The Extra in a Baseball Novel

“Cha Taehyun, right? You hit pretty well. Let’s keep it up from now on.”

“I thought you were crazy for just standing still at the end there.”

“Hey, which middle school baseball team were you on? How come I’ve never seen you before? Someone at your level would’ve definitely made a mark in the tournaments…”

Before the game started, the team members were giving me the cold shoulder, but now, after hitting a home run, they were approaching me in a friendly manner.

It’s like when a player, criticized for underperforming, suddenly becomes a national hero after a dramatic performance against Japan.

…Guess I was lucky.

If it hadn’t been a game against Dongshin High, or if the game hadn’t come down to my final at-bat, it might have taken me longer to establish my place on the team.

Of course, not everyone was welcoming me.

For starters, Lee Chang-soo, the original starting shortstop, and his friends still seemed to be avoiding me.

“You’re Cha Taehyun, right?”

At that moment, a huge figure approached me. It was Lee Tae-hyung, the cleanup hitter and leader of the fielding team.

“Yes, that’s me.”

From a distance, he didn’t seem too intimidating, but up close, his face looked quite fierce. His expression was so stern that I wondered if he was mad at me.

“You’re a good hitter. I was especially surprised by that quick hit at the end.”

Guess I was wrong.

It was just a straightforward compliment. I bowed my head in thanks, and he patted my shoulder a few times before saying, “I look forward to working with you,” and left.

Did I earn his recognition…?

Just as I was about to head to the locker room, Senior Kim Chang-hyun approached me.

How should I put this… He’s amusing.

Right now, he’s trying to imitate Senior Lee Tae-hyung with a serious face, but it’s so obvious.

“Cha Taehyun.”

“Yes.”

“I kept my promise and held the last inning.”

“I knew you would. Your pitching was great throughout the game.”

“!!”

Senior Kim Chang-hyun’s eyes widened for a moment, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

Oh, I get it. He’s that type.

You know, the saying, “Compliments make even a whale dance.” People with a lot of pride love being acknowledged.

“As expected… You definitely have what it takes to be the ace of Hyuksan High. I look forward to working with you.”

His final words were similar to Senior Lee Tae-hyung’s.

Anyway, I bowed my head, and Senior Kim Chang-hyun also patted my shoulder before leaving.

“Guess I should get going too.”

I was heading toward the exit when I ran into the coach. The moment he saw me, he grinned and took out two baseballs from his pocket.

“Here, take them.”

“…What’s this?”

Why is he suddenly giving me baseballs…?

They weren’t even new; they had some dirt on them, as if they had been used.

Why would he… No way, could these be…?

“Are these the balls from my home runs?”

“Of course. I’ve got to give you the balls from your first game’s home runs. The one on the left is from your first home run, and the one on the right is from the second. You might want to mark them with a marker.”

So, is this why the coach wasn’t around at the start of the game—to find these?

That’s… surprising.

When I read Nemas, I thought he was just an old man obsessed with performance, but now, he seems to have a warmer side.

Or maybe he’s just being nice because I’m good at baseball…

Anyway, I’m grateful regardless.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle and shouted energetically.

“Thank you, Coach!”

“No need to thank me. If you’re grateful, just keep playing well. Oh, if you need a marker, check the lounge.”

After saying that, the coach left.

I changed my route from the locker room to the lounge.

“Since it’s my first home run ball, I should mark it right away.”

If I get them mixed up, I’ll be bothered forever wondering which one was my first.

The lounge was empty, and there was a marker right next to the whiteboard.

First, I wrote today’s date on the first home run ball.

“…Should I sign it too?”

Might as well. I added my signature, the same one I used back in my Major League days.

“Oh… Not bad.”

It had been a while since I signed a baseball, but it turned out quite well. Looking at the ball, a face suddenly popped into my mind.

“…I wonder if Ms. Miyeon is still at school.”

It was already getting dark.

Even though work hours were long over, Lee Miyeon was still in the faculty office, preparing materials for her upcoming classes.

The homeroom teacher of Class 3 tapped on Miyeon’s desk.

“Ms. Miyeon, you look really tired today. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Huh? Me…?”

The teacher from Class 3 nodded.

“How should I put it… You usually have this ‘smile energy,’ but today you look like a droopy puppy. It started around lunchtime. Did you have an upset stomach or something?”

“Not really…”

“Hmm… I see. Well, if you’re tired, go get some fresh air. A walk is the best cure when you’re feeling down.”

After contemplating for a moment, Lee Miyeon eventually left the faculty office and walked down the stairs.

She slowly walked around the school field before sitting on a bench.

“So sharp… the teacher from Class 3…”

Miyeon muttered bitterly with a smile.

To be honest, she knew that today felt emptier than usual.

That hollow feeling had lingered with her all day.

In fact, she probably already knew the reason for it.

No, it’s not “probably.” She did know…

The only difference between yesterday and today was that the time she spent eating lunch with Taehyun was gone…

But admitting that was hard because…

The moment she admitted it, she could no longer be the “teacher” she had aspired to become.

That’s why she had been vaguely aware that her relationship with Taehyun was a little inappropriate, but…

Just…

“It’s just… talking with him is so fun. What can I do?”

At first, she packed lunch for Taehyun out of pity.

It was heartbreaking to see him going without food.

She thought he was probably hurting inside, and as a teacher, she wanted to help heal those wounds, so she initiated conversations…

“I’m really hopeless…”

At some point, just talking to him became enjoyable, and she forgot about the initial purpose.

But still, he’s good at baseball, likes the Phoenix team, is kind, and even gave her the signed bat she had wanted so much…

Honestly, how is this Taehyun’s fault…?

Miyeon quickly shook her head.

“What am I even thinking…”

Anyway, the reason for the lack of Miyeon’s “smile energy” was none other than Cha Taehyun.

Because he had joined the baseball team.

“Looks like I won’t be seeing him as often now…”

‘Maybe it’s for the best…’

If it weren’t for this forced separation, she wouldn’t have had the strength to distance herself from Taehyun.

“Yes… Let’s just return to being a normal teacher and student rela—”

“Ms. Miyeon?”

“Eek…!”

Suddenly, Cha Taehyun appeared under the streetlight, startling Miyeon so much she bit her tongue.

“You haven’t gone home yet?”

“Y-Yes! I stayed late to prepare for my classes.”

“Today’s my lucky day, then.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Taehyun smiled softly and pulled a baseball out of his pocket.

“I wanted to give you this. If you had left, I was going to give it to you another time.”

Miyeon’s eyes, which had been downcast all day, widened and sparkled.

“It’s a home run ball. My first game, my first home run ball.”

Her mouth opened slightly as she received the ball.

A home run ball from the first game.

As someone who loves baseball, Miyeon knew exactly how precious it was.

“Can I really accept this? It’s your first game’s home run ball…”

“You’ve been packing lunch for me every day. I wouldn’t call this a repayment, but… When I get famous and earn a lot of money, I’ll give you a signed ball made of gold.”

Miyeon couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“You don’t have to give me a gold one. This one is more than enough to make me happy.”

That was 100% the truth.

She was so happy that it was hard to suppress the smile threatening to spread across her face.

Taehyun hesitated, as if he had more to say, and looked at Miyeon.

“Also… I just wanted you to have it. Not just for the lunch.”

“Huh?”

“Thanks to you, every day has been a joy for me.”

Miyeon was left speechless.

“The lunches were delicious, but the time I spent with you was what truly kept me going.”

“…I see…”

“Ms. Miyeon? Why are you looking down all of a sudden?”

Because my face feels hot!

Of course, she couldn’t say that.

“So… I was wondering if I could continue eating your lunch… I know it’s a lot to ask,

but… would you mind?”

Hearing that, Miyeon’s head shot up.

“Huh? Aren’t you going to be too busy with the baseball team now?”

Taehyun answered playfully.

“The coach doesn’t care what I do as long as I play well. I can step out during lunchtime.”

“Really? Then…”

Miyeon was about to answer immediately but stopped herself.

‘…What am I thinking? I just made up my mind earlier…’

But the moment Taehyun spoke again,

“If it’s inconvenient, then I’m okay—”

“No, no! I actually felt lonely making lunch for just one person.”

Her resolve crumbled instantly.

‘It’s not like eating lunch together is weird, right?’

In any case, now that she had regained her “smile energy,” Miyeon returned to the school with Taehyun, who said he left something in the classroom.

After parting ways with Taehyun, Miyeon entered the faculty office and sat down at her desk. The teacher from Class 3 looked at her curiously.

“Wow, Ms. Miyeon, you look revitalized again!”

“Huh? I do…?”

“Yeah! No, you look even more energetic than usual! Did you find some money while walking around?”

“Well… it’s not money, actually.”

Miyeon placed the home run ball on her desk and smiled.

“I got something much better than money.”

It’s been over a week since I joined the baseball team.

I’ve built friendships with the members, and even have some who follow me now, so I’m quite satisfied.

However… a problem has arisen.

A big problem.

Smack!

“Oh! Lee Jiho again?”

“What’s up with him lately?”

“He’s a double-play machine now.”

The universe’s force of resistance, or whatever it is, seems to have finally thrown Lee Jiho into a slump.

Not only could this potentially create a link to Ms. Miyeon, but it’s also a problem for the baseball team.

Right now, we’re mainly playing intra-squad games and friendlies, but if this continues during tournament season…

Forget about winning; we’ll have to worry about getting knocked out early.

Sure, you might think, “How can losing one batter affect the team so much?” But actually, Lee Jiho isn’t the only problem.

“Is Senior Seungtae seriously missing?”

“Yeah, what happened to him? Did he get into an accident or something?”

“The coach isn’t saying much either.”

The team’s ace pitcher has been missing for a week with no contact.

“Maybe he caught a bad cold or something. He might be a jerk, but he’s serious about baseball. Still, I hope he doesn’t come back.”

“Agreed. Watching him torment Hwang Gwang-hyun was painful. And since the coach never said anything about it… what could we even say…?”

“Really? Should I bring him back, then?”

The second-year members, who had been chatting away excitedly in the dugout, froze instantly.

Me included.

“S-Senior Lee Seungtae?”

“Your hair…?”

Lee Seungtae, grinning like he found it amusing, had nearly shaved his head down to a buzz cut.

What on earth… What happened to him?

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