Want to Sleep Over at My House?
"Whoa...!!"
"This is the association training facility that Doyeon noona set up for us!"
The Munhyeok High baseball team members gaped in awe at the training ground arranged through Doyeon asking her father for a favor.
Compared to the wilderness they'd trained in during this group session, this place was practically paradise on earth.
"Whoa, and there's even a trainer here!"
"Talk about manna from heaven!"
The team members openly rejoiced.
In particular, as the saying goes, those who've tasted the good stuff know it best—Seong-muk and Ri Donghyeok, who'd been to the national team, reacted even more sharply.
"I see a lot of the equipment from the national team training."
"Yeah, no wonder it's the top-tier facility."
"Oh, I've used quite a few of these myself."
Ryu Ji, who'd been on Japan's national team with its solid setup, also recognized the high-end gear.
"Ugh, damn national team cartel!"
Choi Adam's stomach started to ache faintly.
While some were chased by wild boars and climbing waterfalls, others had trained with this kind of top-notch equipment. He quickly turned his gaze to another junior who'd been on the national team.
"Hassan, you too, right...?!"
"No! Adam hyung, we didn't have anything like that!!"
Hassan denied it vehemently.
He went into detail about the training methods he'd endured.
From nearly drowning after getting trapped in a broken pipe, to training with machines that were 20 or 30 years old.
His teammates fell silent in sympathy at Hassan's grueling tale.
'What the hell is Pakistan like...?'
The Munhyeok High members couldn't help but wonder, eyeing Hassan who'd returned like a Winter Soldier.
Anyway, they dove into training with the state-of-the-art machines. Seong-muk lit up and stepped up to one.
"Insane, this is insane."
Right before the finals, this machine had helped him refine his circle changeup to S rank, leading to a perfect game against the Americans and etching his name in history.
If it didn't cost billions, he'd have rushed to the team president to buy one on the spot—it was that good.
"Guess I'll polish my pitches for the week?"
If he could elevate either his sweeper or curve to the next level, it'd be well worth it. Seong-muk dove into training with a satisfied grin.
That evening.
After training and showering, Seong-muk headed to the bustling streets to wait for someone.
Soon, a stunning beauty drew all the men's gazes as she approached, waving happily.
"Ah, Seong-muk!"
Seong-muk chuckled at Doyeon's radiant smile.
He'd come out to keep his promise of treating her to dinner.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Yeah!"
The two headed to a restaurant.
The menu Doyeon requested from Seong-muk was none other than premium beef.
'My hands are shaking, but think of all she's done for me...!'
Seong-muk pretended to be unfazed.
He casually ordered the meat. As the beautifully marbled cuts arrived, he grabbed the tongs and started grilling.
"Ah, I can grill it..."
"Just sit tight today—I'll handle it."
Seong-muk grilled with expert finesse.
Having played baseball from elementary through pro in Confucian Korea for over a decade, grilling meat to perfection was child's play.
"Seong-muk, say ahh."
Doyeon wrapped some in lettuce and fed it to him.
He devoured it eagerly.
"Heh, good eater."
"Mmm, whoever grilled this is a genius. You eat too, noona."
"Okay, my turn!"
Doyeon smiled brightly and started eating.
Her blissful expression suddenly paled.
"Seong-muk, that table over there..."
"...?"
Seong-muk glanced where Doyeon pointed.
Two balding middle-aged men were stealing glances their way.
'Checking out Doyeon noona, huh.'
Doyeon wasn't trying to, but her white short-sleeved tee hugged her figure perfectly.
They whispered and let out "oohs"—Seong-muk was convinced they were ogling her.
"I'll say something."
He stood up.
Doyeon quickly grabbed his hand.
"Noona?"
"It's fine."
"Still..."
"I'm really okay. I don't want you catching flak over something trivial, especially with big things coming up."
"........."
A word of warning probably wouldn't cause trouble, but who knew? Drunk guys might smash a soju bottle over his head.
Seong-muk nodded and sat back down.
"Sigh, let's eat fast and go."
"Yeah, good call!"
Doyeon patted his head approvingly, then yanked her hand back in surprise.
"Ah, sorry. Habit from Dojin..."
"Ahem, it's fine."
Seong-muk cleared his throat and looked away.
Soon, they finished eating.
Seong-muk naturally pulled out his wallet and headed to the counter. But Doyeon darted ahead and whipped out her card.
"I'll pay with this..."
"Tsk, no way."
"...!"
Seong-muk gently pushed her wrist aside and slid his debit card over. But she wouldn't back down.
"No, I should pay for this...!"
She'd brought him here planning to treat him to pricey beef. She couldn't let him foot the bill.
But Seong-muk was firm.
He looked her straight in the eye, serious.
"Gotta keep my promise, noona."
"Eek..."
It was his treat from the start.
With him so resolute, Doyeon couldn't push it.
"Fine, but next time it's on me."
"Sure, sure, you get the next one."
Seong-muk grinned and handed his card to the cashier.
But the cashier looked troubled.
"Sir, someone else already paid."
"Pardon?"
Stunned, Seong-muk and Doyeon turned where the cashier pointed—to the balding men who'd just left.
*Wink!*
One winked with a toothpick in his mouth.
Baseball fans who'd recognized Seong-muk and paid up front.
The two trudged out of the restaurant, a bit awkward.
"...My bad, jumped to conclusions."
"Yeah, me too..."
Seong-muk had given them signed balls as thanks. He'd wanted to do more, but they said it was enough and left first.
'Baldies, thanks a ton!'
Seong-muk had always received from Doyeon and was determined to treat this time, but the bill had his legs shaking.
These guys swooping in to pay was perfect—saved face and wallet.
"Ugh, embarrassing. They weren't even looking at me..."
Doyeon flushed, feeling like the hatchet-wielding wife from the folktale. Seong-muk replied calmly.
"They knew me, sure, but they probably checked you out plenty too. You're gorgeous, noona."
"...!"
Doyeon's face burned hotter.
Praise from the guy she liked hit hard. She fanned herself, staring off.
"M-must be the booze. Feeling dizzy."
Her flush showed no sign of fading.
Seong-muk piled on.
"Hold my hand tight so you don't fall."
"Ah...!!"
He grabbed her hand firmly.
His thick, rough hand steadied her supposed dizziness.
It'd been fake before, but now the world really spun.
'Calm down, calm down!'
Doyeon clung to her wits.
Gripping his hand, she changed the subject.
"...Opening Day's soon, Sejong Series."
"Yeah, less than a week left."
"How's it feel?"
"Nervous as hell."
Seong-muk reached for the sky.
Palm toward the moon, he clenched his fist.
"But more excited. Imagining the games gets my blood pumping."
Doyeon smiled.
Even this mature-beyond-his-years guy was still a baseball boy at heart.
"I'll help till the end, till you reach that Sejong Series win dream."
"Thanks. Feels like I only get help from you, noona."
"Nah, I've gotten way more from you. Dojin, Dad..."
She held back, not wanting to burden him, but truly felt she could never repay him fully.
Hand in hand under the full moon.
Seong-muk tossed out a sudden question.
"Oh yeah, never asked this."
"What?"
"Your dream."
"My dream?"
"Yeah, never heard what you want."
"......"
Doyeon pondered.
She wanted her own analytics team, but that felt more goal than dream.
"...Dream, huh? Haven't thought about it in ages. Probably 'cause I had to fend for myself without parents for so long."
"Mm."
Doyeon had juggled jobs and studies as a minor just to survive—no room for daydreams.
"What about before?"
"Huh?"
"Back when you lived with your parents, what'd you dream of?"
"........."
Doyeon flinched, turning away.
"...Not telling."
"Why?"
"Too embarrassing."
"That makes me more curious."
"No, really embar—"
"......"
Seong-muk stared intently.
She threw up her hands.
"Sigh, fine. I'll tell you."
Her childhood, shameful dream.
Doyeon gathered her thoughts and spoke.
"...Incheon Mallins, where Dad played, was strong back then. They even won a championship when I visited the stadium a lot."
Incheon-based Mallins.
Weak now, but in Do Hakhoon's super sub days, it was in its golden era.
"Maybe from those intense memories? I thought, when I grow up, I'll marry a baseball player!"
"Doesn't sound embarrassing."
"Up to there, no. The problem's after."
"...?"
Doyeon's face heated at the memory. She shook her head and continued.
"Ever heard of father-son duos on the same team?"
"Yeah, happens."
Real life had Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. hitting back-to-back homers.
Seong-muk vaguely recalled it existing here too, but tilted his head—why bring it up?
"That was my dream."
"What...??"
"Husband and son on the same team, winning it all, and me hugging them sobbing at the victory parade."
"........."
"Announced it in elementary school, class laughed their asses off. Pretty dumb, right?"
Doyeon smiled sheepishly, enlightened.
But Seong-muk looked dead serious.
"Hm, Dad'd need to stick on the team 20 years, so have a kid young—cutoff around 22..."
"S-Seong-muk?"
"Son needs fast track to first-team lineup—outfield? Nah, pitcher better."
He had a reason.
Seong-muk spun the fantasy earnestly.
'Father, shall we do 'that' together?'
'Oho! Let's!'
'Woo-hyoo...!!'
Post-win father-son double woo-hoo performance.
He genuinely loved her dream.
"What? It's a great dream."
"...!?"
Doyeon startled.
First time anyone reacted like this to her silly dream.
"I think it's plenty cool."
"Seong-muk..."
"You'd be a great mom anyway. So, totally achievable."
"........."
They'd reached Doyeon's house.
Seong-muk noticed and turned to her.
"Whoa, here already. Time for you to hea—"
He couldn't finish.
Doyeon's surprise kiss sealed his lips.
"...!!"
Seong-muk startled but soon embraced her, kissing back.
A long kiss.
Their lips parted softly.
"Haa, haa..."
Doyeon panted from her first kiss.
She felt it.
Her lower belly throbbing.
'Body's so hot...'
An impulse she couldn't easily quell.
Doyeon gazed seductively, arms around his neck.
"I'm home alone tonight."
"...!!"
"Dad's on a work trip for the association, Dojin's sleeping over at a friend's."
Her house was pitch black.
Not planned, but Dojin had cleared out just in case, and Do Hakhoon was away for work.
"...Kinda scary alone in this big house. Stay a bit?"
Seong-muk swallowed hard.
He knew stepping in meant not leaving till morning.
Young and vigorous, his rational attraction to her overflowed—no backing down.
As he nodded—
*Click!*
"...!!"
Doyeon's house lit up bright.
Her pupils shook wildly.
"Someone's inside?"
"Uh, y-yeah?"
Doyeon panicked.
Forcing a smile, she slipped away.
"Family's here, so no fear tonight! Thanks for walking me, get home safe!"
She waved and dashed inside.
Left alone, Seong-muk looked skyward.
"...Sigh, soaked sheets come morning."
A foretold wet dream future.
He sighed deeply.
Doyeon entered through the front door.
Do Hakhoon greeted his daughter with a bright smile.
"Oh, Doyeon. You're back?"
"...Dad, aren't you on a trip today?"
"You remembered? I am going, but forgot something, came back to grab it. Leaving in about 30 minutes..."
"Ah, got it. Safe travels!"
*Slam!!*
Doyeon shut her bedroom door hard.
He jumped at the sudden bang.
"Wh-what? Something bad happen?"
Do Hakhoon wiped sweat, flustered.
Daughters' hearts were always mysteries to dads.