The highschoolers went silent for a moment as Elias glanced at Senri and Aaron soon shaking his head, "We weren't… but I did take the match lightly, since I foresaw the outcome. As for Senri, he made a half century. Nagi and Ren took major wickets as well. I don't think that can be labelled as playing around…"
"Don't do it again," Aigou interrupted him. His tone a slightly ordering yet an advising one he continued, "I don't like you playing around in a serious match or getting out so early nor do I like it when someone calls you non-serious. So… don't do it again. I know how you are. Not just you, but all of you. I also didn't forget what we have been through together. So, even when our juniors say something like that. I feel enraged. I just can't bear it…" his voice faded in between as he clenched his fists tight, his eyes still hidden under his arm.
Alan gasped while Rauf stared at Aigou silently.
Elias smiled, crouching before Aigou. "Alright, just as you say. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. So please don't be mad, okay?" he apologized.
Aigou sat straight rubbing his eyes and beaming, "Hm!" The two tapping their fists together.
Turning to Zachariah Aigou pouted annoyed, "And, don't tickle me."
Zachariah shrugged his shoulders mischievously, "I don't know. I felt like doing it so I did it. Want me to do it again?"
Aigou shuddered immediately hiding behind Elias, "No way! What's wrong with you today?"
"Haha!" Haruf, Aaron, Elias, Haris and Ren laughed.
"I… never thought, Aigou took their words to heart." Alan thought surprised.
"Come on, take your bats and balls out. We are playing a 5 over match, before the middleschoolers arrive," Evan called, grasping a look at his wrist watch.
"Huh~? No way~ we'll be divided into teams of 7 again. I don't like that," Noah complained puffing his cheeks.
"I like it that way though." Kazuna patted his back.
"Yeah, because the team in which you will be would always win," Noah rolled his eyes. Immediately realizing he raised his arm, "Vice-captain Evandor, let me be in Kazuna's team!"
"Just brilliant…" Haris uttered in disbelief.
"It won't be 7 Vs 7 if we look at it now…" Isa kept his finger on his chin calculating, "Thanks to Haris, Lou Wang and Ibrahim's inclusion along with Rauf. We'll have 9 members per team. That's not too bad."
"It's still incomplete," Noah debated.
"9 out of 11. Only two more teammates will be left. Aren't you wining too much, brat? Not like it's a real match" Senri tugged his shoulder and pinched his cheek.
"Ouch." Noah grumbled still not satisfied.
"Anyways, why am I not being selected in any of the PSL matches, boss? I am tired of waiting!" Orion stood before Rauf annoyed.
"That's good in one way. Protection of humanity's future cricket players. I feel specifically relived with you not being selected entirely." Nagi mocked him apathetically.
"You- who even asked-!" Orion gritted his teeth as Rauf interrupted walking away, "I am not in the position to decide. Better consult Head coach Nidou in this matter."
Once Rauf ended, Orion stood there boiling in anger as Haruf patted his hairs. "Go away!" he shoved his hand harshly, leaving.
"And~ there he goes~" Aaron sang comically.
"Not at all amusing, though." Alan exhaled in disbelief.
Haruf still smiling followed Orion, "I'll go and get him back."
"Good luck big guy and hurry up before the match starts." Senri waved, amused.
"Attention all of you, the first team will include: Kazuna Al Haris, Noah Chevalier, Nagi Srour, Isa Sikandar, Elias Hud Armand, Alan Rex Lorenzo, Haris Abbas and Lou Wang including myself." Evandor informed.
Those whose names are left unsaid will join Rauf's team." he added.
Aigou, Orion, Senri, Aaron, Ren, Ibrahim, Haruf and Zachariah sided with Rauf. The indoor field getting set. The team leaders decided the batting, balling orders for the match.
_____
"There you all are~" Musa chanted entering the gymnasium while scratching his hairs, "Honestly, I thought you all would be sleeping in the dorms but outrageous aren't you? You are dripping in sweat and gasping for breaths." he stood with his back on the wall, his arms crossed.
Gabriel turning the treadmill off, took a seat taking a rest.
"We don't have a single second to waste. Don't you think, coach Musa?" Xavier asked passing Cassiel and Feng a towel.
Adam and Ryan coming down from the trampoline stood before Musa.
"Is it 3:00 pm already? Time sure flies." Poseidon inquired.
"Yup, five minutes later or so it would be. Are you ready?" Musa asked.
"Yup. All set." Heber raised his fists pumped up.
Musa smiling at them instantly grasped the sight of Helios and Kenzo who still slept soundly. Pointing his finger at the two he shrugged his shoulders.
"Ah, we were about to wake them up. They were awoke since last night and throughout the journey. So we let them sleep." Seraph told.
Poseidon smiled at Helios caringly. "He took care of me, without even letting me know." he thought pleased.
Musa nodded, "I'll be waiting downstairs. Hurry up."
Waking Kenzo and Helios up. The boys as quick as lightning changed and freshened up, soon taking their gears and hastily making their way downstairs.
"Highschoolers phones…" Azazel recalled.
"In the bag." Helios assured revealing a small black bag.
Tracing Seles, Nidou, Pedro and Mir waiting for them outside the entrance. "Good afternoon." the boys greeted.
Mir nodded, "Are you prepared?"
"Yes." they responded in unison.
"Good, now hurry up and start running." Nidou pointed outside the main gates, his gaze indifferent.
A moment of silence enveloped the middleschoolers as they glanced at each other utterly perplexed. "Pardon?" Xavier questioned.
"Don't tell me it's the penalty for running late again?" Ezekiel asked Cassiel quietly (reference from Golden age 1).
"Who knows… we are definitely 3 minutes late." Cassiel replied in a whisper.
"Seriously, what era are we living in?" Christopher uttered, speechless.
Kenzo exhaled irritated.
"Start running left from the entrance. That's your warm up, and follow the coach," Nidou turned around settling inside the vehicle.
"Huh?" the middleschoolers blinked stiffly.
"Good luck, boys." Seles showed a thumbs up beside Pedro, who too went inside with Mir.
"Are you kidding us?!" Ryan, Feng and Azazel shrieked.
"W-wait a minute," Ezekiel questioned, clearly puzzled."We're supposed to run behind the coach and follow? How far exactly are we talking about?"
Seles settling inside, pushed the window glass up, smiling at the shocked boys below.
"Our training grounds are at the distance of 15 to 20 minutes. You won't have to run too long."
Gabriel twitched his brow, looking away.
"What a brilliant way to comfort us…" Helios clapped his hands masking an irritated smile.
"Best of luck!" Seles encouraged.
"Huh? Wait...!" Adam called out, but in an instant, the vehicle reversed, causing the boys to step back, and with a loud vroom~ it left the hotel.
The middle schoolers stood there, mouths agape.
After a moment, Kenzo gasped. "For goodness' sake, just follow them already," he urged, immediately rushing behind, while the rest, regaining their composure, followed suit.
"I really can't believe it..." Poseidon shook his head.
"I believe it though no offense on that." Seraph smiled annoyed.
The boys ran across the footpaths through streets and roundabouts ceaselessly. "Hurry up, it's turning left now." Cassiel pointed at the coach.
"Curse him," Ryan uttered recalling Nidou.
"Don't say it, I think it's his good luck charm. Seeing the way it never works," Heber rolled his eyes sarcastically.
"Oops!" Helios jumped over a roadside ditch. "Safe." he assured.
"Hey, watch out for the puddles and be careful not to slip as well..!" Feng warned, jumping over one however, the moment he jumped 'BANG!' came a noise as the boys turned around to find Feng's face knocked against the billboard.
Shocked the middleschoolers flinched! Kenzo running beside him, immediately halted, blinking in disbelief.
"Brother Feng?! Feng?!" Ryan, Mikael and Heber retracted amid their steps.
"Oh my god!" Cassiel too followed.
"Augh~ my head…" Feng unsteadily swayed, clutching his forehead and wincing in pain.
Gabriel supported his back on the spot.
"Honestly, where were you looking?" Xavier cupped his cheeks to grasp a look.
"Are you crazy? Take care of yourself first before advising others," Kenzo furrowed his brow looking.
"It isn't bleeding, right?" Seraph asked concerned.
"Nope. But, it sure is going to leave nasty bump." Cassiel grinned.
Feng's eyes rolled as he assured, "I am fine~ hehe…?"
"We can clearly see that," Poseidon exhaled, pulling him up alongside Xavier and Gabriel.
The freshman and sophomores on the contrary, stood slightly away. "Pft! Haha…!" Adam, Ryan, Heber, Christopher, Ezekiel and Azazel kept their hands on their mouths. Their concealed giggles clearly heard.
"You little devils…" Seraph twitched his brow.
Helios, who kept running behind the coach momentarily glanced behind at the rest. Once again shifting towards the vehicle ahead he squinted his gaze, "Huh?"