Chapter 88
Chapter 88
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: You Are Pista From Today On
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Uuu, President, you're too much...
Asking for aegyo right as soon as we got here.
If it had been something the Cherries requested on stream, I would've shot it down in an instant.
But when the President says it like that, how am I supposed to say no?
"Lulu, it's fine. You were super cute. It made me want to nom-nom our little maknae."
"That's not comforting at all...!"
I start the main content for real while listening to Chae-yoon unnie's "comfort" that isn't comforting at all.
Today is the day we decide Blue LUV's fandom name.
Honestly, it's a day that feels a bit surreal to me.
In my head, Blue LUV's fandom name has always been Pista.
Even if that name doesn't exist in this world yet.
"Alright, shall we get started? I was thinking we'd ask the viewers first. Does anyone have any good ideas?"
The President asked the viewers first for ideas.
But they all tilted their heads as if nothing was coming to mind.
At that, the President's tone turned prickly, like when she scolds the members.
"Sigh, there are nearly ten thousand people here, and not one of you has an idea? Pathetic, just pathetic."
A few viewers pouted as if hurt by the President's scolding.
Others turned the arrows back on the President.
I perked up my ears, curious what great idea the President might have.
"Killer idea? Nah, I got nothing. Didn't think of a thing."
"...Huh?"
I ended up blurting out something dumb at the President's cool response.
The viewers seemed to think the same, busily roasting her right back.
But the President didn't yield at all.
No, she raised her voice even more, triumphantly adding,
"I came here to gather ideas from the kids and you all and hash it out. I don't have to come up with one myself."
With perfect timing, a donation sealed the deal.
Public opinion flipped in an instant, ruling the President not guilty.
Maybe the Cloud Squad is all flip-floppers.
...Yeah, but thinking about it, the Cherries are the same.
Streamies are all like that, probably.
Anyway, whether thanks to the President's intimidation or not.
Ideas started pouring in after that.
The problem was none of them felt quite right to the President or us.
"Nope, not happening. And you, go cool off for a bit."
There were folks deliberately tossing out dumb ideas midstream.
But the President swiftly cut down anything risky.
This is where her nearly ten years as a streamer really shine.
"Hmm, I think we've heard all the decent ideas from viewers... What about you, Lilith? Got anything good?"
Sensing no more solid suggestions were coming, the President passed the baton to us.
First up was Chae-yoon unnie.
"I don't have a specific idea, but I do hope it's connected to our group somehow."
"Connected how?"
"Well, Blue LUV comes from the blue of your name, 'Haneul,' right? Meaning kids loved under the sky."
"That's right."
Yeah, yeah. Blue LUV really is a pretty name.
I thought it was awesome when I first heard the meaning.
Even though in this world, I was the first to suggest it, somehow making me the one who created that meaning.
"So, something tied to that? Like how your viewers are Cloud Squad."
"Yeah, that's solid. Being under the 'sky' together would build a sense of belonging."
"Right?"
Positive reactions flooded in for Chae-yoon unnie's idea.
Now's my chance, I thought, carefully chiming in.
Agreeing with unnie, of course.
"President, how about this?"
"Ooh, our maknae. Got a good one?"
"Y-Yeah. Not sure if it's good, but..."
Even if Pista was established in my original world.
No telling how folks here would take it.
A twinge of anxiety made me lean on aegyo, but the President replied brightly.
"Don't be scared, spit it out. Come to think of it, our group name was your idea too. I trust our maknae's sense."
"Eh? N-No, it's not that big a deal..."
The viewers marveled at the President's brief behind-the-scenes reveal.
I waved my hands frantically denying it.
Sure, I did suggest it.
But borrowing future knowledge made it feel a bit guilty to claim full credit.
Same with the group name's meaning.
"Anyway, what's the name?"
"R-Right. I came up with Pista. Since Lilith unnie said something sky-related..."
"Pista?"
Yup, everyone thinks Pista is Peace + Star.
Great minds think alike.
I guessed the same when I first heard it.
But it actually means something a bit different.
"P-Piece as in fragment, not peace. And Star is star. So, like... shards of a star."
"Shards of a star? What's the idea behind that?"
"Before I explain, could you look at my screen real quick?"
"Sure. Did you draw something too?"
"Hehe... a little."
I quickly turned on screen share in Discord.
Showing the Pista fandom icon I'd drawn on my computer ahead of time.
A twinkling star with cute eyes, nose, and mouth.
With a subtle rainbow gradient glow.
"It's like this. And why star shards... We're virtual idols, right? Idols are often compared to stars."
"True."
"So, Pista are the star shards that come together to complete us. The rainbow is because we're all different colors, and so are the Pista— a bunch of varied people... That vibe."
Not the most eloquent explanation, since I'm no wordsmith.
But I think the meaning got across.
"Lilith, what do you think?"
After a long pause, the President asked Chae-yoon unnie first.
Probably so unnie wouldn't feel pressured to oppose her own idea.
"I love it. Meaning, sound, all of it."
"Me too. What about you all?"
Hehe, phew.
Everyone likes it.
For me, Pista rolls off the tongue perfectly, no resistance.
But for this world's future Pista, it's brand new.
I was worried about backlash.
But the vibe is all welcoming.
"Wait, the quality's too good. Meaning, fan character, sound... You came up with this in such short time? It's been less than two hours since I called."
"N-No. Actually, I've been thinking about naming the Pista for a while. We call you Cherries here, Black Moon Squad there... Feels distant."
Not every viewer watches every member's stream.
Even so, tons love Blue LUV as a group.
Like I used to.
But always Cherries on our streams.
Different names elsewhere.
It always felt lacking.
Especially since I held Pista dear in my heart.
I'd been planning to pitch it to the President someday.
Perfect timing now.
"Always just 'Cherries' or 'fans' feels sorry to group lovers. Wanted to name the fandom and say thanks properly."
Ehehe.
A bit embarrassed.
But I didn't want to lie.
Even if shy, I wanted to share this truth.
"Now that we've got the fandom name, shall our maknae say what she's always wanted to say, right here? Sound good?"
"R-Right now?"
"Yup. You wanted to, right?"
...Not right now, though.
Classic President.
Once I mention it, she has to make it happen immediately.
Uuu...
Y-Yeah, kinda embarrassing.
But she laid out the stage, so no backing out.
Fine when it pops into my head casually with Cherries.
"Let's go with 'I love you' instead of just 'thanks.' Pista will like that more."
"Uuu... Okay."
Hurdle raised higher, no choice.
I brought it up, so lead by example.
"P-Pista... I love youuu..."
Mumbling it out somehow.
The chat scrolled wildly with heated reactions.
I wanted to crawl into a hole right then...
"Hehe..."
But seeing everyone happy made me smile too.
Me, who dreamed of Pista always bringing joy to Blues.
Now a Blue bringing joy to Pista.
It tickled in a weirdly good way, making me keep grinning.
Yeah.
Let's stick together, Pista.