Chapter 157: A Massive Accidental Reveal?!

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Hongdae Station was packed with people.

At first, the subway had been relatively quiet, but as soon as we neared Hongdae Station, it quickly became crowded.

“Wow, there are so many people here….”

Even though I’ve taken the subway quite a bit going to and from work, the atmosphere here felt different—almost overwhelming.

Come to think of it, have I ever been anywhere this crowded before? The subway station near Jia unnie’s place wasn’t like this, and neither was the one near the company.

“Hm? Is this your first time in Hongdae?”

“Yeah, hehe….”

“Then where do you usually hang out? Sinchon? Insadong?”

“I-I haven’t been to those places either. I barely go out at all….”

The day I visited Jia unnie’s place a while back was already a rare occasion. I’m the type who hardly leaves the house. The only time I go out regularly is for work—and even then, most meetings are held on Discord now, so there’s barely any reason to go to the office.

In fact, today’s outing is the first time I’ve stepped out in almost ten days.

“Really? If you ever want to go somewhere fun, just tell me. I may not look like it, but I know a few good spots.”

“Unnie, you’re such an extrovert.”

“Eh, Yuna’s the real extrovert. I just like wandering around.”

We agreed to call that being an extrovert, unnie.

Honestly, this is where MBTI differences really show. As the only two Es in our group, Yuna and Chae-yoon unnie love going out and meeting people. Meanwhile, us Is—me, Ra-hee unnie, and Jia unnie—prefer staying in.

Though, even among Is, there’s a spectrum: Ra-hee unnie is relatively outgoing, Jia unnie makes necessary outings like workouts, and then there’s me, glued to my room 24/7.

…Wait, no. That’s just laziness. I almost rationalized it.

“Oh, Da-jeong! Is that it over there?”

“Looks like it. Wow, it’s so pretty…!”

As we walked through the station, Chae-yoon unnie pointed ahead. Following her gaze, I spotted a tall digital billboard—just under 3 meters—standing in the center.

On it was none other than Lilith’s face, accompanied by the message: “Celebrating you on the brightest day of the year.” The sparkling background was so dazzling it stole my attention for a moment.

“Unnie, stand in front! I’ll take your picture!”

“Okay, thanks!”

At my suggestion, unnie hurried over and struck a pose, flashing a peace sign in front of the billboard. Smiling, I reached for my phone—

“Ah.”

—only to freeze when I saw the slightly cracked screen.

This phone, a freebie from a telecom promotion years ago, was precious to me despite its age. Slow, terrible camera quality—even the food pics I posted in our group chat came out blurry.

But it still worked, and replacing it felt wasteful…

“Um, unnie… Could I borrow your phone? Yours would take better pictures….”

“Mine? Here you go.”

“Thank youuu.”

Reluctantly, I took her phone and framed the shot.

“Ready? Say cheese!”

“Cheeeese!”

Unnie’s bright smile was gorgeous. Not that any of our members aren’t pretty, but Chae-yoon unnie’s easygoing, androgynous charm gave her a unique vibe.

Click-click.

After snapping a few more shots with different poses, I was about to return her phone when—

“Da-jeong, come here! Let’s take one together.”

“Huh? M-Me too?”

I hadn’t expected that. I’d just come as the designated photographer—never imagined I’d be in the pictures.

“Of course! What’s the point if it’s just me?”

“B-But in selfie mode, the billboard won’t fit…?”

“Then let’s ask someone else to take it for us.”

Oh. That is an option.

I’d never done it before, but I’d heard it’s common in places like amusement parks. Maybe we could ask someone who looks friendly?

Just make sure they don’t realize we’re from Blue LUV… Someone who doesn’t seem connected to our world—

Ah! There.

“Um, excuse me…?”

“…Yes?”

A woman walking toward the billboard turned to me, eyes widening slightly.

Huh? Why? Does she think I’m some cult recruiter? Gotta explain fast—!

“S-Sorry, but could you take one picture of us? Just one, I promise!”

“Oh, well….”

She hesitated, glancing around as if unsure, then finally nodded.

“S-Sure. Stand over there, then.”

“Really?! Thank youuu! Here, use this!”

I handed her unnie’s phone and dashed back to the billboard, standing beside Chae-yoon unnie.

Together, we struck a V pose.

Click—

The shutter sound echoed.

I thought, “That should be enough, right?” and was about to approach the woman when—

“Um, how about trying a half-heart pose this time? I think it’d look cute….”

“H-Heart pose?!”

Suddenly, she began coaching us, gesturing for us to hurry back into position.

“Oh, that would be cute! Wanna try?”

“Uh… if unnie’s okay with it….”

I was flustered by the unexpected request, but Chae-yoon unnie’s excited eyes left me no choice. Reluctantly, I returned to the spot and formed half a heart with her.

Ugh, this pose is kind of embarrassing to do in public… But if unnie wants it, fine.

“Then… could you make a big heart with your arms next?”

“A-Again?!”

Why is she so invested in our photoshoot? I only asked for one picture…

Either she’s extremely kind or just really enthusiastic. At this rate, she might as well be part of our group.

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

— Flashback: Jang Ji-won’s POV —

Her name was Jang Ji-won.

Not long ago, she’d been caught writing her first-ever hate comment—targeted at Lulu—only for Lulu to embrace her instead.

That moment turned her into a devoted fan.

Though she’d started as Lulu’s fan, she’d since become a Star Piece. Late to the fandom, she’d thrown herself in headfirst—watching every livestream, lately including the Project Zomboid collabs.

‘Gotta take a pic of the billboard and flex to the other Star Pieces in the provinces!’

She’d planned to visit the billboard yesterday for Lilith’s birthday but got roped into a part-time shift.

A year ago, she’d have been annoyed, but now? She could laugh it off, all thanks to Lulu.

Without Lulu, she’d still be holed up in her room, wasting days with no dreams or goals. Even her part-time job—a small step forward—was because of Lulu.

“There it is…!”

She spotted the billboard while watching Lulu’s YouTube videos on her phone. Her steps quickened.

‘Snap a pic, then go eat Lilith’s “signature meal.”’

The “signature meal” was just two options Lilith often mentioned on stream: spicy pork or cutlet. Today, Ji-won chose the spicy pork—she’d never tried it before.

Then, she noticed two girls in front of the billboard.

‘Pretty.’

One had striking gradient hair—black fading to white at the tips.

‘Total extrovert vibes.’ Ji-won hesitated to approach, deciding to wait her turn.

But then—

“Um, excuse me…?”

“…Yes?”

Ji-won froze.

‘That voice—it’s identical to the one in my earbuds.’

The hesitant tone, the slight drawl at the end of sentences—it’s Lulu.

‘Wait, didn’t she say she’d come with Lilith on Wednesday? Did they change plans?’

Panicking, Ji-won forced a nod.

“S-Sure. Stand over there.”

“Really?! Hehe, thank you! Here, use this!”

She took the phone and framed the shot.

“She’s taking it?”

“Yes, unnie!”

That voice confirmed it: Lulu. And beside her? Lilith.

Lilith’s dialect was absent, but her slightly deep voice gave her away. Plus, every Star Piece knew Lulu used honorifics even off-camera.

‘Stay calm. Pretend you don’t know. Erase this memory later.’

But as she gripped the phone, her hands trembled.

Click—!

Lulu (probably) hurried over to retrieve the phone. Ji-won hesitated.

‘For their sake, I should forget this. But…’

The two looked like they belonged in a fashion spread. How could she let this end now?

“How about a half-heart pose? It’d be cute….”

She swallowed her guilt and pushed for more poses.

‘I’ll never speak of today.’

She zipped her lips metaphorically.

But forgetting?

Impossible.

A random fact floated through her mind: “The human brain can’t process negatives.”

(Whether that was true or not didn’t matter. This memory wasn’t going anywhere.)