Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut! Chapter 90

Chapter 90 – Bomb? (1)

Several days passed, and my doubts about Lee Yugeon still weren’t resolved.

And today—

was finally the day Episode 2 of Miro Maze aired.

“Alright~ the chicken’s here~.”

We were in Joo Eunchan’s living room—by now, it felt so familiar it was basically my second home.

And for once, the person carrying the chicken—

wasn’t Seo Taehyun.

It was Kim Wonho.

“Thanks for the food!”

“Dan Haru, in moments like this, you need to thank the right person.”

“Who?”

“The one who paid.”

At that—

Haru and I both turned.

Same direction.

Joo Eunchan, lounging in the center of the couch, noticed our stares.

“…Do you want me to video call my brother or something?”

“That would be rude, so I’ll just look at you, who resembles him, and offer my thanks instead. Thank you, Hyung Eunseok.”

“Thank you, Hyung Eunseok!”

“Oh, that’s the vibe? Then me too—thank you, Hyung Eunseok~.”

Even Wonho bowed politely.

Still holding the remote, flipping to Ntv, Eunchan said flatly:

“Stop before I kick all of you out.”

“Yes.”

“Yep.”

“Let’s eat~.”

So basically—

Today was:

“Order expensive food with Joo Eunseok’s card and watch Miro Maze Episode 2 together.”

“Hyung… my brother sent me his card and told me to treat my friends…”

“Wouldn’t normal people just send money?”

I was briefly stunned by rich-people logic.

Then—

this gathering happened.

Recruitment conditions:

• Not going home

• Free today

• Still in the dorm

• People Eunchan wouldn’t feel awkward around

Result:

Me
Kim Wonho
Dan Haru
…and—

Lee Doha.

“Oh, Eunchan. I didn’t have a towel, so I used one.”

“That’s fine, hyung.”

Apparently, Wonho and Eunchan got closer during the Cinderella mission.

Taehyun wasn’t here—family visit.

The others?

Didn’t ask.

Didn’t care.

Though—

on my way out, I heard something.

“Yeah, baby. I applied for an overnight pass. It’s fine—I’ll wear a cap and mask…”

…Ah.

Looks like idiots were getting bold.

That was definitely Shin Gyeongho’s voice.

Right.

It was about time scandals started popping up.

No matter how strict the company was—

some things always blew up.

Just don’t let it be me.

“Hey.”

Wonho waved in front of my face.

“That’s distracting.”

“With chicken right there, what are you thinking about? Heatstroke?”

Since he sounded serious—

I dropped a bomb.

“Shin Gyeongho is dating someone.”

“What?!”

“Huh?”

“Who??”

Explosion.

But then—

weirdly fast acceptance.

“He had a girlfriend before too.”

“Wait—seriously?”

“Back in special class days. Brought her to the company once. Got caught.”

“Isn’t that banned?”

“Of course. Almost got kicked out. Han Seongwoo covered for him.”

…You bastard.

Why bring that name up again?

I checked Eunchan first.

But—

he was calm.

“So that’s why he sucked up to Han Seongwoo.”

“Makes sense.”

“Tsk. I should’ve noticed earlier.”

“Whatever. We don’t have to see him anymore.”

Eunchan said it casually.

Like always.

…Good.

Distance really was the best defense.

“…?”

Then—

I met Dan Haru’s eyes.

He’d been watching too.

Sharp bastard.

“Ah, speaking of—there’s news about Han Seongwoo.”

Stop talking.

Wonho clearly had no idea about the bullying.

To be fair—

even the company hadn’t noticed.

“…What happened?”

“He enlisted.”

“…What?”

“His dad shaved his head and sent him off.”

“…His father?”

“Apparently he screwed up so badly even his family cut him off.”

Eunchan’s expression—

cracked slightly.

I shoved a drumstick into his mouth.

“Where did you hear that?”

“Shin Gyeongho’s group. Sports day.”

“…Wait.”

“Shin Gyeongho? Not Shin Youngho?”

My world collapsed.

“His name isn’t Shin Youngho?”

“No.”

“…It’s not?”

“No. It’s Shin Gyeongho.”

No way.

Like realizing a sheep was actually a goat.

“Anyway—that’s not the point.”

“How did he even find out?”

“Hanseongwoo called him. Borrowing money.”

“…From the military?”

“Yep. Crying, apparently.”

“….”

Everyone nodded slowly.

Even Lee Doha.

That’s over, then.

Enlisted now—

he’d be 24 after discharge.

Career over.

And if his father forced it—

front-line posting.

Family gone.

Money gone.

Fitting.

Honestly—

I wanted more.

But—

“Oh—it’s starting!”

Episode 2 began.

We all settled in.

I glanced at Lee Doha.

“You okay? Not awkward?”

“I’m fine.”

“We invited you suddenly, so…”

“Would it bother you if I came?”

“What? Don’t be stupid. Why would I invite you if it did?”

“If you’re fine, I don’t care.”

Simple.

Clear.

Very Lee Doha.

Good enough.

I turned back to the TV.

Recap started.

“So today’s the stage and results, right?”

“Probably.”

I dipped fries in ketchup.

I want to check reactions…

But—

phone = impossible.

Tomorrow.

Episode 2 continued.

Focus:

Teamwork.

“I told myself I absolutely can’t become a burden…”

“Wow… fake as hell.”

“Haru. That was supposed to stay in your head.”

Shin Gyeongho’s interview.

Nauseating.

“I wish I could say it to his face.”

“…Mm.”

That bastard would.

Then—

Seo Tae-il’s evaluation.

“But Hajin… this time too, you didn’t get greedy.”

Close-up.

Me.

Then—

Interview room.

Dark background.

Neon logo.

Seo Tae-il crossed his arms.

Thinking.

Why am I nervous?

“The truth is… I have high expectations for Hajin.”

“Wow. Official favorite confirmed.”

“Shut up—”

Then—

the next line.

Something I never expected.

“To be honest… Hajin reminds me of myself.”

“…So it is confirmed.”

…What?

Me?

Like him?

Like Seo Tae-il—

13-year veteran.

Top idol.

Leader.

…Me?