I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 12
Da-jeong is a Treasure!It had been a while since all the members gathered together.
Just that fact alone made it impossible for me to hide my excitement.
Thump-thump—
As I got out of the car and walked toward the company building, I hopped on both feet like a zombie.
Honestly, I didn’t even realize it until then.
That I was walking so foolishly.
“Pfft. Da-jeong, why are you so happy?”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yeah, you were jumping around so cutely.”
‘Like this?’ Ra-hee unnie reenacted my earlier movements.
It looked like something a ten-year-old would do.
Did I really do that?
I couldn’t quite believe it, but Ra-hee unnie wouldn’t make something like that up.
My face turned bright red as I quickly composed myself and walked into the company with more dignified steps.
Ra-hee unnie, watching me from behind, said, “It was cute, can’t you show me more?” but…
No, even if it’s Ra-hee unnie, I can’t do that.
No, actually, because it’s Ra-hee unnie, I really can’t.
It’s just too embarrassing.
“Ra-hee and Da-jeong, come on in.”
When we arrived at the meeting room where we had all gathered before, the boss, standing in the hallway, greeted us warmly.
Even though I knew she was a very kind person, the moment I remembered she was the boss, my body stiffened, and my voice trembled.
“Ah, hello, boss…”
“Hello. Are we late?”
“The others are already here, but it’s fine. They just arrived too.”
As the boss gestured for us to come in, I scurried over…
Squish—
“Huh?!”
“Before that, let me hug our cute maknae!”
Out of nowhere, the boss hugged me.
Suddenly, my face was buried in her chest, and I felt dizzy from the sudden physical contact.
By the way, boss, if we’re talking about the maknae, Yuna is also the maknae like me…?!
Ah, maybe she already hugged Yuna, so I’m the next target?
If that’s the case, I can understand, but still.
“Alright, is everyone here?”
“Boss, let go of Da-jeong first.”
“Ah, right.”
Even after opening the door, the boss didn’t let go of me until Ra-hee unnie reached out to rescue me.
Phew, I almost died… huh?
Squeeze—
“Come on, Da-jeong, sit next to unnie.”
“Hng…!”
Just as I was about to breathe in the sweet air after escaping the boss’s embrace.
This time, Ra-hee unnie pulled me into her arms and sat me down on a chair.
Why is it that not only the boss but also our members are so touchy?
If it were just among girls, maybe it’d be fine, but as a guy, this is dangerous in many ways.
“Alright, today, remember the avatar concept Da-jeong came up with? We’ve got a sample back from the illustrators, so I called you all in. We’ll start practicing for the broadcast soon.”
I was already curious about why we were gathered today.
It was as if the boss had read my mind as she placed a tablet on the table and spoke.
The sample is already done?
It’s only been two weeks!
“Wow, already?”
“That’s really fast.”
“Doesn’t it usually take forever to make something like that?”
It wasn’t just me who thought that, as the members also reacted with surprise.
I’d heard that even a single illustration commissioned to an outsider could take a long time.
How could they have made the avatars so quickly?
“That’s thanks to Da-jeong.”
“Huh? Me?”
Just as my confusion deepened.
The boss suddenly pointed at me and smiled, startling me.
What, what did I do?
I didn’t do anything.
“Actually, when we were commissioning the avatars, Da-jeong gave her opinion on which illustrator would be best for each avatar.”
“Really, Da-jeong?”
“Ah, yeah…”
I nodded awkwardly at Yuna, who was staring at me with wide, rabbit-like eyes.
It wasn’t something I needed to hide.
On the day I first showed the members the rough sketches of their avatars.
When the members went to the bathroom, leaving just me and the boss, I quietly shared my thoughts.
Since what I had drawn was just a rough sketch.
I thought that to create avatars that truly captured the members’ charm, we needed the touch of the original illustrators.
So, I suggested which illustrator would be best for each avatar.
At the time, the boss said she couldn’t promise anything since they’d need to check the illustrators’ portfolios and schedules, but she said she’d try to follow my suggestions if possible.
So, I didn’t know how it would turn out, but it seems they successfully commissioned the illustrators I recommended.
“It was really amazing. The illustrators Da-jeong recommended were not only talented but also all had open schedules.”
“Wow, really?”
Wow, this is the first time I’m hearing this too.
I knew which illustrators were assigned, but I didn’t know the details like this.
I hadn’t even considered that far, but it must have been a coincidence.
How could all the illustrators have been available at the same time?
“Yeah, that’s why we got it done so quickly. Even though it’s just a rough sample, finishing this much in two weeks is impressive. Da-jeong’s concept played a big part too.”
‘Da-jeong is a treasure, a real treasure,’ the boss praised me without holding back.
All the members’ eyes turned to me, and a round of applause followed.
Ugh, this is so embarrassing.
If it were praise for my actual skills, maybe I’d feel differently, however this is just me coasting on future knowledge.
“Da-jeong, you’re weak to praise, huh?”
Ra-hee unnie, who had come closer, patted my head as she spoke.
Her satisfied smile made me feel like I was being treated like a child, which was embarrassing.
“A, a little. I don’t get praised much, so…”
“…Is that so?”
Ra-hee unnie looked momentarily surprised by my answer but she quickly nodded, as if she understood.
Then, she pulled me closer and let me lean lightly on her shoulder.
Unlike when I was buried in the boss’s chest earlier, this felt oddly comfortable.
“Anyway, since that’s settled, let’s take a look at the avatars. Aren’t you all curious?”
“Yes!”
As the boss pointed to the tablet, we all answered in unison.
Even though I’ve been seeing the members’ avatars every day, I’m still excited.
After all, these avatars are making their debut in this world for the first time.
Especially since the members’ excitement is contagious, making me nervous too.
What if, just by chance, one of them turns out different from how I remember?
Of course, even if that happens, I’m sure I’ll grow to love it quickly!
Because it’s our Blue Angels, after all!
Still, if I had to wish for something, I’d hope it turns out exactly as I remember.
“Alright, let’s start with Yuna’s avatar.”
“Oh, me first? Awesome!”
“Yuna’s is going to be super cute, isn’t it?”
The first one up was the maknae, Yuna.
Of course, age-wise, I’m the same as her, but I’m more excited about the other members’ avatars, so it doesn’t matter.
Tap—
As if not wanting to waste any time, the boss tapped on the tablet.
Then, a large illustration filled the screen.
It looked like a screenshot of the avatar, and everyone’s eyes widened.
“Wow, it’s so cute!”
“Doesn’t it really feel like Yuna?”
“Yeah, it has a bit of a mischievous vibe.”
“Hey, am I really that mischievous, unnie?”
Yuna pouted slightly at Chae-yoon unnie’s comment, but she didn’t seem to dislike it.
I was just as surprised as the members.
Snow-white hair and blue eyes.
And a flowing Japanese-style outfit that seemed slightly modified from a shrine maiden’s attire, but it didn’t feel like a mysterious snow woman; instead, it had a playful charm, just as Chae-yoon unnie had said.
Wow, it’s exactly how I remember Yukiko.
Even though it’s just a sample, it doesn’t look like one at all.
I’d believe it if someone told me it was the final version.
“We added the hairpin just like Da-jeong suggested. Isn’t it cute?”
“Yes, it’s so cute…!”
At the boss’s words, I nodded so hard my neck almost snapped, grinning like an idiot.
I just couldn’t help it.
The Yukiko I remembered had come to life.
“Next is Chae-yoon’s. The illustrator said they put a lot of effort into the outfit.”
What appeared next was a character with slightly tanned skin and fiery red hair, exuding charm.
The outfit was made of leather and light armor, something an assassin from a fantasy world might wear.
It was Chae-yoon unnie’s avatar—Lilith.
“Wow, it’s so sexy.”
“It really highlights her healthy beauty… It’s so cool.”
“But if we’re talking about health, isn’t Chae-yoon unnie actually the laziest among us? She doesn’t even work out.”
“L-Lazy?!”
Chae-yoon unnie tried to refute Yuna’s sharp remark, but… well.
Yeah, I can’t even defend her on this one.
After all, Lilith was known for being so lazy that even the viewers would scold her.
It got to the point where if Lilith said during a stream, “I cleaned my desk today!” no one would believe her.
Anyway, this avatar also turned out exactly as I remembered.
Especially the pattern on the dagger—it’s exactly the same.
Come to think of it, whenever Lilith would ban toxic chatters, that dagger’s pattern would glow.
I can’t wait to see that again.
“Next is Ra-hee. She’s a vampire. Isn’t she pretty?”
This time, the avatar had dark blue hair and red eyes, adding a mesmerizing charm.
As the only member in Blue Love with a slightly revealing outfit, the avatar in a sheer dress looked stunning.
This was Ra-hee unnie—Lucretia.
I usually just call her Luc, so her full name feels a bit unfamiliar.
“Ooh, it’s so alluring.”
“Ra-hee does have that seductive vibe.”
“They really captured her aura, didn’t they?”
“Yeah, I love it. Especially the attention to detail.”
Fidget—
Just as the members were about to continue praising it.
Ra-hee unnie suddenly puffed out her chest proudly, running her hands over it with a confident smile.
It didn’t take long to figure out what she meant by “attention to detail.”
Uh, yeah.
Luc was definitely… impressive.
That’s why fan art of her often highlighted her sexy charm.
I knew that in my head.
However the visual impact of what I just witnessed was so overwhelming that I was momentarily stunned.
Ahhh, unnie…!
Idols shouldn’t do things like that…!
Put your hands down! Now!
“Now it’s time for the eldest, Jia. I think this might be the avatar with the most effort put into it.”
While I was internally freaking out.
The boss minimized Lucretia’s avatar on the screen and spoke.
Jia unnie’s eyes widened.
“My avatar… you mean?”
“Yeah, just like Da-jeong suggested, we made a goddess version and a warrior version separately. Of course, that means more work, so the warrior version isn’t fully colored yet.”
Still, the boss clicked on a file to show us.
And I could faintly hear Jia unnie swallowing hard.
“Wow…!”
“Damn, she’s gorgeous…”
“It feels like she’s from a completely different world.”
Everyone except me gasped in unison.
That’s how beautiful Jia unnie’s avatar—Erin—was.
Even though I’ve seen it countless times, I couldn’t help but marvel at it.
Her slightly golden hair cascaded down to her waist, exuding a holy aura.
Her outfit, reminiscent of ancient Greek goddesses, added a calm and pure charm.
Wow, she’s so beautiful.
This is Erin!
“The warrior version is roughly like this. You might even like this one more.”
“I love both. They’re so beautiful.”
After checking the armored warrior version, Jia unnie happily tapped her feet.
It was an unusual display of emotion for the most composed member, showing just how excited she was.
So cute.
“Now, it’s time for the long-awaited Da-jeong.”
“Huh? Oh, yes…!”
While I had been lost in my own thoughts.
The boss smiled at me, the last in line, and my nervousness amplified.
Out of all the avatars we’d see today, this was the only one I didn’t know.
“We tried to match the concept you suggested as closely as possible. If you don’t like it, let us know, okay?”
“Yes…!”
Honestly, I don’t really care what my avatar looks like, so I wouldn’t reject it no matter what, but since this could become another face of mine, I can’t help but feel a little excited.
What will it look like?
“Dugudugu…!”
As Yuna made drumming sounds with her mouth, the boss slowly moved her hand closer to the tablet.
I unconsciously watched her hand and swallowed hard.
Tap—
With a small tap, a new light appeared.
And finally, my avatar was revealed, making everyone’s eyes widen.
Of course, I had the same reaction.