The Genius Pitcher Dad Throws for His Daughter - Chapter 7

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 7
#07.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Before heading back to the Dormitory after the game, the Dugout bustled with activity.
As everyone moved about in a flurry, Manager Jang Si-hwan called out to Kang Ho-jin.
“Ho-jin.”
“Yes, Manager.”
Manager Jang Si-hwan’s eyes gleamed with warmth.
Five innings today, and five innings against the Gwangju Elephants.
Combined: ten innings without allowing a run.
In the professional game, results speak louder than words.
And today, I had proven myself.
“You did well.”
“Thank you.”
Having delivered a performance worthy of praise, Manager Jang Si-hwan granted him a corresponding reward.
“Rest today and tomorrow. I’ll see you in Sangdong the day after.”
“Thank you so much!”
Kang Ho-jin shouted with joy, his demeanor entirely different from before.
That his Daughter was ill was well-known among the Manager, Coach, and the players. However, only a few knew she had received a terminal diagnosis. Manager Jang Si-hwan was one of them, which is why he granted the extra leave as a reward.
Then, to make it clear to everyone that this wasn’t favoritism toward one person but a condition offered to all, he called out loudly.
“Listen up, everyone.”
“Yes, sir!”
When all the players’ attention had gathered, Manager Jang Si-hwan spoke.
“You are professionals. Professionals prove themselves through results. Show me what you can do, and you’ll be rewarded accordingly. Opportunity is open to everyone.”
It was a brief statement. Yet with that single sentence, the atmosphere transformed.
Not special treatment for someone, but fair compensation for effort.
“Yes, sir!”
Knowing they too could earn rewards if they produced results, everyone’s motivation ignited.
As if to prove it, the players who had been dragging themselves about in exhaustion moments before suddenly began moving with renewed vigor.
“Just watch! Tomorrow, I’ll definitely show what I’m made of.”
“The Manager really knows what he’s doing. This motivates us perfectly.”
“This way, the 1st Team is one thing, but he’s making us prove ourselves right here and now.”
“And that’s also the path leading to the 1st Team.”
“And since taking leave means fewer opportunities, even rest time burns with determination.”
“Wow! He’s a master strategist, truly a master!”
Everyone nodded in agreement with the Manager’s decision, and one by one they hurried to gather their belongings, eager for tomorrow’s match.
They rushed to the Dormitory to study the opposing lineup and to become tomorrow’s star.
And among them, only Kang Ho-jin, befitting today’s hero, boarded the bus heading to Seoul with confidence.
His destination was the Hospital where his Daughter awaited.
* * *
I arrived at the Hospital as evening fell.
Even if it was just an hour or two without seeing my daughter’s face, that alone was enough to bring me joy.
“Ye-jin, Dad’s here.”
Knowing there would be no response, I sat in the chair and grasped my daughter’s hand.
Faint, yet warm to the touch.
And the sight of her breathing shallowly, weakly.
It was proof that my daughter was still alive, still fighting to endure each day through the pain.
Without realizing it, tears began to well up again.
“Ah, damn it…”
I tried my best not to cry beside my daughter, but my past mistakes before returning to this timeline kept surfacing, and the tears flowed inevitably.
Seeing me like this, my Mother beside me patted my back.
Pat, pat.
Her touch was indifferent yet warm, and the flowing tears gradually subsided.
“Son, have you eaten?”
I shook my head without thinking.
Now that I thought about it, I’d been too busy rushing here after the game to even consider eating.
“Sigh. You’ll ruin your health like this.”
“It’s fine.”
When I think of my daughter, missing a meal or two isn’t a big problem.
What weighs on my heart more is leaving her alone in this Hospital Room.
“You don’t have to go to Busan today, right? I’ll head home first. Come quickly.”
“Yes, Mother.”
My Mother left for home first.
I knew she was leaving early to prepare something for me to eat, hearing that I’d skipped meals. Even if I told her not to bother, what good would that do? She was the kind of Mother who insisted I eat well when I could finally have a home-cooked meal after so long.
“You have to hold on, so your daughter can hold on too.”
Her words weren’t wrong, so whenever I got home, I didn’t refuse the food she offered and ate heartily.
After my Mother left, I stayed alone to care for Ye-jin for a while.
There was nothing I could do, but I simply held her hand, conveyed my warmth, and whispered.
‘Dad will earn points quickly and fix you. So please hang in there.’
I gazed at the status window displayed above my daughter’s heart.
[Kang Ye-jin]
– Stamina: 1
– Special Condition: Afflicted with a rare disease, limited lifespan. D-197 days.
– Consciousness Recovery Probability: 1%
The numbers were merciless.
Still 197 days.
But for me, it was both an opportunity and a task.
‘Stamina, stamina is the problem.’
My last appearance and today’s appearance were manageable with my current stamina thanks to the opposing team’s carelessness.
But as a starting pitcher who would need to shoulder long innings ahead, my current stamina was far too insufficient.
‘I’ll have to run myself to death.’
There’s nothing else I can do to build up my stamina.
If I had enough points to spare and invest in stamina, that would be one thing, but the points I earned today need to be used for treating my body.
I need to create a fully healed body so I can earn points for my Daughter’s treatment.
So without hesitation, I spent the points right there.
– Will you spend points to treat ‘Elbow Strain’? Y/N
I pressed Yes again, quietly covering my mouth with one hand while gripping my elbow with the other.
“Ugh!”
The familiar pain washed over me, and cold sweat streamed down my face.
But unlike my shoulder, a refreshing sensation came quickly, and as my elbow began to feel warm, I couldn’t help but shudder.
“Ah…”
My body, now completely free of injury, felt incredibly vivid and real.
Now I truly felt the confidence that I could refine breaking balls to match my pitching form.
I wiped away the cold sweat on my forehead and gently grasped my Daughter’s hand again, whispering softly.
“Dad will be back.”
Next time I come, I’ll earn points to treat her and increase the possibility of consciousness recovery so she can live longer—I made that promise, linking our pinkies together.
“Visiting hours are over.”
At the Nurse’s call, I stood up and headed out of the Hospital Room.
I made my way to my Parents’ House nearby.
* * *
Kang Ho-jin’s Parents’ House was modest.
It was a simple 33-pyeong apartment with one master bedroom, one living room, and two small rooms.
One might think that owning a home in Seoul indicated some wealth, but it wasn’t quite that level—it was a place his Father had barely managed to acquire through grueling work since his youth.
The moment I stepped inside, I greeted them.
“I’m home.”
At my greeting, my Father, who had been watching TV until just moments ago, looked at me.
“Yeah.”
My Father was naturally taciturn.
The fact that he met my gaze was surprising enough in itself, but it seemed he already knew I was coming.
“Eat.”
“Yes.”
My Mother was busily setting food on the table, so it would be strange if I didn’t know.
As I began eating the late dinner, I listened to the sounds coming from the television.
First pitch swing! Ah! Shortstop, right at him—out! Straight to first base! That’s an out.
One out, runner on first and third—the worst possible result.
Runners left on first and third. The Busan Dolphins fail to score again with a double play.
As the broadcast transitioned to commercials, my Father’s reaction came through.
“Ugh, tsk.”
The only time my Father shows a clear reaction is during Busan Dolphins games.
As someone from Busan who has supported the Busan Dolphins for many years, my Father’s only hobby is watching professional baseball.
I recall my Father’s reaction when I was first drafted by the Busan Dolphins.
That draft day, when my Father—a man who rarely expressed emotion over ordinary matters—turned away and wiped his tears, became the reason I once felt compelled to excel at baseball.
On my debut year, when I first took the mound for the 1st Team, my Father had secretly come to the Baseball Stadium, but when he saw me get hit, he couldn’t bear to watch any longer and left the field—that was my Father.
“When will those guys get better?”
I couldn’t bring myself to answer my Father’s question.
The Busan Dolphins have been in free fall the entire time I’ve been rehabilitating for two years after my injury next year.
Performance improves as I return, but that’s a story for three years from now, so I couldn’t very well mention it—it was awkward.
“Things will improve soon.”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
My Father’s cold judgment and truth left me speechless.
But my thoughts were different.
‘Because I’ve made a complete comeback.’
I am the first puzzle piece for the Busan Dolphins’ championship.
Since that piece appeared three years earlier, perhaps performance could improve rapidly.
Well, though I certainly can’t talk about a championship yet.
‘Still, Father, I’ll make sure you can watch baseball comfortably.’
Raising Ye-jin without her mother, and with me frequently away from home—my Parents, especially my Father, have sacrificed the most. Perhaps the greatest filial piety I can offer them is this.
“Sigh. That man stresses himself out watching something he doesn’t need to see.”
My Mother, who had little interest in baseball.
Even before returning to the past, I remember her reproaching my Father for having me play baseball, blaming him for my injuries and suffering.
Especially during rehabilitation, she shed many tears and would frequently visit the Hospital to see me before leaving.
‘Mother too… I’ll make sure you never worry like that again.’
Now that my elbow and shoulder injuries are completely healed, things will be different from back then.
Even if I can’t repay my Parents’ kindness properly, I’m determined to become a son who doesn’t cause them worry.
“Home cooking really is the best.”
“Eat plenty.”
My appetite exploded at the soybean paste stew and braised pork my Mother made.
I began eating frantically.

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