Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols-Chapter 323: Promotion Starts (2)

As if to make Won Chaehee’s deep worries meaningless, a familiar group name came from the lips of Assistant Manager Yeo as they went out for lunch together.
“I listened to Spark’s radio show yesterday, you know?”
“Pardon?”
“I turned on the radio on my way home from work, and they came on. I sometimes listen to the radio show that Polo hosts.”
Assistant Manager Yeo said she was happy to hear a familiar name while she was driving.
“I heard they have a new song out, right? I heard it, too.”
“What did you think? Did you like it?”
“Two songs were released, and I liked the one with the shorter title more than the one with the long title. They were all good singers.”
It seemed she had heard Spark’s 『End』 live performance. That’s Spark for you, Chaehee thought. If someone as kind as Assistant Manager Yeo had said something like, ‘Hmm, I guess they weren’t feeling their best yesterday, huh?’, Won Chaehee would have wanted to quit the fandom immediately.
“They said a song I like is also on this album. Have you heard it, Ms. Chaehee? I heard it’s not released on music streaming sites.”
“Yes, I listened to it yesterday.”
“Should I buy one, too? Are idol albums expensive?”
Seeing her set down her chopsticks as if she might look it up, Won Chaehee hurriedly cut in.
“Would you like me to give you one? I have a new, unopened one.”
“Huh?”
Assistant Manager Yeo’s eyes widened.
A mistake. She had momentarily forgotten that ordinary people didn’t buy two copies of the same album.
However, her senior truly was a person without prejudice.
“Then lunch is on me today!”
…judging by her reaction.
The next day, Won Chaehee gifted the new album to Assistant Manager Yeo. That evening, she received several private messages.
(Fitting) Assistant Manager Yeo Hana
[Chaehee!]
[Thanks so much for the album~ I’ll enjoy listening to the songs!]
[And I got a picture of the most handsome member]
[(Photo)]
[If it’s one you don’t have, should I bring it for you tomorrow?]
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d spoken to someone who called a ‘photocard’ a ‘picture’. Won Chaehee chose her words very carefully. Her seasoned working-adult persona kicked in.
Me
[It’s alright hehe. Do you like the picture?]
A reply came back shortly after.
(Fitting) Assistant Manager Yeo Hana
[Yes, the boys are so cute]
[This is the first time I’ve ever had an idol album]
Me
[I’m honored hehe]
Assistant Manager Yeo said she would treasure the picture and even sent a proof shot of the photocard tucked neatly back into the album. Storing it like that would leave an imprint from the photocard on the paper, but seeing her cherish such a small gift made Won Chaehee happy.
* * *
The ones who suffered the most, thanks to the title tracks having polar opposite concepts, were the stylists.
From the sheer volume of clothes and props lined up for just six people, you could feel their conviction that ‘our boys must look their absolute best.’ I could only feel grateful.
As he fastened the buckle on the suspenders crossing his chest, Choi Jeho asked.
“Did you bring that coloring book thing again today?”
“The coloring book? I finished that ages ago.”
Photographer Kim had no time for coloring. To take 300 pictures each of them in baseball uniforms, relaxing in the waiting room, and in mechanic outfits, he’d even be willing to snap the colored pencils he already owned.
All the members’ complexions were glowing. The intensified skincare routine from shooting a cosmetics ad had really paid off. It was to the point where I wondered if it was possible for human pores to be this invisible.
And this time, in particular, there was one more element that the fans would love.
“Taking a mirror selfie? Let’s get one with Cheonghyeon, too!”
“Just one?”
“Correction. 131.”
After enduring both physical and mental growing pains, Lee Cheonghyeon had finally crossed over into the ‘tall line-up’. He’d grown enough to be eye level with me.
“Hmph, maybe I should have just agreed to be friends on our first anniversary.”
Lee Cheonghyeon muttered, loud enough for me to hear, as he fixed his bangs.
“I told you to do whatever you wanted. You’re the one who refused.”
“Back then, I didn’t know I’d grow this much!”
Looking in the mirror, Lee Cheonghyeon flashed his ultimate idol smile and said.
“I’m going to keep growing like this and become friends with Jeho hyung, too. What do you think?”
“You want to be friends with Choi Jeho?”
“Wouldn’t he be a great friend to have? Feels like he could protect me no matter what happens. So dependable.”
“Is that a friend? That’s a bodyguard.”
“A true friend is someone who can do anything for the other person.”
“If that’s what a friend is, then I don’t have any friends.”
“You never had friends to begin with, hyung. You already announced it publicly on the radio, what’s with the sudden realization?”
Lee Cheonghyeon truly didn’t lose a single word of the argument. No. This was beyond not losing; it was a landslide victory.
“Cheonghyeon’s really growing up well. I’m jealous.”
Jeong Seongbin said with a bitter expression. Coming from someone who had already hit 180 cm, that was rich. Beside him, Park Joowoo earnestly comforted his friend.
“Hyung.”
I had taken my fill of pictures and was about to check them when Kang Kiyeon called out to me.
“Yeah. What’s up?”
“By any chance, do you know of a technique to… replace your knees?”
Despite the nonsense he was spouting, Kang Kiyeon’s expression was dead serious.
“You know everything, hyung. I’m sure there’s some kind of not-yet-well-known growth plate replacement surgery or something…”
“Kiyeon, calm down.”
“How can I calm down? I’m the only one who hasn’t passed 180 cm!”
“Kiyeon, it’s your turn for a makeup touch-up!”
His lament was short-lived; at the sound of the staff member’s voice calling for him, Kang Kiyeon had to sit meekly in the chair.
Even as the purple clips were being pinned to his bangs, Kang Kiyeon didn’t stop talking.
“My growth spurt is going to end soon, what do I do? Should I start jump-roping every day? Can’t you give me permission to go out at night?”
I kept my mouth shut. And instead of trying to console the kid, I just patted Kang Kiyeon on the shoulder.
Your height has already shown miraculous growth. You’ve already triumphed over your past self. Give some praise to those knees of yours for doing their best.
* * *
For as long as Pyeong Daeyeon had known them, Spark was always in high spirits. They were physically fit, but they also had a habit of rallying one another, boosting each other’s spirits. It was a refreshing experience to see a team or organization function so well.
Many factors likely contributed to the team’s good atmosphere. Everyone was diligent in their work and never shirked their responsibilities.
Their mindset was positive, too. In his time as their manager, Pyeong Daeyeon had never heard them say things like, ‘We’re never going to make it.’
And, this was a rather unfortunate part…
…They never showed that they were struggling.
The member who came for painkillers, Kim Iwol, was a prime example. This was already the second time today that he had asked for headache medicine. It was due to his chronic migraines.
Since the start of their full-fledged comeback prep, Kim Iwol hadn’t gone a single day without taking headache medicine. The company and hospital had tried hard to stop him, worried about liver damage from long-term use, and eventually they reached a kind of agreement: he would take a maximum of three pills a day, and only when received from his manager.
Worried that Kim Iwol might take expired medicine if he bought them in bulk, Pyeong Daeyeon made sure to always buy individually packaged pills.
Once he realized Kim Iwol’s medication period was getting longer, he even took him to the hospital to get a proper diagnosis and switch to a medication that was less taxing on his body.
Nevertheless, it didn’t ease his worries. From what Pyeong Daeyeon had seen, Kim Iwol had a high threshold for pain. If someone like that needed to rely on pills, how bad must it be?
It was clear he wasn’t addicted—he held out until he couldn’t keep his expression under control anymore. If the other members were professionals in front of the camera, Kim Iwol was a professional even in front of the company staff. Once his eyebrows gave that tiny twitch a couple of times, without fail, he would come over and ask for headache medicine.
“Should I book a hospital appointment for you during a break between recordings?”
Pyeong Daeyeon asked in a low voice. Kim Iwol shook his head.
“I think I’ll be fine for the rest of the day if I take one now. Thank you for your concern.”
Kim Iwol politely held out both his hands. Despite being much taller than Pyeong Daeyeon, Kim Iwol always used both hands when receiving something from him. It felt unsettling to place the painkillers onto his pale hand.
“I’ll get you some water. You should lie down.”
“It’s okay. I still have some water left from earlier!”
Kim Iwol smiled and shook his tumbler. The other members, seeing Pyeong Daeyeon and Kim Iwol in the corner, started to gather around them one by one. Lee Cheonghyeon spoke with a worried expression.
“You’re taking another one? You already had one this morning.”
“This will be the last one for today.”
Kim Iwol unwrapped the pill and took it. The wrapper was about to go into his pants pocket, but ultimately ended up in Kang Kiyeon’s hand, which was held out in front of him.
“Get some sleep after the pre-recording. I’ll clear the sofa for you.”
“I can’t. My voice will get raspy.”
“Two stages in one day is rough.”
The members gathered in a circle, putting their heads together. Perhaps uncomfortable with the atmosphere, Kim Iwol waved his hands, shooing them away.
“Go do your own thing. Don’t worry about others.”
“This hyung is at it again.”
Lee Cheonghyeon chided. Kim Iwol awkwardly avoided his gaze.
The biggest reason Spark looked so close-knit was probably because of how thoroughly they took care of one another.
Pyeong Daeyeon found that very admirable. But on the other hand, it also meant they had so much to deal with that they had to take care of each other this way, which always left a bitter aftertaste.
Kim Iwol’s eyes, which had been blinking slowly, turned towards Pyeong Daeyeon.
Had he stared too long? Feeling self-conscious, Pyeong Daeyeon straightened when Kim Iwol approached.
“Manager.”
“Yes?”
Kim Iwol smiled gently. It was a smile that eased people’s hearts.
“Thank you, always.”
“…”
He could feel the sincerity in those eyes, which were deeper than his dark-dyed black hair.
“It must be a hassle, but you always take such good care of me.”
Kim Iwol was a kind person. Even now, he was deliberately adding more words so that Pyeong Daeyeon, who was struggling to find a reply, wouldn’t feel awkward.
“It’s my job.”
“Still.”
Pyeong Daeyeon had lived his life believing that one should work hard at their given tasks. That it was the proper thing to do as a healthy member of society.
But when Kim Iwol, who was so much younger than him, told him that his efforts were not something to be taken for granted; when he always told him thank you, how could he possibly not be affected?
“No, thank
you
, Mr. Iwol.”
At Pyeong Daeyeon’s words, Kim Iwol’s eyes widened. It was the clueless expression that fans often compared to ‘ㅇxㅇ’.
“Thanks to you, I gain a lot of strength while I work.”
Pyeong Daeyeon said. Kim Iwol seemed a little flustered, but he didn’t look upset.