episode_0030

“Hey, did you get a call?”

“Huh?”

As Wonho was analyzing the opposing starting pitcher’s video on his laptop before the final match of the Blue Dragon Chronicles, Jinhyung came to the dormitory.

“Senior, hello.”

“Yeah. Jinhyung. I saw you training recently, and it looked good. I have something to discuss with Maengho for a moment, can you give us some space?”

“Oh… Sure.”

At Wonho’s request, Jinhyung, who was his roommate, left the room, and Wonho comfortably sat on the bed and started talking again.

“I got a call from Silla. Weren’t you called? After the Blue Dragon Chronicles, there will be the first round draft soon.”

Oh, that?

“I got the call.”

“What? From where?”

“AT.”

“Oh. Congratulations. Jimaengho! Well, you can’t not pick someone who hits home runs like that. But it must be a bit disappointing that it’s Jamsil, right?”

“A little. It’s much better than going to the provinces.”

“That’s true.”

“Congratulations to you too. If it’s Silla Triggers, it’s good.”

“Thank you.”

It was uncommon for several candidates from one school to be considered in the first round draft. Moreover, since this first round draft is the last one, it will likely be broadcasted on TV, so the principal is probably cheering right now. By featuring the name of Korea Sports High School on TV, more applicants will flock to Hanshego, raising the school’s prestige.

“Do you know, Coach?”

“Yeah. I met with the team officials earlier. How about you? Will you play in the final? What did they say at Silla?”

“I’ll probably pitch until the end of the Blue Dragon Chronicles, maybe around 30 pitches. It won’t matter much to you as a batter.”

“That’s true.”

“Then let’s make an effort to win together in the Blue Dragon Chronicles.”

Wonho replied with his usual bright smile.

“Hey, what about Hyuna?”

“Don’t mention it. Ever since I confessed and got rejected, my cock hasn’t been working well. Hyuna seemed to like me, though.”

“Really? That’s too bad. I thought you two were a good match.”

For some reason, Wonho’s expression when he mentioned his cock not working properly looked sad. Usually, baseball players get excited when throwing a ball, but unfortunately, it seemed like Wonho’s cock wasn’t responding as it should.

“If it’s that bad, why not let go of Hyuna?”

“Rosb, are you crazy? Why would I let go of my dick? Hyuna is mine until I’m old.”

“Haha. I said something crazy.”

“Forget about that. Did you see what Jang Wooju posted on Instagram?”

Jang Wooju, the ace pitcher of Gwangju Future High School, who will be facing us tomorrow, was the protagonist of the video I was watching. There were rumors circulating about his exceptional talent, likely making him a top pick for the Future Buffaloes. Although he couldn’t participate due to an injury at the Golden Lion Cup, he made a remarkable performance in the Blue Dragon Chronicles, leading Gwangju Future High School to the finals.

His maximum speed was recorded at 161 km/h, possibly the highest in amateur baseball, and he was also a talented hitter, batting around .400. There were rumors about him going pro, but the results would be known at the first round draft. But why did he do that?

“I don’t use social media. So what?”

Showing me his phone, Wonho opened his Instagram.

“‘The stolen Golden Lion Cup… The Blue Dragon Chronicles won’t be taken.’ What’s this?”

“Ah, he didn’t come out due to injury, so he won’t acknowledge it. He’s disrespecting us with this.”

What’s so important about winning a high school baseball championship? I was more concerned about Wonho’s DMs than that.

“Hey, why did you get so many messages?”

“Oh, want to see them? They’re all messages from fans.”

Wonho showed me his message while saying that. Most of the messages were from women. Except for a little support from fans, most of them were DMs saying let’s meet once. …And the profile pictures of the women were prettier than I thought.

“Oh, what’s this?”

“Huh?”

As I scrolled through, I saw women sending pictures of their chests.

“Oh, there’s this. I should delete it quickly.”

Objectively speaking, I was better looking than Wonho. But the fact that Wonho was receiving these messages from women…

“This freaking son of a monkey! If I had known about this earlier, I would have done it quickly! How many girls have I missed out on now! This degenerate scumbag!”

I didn’t know. Doing Instagram could lead to meeting women so easily! Moreover, the fact that there are women who send chest pictures was like a whole new world to me. And on top of that, I was already a bit annoyed because I couldn’t have sex with Hyojin noona these days, but now there was this route!

“Hey, Wonho. That… ”

“Yeah?”

“How do you make an Instagram account?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Yeah. Now that I’m going pro, I need to communicate with fans.”

“Oh. Pro mindset. First, try installing the app.”

Hehehe. Women fans are all over Wonho!

*

“‘160? Try throwing it. My passion for baseball is not captured by Speedgun.’ …What’s this?”

Soyoung checked Jimaengho’s Instagram and chuckled. She found Jimaengho’s Instagram while looking for the personalities of rookie players coming out in this draft.

A picture of someone swinging a bat in an obviously staged manner with a caption that seemed familiar. It was a post that looked like a baseball boy from that era.

“He doesn’t look like that at all. Cute. Anything else?”

Unfortunately, since that post was the first one, there were no other posts. And it was somewhat worrying. Even if the professional team joked about being the chairman’s plaything, the marketing effect generated through the baseball team was significant.

Even if they only did AT, they were building an image of a company with good welfare through AT Thunderz. So, to prevent image loss, they were thorough in educating the players. If the team’s image was tarnished by trivial things like SNS, it would be a huge disgrace.

“Okay. Seems like it’s your first time on social media. Should I give you a little education?”

Even though they would receive education once they joined the team, she decided to personally educate him during the remaining period, as she didn’t know what incidents might arise. Soyoung went into her account and sent a DM to Maengho.

@ATSYV3: Hello. Player Maengho. Do you know you should always be careful when using SNS? I hope you won’t post anything controversial on this official account.

‘Hmm, since it’s an official account, he should understand well, right? There are also many AT-related posts on this account.’

While thinking that, she immediately received a reply.

@WildTiger: Are you a baseball fan? Looking at your profile picture, you seem to be a woman, would you like to come to Cheongryonggi tomorrow? It’s my first time talking to a fan, so I’d like to meet you in person^^ Please contact me if you come.

‘What’s this?’

Soyoung was slightly taken aback. It was clearly a DM that seemed like someone trying to hit on a woman. Beyond being taken aback, she was incredulous.

“Are there no company posts here?”

Soyoung looked through her posts again. However, there were photos that clearly indicated she was an AT Thunderz employee. Of course, her profile picture was a photo of herself wearing sunglasses.

“No, but still, isn’t the tone somewhat formal? And why is he still doing Instagram at this hour?”

Did I pick the wrong person? Suddenly, cold sweat ran down Soyoung’s back.

“Character issues are not allowed…! No, that’s right. If you’re in your twenties, it’s the perfect age to like girls enough. But still, for the fans…. Wait a minute. But my potential was 80. Yeah, as long as I play baseball well. Besides, it could be exciting because it’s my first time communicating with fans. Lack of confidence isn’t good.”

In the end, Soyoung decided to believe in Maengho after careful consideration. But thorough verification was necessary to have faith. Eventually, she went into a secret account and sent even more explicit DMs than before.

@1000So0: I’m a fan of Maengho player! What should I do to meet a baseball player like Maengho?

“Please, don’t reply.”

However, despite Soyoung’s prayers, Maengho promptly replied.

@WildTiger: How about meeting me directly instead of a baseball player like me? Do you have time by any chance?

“Sigh. Okay. Like girls a lot. Just make sure to lead us to victory.”

After nodding silently, Soyoung pressed the block button.

—

“Hey, Jinhyung. Do you use Instagram too?”

“Yes, I do. Who doesn’t these days?”

“But suddenly disappearing from profiles, what’s up with that? Damn, her body was amazing, now suddenly gone.”

Maengho, who had been peeking at the posts of the woman who had DM’d him, was a bit flustered. The photos he had been admiring suddenly disappeared.

“Oh! Could she have blocked you? But getting blocked within a day of creating an account?”

“Damn. She blocked me? Is this girl crazy? But her face seems familiar. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere.”

“These days, when people post on Instagram, they edit so much that everyone looks the same. Don’t fall for edited images, bro.”

“So that’s why? But this girl sent me a DM first and then blocked me. Is she insane?”

Maengho was unaware that the woman in the posts was the team leader he had seen back then.

Of course, the reason wasn’t that Maengho had prosopagnosia. In reality, Soyoung’s demeanor seemed cold when he saw her, but in the photos posted online, she looked cheerful, resembling someone else due to some editing, just like others’ photos.

“Bro, there are many strange people on Instagram. Some send me weird photos.”

“Provocative photos?”

“No, disgusting ones. I swear, if I find out who they are, I’ll kill them.”

I see. There are indeed many strange people on Instagram. Maengho nodded in understanding.

“Damn, someday I’ll find this girl and teach her a lesson. How dare she mess with me?”

But despite understanding, it seemed difficult to forgive the girl who had shaken his mind the day before the final.

“Idiot. Go to sleep.”

“…Yes.”

—

“Hey, Jimaengho! Dark circles under your eyes? Did you stay up late yesterday?”

“Well, I was practicing.”

“Tsk. Manage your condition better. Nothing wrong with today’s game, right?”

“Of course not!”

“Yeah. Go out there and crush it today!”

“Yes!”

How did you know I stayed up late? Looks like the coach doesn’t eat shit for breakfast after all.

“Alright, everyone gathered? Yesterday, Jang Wooju supposedly threw 160, but it might be an exaggeration, and he doesn’t throw 160 every time. Understand? Also, he’s not a player with complete stamina and control. Watch the ball as long as possible and fight persistently. Got it?”

“Yes!”

“And Wonho. I’m counting on you today too. You know we always trust you, right?”

“I know.”

“Okay. The appearance fee changes with today’s game. You’ll receive 300 million, which will become 350 million and then 400 million. Treat it like it’s the last one and throw.”

“Got it!”

“Let’s go!”

“The center of Korean sports! Hanchego! Fighting!”

Shouting “Fighting,” the first batter went out onto the field. And within three minutes, three batters had already returned to the dugout.

“Yeah, bastards. I didn’t expect anything less.”