Spring Camp (3)
We arrived in Okinawa, Japan, for the second spring camp and are sweating buckets.
This is the first time I've visited the US or Japan. Still, Okinawa feels closer to Korea than Arizona, so my heart feels at ease.
I boarded the plane right after arriving in Korea, so my mood isn't great, but I'm holding on while waiting for the upcoming season.
There's not much time left. I'm trying to keep growing, but with my current skills, I have confidence to stand out.
I want to become a professional baseball player I've always dreamed of. It's nice that they give me time, but I can't be satisfied with just the team's own channel that only fans watch. The thought of stepping into a packed baseball stadium, striking out batters, and receiving fans' cheers makes my heart race from the start.
“Junseong-ah, what are you doing after today?”
“I have to be at the accommodation. Why?”
Go Junyong, the team's closer, approached.
“Hyung, shall we go to a club? The club kids here go crazy if they know you're a baseball player. I've been having fun every year.”
“I'm fine.”
“Hey, if I go with you, I'll hit a home run right away. Hyung knows some Japanese.”
“Haha, there are many other seniors. What?”
“If not me, who would look after the juniors? If you don't like it, say so.”
Most baseball players have talent and effort, but this guy is incredibly blessed. His body is plump, but his innate physicality is amazing, allowing him to throw fastballs over 150 km/h. He's the best closer in Korea right now, and maybe someday he'll aim for the majors?
I hope you protect my wins well while I'm in Korea.
“Lee Junseong, can I interview you later?”
“Eh?”
After Go Junyong left, the Yongtube channel staff approached.
Interview? I haven't even debuted yet, so what do I need to interview for?
“I can, but what should I say?”
“It's nothing special! Just answer the questions simply, and fans want to see the human side of the players.”
Do I have an interview? Or am I already getting attention just from one exhibition game? I know teams are busy with SNS promotion these days, but it's surprising.
“Yes, then I'll prepare.”
“Haha, no need to be nervous. Come to the temporary studio for filming later.”
Thinking about it, it's important to plant a good image in fans' minds, not just skills.
I washed the sweat off my body, changed into a clean uniform, and headed to the studio. It seems they want me to do the interview in uniform, not casual clothes.
“Lee Junseong player, please sit here!”
I sat down.
It's awkward... If I were a promising prospect being watched, I would have had many such opportunities by now, but I never thought I'd be interviewed alone like this.
Especially on the team's own channel... It makes me embarrassed about what I thought lightly just a moment ago.
Feeling awkward, I drank a bottle of water next to me, and the interview started.
“Many fans are expecting a lot since your velocity has reached 150 km/h. How did a promising player like Junseong not get noticed during school days?”
From my perspective, it was fortunate that the question I expected to receive someday came.
“I had confidence in the power of fastballs from the start, but in high school, there were many friends who were good, and the batters I faced were at a higher level, so I felt a lot of pressure to throw precisely. I started reciting the lines I thought about.”
“Until the end of third year, throw the ball fast, while throwing precisely, and not allowing hits, the thoughts get complicated, so the balance breaks. But eventually, the form I was trying to do was completed and solved. While maintaining velocity, precision started to be achieved.”
“There were many twists and turns. Was there any turning point that led to awakening?”
The interviewer asked. Of course, I can't mention meeting a Baseball Immortal.
“I tried to find the best form. Honestly... Can I get drafted to a pro team? I want to become a pro baseball player quickly, but I have to go to college first, so I kept trying without giving up, and it seems God helped.”
“Hearing this, Junseong seems to have a really strong mentality. Fans will hope for good performance this season with that unwavering attitude.”
“I'll try. Thank you.”
“Yes, then the next question. Where was the team you originally supported?”
“I like baseball itself, so I watched various teams and players since I was young, but I watched a lot of Dragons and Buffaloes games using Jamsil Stadium. Of course, I liked the Dragons more.”
“Haha, no lies?”
“It's true.”
Of course, it's a lie. When I first saw baseball, the Dragons were an unbeatable team, so would I cheer for them? I like good teams and good players.
“Is there a player you respect or want to be like?”
“Um... Players I liked since I was young, especially pitchers, but after entering pro, I think all teams I face are competitors. The senior I want to be like on our team is a senior like Gang Daeho, wanting to become a role model for the team and someone who can give fans confidence.”
“Understood! You answered in a way that fans would like.”
“That's right, I'm saying answers that I would actually like...”
Whether I like someone or not doesn't matter to anyone. As long as they say nice things, it's fine.
“I want to continue because you speak well, but unfortunately, this is the last question! There are female fans claiming to be fans of Junseong from the start, do you have a girlfriend?”
This is a bit hard to answer. Junseong and Suhyeon are basically in a relationship, but I don't want to openly establish the relationship, and there's a risk of being held back when a girl with whom contact is made appears in the future.
Yongtube has over 200,000 subscribers. If the interview video makes me famous, it will have high views later. It's not something to ignore. Suhyeon too... If my family, especially my sister, is a Dragons fan, she might see it someday.
“I'll skip comment.”
“Eh? Is there a reason?”
“Haha, it's because I can't say whatever I want... That's all I'll say.”
“Um... Is that so? But since Junseong is so cool, no one can leave him alone.”
The interviewer didn't ask more mischievously, perhaps respecting me. It's lucky that the interviewer is in her 30s, not too young.
“Thank you for the interview. Then, finally, one word of your resolve for this season.”
“Lee Junseong, the rookie pitcher. I don't know yet if I'll start in the first team or second team. But if I have a chance to contribute to the team, I'll throw everything I have. And if I have a chance in the first team... The goal is, of course, to bring victory to the fans. Finally, please take care of me.”
I stood up and bowed my head towards the camera.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
The interview ended. I wonder how the editing will be, but the answers didn't seem bad.
***
“Whew...”
It's dark night, but still, the motherland is the best.
Finally, I returned to Korea. I bought gifts for my family and Yu Suhyeon at the duty-free shop.
Now that the spring camp is over, the next is exhibition games.
The early exhibition games start in the southern region. Our team has to go to Busan within a week.
Still, there's time in between, so it's more relaxed than when coming from the US.
I immediately called Yu Suhyeon.
“Are you there?”
“Yeah, came later than I thought.”
“You must be tired. Go home and rest, don't wander off.”
“Where else would I go? What are you doing today, noona?”
“I have to work night shift today, so I'm preparing to go to work now.”
“It'll be tough. Eat well.”
“Here it's busy even at night, so it's hard, but I have to eat occasionally.”
“Yeah, I want to see you soon. Do you have time before I go to Busan?”
“Don’t worry about that. By the way, Junseong-ah, I saw the interview you did. It came out really well?”
“Eh? What interview?”
“When I searched YouTube, it came up? Actually, I told my brother I started paying attention to baseball lately.”
“Ah...”
I expected it to some extent, but I didn't think Yu Suhyeon would know so quickly.
We met a few times after the first night, but Yu Suhyeon seemed to be waiting for me to confess. Even if she said she liked it in front, women want proper relationship establishment.
“This is awkward.”
If it were later, maybe, but I haven't made Yu Suhyeon fall for me enough to bury that.
“Brother said I have to cheer for the Dragons no matter what, right? Mom and Dad are already making a fuss saying let's go to the baseball stadium together.”
“Haha, good.”
Was I worrying for nothing? Yu Suhyeon didn't talk about what I was worried about.
“Junseong-ah, don't worry about it.”
“Eh? What?”
“It's not good to mention private matters in an interview that everyone is watching. Noona thinks you did well.”
“...”
It wasn't a needless worry. If Yu Suhyeon had no thoughts, she wouldn't have brought it up.
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Yeah... Noona has to go too now. I'll contact you tomorrow.”
The call ended.
What to do? Since we can't meet often, we need to maintain a good relationship, and make Yu Suhyeon unable to leave me more.
I kept thinking in the taxi going home.
Should I just date? After all, someday I'll ask for permission to meet other women with Yu Suhyeon.
No... It's not the time yet.
***
I went to the area near the hospital where Yu Suhyeon works in the early morning. It was fortunate that there was a 24-hour cafe nearby.
And I left a message on KakaoTalk saying to call if I confirm with Yu Suhyeon.
My phone rings.
“Junseong-ah, what's up? Calling this late at night.”
“I'm near noona's hospital now.”
“What? Suddenly?”
“What are you doing now, noona? Do you have time for a moment?”
“Unnies let me take a break, so I came out. You must be tired, how did you get here... Let's meet at the first floor lobby first.”
“Okay.”
I really do this.
I waited on the first floor, and Yu Suhyeon came down faster than I thought.
Because it's night, there were almost no people.
“Noona.”
“Junseong-ah...”
I put my luggage aside and immediately hugged Yu Suhyeon's waist.
“I missed you.”
“Why did you come suddenly when you'll see me soon?”
“I wanted to see you quickly.”
I put Yu Suhyeon's head in my arms.
“... I didn't even do my makeup properly today. Next time, do you have to come and tell me?”
“Okay. But noona,”
“Ugh...”
I kissed Yu Suhyeon and pulled away.
“You don't need to do makeup, noona is too pretty.”
“I want to look prettier to you... and my lips got erased.”
“I bought this for you.”
I took out a luxury brand lipstick and donut box from my luggage bought at the duty-free shop. It's not that expensive, but women go crazy for the logo.
“This is...”
“I asked you what noona uses last time. Apply it when fixing later. And I bought a lot of this, so share with others.”
“Thank you, actually I was going to give you a gift, but you received it first.”
“It's not a gift, it's okay.”
“No, I'll give it to you next time we meet, and Junseong-ah.”
“Yeah?”
This time, Yu Suhyeon hugged me herself and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Do you remember what noona said about preparing?”
“I remember.”
“Noona took vacation from tomorrow until the day before you go to Busan. And I reserved the hotel too.”
“What?”
You did all this?
“Junseong-ah.”
After kissing my cheek, Yu Suhyeon whispered.
“Until you leave, keep hugging noona, okay?”
“... Yeah.”