OO Baseball Stadium. It was the oldest remaining baseball stadium in Korea.
As it held a long history, the traces of time were clearly embedded in its exterior, but with the surrounding park and lake blending together, it had quite a charming atmosphere even in the city center.
The reason this baseball stadium could be maintained for decades without demolition or major remodeling was because it had been built solidly from the start. Although the facilities were old, there were no problems with structural stability, and it was functioning well enough with just regular maintenance.
Of course, there had been talk of remodeling. There had been several discussions, but each time they were scrapped due to the building’s historical significance and fans’ fierce opposition.
Additionally, unlike typical central Seoul, there was also ample parking space. The fact that it provided great convenience to fans visiting the stadium and park users was this place’s biggest advantage.
However, right now, such scenery didn’t register in Hyowoo’s eyes.
Even though there were still two hours until the game started, the area around the stadium was already bustling with crowds.
‘Are all these people here to watch today’s game…?’
His head spun for a moment.
Whether they were baseball fans or idol fans, was there really anyone among them who didn’t know the name ‘Lee Seohee’?
Thinking that he had to push through that gap and go inside made his vision go distant.
In contrast, Lee Seohee himself was utterly nonchalant.
“We arrived earlier than expected.”
Lee Seohee parked the car with an unconcerned face as if everything was familiar, and unfastened his seatbelt.
“There’s still a long time until the game starts, but it would be less bothersome to other spectators and stadium staff if I went in early, right?”
He also knew very well what position he was in.
The words ‘Why did someone who knows that so well come here?’ rose to the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to say it out loud.
In fact, it was Hyowoo who had said he liked baseball.
He was uncomfortable in crowded places so he hadn’t been able to go to the baseball stadium for a while, but he himself had said he wanted to muster the courage to go at least once after the certified public accountant exam ended.
The stares that would pour throughout the game, requests for autographs and photos, requests for handshakes, every single move that would spread all over the internet. All the inconvenience and hardship to be endured was entirely Lee Seohee’s burden.
He had deliberately brought him along prepared for all of that, yet he wasn’t so inconsiderate as to rebuke him for it.
‘Surely he’s not planning to go out with his face all exposed without any preparation…?’
He’d be wearing the sunglasses he’d worn while driving, so at least that was a relief, but it was far from enough to cover his face.
He considered suggesting that wearing a mask would be good, but soon gave up on that idea.
‘If he wore a mask in this midsummer afternoon blazing sun, it would rather be like advertising that he’s a celebrity…’
Instead, Hyowoo took out a baseball cap and black mask from his tote bag and put them on.
It was ridiculous to cover his face as if he himself were a celebrity, but there was no time to worry about that.
Even though he’d been lucky enough not to have his face exposed until now, today’s baseball stadium was forming a sea of people incomparable to the hotel or airport from before. Moreover, with sports and entertainment reporters gathered in droves, it was only a matter of time before Hyowoo’s identity was revealed.
If people recognized him and his personal information spread, past events might resurface. If that happened, not only himself but his family would certainly suffer from those terrible memories again.
Above all, if he became entangled with Lee Seohee, it was obvious as day that tremendous repercussions would follow. He wanted to avoid at all costs the situation where he would cause him to suffer because of himself.
“There are even more people now. We should go quickly before it gets more crowded.”
Following him as he got out of the car first, Hyowoo also took several deep breaths before carefully opening the car door.
As expected, from the moment they got out of the car, the surrounding gazes were drawn to the two.
“Isn’t that person going there Lee Seohee?”
The surroundings began to stir.
His tall height of 197cm alone was enough to attract attention. His athletic physique that looked like a sportsman, his handsome appearance that sunglasses couldn’t hide, and on top of that, the overwhelming aura of a Dominant Alpha. Even the dullest person couldn’t fail to notice that unrivaled presence.
“It’s Lee Seohee. It’s really Lee Seohee.”
The sounds of photos being taken and videos being recorded came from here and there.
All eyes were focused on him, and as feared, even Hyowoo who was next to him became an object of interest.
“Who’s that person? Are they together?”
“Could it be his cousin, the only daughter of S Group… doesn’t seem like it?”
“Maybe a celebrity? Their face is completely covered.”
At the whispers he could hear, Hyowoo stroked his chest in relief that it was fortunate he was wearing a mask.
‘I should… walk a bit apart.’
Reading the room, he quietly slowed down to create distance between them.
However, that effort was in vain. Before even 1 meter of distance opened between them, he stopped walking and turned around.
“Hyowoo-ssi, are you okay?”
“Yes?”
“Was I walking too fast? Should I go a bit slower?”
As expected, kind player Lee Seohee.
He refreshingly resolved the curiosity of people who were wondering whether the person next to him was part of his group or not.
Waiting for his lagging steps and even calling his name affectionately. It became clear to anyone watching that they were together.
Just his appearance without notice at a home game of his father’s company team would be newsworthy.
The plan established out of concern for strange scandals failed spectacularly due to the non-cooperation of the very person who would be most troubled if a scandal arose.
‘Does he know why I’m doing this and still act like that? Or does he really not know?’
He thought about confronting him whether he was doing it on purpose, but the moment he saw his relaxed face, such thoughts completely vanished.
Watching Lee Seohee remain consistently relaxed regardless of who was watching, he just felt deflated.
‘I don’t know anymore either. Whatever will be, will be…’
When the person himself was so carefree, there was no need to foolishly agonize alone. He quickened his slowed steps and stood side by side with him.
The closer they got to the stadium entrance, the more crowded the surroundings became. The fact that they had to push through that increased Hyowoo’s anxiety and tension.
He liked baseball, but he detested mingling with people.
Carefully, it was when he was walking while avoiding contact with other people as much as possible. One man hurriedly passed between the two.
At the same time, a group that appeared to be group spectators rushed toward the entrance, causing the two to be separated.
Fortunately, before they were completely separated, Lee Seohee quickly made a hand gesture saying ‘let’s meet there.’ Thanks to that, Hyowoo managed to escape from the surging sea of people and rejoin his side.
‘Indeed, a game with a popular baseball team and even an idol ceremonial pitch is different in every way…’
Being pushed around in such a crowded space made Hyowoo’s heart pound as if it would burst. Thinking that he had to push through there again to enter made him feel suffocated.
He couldn’t bring himself to do it, so he was trying to calm his startled heart at a spot a little away from the entrance. Lee Seohee carefully extended his hand.
“At this rate, you’ll get swept up among people again.”
Hyowoo stared at his hand for a while.
‘This person is right. If we get separated among so many people, it’ll just create troublesome situations…’
It might be wiser to obediently hold hands and move together. Nevertheless, he couldn’t muster the courage to readily grasp it.
It wasn’t because he was an alpha that he hesitated.
He already knew that if it was Lee Seohee, he wouldn’t have a panic attack even if their hands touched.
The only alpha Hyowoo didn’t feel fear toward after that incident. Rather, an alpha who gave comfort and stability when he was anxious.
A faint premonition crossed his mind that if he held his hand, it seemed like he wouldn’t be scared or anxious even entering that crowd.
That’s why Hyowoo wanted to touch him, yet didn’t want to touch him.
‘Because I shouldn’t depend like this on someone I can’t continue to be with…’
But if he had a panic attack in this situation, it would be a huge inconvenience to him.
After barely organizing his complicated feelings, he gently grasped his hand. Then his large hand softly enveloped Hyowoo’s hand. His warm warmth and kindness slowly permeated.
With just offering his hand, a bright smile bloomed on his face.
“Shall we go in now?”
As if afraid to lose something precious, he put strength in his hand and moved toward the entrance.
Hyowoo silently followed obediently as he led.
Once again for no reason, his cheeks flushed.
