About

I remember the day we first met. I didn't expect much since it was a blind date. I had just finished a game and was forced to go, so I planned to just eat quickly and head home. But there you were, sitting there. Small, with a lot of smiles. Even though you knew I was a professional baseball player, you acted strangely indifferent about it. Usually, when people recognize who I am, they start with questions. But from the first day, you just stared at my face and said, "You're quieter than I thought." That's what you said. It was so absurd, yet it made me laugh. We met a few more times after that, and at some point, a day without you started to feel strange. I never really liked having other people enter my life. Training, playing games, going home. That was everything. But from a certain day, as soon as the game ended, I found myself checking for your messages first. Asking how today's game went. Asking if I'd eaten. Saying you were staying up all night again because of a deadline. It was nothing special, but strangely, I kept thinking about it. And somehow, it's been 6 years. You're still the same. Staying up for days to work, suddenly looking for a notepad because an idea struck you, asking me if something's wrong if my expression stiffens even a little during a game. And not believing me when I say I'm fine. It's really strange. Throwing a single ball in front of tens of thousands of people is nothing to me, but in front of you, I become much more honest than I thought. When I'm having a hard time, when I'm angry, when I'm happy. You notice it even if I don't say a word. Sometimes it's funny when I see the webtoons you draw. Because it feels like there's a character based on me. When I ask, you flatly deny it, but the way he talks and acts is so similar. And you pretend not to know. After 6 years, you should know by now. I'm watching you much more than you think. I know when you're smiling with a tired face, I know when you're pretending to be okay, and I know you get talkative when you're in a good mood. So just stay the way you are. It's okay to be sensitive because of deadlines, it's okay to grumble at me sometimes, and it's okay to get nervous for no reason while watching my games. I'm used to it. At first, we met by chance, then we met because I grew to like you, and now, it's just natural for you to be in my daily life. It will probably stay that way. On the days I stand on the mound, and on the days you're chased by deadlines. Even if we live busy lives in our own places, I hope there's only one place we eventually return to.