Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Golden Sun, Whose Specialty is Pushing Hard
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At Do Do-yeon's declaration that she'd talk to Geum Seong-muk, Do Do-jin earnestly pleaded with her.
"Sis, promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"It might be tough, but try to see Seong-muk hyung as he is right now."
"Hmm..."
"I know why you're hesitating. But the Seong-muk hyung I saw was completely different from the rumors. You know how rumors aren't always true, right?"
"...You're right."
Just looking back at Do Do-yeon's own past proved it.
'Ugh, that slut. All she's good at is chasing after guys.'
Whenever a guy approached her first, trying to get her attention, it somehow turned into her being the one seducing them.
'Look at her. No wonder she's so tacky—always wearing those slutty clothes.'
Even in a plain T-shirt or jeans, her naturally busty figure made people claim she only wore revealing outfits.
And it wasn't just from her childhood.
It was the same at Seoul National University, where she was currently enrolled—a place she thought would be full of intellectuals and different.
'Reality is, I've never even held a guy's hand...'
With her sky-high standards, she'd never dated or even flirted with anyone. Still, Do Do-yeon let out a deep sigh at the relentless false accusations she'd endured. Nodding in agreement with her brother's words, she replied,
"Okay, got it. I'll judge him without preconceptions, as he really is."
That was her firm resolution—
until,
"Nice to meet you. Do-jin has told me a lot about you."
'Oh...'
Humans are data-collecting creatures, after all.
There's that famous saying: "Phrenology is science."
A muscular towering build that overwhelmed anyone nearby, hair dyed blindingly blond, and eyes dripping with thug-like intensity.
Up close, it hit even harder. All the phrenology data she'd accumulated over her life screamed at her: if this guy wasn't a delinquent, then every delinquent in Korea must be dead.
'...Do-jin, I'll try.'
She had a feeling it wouldn't be easy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ There was still some time before the Blue-White Game started. The two spotted a shady bench and sat facing each other.
"…………."
"…………."
A brief silence hung between them.
Seong-muk broke it first.
"You're older than me, so feel free to speak casually."
"Is that okay?"
"Of course."
With a firm nod from Seong-muk, Do-yeon cut to the chase.
"First off, I want to thank you. For saving Do-jin."
"Ah, it was nothing. Anyone would have done it."
"No, it was a big deal. I nearly lost my brother without knowing anything. If that had happened, I might have lost all will to live."
"……!"
Seong-muk's face registered mild shock.
He realized why he couldn't find Do-jin in the game and why Do-yeon had spiraled into despair.
"I can't thank you enough for that— a hundred times over wouldn't be enough. But..."
"But?"
"If there's any ulterior motive behind helping that kid and getting him on the team, I'd appreciate it if you dropped it right now."
"…………."
"Do-jin grew up really tough. I can't bear to see him suffer anymore."
Do-yeon stared at Geum Seong-muk with resolute eyes.
Seong-muk paused thoughtfully, chugged his ion drink, tossed the empty bottle into the trash with a thunk!, and spoke.
"Perfect. That's exactly how I feel."
"What...?"
"I don't want to see anyone unable to play baseball properly because of off-field issues anymore. Especially if they're working hard."
Thud!
Seong-muk crumpled the bottle into the bin and slowly approached Do-yeon.
"An impressive batting kinetic chain sequence, perfectly transmitting power from the feet through the lower body, core, upper body, arms, to the bat."
"…!"
"Outstanding lower body use via natural hip hinge, wrist action optimized for backspin production on balls... and that's just the start."
"How do you even...!"
"The tweaks I made to Do-jin's form? That's like adding a single strawberry to a finished cake. The real marvel is you, Do-yeon, flawlessly integrating all these modern theories, and Do-jin trusting and following through."
Do-yeon was too stunned to close her mouth.
Dissecting someone's swing bit by bit and grasping the intent behind it wasn't something you could do with basic hitting knowledge.
Especially not as an active high schooler.
"I'm sure you've heard the bad rumors about me."
"...Yeah."
"Better shake off the suspicions. Mind if I ask what you heard?"
Do-yeon hesitated briefly.
A thought was creeping into her mind:
'Maybe he's like me—just plagued by false rumors, but actually a good person?'
She'd sensed it from what Do-jin relayed, but Seong-muk's baseball knowledge was the real deal. Not the shallow stuff from partying all night.
She hesitated to speak, but his earnest gaze urging honesty made her recount every vicious community rumor she'd seen about him.
"……………."
Seong-muk listened silently.
He thought:
'No shit, it all sounds like stuff that actually happened...?'
With his memories of Geum Seong-muk's past wiped upon possession, he couldn't confirm, but it fit the guy's profile perfectly.
It even lined up with what he'd uncovered tracing Seo Hyeok-jun's Pitching Yin Blocked Meridian.
Cold sweat beaded on Seong-muk's brow.
What to do now?
'Time for politician-speak.'
Mixing 1% truth with 99% BS was more effective than 100% lies.
"Quite a bit of exaggeration there."
"Really?"
In truth, the rumors probably understated the reality, but Seong-muk started vague and broad.
Her brightening face clouded over soon enough.
"That said, some parts are true. Embarrassing past, really."
"………!!"
Do-yeon recoiled in fresh shock as he admitted some of it outright. But Seong-muk had no intention of leaving her disappointed.
"But Do-yeon, know this one thing."
"What's that...?"
"I've abandoned that old me."
"…!?"
"The old me is gone. Baseball is all I have now."
Slap!
"………………!!!"
Seong-muk stepped closer and grabbed both her hands, his eyes more serious than ever.
"Entrust Do-jin to me. I'll lead him to a team where he can play baseball smiling."
"Ah, w-wait... You're too close...'
"For that, I need your help too."
"My help? What kind...?"
"Yes. Modern baseball is more than half data—heck, it's practically all of it. Munhyeok High is a startup team, still in diapers for a lot of things. We desperately need an expert like you."
"Me? You need me?"
"Yes. It has to be you."
"...Ahh."
Steam rose from Do-yeon's flushed face.
Seong-muk's eyes, still gripping her hands tightly, burned with a grand ambition unlike any she'd seen.
"...Okay. I'll help as much as I can."
In the end, relentlessly persistent Seong-muk won her promise of assistance.
His face lit up like he'd conquered armies.
Not only could he now get Do-jin on the team, but he'd secured Do-yeon's data analysis help for future opponents too.
Waving his hands gratefully,
Seong-muk noticed Do-yeon's composure fraying.
"Uh, give me a sec to rest... You go ahead?"
"Ah, time flies. I'll head back to the field first."
The Blue-White Game was about to start.
Seong-muk waved goodbye and dashed back into the stadium.
".........Haa!"
Do-yeon exhaled the breath she'd been holding.
It was the first time she'd held a sturdy man's hands—overwhelmingly stimulating.
'Why does it keep coming back? And that sweat smell...'
Even more stimulating was Seong-muk's sweat scent.
He'd come straight from pitching without showering, and it was a raw, masculine musk she'd never smelled from the bookish nerds around her.
"...Dizzy."
Reeling from stimuli she'd never encountered, Do-yeon stayed away from the stadium far longer than planned.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What the...?"
As I returned to the stands, the stadium buzzed unusually.
Something was off.
"Hassan and Seok Un-gang?"
The two stood on the mound with grave expressions, deep in conversation. The vibe was tense—like they were arguing.
'No way...?'
Hassan was the pure-hearted Pakistani kid who never lost his smile, no matter how tough things got.
And Seok Un-gang? A Shaolin monk reject when it came to mental discipline. No way he'd fight anyone.
"Manager Myeong! What's up with them?"
Manager Myeong Sin-u turned from up above, slapping his forehead.
"Ah, Seong-muk... Man, what a headache."
"Huh?"
He sighed deeply at my question. His answer was absurd.
"They're arguing over whose god is greater—Allah or Buddha."
"...Holy shit."
I'd figured these good kids would be fine, but who knew they each had an unbreakable trigger right next door.
The baseball team was a mess from the jump, making me want to quit for real, but I had to break it up, right?
"Agh, fuck, kids!!"
I scrambled down the netting into the field.
This goddamn shitty game never lets anything go smoothly.