Golden Age 33: ‘Defying with All Your Spirit, Not Years!! A Glimpse of the World Beyond! And, A Step Towards Self-belief!! (Part 1)

The boys freshening up the next morning headed towards the practice ground. Stepping out of their modest lodgings, they were greeted by a gray cloud-covered sky that stretched endlessly above.

The air was cool, almost biting, and carried the faint scent of rain, though no drops had fallen yet. The streets, though bustling, felt subdued under the sky's heavy gaze. In the distance, the rugged mountain peaks appeared like faded silhouettes.

A faint mist clung to their tops, intertwining between the jagged rocks, while the rest of the city was caught in a quiet, almost monochromatic stillness. The warm sun that they were used to was almost absent, or perhaps on a temporary strike, hidden behind the thick blanket of clouds.

Helios, Poseidon and Kenzo observed the unusual surroundings. 

"It feels quite different from other cities," Helios remarked.

"Yeah, Karachi's complete opposite," Seraph added.

Kenzo exhaled deeply, his eyes scanning the freshmen and sophomores, whose spirits seemed noticeably low.

"Feels kind of depressing, doesn't it?" Feng muttered, the gloom tugging at him in an inexplicable way.

Heber patted Azazel on the back as he coughed.

"Ugh, it's too cold here," Adam complained, shivering as Seraph adjusted the hat on his head.

"And dry," Cassiel observed while Gabriel handed Ryan a hot drink.

Gripping the can between his hands for warmth, Ryan murmured, "Thanks."

Poseidon coughed, his irritation evident in the heavy atmosphere. Xavier gave him an encouraging smile, rubbing his back.

Kazuna scrutinizing them uttered, "It'll take time to adjust. Quetta's weather is very different, so make sure you don't get sick,"

"We're not familiar with this place," Xavier admitted, "Since you seniors seem experienced, we'll be counting on you."

"Eh? You're actually depending on us?" Ren quipped, nudging Xavier's shoulder before glancing at the middle schoolers.

"Hmph, keep dreaming," Gabriel scoffed.

"Yeah, yeah, think whatever you want. Just make sure we don't catch a cold," Ezekiel yawned, clearly in no mood to start a pointless farce.

"What a way to ask for favors…" Ren thought amused while Nagi and Aigou exchanged skeptical looks.

"It's honestly creepy coming from you all," Orion rolled his eyes.

"Still, try to stay warm and avoid taking baths at night," Elias advised.

"Yeah, and don't sleep on the floor, even if it's during a discussion or meeting, got it?" Aaron added.

"Yeah," the middle schoolers replied dully. Rauf, who had been walking quietly ahead, listened to their chatter. Beside him, Alan remained silent.

"What's wrong?" Rauf asked.

Alan smiled faintly, "Nothing."

"Sigh~ just why does everything feel so bleak?" Senri muttered, clearly put off.

Alan gave him a light pat on the back, "Come on, cheer up, silly." 

"Tch, I don't know. The sound of the rain gives me weird vibes," Aigou commented.

Noah, Haris and Senri yawned, nodding in agreement.

"Not to mention the coaches dragging us out at 9:00 after we barely got five hours of sleep," Orion grumbled.

"We've got a match coming up. Of course, they're going to be strict," Isa pointed out.

"He's right. We've already lost once; we can't afford to lose again," Evan said firmly, casting a determined glance at the middle schoolers.

The middle schoolers exchanged composed looks.

"Are you okay?" Helios asked Poseidon.

Poseidon nodded, "Yeah, I took my medicine, so it's manageable. But with the atmosphere being so different, it'll take some time to adjust."

"Just don't hide how you're feeling, no matter what, okay?" Seraph asked, patting Poseidon's shoulder.

Poseidon nodded again, though a faint sense of vulnerability lingered in his expression.

Kenzo, observing the freshmen and sophomores gathering around Poseidon, giggling and trying to lighten the mood, allowed a faint smile to break through his usually stern demeanor. 

"Quite the hidden, caring figure, aren't you?" Elias remarked, smiling at him.

Kenzo averted his gaze, his expression sharpening and the faint smile waning, he remained silent.

Sensing Kenzo's guarded stance, Elias continued, "I get it. You're right to be cautious, considering what you're dealing with. But don't turn us or your struggles into your enemy or bottleneck, Kenzo. Treat them as lessons." "Don't let the pressure to prove yourself make you lose sight of who you truly are." He advised.

Kenzo scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Don't underestimate me, Senior Elias. Whatever I'm going through, it's temporary. And mark my words, I'll make sure to pay it back to you high schoolers twice fold. This isn't a bottleneck, and I… in any phase of my life, don't intend losing myself, ever." his tone brimming with resolve, Kenzo grinned and strode ahead, "Just you wait."

A smile tugged at Elias's lips, though he couldn't tell if it was from surprise or quiet reassurance. "That's the spirit, Golden Child," he simply murmured, clearly content. Then, in a curious whisper, he added staring at the poised back, "I wonder what it would be like if I were like you…?"

"Seriously, uncool," Noah interrupted abruptly, catching Elias off guard.

Startled, Elias blinked as he felt something on his shoulder, soon turning his right to find Noah resting his chin there, rubbing his eyes groggily. "Geez, don't start brooding like that. It's making me even more sleepy," he complained.

"That really caught me off guard," Elias said, exhaling a small sigh of relief.

Noah draped his arm across Elias's shoulder, adding with a teasing smile, "If you were like that, we wouldn't even be able to approach you, let alone talk to you. So forget about it. Besides, we like you just the way you are, Elias. You don't need to be like anyone else." With a reassuring nudge, Noah pushed him forward.

Elias smiled warmly as he walked ahead. "That's sounds undeniably reassuring," he admitted.

"See? It's so easy to make you glad, Captain." Noah teased with a grin.

"Indeed. It seems I've become far too easy to handle these days." Elias nodded thoughtfully, a hint of admiration and sarcasm in his voice.

Zachariah and Isa couldn't help but share an amused smile.

As they arrived at the practice ground, the staff busily set up equipment while the coaches waited with anticipation. The surroundings, however, felt unusually lively. Alan and the others, catching sight of familiar blue and green jerseys accompanied by cheerful laughter, animated movements, and vibrant conversations, exchanged curious glances.

"Hm?" Evan narrowed his eyes before noting, "Looks like our hosts are here."

"Multan Sultans?" Haruf wondered.

"Haitam?" Isa, Ren, Orion, Haris and Senri called out as they moved ahead with the rest of the high schoolers.

"Wow," Cassiel remarked, glancing at Helios, Xavier, Poseidon and Seraph, who exchanged faint smiles.

Meanwhile, Feng, shivering slightly, quickly ducked behind Xavier, joined by Ezekiel, Heber, Adam, and Ryan, who found cover behind Kenzo, Helios, Poseidon, and Gabriel.

"Whoa, easy." Seraph grabbed Azazel who immediately hid himself behind his back. He looked at Kenzo and the rest confused.

"No way, no way, no way…" Feng muttered, his tone dripping with exaggerated panic.

"What's wrong with you all?" Kenzo asked, uncertainty clear in his voice.

"There's no way in hell we're dancing again!" Feng shrieked, throwing daggers at him.

"Yeah," Ryan chimed in, grimacing, "Remember the last time we met them in Islamabad? No way am I reliving that disaster. It was beyond embarrassing."

Helios and Poseidon chuckled, recalling how the first and second years were pulled to dance alongside Multan's middle schoolers.

"But you guys looked great!" Seraph teased, throwing a sly wink at Cassiel and Mikael who too controlled their laugh.

"Ha! Easy for you to say! You didn't even lift a finger back then. We were the ones who suffered all the humiliation," Heber exclaimed, attempting to bury his face in Kenzo's jersey.

"Tch, get off me, are you insane?" Kenzo uttered annoyed, pushing him away, though Heber persisted.

Poseidon and Xavier burst out laughing, unable to contain themselves.

"It's really not that funny!" Adam, Ryan, Heber, Azazel and Ezekiel went as the third years laughed.

Meanwhile, as soon as the high schoolers approached, Haitam gasped turning around, and rushing forward with a wide grin. "Haruf!!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around him.

The rest of the group quickly surrounded the high schoolers, exchanging warm embraces and high-fives.

"Haha, it's been a while!" Milan said, ruffling Aigou's hair, while David bumped fists with Aaron, both grinning.

"Geez, we just met in Islamabad," Elias remarked dryly.

"Nah, too long!" Nouis countered with a playful pout, while Senri and Kazuna shared knowing smiles.

Haruf chuckled, patting Haitam's back.

"Finally, we can play against each other with all our hearts!" Haitam declared, raising a fist enthusiastically.

"Of course," Ren teased, leaning his elbow on Haitam's shoulder, "But how do you know Haruf's even playing?"

Haitam gestured toward Head Coach Nidou before grinning. "I requested him. That's why."

Senri, Nagi, and Orion blinked, stunned.

"Are you serious?" Senri asked, disbelief in his voice.

"Yup, very serious," Haitam affirmed with a resolute nod, while Haruf stood taller, clearly proud.

"Well, it can't be helped," Rauf said with a grin, "Make sure you give them a tough time, Haruf."

"Of course, boss," Haruf agreed with a confident smile.