Chapter 220: I Met the Juniors!

Re​ɑd́ on &K;ãｔ&R;ｅadin̈g​Cafe

After finishing the monumental 1st-anniversary broadcast, time flew by, and before I knew it, the crisp air of autumn had settled outside.

Ugh, but even though it’s autumn, it feels way too short. Back in the day, September used to mark the start of autumn, but until recently, it didn’t even feel like autumn—just a regular summer.

It wasn’t until late September or early October that I even thought, “Huh? Is it autumn now?” That just goes to show how sick the planet is. And here I am, ashamed of myself for blasting the AC all summer despite knowing that.

“Tofu, Mommy’s leaving!”

“Nyaaa.”

Anyway, since autumn’s here, I threw on a light jacket, said goodbye to Tofu, and quickly left the house. I was heading to the company for a bit.

Not that I had any urgent business there, but I hadn’t seen the CEO or So-eun unnie lately, so I figured I’d drop by and maybe grab a meal together. I’d already heard they were both at the office.

Alright, let’s go!

***************

The office was as peaceful as ever. Since it’s not a huge company, the quiet atmosphere usually greets me when I arrive.

Would CEO Kang be in her office? Or maybe the meeting room for work? I could ask the other employees, but I didn’t want to interrupt them, so I decided to look around myself.

Carrying coffee I’d bought from the café nearby, I wandered the hallway searching for her.

Hmm, not here… Not here either…

I peeked through the small glass windows on each door, but I couldn’t spot CEO Kang anywhere. It felt like playing hide-and-seek.

“Hohoho, might someone be… looking for someone?”

“Huh?”

Just as I was tiptoeing around, straining to find any trace of her, an unfamiliar woman approached me. She had a timid vibe, kinda similar to mine—though that might be rude to say.

“Ah, yes. I’m looking for the CEO.”

“O-Oh, CEO Kang is… probably in that room at the end…”

She pointed hesitantly but kindly toward the far end of the hallway.

Ah, that’s the media room. It’s equipped for broadcast practice, though we haven’t used it much lately. No wonder I couldn’t find her.

“Really? Thank you!”

“N-No problem.”

She waved her hands awkwardly, then clamped her mouth shut. But she didn’t leave—just fidgeted nervously, stealing glances at me.

Hmm. Guess I should say something.

“By the way, are you a new employee? I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Y-Yes! I just started a few months ago.”

“Ahh.”

So she’s a new hire. No wonder I didn’t recognize her—I usually remember all the staff. They must’ve expanded the team since they’re recruiting 2nd-gen members and expecting more work.

“U-Um…”

“Yes?”

Just as I was about to head off to find CEO Kang, she spoke up again, hesitant.

“S-Sorry to ask, but… have we met before? Your voice sounds familiar…”

“Hmm… I don’t think so.”

“O-Oh, right… Must’ve been my mistake. Sorry.”

No need to apologize! She really says “sorry” a lot. It kinda feels like she’s seen me before, though.

“I-If you’re going to see CEO Kang… do you want to go together? I was heading there too…”

“Oh, sure.”

Turns out we were going the same way, so we walked to the media room in awkward silence. We didn’t talk at all—guess we’re both the type who struggles to initiate conversation.

Sniff… Sorry. If only I were more of a mood-maker like Yuna. Sorry for being a socially awkward axolotl hermit.

Mentally apologizing, I reached the door and was about to knock when—

Click—

“I-I’m back…”

“…Huh?”

The woman beside me suddenly pulled the door open without knocking, startling me into taking a step back.

Wait, “I’m back”? Had she been with CEO Kang earlier?

“Oh, you’re back?”

“Y-Yes… Um, CEO Kang, there was someone looking for you in the hallway, so I brought them…”

As CEO Kang’s voice responded, the woman stepped aside, revealing me. With the obstruction gone, CEO Kang and I locked eyes.

“Looking for me? Who would— Huh?”

“Ehehe… Hi, CEO Kang.”

I waved shyly and started to bow, but then I noticed the other people in the room. So-eun unnie was, as usual, right beside CEO Kang, but what really caught my eye was—

“D-Da-jeong?”

“Oh? Ji-won…?”

Somehow, Ji-won was here too. It’s not weird since she’s a 2nd-gen member, but still…

Wait, hold on. If Ji-won is a 2nd-gen member and she’s here…

“Wait… The woman who just guided me, and the one sitting at the edge of the chair—could they be…?”

“Come in, Da-jeong. Since you’re here, why not chat with the juniors?”

“J-Juniors…?!”

“Yeah, these are the 2nd-gen members. First time seeing them in person, right?”

As if hammering down my suspicions, CEO Kang’s words confirmed it. I was so shocked I nearly dropped the coffee in my hand. A completely unexpected meeting with the 2nd-gen members had just happened.

***************

Turns out today was the day of the 2nd-gen members’ practice stream. Of all days, it had to overlap with my surprise visit. CEO Kang seemed amused, saying, “I wasn’t planning to introduce you all so soon.”

Ugh… Feels like I messed up again. But if the CEO says it’s fine, it’s fine… right?

“Go on, introduce yourselves. You’ve already met Ji-won, right?”

“Y-Yeah…”+

 

After exchanging awkward greetings with the familiar face (Ji-won), I turned to the next person—someone staring at me with sparkling eyes.

Whoa. Her hair is insanely flashy. Mint-green? I’ve never seen someone with that color in real life.

“This is Song Da-yun, a year older than you.”

“KYAHAH! Nice to meet you, senior! I’m Song Da-yun! I’m technically your senior by age, but please take care of me!”

“N-Nice to meet you too…!”

Her personality matched her vibrant hair—unbelievably energetic. Even Yuna and Chae-yoon unnie might pale in comparison. It’s like stars shoot out every time she talks. Her MBTI is probably 100% E.

“And over there is Lim Ha-yul, a year younger than you. She’ll be the new youngest of Blue LUV.”

“I-I’m Lim Ha-yul. P-Please take care of me.”

“Gasp…!”

My eyes nearly popped out at the word “youngest.” A younger member?! Finally, Yuna and I can escape being the youngest! Not that being the youngest was bad, but I’ve always wanted someone younger than me!

“Don’t celebrate yet. I bet you’ll still end up acting like the youngest.”

“W-Why?! I can be a cool unnie too…!”

“Nope.”

CEO Kang doused my hopes with cold water. I tried to argue, but she just shook her head firmly.

Ugh, so mean. Sure, Ha-yul is taller and seems more mature, but I’m technically older! In this Confucian society, a one-year gap is huge!

“So, what do you all think? You’ve already met Ji-won, but how does it feel to meet Lulu in real life?”

“This is LEGENDARY. Senior, you’re not just cute on stream—you’re, like, stupid cute in person?!”

“Y-Yeah. You’re cute.”

“S-Stop calling me cute…!”

Da-yun clapped excitedly with her rough slang, while Ha-yul nodded stiffly like a wooden puppet. But to me, it didn’t sound like praise at all.

You’re just mocking me for being short! This is bullying on our first meeting!

“Since you’re here, why not observe the juniors’ practice stream? Give them some advice as their senior.”

“M-Me?!”

Midst my internal outrage, CEO Kang dropped this bombshell. I knew they had a practice stream today, but advice? I’m not qualified for that!

“OMG…! We get advice from Lulu?!”

“We’d be honored, Da-jeong.”

“I-I’m nervous, but I’d love to hear your advice…”

Their sparkling eyes made it impossible to refuse. If anything, it fired me up.

That’s right—I’m their senior now! It’s my duty to give life-changing wisdom! Or was it “flesh-and-blood” advice? Whatever! I’ll cement my image as the coolest senior today!

“I’m not sure how helpful I’ll be… but if you’re okay with that.”

“YEEEEESSSS!”

“Who’s going first? Ha-yul?”

“U-Uh…! I-I’ll go. Unnie.”

The moment I agreed, Da-yun screeched like a banshee. Meanwhile, Ji-won and Ha-yul quietly debated. Surprisingly, Ha-yul—the least confident—volunteered first.

Huh, they’re already using casual speech with each other? Well, CEO Kang always emphasized bonding quickly.

…Meanwhile, I still can’t drop honorifics with my own unnies. Ha-yul calls Ji-won so casually. Why do I feel left behind?!

“C-Can I… start now, CEO Kang?”

“Go ahead. So-eun will assist you.”

While I stewed in weird jealousy, Ha-yul sat at the computer, headphones on. Her nervousness made me want to cheer, “You got this!” internally.

“Hehe, Ha-yul reminds me of my past self.”

“Hmm… Really?”

I sat beside CEO Kang to watch, sharing my thoughts. But her response felt… off. Almost bittersweet.

“She’ll do great. Confidence comes with time.”

“…I used to think that too.”

“Huh?”

Just as I tried to ask what she meant—

“THE MASTER HAS ARRIVED! BOW DOWN, PEASANTSSSSS!”

“…What.”

A feral roar erupted from Ha-yul’s seat. Where a shy girl once sat, a beast now snarled at the camera, eyes blazing. The whiplash was so extreme, I wondered if I was hallucinating.

…Ha-yul?!