The Gimbap Project

Chapter 39 Suneung

Thwack!

The metallic clang of the bat striking the ball echoed sharply through the air as the teenager sent it soaring down the batting cage. Seconds later, another soft whoosh could be heard, followed by another clean, solid thwack as Hyun Woo found his rhythm in the mini-game. With a final strike, the round ended and he placed the bat down, breathing steadily as he stepped away from the coin baseball machine.

Hae-in, who had been watching him for the past thirty minutes, handed him a chilled bottle of water the moment he walked up to her.

"Thanks," Hyun Woo said, unscrewing the cap before taking a long drink. Despite the autumn breeze, beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, which he wiped away with his sleeve.

"Do you come here often?" Hae-in asked, her head tilted slightly in curiosity. "You seem familiar with the game."

Hyun Woo shrugged nonchalantly. "Now and then."

"Why? Is baseball that fun?" she teased, her tone light but genuinely intrigued.

"That's not it," Hyun Woo replied, stepping closer and meeting her gaze. "When I'm here, I only need to focus on hitting the ball. That's what I like."

Hae-in studied him quietly. "Does it make you feel better?"

"Mmm," he hummed, nodding thoughtfully. "It's a way to blow off steam. These days, all I think about is the suneung. But here...all I have to think about is the ball."

Hae-in nodded in understanding, her lips pressing into a soft smile. "Makes sense," she said quietly, watching him as he relaxed.

After a long pause, Hyun Woo grinned and held the bat toward her. "Wanna try?"

Hae-in's eyes widened slightly. "Me?"

"Why not?" he encouraged. "Come on. It's fun."

"Alright," Hae-in relented, taking the bat from him. She held it awkwardly, her stance stiff as she looked at him for guidance. "How do I do this?"

"Here," Hyun Woo said, stepping behind her. He gently nudged her feet apart. "Widen your stance. Like this."

She shifted her feet, following his instructions.

"Good," he murmured against her ear. "Now, your hands...one here, the other here," he said, adjusting her hands gently. "And keep your eyes on the ball. Forget everything else."

With his warm voice guiding her, Hae-in felt her nerves fade as a quiet determination fuelled her. The round began, and she focused intently as the ball sped toward her.

Thwack!

The bat connected perfectly, sending the ball flying back to the opposite side of the mesh cage. Hae-in's face lit up with a triumphant smile, the sound of the impact ringing in her ears.

"Not bad," Hyun Woo said, laughing softly as he watched her reaction. "Feels good, doesn't it?"

"I suppose," Hae-in admitted, her smile widening as she looked at him. "I get why you like this. It's...oddly satisfying."

She turned back to the cage, gripping the bat a little tighter. The next pitch was coming, and now, she wanted to see if she could do it again.

Thwack!

‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅

"Sunbaenim! You've got this!"

"Hwaiting Sunbaenim! Go kill it!"

"We're all cheering for you to ace the Suneung!"

"We believe in you!"

"Crush the Suneung just like how you crushed the swim meet!"