New Captain and Vice-Captain
As the 2028 season draft approached, the players from Seoul Jeon-san High School gradually gathered in the indoor training hall. Only our captain, Lee Seok-hyeon, had gone directly to the draft site at the hotel, while the rest of us huddled around the TV in the training hall, watching the results unfold. The usually rowdy atmosphere had fallen completely silent that day. Everyone spoke less, ears strained toward every word from the host on screen and the scouting directors from the participating teams.
I wonder... how many from our school will get picked? Or even just one?
As the draft progressed, Changwon Larus's turn came in the third round. We all held our breath, staring at the screen, when a familiar school name rang out.
"Seoul Jeon-san High School pitcher, Lee Seok-hyeon."
The indoor hall erupted in an instant.
"Woooah!"
"As expected!"
"He did it!"
Of course, Captain Lee Seok-hyeon sunbae was the first from our team to be called. It was the outcome we'd all anticipated...
Murmurs rippled through as the draft continued. Then, in the eighth round, it was Busan Siguls's turn. We'd loosened up a bit, tension easing, when those two familiar syllables hit again.
"Seoul Jeon-san High."
The hall froze in that split second. Everyone flinched simultaneously, holding their breath, eyes glued to the screen.
"Catcher."
All eyes snapped to Hwang Jae-uk.
"Hwang Jae-uk."
His name rang out clear as day, and Hwang Jae-uk sunbae just stared at the screen, face blank with disbelief. The guys around him immediately started punching his arm in celebration.
"Hey! Congrats!"
"This punk's going pro?"
The quiet space exploded back to life. Hwang Jae-uk was still dazed, mumbling.
"Huh? What?"
He fumbled for his phone and bolted outside—probably to call his parents or family.
The excitement hadn't even died down when the eleventh round arrived. With two already picked, we figured that was it—half hopeful, half resigned—watching the TV.
"Seoul Jeon-san High."
But there it was again.
"Quiet, everyone!"
Our coach, sensing the possibility, bellowed to shut us up. The hall went dead silent once more, all of us waiting on the next words.
"Pitcher Cha Hyeon-jin."
Cha Hyeon-jin sunbae collapsed like he'd fainted, hitting the floor. It was total chaos around him as people rushed over.
While the commotion swirled around Cha Hyeon-jin sunbae, the director came up beside me and murmured quietly.
"You see that? It's thanks to winning the Cheongryonggi. Jae-uk was barely hanging on for the eighth round, and Hyeon-jin? Never dreamed he'd go pro."
His voice brimmed with shock and emotion. My chest warmed unexpectedly.
"It's all because of you. So keep it up next time too."
The indoor hall was buzzing with the good news. But one crucial matter still needed settling.
"Everyone, listen up."
Hwang Jae-uk, face flushed, stepped forward to regain order. He still looked exhilarated but raised his hand to draw our eyes.
"We've got one thing left to do, right?"
The second-years exchanged glances. It was time to pick the next captain.
"Alright, second-years. Who do you want as captain?"
A brief silence fell. No one spoke up at first, but the vibe suggested it was already decided.
"Hey, Kim Jeong-ui. Got an opinion?"
But I'd raised my hand first.
"I recommend Kim Na-seong."
All eyes turned to me, but I kept my tone steady.
"I know a lot of you think I should be captain. But I believe a captain needs to keep an eye on everyone around them. I'm not there yet—and honestly, I don't have the bandwidth. So I'm just gonna focus on being the ace. That's why I'm nominating the guy who can do it best."
It was basically a declaration. I was clearly passing the captaincy to Kim Na-seong.
The room hesitated, unsure how to react.
"Then let's go with Kim Na-seong!"
But second-year pitcher Lee Ha-neul shattered the mood. Most of the second-years nodded right away in agreement.
"Sounds good."
"I'm in."
"Me too."
The mood tipped instantly, and the third-years chimed in with smiles.
"Alright, our new captain at Seoul Jeon-san High is catcher Kim Na-seong."
Just like that, Kim Na-seong stumbled into the role. He looked totally stunned, and I mouthed to him silently: Good luck.
Kim Na-seong's mind went blank for a moment.
Damn it, shoving the captaincy on me out of nowhere like this? You really think I can do it?
He kept his face neutral on the outside, but inside, it was a mess. The vibe had flipped so fast, and he wasn't prepared at all.
Just moments ago, the third-years had been leaning toward making Kim Jeong-ui captain. He was the heart of the Cheongryonggi win, an ace no one could deny. The momentum was naturally his.
But the second-years felt a subtle distance from him. His skill was overwhelming, sure, but they hadn't even spent a full year together yet. He felt less like a rooted team member and more like a rolling stone that had crashed in and taken center stage. Everyone respected and followed him, but captain was a role that demanded more than just talent—it needed someone who'd weathered the storms with you, knew the ins and outs.
And then Kim Jeong-ui stepped up and nominated him.
That one statement sealed it. Kim Na-seong, already close to the group from day one, now backed by the team's undisputed core? The flow hardened instantly. Even the faction that didn't care for Lee Seung-min jumped in, and it was over before it started.
The moment Kim Jeong-ui said his own name wouldn't be on the table, Kim Na-seong knew.
Ah, this is mine...
The votes were pouring in.
"Alright, our new captain at Seoul Jeon-san High is catcher Kim Na-seong."
Even in the whirlwind, one thought hit Kim Na-seong fast: This can't end here.
The captain spot was settled—great. But that left someone else hanging. Lee Seung-min. The biggest presence among the second-year fielders, undeniably skilled. And not the type to let it slide quietly. Leaving his role vague here could stir trouble later.
Kim Na-seong knew it well. So he spoke up immediately.
"Then I'll pick the vice-captain right now. Jeong-ui was my first thought, but since he pushed me for captain, that's probably his way of saying no to this stuff. So for vice-captain, I'm nominating Seung-min—the best guy on the fielders' side."
It worked like a charm. No one could object to the sudden call. Kim Jeong-ui had already said he'd stick to ace duties, and Lee Seung-min had been a key second-year player anyway. It balanced the second-years perfectly, so the mood flowed right into it.
"Good, then vice-captain is Lee Seung-min."
No drama, and the vice-captain spot was locked in too.
Hwang Jae-uk watched, quietly impressed inside.
Man, Jeong-ui's sharp. Did he plan this? Best setup for the second-years right now.
From the moment Kim Jeong-ui stepped back and boosted Kim Na-seong, the picture started falling into place beautifully. And Kim Na-seong didn't stop there—he pulled Lee Seung-min in too.
Captain, vice-captain, ace. Roles crystal clear, no room for clashes.
Hwang Jae-uk, who had a good read on the dynamics, saw this as the most stable structure for now.
"Alright. With the new captain and vice-captain set, say a few words before we wrap."
Eyes turned to them. Kim Na-seong went first.
"I'm captain now... Jeong-ui throwing me into it caught me off guard. But since I am, I'll give it everything till next year."
"Woooaaah!"
Lee Seung-min stood, still looking shell-shocked.
"Uh... As vice-captain... Next year, I want the batters getting as much spotlight as the pitchers. So let's all work hard from here on out."
"Woooaaah!"
Phew, that's sorted.