On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 284

“Give it to me.”

Kim Si-yoon forcibly snatched the spoon and shoved rice into Kim Young-hoon’s mouth.

Kim Young-hoon glanced between Kim Si-yoon and the spoon before cautiously putting the rice in his mouth.

“Were you watching baseball?”

“Yeah, it’s the playoffs.”

“It feels like it’ll be a boring year. The Goat [a baseball team nickname] is really strong.”

“They are strong. Objectively and subjectively.”

“Do you think the Goat will win, even in your opinion?”

“Maybe 60-70%?”

“The Astro Boys [another baseball team nickname] are strong too.”

“They’re good too. Good balance on offense and defense, and the offense is the best ever.”

“The Goat still has a weak bullpen, though.”

“But sports aren’t math. Power is important, but so are the circumstances and momentum. Right now, there’s no pitcher who can stop the Goat’s hitters. And the Goat has good starters, and the best closer like Jung-ryul hyung [hyung is a Korean term used by males to address older male friends or brothers]. Even if the bullpen is weak, it’s okay if the closer is solid. If they keep hitting like that and winning, the closer won’t have to come out as much, and if there are no stamina issues, Jung-ryul hyung is the best closer in the league.”

“So, you’re saying there’s no pitcher who can stop the Goat except you.”

Kim Young-hoon sipped the soup.

“Is that how it sounds again?”

Kim Young-hoon licked his lips.

“But it’s all in the past now. I’m someone who will be forgotten, and they’re the ones who will set all the records.”

“Aren’t you sad?”

“What? Retirement?”

Kim Young-hoon held up his arm.

“If I had rehabbed until this year, I could have played for a few more years. Physically, I mean.”

“You pushed yourself too hard, coming back this year.”

“But if I hadn’t come back this year, I wouldn’t have been able to come back next year either. My mentality wouldn’t have been able to handle it.”

“…Was it that hard?”

Kim Young-hoon pointed to his chest.

“I couldn’t stand it being empty. I needed something to fill it.”

“Still, it was too reckless.”

“I know, it was reckless. That’s why I’m ending it here. I’m not going to do anything reckless anymore.”

The game on TV was already past the 7th inning.

The score was 14-2.

The Goat had scored two more runs in the meantime.

“How much rehab do you have to do?”

“Well… it depends on how hard I work, but maybe 6 months to a year?”

“You live far from here. It’ll be hard to commute.”

“I’m going to get a studio apartment around here for the time being.”

“What about your house?”

“I should keep the house as it is. It’s not good to leave it empty.”

“Okay…”

“What about you? Are you quitting as general manager?”

“I was going to right away, but there’s more to do than I thought. So, I’m planning to finish everything by next month. I want to finish it neatly if possible.”

“That’s just like you, being neat.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah. Oh, I’ll have some seasoned vegetables.”

Kim Young-hoon chewed on the seasoned vegetables and asked.

“Are you tired of baseball now?”

“…I don’t know anymore, now.”

“Your career is a shame, but it might be more of a shame for you to be here.”

“Are you retiring because you’re tired of baseball?”

“Um… I can’t really say for sure either. It’s difficult realistically and mentally.”

“But do you want to do it?”

“I don’t know. I like baseball… but I don’t want to force myself to do it.”

“You and I are the same.”

“Yeah. I guess that’s the same for friends.”

Kim Young-hoon finished the rest of his rice and moved the tray to the side.

The two watched the game in silence for a long time.

“Don’t you have to go?”

Kim Si-yoon shook his head at Kim Young-hoon’s words.

“Why? Is someone coming?”

“No. I was just wondering if someone who’s busy should be here like this.”

“Even if I’m busy, I have time for this right now.”

“I see…”

The Goat won the game 18-5.

The momentum, once shifted, did not return.

“Song Seok-hyun is scary. Is it real that he had 8 RBIs in one game?”

“If you had a catcher like that, it would have been much easier for you to play. Right?”

“That’s greedy. If Song Seok-hyun and I were on the same team, wouldn’t that be a scam?”

“Always bragging.”

“Why? Isn’t it true?”

“Who said it wasn’t?”

The two burst into laughter.

“What are you going to do now? Are you going home now? Or the office?”

“I have to go home.”

Kim Si-yoon crossed his arms and bit his lip.

“Oh, aren’t you thirsty? Should we have a cup of coffee?”

“Open the refrigerator over there. Give me water.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Kim Young-hoon took a sip of water and wiped his lips.

Kim Si-yoon also took a sip of coffee and lowered his head.

“I’m jealous of Seok-hyun.”

“Then who told you to come back so quickly?”

“I couldn’t help it. That’s the only way my mind would be clear.”

“You would have been at the top for at least a few years. You retired too early.”

“But it’s like the proverb ‘misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.’ If there’s something bad, there’s something good, right?”

“What good is there for you?”

“My mind is lighter. I’ve shaken everything off now. Baseball and Hye-rin, everything.”

“…Everything?”

“Yeah. Everything. I squeezed myself so hard that all the sadness and joy disappeared. Now my mind is light. I can’t play baseball, but now I feel like I can do anything again.”

“That’s a relief.”

Song Seok-hyun’s interview continued on TV.

The announcer left the last question at the end of the long interview.

[There are many talks that Song Seok-hyun’s era will begin. What do you think about this?]

“I appreciate the kind words, but I’m a little embarrassed. I’m grateful for the talk of someone’s era, but more than anything, I will strive to play baseball that can impress the fans. I will not be complacent, and I will always do my best every time, every at-bat.”

Kim Young-hoon burst into laughter.

“This is a big deal. He’s become a complete ascetic.”

“If he has that skill, that marriage, and that mindset at that age, the general manager won’t have to eat to be full [meaning he won’t have to worry about anything].”

Kim Young-hoon got up from his seat.

“You have to go now. I’ll take you.”

“Just stay here. Why bother.”

“That’s enough. Don’t worry.”

Kim Young-hoon led the way, and Kim Si-yoon followed.

The two got on the elevator.

As it was a hospital, people got on every time it stopped at a floor.

Before they knew it, the two were pushed into a corner.

5th floor… 3rd floor, 2nd floor, 1st floor.

When they reached the last floor, people rushed out.

Kim Si-yoon, with a flushed face, was bowing his head in the corner.

“Let’s go.”

Kim Young-hoon was holding Kim Si-yoon’s hand.

Kim Si-yoon followed Kim Young-hoon and said quietly.

“People are watching…”

“Surprisingly, people aren’t interested in other people. Especially in places like hospitals.”

“This… hand…”

Kim Young-hoon intertwined his fingers with Kim Si-yoon’s.

“You’ve been hitting on me all this time, and you’re surprised by this?”

Kim Young-hoon continued.

“Let’s go. I’ll watch you drive away and then go back in.”

* * *

November 11th.

For some, it was Pepero Day [a Korean holiday similar to Valentine’s Day where people exchange Pepero snacks], but for others, it was a celebration.

The Goat finished the Korean Series championship with Kim In-hwan and Song Seok-hyun’s back-to-back home runs, marking a great come-from-behind victory.

The final postseason record was 10 wins and 2 losses.

The media plastered the pages, saying that the KS [Korean Series] era had arrived.

After winning the Korean Series, Song Seok-hyun came to see Kim Young-hoon.

What Kim Young-hoon wanted was one thing: a signed ball.

He asked for a signed ball to offer at his father’s shrine.

“It’s burdensome to offer it to your father, so my arm is trembling.”

“I’m sorry, senior [a respectful term for someone older or more experienced]. My dad was a fan of the Phoenix. If he were alive, he would have definitely wanted your signed ball.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m honored to give an autograph to the league’s best star.”

Kim Young-hoon carefully signed the ball and handed it to Song Seok-hyun.

“Congratulations on winning the league for the second year in a row. You have to win three or five years in a row.”

“I don’t know about that. Baseball isn’t easy.”

“You know that when you say that, it feels like you’re being a little condescending, right?”

“Ah, ah. That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m kidding, kidding. Don’t be so serious.”

“I’m sorry. I get nervous when I stand in front of you, senior.”

“Oh, right. This.”

Kim Young-hoon handed Song Seok-hyun a shopping bag.

“Congratulations. I didn’t know you’d hit back-to-back home runs like this. Some people don’t even have one child, and you already have a second?”

“Ah, thank you. You didn’t have to give me something like this…”

“Take it, quickly.”

Song Seok-hyun received the shopping bag.

“But what have you been up to lately, senior? People are very curious.”

“What’s there to be curious about a has-been? I’m just saying.”

“Everyone was curious when I said I was going to meet you today.”

“I’m just rehabbing.”

“Aren’t you doing anything else?”

“Anything else? Baseball?”

“Yes. Maybe a coach or something…”

“Nope. Coaching or managing isn’t my place. I’m just going to rest for a while. I’m a little busy these days too. Rehabbing and going out to play.”

“Ah, yes.”

At that moment, Kim Young-hoon’s phone rang.

Kim Young-hoon, after checking the caller’s name, answered in a gentle voice.

“Oh, I’m meeting someone right now? I’ll go later. Yeah, yeah. See you later.”

When Kim Young-hoon hung up, Song Seok-hyun asked cautiously.

“Maybe…?”

“It’s my personal life, personal life.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I think I have to get up now. It’s hard to say this in front of a star, but I’m a little busy too.”

“No, it’s okay. Thank you for making time for me, senior. Thank you so much for the gift too.”

“Okay. Have a safe delivery for your second and third children.”

“Yes. Haha. I’ll have to try.”

Kim Young-hoon held out his hand.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Song Seok-hyun took Kim Young-hoon’s hand.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Kim Young-hoon left first.

Song Seok-hyun clenched the baseball that Kim Young-hoon had given him.

Kim Young-hoon, who was walking a few steps ahead, turned around.

“Ah, but Seok-hyun.”

“Yes?”

“Is baseball fun?”

Song Seok-hyun hesitated for a moment and nodded vigorously.

“Yes. It’s fun.”

Kim Young-hoon smiled too.

“That’s a relief. Take care! I’m going!”

“Goodbye.”

Song Seok-hyun bowed.

Kim Young-hoon put his hands in his pockets, whistled, and disappeared.

When Song Seok-hyun looked up, fans who recognized Song Seok-hyun approached him one by one.

“Song Seok-hyun. Are you Song Seok-hyun? Please sign this. I’m a fan.”

“Song Seok-hyun! Please sign this.”

“Me too! Please sign.”

Song Seok-hyun opened his backpack as if he was used to it.

“I don’t have a baseball, but is a sketchbook okay?”

“Yes, yes! Thank you.”

Song Seok-hyun asked the fans for their names and signed them one by one.

-Thank you for your love. I hope you will always be successful. Catcher Song Seok-hyun.

《Catcher’s Success Story》 ends here.