Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 97

97. This Doesn’t Feel Right (4)

“Waaaaah!”

“Oooooh! For victory! Doubles, fighting!”

The stadium vibrated with the deafening roar of the crowd and the majestic team chant.

Even before the game officially began, the stadium’s energy was reaching fever pitch.

After completing his warm-up routine, Go Ji-hoon waited in the bullpen, anticipating the start of the game.

Thwack!

Just as when he pitched in the minor league games, he felt no pain as he threw each ball.

‘My condition is absolutely perfect today.’

It was one of those rare days where his pitches felt so effortless and precise that he was brimming with confidence with every throw.

It was a shame that his pitch count was being carefully monitored, as this was his comeback game after the injury.

He needed to pitch aggressively and efficiently to conserve his pitch count.

-Go Ji-hoon had the worst record since his debut in the recent game, with seven runs allowed in 0.2 innings. I thought it would take a long time to recover from the injury, but he’s back in less than two weeks. What kind of performance can he show in today’s game?

-He showed a really perfect performance in the last two appearances, although it was a minor league game. It’s the best situation for both the Doubles team and Go Ji-hoon himself. I think we can look forward to today’s game as well.

-Okay. Go Ji-hoon’s comeback match that many people have been waiting for will begin shortly!

When it was game time, Go Ji-hoon confidently strode toward the pitcher’s mound.

“Go Ji-hoon! Go Ji-hoon! Go Ji-hoon!”

The fans erupted in a warm, supportive cheer, welcoming Go Ji-hoon back from his injury.

“Play ball!”

The game was finally underway.

It was time to demonstrate that he was in the best condition of his career.

Go Ji-hoon exchanged signals with the catcher and then unleashed the ball with everything he had.

Thwack!

“Strike out!”

The umpire’s call boomed across the stadium.

The batter, who had briefly questioned the ball’s trajectory, argued that it was a ball, but the umpire firmly dismissed his appeal, reiterating that it was a strike.

That’s how impeccable his control was.

-Wow! He’s pitching aggressively right from the first batter.

-I can feel the power as if the ball is alive. Is he really a player who just came back from an injury?

The results were the same with the second and third batters he faced in the first inning.

Thwack!

“Strike out!”

Tap!

The next batter barely made contact, but the weak, mis-hit ball didn’t even leave the infield.

“Out!”

Go Ji-hoon finished the first inning with a flawless performance.

“Waaaaah- Go Ji-hoon! Go Ji-hoon!”

He returned to the dugout, basking in the cheers of the fans for the first time in what felt like forever.

After that, the opposing team’s batters were completely dominated by Go Ji-hoon.

Whoosh-

They could only swing their bats in vain at the breaking balls that danced and darted unpredictably.

Thwack!

They froze, helpless against the fastball that seemed to rise from the depths.

Above all, Go Ji-hoon’s greatest strength – his pinpoint control – was on full display.

Since he felt no pain in his waist or body, he was able to throw the ball exactly where he wanted, maintaining perfect balance.

-He hasn’t allowed a single hit or walk through the third inning. He’s literally pitching a perfect game.

-His pitch count is only 38. The manager said in a pre-game interview that he plans to have him throw about 5 innings or 80 pitches. Shouldn’t he be allowed to throw more at this pace?

Now, as he entered the fourth inning, the first batter stepped up to the plate once again.

It was time to gradually increase his use of breaking balls.

Thwack!

First, he threw two fastballs, hitting the corners of the strike zone to get ahead in the count.

Now it was time for the finishing pitch.

Even though the opponent was a left-handed batter, he planned to throw a slider [a type of breaking ball] that curved sharply toward the batter’s body, hoping to induce a swing and a miss.

It was a risky strategy that he wouldn’t even consider if he wasn’t in peak condition.

Go Ji-hoon adjusted his grip for a slider and threw the ball with all his might.

“Ah…….”

The moment the ball left his hand, he knew it was going to deviate from its intended path.

“Ugh!”

The ball struck the batter squarely on the thigh.

The batter couldn’t mask the pain on his face.

Go Ji-hoon immediately signaled his apology to the batter, who slowly made his way toward first base.

-A hit by pitch here.

-It’s not a perfect game anymore, but the no-hit, no-run is still going on.”

‘Was I being too reckless?’

He had allowed his first runner of the game.

It was just a runner due to a hit by pitch; he hadn’t given up an actual hit yet.

Go Ji-hoon refocused his concentration.

Soon after, the second batter approached the plate.

If he could induce a ground ball here, he could turn a double play.

Go Ji-hoon carefully exchanged signs with the catcher and delivered the ball, hoping the batter would swing.

The batter swung with all his might, just as he’d hoped.

However, he failed to make solid contact with the two-seam fastball [a type of fastball that has slight horizontal movement] that darted and weaved.

Tap!

The weakly hit ball bounced several times and trickled toward the shortstop.

The ball wasn’t hit with much force, presenting a potential double play opportunity.

The shortstop moved toward the ball and positioned his glove.

As soon as the ball settled into his glove, he glanced toward the second baseman.

“Gasp!”

In his haste, the ball popped out of his glove and rolled backward.

He frantically tried to recover the ball, but the runner from first, as well as the batter, were already nearing their respective bases.

The shortstop had no chance to make a throw and hung his head in dismay.

-Runner all safe! A fatal error here.

-The shortstop was too hasty. I think he was trying to rush the play because the runners were fast.

-With a hit by pitch followed by an error, Go Ji-hoon faces a crisis with runners on first and second base with no outs, without allowing a single hit.

-The Doubles are leading 3-0, but if they give up a run in this inning, the momentum of the game will inevitably shift.

The Doubles fans fell silent, stunned by the turn of events.

“It’s okay, be confident!”

Go Ji-hoon called out to the shortstop, whose shoulders were slumped as if carrying the weight of the world.

In this critical situation with runners on first and second and no outs, Go Ji-hoon continued to pitch.

This crisis had arisen from his own overconfidence.

If he had created the problem, he had to resolve it himself.

Thwack!

“Strike out!”

First, he struck out the batter with a fastball that painted the corner of the strike zone.

Tap!

The next batter hit a weak ground ball that resulted in a perfect double play executed by the infielders, including the shortstop.

Thanks to this, he managed to escape the bases-loaded, no-out jam without allowing a run.

Go Ji-hoon patted the shortstop on the shoulder as he returned to the dugout.

The power and precision of Go Ji-hoon’s pitches didn’t diminish in the subsequent innings.

Even as the 6th inning concluded, his pitch count remained below 80, so he took the mound for the 7th inning as well. He recorded the first two outs without any trouble.

Just as he was feeling confident about finishing the 7th inning himself,

Clang!

A poorly executed pitch resulted in a loud hit.

With his pitch limit looming, he finally surrendered a double.

At the same time, activity stirred in the Doubles dugout.

Go Ji-hoon knew his time on the mound was coming to an end.

-It would be better to replace him now. He’s nearing his pre-determined pitch count, and Go Ji-hoon seems to be tiring.

-This time, it’s not the pitching coach but the manager himself who’s going to the mound. It seems to be out of respect for the ace who has delivered such an outstanding performance.

-6.2 innings, no runs allowed. Go Ji-hoon is leaving the mound after pitching his longest outing of the season.

Go Ji-hoon tossed the ball to the first baseman and walked off the mound.

“Waaaaaaaaah-”

The spectators rose from their seats in unison, offering a standing ovation accompanied by thunderous cheers.

Go Ji-hoon bowed to the Doubles fans in front of the dugout.

“Go Ji-hoon! Go Ji-hoon! Go Ji-hoon!”

The fans responded with enthusiastic cheers.

The relief pitchers who followed pitched effectively, and the Doubles maintained their lead.

Thanks to his teammates’ strong performance through the 9th inning, Go Ji-hoon earned the win as the starting pitcher.

It was the perfect comeback game.

* * *

Today’s meeting atmosphere was as cheerful as ever.

This was understandable, as Go Ji-hoon had not only made his first-team comeback but had also performed even better than before.

“Did everyone watch Go Ji-hoon’s game?”

Im Ye-ji wore a bright smile.

“Of course, I watched it. It was truly amazing. If the last ball hadn’t been right down the middle, he could have finished the 7th inning. It’s such a shame.”

Kim Min-hwan couldn’t conceal his excitement.

“I’m glad it ended with such a positive outcome.”

Im Ye-ji replied with an even brighter smile.

“But CEO, how did you manage to get Ji-hoon back so quickly?”

At Kim Min-hwan’s question, Im Ye-ji paused momentarily before answering as if nothing were amiss.

“Professor Park Jung-joon provided a solution. If he continues to receive consistent treatment, he should be able to get through the season without any issues.”

“Professor Park sent us a written opinion stating that he should rest for three months, so why the sudden change?”

Kim Min-hwan voiced the question that was on my mind.

“Um……. Is that really so important? The fact that the situation has improved for us is what matters. There doesn’t seem to be a problem since the recovery period is shorter than initially anticipated.”

Something felt off. The Im Ye-ji I knew would have been trying to understand why she hadn’t been able to predict this from the start.

If she had felt that the medical staff’s skills were lacking, she would have suggested replacing them immediately.

“It’s good that he’s improved, but…….”

Kim Min-hwan trailed off, unable to articulate a suitable counterargument.

Now it was my turn to intervene.

“Shouldn’t we know how he got better?”

Im Ye-ji’s gaze shifted to me.

“We’re not medical experts. The medical field is beyond the understanding of non-experts, even with explanations. We need to delegate what we need to delegate.”

“I believe it’s also an agent’s responsibility to know exactly what kind of treatment the player is receiving, isn’t it?”

As Im Ye-ji considered my question, a brief silence filled the conference room.

“The agent’s job is to connect the player with the necessary resources and support. I don’t think we need to delve into those specific details, do we?”

“…….”

Something was definitely different from before.

I had a strong feeling that she was concealing something.

The meeting continued.

But I couldn’t focus on anything else.