Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut!

Chapter 241. When a Workaholic Leader Gains Power (10)

Jung Siwoo felt something he hadn’t experienced in a long time—a sense of being refreshed. He opened his eyes wide.

“…You’re awake, hyung?”

His blurred vision slowly came into focus. The first thing he saw was Taehyun, adjusting the mood lighting while wearing a mask.

Siwoo tried to say something, but even just tensing his throat caused him to wince; his throat was severely swollen.

Noticing this, Taehyun brought a tumbler with a straw to Siwoo’s mouth. Lukewarm water trickled down his throat. Taehyun, noticing Siwoo’s frustration at being treated like a child, spoke nonchalantly.

“Even if you don’t like it, you have to accept it. You don’t remember going to the hospital earlier, do you?”

I did? I went to the hospital?

Jung Siwoo’s last memory was of the practice room. He remembered Hajin calling him a rookie, but after that…

‘Ah… right. I fought with Kang Hajin.’

Siwoo recalled his most vivid memory.

Yes, he had fought with Hajin.

Even though Hajin had acted like they’d never speak again, one day, he suddenly started picking on Siwoo. At first, Siwoo just ignored him.

Well, “ignored” might not be the right word. Siwoo thought it was more accurate to say that he avoided Hajin’s provocations.

‘And then… I heard from Haru…’

Hearing that the schedule management, which he thought was done for company oversight, was actually Hajin’s doing, made him lose his temper.

The reason he got so angry was simple.

Siwoo genuinely believed Hajin was venting his frustrations on him. That was what made him the most angry. While Siwoo was reflecting on his mistakes and trying to figure out how to mend their relationship, Hajin had seemingly resolved to destroy it.

‘Well… now that I’m laid up like this, I have nothing to say.’

Despite setting clear boundaries with Taehyun and Hajin, insisting that his work wouldn’t be affected, Siwoo ended up bedridden and needing care, just as they had predicted. Siwoo was a bit stunned that he hadn’t realized how exhausted he was until his body gave out.

It was only after reaching this point that Siwoo acknowledged he was on the brink due to lack of sleep. It was evident because, after finally getting some deep sleep with the help of medication, the fog that had clouded his mind cleared significantly.

With a raspy voice, Siwoo managed to ask Taehyun, “…How long did I sleep?”

“You went to the hospital, got an IV… then slept for about 6 to 7 hours back at the dorm.”

“…….”

“Director Son was flabbergasted. He cleared your schedule and canceled lessons, yet you still got sick from overwork. The swollen throat and fever are due to tonsillitis. You also have some signs of a cold, and they said the only solution is to take your medicine and get plenty of rest.”

Taehyun’s voice, calm and steady, carried a hint of moisture.

He tried to sound as indifferent as possible, but his slightly trembling voice suggested that he was feeling a mix of emotions.

Siwoo realized that it had been a long time since he’d had a conversation with Taehyun.

Ever since that first fight with Hajin, the day they returned from the convenience store when Siwoo had unknowingly vented his frustration on Taehyun, things had been awkward between them.

To make matters worse, one day Taehyun, saying he was upset, declared a “roommate strike,” making it even harder for them to cross paths. Taehyun still had a lot of personal schedules, and Siwoo holed up in his room whenever he wasn’t busy.

With slow movements, Jung Siwoo raised his hand to touch his hot forehead.

‘Ah, Jung Siwoo… You really lost it.’

He had nothing to say because he knew full well that taking out his anger on Taehyun that day was just venting. Venting to someone three years younger, no less—someone who had been worried about him.

Having somewhat regained his usual composure after catching up on his sleep, Jung Siwoo sighed deeply.

It was at that moment that someone knocked on the door.

“……?”

“…Taehyun-ah, you have a radio schedule. Yugeon is waiting.”

“Oh, right. I’ll be out.”

The door opened slightly, and Doha entered.

Behind him, Eunchan and Haru peeked in, only sticking their heads through the doorway. When Siwoo turned his head and made eye contact with them, they hurriedly asked in worried voices.

“Hyung, are you okay? We made some porridge, so if you’re hungry, just let us know.”

“Yugeon-hyung made vegetable egg porridge, and it’s really good! You need to eat something before you take your medicine… Should I bring some now?”

“No, Haru, it’s fine. Later, later. Hyung just woke up.”

Seeing Haru and Eunchan flapping around like nervous puppies, Siwoo couldn’t help but laugh a little, not even feeling the pain anymore.

As Haru and Eunchan, who seemed ready to serve the porridge right out of the pot, were ushered out by Taehyun, Doha entered the room. They must have assigned caregiving duties amongst themselves.

“…I never thought I’d be getting care from you, Doha.”

“Taehyun and Yugeon have schedules, and the youngest members have a recording session tomorrow, so they can’t risk getting sick. It has to be me.”

“Doha, you haven’t caught anything? We’ve been sharing the same room.”

“I’ve mostly been at the studio. Our schedules didn’t overlap much.”

Siwoo nodded slightly, relieved by Doha’s matter-of-fact response. Then he closed his eyes again as the drowsiness from the medication washed over him. Though he felt sluggish, he wasn’t about to fall asleep immediately.

Opening his eyes again slowly, Siwoo noticed Doha’s clumsy but earnest attempt to change the damp towel on his forehead, and he chuckled.

It was obvious that Doha was following notes he’d written down on how to care for someone, as water dripped clumsily behind Siwoo’s ears. But the coolness was somewhat refreshing, so it was fine.

“…Doha.”

“Yes, hyung?”

“Where’s Hajin?”

With his eyes still closed, Siwoo asked.

Doha paused as if thinking, then answered, the sound of a rustling pill packet accompanying his words.

“He was called to the Director’s office. They need to adjust the plan, so he went as the group representative.”

“Because of me?”

“Well, your condition is the main factor.”

Perhaps thinking Siwoo was going to sleep again, Doha dimmed the mood light that Taehyun had brightened earlier and spoke matter-of-factly.

“Hyung is our group’s main vocalist.”

Siwoo felt a bit self-deprecating as he thought about how many times he had heard the term “main vocalist” in the past few days. He chuckled softly. Sensing the meaning behind the chuckle, Doha naturally added.

“The guys were really worried about you.”

In the darkness, Siwoo waited silently for Doha to continue.

It wasn’t just because his throat hurt too much to respond.

“So when you’re feeling better, even if it’s just for Hajin, please let the others know you’re okay.”

But right now… Siwoo just felt like he needed to sleep.

* * *

When he opened his eyes again, it seemed to be fully nighttime.

The effects of the medicine had kicked in, and he could feel that his swollen throat had gone down a bit. His body, which had felt endlessly heavy and sluggish, was also lighter.

His vision was blurred with sleepiness. It was dark since it was night, and he wasn’t wearing his glasses, so he couldn’t see well. Instinctively feeling around the bedside for his glasses, someone placed them in his hand. Assuming it was Doha, Siwoo put on the glasses, only to find Hajin in his line of sight.

Hajin checked the time on his phone and stretched.

“How does it feel to have slept for a straight 12 hours?”

“…I feel refreshed.”

“Your fever seems to have broken too. I was going to wake you up to eat some porridge and take your medicine, but you were sleeping so soundly that I just let you be.”

Despite his worries, Hajin seemed “normal.”

He wasn’t arrogant, insolent, or provocative. His tone was just like usual—neither sarcastic nor mocking.

No, actually, his tone seemed even more… relaxed than usual.

“Hyung.”

“……?”

Jung Siwoo, who had remained silent, perplexed by Hajin’s unpredictable behavior, finally looked over at him when he called out. The single mood light softly illuminated the area around the bed, but Hajin’s face, seated a little away from the bed, wasn’t fully visible.

As Siwoo finally turned his head to look at him, Hajin spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

“…….”

“For acting like a jerk these past few days. I didn’t really want to fight with you.”

“…Then why?”

“I wanted to apologize, but I couldn’t find a reason to.”

What is he saying now?

Siwoo frowned without realizing it, trying to make sense of the incomprehensible conversation, but Hajin continued at his own pace.

“Honestly, back at the convenience store, neither you nor I did anything wrong, right? No matter how hard I think about it, that’s the

conclusion I’ve reached.”

Siwoo thought so too.

They were just hurt by each other’s attitudes, but if you asked who did something wrong, it was more like…

‘I was the immature one, getting upset and lashing out without warning.’

With that in mind, Siwoo slowly sat up.

Leaning against the headboard, he looked at Hajin, who handed him a cup of water. Feeling the warm, almost tepid temperature of the water, Siwoo took a sip.

After Siwoo finished drinking, Hajin took the cup and placed it on the desk before continuing.

“So let’s call it even, hyung.”

“…Call what even?”

“Let’s say we’re both at fault and make up. …Honestly, that ‘Main Vocalist Jung Siwoo’ comment really hurt, but since I’ve been more of a jerk these past few days, let’s just say I’m the only one apologizing. My mistake is bigger.”

Siwoo, at a loss for words at such a brazen proposal, wondered for a moment if he had heard correctly. Once he understood what Hajin was saying, he couldn’t help but laugh out of disbelief.

Haha, ahahaha! Siwoo laughed out loud in astonishment.

He knew Hajin’s personality was unpredictable, but he never imagined he would abruptly suggest ending the cold war they’d been dragging out for over a week in this manner.

After laughing for a while, Siwoo wiped his dry face with his hand and spoke.

“…Hajin-ah.”

“Yes.”

“You’re really something else.”

“I’ve decided to be a bit more shameless. Otherwise, I feel like I’d never be able to make up with you.”

Hajin spoke with sincerity.

“I really don’t want to be on bad terms with you, hyung.”

“…For someone who says that, didn’t you act out a bit too much these past few days?”

“I was fully prepared to get punched, to be honest. I was really pushing my luck.”

What should he say to someone who admits they were ready to take a punch just to make up?

Still baffled by the situation, Siwoo let out a dry laugh. Seeing this, Hajin, who was cautiously watching Siwoo, added another comment.

“…Won’t you forgive me? I’m two years younger than you, so please overlook it just this once. I promise I’ll do better.”

Hajin’s voice sounded genuinely earnest, and in the end, Siwoo could only laugh again and nod in agreement.