I Became a Member of My Favorite Group! - Chapter 9

In the middle of a meeting for some reason, the CEO led us all out of the company.

“CEO, where are we going?”

Yuna asked, curious about our destination.

I was curious too, so I followed at the back, quietly eavesdropping.

“We’re going to eat. Since it’s our first time all together, it’d be nice to chat over some good food.”

Ah, we’re going out to eat. It must be because of me; I made such a loud stomach growl in front of the CEO it makes me feel bad for making her worry.

“Wow, is the CEO treating us?!”

“Of course.”

“Yay!”

Yuna raised her arms and cheered with joy.

Her innocent smile was so cute that I couldn’t help but smile too.

She really lives up to being Blue LUV’s ultimate healing character.

“Ah, here we are. Let’s go in.”

“Wow…”

The restaurant we arrived at was quite luxurious from the outside, looking at least a hundred times better than my shabby home.

It was the kind of place I could never dream of stepping into.

“Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”

I timidly hid behind the members as we entered. A neatly dressed waiter came up and greeted us with a polite bow.

“Yes, under Kang Ha-Neul. I called earlier.”

“Ah, Ms. Kang Ha-Neul. Yes, we have your reservation. This way, please.”

We were led into a private room.

‘People who come to places like this really dress well.’

As we walked, I noticed that everyone, regardless of gender, was dressed stylishly. In contrast, I was wearing a worn-out white T-shirt and shorts.

I didn’t want to face my shabby appearance, so I looked up.

“Da-jeong, what are you doing? Come on in.”

There was Ra-hee unnie, smiling at me with her elegant outfit.

The soft lighting from the private room framed her like a halo.

Her sparkling appearance made my shabby self stand out even more.

At that moment, shame and self-deprecation surged, and my head dropped.

“Ah… s-sorry.”

“Huh? No, there’s no need to apologize…”

I couldn’t bring myself to take her hand and followed behind as we got to the table I noticed that on the table was a sign that read “Reserved.”

“I’ll bring the menus right away. Please wait a moment.”

The waiter walked over to the table, removed the sign, and gestured for us to sit.

“Da-jeong, sit next to me.”

I was about to sit in an empty seat when the CEO tapped the seat next to her.

Huh? The other members are sitting wherever they want.

Why me?

“M-Me…?”

“Yeah. Why, don’t you want to?”

“Ah, no. It’s not that I don’t want to.”

Ugh, it’s not that I dislike the CEO… but just the thought of sitting next to my boss makes me lose my appetite.

Why would she want me to sit next to her?

Since I couldn’t refuse, I shuffled over and sat down, then as soon as I did teasing erupted from all sides.

“Ooh, CEO, that’s so unfair! I wanted to sit next to Da-jeong too!”

“Yeah, there are plenty of seats.”

“Isn’t it too much to hog our youngest?”

Ugh, huh? Why is everyone mad?

Well, I know why, but…why would they want to sit next to me?

I’m just wearing shabby clothes. Sitting next to me would only dim their shine. Even Jia, who’s usually quiet, is looking at me with a hint of disappointment. Would it be too self-conscious to think she wanted to sit next to me too?

“Shh, are you all trying to defy the CEO? Just sit quietly.”

“Hmph, abuse of power!”

The members’ rebellion was quickly silenced by the CEO’s “Shh.”

Yuna tried to protest until the end, but the CEO didn’t even blink.

Our members are really something.

This is our first time together, but they’re so comfortable with the CEO. It’s probably because the CEO has such a relaxed vibe.

Anyway, I ended up sitting next to her.

The other members sat across from us, creating an awkward setup and as I felt uncomfortable in this odd arrangement.

“Here are the menus.”

The waiter returned with menus and water.

The CEO flipped through the menu and asked the members what they wanted to eat before finally turning to me.

“Da-jeong, is there anything you want to eat? The CEO’s treating, so order whatever you want.”

“Ah, yes…”

She spread the menu in front of me, and I hesitated.

It’s not that the CEO’s excessive care made me uncomfortable.

It’s just that I couldn’t understand what was written on the menu.

What’s… prime?

It sounds like something from a robot cartoon.

And the prices are insane.

Some dishes cost nearly 200,000 won.

200,000 won could feed me for two months.

No, if I stretch it, it could last three months.

Of course, excluding utilities and other expenses.

“Um, then I’ll have this…”

“Huh? Pasta?”

When I chose the cheapest item on the menu, the CEO looked puzzled.

So, this is pasta?

I didn’t even know what it was just by the name.

“Da-jeong, do you like pasta? The steak here is really good too.”

“Ah, no… I’ve never had pasta before.”

“……”

I’ve heard the name and know what it looks like, but I’ve never eaten it.

When I timidly replied, the CEO looked startled.

Why is she reacting like that?

“What? You’ve never had pasta before? Da-jeong, really?”

“Uh, yeah. Is that weird…?”

Is pasta some kind of national dish?

I cautiously asked Yuna, who was looking at me in surprise.

“Well, it is weird… Ah.”

Then Yuna, who was about to nod, suddenly stopped and blinked a few times.

I felt like her gaze shifted toward the CEO.

Was it just my imagination?

“Ah, no! It’s not weird at all. It’s really delicious, so look forward to it.”

“Okay.”

So pasta is that delicious, huh?

I once thought about trying it, but a single bowl cost over 10,000 won, so I never dared. I guess it’s worth the price.

Especially since the one I just saw was 30,000 won per bowl.

I’ll make sure not to leave a single bite.

“Your food is here.”

While we were chatting after placing our orders.

Before long, quite a bit of time had passed, and the waiter I had seen earlier appeared with the food.

“Which side should I place the pasta on?”

“Ah, over here.”

The large chunk of meat placed in front of the other members.

In contrast, a plate of long noodles with various ingredients, the pasta, was placed in front of me.

Wow, there are so many shrimp in this.

And they look plump too.

Just a few of these shrimp could probably cover my weekly food expenses.

Huh? Come to think of it, this is a fork.

Are they not giving us chopsticks here?

I vaguely remember using a fork when I was really young, but that’s about it.

I was a bit flustered, but since it’s just another utensil, I decided to go ahead and use it.

It’s not like using a fork is that difficult.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“Yeah, eat up, Da-jeong.”

The boss, who was watching me pick up the fork, smiled warmly and patted my head.

It felt like I was being treated like a child, but it wasn’t so bad.

Now, let’s pick up some pasta and take a bite…

Plop-

“…Huh?”

The pasta I was about to put in my mouth fell weakly back onto the plate, and I blinked in confusion.

Why is it slipping off?

Let me try again…

Plop-

Again.

At this point, I’m determined not to give up, even if it’s out of sheer stubbornness.

Let’s see who wins, you or me.

“Da, Da-jeong?”

“Yes, boss.”

I was about to aggressively stab at the pasta again with my fork when the boss called out to me in a bewildered voice.

“When eating pasta, you have to twirl it like this. Then, you scoop it up and eat it in one go.”

“Ah, is that how it’s done?”

Now that I think about it, I think I saw that in an anime somewhere before.

So, I was eating it wrong all along.

I unfairly blamed the innocent pasta.

Swish- swish-

Oh, I got it.

Now, as the boss taught me, I’ll scoop it up and… gulp.

“Mmm…!”

Wow, it’s delicious!

What kind of flavor is this?

It’s hard to describe, but the subtle spiciness and the flavor of the seafood blend together in my mouth, creating an incredible synergy.

Anyway, it’s really delicious.

I can confidently say it’s the best food I’ve ever had in my life!

“Boss, this is really delicious.”

“Really? Does it suit your taste?”

“Yes! Honestly, it’s the best food I’ve ever had in my life!”

Even though I know I should be quiet in a restaurant, I couldn’t help but raise my voice in excitement.

The boss, who was looking at me, had a deeply moved expression and covered her mouth.

Feeling puzzled, I glanced around and noticed the other members had similar reactions.

Though the atmosphere was slightly different, they were all looking at me with what seemed like a touched expression.

Did I say something strange?

“Well… let’s eat like this often from now on. I’ll treat you as much as you want.”

“Th-that’s too much. Something this expensive…”

I quickly shook my head at the boss’s words.

As much as I love delicious food, I’m not that shameless.

The boss already offered to support me with a computer, and I was trying to figure out how to decline that. If I start accepting expensive meals like this too, I won’t be able to face the boss.

“No, I like treating people around me to good food. So, understood?”

“B-but…”

“Sigh, answer me.”

“Yes…”

Well, if the boss calls, I can just say I have other plans and decline.

It’s not like I have to accept every offer, so it should be fine.

For now, I’ll just nod along.

“Da-jeong, do you want to try some steak?”

“Da-jeong, try mine too! This is really delicious!”

“I’ve already cut some for you, so take it.”

“I’ve also cut some…”

By the way, why is everyone so eager to give me food?

Even though the other five members all had the same menu except for me.

Still, it’s hard to refuse when they keep offering, so I accepted and ate what they gave me.

The steak, which melted in my mouth, was just as excellent as the pasta.

“Hehe, the steak is delicious too.”

“Hng…!”

Without realizing it, I let out a compliment with a relaxed expression.

Then, for some reason, the four members sitting across from me let out a pained sound.

Seeing them clutching their chests, I wondered if they were feeling sick.

That can’t be.

I can’t stand seeing my favorites in pain.

I’d rather be the one in pain than see them suffer.

＊＊＊＊＊

After the meal, Kang Ha-neul excused herself.

Well, more accurately, she pretended to leave and sent Da-jeong back alone, then gathered the remaining members.

There was something important she needed to discuss.

“Everyone, didn’t you notice something strange about Da-jeong today?”

“Yes, should I say it was strange…”

At the casually thrown question, Chae-yoon tried to answer but swallowed her words.

She couldn’t quite figure out how to describe what she had seen of Da-jeong.

A 21-year-old adult woman who had never eaten pasta or steak before.

Even her awkwardness with using a fork was strange in many ways.

“Since you’ll be working closely with Da-jeong from now on, I think I should explain a bit. But don’t let Da-jeong know that you know this. And don’t spread it around.”

“What exactly is going on?”

Yuna, the only one of the same age, looked at her with a worried expression as she hesitated for a long time.

What could be going on with Da-jeong?

Kang Ha-neul also struggled with whether or not to say anything about this.

After all, this is Da-jeong’s personal family matter.

It might be rude for her to reveal it instead of Da-jeong herself.

Nevertheless, the reason she finally spoke up was simple.

More than those common notions, the five stars that had now become part of her treasure chest were more important and precious.

“Actually…”

As Kang Ha-neul carefully began to speak, the expressions of the four members changed moment by moment.

It was only natural.

From the perspective of ordinary people living in 21st-century Korea, it was a heartbreaking story that was hard to believe