Harvest

Finally, the 2040 KBO champions had been decided.

In truth, it might not be such a big deal to make a fuss over. Fans of the winning team would naturally feel proud, but after all, a champion emerged every year.

But.

Without a doubt, this year's winners drew attention on an entirely different level from the usual.

Because this year's champions were none other than.

The undisputed most popular team in the KBO.

The team that had stirred up a whirlwind throughout the season.

The team that had gone nearly half a century without even sniffing a title.

The Busan Titans.

Not just Titans fans, either.

Even fans of other teams were still buzzing about the Titans' championship.

Even people who knew nothing about baseball couldn't help but chime in upon seeing the news flooded with Titans championship stories.

Interest exploded even further when the sitting president personally posted a congratulatory message on his SNS account. Of course, most baseball fans criticized him for dragging politics into sports, but there it was.

Naturally, the Titans players drew massive attention too.

Shortstop Baek Jihun, who notched multiple times on base against Shim Chando in Game 2 and showed rock-solid infield defense throughout the series. Power prospect and home run king Kang Gihoo, a military veteran who went quiet in Game 1 but then blasted homers left and right regardless of the ballpark. Foreign starter James Gilbert, who took the mound in Game 1 and Game 5—the first and last games of the Korean Series.

And so on.

But among the Titans roster, two players garnered the most spotlight.

Franchise star and 17-year veteran catcher Park Cheongwon. Already well-known with his national team experience from the tail end of Korea's golden baseball era, his image of clutching the pitcher on the mound and sobbing uncontrollably right after the win moved even non-Titans fans.

And.

The high school grad rookie who debuted this year and became the league's top ace in just one season: Jin Yuha. With a Major League legend for a father, he was famous even before debuting, shattering records left and right during the regular season and widely credited with carrying the league's hype this year.

Jin Yuha threw a Perfect Game in Game 2 of the Korean Series, then came in as a hitter in Game 5 to crush a homer, fully showcasing his two-way player prowess.

It was the birth of the true superstar Korean baseball had awaited since Jin Yuseong.

And so the 2040 KBO season wrapped up in a blaze of glory, drawing massive attention right to the end.

"Championship Series MVP and Korean Series MVP... I figured as much, but I should buy a display case soon. Wonder if they can install it before I head out?"

Winter was approaching.

Many fans—and even non-fans—were dying to know where Jin Yuha had disappeared to. But after the Korean Series championship ceremony, he hadn't shown his face anywhere.

Jin Yuha wasn't one for SNS anyway, so no fans had a clue about his whereabouts. The only speculation was that he was probably in America.

His family lived there, and so did his girlfriend. And.

"The call wrapped up sooner than expected."

In fact, Jin Yuha was in America. But the person next to him wasn't his parents or his girlfriend—it was a middle-aged agent.

"Ha... damn. This is ridiculous."

"Why? Did something go wrong? No way."

"It went too well. I didn't even get to open my mouth."

Jackson Morris. The top Major League agent had volunteered to represent Jin Yuha—half out of goodwill toward the kid like a nephew to him, half to lock down a future megastar.

"Really? Then it's all good."

"It's no fun for me. Tsk... We'll just sign when you get back to Korea."

"Got it."

Jin Yuha nodded with his usual nonchalant air.

"But Yuha, aren't you curious how much ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠your salary went up?"

"I'm sure you handled it perfectly. I trust you—and the team—on that."

"...Must be nice growing up with everything handed to you."

Jin Yuha burst out laughing at Jackson Morris's mutter.

"Haha, not really. The money's not the point anyway—it's the message."

"Oh, you've seen that movie too? It's old, but a total classic."

"Huh? That was a movie quote?"

Jin Yuha had no idea. He'd heard the line back in his past life, when signing a long-term deal with his old team.

'That guy acted like he'd come up with it himself, all cool and shit... turns out it was from somewhere else?'

Jin Yuha frowned, recalling the obnoxiously confident GM from his previous team.

Awards ceremonies awaited the players after the season ended.

The KBO Awards and the KBO Golden Glove Awards. Jin Yuha, the star of the 2040 KBO, finally made his return at the two ceremonies hosted by the league.

KBO Awards.

The emcee called Jin Yuha's name without any suspense whatsoever. It was too obvious a choice for any tension.

"Ah, yes. Thank you. Jin Yuha here."

Jin Yuha, suited up with his hair slicked back, took the Rookie of the Year trophy and stepped onto the stage. As always, he exuded a composure beyond his rookie status.

"I'll keep it short since I'll be back up here anyway. I'll keep showing even better performances going forward. Thank you."

As he finished his brief acceptance speech and stepped down.

"Yuha, you can't just phone it in like that on your first award!"

Baek Jihun's playful jeer rang out.

- Hahaha!

Laughter rippled through the venue for a moment, and the ceremony continued.

"Hmm, I do think my defense was pretty damn good, even if I say so myself. But next time, I'll aim for a title. Hey! No laughing over there!"

Baek Jihun, who'd sneak-attacked Jin Yuha with the jeer, naturally claimed the Gold Glove for defense.

"Uh... This is my first time getting an award like this. Of course—I'm a rookie who debuted this year. Lost Rookie of the Year to my teammate Yuha, though."

Mid-to-late rookie Kang Gihoo, who led the Titans' lineup, swept the home run, RBI, and slugging ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠percentage crowns.

And.

As expected, Jin Yuha took all the pitching titles.

"Back again. Jin Yuha here. Looks like I've got more trips to this stage, so this time I'll make the speech a bit longer. My teammate said something about it."

With that light joke, Jin Yuha began his acceptance speech at a leisurely pace.

Starting with thanks to his parents, then his girlfriend—drawing sincere sighs from spots around the room—then gratitude to the position players who helped him snag the Triple Crown—Baek Jihun clapped enthusiastically—followed by appreciation for the team brass and fans who let this rookie run wild.

It was the textbook definition of a perfect acceptance speech.

"...Thank you."

Jin Yuha bowed and stepped down, but as he said, he still had more stage time coming.

The MVP was Jin Yuha's too, naturally.

"Well... I already named everyone I wanted to thank earlier."

Jin Yuha's blue eyes sparkled mischievously as he took the stage for the third time that day.

"Early in the season, I laid out my goals. And I achieved every single one."

Some players marveled; others looked exasperated. Standing before them, Jin Yuha declared.

"So this time, let me talk about next season's goals. The trophies I'll be picking up here next year won't stop at just these."

It was a clear declaration of war.

"Hitters, you'd better watch out if you don't want me taking your titles too."

And a firm vow to go full two-way player.

"Our Yuha's just too lovable."

Titans GM Hyeon Myungun gazed at the TV screen with a smile.

Jin Yuha held the Golden Glove trophy, delivering his speech calmly from the stage.

"Kid's got nothing left to say at this point... but damn, he nails it. You'd think he's done this a hundred times."

Though Jin Yuha couldn't hear him, GM Hyeon Myungun clapped sincerely.

"Alright, let's get started."

He scanned the room with a serious expression.

"Shall we start with the release list?"

For players who'd shone this season, winter was a time of harvest.

For others, it was just a brutal gale of cuts.

And for the front office, it was their busiest season yet.