Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 27

New Roommate (2)

“What type of player do you prefer?”

“Oh, so there’s a variety to choose from?”

Kim Min-hwan couldn’t hide the smirk creeping up his lips.

“It’s not like I only know one or two players personally.”

“Hmm… Ideally, I’d want to bring in a top-class player right away, but it’s a bit much to decide in such a short time. I’d prefer to bring in a player with a promising future.”

It was difficult to find a big-name player without an agent, and it was even harder to finalize a deal before the end of the year, which was only a few months away.

“Which position would be better, pitcher or batter?”

After a moment of contemplation, Kim Min-hwan furrowed his brow and replied.

“Rather than pitcher or batter, I think it’s more important how much potential the player has.”

A player who wouldn’t be too expensive to sign right now, but who could grow into an ace in a few years and bring a huge contract to the company.

It was a perfect match for the player I had in mind.

“Then, how about this player?”

I approached Kim Min-hwan and whispered in his ear.

“Is it really possible to sign that guy?”

Kim Min-hwan’s eyes sparkled as if a fire had been lit.

“If you like him, it’s possible anytime.”

“Are you even asking? He’s a promising power hitter, and he finally showed his potential at the end of this season. If we can get him, it’s definitely the best.”

We were almost there.

“Then, can I talk to him properly?”

“Ah… Hasn’t that been done yet?”

Kim Min-hwan’s sparkling eyes quickly turned to disappointment.

“But if I call him, he’ll come right away.”

Even with my confident answer, Kim Min-hwan’s expression didn’t change much.

“Really? Just a phone call? What if he says no?”

“I’m sure that won’t happen. But if it does, I have another player in mind.”

“Who’s the other player?”

Kim Min-hwan leaned in close, sticking his ear out.

“That’s a secret.”

I gently pushed Kim Min-hwan away and replied.

“Hey, where did you learn to tease people like that?”

“That guy will definitely say yes.”

-He wants to join the agency to be managed by Kang Hyun-woo.

It wasn’t just an unfounded statement.

It was something I had clearly confirmed through the information window I saw on him.

Moreover, he was a combination that could create synergy with Oh Seok-hoon in many ways.

“Okay, then I’ll go in and report to the boss? If it doesn’t work out after all this, I’m going to look like a fool.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure of it.”

I nodded without hesitation.

“Okay!”

Kim Min-hwan clenched his right fist and returned to his seat. Then, he focused on typing as if he were about to be sucked into the monitor.

Seeing the smile on Kim Min-hwan’s face, I was confident that there would be no difficulties in working for the time being.

* * *

“Suddenly signing a player?”

“Yes, it’s a good opportunity. And the player himself seems to want to be managed by our company.”

Kim Min-hwan’s voice was full of confidence.

“Hmm… It’s definitely a player we’ve been interested in for a while. But with the season coming to an end and so many other things to do, is it really necessary to proceed so suddenly?”

“Since he’s shown his potential this time, there’s a possibility that other agencies will try to sign him quickly. We shouldn’t miss the timing when he expresses his desire to join us.”

Im Ye-ji pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“Did he directly say he wanted to come?”

“Pardon?”

Kim Min-hwan was at a loss for words at the sudden question.

He hadn’t heard his opinion directly.

“Did the team leader talk to him directly when you met him?”

“Well… Yes. That’s right. I ran into him at the stadium a while ago, and he suddenly said that. Heh heh heh.”

It was too difficult to lie in front of someone who had been with him for so long and knew him better than anyone else.

“When did he say he wanted to sign the contract?”

Since Kang Hyun-woo had said that all it would take was a phone call, there shouldn’t be any major problems.

“We were talking in a hurry, so we didn’t discuss the date specifically, but we just need to coordinate our schedules.”

Im Ye-ji nodded and responded without any change in her facial expression.

“Did he ask our company to handle his salary negotiations from this year?”

Ha… It was getting worse and worse.

I had prepared to answer questions about the player’s performance data from this season and his future performance.

“I guess so. No. He did.”

Im Ye-ji glanced at Kim Min-hwan and continued the conversation.

“With the season coming to an end like this, you should have checked that part accurately first. Moreover, it seems like the Buffaloes are trying to start salary negotiations early this year. Even if we start preparing now, it will be a tight schedule.”

“Yes, I will check and proceed with that right away.”

Kim Min-hwan finally answered confidently, thinking that it was over.

“Then, how much do you think that player can grow?”

Finally, it came out.

I was confident because I had reviewed everything until the end.

“He’s being considered as a future cleanup hitter [a batter who typically hits third or fourth in the lineup and is expected to drive in runs] in the Buffaloes. Moreover, he was called up to the first team at the end of this season and showed his potential by hitting eight home runs.”

“Isn’t it true that he was in the second team until recently?”

“Yes, he played in the second team until the middle of this season.”

“If I remember correctly, he didn’t stand out even in the second team until the beginning of the season. How did he suddenly get so good?”

Kim Min-hwan looked at Im Ye-ji’s expression again.

It wasn’t just a meaningless question.

She was definitely asking seriously.

I don’t know why she’s being like this today.

It’s enough that his performance has improved, why do we have to know when, how, and why he got better?

“Well… I don’t know that part very well…”

“Wasn’t he called up on the same day as Oh Seok-hoon?”

Was he?

I was unsure, but it seemed similar.

“I remember that being the case.”

“That’s just a coincidence, right?”

What’s she talking about again?

It wasn’t that special to call up two or three players at the same time during the season.

“Well… at that time, the Buffaloes were experiencing difficulties due to a sharp decline in their batting. It’s not strange to call up several batters who are doing well in the second team. I don’t know if it’s special to bring up several players with the thought of trying anything.”

“That’s true.”

Im Ye-ji nodded as if she understood after hearing Kim Min-hwan’s answer.

“Is it okay to proceed…?”

“Okay. Coordinate the date with the player and proceed with the contract.”

“Yes, I will proceed right away.”

Kim Min-hwan turned around with a triumphant feeling inside.

* * *

Ding-dong.

As soon as I opened the door, the house was filled with the smell of delicious food.

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend], come quickly. Let’s eat together.”

“Wow, what’s all this?”

One corner of the kitchen was filled with a variety of foods, as if we were at a buffet.

However, since it was food for athletes who needed to manage their diet, it was not spicy and contained a balanced amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

Next to it, there were also cereals and eggs prepared for a simple breakfast.

“The cooks came and went earlier. They said to just put the dishes in the dishwasher after eating.”

Oh Seok-hoon said in an excited voice as he put food on a plate with tongs.

I quickly put down my bag and picked up the tongs.

I was wondering what to eat first.

While I was putting food on my plate, Oh Seok-hoon was preparing dinner for Rupi.

Our meal began as Oh Seok-hoon and I sat facing each other, and Rupi took his place under the table.

“Wow! It’s really delicious.”

Oh Seok-hoon’s eyes widened as soon as he ate one of the side dishes.

My reaction was no different when I picked up the same side dish.

“We don’t have to worry about food anymore.”

“I know. I was worried because there was nothing good to eat around here.”

Meals were a part that athletes had to pay close attention to.

If the dorm provided this level of meals, the players could focus solely on training.

“How was it starting to exercise again today? Was it okay?”

“I just did some light running. I’m going to start weight training slowly. But I feel like my body has gotten heavy after resting for a few days.”

“Does anything hurt?”

“I kind of want to be sore. I should have played a lot of games during the season to be sore. Will I be sore next year?”

Oh Seok-hoon smiled brightly as he put a spoonful of rice in his mouth.

“From now on, you have to be careful of injuries. You have to take good care of your stamina too.”

“Of course. I’ll work hard.”

If there were no injuries, it was clear that Oh Seok-hoon would be playing full-time from next year.

And as he played through the 144-game journey, there would definitely be times when he felt the burden of stamina.

Since he had never played full-time before, he wouldn’t know what situations he would face, and it was natural that he would be confused about how to overcome them.

I had to step in and help him then.

Of course, it was more important to help him minimize trial and error before experiencing such things.

I should study mental management and injury prevention for players in advance.

“Do you need anything or have any difficulties?”

“It’s not so much a difficulty, but it’s a bit lonely training here alone. After you leave in the morning, hyung, there’s no one to talk to.”

Oh Seok-hoon quickly became gloomy.

“You have Rupi.”

I smiled slightly as I looked at Oh Seok-hoon, who was pouting.

“I’m glad I have Rupi, but I don’t have anyone to train with. You know how boring it is to exercise alone.”

“Just wait a little bit. You’ll soon forget that you’re bored.”

When I gave a sly smile, curiosity spread across Oh Seok-hoon’s face.