On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 91

“Then, I’m counting on you. Please let me know the hospital and room number. Please.”

As Song Seok-hyun bowed, the man who received the money envelope scratched his eyebrow.

“Uh, uh. Okay. I… I understand. I’ll pass this on.”

“Yes, thank you. And I’m sorry for today. I’ll pay for the drinks before I leave to make up for it. I’m really sorry.”

Song Seok-hyun took out his card, handed it to the owner, and asked for the bill.

“Then, I’ll be going first. Sorry again for today.”

Song Seok-hyun grabbed Kim Young-seok’s wrist as he said his goodbyes.

Song Seok-hyun and Kim Young-seok left the store first, but Jung Mi-nam didn’t follow. He turned around and looked down at the students.

Although they came without knowing what was happening, he had developed a sense for these things while running his business.

“Please take good care of our Young-seok. Please make sure he has a smooth and uneventful school life.”

Jung Mi-nam lowered his voice.

He puffed out his chest as if he had something tucked under his armpits and tilted his head to the side.

As Jung Mi-nam glared from side to side, the students avoided eye contact, looking elsewhere.

Clang.

Only after Jung Mi-nam left the store did the tension that had been gripping the place dissipate.

A sudden accident, blood, an ambulance, a confrontation.

In the end, Jung Mi-nam added the finishing touch.

The drinking session ended there.

The atmosphere, which had been heating up, faded as the students left the store like a receding tide.

* * *

“Hey, what’s going on? Why did the atmosphere turn so sour?”

As soon as they left the store, Jung Mi-nam questioned Song Seok-hyun.

“Well… there was a bit of an accident.”

“What kind of accident makes you give all that money away?”

“I messed up someone’s head.”

“Huh? You? You hit someone?”

“No. An accident, an accident. It was purely an accident.”

Song Seok-hyun stopped walking.

Jung Mi-nam and Kim Young-seok also stopped.

“The mood is ruined today. I’m also tired. Should we just go home?”

Kim Young-seok nodded silently.

“Okay. Then, let’s see each other next Monday. Let’s eat something delicious then. My treat, so make sure you’re all free.”

Kim Young-seok said.

“I have somewhere to stop by, so I’ll go first. You guys go ahead.”

Jung Mi-nam said.

“Let’s go together, then. We’re going the same way home anyway, so we can stop by for a bit.”

“No. It’ll take a while.”

“Where are you going at this hour that will take so long? Did you get a girlfriend or something?”

Song Seok-hyun nudged Jung Mi-nam’s foot.

“Okay, we’ll go first. Stop by and come on over.”

Sensing Song Seok-hyun’s mood, Jung Mi-nam didn’t say anything more.

Kim Young-seok silently turned and walked down a different street.

The two waited until Kim Young-seok turned the corner and was out of sight.

“Hey, what happened? Why is Young-seok like that?”

“Young-seok’s school life is harsher than we thought. They’re still enforcing military-style discipline, even in this day and age?”

“Discipline? What kind of discipline?”

“I didn’t expect them to enforce military-style discipline in the engineering department. It’s a bit much. So, I caused a bit of an accident.”

“Something like reckless disregard?”

“How do you know those words?”

“Do you think I’m too much of a moron? I’m a member of society too. I watch the news and read the newspapers.”

“I got angry and caused an accident, but I’m worried I might have ruined his future.”

“You’ve already caused the accident, why are you thinking so complicatedly? You wouldn’t have made such a fuss if it was just about enforcing discipline. Not with your personality.”

Song Seok-hyun clicked his tongue.

“It was a bit obnoxious and harsh, but if it’s just a rite of passage, I won’t be able to face Young-seok.”

“Forget it. Young-seok has a mouth; he’ll say something if he’s unhappy.”

“I’m sorry to you too. I was just going to have a meal, but things turned out like this. Should we eat now, even now?”

“It’s okay. The mood is already ruined. You should go home quickly. Get ready to treat us handsomely next week.”

“Okay. Got it. Eat everything you want. Except for Korean beef. Under 100,000 won [approximately $75 USD].”

“Is that some kind of dog barking? You’re barking in a very innovative way. You’re telling me to eat everything, but then you’re adding conditions?”

“Didn’t you see I ran out of money today?”

“You get a salary, why are you being so stingy?”

“Hey, I’m the head of the household. Is my money really my money?”

Jung Mi-nam put his hands behind his back and took a step back.

“Look at you using cheat codes in such a petty way.”

“I’m saving up what I would use for myself to buy you things. Would I ever be petty with money? Huh?”

“Okay, okay. You’re making me feel so sorry.”

“Hey, 100,000 won is enough.”

“Alright, alright. Let’s go. Ah, really. Tell me in detail what happened today, don’t just gloss over it.”

* * *

After hearing the whole story from Song Seok-hyun, Jung Mi-nam raged, saying he would go back and destroy the department head right away.

After calming Jung Mi-nam down and returning home, it was already past 11 PM.

“I’m home.”

Song Seok-hyun’s mother, who was still awake, got up and greeted Song Seok-hyun.

“You left early in the morning, and you’re only coming home now?”

“Ha, today was really tough. It was tougher than playing a game.”

“Why? What happened?”

“It’s nothing like that… Anyway, whatever. Ugh, my head hurts. I should just rest when I’m resting. Going outside just makes me suffer more.”

As Song Seok-hyun came out after washing up, Song Seok-hyun’s mother brought a plate of watermelon.

“It’s time to sleep, what is this?”

“Nayeong’s mother brought this for you to eat today. You like watermelon, don’t you?”

“Ah, really? Is it already watermelon season?”

“Sit down and eat, sit down.”

Song Seok-hyun sat on the floor and put a piece of watermelon in his mouth.

“It’s delicious. The watermelon is already sweet.”

“Cheol-hyun said it was delicious too.”

“Come to think of it, Nayeong’s mother always seems to take care of watermelons first. Even though the supermarket was our house.”

“Nayeong’s mother is very meticulous. She sold a lot of things from our store too. She bought quite a bit every month to give as gifts to her customers.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Nayeong’s mother must have had a hard time doing sales for insurance and cosmetics, but she actually helped our house a lot. It was Nayeong’s mother who lent us money when your father passed away and I didn’t know how to live on.”

“Huh? That happened? I didn’t know at all.”

“I’m only telling you now. I was so grateful that she lent me a large sum of money back then. I wouldn’t have even thought about letting you play sports if it weren’t for that money.”

Song Seok-hyun scratched his cheek.

“I should have received a signing bonus, tsk.”

“You should be grateful you’re playing baseball, why are you talking about a signing bonus?”

“I’m just saying. But, didn’t Nayeong’s family also have financial difficulties? How could she lend us money?”

“I don’t know. Was it because we were in the same boat? I guess she felt for us because her family was also mostly supported by Nayeong’s mother, and I also had to earn money alone?”

“I’m really grateful…”

His mother came closer to Song Seok-hyun.

“Son, do you have any plans for a girlfriend?”

“Why are you suddenly changing the subject here?”

“You’re starting your professional life in earnest now. Athletes should get married early. That way, they’re more stable and work harder. You know that too, right?”

“I’m only twenty years old. Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“I’m telling you to diligently make a girlfriend from now on. If you go to the army like this and waste time, time will pass quickly?”

“Let’s think about that then. I’m going to get indigestion from eating watermelon.”

“How about Nayeong? Isn’t Nayeong good?”

Song Seok-hyun choked and coughed.

“I really have indigestion. Ugh, my chest is so tight.”

“Son, tell me once. Has there been anything between you and Nayeong?”

“What could there be?”

“You guys were always together, was there really nothing? Tell me honestly. I won’t scold you.”

“Ah, really. Okay, I won’t eat. How can I eat watermelon when it’s so burdensome?”

Song Seok-hyun got up from his seat.

“Where can you find someone like Nayeong? She’s kind, pretty, has a good heart, is smart, and grew up so well.”

“Who said anything?”

“Be good to Nayeong. I mentioned you to her at the hospital before, and Nayeong’s reaction wasn’t bad. My gut feeling is that Nayeong likes you.”

“Ehey, our Ms. Jo is saying strange things again. Stop trying to match us up. What’s Nayeong lacking that she would meet me? She’s the type of girl who would get business cards to become a celebrity just by going to Gangnam [affluent district in Seoul known for entertainment agencies]. With her specs and her face, she’ll succeed no matter what she does, so I have some shame.”

“No, what’s wrong with our son? What’s wrong with him? He’s become a professional baseball player, isn’t that good enough?”

“Even if I succeed in baseball and earn 10 billion won as a free agent… Ugh, forget it. Mom, don’t say things like that either. If it makes Nayeong awkward, it’ll be even more embarrassing for us to see each other.”

“In my opinion, Nayeong also has feelings for you…”

“Ms. Jo, please stop. I need to rest. I’m going to sleep. Don’t touch me. Please.”

Song Seok-hyun ran into his room as if fleeing.

Song Seok-hyun’s mother, Jo Ae-ra, sighed as she cleared the plate.

“He should be clinging to Nayeong’s pants… Ugh, frustrating. He takes after his father.”

Song Seok-hyun, who entered the room, threw himself onto the bed.

“A tiring day from beginning to end, ha.”

He wanted to sleep right away, but Song Seok-hyun got up again.

As Park Shin-eon advised, instead of resting on Monday, he needed time to review this week’s games and prepare for next week’s games.

“I’d rather play the game…”

Song Seok-hyun turned on the computer and opened Excel.

Organizing the data left by Park Shin-eon into Excel was his recent routine.

“Shin Gyu-won, Jeong Jeong-guk, 5th starter… The foreign player isn’t coming out?”

Song Seok-hyun didn’t know the manager’s thoughts, but he knew that the gap between them and the 4th place Wales was 2 games.

If they don’t score points in the Fox game, the gap will widen to 3 or 4 games.

Usually, it takes a week to catch up to a 1-game difference.

If it widens to 4 games, they have to have a winning series for a whole month to barely catch up.

This Fox game had to be at least a winning series, and realistically, they had to aim for a sweep.

“Let’s see, Shin Gyu-won… The highest speed is 140km/h [approximately 87 mph], but he’s the ace of the domestic pitchers. A master of changeups. His cutter-like slider is also good…”

Park Shin-eon wrote that Shin Gyu-won’s countermeasure is to foul off pitches even when he’s behind in the count and wait for the pitch he wants.

Since the ball is slow, he was telling him to wait.

That wasn’t very suitable advice for Song Seok-hyun, who waits and aims for the ball rather than watching the ball and hitting it.

“How should I grill Shin Gyu-won tomorrow…”

It was an eventful day, but Song Seok-hyun’s eyes sparkled when he talked about baseball.

Until dawn, Song Seok-hyun repeatedly swung at the air, shook his head, and swung again.

Success Story as a Catcher

Scandal

The daily routine of baseball players starts at noon.

By the time they finish the game and come home, it’s almost midnight.

By the time they fill their stomachs and wash up, it’s almost dawn.

Those who know the daily routine of baseball players know that it’s polite not to call before noon, but today was different.

Buzzzzz.

Buzzzzz.

Buzzzzz.

Buzzzzz.

“Ah, seriously.”

Song Seok-hyun finally got up from the constantly ringing vibration.

He went to bed later than usual, so his body was heavy and his shoulders were heavy.

“Ah, who is it, really?”

Song Seok-hyun frowned when he saw the unsaved number.

Just as he was hesitating whether to answer, the phone hung up.

When he opened his phone, there were dozens of text messages.

“…Huh?”

A chilling feeling crept down his spine.

He suddenly woke up completely.

Something must have happened; his heart sank.

The numerous text messages were all different.

There were text messages from Jung Mi-nam and Kim Young-seok, and there were also text messages from reporters.

There were text messages from Kim Jeong-ryul and Kim In-hwan, and there were also text messages from old friends he hadn’t been in contact with.

Among the many text messages, one text message caught Song Seok-hyun’s eye.

-Song Seok-hyun, this is Seo Seung-jo from the operations team. Absolutely do not answer the phone and call here as soon as you wake up.

Song Seok-hyun covered his phone and sat in front of the computer.

The sound of the computer fan turning sounded like a helicopter.

And why is the computer turning on so late?

As soon as the computer turned on, he went on the internet and typed in his name.

[Song Seok-hyun, Yoon Romy. We are in love]

[Song Seok-hyun, Yoon Romy’s Pink Day]

[Song Seok-hyun, Yoon Romy. When did love start?]

[A younger man-older woman couple is born in the baseball world?]

[The choice of everyone’s lover Yoon Romy is rising star Song Seok-hyun?]

There are full of dating rumors articles.

Even the number one search term was Song Seok-hyun.

Second place was Yoon Romy, and third place was dating.

Song Seok-hyun clicked on the article with trembling hands.

“Ha.”