(Part 8)

Nonetheless, the retort wasn't long in coming.

"Yeah, yeah, your Seraph could've done it if he hadn't been a minute slower than our Kazuna," Senri quipped, strolling toward them with a playful wink.

The middle schoolers rolled their eyes, choosing to ignore him.

"Ha! That's exactly what sore losers do!" Orion jeered, earning a glare from Kenzo and Helios.

"What? Going to eat me alive?" Orion leaned in close to Helios, who simply rolled his eyes.

"Nah, I'd rather not eat something as grotesque as you. I'll pass, but thanks for the offer," Helios retorted before walking away.

"Pfft!" Nagi and Ren stifled their laughter as Orion's face flushed a deep crimson.

"You little…!" Orion growled through gritted teeth while the middle schoolers burst into laughter.

The high schoolers, also catching their breath after the grueling training list, wore satisfied grins as they observed the younger players.

"Being just a minute behind Kazuna is pretty impressive. And Seraph Awan, no less," Elias remarked.

"Yeah, even Rauf can't beat him this early," Evandor added.

"I'm genuinely proud," Haruf said with a wide grin, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Rauf, seated beside Evandor, cast a glance at Kazuna, who was staring at his trembling hands before clenching them into tight fists, his expression hardening into a frown.

A smirk played on Rauf's lips as he murmured, "In the game of cricket, the final boss isn't the only tough opponent to beat, Colossal Black hole."

"Hm?" Zachariah raised an eyebrow at him, but Rauf simply clicked his tongue and stood up.

Seles approached the group, exhaling heavily. "Honestly, are you all alright?" he asked.

"Yup, we're great, Seles," Aaron replied confidently, flashing a thumbs-up for the high schoolers, though the middle schoolers groaned.

"Yup, not dead yet," Kenzo added sarcastically, pulling Seraph to his feet.

"Yeah, our hearts are still beating, Coach Seles. No need to worry," Feng chimed in, striking an exaggerated perfect pose of assurance for the middle schoolers.

Poseidon shook his head, sighing at Feng's antics before turning to Seles. "We're fine, Coach Seles. Don't worry. This is nothing," he assured with a calm demeanor.

Despite the reassurances, Seles exhaled again, muttering, "We gave you extra time knowing it'd be tough, but you all pushed yourselves like racehorses. I just hope you've got enough energy left for pair practice in the nets."

Yusuf and Pedro, standing beside Seles, turned toward the boys. Hearing the words 'Pair practice,' the middle schoolers exchanged inquisitive glances.

"Against the high schoolers?" Cassiel asked.

"Or amongst ourselves?" Ryan added impatiently.

"Oye, Oye…" Ren scratched his head, looking at them in disbelief.

"Are they seriously thinking about a second round?" Noah asked, turning to the high schoolers.

"They're absolutely insane," Nagi added.

"Why not? Their pride's been hurt," Isa remarked, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"We were the ones who hurt it in the first place," Aaron thought, shaking his head.

"Oh boy," Haruf added with an amused grin.

"What? Are you scared?" Ezekiel taunted the high schoolers with a sly grin.

"Hmph. Bring it on," Kazuna replied, grinning as Orion clapped his fists together, his smile turning wicked. "Oh~ it's time for a bloodbath!" Orion snickered.

Helios, Seraph, Kenzo, Xavier, Gabriel, and Poseidon exchanged confident, almost challenging smirks. "You're on!" they declared in unison, along with the other middle schoolers.

Seles, Pedro, and Yusuf looked on in disbelief.

"You boys are going to be the death of me," Seles muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Well, since you're all so energetic, let's get started right away," Mir said as he entered, "But before that, many of you, especially the middle schoolers, have some shortcomings to work on, right? Do you want to waste time fighting amongst yourselves or focus on improving?"

The middle schoolers narrowed their eyes in contemplation.

"If challenging your seniors helps you overcome your weaknesses, then go ahead," Mir continued, "But if it doesn't, perhaps you should ask them for assistance instead."

Kenzo rolled his eyes. "Assistance my foot," he muttered, walking away as he gestured for the middle schoolers to follow.

"Thanks for the enlightenment, Coach Mir. We know what to do now," Seraph added with a polite nod.

"Hey, hey, where are we going?" Adam asked Seraph curiously.

Seraph smiled ruffling his hairs, "Follow Kenzo, and you'll know."

"Tch, what a way to ruin the fun," Orion grumbled, earning a sharp glare from Yusuf.

"And you lot?" Rauf asked, turning to the high schoolers with a stern look, "Are you all perfect?"

"Nope! Not at all, boss! Let's go practice, Elias!" Aigou blurted, quickly dragging Elias toward the nets.

"Yeah, Haruf, Vice-Captain Evan, let's get moving," Aaron said nervously, gulping as he hurried off.

"Oh, but it was just getting fun!" Senri whined playfully being pushed by Noah and Ren. "Come on, Kazu, Kazu!" Senri called after Kazuna, who was already heading toward the nets.

Zachariah and Isa too followed. Rauf exchanged a glance with Seles, who smiled and nodded.

"Everyone," Mir suddenly called out, stopping both groups in their tracks.

They turned back to him.

"We'll be having a meeting in two hours. Make sure to gather on the first floor of the lodgings. Understood?" Mir told.

"Yes!" they responded in unison before heading off to their stations.

As the middle schoolers and high schoolers honed their bowling, batting, wicket-keeping, and fielding skills under the supervision of Seles, Musa, Pedro, and Yusuf, Nidou let out a deep exhale. He finally stamped the last of the papers and placed them inside an envelope. Setting his pen aside, he looked up at the sky, his eyes blinking lightly, weariness etched across his face.

"Is it done already?" Mir asked, taking a seat beside him.

Nidou smirked, correcting, "It's finally done, Mir."

Mir rolled his eyes with a soft sigh, "Exaggerating, as always."

A brief silence settled between them as they stared at the boys practicing ahead.

"Is it bothering you?" Mir broke the quiet.

"What?" Nidou asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Whatever happened between Yara and Alan just now," Mir clarified.

Nidou grinned faintly, shaking his head. "I expected it to happen. Yara doesn't like Alan, and Alan doesn't care, as usual. But…" His gaze returned to the sky, his tone turning firm, "Alan is my child. I don't care about anyone else. Whether she leaves me one day or stays. As long as she's under my wings, nothing can harm her, not even words."

Mir watched him, uncharacteristically silent.

"I may be harsh with her. I may seem like a good-for-nothing; a temporary shelter she'll outgrow one day. But she doesn't realize this. I'm her father. Nothing can change that. Not even different blood," Nidou's rare sincerity shone through his words, his eyes fixed on Mir as he spoke from the heart.

Mir blinked, hesitant to interrupt.

"Anyways, what about you, Mir?" Nidou asked, turning the conversation, "I thought you didn't like Alan either. But lately, you've been nicer. What changed your mind?" 

"Tch, I never disliked her! Are you crazy?" Mir retorted, slightly offended. "I'm a father to a daughter her age too. Don't lump me in with the likes of you." His voice softened as he continued, "I just wanted her to change her path. The way she's walking don't you realize how agonizing it is? And yet, you support her? The daughter you claim to cherish, love, and protect. How can you do that to her? And how can she not understand you? That's what got me riled up. It doesn't mean I dislike her."

Nidou blinked before bursting into laughter, "Pfft! Haha! So that's it? Haha!"

Mir frowned, slightly embarrassed, "W-what's so funny?"

"Haha… I honestly thought she got on your nerves too," Nidou chuckled, wiping his tears.

Clicking his tongue, Mir muttered, "This is why I never correct anyone who calls you a stupid jerk." 

Still smiling, Nidou remarked, "Well, I'm glad…" His grin softened into one of gratitude, a rare moment of innocence lighting his face.

Mir, momentarily stunned, stared at him. In that instant, the Nidou of the past. The friend Mir thought he'd lost along with their past, was back, if only briefly. A single thought crossed Mir's mind: "Don't go." But he couldn't bring himself to say the words aloud.

Nidou's expression shifted slightly as he reminisced. "The promise Alan made to me, to win the World Cup, it's still alive. From that moment to now, she's never stopped striving toward that goal." "You know, In the match against Islamabad I told Azher that someone would stop him from taking Azazel, and Azazel wouldn't make it back to Karachi. I had little hope then, but when I saw Azazel in the coach that night… I was stunned." His hands clasped together, his smile proud. "She stopped Azazel too. She always achieves what I couldn't. Don't you think that's a blessing, Mir?" Nidou asked.