(Part 8)

"No way in hell…" Nidou murmured, broken, "There's no way I'm happy. Cael left? Just thinking about it, doesn't feel real. He knew everything… yet he still left, didn't he? He promised, yet he still left…"

Within a stir of emotions what Musa then witnessed was a single tear, streaming down and dropping to the ground like blood.

After a moment, Nidou sniffed looking back up a mask of happiness stretched on his shattered face, he told, "Well, until we meet again Musa Ty Alexandro. The world is vast and life is long. Let's surely meet again."

Musa simply nodded as Nidou left. "Nidou…" he called as Nidou turned around. "As our Captain and out best friend, thank you for everything. May you be successful and outstanding ahead," Musa wished.

"Hm, you too, Take care. And continue to blaze the world," Nidou waved his hand, however soon paused turning back, "Tell old man to stay strong. I will be back. I won't leave him alone." 

Musa nodded, and then the sound of cheers erupted around them.

"Captain Nidou!"

"Nidou Rex Lorenzo!"

"Pakistan's Platinum Ranker! Pakistan's Galaxy!" The entire team had gathered, waving the trophy and flag high in tribute.

"Everyone…' Musa gasped, tracing Mir who nodded with a light beam.

"Take care!! And all the best!! Wherever you are, we will never forget you!!" they all chanted in unison.

Nidou, revealing the most radiating and shining smile showed a thumbs up.

Soon Musa turned to look at Nidou only to find the sight ahead empty. "He left…" he whispered gritting awfully.

The proud strong back had departed without complain.

______

"Coach Musa?"

"Coach Musa, hello~" a stir of voices pulled him from his thoughts as Musa blinked, returning to the present.

"Where were you lost? Geez, we've been calling you forever," Azazel said.

"Oh, nowhere, really. Let's keep going," Musa replied with a smile.

Turning to Kenzo, Seles pointed, "As for you Kenzo…" suddenly pausing he noticed Kenzo's finger twitch, his gaze turned tense. Seles studied Kenzo as the others turned to him a bit confused.

"Why did you stop?" Ezekiel asked.

"Ah, nothing…," Seles replied, then continued, "Kenzo, are you certain— Well, well~ seems like we have company." He immediately changed the conversation, his focus shifting to Isa, Senri, and Noah, who stood at the door, arms folded, smiling.

Kenzo let out a sigh of relief, his shoulder's sinking, though Seles's watchful gaze didn't leave him.

"Hey, everyone!" Senri called with a playful wink.

"Senior Senri, Noah, and Isa?" Feng sat up straight.

"What brings you here?" Heber added.

"What brings us? Look at the time! None of you have even had breakfast yet, and Coach Nidou wants us ready. We're heading out for Quetta shortly after noon," Noah informed them as Helios gave him a fist bump.

"Ah, now that you mention it, we haven't eaten," Adam realized, rubbing his belly.

"No wonder I'm feeling so sleepy," Ezekiel yawned.

Helios sighed, unimpressed, "Name a time when you aren't."

Seraph, Poseidon and Xavier exchanged amused looks.

"Well then, let's wrap this up, shall we?" Seles stood up, stretching, "I expect you all to work hard on your shortcomings and aim for success in the next match." 

"Yes!" the boys replied determinedly.

"And, come to us whenever you find yourself struggling," Yusuf added.

Musa looked at the boys as they conversed with each other, their faces lighting up with optimism, "Not bad…" he grinned. 

"Come on, let's go now! I'm starving," Feng exclaimed, pushing Poseidon ahead as they all left.

"Sigh~ to think we have to pack up again? I am tired." Cassiel complained.

"Think about us, bro. You are still a lot better." Heber acted sluggish beside Azazel and Ezekiel.

"Yeah, say the ones who make others do their share of work." Gabriel taunted with a 'hmph'.

"Pft!" Xavier chuckled.

"Ah~ I want to eat a feast, now." Adam rubbed his belly.

As the boys left, Isa approached Seles. "Why didn't you say it, Coach Seles?" His gaze followed Kenzo, who was walking out with Helios and Seraph.

"If I'd said anything, it would've shattered his self-esteem, and not just his, but everyone's. You know how much Kenzo means to the younger players. They just lost a match yesterday. If I'd also told them that their Captain can't even grasp his bat properly right now since his abilities are sealed, it would've crushed them further," Seles told.

"Heh~ That's awfully thoughtful of you," Senri remarked with a smirk.

Seles replied with a calm smile, "Well, I think I also believe in Kenzo too, in my quirky way."

"Do you really think he can break free from Zachariah's sealing ability? No middle schooler has even managed to do it so far," Noah added, sounding concerned.

"If no one's done it yet, then it's about time for one to rise to the challenge," Musa added stretching his arms.

Isa's gaze narrowed, "What do you mean?"

"That kid's eyes are filled with tenacity—unbreakable tenacity. Surely, you've noticed?" Musa patted Isa's back as he walked out with Seles and Yusuf.

"Tenacity, huh…" Senri mused, clearly amused, while Isa stayed silent, deep in thought.

The middle schoolers refreshing themselves, packed their luggage and headed downstairs, where the high schoolers, coaches, and staff were busy preparing for their departure.

"Yawn~" Ezekiel murmured drowsily beside Feng and Poseidon.

"Sleepy now?" Xavier asked with a warm smile.

"Yeah, not sleeping last night finally caught up to me," Poseidon admitted, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Since you've taken your medicine, you should get some rest on the way," Helios advised, patting him on the shoulder.

"Yeah, especially since we'll probably start practicing like maniacs once we reach Quetta," Heber added with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Adam spotted Alan talking with Ren and Musa. With a glint of excitement in his eye, he hurried over, calling, "Alan!"

Hearing his name, Alan turned, only to find himself pulled into a tight hug by Adam. "Haha! I missed you!" Adam exclaimed, embracing him.

"Oh my," Aigou blinked as Senri chuckled.

Alan, a bit surprised, quickly smiled as Adam looked up at him. "Me too. I missed you too, though we just talked last night," Alan replied, chuckling.

Adam nodded eagerly. "Yeah, but we weren't really happy, you know? So it didn't even feel like we really talked," he said, then added with a grin, "And we're sitting together, alright? We'll catch up!"

Alan blinked, then smiled, "Alright."

"Huh? Who decided that?" Feng interjected, "I want to sit with him!"

"Oh my," Cassiel murmured in surprise.

"What? Can't I?" Feng pouted.

"No way! I called dibs first," Adam said firmly, pulling Alan behind him as the two faced off, irritated.

Kenzo rolled his eyes unamused while Seraph rubbed his temple speechless.

"Seriously, stop fighting, you two. Nobody's sitting with him," Heber declared, stepping between them as both turned to him with questioned looks. "Since I'll be the one sitting with him, haha!" he added, looking proud.

"HUH?!" Feng and Adam went while speechless Alan, Kazuna and Isa stood. Haruf, Noah, and Elias chuckled nearby.

"Sigh, just look at these little ones. Aren't we visible over here?" Aaron commented with feigned offense, "I'm crushed."

Haruf giggled beside him while Azazel rolled his eyes, "You don't have to be jealous."

"Jealous? Hmph. Ridiculous," Nagi scoffed, slightly annoyed.

"These little…" Orion gritted in exasperation.

Ezekiel, grinning, chimed in, "And you think we'd just agree, huh Heber?"

Heber raised a brow, "Why? I called it—so that's that."

Just then, Gabriel turned around, looking mortified as the high schoolers burst out laughing, though Rauf and Evan simply watched, bemused by their antics.

Alan, at the center of it all, stood quietly as the middle schoolers squabbled around him. "Just what is going on…?" he thought as he then felt a tap on his shoulder.

He glanced back to see Xavier holding out his hand. "Need a hand?" he asked, smiling.

Nodding, Alan took his hand and stepped out of the ground. "Thanks. What's going on, anyway?" he asked, puzzled.

"Well," Xavier explained, "I think they've just been trying to tease Adam since this morning, it's all in fun. Sorry if it caught you off guard."

Alan smiled softly, "It's alright. Honestly, it's good to see you all back to your usual selves."

Xavier returned his smile, joined by Helios, who added, "We made you worry, didn't we?"

Alan shook his head firmly, "Nah, I believed in you. I knew you'd pull through."

Helios was taken aback, a little stunned by Alan's faith in them. "I see," he replied, thinking back to what he'd said to Azher before: "I want the world to remember the names of every boy standing here. I want them to be remembered as legends and heroes… I want to take them there, to that moment of triumph… it might not show, however, I care deeply for my juniors. I can't put into words how much they mean to me. They're simply irreplaceable…"

A faint smile crossed his lips as Helios whispered, "Maybe… you're the irreplaceable one… Pakistan's Galaxy."

Alan, not catching his words, glanced over. "Hm?" he asked, only to feel Helios gently ruffling his hair.

Alan momentarily surprised, remained silent.