On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 87

Whether to ignore it, reply, or what to say if I reply – I couldn’t figure it out at all.

After much deliberation, Song Seok-hyun pressed the call button.

Rising to Success as a Catcher

A Long Day

Monday morning.

Song Seok-hyun was wearing casual clothes for the first time in a while.

Next to Song Seok-hyun, Kim Jung-ryul was dressed to the nines in luxury brands, constantly checking his face in his phone camera.

“Haa.”

Song Seok-hyun hung his head low.

“Why do I have to go, anyway?”

Kim Jung-ryul put his arm around Song Seok-hyun’s shoulders at his complaint.

“Just help me out this once, hyung [older brother or close male friend]. You need to get married too.”

“Does that mean I necessarily have to be here?”

“If you’re not there, there’s no justification, no justification. I’m using your name to create this opportunity.”

“I don’t even know these people.”

“Just say hello. That’s all you have to do.”

The person Song Seok-hyun called yesterday was Kim Jung-ryul.

Song Seok-hyun asked Kim Jung-ryul for help with Yoon Romy’s sudden text.

Instead of solving Song Seok-hyun’s problem, Kim Jung-ryul made a suggestion.

Song Seok-hyun recalled the conversation from yesterday.

– Let’s go visit her in the hospital tomorrow.

– She’s being discharged tomorrow, why visit her in the hospital?

– She was still hospitalized, wasn’t she? Don’t you have any compassion?

– No, but why bother…

– Come on, just think of it as helping your hyung out. Huh? I’m asking you, Seok-hyun. I’m begging you, please.

It was a mistake.

I shouldn’t have told anyone.

“Oh, oppa [older brother or close male friend, used by females], you’re already here?”

“Oh, Hye-mi.”

Kim Jung-ryul smiled brightly.

The person Kim Jung-ryul greeted was Peng Hye-ri.

A senior who works with Yoon Romy at MBS [a broadcasting station] and a sports announcer.

If Yoon Romy and Jang Hae-jin are the hottest stars right now, Peng Hye-ri had the nickname of the original baseball goddess.

“Hello.”

Song Seok-hyun bowed his head when he saw Peng Hye-ri.

“Oh my, nice to meet you. Is this our first time meeting like this?”

“Yes, it’s an honor to meet you too.”

“The honor is all mine; you’re the hottest star these days.”

Peng Hye-ri covered her mouth and laughed.

Kim Jung-ryul cleared his throat.

“It’s been a while for us too, right?”

“Yeah. It feels like it’s been a long time. How have you been, oppa?”

“I’m always the same. Playing baseball and more baseball.”

“I’m glad you came up to the first team, oppa. I was worried.”

“Really? You were worried about me?”

Kim Jung-ryul grinned.

“Of course. I felt a little awkward contacting you when you were in the second team, oppa. I thought you might not be in a good mood.”

“No, you should have.”

“But you didn’t either.”

“Well… um….”

Kim Jung-ryul scratched his cheek.

From the crown prince of G.O.A.T. [Greatest Of All Time] to a has-been who was eating money and about to retire, he had fallen to the second team.

Kim Jung-ryul had cut off contact with those around him and had been lying low.

“Anyway, it’s good to see you back in high spirits, oppa. Make sure to give me an interview next time. Our company is very interested. The birth of an Underhand Closer! The Crown Prince of G.O.A.T. as the Guardian of G.O.A.T.! Isn’t it cool?”

“Really? Is it cool?”

“You have to give us an interview later. We’re doing it first. Got it?”

Peng Hye-ri held out her pinky finger.

Kim Jung-ryul twitched his cheek and hooked his finger.

“Okay.”

Song Seok-hyun took a step away from the two.

He felt a tickling sensation in his nose and thought he was going to cough.

“But were you close to Romy, oppa? I was surprised you suddenly went to visit her in the hospital.”

“Ah, no, well… we’re not that close, but I couldn’t just stand by when someone who eats from the same pot gets hurt. It’s common courtesy.”

“Same pot?”

Kim Jung-ryul rolled his eyes.

“We’re all people who make a living from baseball.”

“Come on, oppa, you’re not interested in Romy, are you?”

“No, absolutely not. Absolutely, absolutely not. Really.”

“What, why are you so serious? I was just joking.”

“You shouldn’t joke about that. And it’s not that I’m interested in Romy, it’s that our Seok-hyun, Seok-hyun is interested.”

Song Seok-hyun’s eyes widened.

He was about to say something, but Kim Jung-ryul wrapped his arm around Song Seok-hyun’s shoulder and squeezed tightly.

“Right, Seok-hyun?”

“Well, that’s…”

Kim Jung-ryul squeezed his hand even harder.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Really? Oh my, our Song Seok-hyun is interested in Romy too. Romy is so popular these days. I’m just a useless person.”

“What does that mean? Hey, that’s not true. They say don’t look at a tree you can’t climb. You’re so pretty, and you have a great personality, and you’re famous as the original baseball goddess, so that’s why. What do you mean a useless person?”

Song Seok-hyun’s back prickled slightly.

“What, why are you saying that all of a sudden? You’re making me shy.”

Peng Hye-ri waved her hand but couldn’t hide her smile.

“No, because you’re saying strange things. Romy is popular because she’s bright and everyone thinks she’s interested in them and they come on to her. You’re the prettiest.”

“Oppa, why are you saying that all of a sudden? You’re making me blush.”

Peng Hye-ri’s cheeks turned red.

Kim Jung-ryul also smiled, showing his teeth.

Song Seok-hyun couldn’t stand it any longer, gently shook off Kim Jung-ryul’s hand on his shoulder, and opened his mouth.

“Should we go to the hospital first? They said she’s being discharged before lunch today, so it’s better to go quickly.”

“Ah, should we? Let’s go, Hye-mi.”

“Oh, okay. Let’s go.”

Kim Jung-ryul and Peng Hye-ri chatted and walked ahead.

Song Seok-hyun walked a little behind the two.

“Is this a date or a hospital visit?”

Song Seok-hyun looked up at the sky.

The weather was still cool, unlike summer.

* * *

“Unnieee~ [older sister or close female friend].”

“Romy-ya~.”

Yoon Romy opened her arms as Peng Hye-ri entered.

Kim Jung-ryul and Song Seok-hyun belatedly entered the hospital room while Peng Hye-ri and Yoon Romy were hugging.

“Ahem, hello. How’s your body?”

Yoon Romy’s eyes widened at Kim Jung-ryul’s greeting.

“Oh? Hello. What brings you here? Don’t tell me you’re visiting me in the hospital?”

“Well, I can’t just stand by when someone from the same industry gets hurt. And Seok-hyun was so worried.”

“Ah, really?”

Yoon Romy looked at Song Seok-hyun, who was standing awkwardly.

“You were worried about me?”

Yoon Romy looked at Song Seok-hyun, but Kim Jung-ryul answered.

“He’s shy, he’s shy. He even called me yesterday and was so worried about what to do because Romy noona [older sister or close female friend, used by males] was hurt.”

“Huh? I did?”

“Look, look. He’s very shy. He said he was too embarrassed to go alone, so I came along too.”

“No, I…”

Yoon Romy said.

“Really? Is he that shy? I didn’t know he was that shy.”

“He’s too smart, that’s the problem. He has too many thoughts, so he has a lot of worries. He was blaming himself, saying how could he like someone like Romy noona.”

“Sunbae [senior], when did I say that?”

Kim Jung-ryul wrapped his arm around Song Seok-hyun’s shoulder and laughed.

“That’s why I have to step in. He’s a handful. But isn’t he cute? He’s so pure, pure, pure. He’s never even dated a girl properly. In other words, he’s a virgin. Haha, isn’t he cute?”

Song Seok-hyun was so tongue-tied that he couldn’t speak.

Is this guy trying to slander me to get ahead?

“So I came with Hye-mi, who’s worried about her junior. Well, is that okay?”

“I’m grateful; you came to visit me in the hospital when I’m being discharged today.”

“How’s your ankle?”

“I sprained my ankle wearing high heels, so I have to wear a cast for more than a month. But I’m lucky it’s just this much. If I had slipped from a high place, it would have been a disaster.”

“That’s a relief. Right, Seok-hyun?”

Song Seok-hyun sighed and replied.

“Yes, it’s a relief.”

At that moment, a nurse entered the hospital room.

“You can check out now.”

“Ah, really? I see.”

Yoon Romy said, looking at Song Seok-hyun and Kim Jung-ryul.

“I need to change my clothes now.”

“Ah, really? Okay, we’ll be outside.”

Peng Hye-ri said.

“Then I’ll help Romy.”

“I’d appreciate your help, unnie.”

Song Seok-hyun and Kim Jung-ryul went outside the hospital room.

Yoon Romy took off her clothes after confirming that the two had left.

“But what’s going on? What’s the relationship between those two?”

“What do you mean?”

“A crush? He doesn’t seem like it, but he’s very proactive. How did he even know you were hurt?”

Yoon Romy asked a question instead of answering.

“Are you starting over with Jung-ryul oppa, unnie?”

“Starting over? What are you talking about?”

“Come on, unnie, you’ve talked about Jung-ryul oppa so many times. Jung-ryul oppa was the only baseball player you talked about in private.”

“No. We’re not like that.”

“It looks like oppa came to see you using me as an excuse. Isn’t that right?”

“Oppa came because he’s close to you. Isn’t that right?”

“I never contacted Jung-ryul oppa?”

“Then how did he know you were hurt?”

Yoon Romy giggled.

Peng Hye-ri thought for a moment and clapped her hands.

“Then you contacted Song Seok-hyun?”

“Shhh. Don’t tell anyone else. I’m just trying to be friendly because he’s cute.”

“What, you’ve turned down all the other players’ contacts, but now you’re meeting him?”

“No. I’m just being friendly because he’s like a younger brother.”

“You always said you hate your younger brother because you fight all the time?”

“Um… Seok-hyun is a nice younger brother?”

Peng Hye-ri laughed.

“Okay. I’ll take it that way. I just need to keep it a secret, right?”

“Please, unnie.”

“Okay. In return, you too, Jung-ryul oppa and I… you know? We’re not like that?”

“Not yet?”

“This girl, really.”

Yoon Romy and Peng Hye-ri both burst out laughing.

* * *

The four of them checked out and decided to have lunch together.

Kim Jung-ryul said he knew a good restaurant and headed to a famous chef’s restaurant.

“I’m treating you today to celebrate your discharge. Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you, oppa. I’ll enjoy the meal. It’s a luxury even though I was only hospitalized for a day.”

Song Seok-hyun ate while watching the three of them.

Kim Jung-ryul was the only person he was close to, but Kim Jung-ryul was too busy talking to Peng Hye-ri.

Whether intentional or not, Yoon Romy didn’t talk to Song Seok-hyun and only focused on the conversation with Kim Jung-ryul and Peng Hye-ri.

As they were almost finished with their meal, Yoon Romy stood up.

“What should I do? I think I left my luggage at the hospital.”

“Really? What did you leave behind?”

“I put my bag in the cabinet and forgot about it. I think I should get up first.”

“Let’s go together after we eat this.”

“No, there are important things inside. Finish your meal. I’ll get up first.”

“No. We’ve already finished eating this. Right, oppa?”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right. Let’s go together.”

“No. You treated me to a delicious meal, and I don’t want to be a bother.”

Yoon Romy turned to Song Seok-hyun and said.

“But now that I think about it, I have some luggage… Seok-hyun. Can you help me?”