Liar and Liar - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 49

 

“I’m nervous….”

 

“I know. But we’ll win for sure.”

 

The visiting Blue Jays took the first at-bat. Even though they were close, she had to focus quite intently on the pitcher and batter’s movements.

 

When the first inning ended in a flash with three quick outs, people clapped and cheered. All these countless people were looking at just one place, cheering for the same thing.

 

“He does look tired, but if he keeps this up, we should be fine.”

 

Danielle hoped Frederick’s words would prove true, but when neither team managed to score and it suddenly became the third inning, disaster struck.

 

Naoki’s pitching began to waver. The first batter got a hit and reached first base, then advanced to second when the next pitch went wild. The following player also got a hit, filling first and third bases.

 

And when the next batter stepped up to the plate, Danielle sensed catastrophe. This batter was notorious for terrible defense but praised for All-Star level hitting.

 

With everyone booing, that batter managed to send Naoki’s pitch flying far.

 

The ball sailed well over the left field wall. While people cursed and dodged, a man in a Blue Jays uniform reached for the ball, but the guy who grabbed it first cursed and threw it back onto the field. It was an unwritten rule of MLB.

 

Three-run homer.

 

‘…We’re screwed.’

 

Could they recover three runs? Like cold water being poured, the thunderous cheering flow was cut short.

 

Oh god.

 

Oh NOOOOO!

 

Screams could be heard from everywhere. The atmosphere was like a funeral. Though the Sharks had won the previous game with a home run, the Blue Jays had actually led and dominated that entire game.

 

Even after playing 18 innings, the pitchers had almost no walks, and the defense’s concentration was exceptional. That’s why every single point made them groan. Because the Blue Jays weren’t a team that easily gave up runs.

 

The batter who rounded the bases got Naoki pulled from the game, and the next pitcher quickly got the out count. However, the atmosphere wasn’t salvaged.

 

“It’s chaos. Those guys over there look like they’re about to fight.”

 

Danielle looked in the direction Frederick nodded toward. Some Sharks fans were glaring resentfully at the Blue Jays fans cheering in the left field section.

 

Top of the fourth. When the Sharks scored one run with a center fielder’s sacrifice fly, the mood finally eased somewhat. A small hope sprouted that they just needed to do this two more times. Though it wouldn’t be as easy as it seemed.

 

During the change of sides, while Frederick went to buy food, Danielle coincidentally overheard a conversation from the seats behind her.

 

“How much did you bet?”

 

“Thirty grand! If we lose today, I’m dead!!”

 

Holy crap.

 

Danielle’s mouth fell open.

 

Thirty thousand dollars. Danielle finally understood people’s madness.

 

Now the game was entering the sixth inning. Frederick returned with hot dogs and french fries. In the top of the sixth, the Sharks’ strategy was still sacrifice flies. Fortunately, the strategy worked, making it 2-3.

 

“One point difference. There still seems to be hope.”

 

“Yeah….”

 

Like people finally starting to pick at their food, Danielle also bit into the hot dog Frederick brought. The sunlight was strong, and she was exhausted from repeatedly standing and sitting during each offensive turn.

 

‘Ugh, this is tiring.’

 

Even though she wanted to rest, since everyone around her stood up, she absolutely couldn’t just sit still. Whether being in the sixth inning was unfortunate or fortunate was subtle.

 

Top of the sixth. Being ‘already’ in the sixth became unfortunate. With one double that dropped into right-center field.

 

“Wooooo!”

 

Though there were only a handful of spectators in Blue Jays clothing, their voices rang out loudly. They finally scored, making it 2-4.

 

We’re screwed.

 

“In three innings… will there be a comeback?”

 

“Honey, you’re a Sharks fan, right? You should have faith.”

 

Danielle closed her mouth with an awkward expression.

 

‘The Blue Jays are such a strong team….’

 

The already overheated game finally exploded. When the Sharks pitcher’s ball hit the batter, both sides raised their arms in protest, leading to bench clearing.

 

The entire stadium, including the outfield, simultaneously jumping up from their seats was quite a spectacle. Players came running out.

 

“DAMMMITT!!!!!”

 

Starting with that shout, a white man with a bright red throat pointed at someone on the mound and yelled at the top of his lungs.

 

“HEY! Sit your *** down! This is BASEBALL, not kindergarten!”

 

Raw profanity hit Danielle’s ears. Half Spanish, half English – Danielle’s left and right ears rang simultaneously.

 

“¡Si vas a correr hacia allá, al menos pega UN golpe! ¡Mi abuela pega más fuerte!”

 

…At this rate, someone’s going to get carried out on a stretcher…?

 

Panicked, Danielle unconsciously grabbed Frederick’s sleeve.

 

“Maybe I should have just quietly stayed there when your parents suggested it. Sorry.”

 

“Don’t be sorry. When the Sharks score, things will calm down quickly. It’s okay, it’s okay.”

 

Will they… score…?

 

One of the Sharks players repeatedly appealed something to the umpire, but anyway, the situation was resolved and the game resumed. First and second bases were filled again. It was a critical moment.

 

Fortunately, they caught a fly ball and the eventful top of the sixth barely ended.

 

‘Watching games live is really bad for the heart.’

 

Her heart, startled by people’s shouting and profanity, was still pounding.

 

Bottom of the sixth. The top of the batting order came around, and the first batter got on base without being out. It was a tremendous green light.

 

“Wooooo!”

 

Just as Danielle cheered, the crowd also waved towels and chanted the batter’s name.

 

“LETS, GO, SHA–RK–S!”

 

People had completely changed their attitude as if nothing had happened and were building momentum again. It was an opportunity that absolutely couldn’t be missed, a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

 

The second batter hit a double, filling second and third bases. Danielle pressed her clasped hands to her lips. Everyone held their breath watching the next batter’s bat. It felt like you could hear people’s heartbeats.

 

Frederick muttered quietly.

 

“We’ll score this time, right?”

 

“You think so?”

 

The batter had a good eye. After working several balls, the ball he hit perfectly split left-center field. Everyone jumped up expecting a home run, but unfortunately the ball bounced off the wall.

 

However, that alone was more than enough. Following the runner from third, the runner from second also reached home safely. 4-4. People cheered wildly everywhere at the score displayed on the screen.

 

“Kyaaaah!”

 

Danielle was the same. Starting with a high-five with Frederick, she high-fived everyone in the front seats, back seats, and side seats.

 

So this is how it can be. She deeply empathized with people who would pay thousands of dollars to come watch games live.

 

“This is unbelievable! Amazing! Ricky!!! YOU’RE SO AMAZING!!!”

 

Danielle lost her mind and screamed at the top of her lungs. Frederick was already forgotten.

 

Danielle’s sanity returned when the next batter was out and the inning ended. Looking to the side, Frederick was watching her instead of the game.

 

“Ha, ha.”

 

“Watching you is more fun than the game.”

 

Frederick playfully twirled Danielle’s hair with his index finger.

 

Before the seventh inning, while players were stretching, advertisements were playing on the giant scoreboard. Danielle sipped the soda Frederick had bought through a straw.

 

‘It’s hot….’

 

The outfield players unfairly only threw balls to other sections, not where Danielle was. Because of that, though there was no gain, just watching the game felt sufficient. Danielle’s gaze blankly touched the screen.

 

A mascot doll was dancing. Danielle laughed “puhaha.” She pointed with her index finger for Frederick to look too.

 

But when Frederick looked up toward the scoreboard, the scene had already changed and an elderly couple was caught on camera. Inside a heart frame, no less.

 

‘…Huh?’

 

The elderly couple wearing matching Sharks jerseys seemed surprised to see themselves on screen. The ‘KISS CAM’ in one corner of the scoreboard and the red lips symbol indicated what situation this was. The elderly couple smiled and turned to each other for a light kiss.

 

It was a leisurely scene that would have been unimaginable ten minutes earlier.

 

‘It’s because we tied the game.’

 

More and more attention focused on the scoreboard, and each couple caught on camera quickly caught on to the situation and kissed each other.

 

When one man caught on camera made an X with his arms, the camera quickly moved to the next couple.

 

Since this wasn’t shown on broadcasts, it was an interesting spectacle for Danielle. So, in other words, under the premise that it was completely someone else’s business.

 

However, just when she thought it was about over, Danielle saw her own face displayed on the scoreboard.

 

‘…Huh?’

 

Naturally, she was with Frederick.

 

Her heart dropped with such surprise. With rabbit eyes, Danielle quickly turned her head to Frederick.

 

It wasn’t meant as agreeing to kiss or accepting a kiss, but purely because she was so startled that she looked.

 

Frederick himself had no particular reaction, maintaining the same gently smiling expression.

 

His head approached. Danielle knew this was a silent question.

 

Should we?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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