See You at the Stadium
Gocheok Turkeys 2군 감독 Oh Tae-sik quietly closed the office door and opened the binder on his desk. In front of him were the freshly arrived roster for the 2군 Taiwan expedition and the upcoming 2군 player list.
As he scanned the names, a short sigh escaped his lips.
"They've already sorted out the ones for 1군, huh?"
In particular, the rookie reports were starkly divided. The reports on rookies slated to join the 1군 were meticulously detailed—from profiles to positional strengths and weaknesses, performances in practice games, and even plans for positioning in 1군 or 2군. They were so thorough that he could picture it all in his head just from reading.
But the reports on players classified as expendable—the ones who would quietly fade away after sticking around in 2군—were laughably sparse. Just a name, basic profile, and a few fragmented sentences. Oh Tae-sik, the 2군 manager, let out a wry smile at the glaring difference in effort.
"Hmm? What's this?"
Then a name caught his eye. Kim Hu-seong. 11th-round pick. The report noted he could be used as a defensive substitute in 2군.
"Defensive sub?"
There were no flashy descriptions or future potential evaluations like with the others. But that very simplicity drew his attention. A pure defensive sub in pro ball? That was rare. Most got listed as pinch-hitters or runners, but mentioning only defense was unusual.
The manager snorted.
"Defensive sub, huh... Interesting for a profile."
Oh Tae-sik immediately checked the batting evaluation section. A strange smile crept across his lips. The hitting stats were garbage.
"This is... hopeless? Aigoo, not sure if this guy's even usable."
He swallowed a laugh and shook his head. But there had to be a reason they'd noted him as a defensive sub.
A few more days passed. The seasons had shifted before he knew it. The morning and evening winds chilled the skin, and every breath sent white puffs into the air. Clothes got a bit heavier accordingly.
Hoo... Hoo...
But I'd gotten pretty used to it now, running alongside Kim Se-rin the cheerleader. The first time we met, I couldn't even make eye contact from embarrassment, but as time went on, we started chatting and syncing our breaths.
Still, today my heart felt heavy. Spring camp was just days away, and I knew these runs were coming to an end.
"Hoo... Hoo..."
"Haa~ Feels refreshing. Must be the cooler weather."
On our third lap, we slowed to a walk. I finally spoke up.
"I probably won't be able to run at this time in a few days."
Regret laced my voice.
"Really? That's a shame. It's been great these past days."
Kim Se-rin slowed her pace and glanced sideways. She sounded genuinely disappointed.
"Oh? Ah!"
Then, as if realizing something, she clapped her hands.
"Makes sense now. Spring camp's coming up, right? Ah... Time flies."
I nodded. She looked at me earnestly.
"I forgot for a second."
And suddenly, she held out her hand.
"Huh...?"
"You've been a huge help. Thanks, Hu-seong."
Thwack! No... don't just stick your hand out like that...
Thump thump thump thump.
I stared at that pale white hand, then extended mine. It was right in front of me, but time seemed to slow as my hand reached for hers. Finally, I made contact with that small, soft palm.
Ah... so soft.
"Did you get a call or something?"
"Pardon?"
"Your hand's shaking~?"
Kim Se-rin smiled with her eyes.
Ugh!
"Huh? Oh! Sorry!"
I pulled away in panic.
"Hahaha. It's not like it'll wear out. Hold on a bit longer."
"Ahem. No... But... was I really that big a help?"
"Of course!"
She nodded, lips curved in a smile.
"Really?"
I asked like I had no clue, and she raised an eyebrow playfully.
"When you run alone, flies keep buzzing around—stares, weird approaches. That's why I sometimes skip daytime runs. If I do, it's at a fitness center."
True enough. With her looks... and that figure. Ahem...
"But that's too stuffy~! At those places, it's just Stairway to Heaven or bikes. But... with you there, none of that happened. Well, there were some, but you shooed them away."
Hmm. So that's why the handshake award!
I finally got it.
"Ah... Never thought of it that way. Glad I could help."
Then I caught another eye smile. Uh-oh. What's she gonna say?
And Kim Se-rin added,
"Yeah. You helped a ton. Felt just like running with a boyfriend. A buff one, too. No one dared approach."
Kuh...!
Thumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthump.
The words hit, and my heart pounded wildly. Blood rushed to my face, burning hotter than after five nonstop laps. My mind went blank.
"Hahaha. Broke again. Hahaha."
She burst out laughing at my face. Her laughter echoed in the night air, and I could only freeze and stare. My ears burned, face beet red like a fireball. She kept laughing as I stood there stock-still, unable to react.
"Ah, you're so cute. Hahaha."
I just panted, rooted in place.
A cold wind brushed my face. Maybe from standing like an idiot. My body heat had dropped.
"Hahaha."
Huuuuup. Haa... Huuuuuup. Haa...
Cold air filled my lungs, calming my heart bit by bit. As I pulled myself together, Kim Se-rin tilted her head and asked,
"Better now?"
I gave an awkward smile and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm good."
She lifted the corner of her mouth again.
"Then... we'll see each other at the stadium?"
My chest thumped once more.
"Yeah... guess so."
I gripped my racing heart and forced the words out. But she turned serious.
"Rookie, right? It's gonna be brutal from here. Might not even see you."
Ugh...
I nodded. Reality hit, cooling my heart fast.
"Hmm... But seeing you train without missing a day... I bet you'll make it?"
She tapped my shoulder and beamed.
"Fighting."
"Yeah. Probably starting in 2군, but... I'll work hard and climb to 1군. So we can meet at the stadium... right?"
She tilted her head playfully.
"Who knows~?"
"Well... Gwangju road games or Gocheok games? Assuming I'm in 1군, of course."
"Can't promise that, though. Cheerleaders sign team contracts, so who knows. This season I'm with Gwangju Pigeons, but next could be anywhere."
Huh? Then...
I asked wide-eyed.
"So... you could sign with Turkeys?"
"Hahaha. You really know nothing about baseball, huh?"
She stifled a laugh, then shook her head regretfully.
"Sadly~! Turkeys always pick the cheapest cheer teams. Mine's on the pricey side... they go for popular clubs."
Ah... Turkeys, you cheap bastards. No wonder no cheer videos.
My heart sank. The hope I'd harbored snuffed out.
Sigh, can't be helped. What matters is if I make 1군...
I steeled myself, forcing a smile.
"Still... see you in pro ball. I can do it."
She looked me straight in the eye and nodded.
"Yeah. I believe you."
Her words fired me up.
"Got it. I'll see you at the stadium for sure."
"Hahaha. Talking like you're confessing? Hahaha. So cute."
She turned to go, then looked back...
"See you then."
She gave a small wave.
I can do this.
I nodded. Of course!!! Kim Se-rin cheeleaderriiiiim! I'll crush it and make 1군. Blow past all the rookies! Except Lee Tae-sin... Ahem... I'll shove past those rude seniors too!