I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 15

I thought my acting as a viewer was perfect, but what went wrong?

After getting scolded by the boss.

I ended up handing over the viewer role to Chae-yoon unnie and had to retreat to the back room.

Luckily, Chae-yoon unnie is also a passionate fan who often watches the boss’s streams, so acting wasn’t too difficult for her.

Thanks to that, we smoothly finished our first practice broadcast and stepped out of the company building to catch our breath.

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“Ugh…”

The boss and the manager stayed behind at the company.

The five of us headed to a café.

I was still sulking over being scolded by the boss.

I thought my performance as a 5-year fan was perfect.

Where did I go wrong?

“Da-jeong, are you still feeling down?”

As we walked on the scorching hot pavement.

Jia unnie, who had fallen behind, approached me and asked in a gentle tone.

“I’m not really down. I just thought my acting was perfect, but I don’t know where I went wrong…”

“Isn’t that what being down is?”

“W-well, maybe.”

It’s like…

I feel like my love for the Blue Angels was denied.

“What are you two doing back there? Let’s hurry inside.”

Maybe Jia unnie slowed down to comfort me, who was dragging my feet.

Yuna, who had gone ahead, waved at us to hurry up.

“Ah, yeah. Da-jeong, let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Finally, I picked up the pace and walked to the café with Jia unnie.

The weather was so hot that sweat was dripping down.

“Ah, I’m alive.”

“Wow, it’s so cool…”

But as soon as we entered the café, the strong air conditioning made it easier to breathe.

Yuna, who also struggles with the heat like me, took a deep breath and enjoyed the cool air.

Is it because she’s a snow woman that she’s weak to heat?

“It’s so cool with the air conditioning on.”

“Huh? Da-jeong, do you not usually turn on the air conditioning at home?”

‘You’ll get sick like that,’ Chae-yoon unnie said with a worried expression.

She also mentioned that electricity bills aren’t too high these days, so it’s better to turn it on during summer.

But that’s not why I don’t use it, so I awkwardly smiled and replied.

“Ah, we don’t have an air conditioner at home… So in the summer, we just leave all the doors open.”

“Oh…”

Chae-yoon unnie sighed with a look of regret.

The atmosphere seemed to get a bit heavy.

Did I say something wrong?

“But… wouldn’t it be okay to at least use a fan?”

“Ah, our fan broke. We got one from the community center a while ago, but it was so old that it stopped working, so we threw it away.”

To be exact, we didn’t exactly “get” it. I picked it up when I had to stop by the community center for something.

It was a bit dusty, but I used it diligently for three years.

Eventually, the motor wore out, and the blades wouldn’t spin properly, so I had to throw it away with a heavy heart.

“You don’t even have a fan…? Isn’t summer really hard for you?”

“It’s okay. Our house is in a high area, so there’s a lot of wind.”

I usually wet towels or rags and hang them around the house to keep it cool.

Sometimes, I even go outside and sprinkle water in the yard.

If it’s really bad, I freeze a wet towel and lie down in the living room with it over me. That works too.

“By the way, shouldn’t we order first?”

“Ah!”

As we were talking, everyone seemed to have gone quiet, so I pointed to the counter and asked.

I noticed the staff member at the counter glancing at us.

“Right, let’s not just stand here. Let’s order first. What do you want to drink?”

Jia unnie, the eldest, took charge and looked around at us.

The first one to raise her hand was none other than Yuna.

“I’ll have an iced Americano!”

“I’ll have… a white café mocha.”

“I’ve already had coffee, so I’ll have a green tea frappuccino. With java chips and espresso whipped cream.”

I rolled my eyes at the complicated orders, especially Ra-hee unnie’s.

Green… what? I can’t even remember what she said, and she added something else to it?

Is ordering at a café always this hard?

“Alright. Da-jeong, what about you?”

As if she had memorized all the complicated orders, Jia unnie calmly turned to me with a smile.

Does Jia unnie have a photographic memory?

Putting aside that silly thought, I checked the menu.

At the same time, I almost let out a shocked sigh.

Wow, it’s so expensive.

The cheapest item is almost 5,000 won.

The rumors I heard about café prices were true!

5,000 won is almost 4 days’ worth of food for me, or 5 days if I tighten my belt!

No way.

I’m not even sure if I can get a part-time job soon, and if I spend money on this…

“I-I’m okay. Just sitting here is cool enough… hehe.”

In the end, I waved my hand and gave up on ordering.

Honestly, just chatting with the members in a cool place is enjoyable enough.

I don’t really need coffee or anything.

“No, even so…”

But my answer seemed unsatisfactory.

Jia unnie’s expression softened with pity.

Ah, maybe it’s because it’s awkward if I’m the only one not ordering while everyone else is eating or drinking?

Yeah, that might be a bit inconsiderate.

It would just make everyone else uncomfortable.

“Or maybe… do they have water? I don’t really like coffee…”

I quickly pulled out my wallet from my pocket as a last resort.

Hmm, luckily, I have 2,000 won.

That should be enough for a bottle of water.

Even though prices have gone up, a bottle of water shouldn’t cost more than 2,000 won.

I neatly unfolded two 1,000-won bills and held them out.

Seeing this, Jia unnie’s face darkened, and she looked like she had a lot to say, biting her lip.

“No, today’s on me. My dad gave me a lot of allowance recently. So, Da-jeong, feel free to pick anything.”

“…Huh?”

Ra-hee unnie suddenly cut in, pulling out a card from her wallet and speaking confidently.

Yuna, as if acting awkwardly, shouted, “Wow, unnie, you’re the best!”

Chae-yoon unnie followed up with an excited tone, “Then I won’t hold back!”

Ugh, with the atmosphere like this, it’s hard to refuse.

I’ve already been treated to expensive meals by the boss recently, and now I’m burdening the members too.

Not to mention, Ra-hee unnie even went out of her way to drive me here today.

“Da-jeong.”

“Y-yes?”

While I was deep in thought.

Jia unnie placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke in a gentle tone.

“I noticed you enjoyed the chocolate snack earlier. Do you like sweet things?”

“Ah, yes… I do.”

I especially love chocolate.

Back then, I bought 30 large bulk chocolates on an 80% discount sale and stored them in the freezer, eating them bit by bit.

“Then try what I recommend. It’s really delicious.”

“R-really?”

“Yeah, you’ll love it.”

Her tone was like she was talking to a child, but since it’s Jia unnie’s recommendation.

I’ll just close my eyes and accept her kindness for today.

“I-I’d like to try it.”

“Okay, then that’s decided. If no one’s changing their order, I’ll go pay.”

Jia unnie, with a cool expression, left my side and headed to the counter.

Ra-hee unnie, who had been watching, seemed a bit embarrassed by her earlier bold display of her card and chuckled.

“I was going to do it…”

“In situations like this, the eldest should treat. It’s fine, so just sit tight.”

I quickly looked around for a seat to make myself useful as soon as Jia unnie spoke.

There was a spot in a corner that didn’t get too much sunlight and seemed just right.

That spot had enough seats for all five of us.

“Unnie, there’s a seat over there.”

“Oh, perfect! Da-jeong, you’ve got a good eye.”

“Hehe…”

It’s not like I’m a child, but getting praised for something so small made me happy.

But since it’s a compliment from my bias, I can’t help it.

Even the smallest things make me smile.

“Oh, right! Da-jeong, how was my practice broadcast today? Did I do well?”

As soon as we sat down, Yuna asked for my thoughts on her broadcast with her usual high energy.

The answer was pretty much predetermined, though.

“You were amazing. It really shows that you’re experienced.”

“Hehe, right? I may look like this, but I’m a VTuber veteran!”

Yuna stuck out her tongue and added, “Even if it was only for three months.”

She was so cute.

Ugh, I wish I could capture this moment on camera.

“Here are your drinks.”

How long had the four of us been chatting?

Jia unnie returned with a large tray holding five drinks, delivering her line like a server.

It looked pretty precarious.

I should’ve gone with Jia unnie to help carry it.

“Here, this is yours, Da-jeong.”

“Thank you…”

The cup Jia unnie placed in front of me was quite large.

And it was filled to the brim.

On top of the drink was a mound of white cream and what looked like chocolate chips.

“Try it and let me know what you think.”

“Okay, I’ll enjoy it, unnie.”

“Sure.”

I hesitantly took a sip through the oversized straw.

The moment the icy drink hit my mouth, my brain tingled.

And the taste…

“How is it, Da-jeong? Is it good?”

“Yes! It’s so delici—oops!”

While savoring the sweet flavor.

I reflexively answered Ra-hee unnie’s question from across the table, but my voice was way too loud.

Naturally, the surrounding gazes turned toward me.

I quickly covered my mouth, but the damage was done.

Ugh, so embarrassing!

“I-it’s good…”

I hung my head low and mumbled, still sipping the drink through the straw.

But it’s so delicious.

The perfect blend of different sweet flavors, clean yet indulgent.

The subtle caramel aroma is amazing too.

“I’m glad you like it. Next time we come, let’s try something else.”

“Okay.”

I avoided eye contact and quietly sipped my drink while chatting with the members.

This moment feels so dreamlike that I can’t help but smile.

I must look like a total idiot right now.

But I don’t care, yeah.

“Da-jeong, your smile’s reaching your ears. Is it that good?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s…”

Chae-yoon unnie noticed and pointed out my expression with a laugh.

She must’ve mistaken my smile for being solely about the drink.

Of course, the drink is delicious, but…

“Actually, I’m just really happy to be here with everyone. It feels like a dream, so I guess that’s why.”

The source of my happiness right now is entirely because of the members.

When I honestly shared my feelings, everyone stared at me blankly, blinking.

A few seconds passed.

“Ahem…!”

“Our Da-jeong is such an angel…”

“Why was I born a year late…? I want Da-jeong as my little sister…”

“Our maknae, let’s stay together with your unnies from now on, okay?”

For some reason, everyone started muttering in hushed, hard-to-hear voices.

Only Ra-hee unnie’s voice was clear enough for me to respond.

“Yes, unnie!”

Ra-hee unnie then gently patted my head.

Because of that, I had to watch helplessly as the ice in my drink melted.

But since unnie looked so happy, I decided to let it slide.