Why Is Bro Showing Up There...?
“Phew, finally over...”
The gauntlet of interviews from those leech-like reporters had finally ended, and I regained my freedom.
They must have squeezed everything they could out of me because they'd moved on to my teammates now—a positive sign, all things considered.
'Proof that everyone's starting to wonder just what kind of place Munhyeok High is.'
It was evidence the team was getting healthier. The more targets for scrutiny beyond just me, the more room I'd have to shine.
“Alright, time to claim those rewards.”
I rubbed my hands together and pulled up the pending notification window. Right on cue, the news I'd been waiting for popped up.
Power Stat: B+ → A
Contact Stat: B → B+
Sweeper Stat: B+ → A
“Whoa...!!”
I couldn't have been happier.
My key hitting stats had jumped two whole grades, and now Sweeper had hit A-rank.
Power reaching A was the biggest thrill, especially after feeling the massive difference when I layered Solar Divine Vein on top.
'Even casual swings sent the ball screaming.'
This game had relied on Olivia's lunchbox as doping fuel, but now I could hit Power S on my own steam.
That meant recreating monster stats like Power S and Contact A in high-excitement mode. With my stats still brimming with growth potential, the pitchers I'd face next were in for some serious wailing.
“...Yawn, guess I should head home and crash.”
Yawns kept ripping out of me.
It wasn't as draining as a full start, but playing both pitcher and hitter had racked up serious fatigue.
Plus, with double-digit homers from both teams combined, dopamine had been exploding everywhere. Now that it was all over, the crash hit hard.
I was shuffling toward the bus, dreaming of a quick shower and sprawling out, when a familiar face appeared in the distance.
“Ooh, Geum Seong-muk!!”
“Yup, it's you, Macho-won.”
The guy came charging over like we were old pals, eyes sparkling despite the loss. Hard to believe he'd just gotten crushed.
“Grrraaah!! Damn, you're strong. I admit defeat—as a team and as a two-way player!”
He threw his hands up, face twisted in frustration. I couldn't help but chuckle.
“Eh, it was fun enough. Nothing like a real swordfight between kin.”
“Right?! I knew you'd feel the same! We connect on so many levels...!!”
He shuddered with excitement, grabbing my hand and shaking it wildly. The guy's on cloud nine...
“Ahem, embarrassing as it is, I couldn't pass on any two-way wisdom as your senior. My own weakness held me back.”
“Nah, you didn't have to.”
“No!! I can't leave until I do! Geum Seong-muk, you deserve my help...!”
“.........”
Macho-won was dead set on shoving advice down my throat. He got serious and leaned in.
“Heard you're facing Hancheong High next, right?”
“Yeah.”
Seoul's princes, Hancheong High.
The epitome of a perfect hexagonal team—zero weak spots, a powerhouse. Daegwallyeong High was tough, but Hancheong's nationwide top-tier lineup put them in a whole other league.
“Watch out. You're strong, but those guys are on another level.”
Who knew he could look this tense? Just thinking of Hancheong players got him rattled.
'Yeah, they got dusted in last spring's finals, right?'
Even if semis locked in Sejong Cup qualification, the finals pit qualified teams against each other.
Winner gets a better draw in summer's Sejong Cup—a big deal if you're gunning for national supremacy.
Word was Daegwallyeong got mercy-ruled last year. No wonder the PTSD lingered.
“Got any ace up your sleeve? Strategies you were gonna use?”
I asked without much hope.
From thousands of simmed games, Hancheong had no glaring exploits—just raw stats to bulldoze them. But Macho-won's answer surprised me.
“Of course...! Why else would I butt in with advice?!”
“What's the play?”
“Our strategy was...”
Not holding my breath, but let's hear it. He whispered in my ear to dodge eavesdroppers.
“...Oh?”
My eyes lit up.
This was intriguing.
######
'Got it. I'll factor that into the analysis.'
I passed Macho-won's tip to Doyeon noona, and she promised Hancheong scouting reports pronto.
Whether smashing powerhouses or one win from Sejong Cup, school waited for no one.
But the vibe was electric—hotter than before.
“Seong-muk, great game...!!”
“Geum Seong-muk sunbaenim, I'll be at finals cheering!”
“Uh, yeah. Thanks, appreciate it...”
Striding the halls, random students mobbed me with greetings and handshakes. It'd happened before, but beating Daegwallyeong cranked it to eleven.
“Macho-won's fastball was insane, but who am I? Choi Adam!! I knew it was time for my secret killer move, the 'Smash Hit'...!!”
“Ooooh!!”
Choi Adam spinning yarns to his buddies, Ryu Ji dozing like he owned the place, Park Chan-jun swarmed by classmates...
Munhyeok's third-years were buzzing like this. Do Dojin said sophomores were fielding tons of attention too.
'Ri Donghyeok was the real shocker.'
Ice-cold aura before, even more untouchable after the North Korea drama.
Ancient history now. His perfect shutout silencing Daegwallyeong, followed by ninety-degree bows to the crowd? Students were hooked.
Even now, glancing over, his classmates clustered around him.
“Donghyeok, can I ask about this too?”
“Fire away.”
Mostly North Korea curiosities. But I worried.
'Some questions could get dicey.'
“Can you say it? Kim Jung-un, that bastard!”
“Kim Jung-un bastard, you fat pig, slice that revolutionary gut and make hot meat soup for the starving people...”
'Eh, overthinking it.'
The guy's proving his purity with every breath now. No worries for Ri Donghyeok.
Heading to class, I fired up my phone for articles. Mine, specifically.
'Nothing beats an ego search.'
High school baseball tab: Munhyeok stories everywhere. I grinned at the headlines.
8:0 → 14:11 Comeback Win! Munhyeok High Advances to Semis on Geum Seong-muk's Power Display!
2 HR, 7 RBI + 1.2 IP Scoreless: Geum Seong-muk Unanimous Game MVP!
Daegwallyeong's Yu Hui-woong: "Failing to stop Geum Seong-muk was our biggest downfall."
5 Anonymous Scouts: "Tons of scouts drooling over Munhyeok's Geum Seong-muk."
“Heh, I can hear my value skyrocketing.”
First-round draft pick was survival, so more eyes on me? Always welcome.
'Underworld calls me Galju, huh?'
Choi Adam spilled it while searching himself—high school baseball forums worship me as 'Galju.'
Fans are great, but weird nicknames like SeongmukGay, YasMuk, WooHyogwang? Debatable.
'Draft season, though? This hype's gold.'
Scouts play it safe with public buzz, no bold picks.
Suck-up drafting disqualifies them, but for my first-round dreams? Blessings.
Anyway, class time—then my phone buzzed. Myeong Sinu coach.
“Coach?”
“Big trouble, Seong-muk!!”
“What...!?”
Sudden call. He summoned me to... a hospital.
########
“No excuse... getting hurt at a crucial time like this.”
Lee Tae-jeong pitching coach lay bandaged head to toe.
“Coach, how did...”
“Hit-and-run. Police nabbed 'em quick. He'll live.”
“Damn, timing sucks.”
His role was vital—fine-tuning starters pre-game, huge help.
Even I couldn't self-assess perfectly. Needed him before Hancheong start. Accident? Brutal.
Head spinning. Luck's a joke.
#####
“What!? Coach Lee Tae-jeong in an accident?”
Hassan jumped. Ri Donghyeok and Park Chan-jun hyung too. Their dedicated coach wrecked before a key game? Shaking was natural.
“Shouldn't we visit?”
“I went for us. He said he's fine, focus on prep.”
“Ugh, coach...”
Park Chan-jun hyung's sad face.
No time for pity.
No pitching coach? I fill in.
'Get the whole staff ready.'
Shutting out Hancheong? Brutally tough. They exploit weaknesses, ballooning pitch counts and stamina drain.
No guarantee me and Ri Donghyeok finish it. Hassan with 20 pitches left, Park Chan-jun hyung's knuckler for chaos—everyone preps.
“Grab clothes. Group field trip.”
“.......?”
Puzzled pitchers. I got coach's okay, led 'em off-campus.
“...Deoks u Pitching Field?”
“Whoa, looks ancient!”
Gawking crew.
Borrow the place short-term.
'Closed for now' sign? Shuttered awhile.
No need with Lee Tae-jeong guiding, but perfect for private drills, no randos.
Creak!
“Alright, kids. Over the window.”
“Seong-muk hyung, s-sure? Breaking and entering!”
“Chill, I'll go first.”
Hoisted in—and locked eyes with someone.
“.......?!”
White hair, cranky glare—dead ringer for someone I knew.
“...Deoks u gramps?”
Busan Cups legend Ma Deok-su.
Running this forgotten field in dementia cosplay, staring dumbfounded.
“You bastard, Geum Seong-muk—what're you doing there?”
“Uh, borrowing while you're out.”
“You little shit...!!”
Thwack!!
“Guhhh...!!”
His switch cracked my skull. I rolled on the ground. Unfair!
“Gramps...! You said you were gone...!!”
“Just back, punk. Tsk tsk, kids these days...”
Clucking tongue.
Glared outside, crooked a finger.
“You lot, quit gawking—get in.”
“...?!”
Spotted the crew.
They climbed tentatively—then thunder.
“You mangy pups!! Who said window?! Front door, now!!”
“Yes, sir!!”
Scared stiff, they bolted. Soon, Ma Deok-su's office confession time.
“Hm, you're Hot Sam.”
“Hassan, gramps!”
“You're Lee Dong-hoon.”
“...Ri Donghyeok.”
“You... uh, Cha Bak-gu?”
“Park Chan-jun...!!”
“Close enough.”
“………???”
Dementia act frying his brain? Ma Deok-su mangled names freely.
“Geum Seong-muk, you're the worst. Dragging innocents... tsk.”
“Ahem.”
Whatever—he showed, lottery win. Time to rev up.
“Gramps, favor?”
“Pain in the ass. What?”
“Train here? No bother.”
“High school stink in my sanctuary? Sure. Tsk...”
Back turned, but relented.
“Do your thing. Don't bug me—resting.”
Off to lounge. I fist-pumped.
“Yes...!!”
“........!?”
Shocked teammates.
Just permission, but my joy? Calculated.
'Bored in retirement, he loves meddling.'
No dementia play with me here, and training means we're underfoot.
Legend like him won't resist critiquing greenhorn pitching.
“Geum Seong-muk comrade, this training spot that great?”
“Not the spot—who's here.”
“.......??”
More confusion. No spilling Ma Deok-su's ID.
'Seeing is believing.'
One offhand tip, they'll feel it.
“Alright, warm up...!!”
Chance encounter before the big one—turn it to fortune?
Heart racing at the legend's return, I dove into drills with the pitchers.