The Day I Became "Eul"
The director chatted at length with the reporters about how well the two of us meshed, while Kim Na-seong and I headed back to the dugout together. As we walked, he glanced at me sideways and asked cautiously, "You... you're really Kim Jeong-seok's son, right?"
I caught my breath for a moment and nodded. "Yeah. But don't go spreading it around. I hate talking about it. Only the director and coach knew."
I said it calmly, but inside, I wasn't at ease. I could see Kim Na-seong deep in thought. 'Ah... so that's why the director and coach... and even that insane skill makes sense now. He said he didn't want to play baseball but applied anyway? No wonder they'd give special treatment to get a guy like this back on the mound. Now it all clicks.'
Kim Na-seong jumped to conclusions fast. 'If Jeong-ui really grows like his dad...'
Baseball's an individual sport, but tournament results are what matter most. Sure, if you're exceptional enough, it doesn't matter—but even stars need awards for better contracts. And beyond going pro, college admission is huge. Plenty of players quit high school ball entirely, but making it to college opens doors. The son of a major leaguer—and one who might follow in his father Kim Jeong-seok's footsteps—meant our team's futures just got a lot brighter.
'Whoa... Seung-min, what're you gonna do? The guy you hate is way bigger than you thought...' Kim Na-seong recalled what Lee Seung-min had said recently. He didn't know the details, but those two were definitely on bad terms.
'If they clash, Seung-min's out for sure. Even I'm in Jeong-ui's debt now... I'd have to side with him...'
His gaze had definitely changed. What the hell was he imagining in those few seconds? I didn't ask for this level of bonding. This is getting too heavy... Sigh... this is why it's better not to tell anyone who my dad is...
"But Jeong-ui, the way you pitch... you could rack up stats starting this year, right? You might even beat out Seok-hyeon hyung for the rotation spot."
...Out of nowhere? Sure, I'd said that confidently in front of the captain and vice-captain. But...
"Impossible. You know why."
"Ah... your velocity drops after too many pitches?"
"Yeah. I'm building stamina with steady running, but it's not improving as fast as I'd like."
The year-and-a-half hiatus was bigger than I'd thought. Thirty pitches. That's my limit for throwing properly. And thirty pitches won't cover an inning, let alone a game.
"You say that, but you're already working on it. Cutting pitch count this time—isn't it to go deeper? Even at thirty today, you handled it like... five innings easy?"
No, that was just to look like a groundball pitcher. I was a bit surprised by Kim Na-seong's misconception. His eyes were dead serious.
"You're really committed, right? Then... since you're going all-in... do it properly."
"What?"
What the hell? Do it properly? What does that even mean? Explain yourself.
"Once summer ends, the third-years are basically gone. We'll need a new captain, yeah? But no one's stepping up from second year. We need one soon. So... think about that too."
What? Captain already? Way too soon!
"Honestly, if we picked from second-years now, it'd probably be Seung-min—he's the best player. But Seung-min... he's just not captain material. Kinda narrow-minded, y'know?"
Kim Na-seong poked his chest pointedly.
"You think I've got the breadth for it?"
"Dunno. But your skills are better. We pick the superior option, obviously..."
...This guy?
After the game, back home and sprawled on my bed, I mulled over Kim Na-seong's words. The more I thought, the more absurd it seemed. Talking captaincy already? I hadn't even fully integrated into the team yet.
But his words weren't just idle chatter. Wait—Seung-min's the best second-year? Then we're screwed... That's the ace? Not ace material at all. And Kim Na-seong's tight with him. For him to bring this up anyway means he really thinks Seung-min falls short as captain.
So what should I do?
The next day at school, I opened the classroom door and Yoo Sera caught my eye right away. She saw me and struck up a casual chat. "No running today? Something up?"
"Game yesterday."
I set my bag down and gave a short reply, then face-planted on my desk. I'd decided. Time to get serious about baseball. No more wasting emotions. Keep my distance from Yoo Sera.
"You're being kinda cold, aren't you?"
...?
"What?"
"C'mon, it's about last time, right?"
Last time? Oh... that day? Recalling it made my heart churn. Yeah, I hate feeling like this... Better not to have these moments anymore.
"No."
"Liar. Then why?"
"You still don't get me."
Yoo Sera stood, came over, and sat in the desk in front of mine. "Hmm... Jeong-ui, I don't know the baseball team inside out, but... you're killing it there, right?"
"..."
"Feels like Seung-min's got some inferiority complex toward you. From his side, the new guy's suddenly shining, so he's pushing back a bit. But you're teammates. Take it easy on him."
Ha... so it boils down to me being the bigger person. Arms bend inward, huh.
"Why should I? Why me? Shouldn't he shut up first? And why're you only saying this to me?"
"No, I talked to Seung-min too. Don't think bad of me. I just don't want you two fighting."
Ha! Talked to him?
"When..."
"Huh?"
"When did you say something like that to him?"
I knew the answer but asked anyway. Obviously...
"When... you two were together?"
"When exactly. I've never heard him get an earful from you."
"Well, not in the classroom."
Yeah. Not here. I looked up. "On the way home together, right."
"Eh? Uh..."
Caught. Did she even chew him out properly? Ah... forget it. This ends now.
"Fine. From now on, I won't come during this time."
"Huh...? Why! You're overreacting just because..."
"Seung-min's got an inferiority complex toward me? If anything, I've got one toward him."
I decided to end this. "What do you mean?"
"Honestly, I like you. That's why I loved these times. But now I know, what can I do? Every break, seeing him come chat with you made my stomach turn. Watching you two head home together? I was dying of jealousy."
Yoo Sera's face twisted oddly. She looked flustered.
"Should've stayed ignorant from the start... After that, I can't sleep at night. That's why I nap at school. Know what's pathetic? I still crave seeing you, so I drag myself here every time. But pride kept me from talking. How's that? Inferiority complex incarnate, right?"
Spilling it all lightened my chest.
"But now I've got real work. I'm serious about baseball. Can't waste stress or energy on this. So no more coming here during this time. I'll sleep on time, wake on time, and use it for running instead. Got it."
"Wait, seems like a misunderstanding? What do you think's going on between me and Seung-min?"
Ah! Denying it?
"Misunderstanding? I heard it. Someone asked Seung-min if you two were dating, and he said yes. That's dating, right."
Her face darkened more. "Hate the rumors? Don't worry, I don't blab."
"Wait! I need time to sort my thoughts."
She sighed softly. "So... you think I'm dating Seung-min, and that's why you've been cold? Assumed we were together?"
...?
Her reaction's weird. "Uh... isn't that it?"
She glared. "Did Seung-min really say we were dating?"
She looked furious. "Uh... something like that?"
"Da-ting?"
"No...? Close enough."
"Ha, let me clear it up. I'm not dating Seung-min."
Eh...?
"Sure, we're close. Walk home together sometimes. But that's 'cause we went to the same elementary and middle school, houses nearby. Not dating. Clear?"
...What?
"Misunderstanding cleared? Now you owe me something, right?"
"...?"
I stared blankly. Kindly, she listed my sins. "An apology. For being cold these past weeks. Ignoring me mornings. Pretending to sleep during breaks. That."
I had one thing to say. "Sorry..."
"For what?"
"For... ignoring you... misunderstanding and hurting your feelings..."
Long silence. It was suffocating.
"Fine, apology accepted."
That's when footsteps approached from outside. Yoo Sera stood, came to my side. "But Jeong-ui..."
She covered her mouth with her hand, leaned to my ear. "I heard your confession loud and clear."
...?!