Short Respite
After the away series against the Dragons wrapped up on Monday, the Titans' front office held an emergency meeting.
“Myeongun hyung, do we really need to get together like this?”
The reason they'd gathered was to discuss how to handle the roster gaps left by the suspensions.
But some thought a full meeting wasn't necessary. Titans manager Jeong Hyeonho, who was on casual hyung-nim terms with GM Hyeon Myeongun, was one of them.
“What?”
“Come on, it's obvious. The suspensions aren't that harsh, and everyone's coming back soon anyway.”
Jeong Hyeonho's point was perfectly reasonable.
The punishments handed down to the Titans players were on the lighter side overall. Plus...
“Jihun and James are back as soon as Tuesday's game ends.”
Baek Jihun and James Gilbert's suspensions lifted on Tuesday—the very next day. It was honestly way too late to be brainstorming countermeasures now.
“So who's starting on Tuesday?”
“...”
Jeong Hyeonho couldn't answer Hyeon Myeongun's question right away.
James Gilbert had been the scheduled starter for Tuesday based on the rotation. But with his suspension, that was off the table.
The manager still hadn't decided on a replacement.
“I'm torn between Jeong Sangwoo and Park Hae-seong.”
Those were the two pitchers Jeong Hyeonho had in mind for the starter role.
Jeong Sangwoo, currently handling long relief duties in the first team. And Park Hae-seong, a prospect who'd been in the five-starter conversation before the season but got pushed to Double-A when Jin Yuha filled out the rotation.
They were the most viable starting pitching options the Titans had.
“Hmm, Park Hae-seong... Think he can handle it?”
“Guess we'll find out when he throws. Why?”
Jeong Hyeonho caught the look on Hyeon Myeongun's face and realized something.
“Damn, this isn't a roster gap strategy meeting, is it?”
“It is. ...Though what you're thinking is probably spot on too.”
When the GM suddenly calls the manager in and asks if a certain player can play, it's usually one of two things.
Either they're planning to build that player into the team's next franchise star.
“...Who made an offer?”
Or they want to use him as trade bait.
“Fighters and Irons. But you're not too attached, huh?”
“Nah, hyung. I've traded away plenty since I took over as manager—why would I get sentimental now?”
“Fair, but things are different from back then. Park Hae-seong's one of your favorites.”
Under Jeong Hyeonho, trades usually meant clearing out players who were blocking the rebuild. Park Hae-seong, on the other hand, had been a pet project prospect—at least until Jin Yuha showed up. So Hyeon Myeongun figured the manager would hesitate. But Jeong Hyeonho seemed surprisingly okay with it.
“Might even be better for Hae-seong to move to another team. Baek Jeong-su's improved a ton this year, Kwak Jae-woong's starting to get it, and Jin Yuha... well, you know.”
He was even somewhat positive about it.
“Fighters and Irons, right? What do they need him for?”
“Fighters lost Yoon Seong-in to a DUI, Irons have Hwang Yu-an with Tommy John.”
“...Guardians are gonna run away with the West again.”
Jeong Hyeonho quietly envied the Guardians' manager. The East was getting tighter by the day, but the West felt like it was settling into a one-team dominance faster than expected.
“Anyway, you're on board with a trade?”
“Yeah. Just bring back someone good.”
“What position?”
“You know without me saying. Infield. Solid defense, good bat, big-league ready.”
“Tch... Think we can get that for Park Hae-seong?”
“That's on you, hyung.”
Hyeon Myeongun shot Jeong Hyeonho a glare before nailing it down.
“Park Hae-seong starts Tuesday. Do what you can to get the best result.”
“...Not like the manager can do much, but got it.”
As Jeong Hyeonho finished speaking...
“Alright, I'm out.”
He started to stand.
“Where do you think you're going?”
Hyeon Myeongun blocked him.
“We've got more to talk about, Hyeonho.”
“More?”
Hyeon Myeongun tapped the conference table.
“Tuesday's shortstop is Hwang Do-yang, right? Who's at second?”
“Gotta use a backup.”
“The guy who made three errors on Sunday?”
“What do you want me to do? No other options.”
Hyeon Myeongun tossed out a name as the grumbling manager stared him down.
“What about Jang Mun-woo?”
“Jang Mun-woo... the fourth-round rookie this year?”
It was out of left field.
“His Double-A numbers are pretty solid.”
“Didn't we agree to leave player usage to me?”
“...Yeah, but hear me out. No misunderstanding.”
Hyeon Myeongun pointed upward with a finger.
“It's an order from upstairs.”
“You're the top dog at Titans—who's 'upstairs'? Wait, no way?”
“Yup. The chairman wants it.”
Jeong Hyeonho sighed.
“Why the hell is that old man suddenly interested? He said he'd stay just a baseball fan.”
“Not exactly an order. He just said it'd be nice.”
“That's an order. ...Why?”
He couldn't figure out why the owner was suddenly eyeing a high school grad rookie stuck in Double-A.
“He likes what he sees.”
“Huh?”
“Titans rookies are killing it this year. Jin Yuha and Jeong Hanseong, of course, and even midseason signee Kang Gihoo. He probably wants one more to round it out.”
“...”
“Make that the symbol of our successful rebuild—the Titans' core four.”
Jeong Hyeonho, face scrunched up, finally spoke reluctantly.
“He's actually good?”
“Stats are great. Defense is solid too. ...Check the Double-A numbers yourself, manager.”
“Season's crazy enough without that... Fine, got it. Better than the current backup, at least.”
And that wrapped up the day's talk.
We still need to discuss the Ivan Rodriguez replacement and Jin Yuha's next start...
Jeong Hyeonho didn't look thrilled, so they had to cut it short. It was edging into the manager's turf, after all.
Not urgent yet. We'll talk later.
Coincidentally...
Both involve Jin Yuha. And the merc list came from Jin Yusung and Jackson Morris too.
Jin Yuha was wielding serious influence for a rookie signee.
“Wonder what Jin Yuha's up to right now.”
......
“Dad, where the hell are we going?”
“Just sit quietly. You're distracting me while I drive.”
“You gotta tell me where. I was planning to crash at home during the break.”
At the same time, Jin Yuha had been kidnapped by his father, Jin Yusung, and was en route to somewhere.
* * *
The reason I'd headed to our Seoul house during my five-day “suspension”—what people usually call an outing ban—was simple.
Figured it'd be boring alone, and it's been a while since I saw Grandpa.
But...
“Why'd you come all the way here?”
Waiting for me at the Seoul house was my dad, decked out in a white tee stretched halfway over his gut.
“Where's Grandpa?”
“He went golfing with his buddies. Didn't he tell you?”
“...This sucks.”
My plans went up in smoke in seconds. After a moment's thought...
“You mentioned a batting cage run by one of your old Seoul teammates, right?”
Nothing else to do, so might as well train.
“...Weren't you here to rest?”
“Yeah, but Grandpa's not around.”
“Why do you live like this?”
Hmm.
Good question.
I'd chosen Korea this life to play baseball easy, right? But...
Doesn't feel any different.
My mind was more at ease than before, sure, but the daily grind was the same as my past life.
...Slacking off is a skill you master by doing it.
In my previous life, I'd been the model ballplayer. Then and now, anything baseball-related, I couldn't half-ass it.
“Tch.”
As I smacked my lips at the sudden reality check...
“Wanna come with?”
Dad invited me along somewhere.
......
“So where are we going?”
That's how I ended up kidnapped.
“We're almost there. Pipe down.”
My range of movement in Korea is super limited. Outside Seoul and Busan, I've barely been anywhere but ballparks. Dad, on the other hand, knew Korea suspiciously well.
Hasn't lived here since high school, though.
As suspicions bubbled up...
“We're here.”
The car stopped.
“Incheon Airport?”
Of all places, it was the airport.
* * *
“Whoa, Jin Yuha! Can I get an autograph?”
I hadn't grabbed anything to cover my face on the rush out. Even if I had time, I probably wouldn't have bothered.
Too much hassle.
Signing for fans, though? Not a hassle.
Just...
More than I expected.
Way more fans than I'd figured were asking for signatures.
“What brings you to the airport?”
“Got kidnapped by my dad.”
“You're so handsome!”
“I play ball pretty good too.”
“Hyung! Hyung! You were awesome during the bench-clearing. Zaaack!!”
“Don't copy that if you're a good kid or adult. ...Am I really your hyung?”
In the middle of the autograph frenzy...
“...Hah.”
I spotted Dad sighing from afar.
“What's your deal? You dragged me here.”
I wrapped up the impromptu signing and headed over.
“Nah, just realizing hardly anyone asks me for autographs anymore.”
“...Huh?”
“Maybe I should've come back to the KBO.”
“Come back?”
“Right before retiring, I mean.”
“Would've been fun. You on the Pistols or something.”
“Why Pistols specifically?”
Not biting. Guess I'll have to ask straight-up someday.
“Anyway, why are we really here?”
Dad, who'd been a bit down, perked up at my question like nothing happened.
“For the surprise.”
Surprise?
“Mom coming? Or Uncle maybe.”
“Who knows...”
His shifty expression was super suspicious.
“Oh, plane's here. Let's go see.”
I followed Dad to the spot.
In front of the arrivals gate. Among the crowd pouring out, I spotted familiar faces.
“Mom!”
My mom, whom I hadn't seen in ages.
“Uncle's here too?”
My uncle Jack Gordon, who'd been the Titans' interim pitching coach at spring camp.
“Just you two?”
“Heh... Think I'd call that a surprise?”
Who else?
No way...
Between Mom and Uncle, there was another figure.
Tall for a woman at around 170cm. Blonde hair tied back tight but still eye-catching. A tiny face mostly hidden by a mask, with striking blue eyes sparkling through.
“...Mia?”
My childhood friend I'd known forever, now the hottest pop star in America.
“Yuu~ I'm here!”
Mia ditched her suitcase and charged straight at me.