Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut - Chapter 87

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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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87. Soccer is played with your feet, basketball with your hands (1)
Exactly one hour and thirty minutes before Kang Ha-jin would come to long for regression, at a certain gymnasium.
【★Miro Maze Cup★ United Hearts Sports Day】
【Tonight we’re having beef –by. Han Se-won’s card-】
【(Chung) Trainees in matching team shirts actually exist (Shock) ΣΣ(ﾟДﾟ;)】
【Destiny members, enjoy yourselves(wink) That’s what this sports day is for】
Banners fluttering throughout the gymnasium spouted absurdist jokes from every direction.
Kwon Myung-eun PD, who had summoned the trainees since early morning, clapped her hands sharply to draw their attention.
“Alright, everyone! Today is just a day to relax and have fun! Enjoy yourselves! I figured you’d all feel cooped up being stuck in the practice room all the time, so I spent some money. Of course, courtesy of your CEO!”
The assistant directors standing behind Kwon PD let out cheers of “Woohoo~~!” while stretching their arms toward something. The trainees, caught off guard by these skilled hype people, clapped along with bewildered expressions.
Where the cheers were directed, Miro’s CEO, Han Se-won, had made an unexpected appearance.
‘Wow. He actually came all the way here.’
It seemed Miro Maze’s premiere had really taken off. The trainees felt a bit shy seeing their CEO after so long. For me, it was the first time since that one meeting right after signing the contract back then.
“That’s right, that’s right. I’m leaving my card so you can all have a nice dinner tonight, so have fun! And don’t get hurt!”
“Yes~!”
“I love you all, my youngest sons!”
“Yaaaaaaay~~!!!”
To fans, an entertainment agency CEO was just the personification of a company that existed to take criticism.
But Han Se-won, Miro’s CEO, had relatively decent public opinion among them.
– Our Se-won doesn’t have money, doesn’t have pride, and sometimes lacks sense, but he’s good to the kids.
└ Just pick one—either shield them or criticize them.
I might criticize him myself, but I’d never stand by and watch him get beaten down anywhere.
And for good reason—even I had to admit that Miro was excellent when it came to artist welfare.
They supported trainees from difficult backgrounds with tuition and living expenses, and on weekends they didn’t schedule practice or classes so everyone could rest or visit home.
Especially for minors, whether trainees or artists, the company ensured everyone could graduate high school—and there was a heartbreaking story behind this policy.
[Why Upia members never disrespect Seo Tae-il. jpg]
(Upia 8th Anniversary Drinking Stream Self-Produced Content Video)
(Video Screenshot)
(Video Screenshot)
+Summary
– During trainee days, the company was in such bad shape that Seo Tae-il secretly dropped out of high school and worked part-time jobs
Nobody, not even the CEO or members, knew until they found out when Seo Tae-il didn’t leave the dorm on his high school graduation day, which seemed odd, so they pressed him about it…
– At the time, the CEO was working three jobs to pay staff salaries and cover trainee tuition, living expenses, and debut preparations, but Seo Tae-il used the tuition listed under his name to supplement living expenses.
– He used his part-time income to rent the practice room and recording studio, and gave the leftover money as allowance to his juniors (he was attending high school part-time, worried the kids might get discouraged)
– Conclusion: Tae-hyun is a god. Light and truth itself.
If you disagree, you get locked in a room with Nam Da-down for 3 days where you can’t talk
– I was crying while reading and then woke right up at the last line
– Ah, I just imagined the last line and I’m already exhausted, blood coming from my ears;
How did Nam Da-down even get a name like Nam Da-down… it’s not “different” and it’s not “me-like” and it’s just “Nam Da-down” lololololololololol
– Please add this too!
Later, the CEO revealed he’d known everything all along. He and Tae-il had cried together as he promised to make sure I succeeded no matter what.
And the moment our first earnings came in after debut, he sold his own house to help the members move and paid for all of Tae-il’s tuition so he could take his high school equivalency exam.
That’s why Idea members could never hate Se-won—he was an adult who was genuinely sincere with them.
└ Wow, I didn’t know that either.
And after that incident, Miro established an iron-clad rule: whether trainee or artist, everyone had to earn their high school diploma.
[System Alert: This was a story that couldn’t be heard without tears…!]
[System Alert: ʕ ಡ ﹏ ಡ ʔ]
‘A typical tale of a young breadwinner from those days.’
I watched Seo Tae-il testing the microphone at the gymnasium center.
But regardless of what I told myself, I actually held considerable respect and admiration for Seo Tae-il as a person.
I understood better than anyone how heavy the word “responsibility” weighed on firstborns.
“Ah, yes. Microphone test. Can everyone hear me?”
As filming was about to begin, I noticed the staff members who’d been touching up Tae-il’s hair and makeup moving toward the production area.
Seo Tae-il was dressed head to toe in sportswear from the same brand—the one Upia had been modeling for three years running. Those shoes in particular were definitely the limited-edition sneakers Upia was releasing for their twelfth anniversary.
‘I renew my vow today. Young and rich, tall and handsome.’
I clenched my fists and steeled my resolve as I followed the production staff’s guidance toward the gymnasium center.
At least I felt good about getting some fresh air after being cooped up for so long.
* * *
“Today, we have a special MC to help me out!”
“Ooh~.”
The trainees’ reactions were getting better as they grew accustomed to being on camera. Seo Tae-il gazed at his juniors with satisfaction before remembering the special MC he was about to introduce, and he cleared his throat awkwardly.
‘Maybe I should have just brought Jin-woo. Of all days, he’s the only one who had time….’
But I’m Seo Tae-il, a thirteen-year veteran idol. I won’t let it show.
Tae-il raised the microphone with a practiced poker face to deliver his next line.
“We went through great lengths—truly great lengths—to bring someone special for your enjoyment today. I wonder who it could be….”
The moment those words left his mouth—
“Ehey. You’re dragging this out!”
“Sigh….”
Someone boldly and confidently cut into the audio.
The professional idol’s poker face crumbled. Tae-il covered his eyes with his hand and let out an exasperated sigh as if he’d anticipated this exact scenario.
The trainees froze momentarily at the sudden appearance of this new face, then turned their gazes toward the source of the voice.
From behind the production crew emerged a bright-haired young man dressed identically to Tae-il, tapping his palm with the hand holding the cue cards as he strode confidently toward Seo Tae-il.
“I mean, how long are we supposed to wait? When’s the sports day anyway? Are we doing it after everything’s already over?”
“Da-down, I’m in the middle of my introduction….”
“Yeah, you’re introducing, but it’s way too long. This isn’t even a Pialand shoot, is it? Why are you making the juniors stand around like this, hyung?”
“This is exactly why I didn’t want to bring you.”
“What? What did you say? Hyung! Is this member discrimination? Should I just leave? I’m genuinely hurt right now.”
“Da-down, please.”
What on earth was happening at Miro Maze?
The trainees’ reactions short-circuited as they witnessed the usually charismatic and composed Seo Tae-il stammering and biting his lip.
He’d barely been on stage for a minute, yet the audio was already cutting out—it made no sense.
“Alright, that’s enough. Let’s move on with the introductions, quickly.”
“Yes, today’s special MC. From Upia….”
“Huh? I heard about this from Han-sol too. Why do you keep leaving our introduction out? Are we embarrassing or something?”
“…the adorable Maltese main dancer, third member Nam Da-down. Let’s hear it for him.”
“Right, that’s better.”
Satisfied with his introduction, Nam Da-down flashed a proud smile and waved to the trainees in greeting.
“Hey, juniors! I’m Nam Tee-joo hyung!”
Watching him, Ha-jin applauded with genuine admiration.
‘So this is what thirteen years of military service and shameless self-moe-fication looks like for a male idol.’
Among Upia’s members, Nam Da-down was widely considered the most entertaining personality.
He had natural charisma and, more than anything, he talked—a lot. Given that Seo Tae-il had a somewhat reserved air for an MC, it seemed the production team had brought him in specifically to liven things up.
And true to the producers’ hopes, Nam Da-down expertly ramped up the energy of the sports day.
“Alright, my little ones! Three seconds of cheering toward the front—let’s go~~~~!!!!”
“Ahhhhhhhhh~~~~!!!”
“Now confess your love for Destiny~~~~!!!”
“Destiny, we love you~~!!!!”
‘This is chaos.’
Less than ten minutes after Nam Da-down’s arrival, some of the trainees were already exhausted. By the time he used warming up as an excuse to crank EDM and launch into a full dance session, Seo Tae-il had completely lowered his microphone.
“Huff, puff.”
“Okay, we’ve got our opening segment. We got it, right, production team?”
At his winking question, the writer sitting in front of the camera held up a sketchbook.
【♥The god of variety, the god of content, the supreme Nam Tee-joo—we love you♥】
The heart filled in with marker seemed to speak for the entire production team’s feelings.
“So now… wait, where’d my hyung go?”
Nam Da-down looked around, searching for Seo Tae-il to deliver the next line.
By the time Nam Da-down had led the trainees through their twelfth wave, Seo Tae-il had long since set down his microphone and was resting in the shade of the announcer’s platform. Spotting Nam Da-down, he waved his hand lazily.
“Keep going, keep going. Do whatever you want, Da-down.”
“Hey, our MC here is really irresponsible. What are you doing over there?”
“I’m tired now too. Getting old, you know.”
“Ugh, there’s no helping it. Everyone! Today, let’s do this with me!”
“Yesss!!”
Nam Da-down threw both arms up in the air. As if trained in some cult-like response, the trainees mirrored him, throwing their arms up and shouting in unison.
‘What a mess.’
Even thinking that, Ha-jin went along with the atmosphere and responded loudly.
Yeah, so that’s how it was….
This was the starting point of everything that followed.
* * *
The teams were divided into four total: three teams of four members each, and one team of five.
Each team was assigned to a color—red team, blue team, purple team, and yellow team—based on their prepared team uniforms.
The team members drew balls from a box fairly to divide into groups initially, and for any teams whose balance seemed off, the production crew and MCs conducted a careful second round of adjustments after deliberation. (At this point, I began to feel a twinge of unease. What on earth had they prepared that warranted such meticulous care?)
And thus, the final teams for today were formed!
【Red Team (though they were promoted to Phoenix Team through their enthusiastic appeals.)】
【Captain: Jeong Si-u / Members: Ju Eun-chan, Dan Ha-ru, Park Jae-young】
【Blue Team (though after witnessing the Phoenix Team’s appeal, they refused to be outdone and changed to Azure Dragon Team.)】
【Captain: Kim Hee-gun / Members: Lee Pa-rang, Shin Kyung-ho, Yun Tae-won】
【Purple Team (which likewise, upon seeing the previous two teams, felt compelled by some inexplicable pressure to rebrand as Lilac Team.)】
【Captain: Gong Seok / Members: Kim Min-uk, Yuki, Jayden】
And finally, the much-anticipated….
【(Just) Yellow Team】
【Captain: Seo Tae-hyun / Members: Kang Ha-jin, Lee Do-ha, Kim Won-ho, Lee Yu-gun】
Watching four men—all over 180 centimeters tall with intimidating expressions, excluding Seo Tae-hyun—huddled together on the sports ground in oversized yellow training suits, I couldn’t help but wonder.
‘Is this really right?’

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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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