episode_0081

“I’m sorry.”

“Fine. I mean, I didn’t want to say anything like that originally, but your rude response got me worked up. Still, let’s maintain basic courtesy as human beings. In reality, everyone is probably the same in the industry.”

“Yes.”

I felt like if I pushed further, a lecture on being mindful would start, so the next day, I immediately apologized to Gu Jinmo. I wanted to smash his head with a bat out of frustration, but I couldn’t. It was probably right for me to yield.

“Yeah. Let’s live while keeping some manners. Sigh. Go ahead.”

But can’t help feeling frustrated about this situation?

“Mr. Rosby, any way to deal with him?”

“Get into a fight with him.”

“Oh, come on, we’re adults, why resort to violence?”

“That guy deserves a good beating for stalking.”

“That’s different; it’s a crime.”

Come to think of it, what happened to that stalker? Jo Eun mentioned not seeing him around anymore. Seemed like Soyoung handled it well.

“Anyway, any ideas on how to handle this?”

“There are many ways to mess with the first baseman.”

“Like what?”

“You know as an infielder, you’re always at risk of colliding with baserunners. Sometimes the fielder gets hurt, sometimes the runner does. How about a body check?”

“Uh, that sounds risky and unpleasant.”

“Tsk, there’s no romance in baseball these days. Back in my time, we used to break kneecaps with spikes. Even at home plate, players risked their lives to score a run. Isn’t that baseball? When did baseball become such a delicate sport like a girl…?”

Since a Major League player’s leg broke due to a deadly tackle by a baserunner, targeting fielders with tackles had been banned. Rosby seemed quite disappointed by this fact.

“If that was still allowed, I would have passed on all my knowledge. What a shame. Tsk tsk.”

“But that has nothing to do with the first baseman.”

“That’s true. Anyway, hit a ground ball to the infield and kick the first baseman in a close game, right?”

“Sigh. I don’t know if that situation will arise.”

Even if such a situation arose, it was currently impossible. Besides, Gu Jinmo was a crucial figure for the national team. Losing a hitter like Gu Jinmo from a national team that couldn’t compete with the likes of the US, Japan, or even countries in North and Central America would be disastrous.

“As a first-time national team member, I want to win, so I’ll wait until the season.”

“Hehe, was looking forward to some fun, but it’s a shame.”

“Can’t help it. Well, let me know if a situation arises during the season.”

“Don’t worry. It’s my specialty.”

I guess revenge will have to wait for now? The national team was important too. If the debut national team failed miserably, it would be embarrassing.

“Hey! Did Jinmo scold you?”

“Oh, it’s Seungcheol hyung.”

Having witnessed Jinmo being scolded, Joo Seungcheol approached me. We were of similar age, played the same position, and had gotten along reasonably well since joining the national team. It seemed like he knew many celebrities too.

“Wasn’t that the purpose?”

“Yes. But is it a good thing for me? It’s good for Mr. Rosby too, isn’t it?”

“Who said what? Work hard, fighting.”

In any case, Seungcheol seemed nice, famous, so there was no reason not to be friendly.

“Jinmo hyung isn’t usually like that. Well, cheer up.”

“Oh, I was wrong. Well, even if it was a comeback home run, the celebration was a bit much, right?”

“Is that why he scolded you? Jinmo hyung didn’t seem to mind that much.”

“Thank you for the encouragement.”

“What, people who work out both scold and get scolded. Oh! Do you watch YouTube?”

“Some people these days don’t watch YouTube?”

Well, I do watch it sometimes, like lookbooks.

“Hey, then subscribe to this channel. Hit the like button too.”

Ju Seung-chul handed me his phone. On Ju Seung-chul’s phone screen, there was a channel named [Gia’s Baseball Tube!] along with a profile. The woman in the profile had brown hair and a cute, attractive face known as the Squirtle face.

“What’s this? Wow… Damn, she’s so pretty. Looks like someone you’d want to date. Who is she to you? Do you know her?”

“…She’s my sister.”

“…Sorry.”

Damn. No wonder she looks a bit familiar.

“Ha, it’s okay, it’s okay. You didn’t know. But if you do it again, you’re dead.”

A menacing gaze. But I should be grateful that he forgave me at this level. Indeed, he has a good personality.

“Sorry, senior.”

“No, no. It happens.”

“I won’t do it again.”

“You punk, we’re not that close anyway. But she asked me to promote since her subscribers aren’t increasing. Uh… just don’t hit the button.”

“Sorry. I’ll subscribe and hit the like button right away.”

I quickly turned on my phone, subscribed, and liked all the videos at lightning speed.

“Judging by the thumbnails, is she a baseball YouTuber? She looks pretty. How old is she? Oh, a drinking mukbang for her 20th birthday? One year younger than me. I’ll have to check that out later.”

“Well… I made it awkward trying to promote. Anyway, hang in there. Don’t avoid me for this. I hate feeling awkward the most.”

Good family, good personality, good-looking face. And she’s good at baseball. Hmm… it must be an environment where your personality can only improve. If it were me, I would have punched him right away.

“I’m really sorry, sir.”

“Okay, okay. Keep up the good work.”

I thought I was screwed. As I wiped off the cold sweat and headed towards the restaurant, I heard someone calling me again.

“Wow, hyung, yesterday I thought you were that type.”

It was Jang Woo-joo. When did this guy arrive?

“What type?”

“Well, yesterday in the shower room. You looked so intimidating that I couldn’t leave. Hey, how did you confront Gu Jin-mo like that?”

“Confrontation. Damn. You have to accept whatever nonsense they say when dealing with seniors.”

“Oh man. He said if a senior talks to him while he’s showering, he’ll die? Honestly, you were also intimidated, right?”

Why is this guy suddenly picking a fight with me?

“Is that the same? Do you think it’s okay for a guy to talk to you while you’re naked?”

“That, that’s because! I’m in the middle of a shower, that’s why. Unbelievable.”

“This guy, talking back? Are you becoming insolent to your senior?”

“Wow! Look at you changing the subject.”

“When I was in school, I wouldn’t even dare step into a senior’s shadow. You’re lucky. If you were my junior in high school, you’d be done for. Seriously.”

“…You’re really shameless. Our team is honestly a mess, but among the team seniors, you seem like the biggest stickler.”

“You’re talking nonsense. Get lost.”

I kicked Jang Woo-joo’s butt and headed to the restaurant. Stickler my foot, where’s the free-spirited person like me.

“Alright, Jang Woo-joo player, Ji Maeng-ho player. Please say a word to the baseball fans.”

“Hello. I’m the future Tigers pitcher, Jang Woo-joo. Nice to meet you!”

“Hello. I’m AT Thunder’s Ji Maeng-ho.”

After finishing all the practice game schedules and before the end of the first training session for the national team, MBS came to cover the national team. Although there have been many interviews, the thought of appearing on TV made me nervous for some reason.

“Is that really the reason? Not excited about having sex but appearing on TV.”

“Hehe, as expected, Mr. Rosby. You truly understand my heart.”

In reality, it was a rare day off today. During the three-day vacation, I was already anticipating my erection from the thought of releasing all the built-up semen from the spring camp.

“Is it not because of the announcer?”

“Well, that’s part of it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a woman, so it feels damn good.”

“Hello! Baseball Night viewers. I’m announcer Kim Hee-yeon! Nice to meet you! Wow!”

“Kim Hee-yeon, let me confirm the name first.”

With a face befitting a sports announcer, she looked decent, and although I hadn’t seen her without clothes, it seemed like she had a well-filled chest.

“Clap clap! Am I the only one clapping?”

“Wow.”

As both Jang Woo-joo and I responded, Kim Hee-yeon began the broadcast.

“Both of you look warm and handsome. With intermittent coverage of practice matches between the national team and professional teams, many people must have recognized you. Does it feel real to you?”

“Well, I guess.”

“What about Ji Maeng-ho?”

“I haven’t been outside since coming here, so I don’t know.”

“Ah… I see. That makes sense. He must have been busy with training. Shall we interview Jang Woo-joo next? Let’s hear your impressions of joining the national team first.”

“It feels like a dream come true. Being on the national team… … .”

Listening to Jang Woo-joo’s interview with one ear and observing the reporter’s figure with the other, I started to assess her body.

“Hmm. Around a C cup? I really want to grab those well-filled breasts. Slim ankles too. Ah. I want to see her without clothes… but… no, that’s not possible, right? Mr. Rosby. Mr. Rosby, do you have any hypnotic abilities or something like that?”

“What nonsense is that?”

“Well, in comics, ghosts often have such abilities, right? Hypnotizing, possessing, even tearing clothes with the wind. That kind of thing.”

Explaining the abilities of ghosts from cartoons and movies seen in childhood, Rosby responded incredulously.

“Are you an idiot? If such things existed, why would I be playing baseball? Is this guy completely crazy?”

“Still, wouldn’t it be nice to have such abilities? Why are you so powerless?”

“You little brat! If I had possession ability, I would have taken over your body first. Be grateful that I don’t have such abilities. And if I had physical strength, the moment that monkey saw me, it would have torn me apart.”

“Okay then, how about possession? No clairvoyance either? Possessing! Seeing some underwear, seeing someone naked!”

“Aren’t you satisfied with becoming good at baseball?”

“What nonsense. Baseball is baseball. This is something else. Didn’t you mock me about what’s so noble about baseball before signing the contract? Suddenly talking about something else.”

“…I think maybe your insanity is my fault. I’m sorry.”

Suddenly apologizing? Seems like it’s time for Rosby to leave.

“But when I can’t see you, what are you doing?”

It was strange that after spending over a year together, there were still things I didn’t know.

“Hehe, just going to see women. Looking at the panties of girls wearing skirts, or peeking at them showering. When you were in school, there were many dormitories, so it was great. Hehe.”

You were enjoying those good things alone? I feel betrayed. You’ve been hiding that from me all this time…

“…Traitor.”

“The traitor is you, who monopolized that woman.”

“Ahem. Leaving that aside. Oh! Have you ever seen women exposing themselves outdoors?”

A sudden thought flashed through my mind. Why hadn’t I thought of this until now?

“Unfortunately, no.”

“Then tell me if you find it! I’ll rush over.”

Honestly, there must be people who enjoy outdoor activities like Hyuna. If Rosby calls, I’ll run right away! Ugh. Just thinking about Hyuna made my d*ck feel like it was getting hard.

“Why is volleyball season so long? Anyway, I should sneak into the dorms this vacation to meet her. Oh! By the way, that reporter is wearing a skirt, could you tell me the color of her panties?”

“They’re red.”

“Red? So bold. Planning to have sex today? …But when did you see them?”

“I’ve been watching since this woman came in.”

“No wonder she disappeared earlier. But you didn’t tell me about it? You’re a real traitor.”

“Shut up. You b*stard.”

Anyway, if you don’t have anything to say, you end up swearing.

“…Player Maengho?”

“Yes?”

“Oh, it’s Player Maengho, but you didn’t respond. It’s okay. We can edit this part.”

“Sorry. Sometimes I get lost in thoughts about baseball and can’t hear.”

“Really? How does it look to Player Wooju?”

“Maengho hyung sometimes spaces out like that. Whenever I ask, he always says he’s thinking about baseball. Oh! I heard from Gyusang and Maengho that Sangju senior also talks about the same thing.”

“Oh! Are you close with Player Maengho?”

“Yes. Probably because he’s the youngest on the national team. But this guy is a total old-fashioned person!”

“Shut up.”

After quietly telling Jang Wooju to shut up, I looked at the reporter, who gave me a puzzled look.

“What’s going on with Player Maengho right now?”

“Haha, I didn’t say anything special. Right, Wooju?”

“The hyung said to me…! Ah! He’s hitting me. Look at this. Please broadcast this. Seriously.”

“Hahaha, these two players are really close. Must be because they’re the youngest?”

“Wow. We’re not close…”

“That’s right. We’re close. Haha.”

“Then let’s proceed with the Maengho player interview. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

After that, I earnestly answered the reporter’s questions.

“PD, can we air this?”

“Well, why not. It’s interesting. Unique character. Definitely a funny guy. Seeing his interviews and articles, it’s hilarious. Even catching stalkers. What a remarkable dedication to baseball after losing parents at a young age. Arrogant too. Has star quality.”

“Then we’ll air it as it is.”