Chapter 35

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 35

Chapter Title: The Audacious Rookie

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"Oh, nice suit?"

Once the rehearsal wrapped up and we settled into the waiting room, that's when I finally clocked Won-ho's getup.

"You just noticing now?"

"Rehearsal had me spinning."

It was a sports channel and all, but our first time on TV meant the rehearsal flew by in a blur.

"You clean up nice too. Where'd you get yours?"

"Me? The team hooked me up."

"No kidding? Looks expensive. That fabric's top-shelf."

Did it? I was clueless about suits, but hearing a rich kid like Won-ho call it pricey put a little pep in my step. Damn, should've asked the price.

"Nervous, huh."

Won-ho muttered under his breath. Same here—a bit on edge. You could call today the real first step of my pro baseball life. Rookie draft day. The waiting room was packed with familiar faces beyond just me and Won-ho.

Park Ji-hwan from Yongsan Internet High, picked by the Hancheol Grizzlies. Shin Jung-hoon from Gyeongnam First High, nabbed by the Charlotte Blue Mariners. Jang Woo-ju from Gwangju Future High, taken by the Future Buffaloes. Plus kids from the youth national team and high school hotshots who'd made waves.

The TV in the waiting room was running the event intro and the KBA commissioner's greeting.

"Maeng-ho, just like in rehearsal."

"Ugh, still jittery though."

The team ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠staff tried pumping me up, but my heart wouldn't settle.

'Sigh, you moron. Shaking over a monkey league event like it's the majors?'

'Getting drafted was my dream!'

'Heh, now your dream's top MLB second baseman. Don't sweat this crap.'

Hearing Rogers' trash talk steadied my nerves a touch. Couldn't get by without the guy.

'And this punk's slinking off to meet that girl?'

That girl? Cheon So-young?

'Hey, that's private! Even family needs boundaries. I need my own woman too! And slinking? Barely five meets total.'

'Sure, monkey boy.'

A little sulky, was he?

'Not sulking, you old bastard!'

'Then why snap? You totally are.'

I was loosening up with Rogers' banter when a voice pierced from the TV.

AT Thunderbirds finished sixth last year, so we were fifth up. Event kicks off, heart thumping. Around me, Yu Seung-cheol—ace pitcher from Daejeon Bukwon High, Volcano Falcons' pick—was prepping.

[...Volcano Falcons selects. For these reasons... from Daejeon Bukwon High, Yu Seung-cheol...]

Volcano Falcons passes, then Future Buffaloes, JT Gold Eyes, Charlotte Blue Mariners. Future Buffaloes' GM steps up for their intro.

"Maeng-ho, get ready."

"Yup."

"Born for the stage? No shakes now."

"Gotta face 20,000 fans in games—can't quake over this."

"Solid headspace."

'Shaking like an quake earlier, mouth's golden?'

'All Rogers' doing.'

"Let's go."

"Yup."

Up right behind the stage, GM's voice booms right away.

"AT Thunderbirds selects this player. The tournament showings, rock-solid defense, natural physique, grit bouncing back from tragedy, high school record proving his upside. Fulfills our eternal crave for a righty slugger. Korean Physical Education High School's Ji Maeng-ho."

Venue erupts in applause as he finishes.

"Your cue."

Smooth my suit, push through the door into the event hall.

"Yes! Ji Maeng-ho stands 188cm, 93kg—a powerhouse righty infielder. Set new high school home run record. From Blue Dragon Tournament round of 32 to finals, homered in every game."

Like rehearsal drill, stroll slow to GM during intro.

"Yes. GM Yoon Jin-seong presents the uniform. Ji Maeng-ho, shed the jacket and don the uniform."

I ditch the jacket; AT's GM hands me the uniform personally. Slip it on smooth, grab the cap from staff and plant it.

"Now both to the photo line."

Line up, flashes explode. I flash a camera-ready grin.

"Name tag on, center please."

Tag up, hit the mic spot. MC fires first question pronto.

'Answer ballsy. Image shapes your career forever.'

'Got it.'

Rehearsal flashbacks—Rogers raging over my bland replies.

"AT's longed for one thing, right? Righty power bat. How you gonna deliver?"

"Won't regret picking me."

"Confidence! Korean PEHS seen as weak, but swept Golden Lion and Blue Dragon this year. What's the secret?"

"Me. High school was cakewalk. Pumped to see if pro pitchers can hang."

Glance over—Rogers smirking wicked. Wait, always looked shady? This right...?

"Whoa, bold! Role model? Pro vision?"

MC flustered but pro-recovers. Nah, I keep rolling. Spilled milk!

"No Korean models. MLB's GOAT second baseman, Rogers Hornsby. Gonna show stuff never seen."

Rogers begged the shoutout.

His grin's ear-to-ear now, satisfied.

"A-ahha. Got it. Final: shattered HS HR record, five straight in Blue Dragon. Pro-ready?"

"Pitchers dodged me in tourneys, no full show. Seniors give it straight? I'll set Korean records."

"Wow, yes... Next: pro HR goal?"

"Posting in seven years... Minimum 50 a season, 350 total, then MLB."

"Ha, ha... Epic confidence from this rookie. Last: word to AT fans."

"AT Thunderbirds fans, hello. Postseason vibes next year, guaranteed."

"Fans crave that. Back to your seat."

'Nailed it. Pure psycho vibes.'

'Had to go that hard?'

Rogers chuckles, then dead serious.

'Duh. Now everyone's pegging you psycho. Rookie shitting on vets? Manager me would've splintered your limbs with a bat. Shame.'

What? ...Played!

'You told me to!'

'Yep. Now any screw-up's "crazy kid being crazy." Perfect, right?'

'Perfect my ass! Fuck! GM's eyeing me psycho!'

Back at seat, AT GM's staring me down like a loon.

"Maeng-ho—no, Maeng-ho. Team now, casual. Interview jitters? Spat nonsense?"

'Choose words. Goody-two-shoes career? One slip to the abyss?'

No way. Didn't want that life. Rogers tricked me, but he wasn't wrong.

Plenty girls left to smash. Past octopus legs, onto centipede! In this era, chasing skirts scandal-free? Dream on.

"Nope."

"R-right. Young blood, fearless. Hey Hong, team lead—what's his take?"

"MZ generation?"

"Yeah, MZ. Kid's got guts."

"Thanks for the props."

Sat through stares till end. Bonus: post-event interview nixed.