chapter_0016

16 – Grow Up Healthy

16 – Grow Up Healthy

Jia called Dohee on her way to work.

“So… you’re saying you’ll be waiting at Dora’s place today?”

[Yes.]

It was something that would make Dohee tilt her head in confusion, as Majiya had never made such a suggestion before.

Although she had been serving as the general manager overseeing the first-year trainees for over a year under Cheon Dohee’s orders, she had never built personal relationships by meeting them individually for meals.

Even though she stood on the same stage as Rain without feeling intimidated during their joint broadcast, her attitude of considering herself merely a spotlight on stage had not changed at all, just as it had been before.

Just as Dohee was treated with utmost respect as “Boss” at the company—she had been a bit playful lately, but she still did her job well—the first-year trainees also felt that they had to draw a clear line, seeing her as the idol they needed to support and maintaining a strictly professional relationship.

Just looking at the Talk Code messages exchanged with the kids over the past few days:

[Rain: Jia Jia Jia Jia Jia Jia Jia]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: Yes]

[Rain: Dinner today? Call?]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: No]

[Rain: WHY?]

[Dora: Don’t do that, I’ll pretend the equipment is broken]

[Dora: Let’s gather at my house hehe]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: Please say that in a chat room where I’m not present]

[Dora: Aww]

[Rain: Hahahahahaha are you stupid?]

[Dora: What are you saying, Fork Rain?]

[Rain: I’ll kick your ass]

[Dora: (sticking out tongue)]

[Komari: T_T]

[Komari: Jia unni, you don’t want to play with us, do you?]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: Surprise dampening is prohibited]

[Komari: That’s too much]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: Quickly choose a game for tomorrow]

[Komari: (puffy cheeks)(pouting)]

[Komari: (tears streaming down)]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: Quickly choose a game for tomorrow 2nd try]

[Komari: -_-]

[Dora: Mari, come here, unni will hug you]

[Komari: Unniiiiii]

[Maru: Can’t we just see each other when we go to the company?]

[Maru: Why is everyone so eager to see each other first?]

[Komari: Oh right]

[Komari: Our first-anniversary song motion capture is next week]

[Rain: What the]

[Rain: Maru, are you a genius?]

[Maru: Ahem]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: Then I’ll take a day off that day]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: It’s a group day off, after all]

[Maru: Excuse me?]

[Rain: Ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh]

[Parallel Operations Team Majiya: Please don’t curse]

[Rain: park you]

In this way, Jia had definitely built a wall with the kids, making it impossible for anyone to get close just by pulling them in.

People often wondered why she was playing tug-of-war with a wall, but suggesting “Shall we play together?” to Jia felt exactly like that.

Even if one person takes a day off, the other first-year trainees are still broadcasting.

Even when the first-year trainees take a break, her Favorite Momo is still broadcasting, so her main job of monitoring must continue without pause.

In fact, if the first-year trainees wanted to be unreasonable, they could.

After all, Jia was small and cute, so aside from Komari, who was around 150 cm, it would be entirely possible to overpower her physically.

However, despite such physical differences, the first-year trainees couldn’t just rush at Jia.

Where else could you find someone who would come running without hesitation to solve the most problematic broadcasting equipment issues, even at dawn?

It wasn’t just about equipment issues; when the members struggled to choose a game to play, Majiya’s recommendations were truly exquisite.

Since she was well-versed in broadcasting history, she could suggest games that hadn’t been played yet or pinpoint the viewers’ needs as if she were hitting a kill pass.

Moreover, she openly displayed her “I’m an I in MBTI~” behavior, so what if she accidentally annoyed the first-year trainees and they decided to quit the company?

That would only put the first-year trainees in a difficult position.

Everyone knew that Boss Cheon Dohee cherished Majiya, so if she were to be marked by the Boss at that moment, it would be a problem.

Thus, it seemed that the first-year trainees would only be cautious and never get close to Majiya today…

But then, what was this?

Majiya declared that she would go first.

Dohee recalled the excuses Majiya had made until now.

“Are you sure you’re okay with that? If you’re there, you won’t be able to monitor the other kids’ broadcasts.”

[I can just take my phone and tablet with me.]

“You used to say you didn’t like it because the screen was too small.”

[Well, isn’t it good to prepare in advance so I can work from anywhere? You never know when something similar might happen again. As the Boss said, we might have to go on air again.]

Hearing that response, Dohee realized Majiya’s thoughts.

She was saying that since she was an employee and below the first-year trainees, she couldn’t freely enter their personal space like a friend.

But hadn’t Jia also realized something while broadcasting with Rain recently?

Had she been keeping too much distance from the kids all this time?

Of course, Majiya’s mind was unpredictably four-dimensional, so it was pointless for Dohee to try to predict it.

Just the fact that she was willing to go to Dora’s house early to wait was something Dohee was grateful for.

Whether she went from the company or from Jia’s house, it would take the same 20 minutes.

At night, if there was even a 20-minute gap in sound, many people would go to sleep saying the broadcast had ended, which could be quite critical.

However, there was some worry about sending Jia alone.

“If you go, you know you might get caught by Dora, right?”

[Ah.]

Only then did Jia mutter as if she had realized something from the past.

It had been a few months ago.

Dora and Komari had played a horror game penalty and had a mini-game showdown, and at that time, she had completely lost and had to play the horror game.

Crying uncontrollably, she couldn’t proceed, so Komari had worried and gone directly to her house.

As a result, Komari had to become a stuffed toy and watch the horror game with Dora.

Even though Komari was relatively fearless, it was cute to hear her scream along with Dora’s sudden scares.

Thanks to Komari’s very static screams and genuine reactions, that day’s broadcast had high viewership for both the live and edited versions, as well as the cutouts.

Anyway, the reason for bringing this up was that today, Majiya might have to take on the role that Komari had played back then.

Understanding Dohee’s intentions, Jia muttered.

[Well, if Dora can’t host the broadcast, there’s nothing we can do.]

Of course, she didn’t forget to subtly add her own thoughts.

[I’d prefer if other kids came instead. It’s awkward to call them at a late hour, and everyone has their own broadcasts.]

Anyway, if she could just refrain from chattering too much, she would be even cuter.

But even now, she was already quite lovely.

Could there be a more cherished employee by the Boss than one who knows what they need to do and executes it flawlessly?

[But Boss, what if the other kids are still on air when I get there? I won’t be able to watch over them.]

“I’ll let the individual managers know. If there’s an urgent matter, they’ll contact you directly.”

[Yes.]

Moreover, these days, her tone had strangely become rounder, and even though she was being more playful than before, she still appeared cute.

Dohee gave the last piece of advice to this adorable employee.

Even though it was something they both knew well, it was still appropriate to say it.

“If you happen to get caught, be careful about what you say. It’s not a problem if your voice goes out, but be cautious with your statements. You know this, right?”

[Of course. Actually, I was planning to just sit quietly and watch the chat window.]

Even though they had grown closer, she still wanted to stay outside the broadcast, right?

Well, viewers would prefer a few words thrown in rather than complete silence.

If that was Majiya’s intention, Dohee had no intention of intervening.

Just by Majiya introducing herself as being with Dora, public sentiment would likely be fine.

“Okay, okay. Do as you feel comfortable.”

A few hours later.

As I was packing my necessary things and preparing to leave the office, the Team Leader spoke to me.

“Jia, I heard you’re going to take care of Dora today.”

“Oh yes, that’s right.”

“Be careful. I talked to the Boss, and I’ll be staying here today.”

“Hmm? I thought you said you’d just contact the managers.”

“Oh. I was thinking about that, but I feel more at ease if I stay. You know I’ve covered for you when you took leave for hospital visits before.”

That’s true.

Whenever I had to take a day off for unavoidable reasons, the Team Leader had postponed some of his work to monitor things in my place.

Since it was something that happened once or twice a year, it was rather the Team Leader who suggested it.

The last time he took over my duties was when I caught COVID.

… Thinking back, I really thought I was going to die then.

As I momentarily lost myself in thought recalling the beginning of the year, the Team Leader gently nudged my shoulder toward the office exit.

“Let’s go quickly. Don’t worry about this side. If there’s something I really can’t handle, I’ll contact you.”

Team Leader Kang Ji-ho smiled as he saw me off to the entrance of the office.

As I was about to leave the office, I said something just in case.

“Make sure to lock the office door at night, and when you leave, ask the security guard to go out with you. Also, make sure to book a taxi in advance.”

Since the surroundings were all office buildings, it became extremely quiet when it was time for me to leave, and I sometimes felt overwhelmed by that atmosphere.

So I said that.

But for some reason, the Team Leader just laughed and ruffled my hair.

“Okay, I understand. Thank you, Jia.”

… Why is he laughing?

I was just worried about him.

Anyway, I bowed my head and left.

Before long, a message from the now-awake Dora arrived.

[Dora: Really?]

[Dora: Jia is coming?!]

[Dora: Awesome]

[Dora: I feel like I’ve gained a heavenly mom]

Actually, it should be “heavenly army,” but I won’t bother correcting this foolishness because it’s part of her charm.

While the growth narrative of a dumb character becoming smarter is also enjoyable, Dora sometimes surprises people with her genius in unexpected ways.

I need to take good care of her so she can remain the bright fool she is now.

Fans don’t repeatedly mention “Please grow up healthy” for no reason.

[Dora: Oh]

[Dora: But when are you coming?]

[I: I’m in a taxi]

[I: Arriving in 20 minutes]

[Dora: Oh]

[Dora: I’m sorry, but]

[Dora: Can you come in an hour?]

[Dora: The room is a complete mess right now T_T]

When the audio interface had issues before, she had panicked and opened the door right away, but it seemed she felt embarrassed to show that state again.

Laundry was rolling around everywhere, unused exercise equipment had underwear hanging on it, and empty water and alcohol bottles were stacked neatly.

It was a messy sight that she definitely didn’t want to show to the fans.

The fans knew that Dora couldn’t keep things tidy.

When they heard about it, they laughed and brushed it off, saying her living skills were a mess, but seeing it in person would shatter that illusion.

However, it was better for Dora to keep it messy.

Even if she cleaned up other areas, she must not touch around the computer.

I wouldn’t want to see expensive equipment getting damaged.

If it breaks, I’d have to submit another expense report.

[I: Okay, I’ll adjust to come in an hour]

[I: But please don’t touch the soundproof booth]

[I: The moment you touch it, it’s war]

Author’s Note (Author’s Afterword)

We’ve surpassed 2,000 pre-orders!

Thank you so much!

Thanks again to those who supported me!

You are my heavenly army!!