Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 218

—————

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

—————

218. King Maker (2)
The situation was unfolding smoothly into complete chaos.
-Wait, hold on. I never actually intended to do this, you know? He forced the recommendation on me.
-And you’re the one who suddenly wrote your name down!
Lee Yu-gun and Seo Tae-hyun, having amicably driven each other to the brink, declared their intention to withdraw.
But Lee Do-ha was merciless.
-As a voter, I have the right to examine the qualifications of the nominated candidates and cast my rightful vote for them. If you two are truly the most suitable talents to lead our group, then I must vote for you.
-So… what are you saying…?
-If you truly believe you’re unfit to be leaders, then convince me through your speeches.
-No, no. I’m telling you, I’m just withdrawing!
Lee Yu-gun protested, and Lee Do-ha responded in a grave voice.
-When you inscribe your three-character name somewhere, you should have kept in mind the vigilance, responsibility, and weight that comes with the possibility of never being able to undo it.
-What are you talking about…?
-I don’t know. But when he says it like that, it somehow sounds right.
‘Is this why image matters so much?’
If Kang Ha-jin had said it, they would have immediately grabbed an eraser and wiped it off the board, dismissing it as nonsense. But Yoo Gun and Tae-hyun seemed to waver at Do-ha’s earnest sophistry, thinking, ‘Maybe he has a point?’
Immediately following was Lee Do-ha’s interview segment.
【Q. Why did you stop Yoo Gun and Tae-hyun from withdrawing?】
【Do-ha: To be honest, I didn’t intend to at first….】
Lee Do-ha, sitting in an empty classroom for the interview, scratched his forehead as he answered the Production Team’s question.
【Do-ha: I thought it would be good for Tae-hyun and Yoo Gun to experience the weight that three letters of a name carry through this opportunity. Since they’ll encounter similar situations many times throughout their lives….】
【Do-ha: Also, since both of them will soon be twenty, it’s a chance for them to learn responsibility regarding voting and elections.】
【Q. Ah. So you were teaching them about the weight of signatures and the responsibility of elections…?】
At the Production Team’s bewildered reaction, Lee Do-ha revealed the truth in a completely composed voice.
【Do-ha: When I put it that way, both of them accepted it without question, so I was a bit taken aback.】
【Q. I’m sorry…?】
【Do-ha: Actually, I was just joking because it was funny.】
– He’s already lost it too
– Yeah, you were Kairos too…
– Who makes jokes like a public service announcement for the election commission?
– Should’ve known from when he followed Kang Ha-jin over the fence
In any case, Lee Yu-gun and Seo Tae-hyun fell for Lee Do-ha’s forced logic, and the Kairos leader selection had descended into chaos with six candidates and one vote.
Now everyone except Ju Eun-chan and Dan Ha-ru began strategizing how to effectively appeal “please don’t vote for me.”
-Well then… shall we start with the candidate speeches?
The first speaker was Jeong Si-u. Seniority came first.
-I have something I’d like to be honest with you all about.
Jeong Si-u stood from his seat and sat casually on top of his desk, speaking in a gentle voice.
-I’m actually… not a student at this school.
-…?
-I’m not a high school student—I’m a university student. I’m currently enrolled at Gaon Arts University.
-S-so that’s your reason?
Jeong Si-u, who had just upended the entire worldview, casually swept his hair back.
-I’m busy.
-Pardon?
-I’m swamped outside already, so I’d like to rest at home. As the main vocalist, I need to take care of my voice, but if I’m the leader, I’ll have to talk a lot more.
At that, Kang Ha-jin, who had been sitting in the back, suddenly shot to his feet and pointed an accusing finger at Jeong Si-u.
-I object! Does that mean my voice is fair game to abuse?
-Ha-jin, you talk plenty even without being leader. If there’s a fixed quota of things that need to be said anyway, it’s far more efficient for you to just take on the role.
-Hmm… that’s actually a fair point.
Lee Do-ha nodded at Jeong Si-u’s logic. Jeong Si-u drove the nail deeper with his next argument.
-Besides, your official position is ‘Lead Vocalist,’ Ha-jin. It’s already been established that you’re the voice guiding our group forward. So I think you should be the one to lead.
-….
-If Do-ha picks you as leader, then by stepping back from the role myself, I’ll preserve my vocal cords and hone them to give you even better support as your guide vocalist. Not to mention as Kairos’ main vocalist. That’s my pledge.
-…!
-Wow, that hyung is playing dirty!
The moment “guide vocalist” left Jeong Si-u’s lips, Lee Do-ha’s eyes gleamed. Kang Ha-jin, sensing it, protested indignantly and shot up again, but Jeong Si-u merely shrugged and calmly returned to his seat.
-Alright, alright. Next up—Ha-jin hyung, come on down. If you’ve got something to say, go ahead.
Seo Tae-hyun tapped the podium with his knuckles like a judge’s gavel, calling the next speaker. Kang Ha-jin cleared his throat with a decisive sound and stepped up to the podium.
-Everyone, my argument is simple. Just look at this man’s face.
-…?
When Ha-jin pointed to Si-woo, the members’ gazes naturally shifted toward him.
Kang Ha-jin spread his hands wide as if introducing a UNESCO World Heritage site.
-Handsome, right?
-What?
-A group’s leader is the face of the group. If a face like that doesn’t represent our group, then who would? Who else could possibly represent us?
Kang Ha-jin seemed even more proud of Jeong Si-u’s face than Si-woo himself was. But his speech wasn’t finished yet.
-You just said you’re a university student and too busy, and that’s true. Si-u hyung is in college. And what does college mean? Group projects. Si-u hyung is the only one among us with real-world experience surviving that demonic ordeal.
-…!
Despite having freeloaded off countless groupmates in his previous timeline, Kang Ha-jin brazenly continued his argument as if he’d never even stepped foot near an entrance exam.
-Of course, I! Have a loud voice! I talk a lot. I admit that, okay? I’m not denying it. But! According to basic character archetypes, someone like me is usually the action captain, the charge captain. The real boss, the one pulling the strings, is someone else entirely. Who is that? People like Seo Tae-hyun or Si-u hyung here—characters who might not even look like the boss to outsiders.
– He’s a total otaku
– What manga did Kang Ha-jin grow up watching? Our tastes seem to match perfectly
– I’m genuinely grateful Ha-jin didn’t pursue a home shopping career and became an idol instead. If he’d been a shopping host, I’d impulse buy every time I saw him on air. He saved my wallet.
└ But he’s still spending a ton of money though..?
└ Oh no…;
At Ha-jin’s compelling logic, Do-ha rested his chin in his hand with a serious expression. Watching Do-ha lost in thought, Ha-jin pulled out his final card.
-If Si-u hyung becomes leader, then I’ll challenge myself to rap in the next album!
-…!
-Not only that, but I’ll take up beatmaking and rap composition just like Do-ha has always asked me to!
-…!!
—Do-ha, does the blood of a graduate school professor perhaps flow through your veins?
Watching Lee Do-ha flinch, seemingly impressed by Kang Ha-jin’s platform, Seo Tae-hyun muttered in bewilderment. Either way, Lee Do-ha looked satisfied.
What kind of campaign promise starts with “if that guy gets elected” instead of “if I get elected” lolololololol
—What do we do, guys? Do-ha’s being way too serious right now.
At this point, does it even make sense for other kids to run as candidates? lol
With two such formidable candidates, the speeches from the remaining four could risk dragging out the proceedings.
In that moment, Ju Eun-chan stepped forward to the podium with a resolute expression.
—Honestly, I’d rather see Jeong Si-u do it. Ju Eun-chan’s boring.
If you seriously pitch your campaign promises here, you’re either actually part of the Production Team or you’re Eun-chan with completely dead instincts, lol.
Scattered comments from detractors trying to muddy the waters appeared occasionally, but they were quickly buried beneath the rapid stream of fresh comments.
With everyone’s attention fixed on him, Eun-chan clenched his unusually large fists and placed them firmly on the podium, lifting his gaze.
—I, wholeheartedly agree with candidate Jeong Si-u’s position.
—…?
—Therefore, I will unite with candidate Jeong Si-u in supporting candidate Kang Ha-jin’s election as leader…!
The way Ju Eun-chan made his endorsement, both fists clenched tightly, radiated the fervor of a passionate young activist.
—I believe Si-u hyung already carries the difficult burden of being our group’s eldest member. He looks after our meals, teaches us songs, and more.
—I object! Wouldn’t that make him even more suited to be leader?
—But that’s precisely why I think Ha-jin hyung should be our group’s leader.
—Hmm…. Could you explain your reasoning?
—When Si-u hyung feels overwhelmed and exhausted, who does he lean on then…?
—…!
Everyone fell silent at this unexpected emotional turn. Eun-chan clasped his hands together and continued softly.
—Si-u hyung sets an example as our eldest member, and Do-ha hyung does the same through composition and producing within our group.
—….
—If Ha-jin hyung takes on the leader role, wouldn’t he be able to properly support Si-u hyung and Do-ha hyung when they’re struggling?
At Eun-chan’s words, all the members nodded in agreement. Jeong Si-u even made a gesture of wiping away tears, as if to say our Eun-chan had grown up.
Just as Kang Ha-jin himself scratched his chin thinking “Is that so?”, Seo Tae-hyun, the chick-like teacher in the yellow tracksuit, suddenly stood up.
—No! I still think Si-u hyung should be the leader!
—W-what, suddenly?
—Ha-jin hyung’s point makes sense. If our group’s leader needs to handle official matters and take on external responsibilities, wouldn’t Si-u hyung be better suited than Ha-jin hyung? Maybe Ha-jin hyung would prefer his current comfortable position, looking after people, rather than wearing the leader’s crown.
Already fully immersed in the seriousness of it all, Tae-hyun rolled his eyes back and forth as he synthesized the results of every simulation he’d run through his mind, persuading the members.
—Besides, there could come a time when Ha-jin hyung, as leader, needs to point something out or say something to Si-u hyung. Wouldn’t that create uncomfortable moments between them?
—Hmm….
A tight contest.
With Tae-hyun and Eun-chan’s endorsements, the situation had instantly shifted to 2:2. Do-ha asked Ha-ru and Yoo Gun, who hadn’t yet given their speeches.
—What do you two think?
Then Lee Yu-gun, who had been sitting in a chair he’d dragged over in front of the blackboard, rested his chin on his hand and raised his other hand.
—Me.
—Yeah, go ahead.
—I support Dan Ha-ru.
-Me? You mean me?
Dan Ha-ru, the sudden target of this endorsement, flinched in surprise. He’d been too caught up in his own internal struggle—trying to decide between Kang Ha-jin and Jeong Si-u—to see this coming.
-To be honest.
-….
-I don’t really trust either of those two guys.
-This king of charm bastard…!
-Ahhh! Ha-jin hyung! Stay put!
Kang Ha-jin, who’d been chuckling along with Dan Ha-ru while tearing open another pack of Pepero, shot up from his seat as if ready to stomp on the desk at Lee Yu-gun’s remark. When Ha-ru barely managed to hold him back, Yoo Gun gestured for him to calm down.
-Listen. You two will both do fine, right? I mean, I already know you hyungs are handling the leader role anyway.
-Then why make such an ungrateful comment? You little traitor?
-My point is, no matter which of you two becomes leader, I don’t think either of you will suddenly start acting with the dignity a leader should have.
-Explain that in detail.
Lee Do-ha leaned in to listen to Lee Yu-gun’s opinion. Yoo Gun tilted his chin with an expressionless face.
-If Kang Ha-jin hyung becomes leader, will he stop acting cute?
-….
-Is there any guarantee Jeong Si-u hyung won’t pull his usual tricks if he becomes leader?
-….
-Rather than be embarrassed going around saying “this person is our leader,” why don’t we just make Dan Ha-ru the figurehead leader instead? It’s not like those two hyungs will suddenly stop doing their roles just because we don’t give them the leader title.
-So basically, let those two continue their leader duties as they do now, but make Ha-ru the official public leader?
-Me?
Regardless of Dan Ha-ru’s bewilderment, Lee Do-ha turned to ask Ha-ru directly.
-Ha-ru, do you still want to run? Or are you going to endorse someone else too?
-Hmm….
Depending on Dan Ha-ru’s choice, the situation could either return to a 2:2:2 split or the balance could shatter entirely—a critical moment.
After long deliberation, Dan Ha-ru answered.
-I will not withdraw my candidacy!
-Ooh.
-I will become this group’s figurehead leader…!
-Now that’s our maknae.
At his bold declaration, Jeong Si-u, the game enthusiast, nodded approvingly while clapping his hands.
-Well then, we’re back to square one.
At Seo Tae-hyun’s steady commentary, the classroom fell into a silence as heavy as death itself.
-This time, it really all comes down to Do-ha hyung’s choice.
Lee Do-ha swallowed hard. His throat bobbed like waves.
-My choice is….
With a gravity he’d never shown before, Lee Do-ha delivered his verdict.
-You, Ha-jin.
Lee Do-ha’s steady gaze, fixed from the very beginning, shot straight toward his same-aged friend.

—————

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

—————