(Part 6)

"Three of them. I don't have anymore." Aaron sighed at the sight of the umbrellas before him, "How are these going to cover all of us?" "Say, Ezekiel do you have any idea?" he asked.

"My brother..." Ezekiel began quietly, his voice trembling. "He admired you a lot. He wanted to become a musician just like you."

Aaron blinked.

"Later, he saw you playing cricket which pulled him in the world of cricket. And as kindly silly he was, he pulled me in too. So kind he was… and you know what I did? I… left him between life and death." Ezekiel told brokenly, "He hasn't woken up since 5 years. To repent for what I did, I started to admire you, I started to play cricket and now dream to become a musician."

Aaron gasped bewildered.

"I always watched you on the screen of my phone; never thought I could ever meet you in real life. Nonetheless, here you are, right before me. You said… you forgave yourself before right? Can I ask you… how?" Ezekiel asked, clenching his fists, "Because no matter what I do… I am always in the dark."

Aaron smiled standing before him, "Firstly, thank you for admiring me. I am honored Ezekiel Vincente. As for your question my answer is 'Never forget your mistake and look at the bright side of the things.'"

Ezekiel's gaze widened.

"Always remember your mistakes so that when you're about to repeat them, you'll know how to correct yourself. Not all is lost. Your brother is still around, right? He will come back to you one day and say, 'Ezekiel, I'm proud of you.' Don't worry—your sun will shine again, and the darkness will eventually clear away," Aaron advised sincerely.

Tears forming at the corner of his eyes, Ezekiel hid them looking low.

Aaron giggled ruffling his hairs, "Haha… so cute. Are you crying now?"

"No, I am not!" Ezekiel pulled back, heading downstairs, slightly embarrassed . Halting amid his steps he called, "Hurry up. Everyone is waiting."

"Hm." Aaron followed with the umbrellas.

A half an hour passed, the downpour continued unabated. The boys settled on the porch and inside the studio, dangled their legs over the edge. Some lay down, staring at the roof, while others rested their backs against the walls, eyes closed.

"We can't go back in this weather." Kazuna exhaled.

"Yeah, it's dangerous." Evan agreed.

"Have you switched off the main electricity, Aaron?" Rauf asked.

"Yeah, I did it as soon as it started raining." Aaron confirmed.

"Yawn~ I am so tired~" Heber rested his head on Kenzo's shoulder soon falling asleep.

"I feel hungry." Ryan complained.

"Me too." Feng's stomach rumbled.

"Looks like all of us are hungry." Senri yawned, "And tired." he laid his head on Kazuna's lap.

"Let me lie down too." Orion took his other lap.

Kazuna smacked him annoyed, "Am I your pillow?"

Orion clicked his tonogue retorting, "Oh come on~ stop being stingy right now."

"What time is it?" Alan inquired, feeling drowsy himself.

"11:46 am." Xavier replied.

"Get some rest, all of you," Rauf suddenly spoke up.

Hearing him, the boys blinked, their weariness fading away.

"Pardon?" Seraph repeated.

"We'll head back to the hotel as soon as the rain ceases; then proceed with training. In the meantime, rest. I won't tolerate any laziness later," Rauf declared with a hint of threat in his tone.

"My ears don't believe it." Feng whispered to Gabriel who rolled his eyes indifferent.

"There he goes again… as you wish, honorable World king." Elias laid down.

The middleschoolers too sat comfortably soon drifting into sleep. A while later, everyone except for Aaron and Evan was fast asleep. Rauf sighed as he looked at the sleeping figures, gently stroking Alan's hair as he snored softly beside him.

Aaron covered Zachariah, Isa, and Ren with an instrument cover. The sound of rain continued to patter outside, accompanied by the rustling wind. Aaron too sat beside Evan and Rauf. "Feeling better." he asked Rauf.

"When was I ever under the weather?" Rauf questioned instead.

"Yes, yes, you are a hard nut to crack. How could I forget?" Aaron clapped his hand against Evan. The two intentionally teasing Rauf.

"I thought you were feeling mad, Aaron. What changed your mood?" Evan asked.

"I didn't felt angry once I realized I had to come here. It all died out suddenly." Aaron responded earnestly.

"A mystic place it is, then." Evan remarked.

Aaron agreed with a hum. "I will play the next match, boss." he turned to Rauf, "Honestly, I have no idea how it might go but I will try, for him."

Rauf smirked, "Go on."

The rain halting after another half an hour. Rauf stood up calling, "Get up, all of you. We are heading back."

A Devil's call and up the boys woke. "Augh~ my head." Isa complained. "

My heart came out of my chest." Orion checked his heartbeat, sweating.

"Even my mother's voice doesn't sound so scary." Haruf jested.

Rauf stared at them speechless.

Alan stretching his arms, picked Will up, making sure not to wake him.

The middleschoolers getting up next, the boys headed back to the hotel.

Treading back, from the same route. "Senior Aaron." Xavier asked.

"Hm?" Aaron glanced aside.

"Can we visit your studio again?" Xavier asked.

"Of course. If you like it so. I'll make you a spare key, how's that?" Aaron suggested.

"… Wouldn't that be too much?" Poseidon glanced at Helios surprised.

"It's nothing much. I have many studio's like this one but all they lack is people and company. I'll give you juniors a spare key both for this studio and Karachi's one. So, feel free to visit anytime." Aaron said.

"Wow… rich people are definitely something else. Hey, Sera, Sera! I will be the richest person in the world!" Adam claimed gullibly.

Alan shook his head with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah…" Kenzo rolled his eyes ironically.

"Nobody talked to you." Ryan scoffed.

"Hehe, alright. You will become a big man one day." Elias tousled Adam's hairs while Seraph and Cassiel shared awkward glances.

"We've returned, look." Nagi gestured ahead, spotting Seles and Mir waiting for them at the entrance.

Ezekiel and Heber waved excitedly, rushing over with the others. "Coach Seles! Coach Mir! We're back!" they called out eagerly.

"We're back, Seles," Noah and Aaron chimed in.

"Finally," Seles breathed a sigh of relief.

"We tried calling Rauf and Evan so many times. Why weren't you picking up?" Mir inquired as the boys surrounded them.

"Our phones are dead. We haven't charged them since last night," Evan explained.

"Yeah, mine is also off," Alan added, displaying his phone to Seles.

"I even sent a message to Rauf," Seles told.

Rauf joining them at the end, searched his pockets. "I didn't switch it to silent though…!" he replied. All of a sudden, Kazuna bumped into his back, startled. Rauf glanced behind, his expression somber. Kazuna immediately stepped back, glaring in return.

"Oh dear." Elias gulped anxious while Alan and the highschoolers shrieked amid their thoughts, "Again?!"

"And it started raining again, so we waited for a while," Poseidon added, trying to change the flow of conversation.

"Yeah, yeah, you are fine right, Kazuna? Didn't hit your head too hard or did you?" Senri pulled Kazuna away, patting his shoulders (at the same time implying to Rauf as a rock wall). Helios smiled at Kazuna beside Adam who showed him a thumbs up.

"Hehe, it was an accident. Don't mind it boss," Ren dusted Rauf's back. Rauf ignored him. His attention once again turning to his phone, "Mine is also out of charging."

Kenzo stood speechless. "I seriously don't believe it." he expressed disbelief.

Seraph nodded in agreement. "Any ways thank goodness you all are back," Seles smiled.

"Is everything alright, Seles?" Zachariah questioned over his unusual concern.

"Everything is alright. Come in first." Mir took them inside.

"Romeo and Rovan stopped by a little while ago," Seles mentioned.

"Rovan and Romeo? Why?" Alan asked.

"They wanted to make sure we arrived safely. Once your phones are charged, give them a call," Mir suggested.

"Okay," Isa replied.

"They're so thoughtful," Azazel and Feng remarked.

"Hm," Xavier, Ezekiel, Helios, and Cassiel agreed, with silent envy brewing among the high schoolers nearby.

"Can we head back to the hotel first?" Kenzo asked Mir, gesturing towards the entrance.

"Of course. The fifth floor is reserved for all of you, and there's a gymnasium on the eighth floor you can use as well. We'll call you later once training starts," Mir replied.

Kenzo nodded and headed inside.

"Thank you," Seraph expressed as the middle schoolers hurried indoors.

"Wow, this place is pretty too. Don't you think so, Ryan?" Adam said, looking around pleased.

"Hm," Ryan concurred.

"See you later, Alan," Heber waved, then nodded at the high schoolers.

The middle schoolers went inside.

"Won't you all tag along?" Seles asked the high schoolers.

Ren glanced at Elias, Evan, and Isa, then stretched his arms. Aaron looked slightly disturbed, gazing at his hands before clenching them tight.

"Nope! Adults have adult stuff to do, right boss?" Noah asked Rauf.

Rauf gave a slight nod. Glancing at his wristwatch, he turned to Seles. "Shall we head to our practice grounds?"