Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols
SS Chapter 85: A Mediocre Talent (3)
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TL: FoodieMonster007
"Iwol-hyung?" Kang Kiyeon asked back.
He felt that Kim Iwol was amazing, but he had never thought of him as a genius. If anything, he was closer to being a top student or a model student.
He was sincere, a hard worker, firm in his self-reflection, and thorough in everything he did.
On the other hand, Choi Jeho had a strangely rebellious side to him. It was true even though he never skipped practice.
Choi Jeho gave off the strong impression of someone who could not be confined to a mold. He was uniquely different.
However, Choi Jeho himself was saying something else entirely. Kang Kiyeon was puzzled by this opinion, which was the opposite of his own.
"You don't think so?"
"No, it's just… it's unexpected…"
"What is?"
That you think that way, hyung.
He could not bring himself to say it out loud, so he held it in. Kang Kiyeon was not a psychopath who enjoyed picking fights with his elders.
Choi Jeho, not being the type to ask again, simply let it go.
"Someone who pushes forward no matter what anyone around them says. Isn't that a genius?"
"Is that your opinion, hyung?"
"What's your opinion?"
"There's that aspect, but… isn't something more fundamental important?"
"What fundamental thing?"
"Like having outstanding ability. Or a unique personality that makes them stand out. Of course, Iwol-hyung is smart."
"Yeah, he's smart."
Then Choi Jeho asked, "But is he only smart?"
"……"
"He didn't sleep, he practiced to death, and he knew how to go head-to-head with Yoo Hansoo. When he decides to do something, he does it. A fearless punk like that is a crazy bastard, and that's what's scary. Is it easy to pull an all-nighter even when you know you'll get more time? Is it easy to push forward and say yes when everyone else says no?"
Kim Iwol, who had joined last, had made up for the time barrier with sheer effort. It was not that the other members did not sweat and practice, but he had narrowed the gap by chipping away at each day with fire in his eyes.
He had not hesitated to confront the company, saying that the person who joined late should not become a hindrance. It was Kim Iwol who had gotten rid of Yoo Hansoo and exposed Hong Unseop's behavior.
Once he decided on something, he made sure it happened, no matter the obstacles. Kang Kiyeon saw this as 'diligence' rather than 'excellence'. It seemed this was the point where his and Choi Jeho's arguments diverged.
It looked like the conversation was going to be a long one. Kang Kiyeon sat down on the floor and continued.
"Still, you don't call someone a genius if they lack skill. Look at how everyone acknowledges Joowoo-hyung or Lee Cheonghyeon."
"Right, so I'm asking if you could stick to your work even if everyone called you inadequate, unlike how the world treats Park Joowoo or Lee Cheonghyeon. Kim Iwol, no matter what anyone around him says, just goes, 'Yes, I understand, now I'll get back to my work!' and does his own thing, you know?"
If Kang Kiyeon was talking about the scale of talent, Choi Jeho was talking about mindset. Their points were different.
He knew that, but it was difficult to re-center the context.
"Did Park Joowoo set some unprecedented new record on the overseas charts? Did every song Lee Cheonghyeon released hit number one? Even if they didn't, they seem amazing because they have guts. Can you even imagine those two backing down?"
He was at a loss for words. Kang Kiyeon recalled Park Joowoo, who had managed to pull off a live band performance with members who were mostly instrument novices, and Lee Cheonghyeon, who had ultimately persuaded him despite his own resistance.
He wanted to say, 'That's not what I'm talking about!' but he could not refute it because it was not entirely wrong.
It was just his petty pride that could not accept it.
"Why no answer?"
So he was about to… acknowledge it, but then he got slightly heated. How could he dig into a person's heart so callously!
Not as bold as Choi Jeho, Kang Kiyeon's lips jutted out in a pout.
"…You still need to have overwhelming results as a foundation. I think you need a certain amount of talent to back that up. Just like how I can't become like you, hyung, no matter how hard I try."
As soon as he said it, Kang Kiyeon regretted it. Did the conversation so far sound like he was trying to diminish Kim Iwol's capabilities? Did it seem like he was jealous that Park Joowoo or Lee Cheonghyeon were highly praised while he did not even try?
He had absolutely no desire to hear a compliment like, 'Kiyeon, you're really amazing too!' so the atmosphere instantly became uncomfortable.
I shouldn't have said that last part.
It was a sentence that could easily be interpreted as him looking down on Choi Jeho. He had no intention of whining, but he was full of regret.
Seeing how the conversation had flowed, it seemed he had been worrying far too much about useless things.
Choi Jeho stared at Kang Kiyeon before asking, "Why should the result of your effort be me?"
"Pardon?"
"You have your own path, don't you? Don't tell me you're just looking at what's right in front of you. I'm three years older than you, of course I'm going to look better, geez…"
The dumbfounded tone made Kang Kiyeon the one who was flabbergasted. The person he was promoting with was a three-years-older Choi Jeho, so of course he would compare them on the same level.
Besides, he had been a prodigy even when he was Kang Kiyeon's age. However, Choi Jeho's thoughts were different.
"The you now is different from the you three years ago, so you think the age gap between you and me, a completely different person, can be ignored?"
"……"
"And what about Jeong Seongbin, who's the same age but has a friend who's a damn good singer? When Jeong Seongbin is alone, no one says he can't sing. They only compare him when he's with Park Joowoo, but does Seongbin even care that his evaluation drops compared to Park Joowoo? He just focuses on what he needs to do. He graduated from those kinds of worries a long time ago."
Choi Jeho seemed quite proud of such a Jeong Seongbin, but Kang Kiyeon was more curious about how his hyung could be so composed.
Unlike the youngest members with different positions, the two main vocalists were frequently mentioned together. However, Jeong Seongbin did not seem to feel a gap with Park Joowoo the way he did with Choi Jeho.
In his position supporting everyone, he silently fulfilled his role as leader, and when his turn came, he perfectly delivered his part and returned. That was all possible thanks to Jeong Seongbin's mindset. According to Choi Jeho's argument, that is.
"When I was choreographing and practicing, I thought of you as an equal. I've never looked down on you for being inadequate, so I don't know why you're acting like this on your own."
He might not have intended it as an attack, but Kang Kiyeon's heart ached hearing it. It felt like a stab right through the heart. It was hard to get a grip from the damage.
He barely managed to hold back a retort like, 'I knew every word you said felt cold.' No matter who heard it, it was not the tone of someone looking out for their younger brother.
"And you, you're constantly conscious of other people."
"…?"
"Just think about satisfying Lee Cheonghyeon. Do you want to disappoint him?"
The three syllables of Lee Cheonghyeon's name struck him like a lightning bolt in his head. His friend who had clutched his laptop all night in his room, who had asked which songs he liked, and who had been overjoyed when Kang Kiyeon accepted his decision.
Anyone with a conscience would want to meet the expectations of a friend like that.
"You know why Seongbin is so earnest about everything."
Even without Choi Jeho pointing it out, he knew. With Park Joowoo around, he could not be lazy about anything, so Jeong Seongbin could not just settle for reality.
Kang Kiyeon's situation was similar. He could not produce a result that fell short of the expectations of Lee Cheonghyeon, who had likely already drawn out the entire picture. Not because he should not, but because his pride would not allow it.
"What about you, hyung?"
"Me what?"
"Do you also feel the burden of having to meet Iwol-hyung's expectations?"
"How can I ignore him when he's glaring at me from the side holding pinking shears?"
Was Kim Iwol's pinking shears more burdensome than Kang Kiyeon could imagine, or did Choi Jeho think the weight of the burden Kang Kiyeon felt was only about the size of pinking shears? He was purely envious of the attitude that could brush off any problem as if it were nothing.
Why did everything others had look so good in his eyes?
"Still, it's surprising. Iwol-hyung always said you were a natural."
"I'm telling you, it's all relative. You know why Kim Iwol doesn't consider himself a genius? Because he's convinced himself that the world is full of experts and he's nothing special."
"……"
"It's the same for you. In a situation where you don't even know if you're a genius or whatever, why go out of your way to act like 'I'm a lost cause'?"
"Is that what you're doing?"
He had heard it from Kim Iwol once. That Choi Jeho did not like self-deprecation. He said he did not count 'that kind' of talk as humility.
When he first heard the story, he thought it was because Choi Jeho was insensitive. However, his opinion had changed slightly now.
Choi Jeho was the type of person who had concluded that 'useless, stray thoughts are pointless' and therefore unnecessary.
"If you're worried your skills are ordinary, then act like they're not. Do what you want, and even if others say 'that's a bit much,' assert yourself. In the long run, that's what's beneficial."
"What if I can't grasp my place and overdo it?"
"I'm telling you to figure it out because I know you have enough brains for it. If you had nothing, I wouldn't even tell you to do as you please. If you have talent, use it."
His tone was laced with annoyance. It did not seem to be out of frustration.
It was closer to a sincerity born from concern. Choi Jeho let out a deep sigh.
"No wonder. I was wondering why you were treating me like an alien. You and Kim Iwol are the same, needlessly overestimating others."
Kang Kiyeon clamped his mouth shut. He did not really want to admit that Choi Jeho was right.
"I'm a damn normal person, so stop looking at me through colored glasses."
"In this case, it's not colored glasses, it's rose-colored glasses, hyung. We're looking at you favorably."
"Oh, you're so damn smart. Starting today, you're a genius. Happy now?"
"Ugh…"
Kang Kiyeon stood up, disgusted. His legs had fallen asleep from sitting for so long.
While awkwardly stretching his knees, Kang Kiyeon did not forget to say thank you. Choi Jeho gave him a glance and gestured with his chin for him to go inside.
"Aren't you going to sleep, hyung?"
"In a little bit."
"Then I'll go first…!"
Bowing his head, Kang Kiyeon turned and headed for his room. His shoulders seemed lighter than when he had first entered the dorm.
"Say something to give Kiyeon some strength."
The reason Choi Jeho had ended up playing the role of a counselor, which did not suit his personality at all, was all because of Kim Iwol.