I'm Disappointed
"Then how about we grab a meal together before you go? It'll take some time for the results anyway. Sera, go change your clothes."
Yoo Sera's mother glanced at me briefly, then spoke softly, as if she'd already made up her mind. I hesitated for a moment. Huh? Dinner together? Is this my cue to bail? I quickly checked Sera's expression. But this time, she didn't give any signal to say no. Wait... so... ahem.
"Yeah, I'll be right back."
Sera responded as if it were no big deal, looking at her mom naturally.
"...Sure. Thank you."
She mentioned they usually went to a place nearby, and that's where we headed on foot. As soon as we stepped inside, I could tell it was a clean, atmospheric spot. Yeah... she really likes places like this, huh?
"How many?"
"Three."
"Right this way."
We were seated and looked over the menus.
"What do you want?"
My eyes instinctively went to the steaks. Living in the baseball club had wired me to think protein first. But ordering the pricey steak suddenly felt a bit much, so I pretended to think it over again and picked the seafood pasta.
"Seafood pasta for me."
"Got it."
Sera chose mushroom cream pasta without a second thought. Sera's mom ordered the safe mushroom pilaf. As we waited for the food, her mom's barrage of questions began.
"You mentioned getting some lessons from your dad before—what kind of thing is it?"
"Me? I play baseball."
"Oh, so you're in sports. Does that mean your dad played baseball too? Following in your father's footsteps, huh?"
I noticed Sera fiddling with her fork beside me, swallowing subtly. Hm... something happened there?
"Probably... yeah."
"How do you feel about ending up in the same field as your parents?"
Ah... Sera's mom plays violin too... drama there as well?
"Well... it used to weigh on me so much I quit baseball altogether. But things are a bit different now."
"Different how?"
"Yeah. I saw this movie recently about a daughter following her mother's path. It kinda changed my perspective. The title was... Concert, I think."
At that, Sera's mom widened her eyes ever so slightly.
"Oh, you know that one?"
Sera let out a small laugh beside me. Concert was a famous orchestra film starring a violinist, so both of them knew it well.
Sera's mom moved right on to the next question.
"So, how's the baseball going? That world's tough too, right?"
"It's tough, but I'm getting results. We even won a championship recently."
"Oh, really? ...Was it last week by any chance?"
Sera flinched at the question. Her fork clinked lightly against the plate. Oops... something went down last week... This was a probe—basically asking if Sera had gone.
How to play this? Hide Sera? Nah, just own it. Boldly. I took a breath and said it straight.
"Yes. That's right."
Then, to avoid sounding defensive, I added honestly, "Sera came to cheer me on. So... I'm here cheering for her today. That's the situation for now."
A brief silence followed. The restaurant music seemed louder. Sera glanced at her mom, then at me, her face worried.
Sera's mom picked up her water glass, set it down, and smiled.
"I see."
Back home, Dad and Mom were waiting for me together.
"Son, you're back? Hold on, let's talk."
...What's this about?
"What's up?"
"Sit down first."
When I asked what was going on, Dad told me to sit so we could talk. I couldn't help but feel thrown off by the sudden summons, but I sat anyway. Mom was smiling quietly, and Dad took a breath before dropping the unexpected bomb.
"That game the other day. A scout from my old team in Arizona was watching."
I blinked. Huh? Where?
Dad's tone was calm, but the weight of his words was heavy.
"They reached out. They're interested."
No way. Major leagues thinking that highly of me? I'm nowhere near ready...
"I don't know... I still think I'm far off. In the Cheongryonggi finals, I got super lucky holding that game together way longer than I should have... Basing it on that one game doesn't seem right..."
"Good thinking."
Dad nodded as I finished.
"I agree—you're still miles from major league level. So take it slow, steady, build your skills. Keep stacking the basics like you are. Don't pitch deep like that finals game. You're not ready for that yet. It'll wear your body out too fast."
Then Dad looked me dead in the eye and said curtly, like always.
"Limit to max 40 pitches a day. Train consistently every day, and one day you'll be close to the majors."
His words were cold, but spot on.
"Ahem, point is, majors are now an option—so keep preparing like you are. No distractions. If you're doing baseball, do it right. That said... you need to help the team, so step up as a near-every-game starter."
Dad wrapped it up firmly.
"Keep preparing well."
"Got it. Can I go now?"
"Yeah, seems like Dad's done. Head in."
I stood up.
"By the way, son, where were you?"
"Uh... a friend's competition. Went to watch."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. She came to mine too."
"Should've said so sooner. Tell me about this friend next time."
...
The next day. Early Monday morning, Yoo Sera stared at me intently.
"That was kinda awkward, right?"
I shrugged.
"Nah, it was fine. I could tell your mom was dying of curiosity... but you said no other guys got invited to the concerto? Eh, makes sense then."
Honestly, that felt good.
"Anyway, results?"
Sera grinned mischievously.
"Ta-da! Grand prize."
I was genuinely surprised, eyes widening.
"Whoa! Came out quick?"
"Concerts always do."
Sera nodded.
"Some announce right after the stage, bigger ones post in the evening like yesterday. World-class ones might take till next day. But usually not more than a day."
I let out an impressed hum.
"So awards ceremony separate?"
"Yeah. Kinda a hassle to go. But skipping school for it ain't bad."
Sera answered shortly, then hesitated, averting her gaze. Suddenly, she changed tack.
"But... how was it really when I played violin? Ahem, I want detailed impressions? Yesterday's chat was too short."
The mood shifted calm. Hmm... how to put this... I cleared my throat casually.
"Well... first off, you were... beautiful. From the moment you stepped on stage."
"Beautiful?"
Her voice thinned a bit.
"Black dress. Kinda serene."
I traced the air like I was remembering.
"But your skin's so pale, the contrast was perfect."
Sera narrowed her eyes at my words.
"And when you played... like this..."
I mimicked her bow stroke, arm rising slightly.
"That motion... was so pretty."
But in my head, the image of onstage Sera flashed vividly—arm lifting high under the lights during big movements...
"Come to think of it, seeing your armpit means the outfit was pretty revealing."
Sera said nothing. No smile, no averted eyes—just frozen. Her silence spooked me; I glanced over. Moments later, her whole face flushed crimson—from earlobes to cheeks to nose bridge.
I panicked and stepped back.
"...Huh? What's wrong?"
Sera bit her lip, glaring.
"You..."
Her voice trembled—anger? Embarrassment? Unclear.
Then, almost a whisper, but clear:
"Pervert."
...Huh? I gaped, mouth opening and closing.
"I'm disappointed."
I tried to defend myself, but Sera turned away, hiding her face, and stormed off.
Ah... screwed up.