Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: National Team VS Australia (3)
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“Cheol-young, you okay?”
“Ugh, what’s the call? Safe?”
“Yeah. You ran like hell. But your ankle... damn. Hendricks is coming out soon anyway, why push it?”
“Push? I just did what I had to. Ugh.”
“Can you keep running?”
“Doesn’t feel that bad...”
The trainer rushed over to check on Park Cheol-young’s condition. And since it was a critical moment, Manager Lee Geum-hyun also approached first base to assess Cheol-young’s state.
“You good?”
“Hmm... It’s not a serious injury.”
Manager Lee Geum-hyun looked at Park Cheol-young in response to the trainer’s question.
“Cheol-young, what do you think?”
If he kept playing today, it might affect tomorrow’s game. Truth be told, with Hendricks out, the Australian national team wasn’t all that scary.
‘To bring our best against Japan tomorrow, we should sub him here.’
“Personally, I’d recommend focusing on tomorrow’s game.”
“...Ugh, got it.”
Park Cheol-young had no choice but to nod at the manager’s words. He knew how important tomorrow’s game was, too.
“Shall we prep Kim Hwan-yeong?”
Kim Hwan-yeong... Definitely a solid player. He’d won Gold Gloves at shortstop for two straight years in 2021 and 2022, and his defense covered second, short, and third like a champ. His only downside was his speed. He hit double-digit steals every year, but his success rate was iffy.
‘We need that early run... Eunchong could turn an infield hit into something, send the runner to second, maybe score.’
Two outs, but with Choi Jung-hoon coming out next inning, they desperately needed to take the lead now.
‘Send in Yang Ji-hyuk?’
Yang Ji-hyuk was the guy with elite outfield defense and speed, hitting 40 steals for five years straight. His bat might raise eyebrows, but his glove and baserunning were tops in Korea—no one argued his spot on the national team.
But Lee Geum-hyun quickly scrapped the idea.
‘No, save Yang Ji-hyuk for tighter spots where a run’s guaranteed. Too early now. Then...’
...A guy who can steal. Ji Maeng-ho’s left.
“Sub in Ji Maeng-ho?”
“Huh? Ji Maeng-ho now?”
“Ji-hyuk’s for better spots, and Hwan-yeong’s too slow.”
“...Understood.”
*
“Oh! Maeng-ho. Finally showing up. Kid acts all high and mighty, ends up a benchwarmer?”
Hyun-ah grinned at Maeng-ho on the TV. He’d strutted when he made the national team, but warming the bench was satisfying. Still, she was secretly thrilled he was getting in the game.
“Choi Hyun-ah, what’re you doing? Letting the rookie veg out on TV?”
‘Fucking boomer bitch.’
“Sorry. But it’s the national team game.”
“Volleyball’s not even on, and you’re watching baseball? Got a boyfriend or something?”
“B-boyfriend? No...”
“Hmm, that reaction’s suspicious.”
“You just sprang it out of nowhere.”
“Anyway, the team’s gone soft lately. Rookies chilling with TV on break.”
“...Sorry.”
Hyun-ah had to bow her head at her senior’s words. Her team, AT Life based in Seoul, was the strictest in women’s volleyball. That iron discipline didn’t spare her, even after national team duty.
‘Fucking hack. Can’t even play worth shit...’
“Why’re you standing to watch?”
“...Huh?”
“Why stand for baseball? Sit comfy if you’re watching TV.”
“I... ate already, figured I’d stretch a bit.”
“Sigh, gotta make it so obvious? Watch TV or exercise—pick one.”
“...Sorry.”
“What? Sit.”
“......”
“Sit and watch comfortably.”
“...Okay.”
Hyun-ah grudgingly walked to the TV and sat at her senior’s insistence.
“Ngh!”
“......?”
“Ah, from the exercise earlier...”
Truth was, it was the toy wedged in her sensitive spot, but her senior wouldn’t know. She’d been diligently training it at Maeng-ho’s suggestion, but sitting was still too much.
‘When’s this bitch leaving?’
Oblivious to Hyun-ah’s thoughts, her senior plopped down beside her to watch.
“Hey, I don’t know baseball— is all that back-and-forth allowed?”
The odd pleasure from her ass made focusing on TV tough, but Hyun-ah kept cool and answered. Ignoring meant push-ups.
“It’s... a stolen base. Advances a base to set up scoring easier.”
[Ah, Ji Maeng-ho’s really hounding Hendricks now. Pitcher can’t focus on the hitter.]
[Ji Maeng-ho’s got ice in his veins. How’s an amateur holding such a big lead-off?]
“Ooh, Ji Maeng-ho? Cute. Got a girlfriend? Looks complicated, though. Thought it was just homers and strikeouts.”
‘Cute how? Maeng-ho wouldn’t touch trash like you.’
“Baseball’s tricky.”
“Ooh, you know your stuff?”
“Ah, I went to Hanchego. Know the rules.”
“Why so shaky? Relax, I won’t bite.”
“Not that...”
“Wanna watch till practice? You explain.”
‘Fucking bitch. Get lost already.’
Truth was, Hyun-ah turned on the TV for a simple reason. No meetup since vacation—she wanted to sneak a thrill gazing at Maeng-ho’s face. But with her senior glued beside her, baseball was hard to follow.
Worse, the toy inside with her senior right there amped her excitement.
[Count’s three balls now. Ji Maeng-ho’s doing his job as runner. Pitcher and catcher exchange signs, fourth pitch!]
[Whoa! Ji Maeng-ho’s off—second to third! From second!]
“What? What?”
“He stole!”
Her senior flailed, spiking Hyun-ah’s voice, but she didn’t notice. Even clueless fans get hooked—that’s national team magic.
Hyun-ah’s senior was sucked into baseball rules and all.
[Safe! Safe! Ji Maeng-ho with the clutch steal. Now two outs, runner on second—in scoring position. Single scores!]
[Oh! Return throw shows it—big frame, but fast feet.]
[Rookie with little intel, but power and speed? Total package.]
“Ooh! We’re good now? Cute face, quick too.”
“Y-yeah... Single scores now...”
The building pleasure down there dragged Hyun-ah’s speech, but her senior just cheered on.
“Come on, one run! One! National team—cheer!”
“F-fight... ing!”
[Count three-one! Hitter’s count.]
[Hope Lee Eunchong delivers.]
‘Ngh, he needs to... Hope Maeng-ho scores...’
Tension pierced the screen. Hyun-ah shoved pleasure aside, glued to the game.
“Ugh, why the stall?”
“D-dangerous spot... that’s why.”
“Yeah?”
Crack! Announcers boomed mid-chat.
[Yah! Lee Eunchong pulls it—right field!]
[Oh, drop, drop...!]
[Drops! In front of right fielder! Runner rounds third to home! Home!]
“What happened?”
Her senior’s voice faded. Hyun-ah’s eyes and ears locked on TV.
“Ji Maeng-ho! Run!”
Cheering Maeng-ho.
*
“Run!”
Third base coach’s signal and shout hit.
‘Ball, where?’
‘Right fielder threw.’
Fuck, can I make it? Too far?
But dice were rolled. I exploded off the dirt toward home.
-Slide right!
Next hitter Choi Joo-tae’s frantic signal. Home’s five meters!
‘Late! Catcher’s right there!’
Grab just before? Thwack! Glove swallows throw. Fuck, tagged?
‘Just bulldoze!’
‘Fuck it!’
Eyes on circling catcher, I powered my last step and launched at home.
Thud!
Hard impact, blue sky spins.
‘Idiot! It’s a dome!’
No sky? Dizzy. Fuck. What happened? Crowd roar floods deafened ears from run.
“Shut up! Head’s ringing!”
Yelled, but cheers swelled.
“Who you cussing?”
“Ugh... Choi Joo-tae?”
“Hyung to you, punk. You okay?”
“Lil dizzy, but fine.”
Shoulder hit spared head. Just vision flip woozed me.
“Result?”
“Short words?”
Choi Joo-tae nodded at scoreboard. ‘1’ glowed in bottom fifth.
“Safe. First run— no ceremony? You love that shit.”
I grinned, fist-pumped flat on back.
Roar!
Crowd exploded! Fuck yeah—this is baseball!
*
[Ji Maeng-ho’s insane slide! Safe! Huge steal, then this slide!]
[Whoa! Risky play! Right fielder’s throw nails home, catcher blocks plate. Ji Maeng-ho slides anyway! Collision! Catcher flies, ball pops out! Perfect safe!]
[Korea takes 1-0 lead! Bottom fifth, first run off MLB’s top closer Hendricks!]
“Maeng-hooo!”
Hyun-ah shot up, shrieking at crashed Maeng-ho before realizing.
“What? Score up? He hurt?”
‘Dunno! Fucking bitch!’
Superhuman restraint swallowed the curse. Ignoring her senior, Hyun-ah fixed on broadcast. Worry for Maeng-ho overrode rising pleasure.
[Hope Ji Maeng-ho’s okay. Australia’s catcher Edwards down. Protector couldn’t save him from impact. Both safe...]
Worried caster. Camera flips between downed players.
‘Maeng-ho, you good?’
Did her thought reach? Camera hits Maeng-ho. Grinning face, fist thrust high—broadcast nationwide.
“Kyaa! Who’s that? Smiling after crash? So handsome! Manly play... wow...”
Her senior beside her gushed nonstop.
“He’s fine. Ngh!”
Relief dropped Hyun-ah. Pleasure surged! Maeng-ho safe plus intense throbs soaked her below.
Clutch run, cool grin in big game—sped the wetting.
‘Bad boy. Won’t let you off when you’re back. For real.’
“Why so worried? Know him?”
[Ji Maeng-ho! Speed and grit bags the run!]
[Man! Been eyeing him. Ruled high school last year. Hanchego’s double champ maker. Didn’t expect pro international shine, but damn proud. Ji Maeng-ho!]
“Ah, Hanchego too?”
“...Yeah.”
“Gimme his number. My type—handsome.”
“Uh... gotta ask him.”
“World’s changed. Rookies talking back.”
‘Barely older...!’
Hyun-ah pondered, then handed Maeng-ho’s number. No real worry. Senior’s face wasn’t even close to pretty. Maeng-ho’d block instantly.
[Ji Maeng-ho good. Ah... Edwards carted off... Shame. Hope minor. Australia subs pitcher with him. Pitch limits unavoidable? Hendricks looks gutted.]
[Korea’s bats just starting! Outside Hendricks, Australia’s average. Next: Angels’ Choi Joo-tae! Can’t not fire up after rookie’s fire!]
“Ooh, Choi Joo-tae! MLB guy, right?”
“Yeah, probably.”
And...
Crack—boom!
Choi Joo-tae crushed new pitcher’s first pitch over Dome’s wall.
[Choi Jooo-taaaa!!!! Two-run! Lead to three!]
[See! Ji Maeng-ho’s hustle straight to this gap! Choi Joo-tae huge! Turns teammate’s fight into homer!]
Korea’s bottom fifth piled seven runs.
“Wow, baseball’s fun. Scores popping. Practice time?”
“...Yeah. Uh, restroom quick.”
“Huh? Okay. Don’t be late. ...Why’s she rushing off blushing?”
Her senior watched flushed Hyun-ah bolt to locker room. Missing the soaked seat.