Chapter 11
Wednesday morning. Today was the day I'd be assisting none other than Luca herself right by her side. I still hadn't shaken off the afterglow from yesterday.
The live announcement of the audition results had set not just the candidates' hearts ablaze but the viewers' too, and Luca barely made the final cut to deliver her acceptance news. Tons of PingDdukDan fans were flooding the chats with emotional tears, but Luca just went and dropped one of her genuine curses—the kind she usually saves for her private streams.
Her pink ponytail avatar in close-up. The host looked frozen, like someone had hit pause. Every bit of that moment—the staging, the camera work—was pure comedy gold. If it'd been broadcast TV, it would've been edited out for sure, but the live stream meant Luca's curse hit the viewers' eardrums raw and unfiltered.
"Ah... Luca looks extremely thrilled! Everyone, please send her lots of support!"
A beat too late. The other candidates cracking up. And finally, Luca covering her face with both hands—whether from embarrassment or emotion—that clip was still climbing the popular videos chart. The 30-second snippet had racked up 300,000 views in a single day. The comment section was a riot.
Honestly, I'd watched it live, but I'd replayed the clip like ten times since. Luca-land, why'd you curse so savagely? Sure, some folks reacted badly to the profanity, but public opinion was leaning toward "cute" or "real as hell, love it."
Seeing Doa's face would probably make me crack up no matter what. Wonder if I can keep a straight face. My chest swelled with emotion, but I also really wanted to tease her. Still, that wasn't happening.
Streamers and VTubers who don't show their faces tend to be extremely wary of doxxing. There've even been cases where threats forced them to take breaks or quit altogether. If you're a true fan, pretending not to know—for the sake of their streams—is the right call, in my book. I'm no damn kid threatening "Ahaha, I know who you are." Nah, I was content cheering from the shadows.
I pushed open the door and scanned the lecture hall for our scattered group again. Easiest way? Spot Jo Junseok's head—our team leader. Light brown curls, super distinctive.
"Junseok, hey."
"Taemin's here."
No sign of Doa or Minji.
"Where're the girls?"
"They stepped out to the bathroom. But they did show up."
Junseok nodded toward the back seats, where the girls' bags and jackets sat.
"Got it."
"Oh, and team projects have been a total pain this whole semester."
I shrugged off my coat and nodded along. "Yeah, annoying as hell."
"Eh, we'll just grind till mids. No need for the full semester."
I agreed in principle, but the results? Debatable. Reality had hooked me up with Luca, after all. Might be just another project for Junseok, but for me, it was pure bliss.
"Better than two projects in the same semester with different groups, anyway."
We traded some dumb small talk till the girls slipped in from the back.
"Oh! Taemin oppa, hi!"
Minji beamed. "Hey."
"Hello."
Doa gave a quick bow and scurried to her seat. Yeah, she definitely found me uncomfortable. Realizing I was the guy Luca hated now twisted my gut, but karma's a bitch. What can you do when you rejected her?
Still, knowing the Luca who'd dropped an F-bomb yesterday was sitting right there made keeping a poker face brutal.
"...Something good happen?"
Maybe she caught my expression. Junseok eyed me like what's up, so I scratched my head awkwardly.
"Your face looked kinda pervy just now."
He smirked, and I smacked my lips in embarrassment. I wanted to burst out laughing, shove the clip in their faces, and yell "Isn't this adorable?!" But that'd just be Luca harassment. Plus, "normie cosplay"—I had to play the part.
It's not like I hid being an otaku. Tried coming out once, hoping it'd make people back off, but nope—backfired. They just tried converting me. "World's full of great stuff, don't be like that." Bullshit to suit themselves. They wanted understanding but tried changing me? Pass.
"Alright, everyone. Good morning."
The prof walked in, and class started. First hour: lecture. Second: group check-ins. Junseok pulled up the PPT he'd prepped for the prof.
"Whaddya think? Looks good?"
"Yeah, super clean."
"Totally agree. Junseok oppa's the king of organization at this point."
Doa bobbed her head enthusiastically beside him.
"Sigh... But is this even heading the way the prof wants?"
"True, last time he was like, 'needs more meat.'"
Yeah, he'd hinted at having a specific vision. We could only wait and hope our strategy landed.
"Let's check this group."
The prof approached for real check-ins.
"Yes, for our group, last time we..."
Junseok was a packaging wizard. How'd he spin our vague ramblings into that? Near miracles. But the prof's face wasn't thrilled.
"Hmm... Targeting MZ gen doesn't quite cut it."
Prof knew his stuff. What sounded perfect to me got picked apart.
"If that's your strategy, this angle's way more logical and eye-catching. But your prelim research is way too thin."
Our whole group went mute, honey-dumb.
"Yes, sir..."
"This group's a bit tight on time. Better reset to target analysis."
Minji and Doa's faces crumpled. Mine probably too. Reset? Reset?!
Two weeks' work down the drain hurt. Or... lucky we didn't scrap it week three? Tried positive spin, but my stomach churned.
"It's Wednesday, so rework the PPT with my advice by Friday."
Two days. Faces paled.
"Email's in the syllabus—include student ID and name. I'll feedback over the weekend. That'll sync us with other groups."
"Yes. Thank you."
Thanks my ass—no one was grateful.
"Whew..."
Post-storm. Junseok rubbed his face, voice heavy.
"...So that's how it is."
"Ugh... Total overkill..."
Minji grumbled blankly.
"Can't ignore it when he's checking personally..."
Some profs are like that—overzealous. Rest on weekends, why inspect...?
"Um..."
Doa, our quietest, spoke up.
"Yeah, Doa? What's up?"
"I'm... really busy today and tomorrow. Can't participate."
She'd warned last week, but guilt dripped from her voice.
"But deadline's Friday. Realistically, zilch?"
Doa shrank at Junseok's blunt callout.
"...Yes."
"Reason?"
Doa's reason for today and tomorrow? That was...
"Personal stuff... Sorry..."
"Doa, even if personal, skipping entirely? That's an issue. Give us something brief so we get it."
...How could she? Admit she's a VTuber, prepping for her make-or-break idol audition?
Doa's pupils quivered in panic.
"Doa. At least explain minimally."
Cornered, no excuses handy.
"I'll do it."
Interrupting's rude, I knew. But sometimes courtesy takes a backseat.
"I'll cover Doa's share too. Junseok."
Leave it to me. Luca-land...
Doa's deep brown eyes widened even further.