Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 271

Korean Series (2)

Our broadcast began 30 minutes before the game’s scheduled start.

As the screen transitioned, I began speaking.

“Hello, everyone, thanks for tuning in. We’re finally about to begin the Korean Series, the culmination of this season.”

I paused to take a breath and continued.

“First, let me introduce the analysts joining us for the Korean Series broadcast. You could almost consider them permanent fixtures, right? Let me introduce the three commentators who have been with our live broadcast from the beginning to the end of this season: So Young-jun, Choi Jung-hwan, and Jang Su-young.”

I gestured toward the three men and clapped.

“You should be used to this kind of treatment by now.”

So Young-jun clapped along, though a hint of weariness was evident.

“I’ve introduced them several times since the Wild Card game, but since we’ve reached the Korean Series, it would be a shame not to, right? Please give a brief self-introduction.”

“This season, I once again recorded a career high with a .300 batting average and 27 home runs, following last season’s performance. I’m So Young-jun.”

So Young-jun shrugged as he finished his introduction.

Soon after, Choi Jung-hwan and Jang Su-young also gave their brief introductions.

“And now, our special guests. Na Jun-ho from the Dragons and Choi Woo-jin, who will be wearing the Jaguars uniform starting next year, will be joining us. Please give them a round of applause!”

“Woo-ah!”

So Young-jun, along with Choi Jung-hwan and Jang Su-young, clapped and welcomed them.

I turned to Na Jun-ho and continued the conversation.

“Although we all know these players well, this is their first time meeting fans in this setting. Please introduce yourselves briefly, starting with Na Jun-ho.”

“Hello, I’m Na Jun-ho from the Dragons. This is my first time participating, and I’ll do my best today.”

Na Jun-ho replied, moving his stiff body with some difficulty.

└Oh! It feels new to see Na Jun-ho here.

└I think this is Na Jun-ho’s first appearance [on a broadcast like this].

└Dream Agency has been playing in the Korean Series ever since they started the live broadcast.

└But is something wrong with Na Jun-ho? Why is he so stiff?

└Is he nervous? He seems completely frozen.

└No way, the player who plays so confidently on the baseball field is so nervous here??

└Na Jun-ho also has a cute side, lol [laughing out loud].

Seeing the comments rising rapidly, So Young-jun picked up the thread.

“The fans are asking if something is wrong with Na Jun-ho because he’s too nervous.”

Hearing So Young-jun’s words, I turned my head and saw that Na Jun-ho’s body was indeed stiff, and his face even looked pale.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Jun-ho, is something really the matter?”

“Uh…….”

Na Jun-ho couldn’t hide his embarrassment, as if he hadn’t expected the question.

Then So Young-jun took over the conversation again.

“I think I need to help him out a lot. He’s completely panicked right now.”

“It seems like it’s his first live broadcast. Looking at his expression, I think we need to help him a lot. He’ll probably get used to it by the end of today’s game.”

I turned my head to Choi Woo-jin and asked.

“And here’s another player who is visiting this place for the first time today. Choi Woo-jin, please introduce yourself.”

“Hello, I’m Choi Woo-jin, a pitcher from Sucheon High School, and I will be a Jaguars player starting next year.”

“Ho-woo!”

So Young-jun reacted more enthusiastically than anyone else, raising the energy in the studio.

└Oh! Our Jaguars’ future, Choi Woo-jin, is here!!!

└A true treasure. Woo-jin, let’s see you at the Korean Series stadium next year!

└But he hasn’t even joined the pros yet, but he doesn’t seem out of place even when sitting with professional players.

└He has nothing more to prove on the high school stage. Now he’s practically a professional player, so he should be at this level.

└His performance this year was no joke; I’m already looking forward to seeing how much he can show in the pros.

“I think there will be many Jaguars fans watching today’s broadcast. Please say a word about becoming a Jaguars player next year.”

“I’m really honored to be a player on such a great team. I will work hard so that the Jaguars can advance to the Korean Series and win the championship next year.”

The comment section was rising so fast that it was difficult to read the moment Choi Woo-jin bowed his head and greeted again.

└Welcome, Woo-jin. I hope you grow into the best pitcher in the Jaguars.

└He speaks so well. People with good character always have a basic advantage.

└Let’s get 10 wins next year and win the Rookie of the Year award!!

└10 wins and even a Korean Series starting pitcher.

“Now there isn’t much time left before the game starts. Let’s quickly hear which team you think will win today’s game. What do you think, Jun-ho?”

Na Jun-ho, upon receiving my question, carefully began to answer.

“Honestly, the Jaguars and the Buffaloes were so closely matched this season that you could say there was almost no difference in their game record. They barely managed to settle the standings in the last game of the season.”

“That’s right. It was really close until the end.”

I reacted more enthusiastically to ease Na Jun-ho’s tension.

“Both teams have solid power, so it’s hard to say that one side is definitely ahead. However, the Jaguars have been resting and adjusting their condition, while the Buffaloes have played 4 games in the playoffs, so I think the Jaguars might have a slight advantage in terms of physical strength.”

“In the current post-season system, it’s true that the first-place team has an advantage.”

I turned my head to Choi Jung-hwan and continued the conversation.

“Now we need to hear the pitcher’s perspective. What do you think, Jung-hwan?”

“Both teams were really scary opponents. Especially since our agency players in both teams are consistently good hitters and have the ability to hit home runs, it’s really nerve-wracking to face them in the 9th inning.”

“But if you had to pick a team that was more difficult to face?”

“Um……. If I had to pick one team, it would be the Buffaloes. They have a batting champion with good power as the 3rd batter, and right behind him is the home run king as the 4th batter. In a short-term game, the momentum can change drastically with one big hit, so that seems like it would be a very powerful weapon.”

“But Choi Jung-hwan didn’t have any blown saves against either team this season, right?”

“I think so.”

Choi Jung-hwan replied, showing a hint of embarrassment.

“Hey, what? Was that just bragging about yourself in the end?”

So Young-jun, who was listening, shook his head.

I naturally threw a question at So Young-jun and continued the conversation.

“What do you think, So Young-jun?”

Soon after, I listened to So Young-jun and Jang Su-young’s answers, and then finally looked at Choi Woo-jin.

“Then finally, Choi Woo-jin. Which team do you think will win?”

“For reference, Woo-jin was a Buffaloes fan until recently. He was also a big fan of Seok-hoon and Seong-joo.”

So Young-jun added a comment.

“The Jaguars, who you will be wearing the uniform for, or the Buffaloes, who you were a fan of in your childhood. It must be a really difficult decision?”

Choi Woo-jin answered my question without any hesitation.

“I’m definitely for the Jaguars. And I hope Seok-hoon and Seong-joo do well. Isn’t that the same for everyone?”

Then So Young-jun threw another question as if he had been waiting for it.

“What if the Jaguars are leading by one point in the 9th inning of Game 7, and you’re facing Seok-hoon and Seong-joo?”

“Uh…….”

Choi Woo-jin quickly racked his brain but couldn’t answer quickly.

In the end, I had no choice but to offer help that wasn’t really help.

“We’ll have to hear the answer to that question next time. There isn’t much time left before the game starts. First, let’s watch an advertisement and continue.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the screen changed to a short advertisement video.

Na Jun-ho, who was nervous about his first live broadcast, was able to relax and take a breather for a while.

Not long after, our broadcast resumed.

At the same time, the first game of the Korean Series was about to begin.

* * *

In the top of the 1st inning, the pitcher who took the mound was Michael Scott.

I raised my tone slightly and continued the conversation.

“It’s time to see the pitcher who showed the best performance this season. It’s Michael Scott. He had a whopping 20 wins this season, as well as a perfect game. He really had an amazing performance. How would you evaluate Michael Scott as a hitter?”

I turned my head to Na Jun-ho and asked.

“As a hitter, he’s a pitcher I really don’t want to face. And you can see it right away from his stats, but he’s much stronger this season than last year. The days Scott pitches are the days my batting average drops.”

“In what ways do you feel he’s stronger than last year?”

“The quality of his pitches and the refinement of his breaking balls have improved tremendously. And he seems to have adapted to the Korean league [KBO], and he seems much more relaxed in his game management. And since Kyo-jin has been working with him as a catcher, it has become more difficult to actively attempt to steal bases.”

“Oh, so you’re saying that Han Kyo-jin’s presence has also played an important role?”

“Of course.”

Na Jun-ho nodded vigorously and replied.

“We’ll have to watch and see if Scott and Han Kyo-jin’s teamwork can shine in today’s game as well.”

I turned my head to So Young-jun and continued speaking.

“And there’s a player you can’t leave out when talking about Scott. So Young-jun, your batting average against Scott was really good this season as well. What’s the real secret?”

“I told you last year. Just concentrate, time it right, and swing the bat.”

So Young-jun said, demonstrating a light swinging posture while sitting in his seat.

“That can’t be the only explanation.”

“Honestly, I don’t know exactly either.”

“That sounds like you have a secret?”

Not only me, but the other commentators were staring intently at him.

“Um……. When I face Scott, I feel like I can anticipate what he’s going to throw this time.”

“That’s a somewhat ambiguous answer.”

“I’m telling you, I really don’t know exactly either.”

So Young-jun raised both hands as if he was genuinely frustrated.

“Okay. I don’t think you’re lying, so I’ll drop it.”

I turned my head to the screen now.

Scott, who had already finished his practice pitches, was checking Han Kyo-jin’s signs.

“Now Scott’s preparation is over. The first game of the Korean Series is finally starting.”

“Hoo- I’m nervous.”

We weren’t even playing the game ourselves, but the tension was so palpable that the studio felt like a stadium.

And finally, Scott’s windup began.