(Part 6)

Suddenly, Rauf interrupted, his gaze lowered and expression calm. He began, "According to the base rules, a player who signs up for the tournament must remain in it until the end; unless granted permission to leave by the higher authorities. Secondly, any forceful withdrawal will require compensation from the one causing the issue. Thirdly, invalid reasons for sudden resignation will not be accepted since parents and guardians consent was enquired in the signup forms before. Fourthly, if the team wins the tournament and progresses further, the player will be invited to continue, and only their acceptance or rejection will be acknowledged by the management." As he recited the rules, he slowly raised his gaze, his sapphire eyes locking craftily onto Azher's determined ones.

"And who are you?" Azher questioned austerely.

"Rauf Victor Gondior," he replied, "Leader of the Karachi Kings and team representative for the upcoming T-20 World Cup. Additionally, no player can miss the upcoming matches without my permission, unless the reason is valid. So, whether it's an officer, parent, counselor, professor, monarch, or anyone else standing in the way, these rules will be strictly enforced," he warned.

"Exactly," Orion agreed, "The player alone will decide whether they wish to continue or not."

"And, old man, as his family you should be supporting him. What are you doing? Look he's as stiff as a stone." Kenzo ruffed Azazel's hairs who looked low biting his lip, mute.

"My words are absolute. An order." Azher however turned around, "As his family I have the right to do anything. Rules? I'll deal with them and when I said it. I mean it!" With that said, he left.

The soldiers following behind. Only Ahmed remained.

A long silence hovering the boys.

Ahmed apologized, "I'm sorry, Azazel. I don't know what got into him all of a sudden but it's impossible to convince him now."

Azazel clenched his fists tightly, "Why now…?" he whispered lightly, "Where was he when I had nothing to do and wasted my time all day around causing trouble, making messes and annoying everyone around? Why didn't he order me then? And, now when I have found something to give my all at, he's here to stop me? Why?" he asked.

Ahmed shook his head helplessly confused, "I don't know. We all watched your last match together and everyone was happy. I really don't know why he is doing this."

Heber glanced at Kenzo concerned.

Azazel however, steeling his resolve continued, "I won't go back, no matter what anyone says. I will play and prove myself."

The middleschoolers exhaled relieved while the highschoolers remained silent.

Ahmed smiled contritely, "Hm, I am counting on you. And, not just me but mother and father as well. We are all cheering you on."

Azazel nodded, his expression hidden.

Ahmed patting his shoulders and nodding one last time at the highschoolers and middleschoolers went back.

"Seriously? My heart stopped beating for the time being. I thought he was my grandfather." Noah shuddered exhaling.

"Azazel, are you alright?" Heber asked.

Azazel shook his head in a 'No'. His face scrunched up, as if he might cry in a moment, "I won't go back… I'll show him. I want to be here… with everyone."

Xavier patted his back consolingly.

"Yeah. Be sure to do that. Don't miss even a single chance!" Feng encouraged. 

Evan glanced at Rauf, "What would you do now?"

"That's not my problem to consider. Coach Nidou will handle it." Rauf responded calmly. A gritty grin escaping his lips, "And you know very well how he is in doing so."

______

Back in the dressing room, Alan glanced at his watch, legs dangling off the table.

"Why aren't they here yet? The toss is about to commence." Seles entered from the pavilion, looking concerned.

"Shall I look for them?" Alan asked.

"If you can, please. Being late will get us a penalty otherwise." Seles requested.

Alan stood up to head out, but just as he reached the door, it swung open. The boys stumbled in, breathless and apologizing. Quickly, they got ready, the rustle of fabric and clinking of gear filling the air. They huddled together, discussing their overall plan one last time, voices hushed but tense.

Rauf and Evan headed outside the pavilion, followed by Azazel, Heber, Xavier, and Helios. The high schoolers followed suit, their footsteps echoing down the corridor.

Elias, however, stood absent-mindedly by the window, frowning and tapping his finger on his arm, thinking, "What should I do? How should I fix this…?"

"Elias," Aigou suddenly called, patting his back.

Elias flinched and looked over nervously, "Y-yes?"

Aigou squinted, "What's wrong?"

Elias shook his head, "Nothing, I was deep in thought. Anyway, are you ready?" he tried to shift the conversation.

"You're lying," Aigou said seriously. "The last thing you can do is lie to me. How long have we been together for me to not notice something this trivial?"

Elias blinked and then smiled. However, rather than responding, he stepped closer and embraced Aigou warmly.

"Elias? What's wrong?" Aigou patted his back, concerned.

Caressing Aigou's hair lightly, Elias whispered, "Promise me, you'll give it your all."

Completely confused by his peculiar behavior, Aigou responded, "Of course I will. Is there even a need to ask that?"

Elias stood up straight, the same caring smile resting his face, "Well done," he said, turning to the rest and calling, "Isa."

Isa, who was hanging his jersey inside the locker, faced him, "Yes?"

"I know this is sudden but don't choose to toss the coin," Elias instructed, his expression serious.

Isa narrowed his brows.

"And if you win the toss, choose batting first," Elias continued.

The middle schoolers glanced at each other, clueless.

Without further questioning, Isa agreed, "Alright, I'll do that. Anything else?"

Elias shook his head, "Nothing. If something feels out of place later, I'll inform you during the match intervals."

Aigou looked at him hesitantly.

Isa nodded, yet concern filled his heart. "Why shouldn't we toss...?" he thought uneasily, "Don't tell me... we'll lo..."

"You won't. Don't jump onto unnecessary conclusions," Zachariah whispered, as if he had read his mind.

Isa, pushing his negative thoughts aside, agreed, "Yeah. Thanks, Zach."

"No problem," Zachariah replied.

Shutting the locker door, Isa headed outside. "Come on, everyone," he called to the remaining ones. "It's been a long time…" he wondered, walking through the corridor, "I've had this charge after quite a long while." As he stepped out, the stifling indoor air met the refreshing cool breeze outside, creating a chilling static.

A thrill shot down his spine as the overfull crowd cheered and applauded. The match organizers and umpires prepared for the toss, the wind blew sharply, and the ground ahead felt like a challenge.

Isa smiled.

The coaches, staff, high schoolers, and middle schoolers were all settling down. Glancing at Seles, who showed him the match standing sheets, his gaze traveled over to Zachariah, Elias, and finally Rauf. Isa stepped onto the lush green field, taking a deep breath.

Rauf, settling into one of the front seats, asked, "Ready?"

Isa glanced aside, a confident smirk on his face, "Of course, ready like never before." "It's time to raise the third curtain," he whispered, poised. Turning to the participants for the match, who had lined up, he said, "Wait for my signal. Until then, Seles will go through the bowling and batting orders one last time."

Helios and Kazuna nodded.

"And Xavier…" Isa scanned around, spotting Xavier waving from a few steps inside the ground. "I'm here," Xavier replied with a smile.

"Let's go…" Isa said, walking alongside him. He glanced at Xavier and added, "I'd like you to leave the toss to me, is that okay?"

Xavier nodded, "Alright."

After a while, they stood before the umpires and the opposing team members, Seon Yul and Ibn Sena.

"Hi!" Seon Yul waved, grinning impatiently.

Isa shook his head with a smile, "Why are you so happy? We just met."

"Haha, I'm so excited that I can't put my feelings into words right now!" Seon Yul expressed.

"And where's Rovan?" Isa inquired.

"Back in the pavilion. I don't know why, but he suddenly sent me for the toss," Seon Yul replied, scratching his head and peeking back towards his pavilion.

Xavier, in the meantime, observed Ibn Sena, who was grinning as he stared at Karachi's pavilion, his fists clenched tightly. Xavier followed his gaze and found it fixed on Kenzo. Kenzo's expression distinctively was stern and apathetic, his brows furrowed into a frown.

Xavier sighed. "Oh dear, it's such a pity they won't get to play against each other," he thought.

"And, the two teams for whom the entire stadium, no, the entire nation waited with bated breaths are standing right here!" the match organizer announced.

Instantly, the crowd applauded.

"Both team volunteers are here for the toss, so without wasting any more time we shall proceed." the other match organizer pointed.

Isa and Seon Yul facing each other with a feet gap. The umpire standing amid them, tossed the coin to Seon Yul.

Isa narrowed his gaze recalling Elias's words, "Don't choose to toss the coin." "That's good." Isa thought.

"The opposite team gets to decide first the moment the coin would be falling." the umpire announced.

Seon Yul approving, tossed the coin in mid-air.

"Heads or tails?" the umpire inquired.

Isa, closing his eyes replied, "Tails, it is."