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"...and for today's opening pitch we have very special guests,
itzy's yeji and yuna!"
yuna and i made our way to the baseball field as the crowd roared in cheer for our appearance. i smiled widely as i was waving to every direction, noticing some of our fans also came to support us today. seeing them brought a sense of relief- it was nice to see some familiar faces in the middle of this huge stadium full of people who were probably not very familiar with us. i would be lying if i said that i wasn't nervous at all. it's been almost a month since i last pitched during the idol star athletic championship. i got recognition for my performance during the competition and i couldn't be happier. weeks of training really paid off as i went home with an mvp title and little prizes to share with the members. but being invited to pitch as an opening to an actual baseball game is a different thing.
the recognition came with a weight, the mvp title was not a mere prideful achievement anymore. i couldn't help to feel that there were expectations put into my performance today, that people look forward to seeing my 'great' pitching skill once again.
so yeah- i am currently under a lot of pressure.
there were a lot of people present, well it was a full stadium, media everywhere, my fans and not fans watching.
i can't mess this up and make an okay pitch. i have to give them an amazing pitch, if not a great one at least.
my hands were shaking as i recalled all the pitching technique i had learned. i was having a simulation playing in my head when i felt yuna holding my hand. i averted my eyes to her bright ones and saw the concern swirling in it,
"are you okay, unnie? you're kinda shaking.."
she squeezed my hand while still staring into my eyes, searching for answer. i squeezed her hand back and forced a reassuring smile, "i'm okay, just a bit nervous.. it's been awhile-"
before we could talk more, we were escorted to take our places, me as the pitcher and yuna as the batter.
i closed my eyes and muted the whole world, i took a little time to meditate and calm myself down. i took a deep breath in.. and out.. and in.. and out.
you can do this, yeji. just focus.
i took a few more deep breaths and counted to three.
i opened my eyes and fixed my gaze towards the the place where yuna was, standing close to the home plate with a baseball bat in her hands. i adjusted the glove on my left hand and hold the ball tightly with my other hand. i did my signature 'catching the signal' pose and nodded as i received the signal. and the next second, i was enclosed with what felt like total silence.
