The Pitcher Just Hits Home Runs Well [EN]: Chapter 333

333. All-Star Break (6)

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I said, let’s date. Why, you don’t want to?”

“No, I do!! Of course, I do!! But…”

“But what?”

“No, it’s just… how should I put it? It feels a bit too sudden? No, but it’s not that I don’t like it at all. I mean, what I’m trying to say is… well… You rejected me once before. And nothing special has happened since then. So, it’s not that I don’t want to date you. I’m just, just curious.”

It was hard to grasp the context just by listening, as the words were all over the place, but the meaning was clear. She was asking why my feelings had changed.

Well… honestly, I don’t know either.

People’s feelings aren’t like mathematical formulas that fit perfectly…
Is it just because Park Eun-jin was a minor back then and is an adult now? You might say, what does it matter since I’m the same age? But feelings don’t work that way. Or maybe I’ve just adapted to living like this for the past four years. But all these circumstances were things I couldn’t tell Park Eun-jin right away.

“It’s just… I’m usually a bit slow. And Park Eun-jin, logically, do you think a guy would invite a girl all the way to America without any feelings? And is it possible for you to come all the way to America without any feelings either?”

Ohtani’s words were somewhat true.

The year I recorded the worst stats of my career was when I was dealing with the complicated divorce from my wife. Relationships are that difficult. But at the same time, when I advanced to the major league and was deemed unfit as a first baseman and switched to designated hitter, I wouldn’t have been able to get back on my feet so easily if my wife hadn’t been by my side.

The future is uncertain, and in the end, it’s right to move according to how you feel now. And right now, I really didn’t like the thought of Park Eun-jin flirting with other guys.

“So, does that mean we’re officially dating from today?”

“I guess so?”

“We should probably keep our relationship a secret for the time being, right?”

“Well, I don’t mind, but shouldn’t you? Idols make a living off their image, after all.”

“That’s true, but… since it’s you, Suwon… I think I should tell my agency first. And you should also talk to your agency, just in case. News about me dating you might not be good for you either.”

“Me? There’s nothing bad for me. Rather, our industry welcomes early marriages. That’s why it’s quite common for people to marry their high school classmates early. I guess having a family early is a bit more stable.”

“Marr… marriage?”

“Ah, that was too soon. Anyway, it doesn’t matter if it gets out to the media on my end, so don’t worry about it.”

Park Eun-jin’s expression became a bit strange.

Well, she’s only twenty, so marriage is a bit of a burden. Anyway, fortunately, that strange expression didn’t last long. We exchanged useless but enjoyable stories for a very long time. Just like any other couple.

***

“Oh? Isn’t that Angie?”

“Angie? Who’s that?”

“You know, that girl group that debuted last year. Meta Myeong.”

“Meta Myeong? What kind of name is that? Besides, I’ve never heard of them.”

“Well, you haven’t known any girl groups since Twice when you were in the military. They’re quite hot. Their latest song is pretty good. And recently, one of the members had a school bullying scandal, so their recognition has gone up quite a bit.”

“Really? But doesn’t it take a long time for idols to get paid? That seat must be really expensive?”

“Maybe she’s from a wealthy family? Maybe she came with her dad or someone.”

“Hey, wait a minute. Isn’t that Choi Suwon’s father next to her?”

“Huh? Choi Suwon’s father?”

“Hey, you’re supposed to be a sports baseball reporter, how can you recognize idols like a ghost but not recognize Choi Suwon’s father?”

“But don’t they look a bit too close? Could it be an affair?”

-Thwack!!!

“Ah, senior. I’m just kidding. Just kidding.”

“You little… You have to make jokes that are actually funny. Don’t ever say that kind of thing anywhere. But they do look pretty close. Choi Suwon’s father must have been invited by Choi Suwon, of course. Could it be that this idol was also invited by Choi Suwon?”

“Should we find out?”

“Do you have a way to find out?”

“Since it’s an invitation ticket, it must have gone through the team. If we dig into the Yankees, we might find out.”

“Do you know anyone?”

“Well, if you give me enough time and money…”

“If I had enough time and money, I could even reveal the existence of UFOs.”

“Then I’ll just put out a short article for now.”

[Hidden Baseball Fan in the Entertainment Industry? Angie’s Dazzling Beauty Watching the Major League All-Star Game Live.]

─What? Did she just shove her butt in because she’s a celebrity?

─Right? Isn’t that our gallery owner’s father next to her?

─Yeah, it’s our gallery owner’s father. But she hasn’t debuted long, where did she get the money to get a prime seat at the All-Star Game?

─Angie is Choi Suwon’s friend.

─Huh? What are you talking about? Is the gallery owner dating?

─Ah, is the gallery owner dating an idol? I wish he wouldn’t get involved with celebrities and just marry a classmate like other big league stars and have about 14 kids to serve the country?

─No, she’s the gallery owner’s high school classmate. I know that when the gallery owner was in high school, he played sports and she was an aspiring celebrity, so they became friends because they both failed and had to retake the exam [referring to the Korean college entrance exam].

─The gallery owner failed when he was in school?

─Yeah, he’s really bad at math.

─How could he have time to study math when he’s so good at baseball? But how do you know so much about that?

─I’m also a classmate. I failed too.

─Ah…

─ㅋㅋㅋ That’s a huge lie. I know the gallery owner a bit from when he was in school, and he was really good at studying. Don’t you know that he speaks English and Spanish almost at a native level now? His brain is a different species.

─What lie? He was good at English but really bad at math, I’m telling you?

Choi Suwon was the hottest topic in Korea right now, no matter what anyone said.

Even just going to watch his game was enough to get an article, but a photo of a female idol watching the All-Star Game with Choi Suwon’s family in the best seats was naturally a hot topic.

Just three hours after the All-Star Game ended.

It was 11 PM local time in LA, or 3 PM Korean time.

***

Eun-jin’s return home was much faster than planned.

No, it’s because she was caught on camera for a moment during the game. Stories about Eun-jin’s school days came out one after another, and facts and false information were mixed subtly, causing the media to explode.

Well, it’s not like there’s a photo of us alone, but seeing articles saying that we’re a couple recognized by our parents just because she’s watching the game with my father, I can definitely feel that my popularity is at an unbelievable level these days.

“Oh, did you get home okay?”

“Don’t even mention it. The airport was swarming with reporters. It was like a top star was returning home…”

“What did your agency say?”

“They just asked if I could keep going without denying the scandal.”

“They want to go public with our relationship?”

“No, I haven’t told my boss that we’ve decided to date yet.”

“But they said not to deny it?”

“Yeah, I think they assumed that we’re not dating. They think that if we just stay silent, our recognition will keep going up.”

“Ah…”

Eun-jin hesitated for a moment on the smartphone screen and then opened her mouth.

“If you feel bad that I’m using you, I’ll just tell them to deny it. I think the fact that the boss asked if I could do that means that he wants to get permission from you, Suwon.”

“No, I said it’s okay to announce that we’re dating, right?”

“Really?”

“Well, do whatever is comfortable for you, Eun-jin. Just tell your agency boss honestly.”

“Okay, I will.”

My plan to spend some sweet time during the remaining All-Star break after confessing was completely ruined. Well, thanks to that, I was able to do a great job of filial piety [showing respect and care for one’s parents]. My father said, ‘Why do you have to go this far?’ but Uncle Kang-doo, who was with him, translated, ‘This is the highest level of exclamation your father can make.’

“Are you already going back?”

“I know, right? I told him to take a tour while he’s here and watch your games, Suwon, but he’s just being stubborn. So stubborn.”

Uncle Kang-doo shook his head.

“I can’t just leave company matters hanging forever.”

“No, your company runs fine even if you’re gone for a few days, right? It might even run better.”

“Is our company the same as yours? And Kang-doo, you didn’t do much work anyway. Your wife did it all.”

My father shook his head with a firm expression.

“Anyway, Suwon, your season is starting again, so just focus on the games. I’ll come visit again when I have time.”

“Okay. If you have time, please let me know in advance. I’ll send you the tickets and everything.”

“Suwon. Are you going to take care of this uncle’s share again?”

“Oh, just say the word. It’s all in the contract with the team anyway. Bring my aunt next time too.”

“Okay!!”

While my father was away for a moment to pack his luggage.

Uncle Kang-doo quietly approached me.

“Suwon. I’m only saying this in case your father doesn’t watch your games properly and you’re disappointed.”

“I know.”

“Huh?”

“You’re doing this because you’re worried that I won’t be able to concentrate on the game and my routine will be broken if I’m worried about my father, right?”

Even before my regression, I had never had a child.

So, I still don’t know what a father’s heart is. But still, I’ve spent time with my father. I know that my father is not good at expressing himself. But I already know that he really loves me.

“You rascal. As they say, a man has to suffer a little in a foreign country. Our Suwon has grown up so much. He’s all grown up.”

“Please come with my father next time too. And definitely bring my aunt too. Well, if there’s a nice lady nearby, you can introduce her to my dad too.”

“Oh my, our Suwon. Now that he’s dating, he’s even worried about his father’s dating life?”

“My father can’t just live alone like that forever.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Well, if you say so, this uncle will try again. I don’t know if a woman who likes that grumpy, stubborn guy will come out.”

The short but intense All-Star break ended with the return of my father and Uncle Kang-doo.

Mid-July.

The second half of the season, when the scorching heat and the trade deadline come together.

The first opponent is the New York Mets.

The second Subway Series of the season.