Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 65

Can We Become Friends? (1)

Today was a rest day without a game, but our indoor practice field was hosting training that felt just like a real match.

Starting with light stretching to loosen up,

Tang. Tang. Tang.

“Oh, good. Nice.”

From batting practice against the pitching machine,

“Uwaaaagh!”

To weight training that constantly pushed the limits of our muscles,

“Huff. Huff. Huff.”

To stamina exercises that continued even when we felt like we were about to pass out.

We started the day with about two hours of morning training.

It was conducted with a program meticulously created by the agency’s training department, considering the players’ conditions.

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo were both serious during training, without a hint of a smile.

Except for the cheering song we heard at the stadium occasionally echoing during training.

“Morning training is over!”

“Uwaaaah. Aigo [Korean exclamation of exhaustion or frustration].”

As soon as I finished speaking, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo collapsed into their seats as if they were falling.

“Wow… who made this program? Are they really a devil?”

Park Seong-joo, slumped down, breathed heavily.

Oh Seok-hoon was also catching his breath beside him, looking exhausted.

Strictly speaking, I guess I should be considered that devil?

I didn’t create the program directly, but the direction was entirely my idea.

I asked for a program focused on intense physical training to complete the season without any problems.

It was pitiful to see them so exhausted that they couldn’t even get up.

Still, they need to have enough physical training to withstand the hot summer without their condition collapsing.

“But the afternoon program will be a little easier.”

“Yes…”

They didn’t seem to have the strength to answer.

Weeing-

I turned my head at the sudden vibration and saw that I was getting a call.

It was Kim Min-hwan.

“Yes, Team Leader.”

-Is the kids’ training going well?

“Of course. Everyone is working hard.”

-Good. But I thought I should tell you something in advance… Go Ji-hoon said he wants to come in there.”

“Senior Go Ji-hoon is coming?”

-Yeah. He must have requested it directly from the CEO.

“He needs a training facility, right?”

-Not only training, but he also wants to stay there.

“Ah… really?”

-I think he’s planning to come in today.

“Today?”

-He must want to prepare quickly. You know he’s a bit sensitive, right? He’s probably even worse these days. Ji-hoon is Hyun-woo’s senior, so it might be uncomfortable in many ways, but please take good care of him.

“Yes… I will. Yes.”

It was a space for agency players, so I expected the family to grow.

But to have to face such a difficult opponent right away.

As soon as I ended the call, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo approached.

“What is Senior Go Ji-hoon going to do?”

I could feel anxiety in Oh Seok-hoon’s expression.

“Oh, well… Senior Go Ji-hoon is planning to come here.”

“Yes? Are you saying we’re living together here?”

“I think we need to prepare a little.”

At my words, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo froze for a moment.

“I heard that senior is a bit picky.”

Oh Seok-hoon sighed deeply, looking worried.

“I should ask the Doubles kids.”

“Then should we live quietly from now on?”

It was like a bolt from the blue for Park Seong-joo, who turns into a singer every time he showers.

“Pitchers tend to be sensitive anyway.”

My ominous premonitions have never been wrong.

I wonder what it will be like this time.

* * *

Ding-dong.

It didn’t take long to meet him.

I went out to the gate with Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo to greet Go Ji-hoon.

“Senior, welcome.”

I opened the door and went out, raising the corners of my mouth and greeting him brightly.

Surely there wouldn’t be anyone who would spit on a smiling face.

“It’s been a while, nice to see you.”

Go Ji-hoon tried to raise the corners of his mouth towards me.

-I want to focus on training quietly.

-There is too little rest time compared to the amount of training.

The conclusion of the information window I saw from him meant that he was overtraining these days.

I had heard a lot of rumors that he was a training addict.

Moreover, a player with a family even wanted to stay here and train during the season, so this alone explained everything in the information window.

“Can I speak comfortably to those two over there?”

Go Ji-hoon said, looking at Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo.

“Of course. Please do.”

Oh Seok-hoon answered, forcing a smile.

“Can you help me a little? I have a lot of luggage.”

“Yes.”

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo, who had been stiff next to me, went to Go Ji-hoon’s car and carried the luggage one by one.

Go Ji-hoon, who came into the house, turned his head and looked around, then met my eyes.

“Then which room should I use?”

“You can choose whichever room you’re comfortable with, Senior. The three of us are still using it. There are many empty rooms on the first and second floors.”

Tension swirled between me, Oh Seok-hoon, and Park Seong-joo ahead of Go Ji-hoon’s room selection.

Whose room will he use next to?

There are already two people on the first floor, so isn’t the probability low?

“The second floor will be quieter than the first floor, right?”

At Go Ji-hoon’s words, Park Seong-joo’s face, who was the only one using the second floor, turned pale.

“Probably… it will be.”

“Then I think it would be better for me to use the second floor? I’m a bit sensitive to noise.”

“Then, let’s do that. Shall we move the luggage right away then?”

Go Ji-hoon nodded, looking at me instead of answering.

We started carrying the luggage to the second floor again.

There were several rooms on the second floor as well,

Unfortunately, he chose the room right next to the one Park Seong-joo was using among the many rooms.

“Ah… what is it.”

“It’ll be okay. What could happen?”

Park Seong-joo looked like he was about to shed tears.

With four healthy athletes moving together, we were able to move a lot of luggage quickly.

Not long after putting down the luggage, Go Ji-hoon changed into his workout clothes and came down.

“Is the training room in the basement?”

“Yes. There’s a basement, and equipment is prepared outdoors as well.”

Go Ji-hoon, who looked at the basement and the outdoors alternately, hesitated for a moment and went down to the basement.

Only after Go Ji-hoon went down to the basement were we able to talk comfortably.

“Wow. He’s starting with training as soon as he arrives.”

Park Seong-joo shook his head.

“That’s how he got picked for the national team.”

Oh Seok-hoon looked at his disappearing back with respectful eyes.

“But why does he get injured so often while training so hard?”

“Hey, speak quietly. He’ll hear you.”

I poked Park Seong-joo and put my finger to my lips.

“It’s not wrong, is it?”

Park Seong-joo pouted and raised his arms, as if he was displeased with Go Ji-hoon.

Suddenly, I checked the time.

“But what time is it now? It’s already this late. We have to go into afternoon training now.”

“Is it already time to train?”

At my words, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo’s shoulders drooped at the same time.

“Did you digest everything? Let’s finish quickly and rest. After dinner, we have to analyze the opposing team for tomorrow.”

“Haa… a rest day is not a rest day.”

“The vacation is always harder than the semester. But the afternoon training is shorter than the morning.”

“Should I think of it as fortunate?”

“Of course. How fun, you’ll be cheered by the fans again from tomorrow.”

I stood between Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo, put my arms around their shoulders, and headed to the training ground.

* * *

It was just one more person, but the atmosphere of the training ground was completely different from the morning.

Go Ji-hoon was just silently training according to his routine without saying a word.

Since it was after his starting appearance, he finished his weight training simply and was running.

It was hard to exchange jokes in between.

-I want to focus on training quietly.

It was even more so after seeing this content from Go Ji-hoon.

That’s why he went up to the second floor for a quiet place.

I became more careful because he seemed sensitive to noise.

I couldn’t ignore the sense of intimidation that a 6-year senior gave me.

It was even more burdensome because I had never lived with him on the same team.

Go Ji-hoon, who finished running, wiped his sweat and approached me.

“I need to play catch, so could you help me a little?”

“Ah… catch?”

It’s still not easy to catch a ball flying quickly…

“You don’t have to push yourself. I’ll just try it alone today.”

“No. I can do light catch.”

What confidence was that?

It’s going to be different from when I played catch with Jung In-gyu a while ago.

Maybe I can catch the ball well because he’s a player with good ball movement.

“Hyung [Korean term for older brother or male friend], are you okay with playing catch?”

I nodded to Oh Seok-hoon, who was looking at me with a worried expression, signaling that I was okay.

I picked up a glove and moved to the side.

Go Ji-hoon, who picked up a ball, signaled that he would throw it to me.

And he bent down and threw the ball lightly from below.

Poong.

‘Wow. This is no joke?’

It was the first time I had received a ball from an underhand pitcher.

Even though it was flying like a fastball, it was shaking back and forth.

Even though it was a lightly thrown ball, there was a lot of movement while it was flying.

Poong.

Poong.

‘This is the most hardcore catch ever.’

We exchanged about 20 fastballs without any changeups.

I was able to adapt a little by the time I finished playing catch.

We finished training and had dinner together.

It was the first time the four of us had a meal together.

Go Ji-hoon didn’t seem to have any special thoughts about talking while eating.

Is he shy?

I don’t know his personality yet.

“Oh, what is it?”

Go Ji-hoon was surprised, and all of our eyes turned to where he was looking.

Luffy, who had approached, was putting his front paws on Go Ji-hoon’s leg.

“Does the dog live indoors?”

“Yes, but… are you uncomfortable?”

“Doesn’t it bark a lot?”

He was definitely sensitive to noise.

“It doesn’t bark much.”

“Then it’s okay. But don’t let it come up to the second floor.”

“Yes…”

Oh Seok-hoon became sullen.

Go Ji-hoon finished eating and got up from his seat first.

“Can I wash this and leave it?”

“Just rinse it with water and put it in the dishwasher.”

Go Ji-hoon nodded, put the rinsed tray in the dishwasher, and quietly went up to the second floor.

I quietly waited for him to go up.

The moment I was about to open my mouth,

“Senior. I think I’m going to get indigestion.”

Before Park Seong-joo could finish speaking, Oh Seok-hoon continued.

“Me too. I don’t even know if I’m eating rice with my mouth or my nose.”

“It’s probably because it’s the first time. It’ll be okay once you get close.”

Even after hearing my words, the two tilted their heads.

My gaze was towards the second floor.

…Will it really be okay?

I wanted to believe that it was just like this because it was the first time.