Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 15

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I was transferring the notes I had written while watching yesterday’s game to the computer.

I sometimes brought my laptop, but since I was such a slow typist, it was much easier to write by hand for now.

But I couldn’t keep writing by hand forever, so I focused on typing, even though it was difficult.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“Haa… when will I ever finish this?”

It felt like I had been wrestling with the keyboard for ages, but the irony was that there was still so much more to do.

My slow typing speed was frustrating.

I was so envious of the other employees sitting next to me, with their dazzling finger movements.

I sighed and wondered how long I had been working.

I was stretching my neck and loosening up my body when someone called out to me.

“Hyunwoo, is there anything you want to tell me?”

I turned my head to see Kim Min-hwan approaching with hollow eyes, sipping his coffee.

“Ah! Team Leader, you’re here.”

I made almost a 90-degree bow as I met Kim Min-hwan’s eyes.

“I saw Seokhoon playing as a right fielder yesterday… It’s hard to say this myself, but I guess the data I made overnight was helpful.”

“Ah… of course. It played a really big role.”

I couldn’t bring myself to tell Kim Min-hwan that Director Lee Jin-won had torn up the data he had created.

“But it’s hard to say it’s completely confirmed yet. I think we need to talk more while watching the game results. Anyway, Team Leader’s data was a big help.”

“Really? I’m glad it helped.”

Kim Min-hwan tried to act cool, but the corners of his lips didn’t even twitch.

“But what are you doing now?”

Kim Min-hwan took another sip of coffee and turned his head to look at the screen I was looking at.

“Ah, nothing special. I’m just writing down the things I recorded while watching yesterday’s game.”

“Hmm, good job. You know I’m going to report to the CEO later, right?”

“Yes. I know very well.”

“Check it carefully and send it to me. There can’t be even a small mistake.”

“Yes.”

I sat back down and started pressing the keyboard with my index fingers.

Kim Min-hwan, who was turning around to go back to his seat, saw me typing and came back to my side.

“Hyunwoo, what time do we have to leave today?”

“I think we need to leave before noon.”

“Then… do you think you can finish it before you leave?”

The moment I heard those words, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

“I’ll do my best for now.”

From then on, I pressed the keyboard even more slowly and hesitantly.

“Ah, seriously! When are you going to finish at that rate? I have to report to the CEO later!”

As expected. Kim Min-hwan was like a puppy that needed to pee. He seemed anxious that I wouldn’t be able to finish at my typing speed.

“Don’t worry. I’m doing my best. Um… where did I type up to? Ah, here it is. ‘So. We. Y. J…’ Ah, how do I change the Korean-English key? How do I capitalize?”

“Ugh! Okay, okay! Stop! I’d rather do it myself; it’ll be a hundred times faster.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Hyunwoo, if you don’t improve your typing speed by the end of this month, be prepared to become my enemy!”

Kim Min-hwan snatched the data away, huffing and puffing.

His dark circles were destined to sink even deeper today.

* * *

The Buffaloes’ minor league team’s performance had improved noticeably in the past week.

In particular, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo played a decisive role.

As the two unleashed their fiery batting skills at every chance, the team’s ranking, which had been running precariously in second place, finally rose to first place.

“I’m very happy that the team is doing well these days. Everyone is working hard.”

“It’s all thanks to the manager.”

“It’s possible because everyone is doing their part. Hahaha. Let’s do well in today’s game too.”

Lee Jin-won, who was even more pleased by the coach’s words, burst into hearty laughter.

“Manager, I have a request before we start.”

It was Kim Yong-min, the hitting coach.

“Kim Coach, what is it? Tell me.”

“Seokhoon has been doing well recently. I think it would be good to place him in the center of the batting order starting from today’s game.”

“Oh Seok-hoon?”

The smile instantly disappeared from Lee Jin-won’s face as soon as he heard Oh Seok-hoon’s name.

“His batting average has been over .350 for the past week, and especially in scoring position, his batting average is close to .400. I think it would be much more effective to place him at number 3 or 5 rather than number 7.”

“Hmm… What do other people think?”

Lee Jin-won asked the coaches next to him, as if prompting them to disagree.

“I think the same way. Looking at his recent performance, wouldn’t it be a waste to put him in the 7th batting order?”

“He’s a player with excellent batting skills and speed, so I think he’ll be able to do his part.”

As the coaches in the meeting room all voiced their support for Oh Seok-hoon, Lee Jin-won cleared his throat.

“But isn’t Oh Seok-hoon a little weak to be in the center of the batting order?”

“Looking at his recent pace, he has enough power for long hits, and he’s been consistently raising RBIs [Runs Batted In]. There’s nothing to criticize him as a center hitter.”

Kim Yong-min’s voice was full of confidence.

“Still, wouldn’t it be unreasonable to judge based on recent records alone? He might just be having a lucky streak.”

“In my opinion, I think he found a batting stance that suits him well, rather than just being lucky. And even if that’s not the case, there’s no other player who’s performing better than Seokhoon.”

“Hmm… really? Then give him a chance for the time being. If you try him and he’s not good enough, replace him right away.”

“Replace him? Yes, I understand.”

Kim Yong-min nodded, but he couldn’t hide his puzzled expression.

“Then, what’s the best way to handle the defensive position?”

“Defense? Seokhoon has been doing a decent job in right field these days, so is there any need to make a change?”

Defense coach Park Chi-ho answered without hesitation.

“Still, it’s good to give him a chance to gain various experiences, right?”

“Giving him experience isn’t bad, but Seongjoo has been doing so well at third base these days that we can’t take him out.”

“Hmm… okay. Then do that.”

Lee Jin-won’s frowning eyes contained a faint disappointment.

“If there are no other special items, let’s go out and prepare for the game.”

At Lee Jin-won’s words, the coaches lightly greeted him and left the manager’s office.

When he was left alone, Lee Jin-won snapped his fingers and pondered.

“It’s annoying that it turned out the way that bastard said…”

Lee Jin-won got up from his seat with a frown and looked out the window.

* * *

“Fantastic.”

Before the game started, a smile naturally appeared on my face as I checked the lineup.

-3rd batter, right fielder Oh Seok-hoon

-4th batter, 3rd baseman Park Seong-joo

Today’s lineup was enough to make me full just by looking at it.

I expected that it would be difficult to exclude them from the lineup for the time being, but I didn’t know they would take up the center batting order.

“Lee Jin-won must know the reason why the team has been doing well recently, so he had no choice.”

If it were Lee Jin-won’s usual style, he would have taken Oh Seok-hoon out of the lineup right away.

However, it was impossible to make such a choice because they were in first place with a narrow lead over second place.

Moreover, his desire to build another championship career by achieving good results must have played a part.

Imagining Lee Jin-won, who was forced to put them in the lineup despite his wounded pride and was fuming inside, made the smile on my face never leave.

Today’s game started on time as well.

There is a saying that baseball is a battle of atmosphere.

This is because when a team is in a good mood, the performance of individual players also improves.

That was the case with the Buffaloes recently.

With Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo holding the center in the attack, the other players were able to put down their burdens and play to their heart’s content.

The same was true for the pitchers.

Since the batters provided sufficient scoring support, they were able to pitch with confidence.

From the first inning, the Buffaloes’ starting pitcher tied up the opposing lineup so that they couldn’t do anything, continuing their scoreless streak.

And the batters steadily accumulated points with timely hits.

Of course, most of the hits in important situations came from Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo, the team’s central hitters.

Then, it was the point when the bottom of the 5th inning ended and they were preparing for the top of the 6th inning.

When it was cleaning time [mid-game break], the staff began to organize the state of the stadium.

But,

“What? A substitution?”

Suddenly, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo’s names disappeared from the Buffaloes lineup at the same time.

Even though they were leading by 5 points, that much of a score difference could be overturned at any time in baseball.

Besides, there were still 4 innings left.

“It’s too early to replace the central hitters? What are you thinking?”

Even if the other hitters were in good shape, it was not common to replace two central hitters.

In particular, considering Lee Jin-won’s personality, who tries to win every game every day no matter what, it was a decision that was not easily understood.

‘Then…?’

A bad feeling suddenly flashed through my mind.

‘Is it an injury?’

Even if I didn’t want to think about the worst-case scenario, such an imagination kept popping up in my head.

This is because the possibility of getting injured is high even if you are in too good of a condition.

I quickly packed my bags and ran to meet Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo.

However, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo could not be found anywhere, including the players’ locker room, the physical therapy room, and the indoor practice field.

I had no choice but to take out my smartphone and make a phone call.

“Hyung!”

I turned my head to where the voice was coming from and saw Oh Seok-hoon with his bag.

“Seokhoon, what’s wrong?”

I ran to him in an instant.

I looked at him closely, wondering if there was something wrong with his body, but he seemed to have no problems. Rather, his expression was beaming.

“Hyung. We’re being called up to the first team!”

“What?”

It was such an unexpected word that I froze on the spot.

“They want us to come to Seoul right away.”

“Called up to the first team? Is it, is it real? Then what happened to Seongjoo?”

“Seongjoo is going with me!”

“Going together?”

I felt like my legs were giving way.

Not only was Oh Seok-hoon going alone, but Park Seong-joo was also going to the first team.

I couldn’t believe it even though I heard it directly.

“You’re not lying, are you?”

“It’s true, sunbae [term for senior/mentor]. I’m being called up too!”

Park Seong-joo, who was packing his bags, shouted and ran over.

“Oh Seok-hoon, Park Seong-joo, come quickly. We have to go right now!”

The staff who had been waiting outside urged them.

“See you later, hyung. You’re coming to see today’s game, right?”

“O-of course. Of course, I have to go.”

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo waved their hands and headed to the team bus like children going on a picnic.

I waved my hand with them and stared at their backs for a long time.