The Extra in a Baseball Novel

For a brief moment, I was grateful to the author who threw me into this world when I saw Teacher Miyeon.

She looked exactly as I had imagined—or rather, even more charming than I had imagined.

“Did everyone bring their gym clothes?”

At Teacher Miyeon’s words, Shin Hayoon, who sat next to me, rummaged through her bag and pulled out her gym clothes.

The other students did the same.

Hmm…

Well, I did bring a bag, so…

I opened it.

…

Why didn’t you pack your gym clothes?

There’s not even a pencil case or a single pen. The only thing in here is a water bottle.

I’m starting to suspect that Cha Taehyun really was a delinquent…

“Then, everyone change into your gym clothes and head to the field!”

With Teacher Miyeon’s words, everyone stood up and left the classroom, heading to the changing room.

As for me…

Is there anyone with a spare set of gym clothes?

Honestly, with Cha Taehyun’s image, it might be possible to “politely” ask for gym clothes, but…

No way. That would only make my already terrible image even worse.

Left with no choice, I just headed to the field.

Being hated by someone you like hurts more than you might think.

No, it’s not just “being hated.”

If your face turns pale the moment you make eye contact, that’s fear or disgust.

Damn gym clothes.

It’s all because of the gym clothes.

This novel must have thrown proper depictions out the window because on the first day of school, every student miraculously remembered to bring their gym clothes.

Except for me.

Because of that, I stood out and naturally made eye contact with Teacher Miyeon.

I wondered if Teacher Miyeon also knew about the bad rumors surrounding Cha Taehyun…

Judging by her reaction, it’s certain that she does.

The way she’s looking at me right now isn’t how one would normally react to a student who just forgot their gym clothes.

“I’m sorry. I forgot and left them at home.”

“Uh… Right! It happens! Yeah, it’s fine!”

Teacher Miyeon smiled, nodding her head repeatedly.

But it was so obvious that she was forcing a smile that I felt bad just watching her.

– “Wow… Did you see his eyes? He’s glaring at Miyeon like he’s going to kill her.”

– “Yeah… Poor teacher…”

Here comes the baseless criticism.

Next, they’ll probably say something like, “Look at the way he sighed, is he trying to scare people…?” when I simply breathe.

“It’s the first class, so I thought we could play a ball game. I think softball would be nice. What do you all think?”

Surprisingly, no one disagreed.

Normally, they’d say, “Why softball? Let’s play soccer!” But I guess this is a world inside a baseball novel.

“Is everyone okay with that? Then, I’ll call out student numbers, and those called will be the captains and pick team members.”

Student numbers, huh? Even Teacher Miyeon can’t remember all the students’ names on the first day.

Of course, I can’t either.

“Number 4!”

As soon as she called out “Number 4,” one student stepped forward.

A handsome face with a tall height.

He didn’t introduce himself, but as soon as I saw his face, I knew who he was.

Lee Jiho. The protagonist of Strike to Your Heart (StrikeHeart).

He looks just like his illustration.

“Next… Number 28?”

The moment Teacher Miyeon cheerfully called out the number, silence fell.

An uncomfortable atmosphere settled in, but Number 28 didn’t step forward.

Are they too embarrassed to be the captain during gym class?

Annoying.

“Uh… Who’s Number 28? I haven’t memorized everyone’s names yet,” Teacher Miyeon asked.

Everyone just exchanged glances, too reluctant to speak.

At that moment, Lee Jiho looked at me and spoke.

“Cha Taehyun.”

Oh, it’s me?

I walked forward.

“T-Then, the captains should play rock-paper-scissors to decide the order of picking team members.”

Teacher Miyeon forced a smile as she spoke, and Lee Jiho glared at me sharply.

Hey, I didn’t do anything…

Anyway, it had been a while since I last played rock-paper-scissors… and I surprisingly won.

It’s just rock-paper-scissors, but I beat the protagonist! I guess there’s no protagonist buff for rock-paper-scissors?

“Taehyun, you can pick your team member first.”

“Uh, okay.”

After a brief thought, I picked Number 29.

No particular reason. I didn’t know anyone’s names, so I just called the next number after mine.

“Oh.”

A sigh escaped somewhere.

So, Number 29 is that person?

Shin Hayoon walked over, frowning and glaring at me.

Does she think I’m happy about this?

Lee Jiho’s expression was no better. His gaze was sharp and fierce.

It seems like there’s a huge misunderstanding.

He glared at me for a long time before clicking his tongue and calling the next number.

As expected of Teacher Miyeon, who loves baseball, she assigned the captains to take on the manager role and set the batting order, even though it was just a softball game for gym class.

Lee Jiho on the other side seemed to be seriously thinking about the batting order.

I have no intention of doing the same.

“Anyone want to bat first?”

No one answered. They were too busy avoiding my gaze.

Except for one person, Shin Hayoon.

She was glaring at me like she wanted to kill me.

“Then, how about we go in order from here? Is that okay?”

“What’s with the half-assed approach!” Shin Hayoon complained, but I ignored her.

This isn’t some professional game; it’s just a game for gym class. As long as everyone has fun, that’s enough.

And I…

“I’ll go last.”

I then went over to the stands, sat down, and closed my eyes.

I didn’t really want to show this side of myself to Teacher Miyeon, but whatever Cha Taehyun did last night, his exhaustion was on another level.

What the heck was this guy up to that made him so sleepy…?

While Cha Taehyun slept, Shin Hayoon took on the manager role and returned to the stands after scoring.

The game had reached its final phase, and considering the remaining time, this would likely be the last inning.

The score was 5-2, with Shin Hayoon’s team trailing by three points.

The bases were loaded with two outs.

A single good hit could tie the game or even lead to a comeback win.

It was an important at-bat, but the next batter was…

“Sigh…”

Shin Hayoon sighed as she glanced at Cha Taehyun, who was snoring in a corner of the stands.

“Of all times…”

Though it was just a gym class game with friends, it was a matter of pride for her, a true baseball lover.

She couldn’t just forfeit the game.

She gritted her teeth and approached the soundly sleeping Cha Taehyun.

“Hey, wake… up?”

She was about to shout, but her voice suddenly softened.

“Does he… always look like this?”

Maybe it was because he was sleeping, but his usually sharp and fierce appearance was slightly softened.

Looking at him like this, he actually looked kind of decent…

“No, what am I even thinking…”

“Hey. Wake up! It’s your turn.”

Feeling embarrassed for no reason, she raised her voice, but Cha Taehyun didn’t budge.

“Sigh…”

After letting out a deep sigh, Shin Hayoon turned back to the batter’s box.

“Huh? Why are you here, Hayoon?”

“Uh… Cha Taehyun is asleep, so I was going to take his place. Is that okay?”

Teacher Miyeon hesitated for a moment before stopping the game.

“Then, I’ll wake him up.”

“What?”

“You could take his place, but it’s class time, right? Everyone should participate.”

Truthfully, she had heard the rumors about Cha Taehyun and found him a bit intimidating, but her passion for teaching burned brighter.

With determined steps, Teacher Miyeon approached the sleeping Cha Taehyun.

Standing right in front of him, she took a deep breath and spoke.

“Taehyun, it’s time to wake up.”

From the stands, Shin Hayoon shook her head.

She had practically yelled at him earlier, but he hadn’t woken up.

Teacher Miyeon’s voice was much softer in comparison.

“Huh…?”

But then, Cha Taehyun’s eyes began to flutter open.

Still a bit dazed, he stared at Teacher Miyeon and suddenly spoke.

“You’re really pretty…”

“W-What?”

Both Shin Hayoon and Teacher Miyeon said the same thing at the same time.

Beyond my blurry consciousness, I heard a voice.

A soft… soothing voice that washed away my fatigue.

Gradually, my vision started to return.

Through my hazy sight, I began to see a woman’s face.

“She’s so pretty…”

I unknowingly blurted out my thoughts.

Then, the sounds of murmuring filled the air, and my consciousness cleared up.

Oh.

Once I came to my senses, I realized what I had just done.

The other students were staring at me in shock… and Teacher Miyeon had her mouth slightly open.

Even Shin Hay

oon looked at me with an incredulous expression.

I needed to do some quick damage control.

“Did I say something wrong? I talk in my sleep a lot…”

“Oh… sleep talking… I see. That makes sense.”

I breathed a sigh of relief internally.

It seemed my hastily made-up excuse worked.

“Sorry. I dozed off for a bit.”

Teacher Miyeon returned to the batter’s box, and I stood up and stretched.

I then snatched the bat from Shin Hayoon, who was staring at me from a distance, looking disgusted.

“Oh, the bases are loaded? What’s the score?”

“5-2,” she replied curtly.

“Really? Then you could have just hit. You would have won.”

“…We’re the 2.”

Ah.

So this was a crucial moment.

One big hit could turn the game around… This is getting interesting.

“Just don’t strike out,” Shin Hayoon snapped.

“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”

I walked past her and stood in the batter’s box.

The bat was made of rubber since it was meant for softball, and the ball was large and yellow.

All the fielders were positioned to cover every gap, ensuring everyone could participate.

This wasn’t really baseball, nor was it a real batter’s box, but…

Oddly enough, my heart was pounding, and a grin crept onto my face.

I thought I would be okay if I couldn’t play baseball. I thought I wouldn’t regret it.

But seeing myself now… it looks like that wasn’t true.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Gripping the bat, I took my stance.

Recalling my old routine, I slightly moved the bat over the plate.

“I’ll hit a home run.”

Oops. That was a slip.

I unknowingly spoke to the catcher. This was a habit I picked up in the Major Leagues after experiencing racial discrimination…

I didn’t think that habit would come out now.

Maybe I’m still half-asleep.

“Oh, uh, I’ll tell him to throw it down the middle,” the catcher responded nervously.

“I was just kidding. It doesn’t matter where he throws it.”

Seriously, because of my image, I can’t say anything without causing a stir.

“Time!”

Huh?

Someone called for time, and it was Lee Jiho.

“Can I pitch? Wooseok doesn’t seem to be feeling well.”

Indeed, Wooseok, the pitcher, did look unwell. His face was pale, like he might collapse any moment.

Is it my fault?

Anyway, Teacher Miyeon gave the okay, and Lee Jiho took the mound.

Gripping the ball, he glared at me.

I suddenly felt like I was the villain here.

Now I was curious.

Winning in rock-paper-scissors was just a small event, so beating the protagonist wasn’t that surprising…

But could I beat the protagonist of this world in this showdown with one out on the line?

Well…

I’ll find out.

He turned his arm, preparing for an underhand pitch, as is standard in softball.

At the same time, I took a breath.

As soon as the ball left his hand,

I swung with the essence of my years of baseball experience in mind.

– Whoosh.

Wait, what?

My body spun around as I swung the bat, and I fell flat on the ground.

– “Pfft!”

I heard laughter, and Shin Hayoon was covering her mouth, chuckling.

Her shoulders were shaking; she found this really funny.

I stood up and grabbed the bat again.

It’s been so long since I had both legs working…

After living with one paralyzed leg for years, I lost my balance.

But… that was enough to get the feel back.

I took my stance again, focusing on his fingertips.

-Swish.

As expected, the protagonist is the protagonist.

Despite being a softball and an underhand throw, the ball flew in with terrifying speed.

One mishap is enough. Two would be overkill.

-Thwack!

My signature batting form came through, and the bat swung powerfully, striking the ball squarely.

The dull impact traveled from my fingertips, spreading through my whole body. The ball soared high into the sky.

Watching it fly further and further, I dropped the bat,

and when the ball disappeared over the fence,

I jogged toward the bases lightly.