I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 2

I fumbled around, putting on the clothes I had at home and checked myself in the mirror.

The unfamiliar, delicate figure of a girl still stared back at me from the full-length mirror.

“…Does it suit me?”

A plain white T-shirt that slightly revealed my shoulders and a pair of loose-fitting pants.

Honestly, it’s not about whether it suits me or not—it’s just a very plain, borderline underdressed outfit but what else can I do?

This is practically all I have that’s wearable outside.

Back when I was a guy, my wardrobe only had about two sets of summer and winter clothes each.

It seems things aren’t much different in this world where I’m a girl.

Well, as long as my clothes aren’t rags and aren’t dirty, they’re fine, right?

The interview instructions even said to dress comfortably.

So, this should be fine.

Besides, I don’t want to layer up in this sweltering summer heat.

I’m weak against the heat, after all.

“Alright.”

Zzzip—

I slung a plain waist bag that had been lying in the corner of my closet, stuffed my belongings inside, and left the room.

My chest was already pounding with excitement.

It’s been about three weeks since I last went out.

The blazing sunlight felt particularly glaring as I walked.

＊＊＊＊＊

The interview location was a company building quite far from my home.

This must be the company Haneulbom first established to push forward with Blue Love.

For something like that, the building’s exterior is surprisingly neat.

Honestly, I expected a shabby little office, but I guess this is the difference when you’re one of the top female streamers in South Korea.

“Hoo, ha.”

I took a few deep breaths and stepped inside.

Just then, a female employee guarding the lobby noticed me and stood up from her chair.

“Hello. Are you here for the Blue Project interview?”

“Ah… y-yes…”

So embarrassing.

I could’ve just nodded or said “Yes” but no, I had to answer like a total loner.

Well, I haven’t spoken to anyone in a week, so maybe it’s understandable.

But still, that was way too awkward.

Not that I’m not actually a loner, so I can’t really complain.

…Enough, let’s stop.

“Can I see your ID?”

“H-here…”

“Jeong Da-jeong… Ah, confirmed. Please wait a moment.”

“Okay…”

Tap tap—

The employee who checked my ID typed something on her keyboard and then bent down.

After rummaging through a drawer for a while, she pulled something out and handed it to me.

Ah, it’s a name tag.

“Please wear this and head to the waiting room on the 3rd floor. You’re quite early, so you might have to wait a while.”

“Ah, th-that’s fine.”

I have a habit of arriving way too early, so I’m used to waiting.

“Thank you…!”

After listening to a few instructions, I bowed my head and hurried toward the elevator.

Click—

I pressed the button for the 3rd floor, and as the quietness enveloped me, a wave of shame hit me.

That employee must’ve thought I was pathetic.

She probably thought, “What kind of loner wants to do broadcasting?”

Not that I actually plan to do broadcasting, though.

• “3rd floor.”

“The waiting room… must be over there.”

I looked around the hallway and spotted a sign on a door at the end.

I quickly made my way over.

A woman in a suit was standing at the entrance.

Unlike the friendly employee in the lobby, she had a somewhat cold demeanor.

For some reason, my steps faltered as I approached.

“Are you here for the Blue Project interview?”

“Ah, yes… here’s my name tag…”

Intimidated by her security-like appearance, I straightened my back and showed her the name tag.

I must’ve put too much effort into it because my back was trembling.

Honestly, she probably could’ve guessed just by looking at me.

“…Pfft, yes. Confirmed. Please go inside and wait. We’ll call you in order.”

“Th-thank you…”

Her cold face suddenly lit up with a smile.

Why did she laugh?

Did I have something on my face?

I wondered for a moment but brushed it off and went inside.

The waiting room was empty except for me.

…I really did arrive too early.

“Wow.”

But just because there were no people didn’t mean there was nothing.

In the middle of the room, a table was filled with snacks and drinks.

Oh, this is my favorite snack!

It’s usually too expensive to buy often, but I’d treat myself occasionally.

I guess this is my reward for today.

It says I can help myself, so it’s fine, right?

There’s so much here, too.

It’s not like I’m stealing, so I glanced around and grabbed a bag of snacks.

Wait, there’s no one else here anyway.

That was dumb.

Crunch—

I opened the bag and took a bite of the round snack.

The rich chocolate flavor and the white chocolate filling hit me.

Mmm, this is it.

This intense sweetness feels like it’s making my blood vessels dance.

Even if I were diabetic, I wouldn’t be able to give this up.

Crunch— Crunch—

As I kept munching on the snacks, the pile of trash on the table grew.

Even though it’s said that food tastes best when it’s free, isn’t this a bit excessive?

But I couldn’t stop my hands from reaching for more.

I should grab a few more and sit down to eat.

Glance—

After checking around again, I grabbed the remaining five bags and sat down in an empty seat.

They say the early bird catches the worm, so coming early was worth it…

“You can go in now.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“…Huh?!”

I was quietly munching on the snacks, thinking I’d finish them before anyone arrived.

But suddenly, without warning, the interview room door opened, and a woman walked in.

I was so startled that I choked.

I saw her walking toward me, but I couldn’t even pay attention as I bent over, coughing uncontrollably.

“Cough! Cough!”

“A-Are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah… I’m f-fine… cough!”

I coughed violently, as if I had some incurable disease, and the other person, seemingly flustered, quickly approached to check on me.

Honestly, I wasn’t fine, but at least the snack wasn’t stuck in my throat.

If it had been, I would’ve crossed the River Jordan without even seeing Blue LUV.

That absolutely couldn’t happen.

“Here, have some water.”

“Huuu… Th-Thank you…”

Without even looking at each other’s faces, I took the bottle of water she handed me.

Then, gulp, gulp.

I drank carefully, afraid I might choke again, but as quickly as I could.

Ugh, I think I’ll live now.

“Y-You saved me. Thank you so mu— Huh?”

“Hm?”

I stopped mid-sentence as I raised my head to thank the person who had just saved me.

The face that came into view was breathtakingly beautiful.

Long, golden hair tied back and flowing down to her waist.

Eyes that sparkled like the ocean, as if she were a foreigner or of mixed heritage.

Unlike my small, delicate frame, her curves and tall stature unmistakably radiated femininity.

Every part of her was so captivating that it was impossible to look away.

She was so beautiful that not even a hint of an inappropriate thought crossed my mind.

It was like looking at a sculpture carved by a genius artist over a lifetime.

I stared dumbfounded, my mouth hanging open, and she tilted her head, looking at me curiously.

Even that gesture was so mesmerizing that I blurted out without thinking.

“You’re beautiful…”

“…Huh?”

As if entranced, I let the thought in my head slip out of my mouth.

It didn’t take long for me to realize what a huge mistake that was.

“Ah, ah! S-Sorry! I-I didn’t mean to… It’s just that you’re so pretty, I couldn’t help it…”

Who in their right mind would comment on a stranger’s appearance like that?!

I couldn’t even begin to imagine how rude that must’ve seemed.

Panicking, I shot up from my seat and bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle.

My awkward excuse sounded more like a desperate plea than a sincere apology.

“It’s okay, it happens. I’m actually flattered.”

A small laugh reached my ears as I nervously clenched my eyes shut.

When I looked up, she was gesturing for me to relax, as if telling me not to worry.

Thankfully, she seemed to take it as a compliment.

“Th-That’s a relief…”

Plop—

Overwhelmed with relief, I slumped back into my seat.

I knew I looked ridiculous, but my legs had gone weak, and I couldn’t help it.

This was the first time I’d seen such a beauty in person, after all.

“I’m Han Jia. Are you here for the interview too?”

“Ah, yes. I’m Jeong Da-jeong. Da-jeong Jeong, even if you reverse it…”

Ah.

I realized I’d made a stupid mistake while introducing myself.

When I was younger, kids would tease me for having a name that didn’t sound masculine, saying, “Hey, even if you reverse it, it’s still Da-jeong Jeong!” It had become such a habit that I added it without thinking, like some kind of catchphrase.

Ugh, so embarrassing!

“‘Da-jeong Jeong, even if you reverse it’? That’s funny. What a unique way to introduce yourself. No one’s going to forget your name.”

“Th-Thank you.”

No, you idiot.

How is that a compliment? She’s just politely calling you weird.

And here you are, bowing and laughing like a fool, making yourself look even dumber.

As I mentally smacked the little Da-jeong in my head, scolding myself—

“By the way, Da-jeong, you’re so cute! Ah, is it rude to say that to someone I just met?”

“Huh? C-Cute…?!”

My eyes widened at Jia’s sudden comment.

Should I take this as a compliment?

I mean, I’m in a girl’s body now, but I’m still a guy, so being called cute feels a bit off.

But I can’t exactly shout, “I’m a guy!” so I guess I’ll just say thank you?

“Th-That’s the first time I’ve heard that. Thank you.”

“First time? Wow, people must be blind.”

I awkwardly laughed, unable to respond with, “Well, I was a guy, so I never heard it before.”

By the way, Jia, your name is pretty, and your personality seems nice.

Plus, your voice sounds familiar.

Slightly husky yet mature, like an older sister’s voice.

It’s just like Erin’s… huh?

“…Erin?”

“Huh?”

While lost in thought, I absentmindedly muttered the name of one of the Blue LUV members and looked at Jia.

She blinked, as if asking what I meant.

Even her surprised voice sounded just like Erin’s.

Erin would often respond with a drawn-out “Nee?” instead of a simple “Huh?” when surprised.

Wait, the Blue Project is where Blue LUV is supposed to come from.

As that thought clicked, all the pieces in my head fell into place.

Could it be…

Is Jia… Erin?