Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 256

256. Rookie Draft (5)

Me, Jung In-gyu, Lee Ju-hyuk, and even Oh Seok-hoon, Park Seong-ju, Go Ji-hoon from the Buffaloes, and So Young-joon gathered in front of the TV to watch the draft.

“It brings back old memories. I was so nervous that day.”

So Young-joon said, looking at the TV screen.

“Come to think of it, Young-joon, you seem to be the only one here who was drafted as the first pick in the first round, right?”

Hearing my words, So Young-joon turned his head to look at the three players alternately before asking Go Ji-hoon.

“Really? Ji-hoon, what number were you?”

“I was in the second round. Was it 14th?”

So Young-joon, hearing Go Ji-hoon’s answer, widened his eyes in surprise and turned his head to Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju.

“Seok-hoon and Seong-ju?”

“Seok-hoon was in the second round, and I was in the third round.”

Park Seong-ju quickly answered while Oh Seok-hoon was trying to recall.

“Wow, is that how it is? Is being the first pick in the first round that great? Should I be happy about this, or should I feel bitter?”

So Young-joon shrugged his shoulders, unable to control the rising corners of his mouth.

Seeing his expression, I naturally burst into laughter.

“It’s a good thing. Why would you feel bitter?”

“I feel good, but that’s about it. I’ve been a pro for 10 years, but I haven’t even played in the Korean Series [championship series in Korean baseball], let alone the postseason. If I hadn’t been the first pick, I feel like I could have done it.”

The cheerful smile on So Young-joon’s face disappeared as if it had never been there, replaced by a gloomy expression.

“You’re going to be selected for the national team this time. Go there and do everything you’ve wanted to do.”

“Hoo- the national team. It’s a really wonderful place. It’s a moment when the whole nation is cheering for you. But will I be selected?”

“If they don’t pick a shortstop who’s good at defense, hits home runs well, and has been hitting a lot of singles lately, who else would they pick?”

“I never even imagined that I could be selected for the national team until now. I’ve changed a lot since I met our representative [referring to the narrator].”

While So Young-joon was lost in thought, looking at me, Park Seong-ju asked Go Ji-hoon.

“Ji-hoon, haven’t you played in many national team games? How does it feel to play in international tournaments?”

“Honestly, since it’s a short-term tournament, each game is important, so I feel quite a bit of pressure. But it’s really thrilling. If we play well, the whole nation cheers for us. And it’s fun to work with players from other teams.”

So Young-joon, hearing Go Ji-hoon’s answer, looked at the three players with an excited expression and continued the conversation.

“It would be fun if we all played together as one team like this. When else would I get to be on the same team as the Buffaloes’ aces?”

“Senior, we have to sweep them this time. There’s nothing we can’t do if we combine our strength.”

Park Seong-ju clenched his fist and said.

“By the way, it’s a relief that there’s no position overlap among our agency’s players. It would have been awkward if we overlapped and someone couldn’t get picked.”

“Oh, that’s true. How can there be such a coincidence?”

Oh Seok-hoon widened his eyes and replied.

After talking for a while, it was already 2 o’clock.

“Oh! It’s starting now.”

The broadcast started exactly at the scheduled time.

After the congratulatory performance and the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] commissioner’s welcoming speech, the time we had been waiting for was approaching.

-Now, we will begin the rookie draft, where new players will wear professional team uniforms!

The players in the venue felt a sense of tension at the host’s words.

“Ugh. My heart is pounding, I wonder how nervous those guys are.”

So Young-joon grabbed Oh Seok-hoon’s hand next to him and shivered.

“Woojin, fighting!” [A Korean expression of encouragement, like “Go Woojin!”]

“Fighting!”

At Oh Seok-hoon’s words, we all shouted, “Fighting!”

And the draft began with the Pelicans.

“Please, please. Manager, don’t call Woojin’s name. Let him go to another team. I don’t want to see him suffer on our team.”

So Young-joon put his hands together and prayed earnestly.

Kim Seok-won, the Pelicans’ general manager, who had just received the microphone, opened his mouth.

-We, the Pelicans…

As expected, the Pelicans drafted another player who was expected, not Choi Woojin.

“Whew- that’s a relief.”

Not only So Young-joon but also I let out a sigh of relief.

Increasing the chances of running into Kim Seok-won was not welcome at all.

Soon, it moved on to the next draft order.

-We, the Hawks…

Each time a player’s name was called, applause of congratulations erupted for the players who would wear the uniforms of professional teams.

The first three players drafted were all as expected, the Top 3.

For us, it was safe to say that the real beginning was now.

“Representative, let’s bet. Will the Jaguars pick him or not?”

So Young-joon looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“I think they’ll pick him 100%.”

“I think he’ll pass 100%. No matter how good Woojin is, it’s impossible to pick him first when there’s a fireballer [a pitcher known for throwing extremely fastballs] right in front of you. And how long have the Jaguars been waiting for a right-handed ace pitcher?”

“What are we betting?”

I smiled and replied to So Young-joon.

“Let’s bet on who pays for dinner tonight.”

“Okay, deal.”

While we were talking, it was finally the Jaguars’ turn, the 4th pick.

Jo Gwang-hoon, the Jaguars’ general manager, stood up and received the microphone.

All of us watching TV were silent for a moment, staring only at Jo Gwang-hoon.

-We, the Jaguars, have observed and analyzed the players from various angles. Through that process, we found the player who is most needed for our team. Now, I will announce it. The Jaguars will…

The eyes and ears of all the players and spectators in the venue, including us, were focused on Jo Gwang-hoon.

-Draft Suchun High School pitcher Choi Woojin.

“Wow!”

“Nice!”

As soon as we heard the words “Suchun High School,” we all jumped up at the same time and cheered.

We jumped up and down, high-fiving and hugging each other.

“Wow, the Jaguars are really drafting him here?”

So Young-joon widened his eyes and covered his mouth.

“I can’t be wrong.”

I put my hand on So Young-joon’s shoulder and smiled.

“Wow… this is unbelievable. The Jaguars are making this decision?”

So Young-joon clapped his hands and rejoiced, but he couldn’t close his gaping mouth.

The TV screen showed Choi Woojin after Jo Gwang-hoon finished his announcement.

There was someone more noticeable than Choi Woojin, who was smiling brightly and greeting the surrounding players who were congratulating him.

It was Choi Woojin’s father, who was raising both hands in the air, unable to hide his joy.

Choi Woojin’s father was so happy, as if the Jaguars had won the championship, and hugged Choi Woojin.

Choi Woojin’s mother next to him was quietly shedding tears.

“Wow, this is really amazing. It’s amazing.”

So Young-joon still couldn’t believe the Jaguars’ choice, with an expression that hadn’t recovered from the shock.

“Young-joon, we can eat something delicious later, right?”

“Yeah, let’s eat as much as we want. This much is not difficult to do to celebrate our Woojin.”

“But can we invite the Jaguars players too?”

“Invite more people here…? They already eat a lot, though?”

So Young-joon’s expression quickly turned pale.

“They’re going to be teammates soon, so they can’t be left out of the party.”

Then So Young-joon clapped his hands as if he had made up his mind and replied.

“Okay. Invite them all. I’m paying today!”

“Yay!”

We all cheered at So Young-joon’s words.

Even while the draft was in progress, sports news was constantly being updated.

└I told you, right? Jo Gwang-hoon will definitely pick a Dream Agency player.

└Choi Woojin’s dad was even happier, lol. He seems to be a Jaguars fan.

└But is this a good thing? I’m not sure.

└Choi Woojin is worth a gamble. His game management is already stable, so there shouldn’t be any major problems even if he’s used as an immediate force next year.

└It would be great if Choi Woojin could just increase his velocity. Wouldn’t the game be over if he hit 150km/h?

└If that happens, then the teams that passed on Choi Woojin in the earlier rounds would have completely failed.

└Whether the Jaguars’ choice to pass on Park Yu-cheol and select Choi Woojin was a good choice will be decided in 10 years.

* * *

That evening, the agency held a party for Choi Woojin, who had returned after the draft.

Donald Watson, Michael Scott, Han Gyo-jin, and Seo Seong-min of the Jaguars, who were about to go on a *sudogwon* [greater metropolitan area of Seoul] away game, also participated.

“Wow, Choi. Congratulations.”

“Congratulations, Woojin.”

Choi Woojin was busy receiving congratulations from all directions.

In particular, the Jaguars players warmly welcomed Choi Woojin, who would become their teammate.

“Wait a minute. So Young-joon is paying for this party for Woojin today.”

“Wow! So. Wonderful.”

Scott clapped his hands and gave a thumbs up.

Han Gyo-jin suddenly got up, went to the corner, and took something out of a box.

“And I brought a gift for Woojin. The four of us prepared it.”

“Wow, senior! Thank you.”

Choi Woojin clapped his hands and approached Han Gyo-jin.

I was curious, so I approached too.

“We prepared the equipment that Woojin liked, hoping that he would work hard in baseball. I think you’ll like it.”

Han Gyo-jin said, handing the box to Choi Woojin.

“Wow, thank you. I really wanted this.”

Choi Woojin, who checked the baseball equipment, including the glove and spikes, jumped up and down as if he would fly away right away.

But So Young-joon, who saw this, shook his head.

“Wow, I’m going crazy. They’re giving baseball equipment as a gift? Are they doing this on purpose because they’re baseball players?”

“I really wanted this. It’s so expensive, so I was going to buy it later.”

Choi Woojin was still laughing innocently and happily.

So Young-joon, who was sadly watching this, put his hand on Choi Woojin’s shoulder and said.

“Woojin, now that you’re an adult, let’s go to a club together. I’ll show you how to have fun properly. I don’t think you should learn from these guys.”

“I was curious. Can I really go with you when I become an adult?”

“Of course, you’ll never regret it. I’ll show you how to have fun properly.”

So Young-joon smiled contentedly and put his arm around Choi Woojin’s shoulder.

Then Choi Woojin suddenly turned his head and looked at Han Gyo-jin.

“That’s right! There was something I wanted to tell Gyo-jin senior.”

“To me? What is it?”

“Can you work with me next year? I think I can do well if I play with you, senior.”

“Really? If you, Woojin, say you’ll play with me, I’ll welcome you anytime. Let’s do it together.”

“Nice! I already feel like I can do well.”

Choi Woojin raised both hands to the sky at Han Gyo-jin’s answer.

“In the end, everyone is only thinking about baseball. I’m lonely, in this atmosphere.”

So Young-joon shook his head as if he was tired of it.

Seeing this, I approached Choi Woojin and Han Gyo-jin.

“Then from now on, you’ll have to do a lot of research on Woojin with Gyo-jin, right?”

“Representative, I look forward to your help. I really want to do well in the pros too.”

“Our player wants to work hard, so I have to help him even if I have to stay up all night.”

I put my hand on Choi Woojin’s shoulder and replied.

Seeing Choi Woojin full of expectations, a smile naturally appeared on my face.

Choi Woojin’s draft celebration party continued after that.

I wanted to play all night, but I had to finish it before it got too late because I had to go through the fierce regular season again.