<Episode 75>
Kim Jawook had heard that the Spade Joker members were doing a live broadcast, so just in case, he was monitoring it in real time on his phone.
[For dinner today, we had duck stew. Lately, the CEO told our manager hyung to make sure we build up our stamina, so thanks to that, we’ve been eating all kinds of nourishing food.]
Since nothing problematic had been said, he simply left the light on while taking care of his backlog of housework.
“It kind of feels like a radio.”
As he picked up the fully folded laundry, Leeloo’s voice came through.
[We filmed a commercial today.]
Kim Jawook froze mid-motion as he was about to stand up. In that position, he turned his head and stared at his phone.
[Ah….]
The Spade Joker members stiffened as if they were playing freeze tag.
Kim Jawook was so busy thinking about how to handle this situation that he didn’t even notice the cold sweat running down his back.
‘They haven’t mentioned which brand it is yet, so it shouldn’t be a big problem. More importantly, I need to contact the CEO.’
For some reason, he felt like he shouldn’t turn off the live, so he quickly opened his laptop and entered the broadcast.
While the livestream continued playing, he called the CEO.
Beep.
The ringing tone somehow made him even more anxious.
[Hello.]
“Sir, I’m sorry for calling so late. The thing is…”
[I’ve already checked.]
CEO John Raid Lombardi spoke in an extremely calm voice.
That made Kim Jawook flustered.
“Is it okay?”
[This is nothing. People have already figured out that Spade Joker are the models anyway, and the kids didn’t mention the brand. There’s no confidentiality clause either. So tell them not to get intimidated for no reason and just focus on the live.]
“Yes, understood.”
As soon as he hung up, Kim Jawook left a message in the group chat with the Spade Joker members.
[They said it’s fine since you didn’t mention the brand, so no need to worry. But let’s be careful during lives from now on.]
Then he looked back at the live.
Kain glanced at the phone.
[I just got a message from our manager hyung, and he says there’s no problem, so don’t worry.]
The members visibly relaxed.
‘In that short time, I went through every possible scenario.’
Feeling relieved, he picked up the laundry again.
He placed the towels in the washroom and put the clothes into the wardrobe, then returned to sit in front of the laptop.
‘They won’t make another slip-up now, right?’
However, the live went in a different direction than he had hoped.
[You’re asking about our future plans? For now, during our break, the CEO said he’d send us on a trip.]
Just as he finally relaxed and was about to listen comfortably, another statement that shouldn’t have come out slipped out again.
[The U.S.? I’d like to go. Actually, I got an offer… Ah. Right.]
They weren’t usually like this, so why were they making two slip-ups today…!
He truly couldn’t understand it.
Kim Jawook pressed his forehead.
Letting out a small sigh, he reached for his phone.
[They’ve already said it, so just leave it. It’s not a big mistake anyway. Days like this happen. They’re probably more startled themselves after saying it.]
Before he could even contact him, a message from the CEO arrived.
Kim Jawook’s eyes widened.
“The CEO is really thorough with monitoring Spade Joker even while busy.”
Just as the CEO said, the Spade Joker members were covering their mouths with their hands, looking devastated.
He sent another message.
[The CEO says it’s fine, but I think it’d be better not to keep the live going too long today. How about wrapping it up after a bit?]
Not knowing what other trouble they might cause, Kim Jawook ended the live broadcast.
***
“Good morning.”
When I arrive at the office, the staffs are watching Spade Joker’s live from last night.
“Sir, is this really okay?”
“Well, what’s done is done. I contacted the brand last night, and they said it’s fine since people had already figured it out anyway.”
As soon as I saw the live, I felt it would be impolite to call so late, so I sent a message apologizing.
Fortunately, the brand accepted it as a minor happening.
I had worried they might demand a penalty fee or cancel the model contract, but thankfully the worst-case scenario has been avoided.
However, PD Yoo’s proposal is still weighing on my mind.
If things go wrong, it could look to the fans as if the agency failed to secure a major performance or special event in the U.S., when in reality it’s just us declining PD Yoo’s variety show proposal.
‘If it comes to it, I’ll just take the blame once.’
That’s the only option.
“As for the U.S. issue… we’ll deal with it later. I already told them to stop by before their schedule.”
“Are they getting scolded?”
“Not exactly. More like a reminder.”
I could have addressed it right after the live ended, but they might not have gotten proper sleep, so I left it until morning and contacted Kim Jawook.
I told him to bring Spade Joker in before their schedule.
“Alright, everyone, get back to work.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, I enter the CEO’s office.
Han Suseok, who arrived earlier, hands me coffee along with a neatly organized list of today’s tasks and the week’s schedule.
“Oh, thanks.”
As I skim through the documents, it gets noisy outside.
It seems Spade Joker has arrived.
Knock knock.
“Sir, we’re here.”
Cain’s voice sounds very subdued.
‘I’m not trying to scold them.’
“Come in.”
The Spade Joker members enter the office, watching my reactions carefully.
“You’re here?”
“Yes.”
They look like students dragged into the staff room after doing something wrong.
“I thought about just calling or messaging, but I figured you might misunderstand, so I called you in. I’m not here to scold you.”
They keep their mouths shut and glance at me.
“You did make a mistake, but it was something the company could cover. Of course, it’d be better if it didn’t happen again.”
I try to speak as gently as possible, but it doesn’t seem to have much effect.
“The reason the company exists is to cover for you when you make mistakes. So don’t take it too hard. The brand said it’s fine, and as for the U.S. topic, just act like nothing happened.”
“We’re sorry.”
Cain speaks in a barely audible voice.
“Yeah. Saying sorry once like that is enough. Got it? If you go meet fans today looking this down, I’m going to get hated by your fans again. I don’t like being hated either, you know?”
I say it jokingly on purpose.
The mood eases just a little, but not as much as I hoped.
“If you keep acting like this, I’ll ban live broadcasts.”
“No!”
Leejoo shouts in surprise.
“I–I mean, the fans really like lives, so we want to keep doing them.”
“Exactly. So straighten your shoulders. Seeing you like this reminds me of your old selves, and it makes me uncomfortable.”
The Spade Joker members force smiles. That only makes things more awkward.
“Guys.”
“Yes.”
“If you’re this soft-hearted, how are you going to keep promoting? You saw the company atmosphere on your way in, right? It’s like this because it’s not a big deal. If it were, we’d have been working all night and have dark circles down to here by now.”
I point to my chin.
“Everyone makes mistakes. And in the end, it didn’t cause a big problem.”
Spade Joker tends to be mentally fragile, so they need reassurance like this. They’re thoughtful and sensitive, the type to dig themselves into an endless hole if left alone.
“So just do well on today’s schedule, and if you have time, go live again and upload some photos. Got it?”
“Yes.”
They answer, but it’s hard to tell if they truly understand. Still, I decide to trust that Kim Jawook will take care of them.
“Alright. You must be busy, so go ahead with your schedule.”
“Goodbye.”
The Spade Joker members leave, but Kim Jawook stays behind.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Sir, I’m sorry. I feel like I failed to properly manage the kids.”
Kim Jawook bows as he apologizes.
“How can anyone manage their live broadcasts down to every detail? That apology isn’t necessary, so just make sure it doesn’t affect their performance.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Go on now. I need to get back to work.”
“Understood.”
Kim Jawook gives a final greeting and leaves the office.
Bzzz.
At the vibration, I reflexively check my phone.
[Would it be possible for us to meet and talk?]
A message has finally arrived from A-Pen.
That alone is a positive sign.
[Sounds good. I know a quiet place where we can talk, so let’s meet there.]
After sending the reply, the corner of my lips lifts.
‘Right. After hearing a proposal that’s practically like a lifeline from the sky, there’s no way they wouldn’t reach out.’
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