Chapter 30: Epilogue

The SoftBank Hawks won the Climax Series and advanced to the Japan Series.

Their opponent was the Yomiuri Giants, the Central League champions.

The Hawks overwhelmed the Giants with their superior strength, taking a 3-1 series lead.

And in the potentially final 5th game.

In the top of the 9th inning, with the Hawks leading 8-3.

-And the pitcher who will throw the ceremonial pitch for the SoftBank Hawks is none other than the Climax Series MVP, Jeong Su-hyeon!

-It’s the obvious choice.

Boing~

Thwack!

“Strike, batter out!”

Boing~

Whoosh-

Thwaaack!

“Swing, batter out!

Game set!”

Although it was practically over when they won the Climax Series.

The condition was to win the fall baseball championship, so there was nothing to be done.

All the Hawks players and staff rushed to the ground, spraying champagne and celebrating wildly.

But Su-hyeon just stood on the mound with a faint smile.

“Senpai, what are you doing?

You should be happier.”

“Thanks, Kiriyama.”

Su-hyeon turned her head and looked at Dae-joon, who was still celebrating with the coaching staff.

Su-hyeon couldn’t bring herself to say goodbye to Dae-joon.

And anyway, they would meet again when she returned.

‘I wonder if he’s doing well with Uehara?

Dang, I should have asked him yesterday at least.’

It was too late.

Her teammates were gathering on the mound to give Su-hyeon a celebratory toss.

“If you touch my chest while tossing me, I’ll kill you!”

“You all heard her, right?

Absolutely do not touch Su-hyeon’s chest!”

One.

Two.

Three!

Su-hyeon raised her hands in the air and soared high into the sky.

At the peak, as she began to descend, the excruciating pain in her chest returned, and her vision blurred as the events of the past year flashed through her mind.

[Would you like to return to your original life?]

It’s a shame, even after coming this far.

But I have to go.

Because I came this far.

‘Yes.

I’ll go back.’

Su-hyeon woke up and opened her eyes.

Faint light filtering through the blackout curtains.

The sound of cars on the Gangbyeon Expressway on the way to work.

The musty smell of a bachelor’s room.

I’m back.

Su-hyeon placed both hands on her chest.

There was nothing there.

She placed her right hand on her lower abdomen.

It was there.

It felt like a loss, trading something great for something ordinary.

Just as tears were about to well up from the unknown emotions.

Her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hey, did you pass out drunk again?

Are you not going to play baseball because fall is over?”

A very familiar voice.

It was trainer Kim Dae-joon.

“No, hyung.

I wasn’t feeling well…”

“Stop talking nonsense and come out quickly.

I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

October 31, 2024.

Exactly the day after she had died after ruining fall baseball and reading hate comments.

I returned to my life.

-The 2029 Korean Series champions, the Daejeon Chickens!

– The players are giving ace Jeong Su-hyeon a celebratory toss!

Jeong Su-hyeon, tasting the joy of his first championship in 17 years of professional life.

After returning to her original life.

Su-hyeon never got nervous in the postseason, but it took another five years to win the fall baseball championship.

No matter how well Su-hyeon pitched, the Chickens were not a strong enough team to easily make it through the playoffs.

At the age of 37, Su-hyeon announced her retirement after winning the Korean Series.

“What are you going to do now?

Commentary?

Coaching?

Aren’t you going to get married?”

“I need some rest too.

You should get married first, hyung.

Didn’t it work out with the person I introduced you to last time?”

After retiring, Su-hyeon spent her time helping Dae-joon at the DJ Baseball Academy every day.

“Hey, what about her?

If I could marry someone like her, I’d do it tomorrow.”

“Who are you talking about?”

2029 Miss Canoe.

Jeong Su-hyeon.

Su-hyeon couldn’t speak after seeing the Instagram profile that Dae-joon showed her.

Oh my god.

So it wasn’t a dream.

“She posted that she wants to learn baseball, should I send a DM?

It might be good for promoting the academy, don’t you think?”

Su-hyeon raised her head, swallowed her tears, and answered Dae-joon.

“The name is very good.

It’s a name that’s good at baseball.

What are you doing, hyung?

Send a DM quickly.”