(Part 12)

The highschoolers taking their positions, chose the baller conversing with the umpire as Alan tapped his finger on the seat's arm. "Observing their balling order; Isa, Kazuna and Ren will be taking the first 10 overs while Zachariah and Orion will be charging in the later half, mostly in death overs1. But, why did Rauf not take Evan or Aaron in the team? In this way, excluding Nagi who is acting as the wicket keeper. Except for Ren and him they don't have spinners at all? Won't this disrupt the team for good…?" he pondered.

"And middle schooler batsman who excel in countering fast deliveries for example; Adam, Heber, Kenzo, Feng and even Ezekiel who can turn himself into others will be at an advantage despite being a spin returner? They will surely take advantage and score. Though that might not be the case should ever Rauf has a plan in mind…!"

Interrupting his thoughts two arms took his attention from both sides as they enveloped his neck from behind. The rabbit alerted jolted up. Elbows resting on Alan's shoulder with the fingers entwined of both hands a familiar voice spoke, "Boss Rauf, hasn't changed at all. He used that spinners hiding technique again. Remember when he used that technique against us before the world cup finals last time? He'll finish them off with only pace bowlers. Crazy, A massive overkill!"

"You're right." Ibrahim concurred.

Alan stunned for a while gasped pivoting around to find familiar figures staring back at him with the same look of astonishment.

Ten boys seated right and left behind him, some waved while some stared as the one crouched before Alan gleamed, "Yo! It's been ages, Sovereign of Infinite Disguises or should I call you Pakistan's Galaxy ? Up to my surprise you have grown up a lot more handsome than I had expected." he winked.

Alan unable to utter a single word stared dazed. "Everyone…?" he thought.

"Haha, did you see ghosts or something? Why are you so shocked? To tell you the truth we should be sitting in your places as shocked squirrels, right Diego?" Cyrus teased waving his hand before Alan.

"Exactly." Diego agreed.

"Haris…" Alan called in a whisper.

"Hm?" Haris asked back.

"Amir, Ibrahim, Ryo, Diego, Maaz, Luo Wang… Is that really all of you?" Alan asked back in disbelief.

Eleven of them blinking instantly stared to laugh, "Pfft! Haha! Are you seriously that shocked?"

"Nope…" Alan rubbed his eyes.

"Or are you probably moved to tears?!" Ryo teased.

Alan looked up twitching his brow, "What?" annoyed over his assuptions he retorted, "As if."

"Haha right…" Lou Wang gulped, "Still the type not to be messed with."

"However…" Alan interrupted. "Welcome back!" he greeted showing his fist to Haris who tapped his own smiling.

"Seriously you have all grown up." Alan remarked.

"What did you expect? It's been four years! Did you thought we'd stay four feet tall only?" Ali smirked ruffling his hairs as Alan giggled, "Hehe, not at all."

"And you're right too." Alan turned around to face the field again, "Rauf is using the same strategy from back then. I remember Ren as the only spinner including himself that time too. To think I had almost forgotten that." Haris nodded standing beside him as Ibrahim took the other side with the rest joining up, down, left and right.

"Well… not bad." Haris grinned.

"You are really good at reminiscing worst of my memories aren't you? Rauf Victor Gondior!" His voice loud and resounding, caught everyone's attention around the ground.

The highschoolers too turned around taken aback. Rauf passing the ball to Isa grinned back at Haris who returned the same over confident gaze back.

The middleschoolers turned to each other clueless. "What going on?" Seraph asked.

"They're back!" Seles exclaimed.

"Who?" Damian inquired.

Seles eyed them caringly, "Stars of this year's Asian cup…"

"You mean the other highschoolers?" Feng realized.

"Exactly." Seles added.

Kenzo as if his fuse blown the wrong way clicked his tongue exasperated, "We're they less?!"

"Pfft, haha!!" Xavier and Helios blurted laughing.

"Not that it's something to laugh at!" Kenzo added.

"They are back?!" Aigou exclaimed rushing over alongside Noah and Ren. "Brother!" Ryo called at Ren's sight. 

All 11 of them stepping down from the audience's seat rushed towards the highschoolers. "We're back!" Israfil embraced Noah.

"Oh!! Big guy, they're back! Come on!" Aaron tugged Haruf's arm beside Evan heading inside the stadium.

"Zachariah! Isa!" Ali and Diego called.

"Good to see you all back." Nagi patted Amir's shoulder.

"You have really grown taller, haven't you Cyrus?" Elias ruffled his hairs. His height slightly shorter than Cyrus now. "I wasn't short to begin with." Cyrus replied.

Ezekiel and Heber who had taken their positions on the pitch too looked at each other confused.

"Why did you all arrive so late?" Evan inquired. Ibrahim sighed complaining, "They wanted to sight see Sri Lanka. Literally, they had me running behind them all like crazy."

"Hard for you wasn't it?" Haruf sympathized patting his hairs.

"So how was Sri Lanka?" Orion asked. 

Maaz and Daniel along with Israfil grabbed his hands roaming round and round. "So much fun! Sri Lanka's Sigiriya hills were something else. And Colombo and Kandy and even Horton Plains National park ! Their beauty was on a whole different level!" Maaz remarked.

"Yeah and their food too! My favorite are their Cassava chips! I even bought them!" Daniel added.

Hearing the name 'food' Luo Wang turned around grabbing his mouth, turning green.

"Come on, stop it. Or else, Lou Wang might throw up." Amir laughed patting his back.

"Why? Was the food there not up to his liking?" Senri inquired.

"Srilankan's mostly have fish in their dishes while he hates them. That's the reason he's acting this way." Amir told.

"Haha! No wonder!" Senri tugged Lou Wang's shoulder teasing.

"In the end Pakistan is the best. No other country can compare it." Ali remarked.

"You're right. In terms of food, places and even people it's still the best." Diego concurred.

Isa smiling agreed, "Home sweet home."

Haris walking over to Rauf gave his hand which Rauf clapped. "Looking at you like this boss you are all healthy, enthusiastic and running aren't you? All Ready to conquer the world?" Rauf smirked, "Same could be said for you."

Haris blinked suddenly shaking his middle finger, correcting, "No, no, no Rauf my friend. We are past that world conquering thing. Seriously, my back is broken into pieces now. It's my turn to rest only."

Rauf looked at the others. His gaze landing at the Golden trophy beside Alan in the audience's seat, a subtle expression of pride crossed his face, "Very well done…" he whispered.

As if hearing something never thought to be heard their entire lives, Haris blinked beside the highschoolers who heard his words. Kazuna, Ibrahim, Ren, Ryo, Aigou, Nagi, Evan, Ali and Diego stood stunned. A momentary silence taking over them Rauf glanced at them confused himself.

"Wha…?" Haris rubbed his earring in disbelief. "Haha! What did you just say Rauf?" Ibrahim, Diego, Ali and Daniel surrounded him mischievously.

Rauf looked away, "Like hell I know!" 

"Haha! Are you embarrassed? Come on~" Lou Wang teased as Senri, Elias, Haruf, Aaron and Zachariah chuckled amused.

Ryan, thoroughly perplexed, exclaimed, "What on earth is going on?"

"To tell you the truth, they should be given ten penalties at the same time for stretching the game for so long, I'm serious." Mikael exhaled ironic.

Cassiel and Poseidon sighed at a loss of words.

The middle schoolers exchanging glances among themselves, remained quietly seated, closely observing the unfolding drama.

Gabriel clicked his tongue annoyed, "They should all be thrown away somewhere far!"

"Yeah, Very far!" Adam concurred annoyed himself.

"Brother! Did you saw my matches? I also sent Dwayne brothers back to pavilion before they could even score a fifty!" Ryo exclaimed.

Ren smiled, "Well done. That was expected of my little brother. However, I am sorry I couldn't watch your matches since, I was busy. But still, I told Nagi to record them. I'll watch them with you. How's that?"

"Yeah! We'll watch them together." Ryo exclaimed hugging him again.

"Oh~ so they are the middle schoolers this time?" Ali pointed towards the middle schooler's pavilion2.

Maaz, Daniel and Israfil peeked curiously. "Yeah, it's them." Elias told. 

"Heh, then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Diego rushed towards them beside the others.