Chapter 82
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Spicy Chicken Retribution
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Players often had fans waiting as they headed out after games, hoping for autographs or photos.
So, it wasn't unusual to see fans gathered in front of the Winners' team bus.
"Hey! Shin Min-seok! You moron!"
"How are you even a pro? Got a problem with your hands or what?!"
But the fans assembled now didn't look like Winners supporters.
"I loved how friendly our Winners felt, but this is too much! Way over the line, dude!"
'...Damn, that golden boy Shin Min-seok is such a prick.'
The Winners players' expressions hardened as they approached the bus.
They were already in a foul mood from the blowout loss, and now rival fans were hurling insults too.
The frustrating part was they had nothing to say in defense.
Even the Winners players knew it was 100% Shin Min-seok's fault.
As Shin Min-seok, trailing at the back, came into view, boos erupted from all sides.
"What's the point of being good at baseball with a personality like that? Oh wait, you sucked today too! Matches your character perfectly!"
'Why are they all freaking out? That cocky bastard provoked first... come on.'
Swears bubbled up to the tip of his tongue. He wanted to bolt to the bus, but the guys ahead were taking their sweet time.
Nothing was going right today.
Tsking under his breath, Shin Min-seok inwardly cursed the Phoenix fans when...
-Thwack.
"What the...?!"
Something flew in and smacked right onto his forehead.
His face twisted in disgust, curses spilling out automatically.
The sticky unknown substance slid down his hair before plastering itself to his face.
"Ha... what the hell is this shit."
Pulling it off his face revealed a piece of chicken slathered in sauce.
"Fuck..."
Shin Min-seok muttered under his breath so no one could hear, but laughter exploded around him.
"Hahaha! Whoever it was, marksman status!"
"Yeah! Join the Phoenix bullpen! Pinpoint accuracy!"
"Karma's a bitch! Nobody messes with our Tae-hyun!"
"If you're gonna aim, better expect blowback! Hahaha!"
Rage boiled inside him, fists trembling, but Shin Min-seok could do nothing.
Starting a fight here would only hurt him.
All he managed was tossing the chicken from his hand and glaring around like, "Who was it?"
"Hahaha! Shin Min-seok, why waste food like that?!"
"Yeah! Don't you know littering's illegal?"
Amid the endless mockery, Shin Min-seok huffed and puffed his way onto the team bus like he was fleeing.
"Fuck... this is bullshit. Phoenix team and fans are both total..."
As soon as he boarded, he spat curses and grabbed tissues to wipe the sauce from his face.
But...
This...
"Urk..."
A spicy aroma hit his nose. Not just regular seasoned chicken?
Seemed like it was slathered in seriously hot sauce. The pungent spice invaded his nostrils, and sauce near his eyes brought tears.
"Ha... fuck, seriously... *sniff*... what did I do to deserve this crap... Ah... it's spicy, so fucking spicy! Driving me insane!"
Shin Min-seok hoped to forget this nightmare of a day, but sadly...
This was just the opening shot.
'Tae-hyun... I hope he's okay.'
Lee Mi-yeon was shirking her night self-study supervision duties, spacing out at her desk.
It couldn't be helped.
She was already annoyed to be on duty tonight, and while sneaking to the bathroom, she'd glimpsed the broadcast—Cha Tae-hyun getting hit by the ball.
Her eyes, meant to watch if students were studying, stared blankly ahead.
Her mind replayed the hit over and over.
'Game should be wrapping up soon...'
Was he hurt?
If he was fine, did he pull off three straight complete-game shutouts?
If so, she'd rush over first to congratulate him...
'Maybe... I should quit teaching.'
She entertained the thought that would make her mom clutch her neck, when...
"Mi-yeon teacher... come out for a sec."
Class 3's teacher, who had approached unnoticed, pulled her into the hallway.
"Class 3 teacher, you haven't left yet?"
"Yeah. Figured I'd finish grading quizzes today before heading out. Anyway, Mi-yeon, just go."
"Pardon?"
Class 3 teacher chuckled and continued.
"It's all over your face: 'I wanna go home... Go hooome!'"
"Ah... no, it's not..."
"I get it. Not just wanting a break. You're not the type. Something's up, right?"
Lee Mi-yeon pondered how to explain, then decided honesty was best. She wanted this badly.
"There's this... really, really important person... and today I absolutely have to congratulate him. I'm just desperate."
'Worried he might be hurt too...'
Class 3 teacher smirked and gave her back a gentle push.
"What? That's it? Hurry up then. Don't worry. I'd rather stay here than go home to my husband anyway."
Lee Mi-yeon's eyes widened as she bowed repeatedly.
"Th-thank you! I'll cover your shift next time!"
"Nah, forget it. I was gonna stay anyway. Go conquer that love!"
"Love...? No, it's just to congra... congratu..."
"Mi-yeon, you're terrible at lying. It's written all over your face. Anyway, conquer it, got it?"
Lee Mi-yeon smiled faintly and nodded.
"Yes! Thank you so much, Class 3 teacher!"
Turning, she hurried down the hall...
"Mi-yeon teacher, go quick! How amazing must this guy be to have sweet Mi-yeon so smitten?"
She bolted down the stairs, echoes ringing through the corridor.
"...Feels empty."
Moments ago, he'd been on cloud nine, but stepping out of Sajik Stadium soured his mood.
Usually, Mi-yeon teacher would come running from the bench area... or he'd run to her.
What's the point of records without Mi-yeon teacher?
He found himself resenting Korea's education system. Which country keeps students until 10 PM? Sure, maybe some do, but in his book, nothing beat this inhumane policy.
Worst of all, teachers like Mi-yeon were stuck too.
Win it all with Phoenix, run for Busan mayor? Build a career from there... become president... scrap this irrational night study... Mi-yeon would love that...
He let out a hollow chuckle.
Was he this whipped for Mi-yeon?
Now he got what they meant by "empathy overload."
Looking back, his past self telling her "don't come if you're tired, rest" seemed ridiculous.
Here he was, moping over one missed day.
"Can I at least call...?"
Glancing at his watch—still night study time.
Summoning superhuman restraint, he texted instead.
[Teacher, still at school? I'll call later.]
Heading to the taxi stand, a reply pinged.
[Ah no, heading out soon.]
"Hm...?"
It felt rushed. "Heading out soon"? Nah, must be school stuff.
Then what did this text mean...?
Puzzling over Mi-yeon teacher's code, a distant taxi door opened.
"...Teacher?"
Mi-yeon teacher slammed the door and sprinted toward him.
What about night study?
You okay?
Won't you get in trouble?
Those thoughts floated, but vanished as she dove into his arms.
She squeezed his waist tightly for a moment, then bent down urgently, tugging at his pant leg.
No need to ask why lift the pants.
Her eyes on his thigh told him everything—why she came, why so sudden.
"Here, where it hit... you okay?"
Mi-yeon teacher pinpointed the spot and rubbed gently.
"Yeah. Fine. Fine enough for the shutout."
"Still... I saw the interview on the way. You said your thigh hurt."
He couldn't help smiling.
Her taking it at face value was so Mi-yeon teacher.
"Really fine. Honestly... just trash talk to rile them up."
Mi-yeon teacher sighed in relief, stood, and hugged him slowly.
"Really... so glad."
"Wasn't night study duty keeping you?"
"Yeah. Technically shouldn't leave. It's my shift."
"...Pardon? Won't that get you in big trouble?"
Mi-yeon teacher giggled against his chest.
"Nah. Asked another teacher to cover. Don't worry. She'll love me taking her Monday shift."
"Monday? You hate duty too."
"It's fine, really. I'd take every Monday if I could—no games that day."
He couldn't hold back a grin.
Mi-yeon teacher poked his smiling lips.
"Told you to rest if tired, but you missed me, huh?"
Her eyes twinkled playfully, urging "Right?"
Of course...
"Missed you. Every day... Today, thinking you wouldn't come, even the record didn't feel great."
How long since he'd bared his heart so childishly?
Embarrassment hit late; he hugged tighter, burying her face to hide his.
Amused, she giggled in his arms. Ticklish.
Holding her like this was bliss beyond deserving, but he had to claim his due.
"Teacher, forget something?"
Her face lifted slowly from his chest.
Tomato red.
She remembered.
Good. Since he was already shameless...
"Worked hard for that surprise gift. You didn't forget, right?"
He tilted his head, cheek exposed.
Aw, too much...?
As he turned back—
Her hands steadied his face, eyes locking.
"No... didn't forget. Promised."
On tiptoes, her face closed in.
Breaths mingling, she drew him slowly.
He flinched to turn; her grip held firm.
Eyes softly shut, her lips met his gently.
His mind blanked white.
Sounds faded.
A strange, warm thrill erupted deep in his chest.
This bizarre happiness filled him.
Lips parted, but breaths still close, she whispered:
"Surprise gift... right?"
To her beaming smile,
he surrendered, grinning foolishly.
"Thought my heart would stop."
Mi-yeon teacher giggled, interlocking fingers.
"One lap around today?"
"Sure. Or ten?"
"Want to... but game tomorrow. Three laps it is."
Hand in hand, they strolled the now-quiet Sajik as slowly as possible.
Cha Yun-myeong, newly traded from Winners to Phoenix, woke in his hometown home.
"Awake?"
"Yeah. Why so many side dishes?"
"Oh, my husband complains even with plenty."
"No, just worried it'd be too much work."
"Hush. Can't skimp when hubby's home after ages..."
Cha Yun-myeong smiled, sipping seaweed soup.
"Mmm. Delicious as always. Nothing beats wife's cooking."
"Has to be. Oh, taking Myeong-hu to the game today. FYI."
"Sajik today...?"
"Honey, you're pitching, right? First start—gotta watch."
"How'd you know...?"
His wife smirked, nailing it.
"Phoenix bullpen? They'll use you. Paid for that No. 3 spot—earn your keep."
Chuckling, Cha Yun-myeong ate, catching up with his wife, then peeked into his son's room.
"No crying from Myeong-hu today. Pitch well, got it?"
"Yeah, will do. Be back."
Heading to work, Cha Yun-myeong brimmed with anticipation.
Getting booted from Winners, his lifelong team, stung.
But family time softened it—new affection for Phoenix.
Parking, he entered Sajik, home of his new—and likely final—team, Phoenix.
'Phoenix has changed. No wonder they're top dogs.'
Imagining Manager Lee Eun-seok's veteran leadership: players sweating seriously,
seniors sternly correcting cocky juniors...
Lost in thought, he reached the field.
Players gathered for morning practice.
Cha Yun-myeong approached briskly to greet.
...Or tried.
"Everyone, nice t—"
"Si-woo!!!!!!"
"Hey Si-woo! Lacking power today? Hit it hotter! Siu!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Hey Lee Seung-tae, listen up... why I became a lefty..."
"You know I stepped on gum today? Gross! But lucky—others missed it, I got it! I'm the lucky one!"
"Ooh Lee Jun~ Clocking in two minutes late~ Ooh Lee Jun~ Phoenix's eternal No. 2 batter~."
"Sang-jin, seriously not funny..."
"Obviously not. How could it be? But your reaction is! Hahaha!"
"Tae-hyun, nowhere better than Phoenix. Right? Fans love even old guys like me—'Gun-hyuk hyung!' Just four straight outings, light training on rest days, and they cheer. Don't say it, but... feels like a sucker deal."
"Exactly, Gun-hyuk sunbae. Phoenix is truly the best! Especially since Tae-hyun joined! Haha! Cha Tae-hyun, I like you!"
"Uh... yeah... um... Atmosphere looks good."
Way... no, worlds different from imagined.