"Move!"
Everyone snapped from their mesmerized gazes. Their attention refocused on the game and saw the figure of Fu Chin as the first one to react against Chiko's attack.
Fu Chin's body flawlessly moved thru the side and tried her best to defend against the incoming ball. Unfortunately for her and her team, Chiko's spike was too strong and fast.
The suppression effect was real and she felt like her every step was being pulled back by unseen chains. Her eyes were full of helplessness as she watches the ball move past her position. She could finally see the ball going away from them as though it seems to have finally found its rightful owner.
Before she could stretch her legs to defend, the ball has already landed safely and a score was miraculously made by Chiko against the three Star Players.
"Ughhp!" Chiko landed on the ground with his butt first. It was a terrible landing because he lacked the technique to properly end the spike. Good thing, his mind was prepared and his hand was barely able to support his landing.
"aaaagh my back! My body! It huuuurts!" Chiko quickly shouted as the pain finally settled in his muscles and he laid flat to the ground facing the brightly shining lights of the roof. Chiko was in pain but his mind was extremely happy.
He had forgotten the reward of this battle and just focused on recalling the electrifying feeling of a successful spike. That moment when his world just stopped, he flew and spun mid-air. The gush of the wind in his ears and the beautiful view of a spinning world only to end on a crispy sound of his foot transferring a terrifying amount of power to the sepak takraw ball.
It was heart-filling, it was exciting, and the best of all, it wasn't just his kick alone. It was a team-inspired strike!
Gantes and Yang risked their body to saving the ball, and thus inspired him to execute such skills based on his instinct, courage, and inspiration.
Chiko was laying still while trying to recover when he felt a constant vibration from somewhere, he turned his head to the direction of shaking and saw the huge and fluffy baldy running towards him.
"Chiiiiko! Well done my boy! Unlimited samgyupsal na this!"
"No! no! Do-Doooont!"
WHAAAM!
Gantes laid happily on the floor with Chiko flattened underneath like a floormat. They both laughed with each other whole-heartedly. It was full of genuine happiness and celebration.
"Where is Yang?" Chiko asked.
"He fell asleep after that last saving kick. He might be overfatigued."
Everyone looked at Chiko and his unique-looking team with full of excitement, mystery, and smiles.
Mr. U-bear was full of his usual gentle smile while Mr. Gaje was looking like he ate a bitter pill. Sweat keeps flowing down his head as he started to devise his next move to recruit Chiko without U-bear knowing. Or perhaps, he has to do it the shameless way?
Rino and his team were speechless all those times. The fact that the so-called newbie team managed to fight against the Star Pointers, was like a nightmare for them. John and Kurt had faces full of questioning gazes.
Meanwhile, Fu-Chin, Diros, and Jin-Woo were discussing with each other after with a look of anticipation obvious on their faces.
Luckily, it was an informal match, or else, they could have thoroughly destroyed Chiko even with his team, considering their inexperience and bodies that lack the proper training.
Nevertheless, a deal is a deal.
The three Star Players looked at each other with meaningful gazes. It seems their travel on this small island was not in vain at all. They did found the player with Star Player potential with a unique ability to copy the Takraw God's moves. They have now realized that Chiko was indeed a hidden gem.
"A double-rolling kick... Not bad." Diros commented as he tried to recall Chiko's move a while ago.
Jin-Woo nodded and replied, "Indeed. But what really shocked me was that it wasn't a double spin to trick and counter a blocker. It was a real striking double spin rolling kick with the intention of a ferocious kill. But I doubt it can be used against me a second time though. By that time, I will be prepared."
"But that suppression effect though. How do you plan to get over that? I reckon we were like helpless bugs for about 0.5 seconds when the strike was executed. Only Fu-Chin managed to react faster at about 0.3 seconds." Diros said with a frown.
"I remember Santi's battle with me. His suppression effect was a good whole one and sometimes, two-seconds. It is really scary if this guy manages to perfect his sepak takraw skills. I really look forward to it." Fu-Chin calmly added and gazed at the celebrating Chiko with a meaningful smile.
"That Jhey Rhey will be very happy when he learns about this. He would go shouting proud Pinoy here and there all day! I hate it." Diros added with an annoyed expression.
Meanwhile, Chiko and Gantes suddenly heard a clap from the back. They both turned their heads and saw Mr. Gaje and U-Bear approaching with wide smiles in their faces.
Mr. Gaje hurried his steps and quickly grabbed Chiko's hand,
"That was a spectacular move you did my friend. Do you have plans to become a pro? I can help you fulfill your wish."
Yes, it was his unstoppable shameless attitude. U-Bear seems to have expected it and did not react much despite their deal a while ago. He knew Gaje would not stop just because of that verbal agreement.
Nevertheless, it is up to Chiko to decide. After all, who is he to stop someone's opportunity to a blooming career?
Seeing Chiko being approached by Mr. Gaje and getting invited for a wonderful opportunity, Rino and his team could not help but look in envy. They could not believe the proud and elusive Mr. Gaje would actually scurry down to Chiko and respectfully invite the latter.
"Uhm-what?" Chiko was unsure of what he just heard. He was only here to do the try-out and get a chance for the scholarship and also planned to earn more money by selling the Santi ball he just won.
But now, he gets a chance to go pro?
Even Gantes who was sitting beside him has question marks floating in his head.
"Yes! What you heard is right. You may not know this but people are flocking o me just for a chance to meet me and get a favor from me. Do you perhaps not know who I am?"
Chiko nodded in confirmation.
"Hmmm." Mr. U-bear watched from the back while smiling.
Seeing the question-mark-filled eyes of Chiko, Mr. Gaje took a deep breath to drown the faint feeling of insult and calmed himself. He quickly pulled out his business card and gave it to Chiko,
"Sorry, let me introduce myself. As you can see, I am one of the sepak takraw legends who hailed from this island. My name is Gaje Esoj, currently, I am one of the most respected scout managers working for the world's best sepak takraw player, Santi the Takraw God himself! I see that you have the potential to become one of the best in the world. With my help you-"
Upon hearing the name of Santi, Chiko's expression quickly turned sour. He raised his palm and quickly said,
"Santi?" it was a reaction filled with anger from Chiko.
"Are you referring to that Vegeta-egghead guy who trampled my balut? That boastful arrogant bastard who looks down on a vendor like me? That guy who thinks he is the best? Bah!"
SLAP!~
SLAP!~
SLAP!~
Rino, Kurt, and John all give themselves quick face slaps after hearing Chiko's reply. They had a terrible urge to go and beat the living sense out of the vendor guy for missing up on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
They could not help but imagine; if only it was them, they could have nodded already before Mr. Gaje could get close!
But they are not Chiko.
The latter remembered very well the overwhelming insult and anger when Santi purposely crushed his balut egg. It was a scene forever he would remember. A face he would never forget.
"You must be mistaken," Mr. Gaje was taken aback by Chiko's unexpected reply. He was not there during the event of when Chiko faced Santi for the first time so he had no idea just how deep Chiko's resentment against Santi himself.
"As you can see, Mr. Santi is known as a takraw God. He could defeat an entire regu by himself and not even letting them score. He is the living legend of the century who single-handedly raised the bar for the sepak takraw and gave a new eternal light to this beautiful sport on the international stage. Not to mention, if you join our team, not only will you get trained properly instead of rotting in this shitty island. We will also compensate you more than you could imagine! Money, fame, you just name it! As long as you work hard, I believe-"
But before he could continue to rattle, Chiko's palm was raised in front of Gaje signaling the latter to stop the old guy from blabbering.
"You talk too much," Chiko told Mr. Gaje bluntly.