Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 122

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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122. The Reason for Action (9)
“Ah, Mother. Please come this way.”
Young-in stepped carefully into the broadcasting studio under Ji Su-ho’s guidance. The broadcast station studio, which she was visiting for the first time in her life, was surprisingly smaller than she had imagined.
“It’s a bit chaotic, isn’t it? The recording will start soon… I’ll have you meet Ha-jin after the recording is finished.”
“No, it’s fine. He’s working, so I shouldn’t interrupt.”
Despite Ji Su-ho’s careful words, she shook her head. Young-in understood that this place was Ha-jin’s workplace, and the broadcasting industry was one where every word and action had to be carefully considered.
Today, she simply wanted to see Ha-jin and his performance—she had no intention of being like a parent visiting a child’s school festival.
“Ah, the kids are coming up now.”
“Yes, I can see Ha-jin.”
“You can already see him? Ha-jin stands out because he’s tall.”
“He’s been like that since he was young. He was always a head taller than his friends, so during sports days, you could only see Ha-jin.”
Young-in smiled warmly as she recalled Ha-jin’s childhood.
But even if Ha-jin’s height had been similar to others, Young-in would have been able to spot her son before anyone else, anywhere and anytime.
‘The styling is a bit different from the last broadcast, though.’
Young-in thought as she watched Ha-jin take the stage.
Unlike the Miro Maze appearance in ordinary school uniforms, the Ha-jin on stage looked somewhat delinquent.
A band-aid on one cheek, an unbuttoned school uniform shirt, a black graphic short-sleeved t-shirt worn underneath, carelessly rolled-up shirt sleeves, a sports band around his wrist, and a cross necklace that gleamed subtly over the short-sleeved shirt.
Ha-jin’s appearance—as if he might dash off to the sports ground right after lunch—ironically resembled very closely the Ha-jin from his school days that Young-in knew.
‘He dressed exactly like that when he was in school.’
It felt surreal that Ha-jin was already twenty and nearly half a year had passed.
Ha-jin, whom she thought had completely abandoned his dream of becoming a singer, had persuaded her and her husband to let him become a trainee again just about that long ago.
And in just over six months, Ha-jin was now standing on a music broadcast stage, performing his own stage.
“Alright, we’re starting the recording! Everyone, please be quiet!”
With someone’s voice, the studio quickly became organized.
On stage, Ha-jin was whispering something to each of his teammates one by one. After hearing Ha-jin’s words, his team members nodded or laughed softly in response.
So Young-in felt reassured. Ha-jin seemed to be doing well as usual.
“But do they start right away like this? I thought Ha-ru’s performance came first in the original broadcast.”
“Ah, that will be filmed separately after this recording is finished.”
“They’ll edit it together separately, I see. Well, a live competition and a recording would be different anyway.”
As Young-in asked with curiosity upon seeing the Sad Ending Team lined up in formation from the beginning, Ji Su-ho kindly explained. Young-in then nodded in understanding.
For someone visiting a broadcast station for the first time, she seemed to have considerable understanding of the industry. When Ji Su-ho looked at Young-in with slight surprise, she smiled and answered, sensing his gaze.
“Ha-jin talks my ear off on the phone every day about this and that. I’ve picked up a thing or two from hearing about it so much.”
“Ah, I see. You know so much about it. Ah, Mother, there’s a monitor over there. You can see the broadcast screen as it’s captured by the camera on that, but it would be more comfortable to watch the stage directly from here, wouldn’t it?”
“Hmm… Yes. I’d like to watch the stage today.”
Ji Su-ho pointed to the artist PGM monitor and asked. Since music broadcasts are ultimately about what the camera captures, managers usually watch this PGM monitor to provide overall stage feedback.
However, since Ha-jin doesn’t always appear on the camera screen, Ji Su-ho was considerate enough to position Young-in so she could continue watching Ha-jin on stage rather than on the monitor.
“Yes, then you can watch the stage from here. I need to monitor from over there. Enjoy the show, Mother.”
“Yes, thank you. Team Leader.”
“Not at all. I should be the one thanking you for entrusting Ha-jin to us.”
Ji Su-ho answered with a smile. Then, just before moving toward the PGM monitor, he added a quiet word to Young-in.
“Ha-jin is truly doing wonderfully. You’ll definitely be proud when you see him.”
Young-in responded to Ji Su-ho’s sincere praise with that characteristic bright smile of hers.
“Ha-jin has always made me proud.”
The moment he heard that answer, Ji Su-ho was certain.
Ha-jin had been able to take that final step through all the hardships precisely because of this woman.
Even without having shared many conversations, Ji Su-ho could be certain of it.
“…Then I’ll see you later.”
“Yes. Please don’t worry about anything and focus on your work.”
“Yes, thank you. Mother.”
Ji Su-ho turned his steps toward the PGM monitor.
Left alone once more, Young-in gazed back at Ha-jin on stage. The slate clapped, and the familiar violet LED lights and stage lighting flooded the stage.
A brief silence.
Soon, the prelude to “Screaming at You”—a song she’d heard so many times she could now sing along—burst forth.
This is a letter I send to you, the one I loved
Young-in’s large eyes held only one person.
In that moment, countless memories swept through her rapidly.
Seven-year-old Ha-jin’s first school talent show,
His first musical with the children’s theater company,
His first competition with the trainees,
His first school festival talent show prepared with classmates.
So many of Ha-jin’s “first stages.”
Today, she witnessed yet another one of Ha-jin’s “first stages.”
And that fact filled her with gratitude and happiness.
-What arts and entertainment in a family with no money? Ha-jin’s mother, you’re living too softly in this world.
-If that doesn’t work out, what will the kids eat later? Honestly, how many people actually succeed as singers?
-Aren’t you worried about your kids? Who raises children like that these days?
So many voices she’d heard while raising Ha-jin and Ha-won.
Just passing through ordinary days,
Sometimes grasping at time that flowed only slowly,
Over it all, Ha-jin’s gentle and warm voice covered everything.
The child singing with a smile as if happier than anyone else shone brighter than anything.
Young-in wanted to ask instead.
How could anyone possibly not support a child shining like that on stage?
-Mom, sometimes… I’m afraid of my unremarkable future. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.
-So I’ll just do something else instead. Not something with potential, but something I’m good at.
“He’s doing so well…”
She wanted to tell the Ha-jin who said such things.
That you’ve always done well, you’ve always been good, and you’ve never disappointed me even once.
“You’re doing great, my son.”
So this time, I must tell him.
Wherever this challenge leads, your mother is proud of every step you’ve taken.
Young-in, her eyes burning with unshed tears, held back her overwhelming emotions as she watched Ha-jin’s performance.
* * *
-Okay, Sad Ending Team, we’re moving on to the intro and outro now!
“Thank you!”
-Yes, great work~
The recording took three takes in total.
It wasn’t because of any mistakes from the team members—the Main PD simply kept requesting one thing after another, as if greed had gotten the better of him.
‘Still, I think we did pretty well?’
Ha-jin accepted a tissue from the makeup staff member and pressed it to his forehead, catching his breath.
This was a high-difficulty choreography that required costume changes on stage, so while it looked effortless to the audience, it was absolutely grueling for the performers. The shabby school uniform outfit from earlier had vanished, replaced by a perfectly tailored suit for the second verse.
Ha-jin loosened the necktie that had been strangling his neck and undid the remaining buttons of his suffocating shirt.
“You guys. You worked hard, you worked hard.”
As they descended to the backstage area, the new manager distributed hand fans to the trainees while offering encouragement. Lee Yu-gun, apparently determined to earn his pay, quietly stood beside him and handed out water bottles to the trainees.
Ha-ru took a small water bottle from Yoo Gun and immediately unscrewed the cap, gulping down the water greedily.
“Dan Ha-ru, drink slowly. You’re going to choke like that.”
“Cough!”
“Haha! This guy!”
“Ha-ru, you okay? Hyung, can I get some tissues?”
The moment Yoo Gun spoke with concern while watching Ha-ru, Ha-ru coughed and water spilled down his chin. Tae-hyun quickly handed him tissues and checked Ha-ru’s makeup and clothes, while Ha-jin gazed quietly at the stage above.
On stage, the crew was reconfiguring the stage setup for Ha-ru’s intro and outro shoot. The sight of PDs holding clipboards with cue sheets, alternating between intercoms and walkie-talkies, suddenly felt unfamiliar to him.
“Hyung.”
“….”
“Ha-jin hyung!”
“…Huh? What?”
“What are you thinking about? Come on.”
“Oh. Yeah. Let’s go.”
Ha-jin snapped out of his reverie at the sound of Tae-hyun’s voice calling him.
Now, truly, ‘this side’ was where I belonged.
And realizing that only now, Ha-jin felt something strange stirring within him.
* * *
Since Ha-ru’s shoot was about to begin, the Sad Ending Team had to return to the waiting room.
But Ha-ru whined that he felt nervous being alone, and the others clearly seemed to want to watch Ha-ru’s shoot more.
So in the end, only Ha-jin and Jae-young returned to the waiting room.
“Ha-jin hyung, why aren’t you watching my performance!”
“My wound opened up again, so I need to go get the bandage reapplied. Besides, you’ll be done filming soon anyway, right?”
“But still…. What about Jae-young?”
“Jae-young’s so nervous he’s feeling dizzy right now. I’m letting him rest for a bit, so go do well.”
“Okay….”
“Tae-hyun and Jayden are there, and I’m leaving Lee Yu-gun with you too, so don’t lose heart.”
“…? I was trying to go to the Waiting Room…?”
“Mm. No. You’re staying here.”
Lee Yu-gun, who had been heading toward the Waiting Room, wore a momentarily bewildered expression, but Ha-jin shook his head with a benevolent smile.
“If I’m going to be a nanny, I should look after the kids properly. What kind of nanny abandons their post?”
“Weren’t you a bodyguard?”
“Same character, different reading. Close enough. Let’s just call it even.”
Lee Yu-gun’s eyes conveyed the question ‘What exactly is this guy doing with his life?’ but Ha-jin simply ignored him with ease.
“Ha-jin, I’m supposed to move with Team Leader Su-ho normally… but the Team Leader just went to the Assistant Director’s Room because the Main PD called for him.”
“Oh, then Jae-young and I will just go together. It’s not far anyway. We know the route.”
“Hmm… Is that okay? It seems like we shouldn’t move separately…”
“Really, it’s fine. I’ll go rest for a bit.”
Ha-jin reassured the manager multiple times that everything was truly fine. Being a newcomer, he was still sharp and eager—a person Ha-jin rather liked. He was meticulous with his work too.
‘When it comes time for debut… maybe he’ll end up on our team.’
Thinking that even if not, he should put in a good word with Ji Su-ho, Ha-jin headed to the Waiting Room with Jae-young.
As they left the Studio and breathed in the fresh air, Ha-jin could feel Jae-young’s complexion improving noticeably.
“How are you supposed to be useful with such weak nerves?”
“…Right? I didn’t know I’d be such a coward either. I couldn’t even participate in the first mission because I was sick…”
…Ahem.
Though no one had stabbed him, Ha-jin—who had stabbed himself properly—turned his gaze away with a small cough.
‘That bastard Dol-ja… I really need to tear him apart properly one of these days…’
[System Alert: Please draw a number ticket. I’m number one.]
The moment Ha-jin mentioned Dol-ja, Thirteen appeared as if he’d been waiting. The effect of blazing flames was intense, but remembering Ha-jin’s mention of having trauma with red, the flames were yellow this time.
Tsk. Ha-jin smacked his lips bitterly, and Jae-young quickly found another topic to change the subject.
“Are you okay, hyung? Your hands… the wounds…”
“Oh. I’m fine. I must have scraped them when I mistepped during the choreography earlier.”
The wound, which seemed to be healing well, started stinging around the time the final recording ended, and eventually began bleeding through.
After the stage ended, the bleeding had already stopped and it didn’t hurt much, but Ha-jin was heading to the Waiting Room to change the bandage.
“It didn’t show on camera, right? Your blood?”
“When we monitored it earlier, not really? Look, I’m really fine. Want to see?”
“Ahhh! No!”
“When you react like that, I just have to show you.”
To tease the startled Jae-young, Ha-jin peeled off the bandage stuck to his palm. As he thrust the wound—smeared with blood in an unsightly manner—forward, Jae-young recoiled in horror.
“Aaahhh! Don’t! Don’t show me!”
“Sob sob, Jae-young. Your hyung is in so much pain. Look at this. See how the flesh is all ragged like this…”
“Ah, I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you! I can’t hear youuuu!”
“Sob sob, this heartless dongsaeng won’t comfort his hyung even though he’s in pain—he just runs away. Well, then I’ll have to chase after him.”
Ha-jin’s teasing button had been properly activated, and Jae-young began running toward the Waiting Room with his ears covered. Ha-jin followed behind with exaggerated cries of anguish. Since the distance between the Studio and Waiting Room wasn’t far, the two arrived quickly.
“Ah, seriously. I told you to stop!”
“Ahhhhh! Jae-young!! Your hyung is in so much pain!! It hurts so muuuuch!”
“Now I understand why Eun-chan is always asking to switch roommates, seriously.”
Jae-young exhaled a sigh as he opened the waiting room door. Ha-jin was now scrunching up his entire face, trembling his injured hands dramatically. He was the most sincere person in the world when it came to teasing his younger sibling.
The two of them stepped into the waiting room.
“Ugh, it hurts so much…. Look at this, Jae-young. Blood is still dripping from my hands….”
“…Son?”
“…?”
“”…?”
Ha-jin’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt as he entered the waiting room, making all sorts of whimpering sounds.
Why was he hearing a voice that should never be heard in their waiting room?
Ha-jin blinked and looked around the waiting room. And his eyes met someone’s.
With whom?
With Mother!
Young-in’s gaze, drained of all color, silently directed itself toward Ha-jin’s hands.
“Why are your hands like that? Are you hurt?”
“….”
[System Alarm: …This isn’t the system, it’s Kang Ha-jin’s personal misfortune.]
Uh. Well, you see.
Ha-jin closed his mouth.
Damn it, what am I supposed to say about this…?

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