Chapter 122 – Episode 120. Opening 2nd Year. (3)

‘Please, let’s stop this inning!’

The match against Han-cheol, whom So-young had been betting on to win, seemed like it was going to go crazy.

The score on the scoreboard was 10:9. After the 5th inning, I somehow made three points, but it was still difficult to feel relieved. Hancheol continued to follow, and even at the end of the ninth inning, there was a runner in scoring position. Hearing the cheers of the crowd there seemed to be full of expectations that this stadium would score as if it were Han Cheol-man’s home stadium.

‘It’s too stiff right now. It’s tougher than the WBC finals.’

‘Absolutely. That match was an unwinnable match in the first place, and I can win now.’

It was a matter of pride to be swept away from what So-young asked for. Besides, I was going to see Joo Seung-cheol today, but I didn’t want to meet Joo Seung-cheol after losing 2 times in a row like this.

‘I’m sure he’ll make fun of me!’

Even when I called yesterday, the voice was definitely raised. Thinking of hearing that kind of noise all the time drinking….

Bottom of the ninth, one out, runner on second base. I raised my concentration to the utmost.

“Maengho. Aren’t you too nervous?”

“I was focused.”

After lightly responding to the words of Kim Jung-hyun, who was out as a runner on second base, I focused on the autograph. The signature is the body ball. The defensive position is closer to second base.

“Jinhyuk! Let’s go!”

Starting with the encouragement of shortstop Kang Hee-seok, closer pitcher Park Jin-hyeok takes up his stance. Park Jin-hyeok’s left foot rises and steps forward. Then he swung his right hand forward like lightning.

Right!

‘Come!’

When I saw the line drive ball fly to the left, I immediately jumped.

Pak!

The feeling of entering the glove perfectly.

‘Ugh.’

The sensation of the solid ground felt throughout the body. The pain rose from the bump, but I held it in and immediately threw the ball toward second base.

‘Second base… ?’

“Out!”

“Safe!”

“… Safe!”

Kang Hee-seok, Kim Jung-hyun, and second baseman in order. Kang Hee-seok immediately drew a square with his hand.

‘How was it?’

‘It was a good defense. As expected, at least one motor nerve.’

‘No, not that. Well, this kind of defense is like eating rice. How was it at second base?’

‘Well? It was almost the same timing….’

Director Sands, who saw Kang Hee-seok’s appeal, immediately jumped out and asked for a video review.

‘Ha, I wish it would end here….’

“Hey, I’ll have to look and throw it. The base touch was a little late because the throw was high.”

“Ah, how do you look at it and throw it? It is thrown by feel.”

“Talk back…. Anyway, the defense was good.”

Jeop, did you miss that much? I thought I threw it right. Around the time I was wondering where the thrown ball was headed, a reading video began to appear on the electronic signboard.

“Uh? Are you out?”

-Wow!!!!

– Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho! Ji Maeng-ho!

-Park Jin-hyeok! Park Jin-hyeok!

Perhaps the fans came to the same conclusion as I did, and the first base side became quiet, and the third base side erupted in loud cheers. Certainly, as Kang Hee-seok said, the thrown ball soared a little high, but it was visible to the naked eye that Kang Hee-seok’s foot touched the second base first.

“How long will this take?”

Like Kang Hee-seok talking to himself, the referee took off his headset and raised his fist.

“Out!”

“I won!”

-Wow!!

– Shout the cheers of victory together!

Cheering songs and shouts began to resound from the third base side where the AT Thunders fans were gathered again. The fans’ voices were full of joy, but I started to worry more than the joy of winning.

“Wow…. It’s so fucking hard to win one.”

Yesterday, I was beaten to the finish line, and today I was pursued to the tip of my chin. Even if we lost today’s match, it wouldn’t have been strange.

‘It must be because Han-cheol is strong against us, right? It won’t be this hard against other teams….’

The thought of playing games like this throughout the season made me feel exhausted already. I just decided to think positively. For a while, these guys are doing oddly well against us.

Thinking about the future only hurts my head, and it would be better to enjoy the victory now.

‘Okay, for now, I should enjoy today. Seungcheol said that his older brother would invite celebrities to a drinking party the other day, but would you like to invite them today… ?’

*

“Hello! Ji Maeng-ho!”

“Ah yes.”

“This is my brother. Give me.”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Ji Maeng-ho.”

“My name is Jujia, an youtuber. I heard a lot about you.”

“Yes, I have heard many stories.”

Right in front of me, it looks better than I thought.

He was a bit short, but his face was small, so his proportions looked quite good. In addition, the features that filled up the small face were showing off his presence, and the cheeks that seemed to have not lost all of his breasts added cuteness to his big eyes. And his shoulder-length dyed brown hair looked pretty good too.

In particular, the ratio was better than most models. Actually, the actress who married Joo Hyung-jin was short, but her face was famous for being the size of a fist.

“But isn’t it a bit strange? Aren’t sons usually like mothers and daughters like fathers? Seungcheol hyung is tall, but Mr. Jia….”

“Oh! Right from the start, right attack?”

“Oh, sorry.”

“It’s a joke, a joke.”

“It’s just that he’s weird. When I was young, I didn’t sleep, I watched TV and used the Internet all the time, so I’m short. I was worried about what would happen, but I’m glad I’m still making money like this.”

“Brother!”

Usually siblings don’t get along well, but Joo Seung-cheol and Joo Ji-ah seemed to be on good terms. I was even slightly envious. I’m an only child, so I didn’t know that feeling.

“Still, the two of you look a bit alikehaha. Are you like your mother?”

“What kind of double swearing… !”

“Hey! How am I like him?!”

… Are you on bad terms? When the two glared at me at once, I got a little scared. The glaring eyes look exactly the same.

Anyway, after saying goodbye to Jujia, I went into the studio.

When I entered the studio, quite a few people set up their cameras and microphones, and something started in earnest.

“Oh, Ji Maeng-ho, the original plate looks good, so the makeup works well!”

“Oh, thank you.”

In addition, I was able to enter the broadcast in earnest only after putting makeup on my face, whether it was a writer or not.

“Now, Jamsil’s rival who heated up the opening game today! I got two players! Hancheol Grizzlies’ 5-tool player! Joo Seung-cheol and AT Thunders’ rising national hero! This is Ji Maeng-ho! In the WBC, the two players played a big role and led Korea to runner-up, right? I’m sure there are some fans who are worried about interfering with the players, but today is Sunday and tomorrow is the day the players are off from games, so they took the time to come, so no bad comments!”

I thought it was just an iTuber and broadcasting with a microphone and a cam, but Jujia’s broadcast was quite serious. I can see the PD, and I can see the writers. Originally, did iTube do it in earnest like this?

“Uh? Player Maengho, you seem to have a bad expression. Do you have any discomfort?”

“Ah…. Seungcheol hyung said it was just a light interview, but I’m a little nervous because it’s something serious.”

“Ah! Is this your first time on iTube?”

“Yes.”

“You are now at a historic site! Maengho Ji’s first entry into iTube! You can only see it on Gia Tube!”

Even when we met, I felt a little lively, but maybe it was because she was a broadcaster, and Ju Ji-ah’s tension was no joke. He might be said to be difficult to follow…. Is this a professional broadcaster?

“And Ji Maeng-ho, you don’t have to think too hard. Please feel free to tell me. It’s not a live broadcast anyway.”

“Oh yeah?”

“And Joo Seung-cheol will help a lot, right?”

“…….”

“Brother!”

“Yes, I will help you a lot.”

Hehe, if you do this, you’ll get some views from Hancheol fans and AT fans. Ah, now this word is sensibly edited! PD, you know?”

“I will think about it.”

“Ah! I really can’t!”

Something goes crazy

“Hey, what are you afraid of?”

“… It’s my first time doing something like this, so it seems a little different from a broadcast interview.”

“Do what you normally do. Just.”

So, did you say that asking today is asking about WBC details and how it was after your debut?

“Then, please say hello to the viewers.”

“Hello. This is Joo Seung-cheol of the Grizzlies. Doesn’t it come up too often as a younger brother’s YouTube?”

“Ah, every time Seungcheol Joo appears, the number of views increases in the tens of thousands. Oh, edit this too! Then Ji Maeng-ho too.”

“Hello. This is AT Thunders Maeng-Ho Ji. This is my first broadcast like this, so please take good care of it.”

“Wow! Clap clap clap, thank you for coming out. Then may I ask what your first impressions were?”

“I don’t know my first impression, and while we were together, I thought I was a bit of an idiot.”

“Hyung, can I say I’m like an idiot here?”

“Well, how about iTunes?”

“Oh! No! My show is a high-quality baseball discussion show, so please refrain from using profanity!”

“Eh….”

“Ah…. Actually, I didn’t watch Korean baseball well, but Hyungjin Joo came to check my condition before I was selected for the national team. At that time, I heard a little bit about Seungcheol hyung from senior Hyungjin Joo.”

“Oh, are you Dad? If you think about it, we are meant to be! In a way, my dad recommended it to the national team.”

“Hey, what is an adult and a father? He should be called Father.”

“What, I’m not an idiot. Everyone! Joo Seung-cheol is an old man, so those who will be my step-sister, be careful!”

… Is this the original broadcast? There was no mind at all.

“Hey, but you never said anything like that to me.”

“Your brother didn’t ask.”

“What did your father say?”

“Just, what…. The story that you stopped going to the majors, and the story that it’s good to start with the KBA?”

“And?”

Joo Seung-cheol asked in a slightly lower voice than usual. Do you have the answer you want? Although this is the end….

“Well, he’s a son, but I also said that he beats me well.”

Still, since I’m going to buy you a drink today, lip service like this wouldn’t be bad.

“Oh, are you Daddy?”

“Father….”

“Your dad never praised you, but he seems to have complimented you a lot behind your back. You are such a blunt person.”

It stung me a little, but since it was a white lie, I decided to take it good.

“Yes, that’s why I was a little used to seeing it for the first time. And Seungcheol hyung is a good person. At first, Woojoo and I were the youngest in the national team, but Seungcheol hyung is also at the level of the youngest, right? We approached him first and became friends.”

“You say Joo Seung-cheol likes people? A….”

“Hey, my brother is this kind of person. Everyone except you says I have a good personality.”

“Well…. Then, let’s get into the first question in earnest.”

“Are you ignoring me?”

Joo Seung-cheol tapped the table and said, but Joo Ji-ah ignored Joo Seung-cheol and started broadcasting according to the script.

“The first time Ji Maeng-ho showed himself to Korean baseball fans was in the game against Australia, right? Of course, everyone knew him while setting a new high school baseball record….”

“Ah, against Australia.”

“Yes. At that time, did you see the life meme taken? Here’s the data screen….”

“Oh, I saw it too. My profile picture changed to this one too.”

“Then please explain the situation.”

In the full-scale interview that started like that, I started telling my story without adding or subtracting.

“Ah, at that time, Cheolyoung hyung…….”

“I hit a home run against Ohtani in the match against Japan…….”

“Ah, I prepared a lot…….”

“He also hit a home run in his first at-bat in his debut in the match against Chul Han…….”

Still, the interview ended before I knew it when I answered with restraint as much as I could.

“Wow, it’s finally over. Brother, what are you going to do now?”

“Me? Were you going to drink with Maengho?”

“Alcohol? Where? Let’s drink together!”

“Yes… ?”

I looked at Joo Seung-chul and shook his head violently. Drinking with someone you know’s sister. It couldn’t have been.

“Maengho, how would you like to have a light drink at my house today? Well, there is something like liquor at home.”

Wait, then, who are the celebrities we decided to introduce?

Joo Seung -cheol fights with his younger brother, why is he listening well now?

“Mr. Meng-ho? Doesn’t it matter? Drink at your brother’s house.”

“Yeah, but I was a bit like going to a bar because of my injury. Doesn’t it matter?”

… Fuck. It seemed that I couldn’t refuse. That’s right, if I lose now, I can call real celebrities later….

‘It’s hard to say no to me because I’m so nice. Ha, I’ll have to put up with the good me’

“Oh, and I thought they were the same age because they said they were rookies this year, but when I heard it, they were older brothers. Can I call you brother? Mangho brother?”

In addition to her kind personality, it was all the more difficult to refuse the request of a pretty woman calling her brother.