(Part 15)

"Ezekiel's batting first and Heber's the runner." Poseidon said. The boys agreeing took their gears out.

Adam and Azazel who were more interested in finding sea shells went along their own hunt. "Tell me when you see a crab or a lobster or a jellyfish or anything, Alan." Adam warned searching around him, in a 360 movement.

Alan blinked his eyes confused, "Alright…?"

Kenzo walked over settling down beside him. "What is it? Did highschoolers dump you or something?" he teased. 

Alan furrowed his gaze annoyed, "Don't speak if you can't speak anything humbly, your highness. I just don't want to get wet." "Moreover, why aren't you joining them?" he asked instead.

"Let them enjoy. I am too tired to barge in." Kenzo replied.

Adam and Alan both surprised at his lack of interest looked at each other. "Wow… he can even say that." Adam rolled his eyes collecting sea shells in his bag again.

Looking at Kenzo lost in thought and his gaze furrowed Alan guessed, "Thinking about Ezekiel? Or is it something else?"

"About him and the PSL all at once." Kenzo replied.

Alan smiled, "It's definitely your first time leaving your comfort zones 1and facing the outside world but don't think too much. When we are stepping out after two years, we are bound to succeed. I believe that." Alan stated.

"Heh." Kenzo smirked, "What over confidence."

"You're wrong…" Alan responded curtly, "Its self-confidence." he corrected.

Kenzo rolled his eyes, "Self-confidence…"

"You'll know that thrill once you stand on that stage, Kenzo. That feeling of anxiety and excitement under the pressure of an immense crowd which is and isn't at your side at the same time. Despite all these conditions you have to win no matter what. That certain state portrays your will and determination." Alan told.

Kenzo listened silent. "Come on, stand up. We are playing too." he turned to him. 

"Huh?" Alan asked, "Like I said I don't want…!" he repeated as Kenzo clicked his tongue, grabbed his arm and yanked him up. "Not getting wet is the stupidest reason…" he pulled him through the sand, "Or is it that you're scared to lose?" he side glanced mischievously.

Alan twitched his brow, "You seriously need a beating."

Kenzo grinned, "Adam! Azazel! Come on we are playing!" he called.

Time passing in the blink of any eye, from seconds to minutes and from minutes to hours it was finally sunset. The day showing its final light. The boys headed back to the coach stop. (Thanks to Kenzo's Limousine it was much easier...)

Taking the coaster, they made their way back to the base. The air conditioned bus silent, only voices of light snores and tapping of phones was heard. Alan sitting on the front seat beside Cassiel stared out of the window. "Half of them are asleep already…" Cassiel peeked behind.

"Ryan, Adam, Feng, Ezekiel, Poseidon and Heber are all asleep." Seraph told. 

"Hey, are you aware…? Mumbai Indians just won. It's viral all over the internet. CSK'S entire team got out on 163! There was an uproar over it." Helios told speechless.

Alan furrowed his gaze.

"This is unbelievable… They have again been selected as this year's Indian World Cup representatives." Xavier remarked scrolling down his phone.

"And, in the press confernce they also said that it wasn't that much of a target for them. What they are aiming for in T-20 World cup this time are three hundreds as their targets?! Are they crazy?" Azazel looked at Kenzo's phone baffled.

"This is the team we are going to face in the World cup…" Gabriel mumbled stern.

"It feels as if IPL was just a show to warn us that this time it will be their victory again." Cassiel added restless.

"Be it a warning or a threat, we would be the only ones to take the trophy. And for that we won't back down." Alan interrupted, "Isa and the rest must be quiet happy right now. They got what they prayed for. Now it's time to roll."

"You mean Mumbai Indian's winning?" Helios guessed.

"Yup." Alan smiled, "They would be so happy right now that they'd be dancing back at the base."

"Way too much happy…" Azazel commented confused.

"Chasing after three hundreds they say…?" Alan smirked. PIvoting around he looked at the boys, "The target they are speaking of right now. Your crazy seniors have already perfected themselves in chasing and scoring that. You've never seen them play seriously after 2 years or have you? Once you do, you'll realize that the stars they are reaching now aren't stars but galaxies instead. Kings of cricket… starting today you are the ones who have to increase your pace and catch up!" he advised.

Kenzo and the others looked at him seriously.

"IPL (Indian Premier League), BPL (Bangladesh Premier League), SPL (Srilankan Premier League), American and Britain leagues… they are all evolving just like us. Underestimate no one however, don't overestimate estimate them either, just like the media does." Alan added.

____

After a long ride of two hours, they had finally reached the base. Stepping out the coach, the boys stretched themselves worn-out.

"Adam wake up." Cassiel shook him as Gabriel grabbed Feng annoyed who was falling right and left drowsy.

Alan too yawned rubbing his eyes, "What a long day, I am glad we are here right before time…~" he thought.

Suddenly another bus and a car stopped behind theirs. Alan turned around. From inside, the highschoolers came out exhausted. Souls leaving their bodies as if half dead. Even Kazuna depicted that weary sight.

While from the car Nagi stepped out. Composed yet bothered at the same time. "They weren't here yet?" Alan thought as Heber yawned snatching those same words, yet with a different meaning, "They weren't here?"

Senri tracing the middleschoolers perked up, "Aren't they our little juniors…? Half awake and half asleep?" he headed over helping those, who were picking others up.

"Oh my~ to think we arrived together, what a coincidence." Haruf gleamed, not a single trace of fatigue showing over him.

Zachariah sighed removing his drape coat and unbuttoning his shirt. Elias, Aaron and Aigou too headed over. "

Adam, wake up." Elias ruffled his hairs.

Isa tracing Alan cried heading over, suddenly embracing him, "I am dead." he uttered blatant.

Alan confused patted his back, "What were you all up too until now…?"

"Following those two idoits." Kazuna replied in a light whisper.

"Seriously?! This late?" Alan asked.

"What seriously? We are half dead thanks to the two of them!" Noah shook his head, "Moreover, they fought again if I tell you. What was the point of sending them together?"

Creamy butter and Cheesecakes! What comedy!

Alan exhaled speechless.