Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut!

Chapter 297: Nightmare  (1)

Inside the quiet villa, where the lights had been turned off.

In that space, where only an orange mood lamp softly illuminated the surroundings, the only one breathing was Lee Doha.

Doha closed his eyes.

– You’ve noticed, right?

In that silence, Doha vividly recalled the conversation he had with Hajin just a few hours ago.

– Noticed what?

– Your nightmares. They’re not just ordinary dreams.

– …….

– You’ve secretly suspected it, haven’t you? That those dreams aren’t just dreams, but memories.

Strangely enough, it was only after hearing Hajin’s words that Doha realized he had been thinking the same thing.

‘But… memories, not dreams? Is that even possible?’

No. On second thought, it seemed less like suspicion and more like realization.

What he had considered nightmares had, at some point, become increasingly vivid, and as time passed, there were moments when certain scenes flashed before his eyes even in his daily life.

He had simply been ignoring it because it was too absurd to consider, but perhaps, deep down, he had already been harboring doubts, Doha thought, continuing his recollection.

– I can’t explain everything. I don’t expect you to accept it either.

– …Then why are you telling me this?

– Because I’d rather be called crazy by you than have us all die because I tried to handle it alone.

But Hajin’s hands, which trembled uncontrollably as he spoke, made it impossible for Doha to carelessly say, “I believe you.”

All he could do was quietly listen.

– To put it simply… It’s like a time loop.

Hajin’s explanation, even in hindsight, was incredibly unrealistic.

The idea that they had all been repeatedly going back in time due to someone’s actions, and that the mastermind was the youngest member of their team, or that a supernatural being was endangering everyone related to that youngest member to take over his body, sounded more like the synopsis of a movie than a rational explanation.

– So, what do you want me to do?

Even so, Doha decided to believe in Kang Hajin.

It wasn’t simply because Hajin was a dreamer who often indulged in such sci-fi fantasies.

– Do you… believe me? What I just said?

– Is it a lie?

– No. No, it’s not.

– Then it’s fine. Just tell me what I need to do.

– …….

– …This is that uncomfortable truth you mentioned, right?

Doha just thought it could be true.

Maybe it was possible.

The world is vast, the universe is mysterious, and science is incomplete.

Perhaps, behind the scenes of the world he didn’t know, warriors were saving other worlds, grim reapers were vanquishing evil spirits, and some idol member was turning back time to find happiness.

And if it involved his friends and younger brothers, Doha simply wanted to do what they needed.

– What you need to do is simple. Just…

– Just?

– Just watch over us. Until I wake up.

Doha opened his eyes.

Evening had come, the black sea swallowing the sun tinged with sunset hues.

Inside the dark villa, the light from the mood lamp, the only source of illumination, blurred Doha’s vision. The villa had been cleaned so thoroughly that the doors didn’t even creak as they opened.

Doha slowly lifted his head.

From where he was sitting, he saw the only other person in the villa who hadn’t yet fallen asleep, emerging from the room with a troubled expression.

“…Ah, you scared me. Are we shooting a horror movie?”

Yugeon clutched his chest, speaking in a startled tone, but Doha simply rose from his seat quietly. He approached the room from which Yugeon had come out, checking inside. There, on the bedding that Yugeon and Doha had laid out, Siwoo, Hajin, and Haru were asleep, as if dead.

The door was left half-open so that they would notice immediately if anything happened inside. Yugeon, noticing this, questioned Doha with a dissatisfied voice, almost as if picking a fight.

“Are you going to explain what’s going on now? What the hell is this?”

Someone unfamiliar with Yugeon might think his tone was somewhat rude and disrespectful, but Doha, who had spent more time with Yugeon during their debut preparations than anyone else, knew that Yugeon was currently quite terrified.

It was understandable, considering Yugeon had been having fun at the beach, entered the villa, unpacked his things, and took a brief nap to relieve his fatigue.

And now, his older brothers and younger brothers had been unconscious for hours, unable to wake up, collapsed as if they were dead. The fact that he hadn’t already called for an ambulance was admirable.

How should I explain this?

As Doha pondered, another memory of his conversation with Hajin surfaced.

– Why is Siwoo hyung asleep, but Yugeon isn’t?

– The first reason is that if five guys came and four fell asleep while you were the only one awake, even you wouldn’t be able to handle it.

– …….

– The second reason is that if we had to wake one of them up, Yugeon would be safer than Siwoo hyung.

Doha looked once at Hajin through the crack in the door, once at Siwoo, who was sleeping uncharacteristically messily beside him, and once at Haru, who was sleeping with a face as harmless as the world itself.

Finally, he looked at Yugeon, who was glaring at him with frightened eyes, demanding an explanation.

Hajin’s voice still echoed in his ears.

– Once we fall asleep, you and Yugeon might start to regain your memories.

– …By memories, you mean what happened before time was reversed?

– Yeah. You might experience it less, but Yugeon will be severely affected… Because that damn mental care stuff doesn’t work unless it’s with a comrade. Tch. Anyway, that’s not the important part.

“Hyung, what’s going on? I swear I’m going to call 119 if you don’t explain this soon. What the hell….”

– I couldn’t see Yugeon’s timeline fully, but… well, I have a rough idea of which time period he might remember. Do you remember the third round of Miro Maze? When he struggled because he wanted to quit?

“Why do you keep staring at me like that without saying anything? It’s freaking me out even more….”

– If Yugeon does awaken…

“…What is this?”

“Yugeon-ah.”

“What… Hyung, wait a minute, right now….”

“Yugeon-ah, it’s okay.”

– If he does, hold his hand tightly. Physical stimulation to bring back a sense of reality is crucial.

In the middle of speaking, Yugeon, his face turning pale, grabbed his head and grimaced. Doha quickly approached Yugeon and followed Hajin’s instructions, holding Yugeon’s hand tightly while patting his shoulder.

Of course, during this time, memories unfamiliar to Doha were flooding into his mind like a broken dam.

But unlike him, where the memories felt like something he was seeing beyond the fourth wall, Yugeon seemed to be taking the full shock head-on, his breathing becoming rapid.

“Hyung, I… ugh, I, uh, I can’t breathe….”

“It’s okay, Yugeon-ah. Hyung is here. It’s okay… it’s all in the past. It didn’t happen.”

“Those, unknown memories, they’re… I, it’s not me, but, hyung, this isn’t, it’s not like this….”

Seeing Yugeon completely panic, Doha had no choice but to believe Hajin’s unbelievable stories. He even wondered if they had all taken drugs and were hallucinating, but the more he thought about it, the clearer the images of himself in those memories became.

“Yugeon-ah. Look at me.”

Doha’s jaw tightened, and his Adam’s apple bobbed roughly. To prevent Yugeon from fainting, Doha gripped his hand tightly and, in a rare display, raised his voice.

Looking straight into Yugeon’s eyes, which had turned a deep red in such a short time, Doha spoke clearly and firmly.

“It’s okay.”

“…….”

“I can’t explain everything, but Hajin said this would be erased soon, so don’t worry.”

“…Erased? What does that mean? What’s this about Kang Hajin hyung?”

Yugeon’s eyes, which hadn’t even watered during the resignation incident, the final round, or the debut stage, were now swollen and red. His face was filled with fear, shock, and confusion.

Doha calmly controlled his breathing.

One of the coach’s roles during training was to ensure the director’s instructions were clearly communicated to the players. If this situation were a game, it was Doha’s responsibility to properly convey Hajin’s message to Yugeon.

– If Yugeon really recalls what happened during the third round, he’s going to be severely impacted.

– Who wouldn’t be?

– No, he’s going to be seriously affected. I did some pretty terrible things to him.

You can’t even imagine.

Hajin’s voice had been so full of remorse that it still lingered in Doha’s mind.

Doha relayed Hajin’s words to Yugeon in a calm voice.

“No matter what memories you’re recalling now, just remember the conversation he had with you over a meal. Hajin wanted me to tell you that.”

“…….”

“He said, with the price of lettuce these days, just remember that your hyung let you have all of it.”

“…That crazy hyung, seriously….”

Even in this situation, Yugeon couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh, as if he found Hajin’s joking words absurd. The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed, and Yugeon let out a few more laughs.

After a while, as time passed and Yugeon seemed to calm down a bit, he wiped his eyes roughly with his trembling hand. Although his breathing was still uneven, taking deep breaths repeatedly brought some color back to Yugeon’s face.

It seemed that the ‘awakening’ was nearing its end, or so Doha dared to guess.

“…That crazy hyung has really lost it….”

Whatever memory Yugeon had recalled, he was still muttering curses about Hajin while covering his eyes. Among his mutterings were harsh words about knives and fights, but instead of probing into it, Doha chose to help Yugeon to the living room sofa.

“…….”

“…First, drink some water. It’s important to stay hydrated at times like this.”

Yugeon obediently accepted the water Doha handed him and drank it. Although some water dribbled down his chin and soaked his clothes, Yugeon didn’t seem to care much.

Doha calmly observed Yugeon.

– Why… Yugeon and me?

Doha suddenly recalled the answer Hajin had given when he asked him that question.

– Because you two are the most mature among us.

– What?

– When I was preparing for this, I roughly saw how you two lived in different timelines….

Hajin, gazing at the distant horizon where the blue sky met the sea, slightly squinted his eyes as if the sunlight was too bright, and said:

– Even when you both faced life’s hardships, which most people would have been crushed by, you two managed to live well.

– …….

– Even when you had to give up the sports and music you loved, and when you had to let go of a dream you secretly cherished to support your family. You two… managed to live decent lives. Whether it’s your natural disposition or personality, I don’t know.

Back then, Doha hadn’t understood what Hajin meant, but looking at Yugeon now, he thought he might have a better idea.

Yugeon, who had been trembling like he was going to pass out just moments ago, was now gripping the cup tightly with his usual sharp gaze.

‘Is this composure a survival instinct born from the weight of having to be the breadwinner?’

With such idle thoughts, Doha asked Yugeon.

“Have you calmed down a bit?”

“…How could I calm down? The people who came with me are passed out as if they’re dead, and suddenly these unknown memories are flooding my mind. The hyung in front of me is acting like he knows everything and is just trying to calm me down… This isn’t even a drama, seriously….”

Yugeon muttered, clearly intending to curse, but he bit his lip, seemingly remembering their promise to reduce swearing after their debut, and held his tongue.

Doha wanted to explain more to Yugeon, but he wasn’t confident he could explain everything, and unfortunately, they didn’t have much time.

“Yugeon-ah.”

“What is it? …Please, just explain something quickly. I feel like I’m either going crazy or have already gone crazy.”

“Yeah. I want to do that too. But Hajin asked me to do one more thing.”

“…What?”

Yugeon looked at Doha in disbelief, and Doha scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

In his mind, the last piece of his conversation with Hajin played back.

– So… are you saying the others, except for Yugeon and me, aren’t like that?

– …That’s the last reason why we decided to keep Yugeon awake.

At that moment, a new light flickered in the quiet villa, accompanied by the loud ringing of a vibrating phone. It was Doha’s phone, placed on the table.

The caller was Manager Kwon Wook.

“Yes, hyung. It’s Doha.”

Doha carefully answered the call, locking eyes with Yugeon.

Immediately, Kwon Wook’s urgent voice came through the phone.

– You guys… Why haven’t you been answering your phones!?

Kwon Wook, who rarely raised his voice, was practically shouting.

If there was a starting point for this nightmare , it was probably this moment.

With that thought, Doha closed his eyes tightly.