I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 58

Four days after the CEO’s 3,000-day stream.

While I was packing my things alone in my room, Chae-yoon unnie suddenly walked in.

She was holding a toothbrush and a charger.

“Da-jeong, you forgot these.”

“Gasp, thank you, unnie…!”

I almost wasted money buying a new charger.

Expressing my gratitude to unnie, I quickly stuffed the toothbrush and charger into my bag. Luckily, I didn’t have too much stuff, so there was plenty of space.

After zipping up the bag, I double-checked just in case.

Yep, I think I’ve got everything.

This should be enough.

Squeeze—

“Sigh, how am I going to live without our Da-jeongie?”

“Unnie, I can’t breathe….”

Just as I was about to get ready to leave, Chae-yoon unnie hugged me tightly.

If Ra-hee unnie tries to suffocate me with her overwhelming volume, Chae-yoon unnie crushes me with her overwhelming strength.

Cough, cough.

Tap, tap…!

Referee! Help me!

However, I couldn’t bring myself to stop her knowing how she felt.

After all, today was the day I was moving into the house the CEO had arranged for me.

In other words, my fun cohabitation with Chae-yoon unnie was coming to an end.

Well, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t sad but on the other hand I also felt relieved.

This way, I wouldn’t be a burden to unnie anymore.

“You have to live well, okay? Eat properly, and if I find out you’re just eating tofu and cabbage like when you lived alone, I’m going to scold you!”

“D-don’t worry, unnie. I’ll eat well now.”

Honestly, as someone who had planned to go back to my usual diet the moment I started living alone, I felt a little guilty but I shook my head pretending it wasn’t the case.

It’s not like I was lying, though.

Now that I’m living a more financially stable life, I don’t need to continue the same frugal lifestyle as before.

Of course, I don’t plan to waste money, but there’s no need to live as poorly as I used to.

Like when I lived with Chae-yoon unnie.

A normal diet and a normal life sound good.

For me, that kind of life feels more special than ordinary, but I’m also looking forward to experiencing a life I’ve never had before.

Ding dong— Ding dong—

What kind of life awaits me?

Holding onto a bit of anticipation, I was lost in thought when the doorbell rang loudly.

It was probably So-eun unnie, here to pick me up.

“Ah, I think So-eun unnie is here.”

“Already? Ugh, I don’t care. I’m not letting our maknae go.”

“Unnie…!”

I thought Chae-yoon unnie would let me go by now, but instead, she hugged me even tighter and rubbed her face against mine.

In the end, Chae-yoon unnie only let me go after So-eun unnie called, having waited too long.

Of course, Chae-yoon unnie got scolded by So-eun unnie.

On the way to my new home in the car.

I sat in the passenger seat, watching So-eun unnie’s profile.

Come to think of it, this might be the first time we’ve been alone together for so long.

“Da-jeong, did you say goodbye properly to Chae-yoon?”

“Yes, unnie tried to stop me from leaving until the end… but I managed.”

“Pfft, Chae-yoon’s completely smitten with you now. She used to be the least intense among the members.”

“Y-yeah.”

Hearing So-eun unnie’s words, I finally started to wonder.

It’s true that Chae-yoon unnie didn’t dote on me this much before.

Of course, she wasn’t neglectful but she wasn’t as intense as Ra-hee unnie.

She treated me like a proper younger member, that’s all.

However lately, it feels like she’s been treating me extra cutely; is it just because we’ve gotten closer from living together? but we were already close enough before?

“By the way, I heard you went back to your old place the other day?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Did you need to get something? I thought you’d already packed most of your things.”

“N-no, it wasn’t for that… I went to visit the grandmother next door.”

“Grandmother?”

So-eun unnie reacted with surprise.

Ah, come to think of it, So-eun unnie doesn’t know about the grandmother I was close with.

I think I’ve mentioned her in front of the members before, though.

“Yes, she’s been very kind to me. She grows vegetables in her garden and sometimes gives me sweet potatoes or potatoes… She treated me like her own granddaughter.”

“She sounds lovely. So you went to say goodbye?”

“Ehehe… I wanted to say goodbye and also repay her in some small way.”

I scratched my cheek, feeling a bit embarrassed to say this out loud.

Honestly, it wasn’t anything grand.

“Actually, her teeth have been in really bad shape lately. So I took her to the hospital and paid for her implants.”

“Implants? That must’ve been expensive….”

“It wasn’t as expensive as I thought. The doctor was kind and even gave us a discount….”

For the old me, it would’ve been an astronomical cost.

But with the settlement payment I received, it wasn’t too much of a burden.

Of course, if it were for myself, I might’ve hesitated to spend that much but she was the only person who treated me like family when I had no one else.

So I was more than happy to spend it.

“Was she happy?”

“She cried a lot. She said she was happier that I was able to stand on my own two feet than about the money.”

“…She really sounds like a grandmother.”

“Hehe, yeah. I guess I’m really lucky.”

There was a time when I thought my life was a little unfortunate but I don’t think that way anymore.

No, to be precise, I stopped thinking that way a long time ago.

Ever since I learned about Blue LUV and realized what happiness could be, those thoughts disappeared completely.

“She’ll be happy if you visit her sometimes.”

“That’s why I plan to visit her occasionally. Once she can chew properly, I’ll bring some delicious beef and eat with her.”

“…Anyway.”

Squeeze—

As I clenched my fists in front of my chest, expressing my excitement, So-eun unnie patted my head and smiled with a look that seemed to have a lot to say.

“Da-jeong, you’re the type of person who can’t help but be loved.”

“Huh?”

And with that, she focused back on driving.

If it were any other member, I might’ve understood but hearing this from So-eun unnie for the first time felt both unfamiliar and heartwarming.

At the entrance of the apartment where I’d be living from now on.

An unexpected guest was waiting for us.

“CEO…?!”

“Hey, you’re here? Let’s go up.”

That’s right.

It was the CEO.

“B-but aren’t you busy? You didn’t have to come just for me.”

“Of course I had to come. It’s not just your new home, but also the dorm where the other members will stay in the future. As the CEO, I had to check it out, right?”

Ah, that makes sense.

From the CEO’s perspective, it’s important to make sure the environment for the employees is well set up.

Especially since it’s her money that’s being spent.

“I heard all your stuff has been moved in. If there’s anything you don’t like, let me know. We can rearrange the furniture or get help if needed.”

“Okay.”

As we took the elevator up, the CEO spoke.

Honestly, with my personality, even if something’s a little inconvenient, I’d probably just live with it to avoid causing trouble but if I said that, the CEO would scold me.

So I just nodded and got off the elevator when we reached the 5th floor.

“The passcode for now is 0000, so you can change it to whatever you want later. The instructions should be inside the door lock

As the CEO personally entered the passcode and explained, I quickly pulled out my phone and jotted it down in my notes, worried I might forget.

Click—

The front door opened, and my new home was finally revealed.

“Wow…!”

As soon as I saw the sunlit interior, an exclamation burst out of me.

Gasp, is this really where I’m going to live?

It feels almost too good to be true.

“How is it? Do you like it? It’s a bit small in terms of square footage, but it should be more than enough for one person. It’s a new building, so the interior is clean.”

“Yes, yes…! I love it. The space feels more like a playground than an apartment!”

I’m not sure about the exact size, but at the very least, having two rooms, a spacious living room, and a kitchen feels more than satisfying—it’s almost excessive.

And as the CEO said, the fact that the place is so clean is the best part.

The place I used to live in was so old that mold was everywhere.

It’s no wonder mice and cockroaches visited every day, and spiderwebs would constantly appear in the bathroom.

“C-CEO! Can I look around more?”

“Of course, it’s your home. Take your time.”

“Ehehe…!”

If I had a tail, it would’ve been wagging nonstop.

Feeling that excitement, I left the CEO and So-eun unnie behind and dashed into the bedroom.

“Pfft… She’s like an excited puppy.”

“She must be really happy. I’m glad she likes it.”

I faintly heard the two talking behind me, but I couldn’t make out the exact words from this distance.

“Wow!”

As soon as I saw the bedroom, another exclamation escaped me.

The bed the CEO had bought for me when I stayed at Chae-yoon unnie’s place.

The built-in wardrobe is so big it feels like it could fill the entire room.

Thud thud thud—

Next, I checked out the kitchen and the small room with the computer.

After thoroughly exploring every corner, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment.

This home is way too good for someone like me.

“So, Da-jeong? Are you satisfied?”

“Yes! I love it! But… is it really okay for me to live in such a nice place?”

“I gave you this nice home because it’s you. Do you think I’d do this for just anyone?”

The CEO patted my head as she spoke, telling me not to feel burdened and to just live happily.

Not to work hard on streaming, but to live happily.

Those words warmed the deepest parts of my heart.

I almost teared up, but I held it back.

What I should show the CEO isn’t tears, but a smile.

“Thank you, CEO. I’ll work hard on streaming so I won’t disappoint you!”

“Good, that’s the spirit.”

Squish—

After my enthusiastic response, the CEO stopped patting my head and instead pinched my cheeks.

Hehe.

I’m so happy right now that it doesn’t even hurt.

It’s amazing how happiness can act like an anesthetic.

“CEO, let’s go out to eat! I want to treat you today!”

“Oh, really? I can’t say no to a meal from our youngest.”

“I was just getting hungry too. Perfect timing.”

I was worried she might refuse, but thankfully the CEO readily accepted my offer today.

Alright, today’s my treat!

Of course, I don’t think this will repay everything I owe the CEO but it’s the least I can do!

Ring ring ring—

“Huh?”

Just as we were about to leave for lunch, my phone, which I had tucked in my pocket, rang.

Oh, it’s Ra-hee unnie.

“CEO, I have a call from Ra-hee unnie… Can I take this before we go?”

“Go ahead.”

After getting permission, I answered the call.

Meanwhile, the CEO and So-eun unnie went to check out the bedroom, saying they wanted to look around too.

『Da-jeong, you’re moving today, right? Is it done?』

“Ah, yes! Right now, I’m looking around the place with the CEO and So-eun unnie.”

『I see. How’s the place? Do you like it?』

“Yes! I love it. I’ll take some pictures and share them in the group chat later!”

Everyone seemed curious about my new home.

I’ll take the photos right after lunch and send them.

『Alright, I’ll look forward to it. By the way, you didn’t forget our promise, right?』

“Huh? What promise?”

『Yeah, you didn’t forget, did you? Unnie might cry if you did.』

“W-wait a second…!”

W-what promise did I make with Ra-hee unnie?

I can’t think of anything, did we make plans to meet up?

If that were the case, she would’ve said “us” instead of “unnie.”

I pressed my temples as if trying to summon a superpower, racking my brain.

I definitely talked to Ra-hee unnie about something recently.

What was it again?

‘So, will you come over to my place next time?’

‘C-come over?’

‘Yeah. You’ve only hung out with Lilith alone, not with us.’

…Huh?

Wait, now that I think about it, when we were doing the last server together…

‘So, what do you say? Will you come over?’

‘Y-yes…! If unnie wants me to….’

‘Great. Our youngest really listens to unnie, huh?’

…That’s right.

I was so grateful to unnie for getting me the tarp that I wanted to repay her but instead she asked me to come over to her place.

After that, I got busy with other things and couldn’t visit and recently unnie casually mentioned, “Let’s meet after you finish moving.”

Does that mean…?

“Gasp…!”

『Ah, you remembered?』

“Huh? Ah, um, that is…!”

I instinctively gulped.

Ra-hee unnie didn’t miss that and pounced on it.

By the time I realized my mistake and tried to correct myself, unnie was already a step ahead.

『You’ll probably be busy tomorrow settling in, so how about the day after? Our Da-jeongie said she doesn’t have many clothes, so let’s go shopping and hang out.』

“Huh?! U-unnie…!”

『Alright, I’ll see you then?』

“W-wait, unnie! Just a second…!”

I desperately tried to stop her, but it was as if my voice didn’t reach her.

Ra-hee unnie hung up immediately.

“The place is really nice. It’s perfect for Da-jeong to live in… Huh? Da-jeong, what’s wrong?”

At that moment, the CEO came out of the room and saw me sitting on the floor.

She tilted her head and blinked.

“C-CEO! Can we just pretend the move didn’t happen? Or maybe postpone it to next week…!”

Feeling like this was my only lifeline, I desperately pleaded with the CEO.

But…

“…We’ve already moved all your stuff. This is your home now, starting today.”

“B-but…!”

The CEO cut me off, as if to say there was no point in arguing.

Ah, no!

We need to delay the move!

That’s the only way I can come up with an excuse!