moving today—is it done?』
"Ah, yes! Right now, the three of us—the President, So-eun unnie, and me—are looking around."
『I see. How's the place? Like it?』
"Yes! I'll take pics later and post in the group chat!"
They all seemed curious about my new home.
I'll snap some after eating and share.
『Got it, looking forward to it. But you didn't forget our promise, right?』
"Huh? Promise?"
『Yeah. You didn't forget, did you? Unnie might cry from feeling neglected.』
"W-wait a sec...!"
W-what promise did Ra-hee unnie and I make?
Nothing comes to mind.
Maybe a group meetup?
But she'd say "us" not "unnie and me."
I pinched my brow like I was unleashing superpowers, racking my brain.
We'd talked recently, for sure.
What was it?
'Then, wanna come over to unnie's next time?'
'V-visit?'
'Yeah. You've hung out alone with Lilith, but not with me one-on-one.'
...Huh?
Wait, during our last RaST session...
'So, what do you say? Coming over?'
'Y-yes...! If that's what you want...'
'Great. Our maknae listens so well.'
...Right, that's it.
I was so grateful for the tarp she got me that I offered to repay her.
She said come visit her place instead.
Life got busy after, so I hadn't gone.
But recently, she casually said, "Let's meet after you move."
Does that mean...?
"Gasp...!"
『Ah, you remembered?』
"Y-yeah? I mean, uh...!"
I gulped without thinking.
Ra-hee unnie pounced on it.
I tried to backpedal, but she was faster.
『You'll be busy settling in till tomorrow, so day after? You said you don't have many clothes, so let's shop and hang out.』
"Eek?! W-wait, unnie...!"
『Okay, see you then?』
"Unnie! Hold on...!"
I tried desperately to stop her.
But she hung up like she hadn't heard a thing.
"The place looks solid. Perfectly fine for Da-jeong to... Hm? Da-jeong, what's wrong?"
Just then, the President emerged from the room and saw me slumped on the floor.
She tilted her head, blinking.
"P-President. C-can we pretend the move never happened? Or postpone to next week...!"
This was my last straw, so I pleaded desperately.
"...Your stuff's already moved in. What are you talking about? This is your home starting today."
"B-but...!"
She shut me down firmly, as if telling me not to say nonsense.
Oh no!
I need to delay the move somehow!
That's the only way to make excuses work!