Chapter 163: Him?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 163: Him?
“Ah, I said I was wrong, didn’t I?”
But my boyfriend wasn’t responding.
Even though this was my third apology, he hadn’t moved an inch.
“Aww~ Oppa~ I said I’m sorry, okay? Hmm?”
I wrapped my arms around his neck from behind, nuzzling my cheek against his.
“No. Why did you have to reveal my username?”
“But other people were asking too~ About the origin of your name. It’s something all idol groups do when they first debut.”
“I’m not an idol group.”
His childish pout made me want to flick his forehead, but I had to restrain myself today.
After all, I had taken the teasing a bit too far.
“But you’re a genius composer instead. Arrrrrr.”
I pinched Oppa’s cheeks with both hands, stretching his skin out like mochi.
He’s older than me, so why is his skin so supple?
“Don’ do tha’.”
“I will if you stop sulking.”
“I’m nod sulking.”
He was clearly pouting but refused to admit it.
Pulling his face toward mine, I peppered his lips with kisses.
Smack.
“Hey, Kim Doah. Do you think I’m…”
Smack.
“Just because you do this…!”
Smack.
“I’m not going to just let it…”
Smack.
Giving up after all my interruptions, Oppa suddenly lifted me into his arms and tossed me onto the bed.
“…So you finally deign to look my way.”
When I delivered the line like a tragic heroine, Oppa burst out laughing in disbelief.
“Excuse me! Luka-ssi! I was looking at you the whole time!”
“If you want a kiss, now’s the time! Lucario-nim!”
I yelled, mimicking Luka’s voice. He leaned over, as if he couldn’t fight it any longer.
What followed was a kiss a little too long to be called a simple peck.
As if on cue, we wrapped our arms around each other’s necks, savoring the sweet feeling.
“…I’m pretty sure I just asked for a kiss.”
“I’m innocent. You’re the one who seduced me.”
Hearing the kind of cringey-sweet lines you’d only see in a stream chat was a lot to handle in person.
“So, are you not mad anymore?”
“I told you, I wasn’t mad.”
“Bleh.”
He was still pouting but wouldn’t admit it.
“Did you finish talking with the company?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t anything major. Just how and where to receive the prize money, and a brief explanation of how the album production will proceed.”
“That’s good.”
Sitting up, I pulled the blanket around myself.
“We’re almost done with our second album.”
“Has the release date been announced?”
Then and now, whenever we talked about this, his eyes would light up.
I wasn’t sure whether to feel happy for him or a little sad for myself.
“Yes. The teaser will be out soon. Probably next weekday? I think they said it would be out by Friday.”
“KYAAAAAAK!”
The wailing composer, Lucario-ssi.
With that handsome face of his, Oppa was tearing at his hair.
“What are you doing?”
“A howl of joy. It’s a required ritual.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
I straightened his legs and settled myself on his lap.
He naturally wrapped his arms around my waist.
It seemed the wicked Lucario’s hands had no intention of leaving my tummy alone today.
“By the way, I have a bold statement to make.”
Right. I should tell him this.
“What is it?”
“I think the songs the viewers made are better than our album!”
I didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but at least that’s how I felt.
When I first received the instrumental and guide tracks for the second album, I thought they were amazing. But after actually listening to the winning songs from the fan-made album, they felt even better.
“Aish, stop flattering me.”
Even though he said that, an unstoppable smile on his face showed he was pleased.
“Ahem… And whose song might you be referring to…?”
His blatant fishing for a compliment was a little annoying, so I decided to mess with him.
“Ash Block-nim’s, of course. He was in a league of his own, the clear winner.”
“Ah… right… Ash-hyungnim’s song is good…”
Since snippets of the winning songs had been played during the Saturday collab stream, Oppa must have heard them too.
“I’m kidding. Your song is great too, Oppa.”
“Yeah, right.”
“No, no, for reaaal~ I’m telling you, yours is my favorite!”
“Ah, Leah’s the only one for me. I’m going to subscribe to Leah-tan right now.”
…Okay, he’s crossing the line.
Instead of replying, I just turned to glare at him. He finally seemed to get the picture.
“I’m sorry. It was a joke.”
“If ‘sorry’ was enough, why would we need police or laws!”
“Hey now. Subscribing to another member of your group isn’t exactly a crime that requires calling the police.”
I had to let out a dry laugh because what I said was ridiculous too.
“Ugh, I don’t care. Just don’t. Only look at me. Honey. Got it?!”
I kissed him deeply again, as if to mark my territory, and he tried to lay me flat on my back.
“I… I… have to go stream, though?”
By now, I could tell just by the look in his eyes.
I knew what Oppa wanted from me when he had those beastly eyes.
Of course, I didn’t dislike that side of him.
In fact, I preferred this give-and-take to the beginning of our relationship, where I always had to be the one to initiate things.
But, the time…
The clock on the wall told us we had less than thirty minutes.
“…No?”
If only you hadn’t sulked for so long.
Instead of answering, I pulled his t-shirt upwards.
*
The joy of winning was short-lived.
I had to start thinking about my future plans.
Should I keep making more music…
Making music itself was fun, but I had no idea where to even begin.
Before, I’d gotten a lucky break and joined YM, where I received training according to their curriculum. But now, I was basically lost at sea without a compass.
Sitting in my computer chair, I clicked on a notification that had arrived.
[Is This The Average Viewer?! Fan-Made Album Award Winners Announcement!]
Ooh… it’s already up?
I thought it would take a while to edit.
I couldn’t resist, so I clicked on the video uploaded to the official Closer channel.
Even though it had been less than an hour since it was posted, it already had tens of thousands of views.
The number of comments was already over several hundred.
Normally, I didn’t bother checking how many comments a video got, but today was different.
Because comments about me had to be mixed in there somewhere.
With a nervous heart, I pressed the play button, and the memories of that day came flooding back vividly.
[Kyaaa! I love it so much!]
Fumurin screaming.
Leah thanking Ash Block.
When the other winners were on screen, I could watch it normally, just enjoying it like any other video.
Still, Luka's parts got a decent amount of screen time.
Just as I was thinking they did a good job editing and took a gulp of the barley tea in my plastic bottle…
[Alright, let's bring on our next guest~ He's captured the insane refreshment of summer! Let's welcome RKRO-nim!]
“Cough…!”
I knew it was coming, but I didn’t expect it at that moment, so I choked.
What the. Why did they edit it in a different order from the live stream?
Wow… I’m not even showing my face, so why is this so embarrassing?
I don’t think I felt this way even when I saw the 100 Questions video.
Every time I spoke, the letter ‘R’ appeared on the screen, which made it look a bit like that thing.
Like the single-letter name of a genius detective in a mystery manga.
Of course, the reality was that I was just an otaku who was head-over-heels for a VTuber.
[Oh my. The ‘Luka’ part… was that perhaps… in reference… to me…?]
A close-up of Luka’s sly expression filled the screen.
The chat from Closer fans, laughing at the public call-out.
Uwaaaaaah!
I knew it! I knew this would happen!
Agh. Seriously. There was a reason I told them not to do that.
My segment in the video had very little about the song itself and was mostly edited to show Luka and Fumurin teasing me.
This was supposed to be a music production show…
Why did you edit it like a comedy clip…
And yet, the fact that it perfectly hit all the selling points just proved how professional the editors were.
It was frustrating, but if I were anyone else, I’m sure I would have laughed while watching it too.
Vvvvring.
My phone vibrated.
I thought it might be Doah, but my guess was way off.
The call was from the YM staff member who had contacted me about the award.
[Hello?]
[Ah, yes, hello. RKRO-nim.]
[Yes, hello.]
I was sure we’d gone over everything and finished our conversation.
Why are they calling me?
Did I fill out a form wrong or something?
[Um… by any chance…]
The moment she said “by any chance,” my breath caught in my throat.
No way. Don’t tell me they figured out I’m Han Taemin.
If they’re calling to cast me for something else again…!
Just the thought of it gave me a headache.
My mouth went dry with anxiety, but I tried my best to remain calm.
[Yes. Go on.]
[Um… Ash Block-nim asked if he could have your email address. Would it be alright if I gave it to him?]
…The guy who won first place?
Her words were so unexpected that a question mark popped up over my head.