Chapter 188: Office Open: Part 2 (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 188: Office Open: Part 2 (1)
“I’m back.”
When I returned from the meeting for the group variety show we were filming before the drama aired, the guys in the living room came rushing over.
“Welcome back! Give me your bag!”
“Did everything go well?” Jeong Seong-bin asked.
“Yeah, nothing special.”
Apparently, we were going to see a fortune teller as a group to fit the concept of having the "Seon-gu-an"—the foresight to see the stock market in advance. I’d never had my fortune or palms read before, so I was actually looking forward to it.
Even though the soccer communities were calling me "the idol more gifted than a fortune-telling octopus" and "Iwol-hyung, please channel the spirits just one more time," surely a professional wouldn't scold me just because I’d mentioned ancestral spirits to my members a few times.
“But why are you all gathered in the living room?”
“The second part of our dorm self-produced content is coming out today. We were getting ready to watch it together.”
Thanks to my nagging that follow-up content should be released as quickly as possible, they’d decided to upload the video three days earlier than usual.
I remembered that. I did, but…
“Don’t you all have things to do?”
As far as I knew, these punks weren't supposed to be this free.
Choi Je-ho and Kang Gi-yeon were supposed to be finalizing the choreography for the new song.
Park Ju-woo’s "cool-down time" for his cover songs was up, so he should have been preparing to film content, and Lee Cheong-hyeon was supposed to start arranging the B-side tracks.
And Jeong Seong-bin, being a student preparing for entrance exams, was obviously busy.
Yet here you are, daring to watch MeTube as a group?
I shouldn't have stayed quiet just to avoid worrying them. I should demand the password to the shared laptop right now and tighten the discipline of this group that’s clearly grown complacent…
“The schedule is moving along fine. We’re managing it so nothing falls through, so don’t worry.”
“Huh?”
Jeong Seong-bin smiled.
“Really. We’re all looking at the shared time table, and not a single task has been delayed.”
“You guys made a time table?”
Did these guys, who don't even have a single OA certification, do some manual labor? Except for one, they’re all just fragile high schoolers with nothing but physical strength. Do I need to go down to UA and throw another fit?
Just as I was about to put my shoes back on, ready to go raise hell, Jeong Seong-bin grabbed my arm.
“No! We suggested it would be good to have something like that, and the dedicated team made it for us. They even handled all the data entry.”
“And since you told us before not to scatter our platforms, we just added a page to the Do-tion we were already using,” Lee Cheong-hyeon added.
Working hard, communicating well with the company, and staying out of trouble.
‘At this rate, they won’t disband even without me.’
Would I actually get to see Spark’s 7th-anniversary celebration live this time? It was a moving thought, in its own way.
But the group running smoothly is one thing, and me getting what’s owed to me is another.
“So, what’s the password to the shared laptop? Isn't it about time you told me?”
At my words, the guys exchanged glances. The final decision-making power shifted to the leader, Jeong Seong-bin.
As if he had no choice, Jeong Seong-bin gave a half-resigned smile and spoke.
“It’s 000000. Six zeros.”
“It was that easy?”
“Honestly, I thought you would’ve tried it at least once. You really couldn't guess it?”
My pride took a hit at Lee Cheong-hyeon’s remark.
Kim I-wol, you’ve lost your touch. I’m the man who once cracked the PC password of a resigned employee who’d locked it out of spite.
“I tried the debut date and all sorts of things, but they didn't work. Why 000000? It’s a huge security risk.”
“We rarely take the shared laptop outside anyway. If it’s too hard, Je-ho hyung forgets it and has to stick a Post-it note under the laptop.”
“Are you guys just openly badmouthing me now?”
Choi Je-ho’s voice drifted in from the room. That guy has ears like a hawk. He only ever hears things when they’re about him.
“Besides, for Spark, 6-1=0! So, six zeros!” Lee Cheong-hyeon shouted brightly.
6-1, huh? Not 5-1, and not 5+1.
I thought they would do fine as five. But that scenario still hasn't even entered their minds.
“…Hyung, what’s wrong?” Park Ju-woo asked cautiously. His eyes were fixed on my face.
“Oh, nothing… I’m just bad at math.”
I’m especially weak at subtraction.
Even more so when it comes to human relationships.
I never quite learned who to take away, or how to fill the void when someone leaves.
That’s why I wish 6-1 was just 5. So that no further explanation would ever be necessary.
The time table they’d set up in Do-tion was clean and easy to read. The members didn't even need to check things off themselves; the manager had agreed to verify everything in bulk.
‘At this rate, we might need to hire more managers.’
With me going out for external shoots, the burden on Manager Chan-yeong had increased. As Spark’s activities grew, it would become impossible for one manager to cover everything.
I’m incredibly good at writing job postings, but I’d decided to cut back on company work unless it was absolutely necessary. I’ll set that aside for now.
Just then, a notification popped up on the official account.
≫ @spArk_official
Leaving already?
Since you’re here, stay for dinner!
Let’s play a little longer.
We have so many fun things to show you.
[Spark] 2X10XX Come Play at Our Dorm ep.2
“The video’s about to go up.”
“You’re right. Je-ho hyung, come out! Let’s watch the self-produced content!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon boisterously called for Choi Je-ho.
And Choi Je-ho obediently crawled out of his room.
…I’m still a little awkward around him.
Whether I felt uncomfortable or not, Choi Je-ho adjusted his glasses with an indifferent expression and took his usual spot at the edge of the sofa.
I sat on the floor at the opposite diagonal corner, as far from Choi Je-ho as possible. Park Ju-woo, having lost his designated seat, wandered for a moment before settling into my old spot.
“Where did it leave off last time?”
“The room tour.”
“So exactly half is left.”
Just as Kang Gi-yeon pointed out, after Spark’s self-produced content opening finished, a short segment titled "Recap of the Last Episode" showed us eating breakfast, exercising, and exploring the rooms.
“Did we… do anything after that?”
Choi Je-ho muttered to himself, his voice sounding like he truly couldn't remember.
To this, Kang Gi-yeon replied with a resigned look.
“We did a lot of weird things.”
“We did?”
There was no way Spark, the cool, silent, and handsome idols, would have done such things. He must be mistaken.
The screen showed 2:00 PM. A mountain of laundry for six people was piled in the living room. It was because we’d stripped everything off the drying rack to hang a new load.
The Spark on the monitor sat down in their respective spots and began folding laundry, looking like people at a communal washing site from a folk painting.
『Iwol: Shouldn't we throw away this early morning soccer club towel? Who brought this?』
『Gi-yeon: Chan-yeong hyung (*Spark’s manager).』
『Iwol: Let’s ask the manager and then toss it. Out of common decency, we have to let this one go.』
As I stared at the towel, which was as dry and brittle as tree bark, a caption appeared under my face: ‘Iwol, the kind idol who even considers the feelings of a towel.’
Several of the guys couldn't hold back and burst out laughing. I guess seeing my personality beautified like that was pretty hilarious to them.
『Cheong-hyeon: Animal socks have been showing up lately. Whose are these?』
『Ju-woo: Sorry, they’re mine…』
『Cheong-hyeon: I’m not criticizing your taste, Hyung! I just thought they were a bit too "cute" for our dorm. I think "cute" is sufficiently covered by the Cute Pretty Visually Lee Cheong-hyeon.』
The camera caught me again. Under my cold expression, a new caption appeared: ‘Iwol (21 / Has member saved as "Cute Pretty Visually").’
“Is this a special episode about me that I didn't know about?”
“No way. It’s just that your performance was so outstanding.”
“Outstanding? I didn't do anything, but I keep appearing.”
This was so unfair. My chest felt tight with frustration.
『Cheong-hyeon: You can tell which clothes are Je-ho hyung’s just by the size. Hyung, what size do you wear?』
『Je-ho: Me? About a 100, I think.』
『Gi-yeon: 100? I don’t think so. Doesn't Lee Cheong-hyeon wear a 100?』
『Seong-bin: I heard the stylist noona mention it once. She said he wears a 110 or 115.』
『Gi-yeon: When was the last time you were a 100?』
『Ju-woo: Wasn't that back in high school…?』
『Iwol: Don’t ever go clothes shopping by yourself.』
There were other issues besides Choi Je-ho’s shirt size. A scene was broadcast showing dust flying everywhere because black t-shirts and towels had been washed together.
『Iwol: Does anyone know where the lint roller is?』
『Ju-woo: I know…! Just a second!』
I couldn't believe they’d so kindly used the formal term for it. I felt even more humiliated. This definitely felt like a "Public Embarrassment Special" for me.
Only after finishing all the laundry did the members of Spark begin to scatter to their own spaces.
The first to go into his room was Choi Je-ho. Seeing him put on earphones and watch b-boying videos was exactly how he was in real life.
Around the same time, Kang Gi-yeon spent some time agonizing in front of the manga bookshelf. Then, as if he’d made a firm resolution, he picked a book and headed for his bed.
“Gi-yeon, I told you not to crouch like that.”
“It’s a habit… but I’ve been doing it a lot less lately.”
“Let’s do better. Think of your legs as Spark’s legs.”
While the Kang Gi-yeon on screen stretched out Spark’s two legs and began enjoying his manga, Park Ju-woo took a pillow out to the balcony to shake out the dust.
He returned with a satisfied expression and began tidying his bedding, then stared at Kang Gi-yeon before asking:
『Ju-woo: …Gi-yeon, want me to shake the dust out of your pillow too?』
『Gi-yeon: Huh? No, it’s okay. I’ll do mine.』
『Ju-woo: I’m doing mine anyway…! You just keep reading your book!』
Then, with Kang Gi-yeon’s pillow in his left hand and Jeong Seong-bin’s in his right, Park Ju-woo went out to the balcony and beat the dust out with incredible power. It was hard to tell if he wanted to clean the pillows or explode them.
“…Did you guys do something wrong to Park Ju-woo?”
Jeong Seong-bin and Kang Gi-yeon couldn't readily answer Choi Je-ho’s question. They’d seen the pillows that looked like they were about to burst.
Fortunately, Park Ju-woo actively clarified that he had no ill will toward his roommates.
Jeong Seong-bin organized his schedule at the dining table, and Lee Cheong-hyeon worked on music.
And I…
『Iwol: The bathroom… I should clean the bathroom.』
『Cheong-hyeon: Hyung, just leave it. I’ll do it later!』
『Iwol: Then give me something to do!』
…I wandered aimlessly because I had nothing to do.
Another caption appeared under my hollow face.
『Iwol (21 / Working hard on recovery)』
Now even UA is pressuring me not to work. And in such an embarrassing way, too.
I was dying of shame, but the fans loved it, saying it felt so real.
≫ Except for the amount of laundry, this is just my house
Seeing the whole family gathered to fold laundry is so familiar
└ @@: Mom, these socks don't match, what do I do?
└ @: Put them aside, they’ll show up in the next load~
└ LOL and they actually do show up
└ You have to go over them once with a lint roller, you know that, right~?
└ Ah, Mom, I’m unfollowing you
≫ Choi Je-ho’s shirt size is 115???????
└ Spark’s tallest member Choi Je-ho wears a 115??????
└ Spark’s tallest member, Center Emperor Choi Je-ho, wears a 115??????
└ Spark’s tallest member, Center Emperor, the face that would ruin a meeting between families, the giant troublemaker Hwang Je-ho wears a 115??????????
≫ What’s with the maknae line knowing each other’s shirt sizes?
I really wonder how deep your friendship goes sometimes
≫ Park Ju-woo looks like a silent gunslinger from a snowy field, but his forearms are so sturdy it makes me feel some type of way. But the fact that you only see it when he’s beating pillows
└ Ju-woo’s Top 3 Veins: In his neck when singing + in his temples and forehead when it’s hot + in his forearms when beating pillows [NEW!]
≫ Why is Iwol so anxious when he doesn't have work to do?
If there’s no work, just rest, Iwol-ah…
└ Turning our baby into a workaholic like this… UA, get it together
Since Spark hadn't shown much of their raw, unpolished side before, this was the reaction.
But what came next was even fresher. Fresher than a fish caught right out of the ocean.
『Cheong-hyeon: Hyung, I’m starting to feel the soul. Play the air bass for me.』
『Iwol: Do you need mouth accompaniment?』
『Cheong-hyeon: Of course.』
Spark’s music playtime, which I wondered why they hadn't edited out, was broadcast in its entirety.