I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 8

Kang Ha-neul fell deep into thought as she recalled Da-jeong, who had been shrinking into herself among the members.

At first, she thought Da-jeong was just a girl lacking a bit of confidence.

She didn’t know the details of her family situation, but she assumed it might have had some influence.

If that was the case, she believed that with a little encouragement, Da-jeong could grow into her role.

But after observing Da-jeong today, Ha-neul realized she needed to revise her thoughts.

This girl wasn’t just lacking confidence.

She simply had never learned to value herself.

Even when she was drawing the avatars for the members, it was clear.

Normally, people would think about their own image first and then discuss ideas.

But this girl didn’t even consider her own avatar, focusing entirely on the others.

No, perhaps that could still be fine.

Maybe she’s just an altruistic person, and there’s room to see it positively, but after hearing her response, Ha-neul had to revise her thoughts again.

“Da-jeong, everything’s great, but… what about your avatar?”

“Huh? M-Me?”

“Yeah, it seems like you didn’t draw one for yourself. Or do you have something in mind?”

Da-jeong, who had been spacing out, eventually smiled awkwardly and said,

“Sorry. I’ll think about it.”

At that moment, Ha-neul felt something was off.

Even the most altruistic people usually take care of themselves before others, right?

No, maybe this was a deeper issue.

It was as if Da-jeong had never even thought about herself.

She seemed completely indifferent to her own avatar, as if it didn’t matter to her.

Her utter lack of interest in herself was deeply unsettling.

“Hehe, Yuna’s avatar is so cute…! She looks like a princess born from snow!”

“CEO, wouldn’t it be cool if Chae-yoon’s dagger had this pattern?”

“Ra-hee unnie’s avatar needs these fangs! You have to include them!”

“Jia’s avatar would look even prettier if she had both knight and goddess modes!”

In contrast, Da-jeong was overly invested in the other members.

Even as the A4 paper Ha-neul handed her for her own avatar remained blank, Da-jeong happily chatted about the others’ avatars, smiling all the while.

‘Maybe she’s never received love herself, so she only knows how to give it.’

What a paradox.

So, Ha-neul cautiously began to form a theory.

Perhaps Da-jeong’s indifference to herself wasn’t born from some noble selflessness.

Maybe it was because she had never been given the opportunity to care about herself.

The difference between these two possibilities was enormous.

People are creatures of habit.

Actions they’ve done before, they can do unconsciously, but actions they’ve never done are hard to pick up, even if they learn them later and in Da-jeong’s case, the habit she seemed to lack was something as basic as caring for herself.

If that was the case, it would explain her unusual behavior.

“…CEO!”

“Huh? Oh!”

Lost in her thoughts, Ha-neul was startled by the loud voice.

In front of her was Da-jeong, tilting her head with innocent eyes.

“You called for me, so I came…”

“Ah…! Right, sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”

Ha-neul tried to hide her embarrassment, but her words only made Da-jeong more puzzled.

“No, it wasn’t just footsteps… I knocked and called for you, but you didn’t respond. I thought you might be sick or something…”

“Ahem! I must’ve dozed off with my eyes open. I’ve been tired lately, so it happens sometimes.”

“Are you that tired? Maybe you should rest your eyes…”

Da-jeong fidgeted, looking concerned. “Or should I make you some honey water?”

Ha-neul smiled, feeling both her body and mind healing.

‘Having a little sister like this would make every day so happy.’

She projected her long-held dream of having a younger sister onto Da-jeong.

“But why did you call me? Did I do something wrong…?”

Before they could get into the conversation, Da-jeong asked nervously why she was called for a one-on-one meeting.

Ha-neul had to stop herself from jumping up in shock.

“No, no! It’s nothing like that! I just wanted to talk to you alone for a bit.”

“Oh, is that… all? That’s a relief. I thought I must’ve made a mistake…”

Da-jeong sighed in relief and smiled, but Ha-neul’s heart ached.

What kind of life has she lived?

It’s heartbreaking how naturally she assumes she’s at fault.

Even kids dragged to the principal’s office weren’t like this.

“It’s definitely not that. And even if you did make a mistake, someone as cute as you could get away with anything.”

“M-Me, cute? No way. Yuna is way cuter. She’s so kind, cheerful, talks to someone like me, and she’s pretty…”

“……”

‘Someone like me.’

Ha-neul had never met anyone who referred to themselves like that.

It wasn’t self-deprecation—it was as if she saw herself as an object.

“No, you’re plenty cute too. So, have some confidence and let’s work hard together, okay?”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll do my best to support the members!”

“…Yeah, good.”

Da-jeong’s determined smile was undeniably cute.

But the way she naturally stepped back, positioning herself as a support for the others, still bothered Ha-neul.

But there was nothing she could do about it now.

This was only their second meeting.

She didn’t know enough about Da-jeong’s background to offer proper advice, nor was she in a position to lecture her.

So, slowly, very slowly.

If she could get closer to Da-jeong and understand the darkness surrounding her, maybe someday, she could offer some heartfelt advice.

For now, she decided to just watch and smiled warmly.

“So, why did you call me?”

“Ah, right. I wanted to discuss the broadcast plans. Once the avatars are ready, we’ll do a few rehearsals and practices, then go straight into streaming.”

“Ah, I see.”

That was only part of the reason.

The broadcast plans were just an excuse—she really wanted to learn more about Da-jeong’s living situation.

“By the way, do you have a proper setup at home for streaming? Like a computer…”

“I have a computer.”

“Oh, good.”

Since Da-jeong was aiming to be a VTuber, it made sense that she had a computer.

Relieved, Ha-neul continued.

“What are the specs? Is it good enough for streaming?”

“The specs are a bit low. It’s an old computer I got from the community center when they were throwing it out.”

“I… see.”

Ha-neul tried to act unfazed, but she was shocked.

It was a miracle the computer was still running.

“This might be a bit intrusive, but do you have the means to upgrade it? When we spoke on the phone, you said you only had 200,000 won in your account…”

“Ah, yes. I have some money saved in another account, so I can upgrade it.”

“Really?”

As soon as she cautiously asked the question, Kang Ha-neul felt somewhat relieved.

Surely, having only 200,000 won left as her entire fortune couldn’t be true.

She must have some savings set aside.

“How much is that money? If it’s not enough, the company can help cover some of the costs.”

However since she didn’t think Da-jeong had a lot saved up, Ha-neul decided to ask subtly.

Setting up a proper streaming computer could easily cost 4 to 5 million won, depending on the setup.

Sometimes, you even need to prepare multiple monitors or a high-spec main unit.

“No, you don’t have to worry about it. I have some money my parents left me when they passed away.”

“…Huh? Money your parents left you?”

Da-jeong waved her hands, insisting there was no need to worry, but Ha-neul couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

What did she just say?

Money her parents left her when they passed away?

Does that mean it’s the only inheritance this girl has?

“Yes! I’ve been saving it for when things get really tough. There’s 2 million won, so if I work a bit more part-time, it’ll be enough.”

“……”

2 million won.

To some, that might seem like a lot, but for a girl who lost her parents, it’s a pitifully small inheritance.

‘To Da-jeong, that must feel like a fortune.’

The reason Ha-neul couldn’t point this out was the sense of pride she saw in Da-jeong’s face.

No matter how tough things got, she must have stubbornly held onto that 2 million won, refusing to touch it.

Ha-neul couldn’t bring herself to let Da-jeong spend such precious money.

“No. Leave that money aside. The company will provide you with a computer, so let’s use that. I’ll get you a really good one.”

“Huh? But I’m fine…”

“I’m fine with it too. So please, just accept it, okay?”

“Okay, okay…”

After practically begging Da-jeong, who kept refusing, it was finally decided that the company would provide her with a computer.

Only then did Ha-neul let out a sigh of relief, leaning back in her chair as if one of her worries had been lifted.

Then.

Growl—

“Ah…! S-Sorry.”

“It’s fine. By the way, Da-jeong, you’ve eaten, right?”

“Ah, no. I only eat one meal a day… I was planning to eat when I got home.”

Da-jeong scratched her head awkwardly, smiling innocently.

Ha-neul felt another wave of concern.

Eating only one meal a day could be seen as diet management.

No, given Da-jeong’s situation, even that might be impossible, but it was somewhat understandable.

What really bothered Ha-neul was the content of that one meal.

“…Can I ask what you were planning to eat?”

“Tofu and cabbage. It’s cheap and tasty.”

Thud—

With an unbearably bright smile, but the answer, which sounded pitiful to the listener, made Ha-neul press her forehead again.

Forget work talk for now—she needed to feed this hungry squirrel first.