Our First Trip to Nha Trang
After ordering drinks at a cafe in the overseas travel district, we finally got to relax in the sunlight for the first time in ages. I'd been running nonstop without a break, but sitting next to Seon-ah made my fatigue melt away like snow in spring. It hit me just how good it felt to be beside the person I loved.
"Ha... I wonder what the fans will say when they hear I've stepped down as manager."
I muttered it without thinking.
"They'll be disappointed. After everything you did for them."
"But the baseball god's taking my place."
"Pfft... So that's why you stepped down so easily? Because the legend's coming?"
"What choice did I have?"
Her words deflated me without warning.
"Ugh... Come here."
Seon-ah, sitting beside me, saw my expression and pulled my head into her lap, wrapping me in a hug. My cheek pressed naturally against her chest. The soft, plush sensation nearly pulled me under, but I snapped back to reality and managed to pull away from those generous curves.
"Wh-what's this..."
"Aw, are you embarrassed, you big dummy?"
She laughed it off with her usual breezy attitude, but I caught the faint blush on her cheeks too.
"So, where are we going?"
I changed the subject, spotting her flush.
"Hmm... Overseas, obviously?"
"Yeah? I've got money to burn."
"Hahaha! Good. Buy me all the tasty stuff."
"You got it."
We scrolled through travel sites on our phones at the cafe.
"I want somewhere warm. With a beach."
"Free-and-easy trip over a package tour?"
"Yeah. And not a lot of Koreans? Somewhere they won't recognize me."
As everyone knew, Seon-ah was a pretty famous cheerleader, so our solo overseas trip getting out could spell trouble.
"How about here?"
I showed her my phone screen.
"Oh? Vietnam? Never heard of this spot."
It was Nha Trang, in central Vietnam. I'd searched for less touristy Korean spots and found good reviews.
Seon-ah focused on the blog I'd pulled up.
"Let's go here."
She decided on the spot—it must've clicked with her.
"We can do free travel with a private guide. I'll look into it. When are you free?"
"Off-season for me now."
"No other teams?"
Most baseball cheerleaders jumped to volleyball or basketball for the winter season. Cheering wasn't lucrative enough to live off baseball alone, with half the year idle.
"I'm quitting too."
"Huh?!"
Her sudden announcement threw me.
"What? Of course."
"Of course what?"
"I can't cheer for the Eagles without you. I'll follow wherever you go."
Her words tugged at my heart. Overwhelmed, I pulled her into a tight hug this time.
"Wh-what's gotten into you..."
She pushed back in surprise, but whether she gave up against my strength or something else, she stayed in my arms for a while. I came to my senses and let go.
"Ahem..."
"Anyway, I'm free now, so whenever."
"O-okay. I'll plan it and KakaoTalk you the details."
"Y-yeah."
The mood turned awkward in a flash, so we wrapped up at the cafe and headed home separately.
......
A week later, I sent Seon-ah the itinerary, and she approved it right away. It was a last-minute free trip, so costs doubled, but for our first overseas adventure together, I splurged without regret. Plus, the 500 million won in my account gave me breathing room—enough for marriage, even.
In that week, news broke about me stepping down. Communities and public opinion erupted in anger at first; I'd done so much. But when Kim Geun-seong's appointment followed, it all got buried. Hype for the legendary manager lit up the forums. It stung a little, even if rationally I got it.
"Sigh..."
I set my phone down to cool off. I kept doomscrolling baseball news. Maybe instead of this trip, I should've job-hunted now—season's end left openings.
The Daejeon Eagles filled mine with Kim Geun-seong. Four other teams had vacancies too. And a new Suwon team was launching, already in Futures League, set for first-team next year with a manager hired.
Seoul Bears' Song Su-il, Gwangju Tigers' Seong Dong-yeol, Incheon Wyverns' Lee Su-man, Busan Giants' Kim Jin-si—all quitting or contracts ending post-season.
It could be my shot. But big clubs? Would they take a rookie like me?
Maybe toss in a resume anyway.
Yeah. Let's try.
Career didn't matter if I didn't shoot my shot. I sat at the computer, crafting a resume and cover letter.
Biggest achievement: Yanking Daejeon Eagles from 9th to 4th in two months. Rebuilding a match-fixing wreck—that was gold.
Second: My win rate as manager. Over 40+ games from August to September, 70%. Proof enough of my chops.
Third: Scouting rookies. Four under me, succeeding in first-team. Huge for rebuilding teams.
I fired off emails to each front office, hoping my passion shone through.
......
No replies came. Trip day arrived. Taxi to Seon-ah's; I asked the driver to wait. She emerged dragging a huge suitcase and bag. I grabbed the suitcase effortlessly and loaded the trunk.
"Whoa... Jin-ho, you're so strong."
Even little things excited her. She was buzzing for our trip abroad together.
White tee, jeans—hugging her figure, model vibes. Sunglasses perched on her head for airport camouflage.
"Hat and mask are musts. You too."
In the taxi, she handed them over. We looked like celebrities incognito. Maybe no one would notice, but the thrill of playing spies was fun.
Airport check-in done. Bags sent ahead. Hats, masks, shades on while waiting. At security, staff made us remove mask and shades—felt eyes on us, awkward.
"How long do we gotta do this? It's stuffy."
"Huh? Take 'em off on the plane?"
She grinned mischievously.
"What? Then why wear 'em?"
"Planes have fewer people, but here? Packed. Silly."
Her logic cracked me up.
Boarding call came as we bantered. National carrier, not budget, so economy felt spacious.
"Phew... Stuffier than I thought, huh?"
Plenty of room inside. Nha Trang flight; not many Koreans yet, since it wasn't big here.
The plane taxied, gentle vibrations humming. My first overseas trip—with Seon-ah—had my heart racing.
Then her hand found mine. I avoided her eyes, staring elsewhere, but hooked my pinky with hers.
Right now, in this moment, we were lovers.
The plane lifted off, carrying us to new horizons.