I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 74

[Lulu(@BlueLUVLulu) · 2 hours ago]

Hehe, sorry for the late update, everyone!

It’s already been 5 days since I last saw my Cherries!

I’ve been eating well and even going for morning walks!

I’ll come back to you all healthy and well!

See you soon, Cherries!

• Lulu-chan, come back soon ㅠㅠㅠㅠ It’s so cold without you
• Let’s meet again soon, Lulu-chan, once you’re healthy
• I’m glad you’re eating well
• Is the hospital food good? I heard some places have terrible food
• I really want to celebrate the 100-day milestone with Lulu-chan!!

The tweet I posted two hours ago already has quite a few comments.

Luckily, it seems my Cherries haven’t forgotten me and are still waiting, I should’ve posted an update sooner.

“Da-jeong, what are you smiling so happily about?”

“Ah, CEO.”

While I was happily reading through the comments, CEO Kang entered the room through the open door, she came yesterday too, but is work going okay?

“I was just looking at the tweet I posted. Luckily, it seems my Cherries are still waiting for me.”

“Of course they’re waiting. Anyone would think you’ve been gone for a year, geez.”

“Hehe…”

Is that so? Was I being too dramatic?

But I couldn’t help but worry.

I’m not some big corporate VTuber, and I know that if I’m even a little neglectful, I’ll be forgotten quickly.

That’s why streamers are so diligent in the beginning, they know they’ll fall behind if they’re not.

In that sense, this long break was bound to make me anxious.

“So how’s your progress? Did the doctor come by?”

“Yes, this morning. The results from yesterday’s detailed tests came back, and they said I can be discharged tomorrow or the day after!”

Actually, everyone wanted me to stay longer but using the doctor’s diagnosis as an excuse, I subtly pushed for an early discharge.

Noticing my hidden intentions, the CEO smiled wryly and placed her hands on her hips.

“You really want to be discharged, huh? Most people would be desperate to stay and rest.”

It seems she realized she couldn’t stop me anymore.

Her response was much gentler than when I first brought it up, I nodded brightly with a smile.

“Hehe, I just really like streaming. Communicating with viewers is fun, and chatting or playing games with the members is so enjoyable.”

“Our youngest always knows just what to say huh.”

Ruffle ruffle

CEO Kang roughly patted my head, then suddenly grabbed both my cheeks and pulled… huh?

“Guh…?! C-CEO…! Why are you doing this…!”

“Why? I’m just checking if our youngest has gotten healthier. You’ve gained a bit of chub on your cheeks from eating well.”

Seemingly satisfied with the softness of my cheeks, she finally nodded and let go.

Yet for some reason, it felt like she pinched me harder than usual.

Ugh, she’s definitely still mad.

She usually pinches me more gently.

“Da-jeong.”

“Y, yes…?”

“Let’s make one promise together.”

While I was gloomily rubbing my reddened cheeks the CEO sat on the bed, facing me, and spoke in a serious tone.

“I know you really love the members. Of course, from my perspective, I don’t understand why you’re so devoted but you must have your reasons. You’re not a thoughtless kid.”

“Y, yeah…?”

I felt a little guilty hearing her words.

Looking back at my actions.

I realized I might actually be a thoughtless kid but I tried not to show it and answered.

She held my hand and continued.

“But devotion isn’t always a good thing. Especially when you’re sacrificing your own health. It’s not devotion, it’s self-sacrifice. Do you understand?”

“Y, yes… I understand.”

It’s something Yuna, who visited me every day, had told me before.

They appreciate my love and care for them but they don’t want me to neglect myself in the process.

“Of course, I know you lack a bit of confidence. That’s why you try twice as hard as others.”

“……”

I couldn’t respond to her words, which hit the nail on the head.

That’s right.

The main reason I tried so hard was because of that; so I wouldn’t be a burden to the people who shine brighter than anyone else to me.

Because I know I’m not a shining presence, I wanted to at least become someone who could make them shine even more.

“But I’ve told you before, haven’t I? In my eyes, none of you are lacking. You’re all gems I’ve carefully chosen. So I won’t tell you to be confident. Just…”

She tightened her grip on my hand and then, with her other hand, she pulled me into a hug patting me gently on the back.

“If you ever lose faith in yourself, trust my eyes. If you can’t believe in yourself, believe in the me that believes in you. You’re an amazing kid, chosen by me. Got it?”

“Hehe… that’s a line from an anime.”

“Hey, you’re supposed to stay quiet at times like this. Your boss is trying to look cool here.”

She grumbled about how I always miss the timing. However I know; she deliberately said that to lighten the mood.

“Anyway, what I wants to say is, take better care of yourself from now on. Whether it’s because of your confidence or someone else’s opinion, just remember this: you’re an incredible kid. That’s all.”

“Yes…! I’ll keep that in mind.”

I pulled away from the CEO’s embrace and nodded with the brightest smile I could muster.

“Really? If something like this happens again, I won’t let it slide next time.”

“Ah, what do you mean by ‘won’t let it slide’…?”

“Hmm… I’ll suck on Da-jeong’s cheeks like this.”

“Eek?!”

Th, that’s a terrifying punishment.

It’s fine if it’s just pinching like now but sucking on them is too embarrassing!

You wouldn’t even do that to a baby!

“B, by the way, in situations like that, wouldn’t you usually threaten to terminate the contract or… give up on me?”

“Huh? That’s not happening.”

I fidgeted and tried to suggest a higher-level warning but she shook her head firmly and smiled at me.

Then, she left me with one last remark.

“I have no intention of letting you go, Da-jeong. Unless you do something really bad, I’m keeping you no matter what.”

“K, keeping me?”

“Yeah, even if you get tired and want to quit, I’ll tie you up and make you stream.”

“Th, that’s tyranny…!”

“Well, so what? I’m the boss. This is the bitter taste of society.”

Where is the bitter taste of society in that…!

Of course, I appreciate how much CEO Kang cares for me!

But this is just plain tyranny!

Creak-

CEO Kang, who had been watching me flail around, stood up and lightly placed her hand on my head as she wrapped things up.

“Then let’s decide on an early discharge, and I’ll post a comeback notice on the company’s page. At the latest, you’ll be back in time for the 100-day celebration stream.”

“Yes…! Thank you, CEO Kang.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the happy ending I had hoped for, CEO Kang smiled back, creating a warm atmosphere…

“…Just words?”

“Huh?”

…Just as I thought the mood was settling, CEO Kang muttered with a sharp look in her eyes.

‘Just words?’ Is there something he wants?

B, but I don’t have anything to give.

Even if I gave her money, she has way more than me….

Tap tap

“Here, as a reward, give me a kiss on the cheek.”

“A k-kiss…?! I-I’m not a kid anymore….”

I was flustered by the unexpected request and shook my head vigorously.

If it were to act cute, I’d close my eyes and do it without hesitation!

I’ve even done it as a penalty on broadcasts before!

But a kiss is totally different…!

“Why does it matter if you’re a kid or an adult? I want it. Or are you saying you’re so cold-hearted that you can’t even give your boss, who’s been through so much, a single kiss?”

“T-that’s not it, but….”

Ugh, why is the conversation going this way?

Why does the boss even want a kiss from me in the first place?

I could understand if it were for a pet or something but I’m not a pet, I’m just a regular employee.

“Come on, do it with sincerity. If you don’t, I won’t let you leave the hospital.”

“That’s so mean…!”

“Yep, if you don’t like it, you can be the boss.”

The boss casually brushed off my words and tucked her hair behind her ear.

I kept hesitating, moving closer to her pale cheek and then stopping.

D-do I really have to do this?

It would be easier if it were the members but the boss? No way, no way, no way!

“If you don’t do it, I’ll pinch your cheeks like I said earlier, okay?”

“Eeek…!”

But under the boss’s pressure, I felt a sense of resignation.

Fine, it’s not like I’ll die from giving one kiss.

It’s not like anyone else is watching anyway; just close my eyes and do it once.

The boss is probably teasing me because I’m so embarrassed.

If I just do it confidently and act natural, she’ll be stunned for sure.

You can do this, Jeong Da-jeong!

“O-okay, I’ll do it…! Really… I’ll do it?”

“Good.”

“Ugh….”

The boss doesn’t seem embarrassed at all.

Even though it’s between two women.

Even though it’s just on the cheek.

I’m more than embarrassed enough.

Fidgeting, I moved closer and slowly brought my lips closer. Thinking about it, it’s not that hard, the boss is like a mother figure to me anyway.

If I think of it as giving her a kiss to thank her for her hard work, it’s fine.

The distance to the boss’s pale cheek was now 30cm, 20cm, 10cm.

It kept shrinking like this.

Finally, as my vision was filled with the side of the boss’s face.

“Da-jeong! We’re here!”

“Our Da-jeong, having fun?”

“You even tweeted earlier, so you must be feeling better…. Huh?”

“…Huh?”

With the sudden appearance of all the members except Yuna, who had left earlier.

I froze in place, blinking at the door of the hospital room.

Why does nothing go right for me these days?

I just want to die.

If there were a hole, I’d crawl into it and bury myself never to emerge.

Sniff.