Chapter 23: Claim and Aim

Chiko's gaze turned at the smiling Gantes and the latter quickly said,

"I don't mind you going over to their team Chiko. I think you have the potential to become a pro takraw player. I know we promised a while ago to stick together, we may not become teammates anymore but we are still friends right?"

Then his sight turned to the sleeping Yang on the floor and added, "And if you ask Yang, I am pretty sure he will support you too. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Who are we to stop you? I bet that Santi guy can give you unlimited samgyupsal. My say is - go for it!"

There were both happiness and sadness at the words of Gantes. They have just met, and though the time they spent was short, their struggle and support made him feel like they knew each other a lifetime ago.

Their selfless act of saving the ball and fully supporting him was because of them that he got this offer. They were true brothers.

Chiko smiled meaningfully after hearing Gantis' reply and after a brief of silence, he turned to the frowning Mr. Gaje,

"I appreciate your offer Mr. Gaje. But to tell you the truth, I already belonged to a team." Chiko then pointed at the sleeping Yang not far away, and then to the big fluffy guy beside him.

Chiko then faced Mr. Gaje with glowing pride and said, "That guy and this big fluffy friend of mine are members of the team Madtaks. Pretty soon, we will be representing the Madridejos municipality and Bantayan Island."

And with a serious gaze, he added, "We will also work hard to become living legends. I honestly do not like Santi who always claims he alone is the best. I strongly believe that what makes you the best in this sport is by having the best teammates as well."

"hahaha! This kid. You have no idea what you are talking about!" getting his 'insult-bin' getting full, Mr. Gaje finally bursted into laughter and continued,

"You will be like living legends? Are you serious? Just because you scored once against the Star Pointers and the Takraw God himself, you think you have what it takes to become living legends?"

Then he pointed at the three Star Pointers at the other end and said, "Get real boy! You still have a hundred truckload of rice to eat to just barely win an official match against one of them!"

Then his voice rang all over the gym, it was like a laugher of a madman.

Then his reddened eyes turned to Chiko, panned at the poor condition of his team, to the small gym, to Rino's team, to Mr. U-bear, and back to Chiko.

"You need to wake up to the real boy. Without me, just getting thru the regional meet is already a dream come true for your pathetic team. What do you think can we expect to a team composed of an overweight baldy guy, a sickly looking anemic janitor, and a rotten-egg-smelling boy like you?"

Chiko did not fade back and replied with utter determination,

"Maybe not now. That is why we will train. We will work hard and become one of the best takraw team, not a solo boastful guy like your egghead-Vegeta. But a real working team!"

"Hahahaha! This is getting more ridiculous! Did you even know that Santi has already shattered thousands of professional sepak takraw teams around the world? He even faced a ten-man regu one time and still won perfectly! And, you? You still stink your grandma's milk! And who's going to coach you then?! The security guard?"

"I will."

It was the voice of Mr. U-bear.

Hearing it brought a bitter taste to Gaje's expression.

"You..." Gaje's smile quickly dissapeared the moment he saw Mr. U-bear suddenly standing behind Chiko and his team. He knows that the moment Mr. U-bear releases this kind of promise, the man means it.

With a cold and serious tone, Mr. Gaje asked him,

"Are you sure you really wanna do this? Can't you actually see the situation? I am trying to save that young man's career! Have you no shame?"

But Mr. U-bear just smiled back and gently said, "I do have shame. I do believe in not forcing people, especially in Chiko's condition. It was you who has no shame who never fulfill your part of the deal."

Hearing Mr. U-bear's reply, everyone else turned curiously at the two confronting old men.

"What deal? That verbal promise? Do you have any proof or evidence of such a deal? Prove it and I will stop right away!"

"You never changed a bit, my friend." Mr. U-bear said as he then turned to Chiko and asked,

"Are you sure you don't want to grab his opportunity? You know you get to be rich really quick and become a really good sepak takraw player in no time if you join with them."

But Chiko quickly shook his head. He smiled gently at Gantes then to Yang, and said,

"I already found my team."

"Then would you be okay with me as a coach?" Mr. U-bear asked with a warm and gentle voice.

Hearing such support, Chiko and Gantes smiled together and both agreed,

"It is our honor sir!",

"Yes!" and then Chiko seems to have remembered something and hurriedly added,

"As long as there is a scholarship! And a monthly allowance, and new shoes perhaps?"

Hearing Chiko grabbing the opportunity, Gantes quickly added as well,

"And unlimited Samgyupsal! Chicken, Beef, and Pork! Salad with mayonnaise dressing. Also a weekly Mang Inasal with unli-rice!"

"Hahahaha!"

Mr. U-bear just laughed at their outrageous demand and gently turned towards Yang's direction,

"How about you Ferdy Yang? Have you thought about it as well?"

"Yes. I am thankful for this opportunity Sir U-bear." Yang replied while slowly standing up from his brief slumber. His eyes and body have returned to normal, the only problem was that he is currently too weak to stand properly.

"Yang!" Chiko and Gantes shouted in unison. They hurriedly supported Yang to make him stand.

"Thank goodness you are fine. How's the sprain?" Chiko voiced his concern,

"I think I can get used to this. I might need more practice though."

"You look pale. You need meat." Gantes commented.

"Shut up. Vegetables and fruits are better."

"Meat is the best dud! That chewy and juicy texture. It is just so delicious!"

"Ohhwei!" Ferdy felt like vomiting hearing the big fluffy guy.

And the three are now giggling happily with each other. Seeing such a beautiful scene of camaraderie, Mr. U-bear went close to Gaje and said,

"Beautiful sight isn't it? Do you remember when we used to be such young and active? When we used to be a team?"

Mr. Gaje just frowned at U-bear's word and coldly replied, "I remember no such moment."

Then he finally ignored him and walked towards the three Star Pointers,

"You three let's go. We still have a plane to catch tomorrow at Mactan."

And then his hand grabbed the ball from Jin Woo's hand. But just when he was about to turn to leave, Chiko's voice came from behind.

"Where are you taking my ball?"

Mr. Gaje frowned and looked at the scrawny looking Chiko,

"Back away vendor boy. This ball only belongs to a deserving Star Pointer player."

"But he fought hard for it. The deal was clear that if Chiko scores even once, he can have the ball." Gantes suddenly appeared at Chiko's back and pointed at Jin Woo behind Mr. Gaje. Jin Woo just guiltily looked down trying to avoid everyone's attention.

"It is not for him to decide who owns the ball." Mr. Gaje insisted and he was about to move thru when Yang and Mr. U-bear blocked his way.

Getting annoyed, Mr. Gaje started to lash out, "Do you guys have any idea just how precious this ball is?! I told you that-"

"We do. That is why we won't let you get away with MY BALL!" Chiko insisted.

But Gaje refused to back down, he looked at U-bear for help, "U-bear! Get your leash! your stupid dogs don't know whom they are barking against! This is literally stealing of private property!"

"Enough!" a mysterious loud voice came from the entrance.

Hearing such a voice, Gaje and the three Star Pointers suddenly had goosebumps. Even Rino and his team also had goosebumps. It was a voice full of authority and presence. It was like the voice of overwhelming thunder. Gantes and Yang were intimidated while Chiko quickly frowned upon hearing it.

Everyone's gaze turned to the source of the voice

"Gaje, throw the ball to me."

It was Santi Arthrit himself who appeared and the one who ordered Mr. Gaje.

"Y-yes! Here!"

The latter stuttered for a bit before throwing the ball towards Santi who was standing at the entrance door. Everyone watched as Santi's figure suddenly blurred.

WHAAAPAAANG!

But the next thing they knew was that the ball was already sent flying back towards Chiko's direction.

"This... Is this his real power?"

Chiko felt a chilling numb towards his back as he watched the ball tear the wind and came over like a crashing meteor. He could see the spinning ball creating a turbulent airwave and reflexively defended against it with his bare hand.

"Chiko!" Yang and Gantes quickly reacted.

BAAAM!

Chiko was sent about five steps behind before finally stopping thanks to Yang and Gantes supporting him from behind.

Chiko's hands were numb and inflamed from the impact. His eyes were wide open at the realization of the true power of the one called the God of Sepak Takraw.