Chapter 16: Break and Pay

"We are really sorry to bother you with this my friend. You see, our clumsy Jin Woo tends to forget his belongings every time he travels." Mr. Gaje, who reeks with some alcohol is currently sitting beside Mr. U-Bear. Also sitting behind them were the three-star players with different expressions.

"It is really shameful but we must get the ball back. Or else, Jin Woo is in big trouble and as a Captain, I will be partly responsible as well." The dark-skinned Malaysian named Diros was scratching his head while apologizing as well.

"I promise, I thought I had it inside my bag. Must have slipped away when I stood up." Jin Woo's excuse.

"hmp!" Fu Chi, the Chinese boyish girl, scoffed in irritation.

"No, no it's fine. It was part of my responsibility anyway. Did you guys remember where you left the ball?" Mr. U-Bear said while driving Mr. Gaje's car. Considering the latter to smell with alcohol, U-Bear asked to drive the car instead for safer travel.

"It should be at the back resting rooms at the left. The one close to the restroom. That was where we stayed most of the time." Jin Woo replied while trying his best to recall.

"Honestly, we were supposed to be looking for that vendor guy who 'accidentally' scored against Santi. But after seeing the so-called best players of this place, I realized that this whole scouting thing is a big waste of time. I just don't understand why Mr. Gaje insisted for us to come and stay for a while in that second-rate school." Diros explained, and after seeing how Gaje continued to bother Mr. U-bear, he seems to have finally realized the answer.

It was so that Mr. Gaje can brag all his achievements and properties to this old friend of his.

"So, U-bear, how does my car feel? Smooth eh? That's a hundred-seventy-six horsepower right there. Bet your titty-toe yearly salary can't even pay for a quarter of its initial downpayment. Hahaha!" Mr. Gaje did not miss the opportunity to brag-poke to his old friend as usual.

The trio of star pointer players just rolled their eyes.

It was already dark when they finally reached the Madridejos Community College and after getting the approval from a sleepy-looking security guard at the gate, Mr. U-Bear drove the car inside, came out of the car, and walked towards the gym to look for the ball. The school's night lights are now glowing brightly. More students and instructors are rushing out to go home after finishing their first classes.

Of course, seeing some foreign people inside their campuses, the students can't help but look curiously at the three mysterious-looking foreigners together with two other local-looking men.

"So I am just wondering, that is if you don't mind me asking, What is so special with this sepak takraw ball of yours?" U-Bear asked with pure honesty.

"That's a good question!" Mr. Gaje licked his lips smackingly and was about to explain - with bragging- of course, when Jin Woo suddenly butted in,

"As you can see, each of us star pointer players is given one special super takraw ball by Mr. Santi himself. Those balls are called Super Santi Balls. and are extremely rare."

"Wow. Is it some kind of a special ball made by Santi himself? What makes it super?" U-bear asked curiously.

"Well, it is basically a sepak takraw ball made with special synthetic fiber - an extraordinary fiber. I don't really know the science behind it but they are pretty indestructible. No matter how you tried to smash it, these special sepak takraw balls would just absorb the impact like it was magic. Not even letting a massive tank roll over it could break it to pieces."

"Wow. Is that true? That must be a hell of an expensive ball." U-Bear commented. Jin-Woo nodded in confirmation.

Feeling like it was finally his time, Mr. Gaje quickly added,

"Just so you know, it is a ball not even found in the black market. It was a specially designed ball to withstand Santi Athrits's kicks. As you see, those balls available in the market don't even stand a single match practice of Arthrit. So he called on several scientists and engineers to design an almost unbreakable ball. An estimated price for each was about fifty thousand dollars and could spike to a hundred fifty in the black market."

Then he looked up and added, "Currently there are only about twenty of those Super Santi balls. Ten of them belong to Santi himself and the other remaining nine are currently given each to all nine members of the Star Pointers. There is only one more ball that Santi is willing to give for the tenth Star Pointer and-"

"It is the current missing ball that you guys are supposed to keep right?" U-Bear guessed and everyone else nodded as confirmation.

"Now that I know just how expensive that ball was, I am glad I will get to see it today hoping we will find it."

U-bear led everyone towards the gym and seeing that the gym was still open when it was supposed to be closed at the current hour, he smiled and said, "Well, it seems like someone is still inside. It should be Yang cleaning the gym and he could help us find it."

Everyone else heaved a sigh of relief and started to increase their walking pace.

***

About ten minutes before U Bear and his company arrive, Chiko and his team were on the verge of losing. Not to mention, the sepak takraw ball that they were using has been flattened by Mark Gantes's monstrous weight after falling - and injuring himself, during his last spike serve attempt.

"Ugggh my back... My thigh... I should seriously think of losing weight this time." Gantes grumbled to himself while massaging his aching hamstring. Beside him is Yang who was suffering from a hamstring injury.

"It is good that you finally realized that. I seriously suggest you switch to an all fruit and vegetable diet. It is perfect and tastes really good." Yang encouraged the big guy while massaging his own legs.

"And then what? Become pale and skinny like you? No thanks! Meat is life." Gantes replied who is currently massaging his calves back as well.

"Uhm guys..." Chiko who picked up the broken sepak takraw ball caught Yang and Gantes's attention. They all looked in Chiko's direction only to see Rino and his team with angry faces while crossing their arms.

"Hey fatty! How do you plan to compensate with the ball you just broke?" Rino's words were loud and full of authority. Gantes scratched the back of his head with guilt while Yang looked down. The trio immediately surrounded the two injured players.

Their eyes were like wolve's gazes at their prey. A wicked smile crept in and they gave off a domineering presence.

"Do you know how much does a sepak takraw ball cost?" Kurt followed in with a demanding look.

"That one you just broke was about five thousand pesos! (around $100)" John added while looking at Gantes.

"...Damn. I don't think I have that amount to pay at the moment..." Gantes mumbled innocently.

"Wait a minute! I am pretty sure that sepak takraw ball only costs around three to four hundred pesos." Yang, who has been doing his sepak takraw research all this time immediately responded.

"That one is imported from Thailand! It was a one-of-a-kind ball!" Kurt insisted.

"But the inner part here says it is made in China... And how come you guys don't have spare sepak takraw balls? Low on budget?" Chiko who is currently holding the broken ball broke their momentum.

"This..."

Chiko on the other hand, felt chill traversing through his bones the moment he heard that he has to compensate for the broken ball. Considering that he was a part of Gante's team and as someone who has been strict in saving money all his life, getting cornered to pay something he never broke was like a nightmare for him.

He was nervous and felt like peeing - literally. Without them noticing, Chiko already disappeared towards the comfort room.

"We do have extra, but we refuse to use them at the moment. Regarding the receipt, I can show it tomorrow since t is currently at the faculty's office! But if you are not willing to pay, we can always call the security you know...." John threatened.

Yang immediately panicked the moment he heard the word security. He could already imagine his pathetic looks being dragged away by security guards, locked in a cell and get old as a prisoner. It was an exaggerated imagination caused by a broken ball but it really was in his innocent mind.

But for Gantes who had been going in and out of the prison, he felt their threat was like a passing fart.

"I believe now that we don't have a ball, you guys have automatically lost." Rino finally spoke and pointed to Yang before adding,

"Starting today, as we have agreed, you should not be a school janitor. You should start looking for a replacement today. That is part of your responsibility as a loser. And you fatty..."

Rino turned his gaze at the big fluffy guy who is busy massaging his sprained calve muscles.

"Don't make me see your ugly fat face again. Understood?"

Hearing the insults, Gantes wanted to retaliate with his big, solid fist but knowing the consequences, he injured.

Smiling triumphantly, Rino continued, "You three will have to compensate for the broken ball. After all, how are we going to explain to the sports faculty that we broke the brand new ball? Without it, we won't be able to practice. And if our performance drops down because of lacking practice, you three will be to blame!"

"Do you really think we are buying that?" Yang and Gantes responded together.

Kurt and John were given instructions to grab the broken ball opportunity to take advantage of the newbies. By scaring them, they should be able to make them vomit some extra cash.

"It doesn't matter. Now that we do not have a ball to play with, it only means we automatically win. Not to mention, our score is just way too far ahead and we are just one point away from winning. Also, it was your fluffy guy's fault that the ball broke, so basically, we won." Kurt insisted with some veins throbbing in his forehead.

"Who says we already lost?" Chiko's voice came from behind and everyone instinctively turned towards him and felt mixed emotions.

Chiko was holding a brand new-looking sepak takraw ball.

"This... wait, that ball could it be..." John confused.

"Where did that ball came from? I am pretty sure I hid-" Rino hurriedly closed Kurt's mouth before he could continue.

"It seems you guys forgot about this one?" Chiko played with the ball in his hands and felt hope.

Chiko tested the ball's flexibility by squeezing it with both his hands and realized that it was incredibly tough. He smiled happily and confidently declared,

"The game is not yet over."