Chapter 173: Lulu is a Growth-Type Idol!

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For now, we had lunch together and wandered around.

Since CEO Kang said she’d treat us until dinner, we decided to eat and then head back. Naturally, the plan was settled: dinner, then parting ways.

“Yuna’s off-stream today, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Unlike the CEO and I, Yuna usually starts her streams early, but today was her day off, so she could hang out without worry. Thanks to that, after lunch, we all headed to a karaoke room together.

Come to think of it, I’ve been to plenty of places with the members, but I’ve never been to a karaoke room before.

It felt a little novel.

“Whoa…”

Since it was underground, I expected it to feel a bit cramped, but the interior was surprisingly clean, and I let out a small gasp. Around us, muffled singing voices seeped through the soundproof walls.

“Da-jeong, want some water?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. How much is it?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not much—I’ll get it.”

Unlike me, who was staring blankly at the surroundings, Yuna seemed familiar with the place. She pulled three 500ml water bottles from the fridge behind us, waved off my attempt to pay, and headed to the counter to settle the bill before following the CEO.

Whoa… she’s kinda cool.

It might be a bit rude to say this, but she gave off the vibe of a fun older sister.

Once we found an empty room and stepped inside, the surroundings instantly fell dead silent. Wow, they must’ve used really good soundproofing. The singing from the next room was barely audible. This definitely seemed like a great place to chatter and have fun among ourselves.

“Oh, right. Is this your first time at a karaoke, Da-jeong?”

While I sat quietly, hands folded, just looking around dazedly, the CEO, who’d been hanging her cardigan in the corner, noticed me and widened her eyes in surprise. She probably hadn’t expected someone here to be a karaoke first-timer.

“Hehe… yeah. It’s my first time.”

“Nothing to worry about. Just hit the search button, find the song you want, and add it to the queue.”

“Ah, I see…”

From what I’d seen before, I thought you had to look up numbers in some book-like catalog, but nowadays, you can just search by title.

Technology really is convenient.

“Alright, who’s starting us off?”

“I’ll go!”

“Great, then Yuna first.”

“Yay!”

And as I expected, Yuna was chosen to pick the first song. Well, she is the mood-maker, after all.

[Romantic Puppy]

True to her title as the mood-maker, Yuna picked a bright, energetic rock song. It’s a pretty old track, but it’s a classic—one I still listen to occasionally.

“Oh, Yuna sings this too? A bit unexpected.”

“C’mon boss! When you’re here, you gotta go all out!”

Seemingly pleased with the song choice, the CEO let out a small exclamation, and Yuna grinned as she gripped the mic. Her confidence shone so brilliantly to me.

♬~

“I’ll be leaving far away~.”

“Whoa!”

I couldn’t help but gasp at Yuna’s singing as it began. It wasn’t just that she sang well—her voice, slightly raspy and husky to match the rock genre, left a strong impression.

Come to think of it, Jia unnie once said something during a past stream. If you asked who in Blue LUV sings the best, she’d say herself, but when it comes to making any song uniquely charming, it’s Yuna—Yukiko—without a doubt.

I wholeheartedly agree with that. Sometimes shy, sometimes energetic, sometimes calm—Yuna’s chameleon-like charm spills into her singing, too. When she sings, she delivers such a diverse range of voices that it’s hard not to be mesmerized.

Honestly, watching her makes me feel a little insecure. Because I don’t have even half that much charm. For someone like me, who didn’t even know how to sing properly at first, Yuna might just be the person I envy the most.

How does she pull off such a multifaceted appeal?

I’m really curious.

“Leaving all alone──!”

“Whoaaa…!”

When Yuna hit the high note in the final climax, I felt goosebumps rise on my arms without realizing it. I’m pretty sure she once said, “I’m really weak at high notes,” but it sounded so effortless here.

Clap clap clap—

“Wow, Yuna, you’ve gotten good! Vocal training’s paying off, huh?”

“Ehehe! Right, right?! Money well spent!”

As soon as the song ended, my applause and the CEO’s praise followed, and Yuna hopped in place like a child, grinning brightly.

Oh, right. Yuna mentioned recently that, aside from our company’s trainer, she’s been taking separate vocal lessons.

It’s not that our in-house vocal trainer lacks skill—they’re just really busy and often unavailable. So she enrolled in an external academy.

And it shows. Even though I know next to nothing about singing, there’s a noticeable power in her voice now—way more than when she first released her cover song.

“Alright, next up—Da-jeong. Give us a song.”

“Huh? M-me…?!”

While I was still dazedly clapping, amazed by Yuna’s growth, CEO Kang suddenly handed me the mic, passing the turn to me. I jolted in surprise and pointed at myself.

With a look that said, “Who else would it be?” CEO Kang smiled, hands on her hips, and nodded.

“Who else here is named Da-jeong? C’mon, pick something to hype me up.”

“Whoaa, the pressure….”

“Our Yuna’s been climbing the ranks lately, huh?”

“Eep! I didn’t say anything! CEO Kang!”

There was a minor hiccup, but—

Anyway, holding the mic, I decided to look for a song I could sing.

Lately, I’ve been taking recommendations from the members and listening to all sorts of tracks. Among them, what could I possibly sing… Ah!

As I racked my brain, one song came to mind. But the problem was—it’s a very mellow song. I worried it might ruin the lively mood Yuna had set.

Still, neither CEO Kang nor Yuna were the type to scold me for something like that. Plus, our vocal trainer had praised me for this song before. Might as well give it a try.

I typed in the title.

[My Adolescence]

When the song name appeared on the screen, I worried everyone might hate it. I sneaked a glance at their reactions—

“…….”

“What’re you doing? Sing.”

Somehow, both of them were looking at me with strangely tender expressions, as if urging me to go ahead.

So I carefully gripped the mic and began.

“The world I used to gaze at was so, so dark.”

“Would it be easier if I just disappeared like this?”

This song is quiet and a little melancholic by nature. Fitting its title, it’s a confession of the hardships of youth.

But as I sang, I realized—I’ve never truly felt that kind of despair. That’s not to say I couldn’t relate. It’s just that singing it with sadness felt impossible, because the light that eventually reached me was too bright.

So when I sing this song, I do it with this mindset:

No matter how heavy the darkness, it will lift someday.

I focus less on the pain of the past and more on the happiness of the present.

Maybe the original artist didn’t intend it this way, but—

This is how it resonates with me.

And it makes me happy.

Because singing rooted in joy is just a little more fun than singing from sorrow.

“How much did it hurt you?”

Even though this was just for fun, I poured my heart into it. When I finished, the room was eerily silent. I set the mic down and glanced around—both of them were staring holes into me.

Gulp…!

D-did I pick too depressing a song? But nothing else came to mind…!

“C-CEO…? Yuna…?”

“…Yeah.”

When I called out hesitantly, Yuna mumbled, still dazed. Her voice was so soft I barely heard her. I leaned in, asking her to repeat it—

“Huh? Wh-what was that, Yuna? I couldn’t hear—mmph?!”

Or at least, I tried to ask.

If Yuna hadn’t suddenly tackled me into a bear hug, that is.

Squish—

“Da-jeong! Since when did your singing get so good?! You were amazing! I’m—I’m shocked!”

“Mmf—! Y-Yuna, c-can’t breathe…!”

Buried under a barrage of praise and full-body assault, I flailed my arms in futile protest.

“Let her go, you brat.”

“Ghk—!”

If the CEO hadn’t grabbed Yuna by the scruff and pulled her off, I might’ve suffocated.

“But she’s right. You’ve improved a lot. When did your vocals get this strong?”

“R-really…?!”

“Yeah, I’m serious. I knew you were good at emoting, but your technique’s leveled up too. Ria would be impressed.”

“Ehehe…”

Despite CEO Kang being notoriously strict about singing, hearing her praise me so directly made me beam uncontrollably.

Hehe… All that hard work paid off.

It’s hard to gauge my own progress, but if they say it’s noticeable, then objectively, I must’ve improved, right?

“I’ll tell the viewers tonight. ‘Our Lulu’s vocals have skyrocketed—get ready for her new song!’”

“P-please don’t!!”

But my joy was short-lived.

At the CEO’s threat to obliterate fan expectations months before the song, I lunged forward in protest.

I-I might’ve improved, but the song won’t drop for at least three months!

Don’t set expectations this early!

STOOOOP—!