Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols Chapter 459 - Group Trip (1)

“Ah, I was thinking of sending some BubblePops!”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Upon hearing his answer, Kim Iwol quickly stepped away. It was a long-standing habit of his to give space to anyone using their phone for personal matters, like sending messages.

 

Besides this, Kim Iwol had several other habits. Most of them were deeply related to his self-management.

 

For instance, unless a situation was truly critical, Kim Iwol often pretended to be okay so that others wouldn’t worry about him. This act was so natural that if they hadn’t lived together for a long time, even Jeong Seongbin might not have noticed.

 

Because the members were deeply affectionate, they ironically didn’t fully believe everything Kim Iwol said. They always harbored a sliver of suspicion regarding his ‘I’m fine’ and were constantly vigilant.

 

His condition had improved a lot, but it wasn’t perfect. Everyone agreed he needed a long break, but they also searched for other ways to help.

 

‘Let’s just leave Korea for a while.’

 

Among them, Lee Cheonghyeon’s suggestion was the most radical. His reasoning was that Kim Iwol had become noticeably more stable after returning from Gapyeong. The idea that going somewhere unfamiliar could refresh him made sense.

 

‘If we go abroad, the SNS recommendation algorithms will change completely. Even trending content changes in real time. Just being less exposed to related articles will make him much more comfortable, don’t you think?’

 

‘I suppose….’

 

‘It would be even better if it’s a country that primarily speaks a language Iwol hyung doesn’t know. Ignoring things you hear on purpose is hard, but if it just becomes background noise, it’s easier.’

 

The six-member overseas trip was decided for these reasons.

 

The date was set for mid-June, after the college students finished their semester. The basic framework was established quickly: just the six of them, keeping it as simple as possible, with the vibe of a relaxed summer vacation.

 

Not long after, Jeong Seongbin called a meeting for Spark’s first group trip. He took advantage of a moment when Kim Iwol was out of the dorm.

 

“No matter what hyung says, let’s not film any videos for self-produced content this time. The goal is to keep him from thinking about work as much as possible.”

 

“Should we avoid even taking simple commemorative photos…?”

 

Since Park Joowoo looked a bit dejected, they decided to allow brief photo sessions that weren’t intended for uploaded content.

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest more and just visit a few quiet places instead of moving around too much?”

 

“Mr. Kiyeon, your statement has two fatal flaws. First, if we let that hyung rest, he’ll only think about work. Second, ‘quiet tourist spots’ do not exist.”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon and Kang Kiyeon planned the travel route. When they suggested going to an amusement park, everyone was surprised, but…

 

“Nothing makes you feel like you’ve come to another world more than this. He’ll be completely swept up in it. Put a headband on him and hang a popcorn bucket over his shoulder. His blood pressure will rise instantly. There’s plenty to do even without rides.”

 

“Aren’t we supposed to avoid his blood pressure rising?”

 

…For the sake of Kim Iwol, who had so few enjoyments in life, they put it on the list of candidates for now. Choi Jeho decided to follow the younger members’ opinions entirely.

 

“Want to go to a hot spring? They say hot springs are great for recovering from fatigue.”

 

“Hot springs in early summer? Are you sure?”

 

“Since we’re going, we might as well enjoy everything.”

 

As they exchanged opinions, the travel itinerary was rapidly established. The process—discussing, searching, narrowing down options—was smooth and efficient.

 

Before Kim Iwol joined, they couldn’t have imagined this kind of atmosphere. The members had always been kind, but while they might have built camaraderie, there hadn’t been many moments of genuine enjoyment together.

 

But now, it was different. It would be a lie to say things weren’t hard, but they had the strength to endure. Jeong Seongbin believed that this change had sustained the team, preventing them from collapsing despite experiencing various incidents.

 

“Joowoo hyung, can I switch rooms? Lee Cheonghyeon is way too noisy.”

 

“I don’t mind, but wouldn’t Cheonghyeon feel upset…?”

 

“I’d be totally upset. I was already deeply wounded because Jeho hyung didn’t seem thrilled about being grouped with us.”

 

“When did I ever say that?”

 

“That’s because you said you wanted to do gacha morning, noon, and night. Does this hyung look like he has any interest in gacha?”

 

(Tl note: Doing gacha here means playing the gacha machine aka gachapon. It’s an iconic Japanese coin-operated dispensers that drop mystery toys, figurines, or trinkets sealed in plastic capsules.)

 

They raised their voices whenever they had the chance, but no one said they didn’t want to go together. The members had faith that the other person would listen to them, and a certainty that even if their opinion wasn’t accepted, the reason wasn’t because the other person ‘hated them’.

 

“Let’s reconsider the roommate arrangements. How about pulling gacha only twice a day? If Jeho hyung is okay with that. And we have to eat something delicious at least once in between.”

 

When Jeong Seongbin stepped in to mediate, everyone agreed without much fuss.

 

‘If we were to pick a leader among us, I thought you were the most suitable candidate.’

 

The words Kim Iwol had said before he stepped out came to mind.

 

Kim Iwol might not agree, but Jeong Seongbin thought that the biggest factor in him establishing himself as a leader was Kim Iwol’s contribution. If Kim Iwol hadn’t trusted him, he would have struggled much more.

 

“What are you all doing gathered like this?”

 

Kim Iwol, returning from counseling, asked as he looked at the members sitting together in the living room. In his hand was a black plastic bag that smelled delicious.

 

It was another one of Kim Iwol’s habits to buy something tasty from a nearby famous restaurant whenever he went to the hospital. Even in his habits, his kindness seeped through.

 

“You’re back?”

 

Jeong Seongbin greeted Kim Iwol with a smile. He took the bag Kim Iwol was holding. Inside were warm waffles.

 

“We’re planning the trip!”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon waved the paper he was taking notes on with an excited face.

 

“That’s all good, but if you’re taking a plane, book it quickly. There won’t be any tickets left once vacation starts.”

 

“We finished the booking yesterday.”

 

“Good job.”

 

Kim Iwol let out a chuckle and went into his room. A few days later, when Jeong Seongbin handed him the ‘Group Trip Itinerary (Draft),’ Kim Iwol laughed in disbelief and accepted the thick stack of papers.

 

***

 

Jeong Seongbin took the role of main guide for the ‘Flame Tour’. Lee Cheonghyeon was attached as the assistant guide. The faces of the college students on break were full of energy.

 

“Hyung, why is your expression so dark? What’s wrong?”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon approached and asked. He was utterly exasperated.

 

“We even compromised on the airport outfits, you shouldn’t be like this.”

 

“Did my expression look dark? That’s not how I feel at all. Maybe I was just standing in too much shade. I’ll correct it.”

 

As Lee Cheonghyeon said, Spark was able to depart in stylish outfits instead of flamboyant fashion. Originally, they were going to depart as a ‘Floral Pattern Army’, but the plan was changed after I desperately pleaded with them.

 

‘How much would floral shirts really stand out at an amusement park anyway?’

 

I expressed deep gratitude to Lee Cheonghyeon for taking not one, but ten steps back. Thanks to that, Spark’s casual fashion condition today was at its peak.

 

I had booked plane tickets for others before, but this was my first time receiving one myself. I didn’t like the nauseous feeling during takeoff, but I liked seeing the sea and clouds through the window.

 

Upon arrival, we ate first. This was because the guidebook said, ‘★PLANNING TO WALK ALL DAY / EAT HEARTILY★’. I was already afraid of how packed the schedule would be.

 

On the train leaving the airport, photo-taking was briefly allowed. These guys had declared before departure that this would be a digital detox trip and strictly limited filming and recording.

 

Naturally, I resisted fiercely. I argued strongly that it made no sense not to record the first long vacation the members spent together as content.

 

‘Are you going to blow the chance to film a Spark travel vlog?’

 

However, Jeong Seongbin spoke firmly with a smile.

 

‘It’s a vacation, not work, hyung. We won’t ban it completely. We’ll take lots of photos of you, so don’t worry.’

 

They brought cams, film cameras, and even polaroids, but made sure I couldn’t bring anything. I trembled with rage at this blatant discriminatory regulation. But what could I do? When the leader speaks, you listen.

 

We listened to CDs recommended by Park Joowoo at a record shop, and for Lee Cheonghyeon, we went into a cafe and ordered a ton of desserts that would serve as a ‘source of inspiration’ (honestly, I don’t know what desserts have to do with inspiration). Following Kang Kiyeon, we also went to a merch shop that sold overseas-limited Kingdom Cafeteria merchs.

 

“They really need to stop this culture of treating domestic fans worse by releasing higher-quality, more diverse goods overseas.”

 

Kang Kiyeon muttered with a completely expressionless face. During my proxy fan life days, I’d seen similar posts at least once a quarter.

 

A fan’s anger is fueled by love, so it never dies out. Knowing Kang Kiyeon was likely the same, I kept quiet and focused on carrying the shopping basket beside him.

 

***

 

The schedule for the second day was a 3:3 free travel split. In reality, the word ‘free’ didn’t apply to me. My course had already been decided.

 

Choi Jeho, Lee Cheonghyeon, and Kang Kiyeon decided to set off on a long journey to collect character merchandise. I heard that they planned to hit over ten stores, centered around Lee Cheonghyeon, who spoke English and a bit of Japanese.

 

“You’d tag along for that? You?”

 

“I don’t have anything in particular I want to do.”

 

Choi Jeho accepted the itinerary, which looked like it would involve 30,000 steps a day, without much complaint. He even woke up early and left first to eat breakfast.

 

An hour later, I met up with the main vocal duo in the hallway and went to the buffet floor for breakfast.

 

“They left really early.”

 

“They said it’s because they have a lot of places to visit.”

 

“Truly amazing….”

 

Thinking about how the younger ones could become incredibly diligent when it came to merchandise, we leisurely ate toast and soup.

 

It was a peaceful morning. Until I realized that there wasn’t a single person in the other group who could keep their wallets closed.

 

Lee Cheonghyeon’s words from the day before about ‘raiding the gacha machines’ came to mind like a scene from a horror movie. I quickly sent a message to Choi Jeho.

 

Me:

If they start buying stuff without thinking about exchange rates, stop them at least once.

 

The reply arrived a long time later.

 

Center Emperor Choi Jeho:

Too late.

 

“Seongbin.”

 

“Yes, hyung.”

 

“Next time we form groups, you definitely have to include me, right?”

 

Jeong Seongbin wore a smile of enlightenment. If Jeong Seongbin had brought his Dead Note, Choi Jeho, Lee Cheonghyeon, and Kang Kiyeon would have earned themselves at least two stamps each.