Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Getting Ready for Discharge!
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There were already quite a few comments on the tweet I'd posted two hours ago.
Fortunately, it looked like my Cherries hadn't forgotten me and were still waiting patiently.
I probably should've posted it even sooner.
"Da-jeong, what are you grinning about so happily?"
"Oh, President."
I'd been giggling as I scrolled through the comments one by one.
That's when the President walked in through the open door of my hospital room.
She'd come by yesterday too—was work really okay?
"I was just looking at the tweet I posted. Looks like my Cherries are still waiting for me."
"Of course they are. You'd think you'd been gone a whole year, the way you talk."
"Ehehe..."
Was that too much? Maybe I overdid it.
But how could they not worry?
I'm not some massive corporate VTuber—get a little slack, and people forget you quick. I knew that.
That's why streamers go so hard at the start.
They know if they don't, they'll get weeded out fast.
In that sense, this long hiatus was bound to worry everyone.
"So, what's the update? Did the doctor make rounds?"
"Yeah, this morning. The detailed tests from yesterday came back too—they said I can probably discharge tomorrow or the day after!"
The President had wanted me to stay longer, actually.
But I was using the doctor's diagnosis as an excuse to push for getting out ASAP.
She must've caught on to my scheming, because she gave a wry smile and rested a hand on her hip.
"You really that eager to leave? Most people would kill for a break like this."
At this point, she probably realized she couldn't stop me anymore.
Her response was way milder than when I'd first brought it up.
I bobbed my head enthusiastically, beaming at her.
"Hehe, I just love streaming. Chatting with viewers is fun, and hanging out with the members—talking sometimes or playing games together—is the best."
"Our maknae always knows how to say the right things."
Swoosh—swoosh—
The President ruffled my hair roughly, then slid her hand down...
And suddenly grabbed both my cheeks and stretched them... Huh?
"Ububu...?! P-President...! Why...!"
"Why? Just checking if the maknae who gave me so much grief is finally healthy. Good to see you've been eating—your cheeks got a bit chubbier."
She seemed satisfied with the squishy feel as she nodded and let go.
But man, her pinch felt a little harder than usual today.
Ugh, she's definitely still mad.
Normally she'd be gentler.
"Da-jeong."
"Y-Yes...?"
"Make one promise with your President."
I was rubbing my reddened cheeks, feeling glum, when she sat on the bed facing me and spoke in a serious tone.
"I get that you really care about the members. From my position as President, I don't totally understand why you go so hard for them, but you have your reasons. You're not the type to act without thinking."
"R-Right...?"
Her words made me flinch a bit.
Looking back on everything I'd done...
It kinda felt like I was acting without thinking.
But I tried not to show it as I answered.
She took my hand and continued.
"But devotion isn't always good. Especially when you're wearing yourself down to do it—that's not devotion, it's sacrifice. You get what I mean?"
"Y-Yeah... I do."
It was the same thing Yuna had told me every time she visited.
They appreciated me caring and helping out.
But they didn't want me neglecting myself to do it.
"I know you lack a bit of confidence too. That's probably why you try twice as hard as everyone else."
"......"
She nailed my feelings so perfectly.
I couldn't say a word.
Yeah.
That was the biggest reason I'd pushed myself so hard.
Those people—who shone brighter than anyone to me—I didn't want to be a burden.
I knew I didn't sparkle like them, so at least I wanted to be someone who could make them shine even more.
"But I told you before: none of you girls are lacking in my eyes. Every one of you is a gem I hand-picked. I won't even tell you to gain confidence... Just..."
She squeezed my hand tighter.
Then reached out with her other hand, pulled my head to her chest, and patted my back as she spoke.
"If you ever stop believing in yourself, believe in these eyes of your President instead. Not the you that you believe in, but the me that you believe in. You're more amazing than anyone I've chosen. Got it?"
"Hehe... That's a line from an anime."
"Hey, be quiet at times like this. I'm trying to be cool here."
She grumbled that I had no sense for these moments.
But I knew.
She was deliberately lightening the heavy mood.
"Anyway, what I'm saying is: take better care of yourself from now on. Whether it's from confidence or someone else's opinion, whatever. Just remember one thing—you're an incredible girl."
"Yes...! I will."
I pulled away from her embrace.
And nodded with the brightest smile I could muster.
"For real? If something like this happens again, I really won't let it slide next time?"
"W-Won't let it slide...? What does that mean?"
"Hmm... I'll suck on those cheeks of yours."
"Eek?!"
Th-That's a scary punishment!
Squishing with hands like now is fine.
But sucking on them? Too embarrassing!
Not even newborns get that!
"B-But normally, people threaten contract termination or something... or say they'd give up on you."
"Nah, couldn't do that."
I fidgeted with my hands, hinting at even harsher warnings.
But she shook her head firmly and smiled at me.
Then her final words.
"Your President has no plans to let go of our Da-jeong. Unless you're doing something really bad, I'll drag you along no matter what."
"D-Drag me...?"
"Yeah. Even if you get sick of it and quit, I'll tie you up and make you stream."
"That's tyranny...!"
"What can you do? I'm the President. This is the bitter taste of society."
Where's the bitterness in that society...!
Of course, I could feel how much she cared about me!
But this was straight-up tyranny.
Creeeak—
The President, who'd been watching me flail around, stood up.
She placed a hand lightly on my head and wrapped things up.
"Alright, we'll aim for discharge as soon as possible, and I'll post the return announcement on the company channels. Worst case, you'll make it for the 100-day debut anniversary stream."
"Yes...! Thank you, President."
It was the happy ending I'd hoped for—my face lit up with a smile.
The President smiled back, and the warm vibe settled in...
"...Just words?"
"Huh?"
...or so I thought, until she muttered with sharp eyes.
'Just words?' Did she want something?
B-But I had nothing to give.
Money? She'd have way more...
Tap tap—
"C'mon, give your President a little peck on the cheek as thanks."
"A p-peck...?! I'm n-not a kid...!"
Her unexpected demand made me shake my head frantically in horror.
I'd do aegyo if she asked! Eyes closed, no problem!
I'd even done it on stream as punishment!
But a kiss? No way...!
"Who cares if you're a kid or adult? I want one. Or is our Da-jeong too heartless to give her hardworking President a little smooch?"
"N-No, that's not it...!"
Ugh, how did things turn this way?
Why does the President even want a kiss from me?
Maybe from a pet, sure.
But I'm just an employee!
"C'mon, put some feeling into it. If you don't, no discharge."
"That's too much...!"
"Yeah? Then you be President."
She brushed off my plea lightly, sweeping her hair behind her ear.
I inched closer to her pale cheek, hesitating over and over.
D-Do I really have to?
Members would've been easier hurdle.
But the President? No way, no how!
"No peck? Then like I said, I'll slurp on those cheeks of yours."
"Eeeeeek...!"
Her fake threat broke me—I gave up.
Fine, a peck won't kill me.
No one's watching anyway.
Just close my eyes and do it once.
She's teasing because I'm embarrassed.
If I do it coolly...
She'll be the shocked one.
Go for it, Jeong Da-jeong!
"O-Okay, I'll do it? For real...?"
"Yeah."
"Uuu..."
The President didn't seem embarrassed at all.
Even if it's girl-on-girl.
Even if it's the cheek, not lips.
I was plenty shy.
I fidgeted closer, slowly bringing my lips near.
It wasn't that hard, really.
She's like a mom to me anyway.
Just think of it as a thank-you kiss for mom.
Distance to her white cheek: 30cm, 20cm, 10cm.
Closing in...
My vision filled with the side of her face.
"Da-jeong! Unnies are here!"
"How's our Da-jeong been holding up?"
"Saw your tweet earlier—now you're all better and... Huh?"
"...Huh?"
The other members—all except Yuna, who'd visited earlier—burst in together.
I froze solid, blinking toward the door.
Why does this always happen to me lately?
I just wanna die.
If there was a hole to crawl into, I'd take it.
Sniff.