Chapter 4

Idol of Sajik -1-

#

A few days before the draft meeting, in the Busan Oceans' scouting team meeting room, the atmosphere was bustling. The reason for this frantic activity, despite the draft being just around the corner, was due to a single statement from the general manager.

"I will completely revise our rookie draft strategy."

After Kang Geon-woo, who was originally the target, announced his intention to enter the major leagues, the Oceans had decided to select Yoo Byung-seong, a shortstop, in the first round.

It was an uncontested choice. While Kang Geon-woo was exceptionally outstanding in both pitching and batting, Yoo Byung-seong was a player who could easily be called the top overall pick.

If the draft had been held through a regional affiliation priority system rather than a full draft, both players would have been out of reach for the Oceans.

Nonetheless, the front office staff, who had gathered hastily at the sudden call for a meeting, were puzzled by the general manager's actions.

"Director, do you have another plan besides Yoo Byung-seon?"

The staff erupted in cheers at the confident response from the general manager.

"The Oceans will call Kang Geon-woo as the top overall pick."

"Kang Geon-woo?"

"Really?"

"Congratulations, Director!"

Park Jun-ki, known as the "Iron Director" among other general managers, had his abilities often questioned by both external evaluations and some of his subordinates.

However, if he had successfully persuaded Kang Geon-woo, it was indeed an unexpected feat.

"However."

The general manager paused, drawing everyone's attention, before continuing.

"This must not leak out. I intended to keep it a secret until the day of the draft, but I trust you all."

If they could select Kang Geon-woo, it was right to revise their strategy from the beginning.

Kang Geon-woo is an ace pitcher with excellent defensive skills in all positions and is also the best hitter in the current amateur league.

He is the player every scout dreams of.

There were even rumors that a major league team had offered over $2 million.

"If we select Kang Geon-woo, will the Meteors pick Yoo Byung-seon?"

At the scouting team member's question, smiles spread across everyone's faces in the meeting room.

The moment the Oceans call Kang Geon-woo's name, chaos will ensue in the draft room.

The Daejeon Meteors, who were likely to select the immediate impact left-handed pitcher Lee Min-ho, will have to quickly decide between Yoo Byung-seon and Lee Min-ho.

Even if they stick with Lee Min-ho, other teams might select different players than originally planned.

Once the chain reaction starts, the confusion will only deepen.

"If we do this well..."

In the draft, information is one of the most powerful weapons.

And if we have it exclusively?

Among the ten teams gathered at the draft meeting, the Oceans might be the only one that can handle the situation calmly.

"Maybe we can pick one of Jeong Hyun-deok, Song Tae-woong, or No Kyung-woo in the second round?"

"Let's run a new simulation."

Director Park Jun-ki smiled contentedly at the suddenly enthusiastic staff. And tomorrow, the SMC will arrive.

No matter what, he couldn't imagine that Kang Geon-woo would turn around and betray them after receiving a 200 million won gift. It was, in a sense, a form of deposit.

Once the SMC arrives, he plans to meet Kang Geon-woo again.

The only concern was whether Kang Geon-woo, who was only given the equipment to create data, could effectively interpret and use it.

"Alright. Let's simulate picking one of the three. First, let's try Jeong Hyun-deok. If we pick him, what's the next choice?"

It was a minor concern, not a major issue.

He had done everything asked of him, so there was no reason to blame himself.

#

"Wow..."

Yuri couldn't close her mouth in surprise at the unexpected gift.

"Is this a RayPac? It's the latest model?"

Yuri, who studied sports science in college, was my personal conditioning coach when I played in the major leagues.

Even though she's still a college student, she will become quite competent in the future. While my personal success contributed to her fame, her future skills are undeniable.

"How did you buy this? Where did you get the money?"

It was lent by the Oceans.

The office where the SMC was placed was obtained by borrowing money from my father.

The director had strictly instructed to keep it a secret, but I didn't want to hide it from Yuri.

"Look, listen carefully."

"What is it? Did you win the lottery?"

"It was lent by the Oceans."

"The Oceans?"

"I asked for one, and they gave it to me."

"Are you really going to the Oceans?"

"It's a secret, but I've decided to go."

Yuri couldn't close her mouth.

"They're offering 1.5 billion won."

"1.5 billion won?"

"Yes. But it has to be kept secret until the draft."

"...Can I keep the secret?"

It was an odd but serious question, and I couldn't help but laugh. I remembered that Yuri's family were all huge Oceans fans.

Her parents were close to mine, and I recalled her father-in-law scolding my father for switching to the Pirates.

"I don't know."

"Look. Geon-woo. If I tell my family, 500 people will know within 10 minutes."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's more like 1,000 people. 1,000 people. How long will it take for it to hit the sports news?"

I remembered that her father-in-law was a moderator of an Oceans fan club.

Her brother-in-law was a named user on the Oceans gallery.

Her mother-in-law's nickname in her youth was "Sajik Twin Flags."

"Ah, but if I don't tell them, my mom, dad, and brother will call me a traitor..."

To the dejected Yuri, I joked while tapping the SMC.

"This is a condition for keeping the secret. If it leaks, they might take it back."

"Ah, thinking about it, it's better to keep the secret for our Geon-woo's future. And it will be a surprise, right? Won't they be happier?"

It seems the secret will be kept.

#

One surprising discovery after returning to the past was how weak my body was.

"Phew, phew."

Fortunately, I know exactly what kind of exercise I need.

However, I didn't push myself as harshly as I did during my major league days.

My brain and bones are not fully developed yet. I need to manage them more flexibly.

The school baseball team has a somewhat chaotic atmosphere.

With the draft approaching and the awkwardness of seeing the team members after a long time, it feels even more so.

I was never particularly sociable, so it didn't seem too strange that I didn't interact much with others. Even if it did seem strange, it didn't matter much.

Light training at school.

Personal workouts whenever I have free time.

Meeting Yuri to use the SMC for form correction and core training.

Complete rest with no activity after all the daily routines.

I thought my posture was fully ingrained, but this young, incomplete body was a bit different from what I expected.

"Hey, your elbow is a bit off?"

"I'll try again."

With sensors all over my body, each movement is captured. The SMC shows the muscle reactions in specific areas, and by analyzing the data, I can identify when unnecessary force is applied.

"Wow, Geon-woo. Your thigh strength is incredible."

According to the data Yuri provided, excessive force is applied to my left thigh.

While pitching, excessive force in one area increases the risk of injury, and the same applies to batting.

"I'll try again."

After 20 swings, I find the average and deviation, and gradually modify my movements.

I was worried that Yuri might get bored, but she didn't. Despite her appearance, she's a typical engineering student. She claims to be a science student, but to me, it's all the same.

In any case, the top priority is to reduce the gap between my thoughts and my body's reactions and find the right balance.

Physical training is also important. I need to balance aerobic exercise and strength training.

After using the SMC for posture correction, I go with Yuri to do Pilates for core training.

"Wow, school, SMC, and then exercise. Wow... so healthy..."

"Yuri, you asked for a favor."

"Huh? Favor? What favor? Say it again."

"To make the Oceans win. Are you going to be more relaxed about it?"

"Ah, what are you saying? Who said no? Of course, I'm in."

While walking through the apartment complex, we met my future father-in-law, who isn't my father-in-law yet.

"Hello!"

Perhaps due to the hormones from returning to my younger self, I sometimes can't control my energy. I greeted him enthusiastically, and he responded with a happy face.

"Hey, Geon-woo. Yuri. You two are always together these days? Planning to get married soon?"

"Dad, he's still a kid."

"I'll take care of him, sir."

"Hehe, he doesn't look like a kid. Look at his size. How is he a kid? He's at least 30cm taller than Yuri."

"30cm? It's not that much of a difference."

"Exactly 24.8cm."

"Stop annoying me... really..."

My future father-in-law is a cheerful person.

Except when it comes to the Oceans.

Ah, it was a bit like that when we divorced too.

"Sir."

"Sure. Asking for my daughter?"

Yuri sighed and shook her head. I whispered to my future father-in-law.

"I'm going to the Oceans."

"What? The Oceans? The Oceans?"

I could see Yuri's shocked face.

"Hey, Kang Geon-woo. You said it was a secret?"

"What? Oh, raising a daughter is useless. You knew about it?"

"Please keep it a secret. The draft is tomorrow, just until the announcement."

"Ooh, Geon-woo. Of course. I secretly hoped you'd go to the majors, but I'll support you. Become a legend for the Oceans, okay?"

"I'll make the Oceans win!"

"Ha! Good! I feel great! Geon-woo! Tell your dad to come out! I'll buy you some beef!"

I had already eaten and exercised, so I politely declined.

Instead, we agreed to have a family dinner with both our families tomorrow.

"I feel like I'm going to die from excitement. Yuri, what do we do?"

"I almost died too."

"Keeping it a secret from your dad. Our daughter has grown up to be so ungrateful."

I just laughed as I saw them off in the elevator.

It feels so human and good.

When we arrived at my house, I realized the secret wouldn't be kept.

"What?! Geon-woo is going to the Oceans?!"

Sajik Twin Flags.

My future mother-in-law's voice echoed from the floor below.

Well, it should be fine.

They're not the type to spread rumors online.

"Hey! Jeong Hyun-su! Put down your smartphone! You're going to die! Were you trying to post online already?"

...Yuri will handle it well.