Chapter 55
Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Even Flowers in Both Hands Aren't Enough for Golden Sun - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ugh, I hope they pull this off..."
Do Do-yeon watched Munhyeok High's game with more tension than anyone else. After all, she was supporting them from behind the scenes through data analysis.
In truth, even up until game day, she hadn't rated Munhyeok High or Geum Seong-muk's chances of winning very highly. Too many negative variables had cropped up.
'...Their opponent's analysis team must have some real talent. That Jang Tae-san guy's pitching way more seriously than expected.'
Even when Ryu Ji's hit turned into a foul home run, she'd felt a deep pang of regret. That one swing had dropped their already slipping win probability by nearly 10%.
By the top of the fourth, facing the cleanup hitter with bases loaded and no outs on defense, the win rate had plummeted to hopeless levels.
'Down to 15%... or worse.'
And that might have been generous. But just when despair seemed inevitable, the hero arrived.
Thwack--!!
"Strike three...!"
"...!!"
Just like that day in Asan, Seong-muk began crushing the enemy with his overwhelming presence. The probability formulas she'd set up started crumbling one by one.
"No way...!"
Do-yeon's world was one bound tight by data and numbers. That dense matrix of figures couldn't possibly produce massive errors.
But Geum Seong-muk made it all meaningless. If he set his mind to it, boosting the odds by 10% or 20% single-handedly was a breeze. Even tripling them wasn't out of the question.
"Ahh..."
Do-yeon's world began to shatter.
The savior come to dismantle it: Geum Seong-muk.
It was as if Seong-muk, breaking through her sturdy walls, was whispering to her. I'll show you a wider, newer world.
Beep, bleep!
"Game set! The winner is Munhyeok High...!!"
"Woooaaah...!!"
The moment the game ended, Do-yeon alone hung her head low.
"........"
Her body trembled faintly.
A whirlwind of emotions swept through her.
Then she lifted her head, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Did we... really...?"
A sun rose over her ruined world. Her face burned uncontrollably. This feeling could only be explained as a powerful attraction to Seong-muk.
'I'm losing it... for real!!'
There was a four-year age gap, no less.
And Seong-muk was still in high school. Harboring dark thoughts about him and acting on them? That wasn't something a responsible adult should do.
"........"
Yet Seong-muk's massive muscles, glistening with sweat, caught her eye. With looks like that and those builds, calling him a minor felt almost criminal.
For Do-yeon, feeling the raw masculine scent from someone for the first time, it was enough to drive her mad. As she stewed in agony, a familiar voice called out.
"Sis?"
"...!"
Do-yeon jumped at her brother Do-jin's call.
"Took me forever to find you."
"Oh, Do-jin, sorry. I was just lost in thought..."
"........"
Do-jin sensed something off about his sister. He was sharp enough that, if not for baseball, he could've followed her to Seoul National University.
He pieced together the situation in an instant and dropped a casual line.
"Sis, Seong-muk hyung's over there doing the press conference."
"...!?"
Do-yeon startled again.
Having her feelings read by her little brother, she desperately denied it.
"No, I came to pick you up...!!"
"I'm riding the team bus. We're all playing Mafia on the way back."
"Oh..."
In truth, Do-jin preferred reviewing next game's data over that stuff, but it made for the perfect excuse. Then he drove the nail in.
"Seong-muk hyung's presser is running long, so he might miss the bus. Wouldn't it be nice if you gave him a ride home?"
"...!!"
Do-yeon's face lit up at his words. Coming from a teammate like Do-jin, it had to be true. She nodded awkwardly.
"Right, he'd be stuck without me..."
"Yeah, thanks, sis."
She nodded again and dashed into the hallway. Do-jin smirked at her retreating back.
"Impressive, Seong-muk hyung. Never thought anyone could hit sis's type..."
Of course, her high standards were par for the course given her own stunning looks and talents, but her criteria for men were on a whole other level.
Respect for fulfilling them all. In that moment, Do-jin made up his mind.
"If it's Seong-muk hyung, he's brother-in-law material."
He'd do everything to hook up his sister with Seong-muk. Thus was born Munhyeok High's top 'matchmaking menace'.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Kyaa, oppa~!!"
"Oh, Noah...!!"
Post-game, the Takahina siblings reunited below the stands, chattering and giggling about the match.
"Must've been hectic today, Noah. Seong-muk cleaned up with all those strikeouts."
"Right?! I even turned off the music to help at the end, but then he suddenly wanted it back on...!!"
"Haha, yeah. I thought he was nuts too. Turns out he didn't even realize he was on the verge of a big record."
"Whaaat...? For real?"
"Yep, yep."
They bantered cheerfully.
Then Ryu Ji dropped something out of left field.
"Oh yeah, Seong-muk's in the press room right now."
"Y-Yeah? Why tell me...?"
"Go congratulate him. Bet he's waiting for it."
"M-My congrats...?"
"Duh, who'd pass that up? Such a cute kouhai."
Noah blushed a bit.
Ryu Ji didn't know the exact nature of her feelings for Seong-muk, but the vibe wasn't bad.
For his sister—who'd never dated—he tossed out a line.
"Guy's gonna blow up in popularity. After that show, you think weird girls will leave him alone?"
"Ah...!!"
Noah jumped.
Just as he said, anonymous forums were already buzzing with women hunting Seong-muk's Insta. Noah, familiar with the ecosystem, got it instantly.
"Oppa, I'm heading out first...!!"
"Sure, go for it~."
Noah bolted off.
Ryu Ji rubbed his nose with a grin.
"Hmm, guess she does have some feelings."
Growing up surrounded by the family's macho gangsters, Noah couldn't feel any manly charm from her bland classmates, Ryu Ji had figured.
Sure, if Geum Seong-muk popped up out of nowhere, he'd smash his head in—but now, with their solid friendship, he figured no one better.
'Yeah, Seong-muk, you might actually handle Noah...'
One thing he couldn't overlook.
No matter how diluted compared to Ryu Ji, Noah was still Takahina blood.
A successor inheriting the Dragon Blood.
Flip her switch, and she saw red.
'When Noah's switch flips, she's no joke...'
Outwardly the world's bubbliest positivity bomb, but Ryu Ji knew better than anyone his one sister wasn't to be trifled with.
He quietly wished Seong-muk luck.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Olivia couldn't take her eyes off Seong-muk's game. It started shaky, but he awakened and demolished the opposition.
[Olivia, your bento was killer. Watch this—I'll show you something fun.]
Seong-muk, who'd raved about her bento before heading out. Unlike Cheonghyeon High's late fade, he brimmed with power till the end.
Thwack!!
"Strikeout...!!"
"Uwooo...!!"
Post-game, Seong-muk roared.
He swapped quick words with teammates, scanned the stands, and locked eyes with Olivia.
"......"
Too far for talk, but his bright smile hit hard—for reasons she couldn't pinpoint.
Thump!
'Wh-What is this...?!'
Olivia panicked.
Heart racing, cheeks flushing.
A strange new feeling.
But its source eluded her.
'If you ever find someone to make your cooking meaningful, you'll stand tall as a true chef.'
"...!"
Her father's words resurfaced.
This emotion might tie to the 'cooking for someone' she'd always sought.
That realization sparked a strong urge.
'...I want to talk to Seong-muk.'
And hear direct praise.
'Olivia, your bento gave me strength today.'
His words' impact might unlock this mood's key.
Olivia hurried off—toward the press room where Seong-muk would emerge soon.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Alone after the presser, Seong-muk checked his unread alerts.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Congratulations! Victory over strong foe Geumgang High! MVP: Munhyeok High 3rd year, Geum Seong-muk! MVP granted additional stat bonuses! Velocity stat upgraded: B+ → A! Breaking Ball stat upgraded: B+ → A! Curve stat upgraded: B → B+! "Oh...!!"
He'd finally broken through to A velocity.
Now he could hit 150 km/h effortlessly without Solar Divine Vein. A higher floor was huge.
'Once I hit peak power, 160 km/h is next.'
Sure, tougher activation with boosted base stats—but strong foes abounded, so no worries.
"Wait, breaking balls at A too?"
He'd almost glossed over it, but breaking ball stat hit A. Meaning acceleration for sub-A skills like sweeper and curve.
'Sweeper should hit A by next start.'
Curve at B+ now, A next in line.
Pitching variety? No more worries there.
⚔ PITCHING STATUS ⚔ ⚾ Stamina: A+ (*S) 🎯 Control: B+ ⚡ Fastball: A (*S+) 💥 Velocity: A (*S+) 🌪️ Breaking Balls: A (*S) • Curve: B+ • Sweeper: B+ • Circle Changeup: A 📝 Style: Lefty Three-Quarter 'Okay, solid enough.'
Today's dominance guaranteed scout attention—and even youth national team buzz, albeit at the bottom.
Perfect launchpad. No doubt.
So why...?
"........"
Best outcome, yet his chest felt empty. The reason? Simple.
Players celebrated with family, sharing victory joy.
Once, he'd had precious family to cheer his happy moments too.
Gone forever now.
"Hoo..."
Seong-muk shook his head.
No time for sentiment with the road ahead. That's when—
"Seong-muk!"
"...?"
Standing at the hallway fork, a familiar woman's voice echoed from the right.
"Olivia?"
"Congrats!"
Flushed cheeks, arms waving wide in celebration. She seemed shy yet bold—cutely so. Seong-muk chuckled.
Her black dress hugged her figure perfectly, beauty undimmed. Timely visit lifted his mood.
'Well, congrats from a beauty like this? Not bad...'
That very moment—
"Seong-muk sunbae-nim...!!"
"...!?"
From the left, rapid footsteps and bubbly voice. He knew that positivity fountain well.
Noah, in cheer uniform, radiated her usual cheer—amped higher post-win.
"Sunbae-nim!! Amazing game today...!"
Mid-chatter, her eyes met Olivia's. Both froze.
"Olivia sunbae?"
"........"
Noah spotted first, startled.
Olivia eyed her coldly.
"Who are you?"
"...!?"
She knew Noah, actually.
But instinct said playing dumb was best.
"Haha..."
It worked—Noah's smile cracked. She held it together, but scratched deep.
"Fun one, huh, Olivia sunbae."
"Saw me on TV? Thanks for the compliment."
"...Ha, ha."
Seong-muk swore he heard a crack!. Alarms blared in his head.
'Can't let this slide...'
He didn't get why, but needed to defuse fast. Worse, it didn't end there.
"Ah, Seong-muk...!!"
'Damn, no way...?'
Another girl called his name. Hoped not, but that white blouse-black skirt combo shone on few figures like hers.
Do-yeon, who'd planned to score points driving him home with treats.
She halted near him.
Two stunners already flanked him. Olivia and Do-yeon recognized each other.
'That girl's from then...!'
'...From Asan!'
Both had watched Cheonghyeon High from stands. Munhyeok fans, sure—but Seong-muk links? Unthought.
"........"
"........"
Olivia and Do-yeon stared silently. Noah joined, smile turning meaningful.
They turned to the one who could explain.
"Seong-muk."
"Seong-muk sunbae-nim."
"...Seong-muk-ah?"
Gulp!
Seong-muk swallowed hard.
Cold sweat beaded.
""These people...""
"Who are they?"
"Who?"
"...!!"
Chicken skin rippled down his back.
He was in the crisis of his manly life.