Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols Chapter 460 - Group Trip (2)

Jeong Seongbin’s group began their itinerary with a stroll through a park. It felt nice to stroll while enjoying the morning breeze.

 

It was also a fascinating experience to run into people who recognized Spark. Even the owner of the record shop had asked Park Joowoo for an autograph. Despite focusing primarily on the domestic market, it seemed we had gained international fans—proof that focusing on your craft really pays off.

 

For brunch, we had French toast. It was a menu choice tailored for Park Joowoo, who preferred soft foods. While most people enjoyed a single toast and a drink, we each had a full set menu.

 

“We don’t know when we’ll come again, so we should try a bit of everything. Eat a lot, hyung/” 

 

Jeong Seongbin said.

 

He actually pulled the ‘give us everything from here to here’ move. It was a relief the place was a French toast specialty shop without a massive variety; otherwise, we might’ve ended up covering the entire day’s sales.

 

“The jam is delicious. Joowoo, have you tried it?”

 

“Yeah. It’s also good with the whipped cream…”

 

Jeong Seongbin and Park Joowoo entered a cozy discussion to find the ultimate flavor combination. Meanwhile, I leisurely looked around the cafe.

 

Back in the past, cafes were primarily perceived as places for group meetings. Drinks were basically just the price of renting a seat, and the main purpose was renting the table and chair.

 

‘I’ve never really gone to a cafe just to hang out, except when meeting my sister.’

 

In other words, I’d never come to a café just to relax or enjoy the atmosphere. Perhaps that was why sitting there doing nothing on purpose felt awkward. I felt like I should pull out a laptop and start working immediately.

 

“What are you thinking about so deeply?” 

 

Jeong Seongbin asked.

 

He caught me right as Park Joowoo, who had been getting his attention, had headed to the restroom. I imagined a future where I’d be heavily criticized if I said I missed looking at Dotion, so I simply replied that it was nothing.

 

Jeong Seongbin stared at me for a moment, then spoke.

 

“Hyung.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I’m going to stop using the notebook.”

 

“The notebook?”

 

I asked if he meant the Dead Note, and he nodded.

 

“Why? That’s your signature thing.”

 

“Wouldn’t an idol whose identity quirk is a ‘Dead Note’ be too scary?”

 

“No matter how scary it is, could it be scarier than Spark’s resting faces?”

 

Jeong Seongbin bit his lip to stifle a laugh. Even as someone who loved the members dearly, he apparently couldn’t bring himself to say that faces carved from icicles possessed any warmth.

 

“The reason I created that Dead Note was to look after the members’ health,”

 

Jeong Seongbin continued. 

 

“But if it makes the team feel pressured or stressed, then it defeats the purpose.”

 

“Did someone say something to you? Or did you see a comment?”

 

I believed everyone knew that Jeong Seongbin’s Dead Note didn’t come from a controlling mindset. It wasn’t malicious—in fact, it was a way to make the members voluntarily reflect on their lifestyle habits within a non-aggressive limit.

 

“Who would dare question our leader? Tell me, I’ll open a forum for ‘dialogue and persuasion’ immediately.”

 

“It’s you, hyung.”

 

“Me?”

 

I was startled. I could swear that while I might have offered opinions different from his, I had never once complained behind his back or given a negative evaluation without trying to understand the leader’s grand intentions.

 

“It’s a misunderstanding, Seongbin. How could I, of all people, not know your sincerity? You know that even if I’m not loyal to UA, I listen to you. When it was decided you’d be the leader, I told you, didn’t I? I’m the type to bow low to those in power. I even said I’d fight on your behalf if trouble arose with the members. That’s how much I trust your character.”

 

There’s nothing more disheartening than seeing something that started with good intentions get twisted. I rambled on, hoping Jeong Seongbin wouldn’t feel discouraged.

 

“You’re the one misunderstanding, hyung. I’m not retracting it because I think you misunderstood the purpose of the notebook.”

 

“Then why?”

 

“I just don’t want you to set the notebook as the standard for your actions. More precisely… I want you to have fewer things to worry about.”

 

For a moment, I wondered what he was talking about. But soon after, I realized what situation Jeong Seongbin was referring to. He had noticed I had been keeping my ‘antenna’ up, tracking the whereabouts of that notebook.

 

I couldn’t be certain, but perhaps…

 

‘Did you stack any ‘patience’ marks this time?’

 

‘I didn’t stack a single one.’

 

‘Really?’

 

‘You didn’t do anything wrong, hyung.’

 

…Ever since the day we watched the ‘Exclusive Report’ together.

 

I had been cautious. I’d check whether the notebook was near Jeong Seongbin or not. But that wasn’t because I was stressed; it was just because I didn’t want to do anything unnecessarily annoying…

 

“…..Sorry. Looking back, you’re right, Seongbin.”

 

I stopped trying to justify myself and admitted it. I thought I wasn’t being conscious of him, but the fact that I was aware of the notebook had bled into every single one of my actions.

 

“I’d rather nag you than have you walking on eggshells.”

 

“So you will nag me?”

 

“If I don’t, you’ll just sneakily reduce your sleep hours again.”

 

“You know me too well.”

 

Jeong Seongbin just smiled instead of arguing. I was certain that the proverb ‘you can’t spit on a smiling face’ was created by someone who met one of Jeong Seongbin’s ancestors long ago.

 

Among all the bosses I had met, none were as young as Jeong Seongbin. He was the youngest of all my superiors, yet simultaneously the kindest.

 

‘When a guy like this grows up, he’ll become someone like Mr. Yur.’

 

Someone kind, friendly, and capable of protecting his people and team with a broad heart and perspective. A ‘good boss’ that I never had in my entire life.

 

“What were you guys talking about…?” 

 

Park Joowoo asked as he sat down.

 

“Seongbin is going to majorly overhaul the group’s code of conduct. There will be big changes, so we should keep an eye on developments.”

 

“You were talking about difficult things… I’ll follow whatever gets decided.”

 

We resolved to adopt a mindset consistent with the leadership of a good boss. Jeong Seongbin let out a helpless laugh.

 

***

 

Sightseeing through places with beautiful scenery was enjoyable. When a cute sign appeared while walking down the street, I watched Park Joowoo take photos; when a small bookstore appeared, I waited for Jeong Seongbin to pick out a book he liked.

 

While following them around, Jeong Seongbin would read me charming little notes he’d prepared. He told me to just bring my body on this trip, and truly, I had nothing to do. I didn’t even need to open a translation app.

 

With no reason to check my phone, and with the signs and advertisement videos being completely unfamiliar, it really felt like I was in another country. I felt what it was like to step back from reality and rest.

 

“It feels like I’m on a ‘Filial Piety’ tour.”

 

“But hyung, you’re only twenty-three…” 

 

Park Joowoo retorted. Even so, he pushed a plate of pasta toward me.

 

Wondering what the other guys were up to, I checked the schedule, and ‘Looking at Clothes’ was written in huge letters. Lee Cheonghyeon and Kang Kiyeon had good style and were into fashion, so that made sense, but taking Choi Jeho along for clothes shopping? No matter how you looked at it, Choi Jeho was clearly the designated bag carrier.

 

“What time is it for Jeho hyung’s group?”

 

“They’re going to buy clothes.”

 

“Aha…”

 

His curiosity satisfied, Park Joowoo took a sip of oolong tea. Then, he squeezed his eyes shut, perhaps because the drink was too cold.

 

“Cheonghyeon said he’s buying clothes for Soohoon hyung.”

 

“Not for himself?”

 

It was an unexpected statement. Park Joowoo nodded.

 

“Cheonghyeon wore vintage outfits during Hideout, right?”

 

“He did.”

 

“I think Soohoon hyung saw the music video.”

 

It seemed Park Joowoo was referring to the conversation they had when they met the older brother while going out to buy bread. Park Joowoo hesitated, then looked away as he spoke.

 

“He apparently gave Cheonghyeon pocket money and told him to buy ‘new clothes without holes’…”

 

“Pfft!”

 

Jeong Seongbin tried to cover his mouth with his hand, but it was too late. Water dripped through his fingers.

 

“He felt so sorry for him…”

 

At that final blow, Jeong Seongbin completely crumbled. Our leader buried his face in his hands and shook with laughter.

 

“So? Did Cheonghyeon just take it?”

 

“Yeah. He’s not going to spend it on himself; he said he’s going to buy vintage clothes as ‘revenge’…”

 

Lee Cheonghyeon was planning a spectacular revenge against the older brother who didn’t understand the coolness of retro. Jeong Seongbin and I couldn’t lift our heads at the hidden, grand intention. Lee Soohoon wearing a T-shirt with a massive print of a cat wearing sunglasses… it certainly would be a shock.

 

Just as everyone was feeling solemn, Jeong Seongbin’s phone screen lit up.

 

“It’s Cheonghyeon.”

 

“That’s strange. He’s not a devil, but how did he always manage to have such impeccable timing?”

 

Jeong Seongbin, looking at the screen, suddenly burst into laughter. Park Joowoo and I looked at each other, not knowing what was going on.

 

Soon, the screen Jeong Seongbin showed us featured a purchase confirmation text, along with a photo of an XXL-sized short-sleeved T-shirt printed with a hamster dancing under a mirror ball.

 

***

 

At night, we all gathered in the maknaes’ room. To be precise, Lee Cheonghyeon and Kang Kiyeon invited us. The reason was to hold a tasting party for local cup noodles.

 

“What did you buy so much of?”

 

The beds of the two were covered in shopping bags, bulging eco-bags, and plastic bags. It looked like the two of them had raided the local department store.

 

“We just happened to achieve our wish list.”

 

“Choi Jeho, what were you doing not stopping them?”

 

“Who do you think had to carry all of that, huh?”

 

“The hands do the carrying, and the mouth does the stopping. Isn’t that how it works?”

 

I scolded Choi Jeho while boiling water. It was a relief the hotel gym was available 24 hours. If a pre-snack workout hadn’t been possible, a pleasant late-night snack time would have been out of the question.

 

After eating well and chatting for about an hour, we finished tidying up and were about to head back when Lee Cheonghyeon shouted from behind us.

 

“Don’t forget the dress code for tomorrow!”

 

Instantly, my heart felt heavy as if a boulder had been placed on it. The debut day of the floral shirts was looming right in front of us.