Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols Chapter 413 - Opening

Saturday, five hours before the concert was set to begin.

 

The entrance hadn’t even opened yet, and there wasn’t even a waiting line, but Baek Haewon had already arrived early.

 

‘You said the concert is in the evening. Why are you going so early?’

 

‘I have to buy merch!’

 

Baek Haewon received some completely unexpected financial backing for her mission. Her brother, Baek Haein, had sent her a whopping 50,000 won.

 

‘What’s this?’

 

‘You said you were buying merch. Buy something decent, not just those dolls.’

 

‘I pity you for not knowing the charm of plushies.’

 

Baek Haewon was not the type to turn down money. With 50,000 won from her dad, 50,000 won from Baek Haein, and transportation support from her mom, Baek Haewon emptied out her own rainy-day fund as well. With a heavy wallet and a confident heart, she stood in the MD line.

 

Soon, her bag grew heavy as well.

 

Actually, it had been heavy since the moment she left home. If the ‘Baton of the People’s Spirit’—the fans’ nickname for the lightstick—wasn’t so battery-efficient, she would have had to pack twice as many spare batteries.

 

Baek Haewon bought two T-shirts and two ball caps. As the saying goes, you can never have too many black shirts and black caps.

 

After shopping, she joined her acquaintances who were gathered at a nearby bench. Everyone there was busy inspecting the goods they had just bought for defects.

 

After a small surprise party her friends had prepared to celebrate her freedom from the CSAT, they naturally started talking about Spark.

 

“Did you see Hwayakgo-nim’s lightstick? It’s insanely eye-catching.”

 

“The lightstick’s one thing, but that username alone is intense…”

 

(TL note: Hwayakgo means gunpowder storage.)

 

“Well, most Sparkler nicknames are like that.”

 

“Did you guys see this year’s Season’s Greetings?”

 

“Is there anyone here who hasn’t seen it?”

 

They took proof shots with banners, exchanged stickers and snacks, and even analyzed Sparkler fashion styles by bias. Before they knew it, the sun had started to set.

 

“It’s so funny how all Jeho fans come wearing something #FF6600.”

 

“Are you mocking the Orange Squad right now?”

 

“I heard Cheonghyeon’s father was spotted in the parking lot.”

 

“Hah… He’s probably still in the car.”

 

“Do you think Seongjun will come?”

 

“The probability of meeting Jeong Seongjun in person is lower than winning a slot at a Spark fansign.”

 

“Everyone, shall we head to the entry line now?”

 

Time flew as they chatted. After their tickets were checked, Baek Haewon and her friends scattered to their respective sections inside the venue.

 

Baek Haewon’s ticketing had been a success: a center seat in the first row of the first floor. Her finger joints were clearly in peak condition.

 

As she made her way to her seat, Baek Haewon discovered an A4-sized orange box placed on every chair. It was a a return gift.

 

Baek Haewon hurried to her spot.

 

Welcome, Sparkler!

 

Before even taking off her coat, Baek Haewon opened the box. It was packed with a bundle of baked sweets, a slogan banner, a mini concert poster, a photocard set, and a small fan.

 

There was also a small, straight luminous stick. Following the instructions that said batteries were included, she flipped the switch, and a bright red light attacked her eyes. Red lights began flickering here and there throughout the hall.

 

≫ Iwol did it again

 

Baek Haewon posted a photo of the blood-red luminous stick and then turned the light off. She proceeded to read the rest of the instruction sheet.

 

Spark has prepared this! User manual for the Emergency Stick for a safe concert experience.

1. The Emergency Stick contains batteries. Please check if the light works by turning on the switch before the concert starts. Sticks that do not light up can be exchanged at the ‘Emergency Stick Exchange Center’ on the 1st floor. (For those in wheelchair accessible seating, please ask the waiting staff nearby for assistance at your seat.)
2. In case of an emergency, please turn on your Emergency Stick.

.

.

.

 

Even though the risk of accidents was low since it was a seated show, Spark was meticulous. It was exactly like the time they gave out maps to the nearest police stations as gift wrapping.

 

Frankly, Baek Haewon had never once worried about the agency’s wallet. Fans weren’t clueless to how much a company made profits; they suspected it, but they tolerated it because they loved the idols.

 

But right now, her only thought was that she wanted Spark to make even more money.

 

I love the gifts! My pride as a Sparkler is through the roof! I’m so happy for your warm consideration! But please, stop spending your own money!

 

While Baek Haewon was tearfully packing her entry kit, the owner of the seat next to her arrived. A calm all-black outfit and a lightstick decorated with a giant black ribbon. It was a fan of Kim Iwol.

 

The Kim Iwol fan opened her bag. A white, round camera body was visible.

 

‘It’s a homma.’

 

Haewon immediately checked the location of the security guards. The homma was a pro. After a brief rustling sound, the zipper went up, and the bag was closed discreetly.

 

But homma or not, Baek Haewon had work to do before the concert started. She had to upload as many reviews as possible before the crowd grew and the data signal cut out.

 

If you asked what there was to review before the concert even started…

 

≫ If I had known you’d give us fans, I wouldn’t have brought my portable fan

But wow, how did they know it’d be hot in the venue in the middle of winter and prepare this?? This is the kind of insight you usually only see at veteran senior concerts.

≫ Why do these idols always feel the need to feed us no matter what. What should I do with them

≫ The message on the photocard is so touching

 

…It was stuff like that. Baek Haewon seriously contemplated whether she should start a Sparkler VLOG channel.

 

While reading through the mentions of the gift boxes, a new post appeared on Jjaye’s account. It was a proof shot of Kim Iwol’s photocard placed in a black ribbon toploader…

 

‘Wait a second.’

 

The homma sitting right next to her put a toploader back into her bag. Baek Haewon saw it clearly. The giant black ribbon toploader!

 

‘It’s Jjaye-nim!’

 

Since the place was packed only with Sparklers, it wasn’t an impossible coincidence, but it was still shocking.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

Jjaye spoke to Baek Haewon.

 

“Where is the switch for this?”

 

Jjaye was holding the Emergency Stick. She must have seen Baek Haewon’s flickering red light show earlier. Hiding her flustered state, Baek Haewon used maximum politeness to show her where the switch was.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Jjaye expressed her gratitude.

 

No, I’m the one who’s thankful. If it weren’t for you, Jjaye-nim, I would have lived my whole life without seeing Kim Iwol in a high-definition sky-blue… If security comes, I’ll sacrifice myself to cover for you…

 

Baek Haewon made a silent vow, sobbing inwardly. She thought the seated arrangement would be relaxing, but she had a feeling this was going to be a dynamic viewing experience.

 

At that moment.

 

The lights in the ceiling began to go out one by one.

 

It was time for the concert to begin.

 

* * *

 

The concert title that had been displayed on the large electronic screens flanking the stage disappeared. In its place, a VCR began to play. It showed a familiar UA meeting room and the members.

 

[Right before the concert starts, we need to give a signal that something is about to begin. How do you all want to style the opening?]

 

Jeong Seongbin asked while making eye contact with each member.

 

[First of all… all the lights should go out.]

 

At Choi Jeho’s words, the last remaining main light shut off. Small cheers broke out here and there.

 

[It would be nice to hear the sound of instruments or sessions being tuned…]

 

As soon as Park Joowoo finished speaking, the sound of an electric guitar echoed from the dark stage. The thumping bass felt like it had moved right into Baek Haewon’s heartbeat.

 

[Let’s put up a timer too! It adds suspense!]

 

On the giant center screen, the timer Lee Cheonghyeon requested appeared. The milliseconds ticked down rapidly.

 

[What about turning on a bright light right where we first appear?]

 

A bright blue light poured onto the center of the stage. Even though she was in the floor seats and sitting down, Baek Haewon knew instinctively. That spot—it was a lift.

 

[I want to see all the lightsticks turned on, too.]

 

Just as Kim Iwol said, orange lights began turning on across all the lightsticks one by one. Fans screamed and waved ther sticks in the air.

 

[As for me…’]

 

Jeong Seongbin clasped his hands together.

 

[I want to perform ‘Flowering’ as the first song.]

 

All the lights on the screens went out. The sound of a heavy iron gate opening echoed through the hall. At the sound of footsteps walking through the darkness, fans raised their lightsticks above their heads.

 

Call for me

Until my heart bursts!

 

With a newly arranged intro, the lift rose from the floor and the members burst out. Confetti exploded from the very first song.

 

There are times when

A single dream feels vivid

 

The owner of the intro, Kim Iwol, appeared. His voice, both soft and powerful, was exactly the same as when Baek Haewon first heard him sing.

 

The power that makes my heart race

In the darkness of a long night

Keeping me from sleep

 

When Choi Jeho stood at the center of the stage, you understood what kind of group Spark was.

 

That no one could ever be like them—Baek Haewon, and all Sparklers, realized it anew every single day through him.

 

Adding a spark

To the fuel of my wishes

A single signal flare

Sent into the night sky

 

Kang Kiyeon shone brightest when he was under the spotlight. No matter what dance he performed or what expression he made, there was a light in his eyes. That glow held far too much to be dismissed as mere passion.

 

You know that we

Were born like a miracle

 

Every single line Kim Iwol sang had a magnetic pull…

 

Even in the darkness

The candle burns

Shining and lighting the way

 

…and Lee Cheonghyeon took the baton, adding to the song’s perfection.

 

Succeeding perfectly no matter what part he was given or where he was placed.

 

There was no better way to describe Lee Cheonghyeon.

 

Sound the alarm

Let the cheers explode

 

Just listening to Jeong Seongbin’s voice made your heart swell. Even when many people listened to his ballads, Baek Haewon always thought that Spark’s songs suited him best. Because there was an inherent sense of exhilaration in his tone.

 

Until the world heats up

And becomes burning hot

 

Spark used to say that there was nothing but music in Park Joowoo’s life. It was because when he sang, it felt like he became one with the song itself.

 

Listening to Park Joowoo live made her feel as if all traces of other people had vanished, leaving only that voice and her alone in the world.

 

A clear goal

Becomes the engine

 

Kicking off from the ground

To cut through the night

Where the Milky Way flows

 

The screens were filled with small stars. A purple Milky Way shimmered beyond the starlight.

 

Look here, I’ll show you

A magic that happens only once

 

Pierce through the sky

Without anyone knowing

Scatter like fireworks and shout

 

Lee Cheonghyeon shouted, gripping the microphone. As if drawn by a call, Choi Jeno returned to stand at the center.

 

My name!

 

Columns of fire shot up along the lines of the stage. The heat hit Baek Haewon.

 

But it had no effect on her, who had already been burning hot for a long time.

 

The sound of fireworks exploding was layered over the music.

 

Sound the alarm

Let the cheers explode

 

Until the heart boils over

And overflows

 

Breathless to the point of exhaustion, dripping with sweat, yet smiling happily.

 

The Spark that Baek Haewon had first fallen for was right there before her eyes.