Chapter 14
I was fiddling with my phone without a care in the world when I bolted upright in bed.
...It's here! The big one is really here!
I'd heard that Luca's personal broadcast channel hadn't posted any announcements yet, and now my heart was pounding like crazy. It was like the 21st-century Pandora's box had appeared right before my eyes.
Sigh... What was this feeling... like? Was this how my parents felt when they got my college entrance exam scores? I was curious, but opening this notification terrified me.
What if Luca didn't make it and that's why there was no announcement...? Oh no... then she'd spiral into another mental health episode and stop streaming and... no, that couldn't happen...
As negative thoughts started creeping in, I slapped my own cheek.
"What kind of jinx is that, Han Taemin?"
She must've nailed it, no doubt. Yeah. What I needed right now was faith. If anyone should believe in Luca's success, it was me—a loyal Pingtukdan fan.
I tapped my thumb and logged into the YM Entertainment app. Maybe because it was such a high-profile project, but the site layout felt flashy and polished. Under the elegant script reading CLOSER, there was Korean text.
Final Member List
These are the streamers selected as official members after internal review.
Jennifer, Lea, Hoomring, Luca, Clover
We sincerely thank all participating streamers and viewers who showed interest.
We look forward to your continued love and support!
"Uwaaaaaah!"
The neighbors might complain, but right now, I just wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. Yes! I believed in her! There was no way this could've gone wrong, right?
Kim Doa. You... you really... haaah...
The emotion was still lingering when another notification popped up.
Luca is broadcasting live!
Whoa. Killer title sense. As a devout Pingtukdan, I prepared to reverently greet my idol with a pious heart.
I plopped down in front of the monitor, straightened my back, and there was Luca's avatar on screen, smiling gently.
The chat was already flooded with sappy messages and congrats before the stream even properly started.
Luca's avatar smirked, one corner of her mouth curling up. Ahh... yes, this is it. We'd waited so long for this. She looked so majestic yet witty—it was perfect.
The moment she turned on the blush effect, the chat exploded.
Dropping the concept, Luca flashed a bright, innocent smile.
Cheers, claps, and fireworks emojis poured in to match her shout.
Suddenly, she dropped a one-hour club music mix, and Luca-land started bopping her head wildly.
But most V-tuber viewers aren't exactly club kids. Some politely spammed shake-shake chats, but plenty more flooded with question marks.
Checking the reactions, Luca shook her head and killed the music.
Luca still hadn't fully patched her filter—it was rough censoring herself. I couldn't help but chuckle; so very Luca.
What followed was a nostalgic anime OP playlist.
Luca bobbed her head side to side just like with the club track.
I grinned ear to ear every time she sang along, feeling all warm and fuzzy. The reaction was definitely twice as good as the club stuff.
She cut the music and delivered the bad news in a calm tone.
She trailed off, sounding a bit wistful, but then...
Somehow, it only made things better—the chats were full of "so cute," with some even calling it a reward.
Whoever made that salute emote nailed it. Seeing everyone pledge loyalty like that, Luca nodded with a pleased smile.
Luca has ended the broadcast.
Whew... pure flavor. Seeing Luca so overjoyed left me with no regrets.
I wished I could treat Doa to something yummy for all her hard work... maybe say I'd buy tomorrow's meal. Including Junseok might make it a solid plan. Minji had already bailed for tutoring tomorrow.
After Doa flaked once, Junseok didn't wanna leave her out, so he'd let it go. It always hit me how tough it was to sync four adults.
"Haven't been downtown in ages."
The VR arcade was a 30-minute public transit ride from home. First time since Yoonjae dragged us to that club. Anyway, thinking about meeting Doa—who'd actually become an idol—stirred up a bittersweet mix.
I'd probably grin like an idiot just seeing her. So awkward, yet thrilled to the point of madness—a total contradiction.
Vrrr~
My phone buzzed. Who'd text this late?
"Hey. Taemin? It's Junseok."
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Uh... well..."
"What is it?"
"Could you and Doa maybe go just the two of you tomorrow?"
"...Huh?"
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah... my grandma's really not doing well."
"Oh. If it's that..."
"No worries, go take care of it."
"Thanks for understanding."
"Don't mention it. You take care."
"I'll tell Doa myself. Really sorry."
"No apologies needed. Of course you gotta visit the hospital."
"After this, I'll join everything full force."
"Sure sure. Sounds busy—go on."
"Yeah. Thanks."
I felt bad for Junseok, but only for a moment. This wasn't the time to worry about others so casually.
"Oh..."
So tomorrow, just me and Doa. At a VR spot, no less?
"...I'm screwed."
First the professor, now you too, Junseok? My face burned.