Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Choi Hyun-ah (3)
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As soon as the game against Seongnam Technical High School wrapped up, I pulled out my phone and checked my messages. Just as expected, there was one from Hyun-ah.
-Hyun-ah♡: Do we really have to meet today? I'm kinda tired.
This bitch still hadn't come to her senses. I was about to reply when I noticed the heart next to Hyun-ah's name. Seeing that evidence of how I'd once loved a slut like her killed my post-victory high.
"Tch, what a buzzkill."
-Slut: Do we really have to meet today?
Changing her name settled my nerves a bit. What should I send to mess with her more? As I pondered, today's winning pitcher, Kim Won-ho, approached.
"Why the attitude on a day like this?"
"Huh?"
I quickly pocketed my phone. Kim Won-ho grinned slyly.
"What? Watching porn or something?"
"Porn? Nah, just pissed at some spam."
"Heh, all grown up. Anyway, lots of scouts today. Think it's possible?"
"Know which teams?"
Most scouts were probably here for Kim Won-ho. As a first-round draft pick candidate, all three Seoul teams would've shown up.
"Saw AT Thunderbirds scouts, Silla Triggers, and Hancheol Grizzlies. All three, looks like."
"Whose turn is it this year?"
"Silla Triggers."
"Guess you're headed there? Lucky."
Silla Triggers had naming rights from Silla Investment Securities. They rarely signed free agents due to budget issues but paid decent salaries and had produced the most major leaguers in KBA history—Korea Baseball Association, the pro league.
Main players often left via FA or posting, opening spots for prospects. They always contended for titles, had low fan pressure, making it a great environment for young talent to grow.
"They might pass on me."
"Why? Got a preferred team?"
"Triggers' second team life is brutal."
Their minor league facilities were so bad, alumni vowed never to return and worked extra hard to avoid it.
"Still, first-round pick? They'll use you from spring training."
"Think so?"
"Yeah, who passes on a 150 km/h arm?"
"Thanks for the praise."
Watching Kim Won-ho pack his gear, first-round bound, made me envious again. They usually drafted pitchers first, so my odds were slim. Plus, with so many Seoul farm pitchers this year, even if drafted, Seoul teams might skip me.
'What!? So I have to leave the capital?!'
'Why the yelling? Annoying.'
'You fucking monkey bastard. You should've told me that shit!'
'Baseball anywhere's fine.'
'Bullshit. Baseball's gotta be in a big city! Fuck! You know how much I lost playing in bumfuck St. Louis!'
'Huh?'
'If I'd played for Yankees or Giants, I'd have surpassed Ruth. Fuck, DiMaggio only bagged Monroe 'cause he was in New York. If I'd been Yankees, I'd have been the top hitter, not Ruth...'
'Giants? San Francisco?'
'Idiot. Giants were in New York back then.'
'Oh...'
'Anyway, only big city here's Seoul, so play here. Pussy quality's way better.'
'Sounds good to me.'
I didn't want to leave Seoul either. Life in the provinces? Unthinkable. My skills could snag second-round first pick, but Seoul teams? No guarantees.
'Fucking monkey shit. Fail and it's over? Baseball career done? Effort, dumbass!'
'Fine, I'll try harder. Geez.'
'Tch tch. Could go straight to majors. What era is this, with conscription?'
After talks with Hornsby, we'd decided against direct MLB entry. My early physical got me fourth-grade exemption—or so I thought.
Accident should've exempted me, but military wasn't lenient. Fuck.
Hornsby pushed Yankees hard, but after I explained service calmly, he agreed: conquer KBA first, then majors. I'd doubted my caliber before, but with his experience? Felt possible.
'Yeah. If my disciple can't hit majors, ultimate shame. You're the worst, though.'
'Worst? Who'd train under a guy like you?'
'Heh, fresh bullshit.'
'From who?'
'Ted.'
'Ted? Plenty of Teds.'
'Don't know Ted Williams? Fucking retard playing baseball. Look him up.'
"Ted Williams for real?!"
Too shocked, I blurted it aloud. Last .400 hitter, top-three with Ruth—and Hornsby's disciple? Bullshit?
'Heh, suspicious retard.'
'If Williams instead of you...'
'Heh. Think you'd live like this?'
Hornsby unusually calm, no swears. Memories flashed: sex with Hye-jin noona, Hyun-ah's blowjob... Hm.
'You're the best, Hornsby.'
'Heh, moron.'
'Help lots more!'
"Hey, why yell then zone out?"
Kim Won-ho, still not back at dorms, interrupted.
"Oh, just another thought."
"Ted Williams? You barely know MLB."
"Even I know Ted Williams."
"Yeah. Thanks today—defense, homer."
"Thanks? Scouts were here. Gotta get drafted too."
"Sure, sure. Dinner on me next time."
Dense fuck finally left. I whipped out my phone and messaged Hyun-ah.
-Me: Fine, skip today then. Guess I can send Won-ho the pics? No vid.
She must've been staring—reply instant.
-Slut: Send em n ill kill u.
Panicked hard? Typos galore.
-Me: Think it over.
I silenced my phone, headed to dorms, unpacked, showered. Weekend league's seven games done; rest tomorrow. Perfect for Hyun-ah.
-Slut: Hey, sent?
-Slut: Hey, reply?
-Slut: Hey fuck reply
-Slut: U bitchin prick reply??
-Slut: Ans without ignoring
-Slut: [Gift Icon]
-Slut: [Photo]
-Slut: Fuck check msgs
-Slut: Hey where r u?
……...
-Slut: Pls reply......
While showering, she'd sent dozens—heated up, baiting with gifts and pics. Desperate bitch.
-Me: Back at dorms, just showered.
-Slut: Trash fuck. Fun? This fun?
-Me: That shit you pulled on me fun? Quit baseball, do labor?
She forgot her own crap. Fucking bitch.
"Hyung, all clean?"
"Yeah. You?"
"No game today."
Seething over Hyun-ah, dormmate second-year infielder Lee Jin-hyung chimed in. Benchwarmer like me, but slightly less skilled. Pitiful guy.
"Rest tomorrow—heading home?"
"Yeah. Heard you killed it today."
"You can too. Our age, every year counts.
Going home? Nice—no need to go out for her.
"Not you?"
"Home? Dirtier than here."
Parents gone, but house remained. Training focus kept me at dorms—habit now.
Team sucked, but Hanchego was prestigious sports high; dorms nice, campus big.
"Gonna crash. Air out, hyung—smells like pussy lately."
"Fuck off, not me. Bench bitch."
"Fact-check, chill."
I flipped him off as he left. Hm... Hye-jin noona sex aftermath?
Anyway, Jin-hyung gone.
-Me: Come to my dorm—most went home.
-Slut: What? Can't go there. Crazy? Caught=expelled.
-Me: Pics everywhere n expelled then.
-Slut: Trash. Empty for real?
-Me: Hate beating around bush.
-Slut: Watch mouth fuck.
-Me: Here in an hour.
-Slut: How? Roommates here. Next time?
-Me: Held back, solo room? Lie.
-Slut: Stalker creep.
-Me: No games, front wait.
Volleyball dorms close to baseball—ten minutes tops, dodge eyes.
Didn't wanna ruin life, so prep: scout dorm supervisor, guards.
'Hornsby, please.'
'Do it yourself, punk.'
'C'mon, not just for me...'
'Heh, true.'
Hornsby agreed readily. His fault anyway—he'd scout guards.
Guards located, supervisor easy. Coaches rotated dorm duty; tonight, head coach—drinking for sure.
I hit supervisor room. Door ajar, called entering.
"Coach?"
"Maeng-ho? What's up? Staying again?"
"Yeah. Empty house anyway."
"...Yeah. Tough kid."
"What can ya do. Others gone?"
"Yeah. Golden Lion Tournament soon—no rest."
"Who stayed?"
"Few first-years, you. Bunked together—join 'em, Maeng-ho?"
"Nah, my seniority."
"Fair."
First-years? Miss parents at that age—no home?
"Ahh. Wins taste better. Drink, Maeng-ho? Adult now."
"Nah, high schooler."
"Right, athletes live on discipline. That's why you shine."
Red face—already deep in.
"I'll pour though."
Keep him drinking, indoors till Hyun-ah arrives.
"Ahh, pupil pours best. Told ya, Maeng-ho—you'll make it. Thanks for sticking."
"Coach too harsh. Batting practice pitcher? Why me?"
"Poor Maeng-ho."
"Pros success needs posture. Parents watching—know?"
Enduring drunk ramble, phone buzzed. Only Hyun-ah texts me—go time?
"Thanks. Swing practice before bed. Key okay?"
"Sure. Empty anyway. Lock up. I'll drink n crash—no roll call?"
"Obvious. Not kids."
"Adults."
Ugh, drunk. Two bottles quick. Snuck PET soju out unseen.
-Slut: Where? Outside.
-Me: 5 min.
-Slut: Hurry—caught=done, know?
-Me: Ok.
Grabbed PET soju, hit first-year room. As said, all bunked. Surprise visit spooked 'em.
"Sunbae?"
"Rest day—no home? What?"
"Training tomorrow..."
"Who cares? Rest."
Handed PET soju. Shocked but eager—freshmen, booze tempts.
"Snacks?"
"Yes."
"No trouble. Moderate, stay in. Caught by coach=disciplinary both ways."
"Got it. You...?"
"Me here? Relax?"
"Still..."
"Fine. I handle mine."
"Thanks. Good night!"
"Yeah. Loud=bat incoming."
"No worries!"
Last kids cleared? Perfect timing—Hornsby back as I headed for Hyun-ah.
'Guard opposite side—clear awhile.'
'Great.'
Out dorms to spot: Hyun-ah in school PE uniform.
"Hey! Took long enough!"
"All for you—oppa schemed."
"Oppa my ass."
"See how long that lasts."
"......"
"Follow."