Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols-Chapter 194: The Absence of a Teammate (1)

Spark’s mentions skyrocketed after the music video release. I had anticipated some effect from the IDC show and other appearances, but…this was beyond expectations.
Good news kept rolling in ahead of the showcase. This was a positive development.
“What are you watching?”
Lee Cheonghyeon approached from behind and asked.
“Monitoring. How’s your knee?”
“Holding on through sheer willpower.”
“Is it that bad? Do you want to skip the showcase?”
“I’m kidding. It’s not that serious!”
Despite his words, Lee Cheonghyeon kept rubbing his knee.
In just two weeks, Lee Cheonghyeon had grown another two centimeters. Reaching 180cm faster than expected was cause for celebration, but I hadn’t anticipated such severe growing pains.
“Ha, I am really going to end up looking down at you at this rate, hyung.”
I was genuinely concerned, but he just made light of it.
It was doubly irritating because I could sense his intense desire to look down on his hyungs.
I couldn’t even argue back, knowing that while not quite looking down, his gaze would eventually be directed downwards. As far as I knew, that Lee Cheonghyeon punk would grow to 185cm.
“Don’t just grow by yourself—bring Kiyeon along too. He’s gonna feel left out.”
“His growth spurt’s bigger than mine. Honestly, I’m the one stressing out here. I’m 11 months older than him, I can’t let him catch up, can I?”
“And yet, you’re planning to look down on me, even though I’m thirty-five months older than you?”
When did this kid get so cocky? It was all because Lee Cheonghyeon had been roommates with Choi Jeho for too long. I had to suggest a room swap content soon.
Even though it was only our second time, the showcase felt familiar.
Perhaps it was thanks to the extensive audiovisual training. At this point, I was starting to wonder if I should thank Deputy Manager Nam’s daughter for the pre-training.
‘There are a lot more cameras now.’
From the moment we stepped on stage and greeted everyone, the scale of the event was noticeably different. Even at a glance, it was clear that the number of ers present had significantly increased.
We had put our all into this. I went on the IDC variety show despite the penalties, and even appeared in a drama I hadn’t considered, all in an effort to contribute to the team.
To boost our broadcast points, we jumped at every opportunity for variety shows and music shows alike. As our public recognition grew, so did our first-week album sales.
Even so, winning first place wasn’t something that came just by ‘meeting the minimum conditions.’ I had to constantly find ways to make Spark even more known.
We practiced tirelessly to ensure we looked perfect from every angle, no matter where the ers took pictures from, so that viral photos would spread. We sang our hearts out to earn the title of ‘unwavering live performance’ in the headlines.
There was no chance of dropping another album this year. If we didn’t achieve first place with this song, I’d have to wait until next year to meet the KPIs. That was why I was particularly focused on this song.
‘And if we still don’t make it, I’ll need to find out exactly why.’
Only then could I finally hand a trophy to Spark, who had struggled so long to reach the top.
I kept smiling, but inside, my emotions were complicated.
Still, there wasn’t much time for stray thoughts.
After just a few words in the interview, it was time to perform 『MISSION』.  We stood up, moved our chairs, and lined up on stage.
As I was checking everyone’s positions, Kang Kiyeon caught my eye. His position was slightly off. It was an unusual mistake for him, considering his usual precision.
I lightly grabbed his arm from behind, and he flinched, turning around in surprise.
‘Maybe I startled him too much?’
His reaction was bigger than expected, making me feel a little guilty. I mouthed an apology and gestured for him to move back with my hand. Kang Kiyeon looked around. Then, he belatedly moved to his correct position.
He slightly bowed his head in a gesture of thanks, just like usual.
The metallic sound of an electric guitar reverberated. The choreography began, synchronized with the drumbeat.
The stage was meticulously crafted to highlight each member. Even while dancing in the back, I knew how Spark appeared to others. It was designed to look perfect from an outsider’s perspective.
We knew where the audience would react, where the shutters would click. How it would sound from the stage, live, and on the recording.
We had agonized over every detail. At least among the rookies who debuted this year, no other group could match this level of stage quality.
And yet, a small crack appeared in this flawlessly crafted performance.
I saw a slight waver in Kang Kiyeon’s core, he was the next one up.
For a moment, I hesitated. Should I dismiss it as my oversensitivity, or should I intervene before something went wrong?
I slightly angled my toes and put strength into my legs.
“The goal is just… ”
And when Kang Kiyeon faltered, missing a word,
“One thing.”
I jumped in, preemptively filling the gap in the lyrics like an offbeat, rushing to his side.
I didn’t have the talent to create new choreography on the spot. All I could do was move in a way that matched the lyrics as much as possible without looking awkward.
“Staying by your side.”
It was Kang Kiyeon’s part, but he couldn’t sing it.
So I sang it instead. And I slipped my arm around his waist from behind, supporting him.
His wavering body stabilized, and I could feel him regain his footing.
“… That’s all.”
Kang Kiyeon seamlessly picked up his part. His eyes were dark as he turned for the next move.
* * *
No one noticed that there had been a mistake during this performance.
Since the choreography video hadn’t been released yet, even the fans didn’t seem to realize that me jumping into Kang Kiyeon’s part was an ad-lib. Surviving the onslaught of ad-libs truly strengthened a person.
As I dragged my chair back, I noticed small text on the floor, hidden by the stage lighting during the performance.
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▷ Reduced perception of negative emotions effect is currently active.
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‘Why now?’
There was no notification like this when it was active before. And it was not like I experienced anything negative.
I wondered if there was an issue I wasn’t aware of, but I couldn’t think of anything.
There was no time to dwell on it. We were in the middle of a showcase.
‘Shouldn’t this be applied to him instead?’
I watched Kang Kiyeon placing his chair a little distance away.
He was the one who had stressed endlessly over a mistake during the debut rehearsal. Even if he said he was over it, he always got nervous in front of cameras.
Even if no one else noticed, he must have been bothered by it. The person who made the mistake was always the most aware of it.
Just as I was thinking it’d be good for him to take a breather, Jeong Seongbin came back with some water bottles handed out by the staff.
Kang Kiyeon, who received three of the six bottles, placed one under his chair, handed one to another member, and then approached me with the remaining bottle.
He mouthed a question.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Me?’
I mouthed back. Kang Kiyeon nodded slightly.
Who’s asking whom if they’re okay right now?
You’re asking me if I’m okay? Not the other way around?
It was absurd, but still I answered dutifully.
‘Yes.’
Kang Kiyeon nodded curtly and returned to his seat.
But he just…
…seemed to be trembling.
Kang Kiyeon wasn’t the type to have stamina issues after just one performance. And the fact that he had made an unusual mistake… something was definitely wrong.
I decided to find an opportunity to check on his condition once the showcase was over. I had been feeling like I hadn’t talked to Kang Kiyeon much lately anyway.
But time, as always, was not on my side.
The schedule of a newly comeback idol group was relentless, like a shredder grinding through a retired employee’s documents.
The showcase ended in the middle of the night, and yet Spark had to go back to the company for group practice.
We ate dinner in the car due to lack of time. They say not even a dog should be disturbed during dinner, so that time was out. During practice, we had to focus on practice, so that was out too. Breaks were for rehydrating and discussing areas for improvement, so those were out as well.
…By the time I came to my senses, we were already back at the dorm.
At least the Hanpyeong Industry let you use messenger apps—UA idols couldn’t even communicate through messages unless both had their laptops open. For the first time, I resented UA.
He performed perfectly fine during dance practice, making the situation even stranger. He did so well that it felt awkward to bring up the showcase incident.
And it felt wrong to interrogate him about the mistake and what was going on, especially since he had to wake up in less than two hours.
Since the music video shoot, the entire Spark team had been pushing through an intense schedule. Even if I couldn’t be of help, at the very least, I shouldn’t add to the pressure.
‘I hope he can recover his condition before the recording.’
We had to go to the broadcasting station for pre-recording in a few hours. The time schedule was incredibly tight.
‘I should push Kang Kiyeon’s hair and makeup slot to the very end so he can get some sleep. And I should grab some calming pills from the first-aid kit just in case…’
Various thoughts filled my head. In the end, I stayed awake until Lee Cheonghyeon’s alarm went off, turning it off myself as the morning of our first broadcast arrived.
* * *
Life has its days when things just don’t go your way.
Today was one of those days. I failed from the very first task of the morning: grabbing the emergency medicine.
‘I can’t believe we’re out of calming pills.’
I thought I had bought at least four of various kinds, but when I opened the box this morning, it was empty.
This was why I had tried to be diligent about checking the supplies…. But every time I even went near the first aid kit, the Spark members would come running with eyes wide open, so I ended up neglecting it—and now I was paying the price.
Learning from today’s experience, I would create a separate emergency kit for real emergencies next time.
My mind raced while I was getting my hair and makeup done.
‘When should I talk to Kang Kiyeon? Lunchtime might not be the best time. The management team said they’d analyze the first-week sales data, I wonder if I can see it today? Maybe it’d be faster to get the raw data myself?’
‘I also need to select photos to upload on the official account. What time are we going on stage? I think it’s pretty late in the lineup; I should double-check. And if there’s time, I should go to the pharmacy to buy calming pills… No, I should ask the manager to do that, just in case.’
My thoughts were a jumbled mess. The more things I had to keep track of, the longer the list of things I needed to remember grew.
Just as my mind was spiraling, a staff member came to the waiting room.
“Spark, get ready for rehearsal!”
The members sprang to their feet. It was time to focus.
Everyone was getting ready to leave, but Kang Kiyeon stood still as if time had stopped for him.
“Kiyeon?”
At the sound of his name, a glint of light flickered in Kang Kiyeon’s eyes.
“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”
He didn’t answer. He just shook his head.
That was when it appeared again. The system message.
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▷ Reduced perception of negative emotions effect is currently active.
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No way.
Does this mean I’m feeling anxious—because of Kang Kiyeon?