Regression and the Number One Pick

Explaining the genetics of it? How or why the regression happened? That's boring and pretentious stuff. Hell, I don't even know the real reason myself.

Anyway, I regressed. The day after announcing my retirement, I opened my eyes and bam—back twenty years.

After regressing, my first decision was immediate.

"I'm going to Korea."

Korea-bound it was.

My dad didn't seem fazed by my words at all.

"Yeah?"

He just nodded.

"Didn't you always say you wanted to stay in America?"

That was it, asked in his usual nonchalant tone.

"Just felt like it."

My answer was short. Hard to explain the real reason.

"Just felt like it?"

Dad tilted his head for a second.

"Eh, whatever. Your mom's gonna love it."

He gave the okay without a fuss.

"Why Mom?"

"Your mom loves Korean food. That's how I reeled her in."

"Oh."

Never heard that bit of their dating history before. Our family wasn't bad or anything, but still.

"Take care, then."

That father-son chat, which left a weird impression, wrapped up just like that.

"Tsk... is regression genetic or something?"

Dad's final mutter didn't quite reach my ears.

A long time had passed since that conversation. Now, the draft was right around the corner.

I wasn't nervous or anything. Not like I was a real rookie to begin with.

"Ah, I told you not to eat in bed. Get off, you punk."

"Dude, you're a catcher, why's your mouth so loose? Your personality is seriously lacking."

"You're telling me, the pitcher you've battery'd with for three years, to catch? Your personality's fine?"

"I'm the pitcher."

"Fuck."

So I was cheering up my friend, who was stressing about maybe not getting picked. He didn't seem too thrilled, though. Belly full and all.

"Hey, nervous?"

"Duh. You might not get it, but guys like me, borderline talents, have to be."

"Hmm..."

Guy lacked confidence relative to his skills.

"Don't worry. You're the catcher I approved of."

"That's your way of saying it..."

"You're easily first round... nah, just go second round."

"Why?"

"Gotta be on my team."

"Ha... thanks, at least you said it."

My catcher buddy tossed the banana peel I'd forgotten into the trash, then asked seriously.

"But seriously, why come to the KBO?"

"Now you ask?"

"Wouldn't straight to MLB be better? KBO means waiting seven years for a shot."

"Hmm..."

Not wrong.

"Yeah. If I'd stayed in America, I'd have gone overall #1 in the draft, hit the bigs in a year, crushed everyone, and snagged like five MVPs..."

"Didn't think you were aiming that high."

"That'd be too tough."

"What?"

He was my first friend in Korea, so I showed some real heart. Even Dad didn't know this.

"I'll be the best in the bigs too. Maybe even get rated higher than Dad someday. But..."

"This guy's ego just keeps growing."

"My mental game's gonna wear down as the career piles up. To the point I forget how to enjoy baseball."

"...What?"

It really happened that way.

"As a kid, Dad's name crushes me. Later, my own achievements ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠will."

"...So."

My buddy went quiet, then spoke.

"You picked KBO to play baseball easygoing?"

"Yep."

Nailed it. Three years syncing pays off.

"Don't go spilling that anywhere."

"Telling you 'cause it's you."

"Thanks, you damn genius punk."

"Sure."

I'm not that oblivious.

"Sigh... how'd I end up with a guy like this..."

For real.

A space buzzing with tension and excitement.

Hyeon Myeongun, GM of the Busan Titans—last year's runners-up to the Korean Series champs Seoul Guardians, in a half-joking, half-serious sense of "most successful season"—grabbed the mic.

"Busan Titans select Jin Yuha, pitcher from Seoul High."

The name everyone expected. The reason the last-place-in-both-leagues Titans had the "second-most successful" season? They won the "Jin Yuha League."

- "Yes! 2040 KBO Rookie Draft, first round overall #1 pick: Busan Titans select Jin Yuha from Seoul High! With his powerful fastball from a 198cm frame and diverse breaking pitches..."

Over the announcer's spiel, the youngest-looking player up front stood.

Real freak physique.

The Seoul Guardians GM, from last year's champs, was impressed.

Ah... we could've had him.

Daejeon Pistols GM, who lost the dark Korean Series, felt regret.

Flash! Flash!!

Reporters' flashes exploded.

What about the Titans again?

Jin Yuha walked calmly to the stage, thinking that. Even regressed, he didn't know much about the KBO.

That hyung was from Titans, right? Top big-league hitter prospect, yet last and this year dead last? Hasn't debuted yet?

He'd come to Korea for chill baseball, but not half-ass it. He loved the game, and sports boiled down to effort and competition.

"Congrats, Jin Yuha."

On stage, smiling Hyeon Myeongun handed over a Titans-logoed uniform. Yuha took it stoically, slipped it on, grabbed the mic.

- "Jin Yuha, a few words."

His blue eyes scanned the room. His buddy—wearing Dad's suit 'cause no time to tailor—peeked nervously.

Don't say anything dumb.

Yuha chuckled.

Solid friend. Personality aside, skills were good. Having a buddy like that already made Korea a win, Yuha thought sincerely.

"Jin Yuha here. Thanks to the Busan Titans for selecting me."

Mic to lips, standard thanks first.

"I know the expectations are high."

Since starting baseball, global fans had huge hopes. He was Jin Yusung's son.

Who was Jin Yusung? Korean hero, MLB legend.

And Yuha had shown "blood ball" potential so far.

But he hadn't fully met them yet. Natural.

Amateur success ≠ pro success. Still.

"No matter how high your expectations, I'll exceed them fully."

Yuha was the guy who'd overflow those hopes. America or Korea, same deal.

Flash! Flash!!

Reporters grinned, flashing away. Success or failure, it'd be news. Better if success.

"For now, I've got one thing better than Dad."

Yuha smirked. Just like Dad provoking opponents.

"Ha."

Jin Yusung, retired in America but here for the draft, let out a hollow laugh.

"Old man's really..."

"Quiet. Our son's not 'old'—he's still young."

His wife, also visiting Korea after ages, scolded.

"No, but..."

Yusung felt wronged. He knew his son's secret. But couldn't explain to his beloved wife.

Regression—a miracle to hide till death. Even from his son, probably same boat.

Yuha crushed it in his first run... if I spill my first-run mediocrity, he'll mock me.

Pride issue.

"Better than Dad at..."

Oblivious to parents' chat, Yuha continued.

"Pitching."

Hahaha!

Laughter filled the hall. Well.

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- "Uh... wasn't Jin Yusung a hitter?"

As the announcer said, Dad was a hitter. Never missed Silver Slugger post-debut, 4x MVP legend.

"Exactly. Still behind Dad at batting, but pitching? I top him."

"That crazy bastard..."

Jeong Hanseong, Yuha's battery and best friend, facepalmed. Gutsy joking on stage with all eyes? Infuriating. Plus.

Am I the only one who gets the real meaning?

He caught the true intent.

This punk's saying he'll do it all himself!

Of course.

...Was Yuha originally a two-way? Third time around?

One dad was dead sure: never let the monster son uncover his secret.