Seles, Musa, Pedro, Mir along with the middleschoolers and highschoolers all looked at the two perplexed.
Haris smacked his forehead speechless.
Kenzo and Helios puckered their brows while Alan blinked.
"For goodness sake Rauf, weren't you asking me? How come are you both fighting now?!" Alan shrieked in his thoughts.
"Come on, don't fight now." Ren tried to lighten the mood.
"Y-yeah, no use fighting." Senri agreed all awake from the sudden change in atmosphere.
"You're on, Rauf." Kazuna however challenged, his expression hidden and only a few strands of dark navy blue hairs visible from Rauf's seat, "I never ran, not once. So, kill me if you can. Nonetheless, I'll beat you and your cricket even on my last breath."
Rauf's brow twitching, before he could utter more Alan interrupted upset, "That's enough. Rauf, Kazuna stop it." his gaze squinted, "No more insulting each other." "I'll play you once we stop. Contented with it are you?" he asked.
Heber sighed at Rauf thinking, "He really is a devil…"
"I'm getting goosebumps." Seraph felt a sense of unease.
"Anyhow…" Seles interrupted the sudden awkward atmosphere, "The selected participants are; Isa Sikandar, Xavier Ibn Zain, Kazuna Al Haris, Azazel Minhas, Helios Zadeh, Aigou Mir Yuaan, Heber Bin Saad, Feng Mir Ozer, Ryan Ty Alexandro, Aaron Noel Herve and Poseidon Ageil with Isa Sikandar as captain and Xavier Ibn Zain as the vice-captain. Wicket keeping would be executed by Feng Mir Ozer."
"Finally." Ryan rolled his eyes.
"I am selected again?" Feng pointed at himself, confused.
"Me too." Xavier added. Seraph and Kenzo narrowed their gazes wordless.
"The substitutes for this match will be Alan Rex Lorenzo and Rauf Victor Gondior," Seles announced next.
"Huh?" the middleschoolers gasped in disbelief as the highschoolers exchanged surprised glances.
"Rauf and Alan?" Elias echoed incredulously.
Alan, with a bewildered expression, turned to Rauf, who met his gaze briefly before looking ahead. "What on earth are you two thinking?" Alan wondered, shooting a glance at Nidou.
"I can't believe it," Orion muttered, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
"Are you absolutely certain you want to be the substitute, boss?" Haruf asked with a smile.
Rauf smirked in response, while Evandor grinned.
"Why does it come as such a surprise to see them chosen as substitutes...?" Ezekiel wondered, yawning and soon drifting back into sleep.
"But... why am I in there?" Aaron murmured discontentedly, his expression obscured. "I thought we had an agreement that you'd only use me when absolutely necessary."
"When necessary?" Gabriel pondered, turning to get a glimpse of him, "Tch... what's wrong with them? It seems like there's always some glitch with each one of them."
"The next match is necessary, Aaron. We're up against the champions of the last two years. We can't afford any slip-ups," Nidou explained.
Aaron remained silent, gritting his teeth as he stared out the window, his hands clenched into tight fists.
Haruf exhaled, patting his shoulder reassuringly.
"Regarding your practice schedule, we'll begin at 3:00 pm today, after you've had a chance to freshen up upon our arrival. We'll discuss the batting and balling orders, players data, along with the match and fielding strategies then," Seles informed.
"As for Islamabad…" Pedro added, "Rovan, Asim, Wasif, Juhan and Seon yul are five highschoolers who are going to be your opponents. From which Rovan and Juhan are the top second and third highschoolers from Islamabad base including Seon yul who is known for his frightening batting abilities and great aggression."
"Do you have any information on their middleschoolers?" Cassiel asked.
Pedro nodded, "I do, but not much. I wasn't involved with instructing them at the base, so I can't give you precise information. However, I'll assist you in any way I can."
Evandor folded his arms, squinting with doubt as he questioned, "Coach Pedro, do you not feel any remorse about exploiting the weaknesses of your former students? Islamabad United is quite strong this year too. If they win the PSL, it will benefit you in turn. So, why have you chosen to side with us this time?" "Since you are so cryptic I can't help but doubt your intentions." he added with a glare.
Pedro remained silent.
"I doubt coach Pedro has any malicious intentions. So all of you better cease your interrogation. Remember, he's your mentor, not your peer," Mir cautioned.
Kenzo and Helios glanced at each other inquisitive.
Alan stared at Pedro wondering, "Mentor hun… Evan is right but what could be his motive?" "Romeo! He might know…" he immediately clicked his fingers together.
"Five highschoolers this time and only Helios. Will you be able to do it?" Kenzo asked Helios.
"What's there to stop me? Xavier and Poseidon along with the rest of my talented juniors will be there." Helios replied confident. Glancing at Poseidon who still slept tranquilly, he revealed a caring smile.
"Yeah! We will win together." Azazel bucked him up.
"Furthermore, he isn't alone. We too will be there right beside him." Aigou winked showing a thumbs up.
The middleschoolers scoffed, "Oh really? Thank you."
"Can't help but be overly assured of our next victory." Kenzo rolled his eyes while Seraph glanced at Isa and Aigou disappointed.
Isa twitched his brow. "You little brats…" he muttered annoyed.
Alan exhaled at a loss of words.
As the sun gradually rose and rain stopped, the coach finally came to a stop in front of a hotel after a six-hour journey. Exhausted from the ride, the middleschoolers gathered outside and stretched themselves, visibly weary.
"I just want to sleep," Heber yawned.
"We don't feel the same, though," Adam exclaimed, full of energy, bouncing beside Poseidon, who appeared in high spirits.
"That's because you've been sleeping the whole time since we boarded the coach." Feng blinked his eyes.
"Too bad I haven't been selected again." Adam puffed his cheeks upset.
"Don't sulk, you'll get the next chance." Helios assured ruffling his hairs.
"The weather is so nice." Xavier complemented the scenery which was painted in vivid colors, with every surface adorned in glistening droplets after the rain.
"Yeah, except for the mud puddles." Ezekiel complained, carefully avoiding them to protect his shoes from getting wet and dirty.
"Idiot, this is the best part." Ryan grinned jumping onto one creating a splash.
"Tch, stop it! I am getting wet here." Kenzo scolded annoyed.
Ryan's grin grew wider assisted by Adam, Feng, Azazel and Heber as the four tracing the puddle closest to Kenzo jumped over it together.
SPLASH!! At went and so did Kenzo... "You little brats! Come here! Azazel and Heber, how dare you join them as well?" Kenzo chased them cross.
"Bleh!!' Adam made faces while Ryan and Feng laughed.
Heber and Azazel gave each other a high-five.
Gabriel stared at them speechless, "Honestly?"
"Look butterflies." Poseidon pointed as Xavier, Helios and Seraph adored the kaleidoscope of hues that seem to shift and shimmer with every movement.
Meanwhile, the highschoolers emerged from the coach and engaged in conversation with the instructors.
"What are they doing?" Orion raised his brow at the middleschoolers simultaneously peeking at Senri; who surreptitiously captured their video giggling nonstop. "Adorable aren't they?" Senri remarked.
Orion rolled his eyes, "Yeah, in your head."
Standing beneath a large apple tree, Aaron stood a short distance away from the others, his gaze drifting forward as he let out a deep exhale. Despite his subdued mood, a feeling of recognition washed over him as he surveyed his surroundings. "Hold on a moment..." he murmured, retrieving his phone to verify his location.
A sudden wave of joy spread across his face, softening his expression instantly. Swiftly returning his phone to his pocket, he declared, "Head Coach Nidou, I'm heading out for a while. I'll join you all later," waving as he departed.
Confusion clouded Alan's expression as he called out, "Aaron?"
Senri, Noah, Haruf, and Rauf, along with the others, watched him depart.
Nidou glanced up briefly but made no move to stop him.
"Is he going to cool off his head somewhere since he was selected?" Zachariah assumed.
"I bet. He wasn't in a good mood ever since he heard his name in the selection list." Haruf told.