NOVPUBThe CEO of Daltokki Tteok, a huge fan and sponsor of the TC Knights.
The leader of the Toge tribe, who openly lives as a member of the True Family.
A player who participated in the world conquest event during last year's Children’s Day.
Considering the above, it was only fitting that Okto Yeon was chosen as the first pitcher for this important game.
‘It's not like when Yeom Jun-yeol made his appearance last year, but there are still a lot of people recognizing me.’
Okto Yeon waved her hand and took off her baseball cap.
As she did, a pair of white rabbit ears popped out from beneath the cap, and the crowd murmured with excitement.
Okto Yeon usually hides her ears but seems to have shown them for fan service today.
After proudly displaying her ears, Okto Yeon got into the wind-up position and threw the pitch.
‘The speed is decent, but her control is all over the place.’
It looked like Okto Yeon was overexerting herself, perhaps thinking she had to throw well, and unnecessary tension was visible in her body.
If the catcher hadn't rushed up and stretched out his mitt, the ball would have rolled into the dugout.
Okto Yeon widened her eyes and looked surprised, but when the catcher nodded that it was okay, she smiled brightly and walked off the mound.
Even for a seasoned member of the True Family, control doesn't come easily.
“If I had thrown it, there’s no way it would’ve been such a mess.”
Hwang Ji-ho answered a question no one had asked.
Before the game started, Okto Yeon came to the central seats.
She headed straight for the spot where our class was seated, probably to talk to me right away.
“Hey!”
“......”
Before coming towards me, Okto Yeon encountered Song Dae-seok.
Song Dae-seok was wearing a class T-shirt with the phrase "Min Green +25cm" written on it, a slogan by Kwon Le-na, and when he subtly turned his body to avoid Okto Yeon's gaze, the phrase was clearly visible.
‘It seems those two are involved in a very important project, not just handling the Moon Palace map for the association.’
I hadn’t heard much about the project, but I learned from Hong Kyu-bin that Team Leader Im Ji-hwa was tied to the project.
The satellite team’s workload was so heavy, and recently, due to government interference with the satellites, the project had been progressing slowly.
Although Song Dae-seok had become the core member of the satellite team since last year, it seemed likely that Okto Yeon was also involved in the project.
Both of them worked together at the association’s satellite team and had become acquainted, but due to the secretive nature of their project, they probably didn't want to show familiarity in public.
‘It’s not good for them to reveal their relationship in such a public place.’
It seemed like Song Dae-seok had the same thoughts, as he turned his head and acted disinterested.
Perhaps Okto Yeon also realized it was inappropriate and rolled her red eyes, looking awkward.
The awkwardness was so noticeable that Hwang Ji-ho clicked his tongue.
I decided to intervene.
“Hello.”
When I greeted her, Okto Yeon looked at me with relief and warmth in her eyes.
Okto Yeon immediately ran towards me as if she was about to jump.
“Hey, hi! Did you see me throw the ball? I did great, right?”
“Yes, I saw it well.”
To be honest, I wasn’t sure if she threw it well, but I didn’t lie because I had indeed watched it.
Okto Yeon seemed to have a lot to say, as she chatted away nonstop.
She mentioned how she had wanted to come to the baseball stadium with us but couldn’t, how busy she had been preparing for a new business, whether I had eaten the tteok (rice cakes) she sent me, and whether there were any kinds of tteok I wanted to eat again, as if talking to a long-lost niece.
As the leader of the Toge tribe, it was no surprise that she drew attention.
“She's really connected, huh? Right, Hani?”
“......”
“Do you think they met during the world conquest last year?”
“No, I don’t think so, Lena. Even though Hyo-don was there, the leader of the Toge tribe doesn’t seem interested.”
“Hmm... look! They're selling drinks on the go! It looks like they’re selling regular drinks too, not just beer, since they're holding two containers.”
As my classmates started showing interest in Okto Yeon and me, Kim Yoo-ri changed the subject.
I was only sorry that I had to rely on the ever-reliable class president.
Hwang Ji-ho looked like he wanted to get rid of Okto Yeon immediately, but I signaled not to intervene beforehand.
I couldn’t bear to think about how awkward it would be if high schooler Hwang Ji-ho started saying something like “damn rabbit” in front of Okto Yeon in this public setting.
Okto Yeon, oblivious to my troubles, was just having fun.
“Everyone's matching their clothes! ‘ㅇㅈㅇㅇㅇ’? What’s that? ‘Enjoy laugh’? ‘Go Monday’?”
She hadn’t seemed too eager for the initial consonant quiz during the Twelve-Zodiac Conference, but now Okto Yeon was excitedly stringing together nonsensical words.
Before I could give the answer, the quiz creator suddenly spoke up.
“Okto Yeon, are you curious about that?”
“Wow! Why is Yong Je-geon here!”
“I participated in the world conquest too. Did you forget?”
Yong Je-geon had been watching the situation, and when Okto Yeon looked at the place where she had initially glanced, he smiled and pointed.
It was where Song Dae-seok and Min Green were sitting together.
Yong Je-geon, with a big grin, spoke to her.
“I’m in charge of a homeroom class for Ui-shin. But it seems like there’s someone else in our class that you know. Green? Dae-seok?”
“W-Why didn’t you tell me who it is?!”
“You know someone, for sure.”
“I didn’t answer! How do you know!”
It was obvious, because Okto Yeon had said it herself.
With just a little coaxing, Okto Yeon would spill everything she knew, whether she was aware of it or not.
Before I could intervene, Okto Yoon appeared.
“Okto Yoon! Where have you been?”
“I was talking to the club staff. I thought this place would be safe, but I didn’t expect to see Yong Je-geon here.”
If we were talking about safety, there was no problem here.
Eungwang High's top-tier players were all around, and Hwang Ji-ho was here too.
The problem was that Yong Je-geon was here.
“Okto Yoon, you’re here too. How’s your training going?”
“Thanks to Je-geon. I heard rumors you’re about to ascend. But it seems like that hasn’t happened yet?”
“Yes, look, this is from our class.”
While Okto Yoon was talking to Yong Je-geon, Okto Yeon slowly stepped back.
Even though Okto Yeon wasn’t intimidated by Hwang Ji-ho’s argument, she seemed reluctant to deal with Yong Je-geon.
“Good job with the pitch today, Okto Yeon CEO, hello!”
“Hmm, I knew you’d be here.”
Before Okto Yeon could settle down, she encountered Do Shi-hoo.
Do Shi-hoo had just returned after greeting Do Won-woo and Yoo Sang-hee.
Okto Yeon’s eyes widened as she observed Do Shi-hoo carefully.
‘Last time, I said Do Shi-hoo had a death omen. I wonder how it is now.’
Okto Yeon seemed to remember that she had detected signs of death from Do Shi-hoo and scrutinized his face closely.
Do Shi-hoo stood there calmly, while Jang Nam-wook waited anxiously for Okto Yeon’s comment.
“I still feel uneasy, but it’s definitely better than last time. Just be careful, remember what I said last time?”
“Yes, I remember.”
Jang Nam-wook’s expression slightly darkened.
Although it had improved, it seemed that some sign of death still lingered on Do Shi-hoo.
‘Mu Ji-gi still hasn’t woken up, huh? He must still hold a grudge against Do Shi-hoo.’
It was said that Je Cheon Dae-seong had told Mu Ji-gi about Do Shi-hoo’s situation while Mu Ji-gi was unconscious.
However, since Mu Ji-gi’s mind was not clear enough to open his eyes, it was impossible for him to fully understand the situation.
Still, Je Cheon Dae-seong always kept his clone by Mu Ji-gi’s side, suppressing the resentment Mu Ji-gi held toward Do Shi-hoo.
Despite the heavy conversation about Do Shi-hoo’s life, the man was smiling carelessly.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Do Shi-hoo said that and headed toward Jang Nam-wook.
‘It seems like Jang Nam-wook and Joo Soo-hyuk also heard the conversation.’
But Joo Soo-hyuk seemed content just observing, without intending to ask further.
By the time Do Shi-hoo put on a baseball cap to avoid the UV rays due to Jang Nam-wook’s nagging, the first inning had begun, and the TC Knights, the home team, started their attack.
Recently, TC Knights had been on a winning streak, defying their usual reputation as a weak team, and they showed great performance even on Children’s Day.
By the end of the fifth inning, TC Knights were leading the game.
‘Okto Yeon is really excited.’
Okto Yeon enthusiastically followed the cheer slogans and sang cheer songs, rooting for the TC Knights.
Okto Yoon seemed like she wanted to leave during the game, checking the time a few times, but it seemed like she gave up because Okto Yeon was enjoying herself so much.
‘Last year, this time, the rift occurred.’
There was no attack from the hidden force today.
Today was so different from last year that it would have been hard for the hidden force to target it.
The internal changes within the association, the level of the professional player teams stationed domestically, and many other things had changed, but the most noticeable was the barrier. 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Thanks to the promise made by Chu-oh and TC’s next head during the Kimopolaiho, a SR++-grade barrier had been installed at the stadium.
While it would still be possible for the hidden force to send subordinates to attack, it was very difficult to induce a rift and cause a breach.
‘Maybe not this year too?’ Some of the audience might have thought, but perhaps for them, a short interview broadcast played during the ground maintenance time.
The interview featured players who had participated in the event that day.
[We met the players who defended Jamsil Baseball Stadium that day. They’re young students, but really impressive.]
[As you saw in the captions, the players introduced have made remarkable achievements over the past year. While we admire their growth, it's also saddening to think that they have to be sent into the battlefield so often.]
[We’re once again grateful to the players. I hope they are rewarded for the roles they play in our society.]
The class was watching the interview when Kim Yoo-ri turned on the device.
On the big screen and device broadcast, the focus was on Joo Soo-hyuk, who had led the interview.
Joo Soo-hyuk, though he had made great achievements, looked more like a high school student who came to the stadium for fun on a holiday.
“I wanted to see Ui-shin and Hyo-don doing the interview, but it was pre-recorded. What a pity.”
“Why would you want to see that?”
“I wanted to see the two of them getting praised!”
Meng Hyo-don seemed embarrassed, but the class seemed to agree with Sa Wol-seum's opinion.
Perhaps that was the reason everyone agreed to go to the baseball outing?
It made the schedule adjustment easier, so I was thankful, but it felt a bit awkward.
After cleaning time, the game resumed.
The game ended with the TC Knights winning.
“Yay! We won! Let’s go all the way to fall baseball!”
Okto Yeon jumped around happily, while Jang Nam-wook clapped for the players with a bitter expression.
Still, it was only May. Wasn’t fall baseball a bit premature?
“Today’s baseball game was fun! I want to come again.”
“The winning team, TC, played really well. Should we go watch the next game too?”
Looking at the kids who were about to become TC Knights fans, I felt a chill.
The path ahead is hell, so I hope they stop.
Okto Yeon is enough of a victim for now.
‘Maybe it’d be better to become a fan of the perennial second place, Joo Dragons.’
In baseball, there’s an eternal saying: “Teams that will fall, fall.”
There are moments when a weak team shows great performance in the spring or early summer and ranks high in the regular league.
However, as the saying goes, those teams fall back to the bottom before the fall baseball starts, and TC Knights are likely to follow that path.
‘Plmago also briefly shone, then fell back into the abyss.’
During Plmago's second year, Yeom Jun-yeol shone, and Ong Gil-dong's antics brought temporary peace, causing Plmago to be re-evaluated for a while.
These two characters had great manipulation, and their flashy skills and developments gave hope to change the grim story.
But such a time was very short, and as both characters tragically died, Plmago's store ranking and reviews plummeted.
“I never imagined I’d come to such a crowded place last year... I want to come cheer again.”
I wanted to stop her, but since Min Green said that, I couldn’t find the words.
It was supposed to be written by Song Dae-seok, but in the end, nothing was written, so Min Green’s class T-shirt had the mysterious phrase "Dae-seok couldn’t write anything."
Song Dae-seok was the one who always spit out sharp words, but when it came to important things like this, he was a fool who couldn’t say anything.
“Let’s go now.”
“Okay!”
The class, still immersed in the game’s aftermath, followed Han Geun-hyeong's words.
On Han Geun-hyeong’s T-shirt, it said “Attendance rate almost 100%,” written by me.
It was a shame it wasn’t 100%, but the spring outing ended joyfully without incident.
