The First Inning Devil
As Kim Hu-seong was wrapping up at the stadium and heading to his car, his phone rang. Seo Ha-yoon's name lit up the screen.
"Hello?"
- I'm nearby, just got off... Come pick me up.
Nearby? What did that mean?
"What? The stadium isn't that far."
Seo Ha-yoon let out a quick huff of breath.
- Of course. Fans were swarming at quitting time, so I pretended to head somewhere else. That way they can watch comfortably.
"You didn't do that before."
- Back then... I was a rookie cheerleader. No one really knew me.
"So you're super popular now?"
- Yeah. Obviously. Now I've got fans asking for photos every day. Even have to redo my makeup just to leave work.
"Got it... Okay."
He hopped in the car and drove to the spot she'd mentioned. There she was at the mouth of a side alley a bit away, hat pulled low over her face. He pulled up, and she slipped in quick.
"Whew... Safe... It's hot..."
"AC's blasting. So, where to?"
Seo Ha-yoon tapped the navigation screen right away, marking a spot.
"Here!"
He checked the address.
"A cafe?"
She nodded.
"But what's this place? Somewhere special?"
She hesitated at his question, glanced out the window, then said quietly,
"Um... It's actually a pretty private cafe. Not many people know about it from outside. Baseball players come here when they want to meet quietly."
What?
"Ahem... Hold up. You're taking me somewhere like that? Feels a bit like that kind of spot."
As he flustered, she waved her hands frantically.
"No! Don't misunderstand! It's not like that! Just for talking! Though... some couples do hook up there, I guess..."
She shot him a side-eye and muttered,
"You always worry about people around. Figured something like that might happen again. So I found a quiet place you'd be okay with. Took effort to track it down."
She spoke like she was sharing a guarded secret. For a moment, he felt her thoughtfulness hit him. He cleared his throat awkwardly and nodded.
"...Got it. Yeah, talking somewhere quiet sounds good."
Her lips curved up just a bit as she looked out the window.
This the place...
The cafe's interior had a surprisingly cozy vibe. The lighting was just right—not too bright, not too dim—easy on the eyes. He'd had no idea a spot like this existed as he glanced around, stepping in.
He tensed up, half-expecting to run into someone, but surprisingly, the place was empty. Her talk of it being private wasn't just hype.
Awkward at first, but the soft cafe music soon made it feel natural.
"How do you order here?"
"Uh... Looks like tablet on the table?"
"Huh, fancy."
He tapped the tablet by the table, placed the order. Soon a staffer came with a tray, setting down drinks and desserts. Hmm... This changes the vibe. Felt like a real ordinary cafe. The kind girls would love... Not really his taste.
The warm bread scent, cake's soft texture, subtle coffee aroma filling the space melted away any lingering awkwardness.
"So... why'd you wanna meet?"
He asked carefully. She paused with her fork, smiled thinly.
"Just wanted to see you."
He shot back,
"Then why'd you say you like when I ask to meet?"
Seo Ha-yoon glanced away, pondering, then met his eyes.
"Kinda... wanted to brag?"
"Brag?"
"Yeah."
"About what?"
Gauging his reaction, she shrugged slowly with a small laugh.
"I got a new nickname lately! Heard of the First Inning Devil?"
She giggled at his words.
"Yeah, cheer squad's been talking. They say it's great for cheering you on now."
Hmm. Nice situation.
"Oh! And the cheer captain said? For the first inning, even if the second batter's up, if you're on first, better to chant the steal cheer."
That stirred something hot in him. Like someone actually saw what he'd done. Today... good call meeting up. More good stuff to hear.
"Ah... yeah?"
He tried hiding his pleasure, voice pitching up anyway.
"Ooh~ You love it?"
She watched him, let out a soft breath.
"Good."
"What?"
"Didn't like you having a bad nickname."
She looked straight at him. The music cut out. Room so quiet, her words rang clearer.
Uh... weird feeling?
He fiddled with his coffee cup, eyes dropping. No clue what face to make with her gaze locked on.
"Like it now. Can cheer easy. Games aren't losses much anymore. Hope it stays like this."
After chatting more with Seo Ha-yoon, he dropped her home. Then drove another 30 minutes back to his place. Stepping out toward the door, a familiar voice hit.
"Huh? Later than usual?"
He turned. Kim Se-rin the cheerleader, arms crossed.
"Win today, so little party?"
He shook his head quick.
"No. 1-2 vs. Incheon Cranes, mood was total low pressure. Party? Nah... You waiting? How'd you know I'd be here..."
"Just passing by, saw you."
"Ah... yeah, no way to know when."
"Hmm~ But Hu-seong's pretty regular, so predictable."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Don't wait much usually..."
She trailed off, scanned him top to bottom, eyes locking. Stared long, then stepped close sudden.
Eh? Too abrupt—he backed up a bit.
"Hold on."
But Kim Se-rin closed in more. Nose near his. Then pulled back.
Huh? Normally she'd grin teasing, but now frowning.
"Something smells different from usual?"
Eh? How'd she... That cafe scent lingering?
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
Kim Se-rin narrowed her eyes, pinning him.
"Gonna head out. Late."
Next day. Monday morning, stepping into the first-team training ground, a familiar face caught his eye first.
"Kim Hu-seong. Been a while."
"Whoa! Called up?"
Gu Min-seok sunbae, left fielder.
"Yeah. Finally up. Body's decent now—gotta earn my keep. Heard you're grinding the fielders hard?"
"Kinda. Problem's... elsewhere."
"Manager pulled the knife, right? Didn't hear pitcher news?"
"Pitchers?"
"Yeah. 2-team kids caused a stir yesterday. Big call-ups this time."
"What?"
He blinked wide, glancing at pitchers. There: rookie同期 Bae Ji-ho (2nd round pick), Nam Do-yoon (5th round). Both grinding in 2-team—odd yet glad seeing them in first-team.
"Oh... those two too?"
Gu Min-seok rolled his shoulder, explaining.
"Situation's obvious. Manager's neck on the line. Swept Busan Siguls, bought time... But pitchers gotta get fixed, or no answer. Now they're burning through 'em hard? Fail in first, back to second; shine there, up again. Daily hell."
He gave a wry smile.
"Calling up two rookies at once though?"
Gu Min-seok shrugged.
"Roster's tapped out. No other choices. Try 'em all. Succeed or not... we'll see."
"All fail?"
"Curious?"
He nodded.
"Manager gets axed. Takes the blame. 'Why'd you run pitchers like that?'"
"Gasp."
But realistic.
"Or... players out. Trade. Pitchers all duds? Ship position players for pitchers."
Realistic too...
"Fielders... Me included?"
"Wanna go?"
Yeah. Can't even drink under beverage rule forever... But no answer.
"Wanna escape, sure. But you can't."
"Why?"
"Rookies not trade bait. Didn't know?"
Oh right. Heard that.
"Plus, trading a starter like you? Nah. Safe's shipping backups for similars."
"Exceptions?"
"Yeah. Rare big trades happen."