Seong-muk's Stock Skyrockets

The long-awaited day of return home.

The team gathered at Heathrow Airport in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠England.

Bidding farewell to the Korean expatriates, we entered the lounge. I sat on the lounge sofa, making calls to various people.

"Yeah, Suyong. You're joining us in Incheon tomorrow?"

[Yes, hyungnim! It's been so long...!!]

Ji Suyong, who had finished his training on the deep-sea fishing vessel to build his physique and was set to rejoin the team. The captain was giving him a ride from Incheon Port to the airport, so he'd link up there.

[Oh, congrats on the championship! I watched every game from the boat!!]

"Thanks, man. See you tomorrow."

[Yes...!!]

Ji Suyong hung up with a booming voice.

After short calls with Chan-jun hyungnim, Hassan, and others who hadn't returned yet, I dialed Coach Myeong Sinu.

[Hello?]

"Is this the number of the legendary coach Myeong Sinu, who achieved the historic feat of leading the inaugural Munhyeok High to the Sejong Tournament in their first year?"

[Yeah, that's me. Aren't you Geum Seong-muk, the player who threw a perfect game in the World Championship final and guided Munhyeok High to the Sejong Tournament?]

"………."

[………. ]

"Puhaha...!!"

[Kuhahaha!]

We both burst out laughing at the same time.

The laughter went on for quite a while.

It took some time before we could start talking properly.

"Coach, the kids are doing okay, right?"

[Of course! Thanks to some devilish guy who set up a hellish training program, they're all desperate not to die, heh heh.]

"Oh ho, that's great news."

[Well, did you get what you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wanted out of it, Seong-muk? You look way sharper just from a glance.]

"I'm totally satisfied."

[Good, glad to hear it.]

The coach sounded pleased.

He cleared his throat and added one last thing.

[Anyway, hurry back. Things have been rolling somehow, but the team won't run right without its captain holding the center.]

"Yes, sir. I'll be there soon, just hang tight."

[Got it, I'll wait!]

That ended my call with Coach Myeong.

I didn't skip calls with "the girls" either.

"Doyeon noona, thanks for the analysis data. Without you, the perfect game would've been impossible."

[Really...? I'm glad you say that.]

"The data was even denser than usual. Any reason?"

[Ah, well... I felt a bit sorry, so I worked extra hard.]

"Sorry about what?"

[I wanted to come earlier, but it felt too late.]

"Come on, you came all the way out here. And you saw the most important game, right?"

[Yeah...! If I'd missed even that, I'd regret it forever.]

From her reaction, she seemed completely sincere.

She'd helped me a ton before, and even with the national team this time, her data led to that record. I should do something for her.

"Anyway, noona, let's do a date next week or so. Dinner's on me."

[………!?!]

Crash! Bang!

Something toppling over came through the receiver.

I didn't expect such a explosive reaction.

"You busy, noona?"

[A little? But I'll make time somehow...!]

And just like that, the date was set.

After that, a quick call with Olivia.

"Ah, you're coming next week?"

[Yes, they must've noticed I won't be back for a while after this Korea trip. They're cramming in as much as they can.]

"Hmm, English class is gonna feel lonely."

[I'll study hard and come back soon, so I can cook even tastier stuff for you at the Sejong Tournament.]

"Sounds good. Hang in there, see you in Korea."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Next up was the much-anticipated Noah.

We'd talked for hours last night.

She said she'd cried so much her eyes were puffy.

[Ugh, you didn't think I was a total idiot crying last night, right?]

"Hmm, not a lot. Just a tiny bit?"

[Kyyaaang...!!]

Noah let out a shrill scream at my joke.

Her reaction was so cute, it was fun to tease her.

Once she calmed down a bit, she picked up where we'd left off.

[I thought about it all after getting home last night, about what you said—it's okay to be greedy.]

"Oho, reached a conclusion?"

[Yeah, my behavior won't change much. I still don't want to monopolize you, and coexisting with the other sisters comes first.]

"If that's your wish, can't argue, but any reason?"

Even after I said it was okay to be greedy, Noah stuck to her stance. Turns out there was a reason.

[You said you'd take responsibility for everyone and never leave me feeling lonely.]

"Yeah, I did."

[That's enough for me. As long as you keep cherishing me from now on.]

"...Alright, if that's your wish."

[Right, by the way, I had a question for you.]

"What?"

[Do you plan to add more girls beyond now, oppa?]

"Cough...!!"

I nearly spat out my drink.

Propping my chin on my hand, I asked,

"...Noah, do I really seem like the type who'd go touching this girl and that girl to you?"

[Ah! No, I'm not thinking of you that way at all. I trust you—any weird girls chasing your popularity later, you'll brush them off yourself.]

"Good, but why ask?"

[Because of your ex-girlfriend.]

"...!"

Back when Olivia, Noah, and I went out to the bustling streets, they'd seen the account where possessed Geum Seong-muk had posted couple photos with Seo Ye-bin.

I wondered if that's why, but there was a reason I didn't know.

[Olivia unnie said she saw her watching you two from a dark spot during your late-night Tower Bridge date.]

"...She saw that?"

[Yeah, seems like she still has lingering feelings... Does she fit into that promise of taking responsibility for everyone?]

"Hmm......"

Truth be told, I'd pretty much concluded things about Seo Ye-bin.

The me back then is different from now.

'The problem is that odd discomfort I felt...'

When viewing past Geum Seong-muk through the system, there was this weird unease. It was clearly someone else's actions, but it felt strangely familiar.

Eh, probably not important.

Anyway, if I meet Seo Ye-bin later and talk more, things might change, but for now, hard to say.

"...Can't give a firm answer, but right now, no plans beyond you girls."

[Hehe, got it! If anyone else catches your eye, tell me anytime. I'll help out!]

That wrapped up the call with Noah.

After finishing calls with those around me, it was time to board the plane.

'Finally heading back to Korea.'

I'd gained so much, and set my path forward.

Grinning, I bid farewell to England.

Articles exploding online.

A ton of sports pieces covered Korea's win over the US in the international tournament finals.

Of course, the brightest star was Seong-muk.

The buzz among baseball fans: an insane pitcher had emerged. GoyaGal was lively as ever today.

GoyaGal was on fire discussing the national team.

Then, a topic ripe for Gald Cup emerged among users.

The glory of being the very first high school pick in the draft: #1 Overall. The claim was Seong-muk could go for it.

But there was a massive mountain.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Gwangya High, boasting the nation's strongest lineup.

Their ace, overwhelming #1 lefty Seo Hui-geon, hailed as a once-in-a-decade talent.

Career ERA under 1.00 as a starter over three high school years. Ceiling and potential both historic—consensus was untouchable.

Geum Seong-muk vs. Seo Hui-geon.

The topic sparked debates among fans.

Outsiders threw shade like that, but GoyaGal users were mostly Seong-muk fans. They pushed back hard.

Not just polarized, though.

Plenty of neutrals too.

Predictable end: "Judge after Sejong!" tied up the Gald Cup.

GoyaGal users held a sliver of hope.

Ideally, the two pitchers at the controversy's heart would face off on the field.

The Sejong Tournament opening drew near.

This summer, wild upsets awaited baseball fans.

Incheon Airport gate.

Tons of baseball fans waiting with placards.

Automatic doors opened, Korea national team players emerged. Cheers erupted everywhere.

Fans shoving paper and pens over the fence for autographs. Seong-muk and the players signed for about 15 minutes before breaking free.

"Hmm, supposed to meet here."

Out of the airport, scanning for the driver picking up Dong-hyuk. Spotted a middle-aged guy with a sign.

"Ah, over there...!"

Worried about getting mobbed, Ri Dong-hyuk and I hurried to the driver. We loaded luggage into the van trunk and slid open the door.

Immediately, a loud voice rang out.

"Aaaah, Seong-muk hyungnim...!! Dong-hyuk...!!!"

An all-too-familiar voice.

Excited to hop in the van, Ri Dong-hyuk and I both froze solid.

"“......Who are you?”"

"Why's everyone like this!! Are you teasing me...!"

"What, is my eyesight messed up?"

"Voice matches perfectly, but how...?"

We panicked.

The guy in front vented his hurt that we couldn't recognize him.

"I'm Ji Suyong. Ji Suyong...!!"

"What...!"

No way.

The Ji Suyong we knew had pale skin and a slender build.

But this guy was totally different.

Deeply tanned skin, and decent arm muscles to boot.

Unable to believe it, I pulled up his status window.

"...It's really Ji Suyong?"

"Told you! Aigoo!"

Thumping his chest in grievance, Ji Suyong.

As a player, he'd built a much more solid frame—but as a side effect, got baked pitch-black.

Oof, should I be happy about this...?