190 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.190 #190. Moving It’s definitely just a spacious studio-sized room. Right before the move, I agreed to help Doa with her packing and felt overwhelmed by the mountain of belongings. “Is this really everything that was in this tiny place?” “...Half of it’s gifts from fans. How can I throw them away?” “Of course, you have to keep them all.” Holding the SD cushion of Luka that was too big to fit into any box, I absentmindedly poked at the character's belly. “Are you done?” “I finished long ago.” “You should've called me. I could’ve helped.” “No need. With all your stuff, who’s helping who?” I would've called if I needed help, but it wasn’t necessary. Aside from the furniture, it felt like everything could be moved in two suitcases. Especially considering how little clothing I seemed to have. “What time did you say the truck’s coming tomorrow?” “Around... 10 o'clock, I think?” “Ugh... Knowing that tonight’s the last night here feels weird.” “Feeling sentimental?” “No, just moving to a better place.” Sitting on the bed, Doa spun her eyes around, scanning the room. “But... it feels like Luka started here.” “Mm, like a reminder of how you began?” “Exactly. My beginnings... goodbye...” “Back then, your avatar looked kind of cheap.” Luka’s pilot was cute, but it was undeniably awkward compared to the current avatar. “What are you talking about? I saved up so much money for that, using every bit of donations!” Laughing at Doa's indignation, I patted her head. “So, where will you sleep tonight?” “Where do you want to sleep?” “I don’t mind. We can sleep at our own places if the move is too much.” My answer was more for convenience, but Doa shook her head. “Since it’s the last time, together.” “Alright. Then, sleep at my place. There’s no room to step in here.” After sealing up the boxes with Doa’s books and equipment, we held hands and headed out for lunch. Matching sweatpants that I bought because Doa wanted them. We both wore dark navy pants. “What do you want to eat?” “Hmm... should we go to the diner we always visit? Since it’s the last time here.” “Fifteen minutes away isn’t really ‘the last time,’ you know.” The heat of summer was waning, giving way to a cooler September. It had become a bit chilly for short sleeves. Autumn is the season of harvest. And this autumn seemed like a bountiful one for me too. The biggest change was that I had finally earned the title of composer. Having my name on four songs already filled me with a deep sense of achievement. Even though the opportunities had come through my company and mentor, rather than reaching out directly, last week, I actually got assigned work just because my name was requested. My mentor urged me to praise his foresight with each success, while Doa celebrated each like it was her own triumph. The joy was unparalleled, definitely far beyond leveling up in a game. My bank account balance was also adding a crucial push. Although it wasn't quite enough for the moving funds, Doa assured me to repay it slowly. Meanwhile, rent was split evenly. Doa teased me, asking if my income boost had made me proud, but I suspected she might be the more nervous one. The contract with Closer ended in November. Their final third album was slated for an October release. No word yet on who’s producing it. Seems adjustments are still being made internally. “Hey.” “Yeah?” “Is there any pet you’d like to raise someday?” “At home?” “Yeah, at home.” I didn't have much interest in pets, so I tilted my head in thought. “...A cat?” “Really? Do you actually like cats?” Doa stopped in her tracks, her eyes sparkling like a sky full of stars. “Ah, yeah. They’re cute.” “Then shall we raise a cat together in the future? Really?” Her excitement was palpable, and I placed a hand on her head. "Let's move first. We haven’t even sorted out our own stuff; how would we look after a cat?” “I’ve always wanted one. Mom wouldn’t allow it at home.” Doa elaborated on her long-standing ambition. Her love for cats didn’t cease even as we arrived at the restaurant. “I’m thinking of these breeds. What do you think?” “They’re all cute.” “Right? I feel the same... hmm... what should I do... maybe we should have them all?” “Even one might be overwhelming.” Sure, with Doa usually home, it might be manageable, but returning to school might change things. “Maybe...” “Let’s consider it later, since we have lots to handle now.” “True.” Crunching on the bean sprouts served as a side dish, Doa seemed more like a pet rabbit herself. “Still, it’s nice to have a day off today?” Doa used the move as an excuse to request a day off. In all honesty, I wondered if that was necessary. After all, her studio was separate. Even if her home was a mess, she could’ve continued if she wanted to. “Aren’t you happy too?” “It’s a shame I’ll miss Luka’s stream though.” “Aww~ Why say it like that? Admit you’re glad to be with me quickly.” She thrust her chopsticks towards me threateningly. I swiftly snagged the stir-fried squid she pointed at and ate it. “Of course. You’re ditching your legion of viewers to be with me.” The squid is delicious. “...I’m not ditching them. And well, I should be allowed a vacation too.” "Calling it a vacation feels odd when Luka's face may soon be a thing of the past." At least, the Luka under the name of Closer. "Ugh... But from what I hear, extensions aren’t likely." "Really?" "Yeah. They’ve already started the recruitment for the second generation, and the announcements are supposed to come out in October." "That's unfortunate." "I dreamt last night that we disbanded, and I cried so much." "Really?" "Even if it was just a dream." Doa turned her head to gaze at a group of children playing outside the window. "In reality, we’ve never hung out just once like that, so why am I feeling so wistful?" "It must mean you’ve grown really close." "I didn’t even feel this wistful at my high school graduation." But it wasn't just the Closer members who were anxious about their fate. Have you seen the fan club numbers? Community forums were rife with fans desperately trying to prevent their 'graduation.' [If the contract ends, that’s not just it, right? ㅠㅠ We'll see more of you, right?] [Please, extend it! Please.] [I’ll buy every piece of merchandise, just please don’t disband. ㅠㅠ] [If you disband, I’ll burn your company to the ground and follow you to the afterlife.] I, too, had grown attached over time, hoping that the members, Luka included, would stay together. "If they could just continue, what’s the problem?" "Well... According to the company, they plan on creating a massive metaverse universe. For that, if members become too fixed, it might deviate from the original plan, or something like that." Doa pouted, looking fed up. "But they say there’s a high chance I'll stay on as a VTuber under YM." "Oh. So at least they won’t confiscate your avatar." "Would they give it and then take it back? It’s not like anyone else could use it instead of me." "That makes sense." I often thought that ‘the end’ signified a new beginning, but the end of Closer’s Luka felt like a heavier sense of loss for the two of us. “Still! We should go out with a bang with what’s left! Conquer the world with the third album!” In front of the streetlamp near home, Doa spun around once. "Ta-dah!" Attempting a ‘ギャルピース,’ she flashed a V-sign downwards. "What do you think of this pose for our album cover?" "It suits you, but it might look funny if everyone does it together." "Come on. Don't you think it has a kind of cute charm that melts the fans’ hearts?" I chuckled softly and moved closer, giving her a gentle pat on the back. "Yeah. Make sure it’s a big hit. If it is, maybe the company will give you guys something more." "This time, I’ll make sure to hit the re-recording hard! Ugh!" -Buzz, buzz- My phone rang. It was my mentor calling. "Doa, hang on a sec." "Okay." [Hello?] [Ah, Taemin, can you talk right now?] [Yes, I can. Is something up?] His voice sounded rather intense, leading me to think something urgent might have happened. [We’ve been chosen to work on Closer’s third album!] With eyes widening, I covered my mouth in shock, while Doa looked up at me with a puzzled expression.