Chapter 62
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Regret and Resolve
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“Ah! Ji Chan-woo, seriously!!”
Shin Ha-yoon slammed her desk while watching the broadcast on her computer.
He had been so close... A perfect game was right in front of them! And Ji Chan-woo had blown it so pointlessly.
Of course, it was ruled an error, so the no-hitter no-run opportunity was still alive—and that was impressive enough on its own.
“...So disappointing, really.”
There was no helping the regret.
With a sigh, Shin Ha-yoon searched for Ji Chan-woo's stats.
Total of 563 games played, career WAR 0.98.
That was the kind of record that made people say, “He's no starter, right?”
So why had Ji Chan-woo been Phoenix's starter all this time?
Surprisingly, aside from Cha Tae-hyun, there hadn't been a single shortstop capable of displacing him.
It really highlighted just how incompetent Phoenix's coaching staff had been.
“Still... now that the coaches are gone, they'll develop him properly...”
Well, Ji Chan-woo had improved his hitting over the last two years, even if his defense hadn't. He'd even hit a career-high .270 last year.
With the defense coaches gone too, if his fielding improved... he could at least back up Cha Tae-hyun...
As Shin Ha-yoon desperately spun her wheel of hope,
Cha Tae-hyun stepped up to the plate, and the feed zoomed in on his face.
“He's pissed?”
The guy rarely showed anger. Had he ever, really?
As far as Shin Ha-yoon could recall, no—but if he ever did get mad, it'd look exactly like this.
“His angry face isn't bad, either... No... What am I even saying?”
Shin Ha-yoon pinched her cheeks hard!
She prepared to clip the video and focused on the screen.
This moment was the highlight of Shin Ha-yoon's recent life.
Watching a player she'd coached succeed brilliantly felt incredible.
Especially when it was her favorite, Cha Tae-hyun.
“Huh...?”
Favorite?
Cha Tae-hyun...?
“W-What am I thinking...? No, no... That's not it!”
Was it...? Had she really developed feelings...?
As Shin Ha-yoon stomped her feet in a frenzy,
-Crack!!
A ferocious swing echoed, and the ball rocketed off the bat. Shin Ha-yoon, snapping back to the screen, tilted her head.
'Pissed off, so he put some extra oomph into it?'
The ball's speed and trajectory were unnatural. It sliced through the air without resistance, vanishing beyond the outfield wall.
“Whoa... How far did that go?”
As Shin Ha-yoon marveled, the broadcast displayed the distance as if in answer.
“One... fifty-two meters...? Isn't that the record?”
The distance was so absurd it seemed like a glitch—and the chat exploded.
Insane 152m lmao rage homer lmao
152m is the KBO record distance wow
Tae-hyun God is nuts lmao
Tae-hyun God: Record broken? Here's a new one.
Can't believe this guy's Korean lmao
Even crazier that he's on Phoenix
Brother Tae-hyun, our team’s god, is the absolute best… 😭
“Yes! That's it! Cha Tae-hyun!”
Shin Ha-yoon raised both arms from her chair and shook them wildly,
only for
“Aaaagh!!”
the chair to tip backward, banging her head.
Tears welled from the pain, but
“Longest homer... longest homer ever!”
Cha Tae-hyun had hit the longest homer in history—laughter bubbled up anyway.
Cha Tae-hyun added a homer in the top of the 9th, then took the mound in the bottom, striking out one more for a clean 1-2-3 inning to close it out.
2-0, Phoenix victory.
MVP interview time arrived, and naturally,
“Today's MVP is player Cha Tae-hyun!”
MVP doesn't even cover it lol
Need a Hard Carry award lmao
Cha Tae-hyun is a god fr
“You made your debut today with a 4-for-4, two homers. But folks, don't be shocked yet! Tae-hyun also pitched brilliantly! Show the pitching line!”
9 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 HR...
“Mr. Zero himself! But wait, that's not all! He set some historic marks too! Roll the records!”
“Whoa... Debut no-hitter no-run... multi-homer debut... longest homer! How many records did he set?!”
Holy crap;;
What is this??
Just speechless lmao
Thought the worship was cringy but now I'm praying too
The announcer flipped a script card and hesitated slightly. Is this for real? read the question.
[Aren't you disappointed about failing the perfect game?]
'Of course he is—what a dumb question.'
The writer was pitiful. Still, it was the script.
“You set all these incredible marks, but... the perfect game slipped away. Aren't you disappointed?”
The announcer expected Cha Tae-hyun to look awkward or hesitate.
A slip-up could turn arrows toward teammates.
“No need to be.”
The unexpected reply widened her eyes.
“Pardon...? No need?”
Cha Tae-hyun locked eyes with the camera and smirked.
“Pitching a perfect game to win the Korean Series would be cooler. So no need to be disappointed.”
The announcer gaped like a hippo, then beamed and thumbs-upped.
“What a mindset! Instead of dwelling, he's aiming for a perfect game in the Korean Series—love the ambition from Cha Tae-hyun!”
Tae-hyun God with the mercy kill o_o
One sharp line and Chan-woo’s done for 😱
Chan-woo's image was already trash lol
Just as the interview seemed to wrap, staff handed Cha Tae-hyun two balls.
“Your debut first homer ball and second! Phoenix fans found them and insisted we deliver.”
Symbolic balls like debut homers were always recovered, but fans volunteering? Heartwarming.
Cha Tae-hyun smiled warmly, asked them to wait, and dashed off.
He returned with two bats and a Sharpie.
Kneeling, he signed them swiftly and handed them over.
“Can you give these to the fans who returned the homer balls?”
The announcer beamed again.
“What a guy—skill and heart! We'll ensure the bats reach them! Final words on tomorrow's game?”
Grabbing the mic, Cha declared confidently.
“We'll win tomorrow too and get closer to the championship.”
Lmao one win and he's eyeing the title?
This player is just too good lmao
Y’all know Phoenix is in 1st? o_o
One win per game lol
1st place tho?
Fr enjoy it lmao fresh air up top
Drink deep now lmao
Back at the dorm. Rooms were two per, tonight with Si-hwan hyung.
“Hey, Tae-hyun, Chan-woo hyung came looking for you earlier.”
“Chan-woo hyung?”
“Yeah... How to put it? About today...”
“The perfect game?”
“Yeah, that. He apologized and said he'd head out—waited ages.”
Huh... Hadn't known.
Those missed calls from unknown numbers—Chan-woo hyung?
“I'd hate facing him too. Not to console you—dead serious.”
Si-hwan hyung seemed to misunderstand.
“I was mad for a sec, but I'm over it. Coming back late wasn't 'cause I hated seeing him or was shocked about the perfect game.”
Far from it—he'd had a blissful time.
Couldn't say he'd spent ages cuddling in Mi-yeon ssaem's arms over the broken perfect game.
“Really? I'd avoid him awhile.”
Normal reaction, sure. But that was my personality.
I held grudges but didn't act unless lines were crossed.
The perfect game break... wasn't intentional, so not over the line.
Hate the play, not the player.
“Anyway, respect. Not easy. Oh, and thanks.”
“Pardon...?”
Si-hwan hyung hopped down and bowed 90 degrees.
“That feedback you gave—the one from your coaching buddy.”
Ah, Shin Ha-yoon's material?
Passed it on at his request, but just one-game feedback—thin stuff.
“Doubted it 'cause coaching prep, but super helpful.”
Helpful even then? Shin Ha-yoon's magic that turned Dinosaurs playoff-bound?
“Control improving?”
Great news. Si-hwan hyung with control in Phoenix pen? Instant closer setup.
“Not fully... but got the knack. Used to strike ~2/10, now ~5. Aim center? Maybe 7.”
5/10 normal, 7/10 center? Solid.
Phoenix pen level—could call it shot to the head, but reality.
“So... introduce that friend? Wanna train direct.”
Well...
No issue...
Why, though.
Sudden reluctance hit.
“Let's do more feedback first... Ask later if needed.”
“Uh...? Yeah, he's busy.”
Lee Sang-jin was oddly sensitive to bedtime despite his bulk.
Rookie days, away dorms wrecked his sleep.
Not that bad now, but still sensitive.
-Hic... Sniff...
Muffled sobs still woke him.
'Acting tough...'
Lee Sang-jin sighed softly.
Hours after the error, Ji Chan-woo faced brutal hate—even from rival fans.
Manager and coaches piled on too.
Inevitable. Deserved for that defense.
“Pro?” No retort possible.
Still, Lee Sang-jin couldn't point fingers. Longtime Phoenix guys wouldn't either.
Before Lee Eun-seok, while others boozed, he solo-hit practiced.
With non-slacking coaches, daily fungoes.
Effort outshone all.
Talent's cruel.
Not talentless—pro survivor—but middling hurt more.
Maybe Ji Chan-woo whipped himself toward unreachable heights.
Then Cha Tae-hyun debuted, claiming his spot in one game.
How's that feel?
-Sniff...
Another sob pierced his sharp ears.
Lee Sang-jin quietly reset his alarm.
-Bzzz!!
Vibrate rang.
Back turned, he said,
“Damn... Alarm glitch... Sorry, Chan-woo, you up?”
“...Yeah. But I'm fine.”
“Cool. Hard to resleep if woken... Wanna catch quick?”
Moment later,
“Yes... Sounds good.”
“Take it slow. Grabbing a smoke.”
Detoured to convenience store.
Zero sodas in hand.
Sipping, he muttered,
“Chan-woo doesn't know I don't smoke...?”
Can nearly drained when Ji Chan-woo appeared, capped up.
Hat at night—really hiding face.
Lee Sang-jin chuckled, handed soda.
“Dummy, do better next time.”
Ji Chan-woo's shoulder jerked.
“Just gave your all. Happens. But own it—pro life.”
“Yes... You're right...”
Patting his shoulder with glove,
“New coaches—no early quits. Beg for daily fungoes. You're good at effort. Hitting upped—why not D?”
“Tha... Thank you...”
“Thanks later. Start today. Stand there. Bounds all night.”
“Bu... Tomorrow's game...”
“All night? Read the room.”
“Ah... Yes!”
“Good. Start: Tae-hyun's perfect-killer course!”
“Sor... Sorry!”
“Haha! Save for Tae-hyun tomorrow! Catch!”
Ball rolled.
Same 8th-inning spot, speed.
Really.
Why miss so easy?
'Not for perfect pressure...'
No. Lame excuse. Can't beat pressure, keeps erring.
Just glove scoop...
Squeeze.
Done.
“Good! That's it! Heard Tae-hyun? Do that in Series!”
Lip bit, Ji Chan-woo wiped eyes, yelled.
“Yes!!”
Ji Chan-woo
still wanted baseball.
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