Chapter 15
—
-Crash
“Are all the first-years here?”
“Yes, Coach! All the first-years are accounted for!”
As Coach Kim Tae-hwan entered, the lively atmosphere in the baseball club room immediately turned serious, thanks to Yang Eui-ji’s sudden outburst.
“Good to see you. Among you, there are those who passed the entrance test with pride… and others who lucked out by transferring in due to vacant spots.”
Coach Kim’s gaze started with me and then moved to another unfamiliar face next to me. Looking closely, it seemed like one of Kim Si-hoo’s lackeys.
‘So, they weren’t just a tag-along, huh? They actually played baseball.’
“I personally value structured baseball. These days, the so-called fighting spirit or responsibility of an ace is nothing more than a modern form of pitcher overuse. The story of a single pitcher burning their body to secure victory is something I personally find unacceptable.”
With those words, Coach Kim began filling out the board with the lineup.
“The Weekend League takes place twice every weekend. Each division has 20 teams that play a single-round league match. The four teams with the most wins advance to the national tournaments—the Blue Dragon Trophy and Phoenix Trophy. If you achieve high positions there, you’ll qualify for the President’s Cup. That is, the President’s Cup Golden Lion High School Tournament.”
On the board, it was written:
- 64th Round Exit: 20 points
- 32nd Round Exit: 25 points
- 16th Round Exit: 30 points
- 4th Place: 40 points
- Finalist Teams: Automatic entry into the President’s Cup.
‘So the finalist teams for the Blue Dragon Trophy and Phoenix Trophy automatically qualify for the President’s Cup, and the rest are filled based on points.’
It felt like a well-structured selection system.
‘Also, the President’s Cup being referred to as the Golden Lion Tournament is something new to me.’
The golden lion trophy displayed in the baseball club room wasn’t an additional tournament but the President’s Cup trophy itself.
Additionally, there was a golden plate with a phoenix engraved on it, presumably the Phoenix Trophy. The Blue Dragon Trophy must have been similar in style.
“Haneul High School holds the most championship titles for the Phoenix Trophy, President’s Cup, and Blue Dragon Trophy. Recently, we’ve been criticized for having an unstable bullpen…”
As he said this, Coach Kim looked at me and Kim Si-hoo.
“Well, you’ll soon realize that those days are over.”
With those words, Coach Kim started filling in the pitcher lineup, and I saw my name and Kim Si-hoo’s name appear under the pitchers’ section.
[Starters]
No. 11 Lee Seo-jun (SP, Right-handed three-quarter arm)
No. 1 Kim Si-hoo (SP, Left-handed sidearm)
“The right-handed starter will be Lee Seo-jun, and the left-handed starter will be Kim Si-hoo.”
‘Hmm… As long as the batter doesn’t let up, I thought starting would be tough… Wait, I’m a starter?’
Under Coach Kim, who saw the ace’s fighting spirit as a form of overuse, I assumed it would be impossible to throw a complete game shutout while also hitting home runs.
Maybe the perfect game I showed during the entrance test and my endurance during fungo drills earned me this role.
[Middle Relievers]
No. 21 Yoo Yong (RP, Right-handed overhand)
No. 66 Jung Woo-jin (RP, Right-handed sidearm)
No. 78 Cha Sung-bin (RP, Left-handed overhand)
No. 18 Lee Hyun-soo (RP, Right-handed overhand)
[Closers]
No. 41 Choi Yong (CP, Left-handed overhand)
No. 37 Shin Tae-ryong (CP, Right-handed underhand)
Afterward, the names of 2nd and 3rd-year seniors filled up the bullpen section.
“……”
Even though two first-years took the starter spots, the seniors didn’t seem too upset. It looked like last year’s bullpen had struggled, and with my and Kim Si-hoo’s fastball velocity exceeding high school standards, it was no surprise.
Besides, there weren’t many 3rd-years. Last year, the team had been mostly filled with 1st and 3rd-year players. With the 3rd-years graduating and some 1st-years promoted to 2nd-year status, it seemed like others left before we even enrolled.
‘Ah, Kim Si-hoo’s reputation from middle school probably scared off the older players.’
It was impressive how he managed to intimidate his older teammates to the point they left.
“I believe this pitching squad can be called the strongest in Seoul—no, in the entire country. It may even go down as the best pitching squad in Haneul High School’s history.”
‘…Wait a second.’
Something felt off. It sounded like he planned to use me exclusively as a pitcher—
“Coach…?”
“Oh, don’t worry, Lee Seo-jun. You’ll also be a hitter. Just monitor your condition and adjust your training. Epinel will be assigned to you full-time.”
‘Thank goodness. I thought he only planned to use me as a pitcher… Wait, who’s being assigned to me full-time?’
Just then, Epinel and the rest of the Haneul High School managers appeared. Unlike us, who only had class until the third period and finished early, the managers had a full day of seven classes. They must have come straight over without eating lunch.
“That’s how it is. Your pitching form doesn’t seem to have any problems so far, but I’ll let you know if I spot anything. Let’s work well together!”
“Sure, let’s do it.”
As Epinel confirmed her role as my partner, I felt a strange sense of pride. Maybe I was just happy that a team manager had been assigned solely to me.
‘Although it wasn’t only Epinel who made it possible.’
Haneul High School had four managers, including Epinel. They analyzed schedules, monitored opposing teams’ strengths, and passed their findings to the coaches. More importantly, they also organized practice matches, earning a round of applause from the first-year members.
‘The coaching staff must have it easy.’
Other than Coach Kim Tae-hwan, there was only one other coach.
It’s said he worked with Kim Tae-hwan back when they were in a professional team. With just one coach, they were covering batting, pitching, and fielding entirely, which made me think that Haneul High School couldn’t possibly be too poor to afford more coaches.
‘They just didn’t need them.’
The presence of those two was simply that impressive.
“Now, let’s set the batting lineup… First up, Heo Kang-min.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Second, Oh Ji-hoon.”
“Yes, sir!”
From the third batter onward, students’ names continued to be called.
[1st] no.18: Heo Kang-min (3B)
[2nd] no.10: Oh Ji-hoon (SS)
[3rd] no.25: Yang Eui-ji (C)
[4th] no.33: Lee Soo-rin (CF, DH)
[5th] no.2: Lee Yu-ta (2B)
[6th] no.11: Lee Seo-jun (DH, CF)
[7th] no.73: Jung Ji-man (LF)
[8th] no.36: Oh Han-il (1B)
[9th] no.7: Lee Hyun-bin (RF)
The batting roster was also set.
‘So as a freshman, I’m playing center field.’
Center field is a position where defensive skill and baserunning ability are critical.
It’s often considered the core of the outfield defense and plays an important role alongside shortstop and second baseman in the infield.
“When Lee Seo-jun pitches, he’ll swap positions with Lee Soo-rin. Any issues, Lee Soo-rin?”
“No, sir! I used to play center field during my freshman year anyway.”
‘So I’ll be the designated hitter while pitching, and center fielder when not.’
It seemed Coach Kim preferred to use me in the outfield rather than the infield. Well, it’s fine for me since it means more chances to play.
The rest of the players could be considered the second-string team.
“But don’t worry. Haneul High’s second-string team will also participate in practice matches against other schools. If the starters get injured, you’ll be immediately deployed, so train with the mindset that you could move up at any moment.”
“Yes, sir!!”
The voices of the second-string players echoed with vigor.
“Good. That’s all for today… Official training begins tomorrow, so you’re dismissed for now.”
As soon as Coach Kim finished speaking, players started heading either to the dorms or the baseball field to warm up.
“Hey, can you spare me a minute?”
I was about to join Yang Eui-ji to practice on the mound when Epinel grabbed my hand and asked if I had time.
I ended up following Epinel.
“Here, these are tickets to the NHK Heroes and Oceans opening match… Want to go together?”
She handed me the tickets.
‘………’
I thought Epinel was just naturally kind to everyone, but after seeing how she treated the other players today, I was sure that wasn’t the case.
I could tell instinctively. Epinel seemed to have feelings for me, and this was very likely a date.
‘I haven’t really gone anywhere with a girl before…’
In my past life—or whatever you’d call it—after giving up on becoming a player, I wandered aimlessly. Eventually, I went to college, made friends, and formed many connections.
Through that, I had female friends I could call close, but I had never been invited somewhere so proactively like this.
‘I guess I should go?’
Maybe it was because she’s part Russian. Combining the personalities of the other three managers wouldn’t make someone as captivating as Epinel. The white hair, which you rarely see in Korea, gave her a fantasy-like vibe.
“Sure, let’s go together.”
“Really?”
The moment I accepted her offer, she lit up with excitement and happily said, “See you after school!” before heading off to lunch with the other managers.
Watching her go, I felt a strange sense of learning more about Epinel, who in the original story was only described as Haneul High’s manager.
“Oh~ already got yourself a girlfriend?”
“What do you want now?”
“What? You won’t even call me by name? We’re supposed to be the starting brothers from rival schools…”
“Ugh, shut up, Ji-hoon.”
Honestly, I wanted to go home then and there, but… oh well.
After briefly joining the training session, I met Epinel again after the seventh period to share some simple feedback before finally heading home.
And then…
“Our first practice match opponent has been decided.”
Just three days since joining as Haneul High’s starting player.
The first practice match was already set.
—
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