Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 107

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Starting Real Work (2)

Before I could really dive into my agent duties, there was somewhere I needed to go first.

It was the university hospital where Professor Park Jung-joon worked.

This time, I checked Professor Park Jung-joon’s schedule in advance and visited during a time that suited him.

The employee at the entrance desk recognized me again and greeted me with a bright smile.

I was able to go straight in to see Professor Park Jung-joon.

“Professor, I’m here.”

“Hyun-woo, come on in.”

Unlike our last meeting, where he seemed pressed for time, today Park Jung-joon seemed relaxed in his words and actions.

“Have you been well?”

“What’s so special about a university hospital doctor’s life? Every day is the same.”

I sat down in the chair across from Park Jung-joon as he gestured.

“Anyway, I’ve heard the story. You’ve had a lot going on these past few days, Hyun-woo?”

“Yeah. Things have gotten a bit complicated, one way or another.”

It was too complicated to explain simply in this setting, and it seemed Professor Park Jung-joon was already somewhat aware.

“Actually, CEO Lim Ye-ji came to see me a few days ago.”

“CEO Lim Ye-ji?”

*What on earth for?*

“She mentioned that Ji-hoon would be moving to your company and asked me to continue to take good care of him as I have been.”

“Ah… Really? I appreciate that.”

That was quite unexpected.

I never imagined that CEO Lim Ye-ji would come in person to say something like that.

“I’m so glad Ji-hoon can focus solely on his treatment. It puts my mind at ease.”

“How is Go Ji-hoon doing? Is he in good condition now?”

“I don’t think you need to worry too much.”

Park Jung-joon replied, looking at a document that appeared to be a medical record.

“Then can we assume he’ll be able to return in about three months?”

“If things continue to progress like this, maybe a little sooner if he does well.”

“Really?”

That was welcome news.

As long as he was healthy, it was better to return as soon as possible.

“Ji-hoon is also very active in his rehabilitation training. Even though it’s only been a few days since he was hospitalized, his progress is changing day by day.”

Park Jung-joon said with a pleased smile.

“He’s always been a hard worker in everything he does.”

“Indeed, when you look at successful athletes, they’re all obsessed with their sport. Seeing them endure even when their bodies are in such bad shape… They all have amazing mental strength.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?”

“It would be enough if you could just keep Ji-hoon from wavering mentally. The hospital can take care of everything he needs for treatment.”

Even though it was a natural thing for a doctor to say, it somehow felt reassuring.

“We will definitely do our part.”

“Good. Let’s work together to help Ji-hoon recover quickly.”

Here was a doctor with top-notch skills and a sense of duty right before my eyes.

“Then, please continue to take good care of our company’s athletes.”

“If there’s anything I can do to help, I will.”

Professor Park Jung-joon gave me a kind smile.

* * *

Now, I headed to the inpatient ward.

I took the elevator to the 8th floor and approached the room I was looking for.

I could immediately tell I had come to the right place by the name written on the door.

It was a private room, so there was no need to look closely for the name.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I knocked and carefully opened the door.

Then, I met eyes with Go Ji-hoon, who was wearing a patient gown.

“Oh, Hyun-woo. What brings you here?”

“An agency athlete is hospitalized, so of course I have to visit.”

I smiled and approached Go Ji-hoon.

“Nice to meet you. Hello.”

A woman next to Go Ji-hoon greeted me.

“This is my wife. This is the new CEO of our agency.”

Go Ji-hoon pointed to his wife and me alternately as he introduced us.

“I’m Kang Hyun-woo. It’s nice to meet you like this.”

“Who are you, mister?”

The little kid next to her looked at me with an interesting expression.

Just by looking at her face, I could immediately tell she was Go Ji-hoon’s daughter.

“You must be Soo-ah?”

I lowered myself to look at Soo-ah.

“He’s the one who gave Soo-ah the dinosaur doll she likes.”

Go Ji-hoon introduced me to Soo-ah.

“Oh, really?”

Soo-ah’s eyes widened.

“You have to thank him, Soo-ah.”

“Thank you, mister.”

Soo-ah bent her small body and bowed to me.

“I’ll give you another present that Soo-ah likes next time.”

“Hehe.”

Seeing her unable to hide her joy at the word ‘present’ made me smile.

“Feel free to talk comfortably. I’ll be out for a bit.”

Go Ji-hoon’s wife got up from her seat and gestured for me to sit down.

“You can stay here…”

“No, I was just about to leave anyway. Soo-ah is getting restless.”

“Then I’ll talk quickly and leave.”

Go Ji-hoon’s wife smiled and took Soo-ah out.

As soon as the door closed, only Go Ji-hoon and I were left in the hospital room.

“Sunbae [senior colleague or mentor], how are you feeling?”

“What’s so hard about it? Since I was hospitalized, all I’ve been doing is getting treatment and resting every day.”

“This is the first time you’ve rested like this, right?”

“Come to think of it, it seems like it. I’ve never rested this long after the season.”

Go Ji-hoon recalled and chuckled.

“But it’s nice to be able to spend time with your family, right?”

“It’s nice, but only for a day or two. Now I wish I could go out for a run, even for a little bit.”

Go Ji-hoon moved his body back and forth in his seat.

“You’ll be fine soon.”

“Will I be able to throw a ball again before the end of this season?”

“Of course. Once your body is completely healed, we’ll let you throw as much as you want.”

Go Ji-hoon smiled at my words.

“I saw what was posted on the agency’s SNS [Social Networking Service] a while ago. The reaction was good, right?”

“Yeah. I was worried about what would happen if there was no reaction, but people seem to like it even more than I thought.”

I took out my smartphone and checked again, and the number of subscribers had already increased to 150,000.

“Our friends are so handsome and have such good speaking skills that fans can’t help but like them.”

“Sunbae, you need to recover quickly and appear on it too.”

“Hey, will fans be waiting for me to come out? They’ll only like players like Seok-hoon.”

“Sunbae, you’re also in the top ranks of the All-Star fan vote.”

Go Ji-hoon was also fiercely competing for the lead in the starting pitcher category.

“I’m happy that the fans think highly of me, but I can’t even play this time.”

A gloomy look quickly settled on Go Ji-hoon’s face.

“What are you worried about? Of course you’ll be picked next year too.”

“……Do you think so?”

“Of course, definitely.”

Go Ji-hoon had an expression that seemed to worry about the future but also looked forward to it.

* * *

When I was an agency employee, I only had to manage the players, but now the things I have to do are much more diverse.

Especially since I couldn’t get help from Kim Min-hwan anymore.

More than anything, I needed to build my own network now.

The first place I visited was the Pelicans.

I hadn’t had any connection with the Pelicans’ general manager yet, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to create a position this time, and I also had the purpose of checking on So Young-joon’s progress.

Since I had made an appointment in advance, I was able to go straight into the general manager’s office.

Kim Seok-won, the general manager of the Pelicans, jumped up as soon as he opened the door and saw me coming in.

“CEO Kang Hyun-woo, welcome.”

“General Manager, how have you been?”

Today was the first time Kim Seok-won and I had exchanged words alone like this.

“Congratulations on becoming CEO.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Come this way. Let’s sit down and talk comfortably.”

I shook hands with General Manager Kim Seok-won and sat down.

*I’m worried about how to improve the power of the team, which is at the bottom.*

*We are discussing replacing the foreign pitcher because of his poor performance.*

The role of foreign players in Korean professional baseball is enormous.

Just by recruiting excellent foreign pitchers or hitters, you could move up or down one or two places in the rankings.

Especially in a club like the Pelicans, which has been at the bottom for several years, the value is felt even more.

“I heard that Young-joon from our team went to Hyun-woo’s agency?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’m really glad that Young-joon is doing well these days. I think he felt something, and he’s definitely changed since the beginning of the season. Is it because he has such a great agent by his side?”

Kim Seok-won laughed heartily.

“Young-joon has been training hard these days.”

He recently came to the agency’s training center and trained so hard that his whole body was covered in dirt.

“Thanks to him, our team has become a little more stable in defense.”

Unlike his positive words, Kim Seok-won’s expression was not very bright.

“The Pelicans are worried about the pitchers these days, right?”

“Sigh. Pitchers are always a concern. If we had a few strong starting pitchers, it would be much easier to manage the season. The probability of a long losing streak would also be lower.”

The Pelicans had been at the bottom for several years, so they were able to draft good prospects with high picks [selection priority in a player draft].

Considering that they had been steadily selecting players with potential for several years, it was ironic that they were having these concerns.

“It would be realistically difficult to bring in a starting pitcher through a trade right now, so you must be considering the foreign pitcher route?”

To bring in a starting pitcher through a trade, they would have to give up another key player.

“I guess so. The current players aren’t bad, but they don’t give the feeling of being definitely strong.”

“Do you have any players in mind?”

At my sudden question, Kim Seok-won hesitated as if he was slightly embarrassed before answering.

“Scout teams are still active during the season. I get reports every week.”

“What type are you looking for?”

“Well, if it’s a foreign pitcher, we need someone who can consistently handle 6 or 7 innings or more without giving up too many runs. That way, the manager can calculate how to run the game.”

“That’s just the best-case scenario.”

I guess I asked a pointless question.

“Do you have any players you’d like to recommend, CEO Kang?”

“Me?”

A foreign pitcher……

“Doesn’t the agency have any foreign players?”

*Oh, that’s a good idea?*

*Why did I only think that there should be domestic players?*

It would be meaningful to create good opportunities for foreign players who are worried.

“Then shall I take a look?”

I didn’t want to miss the opportunity right in front of me.

“Really? If it’s a player recommended by a talented agency CEO like CEO Kang, we should definitely consider it positively.”

“But you have to give me a generous commission.”

“If you bring me a good player, what can’t I do?”

Expectation and desperation were felt in Kim Seok-won’s eyes.