Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols - Chapter 15
Only Krnovel
| Episode 15. Keyword (1)
I thought staying up all night at this age was impossible unless I had a ton of work to do.
But it wasn’t.
A human being can do anything when he has fire at his feet. Thanks to that, I woke up with my eyes wide open.
It was already frustrating to have my memory erased, but with my mouth blocked, I felt like my hands and feet were tied up.
‘The biggest problem is that we don’t know exactly where the direct information begins and ends.’
Such subjective expressions were dangerous. It was like setting a trap anywhere and praying that someone would get caught anywhere.
I struggled out of bed, pessimistic about the bleak future.
Even though I was forced to sign a security pledge, I still had to do the work.
That was the fate of office workers.
“Did you fall asleep while working overtime to end up like this… … .”
I was muttering to myself without realizing it, and Choi Je-ho and Lee Cheong-hyeon looked at me with uneasy eyes.
I left the room, leaving those two people behind. At that moment, Jeong Seong-bin was coming out into the living room.
Jeong Seong-bin met my gaze and came over to me and asked.
“Did you not sleep well last night?”
“little.”
Then Jeong Seong-bin hesitated for a moment and then spoke softly into my ear.
“brother.”
“why?”
“You couldn’t sleep because you were looking into the future?”
“what?”
Jeong Seong-bin looked back with a frown on his face, and there was a hint of mischief on his face.
Jeong Seong-bin’s consideration, which made it difficult for him to hold back his laughter, made me feel even more ashamed.
Even if you just tell him to laugh openly, Jeong Seong-bin couldn’t hold back.
Is it good?
I’m happy when you smile. Just tell me you’re quitting being a trainee from now on.
* * *
“Lee Wol-ah, did you say you wanted to see me for a moment?”
As soon as I arrived at UA, the manager called me. It was because I had applied for an interview yesterday.
There was only one issue. It was a problem with the use of smartphones.
As a 2G phone owner, the only time I could get outside information was when I sneaked into a PC room in the middle of the night or used the air conditioner at my dorm.
I turned on the secret window when using the air conditioner, but my heart was pounding because I didn’t know when or where someone would pop up and say, “Who searched ‘I see something strange in front of me’ on their phone?”
So I tried to get a cheap phone in my name, but unfortunately, UA did not allow trainees to use cell phones.
I guess they let me off for a month because I had a 2G phone. Anyway, it was a company that was picky about useless things.
But what I wanted was not to confiscate my phone or use a 2G phone, but to use a smartphone.
Since I fell into the past with my memories erased, I need to at least secure access to information.
As expected, the manager’s reaction to my request was not very positive.
“That won’t work. The other kids also decided not to have personal phones until their debut.”
“Yes, I know.”
Even more than that, UA, you guys weren’t allowed to use cell phones for a year after your debut.
Can you just gloss over this important issue like that?
Whether my hostility was seething or not, the manager remained steadfast.
“I don’t mean anything bad, but I hope you understand that the company is doing this to manage you.”
I thought it was a bit too old-fashioned, but I kept quiet for now.
If I said here, ‘Spark has never caused any problems with his cell phone,’ who would believe me?
“I don’t know much about you since you’ve only been preparing to be an idol for a short time, but there are many cases where one mistake you make and it later turns into a big problem. The company is trying to prevent that.”
“Yes. But Manager, could you please listen to the reason why you need a cell phone just once and consider it?”
Respect the company’s policy and express that you will follow it regardless of the outcome, but remain humble and only ask for the right to speak.
If you make it clear that the decision-making authority lies with the company, most people, except for someone like Manager Nam, will say something like, “Let’s talk about it.”
Fortunately, the manager was more than kind enough to give me some time.
“I don’t remember if I told you when I joined the company, but I am independent because I don’t get along well with my parents.”
“Yeah, I heard it from the management team.”
Then the story will be faster.
My situation was worse than that of other trainees, as my foster parent moved without saying a word and all contact was lost.
This is because trainees need money in addition to the expenses covered by the company. Whether it’s to buy shoes or medicine.
“I asked in advance because I thought I would need a smartphone to manage my living expenses or look for part-time jobs. Would it be difficult to check it even once a day?”
My practice schedule was too tight to go to the ATM every day to check my card or bank account balance. My manager agreed.
“Do you work part-time too?”
“If there’s anything I can do to avoid practice time, I’ll do it. Oh, of course, I’m thinking about doing it after I’ve mastered all the basics.”
I made it clear to my manager that I had no intention of doing anything stupid for the time being.
But the manager’s worries did not end there.
“You’re always the last one to leave the house. That’s what the kids said. Are you sure you have the stamina?”
“I only have physical strength. It’s okay.”
To be honest, I had no doubt that Hanpyeong Industries had chosen me based on my physical strength. That’s why they worked people without rest.
While I was lost in thought, the manager thought for a moment and then said.
“We’ll discuss it once a day or so. Don’t expect too much, because it might not work out. Before you start working part-time, consult me first.”
“thank you.”
“Okay. Practice hard!”
The manager patted me on the back a couple of times and left. With this, my immediate tasks were more or less finished.
I was worried that I might not be able to answer right away if my older sister contacted me… … .
From the older sister’s perspective, it might not have been pleasant to be connected with a younger sibling who has yet to earn his own living.
I decided to keep quiet, thinking that aside from finding out about my sister’s current situation, I shouldn’t advertise my presence here.
As I was walking to the practice room feeling refreshed, Park Joo-woo was coming from across the street.
Park Joo-woo was drenched in sweat as he was drinking water, probably because he had been practicing his dance moves with all his heart while I was away.
“… … Where have you been?”
“I just came back from an interview with the manager.”
“… … ?”
“I have such a shocking body that I need special measures.”
Park Joo-woo’s pupils shook as he heard my words.
“Really… …?”
“It’s half-joking and half-serious. How much of it is serious?”
“… … My brother told me to get a body check?”
“That’s true, but it still hurts a little.”
Park Joo-woo felt slightly relieved when he realized that he wasn’t being cut.
Do you think it’s a good thing I didn’t go out?
If my guess is correct, I think it would be a good idea to practice not giving a hard time to this guy or that guy. Because when you go out into society, there will be a lot of adults who are like scammers trying to take advantage of you.
It seemed a bit rude to just joke around and leave first, so I waited until Park Joo-woo finished filling his water bottle.
When the bottle was half full of water, Park Joo-woo, who had been silently receiving water, asked.
“Hyung, have you decided on the next song to be evaluated?”
It had been a while since I had my monthly evaluation and I was waiting for the next one.
The way the exams were rushing in reminded me of the note tests I took in high school.
“I just made a list. I have to choose it this week.”
Then suddenly I remembered that Park Joo-woo had received some criticism regarding the song selection. I guess he must have his own set of concerns.
“When are you going to start preparing?”
“… … I’m thinking about it.”
Park Joo-woo, who was closing the cap of the water bottle, looked quite worried.
No matter how annoying they were, it was a little painful to see a ten-year-old kid so discouraged.
So I took out a little bit of the sociality that I had nurtured with my life at Hanpyeong Industry.
“I learned bass as a hobby. If you ever want to sing in a band, let me know. I’ll play along.”
“Really… …?”
Yeah. I learned it in a college club that I can’t go to anymore.
Park Joo-woo’s eyes lit up in front of me, who was feeling bitter. He seemed quite excited.
“… … Cheong-Hyeon can also play the keyboard.”
“Then you bring him.”
Even if I debut and leave the group right away, I guess there will be an opportunity for me to at least play an accompaniment.
The story of the band spanning the ages didn’t end there until they reached the practice room.
When I asked if there might be a chance to talk more soon, Park Joo-woo nodded in agreement.
Park Joo-woo’s back as he opened the practice room door and entered looked somehow a little happy.
* * *
Permission to use the cell phone was denied a few days later.
It was a primitive form of asking the manager to give me a cell phone on the day I needed it and returning it an hour later, but I was satisfied enough.
As soon as the cheap phone I ordered online arrived, I installed a stock app, checked on my children, and bookmarked a few posts looking for work-from-home jobs.
After some time had passed, I searched for keywords on the search portal that I couldn’t show to my roommates who were using the same machine.
‘Sudden Idol’.
‘I woke up and was back in the past’.
‘I see letters in front of my eyes.’
At the same time, I sincerely hope that the current situation is not a Korean version of the Truman Show.
If this scene were broadcast nationwide, I would probably lose the courage to go out.
It was impossible for me, who was proud of being ordinary, to become an unheard-of life recycler.
So, I thought there must be a similar case somewhere that I didn’t know about, so I did a search.
“uh?”
Something actually showed up in the search results.
It was a link that led to something called a web novel.
On the connected platform, there were countless sad stories of idols who returned to the past, idols who debuted by chance, and idols who ended up in a game, all of which had to sign contracts.
By the time I realized that the word “회빙환” commonly used in many texts was an abbreviation for “회빙환,” “빙의,” and “재생,” I was able to realize that my situation was one of regression.
Usually, before experiencing the rotation, you would get hit by a truck driver in the original world or fall asleep while enjoying the content.
Compared to me, who returned from working overtime, everyone else’s story was dramatic. I guess life isn’t like a drama.
And to think that they wouldn’t even send a single return truck and would roll back people for 9 years.
Am I the only one who is running a business that is too cost-effective?
Because I had limited time to use my phone, I was only able to read up to chapter 25 of the novel, which was available for free.
Because of this, I only learned the sad law that if you are a human who has fallen into the cycle of regression, you inevitably have to become an idol.
Of course, there were some areas where I received help.
The most intuitive way to describe the members’ personalities in refined language.
‘#sorry, #scheme, #darkside, #healing… … .’
That’s right, that was the keyword.