See You at the Stadium
Thump, thump, thump, thump. No, why was she here...? My heart pounded like mad.
Honestly, I hadn't expected to run into Kim Se-rin, the cheerleader. I'd just finished my first first-team game, and with the team's situation leaving me feeling down and restless, I'd come out for some fresh air. But bumping into her on the path like this? For a split second, I wondered if this was even real life.
"Can't you hear me? Why do you look so down?"
Kim Se-rin spoke first.
"Oh... uh... I just came out to clear my head."
"Reeeally? Now I'm curious what happened to put that look on your face."
My bad mood stemmed from the team's internal issues. No way could I tell her that.
"Uh... I can't really say."
"Okay? Hmm... Well, wanna walk with me then? I'm off work and could use a little escort."
Her words sparked fireworks in my chest.
"Y-yes! I'd be happy to."
Soon, her carry-on came into view. Probably stuffed with her cheerleading outfits.
"Let me take that for you."
She waved me off when I offered.
"No way. I have to pull this myself. It's fine."
"Got it."
Her firm tone left me no choice but to drop it.
"Anyway, I was really surprised. Didn't think you'd make the first team right away."
I hadn't expected it either.
"Even first-round pitchers flop sometimes. But an eleventh-round guy breaking through? Impressive. I was genuinely amazed. You must've worked your ass off, right?"
My shoulders twitched involuntarily. The praise was nice, but anxiety over my unproven skills weighed on me.
So I was honest. "It was luck. Pure luck all the way. Lucky to make the first team, lucky to get the chance to play. All thanks to good fortune."
She tilted her head and stared right into my eyes.
"Hu-seong~"
"Yes?"
Then she poked me with her finger.
"You looking down on me right now?"
"Me? No way."
"I've been a cheerleader for years—I know talent when I see it. You came in as a sub, got a hit, stole a base. That's skill, not luck."
She meant well, but it embarrassed me.
"Nah, that was luck too. The ball dropped just right for the hit, and the steal timing was a fluke."
Suddenly, she pouted playfully. "What~? Playing the humble card? I don't like guys who lack confidence, you know?"
I froze. Kim Se-rin wasn't some stranger, but her words made me think I shouldn't act this way anymore. Maybe bragging would've been better? No... I really did get lucky. She was just telling me to have confidence, but I didn't get it yet.
As I floundered, she burst out laughing.
"Hahaha. Broke again. You're so cute... I mean, no!"
"Huh?"
She suddenly studied me closely.
"Oh~ Last time your hair was super short, so I didn't notice... but now it's a bit longer, changes the vibe. Thought you were just cute, but you're more manly than I realized."
"Really...?"
"Yeah. Pretty hand—oh? We're here."
Before I knew it, we'd reached her place—a flashy apartment on a main road, less than five minutes from mine.
"This is me."
The fact that she lived so close thrilled me in a weird way.
"We're closer than I thought, huh?"
She pulled her bag to the entrance, turned back one last time, and said,
Gulp. I nodded.
"So... see you at the stadium. I'll cheer for you. And escort me like this sometimes."
"Yes! Sure. Whenever I get the chance."
She gave a little wave, then headed inside. I stood there like a statue, mesmerized by her retreating figure. Completely entranced.
* * *
The next morning, I arrived at the first-team training field. After seeing Kim Se-rin yesterday, my heart had raced all night—I barely slept and nearly overslept. Luckily, Gocheok wasn't far, so I made it on time.
As I entered, players murmured and coaches prepped with short exchanges.
Phew... made it. Close call.
"Kim Hu-seong!"
The first-team manager called my name urgently.
"Yes, Manager."
"Go see the skipper right now. He's looking for you."
"Me?"
My heart sank. What's going on? Am I getting sent down?
I'd done okay yesterday, but a rookie getting summoned to the manager's office wasn't routine. Thoughts raced as I headed there.
Knock knock.
"Rookie Kim Hu-seong reporting, Manager."
"Come in."
I steadied my breath, entered, and saw Kim Young-ho with the chief coach, grumbling over something. They glanced at me briefly before resuming.
"You're here."
"Yes! You called for me."
They exchanged a few words, then continued.
"Haa... Situation's rough. Last season we toyed with Gwangju Pigeons, but yesterday was a grind."
Kim Young-ho, the Turkeys' first-team manager, scowled. The chief coach agreed.
"Exactly. Their roster's mostly intact, and we're struggling—that means our team's weaker."
Kim Young-ho sighed and nodded. "Starting first baseman injured, two outfielders down. We filled one backup spot, but the other's the backup's backup... No way the team's strong like this."
Hearing "backup's backup" pointed at me stirred some inferiority complex.
Suddenly, the manager turned to me. "Ah! But you, Kim Hu-seong—you're that backup's backup... Don't take what I said personally. I'm just saying the situation sucks, not knocking your skills. You filled your role yesterday fine. Got it?"
Realizing his slip, he backpedaled. I nodded with an awkward smile.
He sighed again. "Also... Kim Seok-hyeon's iffy. Not bad enough for full IL, but we need to monitor. You'll probably start for a bit. Think you can handle it?"
Me? Starting?
My mind went blank, starter echoing loud.
The "backup's backup" jab didn't matter anymore. Starting trumped that. My answer was set.
"Yes, I'll do it."
"Good. But don't overdo it. Not expecting hits anyway. Your job's defense, defense. Center field—batting can suck, but no errors. Second-team manager and defense coach vouched for you, so I'm trusting that. Clear?"
"Yes. No mistakes. I'll live up to their and your faith."
A heavy responsibility settled in. No room for errors. Yesterday was a rookie's surprise; today was different. Starting changed everything.
Time passed, and the day's lineup dropped. I was ninth batter, center field.
From the dugout, I eyed the scoreboard. My name lit up in the Turkeys' nine slot. Seeing it swelled my chest.
Not a defensive sub—a true starter. A massive opportunity.
In the locker room, gearing up, I clenched and unclenched my fists. Excitement and nerves quickened my breath.
"Hoo... hoo... I can do this."
Pacing the field to calm down, my eyes drifted to the visitor stands. Gwangju Pigeons cheerleaders prepped.
In one second, I spotted Kim Se-rin. Bright smile, chatting with teammates— she stole my gaze completely.
Yesterday's walk home flashed back.
"See you at the stadium. I'll cheer for you."
"I don't like guys who lack confidence, you know?"
Her words pierced my heart. Phew... Thinking of her melted the tension, igniting drive.