----
"But, captain, he's…" Feng protested.
Hugo grinned, shaking his head. "This isn't arrogance, Feng. Kenzo is not arrogant."
"And from what angle are you seeing that, skipper?" Ryan asked, rolling his eyes.
Hugo smiled knowingly, "Tell me, how does a star look from Earth?"
"A star?" Feng repeated, glancing at Mikael and Luth.
"It's bright, shiny, and beautiful, right?" Xavier answered from behind as he dusted off his armband.
"Y-yeah…" Hadi agreed, still puzzled.
"But when you get close to it or examine it more closely, you realize that bright, beautiful star is just a massive ball of hot gas, burning so intensely that it's destroying itself. And yet, from afar, it's a breathtaking spectacle. That's who Kenzo is," Hugo explained.
Turning to Feng, he added, "From the front, he looks arrogant, haughty—like he's got the elegance of the world at his feet. But inside? Why don't you find out for yourself?"
Feng had raised a finger to himself, his brow twitching. "Huh? Me? Oh, come on. Why should I figure him out? He's the other team's captain. Let's beat him and his team first, Captain, before wasting time on this."
Hugo however, merely smiled in response.
____
Feng shook his head in disbelief, a faint smile on his lips. "Captain Hugo... I can't believe I'm honestly starting to see what you meant now," he thought, "I've spent sleepless nights sulking about being picked for the next match, and now when I have all the free time of the world, here I am…"
Suddenly, Kenzo winced as three balls came hurtling toward him. Two struck the stumps, and the last hit his wrist, leaving a reddened mark.
Feng sprang to his feet. "Hey! Stop it, Kenzo. Are you crazy?" He rushed in, turning off the machines one by one.
Kenzo snapped, "Hey, stop meddling in my business."
Feng nonetheless, ignored him and grabbed his wrist, examining the swelling. "Do I look stupid to you? I've been calling you from the sidelines, but did you listen? No. I told you to take a break!" He glanced at the reddened mark, then up at Kenzo, smirking, "So, what made you think I'd listen to you, your highness?"
Kenzo gritted his teeth and yanked his hand back. "Feng Mir Ozer, this is the last time I'm telling you—leave. Stop interfering." He brushed past Feng heading to reopen the machines.
Feng twitched his brow, "Fine. I'll bowl. Wait there."
Kenzo turned, glaring, "Didn't you hear what I…"
"Yeah, yeah, I heard. Just stop you'll make my ears bleed." Feng interrupted with a yawn, shoving Kenzo toward the pitch, "But I won't listen. Rather than hurting yourself, you should focus on unsealing your abilities. That's what you need to work on. Getting injured helps no one."
Feng picked up a ball and signaled for Kenzo to take his position, "Go."
Kenzo sighed, "Weren't you complaining about being tired half an hour ago."
Feng flashed a thumbs-up, "I'm good as new now. Don't fret."
Kenzo clicked his tongue, "You're killing me."
Feng grinned, preparing to bowl. "Better me than you killing yourself."
As another half-hour passed, Kenzo crouched with his bat resting before him, his breaths coming in heavy pants. Behind him, the wicket toppled and crashed to the ground.
"Hey... are you okay?" Feng crouched down in front of him, his own breaths labored.
Kenzo let out a hollow chuckle, his head hanging low, "Hmph... it feels pathetic."
"You'll get there. Just don't push yourself anymore. You're exhausted," Feng reassured him.
"Seven hundred and eighty-ninth time..." Kenzo murmured under his breath.
"Huh?" Feng leaned closer, trying to catch his words, but Kenzo stayed silent.
"The wicket behind me..." Kenzo thought, standing up and letting his bat slip from his grip. He laced his hands behind his neck, "It's fallen for the 789th time." Yet, determination flared in his eyes. "Again..." he muttered, his resolve unwavering as he bent to pick up his bat.
Feng grabbed his wrist, concern etched into his face. "Kenzo, it's midnight. Let's call it a night. We can try again tomorrow. Besides, if we don't head back, we'll both get punished."
Kenzo jerked his wrist free, "Go back if you want. I don't care about any punishment. This is my battleground."
Frustration flashed across Feng's face. "Fine! Stay here then," he snapped, "Honestly, I feel like punching you right now. Do whatever you want. I'm done!"
Feng snatched up his gear bag and stormed off. But as he stepped out of the net area, Hugo's words replayed in his mind: "...that bright, beautiful star is just a massive ball of hot gas, burning so intensely that it's destroying itself..."
"Ugh, damn it!" Feng muttered, throwing his gear bag down in frustration. He turned on his heel and headed back into the nets. This time, instead of arguing, he sprawled on a nearby bench, resting his hands behind his head as he stared up at the sky.
Kenzo glanced at him, momentarily speechless.
Feng seemed unfazed, lying there like he didn't have a care in the world.
Kenzo shook his head, his focus shifting back to the bowling machines. He resumed his relentless batting, the sound of balls hitting and missing filling the night.
Unbeknownst to them, Isa stood silently outside the chain-link fence, arms crossed and green gaze sparkling, watching Kenzo with a pensive expression. "If breaking Zachariah's sealing ability were that easy," Isa thought grimly, "then I, the best ones in this base, and many champions of the world outside wouldn't have lost to him. Kenzo ShahJahan, you're up against more than just yourself tonight."
Time passed.
Kenzo finally looked over at Feng, who had fallen into a light sleep on the bench, his soft snores breaking the silence. He sighed, picking up a sports drink that Feng had left nearby. "You should've left. It's cold." He murmured sitting down with his back against the bench and stared at the starry night sky above. Lifting the bottle slightly, he whispered, "Just you wait, Zachariah Jacques..."
_____
"How's it?" Noah asked, watching Helios closely. Helios raised a brow, "What do you think?"
"Your deliveries are sharper and more precise now, definitely better than before. Your cutters have slowed down just right, and your swingers… as usual, they're a beast. If you ask me, it's an improvement," Noah replied, his tone thoughtful, "Don't you feel the difference yourself?"
Helios blinked, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips, "Yeah, I noticed. Especially when I saw you struggling against them."
Noah twitched his brow, disbelief etched across his face, "You little…"
"But, I don't think I'm anywhere near the middle schoolers desired level," Helios interrupted, his expression clouding as he recalled Gabriel, Kenzo, Seraph, Poseidon, and Xavier's bowling and batting prowess.
"Huh?" Noah lowered his bat, narrowing his gaze. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean…" Helios hesitated, glancing briefly at Poseidon, who was bowling relentlessly to Aaron. Aaron countered every move with unnerving precision, keeping Poseidon on edge.
Helios sighed and continued, "I just don't think I'm there yet. Not perfect."
"No one's bowling or batting is perfect, Helios," Noah cut in firmly, his gaze steady, "There's no such thing as perfection in cricket. It's all about constant improvement. Though, I never expected you to think like that."
Helios shook his head, his eyes drifting back to Poseidon before lowering again. Memories of Kenzo and everyone's trust during the last match flooded his mind. How he had failed to capitalize on that moment. Disappointment weighed heavy in his voice as he said, "When I say 'Perfect,' I don't mean I'm discouraged. I mean I want to be ready, to do whatever it takes when the time comes. If someone needs me to change the tides, I should be ready for that. If someone needs me to do the unexpected, I should deliver. I want to be able to lead like Kenzo, adapt like Xavier, and handle pressure like Poseidon."
Noah listened quietly before breaking into a smile. "Listen up, Helios Zadeh. Wipe that look off your face and remember this: As long as I'm looking out for you, don't worry about who's ahead of you or who's behind. Just focus on being the best. Better than all of them..."
Helios blinked, momentarily stunned.
"For you are Noah Chevalier's one and only disciple!" Noah declared with confidence.
Helios looked at him stunned. However, soon chuckled covering his mouth with his hand. "Pft, haha…"
"W-what?" Noah asked, puzzled.
"Are you sure about this, Senior Noah? Taking me as your disciple? Isn't that a bit outdated? Should I start calling you 'Master' now?" Helios teased, still laughing.
Noah, oblivious to the joke, replied earnestly, "No way. That'd make me feel ancient. Senior Noah is fine."
"Pft, haha!" Helios laughed harder as Noah stood there, confused but smiling.
Helios eventually calmed down. "Aren't you even a little concerned, Senior Noah? I'm one of those middle schoolers who'll defeat you in the future. Are you sure you want to share your secrets with me or even help me?"