Someday You'll Hear It
Someday you'd hear it, right?
"So what happened?" Yoo Sera glanced at me briefly before asking. I shrugged once, then recalled the moment as I spoke.
"What do you mean, what happened? I said, 'Director, send me out. I'll handle it!' "
"Ooh~ You did?" Yoo Sera's eyes widened in admiration.
"Well, pretty much."
"Pretty much? Are you lying?"
...For some reason, it reminded me of Lee Seung-min lying. Better just tell the truth.
"Actually, I told the coach. When I said how could I not go out there, he checked my pitch count and said I was good to go, so I headed up right away. It's similar, right?"
"Hmmm. Yeah. That's close enough for normal consideration!"
"Phew... I was insanely nervous back then. I'd told you we'd meet in the finals, but we almost got knocked out in the quarterfinals."
Yoo Sera nodded, then suddenly clapped as if something had occurred to her.
"Oh, right! Speaking of the finals, I had one thing I wanted to ask."
"Yeah, what?"
Yoo Sera continued cautiously. "Originally, the third-year ace senior was supposed to pitch in the quarters, and you in the semis, right? So for the finals... I wouldn't get to see you pitch?"
Hearing that felt like a punch to the head.
"Ah... yeah, that's right."
Yoo Sera pointed at me immediately. "Idiot."
I gave a wry smile. "But we won the championship, so it's fine. You can come watch our school win. Sure, I'd love to show you me pitching... but the team's victory matters more."
She stared at my face quietly before asking, "For real? You're not bummed if I don't see you pitch?"
I answered honestly. "Of course I'd be a little bummed. But it's okay. I'll keep holding down the mound. Next year, I'll pitch in more games. Maybe you'll come watch me then?"
The moment she heard that, Yoo Sera waved her hand. "Bzzzt—wrong answer."
"Huh?"
"You said it backwards."
"Backwards how?"
Yoo Sera grumbled a bit, but with a smile. "We'll keep making it to the finals and winning from now on, so you should've said, 'Watch me this time!'"
Oh crap! Kim Jeong-ui, you idiot. How did someone who's watched anime dozens of times miss that? That's way more romantic!
Sigh... A brief silence fell.
I thought for a moment. "You're right. That would've been perfect."
"That would've been perfect?"
"Yeah. Honestly, my skills aren't there yet this year. I couldn't dominate games on my own, you know? And even if I do well next year... winning might be tough."
"Why next year?"
"Honestly, there's a big gap between third-years and second-years. Our third-years are all decently balanced. But us second-years... I don't think we'll grow to that level..."
Yoo Sera stayed quiet for a bit. Then she tilted her head slightly. "Shouldn't you say you can do it anyway? You're the next ace."
I caught my breath and looked at Yoo Sera. "Ahem, someone told me not to lie."
"It's okay in times like this! And it's not a lie—it's more like hope."
"Got it. I'll give it my best."
Meanwhile, as the Blue Dragon Tournament reached the semifinals, Sports TV kicked into full broadcast prep mode. In the network's conference room, the remaining four teams sparked a natural breakdown of the matchups.
The first to speak was commentator Lee Myeong-hwan. "The semifinalists are Seoul Suseok High, Seoul Jeon-san High, Gwangju Hana High, and Daejeon Chungcheong High. To be frank, the closest to the championship among these four are Seoul Suseok High and Gwangju Hana High. The issue is they're facing off in the semis."
Lee Myeong-hwan noted it was regrettable but also the most anticipated matchup—likely functioning as the de facto finals. "Whichever wins will lift the trophy."
Next to him, Jo Byeong-hun nodded and brought up another point. "But we can't overlook Jeon-san High. They went toe-to-toe with Seoul Suseok High in the previous Golden Lion Tournament, and Suseok High's director Kim Ik-hyeon even named them his toughest opponent. Purely on performance, they weren't outmatched—in fact, their game management had some impressive moments."
Jo Byeong-hun added that Jeon-san High's roster was even stronger now. With ace Lee Seok-hyeon anchoring both pitching and hitting, plus a reliable second-year closer despite his youth. Not just a hard thrower, but one with such pinpoint control that Suseok High's director referenced Maddux.
"If Gwangju Hana High and Seoul Suseok High go all-out against each other, they'll burn through resources. That leaves a team like Jeon-san High in the other bracket with a high shot at the title next."
The finals would inevitably carry semifinal fatigue.
Lee Myeong-hwan countered that Suseok High had a potent lineup capable of scoring regardless of pitcher fatigue. "They can flip games with bats even if pitching management gets tricky, so it won't be easy."
Jo Byeong-hun pointed out one more thing. "And against those Suseok High hitters, there's a guy from the last tournament who struck out six—that's on Jeon-san High's roster."
Both agreed the semis wouldn't tilt easily, promising the most exciting Blue Dragon back half in years. Sports TV quickly outlined the broadcast focus around their insights.
The day before the semifinals began, I was walking home with Yoo Sera.
"Huh?"
Just as we were almost there, she stopped suddenly. Wondering what was up, I followed her gaze across the street.
I knew right away. It was Yoo Sera's mom.
"You're home early?"
The woman who seemed to be her mom said that curtly to Yoo Sera, then shifted her eyes to me. She scanned me briefly, then smiled meaningfully.
"Oh~ hi. Hmm, who might you be? Sera's never mentioned you."
I froze for a second. I could feel the wary gaze.
"Hello, ma'am."
I paused and glanced at Yoo Sera. Has to be her mom, right? Or here...
"Hey, Sera. Is this your sister?"
Yoo Sera's stiff face relaxed into a stifled laugh. "...No."
Her mom shifted from guarded to a slight smile too. I seized the moment, pretending ignorance again as I asked Sera, "Oh! No? Then why's she acting like she knows you?"
Yoo Sera held back another laugh, shook her head, and said curtly, "Mom."
Only then did I overact. "Ah! So you're her mom. Hello, ma'am. I'm Kim Jeong-ui, in her class."
Yoo Sera's mom nodded. "Oh~ Jeong-ui, huh?"
I glanced at Yoo Sera with a grin. "Your mom's gorgeous. ...You must take after your dad?"
Before I finished, Yoo Sera jabbed my side hard, unable to hold it anymore.
"Ow!"
I yelped and pointed at the violin case in my hand. "Hey, you almost dropped this. What if I had to pay for it?"
Her mom laughed at the sight. "You two seem close. Carrying her violin like that... really close, huh?"
I straightened up quick. This is suspicion. We weren't even dating yet—couldn't risk that vibe. Not yet... but...
"A bit closer than regular classmates, sure. But right now, carrying this violin? Think of it as community service for my crimes."
Her mom narrowed her eyes intriguingly. "Crimes, huh? Hmm... I see. If you're that close, have you heard Sera practice violin?"
Hmm... Answer wrong and it could sound like a lie. I thought quick and shook my head.
"I always just hand off the violin here and go home. Never heard her play from here."
Her mom pondered, then smiled. "Really? Want to hear it this time? Come up."
I checked Yoo Sera's face slyly. Right call to refuse? Yup, her eyes screamed no.
"Ah! Do you give her lessons or something, ma'am?"
"Yeah. I'm a violin major too."
"I see. Then I'll head out."
"Why?"
"My dad gave me lessons once. Family or not, he went extra hard. But with others around, he eased up. I hear the concerto's soon—don't wanna interrupt."
Nice one, Jeong-ui. Now nail the exit.
"Here."
I handed the case to Sera. "And I've got a game tomorrow, so I need rest. I'd love to hear you play properly someday."
"Alright, off you go."
"Yes, ma'am. Goodbye."
Perfect. Clean getaway.