Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut!

Chapter 5: In Search of Lost Dreams (3)

Let’s take a moment to look back on my past life.

“…thus, I would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who came to watch our performance, which blossomed under the love of our parents and teachers.”

The beginning was light, serving as the host of the kindergarten recital. A photo of me, reciting a script I had memorized, adorned the first page of my kindergarten graduation album.

“I also agree with the opposing view that students still find it difficult to restrain themselves from using mobile phones. However, the essence of mobile phones is communication.”

“Rather than unconditionally confiscating phones from students just because they have some entertainment functions, wouldn’t it be more productive to teach them proper usage and develop their self-control?”

During the days when I was coaxed into being a friend’s debate partner with the promise of sweet potato pizza, I swept various awards.

“I believe life is a series of choices and regrets. I have made countless choices since I was young, and each time, those choices have been either the best or the worst.”

“So, does that mean you regret choosing this major?”

“If I am to regret anyway, I want to make my current choice the best. And now, having applied to this department, I am confident that this choice will be one I can be proud of and consider wise.”

During my college entrance interview, I was asked if I had any last words, and my spontaneous answer often became a subject of conversation among the professors even after I graduated.

The professor, who always looked for an opportunity to recruit me into graduate school, often patted my shoulder, saying, “You could probably bargain half the price at a department store.”

So, the point was, that if nothing else, I was really good at speaking. I didn’t earn the nickname “Presentation is Kang Hajin” throughout college for nothing.

“…I had a lot of worries before deciding to challenge the dream I once gave up on again.”

‘Kang Hajin’s Life Plan Presentation’ was now nearing its end. My father didn’t seem to have intended to oppose from the beginning, and my mother was silently watching with an expression hard to read.

I had exhausted all objective data to persuade my parents. Now, all that remained was my sincere determination. Feeling my mouth go dry, I swallowed nervously.

“I’m not saying I will give up studying at this crucial time. However, given the opportunity to audition now, I want to challenge myself to the fullest and fail if I must.”

That was a lie. I was too old at twenty-nine to get excited about finding my “lost dream” again. There was no way I could debut as an idol by overcoming numerous competitors, and even if I did, there was no guarantee of success.

But I had to audition to stop the regression, and I had to stop the regression to escape this endless winter with my family.

If reclaiming a discarded dream was the way to end this regression, then playing the role of a teenager chasing a dream was a small price to pay.

“You know I’m good at this. Just give me one year, and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll really give up.”

If I didn’t become a trainee from this audition, I’d regress without mercy. I showed what I thought was a confident smile. To my parents, it would just seem like a smile brimming with passion.

I had laid all my cards on the table. With a final “Thank you” slide on the PPT, I awaited my parents’ verdict. Silence followed for a moment.

“Hajin.”

Dad had long since passed the decision-making authority to Mom. Mom pondered for a while before finally speaking my name.

“…I know you’re good.”

“…….”

“Really.”

Wait, this was dangerous.

“I know you’re good.” Mom’s words struck something deep inside me. Days from my first life, which had long passed and now seemed like a dream, flashed quickly in my mind.

“And even if you’re not good, it’s okay.”

I remembered Kang Hajin, who spent his days lying in bed, doing nothing after quitting his job. Trapped in self-loathing, feeling incapable of anything, afraid to face the world—Kang Hajin was still inside me.

There was no way Mom, in her present state, could know what I would be like ten years later.

“Mom just doesn’t want you to be stressed. I want you to hear compliments, to hear only good things. I want you to live your life without regrets. That’s all.”

Yet Mom’s words seemed to comfort the Kang Hajin from back then.

[System Alarm: Sudden Quest!]

Content: A child’s wound is a parent’s scar. Convince your mother to acknowledge the dream you reclaimed.

Deadline: Linked with SQ 01 (D-46)

Failure Penalty: 75% increased chance of 5th regression activation

Quest Completed.

Special Reward: Designated One-Person Trait Viewing Ticket (excluding self)

The system notification declared the quest complete. Though it confirmed I had successfully convinced Mom, I couldn’t feel entirely happy. Despite the special reward, I wasn’t interested.

I clenched my fist behind my back.

I was determined to end this regression in this life.

* * *

Manager Jang of Renes Entertainment’s rookie development team sighed as he read the text from a Miro Entertainment employee.

“They seemed excited to take the business card….”

I thought number 71 would contact us soon, but there had been no news since that day.

Fearing it might have been treated as spam, I checked both my phone and email thoroughly, but all I found were promotional messages.

In truth, there was no big deal if one aspiring entertainer didn’t contact us. But for some reason, both Miro and Manager Jang were anxious, as if they were butlers desperate for 71’s acceptance.

Manager Jang, about to send a text in a fit of anger, regained his composure and carefully deleted the message.

Cha Minseok, who Miro had traded over last time, was now undeniably New Renes’ ace. Miro had been very accommodating regarding Minseok’s contract termination, so it was time for Renes to return the favor.

Nearly pleading, the Miro employee’s persistent message made Manager Jang pull his hair out. The public audition had disposed of personal information like addresses and numbers immediately, so there was no way to find them.

“If only I had gone to get parental permission with the business card….”

Manager Jang, who had once cast Sphere’s youngest member that way, wiped away tears of regret while contemplating whether to turn off his endlessly ringing phone.

Couldn’t you just not answer? Why leave a text too?

“…Oh, hallelujah Jesus Christ holy….”

About to delete the text with an irritated face, Manager Jang realized it was the salvation he had been praying for and covered his mouth in surprise.

“What? It’s number 71?”

Assistant Manager Yoon, sitting opposite Manager Jang, stood up abruptly, understanding the situation with just that reaction. Although it seemed odd how interested she was in number 71, Manager Jang didn’t mind sharing the joy with someone.

Gesturing for Assistant Manager Yoon to quiet down, Manager Jang steadied himself and pressed the call button with a calm heart. Timing was crucial in this.

Even though it was Renes and Miro, there was no need to seem desperate from the start.

– Hello.

“Hello, Hajin. This is Jang Seoyun, the head of the rookie development team at Renes Entertainment. Sorry for the late reply.”

It’s over.

The moment Manager Jang heard the voice that had haunted his dreams, he realized his initial strategy was completely blown. Even Assistant Manager Yoon, watching anxiously, looked regretful.

Ha, I’m not usually like this.

– It’s okay. I’m sorry for contacting you late.

“Oh no, it’s fine. Perfect timing.”

It was late. Really late, but what did it matter now? Manager Jang kept his voice as gentle as possible, continuing the conversation.

“Miro Entertainment wants to see you. They asked for it as soon as possible, so we were waiting for your call.”

While calmly continuing the call, Manager Jang typed furiously on the company messenger, signaling to Assistant Manager Yoon.

– Thank you. So, what should I do?

“Oh, um….”

Glancing at Assistant Manager Yoon, who was scribbling a note, Manager Jang saw the hastily written post-it.

“Friday! I’ll send you Miro Entertainment’s location. Friday at 5 PM. Is that okay?”

– I do have school….

“Well, then….”

– No, the college entrance exam is over anyway. So, Friday at 5 PM at Miro Entertainment?

“Yes, yes. I’ll be there too, so contact me when you arrive.”

“Yes, thank you.” The call ended with a polite voice. Without a moment to breathe, Assistant Manager Yoon’s eyes sparkled.

“What did he say? Is he coming?”

“Reehee, you’re really invested in 71.”

“Manager, it’s my lifelong regret that our company doesn’t favor double eyelids.”

But that didn’t mean she wanted 71 to debut over Junghyuk. Assistant Manager Yoon had a particular fondness for her first trainees, New Renes and Junghy

uk.

Still, preferences were what they were. Assistant Manager Yoon was ready to leave Renes for Miro if it meant debuting 71.

“Is having single eyelids that significant? I think 71 is pretty good, but it seemed like you were particularly invested.”

“Right. She gave me a hard time that day about not picking 71.”

Senior Kim from Team 3 joined the conversation. Although Manager Jang had also eagerly awaited 71’s contact, he rationalized that it wasn’t at a crucial level yet.

“Um. No, it’s not that single eyelids are always good….”

Assistant Manager Yoon shrugged. How could she explain her innate bias honed from years of being a K-pop fan?

“It’s just my preference for pine trees.”

She eventually gave up explaining and laughed. Manager Jang nodded, not continuing the conversation. After all, it wasn’t that important since the kid would become someone else’s.

* * *

Or was it important?

“Hello, I’m Kang Hajin.”

Friday at 5 PM.

Watching Kang Hajin accompanied by Miro Entertainment staff, Manager Jang pondered for a moment.

‘Shouldn’t I have made him our trainee first?’

Unlike his calm, simple appearance at the public audition, he now sported lightly styled hair and a black leather jacket that suited him well. On the audition day, he seemed like a well-behaved kid for a nineteen-year-old, but today, he had an air of sensitivity.

“Hajin, we finally meet. We’ll have a brief audition today. Did you get the details?”

“Yes, Manager Jang explained them.”

“Great, don’t be too nervous. Manager, please join us.”

What was it about this kid? Manager Jang wondered as he followed the two into Miro Entertainment. After all, it was already a spilled situation.

* * *

‘Chosen Regressor, you sugar-coated weak-minded fool….’

At that moment, Hajin was genuinely pissed. The sensitive look Manager Jang noticed wasn’t an illusion. He was really pissed.

And the reason was clear.

[Single Quest 02.]

‘I’m the craziest in this area!’

Content: You, who have entered (or will enter) Miro.

Overcome the suffocating politics and checks happening here,

Meet colleagues who will help you and debut successfully.

(Removing hidden bombs decreases the chance of regression and increases the quest success rate.)

Remaining time: 6 months.

Success Reward: Clues to track the Regressor

Failure Penalty: 85% increased chance of 5th regression activation

What, 85%? Should I just kill them all?