Embracing The Memories | COMPLETED | KOREAN STAND ALONE #1 ✒

제31장: Strike

Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedbacks are highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

▬▬▬▬ 💜 ▬▬▬▬

I almost jumped from my seat when Naehyun shouted my name and even shook me while I was laying my head and hiding in my arms. To be honest, since it was still a vacant day, I decided to just sleep in the room.

There weren't many students so I figured some of them were watching the match or just walking around campus. Though, I didn't expect Naehyun to be here with me as soon as I arrive.

When I had finally walked into the room, he just stood from his chair immediately and called out my name. Another reason why he was here next to me.

Naehyun then dragged a chair next to me before looking straight at me with a bored glance. His arms were on the armchair as his hands were under his chin in a confused thinking pose. "You're not going to Yoonwoo's game to watch?"

"The track and field competition is still in the afternoon, Naehyun," I answered before raising my right hand to wave him off. "So please, let me sleep more."

I haven't gotten sleep since I had to watch some dramas and movies, knowing that it was probably one of the days that I could get enough time to enjoy. Though, I didn't notice the time and ended up sleeping at 3 then woke up at 5.

"Jihun would be the one competing with Won hyung today. The baseball match is already starting," Naehyun mentioned as I only waved at him again before agreeing. I knew how persistent Naehyun was and the only thing I could do was to agree so I could get enough sleep.

I wasn't intending on missing any of their games. Though, I just wanted at least a bit of time to sleep before going to the field. The weather was hot so it was quick to get sleepy and stay in a room with the air conditioner blowing cool air.

"I know they're both there, Naehyun. I'm just having a bit of nap," I answered back, knowing really well that he would do almost anything to make me stand up. He then sighed, pulling my hand up so I could push myself to watch the game.

"Please, let's go. You can sleep later," he said as he almost dragged me up before pulling me out of the room, not even letting me take my water bottle or my journal. I'm guessing everyone had already gone to the match since I could hear the loud cheers coming from the baseball field.

When we got there, however, my eyes couldn't believe it. The match already started and Jihun was the one holding the bat this time on the batter's box. The one on the middle, Yoonwoo, was the pitcher in this round. He was holding the ball and ready to throw it fast. The cheers had already erupted throughout the field and it wasn't long before Naehyun pulled me towards where Gunyeo and Heejun were sitting.

The two looked at us before moving so we could sit down next to them. "Took you guys long enough."

"Eysee wanted to sleep," Naehyun commented as I only pouted.

"Yah, I didn't get enough sleep," I complained before looking back at the match. Naehyun only chuckled before pointing right at the two hyungs that almost looked like having a staring contest in the middle of the field.

"I heard both of them were really good at baseball. They were teammates, actually," Naehyun started off as he then pointed at Jihun. "Jihun hyung is actually the good batter of the team. He strikes like his life actually depends on it and to be honest, his strikes usually go really far and fast."

After that, he then pointed at the other senior before he continued, "Yoonwoo hyung, on the other hand, is the fastest pitcher on their team. As soon as he pitches, the catcher would always receive the ball as soon as it lands on their gloves."

"The panther and the cheetah of the university's baseball team," Heejun added as I looked at both of them. I'm guessing that Yoonwoo was the panther and Jihun was the cheetah since I had looked at their shirts and the other one had the color black with a number 15 on it and Jihun had an orange one with the number 28.

Naehyun had explained that they were in the same team and never really competed against each other. Though, I guess they were both surprised when they had both chosen baseball but they were put into separate teams to be fair to those students who wanted to join the match for the sports fest.

But, if they haven't competed against each other, who would win? Both of them are the best players and this one would be a difficult competition.

I held my breath this time once Yoonwoo got into his pitching position. Even the three had made sure to look closely at his throw. Jihun had gotten to his position, putting the bat behind and ready to strike.

The umpire then officially started the game, telling the pitcher to finally throw the ball. When Yoonwoo had thrown the ball towards Jihun, our eyes went wide when he swung it, he wasn't able to hit it at first. The catcher had already yelled strike and I could feel the shock of the other students when Jihun had failed to hit the ball.

"That was a hard throw," Gunyeo commented as Yoonwoo had fixed his pitching position once again for the second throw. "I've seen Won doing all of these and I swear, Jihun hyung has to top his game if he wants to win."

"That move was his signature..." Heejun trailed off as I then noticed that Won had been blowing a bit of air before he held the ball tightly in his hands and was ready to throw it in Jihun's direction. As soon as the umpire had told him to throw it again, another strike was heard.

If Jihun fails this time, he's out.

The last throw. Yoonwoo had stared at Jihun for a long time before positioning himself for the pitch. This time, I couldn't put my gaze away from the two. There were two possible things that could happen. One, Yoonwoo could win this, or the second which is Jihun could still do this.

I then raised my eyebrow when Jihun decided to put his right foot much more backward and decided to lower his cap. I saw that he also tighten his grip on the bat and he seemed ready for the next throw that Yoonwoo was going to make.

When the umpire had already signaled, it only took a second for Yoonwoo to throw the ball.

But no strike was ever heard from the catcher.