17 Chapter 17: Kick and Replicate

The game was not over.

When Chiko was on his way to the restroom, he happens to stumble into a cool-looking sepak takraw ball just laying around the corner of one of the resting rooms just near the restroom. After quickly 'unleashing his kraken', he hurriedly went inside that room and picked up the ball.

The moment he touched the sepak takraw ball, he felt excited, hopeful, and at the same time bewildered.

The ball's texture was smooth and was extremely comfortable to the hand. Chiko tried to squeeze the ball and he could feel just how flexible, yet sturdy it was. Chiko could tell, unlike the other sepak takraw balls he had held so far, this one was of top quality.

But right now, who cares about quality? The most important fact is that they can continue the game! There is still a chance, although a miracle is needed to pull their win out of the grave; Chiko firmly believed that they could win as long as they don't give up and not used up all of their cards.

Chiko hurriedly ran towards the court, filled with hope and unending determination to win.

***

"Hey! Answer me where did you pick up that ball?"

"Do you seriously think you can win against us? Three against one, have you eaten too much balut?"

Kurt and John were constantly yapping their complaints and insult at Chiko while the latter just chilled and continued to listen to Yang's guidance.

"I know it is almost completely pointless right now but here. Change your shoes to mine. This one is lighter and more flexible compared to your Comverse shoes (combat shoes + converse). As for your upper and lower, I really suggest you wear proper sports attire. Not that one."

Yang was pointing at Chiko's entire attire and Chiko responded with an innocent smile.

"Does it really make difference? I am comfortable with this one you know."

"Do you want to increase your chances of winning?" Yang asked seriously and Chiko's gaze became serious.

"Yes. For the scholarships and the monthly allowances, I want to win. As long as there is a chance to fight, I will do it!"

"Then wear this." Yang took off his worn-out rubber shoes and lent them to Chiko.

"Thank's for this! I will take care of these shoes for the rest of my life!" Chiko gladly accepted and hurriedly removed his heavy converse-disguised-combat shoes.

"Hey, I am not giving it to- oooohkp!" Yang was about to stop Chiko's unexpected expectation when a terrible foot smell assaulted him to his very soul.

"What the-" Gantes too felt the god of stink and his fluffy face distorted.

They were momentarily paralyzed and unable to breathe properly for a while. It was too much that both Yang and Gantes forgot their injuries and hurriedly moved away from Chiko.

Chiko did not mind them and was too happy with his new (actually old) shoes. He realized that the red jacket that was hanging on his waist was dragging his movement too much and though it hurts his feelings to leave it for now considering its sentimental value to him, he is afraid that he has to this time.

"We do not have forever you know..." Rino's loud and arrogant voice echoed and Chiko quickly snapped and hurriedly positioned himself at the service circle. In his grasp was the new sepak takraw he found in the back room.

Yang and Gantes quickly recovered from their physical and 'mental' injury and cheered Chiko.

"Go go! You can do it Chiko man! You're the man!" Yang shouted cheerfully.

"I know it's hopeless but good luck stinky boy! I will treat you to an unlimited samgyupsal- if we win that is! hahaha!" Gantes added.

Rino and his team were listening to their opponent's unexpected energy and could not help but shake their heads in disbelief.

"These people are not just stupid, they are also hopeless."

"This game is basically pointless you know. Why do we have to face him when it is already guaranteed that they will just lose pathetically?"

Kurt and John voiced their complaints to their captain. To face a newbie against three experienced players was obviously overkill on their side. They are not really inspired and were getting a brunt hit to their pride instead.

But Rino seems to have a different thought.

Rino walked towards the center of their courtside and replied, "I understand where you are coming from boys but don't forget, this is also our chance in teaching them a lesson. Today we will dominate them and show them how fun - but scary sepak takraw is."

Kurt and John nodded in agreement and though, with a little hesitant look, they still followed their captain.

With everything is finally set, the last service is about to be performed by Chiko. This time, he has to do a self-serve toss and hope for the miracle.

Seeing Chiko confidently holding the ball on the other side of the court, Rino and his team have a powerful urge to destroy the ignorant balut vendor. They are not letting this last opportunity go wasted. They will not let him go without seeing him eating a painful ball from their spike.

Sadly, their intention was terribly twisted and the spirit of sportsmanship was long gone.

Chiko held the ball and felt nervous but excited. Yang and Gantes were staring fervently at him, hands crossed and hoping for the best.

"Wait this ball... I remember!" Chiko suddenly realized as he was looking at the ball. How could he forget? It looked and felt the same as the one that broke his basket full of balut eggs.

"It's the same ball used by that Vegetta-egg head guy," Chiko mumbled and could not help but feel his blood boil again.

It was that day during the unforgettable event weeks ago. Chiko remembered the face of Santi. His arrogant gaze and the way he looked down on him. Chiko could recall everything during that time.

The unforgettable feeling and unforgettable mistake of shredding a one million pesos check.

"No... I am not losing another opportunity. I know this might hurt but..."

Suddenly, Chiko's aura changed.

Yang, Gantes, Rino, and everyone else felt like a storm was coming from Chiko's direction. The latter's eyes were hidden in the shadows of his hair and his eyes resembled that of a wounded tiger being cornered - it was full of rage and determination to fight back.

"This..." Rino felt a sudden chill crawling in his skin. The scene right now reminded him of that day. Chiko's figure slowly emerged in his mind. And right now, the latter was doing the same exact pose of someone he was eternally fearful of.

Chiko was unconsciously performing Santi's pre-service form.

"No way..." Rino could not believe it. He too could feel like his body was starting to weigh heavily. Kurt and John too could feel an unexpected pressure. Their mind went dull, they were not able to say a single word as they are not fully aware of what's happening.

Hwoooh~

The new sepak takraw ball has left Chiko's hand. It was tossed high on the air and Chiko was about to hit it with a beautiful swing of his spike-serve.

At that time, Mr. U-bear and his company had just entered the gym and the first thing they saw was Chiko performing a beautiful spike serve.

"It seems like some players are still playing! What do we have he-" the Korean guy's voice was interrupted. His mouth was left hanging while his eyes were wide open in a daze.

For the Star pointer players, it was more than just a beautiful spike serve - it was a legendary one!

The time seemed to have stopped. Mr. U-bear, Mr. Gaje, the Star players, Rino's team, and Chiko's teammates - they were all in shock.

Chiko's execution of his spike serve was an exact replicate of Santi - the so-called Takraw God!

PAAANGGG!~

Chiko's foot made a crispy loud contact with the ball, in exchange, his face twisted at the pain.

"Dang! It hurts!" Chiko thought as he tried his best to injure the painful side effect of this type of spike serve.

Fhrrrooooom!~

The ball left Chiko's spot and crossed the net safely in a blink of an eye. For Rino's team, they could hear the terrifying plane-like hum of the incoming ball.

"Sh*t!"

Rino and his team were glued on the spot. They could not react to Chiko's serve at all!

PAAM!~

The ball has landed successfully and Chiko finally made a score. Rino and his team were still in a daze and so were U-bear and his companions.

"YES!" Yang shouted excitedly.

"Amazing! That was beautiful! I bet I can do that too!" Gantes was enchanted at Chiko's performance as well.

"Ahahaha!"

Yang and Gantes ignored their painful legs and stood up while cheering in celebration. Chiko realized that his serve was successful and laughed happily while trying to suppress the pain building up in his lower legs area.

It was painful, but it was worth it. Seeing his friends laughing happily and celebrating with him, Chiko could feel an unexpected warmth and gladness.

He seems to have found a family and a new sport to play. Though it was hard and painful, as long as he practiced hard enough and train his body, he believed that he should be able to overcome it.

It was only a single score, but it showed that they still stood a chance despite how low it was. Not to mention, it was an incredibly cool-looking spike serve!

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!~

Chiko and Rino's team were surprised at the sudden sound of clapping from behind. They all turned their gazes and saw the school's sports faculty manager and coach Mr. U-Bear together with Mr. Gaje and a trio of young foreign-looking people.

Suddenly, the Korean-looking guy ran towards Chiko and excitedly said,

"You! Play with us!"