<Episode 82>
It seems I underestimated how difficult it would be to move around with the Spade Joker members.
“Waaaah!”
“CEO! CEO! What brings you here?”
I had accompanied Spade Joker in previous timelines as well. But back then, my face hadn’t been widely known through broadcasts.
‘I overlooked that. Appearing on TV has its downsides in situations like this.’
“The manager is sick today, so I had no choice but to come.”
“I see. CEO, when is our kids’ next comeback?”
“Please give our kids a cute song next time! Something refreshing and cute!”
Because Clover kept talking to me nonstop, exhaustion quickly washed over me.
‘It feels like there are dozens of Kang Woojins.’
“CEO! You’re handsome!”
“CEO, please let our kids act!”
“CEO, can you give us a spoiler for the next comeback concept just for us?”
Because of this, I found myself thinking that no matter what happens, I should avoid accompanying Spade Joker in the future.
Seeing me grow more and more haggard, the Spade Joker members burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
“Your expression is funny, CEO.”
“That’s right. You look like your energy’s been completely drained right now.”
Heeseo was exactly right.
Even though I hadn’t done anything, I felt completely drained.
“You got that exactly right. Then pass a message to your fans for me. Tell them I’ve been keeping a close eye on SNS, so they don’t need to worry about the next album.”
I said it while lazily waving my hand.
“The CEO says he’s been watching Clover’s opinions on SNS carefully, so don’t worry!”
Kain relayed the message to the fans.
“Waaah!”
“Then we’ll work even harder on SNS!”
“Yes, please do.”
After replying like that, I entered the broadcasting station.
***
[LOL Even today, Jeon Ryedo came to work with the kids. The manager got sick, so he had no choice. Seems like they don’t have a backup manager. (Photo from commute.)]
↳ LOL, why does the CEO look so tired?
↳↳ He wasn’t this bad at first, but as Clover kept talking to him nonstop, he started getting exhausted really fast.
↳↳↳ LOL, the CEO must be an introvert. I thought he was an extrovert based on TV, but not at all.
↳ LOL, they probably need a road manager soon, right? They’re debuting a new girl group, so one manager isn’t enough.
↳↳ LOL, you’re late. Ramos Entertainment already posted a manager recruitment notice.
↳↳↳ I want to apply, but I can’t drive. No way they’d hire a manager who can’t drive.
[They used to take taxis before, but now the CEO accompanies them. Makes sense. Back then, they didn’t have many fans, so even taxis weren’t risky. But now their status is totally different, so someone should accompany them.]
↳ Wow, true. It was like that before.
↳ It feels like such a long time ago, even though it hasn’t been that long…
↳ He must be busy, yet he came himself. He’s keeping his word. Remember what he said on TV? He works the hardest, so he’s the CEO. This is a real man and a real boss.
↳↳ I don’t even expect my company CEO to be like that. I’d be happy if just my team leader had that mindset.
↳ Well, before nothing ever happened, but now the fandom is bigger, so who knows. Things could get out of control.
[They look close with the CEO now, don’t they? Before, they seemed uncomfortable around him, but not this time. (Photo of Spade Joker members smiling with John Raid Lombardi.)]
↳ Yeah, now it feels like they’re just with a close older brother.
↳ The CEO changed, and Spade Joker accepted that. It’s a beautiful relationship.
↳↳ Right. Even though John Raid Lombardi changed, he’s still the CEO. He could’ve just forced things, and it would’ve been fine. And Spade Joker only has 3 years left on their contract, so they could’ve just stayed distant. But neither side did that.
↳↳↳ Wow, that’s true. I hadn’t thought that far.
[LOL, why do Spade Joker feel like kids today? They’re like immature younger siblings next to a big brother LOL. Who acts like that next to their CEO?]
↳ They should go on a variety show together.
↳↳ Wow, appearing on a variety show with the CEO sounds fun.
↳↳ LOL, that’s such a good idea.
↳ They’re so cute today. Yeah, you guys brought your CEO alongㅋKEKEK
↳↳ They look like kids who got bullied at a kids café: “We brought our big brother! Everyone move!”
[I hope Spade shows up today. I’m curious what expression they’ll make if they run into the CEO.]
↳ Please let them run into each other.
↳ LOL Jeon Ryedo might not even care. You need to be on his level to get a reaction.
↳↳ LOL true. Probably nothing to him.
↳ Still, I hope the CEO scolds them a bit.
↳↳ Please. But he probably can’t say anything officially, so it’ll just pass, right? I hate it.
***
Once I entered the waiting room, I felt a bit more at ease.
‘Fans are really something else.’
“We’ll change outfits first.”
“Okay.”
The coordinator handed out the outfits.
“CEO.”
“Yes.”
“Why are we suddenly wearing such expensive clothes these days?”
Sora said while holding her outfit.
“Not everything is expensive. I just swapped one item at a time for higher-end ones. That Spade group is copying you guys, right? If you wear expensive pieces like this, they won’t be able to follow you anymore. Their CEO doesn’t spend money on stage outfits.”
“CEO, you even pay attention to things like that?”
Zen asked with wide eyes, clearly surprised.
“Of course.”
From Zen’s perspective, it seemed like something I didn’t need to worry about.
“Think about it. You made this water bottle and are selling it. Then someone copies the exact design. Are you okay with that?”
Zen shook his head.
“You’re not products like this bottle, but if I had to make an analogy, it’s similar. That answers your question, right? Now go change.”
“Yes.”
Spade Joker went in to change.
In the meantime, I checked my phone. No messages… nothing seemed to have gone wrong.
‘That’s a relief.’
I took out my tablet and started working, but sooner than expected, the members came back out dressed.
“I’ll fix the details.”
“Yes.”
The coordinator checked their outfits again.
“All done.”
She looked satisfied.
“CEO.”
Cain raised his hand high.
“Yes.”
“Can we go to the snack shop?”
“The snack shop?”
“Yes. They sell a lot of good stuff there.”
“I’ll go with you. We can’t risk anything happening if you go alone.”
“Okay.”
I put down my tablet and left the waiting room with them.
On the way to the snack shop, I spotted a male idol group standing nearby.
‘Spade.’
It was them.
‘Well, I figured we might run into them…’
“Hello, seniors.”
Spade greeted the Spade Joker members, then their gaze shifted toward me.
Their eyes wavered.
It seemed they recognized me because of the broadcast.
‘It may not have been their choice to use the name Spade, but they seem to feel guilty.’
I didn’t think it was their fault; it was their CEO’s, so I just returned the greeting lightly and tried to pass by.
“Pick what you want.”
“Yes.”
Spade Joker began choosing snacks.
“CEO, aren’t you getting anything?”
“I’m fine.”
“Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen you eat snacks.”
“I don’t really eat them.”
“Is it to maintain your physique?”
Heeseo asked curiously.
“Not really. It’s just a habit.”
“I see.”
Even while we were talking, Spade didn’t leave.
‘Why? Do they have something to say?’
While the members picked items, I crossed my arms and looked at them, signaling they could speak if they wanted.
‘They look young… maybe even younger than Spade Joker.’
And yet they debuted them with a sexy concept.
I couldn’t understand what their CEO, Joo Youngjun, was thinking.
‘Well, if he were understandable, he wouldn’t have done something like that in the first place.’
“Um… CEO!”
One of the Spade members stepped forward to speak.
The Spade Joker members stopped picking snacks.
“We’re really sorry.”
They were trembling.
“…Haa.”
The ones who should be apologizing were staying shamelessly silent, yet these kids… who were merely used, were the ones apologizing. I didn’t like that.
But Spade must have thought my sigh was directed at them, because their faces turned pale.
“Please don’t apologize. Your agency’s CEO is the one at fault. What did you do wrong? I didn’t ask my members for their opinion when naming them Spade Joker. However, this is indeed an uncomfortable relationship for both sides. So from now on, let’s just exchange greetings and pass by.”
I calmly expressed my stance. It would be uncomfortable for Spade Joker to keep running into them.
‘Is this why I ended up coming here today?’
Comments (0)