Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 79

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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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79. Bomb! (1)
“I’m wondering if I understood what you said correctly?”
Eun-seok took a deep breath, trying his best to maintain composure as he asked.
At that, Ha-jin reverted to his usual demeanor, taking a large bite of cake and chewing contentedly before nodding brightly.
“You heard me correctly.”
“So… you’re saying I should spend money?”
After pondering something for a moment, Eun-seok shifted into his businessman’s mindset, straightening his posture and fixing Ha-jin with a steady gaze.
Despite his appearance, he was a mid-level corporate heir who had spent his entire life learning how to read people as the son of a wealthy family.
Eun-seok quickly realized that the twenty-year-old friend of his younger brother sitting before him had come to him with an exam paper whose answer was already predetermined.
“…This conversation seems like it’ll take a while. Would you mind coming to my personal office to discuss it further?”
“Ah… I’m sorry, but would it be nearby? My home is quite far from here, sir.”
“I’ll have my driver take you home when you leave. Since you’re my younger brother’s friend, I can do at least that much.”
“…A driver?”
Long live my rich friend (even if he’s my younger brother’s friend). The best. And his older brother is even better.
Feeling the thrill of power, Ha-jin whistled.
* * *
Eun-seok’s personal office wasn’t as far as I expected.
However, the fact that this “office” wasn’t at the company but was truly Eun-seok’s own “personal office” made me shake my head in disbelief.
‘A separate home, a separate company office, and a separate personal office. Is this really the world they live in?’
Eun-chan’s studio apartment (calling it a “room” was shameless in itself) had surprised me, but this was definitely in a different league.
‘I really need to work hard to make money. I absolutely have to succeed.’
Engraving today’s resolution to realize young and rich into my bones, I sat down on the sofa Eun-seok guided me to and set down my bag.
“So… shall we talk through this again?”
Eun-seok, who had asked for my understanding and changed into comfortable clothes, sat across from me. With his angular glasses on, his appearance resembled Eun-chan much more, his round features now hidden.
“To prevent suspicions that I’m using money to push my younger brother forward, what money should I spend and how should I spend it?”
This was the crucial part. I maintained the most trustworthy gestures and expressions while speaking in the most stable tone, articulating each word carefully.
“The Miro Maze we’re appearing in airs on Ntv, but the production is outsourced to an external company.”
“I already know that much—it’s the broadcast my younger brother appears in.”
“Yes, as you know. That’s why I want to strengthen the production company’s position so I can check the broadcasting station’s CP.”
“How exactly?”
“I have evidence that Yoon Ki-seok, the CP from the broadcasting station side, manipulated the viewer voting.”
“…!”
“I’m planning to hand that over to the production company.”
Eun-seok, surprised once again by how I laid out my plan without hesitation, skillfully masked his expression and asked back.
“It’s hard to blackmail the broadcasting station with just that. The station can simply cut off the tail and be done with it.”
“Exactly. That’s what I’m aiming for.”
“….”
“How can a production company blackmail a broadcasting station? But a production company representative who came up through variety shows can certainly have a meal with a senior, right? It just so happens that this senior is the Executive Director of Ntv.”
Ha-jin laughed playfully, as if asking what the problem was.
“Having drinks with a senior I haven’t seen in a while, I casually offer some advice. It seems Yoon CP received bribes and manipulated things. If this comes to light, it’ll be quite damaging—and isn’t your promotion to department head coming up soon?”
“….”
“I’m genuinely worried about you as your senior, so I’m bringing this up. How are we going to handle this? Wouldn’t it be better to quietly cut ties by only dealing with Yoon CP and the trainee involved in the manipulation?”
“…Ha-jin, you said you were twenty years old?”
“A beautiful twenty-year-old who could bite through steel reinforcement bars.”
Though I’ve regressed about four times and am living my fifth life.
Of course, I kept that thought locked behind my teeth.
“Anyway, that’s where I need your help, hyung.”
“Hmm. Don’t tell me you’re asking me to arrange a dinner between the production company representative and the broadcasting station executive director?”
Eun-seok voiced his own analysis. Usually, when corporations need money, it’s for moments like this.
But Ha-jin shook his head languidly, as if to say that wasn’t nearly ambitious enough.
“Hyung, your thinking is smaller than I expected.”
“It means I can’t figure out what you’re thinking at all.”
My youngest friend has made quite an extraordinary connection. Eun-seok marveled quietly to himself.
“Well, it’s similar in a way. The representative needs to have something to gain so that I can take the evidence I give him to the executive director and use it as leverage.”
“You’re going to bribe the production company representative?”
“Ugh, don’t say such scary things. I hate under-the-table money. Let’s do this properly through investment.”
Ha-jin pulled an L-shaped folder from his bag. It was a document format very familiar to Eun-seok.
【Investment Proposal】
“I heard you’re pushing a youthful image lately. Why don’t we produce a few entertainment shows?”
Eun-seok carefully examined the neatly organized proposal. It contained web entertainment perfectly targeting Judiz Furniture’s latest branding direction, along with various video content types utilizing Miro’s artists. It was a proposal Ha-jin had painstakingly created with Su-ho late into the night for today’s meeting. As a PD who’d spent countless days churning out plans, the quality was undeniable.
“Yoon CP and the problematic trainee will be dealt with decisively, and the broadcast will be edited to minimize Judiz Furniture’s exposure. If any issues arise related to this matter, Eun-chan’s image and personal safety will be the top priority.”
“….”
“The condition is that after fulfilling all these requirements, Eun-chan successfully debuts as an official member through this survival program.”
If you’re worried about work, you guarantee work.
I could have used Ji Su-ho to get Miro to provide the funds, but Entertainment didn’t have enough capital to move an entire production company.
Also, this couldn’t look like a power struggle between Miro and the broadcasting station.
‘A younger sibling nearly sacrificed by a manipulative trainee and a PD pocketing bribes. An older brother going crazy with money because of it—that’s about the right narrative.’
If it went this way, it could backfire and make Eun-chan the production company representative’s pick, leading to biased editing once again.
But Ha-jin trusted his former senior, Kwon PD. If it was her, she could handle the rest on her own with just this much traffic control.
Eun-seok read the proposal carefully, then read it again. Ha-jin waited patiently through that time.
After long deliberation, Eun-seok finally spoke.
“Did you make this yourself, Ha-jin?”
“Yeah, what else?”
“…Have you ever thought about getting a job instead of being an idol? I can get you a good position.”
“If I don’t become an idol in this life, I won’t be able to live out my full lifespan.”
“Ha ha, you’re funny even when refusing. Want something better?”
Eun-seok, unaware it wasn’t a joke but the truth, laughed heartily. Then he made a phone call on his mobile.
“Yes, Director. It’s me. Yes. I’m heading down now, so please take care of this. It’s my youngest friend.”
It seemed to be the driver who’d brought Ha-jin here. After finishing the call, Eun-seok reorganized the proposal, slipped it back into the L-shaped folder, and stood up.
“For now, I’ll review this positively. Either way, since it involves company funds, I don’t think I can make a unilateral decision.”
“Of course. Take all the time you need to think it over.”
“Could you give me your phone number? I’ll reach out as soon as I’ve made a decision.”
“Well, wouldn’t it be easier to contact me through Team Leader Ji Su-ho?”
At Ha-jin’s puzzled response, Eun-seok gently patted his shoulder in an encouraging gesture.
“My youngest brother talks about you constantly these days.”
“….”
“Before, whenever I called, he’d only talk about practice or himself. But at some point, he started talking about his friends—with such joy in his voice.”
Despite the significant age gap, my younger brother usually carried himself with maturity, but he’d been prone to loneliness since childhood.
When I married and inevitably left Eun-chan alone in that house, it was for this reason that Eun-seok called him every evening to check in.
“Today Ha-jin hyung made dinner, and Ha-jin hyung taught Ha-ru and Tae-hyun board games—and he won three rounds.”
“….”
“He also complains often that Ha-jin hyung keeps calling him right before bed and then pretends to fall asleep.”
“…My goodness, what else is he saying.”
“That’s why I wanted to meet you today. I was curious about who this hyung is that my youngest brother adores so much. I was even a little jealous.”
Eun-seok extended his phone. Ha-jin, without hesitation, carefully entered his number into the keypad. Well, there was no harm in having a wealthy older brother figure around.
“Would it be alright if I contacted you occasionally if something comes up with Eun-chan? He never shares his worries with me.”
“Of course. I’ll reach out if there’s anything noteworthy.”
“Thank you. I know it might feel burdensome.”
“…I have a younger sibling too, so I understand how you feel.”
Thinking of Ha-won, Ha-jin returned the phone with a tender smile.
“Then I should head back. Thank you for arranging the driver, and I’ll wait for your prompt response on the proposal.”
“Sure, I’ll review it and get back to you soon. Take good care of my youngest brother.”
“Well, we don’t even know yet if we’ll debut together.”
“Even if you don’t debut, make sure to stay in touch. I’ll create a position for you at the company.”
“…If I don’t want to be forcibly employed, I absolutely have to debut this time. Thanks for the motivation.”
Feeling oddly unsettled by this persistent recruitment pitch for coveted talent, Ha-jin laughed awkwardly and bowed. Eun-seok watched Ha-jin leave his office with a rather satisfied expression.
After leaving Eun-seok’s office, Ha-jin climbed into the car waiting on the first floor. He gave the driver his home address and leaned back comfortably into the exceptionally comfortable seat.
【Mission accomplished.】
Ha-jin sent a brief message to Ji Su-ho and closed his eyes, surrendering to the exhaustion washing over him.
Finally, all the pieces were in place.
The week of vacation was coming to an end.
* * *
The vacation was over.
All the trainees were returning from their sweet taste of freedom to the harsh reality.
Yet the atmosphere in the practice room where all the trainees gathered was surprisingly lively.
“Our ranking went up. Did you all see the comments?”
“I was too scared to read them…. If my name isn’t there, it’s so embarrassing.”
“Dude, my university and One Star rankings both tanked. I’m freaking out.”
The enthusiastic response to Miro Maze had awakened the trainees, who were starved for attention.
“It’s weird though—now when we do something, it actually trends online.”
The group’s attention, who had been stretching and chatting, turned toward the person expected to rank highest among them.
“I envy you, Sung-woo. I searched online and there’s seriously so much talk about you.”
Sung-woo, basking in a gaze mixed with slight jealousy, wariness, and admiration, offered a smile even warmer than usual.
“Ah, come on. The first episode hasn’t even aired yet.”
“It’ll be even better when it does, hyung~ You won the battle in the Wings Rank.”
“Yeah, you’ll probably get even more popular. Man, I really envy you. You seem like you’ll definitely debut.”
“Hey, guys, why are you like that? We all need to work harder together! If you all show better versions of yourselves, people will recognize it.”
No matter how much they practice, they’ll all just be sacrificial lambs for editing to make me shine anyway. But I should work hard for now, right?
Concealing such thoughts skillfully, Sung-woo became intoxicated by the sense of superiority he was feeling for the first time in a while.
He’d completely botched the last stage and even panicked briefly, but the moment he heard from Yoon CP about the editing direction for episode one, his motivation came roaring back.
-We’re going to emphasize your confrontation with Kang Ha-jin heavily.
-Kang Ha-jin is the type who just arrived and is all enthusiasm, while you’re the opposite—you’ve practiced diligently for a long time but still lack confidence.
-Then eventually you awaken from Kang Ha-jin’s provocation, and you barely win the battle.
‘What viewers see is the broadcast anyway.’
And he had the conditions to become the protagonist of that broadcast.
‘As for the vocal slip-up… I asked them to edit it appropriately, so it’ll work out somehow.’
Pitch issues could be fixed in post-production, and forgetting the lyrics could be handled as a mistake from nervousness.
‘That’s right. Once the first episode airs well, I’m basically way ahead.’
Sung-woo’s dark gaze turned toward Ha-jin, reflected at the edge of the mirror.
Ha-jin was lying at the end of the practice room with Ha-ru’s leg as a pillow, giggling and teasing Eun-chan. Tae-hyun, watching the scene, shook his head quietly and moved to where Si-woo and Do-ha were sitting.
‘Just wait. I’ll definitely win.’
And Ha-jin, who had been feeling that burning gaze the whole time, let out a scoff and spun around sharply.
“Glare all you want. You’re just hurting your own eyes.”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing. Man, Ha-ru’s legs are comfortable.”
At the elderly-sounding remark, Ha-ru blinked with a bewildered expression.
Eun-chan, sitting beside him, was huffing indignantly after losing rock-paper-scissors to Ha-jin nine times in a row.
“One more time!”
“Are you going to insist on making it ten, our Eun-chan?”
“Did you really not use any tricks?”
“What tricks would you use in rock-paper-scissors? Say something that makes sense.”
Just as Ha-jin was about to scoff at the absurdity, both Eun-chan and Ha-ru shot him suspicious looks simultaneously. When even Thirteen, who had been observing everything, gave a reaction like ‘If it’s you… (≖_≖)’, Ha-jin felt oddly wronged and threw shadow punches at the air to express his grievance.
‘What do these guys think I am?’
Tensing every feature of his face in a sad and wronged expression, Ha-jin brought his large hand to his cheek with a soft pat.
“Ha. That’s so obvious.”
“Take it easy, hyung.”
“That crossed the line a bit.”
“…It’s not working.”
As Ha-jin awkwardly smacked his lips, his phone in his pocket buzzed with a short vibration. Checking the notification on his phone, Ha-jin grinned and looked at Eun-chan.
“Eun-chan. Even though you’re a rock-paper-scissors idiot who only throws rock on the first round, your hyung loves you.”
“What… no! Really!?”
“I don’t usually lie about things like this.”
Then, maintaining the most suggestive expression I could muster, I winked at Eun-chan. Right on cue, he yelped in alarm and shot to his feet.
“Where are you going, my love?”
“No matter what happens today, I’m switching rooms with Do-ha.”
Eun-chan left his seat with the solemn expression of someone making a life-or-death decision.
I smiled as if disappointed, but there was no lie in how adorable I found him.
My gaze shifted to the messenger app on my phone.
【Judiz Furniture_Joo Eun-seok (Eun-chan’s Older Brother) ‖ Proposal approved. Please take good care of our youngest~】
‘Ah, what a blessing this kid is.’
Finally, it was time to drop the bomb.

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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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