The Proposal

Cha Seok-young snatched the box from Hyun’s hands, which were stiff with surprise.

“If I hadn’t come, you would have done it. You would have quickly forgotten crying about your sore shoulder and come here to look after others again.”

Even though it was an accusation, his voice was softer than usual. Hyun narrowed his eyes with a doubtful expression.

“Are you, by any chance, apologizing?”

“For what?”

‘For doubting my injury was a lie.’

Hyun swallowed the answer that immediately came to mind. If he blurted out the words forming in his mouth, it felt like an unbearable conversation would follow. His hesitating lips simply closed with a weak, “No.”

“But why are you exaggerating? Who was crying? I wasn’t even hurting that much.”

“Lies. If you’d stayed longer, you would have wet your pants, what the heck.”

“Are you crazy? I didn’t!”

The two bickered as they filled the green box. When the box was half full and Jeong Hye-seong got up with difficulty, Cha Seok-young stopped and asked.

“So what? You want me to just leave?”

Cha Seok-young asked as if he already knew Hyun’s answer. The one who loved more always lost, so Jung Hyun’s record against Cha Seok-young was always one-sided. Mostly, it was Cha Seok-young’s victory.

Even so, eating dinner alone together felt awkward.

His heart was still racing, unable to adjust to merely exchanging words and occasionally touching during training. If it was like this in a crowded place, what about a meal for just the two of them? He was afraid his guard might loosen even more.

“Senior, I’ll do it.”

While he was contemplating, Jeong Hye-seong stumbled over. His appearance, reaching out with messy clothes, was like a zombie.

“I told you, I’m not your senior. Just leave it and go wash up.”

It was the moment Hyun stubbornly pulled the box. A loud rumble echoed from Jeong Hye-seong’s stomach.

“Are you hungry?”

Jeong Hye-seong hastily shook his head. He stammered, his face red, saying he wasn’t, but when his stomach rumbled again, he closed his mouth.

‘Well, he wouldn’t not be hungry after all that rolling and running.’

Hyun pulled the embarrassed Jeong Hye-seong next to him. He lightly patted his shoulder and looked at Cha Seok-young.

“Let’s have Hye-seong-ssi come too. Him-chan will be waiting, so the four of us can eat.”

“Oh, can I join?”

“Of course. Right?”

Cha Seok-young didn’t seem very pleased with Hyun’s suggestion. His eyebrows twitched, rising nervously.

In the past, he would have changed his words immediately upon seeing his expression. But now, with a secret to keep, it was different.

Hyun locked the gate even tighter and held his ground. He endured Cha Seok-young’s silent gaze and painfully suppressed the urge to give in to what Cha Seok-young wanted.

Finally, Cha Seok-young opened his mouth.

“Fine.”

He turned away abruptly, giving an unenthusiastic nod as if reluctant. Then he muttered softly.

“He really takes care of those brats.”

It was a clearly articulated mutter, as if meant to be heard.

A short while later, the three left the field and got into Hyun’s van. Jeong Hye-seong quickly snagged the passenger seat, forcing Hyun to sit next to Cha Seok-young in the back recliner seat.

Perhaps due to the joy of being invited to an unexpected gathering, Song Him-chan was more animated than usual. Countless words flowed from the driver’s seat in the short drive from the field parking lot to the main road.

“To think you remembered to include me too. Hyung-nim, I’m truly touched. I actually thought you’d tell me to go in first today since it was getting late. But you didn’t call even when all the other players came out, so I was really worried something had happened. Just when I thought I should go in and check, you called me! Like a surprise gift. Haa, hyung-nim… You are truly an amazing man, the ultimate romanticist!”

His voice, agitated like a musical dialogue, filled the car. Hyun cautiously glanced at Cha Seok-young sitting next to him.

Cha Seok-young, buried in the recliner, had a sour expression.

He looked like someone who had given up a walk to the first batter. His discomfort was clearly visible in his furrowed brow and the way he rested his temple in his hand.

“Anyway, I immediately looked for a restaurant, and they say the galbi-tang around here is delicious. I specifically looked it up because our Hyun hyung-nim likes clear broth. Aren’t you totally touched? There’s no one else like me, right?”

“Uh-huh… yeah. You did well.”

As he answered vaguely and observed, Cha Seok-young’s expression deepened further. His brow was deeply furrowed, and the veins on the back of his hand, resting on the armrest, stood out clearly. It seemed Song Him-chan’s loud chatter was annoying him when he was already tired.

‘If he gets angry again and says something harsh, Jeong Hye-seong will see it too.’

“I handled it all perfectly! Cleanly and with sense, right? Last time, when we had blowfish soup together, you ate it well, so…”

“Him-chan. You haven’t greeted Hye-seong-ssi, have you?”

Hyun hastily cut off Song Him-chan. His voice, which had been rising in excitement, abruptly stopped.

“Huh? Oh, right. Come to think of it, we haven’t properly greeted each other.”

Perhaps because the other person was sitting right next to him, Song Him-chan’s voice lowered. Song Him-chan, smiling shyly, glanced at the passenger seat.

“Hello, I look forward to working with you.”

“Oh, yes. Hello.”

“Hyung-nim, you’re twenty-three, right? Of course, your face is so youthful that I naturally thought we might be friends from the start, but I was surprised when I heard your self-introduction last time! I’m twenty-one, so please speak informally, hyung-nim!”

“Uh, hmm. Then you can just call me hyung. It’s only a two-year age difference, so ‘hyung-nim’ is a bit much.”

“Can I really do that? I’d love to. Then, Hye-seong hyung! Is galbi-tang okay for you?”

Jeong Hye-seong, who had been slouched from the tough training, glanced at Hyun. He had a surprised expression from the barrage of chatter, which was even more intense than the fungo machine. His tired gaze, as if asking if Song Him-chan was always this talkative, was pitiful, but Hyun pretended not to notice.

Although he felt sorry for Jeong Hye-seong, he had no choice but to prevent the time bomb in the seat next to him from exploding. Fortunately, Cha Seok-young’s expression, which he cautiously checked, was much softer than before.

The restaurant was a traditional Korean house with a neat and clean atmosphere.

The room Song Him-chan had reserved was not far from the entrance, allowing them to enter without encountering other people. They all ordered galbi-tang.

“The grilled meat and hotpot look delicious too, but it’s a bit strange to eat them without alcohol. Everyone must be tired, so let’s eat quickly and go!”

Song Him-chan shouted cheerfully but filled his water glass with a regretful expression. As he started moving four cups, Jeong Hye-seong hastily opened the cutlery drawer.

“Hyung, just stay put. I’ll do it! You’re tired.”

“No, I can do this much, ugh!”

No sooner had he spoken than he dropped the spoon he was holding.

It seemed his hand strength was completely gone from the rest of the training. The startled Jeong Hye-seong, with a pale face, picked up the spoon.

Meanwhile, Hyun picked up the cutlery. He first placed Cha Seok-young’s portion, who was sitting next to him, then handed Song Him-chan Jeong Hye-seong’s as well.

“Hyung, are you okay? What kind of training did you do today?”

Song Him-chan asked, placing a spoon in front of Jeong Hye-seong. His curious eyes sparkled.

“Just some warm-ups and regular training, and then fungo at the end, so a bit much.”

“Wow, fungo. Did the coach specifically make you do it?”

“No, it’s just that I’m a bit lacking.”

Jeong Hye-seong smiled awkwardly, glancing at Cha Seok-young. Cha Seok-young, meanwhile, seemed to be half-listening, resting his chin in his hand and only looking at Jung Hyun.

He couldn’t help but notice the gaze directed at him from right beside him. His cheek felt so hot it seemed it would be pierced, but he pretended not to notice and drank water.

“Then that’s even cooler, hyung. Staying behind on your own to do extra training.”

“Cool, my foot. I’m doing it because I’m not good enough.”

“Still! That’s passion. It’s cool, and I envy you.”

From across the table, Song Him-chan gave him two thumbs up.

Perhaps because the word ‘envy’ touched his heart. Beyond Song Him-chan’s always cheerful smile, Hyun felt a hint of bitterness.

Recently, Song Him-chan had been clocking in at the baseball field every day.

Although it was to drive Hyun, he always wore his workout clothes.

Hyun knew his feelings, so whenever an opportunity arose, he would call Song Him-chan onto the field. He would give him tips and let him throw balls during lunch breaks or when Shim Sang-jin wasn’t around.

Song Him-chan was grateful for even that, but in reality, it was far from proper training.

‘I want him to receive systematic training, even if it’s short, but is there no way?’ When he went to the PD, contemplating this, she said with a troubled expression.

“If he joins regular training, there might be some noise. I think the tryout eliminated players might feel it’s unfair.”

It was an irrefutable answer.

“If you’re envious, then do it too.”

Cha Seok-young, who knew nothing of the situation, said indifferently.

“Oh, it’s a bit tricky. If I train with them, I think there might be talk of fairness.”

“It doesn’t matter if you stay behind and train separately. It’s not official training.”

Hyun quickly turned to Cha Seok-young. His loose gaze, still resting his chin in his hand, was directed at Song Him-chan.

“Wait, then. If you’re willing, I’ll help you.”

Song Him-chan shrieked at the arrogant offer. Cha Seok-young frowned as Him-chan started running around the room, making a fuss. However, the moment he subtly looked back at Hyun, a faint smile quickly appeared on his face.

Hyun slowly blinked his surprised eyes. ‘What? What suddenly got into him? Is he doing this because he feels bad about today?’ In his bewildered state, his lips merely opened and closed.

“You said to clean it up, didn’t you?”

Cha Seok-young uttered a cryptic remark. Only then did Hyun recall the first day of training.

‘I’ll talk to Him-chan, so you clean up your act a bit.’

‘Crazy bastard, he was thinking about that all along.’ His face flushed hot without a drop of alcohol.