A Stern Warning and a Tender Embrace
The minor league game was still in full swing when I arrived at the hospital. They started the exams right away, and about thirty minutes after they finished, I finally got to see the doctor.
“Kim Hu-seong, are you looking into other job options or something?”
Eh? Other jobs? I was a bit thrown by the doctor's question.
“Pardon? No. What do you mean?”
The doctor glanced at the chart and asked again. “Or maybe you hit the lottery... or uh, got an offer from somewhere better... or your parents are loaded...”
“No? None of that. Not at all.”
The doctor continued calmly. “I see. I really thought you'd lined something else up. Kim Hu-seong, if you do that, you won't be able to play baseball anymore. You get what I'm saying?”
Ah, that's what he meant.
“Ah, got it. I understand.”
“Good. Kim Hu-seong, I thought you'd lost interest and were quitting baseball. Right? Or maybe you think a doctor's advice is a joke.”
Having fully grasped the doctor's vibe, I could only stare quietly at the floor.
“S-sorry.”
The doctor waved it off lightly. “No need to apologize to me. You're the one who won't be able to play anymore. Haha. Right?”
“Y-yeah.”
Cold sweat dripped down my back. “Sorry.”
“Alright, Kim Hu-seong. It'd be great if you kept playing baseball. So listen to us medical folks, okay? Your knee held up this time, but who knows about next time.”
The doctor alternated between the chart, my knee scans, and then pulled out a knee model. “See here? It's holding on this side right now, but if you keep running wild like that, it goes snap! like this. What happens then?”
“It breaks?”
“Exactly. One big surge of force, and it snaps right off. That means... at minimum six months out. Could be a full year for recovery.”
“That's a relief.”
“If you're lucky!”
Oof...
“That's how it is. Botch the surgery or rehab, and your pro baseball career is over.”
I didn't have much to say to that. “Understood.”
...Scary as hell...
“So, am I good to go now?”
The doctor nodded. “Yeah. It held up this time. But that throbbing you mentioned? If there's pain like that, you've pushed too hard. Your knee's screaming right now. Be grateful it didn't build up silently and blow without warning.”
“I... see.”
“Yep. So thank your knee.”
“Knee, thanks.”
...I said it straight out, and the doctor, who'd been deadpan and dry, looked at me like I was pathetic.
“I didn't mean say it for real... just think it...”
Agh... embarrassing.
“Sorry.”
“No need to apologize... Anyway, no overdoing it from now on. Especially no long runs for a while. Actually, running at all—be careful.”
“Even just running?”
“Yes. Gotta watch that too. For a regular person, light daily activity is fine... but you're a pro baseball player, so we have to be stricter. You need recovery time.”
“Got it.”
“Alright, we're done. You're free to go.”
By the time I got back from the hospital, the game was over. They'd nearly blown the lead in the late innings, but the early runs they'd piled up after rattling the opponents held firm for the win.
The dugout was buzzing with excitement, players laughing and praising each other.
“Hu-seong, you okay? Nothing major, right?”
Captain Son Tae-ho spotted me first and clapped my shoulder.
I nodded with the most nonchalant face I could muster. “Yeah, I'm fine.”
“Good, glad you're alright. Tough game today.”
Son Tae-ho scanned my expression once more, nodded, and said, “Hu-seong, let's go.”
The fitness coach called me over, and we headed to the manager. As we approached the dugout area, Kim Young-ho was waiting, arms crossed. His eyes flicked to my shoulder first, then down to my knee, then back up.
The manager said curtly, “So, what's the verdict?”
The fitness coach stepped forward and relayed what the doctor had said. His tone was matter-of-fact, but every word hardened the manager's face. Phrases like 'no immediate major issue,' 'pain response present,' 'could worsen with strain' kept coming.
Kim Young-ho listened to the end, then let out a deep sigh. He turned to the chief coach beside him. “What'd you think of the kid today?”
The chief coach hesitated, eyes darting to me then back. “Uh... who do you mean...? Ah! Yang Jun-seok, the backup who came in today?”
“Yeah.”
The manager nodded shortly. “Not bad, I think. We're building from the bottom up, and while his defense isn't great, he can definitely hit from the lower lineup.”
With that, Kim Young-ho closed his eyes briefly, deep in thought. Then he turned back to me.
“Fine. If we're deceiving, we do it right. Good work today. Hu-seong, for knee stabilization, we'll use you as a pinch hitter for a week. Tell the press it's shoulder injury management—pinch hitting for a week. That'll work.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
On the way home, a familiar face caught my eye. It was Kim Se-rin, the cheerleader.
“Hu-seong, you okay? You got subbed out mid-game.”
She looked worried as she approached.
“I'm fine.”
“Really? Good, that's a relief. Seeing you wander off alone, I figured you must be okay. Glad you're alright.”
Hmm... Should I play up the pitiful angle with some truth?
“Actually... uh... I'll tell you on the way.”
Her eyes flashed with surprise at my words— not my usual style.
“Spill it quick. You sure you're okay?”
As we got in the car to head out, she asked right away from the passenger seat.
“Eh... half okay, half not.”
I put on a wry expression.
“Got it. I like that look on you, but first, give me the details.”
“Well... first off, I overdid it today. Stole a base with my bad knee. You saw?”
Kim Se-rin nodded. “Yeah, of course. Great play, wasn't it? But that was the problem? I thought it was your shoulder.”
I nodded. “Right. Looked like shoulder, but it was the knee. Fooled 'em good.”
“Ooh—wait, not the time to cheer. So what happened?”
“The doc asked if I was job hunting or something.”
She tilted her head, then her eyes widened in realization. “Meaning if you keep it up, no more baseball?”
“Yeah. He put it nicely. Anyway, I got lucky this time, but next could be big trouble. I'm worried. If I can't steal bases whenever I want from now on... it's frustrating.”
Kim Se-rin gazed out the window for a moment. “So you're bummed?”
“Yeah. Honestly, you've helped me a ton, sis, and showing this weak side makes me feel bad.”
“I'm fine. I do it 'cause I want to.”
...
“What was that look? Too sappy?”
She whipped her head away.
...Huh? Did I make a weird face?
“Ahem, anyway, the manager's putting me as pinch hitter for a week. Knee's actually bad, so it fits.”
“Ah... gotcha.”
“But we're covering it well. Outside, it'll look like shoulder injury.”
“Nice. That works.”
Then, “You're forcing the cheer, aren't you?”
“...”
“Hmm, how about a date before dinner? Mood booster.”
“A date?”
“Yeah. Date. Cheer up first. Park near your place—light date.”
Park...
“The usual park?”
“Where else?”
“Sounds good.”
Soon, we arrived at the park. Summer was closing in, so it was warmer than before, but the night air made it bearably cool.
“So, what's the plan? Anything nearby you wanna eat?”
“More than food...”
I looked at Kim Se-rin. “A hug might give me a real boost?”
“...?”
Her lips curved up slightly. “Heh heh. Look at you, getting frisky.”
“Ahem.”
She glanced around. The park was quiet. No one nearby.
Kim Se-rin stepped closer and opened her arms just a little. “Too bad no one's around to give you an excuse to back out.”