Ch. 126 Lunar New Year is Approaching!
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 126: Lunar New Year is Approaching!
There were a few incidents, but we safely made it through Christmas and the end of the year. After welcoming the New Year, the next thing that suddenly approached was the Lunar New Year, the nation’s biggest holiday.
So a week before Lunar New Year, we had a meeting at the company, along with a gathering. We sorted out our schedules and content, and since it would be hard to see each other during the holiday, we decided to greet each other in advance.
“Everyone, come on in.”
“Why are you all rushing in today?”
Today, the members gathered at the agreed time in front of the company and went inside. As always, So-eun unnie greeted us with a bow. Following her, the CEO, who was sitting slightly askew on her chair, also greeted us.
“Hehe, we didn’t want to be late, so we all decided to come together today!”
When Yuna explained the reason why we all came together, the CEO, stroking her chin, tilted her head and made a sharp remark.
“Late? So, it’s because of Chae-yoon?”
“CEO! I’ve been coming early lately…!”
“Really?”
It’s true that Chae-yoon unnie is a bit of a latecomer. Not like 30 minutes or an hour late, but she’s not as early as Yuna or Jia unnie, who come early and wait. Being about 5 minutes late is almost like a passive skill for her. Still, as Chae-yoon unnie said, she hasn’t been late much recently… I guess image is important after all. Yeah, I should never be late.
“Anyway, our youngest, long time no see? It’s been almost a month, right?”
“Yeah… hehe.”
While the other members have each met the CEO separately, I haven’t seen her since Christmas. Feeling a bit awkward, I scratched my cheek. The CEO gestured for me to come over.
“Aren’t you too busy these days? Not even keeping up with the CEO. Are you really planning to leave for Prism Company?”
“That’s too much…! Besides, not long ago, I asked to meet and you said you were busy, CEO…!”
“Ah, did I? Sorry.”
Feeling wronged, I protested vehemently, almost on the verge of crying. The CEO shrugged with her usual nonchalant tone.
Sniff, so mean…
After treating me like that, she just brushes it off like it’s nothing. This is abuse of power!
“Uh-oh, our youngest is sulking? I’m sorry. Come here, come here.”
“Umu…”
The CEO patted her lap, but remembering what just happened, I pouted for a while. Still, thinking that the CEO’s embrace is comfortable, I walked over and sat on her lap.
Hug-
“CEO, you’re really like a mother and daughter.”
“Hey, how old do you think I am? At least say older sister and younger sister.”
“Right, Yuna. When the CEO turns thirty, you can say that then.”
“Hey, Ra-hee!”
“Kyaaa…!”
Today, the meeting room is chaotic as usual. It’s clearly called a meeting room, but we’ve never had a normal meeting. Meanwhile, the CEO, with me in her arms, gave up on catching Ra-hee unnie and hugged me again, which is a bit funny. Usually, she’d tell me to move aside and go after Ra-hee unnie.
“By the way, CEO, what are we doing today?”
“Hmm? Just a simple New Year’s check-up and to talk about your Lunar New Year schedules.”
Huh? Schedules?
At the sudden word, the members and I tilted our heads simultaneously. Since we usually don’t have breaks except on special days, the CEO mentioning schedules must mean we’ll have a break.
“Huh? Are we off for Lunar New Year?”
“We already had a break for Christmas, is it okay to have another one?”
Chae-yoon unnie’s delighted expression and Jia unnie’s worried expression. The contrasting reactions made the CEO smile wryly and nod.
“We couldn’t take a break during Chuseok right after our debut, so we should take one this time. But we can’t take too much time off, just the day before Lunar New Year to spend time with family. On the day itself, we’ll play with the Star Pieces.”
“Wow! CEO, you’re the best!”
“Mom’s been nagging me to come home for Lunar New Year… I’m glad.”
Yuna and Chae-yoon unnie’s voices mixed with joy.
“Unnie, then you’ll be alone with your mom?”
“Yeah, my dad’s coming back for Lunar New Year this time, so I’ll be with my family.”
“That’s great.”
Seeing Ra-hee unnie and Jia unnie chatting and smiling, it seems everyone wanted to spend at least a day with their families during Lunar New Year. Yeah, that’s good.
“What about you, Da-jeong? Are you going home for a day?”
Yuna, full of excitement, asked around about the members’ plans and finally came to me.
Since it’s common to meet with family, she probably thought I’d do the same.
“Ah, yeah. I don’t have anyone to meet, so… I’ll just do some deep cleaning and take a day off.”
“…Ah.”
“…….”
When I awkwardly smiled and replied, Yuna sighed, and the atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
“Sorry, Da-jeong. I misspoke….”
“No, it’s fine! I’m the unusual case, so it’s understandable.”
Yuna hurriedly tried to apologize, but I waved my hands to stop her.
I don’t think Yuna meant any harm. After all, spending holidays with family is a very common thing. It’s just that I’m a bit unusual for not having that.
“Hehe, still, I’m glad. At least everyone can spend a happy time with their families during Lunar New Year.”
“Da-jeong….”
For me, Lunar New Year and Chuseok have always just been red days on the calendar. I don’t feel particularly hurt. Rather, I’m happy that the members can spend good times with their families. Plus, I’ll have a day to relax. I can do some deep cleaning and catch up on things.
“…Da-jeong.”
“Yes, CEO.”
While I was swinging my legs, thinking about my Lunar New Year plans, the CEO hugged me tighter and whispered in my ear in a calm voice.
“This might be an intrusive question, but how do you usually spend the holidays?”
“Uh… just normally. Sometimes, before the holidays, the local office gives out rice, meat, or gift certificates, so it’s a bit special.”
“Were you just alone at home?”
“Yeah…? I don’t have relatives or family.”
There was a grandmother next door, but her family would come during the holidays, so I couldn’t spend time with her. Still, I was grateful when she shared food during the holidays. But basically, I was always alone during the holidays.
“…I see. How about this year?”
“This year?”
“Yeah, don’t you want to spend it with someone? Of course, being alone is comfortable, but sometimes you might want to be with someone.”
Of course, that’s true. It’s not like I always enjoyed being alone during the holidays. Sometimes, when I went out for a walk during the holidays, I’d hear laughter from the grandmother’s house or other homes, and it stuck in my memory. Not that I envied them or wondered why I was like this, but I did wonder if I’d ever have a holiday like that.
“Rather than wanting to be with someone… I want to know what it feels like. What it feels like to spend the holidays with family, with someone….”
I honestly shared my feelings with the CEO. Of course, this Lunar New Year, I’ll be with the cherries but that’s probably not the kind of “together” the CEO meant. I want to experience a holiday where I can feel someone’s warmth, hear their laughter, and share delicious food.
Swish-
“Alright, then how about spending this year with family?”
“Huh? Family?”
The CEO, who had been looking at me for a while, suddenly stroked my head and, with a look of mixed emotions, said something unexpected.
What does that mean? I don’t have a family. I can’t create a family to be with…
“Yeah, let’s spend this Lunar New Year together at my house. How about it?”
“Eh…?! At your house, CEO?”
Even so, isn’t that too much? On a normal day, I could visit as a guest, but intruding on a holiday is a bit…
“My mom really wants to see you. She said she’d make delicious food, so she told me to bring you.”
“Th-thank you, but… it’s too much to visit during such a busy time….”
Besides, relatives might come over, and the house would be crowded. Wouldn’t I just be a nuisance? I appreciate the offer, but I think I should decline.
“No, we don’t hold ancestral rites, and no one’s coming over. So, we were planning to spend it normally with family.”
“Really…?”
“Yeah. Ah, of course, if you’d rather stay home and rest, you don’t have to come. I just meant if you feel lonely, you can come.”
“Ah….”
The CEO took a step back, giving me the choice. I glanced at the CEO and then at the members. The members didn’t say anything, but they smiled and nodded, suggesting I should go. They don’t want me to spend the holiday alone.
“Then… would it be okay to stay for just one day?”
“Of course. I’ll let my mom know. She’ll prepare a feast.”
“Y-you don’t have to go that far…!”
Feeling like an unwelcome guest, I resisted, but the CEO turned her head, not intending to listen.
Tap-
Something warm rested on my head as I panicked. Looking up, I met Jia unnie’s gentle smile.
“That’s great, Da-jeong. Right?”
“Hehe, yeah…!”
Honestly, it’s a bit burdensome, but thinking about spending a holiday with someone for the first time, I smiled brightly and nodded. Blue LUV really brings miracles into my life. I truly realized that today.
LegoMyEggo
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