Chapter 222: Chuseok is Approaching!

R​ea​d on KatReadi​ngCa​fe

There’s one day you can’t leave out when it comes to autumn.

That’s right—it’s Chuseok, one of the nation’s biggest holidays.

Last Lunar New Year, I spent time with family for the first time in my life—well, more accurately, with CEO Kang’s parents. But I felt bad imposing on them twice in a row, so this year, I plan to spend it alone.

Besides, the timing worked out well. Her parents mentioned they’d be visiting the countryside this year. Apparently, CEO Kang’s grandfather hasn’t been feeling well. I’m fine, so I just hope he recovers quickly.

“So, excluding Da-jeong, what’s everyone’s Chuseok schedule?”

During a rare full company gathering, the CEO casually tossed out the question.

Last Lunar New Year, since it was our first holiday together, we treated it like a vacation. But starting with Chuseok, we’ve adopted a slightly different approach. She was probably asking to confirm schedules.

Not that it’s anything too special. Members who can stream will continue as usual, while those visiting family or traveling can take time off.

However, those who don’t take time off for Chuseok accumulate a sort of paid leave they can use later. It seems this change was made because some Star Pieces expressed disappointment after last Lunar New Year’s break.

“My parents are traveling with my little sister, so I’ll just stay home and stream.”

The first to raise her hand was none other than Ra-hee unnie. I thought she’d spend it with her family since her hometown is close, but surprisingly, she chose to stream.

“Huh? Ra-hee, you’re not going?”

“Nope. They’re going to France… I went there too often as a kid, so I’m kinda sick of it.”

“…Yeah, that sounds like you.”

When the CEO asked in disbelief, Ra-hee unnie just shrugged like it was no big deal. Maybe because hearing she’d been to France often as a kid felt like another world, CEO Kang looked exasperated but nodded anyway.

Wow. Normally, saying something like that would come off as bragging, but when Ra-hee unnie says it, it just sounds like she genuinely doesn’t want to go. Is this the power of delivery?

“I’ll be visiting my dad in Ireland with my mom. I also need to pay my respects to my grandmother.”

“Ireland? That’s far. Will you be okay streaming after the trip?”

“I’ve been there a few times, so I’m used to it. It’ll be fine.”

“Alright, Jia’s always thorough about these things. I’ll trust you.”

“Yes, CEO.”

Meanwhile, Jia unnie mentioned she’d be visiting Ireland to see her dad, who’s currently there for work. Hearing that made me curious—what’s Ireland like?

“I’ll be visiting my parents in the countryside!”

“Ah, Yuna, your parents’ hometown is pretty far, right?”

“Yep! That’s right.”

“Got it. Have a safe trip.”

Next, Yuna kept it short and sweet—the textbook answer for holiday plans.

“Lastly, Chae-yoon?”

“I’m still debating. Since I haven’t taken much time off lately, I thought about going home to rest, but if I do, my mom’s nagging will be so loud I won’t get any real rest.”

Chae-yoon unnie, on the other hand, seemed to be the only one still undecided. She knows she should go home for the holiday, but the thought of facing her parents is daunting. Still, isn’t it a bit much to say you don’t want to go just to avoid nagging, unnie…?

“Ugh, what a dutiful daughter.”

“Hey! What do you mean ‘dutiful’?! I sent my mom so much allowance this month for holiday gifts…!”

Yuna clicked her tongue teasingly, and Chae-yoon unnie protested indignantly. But it didn’t seem like anyone here was on her side.

“Then why not just rest at your place during the break?”

“No, that’d make me feel too guilty…”

“You worry about the weirdest things.”

“I’d feel bad toward Black Moon Squad.”

CEO Kang tried to help by suggesting she just stay home, but Chae-yoon unnie wasn’t keen on that either. Typical of Blue LUV’s top tsundere—she still cares about the fans, huh?

If she’s going to rest, she wants it to be under the pretense of spending time with family. Yeah, that’s so like her.

“Come to think of it, Da-jeong, you said you’re spending Chuseok alone this year, right?”

I was nodding to myself while sipping orange juice when So-eun unnie, the only one still standing, suddenly asked me.

“Yeah, that’s right. CEO’s parents won’t be home this year, and I didn’t want to impose on them twice.”

“Oh, so that’s why you’re alone? I didn’t know.”

“You’re the only one who didn’t know, dummy.”

“Hey, Yuna. You looking for a fight…?!”

When I confirmed, Chae-yoon unnie acted surprised, and Yuna immediately jumped in to tease her. The two started bickering again, while Jia unnie just shook her head and looked away, too tired to intervene.

Then, suddenly, Chae-yoon unnie’s eyes lit up. She slammed the table, leaned forward excitedly, and blurted out:

“Oh, right! Da-jeong, why don’t you come to my place?”

“Huh? Your place?”

I blinked in surprise—memories of last Lunar New Year flashing through my mind.

“Yeah, my mom really wants to see you.”

“Eh? Wh-why…?”

“She watches some of our streams, and after seeing yours, she kept saying how proud she was and that she wanted to meet you at least once. So, what do you think?”

“Whoa…”

W-Wait, unnie’s mom watches my streams?!

Oof, of course I’m grateful, but…

I-I’ve definitely had some embarrassing moments on stream. I should’ve managed my image better if I knew this would happen.

“Plus, remember when you stayed with me for a bit? You cooked a lot back then, and my mom was really thankful.”

“Ah, no, I should be the one thanking you for letting me stay.”

“Anyway, so? Wanna come? If you’re with me, my mom might nag me less.”

I was really touched by the offer, but…

A small doubt crept in.

Wait… is unnie just bringing me along so she doesn’t have to deal with nagging?

Is she using me as a shield by bringing up her mom…?

…Nah, no way.

“I mean, I’d love to, but… wouldn’t I just be a burden? I already imposed on CEO Kang’s parents during Lunar New Year…”

“Eh, who cares? That was the CEO’s place. This is my first time bringing you home.”

“Well, still…”

Ugh…

Am I really okay with accepting this offer?

I can’t keep learning to rely on others like this.

If this keeps up, I’ll start taking it for granted that I spend every holiday at a member’s house.

“Then I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll text Mom right now.”

“W-Wait! Unnie, hold on—!”

My hesitation didn’t last long—impatient as ever, unnie didn’t wait for me to finish protesting. Before I could stop her, she’d already sent the text to her mom, locking me into an inescapable situation.

And just like that, I somehow ended up imposing on another household for Chuseok.

The Cherries might be a little sad to hear this…

But I’ll make up for it by streaming extra hard when I get back. Yeah.

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

Time flew by, and before I knew it, Chuseok had arrived.

Like last Lunar New Year, I prepared gifts before heading to Chae-yoon unnie’s house. She’d insisted I didn’t need to bring anything, but…

If I’m going to be a guest for days, this is the bare minimum.

Last time, I rode with the CEO to her family’s home, but today, we agreed to meet in front of unnie’s house separately. So I took a taxi there instead.

“Unnie!”

I waved at her from a distance as soon as I spotted her lingering near the gate.

Huh? Why was she just standing outside?

For reference, unnie’s house wasn’t an apartment—it was a standalone home. Not as grand as Ra-hee unnie’s palace-like mansion, but still spacious for a family of three.

“You got here fast. What’s that in your hand?”

“Chuseok gifts!”

“Ugh, I knew it. I told you not to bring anything.”

Hehe, I totally expected her to say that.

Which is why I had a comeback ready!

“Hehe, these aren’t for you—they’re for your parents, so it’s fine!”

“Oh? Our youngest has gotten sharp with her words, huh? Need me to put you in your place?”

Squish—

“Eeeek! So mean, unniiiie…!”

I thought it was a successful counterattack…

But I guess fists speak louder than words.

With my cheeks pinched in unnie’s hands, I had no choice but to surrender.

Oww… my face is all warm now…

“By the way, unnie, why were you waiting outside instead of going in?”

As we passed through the gate, curiosity got the better of me.

The moment I tilted my head and asked, Chae-yoon unnie’s body stiffened ever so slightly—like a thief caught red-handed.

“W-Well, duh! I was waiting for you so we could go in together.”

She gave a perfectly logical answer, but…

I don’t buy it.

Nope.

From what I can tell, there’s another reason.

If she deliberately waited outside to delay going in… then it’s probably…

“…Were you scared of getting scolded by your mom, so you waited for me?”

“Hey! Since when does the youngest spout nonsense like this?!”

…Yep, called it.

I had a hunch, but this confirms it.

Yuna’s “dutiful daughter” comment might be spot-on.

“A-Anyway, let’s go in. You wanna lead the way?”

“It’s your house, unnie…?”

“N-No, it’s fine! My mom doesn’t care about stuff like that.”

Who cares?!

Who marches into someone else’s house for the first time with the homeowner hiding behind them?!

But since unnie showed zero signs of moving on her own, I had no choice but to take the lead.

Guess I’ll ring the doorbell first…?

Ding-dong—

The moment I pressed the bell, a faint sound came from inside. Normally, you’d hear a “Yes, who is it?” or something, but instead, there was just a rustling noise before—

SLAM—

“YOU BRAT! You just had to drag Lulu along without even giving your own mother a heads-up—?!”

The door flew open, and a thick regional dialect roared out.

I flinched at the sheer fury in the voice, but when the speaker locked eyes with me, she froze mid-rant.

“U-Um, hello…? A-Are you Chae-yoon unnie’s mom?”

“…….”

I wasn’t sure if she even heard me.

For a few seconds, the woman—presumably unnie’s mother—just stared at me blankly.

Then—

“Oh my, you must be Lulu! It’s so nice to meet you.”

Suddenly, she cupped my cheeks with her hands.

As if the earlier dialect-laced outburst had never happened, she switched to flawless standard Korean with an elegant tone.

…This feels weirdly familiar.

Like déjà vu from CEO Kang’s house.

…Must be my imagination.