On her way to work, Jiya called Dohee.
“So… you’re planning to wait at Dora’s apartment all day today?”
Yes.
For Dohee, this was puzzling.
Jiya had never made such a suggestion before.
Although Jiya had been acting as the general manager overseeing the first-generation idols for over a year under Cheon Dohee’s directive, she had never built a personal relationship with them, such as meeting for meals or spending time together individually.
Even when collaborating with Rain and standing on the same stage without losing her composure, Jiya had always maintained the attitude of considering herself as merely “a stage light.” That hadn’t changed over the years.
At the company, she treated Dohee with utmost respect as the president, though she had been a bit more playful recently.
Still, when it came to work, Jiya was diligent.
The first-generation idols felt distinctly like coworkers she had to back up, and she kept a clear boundary in their relationships.
Just looking at the recent chat exchanges with the idols showed this dynamic:
Rain: Jiya Jiya Jiya Jiya Jiya Jiya Jiya~!
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: Yes.
Rain: Dinner today? Yes?
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: No.
Rain: WHY?
Dora: Don’t worry, I’ll pretend my equipment is broken.
Dora: Let’s gather at my place, hahaha.
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: Please say that in a chat I’m not in.
Dora: Aww.
Rain: LOL, you dummy.
Dora: What are you even saying, Fork-lift?
Rain: I’ll kick your ass.
Dora: (Sticking out tongue emoji)
Komari: Jiya-unnie, you don’t want to hang out with us, right?
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: No sudden emotional outbursts, please.
Komari: You’re so mean.
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: Just pick the game we’re playing tomorrow.
Komari: (Puffed-cheeks emoji) (Pouting emoji)
Komari: (Crying emoji flood)
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: Pick tomorrow’s game already, second warning.
Dora: Come here, Mari. Unnie will hug you.
Komari: Unnieeee!
Maru: Can’t we just meet when we see her at the company?
Maru: Why is everyone so eager to meet her early?
Komari: Oh, true.
Komari: Our motion capture session for the 1st-anniversary song is next week, right?
Rain: What the—
Rain: Maru, you genius?
Maru: Smirk
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: Then I’ll take leave that day.
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: It’s a group broadcast break day anyway.
Maru: Ma’am?
Rain: Wowww.
Parallel Operations Team Jiya: Don’t curse.
Rain: “Park” you.
Jiya kept a firm wall between her and the idols, making her someone who couldn’t be drawn closer just by trying to pull.
People often asked why someone would bother playing tug-of-war with a wall.
Suggesting, “Let’s hang out together?” to Jiya felt like exactly that.
After all, even if Jiya took a break, the other first-generation idols would still broadcast.
And if they rested, Osian Momo would still be streaming.
Jiya’s main job of monitoring never really stopped.
If the first-generation idols wanted to push their way closer, they probably could.
With Jiya’s small and cute stature, she could easily be overpowered physically by anyone except Komari, who was also around 150 cm tall.
However, despite this physical disparity, the first-generation idols never rushed Jiya.
Who else would run over without hesitation at dawn to fix major broadcasting equipment issues?
And it wasn’t just equipment.
When the idols couldn’t decide on a game to play, Jiya’s recommendations were spot-on, almost like precision strikes, catering perfectly to viewer needs while avoiding repeats in their broadcast history.
Still, Jiya’s overtly “I’m an introvert!” attitude made any close approach seem like a bad idea.
If Jiya were to quit due to discomfort, the first-generation idols would be in trouble.
Everyone knew how much President Cheon Dohee valued Jiya, and anyone upsetting Jiya risked falling out of favor with Dohee.
Thus, the first-generation idols only observed Jiya from afar, never bridging the gap—until today.
Surprisingly, Jiya declared she would go to Dora’s place first.
Dohee listed the excuses Jiya had made before.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this? You won’t be able to monitor the others’ broadcasts from there.”
“I’ll bring my phone and tablet.”
“You always said the screens were too small for that.”
“Well, this is a good chance to prepare for working from anywhere. You never know when something similar might come up again. And, like you said, I might need to broadcast again.”
Dohee immediately understood Jiya’s thought process.
As an employee, Jiya felt she couldn’t freely visit the idols’ personal spaces like a friend.
But perhaps, after collaborating with Rain, Jiya realized she had been too distant from the idols.
Then again, Jiya’s unpredictable personality meant Dohee couldn’t entirely predict her motivations.
Still, Dohee was grateful that Jiya offered to wait at Dora’s place.
Whether Jiya started from the company or her own home, the distance was the same—20 minutes.
Losing just 20 minutes of sound during a late-night broadcast could cause viewers to leave, making it critical.
Even so, Dohee couldn’t help but worry about sending Jiya alone.
“You know Dora might keep you there, right?”
Ah.
Jiya murmured, recalling a past incident.
A few months ago, Dora and Komari had played ten rounds of mini-games on the Mintendo, with the loser having to play a horror game.
When Komari lost, she cried so much she couldn’t continue, prompting Jiya to visit her.
In the end, Komari became a “hugging doll,” staying in Dora’s arms while they watched the horror game together.
Despite Komari’s typically brave demeanor, Dora’s jump-scares made her scream along, which viewers found adorable.
Thanks to Komari’s unusually dynamic reactions, the broadcast gained high views on both live streams and highlights.
The point was, today Jiya might have to play Komari’s role.
Understanding Dohee’s intent, Jiya muttered.
“Well, if Dora can’t proceed with her broadcast, there’s no helping it.”
Of course, Jiya didn’t forget to add her own thoughts.
“Though I’d prefer if someone else went instead. It’s awkward to call them at a late hour, though, since they all have their own broadcasts.”
Sighing, Dohee found Jiya adorable despite herself.
There’s no boss who wouldn’t adore a diligent employee like Jiya.
“But President, what if the others haven’t ended their streams yet? I won’t be able to monitor them.”
“I’ll let the respective managers know to contact you directly in case of emergencies.”
Yes.
Lately, Jiya’s speech had taken on a softer, rounder tone, making her seem even more endearing despite her increasingly playful behavior.
Cheon Dohee gave this cute employee one last piece of advice before she left.
Even though they both already knew it well, it was worth reiterating.
“If you do get caught, be mindful of what you say. Even if your voice gets picked up, it’s not a huge problem, but watch your words. You know this without me saying it, right?”
“Of course. Honestly, I was just planning to sit quietly and monitor the chat.”
Even though Jiya had gotten closer to them, she still clearly wanted to stay out of the spotlight during broadcasts.
While viewers would probably prefer her to throw in a comment or two, Dohee wasn’t inclined to interfere with Jiya’s intentions.
As long as Jiya introduced herself while she was with Dora, the public sentiment would likely remain positive.
“Alright, do it your way.”
A few hours later, as I was gathering my things to leave the office, the team leader approached me.
“Jiya, I heard you’re going to help Dora out today.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Be careful. I’ve talked to the president, and I’ll stay here today.”
“Huh? She said she was just going to notify the managers.”
“Well, that was the plan, but I figured it’d be safer for me to stay. You know, like when I’ve stepped in for you before, whenever you’ve had to take time off for hospital visits.”
True.
Whenever I had to take leave unexpectedly, the team leader would adjust their workload to handle my monitoring duties.
Since this only happened once or twice a year, it was often their suggestion to cover for me.
The last time I entrusted the job to them was when I caught COVID earlier this year.
… Thinking back on it, I really thought I was dying at that time.
As I reminisced, the team leader gently pushed me out of the office with a chuckle.
“Hurry up and go. Don’t worry about things here. I’ll call if something comes up that I truly can’t handle.”
Kang Jiho, my team leader, smiled warmly and even saw me off at the office entrance.
As I was about to leave, I stopped and added something, just in case.
“Make sure to lock the office door tonight, and if you leave, ask the security guard to accompany you. Also, arrange for a taxi in advance.”
The office area gets eerily quiet when I leave at night, and the atmosphere can be overwhelming.
That’s why I said it.
But the team leader just laughed and ruffled my hair lightly.
“Got it, thanks, Jiya.”
Why are they laughing?
I was genuinely worried.
Anyway, I bowed politely and left the building.
By then, a message from Dora, who had woken up, had arrived.
Dora: Really?
Dora: Jiya’s coming?!
Dora: Awesome.
Dora: It feels like I’ve gained celestial reinforcements!
It’s actually “heaven-sent reinforcements,” but Dora’s clumsy charm is her appeal, so I don’t bother correcting her typos.
The storyline of a “foolish character” gradually becoming smarter can be delightful, but Dora has an unpredictable streak of genius that surprises everyone now and then.
I’d rather nurture her sunny, carefree image.
Her fans often jokingly repeat the phrase, “Please, just grow up healthy.”
Dora: Oh.
Dora: But when are you coming?
Me: I’ve caught a taxi.
Me: I’ll be there in 20 minutes.
Dora: Oh.
Dora: Sorry, but…
Dora: Could you come in an hour instead?
Dora: My place is a total mess right now
Last time, when the audio interface caused issues, she had been flustered and let me in immediately.
But of course, showing me that mess again must feel embarrassing.
Laundry scattered everywhere, unused exercise equipment doubling as a clothes rack, empty water bottles and alcohol bottles stacked up—it wasn’t exactly the kind of chaos she’d want her fans to see.
While her fans knew Dora wasn’t the tidiest person, seeing it firsthand would shatter some illusions.
Still, it’s better to leave the mess as it is.
If she cleaned, I’d have to ensure she didn’t touch anything near her computer setup.
The last thing I wanted was expensive equipment getting damaged—repairing it would mean another purchase request.
Me: Sure, I’ll adjust and arrive in an hour.
Me: But don’t touch the soundproof booth.
Me: If you do, it’s war.