Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols - Chapter 86



Only Noblemtl

| Episode 86. Introducing the (non)excellent family of the month

Choi Je-ho nervously shoved a bundle of papers, about two or three pages long, into my chest.

The title was written in large letters on the paper.

[Spark Jakon (Episode 21) Plan – Childhood Flashback]

As I turned the page, I saw what looked like an outline.

1. Reproducing the clothes worn in elementary and middle school to match the album concept and Children’s Day

2. Children’s Day Memories with Family Episode (Host: Seongbin)

.

.

.

As soon as I saw it, I had only one thought.

‘You have every right to be angry.’

The only thing I asked for was to not talk about my family, and now you’re blatantly ignoring that. It’s strange that I’m not angry.

I also find this material uncomfortable. As for my Children’s Day memories, the only ones I have are of running away to the playground near my house to avoid my family members who weren’t going to work on the holiday.

I swallowed a sigh and answered Choi Je-ho, who was turning on the twin flames.

“I didn’t make it.”

“Then it must be a company.”

Then Choi Je-ho walked straight towards the practice room door.

Since it was obvious to anyone that he was angry, I quickly stopped Choi Je-ho.

“Where are you going?”

“office.”

“What are you doing in the office? Are you going to argue with me?”

“That’s what it’s like. Why?”

Choi Je-ho’s expression was extremely fierce. His eyes were rolling around, and he really looked like he was going to go and cause trouble.

I understand your feelings. It would be upsetting, especially if it was a family issue.

I tried my best to not panic and tried to dissuade the guy.

“First, cool your head and go.”

I managed to turn it around with great difficulty so that he wouldn’t feel bad.

However, Choi Je-ho stormed out of the practice room without answering.

‘I’m screwed. Nothing good will come of it if I continue like this.’

Organizational life is truly full of contradictions.

In a society where there are unfortunate incidents where people don’t listen when you speak politely, and where people express their emotions when something important goes wrong, people might ask if the company is a playground.

In a place like that, even if Choi Je-ho had expressed how shocked and indignant he was, he would have only been told not to get emotional.

He was even once the subject of a video titled ‘The popular male idol who uses his members as emotional trash cans’.

I ran after the guy, just to stop him from jumping into the fire pit just once for saying one wrong word.

‘Are you that blunt at work too?’

When I had only been working at Hanpyeong Industries for a few months, my older sister asked me this question.

‘I’m trying not to seem anti-social. Why?’

‘You’re a guy who cares about sociality too… … .’

‘If it doesn’t get cut, there’s nothing I can do.’

The trials and errors I experienced in my first social life were varied. Thanks to this, I had to hone my skills to adapt to conversations like a chameleon.

That wasn’t all. For office workers, the listening posture was also important.

These are the kinds of concerns that HR managers typically hear from employees at companies.

‘Sir, I really want to quit. What should I do?’

‘Sir, how do I apply for a transfer to a different department at our company?’

‘Is our team really not going to have any additional personnel this time? Please tell me no… … . Just kill me… … .’

These types of concerns require listening.

This means that it is important to hear what made this person want to quit and why this person wants to move to a different department.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry and be silent about the last question.

But right now, I don’t know what attitude Choi Je-ho should take.

I know in my head that I have to side with him. Family means a lot to most people.

I know that, but… … .

‘I really don’t like it when people pretend to empathize when they can’t.’

I could completely sympathize with the complaints about Hanpyeong Industries’ malicious actions. Everyone was saying that they were having a really hard time, as if they were a vending machine spitting out money.

On the other hand, things were a little different now. In my heart, I thought that Choi Je-ho had a right to be angry, but in my head, I kept thinking, ‘But it’s work,’ and tried to apply the brakes.

If things continued like this, it was obvious that he would go and talk to Choi Je-ho and only pretend to listen.

X-Fuck, but I can’t make sociopathic statements like this isn’t even a problem compared to my sister risking her life to be an idol.

My mind was full of complicated things as I ran after Choi Je-ho.

And the chase ended with me grabbing Choi Je-ho’s elbow before he could climb all the way up the stairs to the third floor where his office was.

“hey.”

When I called, Choi Je-ho looked at me nervously.

I looked up at Choi Je-ho, who was standing awkwardly on the steps, and spoke while still holding his arm.

“I’m sorry for stopping you without permission. But before you go to the office, could you talk to me just once?”

“You didn’t give me the item. Then why am I talking to you?”

“If I had checked in the middle, I might have been able to filter it out. In that sense, it’s my responsibility as well.”

This is true. I felt my mistake the whole time I was running up the stairs.

Choi Je-ho laughed as if he found my sincerity insignificant.

“Why are you doing that?”

Choi Je-ho said with a sneer.

“Do you think I’m a bit of an empty-headed person? Hey, I know how to find a reason to get angry.”

“… … .”

“Coming up with ideas, coming up with album concepts, writing articles, and recording album sales trends… … Is that really your job in the first place? Why are you trying to cover up other people’s mistakes when you’re not satisfied with doing all that yourself?”

“Yeah.”

Because that was a given at Hanpyeong Industries.

At Hanpyeong Industry, I did that because I received a salary, but here… … .

“Even though I am lacking, the company gave me a chance. I am trying to do more.”

“… … .”

“… … I’m sorry if it seemed like I was bragging.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

Choi Je-ho ruffled my hair.

“Oh, I don’t know. Anyway, this just won’t go away.”

“You’re not afraid. You just debuted. Aren’t you afraid of the company?”

“I believe that if something goes wrong, the person who did something wrong should take responsibility for it. And what did I do wrong?”

There was nothing wrong with it. As you said, it was the company’s fault.

still…….

No, it’s okay.

What’s the point of picking a fight when what this guy says isn’t wrong?

My original goal was to calm Choi Je-ho down a little. As long as I achieved that goal, it didn’t matter what Choi Je-ho said.

Choi Je-ho and I sat side by side on the emergency exit stairs. An awkward silence filled the space.

“Aren’t you going to ask why there was such a fuss?”

And Choi Je-ho did not give in to this quiet atmosphere. Yes, your personality is the best.

Feeling a bit awkward, I scratched my face and answered.

“It’s because there’s something you don’t want to tell others. Why are you asking me that again?”

“Then why did you follow me?”

“I’m afraid that you might say something strange or something like that because you’re so angry right now that you can’t say what you want to say.”

“what?”

Choi Je-ho frowned and asked.

This little bastard, he has wrinkles between his eyebrows, so no matter how hard you tell him not to frown, he won’t listen no matter what.

I said something to clear my throat, got up from my seat, checked the emergency exit for any signs of human presence, and sat down on the stairs again.

“How do you think you would have acted if you had just gone to the office?”

“uh?”

“If you had continued like that, how do you think you would have acted towards the company staff?”

Choi Je-ho paused at my words.

It’s obvious even without looking. A thousand different things would have come out.

“Most people judge attitude more than content. Even if you’re saying the right thing, if they think your behavior is rude, they’ll get defensive first.”

“… … .”

Then Choi Je-ho rested his chin on his hand without saying a word.

Even if it feels like you’re being nagged, bear with it. If you just get through it now, you’ll have less to complain about while you’re still active.

I quietly watched Choi Je-ho, who was deep in thought, and wondered how I could make this rascal behave a little better.

‘Will my mind cool down if I take responsibility?’

This guy wasn’t the type to feel burdened by anything.

So I said it with an all or nothing mentality.

“Go and say it as best you can. Say something like, ‘Even Lee Wol said that topic was burdensome, so if you leave this out, the two of us will really work hard on the other parts!’”

“What are you talking about?”

“What are you talking about? I don’t like talking about family either, you know.”

Choi Je-ho looked at me with a bewildered expression.

“Why? Do I look like someone who grew up in such a wealthy family?”

I asked as if I was joking. Then Choi Je-ho answered.

“No, that’s not it.”

This new X… … .

“I thought you knew how to do things you didn’t like if you were told to do them.”

“I guess I should. But I really have nothing to say about my family, so I’ll have to squeeze it out if I have to.”

But even so, wouldn’t it be inappropriate to convey information to fans like, ‘My mom and dad gave me the opportunity to learn that it’s okay to eat ramen that’s 7 months past its expiration date?’

“So, cool your head a bit and then go talk to me. If you go and cause trouble and come back with a scolding, I’ll have to go to the bathroom right away.”

“Hey, sir.”

Choi Je-ho stood up again, nervously ruffling his hair. However, unlike a moment ago, his venom was clearly gone.

As I was sending Choi Je-ho off and going down to the practice room, Choi Je-ho called me.

“hey.”

“why?”

When I looked back, Choi Je-ho was looking down at me from a few steps above.

Choi Je-ho stood with his arm on the handrail and asked.

“… … If it’s awkward, can you tell me without mentioning yourself?”

At that moment, I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

How can someone be this naive? He’s actually twenty-one years old.

I looked up at Choi Je-ho, who seemed to have ‘I’m trying to care’ written on his forehead, and answered.

“I don’t care, so do whatever you want.”

* * *

The family history issue has since been amicably resolved.

I didn’t ask Choi Je-ho in detail about how it ended, but seeing the guy come back calmly, it was easy to guess that the adults at UA had responded maturely.

Thanks to this, the atmosphere in the accommodation was extremely peaceful.

Lee Cheong-hyun, who recently went on a spring outing with all the members, even hummed while working on a song. It was such a strange behavior that it made you wonder if the melody wouldn’t mix.

The song that was completed like that was very exciting and good.

A refreshing image that goes well with the season transitioning from spring to summer, and a sense of coolness that continues once again.

Everything was just as I wanted it to be, except for one thing.

“Cheong-hyeon-ah.”

“why?”

“Why is this sound so high… … ?”