Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut! Chapter 3

Chapter 3. Find the Lost Dream (1)

— — —

Did it go well?

Even after finishing his song, Hajin kept his posture straight and studied the judges’ carefully blank expressions. He had come into the audition half-prepared to fail anyway—but being cut without hesitation would still sting.

The song he’d chosen was his old “finishing move.” The one he’d practiced until his throat went dry during his trainee days. He had selected it with confidence.

…Should he have gone with something safer?

“Mm. Yes. Thank you. That was good.”

The woman seated in the center spoke slowly.

“You prepared a dance as well?”

“Yes.”

He nodded, and the MR track he had submitted earlier began to play.

He’s dancing too?

Team Leader Jang rested her chin lightly against her hand, hiding the corner of her mouth behind her knuckles as she bit the inside of her cheek to suppress the smile threatening to appear.

Soon, a hip-hop–based pop track filled the room—one that had gone viral for its simple hook and addictive beat.

Watching No. 71 gradually catch the rhythm, the rising anticipation was impossible to ignore.

Eleven years in New Artist Development.

She could tell.

This kid could dance too.

Turn it up!
Let’s pop it up!
Dropped the beat,
I never gonna screw it up!

Each movement he hit on the main beat carried weight. The rhythm was solid. Some transitions were a little rough—likely self-choreographed—but his body moved like someone who had trained seriously.

Not polished enough to claim “main dancer.”

But clearly not amateur.

“Not bad?”

The assistant staff exchanged looks.

“Should we have him stay?”

They’d recently reorganized the trainee pool due to complications with the upcoming debut lineup. Fresh talent was needed.

“….”

“Team Leader?”

Jang kept her eyes fixed on No. 71—who had finished and was now standing quietly, hands folded in front of him, waiting for the verdict.

It’s a waste… but….

Good voice.
Clean look.
Solid fundamentals.

But something didn’t fit.

After a moment of deliberation—

“Thank you. That was good.”

Hajin’s expression didn’t change.

“Please stay and wait.”

The staff brightened immediately.

“Someone will guide you to the lounge.”

“Ah—yes. Thank you.”

Is this real?

Hajin stared blankly at the paper cup of cocoa placed in front of him.

He had at least two hours to wait.

“…This actually worked.”

He muttered it to himself several times. It didn’t feel real.

Then again, he had always made it this far without much trouble.

His shoulders throbbed from tension. The white-and-gold interior of Rene’s building felt almost blinding. An artificial waterfall roared nearby.

What is this, a temple?

He blew gently on the cocoa and glanced at the framed photos lining the walls. Rene’s artists.

Every single one looked sculpted.

Once, he had wanted to become that.

Once, he had wanted to create that.

Sitting here again felt… strange.

The lounge door opened.

The woman who seemed to hold the final decision stepped inside.

Wait.

I’m not supposed to become a trainee here.

“Hello, Kang Hajin.”

“Yes. Hello.”

“I’m Jang Seoyoon, Team Leader of Rene New Artist Development Team 1.”

She handed him a business card.

“I’ll be honest. If you join our company… debuting may be difficult.”

Ah.

Yes.

I wasn’t planning to join anyway.

“Excuse me? Why?”

Assistant Manager Yoon—the youngest judge—couldn’t hide her disbelief. As a devoted enthusiast of single-lidded visuals, No. 71 was practically guaranteed demand.

He sings well.
He dances well.
And he’s single-lidded?

Wasn’t that exactly the type to polish into Rene’s next sculpture?

“He’d fit New Rene’s lineup.”

“That’s exactly why he can’t.”

Senior Manager Kim shook his head.

“Where would we put him? There’s no position to push out in New Rene. And he’s too old for the next-next group.”

Ah.

That made sense.

“The only one we could replace is Jung-hyuk. But visually and for team chemistry, why swap him?”

Rene didn’t hold onto trainees with slim debut chances. Hundreds applied every day.

“Anyway,” Assistant Manager Yoon muttered, “Team Leader must have something in mind.”

Jang turned back to Hajin.

“Were you surprised?”

“Yes… but not completely.”

“I’m not saying you lack potential.”

That word—potential—scraped against an old wound.

But more importantly—

“I’d like to introduce you somewhere else. If you’re open to it.”

“…Somewhere else?”

“You’ve heard of Miro Entertainment, right?”

Miro.

A fast-rising mid-sized agency.

One of Hajin’s targets.

And—

The place he actually needed to go.

Rumor said there was a “guardian spirit” at Miro who turned everything into hits.

Miro’s Midas touch, investors called him.

A producer who suddenly makes everything succeed?

That sounds familiar.

Whether it was talent—or something tied to regression—he needed to confirm it himself.

He had auditioned at Rene specifically to access the Rene–Miro trainee exchange route.

“Would you like an introduction?”

Nice.

Inside, Private Kang Hajin screamed in victory.

Outside, he remained composed.

“I’ll need to discuss it with my parents.”

“Of course. Text the number on my card. Mention No. 71.”

He bowed and left.

“Wow. That was easier than expected.”

From the window, Jang watched him disappear down the street.

Like a well-socialized wolf pup.

No.

More like a Doberman.

“What nonsense is this?”

I’m screwed.

“You’re almost twenty, Hajin. I can’t allow it.”

Boot camp is calling me…

“You’re the one who quit and said you’d focus on studying.”

Her voice wasn’t angry. It was worried.

“I’m against it.”

The carousel gate of freedom slammed shut again.

And then—

A blue window flickered in front of his eyes.

<System Alert: Sudden Quest!>
Content: A child’s wound becomes a parent’s scar. Win your mother’s approval for the dream you’ve rediscovered.

Mom… if I don’t become an idol… I might live forever in regression.

How am I supposed to explain that?

He stared at the quest window.

For the first time since the audition—

He felt like this might actually be the hardest stage yet.