The Sejong Tournament Finally Begins!
"…Hi?"
Seo Ye-bin greeted Olivia with a bright smile. Seeing the flustered look on Olivia's face filled her with a satisfying sense of triumph.
'Had fun in England, did you?'
She hadn't forgotten that moment in front of London's Tower Bridge, when Olivia spotted Ye-bin and kissed Seong-muk even more passionately, as if showing off.
"……."
Olivia shot Seong-muk a look that said, 'What the hell is going on?'
'Tch, this is getting headache-inducing.'
Sensing the awkward turn in the atmosphere, Seong-muk cleared his throat and gave a quick explanation.
"Her name's Seo Ye-bin. She was studying abroad in England and just transferred to our school. Say hi."
"England's tough for outsiders to adjust to. Welcome."
Olivia's greeting carried a subtle edge.
Of course, Seo Ye-bin was no pushover either.
"Oh, I came back because there was nothing left to learn there. Nice to meet you!"
Olivia's temple twitched faintly at that. She realized Ye-bin was no easy opponent.
"Could we talk privately for a sec?"
"Sure, why not."
Ye-bin accepted the offer without hesitation.
As the two were about to leave the classroom, Olivia paused as if she'd forgotten something.
"Oh, Seong-muk."
"?"
"Your 'usual' lunchbox. I packed mostly your favorites."
"Ah, thanks. I'll enjoy it."
Seong-muk took it happily.
Ye-bin's brow furrowed slightly.
''Usual'? Does she cook for him every day…?'
Ye-bin had been caught off guard by Olivia's ploy.
Though she couldn't see Olivia's face clearly from behind as she walked ahead, the smile was unmistakable.
Munhyeok High's rooftop.
Three stunning beauties— the kind that would make any guy on the street turn his head— gathered, creating a frosty atmosphere.
Ye-bin spoke first.
"I thought it'd just be us two?"
Noah had suddenly joined in.
She'd been summoned by Olivia and tagged along. It was a calculated move: turning it into a 2-on-1 would give them the upper hand in the standoff.
"Eh, two or three, doesn't matter to me. So, what do you want to talk about?"
Ye-bin asked, brushing her hair behind her ear. True to form, her tone was icy toward anyone but Seong-muk— she saw no need to get friendly.
Noah cut straight to it.
"Sis, you're Seong-muk oppa's ex-girlfriend, right?"
"……!"
Ye-bin flinched in surprise.
The two girls watching her reaction wondered what exactly had shocked her.
"Just a guess?"
"No, I'm certain."
"How?"
"Promise you'll answer our next question honestly, and I'll tell you."
"Hmm."
Ye-bin pondered for a moment.
"Fine, I promise."
Her curiosity was too strong to resist, so she nodded quietly.
"Great. Truth is, we were making him an SNS account and saw your photos. On his deactivated profile."
Ye-bin was shocked again.
She hadn't realized it was still there— or that the current Seong-muk had seen it.
'So that's why he had that weird look earlier…'
His memories were gone, so a former girlfriend popping up wouldn't stir anything. Despite the ache in her chest, Ye-bin continued.
"First off, yeah, I was his girlfriend. But only halfway, really."
"Halfway?"
Olivia perked up her ears.
What came next shocked them both.
"Seong-muk doesn't remember dating me. His memories got completely wiped."
"“……!!”"
Olivia and Noah gasped in unison.
Noah especially looked incredulous.
"All his memories gone? When?"
"A neurosurgeon said early this year, but it's not exact."
Olivia's expression turned grave.
It was before they met, but she'd never suspected amnesia.
"Wait, then what about that press conference? He talked about his parents and a phase of wandering."
At the conference, he'd even explained his fetal nickname, yelling "Woohyo!"
Ye-bin shook her head.
"That has nothing to do with his memories. Anyone could check his family registry and see he was abandoned."
"The nickname bit was probably just a clever dodge for reporters and netizens."
"Ah…."
The two girls recalled the odd inconsistencies they'd felt. Seong-muk avoided mentioning his past excessively. Amnesia fit the puzzle perfectly.
'Even if the amnesia is real…'
'The biggest threat hasn't changed.'
Even if he'd forgotten her, Ye-bin knew his tastes and preferences inside out. Nothing guaranteed she wouldn't worm her way back in quickly.
They had no choice but to stay vigilant.
Noah had considered recruiting Ye-bin into "that plan" depending on her attitude, but the cold tone suggested otherwise.
In the end, the two decided to keep her in check as a pair.
But Ye-bin surprised them first.
"Just to clear up any misunderstanding, I have no feelings left for Seong-muk."
"Huh?"
"What do you…?"
"We dated in the past, sure. But as lovers? We just didn't click in a lot of ways. I'm here as a friend, just to help out."
She emphasized "friend."
Then she handed business cards to the two girls.
"Let me reintroduce myself: Seo Ye-bin, granddaughter of Yujin Holdings Chairman Seo Tae-sik."
"……!"
Olivia and Noah were stunned.
Even as foreigners in Korea, they'd heard of the massive conglomerate.
"Why tell us this?"
"I wanted you to know I can help Seong-muk— in various ways."
Ye-bin revealed how she'd already shaped his image through Yujin Press multiple times, blocking old bad rumors.
With the Sejong Tournament starting and the draft looming, it was invaluable support.
Olivia hesitated.
"You're really telling us you have no ulterior motives toward Seong-muk?"
"Of course."
Olivia couldn't fully trust Ye-bin's words after that flustered escape in London, but she acknowledged the help.
Reluctantly, she extended her hand first.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too."
They shook hands.
Noah, watching from the side, smiled slyly.
"Hehe…."
She saw through Ye-bin's intentions.
But she also glimpsed potential.
'…With the right push, she could fit right into that plan!'
It was too soon, but opportunities would come.
Noah always welcomed capable women around Seong-muk.
The Sejong Tournament's opening was right around the corner.
Munhyeok High's baseball team wrapped up daily training at the association's field.
It wasn't just practice— they'd crushed two more scrimmage opponents in the meantime.
'One barely missed Sejong qualification, the other made it. Big wins.'
Munhyeok High had grown strong enough to devour most powerhouse schools. Seong-muk felt they could contend for the title.
Ding!
Stamina stat upgraded: A+ → S
Sweeper stat upgraded: A → A+
Plate Vision stat upgraded: A → A+
Speed stat upgraded: A → A+
Seong-muk pulled up his status window. From the World Series finals to recent grueling training, his personal growth had surged.
Four stat jumps!
The perfect game in the finals gave massive stat EXP, capped off by intense sessions.
One man watched their progress with satisfaction.
"Youngsters grow by the day, as expected."
Do Hak-hoon adjusted his sunglasses with a finger.
Already famous in baseball circles, he disguised himself to avoid unsettling the team if they learned he was Do Do-jin's father.
'Hard to believe most weren't even on the team early this year.'
Aside from Do Do-jin, Ji Su-yong, and Lee Tae-kyung, none were official members.
They'd all skyrocketed to national caliber.
'A crane among chickens, indeed…'
Geum Seong-muk, naturally.
Do Hak-hoon liked him personally for mending things with his daughter, but professionally, his potential was monstrous— already blooming this year.
Whoosh!
Thwack!
A sweeper diving sharply.
The difference before and after borrowing the Nebula Tracker was night and day. A changeup reliable on national stages made a world of difference. Do Hak-hoon felt proud.
'Glad it helped.'
This was likely his last aid to Seong-muk this year.
As a pro, he could do more, but high school fairness limited him.
Glad it worked out— then a thought struck him.
'Wait, one more thing…?'
Another area his influence reached: deciding the opening game teams at the Sejong opening ceremony.
What was the Sejong opening?
64 schools marching in with flags— a spectacle. Thousands of future stars gathered, thrilling fans.
After top singers perform, one game: the "opening match" between qualifiers.
'Just one game, all eyes on it.'
Not random— exclude top teams for fairness, most out-of-towners too.
Capital region vs. capital, balanced matchups. As chairman, he could nudge it.
'Of course, whether it's a boon or bane… who knows.'
Some crumbled under spotlight pressure; others thrived.
Which was Munhyeok? Do Hak-hoon needed to check.
Seong-muk's answer was simple.
"The opening game, obviously."
"Oh? Why?"
No hesitation from Seong-muk. Do Hak-hoon was curious.
Seong-muk pointed at his training teammates.
"These guys worked their asses off to this point. They're dying to unleash it all."
"…Hm."
"The opening game feels like the perfect stage."
His eyes shone with sincerity, no doubt in his gaze toward his teammates.
"I see."
Do Hak-hoon chuckled.
He turned to leave.
"Finish training strong. I'm rooting for you."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, Chairman."
Do Hak-hoon walked out, smiling broadly.
'I'll make it happen— the grandest stage you crave.'
Roar!
Jongmyo Stadium, Seoul's landmark and most storied ballpark.
Today, packed crowds and a tense aura hung in the air.
The Sejong Tournament opening ceremony was here.
Beep!
"Let the Sejong Tournament opening ceremony begin!!"
The announcer's booming call drowned in cheers.
64 schools entering, ordered by last year's results.
"First up: last year's champions, Gwangya High!!"
"Woooaaah!!"
Thunderous roars.
Gwangya High.
Last year's winners, top contenders again.
Most stars from that championship now sophomores-turned-juniors, overwhelmingly stronger.
Baekro High, Bujeon High, and more elites followed. Munhyeok waited longest in the tunnel.
"64th out of 64? That's brutal…."
"Can't be helped. Last year, no one was below us— we had no record."
Munhyeok: newborn team, no prior results.
Last in parade, naturally.
But some welcomed it.
"Last is cool!! Heroes enter late— we're the latest!!"
"All in the mindset. I agree with Su-jui."
Others started thinking, 'Maybe it's fine?'
"Munhyeok High, prepare to enter!!"
"Alright, get ready!!"
Entry time arrived.
Coach Myeong Sin-u fixed his hair; Seong-muk raised their new flag high.
"64th school entering: Seoul Seed Group A, Munhyeok High, Munhyeok High."
Announcer echoed stadium-wide.
They followed Seong-muk in.
"Woooaaahhh!!!"
"………!!"
Deafening cheers.
The field packed with rival players.
Stars everywhere— unmissable for high school baseball insiders.
This wasn't just a stadium.
Gateway to a forge, 64 elite schools distilled from nationwide talents.
Flutter!
Flags whipping in the wind.
National aspirations billowing before them.
The air felt denser.
Seong-muk, flag high, felt no pressure.
'Peanuts compared to World Series Game 7.'
Recalling his championship major season, he scoffed inwardly, scanning around.
'Bujeon guys look ready to laser me.'
Friend Hwang Tae-gang gave a subtle nod, but glares dominated.
'Let's see: Choi Seok-ho, Je Yun-chan, Kim Eol, Han Ju-won… National teammates all good.'
Cheonghyeon High's Choi Seok-ho: Round 2 matchup, barring upsets. They'd signaled "I'll crush you next" in scrimmage; time to deliver.
"Hm…?"
Intense gaze hit him.
There he was.
'Seo Hui-geon!'
Top ace nationwide.
Undefeated lefty number one, Seo Hui-geon.
Most compared to Seong-muk lately. Even his team: top Gwangya High.
He'd never lost in high school. Fans doubted it'd break this year.
'No record's unbreakable.'
Seong-muk smirked confidently at him.
"……."
Seo Hui-geon indifferently turned away.
Then the announcer:
"All 64 schools entered! Korean players, please sing the national anthem."
The anthem played.
Voices boomed through Jongmyo.
High school baseball committee head gave the opening oath; Gwangya captain, last year's champs, spoke for players.
"As a Sejong Tournament participant, I pledge to compete fairly and honorably!"
Ceremony over.
Players filed out orderly.
Wonder where they go post-ceremony? Not home for next games.
Roar!
To the stands.
All 62 non-playing schools watched the opening game together.
Colorful uniforms filled seats.
Future foes watching intently— pressure beyond 1,600 eyes.
But Munhyeok was different.
"You guys scared?"
"Scared? Nah."
"Who shrinks snapping kids' wrists?"
Fired up, every one.
Seong-muk, seeing reliable backs, led.
"Let's go…!!"
"Yeah!!"
Sejong opening game.
In the nation's spotlight, Munhyeok took their first step.