Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Strange Woman. (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“This should give us all the data we need for recruitment. Good work, Maeng-ho.”
“What are the results?”
“Even against a machine, it's pretty impressive. Average batted ball speed is 152 km/h, top speed 196 km/h. MLB's average is 88 mph—140.8 km/h—so this is outstanding.”
Was I really hitting that hard? My shoulders lifted a bit with pride.
“And the launch angles line up too. Your solid hits are mostly between 20° and 35°, right in line with the current trends.”
Is that good? I only knew how to train; I wasn't up on all that technical stuff. Seeing my confused look, Cheon So-young kindly explained.
“To clear the center field fence at Jamsil, you need about 165 km/h exit velocity with a launch angle of 20° to 27°. Your average is 152 km/h, but solid contact hits clock in near 170 km/h. That makes you a home run hitter perfect for Jamsil.”
“Ah, I see.”
Honestly, I still didn't get it.
“Hehe. It means you're a great hitter.”
She must've noticed I wasn't following. I felt a little embarrassed, but smarts weren't what mattered on the field anyway.
“There are other stats too, but should I go over them?”
“No, that's fine.”
Hearing more would just expose how clueless I was.
“With data like this, AT Thunderbirds might even take you first overall. Thanks for your help.”
Right, she worked for AT. I didn't really want to go there. I wasn't obsessed with winning, but to cash in on bonuses, I needed a team with championship potential.
Still, for a Seoul boy like me, getting stuck with a rural club sounded worse. I wasn't in a position to be picky.
“Any chance other teams pick me? AT has the top pick.”
I tested the waters anyway.
“Hmm, probably not. It's a great year for pitchers. I saw your interview—you said you've been an AT fan since you were a kid? Lucky break.”
Damn. Should've skipped that interview. Better than shipping off to the provinces, though? From what she said, Hancheol Grizzlies or Silla Triggers weren't likely to draft me.
“Lucky me.”
“Great. That wraps up AT Thunderbirds business. Shall we talk agents? Oh, and everything today stays strictly confidential. If it leaks, the team loses draft rights, and the player gets suspended for three years. You know that, right?”
Was there a rule like that? News to me. Why tell me now? I wouldn't have come if I'd known.
“Isn't that a bit late to mention?”
“Oh, you didn't know? But every team's doing quiet deals, so as long as you don't blab in an interview, you're fine.”
“Really? I thought it was risky.”
“If anyone asks, just say it's agent stuff. No big deal.”
Phew, dodged a bullet.
“Let's get into agent details then.”
She pressed a button, and in walked a guy who screamed “I studied my ass off!”
“Hello. I'm Jeong Min-ho, agent with SY Agency.”
“Agent Jeong Min-ho earned his law license in the US and has connected players to MLB teams.”
Jeong Min-ho? Didn't ring a bell, but SY Agency? They repped everyone going to the majors lately. Only worry was a shady contract trapping me.
'Ugh, no Rogers to advise me.'
“For KBA League, we exclude signing bonuses. We help with salary negotiations and FA filings, taking a 5% cut. For MLB, we tailor it per situation.”
'5%? On 100 million won, that's 5 million. Seems cheap. They don't touch draft money. Agents are key for majors later...'
“No rush to decide. You're not eyeing MLB right away, right?”
“Yeah...”
“Take the contract, consult friends or family.”
Cheon So-young had this persuasive magic. I almost signed on the spot.
'No, no. At least talk to Rogers first. Where the hell is he now?'
She and Jeong kept explaining agent perks.
“Can I take time to think?”
“Of course. It's your career—decide when you're ready.”
Ask Won-ho? He was a top prospect mulling MLB and drafts, knew agents inside out.
'Yeah, Won-ho it is.'
“I'll head out then.”
“Sure. Team Leader Jeong, see him out.”
“Got it. This way, Maeng-ho.”
Wasn't she driving me? Mood soured. Especially with the lawyer's smug grin.
*
Waiting for Won-ho at a cafe near school, a familiar face popped up.
'Rogers, where've you been?'
'Damn it. Who the hell was that weird woman?'
'Huh? Just Thunderbirds' operations head. Runs an agency too. Kinda odd, right? Do people double-dip like that?'
'No, you idiot! That's not the point!'
'Then what?'
'Getting close to her feels like I'd vanish. And she's got a creepy ghost tailing her! Crying blood tears!'
“What? A ghost?!”
Shit! She seemed too pretty—possessed?!
'Yeah, ghost! Some white guy's spirit following her. Blood tears, chained up.'
Chills ran down my spine. Something felt off. Ghosts in the 21st century? Teeth chattering terror.
'Weird part? I swear I've seen that ghost before. Face rings a bell.'
'Really? Then what? If it's familiar to you, it's from a century ago. Why haunt her here?'
'You thick-skulled monkey! Think I'm a damn psychic?!'
'If you don't know, just say so—why yell?!'
'Anyway, stay away. Being near her messes me up.'
'Wait, messes you up how exactly?'
'Senses fade, like I'm vanishing. But distance fixes it.'
'So you don't disappear for good?'
'Nah. I won't poof till you're MLB's top second baseman.'
Oh ho. Sweet.
'Sweet?'
'Yeah. If she makes you fade... I get her all to myself? No Rogers peeking?'
Sex felt weird sometimes, imagining him watching. I'd shut him up during. But without him?
'You bastard! Trying to ditch me?!'
'Hehe. So banging her blanks you out?'
'Fuck!'
Now I craved Cheon So-young more. My secret woman, Rogers blind. What would she taste like?
'Fine, go for it.'
'Thought you'd rage?'
'She acts like she hates guys. Good luck.'
'All talk, no proof. Sorry, but she eye-fucked me in the car. Tough break. Kehehe.'
'Whatever, monkey boy.'
His insults tasted extra sweet today. Thunderbirds ops head? AT didn't seem so bad now.
Baseball's anywhere, but a woman like her? Only at AT. Club wasn't my vibe, but unique chicks like that? Never seen one.
'Anyway, what'd you talk about?'
'Oh, data review, bit on contracts. Right, Rogers—know agents?'
'Idiot. Agents in my MLB days? Football guys maybe.'
'So you don't?'
'Didn't say that. Show the contract.'
Smart move telling Rogers. I pulled out the papers; he scanned every line.
Weird how he could talk and read through me.
'No issues. Good terms.'
'Sweet. Not a scam.'
Still, double-check with Won-ho. He was due any minute.
“Yo, Maeng-ho. Been waiting?”
“You I called, so yeah.”
Won-ho showed with a surprise guest. What's she doing here?
“Hyun-ah, what's up?”
Casual clothes screamed date. Won-ho must've invited her. Clueless she was dick-whipped.
“Heard from Won-ho you're signing an agent? I'll vet it—volleyball's next superstar.”
“Hyun-ah's got one; she'll help. You two patched up? Friends gotta forgive and forget. Haha.”
“......”
Won-ho laughed innocently; Hyun-ah blushed. First time all three together post-fuck. Weird vibe.
“Contract time?”
I laid it out; they pored over it.
“Ooh, SY? Top agency rep. Jealous—even I signed too early. Their guys go overseas or big FA. They see your potential. Knew you'd make it.”
“Thanks. Thoughts?”
“Looks solid to me. I'll ask a lawyer buddy.”
Lawyer pal? Rich kid perks.
“Hyun-ah?”
“Baseball gets better deals. Beats mine. Should switch?”
She eyed me enviously. Won-ho dialed someone.
“Uncle, Won-ho here. Can you check a contract?”
Uncle the lawyer?
“Sending pics. ... No poison pills? Thanks. Not mine—friend's. Yeah, with friends now. Oh, big news incoming?”
He looked at us.
“Go. I'll chat with Hyun-ah.”
“Back soon. You two talk.”
Won-ho stepped out. I stared at Hyun-ah; her face flushed, imagining things.
“Date?”
“...Yeah.”
Still into Won-ho after that pounding? Or denying she's my slave by dating him?
Come to think, missed Hye-jin unnie today. Hyun-ah tonight?