Ch. 166 Lulu Will Grow Up!
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 166: Lulu Will Grow Up!
Ha-neul had been looking forward to Da-jeong’s stream today.
Though she lacked a bit of confidence in herself, she knew the members’ charms well and cared for them deeply. That’s why she had no doubt Da-jeong would handle it well once things got rolling.
‘She’s doing great.’
And it seemed her expectations were somewhat on point. The goods promotion stream that followed was quite good. If it had just been about deadlines or straightforward advertising, it might have felt too commercial.
But maybe because Da-jeong was genuinely passionate about the members, she highlighted their charming points in each item, explaining in detail what made them special—drawing people into the conversation.
Yeah, that part was great.
An ideal approach.
But at some point, Ha-neul started sensing something odd.
‘…Huh?’
Did I see that wrong? Or was I distracted and missed something?
The thought crossed her mind unintentionally.
After all, Da-jeong had been introducing acrylic stands, and the last one left was her own—Lulu’s. Yet, for some reason, she skipped right over it and moved on to the next item.
For a moment, Ha-neul wondered if Da-jeong had made a mistake and was left speechless.
‘Well, it happens.’
But even as she watched, she didn’t point it out immediately. Many viewers in chat also noticed the oddity, but Ha-neul’s policy was to avoid interfering too much in Blue LUV’s streams.
So she decided to keep watching for now…
『Heh, well, that’s it for the keychains. Let’s move on.』
“Huh?”
When Da-jeong skipped her own goods again during the second round of introductions, Ha-neul couldn’t hold back a confused noise.
Luckily, a viewer pointed it out with a donation, and Da-jeong finally seemed to realize she hadn’t mentioned her own goods. But then—
『S-sorry, cherries. I, uh… didn’t buy my own merch separately, so… I don’t think I can show it today.』
“Ugh…”
Thud—
At Da-jeong’s explosive remark, which made the watching cherries collectively lose it, Ha-neul also felt her patience snap as she pressed a hand to her forehead.
Of course, she understood not wanting to buy your own merch. Ha-neul herself had sold her own goods but never spent her own money on them.
But the problem wasn’t just that Da-jeong hadn’t bought them—it was that she deliberately avoided introducing them despite having them.
If someone asked how she had them without buying them, it was because when the samples first arrived at the company, Ha-neul had distributed a few to each member of Blue LUV.
[Haneulbom] – Lulu
[Haneulbom] – I gave you all your merch samples days ago
[Haneulbom] – At least show those…
[Haneulbom] – If you say you threw them out, you’re dead
『S-Samples?! I mean, I have them, but…』
For a second, Ha-neul wondered if she’d tossed them, but thankfully, that wasn’t the case.
The issue was that Da-jeong had them right there but refused to show them during the promotion stream. The reason was obvious, and Ha-neul felt a vein bulge on her forehead.
‘This won’t do. Time for the disciplinary stick.’
She made up her mind.
Just when she thought Da-jeong had gained confidence and improved lately, she had to pull this again. In cases like this, a little shock therapy was the only way.
[Haneulbom] – Kang Lulu
[Haneulbom] – Pick up Discord now
***************
As I tried to wrap up the stream, the CEO ordered me not to end it and demanded I answer the Discord call.
S-she’s mad, isn’t she…?
Discord, out of nowhere… Ugh, scary…
“H-hello…?”
『Yeah, hey. Lulu, did the stream go well today?』
Despite my fear, I answered, and the CEO’s voice came through—surprisingly gentle. It was eerily calm, like the quiet before a storm.
“Y-yes… CEO. Today, I played games with the cherries and had fun.”
『Oh? Good job. But then, you’ve always been great without me saying it.』
“Ehehe…”
- This is exactly how my mom starts before scolding me lol
- Starts with praise…
- Lulu, this isn’t the time to smile…
Yeah, I know.
I’m not smiling because I’m happy—I’m smiling because I’m scared. I can feel how mad the CEO is.
『I caught part of the goods promo, and it was great. Really made me think I made the right choice leaving it to you.』
“Th-thank youuu….”
『But Lulu, why did you skip introducing your own goods earlier?』
Even though I’d braced myself, the sharp question made my heart drop.
And part of me knew—the CEO was asking this already knowing the answer. So I decided to be honest.
“I-it was kinda embarrassing to promote my own goods… And…”
『“No one would care about my merch anyway.” That’s what you thought, right?』
“…Yes.”
How did she know?
The CEO saw right through me.
My chest tightened as I bowed my head.
- Oof…
- I was waiting for Lulu’s goods the most…
- Lulu, don’t say things like that…
- Seriously, it’s rude to the cherries too.
- I literally pre-ordered ONLY Lulu’s stuff and waited 2 weeks, lol
The chat grew restless, and after a long pause—whether the CEO had been watching or not—she spoke again.
『Lulu, you see what the cherries just said, right?』
“Y-yes…”
『I get that you lack confidence. And in a way, that drive to improve is why you work so hard. But at the very least, you can’t do that in front of people who love you. Understand?』
“Y-yes… I understand.”
Her tone was calm but carried a chilling edge. As I listened to her relentless critique, I finally realized how my careless actions could have hurt the cherries.
Of course, I don’t see myself as worthless anymore—not like before. I promised the CEO, Linne, and Yuna I’d try to have confidence in what I do.
But still…
When I compare myself to the brilliant, radiant members of Blue LUV, I can’t help but measure my own worth.
That’s what happened earlier.
With all these amazing, dazzling goods lined up next to mine, I wondered, “Would anyone even care about mine?”
“It’s pointless to show it anyway.”
Unconsciously, I assumed the worst and sealed it away without a second thought.
But to the cherries—who love me the most—that must have been more hurtful than anything.
Just as the CEO said, it was something I should never have done in front of them.
“I-I’m really sorry, cherries. I thought I’d changed, but I guess I still have a long way to go. If I hurt any of you, I sincerely apologize. I didn’t consider how much you care for me. I’m sorry.”
I apologized with all my heart, but anxiety crept in.
Would words alone convey my sincerity?
Would the cherries grow tired of me repeating the same mistakes?
[‘TINFH’ donated 100,000 won!]
- No need to apologize. Of course, we’d love if Lulu cherished herself more, but until then, we’ll cherish her enough that she won’t even think that way. Love you always, Lulu!
[‘Sui-chan’ donated 10,000 won!
- I’ve always wanted to say this: Cherries love you way more than you think, Lulu.
Please believe that.
- You don’t have to apologize, just love yourself more!
- We know you didn’t mean to hurt us lol
- Our axolotl is precious~
- The CEO scolded you because she cares—don’t be too down!
But as if to dismiss my worries, the cherries responded with donations and heartfelt messages.
A shiver ran through me, like a sudden realization—no, more like an inspiration.
Feeling their sincerity wash over me like waves, something I’d wanted to tell them for so long surged up inside me.
I think… I can do it now.
That one thing I’d struggled with while writing lyrics.
The words I wanted to share with the cherries became crystal clear.
“C-CEO…! S-sorry for the sudden request, but… could you ask the composer if I can meet them tomorrow?”
Before this feeling faded, I frantically opened a notepad and typed away, urgency in my voice.
I’d never met the composer before. I’d planned to wait until the lyrics took shape or the song was finished, but—
I can’t wait.
『Suddenly? Uh, sure, that should be fine… Why?』
“I-I thought of lyrics! Something I have to share with the cherries!”
On July 7th—my birthday— I want to pour out my true feelings, my changed heart, to some of the most precious people in my life.
I want to write it now, sing it now.
This final apology to the cherries— I’ll end it with this song.
And show them everything in my heart.
LegoMyEggo
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