Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols-Chapter 204: Return Gift (1)

It had been a while since I’d last stepped into a bookstore. A
really
long while.
Up until college, I used the campus or online stores, and after getting a job, I barely read at all.
Familiar sections like Business & Economics, Finance, Science, Philosophy, Humanities & Social Sciences, and English filled the bookstore walls.
After browsing about half the store, I found the section I was looking for.
[Comics]
The members all left in the morning and came back late at night, and if you just sat around, you’d end up overthinking. I thought it would be nice to unwind by looking at something you enjoyed at least once a day.
Like many of the other shelves, this section was dazzling from the spines alone. The vibrant covers and gold-stamped titles were practically a feast for the eyes.
‘I think Kang Kiyeon’s favorite is ‘Kingdom Cafeteria’… or something like that.’
Unlike textbooks, comics seemed to be organized by publisher, not alphabetically. If I had my phone, I could have searched, but unfortunately, I’d come empty-handed.
While I was debating between ‘Kingdom Cafeteria’ and ‘Kingdom Cafeteria ~Another~,’ I sensed someone beside me.
“Excuse me…”
It was a petite woman.
Thinking I might be inconsiderately blocking the shelves, I started to step back when I noticed a familiar design on a name tag.
It was the embroidered Spark fan club name tag (※ included in the first fan club kit).
When I silently and carefully pointed to the name tag with both hands, the woman nodded vigorously.
“You’re Iwol, right?!”
Overwhelmed but mindful of public etiquette, she whispered my name.
Perhaps because it was a weekday, there weren’t many people in the bookstore. I lowered my mask slightly and bowed.
“Hello. How did you recognize me?”
“Your head sticks out like two or three extra inches…!”
“Really? Then I’ll crouch down for a bit. Might make it easier to talk this way.”
While I lowered myself, the fan lamented not having paper and a pen in her bag.
Normally, I would have given her an autograph on a memo pad from the office, but I had rushed out with only my wallet, determined to buy Kang Kiyeon a comic book.
“Would a picture be okay instead of an autograph?”
“Of course!”
We moved to the most secluded corner of the bookstore, the religion section, and took a selfie.
‘His face is so dark, how can I see anything?’
I suddenly recalled the fortune teller’s words. Rubbing my face, I cautiously asked the fan, who was checking if the photo came out blurry:
“Um, does my face look really dark?”
Her eyes sharpened.
“No? Your face is shining.”
It was a heartfelt answer that put me at ease.
After repeatedly bowing and thanking each other—me for being recognized and her for the picture—we parted ways.
Perhaps because my mind was clearer, I suddenly remembered the exact title of Kang Kiyeon’s favorite comic.
‘Kingdom Cafeteria ~Another~’. A romance fantasy about Princess Soda of the Cream Kingdom and her various adventures with princes.
Remembering the title was good. But that wasn’t the only problem.
‘What’s a box set and what’s a first edition special?’
There were more versions of ‘Kingdom Cafeteria ~Another~’ than there were Spark albums. Standard edition, collector’s edition, premium box set… It was all too much to process at once.
In times like these, I needed to calm down and carefully examine the products. It was a gift, after all—I had to choose something good.
After spending about ten minutes rooted to the spot, I learned something new.
The collector’s edition had a hardcover, and the premium box set came with a box for the entire series, and the spines formed a single illustration with redesigned covers.
I didn’t quite understand why a box made it ‘premium’. They don’t sell premium tangerine box sets when you buy tangerines.
Still, since the box set included a limited edition set of three postcards, I decided to buy the ‘Kingdom Cafeteria ~Another~’ premium box set. Fans usually loved limited editions.
As I was turning the box over, checking for any dents, I heard a familiar voice. Turning around, I saw the fan from earlier. She was holding a small notepad and a pen.
“Iwol, I’m really sorry, but… could I still get your autograph?”
The store’s purchase stickers were neatly attached to the notebook envelope and pen.
“Of course. It makes me sad when you apologize for asking for an autograph.”
I signed where she indicated. And I asked if the premium box set with the limited edition postcards would be a good gift for a fan of the original work.
The fan uttered a legendary phrase: ‘A fan wants to own everything related to their idol’. Thanks to her, I confidently purchased the comic book set and a notepad.
***
“Kang Kiyeon, I’m back!”
“Yeah.”
Lee Cheonghyeon swung the door open and entered. Kang Kiyeon didn’t look up but acknowledged him with a wave.
“What did you do? Weren’t you bored?”
“Just watched music shows… that kind of thing.”
“See any interesting choreography?”
“Most of the new songs were ballads, so not really.”
Lee Cheonghyeon sat on the edge of Kang Kiyeon’s bed. Kang Kiyeon patted the space beside him, inviting him to sit properly, and then focused on the comic book he was reading.
After flipping a few pages, Kang Kiyeon casually asked,
“What about you?”
Lee Cheonghyeon hesitated, unsure whether to be honest. He didn’t want to lie, though.
“Went to a fan signing event, then the radio show, then practice. Filmed the fanchant video at the end.”
“…….”
Kang Kiyeon seemed indifferent, despite having asked the question. Or rather, he seemed to have something else he wanted to ask.
“Hyung went to a separate variety show filming and joined us later.”
“I didn’t ask about that.”
“Come on, Kang Kiyeon, you haven’t turned a single page, you know?”
Lee Cheonghyeon hit the nail on the head. But he didn’t push further.
At times like this, Kang Kiyeon thought Lee Cheonghyeon had an uncanny ability. How could he toe the line so perfectly without even the tip of his shoe crossing it?
“…I should apologize, right?”
“For what?”
“I was too harsh.”
Kang Kiyeon’s expression was dark. Now that his head had cooled down, it seemed his usual polite way of thinking was starting to kick in.
Lee Cheonghyeon stared at his friend for a moment before replying.
“Why apologize? Just leave it.”
“Huh?”
“Hyung was in the wrong. Even our Kang Kiyeon, Made-in-the-Land-of-Etiquette™, acted that way. That hyung seriously needs to do some self-reflection.”
Even though he was so fond of Kim Iwol, he sided with his friend at times like this. Lee Cheonghyeon was always like that.
“I saw him getting an earful from Jeho hyung in the car this morning.”
“Who from whom?”
“Iwol hyung from Jeho hyung.”
That was interesting. Kang Kiyeon briefly regretted not being in the car with the members today.
“That’s unexpected.”
Kang Kiyeon muttered. Lee Cheonghyeon chuckled in agreement.
“Hyung is probably feeling guilty now.”
“That hyung always has apologies on the tip of his tongue. I’ve never seen anyone kneel so much in my life.”
“It was my first time seeing someone like that too, but still! This time it’s for real.”
“Do you have proof?”
Kang Kiyeon asked, skeptical. Lee Cheonghyeon pulled Kang Kiyeon’s arm and whispered in his ear,
“Iwol hyung bought something amazing today.”
“……?”
Just then, they heard rustling sounds from outside the door.
“Oh, looks like he’s even delivering it personally.”
Lee Cheonghyeon chuckled. Kang Kiyeon couldn’t understand what his friend was talking about.
“If you feel like it later, peek outside. Hyung will be holed up in his room, so don’t worry!”
“Hey, don’t make things more awkward for the hyungs…”
“Why? He wants to reflect on his actions. Let him learn to be mindful of his dongsaengs. Let’s go for a little insubordination, Kang Kiyeon!”
Shouting strange things proudly, Lee Cheonghyeon left the room.
‘What on earth did he bring?’
He was curious, but he felt like he’d be losing if he went out immediately.
Fortunately, patience was something Kang Kiyeon was good at. He tried to stay calm, waiting for the sounds in the living room to disappear.
The unfortunate part was that recently, Kang Kiyeon had been mentally very worn out. His mind, briefly refreshed by some rest and encouragement from his friend, couldn’t resist the creeping sleepiness and eventually lost the fight against it.
***
The next morning, Kang Kiyeon woke up without an alarm.
The bed next to him was empty. It seemed the members had already left.
It had been a while since he’d last slept in.
Kang Kiyeon sat up, leaning against the headboard. Sunlight streamed brightly between his slowly blinking eyes. The clock on his nightstand read 10:00.
It had only been two days since he got his phone back, under the pretense of an emergency.  Nevertheless, his hand instinctively reached for it.
It was a kind of routine.
Upon waking up, he would look at the slogans covering the ceiling and walls, pick up his fully charged phone, and check messages from fans for support.
‘Still, I do like having my own phone.’
Kang Kiyeon pulled the blanket over himself as he waited for the familiar buffering.
How much hate would there be? Would there be any positive comments? Filled with worry, Kang Kiyeon’s eyes met with the usual flood of warm messages.
Just looking at the laughter, hearts, and emoticons was enough. After reading these, he felt a bit more at ease.
But.
‘Why are there… so many question marks today?’
Kang Kiyeon began reading the messages that had piled up overnight.
They were filled with the name of the hyung he’d been avoiding.
≫ Kiyeonㅋㅋ I heard Iwol bought comic books and brough it to the dorm????
Comic books?
Iwol hyung?
Bought them? By himself?
It seemed that the ‘amazing thing’ Lee Cheonghyeon had mentioned was comic books.
≫ What comic books did Iwol buy? I asked him, but he won’t tell meㅠㅠ
≫ Did you see the comic Iwol bought? Don’t forget the promise to wave to the Sparklers if you find something fun!! The Sparklers believe in our Kiyeon
≫ Baby, let’s sneak into the hyung’s room and steal the comics. I think Iwol bought something expensive
Kang Kiyeon became a little apprehensive. Judging by Kim Iwol’s past actions, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’d bought something like ‘Heart-Throbbing☆ 100 Commandments for Cool Idols’.
But Kang Kiyeon couldn’t ignore the Sparklers’ messages. So, with some reluctance, he decided to check out the gift the deliveryman next door had left last night—which he now knew was a comic book.
The sound of him gulping echoed in the room. As the door creaked open, the empty living room greeted him.
And right at his feet, just outside the door…
There was a large, pink box, strikingly out of place in their old, unrenovated dorm.
Containing Kang Kiyeon’s favorite comic of all time, ‘Kingdom Cafeteria ~Another~’.