Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

Chapter 211: Performance Presentation (1)

I was planning to return the comic book to Kang Kiyeon’s room as soon as we arrived at the dorm.

I figured while Choi Jeho was in the shower, I could wash up after and check tomorrow’s schedule.

“…….”

“…….”

I never expected Kang Kiyeon to be waiting for us outside the door.

He stood there with an incredibly sharp expression.

Looking at his face, I hesitated for a moment. I had no idea what kind of attitude would be best right now.

After much deliberation, I placed the comic book in Choi Jeho’s hand. It was a gesture asking him to return it for me.

Choi Jeho completely misinterpreted my gesture and gave me a look that said, ‘What am I supposed to do with this?’.

Kang Kiyeon interrupted the silent exchange between the oldest members.He snatched the comic book from Choi Jeho’s hand.

Keeping his eyes locked on me, he asked.

“Jeho hyung, can I use your room for a bit?”

From the living room, someone started waving their arms.

“Come here, hyung! I’ve saved you a spot!”

…It was Lee Cheonghyeon. He must have been kicked out before we arrived.

“Wait. I’ll just grab some clothes.”

With brief words, Choi Jeho went into his room. And he really did come out with just a change of clothes.

Kang Kiyeon silently continued to glare at me.

‘He probably wants me to go into the room.’

I had no idea why he was acting like this. I didn’t know if it was a good or bad sign that he was doing this, considering he usually wouldn’t even come out of his room when I was at the dorm, let alone interact with me.

As I entered the room, Kang Kiyeon followed. I heard the click of the door closing.

“Why don’t you follow the rules?”

“Me?”

“We agreed if we want to ask for something, we’d do it face-to-face. Why do you always leave notes?”

Kang Kiyeon reproached me.

Well, there was such a rule in our dorm’s 12 Commandments, but it wasn’t like I could ask him for the comic book face-to-face.

Besides, I didn’t even ask to borrow it. I said I was curious about what happened next.

Since I couldn’t explain all of this, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut.

Kang Kiyeon stared at me for a while before saying,

“Sit down.”

I obediently followed his words and sat on the edge of the bed.

Seeing that I had settled down, he pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it.

Did he write down what he wanted to say? What could he possibly have to say that took a whole script?

Then I saw his hand trembling.

I realized it in that moment.

It wasn’t that he had a lot to say, but that he had written it down in case he couldn’t speak properly.

I quietly waited for Kang Kiyeon to finish preparing for the conversation.

After a few minutes, Kang Kiyeon stammered, his eyes fixed on the paper.

“First, yelling at you in front of everyone and touching your things without permission… I am sorry for that.”

“…….”

“And for the harsh words. No matter how mad I was, I shouldn’t have said those things. I went too far.”

Kang Kiyeon’s face was dark.

“Actually, Lee Cheonghyeon told me not to apologize.”

“Sounds like him.”

“But I just couldn’t leave it like that.”

Such a needlessly honest guy. No one would have blamed him for not apologizing to me.

“But what I said back then was all true.”

There was sincerity in Kang Kiyeon’s voice. Heavy words settled one after another.

“I still don’t understand you.”

“…Okay.”

“I’m still scared of the stage. And I lack confidence.”

He spoke calmly, but the weight of his worries was palpable.

The edge of the paper in Kang Kiyeon’s hand crumpled.

“Hyung, do you believe people can change if they try?”

It was an unexpected question.

At the same time, I remembered the letter I had sent him.

I said I was trying to change. So I asked for a little more time.

If it were the past, I wouldn’t have been able to say I believed it. I didn’t want to lie, I believed people didn’t change easily, and I didn’t believe in myself in the first place.

But these guys tried their best to believe in me until the very end. Gu Jahan showed me that people could change, and so many people told me I was doing well.

You know, Kiyeon.

I keep thinking this whole mess is my fault. 

You weren’t struggling like this when I wasn’t there. I feel guilty, like I unnecessarily stirred things up and made things worse.

But for some reason. I keep thinking about what Seongbin said to me back when I was going on about cosmic energy during OJT.

That nothing is impossible if you work hard. That he believes in the power of effort.

If you forgive me.

If you believe my words that I’m trying to change and that I’ll be okay…

Then my answer should also change.

“I believe it.”

Just like the fortune teller said, if there’s anyone who can change me, it’s probably you guys. No one else has been this deeply involved in my life.

“I’ll make it happen.”

And as long as I’m with you guys, I will definitely change. One way or another.

***

Kang Kiyeon remained silent for a long time afterward.

It felt like about 30 minutes had passed before he finally spoke.

“Keep your promise.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t overdo things. Don’t just pretend to listen when someone tells you something. And if you really have to push yourself, explain why.”

“…Okay.”

Kang Kiyeon took a breath.

“…If you’re in pain, say something.”

With that, he lowered his arm. The hand resting on his thigh was trembling slightly.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Any other suggestions?”

I asked brightly on purpose. Kang Kiyeon narrowed his eyes, glanced at me, sighed, and then said,

“I have something to announce, it’s not a suggestion.”

“What is it?”

“I’m planning to return.”

“What?”

I barely managed to control my rising voice. Return? He told me not to push myself, it didn’t make sense.

“Kiyeon, you don’t have to rush.”

I soothed Kang Kiyeon as gently as possible.

Whether he made the decision to return to ease my burden, or because he felt left behind, the timing just wasn’t right. He still needed time—for his own sake.

However, Kang Kiyeon didn’t back down.

“I didn’t make this decision because I felt pressured.”

“…….”

Unlike before, Kang Kiyeon didn’t read from the paper or tremble.

He met my gaze.

“This is my way of trying.”

At that moment, I understood what he wanted to tell me.

“I’ll take it easy. If the members say something, I’ll adjust. If it starts to feel too hard, I’ll speak up first.”

At the same time, I remembered Lee Cheonghyeon, who used to stay up all night in the IDC, hitting walls but pushing through.

“I don’t want to be afraid of challenges.”

Honestly, these two are such peas in a pod.

Unaware of my inner thoughts, Kang Kiyeon smiled. It was awkward, but genuine.

“Let’s make Spark last a long time.”