Birthday Surprise
The campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. Walking through the grounds, the blonde beauty Ella shivered lightly in the crisp weather.
Fall's already here. Ella murmured to herself, gazing at the scattered autumn leaves fluttering across the campus.
College life was busy in all sorts of ways. Especially at the University of Washington, one of the top schools in the country, the standards were sky-high. Ella had her lazy streaks, but she'd inherited her biological mother's smarts—she'd been a doctor, after all.
When Ella was young, Jack had been an active Major Leaguer, so he hadn't seen her face often. That didn't mean he'd abandoned his love for her, though. As a Major League superstar, he'd never skimped on her education with the money he earned. Incidentally, Jack had been extremely cautious even when remarrying Kim Mi-hyun. If Ella had shown any sign of dislike, the marriage might never have happened.
As she walked, Ella grimaced slightly at the weight of her backpack stuffed full of books. With exams looming, she couldn't leave them in her locker—she had no choice but to haul them home. The heavy bag was anything but welcome.
"Hey, Ella."
A rather bubbly female voice called out. Turning her head, Ella saw her same-year friend Mary standing there.
"Hey, Mary."
"Heading home?"
"Yeah." Ella nodded at Mary's question and readjusted her bag. Watching her, the friend spoke up.
"Ella, I heard you're dating Carl Bonds from the baseball team?"
"Where'd you hear that?"
"It's already all over the rumor mill."
Ella frowned slightly. Three days ago, Carl Bonds, the University of Washington baseball team's ace, had indeed asked her out. And she'd brushed him off without a second glance.
"I definitely turned him down."
"The rumors spread anyway."
Ella sighed at her friend's words. She got caught up in this kind of scandal all the time.
Carl Bonds. A junior this year. Ever since Ella started college and went to watch a baseball game, he'd been one of the guys persistently hitting on her.
Ella made a bored face. Long experience had taught her that ignoring these kinds of rumors was the best policy.
"Ella, right? Heading home?"
Someone called out to her then. At the familiar male voice, Ella turned with a blank expression. There stood none other than the scandal's star, Carl Bonds.
"Yeah, going home."
"Let me give you a ride, then."
Carl Bonds shrugged casually.
"No, I'm good."
"Come on, don't be like that. I just got a new car."
So what? Ella thought. The bag was heavy, but riding with that guy would be worse. For the record, Ella didn't have a car. The commute from home to school was excellent via public transport, so she had no need for one while in college. Jack had told her that since she was an adult, she could buy one if she wanted, but she hadn't bothered.
He owns five cars he barely drives himself.
Ella grumbled inwardly. There were six cars at home total. She occasionally used one of the five that weren't hers. Side note: all six were luxury rides worth over $100,000 each.
Ella eyed Carl Bonds, who was clinging to her relentlessly, and thought seriously.
How do I shake this guy off so it'll make waves as a proper dump?
Carl Bonds was the team's ace right now, drawing intense scout interest. He brimmed with confidence and was popular with girls. His messy private life was just icing on the cake.
Just as Ella's irritation peaked...
"Uh, Ella?"
At the familiar voice, Ella whipped her head around, eyes widening. Standing there was a man she knew well. A stylish guy as tall as Carl Bonds was approaching.
"Who the hell are you?"
Carl Bonds spat with clear annoyance, but the man stared back blankly. Somehow cowed by the inexplicable pressure, Carl faltered just as Ella cried out happily.
"Roy!"
Beaming, Ella rushed to Yoo Min-hoo. Watching her link arms with him, Carl Bonds asked,
"Who's that guy, Ella?"
Smiling sweetly at the question, Ella replied as she hooked her arm through Yoo Min-hoo's.
"My boyfriend."
Carl's face crumpled at the answer. After the "boyfriend" line, he slunk away. Watching his retreating back, Yoo Min-hoo said flatly,
"You're popular."
"Hmph. The problem is every guy who sticks to me 'cause he likes me is so boring."
Yoo Min-hoo let out a hollow chuckle at Ella's pouty grumble.
"Who was that anyway?"
"Baseball team player."
Yoo Min-hoo nodded like it made sense. Ella tilted her head curiously at him.
"When'd you get to Seattle?"
"This morning. Timed it for your birthday."
Tomorrow was Ella's birthday.
"Hmm. Season's wrapped up?"
Yoo Min-hoo nodded. October. For Major League Baseball, it was peak playoff race time, but minor league seasons were already done.
His first pro season wrapped, and it had been quite successful. Promoted to Double-A in May, he'd made Triple-A in September. Reaching Triple-A in your debut year was an elite feat among countless minor league prospects. A few even made it to the majors, mostly college grads. Oakland GM Michael hadn't expected Triple-A at all. It was right on the majors' doorstep.
Of course, he hadn't lasted long there. After the call-up, Yoo Min-hoo barely played a few games. The level was just too different. Triple-A, the minors' final hurdle, was no joke. Players there were basically major league reserves—ready to step in anytime. They hammered anything remotely centered and ignored flat breaking balls. Unable to hold on, Yoo Min-hoo got sent back to Double-A.
His first demotion, but it didn't faze him. In his past life, call-ups and demotions were routine. Even getting traded between teams while riding the bench was commonplace.
Bitter in that sense.
Yoo Min-hoo smiled wryly to himself. In his previous life, it'd taken ten years to reach Triple-A. He'd cut that to one. Impressive, even to him.
"What're you thinking so hard about?"
Ella asked curiously, and Yoo Min-hoo shook his head.
"Nothing."
Ella cocked her head at him.
These were Yoo Min-hoo's season stats. Bullpen role—no starts all year. He'd basically pitched under the team's careful watch. Monthly visits to an Oakland-designated hospital for precise left shoulder checks. Controlled innings between starts, avoiding back-to-backs, focusing on performance management. All because of last year's injury. Even if fully recovered, no one wanted to grind a prospect who'd blown out his shoulder a year ago.
Oakland adjusted his schedule and provided steady medical tests to let him grow stably in the minors.
One reason I chose Oakland.
Yoo Min-hoo murmured inwardly. They reached the campus parking lot mid-walk. Ella blinked at the car where Yoo Min-hoo stopped.
"What's this? The car."
It was unfamiliar.
"Bought it."
"..."
Ella frowned at his casual tone, eyeing the luxury sedan with its triangular logo.
Minor league pay was peanuts, but his signing bonus was $1 million. Even after taxes, he had plenty of cash—financially comfortable.
"Lucky. You even bought a car."
Ella, carless, pouted jealously. Yoo Min-hoo chuckled and got in. Sliding into the passenger seat, Ella sniffed the new car smell and poked around the interior.
"How much?"
"About ninety grand."
Her brother's first-car inspection narrowed her eyes.
"Gonna lure girls with this?"
"Nah."
Ella shook her head. In high school, Yoo Min-hoo had been as popular with girls as she was—team ace with good looks.
But I never heard him actually date anyone.
Ella mused. Pro athletes get all the girls, though. Plenty ruined careers on booze, gambling, and women.
"Don't mess around—focus on baseball."
Yoo Min-hoo chuckled dryly at his sister's advice. By then, they'd pulled into the garage beside the house. Parking smoothly, he drew a curious tilt from Ella.
"Roy, you drive well?"
"Guess I have a knack."
Both had gotten licenses in high school but rarely drove. Ella found his ease surprising. Naturally—Yoo Min-hoo had driven plenty in his past life.
Stepping out, Ella inspected the blue car closely once more. Watching her envious gaze, Yoo Min-hoo glanced at the keys in his hand and spoke.
"Ella."
"Yeah?"
She looked up curiously. He tossed her the keys. Catching them reflexively, she alternated stares between them and him as he grinned.
"Happy birthday."
"..."
Dazed for a beat, Ella burst into a radiant smile and tackled her brother, hanging off his neck.
"Thanks, Roy! You're the best little brother ever!"