Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 384

#383. An Old Friend

In the early part of the season, KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] teams tried everything to find Han Su-hyeok’s weaknesses in their challenge for the championship. But at some point, they realized a very obvious truth.

There was no way they could find a weakness in Han Su-hyeok that even the major leagues, with all the capital and expertise in the sports world, hadn’t found.

And from then on, the blatant obstruction of Han Su-hyeok began.

[Han Su-hyeok records 12 consecutive intentional walks in the three-game series against the Incheon Rangers: “No matter how hard I try, there are things I can’t control, and one of them is the intentional walk. But I believe my teammates will do well even if I’m tied up.”]

[Incheon Rangers’ Japanese manager Nakamura Tomoyaki orders an automatic intentional walk to Han Su-hyeok with bases loaded and two outs: “Our rivals are other humans. And in my opinion, Han Su-hyeok is not human. Is an automatic intentional walk with bases loaded too much? Well, I’d rather do that than give up a grand slam.”]

There was no good way to deal with Han Su-hyeok as a starting pitcher, but there was a useful tactic against him as a batter.

The ultimate technique that had been tried endlessly in Korea, in the major leagues, and back in Korea: the intentional walk.

As Han Su-hyeok’s batting average soared past the mid-.400s and into the high .400s, opposing teams began to treat him as if he didn’t exist.

Even though Derek Fleming, the batter in front of him, had an on-base percentage of .450, opposing teams didn’t hesitate to order intentional walks to Han Su-hyeok, and the burden was passed on to the next batters in the lineup.

To the Warriors’ core lineup of Ahn Chi-wook, Jang Deok-soo, and Choi Jae-min.

When he was in the major leagues, Han Su-hyeok had the reliable support of Ty Johnson behind him. The best hitter, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame by unanimous vote in his first year after retirement, made it impossible to avoid Han Su-hyeok.

After he retired, power hitters like Derek Fleming, James Taylor, and Chuck Clark, who were among the top five in the major leagues, protected Han Su-hyeok’s back.

And now, the one who took on that role for the Warriors was his classmate and best friend, Ahn Chi-wook.

Ahn Chi-wook, the best left-handed hitter in the KBO, who recorded a batting average of .348, an on-base percentage of .420, a slugging percentage of .574, 23 home runs, and 113 RBIs in the 2039 season, winning the regular season MVP and the Golden Glove for third baseman, as well as titles in batting average, slugging percentage, and RBIs.

But even he couldn’t stop the intense focus on Han Su-hyeok.

Pitchers avoided Han Su-hyeok and gambled on Ahn Chi-wook, and as that happened more often, Ahn Chi-wook’s hitting gradually deteriorated.

*Thwack!*

“Out!”

– Ah, that’s too bad! The Warriors’ last chance for a comeback is thwarted! A 4-6-3 double play; Ahn Chi-wook’s hit becomes a double play.

– It was too hasty. Considering that Derek Fleming and Han Su-hyeok on base are both fast runners, he should have taken a more careful swing. The opposing pitcher was also looking shaky. It’s a shame that there wasn’t a better result if he had watched the ball a little more.

– Ahn Chi-wook, who hit into a double play in a crucial situation, can’t contain his anger and breaks his bat. Ah, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that player get so angry.

– Recently, as the blatant obstruction of Han Su-hyeok has begun, Ahn Chi-wook has been getting more and more opportunities. I’m not a hitter, but from what I hear from the players, it feels really unfair at times like that, hmm, sorry. It’s also a burden.

– Nevertheless, it’s clear that Ahn Chi-wook has to overcome the problem himself, right?

– That’s right. Opposing teams will continue to avoid Han Su-hyeok. In the end, Ahn Chi-wook has to play the role that great players like Ty Johnson played in the United States. That means he has to be the best partner for the best player in the world.

In the last game of the three-game series against the Gwangju Jaguars, Ahn Chi-wook, who grounded into a game-ending double play with one out and runners on first and third while the team was trailing by one point, dropped his head and returned to the dugout.

With today’s loss, the Warriors recorded 33 wins and 10 losses.

Of course, they were still the overwhelming number one team. But Ahn Chi-wook’s mind was troubled.

“Sunbae [senior/older teammate], good work!”

“…Yeah, good work.”

“Hey, Ahn Chi-wook. Hold your head up. Are you going to look like the world is over because you grounded into one double play?”

“I’m sorry, coach.”

Juniors, colleagues, and coaches all encouraged Ahn Chi-wook, but it didn’t help.

Ahn Chi-wook, who had been leading the team’s lineup with Seo Hyeong-joo since Han Su-hyeok left for the United States, and who had become known as the best left-handed hitter in Korea in his 10th year as a professional.

Even as the team’s performance plummeted due to the rebuilding, he was the one leading the Warriors’ lineup, and he was happier than anyone else when he heard the news that Han Su-hyeok was returning.

He once again recalled the promise he had made with him a long time ago, to make the Warriors the best team, and his heart fluttered at the fact that he would be able to play with the best player in the world.

To Ahn Chi-wook, Han Su-hyeok was like a teacher as well as a friend.

“Shibal [a common Korean swear word]……”

But what is this situation?

He had promised himself that he would firmly support him, but he kept feeling like he was holding the team back.

Ahn Chi-wook left the clubhouse with a bitter expression, and someone grabbed his shoulder from behind.

“…Who?”

“This guy is doing this again. Hey, Ahn Chi-wook. Come with me for a second.”

“Han Su-hyeok? Come with you? Where to… Hey, let go. Ah, how can you be so strong!”

Han Su-hyeok grabbed Ahn Chi-wook’s arm and pulled him somewhere.

The Warriors fans who recognized the two men’s faces were surprised and looked at them, but no one dared to come up and talk to them. Han Su-hyeok’s expression was too serious.

“Welcome, oh! Han Su-hyeok!”

“How have you been, Mr. President? Can we ask for a quiet seat?”

“Ah, of course. Of course. This way… Oh, if I knew you were coming today, I would have prepared some good snacks in advance.”

“It’s okay. Just some simple snacks and… Hey, Ahn Chi-wook. Do you want soju [Korean distilled spirit] or beer?”

“Alcohol? Hey, the game just ended, why alcohol……”

“Tomorrow is a day off. And I’m the owner of this club. You’re my employee. Okay, just drink what I give you. Mr. President, please bring two bottles of soju for now.”

“I understand!”

Ahn Chi-wook, who stepped into the bar, finally realized where this was.

The small bar that Han Su-hyeok had taken him to when he was in a slump a long time ago.

It was a small bar located deep in an alley that he wanted to visit again, but he couldn’t even find the location on his own, and it was hard to even find the sign.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you.”

The ordered food and alcohol came out, and Han Su-hyeok first picked up the bottle and poured a glass for Ahn Chi-wook. Then Ahn Chi-wook filled Han Su-hyeok’s glass.

“Um……”

“Hey, you have a starting pitch in two days, is it okay to drink alcohol?”

“This much is okay. If I train hard for recovery tomorrow, I can recover enough.”

“Well, if you say so. But it’s been a long time since I’ve been here. I can’t believe I couldn’t find it on my own. It’s amazing that it’s been around for more than 10 years without going out of business.”

“That’s okay. Hey, Ahn Chi-wook.”

“Oh, why?”

“You’re old enough now, so I was going to just watch… But I don’t think I can. You’re still a kid, even though you’re old.”

“What did I do again? Why do you only……”

“Ahn Chi-wook, do you remember what I told you a long time ago? The first day I took you to my practice field.”

“Practice field? Ah… I remember. The day you suddenly threw 160 [km/h, approximately 99 mph] at my body? Shibal, I suddenly feel overwhelmed when I think about that. Hey, did you do that to boost my morale? Or were you trying to completely kill my morale and make me retire?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. What did I say to you then?”

“Idiot? Moron? I’ve heard so many insults that I can’t remember anything else.”

“…Besides that, I said that if I ever had the misfortune of losing a title in the KBO, there’s a high probability that it would be to you.”

“The expression is a lot different, but I vaguely remember. That’s right. You did.”

In fact, it wasn’t just a vague memory. That day was an important turning point for Ahn Chi-wook, who had lost confidence and was wandering, and made him determined to forget everything and focus entirely on baseball.

However, Ahn Chi-wook was a little embarrassed to say that to his longtime friend and idol.

As if reading Ahn Chi-wook’s mind, Han Su-hyeok smiled and continued.

“My opinion hasn’t changed.”

“Huh?”

“I’m still the best, then and now.”

“…Is that another boast?”

“Not just the best, but the best in the world, and the best in history.”

“Yeah… you’re great. I know you’re great, so drink some alcohol.”

Ahn Chi-wook, who had a look of despair on his face, shook his head as he drank the glass in front of him.

As he said, while he was standing still, his friend had become the greatest baseball player in the world, not only in Korea but also in the United States, or rather, in history.

To be honest, he couldn’t believe that he was playing on the same team as such a player, especially in the Korean league.

Han Su-hyeok, who had been watching Ahn Chi-wook silently, sighed and said.

“Ahn Chi-wook, in my opinion, you still have a long way to go.”

“Yeah, I know I’m not good at baseball, so stop it.”

“No, I don’t mean that… I mean you still have potential left.”

“…What are you talking about? Hey, I’m in my 14th year as a professional now. It’s hard enough to maintain my current skills, let alone potential……”

“Shut up, I’ve always felt that you and Hyeong-joo should be mixed half and half. How can you be so opposite in everything you do?”

“That sounds like an insult.”

“Okay, you come back to my practice room tomorrow. I’ll tell Jacob, so follow the program that person gives you.”

“What?”

“This is the first and last time I’m saying this, so listen carefully. Even if you don’t have the overall ability as a baseball player, your talent is better than Hyeong-joo’s when it comes to hitting. The problem is your timid mind. You shrink at the slightest thing, and you keep shrinking when pressure is applied. It’s okay if you were young in the past, but not now. Hey, Ahn Chi-wook. If you’re just going to stay as a mediocre player and make some money and retire, do whatever you want. But if not, if you want to follow even my heels, get your act together and do what I tell you to do. Do you understand?”

“……”

“Answer.”

“…I understand. Damn it, you’ve become quite talkative since you went to the United States.”

“Shut up, I’ll set your goal for you. Follow me at all costs. Don’t lose to any other hitter except me. And get ready to go to the United States at the end of the season.”

“The United States? Suddenly?”

“I’m saying this as the owner of the club, the Warriors will not offer you a FA [Free Agent] contract. Instead, the Mariners will make you an offer. However, only when the modifier ‘the best hitter in the KBO who has no rivals except for Han Su-hyeok’ is attached to your name.”

“……”

“I know you gave up your dream of going abroad to protect the Warriors, but it’s okay now. I’ll protect this place, so go to the United States and play with Hyeong-joo. And empty my apartment while you’re at it.”

“…Can I do it?”

“You shouldn’t ask if you can do it, but how can you do it.”

“Okay, then how can I do it?”

“I already told you.”

“What?”

“Follow me. Take everything you can from me for the next year. Do you understand now? Let’s stop talking about this and finish our drinks and go home.”

Ahn Chi-wook, who had dropped his head, repeatedly tilted his glass without saying a word.

He knew.

He knew how stingy Han Su-hyeok was with expressing his feelings, but the fact that he was saying this meant that he cared about him that much.

Acquiring a second FA, and advancing to the United States.

The precious friend who had returned after a long time had presented him with a new goal in his life. Along with the way to get there.

Ahn Chi-wook thought.

He thought that the greatest luck in his life was being nominated by the Warriors, and meeting this world’s best player and friend there.

“…Thank you. Han Su-hyeok.”

“Okay, but are you really not going to move out? I’m back, are you still going to be messing around in my house? If so, you might as well buy that house.”

“Anyway, all the houses on that floor belong to you and Min Ye-rin. Hey, now that I think about it, I haven’t seen Min Ye-rin lately. Did you guys fight?”

“Fight? Don’t change the subject to something weird and empty the house. You make a lot of money, too.”

“It feels strange to hear someone who is in the top 3 in Korea in terms of personal assets say that I make a lot of money.”

“Ha, this guy is quite shameless while I haven’t been looking……”

The voices of the two men grew louder.

The store owner, who had been listening to the sound, put up a closed sign and went into the room.

A small bar with no one in it.

Han Su-hyeok talked for a long time with his friend, whom he had met again after 10 years, without knowing that the night was getting late. Today will be remembered as the day he drank the most alcohol in his life.