(Part 7)

"Yes!! Eight Generation rules! I just knew they would do it!" Ebraham cheered, pumping his fist into the air, as they headed back to the car.

"Yeah, it was a great match. Neither team backed down," Haadi acknowledged.

"Yeah, but I still feel bad," Claude pouted, "I was rooting for Atia Edencity."

"Oh yeah, your cousin was in the team, right?" Mirza asked, "Did you tell him you came to watch?"

"Nah, he'd just tease me, calling me a kid," Claude grumbled, "But that doesn't mean I don't like him."

Poseidon listened to their chatter with a quiet smile. As they walked out of the stadium, he quickened his pace until he was side by side with Helios.

Sensing him approach, Helios glanced over. "Enjoyed it?" he asked.

Poseidon hesitated, then admitted, "Too much, I'm afraid."

Helios smirked slightly, "That's great, then."

---

On the ride back, Mirza's father took detours past a few academies, allowing the boys to take a look and share their thoughts. Finally, the car came to a stop before an imposing gate. "That's the last one," Mirza's father announced, pulling the handbrake. As the boys stepped out, they took in their surroundings.

"Wow…" Ebraham gaped at the towering sign that read 'Eight Generation Academy' in bold, commanding letters.

"Now that's what I call aura," Haadi muttered, almost in awe.

Poseidon stared at the gate, recalling the team's victory he had just witnessed. The cheers. The tears. The pride. The anticipation for what lay ahead. He felt an inexplicable pull towards it.

"Want to give it a shot?" Sehan asked casually, standing beside him.

Poseidon hesitated.

"There's no need to hold back, little sea." Sehan's voice was gentle, yet firm, "This is the first time you're asking for something, isn't it? Why not let it be something you truly want?"

Poseidon exhaled deeply. "I don't know…" He hesitated, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Maybe I just don't trust myself yet, Sehan. I'm afraid to make a decision where others might follow me. What if… I'm wrong? What if I don't make it… with them?"

Sehan turned to look at him, his expression unreadable. Then, he glanced over at Helios and the others, who were laughing and chatting energetically with Mirza's father. "You underestimate yourself," he said, "and not just yourself… them too. They're stronger than you think."

Poseidon inhaled sharply, absorbing his words, "Maybe you're right…"

Sehan's lips curled into a small smile, "Then prove yourself wrong, Poseidon."

Poseidon turned to him, uncertainty still clouding his gaze. Seeing this, Sehan crouched slightly to meet his eyes. "And let me tell you a secret…," he whispered.

Poseidon's curiosity was piqued. He listened. And, as Sehan's words passed by his expression shifted. His eyes widened slightly, as if those words had somehow cut through his hesitation. And then, in an instant, all his worries seemed to vanish. He blinked at Sehan who smiled, shrugging his shoulders, giving him the last spell of courage.

Poseidon turned abruptly, calling out, "Heli!"

Helios turned towards him, "Yeah? What's up?"

The wind as if pushing him even more forward, Poseidon took a few quick steps forward, grabbing Helios' wrists tightly, "Let's go here!" he declared.

Helios blinked, momentarily startled.

Poseidon's eyes shone with a hope so pure, so untainted by doubt, that it caught everyone off guard, "Let's go to Eight Generation Academy together!"

For a moment, there was silence. Then—

"Yes!!" Mirza, Claude, Ebraham, and Haadi rushed toward them, their excitement overflowing.

Helios, who had braced himself to convince Poseidon a hundred times over before he could make a decision, was taken aback. But then, a wide smile stretched across his face. He didn't need to say anything. He didn't need to push Poseidon into anything.

Poseidon had made his choice. All on his own. And that, more than anything, made Helios relieved and proud. With a laugh, he pulled Poseidon into a warm embrace, "Haha! Well done! Well done, Poseidon! Let's go. Let's go to this academy altogether."

"Haha! Yeah!" Claude joined in, wrapping his arms around them, followed closely by the others.

"Then it's settled, right? I'm so glad!" Haadi beamed.

"Yeah! Best birthday ever! All thanks to this little sea!" Mirza grinned, ruffling Poseidon's hair as he laughed freely.

"Let's become the best together!" Ebraham cheered.

"Yeah!!" The chorus of voices rang out with pure joy.

Standing at a distance, Sehan watched them, his expression softening.

"What did you say to him?" Mirza's father asked curiously.

Sehan turned to him, a sly yet genuine glint in his eyes, "Heh~ nothing but magic words, sir."

Mirza's father chuckled, "No wonder Sahil won't let go of you. You're too efficient."

Sehan smirked. "Thanks," he said, turning his gaze back to the boys, watching them revel in their shared dream.

[(2 Years 2 Months Later) Third Year Middleschool Underway]

The cool summer breeze rushed into the room, making the curtains dance as sunlight streamed in, bright yet gentle, marking the approaching end of summer break.

The hospital, as always, buzzed with flurry, but in one quiet room, Helios and Poseidon sat, immersed in their books scattered across the bed. Now third-years, both had grown taller, their presence more defined.

Poseidon, his once smaller frame now visibly taller, had an almost ethereal air. His snow-white hair falling in soft waves over his forehead, framing delicate features. His sea-blue eyes, filled with warmth and quiet intelligence that revealed little of his true thoughts. Though slender and pale, there was an unshakable resilience beneath his composed demeanor. 

Beside him, Helios had grown into a figure of quiet authority, standing slightly taller with a more athletic build. His sharp features and piercing violet eyes made him impossible to overlook. His once tousled dark blue hair, now slightly longer, caught the light with a faint purple sheen, accentuating the quiet intensity that had only deepened with time.

"And there's your answer. Pretty much spot on, right?" Helios said, watching as Poseidon pouted, his face filled with doubt and boredom.

Amused, Helios chuckled and shook his head, "Alright, alright, your call. What do you want to study next?"

"Hmph!" Poseidon sat up, stretching his limbs with exaggerated irritation. "You know I don't like science, Heli. Especially biology. And yet, you always start with it. Always ruining my mood." He turned away with a huff, clearly annoyed.

Suppressing the urge to ruffle his hair in amusement, Helios shut the book and set it aside, "Alright, I'm sorry. Truly, deeply sorry. Now, will my little brother finally tell me what he wants to study so we can stop arguing and actually get something done?"

Poseidon, who had been staring out the window, peeked at him from the corner of his eye. But when he caught Helios smiling at him gently, he immediately looked away, flustered. "Who's your little brother...?" he muttered under his breath.

Leaning back in his chair, Helios crossed his arms and spun slightly, "Hmm... That's one thing I won't take back, no matter what you say. You promised. No turning back now."

Poseidon sighed, but despite himself, a small, reassured smile found its way to his lips. "...Math and history," he finally answered.

"Got it." Helios clapped his thighs and stood up, heading to the couch where his bag lay. Pulling out two textbooks, he turned back with a playful wink, "Math and history it is."

Poseidon rolled his eyes. "Such a showoff."

Helios laughed, settling back into his seat and flipping open the history book. As he began reading, Poseidon's irritation gradually faded, his interest drawn in by the words.

After a while, Helios glanced up, only to find Poseidon staring absentmindedly at the book, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. He stopped reading, waiting, but Poseidon remained still.

"What is it?" Helios snapped his fingers in front of him, pulling him from his daze.

Poseidon blinked, then shifted his gaze to the IV drip attached to his hand, his expression unreadable. He said nothing.

Helios closed the book and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the bed as he cupped his face in his hands. Scooting his chair even closer, he asked, "What's wrong? Something on your mind?"

Poseidon shook his head, fidgeting with his fingers.

Helios smiled and started guessing, "Tired? Unhappy?"

Poseidon shook his head again.

"Bored? Or... upset that your health declined before the new semester even started?" Helios tried again.

This time, Poseidon didn't respond immediately, but after a few seconds, he gave a small nod. "...I don't want to stay here anymore, Heli. It feels suffocating. I want to play with you..." His voice was barely above a whisper, his expression hidden beneath his hair.

Helios blinked in surprise, then let out a soft chuckle. "That's it?" he said lightly, as if what Poseidon asked was the simplest thing in the world.

Poseidon turned to him, slightly taken aback.

Helios glanced at the IV drip, which was nearly empty. Then, with practiced ease, he took Poseidon's wrist and gently removed the needle from the cannula.

"H-hey! What are you doing?" Poseidon whispered, alarmed.

Helios merely gestured a finger to his lips, signaling him to keep quiet, "We're going to have some fun."