episode_0375

At the beginning of the eighth inning, when my turn at bat came around again, the score stood at 14-8, a lead of 6 points. Naturally, in response to the situation, Kim Young-kyun, a relentless chaser, was on the mound.

He threw around 140 kilometers per hour, a left-handed pitcher with a relatively slow ball. Normally, he would have been a tough pitcher for someone like me these days, but today, I had a good feeling about it. It felt like something had clicked in my swing timing as I kept hitting home runs.

Usually, when batters are in a slump, getting a hit off a pitch that should have been missed can sometimes mark the end of that slump. For me, the feeling of breaking out of that slump came with hitting a home run on my first at-bat. Moreover, I managed to hit four home runs today. My condition was better than ever.

In other words, I was perfectly poised to aim for a streak of five consecutive home runs.

“As long as they don’t avoid pitching to me.”

“Strike!”

After watching the first pitch, the ball landed in the strike zone. Luckily, being the leadoff batter of the inning, it seemed like he had no intention of avoiding pitching to me.

“Well, being in a chasing position now, he probably wants to show something. He must want to impress the coaches by catching me.”

A pitcher running away from a 6-point deficit is not something coaches would desire either. My goal of hitting a home run and his goal of getting me out were aligned.

“It’s a slider.”

How was this guy’s slider? Since I couldn’t recall it clearly, I decided to watch one more before making a move. I didn’t want to risk missing out on a record-breaking fifth consecutive home run by swinging at an unfamiliar pitch.

“Strike!”

His slider sharply broke into the zone. While he was a reliever, he seemed to have a deadly weapon, and that weapon appeared to be his slider.

“So, he’s throwing it inside the zone?”

Well, it wasn’t an ace-level slider, so just seeing it once was enough to gauge the timing for my swing.

“Fastball.”

Not throwing a slider here meant he wasn’t playing games. As expected, his fastball darted towards my body.

Thwack!

“Foul!”

Still, not knowing for sure, I fouled off his slow fastball to keep the count. Just in case the umpire had eagle eyes and I struck out, breaking the streak would be unjust, so any ball near the zone had to be fouled off like this.

Thwack!

Thwack!

Thwack!

How many did I foul off like that? Finally, he brought out the sword.

“It’s a slider.”

“Okay.”

The battle is at the body. That’s why he persistently targeted the inside with fastballs. He probably planned to keep luring me with inside fastballs and then unexpectedly throw an inside slider for a strikeout, but…

Swish – crack!!

…as long as I had my vision, there was no such thing as an unexpected timing for me. This hit, too, swiftly disappeared behind the left fielder, just like the others I hit today. And the cheers echoed.

“Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho!”

Thus, in the first game of the series against Hanchul, Murakami set a new record with five consecutive home runs, ending in our victory.

“Today’s MVP is none other than Ji Maeng-ho, who, as everyone expected, set the record for five consecutive home runs! Ji Maeng-ho! Hello!”

And naturally, today’s MVP was me, Ji Maeng-ho, who hit five consecutive home runs in the game.

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

“Ji Maeng-ho had 5 hits in 5 at-bats today. With 5 runs, 5 home runs, setting a new record of 5 consecutive home runs and 10 RBIs, he achieved an incredible feat! Moreover, the record of a player scoring 10 RBIs in a single game is the highest in a single game, how do you feel?”

“I feel great. Honestly, I’ve been struggling with the bat for a while, but today, hitting a home run felt just right. Scoring five consecutive home runs and ten RBIs feels amazing.”

“Oh, really? How about that last at-bat home run? You already set a record with four consecutive home runs, were you conscious of that?”

“Yes, I was aware of it.”

“Usually, players don’t consciously think about such major records in advance…”

“If you fear being conscious of the record, how can you achieve it? Haha.”

“Indeed, that’s remarkable confidence, Player Ji Maeng-ho.”

“And thanks to Han Cheol, the pitcher who gave me a good match. Who was he again…?”

“…Player Kim Young-kyun?”

“Yes, ah, Kim Young-kyun. Thank you to that pitcher. Frankly, many pitchers shy away from matches fearing they’ll become sacrificial lambs for records. To compete like this, I’m grateful. Are they the players of Han Cheol, our rivals, as one might say? I hope tomorrow brings another exciting match.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

“The streak of consecutive home runs hasn’t ended yet. Tomorrow, I’ll make a new record with a six-game home run streak and leave my name on the record books.”

“Wow, Player Ji Maeng-ho hints at setting a new record! Tomorrow is indeed anticipated? Your confidence…”

“As long as they don’t avoid competing with me. I am always confident.”

“Oh…”

After answering a few trivial questions, upon returning to the locker room, I was greeted by some players waiting for me.

“Hyung! Thank you so much for today!! How can I repay you for erasing our defeat… If it’s not too much trouble, may I cover the drinks tonight?”

Especially, Jun-hoo, who played until he was covered in dust as a starter today, approached me with an odd tone. Although his words implied drinking together today,

“Get lost, punk. I have a game tomorrow too.”

I rejected him outright.

“Oh… when did you start caring about that… I mean, as expected of Maeng-ho. Your focus on the game is truly admirable. Good luck with the six-game home run streak tomorrow.”

“Do you want to die?”

I had to have dinner with Ju-hee and couldn’t drink with such a worthless guy. After finishing my shower and coming out, I saw a missed call from Ju Seung-cheol on my phone.

“Should we meet in the parking lot?”

Confirming the call, as I left the stadium, fans ecstatic over today’s victory lined the way home.

“Woo! Maeng-ho oppa!!!!”

“It’s Ji Maeng-ho!!!”

“Hey there! Ji Maeng-ho is here!”

“Maeng-ho, please give me your autograph!!”

“Hmm, it feels like there are more people than usual. Too many.”

It felt like everyone was waiting just for me. Today’s five consecutive home runs must have made quite an impact. The walk to the parking lot seemed unusually long today.

“I’m here…”

“Can I get an autograph on my back?”

“Please take a picture with me!”

“Yes, come over here.”

“Maeng-ho, I want a photo too.”

“Sorry, no photos.”

“Why did you take a picture with that woman…”

“Sorry, it’s a jinx for me to take a picture with a man; I might hit into a double play. Please understand, I’m an AT fan, right?”

“Yes…”

After providing fan service to the crowd gathered on the way home, it was already almost two hours later. Upon arrival at the parking lot, unsurprisingly, Ju Seung-cheol was nowhere to be found.

“Ah, damn. It’s so damn hard to grab a meal.”

Nevertheless, checking my phone, I saw the address Ju Seung-cheol had sent, so I calmed down and followed the address to find a fancy-looking restaurant. The private atmosphere inside suggested it was a place frequented by many famous people.

“Seung-cheol, Hyung, you’re also a famous figure, huh.”

My heart is pounding. Did Joohee see my performance today? Even thinking about it, today’s performance was legendary; did I look sexy? My hand trembles as I grasp the doorknob.

“Hoo….”

After taking a deep breath, I opened the door and entered. In reality, I saw two familiar faces and one face familiar from TV. That face, with features harmoniously fitting into a fist-sized face like an idol’s, evoked admiration for its visual appeal.

“Hello. I’m Ji Maeng-ho.”

“Hey, why are you so late?”

Greeted by Ju Seung-chul and,

“Oppa, you’re here?”

Leah. And…,

“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Juhee from EyeBlack.”

…Joohee.

‘Wow, she has a nice voice too.’

“Maeng-ho, I thought I’d starve waiting for you.”

“Oh, hyung. We have a lot of fans, you know.”

“Fan service is unavoidable.”

“We were just having a drink.”

“I don’t drink during the season now. And these kids are soon making a comeback, so they can’t drink either. Right, Yeong-hee?”

“Yeah. Drinking makes us gain weight… We don’t drink during our activities. It shows immediately. Right, Joohee?”

“…Yeah.”

What? Not drinking? A bit of alcohol makes it easier to go for round two… I thought, examining Joohee’s face, which didn’t look very good.

‘Is she uncomfortable because she can’t drink?’

I thought, but there was something oddly passive and uncomfortable about her demeanor. It felt like the atmosphere would be disrupted if I spoke. Although Seung-chul, Hyung, and Leah were leading the conversation, the vibe wasn’t off, but instinctively, I felt something was amiss. Nonetheless, just looking at her face made me feel good, so while eating,

“Sis, I’ll take a quick call outside.”

Joohee took the phone and left the room.

“Leah… Is Joohee feeling okay?”

“Oh, oppa. Well…”

“What? Why are you concerned about Joohee?”

“Oh, Hyung, you’re being nosy.”

“Well… Maybe Maeng-ho oppa being late put her in a bad mood.”

“…Huh?”

“Sorry. You kept saying you were hungry even at the baseball field…”

“You didn’t eat at the baseball field?”

“Well, the comeback is approaching…”

It was indeed late for a meal. Normally, they would eat first and then drink until I arrived, but Seung-chul said they don’t drink during the season, and these guys are also not drinking because of the upcoming comeback.

‘Damn, things have gotten complicated. No wonder I had good luck at the stadium today.’

I tried harder at the stadium to make a good first impression on her, but it seemed to backfire. My first impression on her felt like it was the worst. Damn.

“Sorry. I didn’t expect this to happen.”

“Why are you apologizing? Why? Are you here to go on a blind date, Maeng-ho?”

“Oh, Hyung!”

“Why are you yelling?”

“Well, it’s nothing.”

“Still, your five consecutive hits were impressive today. Ha… I wanted to show a cool side in front of Yeong-hee. Anyway, Maeng-ho is clueless.”

I wanted to retort that Hyung is even more clueless, but since I felt like I should go easy on him in front of his girlfriend, I didn’t say it out loud.

“No! Oppa, you were great today. You did well too.”

‘Damn it. Ugh… Should I just leave?’

Seeing the two of them being lovey-dovey made me want to get up and leave, but despite the ruined first impression, there was still a chance.

‘Right. Her ideal type was someone who excelled at their job.’

“The food was delicious today. Right, Joohee?”

“Yeah, sis.”

“We won’t be able to eat like this once we start our activities again.”

After the meal ended and before the girls got into the car in the parking lot, I gathered my courage and spoke to Joohee.

“Me, Miss Juhee….”

“Yes?”

“Could you possibly share your number with me? We’re quite close.”

“Oh…. Yes. Here, my phone….”

“And did you enjoy the game today? I hit five consecutive home runs today….”

“Oh…. I’m not really familiar with baseball….”

“Oh…. Is that so?”

“Yes. I’ve only heard of player Ju Hyeongjin from when I was young….”

“Damn it! Yeonghee!”

Upon hearing that she didn’t know much about baseball, Leia avoided my gaze, rolling her eyes.

“Damn it! If I knew this would happen, I would have come earlier!”

Someone who doesn’t know much about baseball goes to the stadium, doesn’t eat anything, and the game goes into extra innings, and on top of that, the culprit arrives late for our appointment… Even I would have been annoyed.

– Leia: Oppa, I’ll introduce you to a really nice girl later. Actually, the seat opened up suddenly today. There are many people around me who like you. There are quite a few people who watch baseball too. I’m really sorry. Actually, Juhee is still young and not very interested in men. You know I’m always grateful, right? Oh, I wasn’t thinking much about today either, but Seungcheol oppa suggested we grab a meal. I’ll make sure to set up a good opportunity for you later. You know Sehee unni keeps saying she misses you, right? Oppa is really charming. How can Juhee not see someone like you? Anyway, I’ll try to set up a good opportunity!!! Sorry!!!

On the way back home, a long text message arrived from Leia, but I didn’t really trust it.

Apart from that, although I don’t know much about baseball, the fact that she mentioned not knowing Ju Hyeongjin shocked me. Looking at the records alone, I was already a player surpassing Ju Hyeongjin, bombing the KBA league, but I couldn’t beat his popularity.

So far, I’ve only met women who knew me, but seeing that there are also women who don’t know me, I realized that I had to work harder. Just like Juhee, even women who don’t know baseball should know my name.