episode_0426

“Ah, I’m tired….”

The special attack from Gisangju and Soyong’s nagging. Especially sad was the fact that he couldn’t have sex. He should have relieved his fatigue with sex the day before the away game….

“Mangho, let’s focus.”

“Yes….”

He didn’t have the energy. Not being able to have sex played a part, as did knowing he would likely be rejected anyway. It was a difficult situation to concentrate in.

“Light, you know Kim Si-hyun is a pitcher at NV who throws decently, right?”

“Yes.”

“Still, it won’t be too difficult to strategize against him. Just watch out for his fastball.”

Igicheol stated the obvious. Information about Light, the starting pitcher for today’s opponent NV LEX. Widely known details like his average fastball speed of 153 and the fact that while his cutter or sinker-like modified fastballs are risky, he only has a changeup besides them, making him not too hard to handle.

“Be careful with cutters for left-handed hitters, sinkers for right-handed hitters. If you’re unsure about the timing of the changeup, look for signs. If you think it’s a changeup timing, keep watching for signs from the bench. Okay?”

“Got it!”

The players’ voices were cheerful. It was inevitable since Light was the type of pitcher who could either dominate with seven or eight scoreless innings based on his powerful fastball, or crumble significantly with 6 or 5 runs in just 2 or 3 innings when his fastball velocity wasn’t up to par.

Moreover, he had shown his best form by pitching a complete game shutout in the previous match. This meant there was a high chance that Light’s pitching pattern would collapse today. And no player here was unaware of that fact.

Naturally, they were excited.

“I need to boost my stats today too….”

He envied the other seniors.

“And, today!”

“Surprise, damn it!”

Due to Igicheol suddenly raising his voice, anger rose, but upon hearing the next words, it became clear why Igicheol had raised his voice.

“The boss said he’ll give Sunho Player 3 million won as an encouragement bonus today.”

The news that the boss, meaning Soyong, had offered an encouragement bonus was quite significant. Perhaps it was a way to make up for not having sex and sending him on the away trip?

“So what? I can’t even hit.”

Becoming Sunho Player by getting five walks was a tough task, so the idea of an encouragement bonus didn’t sit well with him.

“Wow? 300? Today’s looking good, huh?”

300. Considering the salaries players received, it might seem like a small amount, but earning 300 after a day’s game was a big deal. It caught the attention of even Gisangju, the highest-paid player in the team. Typically, encouragement bonuses were around 1 million won, but today, Soyong seemed to have put in some effort.

“Hey, take it easy today. Let the older guys earn some pocket money.”

“Why do rich guys like you have so much greed?”

“Hey! Try getting married! Only married folks get money. Singles just fall behind.”

“Ugh–!”

“Wait, Yoon is starting today. Ah, we can’t let Yoon pitch well….”

After Igicheol’s words, the atmosphere among the players, who had traveled from Seoul to Changwon, brightened instantly. …Except for me.

“And, just in case, don’t brag about receiving money. Got it? Keep it secret. If this leaks, we’re screwed.”

“Come on, it’s just business for a day or two, right? It’s cash anyway, what’s the harm?”

Should I really go all-in? The emphasis was on being cautious not to let slip any mention of encouragement bonuses or daily bonuses. Such bonuses were one of the things prohibited by the association.

“Wasn’t the punishment draft disqualification and fines?”

Of course, it was a rule that everyone knew about, but rules were rules. The thought of not being able to receive money made me feel a bit resentful.

“Well, I’m not a novice player, just 300.”

…I tried to think that way, but I couldn’t help feeling annoyed. Another man taking my woman’s belongings. This was disgraceful.

“Please, let’s win today… We talked about it in the interview, surely you won’t refuse?”

*

“Hoya, throwing hard today?”

“It’s strong. Just throwing as usual.”

“Do you have any complaints against me?”

“No complaints.”

Sharp guy. Perhaps because Seongtae hyung always partnered with me in catchball, he quickly noticed that I was putting in more effort.

“Ease up on the strength. If you get injured doing this, will you take responsibility?”

“Hey, where in the world does a player get injured playing catchball?”

“It’s just a saying. Ugh, this kid is all talk.”

“You seem oddly confident? Is it because you’re near your hometown?”

“With 300 right in front of you…, isn’t it obvious?”

Damn it. It should have been my money originally…

“You work hard today too.”

“What’s the point of working hard? It’s going to be a walk anyway.”

“Still, if you do well this time, you never know, kid. Oh, look, the boss is here too.”

“The boss?”

What? The boss? Sooyoung? Why is Sooyoung here? Following Yoon Seongtae’s chin gesture towards the audience seats, I shifted my gaze to the VIP lounge and saw a familiar face. Even though she was dressed in formal attire and sunglasses, it was unmistakably Sooyoung.

“But did you know, the operations manager, I mean, the boss is the third generation of a conglomerate. When I first came back after discharge, I thought there was only one female operations manager, but it turns out I was the only one who didn’t know.”

“What? Suddenly without telling me?”

Sooyoung occasionally came to watch Jamsil games, but she didn’t come often. There was a superstition that if she watched, the team would lose or something like that. That’s why Sooyoung rarely followed us on away games, so why now?

“Ugh, maybe she’s still upset about yesterday.”

100%. She was definitely upset with me yesterday, scolding me with her eyes, and it wasn’t my imagination. But following her husband to his workplace? Unstoppable indeed.

“Hey, are you even listening to me?”

At that moment, Sooyoung also spotted me and waved subtly. Then she pointed with her finger at her phone. Was she asking me to check my phone?

“Damn it, who am I talking to right now?”

There would be some time after catchball to check it in the locker room. I’ll check it then.

“Hey! Are you ignoring me?”

And Sooyoung pointed behind me with her finger. Behind? Look behind? As I turned my head, a baseball was flying towards my face. Damn it!

Thud! I heard the sound of leather popping from the glove, feeling a solid impact.

“Ouch! Hyung! What if you suddenly throw the ball? I almost got hit.”

“Aren’t you concentrating?”

“I was concentrating!”

…Of course, towards Sooyoung.

“Anyway, if you’re a woman, quit whining. Wake up, kid.”

“What about waking up. Anyway, let’s start heading back, shoulders feel loose now.”

“Got it.”

“Oh, hyung. I’ll go to the locker room for a moment. My glove doesn’t feel right today.”

“Am I your servant?”

“Hey, I’ll be back in a moment. If anyone asks, tell them I went to the locker room.”

“Got it. Hurry back.”

“Yep!”

After finishing catchball with Yoon Seongtae, I quickly ran to the locker room and turned on my phone. There was a text message from Sooyoung.

– Sooyoung: Cleaning time, come over to the locker room.

A short text. Could it be… sex? Hmm… that wasn’t likely. Sooyoung was strict about baseball, having sex during a game was unimaginable. Considering Sooyoung’s usual personality, it was unthinkable. Then what could it be? I couldn’t bear the curiosity.

“Damn, let’s wait until cleaning time first.”

Why did Soyoung call me? It can’t be real…?

“Play ball!”

While pondering such thoughts, time flew by in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, the game had started.

“Ball.”

And then a low ball.

“Damn, we had that interview, and now they’re pulling this? Mr. Rosby!”

“What’s going on again?”

“I’ll make him throw to John, so be ready.”

I can’t just get a walk meeting Soyoung. I could do it without Mr. Rosby, but the strategy I was about to employ carried significant risks, so I needed Mr. Rosby’s help.

“Not going for the win?”

“……”

“Fine, let’s wait and see. Whether he throws to John or not.”

The next pitch followed.

“It’s a missed fastball. Ugh, if the score widens a bit more, call him in.”

“Wait.”

“…What?”

And the subsequent wind-up. Without much respect, I swung my bat in sync with his wind-up timing.

“…Strike.”

Then I smirked at the pitcher.

“You still won’t throw?”

Mercenaries tend to look down on the KBA league. Seeing such disrespectful swings, they couldn’t help but feel fired up.

“…Another ball?”

“Damn.”

He seemed lacking. Alright, let’s go all the way. Once again, I swung disrespectfully in sync with his wind-up.

“……”

Perhaps even the umpire was taken aback by my swing,

“You swung, why no strike?”

“…Strike!”

Two strikes, one ball. Not enough yet. I raised my hand towards him, taunting.

A universally understood gesture. Whether he understood my gesture or not, the pitcher’s face turned red in no time.

“You still won’t throw? If you demand another ball, aren’t you gonna get hit by that bastard?”

“Don’t you dare. I’m your senior.”

“Screw that. Senior my ass.”

“…Be careful.”

Oh, a free ball. Unexpected, isn’t it? But as long as I wasn’t preparing for a hit, dodging his pitch was too easy. After all, I could dodge Garrett Cole’s fastball.

“…Ball. The pitch was too deep.”

“Your provocation shook my pitch. Well, don’t provoke me either.”

“Wow, I thought it was coming in threateningly deep. Wasn’t it?”

“This guy till the end… sigh.”

Where should I throw it? Assert your pride. You’re the pitcher. Two strikes.

I keep communicating with the pitcher through my eyes. And the next pitch.

“It’s a cutter.”

For the first time today, he chose a pitch other than a fastball.