Chapter 0(Prologue): Foul Lines and Second Chances

-Prologue-

The Golden Lion Flag Tournament.

The dream stage that determines the pinnacle of Korean high school baseball.

Jiho Lee dominated the tournament with an unbelievable performance of 5 hits in 5 at-bats, including 3 home runs.

Moreover, his final at-bat resulted in a game-ending grand slam, sealing a comeback victory.

Holding the significant home run ball in his hands, Jiho takes a marker and swiftly signs his name.

Normally, he would give it to his parents or keep it for himself, but he looks toward the stands.

The game is over, but one woman remains seated in the stands, waiting for someone.

It was Miyeon Lee, Jiho’s homeroom teacher.

Thanks to her, Jiho hadn’t crumbled and was able to perform like this.

He wanted to repay her gratitude in some small way.

Just as he was about to take the home run ball and approach her—

“Where are you going?”

A man suddenly blocks his path.

The man looks at Jiho’s home run ball and snatches it away.

“Going to give it to the teacher…? No way. You ungrateful brat.”

Jiho frowns and reaches out his hand, but the man dodges and holds the ball high.

“You’re going to marry your childhood friend anyway, so why are you trying to give this to the teacher? Don’t you know how disgusting it is to string people along?”

“What the hell are you talking about all of a sudden… when did I ever lead anyone on?”

“Yeah, leading people on. I watched it all the way to the final episode. So just give this to your childhood friend.”

The man throws the ball to Jiho, who reflexively catches it and glares at him.

“I told you. Stop leading people on. Take care of your childhood friend.”

The man then picks up a bat that had been leaning against the wall, casually signs it with the marker, and heads toward the stands.

Life is unpredictable, and no one knows what will happen.

This is the one truth I’ve come to realize after living 25 years.

Otherwise, how could I explain my life?

An orphan left at the doorstep of an orphanage.

Who would’ve thought that this orphan would become the best player in Major League Baseball?

Rookie of the Year, League MVP, Cy Young Award, Home Run King, Batting Champion, Stolen Base Leader… I practically swept all the awards in the Major Leagues.

As both a batter and a pitcher,

I stood at the top, and I thought there would be no one to take my place for at least five years…

Until I became crippled in a car accident.

A drunk driver rear-ended my car, and I was lucky to survive.

I’m thankful to be alive, even though my baseball career ended after just five years.

But my life isn’t over.

Though my leg is inconvenient, it’s not like I can’t walk on my own, and I’ve made enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life.

It’s heartbreaking that I can never play baseball again, but at least—

[UP! Strike to Your Heart!]

“A new chapter’s out.”

Text-based baseball.

I find solace in reading a web novel about baseball.