Summer Looms: Weight Warnings and Chosen Bonds
Summer was on its way. After Hwang Do-yoon had been called up to the first team, I'd grown accustomed to the slightly quieter life in the second-team dorms. When he was around, I mostly hung out with the group of seniors, but now I had time to chat idly with my fellow rookies.
Monday rolled around. After an early morning personal conditioning session, I was stretching with Mun Ji-hoon, the seventh-round infielder pick, and Seo Ji-hoon, the eighth-round outfielder pick, before the main morning practice began. Seo Ji-hoon spoke up first.
"Hey, Hu-seong, you're really something else. You handle outfield, you handle infield—how does that even work?"
"I've told you, I spent all three years of high school just on defense. That's how it's possible. But look, my hitting's still trash."
Mun Ji-hoon shot me a side-eye at that.
"Trash...? Dude, aren't you hitting .400 in the second team right now?"
"That's all from my speed and smarts. Stuff like that won't fly in the first team."
Seo Ji-hoon chuckled. "Oh? Getting cocky now? Kim Hu-seong's turning snarky. 'I've seen the first team,' huh?"
Mun Ji-hoon chimed in. "Facts. But bragging about a first-team cameo? What a jerk."
I laughed in disbelief and shook my head. "Guys, it was just luck. For real. If my legs were even a bit slower, my range would've shrunk, and I wouldn't hold up like I do now. I'd be useless in a heartbeat."
"Still, speed's a weapon."
"True. But in the first team, it feels like they prefer guys who can go for mid-to-long-range power."
"Makes sense—they've got that one-swing pop."
"Yeah. What I noticed is... the first team loves stats that look good on paper. That's why the first-team hitting coach doesn't think much of me."
"Ah..."
"Still..."
That was when it happened.
"Kim Hu-seong! Get over here!"
I turned to see Gu Min-seok standing there with his arms crossed.
"Yes, sir! Got it! Sorry, guys, gotta go."
"Yeah."
"Go for it."
I stood and hurried over. Gu Min-seok eyed my face for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.
"Hey. Want some advice you might not like but need?"
Advice that's bad but necessary? Can't hurt to hear it.
"Sure, lay it on me."
He nodded briefly, then met my eyes. "Who do you think you should be buddying up with right now?"
I hesitated. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Gu Min-seok lowered his voice. "Among the rookies, not many will stick around next year. Eleven new guys come in, eleven go out. Who gets cut? Mostly rookies. Realistically, the ones who'll survive are you, Lee Tae-sin, and maybe Bae Ji-ho if the pitchers hold up. The rest could get released any day and no one would bat an eye."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could tell from his eyes he wasn't joking.
"You've got a shot at moving up. So from now on, pick your people wisely. Figure out who's gonna stick by your side for real."
Gu Min-seok pointed toward the foreign player. "Especially spend more time with Edison now. Infielder chemistry matters. Think first team. That's why Do-yoon kept dragging you around. Get it?"
I thought for a second, then nodded. "Ah... yeah, got it."
"Good. One more thing."
He scanned me head to toe and frowned. "Your weight right now—is that right?"
Weight? This is peak condition for me.
"Yeah... feels like the best it's been."
But he shook his head firmly. "No. Listen, it's June now. Summer's coming. You think you're fast and light, but come summer, you'll drop more weight, and your stamina and power will tank with it. Then your biggest asset—your speed—becomes worthless. Plus, you run a lot in situations, using your head too, so stamina crashes are coming."
He wasn't wrong. Players bulk up for a reason.
"Check your weight. If it's too low, tell the manager right away. Skip Monday training if needed. Your workload's heavier than most—you can afford the rest. Keep going like this, and you'll collapse before season's end."
"Got it, sunbae. Thanks."
"Don't just say it—check now and report back."
He patted my back. I headed to the room with the scale inside the dorm. The trainer was jotting notes nearby. I kicked off my shoes and stepped on. A beep sounded.
"186 cm, 73 kg?"
The trainer noted it and tilted his head. "Hu-seong, you've dropped a ton lately."
"Yeah, guess I'm sweating buckets."
"It's not just sweat. You've been steadily losing."
I took the number straight to the manager's office. Oh Tae-sik was reviewing papers. I opened the door.
"Manager, got something to report."
"What?"
"Uh... my weight's dropped a lot. Down to 73 kg now."
He looked up slowly, brow furrowing. "What? You're 186, right?"
"Yes."
"And that low? Does that make sense?"
Oh Tae-sik shot up and slammed his palm on the desk. "Rest up. Min-seok nailed it. Go eat ten servings of meat. Double up every meal from now on. Got it?"
"Manager, but I'm still fine—"
"Fine my ass! You're fast now, sure. But that's just now. Summer hits, and you're done. Stuff your face. Anything. Get near 80 kg first, then talk. Clear?"
"Yes, sir."
He sighed heavily. "Haa... Hu-seong, our team's cheap as hell, but you're a pro—act like it. Your body's your asset. Manage it."
I bowed my head. "Yes, manager. Understood."
"Good. No Monday training for a while. Rest."
"Got it."
A bit later, freshly showered and in clean training gear, I paused at the dorm mirror to fix my hair. Then I prepped to head out for lunch. Better than the team's skimpy meals—I needed something hearty.
"Haa..."
Rest was nice for once, but my mind wasn't at ease.
—Who should you befriend going forward?
Gu Min-seok's words echoed.
Still... hanging with my rookie buddies wasn't bad. Group chats were fun, sharing random stuff. Even in the first team, I'd gotten second-team updates that way.
But thinking of Lee Tae-sin... he had a point. For first-team regulars, networking with vets mattered more than rookies. Tae-sin did that.
So maybe I should too...
Huh...?
I froze mid-step. Near the dorm entrance stood a familiar silhouette. One that didn't fit amid all the ballplayers milling about.
"...Seo Ha-yoon?"
She spotted me and gave a little wave. "Hey, there you are."
I squinted. What the hell is she doing here?
"Why are you here again? I told you not to show up unannounced."
"Huh? I texted."
"What?"
I fumbled for my phone. Oh... crap, she did. Yesterday at 10 p.m.: Heading over tomorrow.
And this morning, early:
Exhausted, I'd crashed early and skipped checking my phone in the morning rush to train.
"Ah... missed it."
She looked down, pouting sadly. "You... hate me?"
Huh?
"I hoped not, but... I texted last night and this morning... You totally ignored me..."
She's really upset...
"No way, I didn't ignore you."
I waved my hands frantically. "I'm a ballplayer. Sleep, train, shower, repeat—no time for phone. For real."
Seo Ha-yoon stared me down. "I'm a pro. Dead serious about training. No lies on this. Rookies like me barely get phone time amid all the extra work. Wasn't ignoring—just missed it."
She nodded slowly, convinced. "...Okay? Good... I thought you hated me after that..."
"No chance. If I'd seen it, I'd have said sure, let's meet. Not a big deal."
Her expression softened. "Then... got time now? Grab a quick bite? Nothing fancy...?"
"Hmm... yeah, why not. Manager just ordered rest, so I'm free all day."
"Really?"
Her face lit up.