episode_0361

“Ah, got it.”

Every time I went to a small ballpark and returned to Jamsil, this was always the issue. It felt like every hit that seemed like a home run ended up being caught right in front of the fence. Especially this year, where most pitchers seem to be focusing on the outside, as I had felt last year, it was even more painfully evident.

“That was close. Let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

“So, did Hwasan win today?”

“Yes, they finished before us and won.”

“So, is it a game and a half difference now?”

“Well, it’s still early in the season.”

“Good job out there.”

8:3. The game, which had been a struggle from the start with Park Junhyeong as the starting pitcher giving up hits, ended without us being able to turn it around. Nevertheless, since my return, the team had been on a winning streak, so the players’ spirits didn’t seem too low.

After wrapping things up and heading outside, despite losing today’s game, many fans were waiting for the players.

“Player Jimangho! I’m a fan! Please sign this.”

There were quite a few fans calling out to me, and even though we had lost, after signing for all the fans who had been waiting, it was suddenly past 11 o’clock.

“Phew, since we lost the game today, I should do some extra fan service. Did I get any DMs?”

As I was contemplating providing extra fan service for those who experienced the loss, a familiar figure approached me.

“…Hyung.”

“Oh, Junhu.”

It was Junhu, who was scheduled to start the day after tomorrow. Since the incident, Junhu had been struggling emotionally and had been in the minor leagues, but he started pitching in May and finally, in this final game of the series, he was going to stand on the mound for the first team.

“Is your body okay?”

“My body’s fine. I’ve been throwing at around 150 lately. Taking a month off seems to have increased my velocity.”

Even though he spoke with a smile, his expression still seemed dark. It appeared that he hadn’t completely recovered emotionally yet.

“Sigh, can I really do well?”

“Are you here to talk about that?”

He came all the way to Jamsil at this hour to have this conversation. He seemed pitiful, but I was a busy person.

“If I can’t even throw properly, it’s really over, right? Getting dumped by my girlfriend, not being able to pitch… messing up the game tomorrow, getting sent down to the minors, and my life will be over…”

“Oh, damn. Smells like alcohol.”

As Junhu approached, the smell of alcohol became noticeable. This guy was about to start as a pitcher…

“Well, I have to be patient.”

“Hyung, do you think I can succeed?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, annoying…”

I tried to push him away as he got closer, but with superhuman patience, I held back.

Regardless of what a jerk he was, he was a player the team needed. He threw better pitches than the current fifth starter Kim Chanyeong, and he had enough potential to be drafted in the second round after me. His fastball was in the mid-140s, reaching a high of 153, and his changeup was quite threatening. He also knew how to throw a curveball, and since the latter half of last year, he had been performing quite well as the fifth starter.

Well, aside from all that, I actually felt a bit sorry. I introduced him to that bar, and I showed him the taste of women. I thought he would just brush it off and move on like me, but he had been struggling for months without me even imagining it.

As a human being, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

“A human being? I thought he was a beast.”

“…Shut up.”

“Heh, it feels like letting out anger after being poked at the vital spot is just like an animal.”

“Oh my! No way! What do you mean by ‘poked at the vital spot’? There aren’t many people as kind as me!”

“Hyung, are you listening to me?”

“Ah, damn, just shut up for a bit.”

“…Sorry.”

Perhaps due to arguing with Rosby, the words came out harshly. I didn’t intend for it to go this way.

“No, that’s… sigh… forget it. Hey, nothing else to do?”

The guy, who was wearing a gloomy expression, darkened even more. If things continued like this… To compete for first place against Volcano, I had to win today and the day after tomorrow to secure the Winning Series. But if the guy scheduled to start was in this state, Winning Series would be challenging.

“Things to do… Well, is there anything for someone like me other than throwing balls? Or rather, can I throw balls well? Hyung, I’m scared. If I appear on TV, will everyone gossip about me?”

“You, idiot… No, never mind. Hey, get in.”

“Huh?”

I drove the guy who dug into the ground like an idiot into the car.

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

I introduced him to a girl, showed him the club; it was my duty as a human being. Being quite good at ethics in middle school, helping Junho was only natural.

“Why did you tell me to get in the car all of a sudden?”

“Just wait and see, you brat.”

I quickly checked my Instagram DMs.

“Not her, not her. Oh, this one… Oh, she’s the one from earlier. She came with a friend.”

And I found a suitable girl. She was the one who came with a friend earlier. The friend was a bit off, but this girl was fine, so I gave her my secret account, and I had already sent her a DM.

-Player Maengho! You were so cool today! Please give me your autograph next time too!

-Me: What are you doing now? Having drinks with a friend?

-Yes>