Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Translator Wjin
Chapter 09
As the director brought Cha Tae-hyun to the pitcher's bullpen, Kim Chang-hyun, who was warming up, quickly ran over.
"Kim Chang-hyun. Where are the others? Why are you the only one here?"
Kim Chang-hyun hesitated for a moment before answering, "I… I don't know, sir."
He knew they were resting in the lounge, but he couldn’t just say that.
“Really? Then where’s Seung-tae? Where’s Lee Seung-tae?”
"He… Seung-tae didn't come in today at all."
“What? He didn’t come in at all?”
This, at least, was true. He rarely missed practice, but he hadn't been seen all day.
"Yes, sir. He's not answering his phone either."
"Is he sick or something? Hmm..."
…Seung-tae would have been perfect.
The director, muttering to himself, stroked his chin and then placed a hand on Kim Chang-hyun's shoulder.
"Then you do it."
“Yes?”
“This kid. His tryout. You just pitch one at-bat for him.”
"A tryout, sir…? Did we have something like that in our baseball team?"
Kim Chang-hyun, bewildered, noticed the student behind the director.
"Is he the one having the tryout?"
“Yes.”
"N-No, Coach. Isn’t he just a regular student? He's wearing a school uniform."
"Of course he is, since he hasn't been given a uniform yet. Stop questioning me and get on the mound."
“Yes, sir…”
On the mound, Kim Chang-hyun muttered, covering his mouth with his glove, “A tryout… It just looks like he bribed his way in.”
It happened often. Kids who got into the baseball team through the coach’s connections. This was probably another one of those cases. It wasn't even the beginning of the semester; it was a month into it. A new member at this point? It was a blatant cover-up.
'This is so annoying…'
He had fought tooth and nail to get into this school. And now what? A tryout? Kim Chang-hyun's grip on the ball tightened. If he didn't have a uniform, he should have at least worn gym clothes. What… did he think he was already in because he had paid?
Kim Chang-hyun’s left knee slowly rose, and he took a big step forward, swinging his arm forcefully.
'Good… I got him good.'
A corner of his lip curled up as he watched his pitch soar.
'The thought of his clueless face when he sees my pitch makes me feel good-'
Thwack!
The sound of the bat. A ball, flying at a frightening speed, whizzed past his ear. Kim Chang-hyun, who had reflexively turned his head, wondered if he was hallucinating.
‘He hit the first pitch for a line drive… and it hit the wall…?’
He laughed hollowly, shaking his head.
"He deserves a tryout…"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Coach! It's been a while!"
As Phoenix scout Kim Eun-chan approached with a smile, the coach glanced at him with a bored expression and then looked away.
“A while? What are you doing here again?”
“There’s a friendly match with Dongshin High today, isn’t there? I came to see Seung-tae pitch.”
“Lee Seung-tae? He’s not here today.”
“What? Seung-tae isn’t here?”
“Yeah. The brat’s probably sick or something. He didn’t come in today.”
“I see…”
Unlike the disappointed Kim Eun-chan, Ji Soo-yeon beside him was chuckling and nudging him.
“Senior, then let’s just go to Myungshin High. I heard they have a decent shortstop there.”
Kim Eun-chan looked at the field with a lingering expression, then finally nodded.
“Coach. It’s a shame, but we’ll be going now.”
As he was about to leave, the coach called out to him.
“Hey, Kim Eun-chan.”
“Yes?”
“I think you’ll regret it if you leave today.”
“What? What do you mean?”
The coach grinned and said, "A monster just joined."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After the tryout, the coach’s attitude towards me changed drastically.
“Do you have a preferred number? Just name it.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll take whatever you give me.”
“Look at this kid. Humble too. Those who are good at baseball are really different.”
“...Thank you.”
What was this? Was this the same person who had treated me like a crazy person earlier?
“I’ll take care of the paperwork, so you just have to be at the baseball team from today, alright?”
“Yes. Understood.”
“Right. Now let’s go and say hello to the others.”
I followed the coach, and the team members were gathered, as if he had called them.
“Everyone, listen up. We have a new member today. Alright, Tae-hyun, come up and say a few words.”
“Hello. My name is Cha Tae-hyun, and I joined the baseball team today. I look forward to working with you all.”
“……”
The reaction was lukewarm. The coach started clapping, and everyone followed suit, but their expressions were cold. Ah, except for Seo Ji-ah. She was clapping enthusiastically with a wide grin.
“What’s your position?”
“Shortstop.”
I could play any position, but shortstop was the most valuable among fielders.
“Lee Chang-soo.”
“Yes.”
“You’re on the bench for today’s game against Dongshin High.”
“What…? Why am I suddenly on the bench?”
The coach put a hand on my shoulder and said, "We need to see what the new member can do."
“...Yes. Understood.”
Lee Chang-soo replied in a low voice and bowed his head slightly. It wasn't obvious, but I could see him gritting his teeth. Anyway… the coach was certainly not ordinary.
Even if it was a new member, his strict merit-based mindset meant that seniority didn’t matter as long as you had the skills. It was so extreme that it had created a monster like Lee Seung-tae, but for now, it wasn't bad for me.
The more games I played, the more experience I could gain. But the glares from the team members… it seemed my baseball life here wouldn’t be easy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After my introduction, the coach left, and the team members quickly dispersed into groups. Seeing them leave me without a second thought, it seemed I hadn’t been accepted yet.
Ah, but Lee Ji-ho, being in the same class, did say a few words to me.
-Don't cause any trouble here.
That brat… He was having an easy time in the baseball team thanks to me.
“...I miss Ms. Miyeon.”
“What? You miss me?”
“Oh. You scared me… Give me a warning before you show up.”
I didn't know when she had come, but Seo Ji-ah was standing next to me.
“The coach told me to look after you. Follow me. I’ll show you around the baseball team.”
I was a little hesitant about having her as my guide, but since there were no other options, I quietly followed her.
“This is the locker room… Let’s see, you can use number 12. I’ve put a uniform in there. You can also put your personal belongings and equipment in here.”
“Oh, it’s really here? When did you get the uniform?”
“I-I just guessed your size and brought it.”
For a guess… it seemed to be a perfect fit.
“Can I try it on now?”
“Yeah.”
I tore open the plastic packaging and unfolded it. Looking at the uniform brought back memories of my high school days.
“But… aren’t you going to leave?”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to try this on.”
“Ah, right…? Sorry. I’ll leave.”
After confirming that she had left, I tried on the uniform.
“…Strange.”
It fit perfectly, as if it had been measured with a tape measure. Was it really a guess? I put my school uniform in the locker and turned around. I thought I saw something in the crack of the door.
An eye…? No, it couldn’t be… I must have seen it wrong.
“Let’s go. I’m done.”
“Uh, yeah. It looks good on you! Let’s go again. You see that room over there? It’s the lounge. Everyone rests there a lot. They’re probably there now. Let’s go and say hello for a bit…”
Seo Ji-ah, who was about to grab the door to the lounge, suddenly stopped. There was no need to ask why. I heard it too.
“Today’s a real legend.”
“I know, right? It’s not even the beginning of the semester, and a new member suddenly joins.”
“What do you think? The coach is about to retire, so he’s taking bribes.”
“Obviously.”
“But Lee Seung-tae and Kim Chang-hyun aren’t here today?”
“I know, right? Are they on a date or something?”
The coach took bribes… I had to admit, it was understandable why they would think that. I was a special case. It was natural for them to think that way. So it didn’t bother me.
Well, I was playing in today’s game, so it would be resolved once I showed them my skills. It was really fine. But Seo Ji-ah was glaring at the lounge, her eyes narrowed.
It seemed she was about to go in, so I grabbed her hand.
“It’s fine. Just finish showing me around the baseball team.”
“No, but!”
“It’ll all quiet down after the game.”
‘Or not?’ I added, and only then did she let go of the doorknob.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I went to the bathroom for a moment and was heading back to the dugout when a man, who looked exhausted with his eyes half-closed, was waiting for me.
“You’re Cha Tae-hyun, right? I’m Ji Chang-seop. I was the catcher for your tryout. Have you talked to any of the other kids?”
“Not yet.”
“Really? Then that’s a relief.”
“Yes…?”
“Chang-hyun and I saw you with our own eyes, but the other kids think you got in because of the coach’s connections. They’ve been talking behind your back all this time.”
Ji Chang-seop rummaged through his pockets and handed me something. A chocolate bar…?
“It’s because the other kids haven’t seen you hit yet. So if you hear them saying anything bad, just ignore it.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. If you’re thankful, then carry us in today’s game. That’s how Chang-hyun will survive.”
So that Kim Chang-hyun could survive? I was curious what he meant, but he turned around and disappeared before I could ask. I also unwrapped the mini chocolate bar in my hand, popped it in my mouth, and headed to the dugout.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Dongshin High was a long-time rival of Hyeoksan High. They were close in location, history, and records, and whenever they met in the league or tournaments, it was never an easy game. So they were quite conscious of each other.
Like the Korea-Japan match, where even rock-paper-scissors was a must-win. The game between Hyeoksan High and Dongshin High was a match of pride. Even if it was just a friendly match.
So, many people were dissatisfied with today’s lineup. It was understandable that they were unhappy about benching the consistent Lee Chang-soo and starting a newcomer they had never seen before.
“Cha Tae-hyun as the leadoff hitter? This is absurd.”
He wasn’t even in the lower part of the lineup; he was batting leadoff, the one who starts the game.
“How much money did he give to get the leadoff spot on his first day?”
“I’m so jealous, damn it~ If you have a lot of money, you should just enjoy your golden spoon life. Why are you trying to play baseball?”
“I know, right? And Chang-soo must be so pissed.”
‘What… he paid money? These idiots.’
Kim Chang-hyun, who had been listening quietly with his head bowed, was furious. Of course, he had had similar thoughts earlier, but since he hadn’t said them out loud, it was fine.
‘They’re all going to be so embarrassed… Cha Tae-hyun isn’t someone who got in because of the coach’s connections at all.’
Kim Chang-hyun was even smiling, confident that Cha Tae-hyun would soon prove his skills, but in reality…
‘Please hit, Cha Tae-hyun!’
‘No, you have to hit, Cha Tae-hyun!’
‘If you don’t hit, I’ll become the pitcher who gave up a hit to the guy who got in because of the coach’s connections!’
He was terrified. It might not seem like a big deal, but to him, who had great pride as a second-string pitcher, it was a major issue.
As the leadoff hitter, Cha Tae-hyun, stepped into the batter’s box, Kim Chang-hyun clasped his hands as if in prayer.
“Hey. Kim Chang-hyun, what are you doing?”
Kim Chang-hyun quickly unclasped his hands and looked up.
“…I was just meditating for a moment.”
“Did you eat something bad…? Anyway, isn’t this bullshit? They’re starting a nobody, and batting him leadoff. It’s a good thing it’s a friendly match. If it were a tournament…”
Kim Chang-hyun suddenly turned serious.
"He could be good. Huh? The coach could have picked up a genius somewhere.”
“Hey, did you hear what this bastard Kim Chang-hyun said? He said the guy standing over there is a genius batter, hahaha!”
Laughter spread like a contagion. It was probably audible even from the batter’s box. But Cha Tae-hyun just got into his stance and glared at the pitcher.
“Let’s see our genius batter’s skills. Oh~ his stance is pretty good. Does he even know how to swing a bat?”
Another burst of laughter, but before 10 seconds had passed after the call to start the game…
Thwaaaack!
A terrifying crack of the bat, and silence fell over the dugout. The guy who had been laughing, holding his stomach, Lee Chang-soo, who had been watching with a scowl, and the guy who had been busy teasing Kim Chang-hyun.
They all looked up and followed the ball, dumbfounded. The ball, which showed no signs of stopping, finally flew over the fence. Only then did the team members’ heads turn to Cha Tae-hyun. He was looking at the dugout.
His smug face, with a hint of a suppressed smile, seemed to say,
‘Happy now?’
He turned his head again, dropped the bat, and slowly started jogging towards the bases.
“Tae-hyun—!”
Seo Ji-ah, who was about to run out and cheer, was pushed aside by…
“That’s it! That’s it! Cha Tae-hyun!!!!”
Kim Chang-hyun, who ran out and cheered.