episode_0089

“Chul-yeong, are you okay?”

“Ugh, what’s the verdict? Is it a sprain?”

“Yeah. You ran well. But your ankle… sigh… Hendricks is about to come down soon, why push yourself so hard.”

“It wasn’t pushing. It was something I had to do. Ugh.”

“Do you think you can keep running?”

“It doesn’t seem too severe, but…”

The trainer who hurried over checked Park Cheol-yeong’s condition. And since it was a crucial moment, Coach Lee Geum-hyun also approached first base to see Chul-yeong’s condition.

“Are you alright?”

“Um… It’s not a serious injury.”

In response to the trainer’s question, Coach Lee Geum-hyun looked at Park Cheol-yeong.

“Chul-yeong, what do you want to do?”

Continuing to play today might affect tomorrow’s game. In fact, with Hendricks out, the Australian national team wasn’t that formidable.

“If we want to display our best strength in tomorrow’s match against Japan, it might be better to make a change here.”

“I personally recommend focusing on tomorrow’s game.”

“…Uh, understood.”

With the coach’s words, Park Cheol-yeong could only nod. He knew the importance of tomorrow’s game as well.

“Shall we prepare Hwang Yeon for substitution?”

Kim Hwang-yeon… undoubtedly a good player. He won the Golden Glove two years in a row in 2021 and 2022 as a shortstop, capable of handling second base, shortstop, and third base defensively. However, his slow footwork was a bit disappointing. While he managed double-digit steals every year, his failure rate was high.

“I want to score first… If Eun-chung can create an infield hit, sending the runner to second could lead to a score.”

Although it was two outs, with Choi Jung-hoon coming up next inning, it was a crucial moment where a lead was necessary.

“Should we send Yang Ji-hyuk?”

Yang Ji-hyuk, a player who achieved 40 steals for five consecutive years with his unique outfield defense and fast legs. If questioned about his value as a hitter, there might be doubts, but as a defender and baserunner, he was unquestionably a top player for South Korea’s national team.

However, Coach Lee Geum-hyun quickly dismissed that thought.

“No, Yang Ji-hyuk should be used in a more favorable situation, and Hwang Yeon’s slow on the bases.”

“…Understood.”

*

“Oh! It’s Maeng-ho. Finally coming out. After all that showing off, he’s just a substitute?”

Seeing Maeng-ho on TV, Hyeon-a laughed. When he was selected for the national team, his earlier pretentiousness followed by benchwarming was somewhat amusing, yet the fact that he still played in the games was quietly satisfying.

“Choi Hyeon-a, what are you doing? The youngest one is glued to the TV?”

“Damn, old man.”

“Sorry. But it’s a national team game.”

“It’s not volleyball; you’re watching a baseball game. Do you have a boyfriend or something?”

“Me, a boyfriend… No.”

“Hmm, your reaction seems suspicious?”

“You’re saying such random things.”

“Anyway, the team has been improving lately. The youngest one watches TV during breaks.”

“…Apologies.”

Hyeon-a could only bow her head in apology to her senior’s words. The team she joined was AT Life based in Seoul, the toughest team in women’s volleyball. And that toughness extended to the national team call-up for Hyeon-a.

“Can’t even play volleyball properly…”

“But why are you standing while watching?”

“…Yes?”

“Why stand to watch baseball? Just sit comfortably if you’re watching TV.”

“I… already ate and wanted to do some exercise.”

“Ah, do you have to show off like that? If you’re watching TV, just watch TV. If you want to exercise, then exercise.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“What are you doing? Sit down.”

“….”

“Sit down and watch TV comfortably.”

“…Yes.”

Hyuna reluctantly walked over to the TV and sat down at the senior’s insistence.

“Sigh.”

“…?”

“Oh, it’s because I was sitting after exercising….”

In reality, it was due to a certain toy that had entered a sensitive area, but the senior was unaware. Hyuna was struggling even to sit there despite her efforts to develop that place at the urging of Maengho.

“When is this b*tch leaving?”

Unaware of Hyuna’s inner thoughts, the senior sat next to her and started watching TV.

“Hey, I don’t know much about baseball. Is it okay to move back and forth like that?”

Despite the subtle pleasure felt in her buttocks making it hard to focus on the TV, Hyuna calmly responded to the senior’s question. She had to respond since she was gathered here.

“Well… It’s called a steal, where you go to an extra base to increase your chances of scoring.”

[Oh, Ji Maengho player. He’s really pressuring Hendricks player, isn’t he? Hendricks player can’t focus on batting.]

[Ji Maengho player is really bold, right? How can a rookie player who hasn’t even debuted maintain such a long leadoff?]

“Oh, Ji Maengho? Handsome. Does he have a girlfriend? But it’s too complicated. I thought there were only home runs and strikeouts.”

“What if he’s handsome? Would Maengho introduce you to someone like you?”

“Baseball is a bit tricky.”

“Oh, but you seem to know quite well?”

“Oh, I’m from Hanche High School. So I know the rules.”

“But why is your voice trembling like this? Don’t be nervous. Will Unni eat you up?”

“No, that’s not it….”

“Then should we watch together until practice? You can explain too.”

“F*ck, get out of here quickly.”

The reason Hyuna turned on the TV was simple. Since she hadn’t seen Maengho since the vacation, she wanted to secretly feel something while looking at his face after a long time. However, it was difficult to focus on baseball with the senior next to her.

Instead, she was more excited by the fact that the senior was oblivious to the toy she had inserted there.

“Now the count is three balls. Ji Maengho player is doing his role as a runner perfectly. The pitcher and catcher are exchanging signs, and the fourth ball is thrown!”

“Oh, oh! Ji Maengho player ran! From second base! From second base!”

“What? What?”

“He stole the base!”

As the senior cheered and clapped, Hyuna’s voice rose, but the senior didn’t notice at all. The magic that captivates even those unfamiliar with a sport, making them focus on the nation’s people. That was the power that national team games held.

Hyuna’s senior quickly got immersed in baseball, despite not knowing the rules.

“It’s a strikeout. Strikeout! Ji Maengho player made a crucial steal. Now it’s 2 outs, 2nd base. Now the runner is in scoring position. One single hit could score a run!”

“Oh! We’re in a good position, right? He’s good-looking, and he’s fast too.”

“Yes… you could say that. Now, one hit will score a run….”

As the pleasure felt in a hidden place increased, Hyuna’s tone kept rising, but the senior remained oblivious, still excited.

“Wow, just score one run. One run! Hey! It’s a national game, aren’t you cheering?”

“F-Fighting!”

“Now the count is three balls, one strike! The batter’s count.”

“I hope Lee Eun-chong player can do something.”

“Ugh, he should do something…. I hope Maengho scores….”

The tension transmitted through the TV. Despite pushing aside the pleasure, Hyuna gradually began to focus on the game.

“Why are you hesitating so much?”

“Up, a dangerous situation… That’s why.”

“Oh, really?”

As they were having that conversation, suddenly! With a thud, the voices of the commentators grew louder.

[“Hey! Lee Eunchong! Hits the ball! To the right!”]

[“Ah, ah. It should drop, it should drop…!”]

[“It dropped! A hit in front of the right fielder! The runner rounds third and heads home! Home!”]

“What’s happening?”

The senior’s voice was no longer reaching Hyeona. Her eyes and ears were solely fixed on the TV screen.

“Jimaengho! Run!”

She could only cheer for Maengho.

*

“Run!”

The third base coach’s signal is visible, and shouts can be heard.

“Where’s the ball?”

“The right fielder threw it.”

Damn, can I make it? Is this too much?

But before hesitating with such thoughts, the die had already been cast. I ran towards home plate with all my might.

– Slide to the right!

The urgent signal from the next batter, Choi Jutae, is seen. Just 5 meters left to home plate now!

“It’s too late! The catcher is right there!”

Is he about to catch it? Thud! The sound of the ball hitting the right fielder’s glove is heard. Damn, did he catch it?

“Just hit it!”

“Damn, I don’t know!”

Watching the catcher rounding behind me, I put all my strength into the final step and leaped towards home plate.

Thud!

With a strong impact, I see the blue sky.

“You idiot! This is a baseball diamond!”

Isn’t that the blue sky? Feeling dizzy. Damn. What happened? The cheers of the spectators, unheard while running, now pierced through my ears.

“Shut up! Damn it! My head’s ringing!”

Despite shouting, the cheers didn’t diminish.

“Who are you cursing at?”

“Uh… Choi Jutae?”

“Hey, calm down. Are you okay?”

“I’m a bit dizzy, but I’m fine.”

Since we collided shoulder to shoulder, my head was fine. It was just a sudden disorientation from the change in perspective.

“So, what’s the result?”

“In short?”

Saying that, Choi Jutae pointed at the scoreboard with his chin. The number ‘1’ was displayed on the scoreboard after the fifth inning.

“Safe. We took the lead, but aren’t you going to do a celebratory dance or something? You like that kind of stuff.”

At Choi Jutae’s words, I chuckled and reached out with a fist while lying down.

Wow!

And the ensuing cheers from the crowd! Damn! This is the thrill of playing baseball!

*

[Player Jimaengho’s incredible slide! The result is safe! Three outs! Jimaengho showing an amazing slide!]

[Oh! This was a potentially dangerous situation! The right fielder’s throw came accurately to home plate where the catcher had no choice but to guard it, right? In that situation, player Jimaengho had already slid! The runner and the catcher collided! The catcher went flying, and the ball dropped from the mitt! A perfect three outs!]

[South Korea takes the lead with a pre-emptive point! 1:0! In the bottom of the fifth inning, against Major League Baseball’s top closer Hendricks, South Korea secures a lead!]

“Maengho!”

Seeing Maengho fall after colliding with the catcher, Hyuna unknowingly stood up and shouted his name.

“What’s happening? How did it go? The score went up, but is he hurt?”

“I don’t know! Damn it!”

He almost let out a curse. Suppressing it with superhuman willpower, Hyuna ignored the senior’s words and focused on the TV broadcast. Concern for Maengho dominated her mind more than the exhilaration rising from below.

[Oh, player Jimaengho shouldn’t be hurt. Australia’s catcher Edwards is down. Despite wearing protective gear, the impact seems significant. Both players shouldn’t have been injured…]

The caster’s worried commentary. The camera alternates between the two fallen players.

“Maengho, you’re not hurt, right?”

Such was Hyuna’s heart reached? The camera captures Maengho. A smiling Maengho’s face is caught on camera. Then the sight of him raising his clenched fist swiftly into the air was broadcast nationwide through the camera.

“Wow! What’s with him? Why is he smiling? Handsome guy, huh? Wow, he plays like a man… wow….”

Watching from the side, Hyuna’s senior exclaimed in admiration.

“Thank goodness. Phew!”

Realizing that Maengho was okay, Hyuna sat down hesitantly. And the sensation of pleasure! The fact that Maengho was unharmed and the intense pleasure rising from below gradually moistened Hyuna’s spot.

And Maengho’s scoring in an important match and his handsome smile accelerated the moistening process.

“You worry so much. Do you know him?”

[Great news! Player Ji Maengho! He scored a point with his fast feet and tough play!]

“Wow, this player, actually, I’ve been keeping an eye on him. He dominated high school baseball last year. He won two championships at Korean Sports High School. I didn’t expect him to perform well on the pro stage, especially on the international stage, but really, truly impressive. Ji Maengho!”

“Oh, he’s also from Hanche High School?”

“…Yes.”

“Then give me his number. He’s my style because he’s so handsome.”

“Well, I need to ask for his opinion too.”

“Wow, things have really improved. The junior even responds.”

“A girl who’s not even a few years younger…!”

After contemplating, Hyuna reluctantly passed Maengho’s number. But she wasn’t particularly worried. The senior’s face was not one that could be called pretty even with empty words. Given Maengho’s personality, blocking would be obvious.

[Player Ji Maengho. Thank goodness. Ah… in the end, player Edwards is being substituted…. It’s regrettable. Let’s hope it’s not a major injury. The Australian national team is replacing the pitcher with Edwards. Since there are pitching restrictions, there’s nothing else they can do, right? Hendricks player looks full of regret.]

“Korea’s offense starts now! In fact, except for Hendricks player, there aren’t any outstanding players in Australia! And the next batter is Choi Jutae, who plays for the Angels! Seeing Choi Jutae’s fighting spirit, it’s impossible not to get fired up!”

“Oh, Choi Jutae! I know him! Is he a major leaguer?”

“Yes. Could it be?”

And…

Crack!

Choi Jutae hits a ball over the wall against the new pitcher.

[Choi Jutae!!!!! Two-run homer! Extends the lead to three runs!]

“As expected! Player Ji Maengho’s fighting spirit has now translated into this lead! Choi Jutae! Truly remarkable! Immediately responds to the junior’s will with a home run!”

Following Korea’s attack, the 5th inning ended with Korea scoring 7 runs.

“Wow, baseball is fun too. Scores keep going up. Shall we go for training now?”

“…Yes. But, um… I’ll stop by the locker room for a moment.”

“Huh? Really? Training is almost over, so don’t be late. …Why is she in such a hurry to leave so quickly?”

Blushing, Hyuna moves to the locker room, leaving her senior to simply watch. Unaware that the seat where Hyuna was sitting had become damp.