A Monster's Control
No, the support would come from us. As soon as class ended, I headed to the baseball field with a grin creeping across my face. The word giggling fit perfectly. The reason was simple. From that one conversation today, I'd learned a ton about the girl playing the violin. I'd confirmed her name was Yoo Sera, and she'd clearly learned mine was Kim Jeong-ui. We hadn't exchanged any special words, but just the feeling of being aware of each other was strangely satisfying. That awareness alone felt good enough. Thanks to that chat, my heart had tilted just a tiny bit more toward joining the baseball team. Why? Because Sera liked the team's ace or captain types. Heh heh heh.
I hadn't fully committed yet, but it felt like I'd taken one step closer than yesterday. Plus, today the baseball coach had called me in to check a few more things. When I arrived at the field, the coach was already waiting with one player. Next to them sat a single bat and a box stuffed full of baseballs. Hmm… he said he'd check various things, but that can't be… fungo batting? The moment I saw it, instinct told me he wanted to test defense too.
"Yes. Coach, I'm here."
"Oh, Jeong-ui, you're here? Let's start with some catch ball to warm up."
We exchanged light greetings and began catch ball. As we tossed it back and forth, the coach pointed to the player across from me and introduced him.
"The guy you're playing catch with right now is Lee Seok-hyeon, a third-year. He's the captain and our high school's ace pitcher, for what it's worth."
Then, casually, he added,
"He said he really wanted to see you, so he came out specially."
The moment I heard that, a weight settled on my shoulders like sudden pressure. That's when it started. My catch ball began to waver subtly. Ah… it's coming sooner than I thought… At first, it was just slightly off-target, but soon the ball started slipping from my hand. Before long, I couldn't even make proper throws.
The coach watched my form and told me to raise my arm angle higher. But the result was the same—the ball veered off course. Next, he suggested sidearm. It wobbled even more wildly, but at least it went roughly in the right direction. Still, it lacked any real stability.
The coach pondered for a moment, then finally said,
"Alright then… try throwing it like an underhand toss."
Like underhand? I nodded and naturally threw the ball with an underhand motion. Right then, unlike before, it flew straight and true into the opponent's glove. Even after a few more throws, the results held. Watching this, the coach let out a small sigh and jotted something in his notebook.
"Okay."
The short word was followed by a clear verdict.
"Fielding's a no-go. Pitching only."
…
"Well, at least you can throw underhand, right? That's something."
Then the coach turned right to Captain Lee Seok-hyeon.
"Seok-hyeon, call the guys and have them take that box."
He added, as if outlining the training plan,
"We'll skip defense. Focus on pitching. Oh! And call Jae-uk too—we need a catcher."
"Got it."
A moment later, a few first-years showed up, hauled off the box of balls, and soon Hwang Jae-uk arrived, catching his breath in full catcher's gear. The coach pointed to the catcher's spot like he'd been waiting.
"Jae-uk, you're here? Sit there. Alright, Jeong-ui, let's check your control properly now. You know that catcher? He's the vice-captain. Best hitter on the team."
Aha… Then he turned to Lee Seok-hyeon.
"You get in the batter's box too and watch some pitches. You're not swinging, but there's a difference with a batter there or not."
That's how far we're going? He was getting serious. In that case, there was something I had to clarify upfront.
"Um… Coach. I don't know how to throw breaking balls underhand. Just fastballs."
The coach nodded.
"That's fine for now. Just throw. Control on the fastball is what matters first."
Hwang Jae-uk settled into the crouch and set his mitt on the batter's inside corner. Inside… starting tough… I took a small breath and threw.
Whiiiiiish—
Plop.
The ball sucked right into the mitt's spot.
Oh… luck? It went perfectly. Okay, next…
The catcher shifted slightly, setting up outside this time. I threw—and it went right there.
Huh? So precise?
Hwang Jae-uk's expression shifted subtly.
Nah, no way…
Now he dropped the mitt to the middle-low zone, brushing the strike zone bottom.
Whiiiiiish—
Plop.
The ball dove into the mitt again.
…No way.
Then high. Same result. The ball hit exactly where the mitt was. At that moment, the catcher, batter, and coach all exchanged glances in stunned rotation. The coach jumped right in.
"Good. Now corners. Then one just off the plate."
The catcher moved to the outside corner. I nodded and threw. Ball threading the edge, then the one just missing as instructed—all hit their marks. The ball followed the mitt everywhere it went. Lee Seok-hyeon, watching, dropped his bat and laughed in disbelief.
"Whoa… what have I been doing all this time…? His control's better than some rested pro…"
"Hey, Seok-hyeon, you're normal. He's the monster, right? Control like that…"
Hwang Jae-uk shook his head in utter disbelief. The coach, unable to hold back, grinned wide and walked over, clapping my shoulder.
"Jeong-ui, your control's the best among our pitchers."
He paused, then added seriously,
"You have to play baseball. Got it? You can't waste that control."
"I-I'll… think about it at home…"
But when I got home, the atmosphere was off. The living room lights were all on, and Mom and Dad sat side by side waiting for me. I set down my bag, wondering inwardly what this was about. Mom spoke first.
"Son, don't you have something to say?"
My heart sank at those words. Something was up. I played it cool and asked back.
"Like what?"
Dad replied in a low, firm voice.
"We hear you're suddenly joining the baseball team. What's that about?"
I froze, blinking. I shook my head frantically.
"No? I haven't joined yet?"
"Yet?"
Dad shot back, and I nodded.
"Yeah. They recruited me, but… with why I quit before, I'm just checking my form. Right now, it's more like the casual baseball club with regular students."
I tried to explain calmly, but my voice wavered at the end.
As expected… he's pissed…
Dad's face hardened more.
"Then why's the school calling about switching to the official baseball team?"
Ah… the school mentioned it first…!? Wait, give me a sec… I hadn't even decided yet…
"Quit anytime before, but now you wanna start again? Find something else besides baseball. I'm not supporting it."
With that, he stood and went to his room. This is bad…
The next day, I headed to school early. No specific appointment, but after talking with Sera yesterday, I felt like I had to go early. On the way, I kept thinking if I should make this a habit, but today there was no choice—I had to get there soon. Near the school gate, I ran into two people standing ahead, purely by chance: the baseball coach and a middle-aged man I'd never seen.
The coach spotted me and waved happily, then pointed to the man beside him.
"Hey, Jeong-ui. This is the Director."
I bowed reflexively.
"Ah… hello, sir!"
The Director eyed me up and down, then asked straight out,
"You're joining the baseball team, right?"
Yesterday's scene at home flashed in my mind. I hesitated, then answered honestly.
"More than that… did you call my house?"
All eyes turned to me.
"Dad got really mad… Even if I join, he said no support… so it might be impossible practically."
Baseball teams cost millions monthly. Some families drop nearly 100 million a year. Dad refusing support basically meant no baseball.
"Ah, I see."
The Director nodded thoughtfully, then spoke.
"What do you want? Do you want to play baseball?"
"Pardon?"
"If you do, I'll talk to the school—get full support for everything. Gear, training, camps, all covered."
…?
Is that allowed?
"We think you're a rare talent. So decide quick. Money's no issue now."