Clever Runs and a Bold Text
Choi Young-il, the Falcons' starting pitcher, scowled deeply on the mound. The runner on first was blatantly widening his lead, shaking his body around.
Damn, Kim Hu-seong, right? I know the guy's fast on his feet... but now he's adjusting his lead too? Picked the wrong matchup.
For a pitcher, this kind of runner was the worst. One moment of carelessness, and he'd steal second. A poorly timed pickoff could even throw off his rhythm. So he was calculating the flow between the runner, the batter, and the catcher.
That's when it happened. The catcher snapped his glove shut—a clear signal. Throw to hold the runner.
Choi Young-il pivoted on his right foot without hesitation and fired a hard throw toward first.
That's it!
But I was already ready. The moment his pickoff motion started, my body reacted. I planted my left foot and dove back to the bag.
"Safe!"
It was a close call since I'd gone in feet-first. Choi Young-il's face twisted even more.
Whoa, that was close. I muttered to myself, catching my breath. Sliding back to the bag is still tough. Can't do it too often.
I wasn't great at sliding back to base yet. That's why it had been so razor-thin—if I'd been a split second slower, it would've been a tag-out. But I couldn't stop now. I widened my lead a bit more.
I could feel the opposing starter glaring at me, but I ignored it. The batter was what mattered right now.
At the plate stood our leadoff hitter, Kim Han-seong. The pitcher nodded at the catcher's sign and threw.
Crack!
A clean hit echoed out. The ball sliced sharply toward left-center.
Yes!
I took off at full speed. I rounded first, leaning hard into the turn. The third-base coach swung his arms wildly.
"Go! Go! Go!"
I didn't let up, sprinting straight for third. I heard something behind me but tuned it out. Before the center fielder could glove it and throw, I slid into third.
I felt the tag glove brush my back, but it was too late.
"Safe!"
A small cheer erupted from the stands with the umpire's call. My lungs burned, but the thrill made it all worth it.
Yeah, this is baseball.
Choi Young-il ground his teeth on the mound.
Yes!
Seo Ha-yoon thought to herself. Ever since their first real conversation two days ago, Kim Hu-seong had been on her mind. She'd wondered if he'd actually step up, and here he was delivering in today's game.
First a hit to get on base, then racing to third in a flash—it was impressive.
"Kim Han-seong! Kim Han-seong!"
"Kim Hoo-seong! Kim Hoo-seong!"
The hitter was Kim Han-seong for now. The other cheerleaders and team leader chanted his name, but Seo Ha-yoon mumbled it softer on purpose, cheering for Kim Hu-seong.
A rookie like him getting this spotlight felt oddly satisfying. Maybe because they were both the babies of their groups—she felt like his success reflected on her too.
As the cheers died down, she glanced toward third. There stood Kim Hu-seong, dirt smudged on his face peeking from under his helmet, steadying his breath while eyeing the pitcher. He looked reliable somehow.
Then Kim Hu-seong turned his head slightly. Their eyes met for a second.
Seo Ha-yoon hesitated, wondering if she should look away first, but instead gave a small nod.
Good... job.
She mouthed the words.
...What? Good job? Wait, can a cheerleader do that openly? Whatever, I'm not complaining... Or is it nothing?
I glanced at the cheer section for a moment before refocusing on the game.
Our number-two hitter, Hong Yu-chan, struck out. Damn... made it to third, and now this. Then number three, Lee Sang-hyeon, stepped up.
Thwack!
"He got the first pitch!"
The hit rocketed into the air—a deep fly to the outfield.
"Tag up!"
The coach's shout rang out. I crouched low, timing it.
Pop!
"Run!"
I burst toward home at full throttle and tapped the plate with time to spare.
"Safe!"
"Tag-up success! The Gocheok Turkeys take the early lead!"
The game was over. I sat on the locker room bench, thoroughly satisfied. It hadn't been long since the final out, but my heart was still pounding.
Today's stats: 2-for-4. Both hits were bunts. Seeing my prepared plays work perfectly filled me with pride.
The rush of sprinting and disrupting their defense lingered in my fingertips. Yeah, this is how it's done. No forcing it—just shake them up with what I do best. That's what I needed right now.
And this wasn't the end. Tomorrow, mix in some power swings instead of pure bunting? I could picture the infielders creeping in, tense, then panicking on a hard hit. The thought brought a grin to my face.
Then the locker room door opened, and Son Tae-ho hyung walked in.
"Hey, Kim Hu-seong."
"Yes, hyung."
I straightened up instinctively at his voice. Son Tae-ho hyung had wet hair and a towel over his shoulder. He stopped in front of me.
"Smart play today. If you hadn't gotten on like that, we wouldn't have won. One-run game, right?"
"Yes, I know."
"Good. You were basically our leadoff today. Keep it up."
He clapped my shoulder and walked off. His words sent chills down my spine.
Alright, let's crush it tomorrow too. I cracked open a water bottle and took a couple gulps.
After the game, the Turkeys cheerleaders were finally having a short team dinner. They'd planned one before the season but missed it due to late contracts. Mid-season, they'd wanted to squeeze one in, but the losing streak kept getting in the way.
Today, though, they'd snapped the skid.
"It's been forever since we all got together like this."
Team leader Jeong Su-a addressed the group. It wasn't easy gathering everyone, but the win made it happen.
"Alright~ A word from the team captain."
Jeong Su-a passed it to the captain, who raised her glass.
"Everyone! Things have been rough with the team's vibe, but let's turn it around now, got it?"
"Yes!"
Bright replies rang out as glasses clinked. The mood lightened fast, laughter filling the air.
As time passed, they naturally split into small groups. Threes and fours chatting separately, then heading off to second or third rounds on their own.
Ha-yoon was in a small room with her two seniors, Park Na-yul and Lee Seo-yeon. Warm lighting glowed, beer glasses sparkling by the window.
Park Na-yul sighed.
"Our team's so intense, right? It's all practice, no fun."
"Yeah, I wanna rest too..."
Lee Seo-yeon chimed in. Park Na-yul raised her glass with a smirk.
"Not just that. We should date players, go on dates. Other teams' cheerleaders hook up and even marry them. Don't you get jealous?"
Lee Seo-yeon nodded.
"Totally. I'd love to meet a cool baseball guy... but it's impossible here. The team's too strict—no chance to even talk to players."
Oh? It's that bad? I just... talked to him...
"Right, yeah."
Seo Ha-yoon nodded along quietly with a smile. But Park Na-yul narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Hey, Seo Ha-yoon. What about you? No one you're into?"
Ha-yoon froze. Kim Hu-seong's face from the game flashed in her mind.
"There... is someone..."
"Oh? Really?"
"Then you'd call him if we did?"
Ha-yoon blurted it out without thinking.
"Someone... who'd come if I called him now... yeah."
The two seniors erupted in cheers the second she finished.
"What! No way! The maknae already...?"
"Call him! We'll call ours too. I've got someone."
Park Na-yul teased.
"I've got someone too~. Like Lee Tae-sin... sigh..."
Park Na-yul snorted.
"Perfect then. We all call. Just to see their faces before we go. Not a date or anything."
Seo Ha-yoon panicked.
"W-wait, really? Now?"
"Now! It's a good time anyway. They're nearby. You said he's around."
Park Na-yul waved her phone, laughing.
"Don't overthink. If he doesn't come, we laugh it off."
Ha-yoon stared at her phone. Kim Hu-seong's name glowed on the screen. Her fingers trembled.
Just say hi or something... that'd be fine, right? Or would it freak him out?
Her mind raced. But her seniors' eyes bored into her.
"Not yet?"
"Send it! Send!"
Finally, Ha-yoon took a deep breath and typed carefully.
"S-sent..."
"Whoa~ For real?"
"Seniors, she's lost it."
The mood froze solid.
Uh...?
Seo Ha-yoon's face went rigid at their words.