A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 427

The New Recruit of the Baseball Team is Too Good 427

93 Boys, Be Ambitious (4)

“Kim, it’s been a while. Was the trip all the way to Tampa difficult?”

“Haha, difficult? This neighborhood is practically my front yard.”

Jisub met Nicholas Weiner II at an Italian restaurant in downtown Tampa.

When Nicholas was making small talk, Jisub seemed to have a glimmer of hope.

‘Well, there’s no guarantee that’s my gift, is there?’

It was about the paper bag that was neatly placed at Nicholas’s feet that day.

Clark Wise, a fashion brand that’s been incredibly popular in New York recently.

The young Wall Street millionaires are crazy about it, but Jisub wasn’t so thrilled.

He had already received three shirts from that brand from his colleagues in the Future Strategy Planning department.

‘And all in the same design…….’

He thought there was a possibility that Nicholas had bought it for himself.

Or maybe the Yankees, who have a lot of money, gave it to their employees as a year-end gift.

Anyway, it won’t be me. Jisub was ordering lunch while thinking that—

A bad feeling,

Never really misses.

“Ah, that’s right!”

Just after Jisub finished ordering, Nicholas snapped his fingers and picked up the paper bag in question.

“Kim, please accept this.”

He said.

“I felt bad coming empty-handed. I’ll be staying in Tampa for about two months, so I hope you’ll take good care of me…….”

“Ah, I, I see.”

Jisub’s face, after receiving the paper bag and checking its contents, had a slightly resigned expression.

Unfortunately, it was as Jisub had expected.

It was Clark Wise’s new shirt. The very design with the Statue of Liberty wielding a baseball bat with all her might.

‘Haha…….’

Indeed, people’s minds were unpredictable.

Just a moment ago, the thought of Clark Wise made him feel annoyed.

But now, facing the same design for the fourth time, he felt like he could embrace everything in the world.

It was absurd, but also a little welcome. It seemed like he had a special connection with this shirt.

Maybe that’s why he reacted that way.

“Nicholas, thank you.”

Jisub was already smiling brightly.

“Wow, this is a really nice shirt! The design is great, and the material is excellent……. This must have cost quite a bit?”

In this kind of situation, it was Jisub’s style to make a big fuss.

“Thank you! I’ll wear it well. My colleagues were already telling me to buy some new clothes, so this is perfect! Hahaha.”

With this much fuss, the person who bought it would feel pleased.

Yeah, so what if it’s the same shirt for the fourth time? Let’s just number them as planned and wear them in rotation.

Just as he was about to put the shirt in question back into the paper bag while thinking that.

“So, really? You seem to like the shirt? Haha, I’m glad to hear that, but…….”

Nicholas’s expression, after seeing Jisub’s reaction, was a bit strange.

[No, you like this stupid shirt? Is Kim serious right now?]

On the outside, he had a soft smile, but on the inside, he seemed quite embarrassed.

[This is going to be a problem. Damn it, I can’t believe the plan I carefully set up is going wrong from the first step…….]

Watching Nicholas unconsciously biting his lower lip, Jisub narrowed his eyes.

Plan.

A plan?

* * *

The restaurant Jisub and Nicholas visited that day was a well-known 맛집 [mat-jib, a popular or highly-regarded restaurant] in downtown Tampa.

The chef, who had learned to cook in Italy, was excellent, and the ingredients, which were brought directly from the source, were fresh.

Thanks to that, the restaurant was bustling from early in the day. Every customer who visited gave it a thumbs up, but.

“…….”

Even though he was having lunch at such a great restaurant, Nicholas’s face was shadowed.

Perhaps it was only natural. The ‘plan’ he had ambitiously prepared was in danger of being derailed from the start.

[If he said he didn’t like the shirt, I was going to naturally lead him to the Clark Wise store…….]

Throughout the lunch, Nicholas was thinking this.

[Damn it, I have to be inside the store by 1:30……. What should I do? Should I just give up here?]

Of course, Jisub couldn’t eat with a comfortable heart either.

The moment he heard the word ‘plan’ in Nicholas’s mind, a simple meal became unimportant.

‘I thought it was a bit strange from the beginning……. So, he had something up his sleeve?’

While barely eating the deliciously cooked pasta, Jisub was also racking his brain.

‘Clark Wise store……. I’m curious about the reason he’s trying to take me there, but I might get caught up in his pace?’

He had managed to gain the upper hand so far, but Nicholas was by no means an easy opponent.

He was said to be the youngest special advisor to the New York Yankees’ general manager in history. There were also rumors that he was being considered as a candidate for the next general manager.

He felt a little lacking in drive, but Jisub was often surprised by the sharpness he showed in class.

You have to pay special attention to such an opponent. It was just then, as Jisub was cautiously observing his opponent.

“You seem to be interested in fashion?”

Breaking the silence that had lasted for quite some time, the New York Yankees’ special advisor spoke.

“Yes? What are you talking about all of a sudden…….”

“Ah, I’m sorry. It might have sounded a bit out of the blue.”

Clark Wise, I mean.

Nicholas looked at Jisub.

“I noticed earlier that you seemed to recognize Clark Wise right away. You didn’t even ask what kind of brand it was.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Haha, I feel a little sorry to say this. Please don’t misunderstand. It just seems like Kim is someone who focuses solely on baseball…….”

At that moment, Jisub raised one eyebrow and stared at Nicholas.

It wasn’t because he was being treated like someone who didn’t know fashion. That was true, wasn’t it? What is fashion, damn it.

The reason Jisub gave him a strange look at this time was because he heard Nicholas’s thoughts in his ear.

[No, I can’t give up here. I need Kim’s cooperation. That’s the only way I have a future.]

It was an unusually firm thought.

Considering his usual demeanor, it was very unusual.

But what caught Jisub’s attention was the story that followed.

[This is a way for the Yankees and the Tampa Bay to both win-win. So there’s no time to hesitate. Somehow…… I have to drag Kim along.]

Win-win.

Good for both sides.

The moment he heard these words, Jisub felt a strong pull.

What is it? What kind of plan is this smart friend setting up?

‘Should I…… open the floodgates a little?’

Curious, Jisub decided to give him a push.

Of course, Jisub is now at a level where he can be called a veteran.

He could think of a way to give him a push in an instant.

“Haha, interested in fashion? I really don’t know anything about that.”

Jisub answered nonchalantly.

“The reason I knew about Clark Wise is entirely because of my colleagues. Those friends gave me Clark Wise shirts as if they had made a promise. Three of them.”

“Th-three of them?!”

Nicholas’s gaze went to the paper bag next to Jisub and then back.

“There aren’t that many types of shirts there, are there? I hope the one I gave you isn’t a duplicate?”

“Hehe, actually…… it is a duplicate. All four of them are the same design.”

Facing the surprised Nicholas, Jisub continued in a subtle voice.

“So, if you don’t mind…… could I ask you to exchange it?”

Tuk, tuk.

Jisub tapped the paper bag.

“I think there’s a Clark Wise store around here.”

“O-of course!!!”

It was so loud that Jisub, as well as the other customers in the restaurant, were startled.

“I should do that much for you! Of course, I can definitely do that!”

Was Nicholas the kind of person who could speak so loudly?

At his unexpected appearance, Jisub smiled inwardly.

* * *

About 30 minutes later.

Jisub was visiting the flagship store of Clark Wise, the brand that was recently the most popular in New York, with Nicholas.

“……Ho.”

For Jisub, who had lived his whole life chasing baseballs, visiting the Clark Wise store was a pretty fresh experience.

Buying clothes online was all he ever did, so it was his first time entering such a large store.

He sweated so much that he only bought the cheapest clothes possible, so it was also his first time touching such expensive clothes.

And the newest experience for Jisub that day was receiving VIP treatment from a high-end fashion brand.

“Oh, you’re a VIP member! It’s an honor to have you visit! This way, please. There’s a separate shopping area for VIP members on the 3rd floor!”

When Nicholas held out his membership card, the Clark Wise employees started making a fuss and guiding them.

As Jisub blinked blankly, Nicholas waved his hand, looking a little embarrassed.

“No, it’s not like I come here often.”

He said.

“The New York Yankees and Clark Wise are currently in a cooperative relationship. So some of the Yankees employees are given VIP status.”

“Oh ho.”

As Jisub nodded, Nicholas smiled and continued.

“You said you have four of the same shirts, right? Then let’s exchange three of them for other clothes. I should be able to exchange them without a receipt.”

“Wow, is that really true?”

Jisub was honestly a little envious.

“The Yankees are different after all. To be able to receive VIP treatment from such a great brand.”

It was a benefit that was hard to even dream of as an employee of the Tampa Bay Rays.

It made him wonder if that’s why everyone was aiming for the Yankees. He also wondered how much work they made you do to give you this kind of treatment.

Just as he was receiving VIP treatment for the first time in his life and choosing a new shirt to exchange.

More precisely, it was around 1:30 PM.

Ding-

The elevator with quite fancy decorations opened with a whir, and a burly black man appeared.

“Welcome! Welcome!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

This man, who was getting off the elevator while slowly clapping his hands, felt like a big shot to anyone who saw him.

In fact, he was wearing a plain-looking hoodie, but the splendor of his other accessories was considerable.

A gold necklace in the shape of a chain, a ring with a large diamond, and even sunglasses with colorful jewels embedded in them.

The man, who appeared in truly unusual attire, whistled and looked around.

“Friends, thank you for visiting Don Chronos’s atelier today. Actually, there are some things I was just going to throw away, but I brought them here……. Haha, who knows? Maybe they’ll gain new value thanks to your discerning eyes?”

Some of the people in the VIP lounge laughed at the man’s words.

“Take your time to look around, friends! If you have any questions, ask me, the main designer! I can’t guarantee I’ll answer them kindly, though!”

Hahahahaha.

He laughed loudly, leaning back, and began to approach each of the guests.

He was a pretty arrogant friend, but he seemed to be treating VIP customers well.

He chatted happily with the guests, checked the size of their clothes, and took a sip of alcohol in between.

“Haha, he’s an interesting friend.”

That was Jisub’s assessment of the man named Don Chronos.

“Is that person the boss here? He definitely has that kind of vibe…… um?”

It was at this moment that Jisub tilted his head slightly.

The special advisor to the Yankees’ general manager, who had been guiding Jisub with a calm demeanor until now.

He had frozen stiff with the appearance of Don Chronos.

“Nicholas, are you okay?”

“Ah, yes, you don’t have to worry. I came prepared from the beginning.”

“……Prepared?”

Jisub tilted his head and asked again, but Nicholas got up without any particular answer.

Then, after letting out a short sigh, he took a deep breath again and spoke.

“Hey, Don! Don Chronos!”

“Hmm?”

Don Chronos turned his head.

Finding Nicholas, he spread his arms wide and ran over in an instant.

Every time he moved, the necklaces and chains clattered against each other.

“Hey, Nicholas! The young genius of the Yankees! My trustworthy friend!!”

Don Chronos laughed heartily and put his hand on Nicholas’s shoulder.

And the next moment, Jisub could vaguely grasp the reason why Nicholas had called him here.

“The fact that you came here like this……. means the lounge problem has been resolved, right? I’m talking about my luxury lounge that will be in Yankee Stadium!”

Right? Isn’t it?

Don Chronos was making a fuss just like his own subordinates, but—

His friendly attitude,

Didn’t last long.

“What is it?”

Swoosh.

Don Chronos was lowering his sunglasses halfway.

“Hey, my friend. Why aren’t you answering?”

It was quite,

A sinister voice.