Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 189

#188. Under His Shadow

[WBC Hero Han Su-hyeok, entangled in pink rumors with world star Min Ye-rin… A private trip to America just the two of them?]

“Hmm……”

“Why, Ye-rin? What’s bothering you now? Should I call them to take down the article, even now?”

“No, why would I want them to take it down? I just really like the picture. What do you think, *oppa* [Korean term for older brother or a term of endearment for an older male], doesn’t it look great?”

Min Ye-rin held out a tablet showing a picture of her hugging Han Su-hyeok from behind, taken right after the Warriors’ championship win.

Min Ye-rin, standing at 158cm [approximately 5 feet 2 inches], embraced by Han Su-hyeok, who stood at 193cm [approximately 6 feet 4 inches].

To be honest, she looked like a small snapping turtle clinging to something, but her manager wasn’t foolish enough to say that out loud.

“Really? You like it? Should I ask the reporter for the original photo?”

“Yeah, get the original and frame it at our place. By the way, *oppa*.”

“Yeah, what is it? Is there something else?”

“Today… it’s really not going to work out, is it?”

“No, Ye-rin. Even for you, there are things that just aren’t possible.”

“Hmph……”

After suspending all activities for the past year and following Han Su-hyeok around the baseball stadium, Min Ye-rin could no longer continue that lifestyle.

She decided to return to her main profession to create art from the inspiration she had felt while watching Han Su-hyeok over the past year, and for the fans who were waiting for her.

[Top star Min Ye-rin, who had suspended activities, returns after a year… Immediately entering the studio for a new album]

Min Ye-rin felt she had nothing more to wish for, having witnessed the Warriors’ long-awaited victory and even being held in Han Su-hyeok’s arms for a brief moment.

Although there wasn’t a single instance of skinship [physical contact] during their trip to America, with the closest they got being their fingers brushing while exchanging something,

‘Still, isn’t this enough to say we’re dating?’

In any case, now that she had declared her return to the entertainment industry, her life of following him to every baseball stadium and climbing the safety net was over.

She was fully prepared for that much.

But…….

“Hmph, why does the recording have to be scheduled for opening day……”

“Ye-rin, those people came all the way from America and England to work with you. We shouldn’t complain.”

“Sigh… I know. I’m just frustrated. My *oppa* won’t be able to perform at his best without me.”

In my opinion, I wanted to tell her that Han Su-hyeok would be able to play baseball just fine without her, but the manager swallowed those words as well.

After muttering to herself for a while, Min Ye-rin clenched her fist as if she had made up her mind.

“Okay, now that it’s come to this, I’ll finish all the work by the end of June and definitely watch the Olympics in person. Min Ye-rin, you can do it!”

There was so much to do.

She had to make an album, somehow find time to follow him to a few games, and find the woman Han Su-hyeok had asked her to look for, whoever she was.

This was no time to be idle. To achieve all of that without missing a single thing, she had to move even more quickly.

Min Ye-rin shouted as she entered the recording booth.

“I’m all ready. Let’s start!”

It was a day in April 2028 when baseball began in five stadiums across the country.

* * *

“Play!”

The moment the umpire signaled the start of the game, memories from a year ago suddenly flooded Han Su-hyeok’s mind.

April 2027, the opening game against the Busan Titans.

Lee Chang-mo was batting first, and Max Walker, who was now playing in the Taiwanese league, was batting fourth.

When Hwang Seong-min was out due to a toe injury, Jang Deok-soo had to hurriedly put on the catcher’s mask, and with a lack of decent hitters, rookie Yoo In-cheol had to take on the designated hitter position.

That team had become much stronger in just one year.

Han Su-hyeok turned his head and engraved the names of his teammates on the scoreboard one by one.

1. Center Fielder Seo Hyeong-ju

2. Left Fielder Choi Min-seok

3. First Baseman Jo Seong-oh

4. Right Fielder Walter Smith

5. Third Baseman Min Ju-hyeon

6. Pitcher Han Su-hyeok

7. Catcher Jang Deok-soo

8. Second Baseman Lee Chang-mo

9. Shortstop Choi Jin-cheol

The fact that Lee Chang-mo, who had been in the leadoff position last season, had been pushed back to eighth, and that the batting lineup didn’t seem weak at all even with Han Su-hyeok batting sixth, spoke volumes about the Warriors’ current strength.

Han Su-hyeok glared sharply at the opposing batter.

Probably arranged on purpose by the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] for the opening game’s box office appeal, it was a match between the top two teams from last season.

The Incheon team, having lost their pillars of pitching and hitting in Im Jun-yeong and Min Ju-hyeon to us, and especially their leadoff hitter Kang Woo-chan, who was close to both of them, was glaring at Han Su-hyeok with a fierce expression.

Han Su-hyeok smirked at Kang Woo-chan and slowly began his windup.

Kang Woo-chan’s expression hardened as he desperately tried to raise his fighting spirit to avoid losing the psychological battle.

The afterimage of the 170km/h [approximately 106 mph] fastball that Han Su-hyeok had thrown in the final game of the Korean Series last season resurfaced once again.

Whoosh

Kang Woo-chan gritted his teeth and swung his bat at a much faster timing than usual.

But,

Wham

“Strike!”

“Waaaaaah!”

The moment Han Su-hyeok’s pitch left his fingertips and nestled into the catcher’s mitt, avoiding the path of the bat, an enormous roar echoed throughout the entire baseball stadium.

Kang Woo-chan’s gaze turned towards the distant scoreboard.

Velocity: 170 km/h [approximately 106 mph], Spin Rate: 3050 RPM.

Even though he knew exactly what was coming, he couldn’t even graze it with his bat.

The game had just started, but the word ‘defeat’ was already settling into the minds of the Incheon players.

* * *

“Wow……”

“Choi Ma-ru! Get a grip!”

“Ah! I’m sorry! Coach!”

“I understand how you feel, but you’re not a fan anymore; you’re a proud first-string pitcher for the Warriors. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, sir! I’ll keep that in mind!”

“Good, then slowly, very slowly, loosen up your shoulder. Begin.”

“Yes, sir!”

Choi Ma-ru, who had been absentmindedly staring at Han Su-hyeok, was startled by the bullpen coach’s shout and returned to his spot.

It felt like the game had just started, but it was already the top of the 5th inning.

Han Su-hyeok, who had struck out nine batters out of the twelve he faced through the 4th inning, was back on the mound, continuing to dominate the Incheon batters.

Even though Min Ju-hyeon was gone, the Incheon lineup, which had no apparent weaknesses from the 1st to the 9th batter, looked pathetic today.

Whoosh

Wham

“Nice, your pitches are looking good today!”

“Thank you!”

Choi Ma-ru, after bowing his head to the bullpen catcher’s compliment, gripped the ball, still feeling a bit unfamiliar.

Choi Ma-ru, a super rookie who threw a 155 km/h fastball in high school and was drafted as the first overall pick by the Warriors.

A contract bonus of 600 million won, the attention from the surroundings already treating him like a star, and the media praising him.

Despite having all the conditions that could easily lead to arrogance or laziness, Choi Ma-ru couldn’t harbor such thoughts even for a moment.

Im Jun-yeong, Cheon Sang-jin, Yang Gi-cheol, and other star senior pitchers, as well as Seo Hyeong-ju and Ahn Chi-wook, his direct seniors who were only a year older than him.

And then there was the superstar, Han Su-hyeok.

How could he dare to have such irreverent thoughts when the best player, whom not only he but all high school baseball players across the country respected the most, was right next to him?

‘He told me to put more strength in my middle finger than my index finger…….’

Just by receiving advice from Han Su-hyeok during spring camp, his maximum velocity increased by 3 km/h.

In reality, it should be seen as Choi Ma-ru’s potential finally exploding, but he believed it that way anyway.

It wasn’t just his fastball that he received help with.

Han Su-hyeok recommended a two-seam fastball to Choi Ma-ru, who was considered to have somewhat weak movement compared to his velocity.

Whether it would suit him or not wasn’t important.

‘If you teach me, I will consider it an honor and do my best to learn!’

‘Hmm, well, it’s not really an honor…….’

It still felt a bit unfamiliar. The grip, the sensation in his hand.

But it was a pitch that Han Su-hyeok himself had taught him.

‘Wait, does this mean I’m Su-hyeok hyung-nim’s [older brother/respected senior] first disciple!’

Park Dong-seok, who was just as much of a fanatic follower of Han Su-hyeok as he was, was sent down to the minor leagues with the start of the season.

It was a measure taken by the club to develop Park Dong-seok into a starting catcher in the long term, but for him, who was separated from Han Su-hyeok, it must have felt like the sky was falling.

He felt a little sad about being separated from his friend and teammate, but he would be seeing him to death at the minor league dorm after work anyway.

What’s important now isn’t that.

He was going to learn anything and everything he could from Han Su-hyeok.

Even though he knew that no matter how hard he tried in his life, he wouldn’t even be able to reach the heels of that amazing person…….

‘Wouldn’t I be able to imitate him someday, even if it’s just a little bit?’

Under Han Su-hyeok’s shadow, a future star was growing rapidly.

It was at that moment, as Choi Ma-ru was indulging in pleasant fantasies.

Crack!

Jang Deok-soo, who had settled into the lower batting order and had a bit more physical leeway, blasted a three-run home run that soared far beyond the center of Jamsil Stadium.

Bottom of the 5th, score 7 to 0.

The bullpen coach, after receiving a call from the dugout, shouted in a loud voice.

“Choi Ma-ru! You’re up next inning. Get ready!”

* * *

– With the Warriors leading the Incheon Rangers 7 to 0, the top of the 6th inning begins. Ah, the pitcher is changing. Han Su-hyeok, who completely shut down the Incheon batters through the 5th inning, is coming off, and rookie Choi Ma-ru is coming up.

– In an interview before the season started, manager Lee Dae-jun emphasized that he would actively manage the pitch counts of not only Han Su-hyeok but also the other pitchers this season. He mentioned several things that happened at the end of last season.

– I see. So, with a 7 to 0 lead, there’s no need to have the ace pitch any further. Hmm… but something feels different from last season. Isn’t this enough? You can feel that 余裕 [yoyuu – composure,余裕] from the Warriors?

– That’s what a champion is. Once you get to that position, you have weight just by the name itself. Anyway, Han Su-hyeok, who has left the mound, will now play as the 6th designated hitter for the remaining innings.

– Ah, right. Please explain that part one more time.

– Yes, until last season, if a starting pitcher who was also a batter was replaced by another pitcher, he would either leave the game or go to another field player’s position, and the player in that position would have to leave.

– That’s complicated.

– That’s right. But starting this season, the rule called the Ohtani Rule has been applied simultaneously in the American, Korean, and Japanese leagues. If a starting pitcher who is also a batter leaves the mound, he can be changed to a designated hitter and continue to play the game.

– Hmm… it may seem like it’s just for Han Su-hyeok right now, but in the long run, it will benefit many players who are trying to play as both pitcher and batter.

– That’s right. There’s a rookie who declared that he would play as both pitcher and batter among the rookies who joined this season, isn’t there? Park Jang-yeol from the Busan Titans… Anyway, I think it’s a good rule that has been introduced in terms of player protection.

– Thank you for your explanation. We hope that domestic players, including Han Su-hyeok, will be better protected due to the introduction of the new rule, and we will continue to watch the game. This is Jamsil.