(Part 7)
As Tristan ran toward the popping crease, he whispered while releasing the ball, "
The ball, still invisible, manifested a faint red glow as Alan prepared to summon the Joker Cage. But before he could act, the ball curved sharply, drawn almost magnetically toward the chair.
Alan's thoughts raced. It was as if the ball moved with Tristan's will alone. He quickly devised a plan, muttering, "Pinnacle…!" but hesitated, remembering the backlash from using his own abilities, which temporarily stripped him off his senses. Gritting his teeth, he let the ball graze past his bat, nicking the chair slightly before ricocheting toward the wall.
Straightening up, Alan turned slowly, his eyes widening. Across the pitch, Tristan stood grinning, his steel blue eyes gleaming like polished steel, while his blonde hair shimmered faintly with a golden light. An overwhelming presence emanated from him, almost tangible.
Alan gulped, his voice barely a whisper, "An aura?"
"
When Alan blinked, Tristan's glowing aura had vanished entirely, along with the oppressive pressure that filled the air. Yet Alan understood, without a doubt, that the boy standing before him was destined for prominence. Somewhere in the near future, just like now, they would stand on opposite sides, but that time it would be before the entire world.
Tristan broke the silence with a warm smile as he walked closer. "Ah~! That was amazing!" he said, stretching his arms as Alan bent down to retrieve the ball.
"Well, I lost." Alan admitted with a composed grin.
"Lost…?" Tristan repeated, his long lashes fluttering as his steel blue gaze settled on Alan. The quiet intensity in his voice made Alan pause.
"No… you deliberately lost, Alan." Tristan ended.
Alan swallowed, the load of the complaint hanging between them in the still air.
Finally, Alan looked away and headed toward his gear bag, "You're observant, I'll give you that. Let's go with your version, then."
Tristan clicked his tongue with mock annoyance, "Sheesh~! You're too formal. It's creeping me out. Just call me Tristan."
"As you wish, Tristan." Alan raised a brow and suddenly tossed a water bottle toward him.
Tristan caught it effortlessly, giving him a curious look.
"For someone who didn't even break a sweat, I shouldn't be giving this to you. But oh well," Alan jested, unscrewing his own bottle for a sip.
Tristan chuckled as he uncapped the bottle, "Hehe, you didn't break a sweat either. But I get it. You've been practicing ever since I saw you."
Before Alan could ask further since when he was there, Tristan's phone rang, breaking the moment.
Alan then glanced at the sky and sighed, "It's getting late. I should head back." He began wrapping up his belongings as Tristan answered his phone. Suddenly he exclaimed, causing Alan to blink at him confused.
"
After what felt like ages of argument, Tristan sighed, "
Alan's jersey draped over his lean frame, and his neatly combed dark blue hair fluttered gently in the wind. The weariness from before had disappeared, replaced by an air of calm and quiet confidence.
Tristan's gaze settled on Alan's earring. "Well, well, so this is who you truly are," he remarked.
Alan raised a brow, "Why? Were you expecting something else?"
"Not really," Tristan replied with a shrug, "But I'm glad to see your anger's gone."
Alan, realizing he'd forgotten he'd even been angry, allowed a small smile, "Thanks to you, I suppose." "To think he'd even realize that," Alan thought, though he was no longer surprised.
"Looks like our meeting ends here,
"Look for me? Why?" Alan asked, his confusion evident, "I was just a passerby in your journey, and while we had a good time together, you don't need to go out of your way. Besides, we barely know each other."
Tristan crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing, "A passerby? You're underestimating yourself and the importance of these moments. Barely know each other? That's where you're wrong. In just one over, I saw your determination, your wit, and your passion. That's all I need to know. Besides, you're also the first real rival I've found in Pakistan after searching for so long. There's no way I'm letting this go."
Alan blinked, slightly surprised yet conflicted at the same time. Shaking his head, he smiled, "Karachi. Look for me in Karachi. I'm only a temporary local here."
Tristan's grin widened, his suspicions confirmed. "I knew it." he thought. With a soft chuckle, he turned to grab his gear bag, sliding one hand into his pocket. Against the backdrop of the shy afternoon sun, his back seemed radiant. As he began to walk away, he waved back and called out, "
Alan sighed but allowed a smile to creep across his face. "I didn't understand a word of that," he replied.
Glancing over his shoulder, Tristan flashed a playful grin. "Oh? Is that so? I don't believe it."
With that, the two parted ways, heading toward their own paths. Would they meet again, or would this encounter remain a fleeting memory? Alan couldn't help but smile to himself. "Ah, I suddenly miss my middle schoolers and high schoolers," he whispered softly before walking off.
_____
Back at the practice grounds, the middle schoolers sat together in a haphazard, overworked heap, panting heavily. One leaned against another, their labored breaths forming a rhythm of exhaustion, their shirts soaked in sweat and chests heaving up and down. Meanwhile, the first years and sophomores lay sprawled flat on the ground, breathing desperately.
"Oh, come on… huff, huff… it was just one… just one damn minute!" Heber cried, punching the ground in frustration.
Xavier gently patted Seraph's back as the latter sat with a cool towel draped over his head, sweat streaming relentlessly down his chin. His normally fair complexion had turned visibly red.
"Are you alright, Seraph?" Helios crouched before him, holding out a water bottle.
Seraph gave a faint nod, gesturing for him to set it down. However, his limbs trembled. Though outwardly, his calm demeanor masked the turmoil within, making him feel as though he'd just endured a roller coaster ride.
"Take it easy, okay? You did great." Poseidon added.
Seraph nodded again as Cassiel cast a glance toward the high schoolers, who were lounging nearby.
Unlike them, the seniors seemed content and cheerful, their energy reserved for praising Kazuna, Noah, Rauf and Isa for their outstanding performances.
"Tch, Seraph would've done it. Damn those seniors," Adam muttered, furrowing his brow, "It was just a single minute, after all."
Kenzo clicked his tongue irritably as Gabriel added, "Whether it's a minute or even a fraction of a second, a win is a win."
"Besides, didn't you come in third?" Ryan asked, glancing toward Gabriel.
"Fifth," Gabriel corrected, tossing his towel aside.
"Kazuna first, Seraph second, Noah third, Rauf fourth, Gabriel fifth, Isa sixth, Helios seventh, Kenzo eight, Elias ninth, Ryan tenth and I nowhere!" Feng announced the winners lineup ending with his usual irony.
"Well, that's just great. We accepted the challenge and lost anyway," Ezekiel groaned.
"At least we completed it. You've still got four exercises left, Mr. 'Always Tired.' Complete them first." Feng remarked with an exaggerated eye-roll.
"Hey, Sera, Sera…" Adam called out, sitting cross-legged in front of Seraph. His concern was evident as he leaned closer, "Are you okay? You look like a scarlet tomato."
A small laugh escaped Seraph's lips, and he raised a hand to conceal his smile. Removing the towel from his damp hair, he reassured Adam, "I'm fine."
"Whoa, now he's even redder than a scarlet tomato!" Azazel teased, poking Seraph's arm, causing him to laugh even more.
"I thought he was burning for a moment though." Heber exaggerated.
"Hmph, he could've won if it weren't for that one minute. Honestly, he looked like he was ready to give his life for it," Ryan grumbled as he got to his feet.
Hyperbole to the peak!
"Life…? I really didn't go that far…" Seraph thought, though he couldn't deny the amusement he felt at their thoughtful and entertaining remarks at the same time.