I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 72

If you had to describe Yuna, she’s a bit selfish.

No, maybe “selfish” is too strong a word but if being self-centered means prioritizing herself over others, then it might be an appropriate description.

She’s had many dreams since she was young; things she wanted to do, things she wanted to achieve.

So naturally, she’s always been focused on improving herself and chasing her goals.

That’s why she started her VTuber career as soon as she became an adult.

She knew her strengths very well, with her unique innocence and charm, she grew up surrounded by love.

To her, being a VTuber was an attractive profession where she could showcase her strengths to the fullest.

Of course, when she first debuted without much preparation, she faced setbacks.

That’s why she considered quitting and finding another path, but then she heard about the Blue Project.

She decided to give it one more shot and so she submitted her application and finally, she debuted as a member of Blue LUV.

The result?

It was a huge success.

Thanks to the backing of a major Korean streaming company, she achieved a level of success she couldn’t have imagined during her first attempt.

However, amidst all this, there was one person who bothered Yuna.

That was Jeong Da-jeong, a girl in the same group.

Her first impression of Da-jeong was, “She’s cute,” and, “She makes me want to protect her.”

A charm that set her apart from the other members.

So naturally, Yuna became interested in Da-jeong, but one day, Yuna’s perspective on Da-jeong changed.

It was when Da-jeong’s secret clipping channel was discovered.

‘How can someone love others so much?’

Honestly, when Yuna saw Da-jeong’s fangirling over the members during her debut stream.

She thought it was just part of her character.

Of course, she didn’t think Da-jeong’s affection for the members was fake.

She just assumed it was exaggerated for the sake of the stream, to make it a charming point but after the clipping channel was discovered…

When Da-jeong refused to monetize the channel and begged to keep running it.

Yuna felt something she had never felt before: amazement.

How could someone love others so much?

How could someone care for others so deeply?

How could someone be so devoted to others?

It was from that moment that Yuna started observing Da-jeong and she learned a lot.

“Da-jeong, CEO Kang asked if anyone wanted to release a cover song. Did you not apply?”

“Hehe… no.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Because it’s better for the other members to release songs than someone like me. Oh, by the way…! There’s a song I want to recommend to you, Yuna. I think it would suit your voice really well.”

First of all, Da-jeong strangely prioritized the members.

She seemed to have no interest in releasing cover songs or solo songs to promote herself.

Yet when it came to the members, she would step up and help as if it were her own business. From song recommendations to even coming up with music video concepts, she put her all into it.

Every time Yuna saw this, she felt grateful and at the same time, she felt a strange discomfort, a pang in her chest.

‘Is there no Da-jeong in Da-jeong’s mind?’

It wasn’t something that could be described as mere sacrifice.

To Yuna, Da-jeong acted as if she had never even dreamed of her own happiness.

If you drew a category called “Blue LUV’s happiness.”, Da-jeong seemed to exclude herself from “Blue LUV.”

As if she were a third party, watching that happiness from afar.

At first, Yuna thought it was just her imagination but there was a moment that confirmed her suspicions.

It was during a short conversation while preparing for the collab at a café.

“Hehe, wouldn’t it be great to use this for our group concert later? Right?”

“Co, concert?”

“Yeah! A group concert. Not individual ones, but all of us on one stage. How about it? Doesn’t that sound amazing?”

“Ah… yeah. It does.”

When asked what she wanted to do if they got motion capture equipment.

Yuna excitedly sought agreement but Da-jeong’s response was oddly faint.

At first, Yuna thought she was just awkwardly responding yet that wasn’t it.

“I really want to see it. It’d be the moment Blue LUV shines the brightest.”

“……”

Hearing that, Yuna became certain of what she had suspected all along.

Blue LUV.

In Da-jeong’s expression, the girl named “Jeong Da-jeong” was missing.

However despite that, Da-jeong’s eyes sparkled as if the moment she had dreamed of was finally within reach.

That’s when Yuna became sure, in Da-jeong’s ideal future there was no place for herself.

“Pfft! ‘Want to see it’? That’s something a fan would say. Da-jeong, you should say, ‘I want to do it.’”

“Huh?”

So Yuna deliberately overacted and caught Da-jeong’s words.

Only then did Da-jeong realize the difference between her own vision and others’, and she corrected herself, but it was too late.

From that moment, Yuna prepared herself.

Once this collab was over, she would meet Da-jeong alone; as peers, they would have an honest heart-to-heart.

Why wasn’t there a place for herself in her own mind?

If she couldn’t wish for her own happiness Yuna would do it for her, so she could be happy for that day but before she could even say those words, the incident happened.

So Yuna, looking at Da-jeong lying in the hospital bed, blamed herself as if it were all her fault.

If only she had said it sooner.

If only she had spoken up earlier.

Take care of yourself, just like you take care of us.

Wish for your own happiness, just like you wish for ours.

If only she had said those few words earlier, this wouldn’t have happened.

“Huh…?”

“Da-jeong!”

Thud-

That’s why Yuna, seeing Da-jeong finally open her eyes, rushed to her in excitement.

For the girl who had always prioritized herself over others this was the first time someone more precious than herself had entered her life.

＊＊＊＊＊

After finishing my conversation with Yuna.

I apologized to the members and CEO Kang who had returned.

Then I had to hear the detailed progress from the doctor who arrived late; Fortunately, there were no major health issues.

It was just severe overwork and mild malnutrition from not eating properly.

The doctor said my immune system was weak, so rest and stability were the top priorities.

“S, so… what about… streaming…?”

When I asked with a trembling voice at the shocking news, before the doctor could answer, CEO Kang’s voice boomed.

“Is streaming coming out of your mouth right now?! Da-jeong, even after you’re discharged, I’m banning you from streaming until I say it’s okay!”

“Eeek…!”

I, I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.

I only made CEO Kang angrier by bringing it up.

“That’s right, Da-jeong. Right now, your health is the priority, not streaming. The doctor said so too.”

“Y, yeah… I’m sorry…”

When Jia unnie added in her gentle tone, I nodded and apologized.

After all, the most important thing now is to regain my health, yeah.

“But CEO Kang, what about taking care of Da-jeong? She should have at least one person by her side…”

“Ah, no. It’s fine. It’s not like I’m injured or anything.”

Ra-hee unnie’s question to CEO Kang made me frantically wave my hands. The moment the thought of staying in the hospital for a while crossed my mind I shuddered.

If I had been in a car accident or something and couldn’t move, that would be one thing but my limbs are fine, and I can eat on my own.

Having someone to take care of me would just be a waste of manpower.

“Hmm, Da-jeong does have a point… But it would still be good to have someone keep an eye on her progress.”

“Can’t the manager do it?”

“Right now, she’s in Japan with her parents visiting relatives. She said she’d come back immediately when she heard Da-jeong collapsed, but I told her not to. We can handle it ourselves.”

Ah, so that’s why So-eun unnie wasn’t here, but it’s a good thing CEO Kang declined on her behalf.

If she had canceled her trip and flown all the way back because of me, I would’ve been too ashamed to even look her in the eye.

“Then how about I do it?”

As silence lingered without a proper solution.

Someone suddenly raised their hand and volunteered to take care of me.

It was Yuna.

“Huh? You, Yuna?”

“Yeah! Of course, it’ll be hard to stay at the hospital because of streaming, but if I come in the morning to check on her and leave right before my stream, it should be fine, right?”

“What time is your stream?”

“I moved it to 7 p.m. recently.”

Wait, hold on.

You’re not seriously going to make Yuna do this, are you, CEO Kang?

If you do, I might actually die from guilt.

Please, don’t let that happen…!

“It’s doable, but… the problem is I can’t overwork you, Yuna. If you end up collapsing while taking care of Da-jeong, it’ll be putting the cart before the horse. You know what I mean?”

“Ah, it’s fine! I exercise regularly, eat well, and I always push my work onto the staff!”

Ah, the first two are fine, but that last one is a bit much, Yuna…?

If someone hears that, they’ll think you’re a terrible boss.

“Alright, then Yuna, you can come by for a while. I’ll stop by too, and I’ll send a staff member once in a while… But having a member around will make Da-jeong feel more comfortable.”

“……!”

Whoosh- Whoosh-

I kept my mouth shut and shook my head vigorously, only for the CEO to see.

No, CEO! No!

I’m not comfortable with this at all!

If Yuna has to suffer because of me, I’d rather bite my tongue and die!

“It’s my fault Da-jeong overworked herself, so I’ll take good care of her for a while. Just trust me!”

“Yu, Yuna. That’s…”

Watching Yuna puff out her chest and speak confidently, I hesitated.

Should I say something now?

I’m grateful, but I don’t want to burden you, so you don’t have to come?

Yeah, if not now, when else would I say it…

“…Or do you not want me to come, Da-jeong? I’m happy to see you every day.”

“………No. I’m happy to see you every day too.”

“Hehe, right?! I’m glad!”

…Yeah, I failed.

But looking at me with those abandoned kitten eyes is cheating…

Besides, lately, it feels like the members are figuring out how to handle me…

“From now on, I’ll feed you by hand, follow you to the bathroom, and even help you shower! Don’t worry, Da-jeong!”

“Th, that’s not necessary…!”

I guess I should’ve refused.

Regret washes over me like a tide, but I can’t take back what’s already been said.

Sniff.

I’ll take better care of myself from now on.

If I collapse again, I can’t even imagine how overprotective they’ll be.