The Extra in a Baseball Novel

Before the game started, both baseball teams took time to shake hands with each other.

This was supposedly part of an image improvement campaign to promote high school baseball, but I have no idea how this improves its image.

Anyway, I ended up shaking hands with Jin Taehyun, known as “Fake Taehyun,” and for some reason, his gaze on me was quite intense.

“I’m really glad to meet you. I’ve been waiting just for this moment.”

“…What?”

“I was able to get here all thanks to you… Thank you. And I respect you. I admire you so much that I want to be like you.”

A sudden show of worship…?

To be honest, I didn’t understand what he was saying at all, but I forced a smile and accepted the handshake.

“Let’s both do our best today so that we have no regrets.”

This was the moment I realized that Jin Taehyun wasn’t an ordinary guy.

Less than five minutes had passed since the first inning began, and the atmosphere in Cheongsin High’s dugout had already sunk.

When they heard that Seungtae Lee was out with an injury and Kim Changhyun would be starting instead, they had hoped they might stand a chance. But now that they had seen his pitching firsthand, they realized it had been a futile hope.

“Their pitcher is even better than we expected… It almost feels like he’s not much different from Seungtae Lee…”

Cheongsin High’s assistant coach spoke to the head coach in a regretful tone, but the coach responded with a calm expression.

“It’s fine.”

“Excuse me?”

“Did you see Taehyun’s eyes today?”

His sudden question about eye contact left the assistant coach opening and closing his mouth in confusion.

“That kid has always had a fierce look, as if he was putting everything into baseball.”

“Yeah, Taehyun certainly has that…”

“But today, his eyes were beyond fierce; they were savage. Did you know? Jin Taehyun isn’t just similar to Cha Taehyun in name. They have similar upbringings. Jin Taehyun was raised by his grandmother and had a tough time playing baseball. A kid like that has such a ferocious look in his eyes today. He won’t go down easily unless he gives up.”

Changhyun stepped up to the mound and struck out the first batter with just three pitches.

I had only seen three pitches, but I could already tell how great Changhyun’s pitches were today.

It seemed like they wouldn’t be easy to hit.

-Whack!

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, the second batter made contact with the ball.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like it would travel far, as it appeared to be easily caught by center fielder Jin Myunghwan.

Changhyun also seemed to think it was a done deal and turned his head forward as he watched the fly ball.

But then, Jin Myunghwan made an uncharacteristic mistake. He failed to catch the ball and dropped it.

-Cheers erupted from the stands!

Hurriedly, Jin Myunghwan picked up the ball and threw it with all his might.

“Safe!”

The batter had already been standing on second base for a while.

“What are you doing, Myunghwan…?”

Did he get nervous because of the crowd? It was the first time I’d seen him make such a blunder.

Well, a mistake is a mistake. It’s something that could really irritate a pitcher.

But instead of getting upset, Changhyun shouted out to reassure him.

“It’s okay, Myunghwan! Don’t worry about it!!!”

Jin Myunghwan bowed his head in apology before Changhyun turned his back, striking out the next batter.

“Strike-out!”

And now, it was the turn of the fourth batter, Jin Taehyun.

He looked so serious, I could hardly believe this was the same guy I shook hands with earlier.

His gaze was not just fierce—it was terrifying.

Catcher Ji Changseob’s sign was delayed, likely because he wanted to be cautious against Jin Taehyun.

Soon, Changseob showed his index finger. It seemed he had chosen a high fastball for the first pitch.

Changhyun nodded and threw the ball.

Jin Taehyun’s eyes widened as he swung the bat with frightening speed.

-Whack!

The moment I heard the crack of the bat, I could already tell.

“It’s going over.”

-Cheers erupted!

The ball soared high and far.

It was clearly a massive home run, but Jin Taehyun continued sprinting at full speed.

…Is this some new form of taunting?

Anyway, we gave up a two-run home run right in the top of the first inning. A tough situation for any pitcher.

Still, it’s going to be okay. Changhyun’s mentality is on par with mine, even if he is a bit eccentric.

As if to prove my trust in him—

“Strike-out!”

Changhyun struck out the next batter with a more powerful pitch, clenching his fist.

I returned to the dugout, took the water bottle that Seo Jia handed me, and sat next to Jin Myunghwan.

“Doesn’t it feel a bit weird?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“What does?”

“It feels like the crowd is oddly rooting for Cheongsin High.”

I felt it during the top of the first inning. The crowd was dead silent when Cheongsin High’s batters struck out, but when they scored an error or hit a home run, the cheers were so loud that they startled me.

“Of course. They’re all here to cheer for Cheongsin High.”

“…What? Is Cheongsin High that popular?”

“Do you think so? This is their first appearance at the Golden Lion. There are no popular high school teams, to begin with.”

“Then why?”

“Do you not watch NewTube or something?”

“If I had time for that, I’d rather swing a bat one more time.”

“Ugh… So annoying. Anyway, Cheongsin High’s story is amazing, right? An underdog team breaking through to the finals. People thought it would help revive high school baseball, so they made a documentary about them on NewTube, and it became a huge hit. Naturally, they gained fans.”

Listening to Myunghwan’s explanation, I immediately understood the difference in the crowd’s reaction.

“People do love a good story.”

“Exactly. No one expected a miracle run from an underdog team. It’s quite romantic, don’t you think?”

“I agree. So, from their perspective, we’re the villains, huh?”

“Pretty much. If you hit a home run, they’re going to hate it.”

“Sounds fun.”

I’m not the type to care about the crowd’s reactions.

I got enough of that in the Major Leagues.

Besides, as long as I know Miyeon is cheering for me, it doesn’t matter how many people are rooting for Cheongsin High.

No, actually…

Miyeon must be feeling frustrated being surrounded by opposing fans.

For Miyeon’s sake, it might be worth putting on a good show.

I called out to Jin Myunghwan, who was heading out of the dugout.

“Myunghwan, just get on base.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll show them what a real villain is.”

“Do you have to? You’re already the villain just by being better than the so-called main character, Fake Taehyun.”

Hmm…

He had a point, which was annoying.

“Myunghwan.”

“Yeah.”

“Anyway, don’t get out. Today, I’m batting fourth for the first time. Let me hit a grand slam.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll do my best to set up the stage.”

“Good. Go and do your best.”

I playfully punched Myunghwan in the chest.

“Why are you acting weird today?”

Although he grumbled, he looked much more relaxed than when he made the error.

Yeah, Myunghwan, don’t get nervous.

Don’t be afraid, and get on base.

-Whack!

“Ah, geez.”

Despite my encouragement, Myunghwan swung at a breaking ball and weakly hit it toward the infield.

-Cheers erupted from the stands!

It seemed like the crowd thought it was an easy out.

“Hey!”

“Myunghwan, run!”

“There’s another fool like you! Run!”

“There’s not just Fake Taehyun; there’s also Fake Myunghwan, haha!”

Cheongsin High’s shortstop made a critical error, allowing Myunghwan to safely reach first base.

“Safe!”

Myunghwan looked at me and gave a cocky grin.

His expression seemed to say, “How’s that?” and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yeah, luck is a skill too.”

Now, this is setting up my at-bat nicely.

The upcoming second and third batters are top-tier hitters in the high school league.

And, as if answering my expectations—

-Whack!

-Whack!

Second batter Ji Changseob and third batter Lee Taehyung hit consecutive singles.

“It’s really a bases-loaded situation?”

The stands were filled with spectators, our team was trailing, and the bases were loaded.

One good swing could turn the game around.

I had heard that batters felt psychological pressure in situations like this, but I never quite understood it.

Isn’t it a good thing that you have a chance to be a hero with one hit?

That’s what I used to think in my younger days.

After spending some time in the league, I naturally understood why they felt that pressure.

But if you were to ask me right now—

“Are you nervous?”

No. I can confidently say I’m not.

I understand it, but I can’t

quite empathize.

I stepped into the batter’s box and glared fiercely at the pitcher.

Part of my routine.

It sometimes has a good intimidation effect.

The pitcher already looks rattled.

But then, Jin Taehyun called for a timeout and hurried to the mound, placing his hand on the pitcher’s shoulder and passionately talking to him.

– “There’s no need to be afraid! You’re our team’s ace!”

– “You’re scared of getting hit? It’s fine! Even if you get hit, we’ll score as many runs as you lose.”

– “Trust me, trust yourself, trust our team. If that’s not enough, trust everyone here cheering for us. So throw with all you’ve got. Don’t be afraid.”

Is he giving a motivational speech or something…?

His emotional gestures made me curious about what he was saying.

Anyway, Jin Taehyun returned to the batter’s box, and his words seemed to have a positive effect, as the pitcher’s expression had calmed down.

“That took a while. What were you two talking about?”

“Oh, just gave him a confidence boost.”

“Really…? Sorry about this.”

“Huh?” The pitcher looked confused, but I just kept my mouth shut and got into my batting stance.

The answer—

-Swoosh!

This should be enough.

The curveball came low, and I swung with an extreme uppercut motion.

The thrilling sensation flowed through my entire body as the ball soared high into the air.

Cheongsin High’s center fielder ran frantically, gritting his teeth, and jumped at the fence, extending his glove.

But the ball was just a bit too high, brushing past his glove and going over the wall.

“…..”

It was so quiet that I couldn’t tell if I was in Mokdong Baseball Stadium or Mokdong Library.

– “Taehyun-ah!!”

Well, at least I could hear Miyeon’s voice clearly.

I glanced at the stands, smirked, and swung the bat in satisfaction.

TL Note:

Sheer curiosity here, I’ve read stuff 3x as bad as this with +0.7 the rating. Did this novel kick someone’s dog or something? I’m not asking you guys to go out in force and spam 5-star reviews, but an explanation as to why we’re getting hit so hard (beyond haters being haters) would be great, maybe in the form of a comment or NovelUpdates review.