Chapter 72
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Si-woo's Three-Run Blast
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As someone who's been around the baseball world, I can tell you this: the guys who survive in this game for the long haul don't get hung up on slumps or rough patches.
Of course, it's not easy. That's why there aren't many players who stick around for years.
The saying "the survivors are the strong ones" didn't come from nowhere.
Thinking about that...
"Hey, Si-woo. Wanna grab some kimchi soup after the game today?"
"Kimchi soup? Tsk... Not really feeling it today."
Shin Si-woo, still batting in the .100s and taking all kinds of heat, but maintaining his usual composure—he's no talent who's gonna vanish from this league anytime soon.
He'll probably overcome this slump eventually, too.
"Si-woo, when the hell are you gonna do that Si-woo Ceremony you've been teasing us with? You gotta show it off today."
"Just watch me, Tae-seop hyung. I'm gonna crush one big today and do it in style!"
"Hahaha! Yeah, yeah. Pretty sure that's the fifth time I've heard that, but I'll buy it for today. Just hit the damn ball!"
That's them, but honestly, I hope Si-woo gets a hit today, too.
Especially with family watching—it'd give him a boost.
I need to focus on the pitcher as much as possible during the game.
Pitchers have pitches they can't hit depending on their condition, so just pointing those out should help plenty.
"Alright, everyone—just play like you have been today. Like you always do!"
""Yes, sir!""
With those short words from the manager, the three-game series against the Dinosaurs kicked off.
Bottom of the 5th, with Phoenix and Dinosaurs locked in a scoreless tie—finally, the first real scoring chance arrived.
Runners on first and second, one out.
As Shin Si-woo headed to the plate, Cha Tae-hyun called him back.
"I was gonna tell you if I spotted anything real, but... nothing stuck out. Pitcher's in good form, I guess."
"What? I thought you came out here to cheer me on or something."
"Hear me out, man. Just swing like you always do—you can hit him. Don't overthink it, just turn on the bat. You'll make contact."
Shin Si-woo chuckled.
Just hit like normal.
Not the worst advice for a guy stuck in the .100s, but it landed well anyway. After all, it meant he believed in his swing.
[Phoenix finally has a scoring chance... and here comes No. 9 hitter Shin Si-woo to the plate. Si-woo's been in a bit of a rut lately, right?]
[Yeah... exactly. Still hovering in the .100s, so he must be frustrated. Especially as a rookie. Can he wash away the slump right here...?]
"Ah... hyung's on again. We're not scoring at this rate."
"That's your brother out there! And hey, he's just unlucky—he always makes contact!"
She said that, but deep down, Si-woo's mom was worried too.
He acted like the slump didn't faze him, smiling as always, but every mother just wants to hear good things about her son.
She clasped her hands tightly, praying for a hit.
Meanwhile, pitcher Lee Won-il relaxed as Si-woo stepped in.
'Break time, huh?'
The lineup got brutal again starting with leadoff hitter Jin Gyu-hyun, but for now, it was Si-woo's turn—the pitchers' rest stop.
One out in the bag.
Lee Won-il rubbed some rosin and stepped on the mound. As he went into his motion, Si-woo's sharp glare made him flinch.
'Eyes like daggers...'
Still, glaring wouldn't hit the ball, right?
He'd shut down Phoenix scoreless through five—what made him think Si-woo could tag him now?
—Crack!
"Huh...?"
The ball rocketed foul down the first-base line, just barely missing fair. A hair inside, and it'd been a hit for sure.
Tsk...
Lee Won-il clicked his tongue.
Maybe because of that sharp-hit first pitch, but Si-woo's glare suddenly felt a lot more menacing.
'He heating up...?'
Gripping a fastball, Lee Won-il slyly switched to a changeup.
No way he'd risk pride and eat a homer from Si-woo—teammates would roast him league-wide.
The pitch left his hand, dropping sharply in front of Si-woo's eyes.
Fastball followed by changeup.
Same arm action, totally different timing—the combo that fools swings all day.
But Si-woo was more locked in than ever.
Staring only at the ball, thinking only of his swing,
just like Cha Tae-hyun said.
'...Like always... light and easy.'
He timed the dropping changeup and unleashed a big swing.
—Crack!
A tingle shot through his hands. But how many times had that feel ended in outs? Si-woo bolted for first without even watching the ball.
But... something felt off.
—Wooooaaah!!!!!!
Isn't that cheer... kinda loud...?
[Shin Si-woo smokes this one perfectly! It clears the right-field wall! The wall... it's gone! He washes away that long slump with a three-run homer!]
[Wow... I love Shin Si-woo. That was a massive fly—most hitters know it's gone right away. But he doesn't even look, just takes off running. That desperation? Haven't seen a rookie show it like that in ages.]
—Shin Si-woo! Shin Si-woo!
—Motherf***er, yes! That's the bomb! You could hit—why hold out on us!
—Since when does the catcher crush homers?
Voices from everywhere, drowned in the roar—he couldn't make out words, but one thing was clear.
This moment felt insanely good.
Grinning ear-to-ear, Si-woo slowly rounded the bases.
"Si-woo...! Good job! You did it! Mom knew you could! You're the best, Shin Si-woo!"
From the stands, his mom—face relaxed now—cheered his name.
—Shin Si-woo! Shin Si-woo! Shin Si-woo!
Amid the thunderous crowd, Si-woo returned home and paused at the plate.
"That crazy bastard might actually do it."
"Let him. He's been dying for this."
"Nah... just worried about a beanball."
"Then we throw one back."
Si-woo took a deep breath, jumped, stomped the plate, and let it rip.
"Si-wooooooo!!!!!!!!"
Agh, that damn Si-woo lololololol
Is this a baseball stadium or a soccer field lololol
He's gonna get beaned lololol
But he hit a homer so we good lololol
Fr, he at .200 now? Just hold .200 from here pls
Fr, even .200 steady makes him King God Woo lololol
If Phoenix catcher just catches the ball well, that's a full inning's work lololol
Good job, Shin Si-woo!
Even I'll chant it today: Si-woooo!!!!
Si-woo!!!!
Si-woo!!!
Si-woo!!!
Cha Ji-hyun clutched the voucher her brother gave her and stepped into the Randeria shop.
"Please take a look at the menu and order whatever you'd like."
She loaded up on desserts she'd always hesitated on—red bean bingsu, ice cream, cheese sticks—and even splurged on the 30,000-won Truffle Hanwoo Bulgogi Burger Set.
"Total comes to 42,700 won!"
A gasp-worthy sum. Without the voucher, pure luxury she wouldn't touch.
"I'll pay with this..."
She'd rehearsed it a million times in her head:
'Yes! You've got a Randeria lifetime free pass! One moment.'
'Thank you!'
She'd say proudly and sit.
But...
"Ma'am... we need card or cash. What even is this?"
It went south from the jump.
The clerk scowled and sighed, sirens blaring in Ji-hyun's head. Emergency... code red!
'Wh-what do I do...?'
Ji-hyun was extremely introverted, barely talking to strangers unless it was family. She just fiddled with the ticket, speechless.
"We're busy too... don't mess around."
That "mess around" stung. It wasn't a joke—this was her precious gift from oppa!
Eyes narrowing, mouth opening to retort—
Zing.
The clerk's glare wilted her like a scared puppy.
As she reached for her card in defeat—
"What, you don't watch baseball? How do you not know this?"
Shin Ha-yoon appeared behind her.
'Cha Tae-hyun's little sis? She's cute.'
Ha-yoon smiled at Ji-hyun, glared daggers at the clerk.
"You seriously don't know Cha Tae-hyun got a Randeria lifetime pass? Call HQ right now. Or I'll cover it."
The clerk sighed but dialed HQ...
"Sorry about that! We'll rush your order—please wait just a sec."
Situation sorted in seconds.
Ha-yoon grabbed Ji-hyun's hand and led her to a table.
She'd planned takeout, but bumping into Tae-hyun's sis? Had to chat.
"Th-thank you..."
"No need—it's nothing. You're Cha Tae-hyun's sister, right? I'm his friend, Shin Ha-yoon."
"How'd you know?"
"Who else has that ticket but Tae-hyun's sis?"
"Fair point."
Ji-hyun giggled and nodded.
'Cuz he's oppa's friend...?'
First time chatting with a stranger felt this easy.
"Oh, right—I'll order too. I dipped out mid-order earlier."
"W-wait, unnie—no limit on this. Order with it."
"Heh... really? For real?"
"Yeah. You helped me out. And you're oppa's friend. Go wild."
"I've been eyeing that Truffle Hanwoo Bulgogi Burger too—thanks, I'll enjoy it!"
Ha-yoon ordered and brought the food back.
"You like baseball? Let's watch while we eat."
Phone broadcast on: Phoenix-Dinosaurs Game 3 in full swing.
"Shaun's stuff looks sharp again today—slider's filthy, movement's art. Eric Wood's meh, but pulling Shaun saves it, huh?"
Ha-yoon chomped a cheese stick and continued.
"And check the score—7th inning, Phoenix already up 7? Their bats are on fire lately. Even hole-in-the-lineup Si-woo went yard."
Listening quietly, Ji-hyun marveled.
"Unnie, you really know baseball."
"Huh...? Well... yeah."
Ha-yoon shrugged.
"I'm prepping to be a coach, y'know? Your bro's gotten some help from me too."
Ji-hyun bowed her head in thanks. For helping oppa.
"Nah, it's cool—I enjoy it. You're so polite. Thanks for helping my bro. Anyway... see here? They walk Tae-hyun. Here's why..."
Ha-yoon's baseball talk was pure ball, but surprisingly fun—Ji-hyun got hooked on the broadcast.
[Top 8th, Phoenix leads 7-4. They bring in Cha Si-hwan to the mound.]
"Ah......"
Ha-yoon sighed at the announcement; Ji-hyun asked.
"Unnie, isn't it just a pitcher change? Something bad?"
"Not bad exactly... but the guy's Si-hwan Bomb—no, Cha Si-hwan."
"He's bad?"
Well, spring training said yes,
but Ha-yoon had sent feedback, heard it helped.
"Eh... iffy. Gotta see."
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