Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Others More Precious Than Oneself
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Yuna was, if anything, a selfish woman.
Well, calling her selfish might be a bit of an exaggeration.
But if prioritizing herself over others counted as selfishness, then it fit her perfectly.
She'd always been full of dreams since she was little.
Dreams of things she wanted to do, things she wanted to achieve.
So naturally, she threw herself into grooming herself and charging toward those goals.
That's why she jumped into becoming a Virtual YouTuber the moment she turned adult.
She knew her strengths inside and out.
For someone who'd grown up bathed in affection thanks to her innocent charm and loveliness,
being a Virtual YouTuber was the perfect job to showcase her assets to the max.
Of course, her debut without proper prep ended in failure.
So when she debated switching careers and quit VTubing,
that's when the Blue Project caught her eye.
One more shot, she thought. Grit her teeth and go for it.
She submitted her application with that resolve,
and finally debuted as a member of Blue LUV.
The results? Spectacular.
Blessed by the halo of a top Korean conglomerate streamer's handpicked VTuber group, she tasted success beyond her wildest dreams from her first try.
But amid all that, one person nagged at Yuna's mind:
Jeong Da-jeong, from the same group.
Her first impression? Cute. And stirs up that protective instinct.
A charm distinct from Yuna's own maknae vibe.
So Yuna naturally took an interest in Da-jeong.
Then one day, her view shifted.
The day Da-jeong's secret Clip Channel got exposed.
She can like others that much?
Honestly, when Da-jeong fangirled over the members on her debut stream,
Yuna figured it was just a concept.
Of course, she never doubted Da-jeong's affection for the members was fake.
She just assumed it was amped up a notch for the camera, turned into a selling point.
A reasonable guess, or so she thought.
But after the Clip Channel blew up,
and Da-jeong begged to keep running it even without monetization,
Yuna felt something unprecedented: amazement at another person.
How could she like others that much?
How could she cherish others that much?
How could she devote herself to others that much?
That's when it started, probably.
Her habit of observing Da-jeong.
And what she learned was staggering.
"Da-jeongie, the President asked if anyone wants to do a cover song. You didn't sign up?"
"Ehehe... Uh-huh."
"Huh? Why not?"
"'Cause it'd be better if the other members did it instead of someone like me. Oh, speaking of which...! I have a cover song I'd love to recommend for you, Yuna. It suits your voice perfectly."
For starters, Da-jeong put the members first to an unnatural degree.
No interest in cover songs or solos to boost her own name.
But member-related stuff? She'd jump in like it was her own business.
Song recs, MV concepts—she poured her heart into it all.
Every time Yuna saw that, gratitude mixed with
a strange unease, a faint ache in her chest.
Is there no room for Da-jeong in Da-jeong's own head?
It wasn't mere sacrifice.
To Yuna, Da-jeong acted like
someone who'd never even dreamed of her own happiness.
If "Blue LUV's happiness" was the picture,
Da-jeong behaved like she didn't belong in Blue LUV,
like a third party who could only watch from afar.
At first, Yuna chalked it up to her imagination.
But then came the moment that confirmed it.
A short chat at the cafe while prepping a collab stream.
"Heehee, we should use it for our group concert later too! Right?"
"C-Concert?"
"Yeah! A group concert. Not solo stuff, but all of us on one stage. Cool, huh?"
"Ah... Y-Yeah. It is."
When asked what she'd want to do with a motion capture rig,
and Yuna excitedly sought agreement,
Da-jeong's response felt oddly subdued.
At first, Yuna thought it was just a delayed, awkward reply.
It wasn't.
"I wanna see it so bad. It'll be the Blues shining brightest."
"......"
Her follow-up made Yuna certain all her suspicions were true.
Blues.
In her mind, that word excluded "Jeong Da-jeong."
Yet Da-jeong's eyes sparkled brighter than ever,
as if that moment was drawing near.
That's when Yuna knew.
In Da-jeong's ideal future,
there was no spot reserved for herself.
"Pfft! 'Wanna see it'? That's fan talk. You should say 'wanna do it,' Da-jeong."
"Huh?"
So Yuna hammed it up, grabbing the opening.
Only then did Da-jeong realize her vision differed from others', and she backpedaled—but too late.
From that moment, Yuna steeled herself.
After the collab, talk to Da-jeong one-on-one.
Spill it all like same-age friends.
Why's there no you in your head?
If you can't wish for your own happiness,
I'll do it for you—so be happy, at least for days like that.
But before she could say it, disaster struck.
So in the hospital, seeing Da-jeong's closed eyes, Yuna drowned in guilt, blaming herself.
If only she'd spoken sooner.
If only she'd said it faster.
Cherish yourself like you cherish us.
Wish for your happiness like you do for ours.
Those few words beforehand could've prevented this mess.
"Ung...?"
"Da-jeongie!"
She flew into Da-jeong's arms, overcome with emotion.
For the girl who'd always valued herself a bit less than others,
this was the first time someone else became a tad more precious than herself.
After wrapping up my talk with Yuna,
I apologized to the returning members and the President,
then got the full rundown from the late-arriving doctor.
Thankfully, no major issues.
Overwork plus skipped meals led to mild malnutrition.
Immune system's shot now, so rest and relaxation are key.
"Th-Then... streams...?"
My voice shook like thunder from a clear sky.
Before the doc could answer,
the President's wrath exploded.
"Streams?! Even after discharge, no streams till I say you're good! Got it?!"
"Eek...!"
Should've kept my mouth shut.
Just poked the bear.
"Right, Da-jeongie. Streams can wait—rest first. Doc said so."
"Y-Yeah... Sorryyy... "
Ji-ah unnie chimed in softly,
and I nodded, apologizing.
Health recovery's priority now, yeah.
"But President, who'll nurse Da-jeong? Someone should stay..."
"N-No need! I'm fine. Not even injured."
The thought of hospital life hit,
just as Ra-hee unnie asked.
I waved frantically.
Unless I'd wrecked my mobility in a car crash,
limbs fine, can eat solo—
a full-time nurse would be wasted manpower.
"Hmm, you have a point... But monitoring's ideal."
"Manager out?"
"Parents dragged her to Japan for family stuff. She wanted to rush back, but I said no. We got this."
Ah, that's why no So-eun unnie.
Good call declining.
Guilt would've crushed me otherwise.
"I'll do it?"
Silence hung thick.
Then a hand shot up, volunteering.
Yuna.
"You?"
"Yep! Streams make overnight tough, but morning visits, leave before evening stream? Doable."
"Your stream start?"
"Pushed to 7 PM lately."
Wait.
You aren't seriously asking Yuna, right, President?
I'd die of guilt.
Please say no...!
"Feasible, but can't overwork you. Save Da-jeong, wreck yourself? Counterproductive. Get me?"
"Psh, I'm good! Work out steady, eat right, push extras to later!"
Last part's iffy, Yuna...?
Sounds like a shady boss.
"Alright, Yuna—handle it short-term. I'll drop by, send staff once... But a member's company'll comfort her most."
"......!"
I shook my head wildly at the President, mouth clamped.
No, President! No way!
Not comfy at all!
Yuna suffering for me? I'd rather bite my tongue off!
"My fault she collapsed—I'll pamper her good. Trust me!"
"Y-Yuna... Um..."
I pondered, watching her proud puff-up.
Speak now?
Thanks, but no need to tire yourself?
Yeah, best time...
"...Or do you hate me coming? I'm thrilled to see you daily."
".........No. I'd love seeing you daily too."
"Heehee, right?! Whew!"
...Strike out.
Those abandoned-kitten eyes? Foul play.
Members figuring my weaknesses lately...?
"I'll feed you, toilet escort, even baths! No worries, Da-jeongie!"
"N-No need for all that...!"
Should've refused.
Regret flooded, but words can't be unsaid.
Sniff.
Body care from now on.
Collapse again? Overprotection levels unimaginable.