Negotiation Breakdown
Crack! A satisfying sensation rippled through my hands. It was gone. The ball sailed cleanly over the left field wall. A shiver ran down my spine in that instant. It worked. It really worked. That time in America hadn't been wasted after all.
I watched the ball disappear over the fence, then slowly started circling the bases. The rowdy Gwangju Champions Field fell silent for a moment. Ahh, yeah. That's how it's done. Take that, you bastards.
I pointed my index finger skyward, flaunting the fact that we'd scored in the first inning, then trotted back to the dugout after the home run. But the atmosphere felt off. Everyone was standing quietly in place. Oh no... don't tell me?
It was obvious to anyone—this was deliberate. Tsk. What the hell... I casually removed my helmet and batting gloves, pretending nothing was wrong, and slipped deep into the dugout.
Oh, right. I wanted that home run ball...
"Hey, how come you didn't get the home run ball?"
Hwang Do-yoon, the closest senior, glanced at me. He eyed me up and down for a second, then shrugged.
"No idea."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"First, take a few hits!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone smacked my shoulder, and a fist flew into my side. Ow! Palms slapped my back, light taps turning into full-force congratulations. It hurt, but it felt strangely good at the same time. Like I was finally being acknowledged.
After a solid beating, the guys finally dispersed. Hwang Do-yoon grabbed his bat and headed to the on-deck circle without looking back.
"Oh! And ask the manager about the home run ball."
"Got it."
I caught my breath and bolted straight to the first-team manager.
"Manager! That home run ball of mine... can you track it down? It's my first one as a pro."
The first-team manager nodded curtly, his face hardening like he already knew.
"Got it. I'll look into it."
He returned shortly after, looking sour. I knew right away something was wrong.
"Of all people... a Pigeons fan caught it."
Well, yeah. It's their home stadium.
"And...?"
The manager let out a small sigh.
"But the guy doesn't like you much. Says he'd give it to any other Turkey, but Kim Hu-seong? Nah... he's digging in his heels."
Son of a... But there was nothing to be done. Fouled-off or home run balls belonged to the fans by rule.
"Can't we sweeten the deal somehow? Offer more? I really want to keep my first home run ball."
"Hmm. Yeah, it's special for you. I'll push a bit harder."
It was time for my next at-bat. I sighed softly and headed to the on-deck circle.
...Wait. If the first one's a no-go, maybe the second...?
* * *
Crack! A clean hit sent Thompson's head snapping back.
'...'
Thompson couldn't believe it. He'd thrown his absolute best pitch. But that ball was mercilessly flying into the distance. His second home run already. To the same batter. Twice.
The first one, at the start of the game on his initial pitch, he could chalk up to a mistake. But this second one? He'd thrown it perfectly, and it still got crushed. That's what terrified him.
'My stuff isn't working? But last time... he wasn't this kind of hitter...'
Thompson exhaled deeply from the mound. His fingers trembled slowly inside his glove. He tried not to look at the batter but couldn't tear his eyes away. The guy looked way too relaxed. Circling the bases, glancing at the crowd, raising a finger toward the dugout—it all seemed so natural. Like this was just par for the course.
Staring at that face, Thompson felt himself crumbling.
'How do I get him out?'
His mind spun in circles, but no answers came. Next time up, avoiding him was the only option.
Meanwhile, in the GM's office watching the scene, the Turkeys GM sat with his mouth agape, speechless for a while. The moment the batter touched home plate on screen, he whipped his head toward the operations director.
"Wait... two homers today? In the season opener?"
The GM's voice trembled low. The operations director swallowed hard and nodded.
"Insane. Absolutely insane."
The GM clenched his fist, then slowly released it. He reached an instant conclusion.
"This is getting too obvious...?"
"GM, it's just one opener game though..."
The operations director ventured cautiously, but the GM shook his head.
"Just one opener? He just demolished their ace starter. Smooth things over fast, starting now. Whatever it takes."
"...Understood."
Bzzzzt.
"Huh...? Hold on."
Then the operations director got a call from Gwangju.
"Uh... GM."
"What?"
"Kim Hu-seong, you know? The fan who got his first home run ball is a Pigeons guy, and retrieving it isn't going smoothly... They're asking if there's anything else we can offer."
"..."
The Turkeys GM paused.
"It's just the first one—trade something decent. If not, oh well."
But soon his head started throbbing.
"Uh... tell him skybox access if he comes here."
"Got it."
* * *
Despite the second home run, I trudged back to the dugout feeling unsatisfied.
"Hu-seong... it's tricky. Pigeons fan caught it, hard to retrieve."
The issue was that first home run ball. My first as a pro—I wanted it bad—but on the road in Gwangju, it wasn't easy.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Total diehard. Clinging to it like his life depends on it."
The first-team manager had gone up to the stands multiple times to negotiate, but it was all negative. I bit my lip.
Damn... my opener first home run ball.
"Manager... can't we offer more? Anything? I really want it. Or even the second one..."
He looked at me, then let out a short sigh.
"Hang tight. I'll keep talking."
A few minutes passed, and he returned. His tone was different this time.
"Hu-seong, update—the guy caught your second home run ball too. Softened his stance a bit."
Huh...? Why the hell did that one guy snag both 1 and 2?
"I'll head back up and push."
After the game, the manager called me over.
"Hu-seong. GM okayed skybox access. It's about fifty-fifty. The Pigeons fan wants to talk to you direct. Wanna go meet him?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. I'll handle it."
I stepped into the tunnel, and there he was—a young-looking guy, no, pretty damn young, in Pigeons gear.
...You. High schooler?
"Uh... hi."
"Hey. Kim Hu-seong."
Face-to-face, he looked flustered. Understandable.
"Man... of all the luck... catching a Turkeys player's ball."
Yeah, complicated for a Pigeons fan. Easy if it was one of theirs—sign a jersey or cap, done. But I'm a Turkey. And Turkeys-Pigeons relations were icy lately. Awkward.
Still, I smiled as warmly as I could.
"Look... that's my first home run ball today. Means a lot. Whatever you need, just say it—I'll do my best."
The fan gripped the ball tighter, hesitating.
"Uh... could you come play for the Pigeons?"
No shot. Like that'd work.
"Haha, nah, that's tough. Unless the teams trade me, I'm locked in here for seven years. So, no can do."
And I'm not going to that team anyway.
"Hmm. Then go easy on us next time?"
"Wish I could, but I'm a pro... can't."
Vague, but true fan stuff. Kid makes sense. Not malicious—let's play nice.
"How about a signed bat? I'll sign it myself. I'm just a Turkey now, but later... if I make the national team and do well... it'll have value. Grab it early?"
"Oh..."
His eyes flickered. Not fully sold, but loosening up.
Then his friend-looking buddy chimed in.
"Dude, aren't you a Kim Se-rin cheerleader fan? Wanted pics with her. Think that could work? You're on the Turkeys now—maybe pull strings?"
The Pigeons fan stared straight at me.
"Uh... that too... possible?"
Damn it. Why Kim Se-rin of all cheerleaders? Popular one, sure...
I inhaled sharply. Tsk. I could probably make it happen...
"Yeah. Cheerleaders usually help with requests like that. Skybox, signed bat from me, and a pic with Kim Se-rin cheerleader—good?"
"Uh..."
"Exactly. Our Kim Hu-seong's gonna be a star—these are easy asks."
The first-team manager jumped in quick. It was basically done; time to seal it.
That's when it happened. The fan's eyes shifted.
"Y'know, better to just keep it."
"...?"
"See ya."
He bolted, leaving me, the manager, and the Pigeons security staring blankly.
...'If Kim Hu-seong makes it big, sell it for a fortune...!'
His voice echoed from afar.
...Grit. Fine. I'll make you regret it. Starting with smashing your team.