episode_0324

-[KS] KS MVP. ‘Devil’ Ji Maeng-ho.

…Ji Maeng-ho’s performance in the Korean Series could be considered devilish, as if he was facing a demon who could read his mind, as one pitcher put it. With stats of 0.545/0.844/1.455/2.298 and recording 21 walks and 20 steals, Ji Maeng-ho led the team to victory…

ㄴLook at those stats, damn, this is the KS MVP.

ㄴWho conquered KBA in just one season? Ji Maeng-ho!

ㄴHe’s really insane, damn.

ㄴThank you, Maeng-ho god.

ㄴYour dedication led the AT Thunders to victory. Thank you, GOAT.

– .400 hitter, AT Ji Maeng-ho, crowned KBA Rookie of the Year

In his first year with the team, second baseman Ji Maeng-ho claimed the honor of Rookie of the Year. Ji Maeng-ho, who graduated from a Korean sports high school in 2022, had been active as a national team player since before debuting in the pro league, boasting a .400 batting average, 60 home runs, and 58 steals this season, garnering attention.

…

ㄴThey didn’t give Ji Maeng-ho the Rookie of the Year? What a blind decision!

ㄴSuch a waste of Jang Woo-joo. If it weren’t for Ji Maeng-ho, it would’ve been Jang Woo-joo for sure, haha.

ㄴAbsolutely crazy.

– Who shines the brightest in 2023 KBA? Monster rookie, Ji Maeng-ho.

Ji Maeng-ho (20, AT Thunders) stood out as the best player in Korean professional baseball in 2023, winning seven hitting categories including average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs, runs, RBIs, and steals. Taking over the second base position for the AT Thunders in his debut season, Ji Maeng-ho received the KBA League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in just one season.

At the 2023 KBA League awards ceremony, Ji Maeng-ho won the MVP by a near-unanimous vote, receiving a trophy and prize money of 10 million won.

…

ㄴAbsolutely crazy.

ㄴKorean baseball is all about Ji Maeng-ho, haha.

ㄴWow, Maeng-ho god is amazing.

*

“Hello, Player Ji Maeng-ho! Congratulations on MVP and Rookie of the Year!”

“Yes, thank you.”

“With this, from the playoffs to the Korea Series, three consecutive MVPs, Rookie of the Year, and Season MVP. Isn’t that five titles?”

“Well, it’s only natural.”

“You truly have remarkable confidence, Player Ji Maeng-ho!”

“Well, wouldn’t I have confidence? It’s only fair considering my performance. It would be strange if I didn’t receive them.”

“Indeed, right? Then you must also be confident about the remaining Gold Gloves.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

After winning the Korean Series, my life continued in a similar fashion. Enjoying sex with my women in the evening, going on dates during the day that I couldn’t do during the season, and occasionally doing interviews like this.

Especially after winning both the Season MVP and Rookie of the Year, these interviews became more frequent. The agent said there were many advertisements and entertainment offers coming in, but So-young was rejecting all such proposals on my behalf.

– “Maeng-ho, because you can make mistakes, make sure to only do interviews with the reporters I’ve chosen. Don’t even think about entertainment shows. Got it?”

So-young’s unfounded anxiety about me making mistakes was puzzling, but I agreed with So-young’s thoughts because I felt that if I became even more famous, walking down the street would become difficult. These days, too many people recognized me when I walked on the streets, making it hard to go on dates with women.

‘This is why celebrities say they’re tired.’

“Player Ji Maeng-ho…?”

“Yes. Ah, what were we talking about?”

“Oh, Seong-hyun Player declared his return to the Major Leagues next season. How do you feel about that? The showdown between Seong-hyun, the greatest pitcher in Korean history, and Ji Maeng-ho, who has joined the ranks of the greatest. Many are looking forward to it.”

“Oh, Senior Seong-hyun is coming back to Korea?”

“Yes. Didn’t you know?”

“No. Actually, I haven’t been keeping up with baseball news since the

“Alright. Then, could you say a word to Senior Seonghyun?”

“Senior Seonghyun. Ever since I saw him in the national team, I’ve been thinking, ‘He’s pretty good, right?’ It felt like going to the majors wasn’t such a big deal. I hoped he’d make things a bit more interesting before heading to the major leagues. You know, Korea is a bit dull for me.”

“Oh, quite bold, are you sure you can handle it?”

“Yes. Leave it as it is.”

The reporter seemed intrigued by my words, but there was no falsehood in what I said. Since I would be tied to Korea until going to the majors anyway, I didn’t want to face those who avoid competition like the UG guys again. My sincere wish was for the pitchers in the KBA league to take my words as a challenge and give me a proper match.

“If I provoked them this much, others must be annoyed too, right?”

“As expected, the devil’s talent…”

“The devil’s talent? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, it seems fans and reporters call Ji Maeng-ho that. Ji Maeng-ho, he’s talented, but… there are various controversies surrounding him, you know?”

“Controversies? I’m someone who stays far away from such things.”

“Haha, just kidding. Interview controversies, ceremony controversies… how should I put it?”

“…That’s enough.”

Another strange nickname stuck. Such cringeworthy nicknames like ‘devil’ or whatever… Well, they’re probably nicknames used by reporters anyway.

“Oh, then about the watch you received as the Korean Series MVP award?”

“Oh, that. Senior Gwanhyung gave it to me.”

“Ah, so what I heard was correct. But, you gave such a precious thing to Woo Gwanhyung?”

“Well, we’re going to win again anyway. So, I gave it as a gift to wish him a quick recovery.”

“Ha, as expected of Ji Maeng-ho. Seems like we’ve covered enough, shall we wrap up?”

“Yes. Please write a great article. Just as I said.”

“About Seonghyun, right? Understood.”

With that, the reporter stood up from their seat. As the reporter was about to leave, something seemed to come to mind, prompting them to speak.

“Oh, Ji Maeng-ho.”

“Yes?”

Then, the reporter approached me and pushed their smartphone towards me.

“What’s this?”

“This is Ji Maeng-ho’s private Instagram ID, right? It’s private.”

“Oh, is it mine?”

It was an Instagram ID that I only shared with pretty girls, so it seemed like they somehow got hold of it.

“Well, some reporters know people associated with AT, so I thought I’d mention it. Be careful.”

“…What do you mean?”

When I asked, the reporter grimaced as if embarrassed, then started speaking.

“Well, about your relationships with women…”

“Reporter.”

“Yes?”

“Is having sex a crime?”

“What? Oh, …haha. No, it’s not a crime.”

“I don’t mind if it gets out.”

“Well, if Ji Maeng-ho does it… Alright. Well, in this game, as long as you have skills, you can do anything except match-fixing. I trust you’ll handle it.”

“Korea is too conservative, that’s the problem.”

“Haha, is that so? Anyway, as you rise higher, there will be more pesky flies buzzing around, so Ji Maeng-ho, be careful too.”

“Got it. Thank you. You take care too, Reporter.”

After concluding our conversation, the reporter left the room. Soon after, Soyoung entered the room as if she had been waiting. Even though I saw Soyoung every day, seeing her at work made her seem different. If I were to say that this woman, dressed in a suit with a neat face, writhed beneath me every night, no one would believe it.

“Did you have a good talk with the reporter?”

“We did. Why, worried?”

“Just concerned, that’s all.”

“You worry too much.”

The reason Soyoung came in after the interview with the reporter was simple. This place was the office of the AT Thunders.

“So, as I mentioned yesterday, you just need to stamp there, right?”

“Here?”

And the reason I came to the team office was simple. It was salary negotiation day today. The reason I did the interview here was to release an article along with press materials in line with the salary negotiations. Perhaps my salary will be mentioned in the last part of the article.

“300 million… I knew it already… Can’t you raise it a bit more?”

“Why, short on cash?”

Soyoung looked at me and asked. Of course, there was no shortage of money. If it was something that required money, Soyoung took care of everything. But, it was a bit disappointing. As a professional, speaking in terms of salary, 300 million seemed modest compared to my performance.

Perhaps noticing my expression, Soyoung spoke up.

“Still, a 1000% increase is somewhat symbolic. It’s your second year now. I’ll steadily increase it until we go major. And with options, it could go up to 400 million, right? I’d like to give more, but because of the salary cap. Maengho, can you understand?”

“Well, if it’s because of the salary cap, then there’s nothing we can do.”

“We need to set Maengho’s salary first so we can pay other players too…”

“But until when will you continue as the operations team leader?”

“Me? This negotiation will be the last, and I should move up to being the CEO.”

“Oh, CEO. Have you talked to the chairman about it?”

Knowing Soyoung’s dream of becoming the successor of the company, I casually asked.

“Sigh… Honestly, it feels daunting. I should have won championships since I became the CEO. Maengho played so well that we won this year.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize.”

So young’s tone showed no hint of blaming me. But in my opinion, Soyoung’s dream seemed fanciful. Would AT hand over the reins just because she managed the baseball team well?

“If I become the successor, things will get busier, and our relationship might become awkward, right? Soyoung just fits well by my side.”

I didn’t want Soyoung to achieve her dream. It was a regrettable thought for Soyoung.

“What’s with that look?”

“Well, I hope things go well.”

“Anyway, it’s really starting from now.”

Soyoung clenched her fists and spoke. Feeling guilty towards Soyoung, I quickly changed the subject.

“Sis, but the reporters say they know my Instagram handle. Other reporters are finding out too?”

“Instagram? Oh, that. Communicating with female fans…?”

“Yeah.”

“So, don’t hang out with fans. I worry, Maengho. I’m afraid you might get bitten by some gold digger.”

“Come on, sis, I’m Ji Maengho.”

“That’s why I don’t trust it. Well, if anything happens, I can handle it…”

“It’s fan service, just fan service. I didn’t mean that kind of fan service. Anyway, understood. Maengho, focus on playing baseball without worrying about other things. But, even though we enjoy ourselves, do you still need more women?”

“Well, if you say not to, I won’t.”

“You better not. You jump on pretty girls like you’re in heat.”

“….”

…She really knew me too well.

“I didn’t want it to go this far… Here.”

Then Soyoung pushed a paper towards me.

“A consent form for sexual relations…?”

“Yes. We’ve recorded everything, right? Just in case, I’m giving this to you. From now on, when you’re with other women, make sure they sign this. Understand?”

“Do we really need to go this far?”

“I’m anxious. Please, can you do this for me?”

“…Alright.”

A consent form for sexual relations… It felt a bit raw and unsavory, but since Soyoung asked, I couldn’t help it. And having this kind of insurance didn’t seem like a bad idea. As the journalist who interviewed me mentioned, Parisians could be tricky.

“Is everything done now?”

“Yeah.”

“Is there a CCTV in this room?”

“There isn’t one here? …Surely not here?”

“It’s been a while since I dressed up in a suit….”

“Sigh…. Seriously.”

As I pointed to my pants, Soyoung approached with a sigh.

“But let’s just talk about it. I still have work to do.”

“It’s a bit disappointing.”

“I’ll take care of it when we get home. …Later.”

It’s regrettable to only talk about it, but Soyoung also has work to do, so there’s no choice.

And so, with my doppelganger in place, I accepted her service, and the service I received at her workplace had a new flavor.

—

“Ji Maeng-ho, Seonghyun’s return is nothing special!”

…Ji Maeng-ho commented on Seonghyun’s return to Korea this season, saying, “It doesn’t seem like a big deal for the majors.” He added, “I hope other Korean pitchers make it more fun before going to the majors.”

…Meanwhile, Ji Maeng-ho signed for 300 million won, a 1000% increase from the minimum salary of 30 million won…

ㄴ??? What the heck?

ㄴI thought he was the devil’s editor, but he really said that lol crazy bastard

ㄴWow, this guy’s got guts lol

ㄴIs he insane?

ㄴBut why 300 million? Isn’t that too little?

ㄴThere are years of experience and a salary cap.

ㄴThat’s why Korea has problems lol

ㄴWow, this guy is seriously nuts. Other pitchers must be pissed lol

ㄴlol It’s only 40% with 60 home runs, so it’s not that impressive lol