A Rookie in the Baseball Team is Too Good

Chapter 17: Reporting to the Baseball Team for Work (2)

That day, the new training assistants of the KH Cannons had lunch at a kimchi stew restaurant near the baseball field.

“Ah, it’s a pity. I thought that once we became training assistants, we would be able to use the players’ cafeteria at Cannons Field.”

“Oh, I’ve been there before when I interned at the KBO! The side dishes there were really great… But since it’s the off-season for the players, I guess there’s nothing we can do.”

As the kimchi stew began to bubble, the group gradually started to get to know each other.

It was around this time that Ji-seop started receiving various questions.

“Mr. Kim Ji-seop, do independent leagues in America also select players through tryouts?”

“Mr. Kim Ji-seop, how many Korean players are in the Japanese independent leagues?”

“Mr. Kim Ji-seop, how intense is the training in the American independent leagues?”

Following Secretary Yang’s advice, Ji-seop hadn’t mentioned the Chinese league during the self-introduction time.

He thought this would prevent him from being overly noticed, but it seemed that Ji-seop was mistaken.

Just the fact that he had played in the American and Japanese independent leagues made Ji-seop the center of attention among the training assistants.

“Even during the self-introductions, I felt it… You really are amazing, Mr. Kim Ji-seop.”

One of the new recruits spoke up.

“I have a lot of friends who used to play baseball too… But most of them have quit now.”

“That’s right. Most people choose a different path if they don’t get drafted into the pros, right? In that sense, it’s impressive that Mr. Kim Ji-seop even played in the independent leagues.”

Ji-seop wasn’t unaware.

He knew that about half of what was being said was just flattery.

But there was no need to ruin the good atmosphere by pointing that out.

Ji-seop simply smiled brightly and said, “Thank you,” while serving the perfectly cooked kimchi stew when—

“But Mr. Kim Ji-seop.”

It seemed there was at least one person who didn’t like the atmosphere.

“Why did you go to the independent leagues?”

It was Oh Young-jin.

The same person who had led the self-introduction earlier.

The only one among the new training assistants who had been drafted by a professional team.

“What do you mean?”

At that moment, Ji-seop still hadn’t realized Oh Young-jin’s true intentions.

“Even if you weren’t drafted, couldn’t you have continued playing baseball in Korea?”

Oh Young-jin’s voice was laced with sharp thorns.

“You could have joined a pro team as a developmental player, or you could have applied to an independent baseball team in Korea…”

“Ah!”

Oh Young-jin continued, pretending to be surprised.

“Did you not even get an offer to be a developmental player…? Surely that’s not the case, right? As far as I know, almost anyone gets those offers.”

The pleasant atmosphere froze in an instant.

Half of the group was watching Ji-seop’s reaction, while the other half was glaring at Oh Young-jin.

Oh Young-jin, thinking he’d scored a point, looked triumphant, but there wasn’t a hint of disturbance on Ji-seop’s face.

‘He wouldn’t be the first to talk to me like that.’

Ji-seop was just a little curious.

Why was this guy acting like this towards him?

Why would someone who was drafted into the pros pick a fight with him?

As he pondered this and stared at Oh Young-jin’s eyes, Ji-seop couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

“What’s this, you?”

Oh Young-jin glared at him.

“Do you find my words funny?”

“Of course, I do.”

Ji-seop didn’t bother to hide the smile that was creeping up his lips.

“Were you jealous, Mr. Oh Young-jin?”

Ji-seop asked.

“Because your colleagues only talked to me… Were you that envious?”

* * *

Here’s what Ji-seop figured was going on in Oh Young-jin’s mind.

‘Damn it, why is everyone so interested in that dumb guy?’

‘Japanese independent league? American independent league? What’s so great about that?’

‘Anyone can see that the one who should be getting the most attention here is me! KBO Draft 8th round, 76th overall!’

The focus and precision it took to recall his exact draft position in that brief moment impressed Ji-seop.

As Ji-seop clicked his tongue internally, he continued speaking.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just say it honestly? ‘Please talk to me, too. I have a lot to say’… like that.”

As Ji-seop playfully shot back, there were stifled snickers from the training assistants sitting on either side of him.

“W-what did you say?!”

Of course, the look on Oh Young-jin’s face, after being so accurately hit in his weak spot, was priceless.

His eyes were wide open, his fingers trembling, and a bead of sweat was running down his long sideburns.

‘He’s the type whose emotions show clearly on his face… He must have had a hard time during his playing days.’

Ji-seop had seen plenty of baseball players over the past 20 years who couldn’t hide their emotions and how their careers fared as a result.

Maybe that’s why he didn’t feel like harshly pushing Oh Young-jin any further.

“Mr. Oh Young-jin, we’re just having a meal together… There’s no need to be so worked up, don’t you think?”

Ji-seop spoke in a gentle tone.

“Anyway, the people we’re going to be working closely with are the second-team coaching staff, right? Those folks will know your career well enough… So why are you so anxious? You’re making everyone uneasy.”

“T-that’s…”

Now that he thought about it, what Ji-seop said seemed to make sense.

Oh Young-jin, looking visibly deflated, trailed off.

Ji-seop smiled at the sight of him but didn’t forget to ensure that he wouldn’t be challenged again.

“And Mr. Oh Young-jin.”

It was a little underhanded, but it was the most effective method among athletes.

“How old are you?”

“Me? T-twenty-six…”

At this moment, Oh Young-jin glanced at Ji-seop.

And reluctantly added,

“…I’m twenty-six, senior.”

“Okay, that’s enough.”

Ji-seop nodded.

“Then let’s eat, junior?”

“…Yes.”

Ji-seop picked up the ladle and filled Oh Young-jin’s bowl with kimchi stew.

As Oh Young-jin reluctantly accepted the stew, the other training assistants tried hard to stifle their laughter.

* * *

After finishing lunch, the formal orientation for the training assistants began in the first meeting room at KH Cannons Field.

“Though you are training assistants, I hope you approach your roles with the mindset of being the second coaching staff.”

A series of lectures followed by the head of the development team, who could be considered the general manager of the second-team spring camp, the head coach of the second-team, the head of the public relations team, and the head trainer, among others.

For Ji-seop, who had always viewed baseball from a player’s perspective, except for a brief stint working at [Superstar Baseball], it was quite an interesting time.

The new training assistants, who had relaxed considerably over lunch, were also engaging in the lectures with bright expressions.

Of course, Mr. Oh Young-jin, who had tried to mess with Ji-seop and got hit back, still wore a sour expression.

“…Damn it.”

The orientation ended around 6 PM that day.

After having a simple dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant, the new training assistants split into two groups.

One group would use the accommodations provided by the baseball team, while the other group would return home and come back the next day.

Since Ji-seop lived in Seoul, he naturally chose the former option and was assigned to a player’s dormitory on the outskirts of Yeongsan City, guided by an operations team employee.

“…This place is a lot nicer than I expected.”

The dormitory was usually used by second-team players or first-team players who hadn’t secured a spot yet.

For someone like Ji-seop, who thought all player dorms were the same, the KH Cannons’ dormitory was a refreshing surprise.

Compared to the cockroach-infested, bullet-riddled dorms from his days in the American independent leagues, this place was like heaven.

‘The view from the balcony is nice too… It’s almost a shame I’ll only be staying here for one night.’

It was a dormitory that Ji-seop couldn’t visit during his playing days, no matter how much he wanted to.

After looking around with sparkling eyes, Ji-seop took a shower and sat on the sofa in a refreshed mood.

He picked up the TV remote next to him and started flipping through channels, enjoying a brief moment of rest when—

*click*—*creak*—

There was a sound from the entrance, and then a large shadow slipped into the room.

“…Ah.”

The man blinked as he looked at Ji-seop, who had arrived earlier.

He was quite a big guy.

He seemed to be about a fist shorter than Ji-seop, but his overall build was thick.

His eyebrows were thick, his stubble was dark, and he looked like a bear.

Ji-seop knew this man’s name.

“Are you Mr. Go Chang-deok?”

“Ah, yes. And you’re Mr. Kim Ji-seop?”

“Yes, it seems we’ll be sharing the dorm for today.”

“Y-yes, it seems so. Please take care of me.”

Go Chang-deok bowed his head and started bustling around, placing his luggage, taking a shower, and changing clothes.

Meanwhile, Ji-seop was watching a basketball game on cable TV, recalling what he had learned about Go Chang-deok during the self-introduction.

‘Among the new training assistants… He was the oldest, right?’

Even though he was the oldest, he was only one year older than Ji-seop.

At thirty-three this year. Already married, and he had a daughter too, if Ji-seop remembered correctly.

‘To be a training assistant at thirty-three… He must have had quite a journey, just like me.’

Though he didn’t say it out loud, Ji-seop felt a sense of camaraderie with Go Chang-deok.

A shared bond among those starting their careers in their thirties.

Of course, just as Ji-seop had been a baseball player, he felt that Go Chang-deok must have had his own story.

“Whew.”

While Ji-seop was lost in these thoughts, Go Chang-deok, now dressed in fresh clothes, let out a long sigh.

“You must be tired.”

“Haha, not really.”

Even though they were only a year apart, Go Chang-deok had a certain “adult” vibe.

His voice was deep like it came from a cave, and his mannerisms were calm, different from the other new recruits.

Even now, he looked like he had something serious on his mind, staring intently at his phone screen with a furrowed brow.

‘Is it because he’s a father?’

If it were someone like Oh Young-jin, who had been a player, it would have been easier to strike up a conversation, but with such a mature person, Ji-seop was slightly unsure how to approach him.

But since he couldn’t just sit there staring at the TV for the rest of the evening, Ji-seop decided to make the first move.

“Would you like a cup of coffee? I found some on the table.”

“Oh, coffee?”

Go Chang-deok, who also seemed awkward around Ji-seop, hesitated to answer.

Ji-seop, thinking it might be a good opportunity, smiled.

“I’m really good at making instant coffee. Let’s have a cup, unless you’re going straight to bed.”

“S-sure, let’s do that.”

As Go Chang-deok nodded, Ji-seop turned off the TV and headed to the electric kettle placed in one corner of the room.

Just as he was putting the water on and tearing open a packet of instant coffee to pour into a cup—

A loud voice suddenly rang out, echoing through the quiet dormitory.

-Min’na-san, konnichiwa! Kyō mo watashi o mini kite kurete arigatō!

It was a girl’s voice.

“Huh?”

Startled, Ji-seop turned to look towards the living room,

“Wha-?!”

And there, in his line of sight, was Go Chang-deok, his face pale as he frantically turned down the volume on his phone.

“…”

“…”

For a moment, the two just stared at each other in silence.