Chapter 133: Maiden Luka
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 133: Maiden Luka
[Luka-ssi! We’re about to start the confirmation process for the concert as scheduled. Have you arrived?]
A map made just for me.
For one person and one person only.
Of course, this source material might be used for the other members’ concerts later on, but I couldn't help but feel my chest swell with emotion.
I logged into VRWorld and accepted the invitation.
The loading screen faded, and what unfolded before my eyes was…
“Whoa…”
So this… is what it means to be a virtual idol…?
As I stepped onto the stage, my manager’s avatar, dressed in a suit, waved at me.
[Hello! Luka-ssi!]
[Ah! Yes! Hello, Unnie!]
[What do you think of the map?]
My face was probably giving away a lot right now.
Unfortunately, I had no idea if VR could properly express it.
[This is absolutely, incredibly amazing.]
I felt like I could throw every compliment in the book at it and it still wouldn't be enough.
The concert hall was designed to look like the kind of stage singers perform on at year-end festivals. Behind me, a massive screen displayed an illustration of Luka.
[The fans will be able to watch from the audience here in VR.]
[Do you know how many people…?]
[I’ll have to talk to the server management team to give you a definite answer on that.]
[I see.]
[Shall we go see the avatars now?]
[Yes!]
Next up after the map was the avatar.
To be honest, ever since I joined the company, the quality of my avatars had never once disappointed me.
Perhaps because I had struggled so much when I was working alone, everything they prepared for me looked beautiful, and the Pink Army always cheered, saying how cute it was.
I accepted an invitation to another map and logged in. The staff who had prepared the avatars I would be wearing were already there.
[What do you think?]
[Wow, I’m so excited!]
My heart was already pounding.
There were two new forms.
One had short hair, almost like an apple-style updo, which was different from my usual look. The other one was the real masterpiece.
A super cute, mini-avatar was shaking its butt, dancing in front of me.
[We thought it would get a great reaction if you wore this and posted short clips and things like that.]
[I know, right! Ah, my heart can’t take it.]
It was funny that I was reacting this way to my own avatar, but what could I do? It was genuinely cute.
[Hmm… we have one more concert avatar in production. After that, the original song is our top priority.]
An original song.
A task I had to complete from start to finish, not as a group, but on my own.
As someone who wasn't very confident in my singing, I was nervous, but I couldn't hide my anticipation.
[Has there been much progress?]
[Ah, of course. The instrumental is already finished, and the last I heard, they were working on the guide track. You should hear from them soon.]
[Oh man… I’m so nervous…]
[I told you who the composer was, right?]
[Yes! That famous person from the company.]
[You have every reason to be excited! I’ll contact you again if there are any more updates.]
[Okay! Thank you!]
Taking off the headset, I sat in my computer chair and kicked my feet with joy.
Ughhhhh!
Can I do this?
Ah, but that avatar is so cute.
Of all the members of the Pink Army, the one I cherished the most.
Oppa’s face came to mind.
I picked up my phone and gave him a call.
[Hello?]
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’s up’? Am I not allowed to call you?”
[No? It’s not that. It’s just that we’re going to see each other soon, so I thought maybe something happened.]
Today was my long-awaited hanbok date with Oppa.
I was at the studio for work, so I had to hurry back and get ready to go out.
“Oppa.”
[Yeah?]
“This solo concert is going to be absolutely epic!”
As I spoke, my voice filled with excitement, I heard a pleasant laugh from the other end of the line.
[Really? Sounds like they showed you something new.]
“I saw the new avatar in person today. It’s unreal. The epitome of kawaii.”
[…Do you have a picture?]
His voice was thick with desire.
“Nope. I don’t have one. Too bad.”
[Alright. So, I just need to be ready to leave by two, right?]
“Yep. I’ll see you in front of my place.”
[Okay~ I’m gonna go shower now!]
“Okay!”
After hanging up, I quickly threw on my padded jacket and rushed home.
I showered and dried my hair.
It wasn't exactly a photoshoot… but I planned on taking a lot of pictures, so I wanted to put in some extra effort.
The base makeup should be good enough. A lighter touch would probably suit the hanbok better, right?
I quickly drew my eyebrows, and for the final touch, I applied a light pink lip gloss.
Perfect. It’ll look great with the hanbok.
Happily wondering what kind of hanbok I should make Oppa wear, I stepped outside and waved at the tall, handsome boyfriend standing in the distance.
“Mr. Kim Eojin!” I greeted him with a mischievous joke.
“Ah! Luka-tan!” Oppa immediately countered, not to be outdone.
I had made the joke after checking that no one was around, so we burst into laughter the moment our eyes met.
“Hey. Who told you to call me that?”
Oppa started squishing my cheeks like they were mochi.
“Ah, I just did my makeup! Let go!”
Jeez. I spent so much time on this.
After checking my face again with a hand mirror, I looked up at him with a resentful expression.
“Let’s go.”
He held out his hand to me.
“Okay.”
Taking his hand, I finally noticed he was carrying a bag.
“What’s in the bag?”
It was an item he didn't usually carry, so I was curious about its contents.
“There’s something I want to do with you later.”
…Something he wants to do with me?
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing big.”
“If it’s nothing big, then just tell me.”
“A 100 Questions Questionnaire.”
I tilted my head at the unexpected answer.
“A 100 Questions Questionnaire?”
“Yeah. The company said they’re going to release a YouTube video with it.”
“Ooh… really…?”
So Oppa’s new activities were starting!
It was a small-scale drama, but the reviews for him had been good.
There was the school violence issue, but it hadn't spread maliciously yet.
We firmly believed that YM would handle it well.
“Then let’s do it at a cafe after we’re done with the hanboks and everything.”
“Yeah. That’s what I was going to suggest.”
A twenty-minute bus ride brought us right in front of the palace.
“It’s a relief the weather isn’t too cold.”
I thought it would be a disaster to pay for a hanbok just to shiver in the cold.
But the heavens must have been on our side, because the sunny weather was a little less chilly than usual.
“I know. Let’s hurry up and rent them.”
Many of the shops targeting foreigners were known to overcharge, so we had already made a reservation at a place we’d researched beforehand.
As we entered the rental shop, a staff member came out to greet us.
“You can choose from anything between here and here. If you’d like to try something on, just let me know, and you can change over there!”
Grabbing Oppa’s wrist, I decided to first pick out what I wanted him to wear.
“You’re wearing what I pick.”
“Why?”
“You decided on my outfit, so it’s only fair that I get to do the same.”
Seeing no room to argue, Oppa obediently let me drag him back and forth to the fitting room.
“…How is it?”
Ha… Wow… This is…
“Oh my! It looks so good on you!”
My lips twitched at the staff member’s compliment.
Sigh… Isn’t my Oppa just the handsomest?
Ah, he’s just so handsome.
You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but how could he look like he’d walked straight out of a manhwa?
Not wanting to show my expression, I covered my face with one hand and answered in a small voice.
“Let’s just go with that one.”
Dressed in the light purple hanbok, Oppa truly looked like a handsome man straight out of an Eastern fantasy webtoon.
“If you don’t like it, I can try on something else.”
He strode toward me.
My heart fluttered, and I kept avoiding his gaze. He gently took my chin in his hand and turned my face toward his.
“Maiden. Where are your eyes wandering?”
…Is this the kind of thing they teach you at acting academy?!
“Uh… uh… Just wear that one!”
My face was beet red, and I couldn't take it anymore. I pushed him away and ran toward the women’s hanbok section.
I picked out a jeogori [upper garment] that was as similar as possible to the Luka hanbok Oppa had ordered.
I’ll get my revenge.
I swear I’ll get my revenge, Han Taemin.
You will be held responsible for toying with this maiden’s heart, my lord.
“You’re wearing that one?”
As I chose my hanbok, Oppa, who had been standing idly behind me, watched me with a very sly look on his face.
Look at him. That wicked lord is grinning from ear to ear just because I’m doing what he wants.
“Yes. I’ll change into this quickly, so could you wait right outside?”
A good idea to tease him popped into my head, and I forced Oppa to stand in front of the fitting room.
I took off my clothes and put on the undergarments.
Following the staff’s instructions, I put on the skirt and jeogori, then cleared my throat.
“Ahem… ahem…! Oppa. Can you come help me for a second?”
“Huh? Is something wrong?”
“Yeah. Just come inside for a moment.”
My voice was just loud enough for him to hear, so the staff member probably didn't catch it.
When Oppa peeked inside, I gave him the most alluring smile I could manage.
“Would you be so kind as to tie this maiden’s ribbons?”
Oppa’s jaw dropped, and it showed no signs of closing.