Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut!

Chapter 213. Welcome. It’s Your First Time at a Fan Sign Event, Right? (1)

Fan sign event.

What is it?

Having dabbled in all sorts of fandoms back in the day, it was only natural that I was quite interested in the fan sign events within the idol market.

No, more than that, considering I was once an idol trainee myself, it would’ve been stranger if I wasn’t interested.

In the previous timeline, I even once managed to win a video call fan sign event!

Back when I was working as a PD, there was an idol group cast member who was so kind and diligent, but unfortunately, things weren’t going well for them, and they were walking down the path of what’s known as a ‘failed idol.’ Just as their comeback album banner appeared on an online site, I bought a single copy as a gesture of support, and lo and behold, I won.

‘No way, did I seriously win with just one copy, even if they’re a failed idol?’

So, did I do the video call fan sign?

No matter how much I consider myself a male fan, I couldn’t bring myself to have an awkward three-minute video call with a performer I’d worked with before, staring at each other through the phone screen.

I’m sure the other party felt the same way.

Thinking that, I personally contacted the fan sign inquiry line to let them know it would be difficult for me to attend, and passed the opportunity on to someone else.

…Whether there was another person to pass the opportunity on to, I’m not sure.

‘This profession really is like a candle flickering in the wind.’

Anyway, back to the main point.

What is a fan sign event?

The original meaning is literally an ‘event where you meet fans and give them autographs,’ but in the K-pop idol market, this event carries a slightly different significance.

A signature on a piece of paper with a permanent marker? Not important.

What’s important is that I get to have a one-on-one conversation with my idol for a few minutes.

Countless K-pop fans pour hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of dollars just for this ‘few-minute conversation.’ And even after spending all that money, not everyone gets this chance.

‘That’s why those who win want to get their money’s worth, no matter what.’

It’s not just because they’re idol fans; it’s only natural for people to want a return on their investment.

Therefore, idols are often judged by how well they understand these fans’ desperation and how much ‘fan service’ they provide.

Why am I dragging this introduction out so long, you ask?

“Ha, Hajin-hyung… you look… really… good.”

“Wow… that’s debatable.”

“Yugeon-hyung! I told you to keep quiet…! Hajin-hyung might cry!!”

“…I can hear you, you idiots.”

The reason I’m sitting here looking like this right now is purely for fan service, for the fans who spent their time, money, and hearts just to see me.

I twirled the pink magic wand in my hand. The pink cape draped over my shoulders and the pink fairy wings on my back fluttered in sync with my movements.

When the silver tiara with cubic zirconia on my head started to slip off, I grabbed it with my hand, causing all the rings on my fingers to get tangled in the tiara and my hair.

I wriggled my other hand to try to untangle it, but the sparkly lace gloves on my hands dulled my fingertips, making it difficult to get it out.

‘My hands aren’t exactly small, so where on earth did they find a size like this?’

Eventually, after struggling to untangle it by myself and feeling a sense of reality hit me, I tapped Seo Taehyun, who was sitting next to me, with my hand still stuck on my head.

“…What?”

“Can you help me with this? It’s stuck.”

“Are you a child…? Why can’t you sit still?”

Though baffled, Seo Taehyun raised his hand to my head and untangled the mess. He even tidied up my disheveled hair and tiara, so I closed my eyes and let him do his thing.

“All done.”

“Thanks.”

Somewhere along the line, something seemed to have gone wrong, because the next fan who was supposed to get my autograph was sitting in front of Lee Doha, who was supposed to be second in line. So I grabbed the mic.

“Everyone. Are you sure this is really what you wanted…?”

Then, as if in chorus, I received a collective response of ‘Yes~!!’

“All right… I understand….”

So, this is what they really wanted.

It wasn’t a mistake; it was intentional.

Feeling a bit dejected after confirming this, I waved the magic wand in my hand again. With a twinkle, the clear heart bead in the center spun around with a click, which was the most infuriating thing.

As I resigned myself and made eye contact with the cameras filming me, I heard strained breathing next to me.

“Snrk… snrk….”

“Uh-huh… snrk….”

“…If you’re going to laugh, just laugh, you punks.”

Dan Haru, who was wearing an angel halo headband and angel wings, and Lee Yugeon, who was wearing a black three-stripe Adidas jersey, collapsed onto the table, choking on their laughter. Lee Yugeon even started banging the table with his hand.

I pushed up the heart-shaped sunglasses I was wearing and scowled.

“You think the fairy princess is funny?”

“Ha! Please, stop making me laugh…!”

Hmm. Did I hit a sweet spot?

Watching Yugeon nearly cry with laughter as he begged me, I clicked my tongue.

However, Yugeon’s laughter didn’t last even ten minutes.

“Yugeon-ah. Can you please do this just once for me? It’s my wish, really, I’m begging you.”

“…….”

Yugeon’s pupils shook without focus as he was gifted a headband adorned with incredibly long and fancy lace fox ears. In truth, it was rather mild compared to other fan sign items, but what seemed to thrill(?) Yugeon more was the large, fluffy fox fur gloves and the bell-attached collar… no, ribbon that came with it.

Trying to be as annoying as possible, I waved the magic wand and covered my mouth with my hand.

“Oh my, that might be a bit controversial.”

“Lower your voice when you speak, Kang Hajin.”

“Ribbit.”

I pouted my lips in a show of defiance to Seo Taehyun’s criticism, but our frog didn’t care and was busy fixing his appearance with a hand mirror.

Like someone born for this, Seo Taehyun carefully adjusted the veil on his head, then naturally posed while holding the bouquet that the fan had given him.

Meanwhile, next to me, Yugeon, who had temporarily malfunctioned, returned to his capitalist self, equipped with the filter that only the cold-blooded possess.

“Of course, noona. But aren’t I more of a dinosaur? The staff hyungs always use dinosaur emojis for me.”

“There was a dinosaur, but it wasn’t pretty… I think you’d look great as a fox, Yugeon!”

“But I’m signing right now, so I can’t do it. Noona, why don’t you put it on for me?”

“M-me…!?”

Yugeon casually leaned his head forward towards the fan, as if it was nothing. The fan, trembling as she held the headband, placed it on Yugeon’s head. In the meantime, Yugeon finished signing the album and lifted his head, flashing a mischievous smile that noonas go crazy for.

“Does it look good on me?”

“Y-yeah….”

This brat who’s sold his soul to capitalism….

It’s scary whether he’s acting or if this is just his instinct.

‘Well, before he started stressing out about his debut, I think this was his original personality.’

I nodded to myself in agreement as I recalled Yugeon mischievously teasing Seo Taehyun during the sports day.

In the meantime, the fan who had finished the signing with Yugeon timidly moved over to me.

I pondered for a moment.

Should I follow Yugeon’s lead and go for a heart-fluttering pseudo-romance vibe?

Or should I go for a friendly and familiar next-door-oppa vibe, like someone you’ve known for three years?

[System Alert: The system shakes its head, not recommending either. (Reason: Your current appearance.)]

Ah. That’s right.

Yugeon’s flirting had made me momentarily forget how I looked.

‘Hmm. With this look, pulling off a heart-fluttering vibe is impossible.’

Resigned, I decided to fully commit and posed, twirling the magic wand for the noona fan who sat in front of me.

“Hello, noona. It’s your first time meeting a fairy princess, right?”

“H-hello, Hajin-ya….”

“Feel free to laugh. The fairy princess understands.”

“Snrk….”

Wait. Did I debut as a comedian instead of an idol?

Watching everyone seem desperate to laugh whenever they saw me gave me a strange pressure, making me feel like I should do something even funnier.

‘Should I just go all out?’

…But if I were to do a personal gag show here, the frog sitting next to me would probably grab me by the scruff of my neck, so I decided to calm down.

I looked at the index of the album I’d received from Yugeon.

“Hmm…. Husband, baby, oppa….”

“What do you think you are, Haj

in?”

“Hmm, Team Leader?”

“Gasp. How did you know?”

“It’s my nickname, Kang Team Leader. Of course, I’d know that.”

I chuckled as if it was no big deal and pushed the heart-shaped sunglasses up onto my head. As I opened the index, I saw a picture of me sitting on a basketball hoop in a denim jacket. While signing above it, the fan initiated the conversation.

“Hajin-ah. By the way, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Yes? Go ahead and ask. What is it?”

“Is there going to be content about choosing our leader?”

…Huh?

“…I’m not sure. Why?”

My hand, which was moving to sign, trembled slightly. As soon as I heard the question, something came to mind, but I maintained my poker face as best I could.

Then the fan chuckled and said.

“When I was getting Haru’s signature earlier, I asked who our leader is. I asked if it hasn’t been decided yet.”

“…Yes.”

“But Haru, with eyes all sparkling, said he’s really not going to spoil anything anymore. He said his hyungs told him not to answer questions like that because it’s a spoiler…. But doesn’t that mean there’s something?”

“…….”

“……….”

At that, the pen Seo Taehyun had been holding dropped. He then quietly leaned back and glared at Dan Haru, who was happily doing his fan sign at a distance.

“…Dan Haru will get an extra hour of spoiler prevention training when we get back to the dorm.”

“How adorable… He did exactly as he was taught….”

“Really? Is there really something?”

The fan seemed surprised by my conversation with Seo Taehyun. I seriously took off the sunglasses I was wearing and hung them around my neck, then brought the magic wand in front of the fan’s eyes.

“Noona. Look here.”

“Huh?”

“You didn’t hear this conversation. Once you pass by this place, you’ll forget that Haru spoiled a spoiler.”

“Uh…?”

“Erase it all, bbyorong~”

With a desperate look in my eyes, I waved the magic wand, hoping she’d keep it a secret. Understanding what I meant, the fan chuckled and nodded. Then, handing me the shopping bag she’d brought as her fan sign item, she spoke.

“Okay. If you wear this, I won’t tell anyone. I won’t post it anywhere and I’ll keep it to myself.”

“There’s nothing I can’t wear now. I feel like I could even wear a denim skirt.”

“Really?”

“I’m kidding. The fairy princess is known for her big mouth.”

At the sudden glint in the noona’s eyes, I straightened my expression and corrected myself, then looked into the shopping bag.

Although the example was a denim skirt, I wasn’t actually surprised by whatever was in the bag, especially since I already had cheap silver earrings dangling from my ears….

“……?”

“Cute, right? You have to wear it later, okay? I’ll bring something cool next time!”

…That being said, it’s not like I was happy to see a Snow White dress in there, noona.

‘Is my image really okay like this?’

The single apple thoughtfully included for detail looked especially fresh today. Damn it.