Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: If Only I Knew Back Then What I Know Now
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I tapped the smartphone in my pocket. Without this, I never would’ve had these thoughts.
“I don’t get what’s going on.”
“Don’t overthink it.”
“How can I not? It’s about you. Wait, did you even pass the agency audition?”
“Not yet? But I will soon.”
“When’s ‘soon’?”
That was when the house phone rang loudly. I grinned and picked it up.
The news I’d been waiting for came through the receiver. I handed the cordless phone to my sister and said,
“Right now?”
Her lips trembled again. Ah, she must be flustered. After passing her the phone, I sat across from her, smiling innocently.
She focused on the phone while glancing at me. Our eyes met, and I flashed a grin.
*Timing’s perfect.*
She shot me a quick glare before tuning back into the voice on the line. I smiled brightly, swinging my legs up and down.
*The call’s gonna drag on.*
She was the thorough type, after all.
No point wasting time. I got up and stirred the curry. Might as well make a few side dishes while I’m at it.
I pulled out some kimchi from the fridge, then paused.
*Oh, right…*
I turned around. She was calmly asking something now, as if the panic had never happened.
*It’s that moment I cried in bed for ten years ago, begging for.*
Passing the agency audition.
I’d been so full of middle school angst, thinking I’d sell my soul to the devil if I could just make it happen.
*Puberty…*
Should’ve spent that time practicing singing instead of praying.
I shook my head and stir-fried the kimchi in a frying pan. Soon, a delicious aroma filled the kitchen.
***
Realizing that time is money is a tough lesson.
*Why did I only figure it out now?*
If I’d known back then what I know now, things would’ve been different for sure.
My breath came up to my throat. I wiped the sweat dripping down. I chugged some water, but it still felt like death.
I slumped onto a bench at the bus stop. Sweat trickled from my forehead. The cold air felt nice.
The world was still in winter. I rested my chin on my hand and stared at the sky. The cloudless blue stretched endlessly high.
“Building stamina is brutal.”
Why can’t this be cheated?
I pulled out my smartphone. The screen lit up with a familiar message.
[Cheat Mode 0/3]
I sighed naturally. Leaning back against the bus route sign, I tilted the screen, then straightened it.
“What’s your standard?”
Yeah. That was the problem.
This treasure I’d gained upon regressing could do all sorts of things. Fix physical abilities, alter situations. In a way, it was truly all-powerful.
*The issue is I don’t know how.*
On the day my agency acceptance was set, I fiddled with the cheat.
[Cha Dowon Vocal Ability]
[D rank. Change?]
I entered the name of the best singer in our country.
[Change to Lee Jinhyuk level]
[Impossible with current body condition.]
Of course.
[Change to A rank]
[Impossible with current body condition.]
[Change to B rank]
[Impossible with current body condition.]
At this point, I had questions.
*What’s my ‘current body condition’?*
Lack of training?
Still, I was the type to use everything available.
[Change to C rank]
[C rank change complete. Body will be altered.]
Fine, I was used to this part by now.
[Side effect: Cough up blood for one year.]
Damn, what the hell.
That was when my throat burned like fire. Breathing hurt so bad I writhed on the bed, and without thinking, I coughed.
*I thought I was dying.*
I clapped a hand over my mouth on reflex. It felt wet, and when I checked my palm, it was gruesome.
*Actually coughing up blood.*
Better than the few minutes of agony at the audition hall. But a whole year like this?
*It doesn’t hurt.*
The metallic taste was gross, but that was it. The real problem was…
“How do I hide it?!”
Even with my sister’s hands-off style, if she saw me bleeding, she’d drag me to the ER.
*Same at the agency.*
They wouldn’t kick me out for bad lungs, but if they told me to heal up at the hospital first, I’d be screwed.
*Run when I cough.*
I let out a massive sigh while staring at my phone. Ah, seriously annoying.
“Anyway…”
I was really curious, so I experimented.
*What’s the difference between D and C rank?*
I recorded myself singing on purpose and used the cheat. The result was a bit unexpected.
*Not a dramatic change.*
C rank definitely sounded better, but not a huge leap. Just a slight shift in vocal range.
*C rank is probably just a talented amateur level.*
My conclusion was simple.
*The body changes, but that’s it.*
Skills and everything else, I had to learn myself.
“Screw it.”
No freebies, huh.
*Half grateful, half pissed at the stinginess.*
I looked back at the sky. My breath scattered in the air. As I took a deep breath, something caught—coughing fit.
*Cough!*
I hurriedly covered my mouth. But I couldn’t stop the blood. After the frenzy, I looked at my palm: soaked in red, as expected.
“Damn.”
Probably on my lips too. Anything to wipe it?
*Should I carry tissues all the time?*
I’d look like such a neat, mannerly guy.
I was about to shake off my hand when a fancy handkerchief suddenly dabbed my cheek.
Who’s this nice?
I snatched it quick and wiped my mouth. Then I turned and said,
“Thanks—huh?”
I bit my lip. An unexpected face was right there.
A low voice rang in my ear.
“Long time no see, Dowon.”
Why are *you* here? I blinked. The enemy in sunglasses smiled shyly.
*What the…*
I clenched then unclenched my fist.
*Why you?*
Damn, talk about bad luck.
*Yeah, Kang Minje.*
The enemy who tripped me up at every turn before regression. Currently a judge at the company where I auditioned.
In other words, a big shot there.
My boiling head cooled instantly. I tilted my head, pretending total ignorance.
“Who’re you?”
At my question, Kang Minje let out a short groan. Then he took off his sunglasses.
“Ah, well…”
He seemed to struggle with introducing himself. Oh ho. Hard to explain how your old little bro from childhood suddenly became an audition judge?
*Situation’s understandable, but the reason’s awkward to admit?*
Got a secret, Kang Minje?
Whatever. I stuck to my act.
“Huh?”
I pretended to recognize his face.
“You remember me?”
“Oh! Minje hyung?”
I smiled with all my heart and soul. It ground my teeth how shitty it felt, but right now, I was a middle school second-year kid reuniting with a long-lost big bro.
*Plus, I’m not supposed to know he’s a judge.*
Simple acting, but damn precise.
“Hyung! Good to see you!”
“Phew, you do remember.”
“No way I’d forget you.”
Yeah, no way I’d forget scum like you.
“It’s been so long, I thought you might not.”
“Right, you moved away, didn’t you? We moved after. But hyung!”
I stepped back and scanned him top to bottom.
Didn’t know fashion, but this was clear: everything he wore screamed expensive.
*Kang Minje’s living large?*
Wasn’t the place we met a rental apartment?
*Not everyone in rentals struggles, but we sure did back then.*
Did this guy hit the lottery or what?
I pushed thoughts aside and said something a middle schooler would.
“You look *way* cooler now?”
“Huh?”
He turned his head slightly, flustered by the direct compliment.
*Damn!*
Why’s he embarrassed?
“Wow, hyung! You look like a celeb! So cool! I’d walk right past you on the street!”
Why am I getting goosebumps from my own words? Kang Minje, you jerk—can’t we just pretend not to know each other and brush past?
“Ah, Dowon. You’ve grown a ton too.”
“Me? Still short though…”
Still in the 160s, right? Original me hit 185, so plenty of growing left.
“Almost didn’t recognize you.”
Funny. You spotted me just fine at the audition.
But I tilted my head innocently.
“Ah, right. Uh. Yeah, almost thought it was someone else with the same name.”
Obviously.
*The innocent kid who followed you around suddenly burning with ambition.*
Half that ambition you planted, hyung.
I smiled brightly at him.
“When? We met before?”
“Ah, well…”
Kang Minje scratched his head, truly stumped.
*So frustrating.*
Why’s he stumbling like that? Act innocent all you want. Just explain.
“I was at the audition too.”
I widened my eyes in fake shock.
“Au-audition?”
I know, jerk.
“That Friends Entertainment one. The guy in the hat? That was me.”
I shut my mouth quietly. Glanced at the sunglasses in his hand.
“Surprised you, huh?”
“A bit. But hyung…”
I grabbed his arm. Felt like my hand might rot off, but for smooth acting, no choice.
*Endure the disgust.*
“Hyung, you’re a big shot?”
“What?”
Kang Minje chuckled briefly.
“You’re still in college, right? Am I wrong about your age? Like, a department head or something?”
Even I wanted to puke at my cutesy act. Ugh, gross.
“No, not that. Hold on. Dowon. Hahaha!”
He covered his mouth laughing. I stared blankly.
*Funny?*
Damn.
He laughed heartily, wiping tears. Meanwhile, I used his handkerchief to clean the blood from my mouth. Oh right, how to explain this.
“Ah, no. Not like that. Department head, really.”
“So how’d you end up a judge?”
Kang Minje patted my head.
*May that hand rot off.*
“I’ll tell you later.”
“Later? Okay. But hyung, I passed that audition.”
“I know. That’s why I came.”
Why? To talk me out of it?
“Got worried.”
About what?
“Wasn’t sure if it was the kid I knew. But seeing you now…”
Kang Minje smiled faintly at me.
“It is. I don’t buy that people change much.”
What do you want? Damn.
“Is your mom home? Can I say hi after all this time?”
I exhaled softly and shook my head. Met his eyes.
“Where is she? Trip?”
“Well, hyung.”
Flashback to pre-regression hit me. I’d said the exact same thing then.
“She passed away.”
But the reaction differed. Back then, he just said “oh” and never asked again. This time, he was shocked—pupils shook.
“What? When?”
“Less than a week ago.”
Even more stunned, he turned away, avoiding my gaze.
“Dowon. Hey. You’re not joking, right?”
Look at this guy.
“Who jokes about this?”
Kang Minje nodded slightly.
“Yeah, right. No one jokes about that. Sorry. Uh, Dowon.”
He looked at me again.
“You okay?”
What a random question.
*That’s your question…?*
What does a 15-year-old orphan say to “you okay?”
*Act tough or cry, probably…*
Tricky. Honest? Psycho-style?
*Mix half and half.*
Best lies mix with truth.
“Not okay.”
“Huh?”
“But what can I do? Won’t be okay from now on anyway. Time passes either way…”
I grinned wide.
“Better do what I can.”
Kang Minje went quiet. I smiled and tossed the empty PET bottle in the trash. Empty stomach made it echo loudly as it fell.