Short Break (2)
Korea's got this famous sports joke called the "Root Theory." It started in soccer circles, but even I—a baseball player who spent time in the States—knew about it. Simple reason.
Korean fans are super active on SNS.
At some point, Korean fans had DM'd my teammate catcher on my behalf—back when I avoided SNS like the plague, in this life or the last.
Not that we were particularly close...
Truth be told, I didn't have many close teammates back then.
Anyway, those fans were hoping Korea's long-lost light in baseball—the American one—wouldn't stray and would grow up right. They pleaded with him to watch out for anything that could corrupt my "roots."
Which meant...
Flashy style, money obsession, a girlfriend at least four years older with big boobs, and a shitty tutor teacher?
Eh, none of that had much to do with me.
For starters, I'm not into showing off. No interest in dyeing my hair or tattoos; accessories just get in the way.
Baseball players don't even notice hair dye much. We're always wearing caps during games.
Wear a cap every day, gotta be careful.
Luckily, Dad's still got a full head, but Uncle Jack—the pitcher—has a forehead that's expanding with age. No way I wanted to dye and end up like him.
Plus, I was born into an environment where obsessing over money was impossible. Like I said a bunch of times, Dad made a trillion won just hitting balls well.
The rest is kinda iffy, honestly?
My tutors might've had personality flaws, even if their skills were decent. Can't deny that.
Deny it, and the players Dad and Uncle chewed out would be pitied.
LA's Japanese superstar from that era was famous for his gentlemanly charm; Dad was the total opposite—a villain type. Uncle Jack, the Mets ace who built a dynasty but never escaped dugout drama, too.
And finally...
"Yu~ Didn't you miss me?"
"Missed you like crazy. How'd you get all the way here?"
"Your birthday's soon, so I came to see you."
Not four years older.
Ahem.
Anyway, I had a girlfriend. One who made way more money than me.
This year, I'm on minimum salary outside my signing bonus.
Even including the bonus—about 1.1 billion won—it's pocket change compared to Mia's earnings. She's America's hottest pop star right now.
"Heard you caused a scene the other day? Whoosh!"
"You saw that?"
"Of course! I watch every game you're in."
How the daughter of a famous New York law firm family and the son of the guy called the heart of New York baseball ended up childhood friends? Not a big deal. How those childhood friends became lovers? Same.
My life's like a sports novel, with baseball as the subcategory.
The important part?
"Let's head to the ballpark right now!"
Mia's a huge baseball nut.
"What game?"
"Titans, obviously!"
And a fan of my team.
"No game today, though."
"Oh."
It's Monday.
"Titans' Tuesday game is in Busan, home stadium."
"Yeah?"
A sly grin crept across her face.
"Then we head to Busan now, catch tomorrow's game together."
"No hotel booked, I bet?"
"Duh. Why, when you've got a place?"
That's when...
"Huh? What's that mean? Who's sleeping where?"
Dad suddenly asked in a dazed voice.
"Me. At Yu's place."
"A grown woman sleeping at some dark guy's house? Even if you're close friends, that make sense?"
Weird thing to say.
"We're not just friends—we're lovers."
"Lo... lovers?"
Huh?
"You didn't know?"
"When... when did this start? Honey! Jack! You guys knew?"
Flustered, Dad whipped his head around to the family. They just shrugged—classic American gesture.
"...I'm the only one out of the loop?"
"Our parents all know."
"No way! I talked to Austin yesterday—no mention!"
Dad's shoulders slumped.
"...Yuha. Is this that 'lonely patriarch' feeling?"
I patted his shoulder with a generous smile, offering comfort.
"Dad."
Of course, facts needed correcting.
"Sadly, you're not the patriarch right now."
Dad, you're unemployed.
Dad's car became mine. He insisted on coming to Busan despite heading back to Seoul by train.
-"Yuseong. Just go quietly."
Mom—the biggest voice in our house—rubbed his back, and he gave up.
The drive to Busan was fun. It'd been ages since I'd seen her, so my energy was sky-high.
"Korean rest area! Always wanted to check one out!"
We stopped at a rest area for a bit and arrived leisurely.
Ticket through the team?
Sunbaes whose families came to games often probably did that. Anyway.
Can I even go to the game?
Technically, I'm still under suspension, right?
"Yu~ All clean!"
Contemplation didn't last.
-"Yes, of course. We'll get them right away."
Next day, front desk said tickets were no problem.
"Can I actually go watch?"
Asked my other question, too.
-"Well... not recommended, but fine? You're not in self-quarantine."
Team and most fans saw my bench-clearing as justified. Dragons might be salty, but...
-"No need to worry about that."
True.
-"Cheer section okay? We can get VIP."
"Nah, she's set on cheers."
-"Knew it! Got it!"
Front desk guy's voice brimmed with glee.
Jin Yuha didn't know—but wouldn't have cared anyway—his moves yesterday drew tons of eyes.
That woman was a globally famous pop star. No wonder.
"Hahaha! This is why I love Jin Yuha!"
GM Hyeon Myeongun grinned ear-to-ear at the articles.
"Mia! That Mia coming to our park?"
Teams always crave fan influx—even top-dog Titans.
Celeb visits draw non-fans. A worldwide star? Jackpot.
Jin Yuha was the best, as always.
"...That damn Jin Yuha."
Unlike the beaming GM, someone was cursing him.
"Hanseong, your face looks like..."
Jin Yuha's peer and personal catcher, Jeong Hanseong.
A diehard Mia fan who used her song as his walk-up. Learning his fave star was dating his frenemy?
"Dating Mia? Arrrgh!"
Enough to drive him mad with rage and envy.
"Come to think of it..."
Hanseong recalled suspicious hints.
Like Yuha's reaction when he picked Mia's song for walk-up. Or her SNS handle with millions of followers: 'U&Mia'.
"That bastard's not getting off easy..."
He wouldn't cool off till he scored a signed autograph from Mia. So he vowed. Of course...
"Here, autograph."
"Heh heh heh, Mia's signed!"
Even after Yuha handed over her signed item pre-game...
"Th-that... damn guy!"
Seeing them cuddled up in the stands, all lovey-dovey—anger surged back.
Luckily, Titans won.
"Haeseong? Dude threw with guts! Damn Mets need that confidence."
Mia, true fan, dished on her team as starter Park Haeseong dominated.
"Yeah. Unexpected."
5 innings, 2 runs—solid sub starter. Memories fuzzy; he was up early season, got shelled, sent down quick.
Manager's prized prospect. Got potential.
Top fastball mid-150s, decent slider. Command iffy, no real third pitch—but promising.
If not Titans, he'd be rotating already.
Titans' thin depth belies a stout rotation. Even "weakest" Kwak Jaewoong eats 5 innings steady.
"Tch."
I smacked my lips.
"What's up?"
Mia asked.
"Feels like we won't see that sunbae on the team much longer."
"For real? Trade?"
"Probably."
Plenty of 1st-team starters—why pull him from 2nd? And...
"Timing's perfect—teams needing starters."
Coincidentally.
"They hold players for our weak spots."
Obvious.
"Showcase."
"Showcase, huh."
Haeseong probably knew. Pitched all-out; felt it.
"Tomorrow too?"
"Duh! Korea cheering's a blast. Bat flips everywhere!"
Hmm.
"Tomorrow might not be fun."
"Why?"
Manager Jeong said James Gilbert's return got pushed to Sunday. Meaning...
"Tomorrow's starter's... meh."
Game 2: Ivan Rodriguez.
. . .
"Fuck! Holy shit! What kinda coward pitcher is that?! Throw in the zone! I could do better!"
Ivan being Ivan, Mia proved she's a real fan.