Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut!

Chapter 79. Bomb! (1)

“Did I… understand that correctly?”

Eunseok asked as he took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure.

In response, Hajin returned to his usual demeanor, took a big bite of cake, and nodded cheerfully as he chewed.

“Yes, you heard correctly.”

“So… you’re saying to just spend money?”

After contemplating for a moment, Eunseok straightened up and looked directly at Hajin, his businesslike attitude returning.

Despite appearances, he had grown up as the son of a wealthy family and had learned how to read people throughout his life. As the heir to a mid-sized company, Eunseok quickly realized that the twenty-year-old friend of his younger brother sitting before him had come with a test sheet where the answers were already predetermined.

“…This seems like it’s going to be a long conversation. Shall we go to my office to continue?”

“Uh… I’m sorry, but is it nearby? I live quite far from here, hyung.”

“I’ll arrange for a driver to take you home. Since you’re my youngest brother’s friend, that’s the least I can do.”

“…A driver?”

Long live rich friends (even if they’re younger)! The best. A rich friend’s brother is even better.

Hajin whistled, feeling a thrill of power.

* * *

Eunseok’s office wasn’t as far as Hajin had expected.

However, Hajin was taken aback to find out that the “office” was not at a company, but rather Eunseok’s personal office.

“Separate house, separate company, separate office… This must be the world they live in.”

Eunchan’s apartment (calling it a “room” in the first place was a bit disingenuous) had already been surprising enough, but this place was on another level entirely.

“I really need to work hard and make money. I absolutely must succeed.”

With renewed resolve to realize his dream of becoming young and rich, Hajin sat down on the sofa that Eunseok had indicated and set his bag down.

“So… shall we go over it again?”

Eunseok, now in comfortable clothes after asking for Hajin’s understanding, sat across from him. Wearing angular glasses, Eunseok’s rounded features were somewhat obscured, making him resemble Eunchan more.

“To prevent suspicions that I’m backing the youngest with money, what exactly should I spend on?”

This was the crucial part. Maintaining a demeanor and expression that inspired trust, Hajin spoke in the most stable tone he could muster.

“The show we’re on, *Miro Maze*, is broadcast by Ntv, but it’s produced by an outsourced company.”

“I already know that much since it’s a show my youngest is on.”

“Yes, as you know. So, I want to empower the production company to keep the network’s CP in check.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“I have evidence that the network’s CP, PD Yoon Kisuk, manipulated the viewer votes.”

“…!”

“I’m planning to hand that over to the production company.”

Eunseok, surprised once again by Hajin’s straightforwardness in revealing his plan, skillfully hid his expression as he asked.

“It would be hard to blackmail the network with just that. The network could easily cut ties with Yoon.”

“That’s exactly what I’m aiming for.”

“……”

“How could a production company blackmail a network? But a production company CEO who used to work in the entertainment department could have a meal with a senior, right? And it just so happens that the senior is the director at Ntv.”

Hajin laughed playfully as if nothing was wrong.

“While catching up over a drink, the CEO could cautiously offer some advice. It seems like PD Yoon is taking bribes and rigging the votes. If this comes to light, it could cause serious damage. Aren’t you about to become a department head?”

“……”

“As a junior who feels concerned, I’m giving you a heads up. What do we do about this? Wouldn’t it be better to quietly deal with PD Yoon and the trainees involved in the rigging and let them take the fall?”

“…Hajin, did you say you were twenty years old?”

“Beautiful twenty, capable of chewing through steel.”

Though I’ve regressed four times and lived through it five times.

…Of course, I kept that to myself.

“Anyway, this is where I’ll need your help, hyung.”

“Hmm. Could you be asking me to arrange a meal between the production company CEO and the network director?”

Eunseok voiced his own analysis. That’s usually when a company’s money is needed.

But Hajin shook his head lazily, as if that was far too small in scale.

“Hyung, your thinking is a bit limited.”

“I meant I have no idea what you’re planning.”

The youngest has made quite an impressive friend. Eunseok quietly marveled.

“Well, you’re not entirely wrong. The CEO needs to get something out of it to take the evidence I give him and go blackmail the director.”

“Are you saying I should bribe the production company CEO?”

“Ah, no need for such scary words. I don’t like backdoor deals. Let’s do this the proper way—through investment.”

Hajin took out an L-file from his bag. It was a document format that was very familiar to Eunseok.

“I heard you’re pushing a young image these days. Why not produce some variety shows?”

Eunseok carefully examined the well-organized proposal. It included everything from web variety shows perfectly tailored to target Judis Furniture’s latest branding trends, to various types of content featuring Miro’s artists. Hajin had consulted with Suho and spent sleepless nights preparing this proposal specifically for today’s meeting. His experience as a PD who had churned out countless project proposals was clearly evident in the quality of the work.

“Ensure that PD Yoon and the implicated trainee are dealt with, and minimize Judis Furniture’s exposure in the edited broadcast. If any issues arise from this situation, prioritize protecting Eunchan’s image and well-being.”

“……”

“And all of this is on the condition that Eunchan successfully debuts through this survival show.”

If you’re worried about getting work, I’ll guarantee it for you.

While it was possible to use Ji Suho to fund the production company through Miro, there were limits to how much capital Miro could inject into a production company.

Moreover, this battle couldn’t be perceived as a power struggle between Miro and the network.

“A younger brother almost fell victim to a trainee who rigged votes and a PD who took bribes. In response, his older brother, who lost his cool, is throwing his money around. That’s the appropriate narrative.”

This approach could make Eunchan the production company CEO’s favorite, leading to more biased editing in his favor.

But Hajin trusted PD Kwon, his senior. With just this level of coordination, she would handle the rest on her own.

Eunseok read through the proposal carefully, again and again. Hajin waited patiently, enduring the silence.

After a long consideration, Eunseok finally spoke.

“Hajin, did you make this proposal?”

“Yes, more or less.”

“…Have you considered a career outside of being an idol? I can offer you a good position.”

“If I don’t become an idol in this life, I won’t be able to live to my full potential.”

“Haha, even your rejection is amusing. You’re even more desirable now.”

Not realizing that Eunseok was being serious, he laughed heartily. Then, he took out his phone and made a call.

“Yes, Manager, it’s me. Yes. I’ll be down shortly, so please take good care of him. He’s my younger brother’s friend.”

It seemed to be the driver who would take Hajin home. After finishing the call, Eunseok put the proposal back into the L-file and stood up.

“I’ll consider this positively. After all, it’s company money, so I can’t make the decision alone.”

“Of course, take your time to think it over.”

“Can you give me your phone number? I’ll contact you as soon as I decide.”

“Hmm, you could just reach out through Team Leader Ji Suho, though?”

Hajin asked curiously, and Eunseok gently patted him on the shoulder in encouragement.

“The youngest has been talking a lot about you lately.”

“……”

“Before, when I called, he’d only talk about practice or just himself, but one day, he started talking about his friends. And in such a happy voice.”

Despite the significant age difference, his younger brother usually tried to act mature, but he had often felt lonely from a young age.

Even after getting married and leaving Eunchan alone in that house, Eunseok made sure to call him every evening to check on him for this reason.

“Today, Hajin hyung made dinner, Hajin hyung taught us board games with Haru and Taehyun, and I won three times.”

“……”

“Hajin hyung keeps pretending to sleep right before we actually go to sleep, which is really annoying.”

“Oh my, why would he tell you all that?”

“That’s why I wanted to meet you today. I was curious about who this hyung that my younger brother likes so much could be. Maybe even a little jealous.”

Eunseok handed over his phone. Hajin, without further suspicion, typed in his number. Well, there was no harm in having a wealthy hyung, after all.

“Can I contact you sometimes if something comes up with Eunchan? The kid doesn’t tell me when something’s bothering him.”

“Sure, I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

“Thanks. It might

be a bit burdensome.”

“…I have a younger brother too, so I understand how you feel.”

Hajin handed the phone back with a tender smile, thinking of Hawon.

“Well, I’ll be heading out now. Thanks for arranging the driver, and I’ll be waiting for your decision on the proposal.”

“Alright, I’ll review it and get back to you soon. Take good care of our youngest.”

“Well, I’m not even sure if we’ll debut together yet.”

“Even if you don’t debut, keep in touch. I’ll have a spot ready for you at the company.”

“…Looks like I’ll need to debut this time if I don’t want to be forced into a job. Thanks for the motivation.”

Feeling a chill from the persistent offers from someone determined to recruit him, Hajin laughed awkwardly and bowed. Eunseok looked quite pleased as he watched Hajin leave his office.

After leaving Eunseok’s office, Hajin got into the waiting car on the first floor. He told the driver his home address and leaned back comfortably in the plush seat.

Hajin sent a short message to Ji Suho and then closed his eyes as the accumulated fatigue began to take over.

Finally, all the cards were on the table.

The week-long break was coming to an end.

* * *

The break was over.

It was time for all the trainees to leave behind the sweet taste of freedom and return to the harsh reality.

However, the atmosphere in the practice room where all the trainees had gathered was unexpectedly lively.

“Our popularity ranking went up. Did you all see the comments?”

“I was too scared to check… It’d be too embarrassing if my name wasn’t there.”

“Man, my department and One Star private accounts were both hacked. So scary.”

The heated reactions to *Miro Maze* had awakened the attention-starved trainees.

“It’s pretty surreal, the fact that we show up online now when people search for us.”

The group, chatting while stretching, directed their gaze to the one who was expected to be at the top—Sungwoo.

“Hyung, I’m so jealous. When I searched, there were so many mentions of you.”

Basking in the mixed stares of jealousy, caution, and admiration, Sungwoo smiled more benevolently than usual.

“Ah, come on. The first episode hasn’t even aired yet.”

“When it does, it’ll be even better, hyung~ You’ve got Wings rank and won the battle.”

“Yeah, I think your popularity is going to soar. I’m so jealous, hyung. I think you’re going to debut for sure.”

“Guys, come on. We all need to work harder together! If you put in the effort to show your best side, people will recognize it.”

Even if you practice for days, it’ll all just be edited to make me look good anyway. But you should still work hard, right?

Skillfully concealing his true thoughts, Sungwoo relished the sense of superiority he hadn’t felt in a while.

After messing up the stage last time, he had briefly panicked, but his motivation was rekindled as soon as he heard from PD Yoon about the editing direction for the first episode.

—We’re going to emphasize your match with Kang Hajin.

—Kang Hajin is the eager newcomer who’s only recently joined, while you, on the other hand, have been diligently practicing for a long time but are still lacking in confidence.

—Then, after being provoked by Kang Hajin, you’ll awaken, barely winning the battle.

‘Viewers only care about what’s on the broadcast.’

And he had all the qualities to be the main character of that broadcast.

‘I’ve asked them to edit out… the more dramatic parts.’

Pitch issues could be fixed in post-production, and the flubbed lyrics could be framed as a mistake due to the pressure.

‘Yeah. As long as the first episode goes well, I’ll be way ahead.’

Sungwoo’s ominous gaze drifted to Hajin, who was lying on the floor at the end of the practice room, using Haru’s leg as a pillow while laughing and teasing Eunchan. Taehyun, who had been watching from the side, shook his head and quietly moved to sit near Siwoo and Doha.

‘Just watch. I’ll definitely win.’

And Hajin, who had sensed those burning eyes since earlier, scoffed and turned over.

“Keep glaring all you want. It’s your eyes that’ll get tired.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Ah, Haru, your leg is so comfy.”

Hearing Hajin’s elderly-sounding compliment, Haru blinked in confusion.

Eunchan, who was sitting next to them, was fuming after losing nine consecutive rounds of rock-paper-scissors to Hajin.

“One more time!”

“Do you really have to lose ten times to accept it, Chani?”

“Are you sure you weren’t cheating?”

“How could anyone cheat at rock-paper-scissors? Come on, be reasonable.”

As Hajin scoffed at the ridiculous accusation, Eunchan and Haru both gave him suspicious looks. Even Thirteen, who had been observing everything, seemed to emit a “if it’s you… (≖_≖)” kind of reaction, leaving Hajin feeling unjustly accused. Frustrated, he threw some shadow punches into the air, venting his frustration.

‘What do these kids take me for?’

Hajin put on a sorrowful and aggrieved expression, his features scrunched up with emotion, and dramatically placed his large hand on his cheek.

“Ha. Chini’s so sad.”

“Cut it out, hyung.”

“That’s crossing the line.”

“…Not working, huh?”

Tsk. As Hajin smacked his lips in mild disappointment, his phone buzzed with a short vibration from his pocket. After checking the notification, Hajin grinned and looked over at Eunchan.

“Chani, you may be a rock-paper-scissors fool who always throws ‘rock’ first, but hyung still loves you.”

“What… Wait, really!?”

“Hyung doesn’t usually lie about things like this.”

Then, with exaggerated enthusiasm, Hajin winked at Eunchan, who, as expected, freaked out and jumped to his feet.

“Where are you going, my love?”

“Today, no matter what, I’m switching rooms with Doha hyung.”

With a determined expression, Eunchan left the room.

Hajin smiled as if he was sad to see him go, though the affection he felt for Eunchan was genuine.

Hajin’s gaze then shifted to his phone’s messenger app.

‘Aigoo, you precious brat.’

Finally, it was time to drop the bomb.