Alan running towards the route leading to the workplace wondered, "Right now… back then, my vision just came back, earlier than usual…" "Could it be because of those boys?" he continued to think.
"The moment I looked at them… my vision gradually came back. Such a miracle! I knew it! They aren't simple. All of them are magical." His lips curving into a smile. Running towards the third stadium Alan climbed down the stairs, heading inside the tunnel.
Standing before the entrance, he eyed the elevator leading to the underground workplace. He instantly pressed the button. The elevator reaching the top floor opened. As soon as it did, Alan stepped inside.
A while later, the elevator reached downstairs opening once again. Alan stepping outside gazed at the old, familiar sight before him, "Ah… it's been so long." Treading forward, he looked at the wells, hunged tools and many built in machines hanging and kept around.
"A never changing sight hun…" he commented nostalgic.
Suddenly remembering he whispered, "Ah, right." "Senri, Kazu, Kazu where are you both?" he asked. Walking towards the little open room he traced Senri sitting on a solid marble shelf waving at him from a far, a moment later gesturing him to come over.
Alan walking over waved back. "Shh…!" Senri signaled the moment he came closer. "Huh?" Alan asked confused. Senri pointing his finger towards Kazuna who was sleeping soundly with his head resting on the marble shelf smiled. "He's asleep?' Alan asked in a whisper. "Yeah, he was working really hard." Senri replied. "What were you doing?" Alan asked standing beside Kazuna who breather in and out lightly.
"Fixing a bat. He broke a middle schoolers bat back then when we met them. So he was fixing it. After that he was cleaning the tools around the workplace until it was drying and at last fall asleep. It's only been 30 minutes since then." Senri explained. "Ah… working hard isn't he?" Alan praised gently patting Kazuna's head. "Yup! He surely was." Senri replied.
"So how much longer is it going to take?" Alan questioned. "It's already done. We were about to return to the dorms after leaving the bat to dry however, this persistent brat wouldn't listen and started cleaning up all around, and the moment we were ready to return he fell asleep." Senri sighed. "After that when I saw him sleepy so soundly, I didn't feel like waking him up at all. And now, Even I feel tired~" he yawned. Alan smiled, "Really… I can clearly see that."
"By the way, what brings you here?" Senri asked suddenly regaining his energy. "Ah, the middle schoolers had completed their practice just now and were about to head back to the dorms with the highschoolers. It was then, when I met them midway to realize you both weren't there then I decided to call you two back since it's late." Alan explained.
"Eh… so they really were practicing hun. To think they would be so competitive." Senri commented. "Hm… even I was surprised." Alan replied. Senri smiling asked, "So how was it?" Alan blinked confused, "What?"
"America, what else?" he continued asking. 'America hun… how could it be? The same busy streets, beautiful women, elegant men, enthusiastic children, forever changing day and night and amid all that… a broken insignificant me. Still stuck on finding a fragment of my past…" Alan replied with a dismayed gleam, which soon turned into whisper. Looking down at Kazuna, he still gently patted his hairs. "Even his hairs have grown longer… really, in how many ways am I going to be left behind?" he thought in disbelief.
Senri eyed him, his expression turning into a stern one "You still couldn't find him?" Shaking his head in rejection Alan replied, "Yeah… still couldn't." Senri looking at him downhearted raised his hand, ruffling his hairs "Be strong, Alan. Don't carry that expression on your face. I can't bear it." he said. Alan looked at him puzzled, soon smiling back.
"Now that's more how I like, so tell me. Are you ready for tomorrow?" Senri grinning. Alan nodded, "Of course, I am. Why do you even ask?" Senri shook his head, "No reason in particular. Just making you feel happy." "Moreover, I was just wondering if your health is at its peak since you'll be playing for more than 20 overs tomorrow." He asked carelessly.
Alan stood silent upon his words, silently gazing at Kazuna who slept below. Eyeing him troubled Senri stared, soon realizing, "But, in the end… you don't have to worry about It." he encouraged. "Just give it your all. Like you always do." Alan nodded.
"Come on, Kazuna. Wake up." Senri called jumping of the shelf and stretching himself. "Wake up, already. I am dying here, let's head back. It's already 1 am. I also want to sleep~" he moaned yawning. "Kazu, kazu… wake up. Let's head back." said Alan caressing his hairs.
Kazuna gently opening his eyes looked around. Gazing at Alan who sat right beside him, he blinked his eyes surprised. "What… are you doing here…?" he asked unaware of the situation. "He came to call us back. Look at the time it's about to be 1 am already. Everyone else might've already slept."
Senri informed wearing his jersey. "Since, you were sleeping so soundly. We didn't feel like waking you up at all." Alan added. Kazuna staying silent for a little while stood up getting ready. "You both are on good terms now, right?" asked Senri reminiscing the fight they had before.
"Huh? When were we on bad terms?" the two of them asked together.
Senri looked at them complexly, "The jinxing is back. Don't just act like nothing happened…" Alan and Kazuna gazed at each other.
"It wasn't a fight to begin with. I was just surprised when I saw him change so much that's all." Alan corrected. "Indeed… it surprised me as well." Kazuna agreed glancing at Alan from above who seemed short while Alan eyed him who seemed much taller from the past.
"But, for some reason. I still can't believe it…" Alan whispered going in shock once more. "Haha…" Senri laughed awkwardly. Kazuna wearing his jersey picked up his bag. Alan looked at him wondering. "If you have something to say, then say it. Stop staring at me like that. I feel chills going down my spine." Kazuna suddenly asked.
Alan eyed him annoyed, "You little!" however instantly sighed. "I'm sorry." he apologized. Hearing his apology the two of them stared at him silent. "Sorry? For what?" Senri asked confused, "Don't tell me something happened in between you two again."
"Not in between me or Kazu, kazu however… I do apologize on behalf of Brother Rauf. Since, he fought against you once again. Even though, I asked him not to but he still didn't listen." Alan replied anxiously.
"Ah…so it was about that. I was worried for no reason." Senri stood relieved.
"Forget it. You don't need to apologize on his behalf. It was a long time ago. Moreover, it was my fault to begin with. I was the one who asked him to play a game with me. I as too weak of an opponent for him." Kazuna told walking away. "Did you get hurt?" Alan asked abruptly. Kazuna hearing his words halted, soon walking ahead response less. Senri headed towards Alan.
"Don't Fret it. It was a long time ago but, if you ask me about his injuries from back then, he did get hurt pretty bad. Rauf was merciless. Who knows what would've happened if Evan or Haruf hadn't intervened." He told. Alan eyed him with his eyes widened, "No way…"
"Something so serious happened in my absence and I didn't even knew…" he thought. "But he's fine now, see. Do you think someone who has so much energy left to bicker with you all the time can't possibly be injured?" Senri consoled patting his back.
At that moment Kazuna called, "Both of you how long are you going to make me wait? The elevator is here already." Senri and Alan looking at each other nodded making their way towards him.