A Blank Slate Regression for the Idol That Lost His Original Mindset - Chapter 122

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Regression Manual for an Idol Who Lost Their Original Intentions Chapter 122

“The project team guys are so annoying. If it was just one guy acting like that, I’d think ‘Well, the world is big, so there can be guys like that, and I might end up on the same team as them’ and let it slide, but it’s not just one or two guys like that.”

Ryu Jaehee roughly swept his bangs up. I felt a sense of déjà vu at that sight, wondering where I’d seen it before, then realized.

That’s my habit.

Is this why they say you can’t even drink water carelessly in front of kids?

“They have no consideration, prioritize showing off themselves, don’t even practice because they’re busy, have no skills but keep making mistakes trying to grab more parts! I’m the lowest in seniority and youngest, so I can’t even point it out, which is really frustrating.”

Whether I was troubled or not, Ryu Jaehee’s complaints continued.

Listening to his irritated words, it seemed like he was filming an episode of group project horror stories.

Our project team of only leaders was creaking a bit, but we were still rolling along smoothly, coordinating opinions fairly well.

Thanks to that, I was also learning a bit about the role of a leader. Leadership isn’t just about giving orders and leading blindly.

Since G1 had divided parts based on members’ skills rather than recognition from the start, everyone was satisfied with their parts.

But Ryu Jaehee’s project team producer divided parts prioritizing group recognition and agency size.

I knew this because Jaehee had mentioned that Rev received quite a few parts thanks to being called a rising group.

When you create competition starting with parts like that, how can there be cooperation? Getting your face on camera even once more and standing out becomes the priority.

“And why does that bastard Choi Hyeonmin keep subtly picking fights? It’s really annoying how he scratches at people while smiling. I don’t understand why he’s greedy for vocal parts when he claims to be a rapper.”

Come to think of it, Choi Hyeonmin was on Jaehee’s team too.

Since he ran into me today, I was already expecting him to pick fights with Jaehee.

Unable to contain his anger, Jaehee was now pounding the sofa with his fists.

“I guess their hyungs in their teams all baby them since they’re the youngest. Damn, I should gather them all up and make them experience being the youngest in Rev.”

Annoyed by his irritating words, I raised an eyebrow and asked.

“Aren’t you also quite babied as the youngest in Rev?”

Ryu Jaehee scoffed at those words and retorted.

“Hyung, put your hand on your heart and think about it. Have the hyungs ever babied me?”

Following Jaehee’s words, I put my hand on my heart and thought about it. Wasn’t this level enough to be considered really doting on him as the youngest?

“I really was a kind hyung.”

“Where did you leave your conscience?”

“Hey, when I was the youngest in the underground crew, I had to handle all kinds of errands, man. Getting cursed at was basic. Even now when we gather, I’m still treated like the youngest and get bossed around so much. You should know you’re blessed.”

When I grumbled, Jaehee shook his head.

“Hyung, you’re such an old-timer.”

“Wow, what a great world we live in. If I had said the word ‘old-timer’ back there, I would’ve gotten smacked on the back of the head immediately. What a really nice world we live in now.”

When I teased him, Jaehee didn’t back down and shot back.

“Oh, classic old-timer line number 18.”

That kid should experience being the youngest in an underground crew before talking about Rev youngest experience, then he’d know how much he’s being coddled.

[Words promoting discord among members have been detected.]

[Original Intentions –1]

Isn’t Jaehee, who called me an old-timer when I have an open mind, the one causing more discord? Why are you taking it out on me?

[What’s needed now is comfort, not your personal experiences.]

Usually when you hear someone else’s tough experiences, don’t you think ‘Ah, I’ve lived comfortably’ and find it comforting?

Clicking my tongue at the incomprehensible standards of comfort, I lightly patted Jaehee’s back.

“What’s the big deal? All two-month project teams are like that. Just think of it as suffering as Rev’s representative.”

“Mmm, come to think of it, hyung is also having a hard time, but I only complained about myself.”

“Huh? I’m not really having a hard time though?”

Except for one guy, everyone else was sane, so aside from practicing with that KICKS leader bastard, there wasn’t really anything I could call suffering.

When I shrugged, Jaehee looked at me with a disgruntled expression.

“But no matter how much I think about it, I don’t think I was ever babied as the youngest in Rev.”

“Hey, ask your members at the next practice. Ask if the team hyungs spoon-feed you and sing lullabies because you’re the youngest.”

“That’s not babying the youngest, that’s treating someone like a baby. I don’t want to be treated like a baby either.”

Despite my painful memories, I had given him improved treatment compared to the youngest treatment I received.

While Jaehee and I were seriously debating what the standards for babying were, my phone vibrated briefly.

It was a text from Seo Yehyeon.

Although we were team members, we didn’t text frequently, so I wondered what was up.

[Seo Yehyeon- Are you at the dorm by any chance?] 10:22 PM

[Seo Yehyeon- If you’re at the dorm, could you come pick me up at the nearby convenience store just once?] 10:23 PM

I thought he was in his room, but apparently not.

Just from the text, he seemed quite calm, but this situation where Yehyeon specifically texted me asking to be picked up was clearly a serious situation to anyone.

‘There’s no need to tell Jaehee about this.’

I sent Jaehee, who was continuing to pour out rap like a machine gun, into his room. He would definitely insist on coming along.

I put on a mask, grabbed an outer jacket, and left the dormitory. The dormitory and convenience store were a 5-minute walk apart.

“Yehyeon, just take off your mask once, okay? Can’t you hear me?”

Seeing Yehyeon surrounded by three or four people, unable to do anything, I roughly understood the situation.

‘Sasaengs.’

I immediately turned on my phone’s recording and strode toward where Yehyeon was.

“Yehyeon, did you get star disease because you got a bit famous? Did you lose your original intentions?”

I sent a hand signal to Yehyeon, whose eyes widened upon seeing me, telling him to stay still, then stood behind the sasaengs and reached out to turn off the camera app on a sasaeng’s phone that was actively recording a video.

“Ah, fuck! Who is it!”

“Doing this in the middle of the night would make even existing original intentions run away.”

At my sarcasm, the sasaeng irritably turned their head and huffed.

“What are you, mister-“

“Wow, mister? I’m only twenty-one, that really hurts my feelings.”

When I pulled down my mask and responded dryly, the sasaeng who finally saw my face blinked.

“Holy shit, Yoon Eden…?”

Without responding, I stepped back in case our bodies might touch.

Thanks to the agency before regression that disgustingly delayed moving dormitories even when dozens of sasaengs gathered, I had reached master level in dealing with sasaeng fans.

Before regression, rumors spread that I fucking hated sasaengs, so not many sasaengs bothered me, but Yehyeon suffered quite a bit.

“Let’s go, hyung.”

When I grabbed Yehyeon’s arm to lead him away, they blocked us again.

When I looked down at them seriously, the startled sasaengs slowly backed away.

Sasaeng fans who could be handled at my level weren’t worth calling Manager Hyung over.

If they still clung on after seeing me get serious, that would be truly fearless, and then I’d really have to call Manager Hyung immediately.

“Ah, fuck, what the hell. Who does he think he is, Yehyeon’s bodyguard?”

At the complaint from behind, I made an OK sign by touching my thumb and index finger together in a circle to show that was correct.

If you thought I’d get pissed off hearing that and abandon Yehyeon, you’re mistaken.

Fortunately, the sasaengs didn’t follow us into the apartment complex.

Still, just in case, we were taking the stairs instead of the elevator. What kind of suffering is this in the middle of the night, I thought.

But from Yehyeon’s perspective, there was no other member he could call besides me, so I decided to understand.

When we safely reached our dormitory floor, Yehyeon, who hadn’t said a word, finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Now I can’t even go to convenience stores with peace of mind…”

Yehyeon lamented while rubbing his forehead. In one hand, he was tightly gripping batteries he’d bought from the convenience store.

“How did they recognize me when I was completely covered with a mask and hat? It’s not like I was the only customer going to the convenience store.”

“Look in the mirror. See if you can’t recognize yourself.”

When I pointed to the mirror at the dormitory entrance, Yehyeon looked over his reflection in the mirror.

“I really can’t recognize myself though?”

I shook my head with a reluctant voice. Even from 300m away, it was definitely Seo Yehyeon.

“Thanks for helping me.”

Before entering the room, Seo Yehyeon offered his thanks in an awkward voice.

“What, over something like this? We’re on the same team, can’t I at least come pick you up?”

Seo Yehyeon chuckled at my response and muttered.

“You’re right. Now we really feel like the same team.”

I couldn’t ask if he hadn’t considered us the same team until now, since I had been the same way, so I just pulled up the corners of my mouth and smiled back at him.

And we had forgotten again. The fact that we shared the same room.

‘Shit, this is damn awkward….’

The price for creating an unnecessarily heartwarming atmosphere was heavy. I put earphones in my ears and pulled the blanket over my head in the awkward air that filled the room.

* * *

D-10 until the special stage.

Excluding rehearsals, today was the last day for project team ‘On Top’ to gather and practice separately.

Since that conversation, the KICKS Leader bastard wouldn’t even make eye contact with me.

His intention was so clear that everyone else could tell too.

I was the same way, but unfortunately there was choreography where he and I had to put our arms around each other’s shoulders. To be precise, a move where I put my arm over his shoulder.

“Did you two happen to have a fight?”

As soon as the song ended, the 4th Year Group Leader asked us.

We had fought long ago, and now… we both knew. That we could never go back to how things were before.

“Eden, when you’re close to Yoon Seong during your rap part, it looks too awkward? We can’t change the blocking at this point, so even if you have personal feelings toward each other, please hide them on stage.”

I just nodded while scratching my cheek at the sharp advice.

“Let’s go once more.”

The AR played again.

As I naturally put my arm over his shoulder while listening to my part, he flinched.

“Do it properly, properly.”

I whispered ominously in his ear.

Work is work, personal is personal. If our team gets crushed by Choi Hyeonmin’s team because of you, will you take responsibility?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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