118 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

**EP.118 #118. Clip** The Closer Voice Chat group was increasingly filled with idle chatter as time went on. [Sisters! Look what I got!] Murine had made a phone grip with her character on it. We all flocked to admire it, gushing over how cute it was. [Wow! Where did you get this made? Should I get one too?] [How much does it cost to make one of these? It might be nice to host an event for fans later.] [Won't there be a grip talk when the official merchandise is released?] Joining the frenzy, I tapped away on my keyboard. [But since they're opening a merchandise shop soon, they'll probably show us first, right?] Talking like this often made me feel like I was back in high school, and it was enjoyable. It felt just like the atmosphere when I attended an all-girls high school. Of course, there were loud and boisterous groups, but I never really fit in with them. I was just a quiet otaku from the start. Always preferring to observe quietly from a step behind instead of standing in front. That was me. Still, it didn't mean I had no friends. Quiet ones had their quiet communities, and I believed I spent a fulfilling time within it. Last year, I was still going out for meals and chats with high school friends. But as my broadcasting career began and I spent more time at home, naturally, I lost touch. Especially after joining Closer, the workload multiplied, making it difficult to keep up with personal relationships. I barely had time to see my brother, let alone former classmates. -Dding!- When the manager unni messaged us to join the voice chat, we all joined the meeting as scheduled. [Hello~ Is everyone doing well?] A gentle voice floated through my earphones. [Ah, of course~] [Happy New Year~ Unni~] [Hi~] Usually, meetings occurred once a week or when there was an important announcement, and this time was the latter. And today's agenda was thrilling enough to make all our hearts race. [The official schedule for the members' solo concerts has been released, and we'd like to go over it.] Typically, our group would chatter noisily, but the anticipation of what was coming next left us silent. [So, our contract runs until next December, right? There are five members.] [Considering we're in January, there will be solo concerts for each member about every two months.] [Curious about the order, aren’t you?] Why are they trying to tease us like this?! Other members shared my thoughts, and they booed the manager unni. [Boo~ Just tell us already~] [That's right! Spill it all at once!] Having spoken to the manager a lot, we often joked around like this. [Alright, alright~ Don't worry and let me tell you the confirmed ones first!] I wondered who would go first. The first might be around March when spring approaches. If I associate with seasons, spring seems... fresh, like our youngest member, Murine? Or maybe the warm and gentle Clover unni? Lea fits winter best, and Jennifer unni's sparkling vibe suits summer. [First up is Ruka!] [Huh?] My name being called out suddenly made me let out a silly sound. Me? Why? Why am I first? [Wow! Congratulations, Ruukaaan~] [Wow~~ Seems like Ruka's been exceptionally popular lately, getting to go first?] [Unni, be honest. Did you beg for the first slot?] Amid envious jokes, I double-checked, wondering if it was a prank. [Am I really first?] [Yes! Our metaverse team deliberated meticulously and decided this!] I couldn’t comprehend what discussion took place behind the scenes. But I didn’t mind. It was a pleasant thrill. We had similar events in the past, but a solo event just for me was the first. Half worry. Half excitement. [So... who's next?] Feeling awkward because they kept talking about me without me, I asked. [If Ruka completes her concert successfully without delay in March, then Murine is scheduled for May, and Jennifer in July.] [May sounds great!] Perhaps excited from being named, Murine let out dinosaur-like screeches of glee. Jennifer unni couldn’t hide her satisfaction with her placement, her voice brimming with contentment. [What about us?] Two yet unnamed people. Lea and Clover. With a sheepish tone, Clover unni asked cautiously. [You both will perform in the latter half, but the order isn’t set yet.] [But the general sentiment is to have Clover perform in autumn and Lea in winter.] [Winter...] Lea’s voice was somber, possibly feeling her turn was too far away. [But if you perform later, there are benefits! More regular albums would release, increasing fans, and collaboration options with other songs!] Ah... that makes sense... By winter, we’ll likely have released several albums... With this in mind. [...So what about me?] As the first performer, do I get no options? * * * What kind of news would I like? Their teasing voice promising to tell me once I get home hinted that there was indeed something. Upon ringing the bell with my index finger, small footsteps could be heard from inside. “Come in.” “Mhm.” Taking off my shoes neatly, I stepped inside where Doa was looking at me with a cheerful expression. “Guess what it is.” “What is it?” “Oh come on, guess. It’s no fun if I just tell you.” Crossing my arms and thinking hard, I offered my guess. “It’s something about Ruka, right?” “Ding ding ding! So, what could it be about Ruka?” "Could it be a new avatar?" It hasn't been long since the Hanbok edition was released. Could there possibly be a new one already? "Nope. Think bigger." "Uh... an outside program?" Surely it's not an appearance on mainstream television, right? Seeing Luca on a public broadcast...? The thought was both thrilling and dizzying at the same time. "Nope, no news on that yet." Doa's tongue cheekily peeked out as she shyly grabbed my hand. "Hey... you know... I..." Her eyes sparkled brightly. "I'm having a solo concert!!!" A solo concert... I wanted to genuinely be surprised and thrilled, but since I already knew, my smile blossomed a beat later. "Wow! Congratulations! Are you performing alone?" "Aww~ nope! Everyone's having one, but I might be the first!" "I'm really excited!" Knowing didn’t dampen my anticipation. In fact, I was so eager and hopeful that I even signed a contract for it. "Right? They said I'd perform for over an hour by myself... Ah... I'm excited but so nervous." Sitting on my lap, Doa chirped like a little bird, sharing all the details of today's happenings. Like how Lea was a bit disappointed to go last. How Closer's second album would drop around April. Doa shared all these sweet, insider tidbits, smiling beautifully. "Ah... do you think I'll do well?" "You have plenty of time. If you prepare well, you'll do amazing." And honestly, even if Luca makes a slip during the concert, the fans would find it adorable. Of course, singing well would be the best, but the reason we adore her goes beyond her singing prowess. It’s because of the character that is Luca. And the charm of the person that is Kim Doa. "Oh, right. I have something to show you too." I momentarily forgot amid Doa's exciting news, but I had my updates too. "What is it?" "Wait a moment." Compared to Doa's news, mine might seem trivial. Standing in front of thousands for a concert for two hours dwarfs my little news. It was a video my manager had sent me. My appearance lasted less than ten seconds. "Oh? What’s this? Is this from when you filmed that day?" "Yeah, but it’s super short." Though a bit embarrassing, I figured showing Doa wouldn’t be a bad idea, so I tapped the screen to play the video. There I was, walking down a street. My face, filmed for the recording, felt strikingly unfamiliar. Maybe it was the makeup, but it didn’t quite feel like myself. Lounging still, I coolly stared into the camera. [An otaku should know their place.] "…Pft." Doa burst into laughter. Hey, your laughter only makes this more embarrassing. I could feel heat creeping into my ears. "Wait, you’re acting now too?" "This isn’t really acting." "You said you didn’t do much that day! Play it again!" Doa replayed the short video multiple times, tracing my face on the screen with her fingers. "Really, our oppa is just so handsome." I thought I was indifferent to compliments about my appearance. But hearing it from Doa just made me feel giddy. Struggling to control the smirk playing on my lips, I took my phone back. "Okay, stop watching. It’s embarrassing." "You watch Luka’s videos all the time." That’s different because it’s Doa. Honestly, how self-serving. "But oppa." "Yeah." "Is it okay for someone like 'Mr. Ultra Otaku' to say things like that?" ...Seems it wasn’t just me thinking that. I shrugged nonchalantly and patted Doa's head. Little did I know then, I’d soon be tangled in more rumors as a 'veteran'.