Peaceful Bullpen Life [EN]: Chapter 31

Wow, is this real?

I still can’t believe it.

5 billion won [approximately $3.7 million USD].

It’s just words, 5 billion won.

“…Hehet.”

The hardships of the last 10 years flashed through my mind. I lived on a salary close to the lowest. About 30 million won [approximately $22,000 USD] a year.

I know it’s not a small amount. But with that money, I had to cover my rent, living expenses, and baseball equipment. After all that, there wasn’t much left.

But more heartbreaking than the financial aspect were the insults directed at me, at the people who believed in me and used me.

Why use someone like that?

“…Stats.”

Control ― Top

Power ― Mid

Stamina ― Low

Four-seam ― 57

Curve ― 46

Slider ― 34

Splitter ― 40

Changeup ― 45

Sinker ― 43

Traits

Detachment ― Accepts any batted ball or situation with equanimity.

Discomfort ― Makes opposing batters uncomfortable when they see the pitcher on the mound.

It must all be thanks to this system, these stats.

“……”

Sitting still, my gaze suddenly turned to the computer. As if possessed, I turned on the computer and logged into Full Count.

Kim Han-wool, an M-rated pitcher in my team, holding the first starter position, showing his pitching motion.

What was I thinking as I stared blankly? I only remember staring at the character in the game for a while.

I got up from my seat and lay down on the bed. I picked up my phone and pressed ‘1’ on the keypad.

“…Oh, Mom.”

– Oh, son. You’ve worked hard. You’ve had a lot of mental anguish.

“What mental anguish? Mom suffered the most.”

– Your dad and I are doing well. Don’t worry about us, just do what you need to do. You’re not going to end after these 4 years, are you? If you sign another contract in 4 years, you’ll get more then.

Hehehe. Mother.

“I sent 1 billion won [approximately $740,000 USD].”

– What?

“I said I sent 1 billion won.”

– Oh, why would you do that!

“Why? I just wanted to do something nice for you.”

– What about your money! You need to save some for yourself!

“Even after sending that, I still have plenty left. Don’t worry, and sorry I couldn’t send more. Buy some beef. The house is Dad’s, so no worries there. Tell Dad I said I’ll get him a new car when I earn more. And Mom, don’t skimp on yourself. Well, saving is good, but, you know? Don’t save money on weird things. Take a taxi when you go to the market now. Kim Yeo-sa [term of respect for a married woman] needs to think about her knees.”

– I’m still healthy, why would I take a taxi? That’s where you should save money!

“Noooo. That’s what I mean by saving money unnecessarily. How much is a taxi ride? Just live comfortably now. This isn’t the end, and if more comes, I’ll send more, so don’t think it’s a waste. I know Kim Yeo-sa, and I know she’ll say she’ll take the bus instead of a taxi to save money. Take a taxi, really. I’m serious, I’ll check.”

– Oh, my baby…….

“Say hi to Dad for me. I have to go out, so I’ll hang up.”

– Okay, okay. You’ve worked hard. Don’t get hurt. Money is important, but don’t get hurt. That’s the most important thing.

“What’s there to get hurt doing? Don’t worry.”

– Okay. I love you, son.

“Yeah, yeah……”

…I love you too.

Those five words should have come out. But I couldn’t bring myself to say them. The price for that came out of my eyes. The trail of tears next to my eyes stung so much.

* * *

I added the signing bonus I received when I joined the team to the signing bonus I received from this FA [Free Agent] contract, and then subtracted the money I’ve spent so far and the money I sent to my mom. Still, there’s a huge amount of money left.

“Oh…….”

I moved from a one-room apartment with only a front door, a door from the kitchen to the room, and a door from the room to the bathroom, to a two-room house. Not bought, but rented.

Having an extra room is great, but having a space that feels like a living room is amazing. It was a new villa, and thanks to the club’s support and the landlord being a die-hard Wonha fan, I received some benefits and moved in under very good conditions.

One room is naturally my living space, and the other room is a space for light exercise, my baseball equipment, and a small collection of my memorabilia.

2017 KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] Hold King.

Wonha Challengers #4 Kim Han-wool.

A small… trophy.

Beep―

And most of all, I got a car. This is the most important thing. Being able to break free from walking everywhere and go where I want to go when I want to is more important than I thought.

“Hehet…….”

Beep―

I was so amazed that I kept pressing the button on the car door handle, watching the car automatically open and close.

Remind, part of Wonha Motors’ large sedan lineup. I put in all the options. Because I’m precious.

As a player of the Wonha Challengers, I chose a Wonha vehicle. A large sedan, the next step up from a compact car, small car, and mid-size car.

I still vividly remember the dealer’s expression when I walked into the car dealership with Youngjin. That slightly astonished look.

The highest trim with all the options. The thrill of swiping my card for 55 million won [approximately $41,000 USD] in one go, after knocking the price down from 64 million [approximately $47,000 USD] with various promotions, dealer discounts, and Wonha affiliate employee discounts.

F***, this is why you spend money.

A few days later, as soon as I took delivery of the car, I drove it straight to pick up Youngjin. No matter what anyone says, he’s the most grateful person in my life, so I took him out for some steak.

It was a bit funny to see two burly men going out for a fancy steak dinner on a weekend evening, but neither Youngjin nor I felt any pressure.

We were just happy and having fun. Thinking about it, the sight of two big guys giggling and running around was quite amusing.

In about two weeks, I’ll have to leave this car behind and go to spring training again. Youngjin suggested that I buy it after spring training, but I ignored him.

Car! My car!

“Euhut.”

Beep―

The locked door reopened, and I got into the driver’s seat.

“Good… good… Keu.”

I pressed the brake and pressed the start button, and the dashboard and screen lit up quietly with a soft purr.

After waiting a moment, I entered the address I needed to go to on the built-in navigation system.

I released the parking brake and pulled the button attached to the gear button, shifting into reverse, and the screen behind the car appeared on the navigation screen. I checked the rearview mirror and side mirrors together, pulled the car out, and headed to the meeting place.

About 20 minutes of driving. After safely parking the car, I got out and pressed the button on the car door handle.

Beep―

Ah, let’s go.

Beep―

Reassured by the click, I went straight into the cafe next door.

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Yes, yes. It’s been a while.”

There are quite a few people here today. Without panicking, I went inside and sat across from the person who greeted me.

“Haa… I’m so glad.”

“About what?”

“That Han-wool stayed with Wonha!”

Minyoung smiled brightly as always and clapped her hands.

“Is it true that the club offered you more money?”

“Ah… yes. But I felt burdened, so I turned it down.”

“Whyyy!”

I gave another speech about the feelings I had before.

“Wow… your character.”

She seems touched by my story. Her eyes are brimming with tears. She’s a true Wonha fan.

“So I told the club staff. Save the money you would have given me and use it to sign another bullpen pitcher.”

“That’s good too. The 준-playoffs [semi-playoffs] were a bit much. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my father swear like that……”

“Haha……”

We’re not dating. We’re not even in a relationship.

It’s not that I’m not interested in that kind of thing, but I know my place.

Anyone who passes by would be captivated by her beautiful smile, and she has an amazing job and wealth, and behind that is a family that is more impressive than you can imagine, so of course I can’t help but feel intimidated.

Don’t be arrogant just because you hit the jackpot with FA.

We don’t meet often. If we met often, that would be a bit strange in its own way. Just occasionally, when we both have time, we meet for coffee and a meal, that’s all. The only thing we talk about when we meet is baseball.

Clap!

“Oh, right.”

When the conversation was ripe, she clapped her hands as if she had remembered something and started a new topic.

“Um… Han-wool. I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes?”

“Um……”

She keeps looking around.

“Um… it’s not a really difficult request. I was kind of… pushed into receiving this request, so……”

“Ah… yes.”

What is it?

For a moment, all sorts of thoughts crossed my mind.

Could it be that she’s connected to some kind of match-fixing broker? It’s not like she’s going to ask me to lend her money.

“Um… um… that’s……”

She kept dragging out the words, and the story didn’t progress.

“So, um.”

Then, as if she had made up her mind, she gritted her teeth and started to speak.

“Could you… meet my father?”

“Excuse me?”

“I told you a few times, right? I told you that my father is also a Wonha fan, right? When I was leaving the house today, my father asked me where I was going. So, um… I unconsciously mentioned Han-wool, so, um……”

“Ah ah.”

“So my father started acting all cute and asked me to take him with me. He said he’d be sulking if I didn’t.”

Minyoung sighed once and continued the next line.

“It would be rude to just show up without saying anything, so I said I’d talk to you about it. Ah, of course, you can refuse if you feel burdened. I told him that in advance too.”

“No, well… it’s okay.”

“Oh, really?!”

“It’s not a difficult request… it’s just meeting the father of someone who has always cheered me on. And if her father is also my fan, I’m even more grateful. No, I should treat him.”

Minyoung’s expression brightened up.

She took out her phone and immediately made a call somewhere.

“Yes, yes, he said it’s okay! Yes, come carefully!”

“…Um.”

“Yes!”

“Now?”

“Ah, yes.”

I’m a person too. Don’t I need some time to prepare myself?

But in reality, only a few privileged people can hope for time to prepare. I’m just living as things go,

“……”

I ended up facing a stern, solemn, and serious middle-aged man sitting next to Minyoung.

I’m scared.

It’s not like Minyoung and I are in that kind of relationship, or that we’re meeting secretly, or even that I have ulterior motives. I just feel guilty for no reason. It’s even scarier because he’s glaring at me so fiercely.

“Um… hello.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you.”

He said, extending his hand. I was overwhelmed and bent only my legs, leaving my waist still, and extended both hands. Then, he politely bowed and accepted the handshake with both hands.

“I’ve been a Wonha fan since the beginning. Korean baseball started in 1982, you know.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right.”

“I was working at Wonha back then too. The atmosphere in Korea was like that at the time, and my company was Wonha. Huh? Of course, I had to support Wonha in baseball. I was forced to support Wonha, but somehow it’s continued until now.”

Oh my…….

He was an even bigger fan than Minyoung.

“That’s amazing. To have watched only one team for almost 35 years……”

“Hehe, I guess I’ve just become stubborn as I’ve gotten older. Even when Wonha was always in last place recently, I only looked at my Wonha.”

“Oh, it’s an honor.”

Then he’s seen all of my loser days too.

“I’m very grateful to our Kim Han-wool player. Thanks to you, I had a very good experience this year.”

He laughed heartily and extended his hand again, and the same posture came out automatically.

“I hope Kim Han-wool stays with Wonha forever. If you don’t have a job after you retire, contact me. I’m sitting in an executive position at Wonha, a pretty big company.”

Oh my…….

“I don’t talk about this to just anyone. I’ve been watching Kim Han-wool since he joined the team. I know very well how sincere and kind Kim Han-wool is.”

“Oh, those are very kind words.”

I just knew he was someone who worked at a big company. An executive at Wonha, a major company ranked in the top tier in Korea…….

After that, the compliments about me continued.

You’ve worked hard for one team for 10 years, what’s the reason for your sudden rise this season, you’ve worked hard, the team’s success is all thanks to you, I was honestly worried about FA but thank you for staying, you even lowered the amount yourself in the FA contract, you’re such a kind young man that it’s hard to understand logically, etc.

Then, out of nowhere, a bombshell dropped.

“So, how long have you been seeing our Minyoung?”

“Excuse me?”

I was more puzzled, and the father was even more puzzled.

“You’re not dating Minyoung?”

I know it’s rude, but the answer didn’t come out, and instead my gaze quickly turned to Minyoung. As I blinked my eyes in that state, Minyoung fidgeted.

“Ah, Father……”

“Why! It’s not like I said something I shouldn’t have.”

Someone, please explain.

“My Minyoung talks about Kim Han-wool so much at home. Chattering, huh?”

“Ah, Dad!”

“Look, she’s my daughter, but isn’t she pretty? She’s getting a bit older now, but even just 10 years ago, she would come home with several business cards from people asking if she had any thoughts of becoming a celebrity.”

The father chuckled, not befitting his age, and continued the next words.

“She’s still pretty now, pretty, yes. Her job is good, and she earns money well. And it’s hard to say this myself, but doesn’t she come from a pretty good family?”

Image correction for the father complete. Somewhere between being meddlesome and a fool for his daughter.

He looked back and forth between my frozen expression and Minyoung’s whining, laughed heartily, and continued.

“I know what Kim Han-wool is thinking. How old do you think I am? You must have thought, how dare someone like me meet our Minyoung.”

What should I answer?

“Don’t worry. Minyoung seems to have feelings for Kim Han-wool, and so do I, her father. I even casually mentioned it to my wife, and she liked it too. So, don’t feel pressured, Kim Han-wool just has to decide.”

“Dadddd……”

He told me not to feel pressured, but the pressure has increased tenfold.