The stories about Ilhyeon Baseball, which had run for nearly a month, gradually began to die down.

Even a miracle championship twenty years in the making faded from people's memories as time passed.

And the championship wasn't the only story fading from public memory.

"He's getting out tomorrow, you said?"

Byeong-jin Jo asked as he packed books into a large box, tidying up the office.

Seong-ho nodded and carefully placed the orchid from the windowsill into a plastic container.

"Yeah. He's scheduled to be released tomorrow."

"And the trial proceeds with him out on bail?"

"He'll remain out of custody all the way through next year's trial."

"Money really is something, isn't it. He ate hundreds of billions of won and gets to stand trial without ever being locked up."

"I won't deny that, but I'd appreciate it if you'd call it negotiating leverage rather than money this time."

"What negotiating leverage? It's possible because it's Ilhyeon, that's all."

Seong-ho turned around with a smile at Byeong-jin's words.

"Why are you so worked up? Something happen?"

Byeong-jin pulled off the gloves he'd been wearing and said,

"My wife's asking whether it was Jinju last time and now it's Ulsan. She's furious — says she can count on her fingers the number of days I've been in Seoul since we got married…"

"You're the only person I can trust, though. What am I supposed to do…"

"Tch. I know that, but…"

Byeong-jin clicked his tongue, with the look of a man who had something he wanted to say but couldn't get the words out.

Seeing his expression, Seong-ho caught on to what he was trying to say.

He knew Byeong-jin's difficulties well, from his experience in his past life.

"I feel awful toward your wife. Is there anyone in her family looking for work? If so, bring them along with us. That way you'd save face with her family, and her anger might cool a little, wouldn't it?"

"Really? You'd really be okay with that?"

Byeong-jin asked, his face lighting up at the offer.

Seong-ho studied his face and answered,

"Judging…