Chapter 5

5 seconds later, the bulletin board is visible! Episode 005

1. What is this ridiculous... (5)

The Buffalo Field, which had been a cauldron of excitement, now fell into a deep silence as the spectators left.

However, there was still a bustling place in the Buffalo Field.

It was the Buffalo players' locker room and clubhouse.

"Wow...! How long has it been since we had a walk-off win?"

"Just now, a club staff member said that this is our first walk-off win this year, and the first walk-off home run in three years."

"Hey, what's the big deal about a walk-off? Reversing a 10-point deficit is more impressive. Wait, what's the league record for the biggest comeback?"

In response to someone's question, Kim Jin-soo, who was holding his phone, searched and replied.

"Last year, the Dragons made a 12-point comeback against the Magicians. But that was a 12-point deficit in the 4th inning, so it's a bit behind ours."

"4th inning... When did we start scoring? Was it the 6th inning?"

"Yes, after I came in."

The Buffalo players chuckled at Kim Jin-soo's smiling answer.

"Hehe... Young guys always get so excited when they do well."

"Yeah, you pitched well. You're the winning pitcher."

"Haha! Thank you."

Indeed, Kim Jin-soo's performance was more than worthy of the winning pitcher's record.

Kim Jin-soo's final stats for today's game were 3.2 innings with no earned runs.

Although he allowed a runner to score on a hit by the Magicians' third batter, Lee Geun-hyung, which was the responsibility of the previous pitcher,

after that, he pitched a perfect game, not allowing a single runner to reach base.

The Buffalo players continued to praise Kim Jin-soo.

"Today, you seemed to be on a roll, Kim Jin-soo."

"Exactly. Every pitch you threw was a strike, and you got batters out with ease. It was impressive."

"Jin-soo, you were throwing well from the moment you started warming up in the bullpen."

Kim Jin-soo replied with a meaningful smile.

"It's all thanks to senior Lee Kyung-hoon's signs. When I threw exactly as he signaled, the batters couldn't keep up."

"Huh...? Senior Lee?"

"Yes."

At Kim Jin-soo's words, the other Buffalo pitchers tilted their heads in confusion.

"That's strange. Senior Lee isn't usually that focused on signs."

"Right. Did he get some special information from the front office?"

"Well... Leading a pitcher is like a more complex game of rock-paper-scissors, isn't it?"

The Buffalo's starting catcher, Moon Chang-joon, with his short hair and half-rim glasses, smiled and continued.

"Senior Lee Kyung-hoon's signs were good, and it wasn't my problem. It was just good luck. After all, leading a pitcher is like that."

At Moon Chang-joon's words, a few players nodded in agreement.

Although the Buffalo players were struggling in the lower ranks, they were still baseball players.

None of them had missed the recent argument that leading a pitcher is nothing but an illusion.

"If we have to praise someone, we should praise Jin-soo for throwing the ball well."

Moon Chang-joon naturally redirected the praise to Kim Jin-soo.

"Ultimately, the batter faces the ball thrown by the pitcher, not the ball the catcher requested."

While Kim Jin-soo looked embarrassed, Moon Chang-joon smoothly added,

"Anyway... We won today thanks to Senior Lee Kyung-hoon. That's an undeniable fact."

At Moon Chang-joon's conclusion, the Buffalo players started chatting excitedly again.

"Of course. If Senior Lee Kyung-hoon hadn't hit that, we would have lost."

"Right, how many of the 11 points did Senior Lee Kyung-hoon score? 8? 9?"

"Two three-run home runs and a grand slam double, so 9 RBIs."

"Wow... I only have 8 RBIs this season."

At that moment, Lee Kyung-hoon appeared in the clubhouse, half-naked.

"Damn... It's still in my nose, and the smell won't go away."

The Buffalo players, in celebration of Lee Kyung-hoon's unbelievable walk-off home run, poured their drinks on him.

Soaked in sports drinks, he even had to do an MVP interview for the sports channel.

That's why Lee Kyung-hoon, today's hero, had just finished his shower.

'Even though it's still sticky... Honestly, it feels good.'

It was proof that the game was over and the victory was secured.

Moreover, it was his first walk-off home run in his career.

There was no way he could feel bad.

'But I can't just be happy all the time.'

Although he had performed exceptionally well today, Lee Kyung-hoon's position in the Buffalo team was still not secure.

'This isn't the time to get drunk on today's victory.'

It was time to prepare for even greater and more frequent performances.

While he was making this resolve, a player approached Lee Kyung-hoon and said in a friendly manner,

"Senior Lee Kyung-hoon, you did a great job. Let's go out for a drink."

After a night game, players often go out for a late dinner.

Sometimes, when they're in high spirits, they go out for drinks.

For baseball players, whose job is baseball itself, the time after a game is their only break.

However,

"No, I'm good. You guys go ahead."

"Huh?"

"Come on, senior. Just a light one for the first round."

"No, I'm good."

Waving off the player's invitation, Lee Kyung-hoon went to his locker, got dressed, and packed his bag.

And he said,

"It's good to let loose sometimes, but we have a game tomorrow. One good game doesn't mean baseball is over."

Since the backup catcher's position had become precarious, Lee Kyung-hoon had been avoiding team dinners and gatherings.

So, his words and actions wouldn't seem out of place.

Moreover,

'This should send a message to the team.'

One good game wouldn't completely change the atmosphere of the Buffalo team.

Although they seemed united today, it was only a temporary state due to the special situation of a walk-off win.

Tomorrow, the atmosphere would revert to what it was before.

Therefore, Lee Kyung-hoon decided to change himself first.

'If I keep having games like today and continue to set a good example and maintain discipline, the other team members will understand my intentions soon enough.'

"Everyone, you've worked hard. Don't stay out too late."

Leaving these words, Lee Kyung-hoon left the Buffalo clubhouse.

The Buffalo clubhouse, which had suddenly become quiet.

The Buffalo's starting catcher, Moon Chang-joon, was looking at the door Lee Kyung-hoon had left through with a peculiar expression.

When Lee Kyung-hoon returned home, his wife greeted him.

"Welcome back, Min-a's dad."

Lee Kyung-hoon was overwhelmed with emotions.

"Thanks. Where's Min-a?"

"She was waiting to congratulate you, but she couldn't hold on and went to bed."

"Got it."

His wife, who had always supported him silently.

His daughter, Min-a, whom he would die for and who was dearer than his own life.

To his family, whom he loved the most and would always love, Lee Kyung-hoon felt an indescribable sense of gratitude.

Overcome with emotion, Lee Kyung-hoon spoke.

"Honey."

"Yes? What is it?"

"I'm going to be different from now on."

Turning his head, Lee Kyung-hoon looked at his daughter Min-a's room and said,

"I'll become famous enough for Min-a to say that her dad is a baseball player."

"Min-a's dad..."

"Go to bed. I have something to check."

After giving his wife a light hug, Lee Kyung-hoon entered his study.

While turning on the old PC, he called Kim Jin-soo on his phone.

-Hello, senior?

"Are you home?"

-Yes.

Kim Jin-soo was living in a one-room apartment about 5 minutes from Buffalo Field.

He had probably come home early, ordered some takeout, and was resting.

"I have a question for you. Kim Jin-soo, you know a lot about the internet, right?"

-Yes? Yes, I guess so.

Lee Kyung-hoon had made a decision.

No matter what it took, he would reach the level he had never achieved before.

To do that, he needed to...

'I need to find out more about those characters.'

Lee Kyung-hoon asked Kim Jin-soo,

"Do you know about domestic baseball bulletin boards?"

The next day.

"Lee Kyung-hoon, start the game."

"…Yes?"

The Buffalo's manager, Yoo Kyung-ryong, decided to start Lee Kyung-hoon.