Can I Be of Even a Little Help? - Strikeout! Jo Seon-jae Fans the Final Batter as Gocheok Turkeys Crush Changwon Larus 10-3
"Nice!"
I returned to the dugout with the other fielders. We exchanged high-fives with the players who had come out to greet us, and as we headed inside, a swell of pride rose in my chest—we'd won today's game convincingly.
Nice, we played it perfectly today.
"Kim Hu-seong!"
Just then, Son Tae-ho hyung approached me, his face flushed with excitement.
"Yes, hyung."
He looked in a great mood. Probably because he'd crushed two home runs.
"You did really well today."
His expression hardened slightly.
"There might be some controversy with those guys over what happened, but don't worry about it. We didn't do much wrong, and their mistakes were way bigger anyway, so ignore any talk of apologies. If it comes to that, I'll make it clear it's their pitcher who should be apologizing. So don't let today's stuff weigh on you—things like this happen all the time in baseball."
"Got it."
Having the higher-ups handle it like that put my mind at ease. I nodded and let it go.
Then the performance analyst approached me.
"Ahem. Player Kim Hu-seong?"
"Yes. What's up?"
He cleared his throat awkwardly and got to the point.
"I have a question. I get when you first read the pitch type and signaled it... but the second one has me stumped. When exactly did Mun Bo-young grip that fastball? Can you check the footage?"
Uh... that... It was ambiguous.
I'd reported the first one accurately, but the second was more emotional—I'd just acted on impulse. So I had to be honest.
"Honestly, I didn't catch it in detail. I was pissed because he threw at my body and didn't even apologize properly, so I just taunted him on a whim. Lucky it worked out."
Hwang Do-yoon hyung snorted from behind me the moment I said it.
"Crazy bastard, kekeke."
He was barely holding back laughter.
"And that's what set them off? Man... their heads must be spinning."
The analyst chuckled helplessly.
"Yeah. They don't know what hit 'em."
I gave an awkward smile. Then Gu Min-seok hyung came over.
"Anyway, since you know some of it, how about we make proper signs now? The way you're doing it is too obvious. It's provocative, and not everyone outside likes that."
I agreed. Better to use it quietly than cause drama like today.
"What should we do then?"
Gu Min-seok hyung summed it up simply.
"Brush your thigh once with both hands for a fastball. Twice for breaking ball. That's plenty. We can tweak it later based on the situation. When you're on base, it'll be hard for them to see, but we can read it fine."
It sounded clean and subtle. I nodded.
"Got it."
On the way home, Son Tae-ho hyung offered to buy food, but I politely declined. I'd gone to the stadium early for training, so my body was beat, and the post-game controversy had worn me out mentally too.
All I wanted was to zone out and rest.
I'd ordered chicken on the way home. By the time I got back, settled in, and was ready to relax, it arrived. I plopped down in front of the TV and tore into it.
The channel was recapping today's game. I watched quietly while eating.
Highlights played, then the controversy came up.
"Honestly, it doesn't look like much fault on the Gocheok Turkeys' side. Though from the other team's perspective, it might feel off."
Most commentary was like that.
No malice, but it brought the moment back.
"Hopefully it all gets resolved in a positive way..."
I turned off the TV.
I checked the internet just in case, but it wasn't great. Fans who didn't know the full story were hurling insults at each other, and my name got dragged in with all sorts of wild speculation.
"Ha... seriously..."
Unfortunately, an unpopular team like ours gets slammed hard online for the slightest slip. Changwon Larus didn't have massive fans either, but more than us, so their side's narrative felt like "truth" right now.
Cool-headed baseball fans corrected the errors and downplayed it, but those comments got buried fast.
This would just mess with my head more, so for a change of pace, I threw on a jacket and headed out quietly.
This place is the best...
I went to the park to walk off the chicken. It wasn't cool—summer night—but the late hour made it perfect for clearing my mind. I strolled aimlessly, digesting, then stopped in a quiet spot with a good view of the empty park.
I stood there blankly, staring off, when someone approached from afar.
The lighting was dim, so I wasn't sure at first, but as she got closer, the silhouette sharpened.
It was Kim Se-rin, the cheerleader. Hair tied back tight, in light training clothes—like she was out for a jog or walk.
Problem was, she'd spotted me too.
Her reaction was odd. She narrowed her eyes like she might just pass by. Probably didn't expect me here.
She walked past.
But after two steps, she stopped. Backed up slowly, turning around.
Her face mixed surprise and concern.
She waved in front of me.
"Hmm~ You... something wrong?"
Not her usual playful vibe.
"Huh?"
"Did something bad happen today? Your face looks wrecked."
I let out a short sigh.
"Just... tired today. I'm fine."
I didn't have the energy to explain, and didn't want to drag her down.
I turned away, staring blankly at the dark trees mingled with streetlight glow.
Then Kim Se-rin spoke slowly from beside me.
"Ah~ I see. Kinda hard to vent to me, right? Baseball players get baseball player stuff best. What would a cheerleader like me know~?"
...That sounds super hurt?
"Fine~ I won't bug you. I'm going~"
Her words were light, but her voice had a bitter edge.
I coughed awkwardly and waved my hands frantically.
"No, it's not that... I'm just wiped out today. For real. Early training, tons during the game... lots to wrap up after. I'm just spacing out. Wanted to stand still a bit. Total physical and mental exhaustion today. Big problem. Got games tomorrow and the day after..."
"Hmm... yeah, makes sense."
Kim Se-rin nodded slightly, her disappointment fading into worry.
It felt good to be comforted, but I hated showing weakness.
Damn, I've got goals... and whining like this in front of her...
I checked my phone for the time. Almost midnight.
The numbers on the screen made my brows lift.
Sleep... gotta head out early tomorrow.
"Ah... it's late. Gotta head home."
As I turned, she widened her eyes in surprise.
"Already?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. Got a schedule. Need to crash early and move tomorrow."
"You recovered enough? You still seem off."
She scanned me up and down, then murmured.
"I walked it off. I'm good. See ya."
I headed home, acting fine.
'Walked it off...? Doesn't seem like it.'
The second she heard that, Kim Se-rin looked up sharply, tone shifting.
"Stop."
I halted, confused, and glanced back.
"...Yeah?"
She stepped forward two or three paces.
"Stay right there."
I froze in bewilderment.
"Don't turn. Face forward. Stay."
Her voice was dead serious—no playfulness. I couldn't move.
Uh... what now?
Silence hung.
Suddenly, warmth hit from behind.
Her arms wrapped around my waist—Kim Se-rin hugging me from behind.
I froze solid.
Thump thump thump thump thump!
Heart pounding as it sank in.
She whispered softly.
"...Sorry."
Her breath brushed my ear—nothing like her usual teasing.
"Feels like I ruined your rest today."
She tightened her hold a bit.
"Will this... help even a little?"