Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 448

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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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448. Truth and All That (1)
“Always take care of your health, alright? Eat well and sleep well. I know your job doesn’t allow much time for meals or rest, but make sure you’re eating little by little and sleeping soundly, okay?”
“Got it, got it. If I just eat the side dishes you packed, I’ll be full for a month.”
“Ha-jin, you too, but especially Ha-ru and Si-woo. Especially Si-woo! I noticed he eats vegetable side dishes well, so I packed extra of those. If you run out, just let me know and I’ll bring more….”
The morning of the last day of our sweet vacation.
The group members and I had no choice but to listen quietly to Mother’s torrent of worried words without a single objection.
It was hard to complain about nagging when, in all conscience, we’d received far too much during our break. (And it was delicious…!)
Even now, several well-wrapped plastic bags hung from each of our hands—two or three per person. Inside were side dishes and snacks to eat at the Dormitory.
To outsiders, it might have seemed like an excessive amount, but Mother, who knew well the appetites of her eldest son and his colleagues, was actually worried it might run out within a few weeks.
“Put the kimchi in the kimchi refrigerator as soon as you get there, and I didn’t pack meat or fresh foods—you’ll handle those yourselves. On days when you’re not too busy, try to eat home-cooked meals, alright? Don’t be lazy and order delivery. Eating habits are the most important thing.”
“Yeah, this would taste great mixed with gochujang.”
“I put in two bottles of sesame oil. I had it specially pressed at the mill.”
The moment Mother spoke with pride, my grip loosened and the plastic bag I was holding dropped to the floor with a soft thud. Now that I thought about it, I’d been smelling that rich, nutty aroma for a while.
I covered my mouth with both freed hands and looked at Mother. The surge of emotion—beyond mere gratitude—must have been clearly visible in my eyes.
“Wow…. Something so precious…?”
“Ugh, your reaction is too good….”
Well, it got through to her.
I thought it was actually a pretty great reaction and was about to lower my hands when Father suddenly came rushing out from the living room toward the entrance, wireless vacuum in hand.
He stopped with a shocked expression, eyes wide, and shouted at us:
“Honey, something so precious!?”
Wait, that tone sounds off.
“…Father. I’m your son.”
“And I’m your mother’s husband. Do you know what kind of sesame oil that is? It’s a trophy your mother won by talking down all the market ajummas and their territorial nonsense.”
“No, how can you begrudge your own son’s food?”
“I want my son to grow into a man who understands the true value of things and pays his fair share in life.”
Wait, is he serious or joking?
Father spoke with such gravity and solemnity that it seemed like no joke at all, then slowly approached where the group members and I stood. He set the vacuum aside carefully and extended a hand toward me with a warm smile, saying:
“Pay your fair share, son.”
“How much?”
“A billion won. Your mother’s side dishes are worth at least that much.”
“Geez….”
Over fifty years old and still wanting to crack jokes like that.
…Though I’d already seen a sixty-year-old father in a previous timeline who was just as cheerful and playful without fail.
Knowing Father’s character—someone who’d lived without much material desire—I understood he wasn’t actually asking for money. He just wanted to play one more joke with his departing son. Kang Ha-won, who’d come out with a mop, was even nodding subtly, suggesting I play along and wrap it up.
“Hmm.”
And right then, I happened to have the perfect means to respond to Father’s joke.
I’d been wondering how to give them something anyway, so this was actually perfect timing.
I put on an exaggerated expression of reluctance and pulled out a white envelope from my coat pocket. Then I smiled reassuringly at Father and Mother, who still hadn’t quite caught on.
“Dad, your son’s only been in the industry for two years, so I haven’t hit a billion yet…. Here’s some spending money. Buy yourself some clothes and good food.”
“…What?”
“It’s the sesame oil money.”
Mother and Father stared at me and the envelope in turn, their expressions startled by how much thicker it was than expected. Knowing this was coming, I giggled and shrugged as if I had no idea, and Mother—who’d been momentarily at a loss for words—carefully picked up the envelope with hesitant hands.
“You’re going to give it even though I told you not to, aren’t you?”
“I really didn’t put in that much. Just think of it as helping with the moving costs. I wanted to be a filial son for once.”
“Well… then I’ll use it well. Your father’s been needing new workout clothes anyway, so this works out perfectly.”
“Don’t just buy things for Father—make sure you get something for yourself too. I’ll give Ha-won separate pocket money as well. Okay?”
Neither Mother nor Father had expected pocket money, so they kept touching and smoothing the white envelope over and over.
In my previous life, I hadn’t earned enough to give them pocket money, and in this life, I’d mostly just been saving what I made. This was the first time I was giving my parents pocket money, and it felt like an expression of gratitude that spanned my entire existence.
“…I understand. Thank you, son.”
“No, I wasn’t joking just for this… Thank you, Ha-jin. This will be perfect for getting Mother some winter clothes.”
Thinking of everything they’d given me, I wouldn’t begrudge giving them even more, but they were the kind of people who’d flatly refused help during the first settlement, saying “your money is yours and my debt is mine.” I knew that if I gave them too large a sum, they’d save it without spending it and eventually return it to me with care.
With a quite satisfied smile, I looked around our new house, which was already becoming familiar to my eyes.
Most parents would be tempted by greed if their child earned a fortune despite their humble circumstances, but Mother and Father—stronger and wiser than anyone—had achieved getting my house in this life too, without any help from me. And they’d done it with an even larger and more beautiful home.
Perhaps the greatest opportunity granted to my life wasn’t regression or idol debut, but the chance to grow up under parents like them.
“…Oh, and there’s a sticky note on top—that’s from Tae-hyun. You’ll understand once Tae-hyun tells you.”
“…? Seo Tae-hyun?”
Just as I was finishing the pocket money presentation in this heartwarming atmosphere and about to step out the entrance door, Mother suddenly pointed at the plastic bag I was holding and brought up Seo Tae-hyun out of nowhere.
Setting aside whether Mother and Seo Tae-hyun were close, and ignoring the fact that she wasn’t asking me to explain anything to him, that phrase “you’ll understand once he tells you” made me feel distinctly odd. Peeking inside the plastic bag, there was nothing special—just an ordinary food container.
“Why would Seo Tae-hyun know something I don’t?”
“Tae-hyun’s mother asked me for a favor, so he prepared this instead. He apparently likes spicy food, unlike what you’d expect from his appearance? So I packed several spicy side dishes—Tae-hyun will explain. It’s too spicy for you to eat.”
“I like spicy food too!”
“But you can’t eat it well even though you like it. Or you could share and eat it together. This one gets jealous over the strangest things.”
“I quite like that guy. He’s a good kid. He reminds me of Ha-won, the way he acts.”
“He’s better than me.”
“Am I really your son?”
What kind of person was Seo Tae-hyun, who’d successfully won over not just Mother but Father and Ha-won as well?
As I fell into deep thought about Seo Tae-hyun—that born-to-be idol who radiated presence even in his absence—Mother laughed heartily and pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Then you’re my son! Not the neighbor’s son, right? Look at your baby pictures—you look exactly like me. I packed all your favorite side dishes in there, so eat them deliciously with the others. If you want anything else, call me.”
“Next time, I’m definitely bringing Lee Yu-gun so you can teach him your cooking secrets, I swear.”
“I’d welcome that anytime.”
After hugging Mother first, then Father, and finally Ha-won who was still cute and handsome, it was truly time to leave.
Mother and Father not only embraced me but also lent their arms to Jeong Si-u and Dan Ha-ru, patting their shoulders with cheerful smiles.
“Come play again next time, Si-u and Ha-ru.”
“Yes, Auntie.”
“Yes. …Thank you so much.”
“Next time you come, bring Do-ha too, Si-u. We need a rematch at Go-Stop.”
“I’ll practice hard.”
“Good, the Manager’s waiting. Hurry down.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
The endless farewells came to a reluctant end as the elevator arrived.
I stepped into the unfamiliar new elevator, pressed the button, and as the doors closed, I found myself lost in brief contemplation, watching my family wave us off.
“…Next time.”
“…?”
Surprisingly, it was Jeong Si-u who broke the subtle silence of the elevator first.
Since that conversation yesterday, Jeong Si-u had become noticeably more delicate and careful in how he treated Dan Ha-ru and me. He gazed absently at the plastic bag in his hand, then turned his head slightly to meet my eyes and asked respectfully.
“Next time, would it be okay if we came again with the others?”
At some point, Jeong Si-u had begun calling Mother and Father “aunt” and “uncle” without hesitation. During those two days at our house, he’d slept well, and despite his usually particular tastes, he’d eaten all three meals without complaint.
I now understood that this comfort didn’t stem from anything special about our home itself, but rather from the atmosphere and energy that came from being together with these people.
The fact that Jeong Si-u, who had always maintained a certain distance from others with an air of aloofness, was gradually opening his gates to us, little by little.
“Next time, I’m thinking of bringing a Yut board game. For team games, classic games really are the best.”
I readily nodded in response to Jeong Si-u. At my answer, he wore an expression of relief, and Dan Ha-ru even laughed and suggested that next time it would be nice to prepare the food together.
“Hey, guys! Over here, over here!”
As we descended into the underground parking lot, Kwon Wook, who had arrived early and was waiting, waved at us enthusiastically. The moment he saw that we were carrying bags full of things, he was surprised and quickly opened the trunk, then rushed over to take the plastic bags from us.
“Wow, how much is all this? Pear juice, side dishes… it smells delicious.”
“There’s some for the managers too, so please take it with you later.”
“For us too? No, you didn’t have to… Please tell them I’m grateful.”
After loading all the plastic bags into the trunk, we climbed into the company van, which felt slightly unfamiliar after just a few days away. As I caught the familiar scent of the diffuser filling the car, I suddenly felt the reality of returning to everyday life wash over me.
Kwon Wook, sitting in the driver’s seat, entered the destination into the navigation and casually asked me in the passenger seat.
“So, how do you like the new house? Is it nice?”
“Well…”
I nodded without hesitation, breaking into a genuinely happy smile for the first time in a while.
“Yes, it’s nice.”
All the days that would unfold in this new place now seemed to approach me with anticipation and excitement.
* * *
The happy vacation ended, and all the members of Kairos returned to their busy daily lives.
One morning, while they were frantically busy preparing for the year-end performances and next year’s concert.
“By the way.”
The members, enjoying a hearty breakfast with the side dishes Ha-jin’s mother had sent, suddenly realized they had been putting off something very important.
“When are we actually going to decide on our rooms?”
“…!!!!”
The time for Kairos’s second roommate determination battle had arrived.

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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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