Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: 2023 Rookie First-Round Draft Pick
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The KBA League's rookie draft is divided into two methods. The first is the first-round pick from schools affiliated with each region. This first-round nomination selects the top player from the region tied to each team.
In other words, being picked in the first round means you're the best player in that region for that year.
Players not selected in the first round then enter a nationwide draft open to all students, regardless of the teams' regional ties. It happens in a snake draft format around autumn, after the Phoenix Tournament ends.
Some might hear this and think, "Wow, pro teams must invest a lot in developing their local affiliates! Local boys could join our team!" But reality is different.
As the gap between provincial and capital region teams widened, all the top talent flocked to Seoul-area schools. Outside baseball powerhouses like Gwangju, Busan, and Daegu, the level difference with Seoul was brutal.
Some teams pushed to abolish the first-round picks entirely. The proposal passed, so the 2023 Rookie Draft—this year's—marks the end of first-round nominations.
"Of course, it could change again based on the teams' circumstances. As you know, Player Maeng-ho, it switched to a full draft before too."
"Ah, I see."
I half-listened to the operations staff guy. No need for me to know the details. Unless that woman was explaining.
'Rogers would've jumped her like a dog in heat if he saw her.'
To relay her looks accurately to the absent Rogers, I took in AT Thunderbirds operations chief Cheon So-young. Her cool summer blouse highlighted what looked like E-cup assets.
'Breasts smaller than Hye-jin sis or Hyun-ah, but her face is seriously pretty.'
If Hye-jin had puppy-dog features and Hyun-ah fox-like ones, Cheon So-young's big double-eyelidded eyes gave her bunny vibes—my type for faces alone. Shame about the expressionless, icy demeanor.
Her knee-length black H-line skirt stirred urges to peek underneath.
"...Player Maeng-ho?"
"Ah, yes. Where were we?"
Damn, this clueless punk interrupts my viewing.
"So, we were saying come to the first-round ceremony tomorrow. Being the last one, it'll be live on TV. The team already submitted your info, so just show up, Player Maeng-ho. Oh, you have a suit, right?"
"Suit? Nope."
Money was tight even for gear. Planned to wear track pants.
"Not even one? Tomorrow's the broadcast."
"Why didn't you say sooner?"
"Deputy Park, didn't you tell him ahead?"
"Sorry, Chief."
Tsk, guy's clueless and incompetent.
"Sigh. No time for custom tailoring..."
Cheon So-young's face darkened. Even shadowed, it had charm. Couldn't ignore a beauty like that.
"Just wear track pants. No big deal."
"No way! Other teams will mock us."
Meant to help, but fierce reaction.
"Sigh. No choice. We'll shop for off-the-rack. Deputy Park, back to work."
"Yes? Chief, I'll go with."
"You know suits better than me, Deputy Park?"
"...No."
"Then follow orders."
"Got it."
Her words had that irresistible authority, as before. Face looked early twenties, but commanding staff showed real skill.
"Sorry. Our mistake not notifying sooner."
"Nah, I'm fine."
"Shall we get that suit then?"
She stood first; I followed reflexively to her cool upward-swinging foreign car from last time.
'What was it? Maserati, I think.'
Heard from a teammate, but car illiterate—forgot model. Sat shotgun, buckled up; she started right away.
"Let's check Gangnam suit shops first. Not sure if they have your tall frame, but we'll find something."
"Uh, before that..."
"Yes?"
"How old are you?"
Question bugging me since first sight. Looked young for pro team chief.
"My age?"
"You look so young."
"Ah, twenty-five."
Twenty-five? Just five years older? How's she chief?
"Operations chief at that age? Impressive. Where'd you go to college?"
"...Seoul National University."
Whoa, SNU. Like first-round pick for us. Explains the fast rise. SNU creds check out.
"So, boyfriend...?"
Answered easily despite ice-queen vibe, so pressed for real curiosity.
"None. But aren't we past chit-chat like that? You're the player; I'm operations chief."
Ugh, spine chilled worse than icy waterfall in middle-school winter camp. Cabin air froze; wanted AC off.
'Rogers! Help! First normal girl talk—awkward as hell!'
Needed him now. Hye-jin and Hyun-ah weren't "normal" meets. Never learned normal flirting.
But Rogers ghosted whenever we met her.
"......"
"......"
"So, my signing bonus..."
Broke tense silence with player-business safe topic.
"As mentioned, around 500 million won."
"500 million... Heard MLB scouts coming too."
Near record for position players, but could squeeze more?
"Yes, we know. SY Agency informed us."
Right, her firm. Silence returned. Think, Ji Maeng-ho! Icebreaker! What'd Hye-jin like?
'Choke me harder! Maeng-ho! Why slack lately?'
'Handsome is best. Hope our baby's like Maeng-ho.'
Nope. Sis ain't normal—ignore. Hyun-ah then! What'd she like?
'Riverside by school? Empty at 2 a.m.'
'Ahh! Won-ho, voice? Hnng, running. Breath, ahh, short?'
Her neither. Realized: no normal girls around me.
"We're here. Start here."
Arrived pondering. Upscale suit shop vibe. White-haired old gent greeted.
"Miss! Back? Boyfriend? Tall and handsome."
"Not boyfriend. Client."
"Ah, sorry."
Owner knew her, but couldn't pierce chill. Miss? Made sense—loaded vibe.
"Suit for him? Our first-round pick—no tux."
"Hmm. Custom takes two weeks—okay?"
"Needs it tomorrow..."
"Then check ready-mades. Name...?"
"Ji Maeng-ho."
"Baseball player? Figured—built like one. Asians off-rack awkward, but your build? Minor alterations work."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. Height, weight?"
"188 cm, late 80s to early 90s kg."
Owner groped measurements. Goosebumps from guy's hands, endured. Thigh-measuring grazed junk—wanted to slap him.
"Athlete through and through. Body screams custom."
"Then make one."
"Chief, I'm broke."
500 mil or not, no splurge on suits. Save for house move, MLB prep.
"Fine. Think agency gift. We'll cover suit."
"Then...?"
"Custom from agency, tomorrow's from team."
"Thanks, Chief."
Beauty with kind heart under ice. Owner fetched pro tools, measured precisely. Done, handed ready suits.
"These fit your size. Need tweaks—try on."
Few fashion shows later, nailed perfect fit.
"Miss, alterations take an hour or two—okay?"
"Yes. Take till 5. Coming back."
"See you."
Out into midsummer glare.
"Three hours till 5..."
"Anything else, Player Maeng-ho?"
"No."
Told school meeting team—skipped. But splitting from her felt off.
"Join me then?"
"Sure!"
Nice! Wanted to—perfect. So-young wanted date too.
'Acted cold, fell for my charm?'
Played coy, hopped back in.
"Where to?"
"You'll see."
Hour later: not expected. AT Thunderbirds' second-team field.
"Here...?"
"AT's second-team stadium."
I see. Why here...?
"Inside."
Futures League game sparse crowd.
"AT invested 150 billion. Includes facilities, but nice? Jamsil size."
"Yeah, great."
"Sit."
"Why here?"
"See that player?"
Pointed AT-uniformed outfielder.
"Yes."
"Know him?"
"No, too far?"
Wouldn't anyway—too busy training, skipped pro ball.
"Kang Joo-hyun, ours. MVP Golden Lion, Blue Dragon, Phoenix ten years back. Bonus: 350 million."
"Like me? Got those MVPs too."
"That one?"
"Yes."
Now sweating pitcher on mound.
Crack!
Perfect pitch crushed over fence.
"Just homered on: Kim Jin-hoo, our first-round thirteen years ago. 220 million bonus."
That skill got big bucks? I deserve 1 bil then.
"All high-potential. MLB 20-80 scale? Around 45."
"45 what?"
"Just below MLB average."
"Seniors ballers then."
"Potential yes. But not everyone grows into it."
She sighed, continued.
"Player Maeng-ho, AT expectations huge. 500 mil ain't pocket change."
"Yeah...?"
Why the buildup?
"Too many failures. Next year: 20+ without playoffs."
AT slim odds this year too—top early, tanked post-June.
"Hope you grow to potential, win AT a title."
Obvious spiel? Win unsure, but growth certain—with Rogers. Confident reply.
"Why say obvious? I'll be MLB's top second baseman someday."
"Confidence good. Win AT title before MLB? Better."
Her face turned wistful suddenly.
Thump-thump. Her look stirred my heart. ...Pretty.
"Shall we head up?"
Backlit by sun, she seemed brighter than before.