"Though, it's a pity that you haven't even told the truth to your juniors Alan. Yet, you go on haughtily telling everyone that you'll face the world with your kings." Ashura taunted at the end turning around and leaving.
Alan's eyes widening, he stared at the ground. Anger welling up in him like never before, he immediately pivoted away. Senri realizing his actions walked over handing him his bat and ball soon standing beside Kazuna. A confident grin covering his lips.
The middle schoolers watched wordless.
Unbuttoning his shirts cuff, Alan pulled out his wristband tossing it on the ground. Taking a deep breath, he tossed the ball up. Swaying his bat and taking his position as soon as the ball came down he smashed it aggressively towards Kubrah. A surge of energy emitting the ball it flashed like fire!
Zachariah smirked relieved, his eyes closed.
Kubrah alerted turned around as Ashura and Feyz glanced on their guards. The ball aiming for Kubrah's abdomen, he immediately kept his hand before him about to grasp it however, at the moment Alan clicked his fingers. Up to his surprise the ball which was a mirage vanished the moment Kubrah tried to grab it, "What?"
But, little did they knew that the real ball was aimed at Feyz. Ashura who was aware amongst all, stepped before a dazed Feyz grabbing the ball which wheezed, emitting smoke. Just like Feyz's ball did before. Feyz gulped stunned while Ashura looked at the ball and his hand which scarred was from the impact of the instant catch.
Heber gasped, "A mirage delivery...?"
"Doesn't it resemble Head coach Nidou's throw when he aimed a sports drink bottle for Alan's head before?" he recalled. (For further reference visit chapter 3)
"Yeah." Helios agreed.
"It's just that this time rather than taking two ball and creating a mirage of one. He took a single ball creating a mirage of two." Xavier explained.
Alan standing straight revealed his eyes which were red in rage. Pointing his bat towards the green jersey boys, he warned, "Listen up, very carefully all of you… my skills or not and if I am ill of not. Thinking about that is none of your concern! After all, I am very sure I was in the same situation that time too and clearly sent you back to the pavilion without any skills!"
"And… that I can even do it now. Without breaking a sweat!" he declared.
Ashura and Kubrah frowned on his remark.
"As for telling my juniors about myself or even showing my weakness is not something that I am obligated to do. If I can't become one… I still want to make them Kings. Kings who will surely take over the world this time! Even you can't stop me for that." Alan threatened immediately turning around and walking away.
The middle schoolers looked at each other baffled.
"Come let's go." Elias patted Seraph's back. Romeo too smiled at Helios.
Leaving Ashura and company behind, Rauf, Romeo, highschoolers, and middleschoolers walked gravelly silent. Alan walked in the front restless as the rabbit followed hopping around.
Kenzo stared at his back with a million questions in his head.
Rauf and Romeo along with Zach, Haruf and Isa too looked concerned. Unable to keep it in Gabriel walked ahead halting before Alan, "That's it." Azazel too stood beside him. "Yeah… what just happened, I don't get it? What's going on Alan?" he asked.
With the front blocked Alan and the rest halted. The middleschoolers one by one standing before him, Alan clenched the bat in his grip tight, his expression hidden.
"You can't play? You are even sick? And losing your senses over everything? It doesn't make any sense. Nothing makes sense!" Adam added bewildered.
"Alan…" Poseidon called him lightly, perplexed amid believing or doubting whatever that just happened. "Was it all true?" he asked about to pat his shoulder. However, Alan instantly stepped back shoving his hand aside. Looking up his expression was agitated. And not just agitated it looked startled.
"Everything is the truth, each and every single word!" Alan replied, "I can't play. I can't use any skills. I am even facing that senses losing disorder and my entire existence is just a childish show! Only used to threaten people that there is a powerful Platinum ranker who is a part of Karachi's base when in reality there's nothing like this at all!"
"Alan dear…" Elias whispered going forward as Ren grabbed his arm shaking his head.
Kenzo stunned remained silent.
"Seriously…?" Alan chuckled taking his hand to his face and hiding his eyes, "If I would've been that powerful. I wouldn't had to impersonate your every single skill and use it for my own good while playing against you! Don't you think this is the cheapest trick I could use? Moreover, the reason I fainted while playing against you all before and even lost my senses while exchanging overs against that old man back at the mountain is all because of that! The only reason is that I can't freely play I am binded with these chains!"
"Yeah… that's the kind of a ranker I am. Happy now?" Alan asked smiling arrogantly yet broken inside. Looking up and seeing the faces of the middleschoolers baffled and full of disbelief. Their eyes widened and expressions disappointed.
Alan stepped back. Turning around he clicked his tongue, running off. The rabbit confused too followed.
Rauf clenching his fists stared at them silent.
____
Running back to the coach, Alan gritted his teeth. His hands quivering, sweat beaded his forehead like morning dew. Stopping before the coach he panted harshly.
"Alan?" Seles asked concerned, "What's wrong? Where are the others? We are already running late…?"
Alan however, wordless grabbed his coat instead. Seeing him shudder Seles only dabbed his back unsure. A familiar necklace grasped in his palm from the other hand, Alan calmed down.
Nidou tracing his dazed sight, squinted his gaze concerned. "Come inside, you brat!" he ordered.
Alan silently stepped inside the coach not daring to utter a single word next.
While at the same time the middleschoolers walked out indifferent. "Now that is pretty bad." Senri scratched his hairs sighing.
"They are not even glancing at us." Aigou told.
"It will come as a huge shock. They wouldn't have thought of anything like that." Isa said.
"But why didn't you tell them?" Romeo asked.
"It was Alan's choice. We had no reason to say it out loud." Nagi added.
"Still, hiding such a thing from them. They'll surely act like that." Rovan said.
Evan sighed, "These are their reactions right now. I wonder what will happen in the future."
The highschoolers looked at each other troubled while Rauf stared at the ground silent.
Haruf smiled though, "You worry too much."
"NO. You are way too positive." Noah rolled his eyes.
"It isn't positivity..." Haruf said, "Their shock and confusion right now proves that they took him as their friend. A very reliable friend at that. And I know, they won't leave him just because of this. After all, their curiosity is far much greater than their current emotions they are feeling towards him." Haruf smiled at the middleschoolers backs.
"I do hope your words are true his time Haruf." Elias exhaled, "I am really worried."
"Don't be." Isa dabbed his back encouraging.
"They are 'Kings' after all." Nagi added.
Arriving at the entrance of the base Romeo halted, "I'll see you off here. Take lots of care of yourselves. That goes for you too, Karachi kings juniors." "Yeah, we don't want to see you down once PSL starts." Rovan said, "And let us know if you need help with anything. We'll be more than ready to help you."
"Hm, thank you." Kazuna nodded shaking his hand.
Poseidon smiled beside Xavier and Seraph. Kenzo and Helios stepping out of the base were instantly stopped by Sena who stood before them, "Wipe these expressions off your faces, they are irritating."
Kenzo twitched his brow cross, "Am I making it from your face?"
"Pft! Haha!" Venus laughed pointing his finger at Sena, "That was good one. Right on Ibn Sena's face!" Sena glared at him.
Helios smiled awkwardly.
"But he is right too. We are all from different backgrounds coming from different places. Most of us don't get along and are always bickering as well. However, we share all happy and sad times together because despite all these fights and misunderstandings we are the only ones who have to do everything together. Nobody can take their place or change them. That's why we try to understand each other. Why don't you do that too? Aren't I right?" he tugged another two boys from their shoulders asking.
"Yeah." One of them agreed.
"Rather than making that face. As their leaders try and get to know them. Be it highschoolers or your own comrades. Who knows what burdens they are carrying or how wounded they are from inside/ Maybe if you'll do that, you'll see the world in their position as well." Sena gave his hand to him.
Kenzo squinted his gaze while Helios pondered.
"Try it Kenzo ShahJahan! For Ibn Sena advises you. After all, don't you feel lucky to have a senior who can threaten and stun both Ashura and Kubrah at the same time?"
"They are really out of their selves that's why." Rovan added rolling his eyes.
Kenzo smirking clapped Sena's hand away, "Who are you to advise me? I know what to do better than anyone! Right Helios, my boy?" he asked him.
Helios nodded slightly annoyed, "Who the hell are you calling, your boy here?"
Sena closing his eyes beamed. Xavier too shared a smile. However, their mood still conflicted, waving at Romeo and his team, the boys headed to the
Settling down, the atmosphere of both coaches was awkward and silent. The instructors glanced at the boys puzzled.
"What happened?" Yusuf questioned Evan who shook his head, not knowing where to start from.
Kenzo pondering stared out of the window as Helios and Cassiel did the same.
Seraph's gaze squinted in disbelief Xavier looked at the players files troubled.
Adam, Ezekiel and Ryan shocked as well stayed silent.
Feng playing with his fingers sat dejected as Gabriel glanced at him, sighing.
Poseidon frowning at his hand which was shoved away, clenched it into a tight fist while Azazel and Heber too closed their eyes tired.
The entire mood of enthusiasm which the middle schoolers once carried had entirely vanished into thin air with just a single truth.