Chapter 130: Happy New Year!

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My consciousness, which had been asleep, faintly awakens.

From outside the door, I hear the sound of something clinking.

My body feels as if it’s comfortably nestled in something soft.

Squish—

Hmm, what is this…?

Something soft and squishy.

It feels like tofu…

Is it a pillow?

No, it’s too soft to be a pillow.

It feels like I’m being held in Ra-hee unnie’s arms…

Squish—

“Da, Da-jeong?”

“……?”

While I was absentmindedly fumbling with the mysterious object because it felt nice, I heard a low, embarrassed voice.

Huh? That sounds like the CEO’s voice.

Why is the CEO’s voice so close?

It’s as if I’m sitting on CEO Kang’s lap like I usually do…

“…CEO?”

“Yeah… Did you sleep well?”

Finally coming to my senses, I open my eyes and lift my head.

CEO Kang’s face is so close that our noses are almost touching, an awkward smile painted across her face.

Wait a minute.

Why am I sleeping in the same bed as her?

Yesterday, when the aunt laid out the bedding, we agreed that I would sleep on the floor and CEO Kang would sleep on the bed.

“C-CEO Kang… Why am I here…?”

But the fact that I’m on the bed means something must have gone terribly wrong.

I asked with a look of confusion.

CEO Kang scratched her cheek with an awkward expression and explained what happened last night.

“You passed out after just two drinks last night, so I let you sleep on the bed.”

“Huh? P-passed out…?”

“Yeah, since you don’t remember, I guess you blacked out.”

“T-that can’t be… There’s no way I blacked out after just two drinks…”

Even though I’m not good at drinking, it’s hard to believe that I blacked out after just two drinks.

I desperately tried to recall what happened last night.

“Do you remember?”

“Ugh… N-no, I don’t.”

But all I felt was a throbbing headache, and no specific memories came to mind.

I remember drinking with everyone, but everything after that is a complete blank.

Does that mean I really passed out after just two drinks?

What am I, an elementary school kid?

No, even an elementary school kid wouldn’t pass out after two drinks!

“I’m sorry… I caused you trouble…”

“No, it happens. Sometimes I drink too much when I’m in a good mood too. Don’t worry about it.”

After finally apologizing, CEO Kang told me not to worry.

But she also advised me to be careful about drinking and getting drunk, especially in front of the members or herself.

W-what kind of big mistake did I make for her to say that?

Did I break something or cause a scene?

If that’s the case, I won’t be able to face CEO Kang starting tomorrow.

No, it’s not just about facing her—I might not be able to continue with Blue LUV.

“Hmm… By the way, Da-jeong?”

“Y-yes?”

While I was racking my brain trying to remember what happened last night, CEO Kang called me with an awkward expression.

Gasp.

Did I really make a big mistake last night?

Is she going to tell me about it now?

Just as I was about to listen carefully, “C-can you move your hand? Your boss is a little flustered right now.”

“Huh? M-my hand?”

My hand? What’s wrong with my hand?

At CEO Kang’s request, I reflexively looked down.

There, I saw my hand resting on the bulging black T-shirt.

It took me 3 seconds to realize that.

And another 3 seconds to realize what I was holding.

“KYAAAAAAAH!”

As if I had unleashed a sonic scream, a scream loud enough to shake the house erupted from my mouth.

Honestly, CEO Kang should be the one screaming, not me.

But it was so shocking that I couldn’t help it.

My mind went completely blank.

I don’t even need to know what I did yesterday.

This alone is enough reason for me to be fired.

＊＊＊＊＊

“Da-jeong,  I’m fine, so stop sulking.”

“B-but…”

After the morning commotion, I couldn’t look at the CEO even once during breakfast.

It wasn’t until we were all sitting together eating dessert that I could finally talk to her, comforted by her words.

Somehow, the situation made it seem like I was the victim, but in reality, I was the perpetrator.

That’s why I felt even more dejected.

I, I just grabbed her like that…

Ugh, it’s so embarrassing just thinking about it.

I can’t get that memory out of my head.

“It’s fine since we’re both girls. And it’s normal to move around while sleeping.”

“Is that so…?”

“Of course. Actually, what you did after drinking last night was more… Oh.”

“Huh?”

CEO Kang’s words trailed off as she was about to say something I couldn’t ignore.

I opened my eyes wide and looked at her.

CEO Kang awkwardly avoided my gaze and sipped her coffee.

W-what did CEO Kang just say?

What did I do after drinking last night?

Just thinking about what I did earlier is horrifying.

Does that mean I did something even worse than that?

“C-CEO Kang…! Did I make a mistake after drinking last night? Did I…?!”

“No, not a mistake. If you’re really suspicious, ask dad or mom.”

Whether nothing really happened, or if it was just too awkward for her to answer, she pointed to the uncle and aunt sitting across from us.

I quickly turned my head to look at them.

The uncle and aunt, who made eye contact with me, had calm expressions.

“Yeah, Da-jeong. Nothing happened, so don’t worry.”

“Hmm.”

R-really…?

It feels like something happened, though.

Like the first time I drank with the members…

Ugh…

But even though everyone is trying to cover for me, it would be weird for me to keep digging.

I guess I’ll just believe that nothing happened.

Crunch—

The apples are delicious, though…

It’s hard to believe how sweet they are for winter apples.

I’ll have one more… Yum.

“By the way, Da-jeong, do you have a stream today?”

“Ah, yes. We decided to do a stream on New Year’s Day.”

While eating the delicious apples and trying to lift my gloomy mood, the aunt looked at me and asked about my schedule.

With my mouth full of apple, I answered, and the aunt looked slightly disappointed.

“Really? Can’t you stay until after lunch?”

“I can stay until lunch. My stream is in the evening.”

“That’s good. I marinated some ribs, so have some before you go.”

“Hehe, okay.”

The aunt’s cooking skills are amazing.

It’s so delicious that I wonder what I’ve been eating at home.

I’d be so happy if I could eat the aunt’s cooking every day.

“Um… Uncle, Aunt. Can I ask you for a favor?”

“A favor?”

While we were enjoying dessert and having a pleasant conversation, I had something I wanted to ask since yesterday, so I carefully brought it up.

The uncle looked puzzled but nodded, telling me to go ahead.

“C-can I do the New Year’s bow? I-I don’t need any money!”

Since I’ve never received New Year’s money before, I’m not sure about the custom, but I heard that you get money after bowing.

I quickly added that I didn’t need money, in case it seemed like I was asking for it.

The uncle and aunt looked at each other, then smiled warmly and nodded.

“The bow? Sure, that’s fine.”

“Our daughter doesn’t even do the bow anymore, saying she doesn’t need money. Da-jeong is much better.”

“I’m sorry!”

Meanwhile, there was some teasing about CEO Kang, but it seemed like they were willing to accept the bow.

Hehe, that’s a relief.

“Alright, let’s receive Da-jeong’s bow.”

“Ha-neul, why don’t you join us and do the bow too?”

“Okay.”

After clearing the table, the two sat side by side on the sofa.

CEO Kang also came over and prepared to do the bow with me.

After glancing at each other and timing it, we all bowed down together when CEO Kang nodded.

“Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year, and Dad, please drink less this year.”

When we lifted our heads, we saw the gentle smiles on their faces.

Seeing that, I felt warmth in my heart.

“Yeah, Ha-neul and Da-jeong, Happy New Year.”

“Let’s see, how much should we give Da-jeong…”

“N-no! You really don’t have to give me anything!”

But then the aunt tried to give me New Year’s money, and I panicked, losing the chance to feel the warmth.

In the end, I couldn’t refuse the money.

CEO Kang threatened to send it as a donation if I didn’t take it.

And so, for the first time in my life, I did the New Year’s bow to my elders and received New Year’s money.

It feels like my heart is tingling.

＊＊＊＊＊

When lunchtime came, only the uncle and I were left in the living room.

The aunt went into the kitchen to prepare the food, and CEO Kang went to her room to do a quick broadcast and chat with viewers.

“Aunt, let me help you.”

Even though the aunt said guests shouldn’t help in the kitchen, I thought I should at least help carry the food.

So as soon as the food was ready, I ran to the kitchen.

“Oh, you’re the only one helping me. My daughter is holed up in her room and won’t come out.”

“C-CEO Kang must be busy. Hehe…”

While calming the annoyed aunt, I carried the dishes to the table one by one.

Once the table was set, the aunt spoke to me.

“Da-jeong, can you go call Ha-neul for me?”

“Sure, I’ll be right back.”

As soon as the aunt asked, I quickly got up and ran to CEO Kang’s room.

Knock knock—

“CEO Kang, lunch is ready. Come out and eat.”

I knocked on the door and called out, but there was no response.

She must be wearing her headset or something, so she didn’t hear me.

I guess I have no choice but to go in and tell her directly.

It’s fine since she’s not streaming.

Creak—

“CEO Kang, lunch is ready…”

I opened the door and tried to tell her, but then I heard CEO Kang’s lively voice.

“Yeah, so Lulu was so drunk that I let her sleep in my bed. After that, I was going to take a shower, but Lulu grabbed me and started babbling like a baby, telling me not to go. It was so cute. I even recorded it? I haven’t told Lulu yet… Oh.”

“……”

CEO Kang, who had been chatting with viewers, noticed me and stopped mid-sentence when our eyes met.

You said nothing happened yesterday!

Of course, I didn’t believe it, but still!

After saying that so confidently, you’re revealing my embarrassing moments to the viewers?

As I felt my emotions rising, I finally let it all out and shouted.

“CEO Kang, I hate youuuuuuu!”

“W-wait! Lulu?! Let me explain!”

Thud—

Overwhelmed by betrayal, I slammed the door shut and ran to the living room, hugging my knees and lowering my head.

Sniff.

I hate CEO Kang.