Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols-Chapter 290: Graduation (1)

With Choi Jeho’s return a week before the vacation ended, Spark was once again firmly united. Tough bastards, how could they not use the vacation even when given one?
Ah, Choi Jeho did bring something interesting this time.
“Jeong Seongbin, this is for you.”
“For me? What is it?”
He handed Jeong Seongbin something thick wrapped in OPP film, and when he opened it, it turned out to be full of stickers.
“Stickers…?”
“You said you use a notebook.”
“Well, I do.”
“Choi Miho bought a whole box of them, saying they’re for decorating diaries. When I said you use a notebook, she packed some for you. Said it’s a gift.”
Our center emperor, Mr. Choi Jeho, must have thought the leader was into sticker decoration or something. I saw Park Joowoo and Lee Cheonghyeon biting their lips, holding back laughter.
Jeong Seongbin, holding a handful of antique-style stickers, said.
“But you all came back early. Even though you had a long vacation for once.”
Everyone except me and Choi Jeho flinched as if a button had been pressed. These guys really had no talent for surprises.
Jeong Seongbin had a reason for coming back early. His graduation ceremony was coming up soon.
Following my opinion that it was not right to be absent from a superior’s happy occasion, we decided to joyfully celebrate Jeong Seongbin’s graduation.
I was worried he might not have friends, or that he’d feel embarrassed showing that side of himself, but…
‘Seongbin hyung’s social relationships? They’re no joke. He used to hang out with ten people every time he went to the cafeteria.’
…A from Mr. Kang Kiyeon, who attended the same school, eased my worries.
Me
[We’ll congratulate him, but if Seongbin seems burdened or busy taking pictures with his friends, we’ll leave immediately. Got it?]
King of Cuteness Kang Giyeon
[If we’re going to go that far, isn’t it better to just get his permission in advance?]
Me
[Superiors are always busy, they’ll say we don’t have to come. But it’s a big problem if you really don’t go in situations like this.]
20-year-old Metal Marble Park Joowoo
[Seongbin’s not really the type for that…]
Me
[You can know the depths of water, but not the depths of a person’s heart.]
Center Emperor Choi Jeho
[Can’t we just congratulate him when he comes to the dorm?]
Cutie Pretty Visual Lee Cheonghyeon
[This hyung isn’t replying, I bet a long lecture is coming soon]
Me
[Do you think a superior’s retirement ceremony is such a light affair? It’s a situation where we should be making a scene big enough to be a special feature in the entertainment news, and now… view more]
After this long debate, we planned to all return to the dorm before his graduation day. And right now, everyone was probably stuck in their rooms agonizing over what to wear tomorrow.
The problem is me. What should I wear?
Oblivious to my burning insides, Jeong Seongbin cheerfully hung his school uniform on a hanger.
“This’ll be the last time for this outfit.”
“Yeah. Can’t believe three years passed so fast.”
Jeong Seongbin smiled unaffectedly.
“You’re an adult now, is there anything you want to do? Not stuff like rebellion, idols-forbidden acts, impulsive tattoos, or following others into investments without thinking.”
“Ahaha.”
You’re laughing? When I’m being this serious?
“There is one thing I’d like to try.”
“What is it?”
“Drinking on behalf of the team at a company dinner.”
“What’s so great about that that you’d want to do it?”
“Until now, if there was drinking involved, you were always the only one who drank, hyung.”
That’s because you were all minors, and Choi Jeho doesn’t drink.
“You can just split it between two people, why drink alone on the behalf of everyone?”
“For the health of your liver, hyung.”
“Do you even know your own tolerance?”
“I had a little drinking match with my dad recently.”
This kid…
I’m worried. I smell a future drinker.
“Seongbin.”
“Yes.”
“At our dorm, alcohol’s banned unless it’s a really happy day or a really sad day.”
When I said this out of an old man’s concern, Jeong Seongbin burst out laughing. Tears even welled up in his eyes.
“That doesn’t mean you should go drink outside, either, I mean… Anyway, let’s talk after you say goodbye to your uniform.”
“Okay, okay!”
Jeong Seongbin then pushed me towards the bed, telling me to just go to sleep. Without even having decided on a graduation ceremony look, I was laid on the bed and fell asleep.
* * *
The long-awaited graduation day dawned. From early in the morning, Jeong Seongbin was busy getting ready.
“Isn’t it a little too early to leave?”
Checking the time, Choi Jeho tilted his head as he asked. Since Jeong Seongbin was rushing around, I answered in his stead.
“He has to leave now if he’s going to the salon.”
“What kind of person goes to a salon for graduation?”
“Tsk.”
Had this bastard lost all his idol sense after coming back from his hometown? Should I invade his room today to play some manual ASMR?
Looking embarrassed, Jeong Seongbin smiled awkwardly.
“Iwol hyung insisted that I stop by…”
“Of course. Do you think graduation ceremonies happen three times a year?”
After giving him a good scolding that he wouldn’t be allowed back into the dorm if he didn’t bring home a proper solo shot, we sent Seongbin on his way. Then I went around to each room to check if the members had started preparing to go out.
Kang Kiyeon’s fashion, pass. Lee Cheonghyeon’s face, pass. Park Joowoo’s sincere congratulations, pass… but.
“By the way, what have you been doing all this time?”
“I just need to throw on some clothes and I’m good.”
“I respect your fashion freedom, but you know today is Seongbin’s day, right? Whatever the reason, if you end up drawing more attention than him, I will not forgive you. I’m busy enough as it is without you, so get your clothes checked by Kiyeon and Cheonghyeon and then we’ll talk.”
Choi Jeho, scowling with all his might, headed to the maknaes’ room with a pile of clothes.
While I was secretly contacting Manager Daeyeon for the surprise visit as previously arranged, the sound of laughter from Lee Cheonghyeon’s room didn’t stop.
* * *
Even after picking up the bouquet we had ordered, we weren’t late. In fact, we were early. Our firm belief of never being tardy for a schedule had, once again, kicked in.
“Looks like a lot of other seniors are here too.”
Due to the nature of an arts high school, quite a few of the graduates had already debuted. Or were on the verge of debuting.
Perhaps because of that, besides us, there were many other idol groups who had come to congratulate their members.
I knew in advance from my research that the scene would be like this, but it was a relief that we weren’t the only group that came. Wouldn’t it lessen the chances of Jeong Seongbin seeing us as overbearing or embarrassing?
“Choi Jeho, hold the flowers properly.”
I repeatedly reminded Choi Jeho. He listlessly hugged the bouquet.
The one who prepared the bouquet was Jeong Seongbin’s best friend, Park Joowoo. After much thought, he’d ordered a bouquet with blue mini delphiniums and white gerberas in harmony.
I asked if it wouldn’t look a bit cold, but unfortunately, there were no orange flowers he liked that bloomed this season.
“So, all we have to do is give the bouquet and leave?”
“Yeah. And if his parents haven’t gotten a family photo taken, we’ll take the pic for them too.”
Checking the time, it was about when the students would be coming out with their diplomas.
Most of the people who had driven here had already headed into the auditorium, so there were hardly any folks stepping out of their cars now.
“Should we wait another 5 minutes and then get out?”
As I was trying to avoid the most crowded time, Choi Jeho pointed out the window.
“Isn’t that Jeong Seongbin?”
A boy with gray hair, dressed in a light purple school uniform, was passing by the parking lot behind the school.
Choi Jeho rolled down the window. Then he shouted at the passing person.
“Jeong Seongbin!”
“Ah, hyung! Why are you calling Seongbin hyung now!”
Lee Cheonghyeon nagged him profusely. I managed to calm the kid down and said.
“It’s okay.”
“What do you mean! Our surprise is completely ruined!”
The passerby who was called by Choi Jeho turned his head towards us.
“That’s Mr. Jeong Seongjun.”
“What?”
As soon as I finished speaking, Mr. Jeong Seongjun, wearing Jeong Seongbin’s face, waved one arm and ran towards our car.
Afraid someone might see, we first pulled Mr. Jeong Seongjun into the car as if stuffing him in. Even in the midst of it all, Mr. Jeong Seongjun greeted everyone jovially.
“Did you come to throw a surprise party for Seongbin?”
“Yes, though it was almost ruined because of Choi Jeho.”
Choi Jeho, seeing my smile, turned his head away. He should be grateful that the person passing by at this time was Mr. Jeong Seongjun.
“How did you know it was me? I made the most of my identical twin advantage today.”
“Seongbin has bleached his hair a lot, so his strands are a lot more frizzy than yours, Mr. Seongjun.”
At my words, Mr. Jeong Seongjun clapped both hands over his head with a snap.
“But Seongjun, you’re here now, does that mean for the graduation ceremony…”
Park Joowoo, in the passenger seat, turned around with a puzzled expression.
Come to think of it, Mr. Jeong Seongjun was wearing this school’s uniform. It even had his own name tag, which seemed a bit much for it to be just a surprise prop.
“I was hiding to make a grand surprise reveal to Jeong Seongbin.”
“This is your graduation ceremony too…!”
Park Joowoo was horrified. Just how much does Mr. Jeong Seongjun love… Jeong Seongbin? Is this… brotherly love?
“But back in middle school, I missed his graduation because of a contest, so I never got to pull this off. This year, the time has finally come.”
“So it was an event you waited three years for…”
The light faded from Kang Kiyeon’s eyes.
“So Mr. Seongjun went to the same school, too. If I had known earlier, I would have prepared another bouquet, I didn’t think of that.”
“I knew, but I forgot. It’s my fault.”
Kang Kiyeon said gloomily. Mr. Jeong Seongjun waved his hands, saying it wasn’t so.
“No, it’s not. All of Jeong Seongbin’s bouquets will end up at our house anyway! I’m already looking forward to the scent of nature filling the place.”
Mr. Jeong Seongjun was genuinely happy.
“Mom and Dad are going to the field to take pictures with Jeong Seongbin now! Shall we move too?”
With the help of Mr. Jeong Seongjun, who had become an excellent spy, we all piled out of the car. From a distance, we could occasionally hear voices saying, ‘Isn’t that Spark?’