Chapter 21: Clash of Opinions (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 21: Clash of Opinions (3)
Kang Gi-yeon continued, his gaze fixed firmly on the floor.
“I’m not just making assumptions.”
“……”
“Je-ho Hyung, you have no motivation when it comes to group activities. Don’t you know exactly what I’m talking about?”
Choi Je-ho looked like he had an inkling of what was being implied. Honestly, it was the kind of thing anyone could notice, even while passing by on a high-speed train.
We hadn't even debuted yet, but hardships and adversity were rolling in like the tide. As expected, life was never easy.
While watching their relationship crumble like a sandcastle, something came to mind.
It was the ‘Stick Function’ mentioned under the ‘New Task.’
Since it was described as a function, surely it had to be useful for something.
I prayed silently and clicked on the task page, which appeared right on cue like a ghost.
Simultaneously, the members’ movements froze as if time had stopped. A new explanation appeared.
If I dragged this out, the kids might get cramps in their legs, so I read through the text as quickly as possible.
+
[SYSTEM] The ‘Stick Function’ is now being disclosed to ‘Party B.’
▷ Supports real-time monitoring of the cooperation status between team members.
▷ Information regarding the relationships of members linked by a ‘Stick’ will be revealed irregularly based on KPI achievement performance.
▷ You can create a ‘Stick’ by selecting team members and creating an appropriate combination name.
+
The fact that this function appeared now meant I was supposed to link Choi Je-ho and Kang Gi-yeon.
I dragged the names of Choi Je-ho and Kang Gi-yeon, which were floating in the air, and dropped them into the box in front of me. An empty text field appeared.
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[SYSTEM] Please enter a combination name.
▶ [ ]
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Without hesitation, I typed in ‘Oldest-Maknae Line.’
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[SYSTEM] Inappropriate combination name.
▶ Reason: The factual relationship does not match the combination name.
+
I was rejected instantly.
“Why?”
I asked, but there was no answer.
This was ridiculous. It was the official term fans used, so who was this system to reject it?
I slowly re-read the reason for the rejection. Then, I realized what the problem was.
‘Is it because Choi Je-ho isn't the oldest anymore because I joined?’
If we went by birthdays, I was born in February and Choi Je-ho was born in November. Strictly speaking, the current Choi Je-ho was not the eldest.
I wondered why I had bothered memorizing Choi Je-ho’s birthday, and it turned out it was for something like this.
After that, I typed in over ten combination names, only to have them all rejected.
The reasons for rejection were varied.
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[SYSTEM] Inappropriate combination name.
▶ Reason: Lack of sincerity.
[SYSTEM] Inappropriate combination name.
▶ Reason: Meaningless and overly simple.
[SYSTEM] Inappropriate combination name.
▶ Reason: Excessive malice detected.
+
The difficulty of this screening was sky-high. I felt like I’d have to open a naming center just to draw two sticks.
Finding a name that was appropriately original, filled with affection, and sounded like a cute nickname was as contradictory as a company dinner held to "promote friendship."
So, I decided to include the word ‘love’ first. That should cover the affection part.
When I got to ‘Love-dungi,’ it started to feel a bit cute.
But if I used ‘Love-dungi,’ the reason would probably be something like ‘Does not match the associated image.’
Because those two… they were clearly far from having a ‘lovely’ vibe.
After long deliberation, I entered the final word.
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[SYSTEM] The combination name is confirmed as ‘Sapodungi.’
+
Fortunately, the system also agreed that the nickname was appropriate for the two prickly men.
Once the combination was successfully formed, the images they held of each other appeared.
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[Choi Je-ho — I have no idea what he’s thinking → Kang Gi-yeon]
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I wasn't sure if I should be happy that it wasn't something like ‘I don’t care.’
He acted like he lived alone in his own world, but it seemed he had at least a shred of interest in his fellow trainees.
The twist was on Kang Gi-yeon’s side.
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[Kang Gi-yeon — Feeling hurt → Choi Je-ho]
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To think his heart was wounded because he felt hurt by his Hyung. Wasn't that actually quite precious?
It seemed Spark’s youngest, Mr. Kang Gi-yeon, was a man with a cold tongue but a warm heart.
If that was the case, I could somewhat understand why Kang Gi-yeon had been suppressing his anger alone.
Most importantly, as long as they didn't hate each other, there was hope.
I immediately deactivated the Stick Function. Simultaneously, the suffocating atmosphere returned.
Choi Je-ho looked like he was about to open his mouth, but fearing he’d say something like “I don’t know” or “Why should I care?”, I beat him to the punch and spoke to Kang Gi-yeon.
“Could you tell us what part made you feel hurt? That way, I can be careful in the future too.”
“Hurt…?”
Kang Gi-yeon’s eyes widened.
Sometimes it’s flustering when your emotions are defined by a specific word. I understood.
However, Kang Gi-yeon spoke with a determination that made his previous hesitation seem pointless.
“Whenever I ask to practice together as a group, Je-ho Hyung says he already knows all the moves, so he doesn't see why he has to sync up from the beginning. It’s not just once or twice; it’s every single time.”
“Hmm.”
“I don’t know if he just hates the flow being broken when someone makes a mistake, but it feels like Hyung thinks his role is over as long as he does well himself. I mean, he’s not wrong, but… I don’t like it.”
Kang Gi-yeon’s words were refined yet clear. The fact that his thoughts were this organized meant he had agonized over this same issue many times.
“Then you can just ask him.”
“What?”
“Choi Je-ho, why did you say no when Gi-yeon asked to practice together?”
When the subject of the conversation shifted from Kang Gi-yeon to himself, Choi Je-ho was caught off guard.
“It’s not that I said no, it’s just that I couldn't find a reason to do it together.”
It was a very Choi Je-ho-like answer. After all, there are people in this world who don't feel much excitement about achieving something together.
“I understand. You didn't feel the necessity because you didn't think there was any added benefit, right?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s natural for people to have different thoughts, but I still find myself understanding Gi-yeon’s position a bit more.”
“Why?”
“I wonder. Is it because you’re preparing for a group debut, not a solo one?”
The memory of Department Head Nam, who used to ask if I didn't know how important collective culture was in professional life, made a chill run down my spine.
I chose my words with all my might, trying not to sound like him.
“Teamwork doesn't just magically appear the moment you debut. If improving your skills is the number one priority for you, Je-ho, then Gi-yeon might consider supplementary elements like teamwork just as important.”
“Then is individual skill not important?”
“That’s important too, but I’m saying this because your skills aren't at a level where a few group practice sessions would ruin them.”
“……”
“So, when Gi-yeon asks to practice together, why not think, ‘Ah, he wants us to try doing something together’? It’s quite admirable. He even approached his Hyung first.”
“Is approaching me first really something to be called ‘admirable’?”
“If you’re curious, try counting how many words you say to the members in a day.”
At that, Choi Je-ho’s expression turned strange.
Oops. That last part was meant to be a joke.
“That’s right, Hyung! It’s because Kang Gyeon is an only child, so he hasn't had much practice asking older people to play with him!”
“I didn't mean it in the sense of asking him to play. Don't twist my words, okay?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon skillfully wrapped up the atmosphere that was about to turn serious again. Both of these guys were quite admirable today.
The ‘Why are you talking like that?’ incident, which had flared up so suddenly, was brought to an end by the manager’s visit to the practice room.
It was only after returning to the cramped and stifling vocal practice room after the long psychological battle that I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
‘Surely they won't fight like this once a week, right?’
The mere thought was horrifying. If I had to go through this every time just to gain 20 experience points, I’d much rather take Kang Gi-yeon’s special training for three weeks straight.
Though, fighting was a hundred times better than falling into a slump like Jeong Seong-bin.
How did I end up in a group that felt like a flickering candle in the wind?
I seriously wondered if the ‘Producing Member’ role I was assigned was actually a ‘Mental Producing Member’ role.
But from next time, there will be no more talking or gathering.
I’ll just make them resolve it between themselves with a simple “Is that so?”
The conversation time, which I thought had barely managed to extinguish the flames, brought about an unexpected change.
Though it was very slight, the members began to talk to each other a bit more beyond just greetings.
Even this morning, Choi Je-ho…
“Are you baking that bread for the sake of teamwork too?”
…he asked. It was such an unexpected question that I almost burnt the bread.
The one leading this atmosphere was Lee Cheong-hyeon.
Lee Cheong-hyeon, whose energy had always been on a different level, noticed the stiff atmosphere had loosened slightly and opened the floodgates of conversation like a fish in water.
“Hyung! Aren't you hungry?”
This kid was asking if I was hungry for the third time since he arrived at the practice room after school.
“I am. I was actually thinking about what to eat for breakfast tomorrow.”
“It’s just going to be bread or chewy cold noodles anyway!”
Well, that was true.
My body was that of a twenty-year-old in his prime, but since I was eating bread for breakfast and only salads for lunch and dinner, it was impossible not to be hungry.
“Do you guys eat school lunch? I haven't seen you packing salads.”
“Ah, I don’t eat lunch during the semester.”
“What?”
It was shocking to realize these kids were enduring such pain where I couldn't see them.
Yet, Lee Cheong-hyeon spoke nonchalantly about skipping the meals that were provided.
“Since practice time is reduced, my activity level is also lower. If I eat like usual, I’ll gain weight.”
“No… but you skip meals entirely?”
“It’s better than getting pointed out during weight checks.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon then let out a sigh.
“Still, UA doesn't weigh us that often. I heard the management at big agencies is really intense.”
“Aren't you on the thin side for your age anyway?”
“Ayy, Hyung. No matter what, you can’t stick to a standard weight if you’re an idol.”
The more Lee Cheong-hyeon spoke, the more troubled I became.
Certainly, during their seven years of activity, Spark had always shown a consistent appearance.
The so-called ‘well-managed look.’
However, just as human eyes are sensitive to change, they also become dull to things that remain the same.
When people see those whose height and weight don't change for seven years, they start to think, ‘I guess that’s just how they are.’
In the process, their efforts naturally fade away.
‘Still, I have to feed them.’
They were already lacking energy from eating only salads after moving around all day, and they were skipping even that one meal?
In a nation obsessed with meals, this was something that should never happen.
It was also strange to be managing only their weight when debut was more than a year away.
They should be thinking about feeding them something to make them grow taller. Do they not know how important height is for a male idol?
I knew management was difficult. But shouldn't there be a sense of priority?
You can lose weight later, but if you miss your growth period, that’s it.
“We’re all doing this to make a living, so what is this…”
“Of all the expressions I’ve seen on your face lately, Hyung, you look the most serious right now…”
Of course I’m serious, hearing that a high schooler is skipping meals.
Even at Hanpyeong Industry, they gave us a lunch break.
Of course, it was legally required, and even then, I had to finish in ten minutes because I was busy delivering Department Head Nam’s lunch.
No fan in the world would want their idol to be running around on an empty stomach.
I had never seen a sticker design for a gift lunchbox that didn't include the words ‘Don’t skip your meals!’
Suddenly, I remembered that Spark had debuted seven years ago (by my standards) with a fragile, high-teen student vibe that didn't suit them at all.
‘Did they go on an even more grueling diet just for that fragile boy concept?’
I looked at Lee Cheong-hyeon in front of me, and then at Choi Je-ho and the three others beyond him.
Regrettably, their faces were intimidatingly cold for them to be called ‘youthful boys.’
Furthermore, these guys were born with good frames; even if they lost weight, it wouldn't show unless they lost an extreme amount.
‘I need to… think about the concept in advance.’
Something that suits them as much as possible.
And above all, a concept where they don't have to wear skinny school uniforms.