Alan with the others nodded while Rauf sat stern. "And there's one more thing." told Alan. Nidou and Rauf looked at him. "What is it?" Rauf asked.
"3 months from now before the final world cup. In Britain T-20 test matches will be played. All teams from different countries will come and participate in those matches to test their strength against each other. But, it could be that many of them won't come as well since, they probably won't want the other teams to get information on them of any kind. So I was just wondering if we could take those brats over there. How does that sound? Moreover, we'll be over our PSL selection too." Alan asked.
"In my case it would be a good opportunity. Since, they don't have any experience of playing against the other countries. Except for Ryan and Kenzo from the middle schoolers. Those two had already played from the other teams in America." Told Drake. "I think so as well. It will definitely be a great opportunity for them." Endorsed Seles.
"But only if they win the PSL. Or else, it would all be useless. And, even if they do, only middle schoolers are allowed to participate." Rauf claimed, "Highschoolers won't participate in that event."
Alan smiled, "Of course they won't brother, there's no way we'll reveal all our card in a game of rookies." "So that settles it. We now have a single month to prepare for the PSL and the rest two months for the world cup, excluding the fourth month for Britain visit hun…" Evandor sighed.
"Looks like it." said Haruf. "I have already made a training plan with Rauf. He will divide the practice with Haruf and Evandor who will take full responsibility of teaching the kids. Not a single moment from tomorrow will be wasted till the day of world cup."
Nidou told, "After all… unlike the previous times this time those brats are no pushover." Upon his comment Alan grinned, "Yeah… you aren't wrong on that…" "Ah right!! Old man. Where are the animals from the hill?!" he asked sitting up. "Huh?" Nidou questioned.
"My animal friends?! What happened to them?" Alan asked once again.
Seles with the others sighed. "And here I thought what he would say…" Drake assumed speechless. "When I went to the hill I didn't spot even a single one of them. Say, where did you keep them all?" Alan asked annoyed.
"My, My calm down a little. We have them all in the base's underground zoo. You don't have to worry about them so much, Alan." assured Kortes. Nidou eyed Alan mocking, "If I would've let your wild lions and beasts reign the hill. Today, you wouldn't have been able to meet those kids you rascal."
Rauf sighed, "Its true Alan. Since, they all won't listen to anyone else rather than you, me and Nidou." Alan taking a breath of relief settled down. "That's good… and here I was worried that he might've cooked them all…" he teased. Nidou clicked his tongue annoyed. Evan and Haruf looked at each other soon sighing.
"When will you both stop bickering like this? It feels childish." Evan asked. "When he starts to respect me!" "When he stops mocking me!" the two of them uttered together. Not a single one of them giving a damn about the other. "I can't believe it…" sighed Seles.
Rauf who sat silent for a while stood up, "If there's nothing more than you can all go back." "Yeah~ there's nothing more. Run off all of you. I am tired as well…" Nidou disbanded leaving of the room. Seles, Drake and Kortes too left behind him. "Then, we'll go and see the boys. I wonder what they're up to." said Evan as Haruf followed him. "Alan." he instantly called.
"Hm?" Alan asked. "Come with me for a moment." Evan spoke. Standing outside the door Alan stood before him and Haruf. "What's wrong? Is something the matter?" he asked. Evan looking at Haruf took a deep breath, "Talk to Rauf. His silence gives me chills. I wonder what's bugging him so much. I tried asking him as many times as possible however, it's use. Now I want you to ask him and support him."
Alan nodded, "Yeah, his behavior seemed a little weird. Most of the times he would laugh like a daredevil 24/7. But, seeing him dead serious is also making butterflies churn in my stomach. Don't worry. I'll ask him. You two go and take some rest."
Haruf and Evan left. Alan taking a deep breath walked back in the room to find Rauf standing on the terrace facing the sight of the stadiums before him. Alan walked closer. "What's wrong brother?" he asked. Standing over the rail he turned around to grasp a look at Rauf. Rauf eyed him silent, "Nothing… what could be wrong?" Alan blinked his eyes sighing, "Don't give me that nothing… I know something is definitely wrong. It's written on your face. You know brother, you can lie to everyone in this world but, you can't lie to me."
Rauf smiled. Only for a second his lips curved soon turning back into the same expression as before, "Alan…" "Yes?" Alan asked back. "This time, are you really ready to take over the world with me?" Rauf asked. His voice serious and expression stern, Alan surprised smiled, "Of course brother, I am more than ready." "Since, that's the case you know how hard we'll have to work are you ready for that as well?" Rauf asked. "Of course I am." Alan replied. "We'll get hurt and even be crushed. Are you still up for that?" Rauf asked once more. Alan nodded, "Of course, I am. And, this time I won't turn my back." Rauf sighed. His expression blackening. Alan heading towards the couch laid down, "I am ready for everything brother. And, I want you to be ready for everything as well. For we are aiming for the world's top. It's not a game anymore."
"Did you read the files I sent you?" Rauf inquired. "Yeah… I memorized all of them. One prodigy after another. I can't wait to face them tomorrow…" Alan replied, "Yeah right… brother, did you fight with Kazuna after I left?" Hearing his question Rauf stood silent. Alan eyed his back sighing, "So you did." "Mind telling me why you did that when I told you not to?" he asked.
The silence hovering over them for a while Rauf spoke up, "He was being a nuisance. So I taught him a lesson. That's all." Alan slammed his forehead in disbelief, "I can't believe it. What did he do to be a nuisance?" "He wanted my place! I think giving him fourth wasn't enough for him that he challenged me for first. I just told him he wasn't worth It." Rauf responded vexed.
"How cruel! How could you do that?! You know I told you not to hurt Kazuna but you still did? What am I supposed to do now?" Alan asked back shocked. "Tell him to stay in his shoes. The world isn't kind for him to place the ranking badge into his hands." Rauf peeked at Alan annoyed.
Alan cried, "For heaven's sake. Poor Kazu, Kazu… I'll have to apologize to him. "Forget it, now that I'm here. I'll protect him on my own now!" he claimed laying down straight covering his eyes.
Rauf walked towards the couch where he laid. "One more thing Alan… before you sleep." he asked looking at him from above. "What is it now brother?" Alan asked, "Don't tell me you hit someone else as well in my absence…" "I want to see your medical reports." Rauf uttered. Hearing his words, Alan's eyes widened.
"My medical reports…?" he repeated.