Chapter 3
There had been quite a few girls who hit on me at Voice Code, so I didn't remember them all individually. I figured their confessions weren't heartfelt anyway. What did they even know about me to confess like that? Just because I was tall and decent-looking. They probably thought I'd look good on their arm. But even so, I remembered Kim Doa's name. Because the look on her face when I rejected her was burned so vividly into my memory.
Neat brown hair. Deep brown round eyes. Eyes brimming with half-formed tears after I turned her down. Why are you crying if you only confessed because of my looks? What kind of deep emotional bond did we have for her to make that anime-finale-heroine face and put me in such an awkward spot?
The memory resurfaced, and I shook my head vigorously. "Whatever... That was months ago."
Doa hadn't deliberately picked me for the same team, so I had no intention of blaming her. I just figured the professor's random assignment program had zero tact.
I pushed thoughts of Doa aside, grabbed my mouse again, and dove into Luca's clips from this week. Seen this one. Seen that one too. Heck, I even uploaded this myself.
Luca usually streamed three times a week—anything more, and she said real life got in the way. We fans—collectively known as the Pingdupdan—always clamored for her to ditch real life and stream daily, but she stuck to her guns, saying she had to go to school. Those short streams only made us thirstier. And I was parched for Luca.
"Haa... I've seen everything... Damn."
I rubbed my tired eyes, hands clasped. Sure, I had other ways to kill time, but Luca remained number one in my heart. Sharp wit. Takes all my weeb jokes in stride. Sprinkles in Japanese now and then. And those rare moments of genuine emotion... Ugh, can't handle it.
I fired up YouTube for a replay binge, and peace washed over me. Man, it'd be heaven to have a girlfriend just like Luca... I'd smile all day long...
We chatted idly for about three minutes before Doa popped up in the chat.
I plugged in my earbuds and hit the voice button. Junseok's voice came through right away.
"Uh. Uh. Can you hear me?"
"Yes! Loud and clear."
"You too. Minji. Hey. Taemin. Say something."
"Yeah. Hear you."
"Okay... Taemin's good... Doa late again? Why isn't she joining?"
Right then—ding ring—new user connecting.
"Can you hear me?"
"Yeah, Doa. Why so late?"
"S-sorry..."
"What? Were you gaming?"
"Huh?"
"Your status says 'In Game' under your name."
"Oh... I left it on from earlier. I didn't get late from gaming."
I listened quietly, but something stood out the more I heard. Kim Doa—her mic quality was insanely good. Minji and Junseok sounded like standard earbuds, but Doa's voice cut through like the world had gone silent, no noise at all. Almost identical to Luca's stream just now.
"Really? What's your tier, Doa?"
"I'm bad."
"Silver?"
"No. Bronze."
"Hey, enough chit-chat."
Sensing the off-topic rambling, I steered us back.
"Right. Everyone's here, so let's start the meeting. Recap the topics from class..."
Truth be told, I wasn't that invested in this ad project, so any direction was fine. Best to let group members lead—the ones who step up rarely get much out of it.
"So, summing up—Option 1 and 2 seem solid? Let's vote one by one."
"I think the first one's better for points."
"Minji's for 1. Taemin?"
"Personally, I like 2 better."
"Okay. Doa?"
"I..."
A hesitant voice.
"Me too... 2."
"Alright... 2 it is then. Cool with you, Minji? Even if it's the second option?"
"Yep! Both fine, 2 works. Easier for video production too."
"Good... First week, so lock the topic. Everyone find related articles or data before next class."
Nothing much to do on day one. But even online, sharing this time with Doa felt uncomfortable.
"That it?"
"Yeah... I guess? Any suggestions or stuff to discuss?"
"Oh, oppa. Next week."
"What's next week?"
"Tuesday and Thursday... Might not make meetings. Okay?"
Tuesday and Thursday? I inwardly cheered. Those were Luca's VTuber idol audition days. Whew... I'd have propped up my tablet and watched during the meeting... Any Luca fan had to tune in. She'd passed round 2—only finals left. (No clue on format, but still.) Thanks... Seriously, Doa...! I'd felt bad faking an excuse, so I silently thanked her from the heart.
"If so... Friday's my only free day? You guys?"
"Friday or Saturday works for me!"
"Friday good."
"Next week, Friday after school around 7 or 8 then. Cool?"
"Thank you so much... I have something huge next week. I'll work hard!"
Doa sighed in relief—sounded like a big deal for her too.
"Alright. Meeting over! I'm out."
Ding—Junseok left first.
Figured that was it. I hit the bathroom, came back, and went to disconnect Voice Code... but then.
"Will that spring we shared together... come around again?"
"Warm sunlight. That dazzling smile."
"Still makes me breathe."
"Hmm~ Hm-hmm~ Hmm~"
— Faint humming, growing closer
What the—? I thought I'd left a Luca stream or clip running. But my desktop showed only Voice Code open. Double-checked—no mistake. My heart started pounding.
No way... But why... there...? I swallowed hard, cranked the volume max.
It wasn't sung into the mic. Sounded like it echoed from afar, picked up raw and vivid—not a recording. But I knew that voice. No way I wouldn't.
Footsteps approached with the song. Humming, content. Click—mouse. Then...
"Hello...? Taemin oppa...?"
"Hello...?"
No response. Seconds later, Doa disconnected.
My heart hammered like I'd sprinted holding my breath. No way...? I misheard? Right...?
I prayed desperately it was a mistake. It made no sense... How could Doa be...? If my suspicion was true... I'd rejected my idol, my ideal type. Luca.