Chapter 190: Happy Birthday, Lulu!

Ȓҽａⅾ өɴ КаțＲҽ​а​ｄıηɡСαғе

Even though it’s a birthday party, I didn’t prepare anything myself.

Honestly, I wanted to prepare something, but the company advised me to just enjoy what everyone else had prepared for today.

So, I decided to fully embrace the moment and spent time exploring our fan café, watching commemorative videos and other content uploaded by fans. There was way more than I expected, so it took a while to go through everything.

“How can you even include a mean comic in a birthday celebration?!”

• LOLOLOLOLOLOL
• But it’s funny…
• You’re truly evil, lol.
• Started off heartwarming, ended with dark comedy lmao.

Among the posts, there was even a comic that seemed made just to tease me, as usual.

“Wow, this cake is so pretty…! Are you maybe a professional cake artist?”

• Fr lol.
• This is definitely pro-level work.
• Looks like it was 3D-printed or something.
• I’d buy it.

Some fans even made handmade cakes with my likeness.

“Wow, everyone…! Isn’t this map gorgeous? It’d be such a waste to only use it for today…”

• Damn.
• The quality is insane…
• This must’ve taken months of work.
• You made this alone?!

Another fan used a VR world map-maker to create a commemorative gallery, displaying fan art and collaborative projects from the café.

Before I knew it, time flew by—what started as a 4 PM stream was already past 8 PM. Now, it was time to watch the video the company had prepared.

I already knew what it would be: birthday messages from the members.

That made me even more excited. Lately, everyone’s been so busy that I haven’t seen them much. I’d hoped to meet them on my birthday, but schedules didn’t align. So, hearing their voices through this video meant a lot.

“Alright, I’ll start it…?”

• LEEET’S GOOOOOO.
• Tear-jerker mode: ON.
• Lulu, you might wanna mentally prepare yourself LOL.

“H-hey! I swore I wouldn’t cry! And I already expected the members to appear, so there’s no way I will! Just watch me!”

Click—

As I silently scolded the cherries for assuming I’d cry, I started the video. The first to appear on screen was…

[Happy Birthday to Blue LUV’s adorable youngest, Lulu!]

“Erin unnie…!”

• Oh.
• Hi, Er-ha.
• Starting with the eldest?

It was none other than Erin—or rather, Jia unnie. Her usual calm tone was replaced with a bright, playful voice as she energetically continued:

“You’re our youngest, but you’ve always loved everyone like the eldest unnie. We’re so grateful for you—how you guide us when we’re confused, how you help even during busy times. Blue LUV wouldn’t have come this far without you.”

“Even though I’m your unnie, I’ve learned so much from you: your love for fans, your dedication, how much you cherish this group. You always say you’re lacking, but everyone—including me—adores and respects you. Got it?”

“Yes…!”

Her heartfelt words made me nod without hesitation.

Looking back, Jia unnie often said she felt like she stumbled as the eldest, and she’d thank me for grounding her. This video proved she meant every word.

Next was Ra-hee unnie—Lucretia.

“Hey, our Lulu! Having a fun birthday?”

“Hehe, yes…!”

• Hi, Lu-ha!
• The queen has arrived!!!!
• Her voice is so sweet LOL.
• Typical savage cherries LMAO.

Even her wave and smile were so her that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s been almost a year since we met. Time flies. Back then, I just saw you as our cute youngest, but after debut, I realized how much I rely on you. Sorry for being so bothersome, huh?”

“My little sister actually begged me to pass on a message: ‘You’re the most precious person in the world, so never forget that! Stay our adorable Lulu forever—or unnie will personally come to your house.’”

“Eek…!”

Warm yet terrifying. I gulped. When Ra-hee unnie says something like that, it’s not a joke—she literally lives next door.

But I also know she struggles with sincerity, so maybe she hid her embarrassment behind those words. Very her style.

“Ahem! Where’s our Lulu?!”

“Lilith unnie…!”

• Starting strong, I see lolol.
• Classic Lilith lmao.
• “I walk a different path from others.” (Actual quote.)
• Was this level of chaos necessary…?

Next was Lilith—Chae-yoon unnie—and of course, she was anything but ordinary. Who starts a birthday video like this?

“Ahem. Unnie’s not used to these video messages, so I’m not sure what to say. Uh, happy birthday? Happy birthday~ Dear Lulu~”

“Oops, that was off-key. Whatever, they’ll edit it. Ahem. Anyway, happy birthday to our Lulu! Did you eat well? You didn’t just scarf something down because you were busy, right?”

“Sometimes unnie teases you because she likes you so much. I worry you might think, ‘Does unnie hate me?’ But nah, you’re stuck with me!”

“Well, anyway! I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it’s never that! Got it? Unnie’s heart, you know?”

“Hehe, of course.”

I’d already eaten a delicious lunch, and I’d never doubt her. I know how much the members love me—more than I deserve.

“You recommend fun games, help with unnie’s content, even got me 200K subscribers… Thank you. I’m bad at expressing it, but I’m always grateful.”

“Have a great time with the Star Pieces today! Adiós!”

And with that, Chae-yoon unnie ended her message in true chaotic fashion—eyebrow raised, signature smirk intact. As one of Blue LUV’s “chatterboxes,” her segment was the longest.

Okay, since unnie thanked me for game recs… I’ll suggest more after the jar game. Not my fault—she asked for it!

Rationalizing my future mischief, I clicked to the next video. This time, it was Yuna—Yukiko, my same-age friend in the group.

[Hi-Lu! Ahaha, this feels awkward as a video message! Having a good birthday, Lulu?]

“Yuki-chan…!”

• KonYuki!
• BFF alert lol
• Only one who brought a cake lolol.
• Whose birthday is it again?

True to a fan’s comment, she was the only one who filmed her message with a cake—and a party horn she’d clearly stolen from somewhere. She looked like she was celebrating harder than me.

…Why is there a bump on her head?

“Ugh, I tried sneaking into your birthday café to steal limited merch but got caught by the owner. Got scolded. Had no choice but to film this ‘happy birthday’ video with a cake as penance!”

“Also, wanting to give fans gifts on your birthday? So you. Even though we’re friends, I admire you so much. Sometimes you feel like a younger sister, sometimes an unnie. I lean on you a lot, Lulu!”

“R-really?”

I’m clumsy at best, yet Yuna relies on me? Blinking in surprise, I processed her words.

“Remember when you collapsed once? I told you to take care of yourself. But watching you, I realized—you pour all your love into others, leaving none for yourself. So I decided: ‘If Lulu won’t love herself, we’ll love her enough to make up for it!’ That’s why I’ve been extra affectionate lately. Is it working?”

“Yeah, it is.”

So that’s why Yuna had been so clingy recently. Even when it felt overwhelming, it was her way of filling the gap. Nodding, I exhaled softly.

“Good! If not, I’ll just try harder. Today’s the day you deserve the most love, so I’ll give it my all! Lulu, I love you!”

“M-me too…!”

As she formed a giant heart with her arms, I mirrored her, grinning. She’d been wrestling with my struggles in her own way—knowing that made my chest tighten.

Ugh, I’m holding it together… Barely.

Where did they all learn to say such pretty things? But I won’t cry. I vowed to end today smiling with the cherries.

[Oh, right. Lulu. Happy birthday. Wish I could’ve said this in person. Dunno how things’ll be on the actual day, but…]

“CEO Kang…!”

• THE CEO IS HERE!!!!!
• How does a letter radiate this much seniority? lolol
• The vibes are IMMACULATE ㄷㄷ

Next was the CEO’s message. Unlike the others’ energetic tones, she spoke like an old friend raising a casual toast.

Yep, that’s our CEO…!

“Today, I remembered planning the Blue Project and meeting you at auditions. You were so unique—a pure-hearted kid. I had this gut feeling you’d bond the group, and you proved me right. Thank you.”

“Back then, you lacked confidence. Now, you’re a full-fledged VTuber, loved by so many. I’m proud.”

“All our members feel like daughters or little sisters, but with you… I often think, ‘If I had a daughter, she’d be like you.’ I want to protect you, give you good things—”

“Ah…”

Usually stoic, CEO Kang had never bared her heart like this. A sigh escaped me, emotions clogging my throat.

“I don’t say much, but I rely on you deeply. Not just as an employee or member—you get it, right?”

“Let’s travel together someday. Eat good food, make memories. Happy birthday. Lean on me when it’s hard, okay?”

“Uuu…”

That’s when it started. The dam began cracking.

This is cheating. If even CEO Kang’s this warm… They’re all trying to make me cry!

[‘Nyangtamon’ donated 2,000 won!]

• You crying?

“N-no I’m nooot…!”

• LOLOLOLOL
• She’s crying lol
• STREAMER’S CRYING!!!!!!!!
• Lu-cry lolol

The cherries pounced, teasing me, but I stubbornly kept watching. More streamers appeared— Nyangtamon, even Verdia (Linne)—all sending birthday wishes.

Despite close calls, I held out. The video was almost over. Surely nothing could break me now.

But then—

Beepbeepbeep—

“…Huh?”

A faint noise seeped through the soundproof walls, followed by a subtle tremor underfoot. Just as I rushed to the door, thinking an intruder had broken in—

“Lulu-chan! We’re heeeere!”

“Lulu! We brought cake!”

“Happy birthday, Lulu!”

“We couldn’t leave our youngest alone on her birthday!”

“Ugh, it’s like a mob scene in here…”

Before I could even turn the knob, the door burst open, revealing all the members and the CEO —arms laden with a massive cake and bags of food.

“H-how did you all…?”

• ?????????????
• WAIT? THE MEMBERS CAME?
• Why’s it so loud LOL
• Lulu’s reaction says she had no clue lol
• Surprise level: LEGENDARY lololol

Blinking in shock, I stared as they grinned like this was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Did you really think we’d leave you alone on your birthday?”

“As if!”

“We planned this surprise together!”

“We even promised to pretend we couldn’t meet you today.”

“Hehe, are you surprised?”

—Squeeze—

The CEO pulled me into a warm hug, and the emotions I’d fought all day surged back.

I’d genuinely thought I wouldn’t see them today. I understood their busy schedules, but a tiny part of me had ached anyway. I wanted to celebrate with them, not through a screen.

Yet here they were—like butterflies returning to a hand I’d reluctantly opened. Happiness and gratitude swelled until I couldn’t hold back anymore.

Ugh, I tried so hard not to cry today…

This isn’t fair. How am I supposed to stay strong when you ambush me like this?!

“Bwaaaaaah…!”

The dam broke. Tears streamed down as the members erupted into chaos:

“Pfft—Lulu’s crying! Actual tears!”

“How does someone even wail like ‘Bwaaaaah’? Impressive.”

“Unnie, is this the time?! Comfort her first!”

“Oh no, did we scare you? Were you sad thinking we wouldn’t come?”

“Told you we shouldn’t have done a hidden cam…”

Even as I sobbed into someone’s shoulder, my lips curled into the widest smile. This was too happy. If it were a dream, I’d sue for emotional damages.

“Alright, Star Pieces! We’re stealing Lulu now!”

“You’ve had her all day—share a little. Okay?”

• OK OK
• King shit right here lol
• TAKE HER!!!!!!!
• Make her happy for us…

With a quick apology to the fans, we ended the stream early and dove into the last hours of July 7th together.

That night, I realized something for the first time:

How joyful it is to be celebrated.

And how much brighter a birthday shines when shared.