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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The scout, flustered, was calmed by the coach’s words.
“Just because he likes a team doesn’t mean he’ll join them. Another team might call him first.”
I nodded in agreement. As much as I wanted to go to the Phoenix, the draft order was determined by the reverse order of the league standings.
“You don’t have to worry about that, Cha Tae-hyun. I’ve seen it. The Phoenix are guaranteed to be last this year! I guarantee it!”
Was that something to say so proudly? Anyway, as I was about to answer, the coach interjected again.
“And that kid isn’t meant for Korea. The Phoenix? I would never go there. It’s a rookie’s graveyard.”
The two scouts, unable to refute this, stood frozen like statues. The major leagues… I had walked that path before, and I knew the league well, so it certainly wasn’t a bad option. But…
“I’m not going to the majors right away.”
At my words, the coach turned to look at me, and the petrified scouts’ eyes started to sparkle again.
“It’s not that I’ll never go, but… I really do like the Phoenix.”
To be precise, I liked Ms. Miyeon, who really liked the Phoenix…
Anyway, I planned to go to the majors after showing Ms. Miyeon the Phoenix’s championship, something she was always talking about.
“…Cha Tae-hyun.”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to strongly appeal to the club for you starting today.”
“Uh… yes. Thank you.”
“A genius batter who gave up the major leagues because he loves the Phoenix… This… isn’t this just a gift from the gods of Phoenix!”
…That’s a bit of an exaggeration.
“So… I know this is nosy, but as someone who once prepared to be a hitting coach, can I give you some advice? I want you to do even better, Cha Tae-hyun.”
“I’d be grateful.”
“Honestly, Cha Tae-hyun, you have almost no weaknesses. Hitting, baserunning, defense, mentality… you’re a complete package. But there is one thing that’s a little lacking.”
The scout’s eyes scanned my body.
“Your physique isn’t bad right now, but… it’s a little lacking compared to your natural talent. Eat a lot, move a lot, and get enough sleep. Your performance will naturally improve.”
It seemed the Phoenix had picked a decent scout. It was a bit embarrassing to say it myself, but as the scout had said, my only weakness was my underdeveloped physique.
“I know that too. But my sleep pattern is unstable.”
“Yes? Then… how about you set a day and try to fix your pattern?”
“It’s not that. I work the night shift at a convenience store until 4 AM.”
“What…?”
The scout’s face went blank… and then a silence fell over the coach’s office.
“So you’ve been working the night shift while training until now?” the coach asked.
“Yes. That’s right.”
“But why? What does a high school student need so much money for?”
“Well… if I don’t work the night shift, it’s hard to make a living.”
Another silence. This time, the scout spoke first.
“I won’t ask for details, as it would be rude. Then how about this?”
Kim Eun-chan, with a serious face, offered me ‘living expense support’ from the club. He said they would give me about 2 million won a month. With that, I could quit all my part-time jobs and still live comfortably.
No, my life would be even more prosperous. He even said he would give me more if it wasn’t enough. And since I was going to join the Phoenix if they called me anyway, it was an offer that was really hard for me to refuse. But I refused.
“…Can I ask why?”
“It’s not really allowed for a club to give money in advance, right? If I keep quiet, I won’t get caught, but my motto is to ‘live honestly.’”
The scout smiled wryly and nodded.
“I was out of line. It’s the first time I’ve met such a desirable player as you, Cha Tae-hyun…”
“It’s nothing. I’m just grateful that you think so highly of me. Shall we pretend we didn’t hear this?”
“Haha… Cha Tae-hyun, you’re as mature as you are skilled at baseball. Then thank you for your time. We’ll be going now.”
“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”
After sending the scouts off, I also stood up.
“Coach, I’ll be leaving now too.”
I bowed and was about to leave the office when the coach called out to me.
“What is it?”
“Quit all your night jobs starting today.”
The coach’s heavy voice came as a notice. What on earth had this person heard?
“Well… as I said before, if I don’t work—”
“Is 2 million a month enough?”
“What?”
“Write down your account number and go. I’ll send it tomorrow.”
I was momentarily stunned. Honestly, it was understandable. The coach’s words were that hard to believe.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and write it down. Don’t have an account? Should I give it to you in cash?”
“Well…, it’s not that. I’m just so surprised. 2 million won a month is not a small amount of money.”
“Right. It’s definitely not. But… if I think of it as investing 20 million to win about 4 trophies in my last year, it’s not bad, is it? It’s not a waste if I think of it as money I would have lost in the stock market anyway.”
The coach, smiling, picked up a piece of paper and a pen, took my hand, opened it, and placed them on top.
“It’s all for my benefit, so hurry up and write it down. Before I change my mind.”
Suppressing a surge of emotion, I shouted loudly.
“Thank you!”
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I was talking with Ms. Miyeon while eating a lunchbox, and Lee Ji-ho’s story came up. He had apparently gone to her for counseling, despite all my efforts. It seemed his slump was getting a little better these days…
“That’s strange. Him going for counseling.”
Ms. Miyeon suddenly looked around and said in a small voice, “Well… actually, he said he felt inferior to you, Tae-hyun…”
Hmm? What was this now? Felt inferior? That Lee Ji-ho?
“What made him feel inferior to me?”
“Well… he thought he was the best in the second year and had a lot of pride, but ever since you showed up… that pride has been shaken a bit.”
Hmm… Hearing that, it seemed possible. Lee Ji-ho had always been the best in his age group. He would have continued to be so. But an irregular like me appeared and shattered the pride that had been like a belief for years…
Even I would have been a little shaken. Baseball players usually have a strong competitive spirit. To think I was the cause of his slump… that was a bit of a shock.
Anyway, it was a story that could be left alone, but there was something that bothered me a little. It was the fact that he had received counseling from Ms. Miyeon. Their relationship might have changed.
“So what did you tell him?”
“Well…, I don’t remember well.”
“What…?”
Ms. Miyeon blushed, as if embarrassed.
“Well… I know I really shouldn’t have… but lunchtime isn’t that long, right?”
“That… is true.”
It was only about 15 minutes until the students returned from the cafeteria. No, could it be?
“So… I just wanted to get it over with quickly, so I just said good things… What did I say… I remember a little. Just because you’re not as good as Tae-hyun doesn’t mean you’re a bad player. Cheer up. Was that it…?”
Uh… It seemed my worries were a bit excessive. I even felt a little sorry for Lee Ji-ho. He could have received more proper healing from Ms. Miyeon.
Anyway, that was the end of his story, and I brought up the first round of the Golden Lion Flag this weekend.
“Really? Are you starting?”
“Of course.”
Ms. Miyeon clapped her hands, as happy as if it were her own business.
“That’s great, Tae-hyun! I’ll definitely come and cheer for you.”
“That might be a little difficult.”
“Huh? Why? It’s okay, I like baseball. What’s so difficult about it?”
“No, well… the stadium is in Seoul.”
“Then I can just take the KTTX.”
The way she asked, ‘What’s the problem?’ without a moment’s hesitation, so purely, made my lips curl up.
“It costs money for the train ticket and time.”
“It’s fine. I don’t have many friends… so I don’t have much to spend money on.”
At Ms. Miyeon’s playful words, I finally couldn’t help but laugh.
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The day of the first round of the Golden Lion Flag finally arrived. We arrived at Mokdong Baseball Stadium, unpacked our things, and gathered in the dugout.
I had a quick look on the way in, and there were broadcast cameras and people who looked like commentators. It seemed today’s game was being broadcasted to promote high school baseball.
“It’s been a long time… a proper baseball stadium.”
“Did you eat something bad? We see a baseball stadium every day.”
Jin Myung-hwan retorted at my muttering.
“A proper baseball stadium, you brat. Is the baseball team’s field a baseball stadium?”
“No, you’re talking like you haven’t seen a baseball stadium in years.”
It was true that I hadn’t seen one in years. I had retired as a cripple and just read web novels. But he wouldn’t understand even if I told him.
“Just take it as it is.”
“Everyone gather around.”
The coach, who had just appeared, called the team members together. It was the moment the lineup for today was announced.
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