Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut!

Chapter 362. Jeju Island’s Blue Night (4)

So, to explain all of this―.

We need to rewind time, back to when Kang Hajin climbed Seongsan Ilchulbong and suddenly made a video call to CEO Han Sewon.

-What’s going on this time?

“Come on, what do you mean, ‘what’s going on’? I just called because I’m at a scenic spot and I wanted to see you, CEO. Are we only allowed to call when something’s happening?”

Though this was only his second call with CEO Han Sewon, Kang Hajin was as bold as ever.

For reference, the first call was when he asked for help picking up the kids on exam day.

“I came to Jeju Island as a punishment for a content challenge~ While I’m enjoying the beautiful scenery, I’m feeling really glad I debuted~ Happy that I’m part of Kairos~ And thinking about all this, I felt an endless amount of gratitude toward you, CEO, who made this all possible~ That’s why I called.”

-Hahaha, really? It’s strange, it feels like I’m getting a call from my grandson. But I’m not old enough for grandkids yet….

“Look at this! Isn’t the view awesome?”

Quick-witted, Kang Hajin, not wanting Han Sewon to question his motives, quickly switched the camera to show the view, speaking with a voice dripping with flattery.

In reality, the sunset in Jeju was stunning with its crimson sky, emerald sea, and lush green nature. Han Sewon, repeatedly laughing, let out words of admiration.

Having visited Jeju over ten times as an entertainment CEO, the scenery probably wasn’t what impressed him. It was more likely the fact that a rookie artist had called him, wanting to share the beauty of the scene with him.

-Yeah, yeah~ Did you come alone?

“No, Yugeon came with me, but he went to Hallasan. I wanted to go too, but I couldn’t, so I’m a bit disappointed.”

-Is that so? Should we film the next music video entirely in Jeju? No, maybe overseas would be better for a music video?

-Come on, CEO! What… what are you even saying right now…!

Just then, another voice interrupted from the phone. When Han Sewon turned his head, someone else casually appeared on the screen.

-Kang Hajin, what are you…! Why are you calling the CEO out of nowhere again?

It was Ji Suho, who had recently been discharged and returned to work.

‘Ah, this is bad.’

Seeing Ji Suho’s wary expression, clearly wondering what Hajin was up to, Hajin was momentarily flustered but quickly regained his composure.

‘It’s fine. The CEO outranks Ji Suho.’

Hajin knew the power dynamics of society better than anyone else.

Once Hajin set his mind on something, it was hard to stop him. Despite Ji Suho’s attempts to end the call, Hajin calmly launched his plan.

“Oh, come on, why do you think so little of me~ I swear, there’s nothing going on. I just thought of the CEO and called.”

-And I’m supposed to believe that?

“It’s true. They were selling Hallabong chocolates at the airport earlier. Should I pick up a box for you on my way back?”

Smiling brightly, Hajin spoke warmly, even wrapping up the conversation himself before Suho could react.

“Anyway, I really just wanted to greet the CEO and say thank you. I’m grateful for your support before the comeback….”

-Haha, alright, alright~ I’m thankful to you too, Hajin, for always working so hard. Make sure to eat lots of good food in Jeju! You should have some silver hairtail to recharge your energy, right?

Got him.

Hajin seized the moment, wearing a slightly disappointed expression.

“I’d really love to do that, but… I have to head to the airport soon. I’ve only been here for three hours….”

-What? Why? Do you have another schedule?

“No, it’s not that… It’s just that my punishment is to visit Seongsan Ilchulbong and then leave.”

-Oh dear… That’s a shame, isn’t it?

“Exactly. Can you send me to Jeju as a reward if we get first place next time?”

-What? Hahaha, sure, sure. I can send you as much as you like.

The key in moments like these was to not look too openly dejected.

With just a hint of disappointment and a light smile, Hajin ran his fingers through his bangs. Only Ji Suho, standing to the side, looked completely taken aback by Hajin’s smooth performance.

“Sigh, I wish I could stay longer, especially since I don’t have any schedules until tomorrow evening…. Such a shame.”

Hajin muttered to himself.

After gazing at the sea beyond his phone for a moment, Hajin turned his attention back to the CEO, his expression bold and cheeky.

“CEO. Could I possibly borrow a day of vacation?”

-What…?

-You, Kang Hajin, you little…!

“I’m feeling so refreshed here, I’m overflowing with ideas and inspiration! If I could just stay one more day, I’m sure I could create an amazing new album when I get back to Seoul!”

It was a direct appeal.

As Han Sewon and Ji Suho struggled to respond, Hajin, with the clearest and most confident voice, continued to push.

“We’re preparing for another comeback next week! It’ll be our third one this year! Both *Spring is Gone* and *Spring Again* are doing great right now! We’ve been getting tons of ads and performing at all kinds of events!”

-Hey, kid, what are you even…!

-Hahaha, Kairos really is busy these days, huh?

“And I’m not even alone! Yugeon is with me, so it’s safe! If we swim in the Jeju sea in early June, I feel like I’ll be bursting with energy…!”

Whining with sincerity, but without crossing the line into being annoying.

Hajin struck the perfect balance, leaving Ji Suho rubbing his neck in frustration and Han Sewon laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his chair. Once he calmed down, Han Sewon lightly patted Suho’s shoulder.

-How’s the kids’ schedule looking? Could they have a day off?

-Come on, CEO! You can’t just give in to this!

-Why not? They’ve worked hard, haven’t they? And since Yugeon is with him, there won’t be any strange rumors.

-Even so, without a manager, letting them go alone is…!

-Hmm, I do worry about safety…. With everything that’s been happening lately….

Ah… Is this not going to work?

Hajin was beginning to think that encountering the sturdy wall that was Ji Suho was a setback, resolving to always check Suho’s whereabouts before executing any future plans….

-Who are you talking to?

Another voice came from beyond the screen.

When both Han Sewon and Ji Suho turned around, another familiar face appeared.

-Oh?

A dependable ally for Kang Hajin.

-It’s Taeil, isn’t it?

It was Seo Taeil, the leader of Utopia, who always advocated for the welfare of Miro artists.

—

“…So, you managed to squeeze a vacation out of the CEO?”

“Yup. You saw the text earlier, didn’t you? Taeil hyung even sent me 200,000 won as pocket money. Isn’t he awesome? I’m seriously thinking about making him my second dad from now on.”

“No, no, no… Wait, just hold on!”

Without giving Yugeon a chance to protest, Hajin grabbed his shoulders and dragged him back to the security checkpoint. Yugeon abruptly stopped in his tracks, about to raise his voice but quickly lowering it, realizing there were still people around.

“So we’re just going back to Jeju, suddenly? Without even asking me?”

“Want to come with me to Jeju?”

“This hyung….”

“If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I only booked the ticket because I didn’t want to go back to Seoul yet…. If you’re not coming, I’ll just go alone. Should I call Wook hyung back?”

“…….”

Hajin held up his phone, pretending not to care, and Yugeon couldn’t bring himself to say no.

Of course, he wanted to go to Jeju.

And once again, Hajin seemed to know exactly how Yugeon felt, kicking the ground and muttering to himself.

“Ah… I’m such an ENFP, I really hate traveling alone… If I go alone, there won’t be anyone to take my pictures, and if there’s no one to take pictures of me, the Destis gallery will suffer… That’s a pretty big problem… Not leaving any photos of me in casual clothes under Jeju’s natural light is totally a dereliction of idol duty….”

“…….”

“Eating alone is so tasteless too…. I could eat six servings of black pork, naengmyeon, soybean paste stew, and finish with an orange ade, but I’d only be able to eat half of that if I went alone….”

“……….”

“And since we’re already at Gimpo Airport, if Yugeon went with me, it’d be so much more fun…. The weather’s perfect right now, so swimming in the sea would be super refreshing…. The sky looks amazing today, so the stars would be so clear tonight….”

“…………….”

“If we went now, the night market would still be open…. It’s the peak season for cuttlefish, so the seafood soup

would be incredible…. And, since it’s the end of the day, they’d probably sell the flatfish and red snapper for super cheap, dipping them in sauce while watching the sea would be just mind-blowing….”

“………………….”

*Sigh*, if Yugeon doesn’t come, I guess I’ll just eat cup ramen alone in the room….”

“Alright, fine, I’ll go! Who said I wasn’t going?”

“Yes!”

Unable to bear Hajin’s whining any longer, Yugeon’s ears turned bright red as he snatched the bag from Hajin’s hand. It was the luggage that Wook had handed over along with Hajin’s bag.

Even as Yugeon slung his own bag over his shoulder, he rubbed his forehead, wondering what on earth he was doing. At that moment, Hajin patted his shoulder as if to reassure him.

“You had to come anyway. I already booked your plane ticket and checked in for you. If you don’t board, the plane can’t take off.”

“Seriously, you’re crazy, hyung….”

“Yup. That’s the true meaning of my name.”

“You’re really insane….”

“Yep, I’m a bit crazy, alright.”

With no more words left, Yugeon, now speechless, let himself be dragged along by Hajin again. Carrying only light bags, without checking in any luggage, the two passed through the security checkpoint they had cleared just a few hours earlier and arrived back at the boarding gate.

Their flight was already preparing to board.

In other words, this bold Kang Hajin had managed to book a flight departing within an hour of their arrival at Gimpo Airport.

‘Is he really not insane…?’

But Yugeon was too exhausted to be surprised anymore. He wondered if it was okay to go with nothing but their bodies, but since he was being dragged along anyway, he decided it was best to temporarily turn off his brain for the sake of his sanity.

Without knowing how, Yugeon found himself seated on the plane. Perhaps as a gesture of consideration, or by pure coincidence, he ended up with a window seat. As he stared out at the night sky, he suddenly remembered something and turned toward Hajin.

“But, if you got permission for the vacation in Jeju, didn’t you not have to take the return flight?”

If they were heading back to Jeju anyway, why had they come back to Gimpo Airport?

Even as he asked, Yugeon had a rough idea of what Hajin’s answer would be.

Maybe to pick up their luggage, or because the production team had already booked the tickets and couldn’t get a refund, or maybe because they needed to film them arriving back….

“Oh, that?”

And the answer from Hajin, their *self-proclaimed* reliable hyung, was this:

“I wanted to annoy you.”

“…What?”

“Surprise~”

Am I really going to Jeju with this guy?

As Yugeon’s eyes darted around in disbelief, the night flight to Jeju took off into the sky.