READ NOVEL FREE Chapter 21
The owner of the Daejeon Volcanoes was sitting in his office, reading the newspaper.
[Cha Taehyun Bombards the Golden Lion Tournament! A Record-Breaking .800 Batting Average Leads Hyuksan High to Victory…]
[Hits Well, Catches Well, Pitches Well! A Monster Rookie Appears…]
[A Sudden Appearance of a Second-Year High School Baseball Star: Professional Teams Already Showing Interest?]
[Cha Taehyun… Also Catches the Eye of Major League Scouts… If He Chooses the KBO, Which Team Will He Join?]
The owner, unable to take his eyes off the photo of Cha Taehyun, finally spoke.
“You know, it’s been a really long time since I watched high school baseball. It was a TV broadcast, but still…”
“Are you talking about the Golden Lion Tournament?”
Nodding calmly, the owner continued.
“It was really a game that made my heart race. You don’t see many games like that in the pro leagues these days. Especially… that Cha Taehyun kid, he’s something else.”“Hmm…”
After stroking his chin for a moment, the owner asked the head of the strategy team.
“We can’t pick up this Cha Taehyun kid, can we?”
“Haha… No, it’s almost certain that the Phoenixes will finish in last place this year, so…”
“Huh… Do they come in last every year?”
‘Our team is always just above them…’
Swallowing the words that came up to his throat, the head of the strategy team handed the owner a stack of documents.
“This is a summary of this year’s and next year’s draft candidates.”
“I see.”
As he skimmed through the documents, the owner stared intently at the strategy team head.
“Is there a problem…?”
“What about Jin Taehyun?”
“Pardon? Are you talking about Jin Taehyun? Well, his performance in the Golden Lion Tournament was impressive, but he hasn’t stood out much until now. Wouldn’t it be safer to pick Joo Jitae, as we originally planned?” 𝙍ÀŊȮ₿Êŝ
The owner let out a thoughtful “Hmm…” as the team leader forced a bitter smile.
“Joo Jitae is great… A left-handed fireballer. But, you know, I watched that broadcast. Jin Taehyun also caught my attention. And in my opinion, he’s not just a fluke. He had a fierce determination in him.”
‘Well… It seems he’s already set on Jin Taehyun… I should probably adjust our strategy toward him.’
“Yes, I’ll take it into consideration.”
As the strategy team leader bowed and was about to leave, the owner spoke again.
“Sigh… But are we really unable to get Cha Taehyun? He’s definitely going to be a huge success… Is there any way we can meet him in advance and sign a contract? Maybe if we pay him generously and have him claim he’s going to the majors…”
“Uh… Sir, that’s a bit…”
“I’m just kidding, of course… I’m just saying that’s how much I want him. Sigh… I really just want to meet him at least once. Is there a problem with that?”
“Sorry?”
“No, I mean… I just want to treat him to a meal. I saw his interview, and… he seemed to have had it rough.”
“Considering your position, sir, it might stir up some controversy.”
“Hmm… Then what if I make an excuse by setting him up with my daughter? You know, like a matchmaking meeting.”
“…In that case, it should be fine.”
With a hum, the owner picked up his phone, seemingly lost in serious thought.
‘Wait… He wasn’t joking?’
—
On a peaceful weekend morning, I was lying on my bed, fiddling with my phone.
“Ah, Novelpia’s down again.”
I was planning to take a rare break and spend the whole day reading web novels, but the site was down once more.
What kind of text site crashes this often…
I was thinking of taking a nap when a message suddenly came in from Jin Myunghwan.
[Jin Myunghwan: Did you check the national team selection list?]
Ah, is it that time already?
The U-18 youth baseball national team selection.
This is a unique setting found only in StrikeHeart.
Normally, the national youth baseball team is selected by the association, but in StrikeHeart, they form the team through a selection process instead.
If I remember correctly, they chose this method to assemble a team that could achieve the best possible performance by judging solely on skill.
In short, they gather the best high school players from all over the country and pick only those who survive.
[Why aren’t you responding? Ignoring me?]
I was lost in thought for a moment, but Jin Myunghwan began whining.
Such impatience.
[Yeah.]
[Wow, your messages are so annoying.]
[Yeah.]
[Anyway… Coach picked three of us: you, Senior Changhyun, and Lee Jiho. No additional recruits.]
I expected Lee Jiho and me, but Senior Changhyun is a surprise. I thought Lee Seungtae would go for sure.
[Oh, Coach said he’s not sending Senior Seungtae because he got a sprain.]
That makes sense. With the draft coming up, it’s best to take care of him.
[What are you doing?]
[Are you training even now?]
[Seriously, I could have made the national team too. Right?]
[Come on, respond.]
“He’s so chatty, even in messages.”
[I was going to read web novels, but the site’s down, so I’m thinking of sleeping.]
[Web novels? What are those? Are they fun?]
[Figure it out yourself. I’m going to sleep.]
I was about to close the message app and turn off my phone when another message arrived.
[Hey.]
“What now?”
It was an unknown number. I was going to dismiss it as spam, but just in case, I replied.
It might be someone who knows me, even if I don’t know them.
[Who is this?]
[Shin Hayoon.]
“Huh?”
I thought I read it wrong for a moment, but it was really Shin Hayoon. Why is she texting me out of the blue?
I don’t know how she got my number, but honestly, I just… don’t want to deal with this.
[Don’t play pranks.]
I thought this would get rid of her, but she replied immediately.
[No, it’s Shin Hayoon! I’m in Class 3, Second Year at Hyuksan High! I sit right next to you!]
But I haven’t been in class for over a month.
[Stop pretending you don’t know.]
I was going to ignore her, but her persistence made me curious.
[Why?]
[Why so curt?]
[Just get to the point.]
[…Did you forget something?]
I thought for a moment, but nothing came to mind.
[No idea.]
[Seriously… Isn’t that too much? We made a promise.]
“What nonsense is this?”
Me? With Shin Hayoon?
[Stop lying.]
[I’m not lying! Remember that day I woke you up? You promised to show me your batting form. You said you’d show me.]
“Oh? That’s right.”
I did say that.
I was grateful she woke me up before I almost spent the night at school. Plus, I thought her enthusiasm for coaching was admirable.
“Ugh, what a bother…”
But this is my first real day off in ages. Do I really have to go out and show my batting form?
[…Just once, please.]
I smirked at the uncharacteristic message from Shin Hayoon.
So, she has this side too?
Feeling a bit playful, I replied.
[You’re being really curt.]
“Maybe that was too much?”
I thought she might not reply, but then my phone buzzed.
[Please… Just let me record it once.]
She really is passionate about becoming a coach.
For Shin Hayoon to swallow her pride and ask like this… it’d feel wrong not to go.
And after all, I did promise.
[Okay, meet me at Phoenix Batting Center.]
[Really? When?]
Well… since today is my day off.
[Come now. I’ll head out right away too.]
[Thanks. I’ll be there right away.]
“Is this really Shin Hayoon…?”
Her last message made me question if this was the Shin Hayoon I knew—the prickly one.
—
I dressed comfortably and headed to the Phoenix Batting Center.
Hayoon was already there, standing by the first-floor desk.
But the problem was… she wasn’t alone.
“Wow! It’s Taehyun oppa in person!”
“I’m a huge fan, Cha Taehyun.”
“The real Phoenix ace looks even better in person!”
Her family, all smiles, rushed toward me.
I shot Hayoon a look that said, “Why did you bring your family?”
She avoided my gaze and mumbled.
“…Sorry.”
I sighed internally but forced a smile.
After all, her family seemed to really like me.
“Taehyun oppa, can we take a photo?”
A girl who looked like a younger version of Hayoon held out her
phone to me.
“Haha… Sure, I don’t mind taking a photo.”
“Nice!”
Hayoon quickly came over and stuck to my side, holding up the phone.
“Hey! Don’t touch my sister!”
…Your sister’s the one who came over, though.
“Thanks, oppa! Hehe!”
As if taking a photo with me was the best thing ever, Hayoon’s sister grinned while looking at the picture.
“Cha Taehyun, could we also take a photo?”
It was obviously Hayoon’s parents. They approached with their phones.
“Of course.”
Now that I noticed, they were both wearing Phoenix uniforms at the batting center. They must really be die-hard Phoenix fans.
“Thank you so much. By the way, could we also get your autograph?”
They even had a marker ready.
“Sure, where should I sign?”
In response to my question, Hayoon’s parents immediately turned around.
Uh… I wasn’t expecting this.
Wait, I haven’t even debuted yet…
On the back of the uniform was my name. Well, they asked for it, so I signed.
“Thank you~ I’m so happy. I can’t wait to brag to Jiyeon.”
Despite it just being the signature of an undiscovered high school baseball player, they were practically jumping for joy. I couldn’t help but laugh.
It’s a bit overwhelming, but it’s nice to see how much they like me.
“Oh! Me too, oppa!”
“Sure, where do you want it?”
Hayoon’s little sister grabbed the hem of her white T-shirt and slightly lifted it to make it flat.
Having me sign her shirt wasn’t strange, but signing while she’s wearing it felt a bit…
“Here! Right here, please!”
She playfully flicked the hem of her shirt, and Hayoon yanked her back, glaring at me.
“Are you… jealous? Ow!”
Hayoon, who had been holding her, smacked her on the head.
“Alright, everyone, go! Why did you even come? I told you I had an appointment!”
Finally losing her patience, Hayoon screamed, making her family burst into laughter.
“Haha… Fine, fine, Hayoon. It was my mistake. Thanks for today, Cha Taehyun! Enjoy your time with my daughter~.”
“Leave, now!”
Grinning, Hayoon’s family finally left the Phoenix Batting Center.
TL Note: First, the PSA: The Patreon for this novel is fully operational (up to 60 advanced chapters) so if your stockpile’s looking a little low, I’ve got your back. You can check that out by clicking the ‘Patreon’ highlighted text: Patreon.
Now my gratitude. I wanted to take a moment to thank @TamaSaga and @Giernold. The honest reviews – as well as the kind words – were much appreciated. The error you were experiencing, TamaSaga, is likely due to you not being logged in. You need to make an account first by clicking the door icon in the top right corner. I really need to make a FAQ.
As always, thanks for reading.