Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut! Chapter 94

Chapter 94 – Bomb? (5)

The theme of the third mission was “free concept.”

As long as they used the assigned item and special effect, everything else—from song choice to the team name—was completely up to them.

“So then, the team name will be…”

“Jung Siwoo and the Kids.”

“Ah, come on.”

“Then how about Kang Hajin and the Boys?”

At Hajin’s sly teasing, Siwoo let out a small sigh.

Then he passed the team name they had already discussed to the youngest writer.

“Blue Flare.”

“Okay. Ah, have you chosen a leader yet?”

“Me.”

“Hajin’s doing it.”

“Got it.”

Leaving behind only the minimum fixed cameras, the rest of the camera crew began packing up.

The PD in charge checked the time, then addressed the members of Blue Flare, who were scattered around the room.

“You all know how to use the self-cams, right? We’ll film the song-choice and concept meeting separately tomorrow, but if you happen to discuss or practice anything today, just turn on the self-cam and record it.”

“Oh, then are we supposed to act like we’ve already decided everything? Or should we pretend we’re deciding for the first time?”

Just moments ago, Hajin had been sprawled on the floor, absolutely humiliating Eunchan in an arm-wrestling match.

Now he was on his feet instantly, asking the PD like a pro.

Eunchan, whose arm had been folded in seconds, was still lying there in a daze.

The PD blinked at Hajin.

“…Hajin, you’ve never worked in broadcasting before, right? You just said exactly what I was about to say.”

“…Haha. I just really like TV. I watch a lot. A true viewer of the modern age.”

“Anyway, for this team, the build-up is already kind of broken beforehand, so the meeting scenes will probably be short. Why don’t you figure things out among yourselves today, and then tomorrow just act it out appropriately. You can do that, right?”

“I’m confident. You just saw our team’s exceptional acting skills, didn’t you?”

The PD had unconsciously used production slang—

and Hajin caught it instantly.

Eunchan, still on the floor, looked up.

“What does it mean that the build-up is broken…?”

“Hm? …Ah, you know those VCR segments before a stage? It means the narrative is already there, so the structure’s basically set.”

The staff exchanged looks.

“…Hajin, you really never worked in broadcasting?”

“Um… well… variety senior Yoo Tae-seok says stuff like that sometimes. Like, ‘Did the opening break?’ or whatever…”

Hajin avoided their eyes.

Of course—

no one could possibly imagine that inside a twenty-year-old trainee lived a 29-year-old fourth-year TV PD.

“Hm. Anyway, filming’s over for today. Do whatever discussions and practice you need. We’ll see you tomorrow~.”

“Yes. Alright, everyone, say goodbye.”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“See you tomorrow!”

Thankfully—

they ended in a much warmer atmosphere than when they’d started.

As the staff left, they kept glancing at Hajin—

the one who had shattered the freezing mood and turned it into something genuinely fun.

“Ugh, seriously, I’m putting all my trust in Hajin-ssi…”

The team writer had even grabbed him before leaving, thanking him with a voice that practically came with twelve crying emojis.

Hajin accepted it calmly.

Well… I did carry today.

They’re probably filming the meeting separately tomorrow because of the team atmosphere.

If things got even slightly serious—

the Jung Siwoo–Lee Yugeon tension would explode instantly.

The game had helped, sure—

but those two still hadn’t exchanged a single word.

And then—

with the staff gone—

only Blue Flare remained.

Hajin turned around to start organizing practice.

“…?”

“…?”

“…Lee Yugeon, what are you doing?”

Yugeon was already packing.

At the door.

Leaving.

“…Hah.”

Siwoo sighed like he’d expected this.

Even Wonho looked uncomfortable.

Only Hajin looked genuinely baffled.

“So—you’re going back to the dorm? Without practicing?”

“Not the dorm. I’ve got somewhere to go. Anyway, we haven’t even picked a song yet.”

“So the rest of us decide without you while you go relax?”

Hajin grabbed him.

Yugeon scratched his chin, thinking—

then sighed.

“Hyung. You watched the broadcast, right?”

“What does that have to do with this?”

“I don’t care about parts. Whatever you give me, I’ll handle it. Just give me what’s left.”

“……”

“If you need my opinion, I’ll text it. Use that. And honestly…”

“…?”

“…Isn’t it easier for you all to talk if I’m not here?”

And just like that—

he left.

Hajin didn’t stop him.

But that didn’t mean the rest could leave too.

“Well. Since that’s how it is… what do you guys want to do?”

Calm.

Too calm.

The others exchanged glances—

then nodded.

They moved.

Location change:

Miro building café.

Drinks in hand.

Soft chairs.

(And yes—Eunchan instinctively tried to pay with his brother’s card, but Siwoo stopped him and paid instead. Everyone except Siwoo glanced at Hajin during that exchange.)

“Alright. The concept’s obvious, right?”

On a torn notebook page, Hajin wrote:

<Sexy>

“With harnesses and lasers, going cute would be weird.”

“…Still… harness plus sexy for an eighteen-year-old…”

Siwoo glanced at Eunchan.

All eyes followed.

Eunchan froze—

then clenched his fist.

“I—I’ll work hard and learn.”

The problem?

No one here was qualified to teach that.

…Sexy isn’t exactly my specialty either.

Hajin sighed internally.

Honestly, someone like Shin Gyeongho would be better at this…

You know—

those guys who think sticking their tongue out is “seductive.”

He turned to Siwoo.

“No, seriously. I get why Eunchan ended up here. But hyung—you knew what a harness was. Why did you choose this room?”

Siwoo sipped his tea.

“Because it was better than the other two.”

“What were the other options? I’m a Feather—I didn’t get hint cards. I’m so resentful my tiramisu won’t even go down.”

“Hyung, you already ate it.”

“Shh. It’s called a metaphor.”

Siwoo placed the card down.

<Room 1 – Harness / Laser>
<Room 2 – Flowers / Confetti>
<Room 3 – Goggles / Airshot>

“I was second. Taehyun was first. The moment he entered Room 2, I eliminated it.”

“Yeah… Seo Taehyun plus flowers? That’s obvious.”

Cherry Boy energy.

“Room 3 wasn’t bad… but harness suited my image better than goggles. And I had to consider who would come.”

“So your predictions were right?”

“To be honest?”

Hajin held his fist up like a microphone.

Siwoo shrugged.

“Except for Lee Yugeon, yes.”

“…Then why didn’t you close earlier?”

Wonho coughed.

“I told him to wait.”

“For me?”

“We needed vocals. And dance looked weak.”

“…So instead of me—Yugeon came.”

“Yeah.”

Siwoo didn’t react.

Just smiled lightly.

“You can say it. I don’t dislike Lee Yugeon.”

“…!”

“I just don’t like his attitude as a teammate.”

Clean line.

Personal vs work.

Separated.

“Anyway, once he entered, I couldn’t close immediately. He barely participates anyway.”

“….”

“I was waiting for one more person. If it was someone like you or Jaeyoung, worth it. And it was you.”

So that desperate:

“Closed. Closed. Closed.”

Had all been calculation.

At least—

they avoided adding another disaster.

(Shin Gyeongho.)

“Alright. Let’s actually start the meeting.”

“Concept: sexy. Song—we’ll look around.”

“Yes. Yugeon said he’d text at least.”

“Then positions first?”

Siwoo led naturally.

Smooth.

Efficient.

Hajin leaned back.

…Is this what it feels like to have a competent leader around?

Siwoo even added:

“If you had a plan, Hajin, we can follow that.”

“No, I like this. Let’s go with it.”

Hajin already had predictions.

Doha → rap
Wonho / Yugeon → dance
Siwoo → main vocal
Eunchan → rap or dance

Then—

Eunchan raised his hand.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah, Chan. Do you want rap or dan—”

“I want to do vocals.”

“…Huh?”

Every head turned.

Eunchan didn’t waver.

Same calm tone as before—

the one he used when he told Han Seongwoo to get lost.

“I want to do vocals.”

“Please give me vocal parts.”