I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 21

Why on earth…?

I glance around the conference room with a puzzled expression.

Then, all the members look at me with smiles on their faces.

“Why, why me? If it’s a solo debut, naturally, I’d get more attention than the other members…”

“That’s exactly why Da-jeong should do it.”

“Right.”

“Huh…?!”

As if it’s the most obvious thing, the members respond firmly to my words.

Because of that, a strange sound escapes my mouth.

I don’t understand.

What exactly are they seeing in me to make such a choice?

If they had chosen anyone else among the members, there would have been plenty of convincing reasons.

“If we had to pick the member most likely to be loved by people, wouldn’t everyone choose Da-jeong?”

“I think so too.”

“Yeah, Da-jeong has a certain charm that others don’t have.”

“Honestly, we’re more surprised that Da-jeong is surprised.”

Me, me having charm?

That’s something even a passing dog would laugh at.

Of course, I always feel that the members, the CEO, and even So-eun unnie care for me deeply.

But that’s only because I’m a member of Blue LUV and the youngest.

If you ask me whether I have the kind of personality that would make me loved by the general public, absolutely not.

“C-CEO, please say something.”

“Why? I think it’s an excellent choice.”

I try to seek help by talking to the CEO.

But instead, the CEO shows me the finalized schedule and gives a positive response.

“In fact, I think this opportunity will help Da-jeong gain confidence.”

“Confidence…?”

“Yes. It seems like you don’t really know your own worth.”

“M-Me having worth…? Bwueh…!”

As I timidly fidget with my hands to argue back,

The CEO grabs my cheeks and stretches them like kneading rice cake.

“Sh-Shahahi, ow…!”

“See, how cute is this? If you just show this side of you, everyone will fall for you.”

“I-I don’t get it…!”

How can being pinched and pulled by someone be cute?

I can’t understand the CEO’s words at all.

“Of course, if you really can’t handle the pressure, I’m willing to reconsider. But if you’re refusing because you don’t think you’re worthy of the spotlight, I won’t change my mind. Go back.”

“Ugh…”

I rub my heated cheeks and let out a whimper.

It seems like they’ve made up their minds firmly.

There’s no way out of this.

Of course, I know that the CEO and the members are saying this to encourage me.

But even if they tell me to have confidence, honestly, it’s hard.

• Ugh, this is why orphans… We took you in, and you can’t even do one thing right.
• Do you think there’s anywhere else that would take in someone like you? Be grateful you even have this job.
• Always looking so shabby… It’s not like you’re a beggar, can’t you even buy new clothes?

As a gloomy mood sets in, unwanted memories from the past flash through my mind like a slideshow.

A sharp pain rises in my chest, and I frown.

As I clutch my chest with one hand and bite my lip, trying hard not to show it,

Squeeze-

“Da-jeong-ah.”

“Y-Yes… CEO.”

I’m a little startled by the CEO suddenly hugging me and respond.

As always, the warmth of another person has an incredible power.

Just by feeling each other’s warmth, I can somewhat calm the surging anxiety.

“Of course, I don’t know why you see yourself so lowly. But I can assure you, you’re a precious person to everyone. Do you understand?”

“Yes…”

I nod, but honestly, it doesn’t really sink in.

It’s not that I feel the CEO is lying.

It’s just that the Jeong Da-jeong I know is too pitiful to accept those words right now.

“So, let’s give it a try. If you can’t believe in yourself, believe in the people here.”

“Ah…”

The moment I hear those words, a sigh escapes me.

Then, I glance at each member one by one, starting from the left, making eye contact.

Each time our eyes meet, the members nod with bright smiles, as if telling me to believe in myself.

Yeah, I think I understand what you’re saying.

The people here are incredibly precious and amazing to me.

So, if they care for me, that must mean I’m a precious person too.

Of course, it’s still a little hard to accept.

Do I really have the worth or charm to be loved?

Those thoughts still linger.

But as the CEO said,

If I don’t take a step forward here,

It would mean I don’t trust the people who care for me.

“Not just on the day of your debut broadcast, but from now on, always remember that. Okay?”

“…Yes!”

Like making a promise with a child, the CEO holds out their pinky.

With all the confidence I can muster, I respond as energetically as possible.

＊＊＊＊＊

“Ugh…”

Thud—

With an incomprehensible sound, I collapse weakly onto the bed like a boiled fern.

The moment I got home, that was all I did.

Even though I ended things on a cool note, the thought of my debut broadcast is still making me anxious.

How on earth can I make my existence memorable in people’s minds?

Something like a regular self-introduction would have minimal impact.

Of course, the company has prepared some templates, but they’re not that extensive…

Or maybe I could ask the members for a little help?

It feels a bit like cheating, but this much should be fine.

Tap tap—

[Me]: Hey, how did you all prepare for your debut broadcasts?

[Chae-yoon Unnie]: I just read my self-introduction for a bit and planned to sing.

[Ra-hee Unnie]: I prepared some material for a live chat.

[Jia Unnie]: I’m similar to Chae-yoon.

[Yuna]: What about you, Da-jeong?

[Me]: I’m not sure… That’s why I’m asking.

It feels really dumb to be worrying about this just four days before my debut.

Honestly, the big stuff can somehow be covered by what the company prepared.

It’s just that I don’t know what to do to show my own unique charm.

What do I have that stands out compared to the other members?

Of course, there’s probably nothing, but if I could pinpoint even one thing, it would be a good selling point.

[Me]: What do you think I’m better at than the other members?

[Ra-hee Unnie]: You’re asking us that?

[Jia Unnie]: There’s a lot, isn’t there? Like drawing, for example.

[Me]: I’m not really good at drawing…

The avatar concept was just me following what was in my head, so that was possible.

Besides, even that drawing was just a rough sketch to convey the concept.

I don’t really have any talent for drawing.

[Chae-yoon Unnie]: Are you good at horror games, Da-jeong?

[Me]: No, not at all…

[Yu-na]: Wouldn’t Da-jeong just start crying the moment she sees a ghost?

[Me]: Probably not that much… I think.

I couldn’t bring myself to say it with certainty.

It’s true that I’m pretty scared of ghosts.

Back when I was editing videos, the ones where Blue LUV members played horror games took especially long to finish.

But I pushed through, thinking it was for the Blue LUV fans.

[Ra-hee Unnie]: Wouldn’t it be better to rely on cuteness?

[Me]: I don’t really know what’s cute about me.

[Me]: And I’m banning the word “cute” from my broadcast!

[Yu-na]: Seriously?!

[Chae-yoon Unnie]: How much do you hate being called cute…

Like I said before, it’s not that I hate it.

It’s still a compliment, after all.

It’s just that the masculinity left in me feels a strong aversion to it.

Just hearing it makes me want to scream, so I’d rather not hear it at all.

Anyway, even after compiling all these ideas, there’s nothing that feels right.

Maybe I’ll just have to play it safe.

Ugh.

[Jia Unnie]: Da-jeong.

[Jia Unnie]: Didn’t the CEO ask you to sell yourself during the interview?

[Jia Unnie]: What did you say back then?

[Me]: Sell myself?

Just as I was about to close my phone in frustration,

Jia unnie asked a curious question.

Selling myself during the interview.

Ah, that.

When the CEO asked me to highlight my charm, I definitely said…

• “I’m confident that my love for the members won’t lose to anyone!”

…Yeah, that’s a line worthy of being a dark history.

It’s not that the line itself is embarrassing, but the situation is.

Back then, the members hadn’t even been decided yet, so from the listener’s perspective, it must’ve sounded like, “What kind of nonsense is this?”

Thinking about it now, the CEO who still passed me after hearing that nonsense feels even more amazing.

“…Huh?”

As I was writhing in pain from recalling this dark history tucked away in a corner of my memory,

A sudden spark of electricity flashed through my mind, and my eyes widened.

Wait, now that I think about it, there is something!

Something I believe I’m second to none in!

If I use that to build my character, it’ll be unique and suit me well!

Yes, let’s go with this!

[Me]: Unnie, thank you!

[Me]: Thanks to you, I thought of something good!

[Me]: I love you!

[Jia Unnie]: ??????

Overcome with sudden joy, I clapped my hands and quickly sent the replies.

I’m so happy that I don’t even know what I’m saying right now.

[Ra-hee Unnie]: Da-jeong, what about unnie…?

[Yu-na]: Da-jeong, what about me…?

[Chae-yoon Unnie]: I think Da-jeong went to rest.

[Ra-hee Unnie]: (Angry fox emoji)

[Yu-na]: (Cat lying down crying emoji)

A few more messages came in after that, but I didn’t have the mind to check them and immediately turned on my computer.

Yes, if my roots are in being a fangirl, there’s no need to force a change.

It’s fine for Blue LUV to have at least one like that.

A fangirl who loves and cherishes the members more than anyone else.