Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 474

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

474. Facing (3)
The beginning of memory―
-So I’m just going to do something else. Not something with potential, but something I’m actually good at.
From the day my first dream ever died.
“I’m heading to school!”
I thought if I couldn’t achieve my dream, Earth itself would perish.
Even after quitting as a trainee, Ha-jin’s daily life turned out to be far more peaceful than expected.
“Bang!”
“Ugh!”
“Want to play soccer at lunch? We’re betting ice cream with the Class 4 kids.”
Actually, it was even better than before.
“Are you insane? Why are you dragging me into a betting match? Do you have money to burn?”
“That’s the condition from the Class 4 kids. They won’t play unless you join. I bragged about being close with you.”
Remarkably, Ha-jin, who had been merely a “promising rough diamond” in a trainee market overflowing with handsome and talented individuals, belonged to the superior end of the spectrum in the “ordinary” world.
The title “former idol trainee,” which had been like a stigma of failure for Ha-jin, became an object of curiosity and fantasy for “ordinary” students who had never experienced that world.
“Then just don’t do it. Why would you eagerly accept such an unfair proposal―10 versus 11 for ice cream?”
“It’s fine. We’re putting Kwon Jae-young from our class. You know his nickname is the Messi of Class 7, right? We added you for balance.”
“No, what’s fine about that? I have absolutely no intention of playing soccer on the sports ground, kicking up dust during my precious lunch break….”
“It’s a Häagen-Dazs bet. The loser brings it tomorrow.”
“What, where, what time are we playing after lunch? Oh, I borrowed someone’s gym clothes…. Do you have soccer shoes?”
“You’re borrowing gym clothes again? Hey, you can’t just lend those out to anyone like that.”
“It’s not like it wears out. Anyway, let’s head out after lunch.”
Moreover, having already painfully experienced a severing of peer relationships once before, Kang Ha-jin had begun to realize around that time that his personality was naturally strong, and he became cautious in everything and extended considerable tolerance to others.
His assertive nature and decisive way of handling matters hadn’t gone anywhere, but he strived to think of others before himself and struggled to show meticulous consideration to everyone around him.
“Still, you give too much. Didn’t you lend the class president your English notebook last time and never get it back?”
Fortunately, returning to academics wasn’t particularly difficult either.
It was thanks to his parents, who had been strict during his trainee days, saying they wouldn’t allow him to continue if he gave up on studying.
He had no talent for science subjects where fundamentals were crucial, but fortunately, the language subjects he’d excelled at since childhood caught up faster than expected. While not enough to breeze through prestigious Seoul universities, he’d improved enough to apply to art-focused universities of his choice.
Ha-jin, who excelled in both arts and academics, soon became a well-known figure within the school.
“What are you talking about? I got it back. Even though I look intimidating, the kids return things quickly.”
“That’s not what I meant… Ugh, never mind.”
‘A versatile all-rounder with a scary face but good personality who doesn’t live up to his looks.’
It didn’t take long for Ha-jin to earn such an evaluation from his friends.
“…Pfft, what are you worried about? I’m not that much of a pushover.”
And Kang Ha-jin thought to himself how pathetic he was for being so grateful for such an assessment.
* * *
‘It’s cold.’
Winter at twenty years old.
Kang Ha-jin stood in front of the Haunted Building, exhaling visible breath.
Clutching a file folder containing his resident registration card and bank statement copies in one hand, he hesitated for a moment before stepping solemnly onto the stairs inside the building as if he’d made a decision.
“Oh, Ha-jin! You made it?”
“Hello, Manager. …Ah, you’re the CEO now, aren’t you?”
“Hey, hey. We just hung up a sign and suddenly I’m a CEO? Come on in, come on in.”
The man I hadn’t seen in ages was a manager from my KD Entertainment days, someone I’d been fairly close with back then.
For him, whose main job was managing trainees, I’d been a reliable trainee who’d taken on the role of disciplinarian and led the practice sessions.
When I’d announced I was quitting as a trainee for various reasons, he’d been more disappointed than the other trainees I’d practiced with.
“Have you thought about it? What do you say? I won’t take up too much of your time.”
The man held out a paper cup of instant coffee with an awkward smile. As I stared at the coffee, he let out an embarrassed laugh and added more.
“I mean, I’d like to buy you a decent café coffee, but… everything costs money these days. I’m the CEO, so I have to save the company’s money.”
Kang Ha-jin couldn’t drink alcohol, and caffeine didn’t sit well with me either.
Ever since my trainee days through my exam years, I’d watched friends guzzle down all sorts of coffee and energy drinks while I stuck to plain water. That habit remained unchanged even now as an adult.
‘A person who managed me for years without remembering even my basic tastes.’
The me of today would have understood that it stemmed from his lack of ability and negligence at work, but back then, I’d simply thought that was the extent of my presence to him.
In any case, he was the first and only person from that world to reach out to me again.
“…No, I actually like instant coffee. That’s the only kind I drink, so I’ll have it gladly, CEO.”
So I downed the lukewarm instant coffee in that damp paper cup in one go.
Even just that single cup made my heart flutter wildly, and it was clear I wouldn’t get proper sleep tonight.
“So, when should I start working?”
Regardless, today’s purpose was clear.
The man had called me because of a job opportunity.
He’d recently contacted me through my parents, and the moment he heard I was preparing for art school entrance exams through a second attempt and was still considering work in the entertainment industry, he’d asked if I’d be interested in gaining experience at his company.
His proposal was that by teaching the company’s trainees and learning various tasks while building connections, it would become a good opportunity for me as well.
He’d added that while it was called an entertainment company, it was still more like an academy in scale, so it wouldn’t be difficult for me to work there while preparing for my entrance exams.
“Ah, whenever you’re available, I’d appreciate it if you could start tomorrow. The company’s small, so there’s plenty of work.”
“Ah… Yes, this week is a bit difficult… I’ll start coming in next week.”
“Sure, sure. Good thinking. All our kids are good people. And well, there’s also a team that’s doing activities at various events, even if it’s not an official entertainment debut… Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you could look after things overall.”
“Yes. I’ll do my best. Thank you for the opportunity.”
I’d accepted the job not just for the reasons the CEO mentioned—building career experience.
Preparing for entrance exams in a poor household required money, and if I was going to lose time working anyway, it made sense to gain experience in a related field.
‘And… there might be something I can help with.’
But the biggest reason was ultimately the trainee kids.
I knew better than anyone what choices those children would make when pushed to the cliff’s edge without proper guidance or care in a small company,
and what kind of wandering those friends who eventually gave up standing on that cliff’s edge would experience,
and most of all, what emotions those children would feel growing up while competing against each other with sharp blades at that cliff’s edge.
“Right, right. I’m really glad you’re here. The kids will feel so reassured.”
Even just one person.
If I could be of help to even one of those children.
That was enough for Kang Ha-jin.
* * *
“Five, six, and! No, again!”
The stale air of the semi-basement practice room was familiar to Ha-jin, yet the landscape before the mirror and the one behind it painted entirely different pictures.
“Ah, Teacher! Please! Save us!”
“Hey, hey. Don’t be so dramatic. How many hours have we even done today?”
“We practiced until dawn yesterday too, Teacher….”
“You practiced until dawn and this is the result? Unbelievable. These kids. I must have taught you all wrong.”
Among the young trainees, Ha-jin had become quite a popular instructor.
Since Ha-jin was essentially twenty years old, there wasn’t much of an age gap, so the title “Teacher” might have felt burdensome—yet the spirited and ambitious young trainees gave their affection to Ha-jin all the more readily.
These children, abandoned like forgotten relics at this small entertainment agency, dangling the dream of becoming idols before them, followed Ha-jin’s unrestrained leadership and passionate coaching with genuine enthusiasm.
Of course, Ha-jin’s still-rough methods occasionally caused friction with children at such a sensitive age, but the trainees largely did not deny that Ha-jin treated them with love and genuine care.
“Ha-jin Teacher!”
“…? Yes, Team Leader.”
“Come to the executive office for a moment~”
“…Okay. Yes.”
So Ha-jin was, truly, largely satisfied with this life.
It felt like I had discovered my purpose for the first time.
At some point, I even considered postponing university entrance exams and continuing to work here a while longer.
“Why did the CEO suddenly call for me?”
“I’m not sure. The CEO just suddenly called. …Oh, Ha-jin Teacher. Did you finish what I asked last time? The editing of those trainees’ showcase video?”
“Ah, yes. I’ve almost finished it, but…. There’s still some work left from what Yoon Manager gave me before. The music editing and choreography concepts for the competition this time aren’t done yet either…. When would be good for me to finish it all?”
“Hmm, it is urgent. We need to show the parents by this week so they can feel reassured. Is there any way? Are you struggling a lot?”
“…Ah, no. Then I’ll try. I’ll pull an all-nighter, no problem.”
“Really? Ah, thank you so much~ Honestly, with Ha-jin Teacher here, this place keeps running.”
Even the mounting work that piled up relentlessly felt welcome then.
My abilities, which I had always thought were mediocre because I dabbled in everything without mastering anything, were finally being recognized across all fronts as those of a true “jack-of-all-trades.”
Pulling all-nighters at the company every day, the nights I couldn’t go home multiplied, and my entire life became consumed by work—but it was all fine.
“CEO, you called for me…?”
“Ah, Ha-jin. Yeah, come in. Grab a coffee over there. You’ve got some serious dark circles, kid.”
Ha-jin genuinely loved this work.
“What did you need me for?”
“Ah, it’s nothing special….”
Genuinely.
“I just wanted to ask you for one favor.”
“A favor?”
“This month’s salary—just hold off for one month. Just one month.”
It took exactly one year before I learned that such genuine devotion could become convenient bait for someone to exploit.
Exactly one year.

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