A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 253

65. Sometime, Here Again (1)

Several days later.

Ji-seop entered the KH Cannons Field’s No. 3 Conference Room.

With only about a month left before his trip to the United States, it was to finalize the official contract for the overseas study program.

“Okay, then that’s settled…”

The person representing the club that day was Operations Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin, also known as ‘Black Curtain Cha Cha.’

Team Leader Cha was an expert in baseball team affairs, but this was her first time sending a subordinate to the United States.

Perhaps that’s why she had underlined every line in the documents she brought, putting a lot of effort into the briefing.

“Alright, this is the very last confirmation, so listen carefully. If there’s anything that bothers you while listening, ask immediately.”

“Yes, Team Leader.”

As Ji-seop straightened his posture, Team Leader Cha turned a page of the documents she was holding.

“First, Special Assistant Kim must complete the MBA program—that is, the Master of Business Administration course—at the University of Fort Myers Business School in the United States.”

Obtaining a degree from an American university.

This was the first goal Ji-seop had to achieve in the overseas study program.

“And you must gain at least two years of practical experience in one or more of the 30 Major League Baseball teams.”

Practical experience in Major League Baseball.

This was the second goal.

“Finally, after achieving the two goals mentioned above, if you return to KH Cannons and work for at least four years, all obligations will be fulfilled.”

It was added that, assuming faithful fulfillment of the obligations, the KH Group would support all the expenses necessary for living in the United States.

Not to mention tuition, round-trip airfare to the United States, local transportation, rent, food, and so on.

On top of that, there was the good news that 50% of his existing annual salary would be paid as a bonus.

Of course, there was a clause stating that if he refused to return to the Cannons later, he would have to return all the supported amount with interest.

But in a way, that was also a natural measure. Ji-seop nodded silently for a while, but-

“Excuse me… Team Leader?”

Ji-seop cautiously opened his mouth at one point that caught his eye.

“This contract… it doesn’t include when I have to return to the Cannons? Is this okay?”

At first, Ji-seop thought that the employees who wrote this contract might have made a mistake.

It was a considerable investment from the company’s point of view, but it didn’t make sense not to specify the return date.

He pointed it out in advance because it seemed like it could cause disputes later, but the reaction he got was a bit strange.

“Oh, Special Assistant Kim.”

Black Curtain Cha Cha looked at Ji-seop and gave a wry smile.

“How are you going to negotiate properly with the American Yankees later with that attitude?”

“…Pardon?”

“No, isn’t it? It’s clearly a favorable situation for you that the return date isn’t written down, but how can you just blurt it out like that? If it seems advantageous to you, you should just close your eyes and move on.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Ji-seop scratched the back of his head.

“Isn’t this a contract written by the operations team? I know the operations team members, and I don’t want someone to take the blame because of me…”

“Oh, you’re too nice.”

Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin smiled, scratching her eyelid with her finger.

“Don’t worry. The reason why the return date isn’t specified is because of the acting owner’s instructions.”

“The acting owner?”

“Yes, you’re the first one leaving our team, right? For the overseas study program.”

Team Leader Cha continued.

“The MBA course itself is fixed at two years, but Special Assistant Kim has to do it while working as an employee of a Major League team, right? So, you can’t know exactly how long it will take until you actually go there.”

The story was that they would give him plenty of time to achieve his goals since he was the first employee to be dispatched.

But that didn’t seem to be the whole story.

“Working for a Major League team… it’s not an easy opportunity, so he said to experience as much as possible without being bound by time and come back.”

“Is that so?”

It turned out to be Vice Chairman Park Hong-ju, ‘Sakhalin Park’s’ [a nickname referencing his past business dealings], thoughtful consideration.

While Ji-seop was signing the contract with a slightly moved feeling, Team Leader Cha picked up the vending machine coffee that was placed in front of her and said.

“I heard that the acting owner seems to have a business trip to Japan scheduled throughout December.”

“Japan?”

“Yeah, what was it? He’s planning to meet with people from the Japanese league and come back?”

The reason for mentioning Sakhalin Park’s business trip schedule at this timing was not difficult to guess.

“Make sure to visit him before it’s too late and thank him… Even I, who don’t know much, can tell that the acting owner cares about Special Assistant Kim a lot.”

“I should. Of course, that’s the right thing to do…”

Ji-seop shrugged his shoulders while closing the pen cap.

“I don’t know what’s going on with him these days, but it’s really hard to see his face. It seems like he doesn’t come to the team office very often either.”

“Well, that’s true. I only greeted him briefly last week… Well, Special Assistant Kim should take care of that part.”

Cha Yoon-jin took the company’s copy of the contract from Ji-seop.

“Let’s see… you received an offer from the Boston Red Sox, and you just signed the overseas study program contract.”

Team Leader Cha counted on her fingers, listing the things Ji-seop needed to prepare.

“Then, all that’s left is to get admission from the University of Fort Myers?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Preparations were also progressing smoothly in that direction.

It wasn’t something to be particularly proud of, but he had secured an English score for entering an American graduate school.

He had also meticulously prepared and submitted items such as self-introductions, essays, study plans, and letters of recommendation.

Now, all that remained was the interview test to be held in Fort Myers, Florida.

“Honestly, I’m a bit worried about the essay… But I heard that the University of Fort Myers places more emphasis on the recommendation letter and the interview.”

“Is that so? Then there’s nothing to worry about. Didn’t the manager write the letter of recommendation for Special Assistant Kim himself?”

“Yes, fortunately, he made time for me…”

As Ji-seop replied with an awkward expression, Cha Yoon-jin nodded.

“Our Special Assistant Kim is really leaving now. I’ve grown quite attached to you.”

Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin looked out the window for a moment with a somewhat regretful look.

He asked Ji-seop.

“Is there anything you need?”

“Pardon?”

“You’ll have a lot of things to pack to go to the United States. Like a laptop, books, or even clothes to wear.”

Just tell me one thing.

I’ll get it for you as a farewell gift.

To Black Curtain Cha Cha’s thoughtful suggestion, Ji-seop’s answer was as follows.

“Hehe, what’s the occasion today?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s already the fifth time.”

Ji-seop said with a smile.

“That team leaders have asked me if I need anything.”

* * *

It seemed that working in the same space made people think similarly.

If that time gets longer, would even the timing of actions become similar?

That day, the team leaders of the Cannons front office asked Ji-seop the same question.

-Special Assistant Kim, is there anything you need?

-Like something you’ve wanted.

-You’ve helped Special Assistant Kim a lot. I’m trying to do something for you.

Similar questions, in a similar context, as if they had made an appointment in advance.

One interesting thing was that the answers the team leaders heard from Ji-seop that day were also very similar.

“Didn’t he say something like, ‘I’ll think about it and tell you…’?”

On the way home from work after finishing the day.

That was what the international business team leader said to Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin.

“Hmm? How did you know that?”

Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin’s eyes widened.

“Did Team Leader Kim also hear a similar answer? The story that he’ll think about it and tell us?”

“It’s not just me, senior.”

Beep.

The international business team leader swiped his employee ID card on the entrance sensor and said.

“It seems like other team leaders heard similar things? I heard that no one got a clear answer.”

“Is that so? Well, maybe we were a little short-sighted.”

Team Leader Cha clicked her tongue.

“How many people would immediately say ‘I need this’ when their boss asks them?”

We should have just bought a department store gift certificate and slipped it to him discreetly.

Trying to give him something he really needed ended up going in a strange direction.

I should look for a suitable gift on the way home.

Just as she was about to take a step while thinking that, the power analysis team leader who was following from behind said.

“Hey, don’t you all know Special Assistant Kim’s personality? How could he not say what he needs, all frozen up because of us?”

“Then what is it?”

And the answer that came back was something that even the great Black Curtain Cha Cha had not anticipated.

“Special Assistant Kim probably doesn’t really need anything right now. That’s what I think.”

“Doesn’t need anything?”

“Yes, if anything, maybe cash? Cash is always good. But other than that, he probably has everything he needs to go to the United States.”

The reason was none other than this.

“After Special Assistant Kim’s trip to the United States was decided… it seems like our front office staff took care of everything one by one.”

“There are guys who preempted us?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The power analysis team leader laughed.

“I heard that our power analysis team members pooled their money and got him a laptop? The scouting team got him a tablet PC, and the development team got him a new cell phone?”

The ‘gift list’ didn’t stop there.

“The marketing team took Special Assistant Kim and bought him clothes, the operations team prepared the books he needed for graduate school classes, and the public relations team just bought him a big meal… That’s roughly what I heard.”

“What, so almost all the department staff rolled up their sleeves and helped?”

The international business team leader even let out a light sigh, but the power analysis team leader had an indifferent expression.

“How many people in our Cannons haven’t received help from Special Assistant Kim in the past two years? He’s been working like a cow without almost any holidays…”

In that case, such a reaction from the employees was only natural.

Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin had no objection to that, but she couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated in one corner of her heart.

“Damn it, at this rate, anything we do will be a follow-up? I’ve never seen anything like this in my life?”

“No. There’s still hope, senior.”

The players.

The international business team leader said.

“There’s no story yet that the players have done anything for Special Assistant Kim? If those guys prepare something, we can pool our money and preempt them…”

“Ah, you might want to think about that.”

It was the scouting team leader who joined their conversation.

“Our team’s Deputy Cha Jong-min said that… the players have decided to get Special Assistant Kim a car. They’re preparing it so that he can use it right away in the United States.”

“A car? Not something to eat, but something to ride?”

The scouting team leader nodded silently, and the international business team leader made a ‘tsk’ sound.

“Just… let’s follow up, senior?”

“I agree. We’ll really tear our crotches [a Korean idiom for overspending] if we follow the players.”

“Wow, Special Assistant Kim is really amazing. I don’t think this kind of reaction would come out even if the manager retired…”

“Haha, you’re right.”

The existence of the manager’s special assistant, who had completely captured the hearts of the Cannons people in just a short period of two years.

It was amazing, surprising, and on the other hand, very envious.

The team leaders moved towards the bus stop, recalling one by one the things that had happened with Ji-seop.

But right then, the scouting team leader, who was walking at the very front, suddenly stopped.

“Hmm?”

It was the cafe closest to KH Cannons Field.

It was a place often visited not only by fans who visited the baseball field, but also by players and front office staff.

In the most secluded seat of that cafe, there was a man sitting who was very familiar.

“Isn’t that… Special Assistant Kim?”

“Oh, it is?”

He didn’t seem to be just sitting comfortably and enjoying the afternoon leisure.

He was messing up his hair, staring blankly at the ceiling, and constantly shaking his legs.

It was a sight quite different from what he usually looked like at the baseball field.

“Why is he like that? Did the manager assign him some complicated task again?”

“Hey, what kind of work would he assign him now? The preparation for Jang-ho’s posting is all finished.”

“Then what is it? Why is he tearing his hair out like that?”

While the team leaders were tilting their heads, someone’s voice was heard from behind them.

“What are you worrying about so much? If you’re curious, you can just go and ask.”

It was Operations Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin.

“If there’s anything we can help with, we can give a little help.”

“We can?”

“To that smart friend?”

The team leaders, who knew Ji-seop’s usual demeanor well, couldn’t easily understand, but a bit of confidence was rising on the face of Team Leader Cha, who was moving towards the cafe entrance.

-Honestly, I’m a bit worried about the essay…

A few hours ago, Ji-seop had said to Team Leader Cha Yoon-jin as if complaining.

‘An essay.’

Black Curtain Cha Cha was raising one corner of her lips.

‘Could I use the skills I’ve sealed away since graduating from college?’