Just for a Moment
Just for a moment. At the end of the fifth-period hallway, by the window, Lee Seung-min pressed himself against the wall only to step back a pace. He passed by the classroom door, then doubled back, sneaking a glance inside. Right now, Lee Seung-min's heart wasn't at ease. Impatient was more accurate. Ever since his fight with Kim Jeong-ui, just coming near Class 5 felt awkward. But today, he couldn't back down. Lately, his conversations with Yoo Sera had dwindled, and they hardly walked home together anymore. On top of that, what he'd heard through Kim Na-seong was enough to make him anxious. So Lee Seung-min steeled himself. When Sera comes out, I'll talk to her then. Grab her even for a second, hear her out.
The classroom door opened with a creak. Lee Seung-min straightened up reflexively. A few students emerged, and then Yoo Sera appeared behind them. He moved toward her right away. Worried that approaching too quickly might make her uncomfortable, he tried to moderate his pace, but his urgency fueled his legs.
"Sera. Wait. Can we talk?"
Yoo Sera stopped, but wariness flashed across her face. She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Hmm... about what?"
"Uh... wanna step over there for a sec?"
"No, say it here. I'm busy."
Lee Seung-min looked troubled for a moment. They were in the middle of the hallway. Other students passed by, and kids from Class 5 were peeking through the door crack. But he had no more time.
"You've been... avoiding me lately, right?"
Yoo Sera's eyes flickered briefly, then settled into calm indifference.
"No, not avoiding. I've just got a lot on my plate. Not enough time."
"Yeah... I figured. But you don't walk home with me anymore, and we barely talk, so it felt off."
"We're not in the same class, so conversations dry up. Spend more time with your classmates."
That only made Lee Seung-min more desperate. He stepped forward, but stopped when he saw Yoo Sera subtly shift her weight back.
"No, but... we've got history as close friends..."
Yoo Sera let out a faint sigh.
"We weren't that close. Mostly 'cause we went to the same elementary and middle schools. We were in class together once, so not strangers, but that's it. I even went to your game. Isn't that me making an effort?"
Lee Seung-min's lips tightened. It felt like she was shrinking all the meaning he'd clung to.
"Then... can't we walk home together sometime?"
Yoo Sera tilted her head as if considering, but her answer was quick and firm.
"Hmm... no. Practice. Busy. Contest's over, but there's another one. I've got plans through next year... no, the year after."
Lee Seung-min's face darkened further. Then, as a last resort, he brought up what had been nagging him. His voice sharpened.
"Heard from someone else. What's with going home with Jeong-ui?"
Yoo Sera's eyes wavered slightly.
"Our paths overlap to my practice room?"
"Can't you... go without him?"
Her tone cooled a degree.
"Hmm... don't wanna?"
As Lee Seung-min froze, Yoo Sera added casually, almost playfully—but the line she drew felt even firmer.
"That's his punishment for messing up. Having someone carry my case? Perfect for me."
"I can carry it too."
Yoo Sera neither nodded nor smiled.
"Already got someone."
Lee Seung-min's expression hardened, his mouth twisting. Irritation and hurt flashed in his eyes. A passing student glanced over and looked away. Yoo Sera seemed to sense the mood too. She smoothed her face and changed tack abruptly.
"Oh! Gotta hit the bathroom... you're making me late. See ya."
Before the words fully landed, Yoo Sera turned and left. Lee Seung-min stood frozen, silent as her figure vanished down the hall.
Meanwhile, the baseball team had no time to rest. We'd just played the Cheongryonggi finals, but before the championship glow could fade, the President Cup qualifiers kicked off. The silver lining? As winners, we skipped early rounds—our games started over the weekend, thanks to a favorable draw.
Ahead of the President Cup, I was called to a small meeting in the director's office. Captain Lee Seok-hyeon and vice-captain Hwang Jae-uk were already seated; I slipped in between them. The Cheongryonggi win had everyone looking relaxed.
The director scanned my face first.
"Jeong-ui. You okay?"
I exhaled and answered honestly.
"Still some aftereffects from the shutout. Not at peak condition."
I was upfront. Muscle soreness hit my whole body the day after. Without the icing Dad mentioned, my arm would've been wrecked.
The director nodded, then turned to the captain.
"Seok-hyeon?"
"Time for me to step up."
Lee Seok-hyeon said it like he'd been waiting. But the director shook his head.
"Your resolve's as strong as ever. That's why I called you all. I've overused you too much. Now that we've won... I'm pulling you to closer or middle relief for now. Only in crises."
Lee Seok-hyeon's eyes wavered, then he nodded slowly in understanding.
The director continued firmly, like it was set in stone.
"Pitching: Cha Hyeon-jin starts—he's thrown less. Lee Ha-neul gets more innings too. Big games, we'll use Seok-hyeon or Jeong-ui."
"And catchers—if we're ahead, Kim Na-seong plays. Focusing on growth going forward."
The Cheongryonggi win had shifted things. No more all-out every game. Player protection, experience sharing, future prep—those terms flowed naturally.
But I felt uneasy. We're not that strong a team... is this okay?
Winning didn't double our power overnight. Cheongryonggi was luck, flow, my block, timely hits. We couldn't dominate every tournament. Or... with third-years' goals met, rest them and build seconds?
The coach ventured cautiously.
"Shifting to develop second-years?"
The director sighed long, wrapping it up.
"Yeah. Our seconds are weaker than thirds. Worse than last year. They need innings."
Ugh... that's bad. Third-years were solid. If true, our seconds might not match them next year.
"But with Jeong-ui, we'll manage, right?"
All eyes turned to me—faith, expectation, maybe dependence.
Uh... that's a lot of pressure...
"..."
"..."
On the way to Yoo Sera's practice room, conversation was unusually scarce. She walked in total silence; I matched her steps beside her. No words meant I could hear her breathing.
I broke first.
"Case feels heavier today. 'Cause Sera's not talking to me."
She didn't even glance sideways. Just "Hmph."
That made me fidget more.
...How long you gonna sulk over that armpit thing?
I grinned awkwardly.
"Weird. Flowers aren't just pretty—the leaves are too, y'know?"
Yoo Sera twitched faintly.
"Flowers smell nice too. Next time, the scent..."
Thwack.
"Ow!"
Before I finished, she punched my side.
"Pervert."
She hugged her arms and pulled away.
"No, that's not—"
This ain't it!
"What're you thinking?!"
I faked pain briefly, then fired back. Teasing thawed her out best, easiest now.
"Okay, okay! Equality then. Gotta show my armpit too!"
I pretended to lift my arm with the case—her glare sharpened, then she recoiled in horror.
"Kyaaah! No. Fine, don't. Seriously don't."
I burst out laughing. Lowered my arm, reslung the case.
"Yeah? Heh. Joke, joke. Don't freak that hard."
Yoo Sera flushed, edging closer. Sulky or madder? Ambiguous. But silence broken.
"You're too mean sometimes."
I shrugged.
"You are sometimes."
She snorted.
"If I was mean, would I walk with you?"
I paused teasing. Heart skipped.
I stared ahead.
"If not mean... maybe once... not just case, hold hands walking."
Yoo Sera stopped. I stopped. She looked down, pondering.
Then...
"Here."
Hand extended. Fingertips trembled faintly?
"Just for a moment."
Her voice tiny.
Thump thump thump... Tenser than game time. I played cool, reached slowly. Gently grasped her hand.