Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 393

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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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393. Idol Weight Class Clash (Complete)
Shin Yi-sae began with a tone tinged with hesitation.
-…Park Tae-ha really wanted to get closer to you all.
It was an abrupt topic, though not entirely surprising.
Shin Yi-sae scratched his head as if he’d been deliberating for quite some time before speaking.
-Well, I mean…. Sigh, honestly, I’m really letting my guard down and being sincere right now, so please don’t misunderstand.
-Yes. Go ahead.
-We’re, well…. Truth is, we’re not exactly a popular group.
Shin Yi-sae evaluated their position with rather cold clarity.
In reality, Winter Tail couldn’t be called unsuccessful in this era of male idol scarcity, but they weren’t exactly on a stable trajectory of their third or fourth year either. Ha-jin waited for Shin Yi-sae to continue without agreeing or disagreeing.
-Among us, Park Tae-ha is the most sociable and loves meeting people. If he wants to befriend someone, it’s simply because he likes them.
-He became close with the Endway members not because Endway is successful, but because Woong and Luke share the same games he enjoys. Endway reached out first too. And the older members seemed to like Park Tae-ha, so they introduced him to lots of other people.
Ha-jin couldn’t understand why he was suddenly telling me this.
To let me know his approach wasn’t intentional?
To ask me to understand that Park Tae-ha’s eyes went a bit crazy with inferiority for a moment?
-But then, at some point, strange rumors started spreading.
-That he was desperately trying to cling to successful groups to leech off their popularity.
Only after hearing that did Ha-jin finally understand what Shin Yi-sae really wanted to say.
-Park Tae-ha’s online nickname became “Leech-ha” for a while. Shortened from “Park Tae-ha the leech.” At first it was just internet communities, but at some point…. People actually started joking with him, asking if he’d come to leech again.
-…Of course, it wasn’t from Endway. That’s actually why he still only stays close with the Endway members.
By then, Park Tae-ha was already rounding the first corner.
Perhaps conscious of Ha-jin’s earlier advice, he slightly reduced his running speed and safely navigated the turn. Yet the gap between them remained considerable, making this adjustment possible.
-After that, he really didn’t interact with any other groups besides our members.
-But he spent nights alone worrying about it. Why did those rumors spread, why were those things being said, why did people misunderstand him like that…. Was it because I asked for a challenge? Because I acknowledged him at the year-end stage?
-…That’s an ENFP trait. Overthinking.
Ha-jin too had reached the first corner.
However, he didn’t reduce his speed.
-Ha-jin, I felt that way about him….
-I was really so hurt.
-Really, truly so hurt.
-It all felt like it happened because we couldn’t make it big.
It was a speed at which he could safely navigate the corner without deliberately slowing down.
This also meant Ha-jin still wasn’t running at full capacity. Yet the gap between the two had already narrowed considerably compared to before.
-…Why are you telling me this now?
-I heard what you talked about with him earlier. I saw him run to you after finishing the 60-meter dash. I can roughly guess what he said.
-….
Park Tae-ha and Kang Ha-jin. Both entered the straightaway. Ha-jin’s feet began to friction against the ground more rapidly, building speed.
-Ha-jin. You’re…. The friend Park Tae-ha wanted to get close to for the first time in three years.
-The fact that he went alone to greet you when you were gathered with the others, he actually spent a long time deliberating about it in the waiting room. He was worried that maybe you’d misunderstand him too.
-…Why would I misunderstand like that? I was already planning to go greet Park Tae-ha first.
-Yeah. I was grateful for that. Thanks to you, I got to see the Endway seniors greeting me comfortably after so long, and I was really thankful for that.
“Woooow!”
“Kang Ha-jin! Kang Ha-jin!”
“Ha-jin, come back! Overtake him!!!”
Perhaps because we were passing by where Destiny was, the heat and cheers rang closer to my ears. Park Tae-ha’s back, which had seemed so distant, was now within arm’s reach.
-When I went to ask if you let me win back then, my brother wasn’t trying to blame you. I know that.
-My brother was… scared.
Five more steps ahead.
-That because of him again… because of something he said, he might lose another good younger sibling. So if my brother’s attitude hurt your feelings at all, I’ll apologize on his behalf.
-But please don’t misunderstand my brother. I’m asking you.
Three steps.
-And… I know this is a shameless request, but… for some reason I feel like you’d listen to it… After really long deliberation, I’m telling you this. If you feel uncomfortable or anything, you can just ignore me completely, seriously.
One step.
-Could you give my brother a chance to become equal to you?
-….
-Not as idols Kairos versus Winter Tail, but if we could become close brothers… then I’d really be grateful.
Now, the second corner was right in front of us.
-Kang Ha-jin! You’ve almost caught up! Overtake! Overtake!?
-Ah! Park Tae-ha isn’t slowing down, he’s turning! Ah!!! He’s slipping!!!
Knowing that Ha-jin was chasing right behind him, Tae-ha couldn’t overcome his anxiety and couldn’t reduce his speed.
And when his body, unable to overcome the centrifugal force, slipped slightly and was pushed far outside the corner, Ha-jin, not missing that gap, dove into the inner lane one step faster.
-Kang Ha-jin, overtakes!!! He’s overtaken him!!!!!!!!
-What will the final victory be!!!?
The white finish line came into view.
Kang Ha-jin ran toward the finish line at full speed, with just enough braking—’enough not to twist his ankle and fall’—applied. He was pushing himself to his maximum speed within the range he could control his own body.
At the edge of his vision, beyond the finish line, Shin Yi-sae’s face waiting there appeared blurred.
-I don’t like it.
Ha-jin recalled the last answer he had given to Yi-sae. And also the surprised expression on Shin Yi-sae’s face when hearing that answer.
-What kind of request is that? Between friends.
But Kang Ha-jin, who had already made up his mind, was smiling at that moment.
A sense of relief, unburdened by any discomfort, hung at the end of that smile.
-Kang Ha-jin!!!!! First place!!!!! Crosses the finish line in first place!!!! A miraculous comeback victory!!!! The birth of a new track and field star!!!
-Park Tae-ha, despite a brief mistake, quickly recovered and secured a stable second place!! Winter Tail, silver medal!! Wow, this is an all-time great match, isn’t it? We absolutely have to watch this again.
Kang Ha-jin wrapped the finish line around his entire body and took first place.
The Kairos members who had been waiting rushed toward him as he raised the baton high into the sky, sharing in the joy together.
Ha-jin rushed like lightning toward where Destiny was.
“Ha-jin!!!!”
“Kang Ha-jin, amazing!!! Amazing!!! Insane, so fast!!!!”
“Kairos gold medal!!! Gold medal!!!!!”
Those who had been clasping their hands in prayer saying ‘just don’t get injured’ all stood up at Ha-jin’s comeback victory and cheered wildly like madmen. Among them, their dopamine not just bursting but exploding, a white sketchbook entered Ha-jin’s field of vision.
【Gold Medal Goal! ★Kairos Takes the Stage to Dominate the Idol Athletic Games★】
A girl’s face, flushed with excitement and clutching a sketchbook in delight, was captured in vivid detail on the massive display screen.
Ha-jin locked eyes with that fan directly, extending both hands in the gesture of firing a gun. Then, with a playful wink, he let out a sharp clicking sound between his grinning lips—a signature expression that fans had come to recognize as distinctly his own.
“…Congratulations!!!”
Realizing the gesture was directed at her, the girl beamed with heartfelt joy, sending her congratulations his way.
‘My very best.’
Being mindful of injury, I give everything I’m capable of giving.
And at the same time, I embrace my opponent’s best effort with all my heart, and even if he wins, I never feel bitter or disappointed.
But if there’s a victory I can seize, I pour everything into claiming it.
-Idol Athletic Games, men’s 400M relay champions! Kairos!!!
“Player Ha-jin, you’ve secured the gold medal with that miraculous comeback in the final leg! How are you feeling?”
Nam Da-down, now dressed as a reporter with microphone in hand, approached Ha-jin. Ha-jin placed the gold medal around his neck and stood directly before the camera. Winter Tail, who had won silver, waited nearby for their interview.
“First of all, I love Destiny! We got the gold! This is for Destiny!”
“Ha ha, your love for your fans is truly remarkable.”
“And… well, Do-ha couldn’t be with us due to a sudden injury, so Tae-hyun had to step in on short notice. I’m grateful to him, and because Tae-hyun gave his all out there, it created the foundation for us to make that comeback.”
“Yes, and?”
“I’m thankful to Yu Gun for managing the race strategy so well, Si-woo for the support, Do-ha for coaching from the sidelines, and Eun-chan and Ha-ru for cheering us on in the waiting room. And I’m especially grateful to you, senior.”
“Me? Why?”
“You’re going to buy us beef, aren’t you?”
At Ha-jin’s shameless passive beef extortion, Da-down laughed heartily and nodded.
“Of course. I’ll treat you. I’ll have premium Korean beef delivered right away today. Or should we go to that place in front of the company building for a team dinner?”
“I won’t refuse. Oh, and….”
“…?”
Just when it seemed his remarks were finished, Ha-jin snatched the microphone back.
Then, with a mischievous smile directed at Winter Tail, who were still watching from across the way, he made his declaration.
“Winter Tail seniors! I’m looking forward to next year.”
“Whoa! A rival declaration…! Will this big matchup continue next year? Anticipating Winter Tail’s revenge match, let’s hear their thoughts as well!”
With that single statement from Ha-jin, this relay event would be firmly cemented as a rivalry between Winter Tail and Kairos. The quick-witted Nam Da-down smoothly transitioned the interview to Winter Tail.
Ha-jin slowly stepped back behind the camera. Then, toward Park Tae-ha, who was watching him with a surprised expression at being suddenly mentioned, he silently mouthed words.
‘PC bang next time?’
At that, Park Tae-ha’s pupils flickered momentarily as he awkwardly held the microphone as the leader and continued the interview.
And soon after, the shadow that had been lingering on his face disappeared. Park Tae-ha smiled and gave a slight nod.
‘Down.’
“Yay! Ha-jin hyung!”
“Oof…! Hey, you brat, you’re heavy!”
“Hyung, I knew you could do it, really!”
Ju Eun-chan burst out of the waiting room and threw himself into Ha-jin’s arms without a second thought. Ha-jin stumbled for a moment before regaining his balance. Finding himself suddenly holding a cat as large as himself, Ha-jin laughed and held out the gold medal hanging around his neck to Eun-chan.
“You win one next year, yeah?”
“Of course!”
“Eun-chan hyung! You can’t just run out without telling the manager!”
“Hey, Ju Eun-chan, Dan Ha-ru!! Why aren’t you two heading to the waiting room right now!? What are you doing out here!”
“Oh no, it’s Tae-hyun!”
“Ha-jin looks really heavy, doesn’t he?”
“I’m dying, please save me.”
“Leave him be. That guy should experience some solo childcare duty too.”
“…Would Ha-ru carry me instead?”
“No thanks, I’m good.”
The group members gathered around me one by one. Silver and gold medals hung from each of their necks, jingling softly with their own distinct sounds. Eventually, as Eun-chan was carried piggyback by Do-ha straight to the waiting room, Si-woo approached my side and asked with a smile.
“Did you find the answer?”
I responded to Si-woo by nodding and pointing to my gold medal that Eun-chan was holding.
“Thanks to all of you.”
Protecting your best efforts while giving my all.
Si-woo seemed pleased with the answer I’d given, breaking into a rare, genuine laugh.
“This is fun, the Idol Athletic Games. I want to come back next year.”
“Well, I figure we should come without complaint until we’re about five years in anyway… Since we’re already here, why don’t we just rewrite history entirely?”
“I’ve already made my mark on it today.”
“Ha, well… I suppose that’s true, but….”
Before long, the day had begun to fade.
Given how hard I’d pushed myself today, I might feel a bit sore tomorrow….
But I had no regrets whatsoever. Not a single one.
* * *
And so, one evening at the Miro Entertainment Building while the Idol Athletic Games filming was still in full swing.
Ji Su-ho stared at the screen with a rather serious expression in the darkened conference room. All the employees present were watching the mysterious teaser video together.
Hwiiiiiiiiii―
Crimson blood spread across the hallway of the abandoned school like paint, while an eerie whistle sound emanated from the speakers, creating an ominous atmosphere.
The red blood gradually spread across the blank screen, naturally forming letters.
【Case 02. And Then, No One.】
【In Praise of Youth 靑春禮讚】
【20XX.09.15 18:00 KST】
“Shall we confirm this as is?”
At the employee’s cautious question, Ji Su-ho, who had been gazing leisurely at the final title of the video, nodded.
“Yes. Proceed.”
It was the beginning of Kairos’s second Youth series.

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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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