Chapter 97

"Hello, it's me -4-

#

“About the international tournament. How should I put it, there’s a certain atmosphere, you know? Yeah, that’s right. You’re a fucking major leaguer, right? So what?”

“Didn’t you get three consecutive strikeouts from a Dominican pitcher when you played in the Premier 12, Universe?”

“Ah, you little brat. You’re breaking the mood again.”

“I thought you forgot.”

The atmosphere in the national team is quite different from the regular league, where we usually face each other as opponents.

Well, the atmosphere in this team is particularly good. I wasn’t selected for the Olympic team before the regression, so I don’t know if it was like this back then.

“It’s not helping, it’s not. Hey. Anyway. Especially Japan, right? Honestly, they play baseball really well.”

“I admit they play really well. But even if we finish last, we have to beat Japan.”

“Right. That’s right.”

“If we lose to Japan, we’ll have to ride a rubber boat home.”

“It would be a relief if they gave us a rubber boat. Hey. We might have to fit 24 people in a six-person rubber boat.”

“What about the manager and coaches?”

“They’ll have to apply for refugee status in the U.S. ...”

Everyone burst into laughter at Song Byung-jae’s words.

We are in the same group as Japan and will play at least one game against them.

Everyone seems to be half worried and half hopeful.

We’ve never lost to Japan. But that’s when I was there. When I was injured and couldn’t play for the national team, we did lose.

Well, it was almost like a traitor’s atmosphere.

“Last time in the Premier 12, the Japan game was really funny. Do you remember how embarrassed Jo Jun was when he called the Japanese catcher a ‘geochital’?”

“Why are you bringing that up again?”

“You should say ‘ai emu gakushitaru’ instead of ‘geochital’. Do they even understand what you mean?”

That guy is definitely a weirdo.

“Is that all Jo Jun did? He also pretended to be Japanese after getting a strikeout in the U.S. game.”

“Yeah, what did he say?”

“Makudonarudo to dokodesuka?”

“Wow, every time I think about it, that guy is really crazy.”

“Why are you bringing up old stories? What will the youngest think when he hears this?”

“He’ll probably think the guy is crazy.”

“Hey. Kang Geon-woo.”

Jo Jun, who was being targeted, stood me up.

“Let’s go play catch.”

“Look at that guy. He’s afraid you’ll say something bad about him when he’s not around, so he’s dragging you away.”

“Jo Jun. Kang Geon-woo doesn’t know Spanish. Learn it and use it in the Mexico game.”

#

“Hey. You’re going to the major leagues, right?”

The question came with the ball. Well?

“I don’t know.”

I caught the ball with my left-handed glove and answered.

It’s not about specifically training my left arm; I used my right arm in the friendly game to prevent injury.

It’s a bit of a fuss, but it’s better to be careful.

“Why!”

I don’t know why he’s getting angry, but I just answered honestly.

“Because of Yul.”

“Why!”

“What’s wrong?”

He used to scold me for speaking informally, but now he seems to have given up.

“Why don’t you just go to the U.S. and live together?”

“Well.”

“Do you have no ambition?”

Yul was successful in the U.S., but if I asked if she was happy then, it would be hard to give a positive answer.

I think Yul wasn’t happy in the U.S. because of me.

There could be a bigger personal success, but living in the U.S. is different.

Which would be a better choice for Yul?

Even in Korea, half the season is spent in different regions due to away games, but it’s a different level compared to the U.S.

I don’t think this is something I should decide.

And ambition.

I’ve already done everything and achieved everything.

World Series championship, Major League MVP, Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, Hank Aaron Award.

I’ve had a career with no regrets, and I have a happiness in my hands that can’t be compared to trophies and rings.

“It’s not really useful.”

I said it like a wise man who has seen through everything, but in fact, I’m just a kid in everything except baseball.

Jo Jun nagged at me, and after a few exchanges, I stopped when it was my turn to throw.

“Hey, I’m going to the major leagues, and I think you, who are just below me, can make it too, so try harder... Where are you?”

“I have to video call Yul.”

“Hey! I’m just loosening up, what’s wrong?”

“Stack ten balls and throw them alone.”

I could hear both real and fake frustration, but there was nothing I could do.

Maybe it’s because I’m in the U.S., but lately I feel like my emotions are getting out of control.

Anyway, I want to see Yul right now. Is it morning in Korea?

#

-What? It’s Geon-woo?

“Yeah. It’s Geon-woo.”

-How did you know I was awake?

“I woke Hyun-su and asked him. But why can’t I see your face?”

-I just woke up, and my face is a mess.

“Where is your face a mess?”

-It doesn’t matter what I say.

“Then when can I see your face?”

-Oh, our Geon-woo, do you miss me that much?

“Yeah.”

-...Ha. Kang Geon-woo... Wait for 1 hour and 30 minutes...

“Got it. I’ll wait.”

-Why don’t we just talk on the phone?

“If I can’t see your face, I’ll ground into a double play in the Japan game.”

-Wow, Kang Geon-woo.

“Yeah.”

-Ha...

“I can wait for 1 hour and 30 minutes.”

-Just wait... Just a moment... Okay...

#

The Korean Olympic baseball team had one more practice game against Canada to wrap up their preparation.

In a 40-man roster, the Canadian team, which included several minor league prospects outside the 25-man roster, ended in a 5-5 tie.

The tiebreaker was skipped by mutual agreement of both team managers, and the Olympic schedule officially began.

Some events had already started.

The opening baseball game was scheduled to take place a week after the opening ceremony, and Coach Choo Sung-tae gave the players a short break. The condition was to return by evening.

“If you cause trouble, you’re out. Really behave. If you cause problems, I’ll book you a ticket to North Korea, not South Korea. I’m not joking.”

Kang Geon-woo’s parents and Jung Yul’s family were already there watching the Olympic games. After losing badly to Brazil in the Olympic soccer match, the family’s interest had shifted from soccer to other things.

Of course, once baseball starts, they will focus on it.

“Father, Mother.”

“Hey. Our son.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

A day off.

It might be right to spend time with his parents, but Kang Geon-woo said with a desperate look.

“I want to go on a date with Yul.”

Kang Jae and Im Rae readily agreed. Of course, after Kang Geon-woo excitedly ran off, they said, “Raising a son is useless.”

Jung Yul was surprised when Kang Geon-woo took her to the airport.

“Hey. You said you want to go on a date, where are we going?”

“There’s a restaurant Yul will really like.”

It’s about a 1 hour and 15-minute flight from LA to Phoenix. By car, it takes about 5 hours, so Kang Geon-woo planned to have lunch and return immediately.

He’s a boyfriend who sometimes does crazy things, but since he looked it up and thought she would like it, she wasn’t unhappy.

“Is it that good to fly for?”

“It might be the best place you’ve ever been to.”

“Okay. I’m looking forward to it.”

Kang Geon-woo found the restaurant with a rather excited heart.

Beny’s BBQ.

The exterior was a bit shabby, but the interior had a unique retro atmosphere.

Kang Geon-woo confidently placed the order.

“When did you learn English?”

Surprised, Yul asked, and Kang Geon-woo just smiled faintly in response.

What could he say? Thinking about when he learned English, he felt both grateful and guilty.

The food came out. Kang Geon-woo, facing the strongly scented barbecue, said as if he was predicting a home run.

“It’s definitely going to be delicious.”

Jung Yul, hesitating at the unfamiliar smell, took a bite, believing Kang Geon-woo’s confident words.

“...”

“How is it? Is it delicious?”

Mixed feelings.

It was a place she really wanted to visit again.

In her previous life, she couldn’t give him that, but this time, she would.

In this life, if Yul wanted something, he would do it.

But Jung Yul’s lips drooped, and she made a strange sound, “Uhhhh.”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“This...”

“Yeah. Is it bad? Why? Is it not delicious?”

“The meat smells like Dad...”

Before Kang Geon-woo’s regression, Jung Yul also didn’t like the food at this restaurant.

She was just happy to have a meal with her struggling boyfriend in a distant country, and she couldn’t say it was bad in front of Kang Geon-woo, who couldn’t taste anything these days.

Kang Geon-woo then is different from now. Back then, Yul saw Kang Geon-woo as a lost, motherless kitten, but now he is the best star of the Korean national baseball team.

“No way...”

Kang Geon-woo, surprised, put the food in his mouth.

And he realized the truth.

What Yul liked wasn’t the barbecue, but the fact that they were having a meal together after a long time.

“No, no. It’s definitely delicious. You’re just surprised by the new taste.”

Seeing Yul trying to hold back her disappointment, Kang Geon-woo said,

“Yul.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s take it to go for Hyun-su and eat something else.”

#

July 27, 2028.

The Olympic baseball games began.

Attention was focused on the opening match between the U.S. and Canada, while Korea started their first game against the Netherlands.

In the starting lineup, five of the ten positions were filled by players from the 40-man major league roster, and two players from the Japanese NPB league.

The Netherlands, who had performed impressively in recent international tournaments, sent out Jan Spool, a Curacao-born minor leaguer, as their starting pitcher.

A 28-year-old starting pitcher with a major league record of 41 games, 7 wins, 16 losses, and a 6.63 ERA.

Jan Spool, rather than pursuing a full-time major league career, prepared to show his best in this tournament to knock on the doors of the Korean or Japanese leagues.

The Korean team’s starting pitcher was Min Seung-gi.

Coach Choo Sung-tae also considered a flexible rotation, but he planned to use Min Seung