Doesn't It Show?

Doesn't it show? It was the day after the President's Cup game. I was sitting on a chair in the corner of the baseball team's indoor training room, and across from me sat a famous reporter.

Whew, he's living up to his name. Perfect.

The famous reporter had a satisfied look on his face from the start. He'd settled for an exclusive interview instead of writing some throwaway article, and it had turned into a huge hit. Plus, after our Cheongryonggi win, he had no choice but to interview me, but he'd glossed right over it on the spot. No wonder he was thrilled.

"Ahem. Alright, let's begin the interview."

The reporter turned on his phone's recording app and placed it in the center. Then, with utmost politeness, he started.

"Kim Jeong-ui, first off, congratulations on winning the Cheongryonggi."

I just nodded once and gave a short reply.

"Yeah. Thanks."

"I'll keep today's interview short and to ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the point. But it'll focus on the key questions, so I hope you understand."

"Sure, go ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ahead."

The next question came sharp and fast, like he'd been waiting for it.

"How was the Cheongryonggi final against Suseok High? Was it really no big deal, like you said in your previous interview?"

Hmm? Well...

"Yeah. It was manageable. The results prove it, so I hope everyone gets that I was right."

The reporter's mouth curved up just a bit—he liked that answer.

Hmm... How does he always say exactly the quotable things?

People love this type. But interviews like this are a double-edged sword. I'd seen plenty of cases where they backfired, so these days, players like this were rare. But the one in front of me didn't seem to care.

"Got it. So, what's your plan after the Cheongryonggi?"

I took a breath. Thinking about future plans was complicated.

"Uh... I think I've shown what I can do through the Cheongryonggi. Now, I'll work on building my overall skills to match the fame I've gotten."

"So that means..."

"Yeah. I've already got a high school title under my belt, so from now on, it's about making myself better, not just chasing wins."

As soon as I finished, the reporter jumped to the next question like he'd planned it.

"Is that why you didn't play in the President's Cup?"

...Not exactly...

The President's Cup. Just like the director said, I sat it out. But shockingly, we lost the first game and got knocked out.

"The President's Cup issue came from giving me recovery time after my first start in the Cheongryonggi final. I haven't pitched that much before, so... the director and coach were being considerate."

"Ah, so the early exit was unavoidable?"

"Well... yeah, for me."

"No more overdoing it... Does that mean you're aiming for the majors someday?"

I hesitated for a split second. How to phrase this...?

"Uh... I'd be lying if I said I had no interest. If my skills get there, I'll go. If not, oh well."

The reporter pondered for a moment, debating whether to push for a firmer statement or pivot. He chose to pivot.

"A lot of players showcase themselves on the youth national team. So, you could make a big splash there?"

The youth national team? Some people see wearing the taegukgi on your chest and playing for the country as an honor. Not me. I'd rather watch anime in that time. Or, ahem, go hang out somewhere with Sera.

"No. I'd rather go after I'm an adult. If they call me for the youth team... I'll just pitch half-assed."

"Pardon? So you're basically refusing the call-up?"

"Yeah. I don't really want to join the youth national team. So, unless it's a must, don't pick me."

"Meaning you only want to join national team games that count toward military service exemption?"

The reporter's question cut deep.

Uh... Did it come to this? How do I dodge...?

...Screw it, just muddle through.

"Hmm... That's a different issue... As you know, there are all sorts of reasons for the youth team. I just don't like it."

"...Ah! I see."

Huh? He nodded like he got it, and I was a bit thrown off.

Uh... Does that mean he'll write it his way? Hopefully nicely...?

"Uh... Got it."

The reporter quickly organized his thoughts. He'd already decided the article's angle.

Arrogant, cocky... Free with the criticism... Yeah, rough style like his dad, but he expresses himself better. So this interview... a concept? He's doing it on purpose, right?

The reporter cleared his throat and switched back to his polite face.

"Understood. Thanks for the great insights today."

...?

Already over?

"Uh... That's it?"

"Yes. That's plenty."

Hiss... Kinda unsettling...

"Isn't it too short?"

"No, no. Some interviews are long but empty, and ones like today... they're packed even if short."

...Even more unsettling...

The reporter turned off the recorder and stood, offering a handshake.

"I'll write a good article. Congrats again on the Cheongryonggi win."

I ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠didn't react much, just gave the minimum reply.

"Yeah. Thanks."

* * *

"What're you thinking so hard about?"

It was Tuesday morning, and Yoo Sera noticed me lost in thought.

"Baseball's got a lot on my mind."

"Yeah? Maybe start with the closest stuff?"

"Closest?"

"Yeah. I plan far ahead, but I focus on the nearest contest first. You should zero in on the next tournament—or even the very next game."

Hmm... I'd been doing that so far, but...

"Good point. But we lost the President's Cup opener over the weekend."

"...We lost?"

Yoo Sera's eyes went wide, shock plain on her face.

"Uh... I didn't even think of that. The defending champs, out in the first round..."

"Yeah. That's what happened."

"Why? How? You were there."

"I didn't even play."

She tilted her head.

"Why? If it looked like a loss, shouldn't they have put you in?"

How to explain...

"Uh... If we give up a bunch early, the hitters have to catch up. Even a good pitcher can't always do it. We stopped scoring after the captain went in, but we still lost, so I probably wouldn't have changed much."

Yoo Sera blinked.

"And even if I had gone in, the situation wasn't great. I had some lingering effects from Cheongryonggi, so I wasn't at full strength."

The moment I said "lingering effects," her face fell in surprise.

"Ah... I see. That's too bad."

"Yeah... But to drop in the first game..."

As I trailed off, she pursed her lips, looking thoughtful.

"Why're you more upset than me, when it was our loss?"

"Well... Urgh..."

Yoo Sera fiddled with her hair nervously, then puffed her cheeks in a pout.

"I held your hand, and we didn't even get good news..."

Oh...

"No more hand-holding from now on."

No, not that.

"What if it becomes a bad luck charm."

"Losing that game had nothing to do with holding hands."

"We lost right after we held hands and walked back."

...Hmm...

I grabbed her hand as she toyed with her hair.

"Hey?!"

"Then we'll hold hands every time we walk back from now on."

"No!"

Her face flushed as she tried to pull away.

"I'll prove it. It'll show it's unrelated. Win or lose, we'll hold hands till we win."

"Urgh..."

She pushed at my hand with her other one as I held firm.

Ah... Rejected...

"No."

Of course...

"Too many eyes watching."

...?

"A quick one like before is fine. Not near school or the practice field."

Oh! Nice!

That's when it happened. Yoo Sera, face still a bit pink as she stepped back, suddenly planted herself right in front of me.

Huh...?

"But I have a question."