A Love Stronger Than Whispers of the Past

Where (is the Love)

Echoes of Secrecy

All eyes were locked on Soichiro Yamazaki at the bullpen. The air thrummed with anticipation as the six-foot- three lad stepped on the bullpen in left field, his every movement scrutinized by the masses.

Ruka clutched a damp coaster, her gaze never wavering from the screen. Soichiro Yamazaki, one of her baseball idols, was warming up. Beside her, Kiri fidgeted, his brow furrowed with a mixture of concern and annoyance.

"There he is again," Kiri muttered, "Soichiro the Showstopper, with his million-dollar smile plastered on his face." His voice held a tinge of bitterness that surprised Ruka.

"Come on, Kiri," she countered, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Don't be jealous of the guy. You've got me, remember?"

Kiri forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. The truth was,  an air of forced cheer clung to Soichiro's every movement, a stark contrast to his usual carefree demeanor.

Their attention was snagged by a news report flashing across the bottom of the screen. A headline screamed: "Jeongyeon: Idol or Influence Peddler?" Ruka's breath hitched. Jeongyeon, Soichiro's enigmatic K-pop idol girlfriend, had always been a source of fascination and speculation.

But this was different. This was an attack.

Ruka then gave her beau a response.
"Perfect storm, indeed. These baseball influencers had seen Team USA got kneed to oblivion by the same Team Korea to the point three emperors abdicated two weeks after. Amid all of this, they're about to see something much more insane, not unlike their previous drubbings of Venezuela and Team Mexico. Involvement of us is imminent. Brace ourselves, dear."

At Estadio Alfredo Harp Helù, Kazuya and Chizuru approached the railings, their expressions grave yet knowing. They had witnessed firsthand the trials and tribulations of Soichiro and Jeongyeon's relationship, and they carried the weight of their secrets like a heavy burden.

"It's not easy being in the public eye. Married to a foreigner who duly never donned your national team colors is a risk even only Cristiano Ronaldo would take," Kazuya remarked, his voice tinged with sympathy. "Especially when your private life becomes fodder for the masses."

Chizuru nodded in agreement, her eyes flashing with a hint of sadness. "Soichiro and Jeongyeon have faced their fair share of challenges," she said, her words tinged with regret. "But they've always managed to weather the storm, no matter how fierce."

As the game continued to unfold, Shinichi and Hana joined the conversation, their insights shedding new light on the intricacies of public figures' private lives. They spoke of Soichiro and Jeongyeon's unconventional relationship, their commitment issues, and raunchy love life hidden behind a facade of perfection.

"God, please," Hana whispered, her gaze lingering on the field below. "Love comes in many forms. And sometimes, it's the most unexpected pairings that prove to be the most enduring."

As they watched the game play out before them, they knew that their own struggles were merely a part of the larger tapestry of life, woven with threads of love, loss, and redemption.

Marcha de la Radetzky

Out with the mush, in with the bite! wrote Su-hyeon, Ruka's neighbor. Her fiancé, Woong, blasted a version of Radetzky March on the bar as he plays the guitar.

Kiri and Ruka exchanged a "we may be clueless, but at least we have each other" look. So heartwarming. Barf.At least they had not avoided the Radetzky March soundtrack for their meet-cute.

These lovebirds dove into Soichiro and Jeongyeon's messy love life. After hours of interviews, cryptic social media stalking – basically, a masterclass in investigative overreach as the World Baseball Classic final ensued. People at the bar, suspecting foul play for their not-so-Japanese-looking fellow, also followed their tirade.