Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Misunderstanding
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Surprisingly, Russell took the mound again in the ninth.
Manager Han Geun-seong wasn't the type to stick with starters for too long, but Russell's stuff was so sharp today that there was no way he could pull him.
Pulling him now would only sap the team's momentum, so Han gave Russell the chance to finish with a shutout.
Russell climbed the mound with a grin, chomping on his gum.
Even after grinding through nine innings, he didn't look fatigued in the slightest.
'Nice. Let's go all the way.'
Choi Seung-taek liked the pitcher's confident vibe.
Nod.
The Sea Gulls' lineup cycled back to the top. Song Woo-sop stepped up again, and Choi Seung-taek kept targeting his weakness.
Whiiip!
Thwump!
Thwack!
Strike!
"Damn it. Shit."
He'd already faced the same pitch four times through nine innings. No wonder Song was starting to curse.
Even in the ninth, Russell's velocity held steady.
Was it the shutout within reach?
Or payback to the MacPhies hitters who'd finally scored in the eighth?
Whatever the reason, something was fueling Russell's pinpoint heat—it stayed brutally effective right up to the end.
Whiiip!
Thud!
...
Russell's fastballs were still clocking the low 150s, and the Busan Sea Gulls batters couldn't touch the ones coming right at them.
Whiiip!
Pop!
- Shortstop Hwang Kang-kyung fields the ball. Throw to first!
- Out! The MacPhies snag the opening-day win thanks to Russell's gem!
"Hell yeah!"
Russell whooped from the mound, and Choi Seung-taek jogged up for a high-five.
The bench cleared into a line, players and coaches waiting to greet the fielders. Everyone streamed back, slapping hands all the way.
"Nice!"
"First win's in the bag!"
"Great way to start."
"Opening day victory—perfect!"
The dugout buzzed with joy, and Choi Seung-taek grinned as he stripped off his gear.
"Choi Seung-taek!"
"Yes!"
"You've got the player interview. Head over now."
"Got it."
He hustled to the interview spot.
'Weird. Don't they usually do the MVP first?'
As he approached the cameras, a broadcaster pulled him aside for a whisper.
"Choi Seung-taek, Russell's in doping right now. Stall."
'Holy shit. Yeah, makes sense. Pitched too well—got dragged off for a test.'
But the MVP couldn't just skip out.
'Send him after the interview. Why me?'
"We have high hopes. Buy as much time as you can."
A cheerful greeting hit him as he took position.
"Choi Seung-taek! Long time no see. From President's Cup champs straight to opening-day honors!"
"Ah, yes! Thank you."
"You delivered the game-winner against the Sea Gulls—what a performance. How'd you pull it off in that clutch spot?"
'Stall, huh? Time to draw some heat?'
As he opened his mouth, a shocking message flashed before his eyes.
'What?!'
This was pro ball now. It wasn't just him scouting others.
After his sharp showings in spring training and now the opener, teams had ordered full breakdowns on the rookie.
'Drawing aggro here would crank the scrutiny way up...'
"Uh... Choi Seung-taek?"
The caster called again as he froze mid-thought.
"Ah! Sorry. Honestly, I don't even know how I hit it. Senior Song Chang-su's funky form had me scrambling just to keep up—got lucky with a single."
"Haha... yeah, Song's swing is pretty unique."
"How about today's game overall?"
"Uh... Russell's stuff was so nasty, it felt easy. I barely signaled—he just called fastballs and dominated. Amazing."
"Right! From the receiving end, that's how it looked."
"Exactly."
Choi smoothly credited it all to Russell.
'That should dial back the spotlight on me a bit.'
He glanced toward the dugout. Russell emerged from doping, flashing the all-clear.
"Congrats on the stellar debut, Choi Seung-taek."
"Thank you."
The interview wrapped, and Russell took his turn.
"Congrats on the shutout."
"Thanks~"
The opening win felt great, but by next morning, Choi was starving.
The penalty diet of healthy eats was wearing thin.
Meals growing monotonous, joy leaching from life—he felt it deep.
"Sigh... what's on the menu today? Might as well head out."
He stepped outside, pondering, when a green sign caught his eye.
"That looks solid! Never tried it—first time's the charm."
"Welcome to Train, home of the world's best sandwiches."
Choi entered the famous sandwich spot Train.
'Something healthy but tasty...'
He'd picked it for nutritious options, but the dizzying menu turned his face grim.
As he agonized, a woman slipped in behind.
"Excuse me... mind if I order first?"
"Go ahead."
Decision paralysis hit; he stepped aside.
The woman who took his spot was slim and pretty.
But Choi's eyes locked on her clothes, not her figure.
'Huh? That outfit looks familiar.'
"What'll it be?"
"Honey oat bread, roast chicken patty. All veggies possible. Sweet onion sauce. 15cm, please."
'Whoa, quick.'
He marveled at her rapid-fire order.
And it clicked—that outfit.
'Ah, MacPhies practice gear. Team staff, then. But that's not for public sale. Weird.'
"Got it! We'll have it ready fast."
The Train employee smiled kindly, then turned to him.
"Next up—how can I help?"
'Ugh... back to square one. What's good?'
His frown returned, and the woman stared right at him.
"Uh..."
'Headache already—why's she staring?'
"Uh... oh! Oh! Yeah! You're Choi Seung-taek, right?"
"Yes."
"Omg! I'm Lee Na-eun, MacPhies cheerleader."
The woman was a MacPhies cheerleader.
"Ah, got it! The gear tipped me off—figured you were with the team."
"Oh yeah? It came out so cute, I wear it everywhere. Cute, right?"
"Totally!"
Choi felt suspicious stares nearby.
'Hmm?'
He scanned around and spotted the Train employee beaming at them—intently.
A polite glare unnerved more than anger. Panicking, his menu focus shattered.
"Sorry! I'll order. Uh..."
"Need help? I know Train inside out."
Seeing his meltdown, cheerleader Lee Na-eun sidled up.
"Any prefs?"
"Healthy and tasty."
"Wheat bread, tuna patty."
The employee's face brightened at the progress.
"Sauce and veggies?"
"Red wine vinegar sauce, all veggies. Length..."
Lee Na-eun eyed him.
"15cm or 30cm."
The sharp employee checked him.
"Uh... 30cm for me."
"Perfect. Coming right up."
"Phew..."
As he sighed in relief, Lee Na-eun giggled behind her hand.
"That hard, huh?"
"Toughest order of my life."
"Haha, hilarious. Wait over there?"
"Sure."
They grabbed an empty table.
"Ballplayers don't come here much. Kinda novel."
"Ah... I focus on conditioning. Stick to healthy stuff."
"On purpose?"
"Yeah. Keeps inflammation low."
"Wow... impressive. First time I've seen a player this strict."
"Thing is... good healthy spots are rare. I just circle the same places. Tough hunt."
"Ah... want some recs? I know the best healthy eats—no one beats my list."
Choi perked up.
"Really?"
"Yup! Of course."
Lee Na-eun pulled up spots on her phone, and Choi eagerly noted them down.
...
Click-click!