Two weeks of being an MC for the award show, Zayn has improved a lot. He becomes less awkward and gets along with people quite nicely. Everybody was so nice to him.
After talking with Jiyoung, they found an agreement together.
Zayn agreed to receive the promotion Jiyoung is offering, and that is to become a manager of a certain group. He hasn't been told yet about this group, but he's confident he can make communicate very well with the members.
“Tomorrow, come to Practice Room 17. We'll meet the group you're in charge of. I'll have a personal meeting with them first, so come by around 2:30 pm.”
He was told that the group has no managers currently, and it has been a few months since they work without one.
Jiyoung tried finding one and decided to simply give this job to Zayn instead.
That is why Jiyoung needs to talk to the group beforehand, in case they don't agree with his decision to make Zayn as heir manager.
...
He dressed casually, making himself comfortable rather than formal. After arriving at the building, he took his time, finding the practice room Jiyoung told him about.
Just before entering, he glanced at his wristwatch to make sure he was not too late or too early.
Zayn tried calming himself down. Thinking that a manager's work is really hard, he feels the need to do his very best in it.
It is more than just managing idol's schedules. In this case, he will be a manager for a whole group, not an individual. So, he is responsible for managing all members in the very best way possible.
Zayn slowly knocks on the door before opening the door a little to peek. “Hello, is Jiyoung here?”
His words came out first before he could even process the people he's looking at. The moment he realises, he almost feels like fainting.
“Jiyoung, I don't think we need any further discussion. I am agreeing for him to be our manager, as soon as now.” Nayeon said while maintaining the eye contact and grin on her face.
...
“Since your old manager, Mrs. Kim has retired, I'm thinking of getting you all a new manager.” Jiyoung said.
“Have you lost count of how many managers left after they went through us?” Jeongyeon questioned. “I don't think we need anyone new right now.”
“That's true.” Sana agreed. “We can do perfectly fine as a group even after months without one.”
Jiyoung sighed. “You can say that now. Your packed schedule is coming very soon. You won't be alright. Somehow, you'll need one person to decide everything about your group activities.”
“See? This is what we don't like. Having someone else deciding for us.” Jihyo groaned.
Jiyoung objected, “I'm not saying that they'll boss you around. You can decide what you want. But, at one point, your opinions will clash, and you will need someone to decide fair and square.”
“We haven't fought with each other since forever. I don't think such problems will happen.” Tzuyu said, trying to end this debate.
Jiyoung found an idea to persuade them. “What if I say this new manager is a guy?”
“Does that make it any better?” Dahyun asked the obvious. “No. What makes you think we'll agree if you say it was a man?”
Jiyoung was lost at words. The girls are really keen about having no manager. He has been through that, so he knows how much of a hell it was.
He glanced at the time on his phone and gasped. “He's on his way here. He must be near. What should I say to him?”
“We can help you chase him out. It's not like it is our first time doing it.” Chaeyoung said, which the others laughed.
Jiyoung sighed, knowing that these girls were all against him. He shouldn't even ask for their help on what to do.
The next thing they know, a knock on the door was heard. As everybody stayed calm, Jiyoung felt his own heartbeat thumping against his chest. “That must be him.”
...
Nayeon words were baiting everyone's interest. Also, Dahyun's expression solidifies it. Her neutral face immediately lighted up with eyebrows raised and the brightest smile carved on her lips.
Zayn looks truly shocked and is stunned at the door. He seems to have no idea about this either.
He wasn't trying to be disrespectful, so he still entered no matter how much he didn't want to be here at the moment. He walked towards Jiyoung and sat beside him.
For the first few seconds, everybody sat in silence, waiting for Zayn to say something, but nothing came out at all.
Finally, he leans in to talk to Jiyoung in a low voice. But, because of the room's silence, everybody can hear him clearly.
“I thought it was a boy group.” Zayn said.
Before Jiyoung could even reply, the girls were fast to say something about it. It seems like they've all changed their minds regarding their rejection earlier.
“Are you into men?” Tzuyu asked boldly.
Zayn answers but didn't care to look into the eyes of any of them, and it came out a little too harsh than he intends to. “Because I'm not into man, is why I'm looking for a boy group. Isn't it obvious?”
Sana shrieked in excitement, “I like this guy!”
...
Zayn was the last to leave the room with Jiyoung. Jiyoung took a left turn to head to his office while Zayn has nothing to do left and will be heading to his apartment now.
As he walks slowly, he shakes the pile of papers in hand with a heavy feeling in heart.
No matter how hard he pushed away the offer to become TWICE manager, it doesn't work at all. It is a debate of nine girls versus a man. And the man we're talking about is an immature, having absolutely no experience and also younger than most of the girls.
Zayn waited for the elevator to come once he pressed on the button. It'll take some time to reach this floor.
He leaned against one wall with hands folded. His eyes felt heavy and were slowly closed. He really wanted to rest his mind right now.
Then, he remembers how the girls are very keen to chase away newbies all the time. It’s not a rumour. Heejin confirms it, and by the look Jiyoung gave earlier, he seems concerned that Zayn will be their next victim.
He has not even started his service, yet they've bothered him before already.
The thought was making his head a big mess no matter how hard he tried to convince himself that he could handle them.
Zayn grunted and hit the wall behind him, at once, opening his eyes again. Only to see Nayeon and Jeongyeon standing there, looking at him closely.
It shocked him, but he managed to stay calm and not show the nervous side of him.
“Having a bad dream already, Honey?” Nayeon asked in all sarcasm while Jeongyeon laughs at her statement.
Zayn clears his throat and stands properly while waiting for the elevator to open its door. He didn't tend to answer the sarcasm and immediately stepped inside first.
These two girls are still giving this look at him, and it is challenging his patience.
