Chapter 25: Pride and Goal

Minutes before Rino and his team decided to leave...

Rino's pride has long been shattered by the newbies in front of him. When Chiko showed the incredible potential that far surpasses him, he tried to deny it. Unfortunately, not only Chiko but soon Gantes and Yang also popped out and showed outstanding skills as well.

He could not believe it. As a veteran player, he knew pretty much how difficult it is to master this kind of sport is. It literally took him years to master controlling the ball and more years of practice to execute the complicated spikes.

But Chiko and his gang did it. Although the story would be different in a real match but seeing them overcoming even the Star Pointers was enough to rebuke his remaining confidence.

What's even worse was actually witnessing Chiko earning a Santi ball from the legend himself. It was apparently one of his dreams to receive one of the rarest takraw balls in the world. And this balut-smelling guy earned it and could not even realize its true value.

"Perhaps it's time for us to go." Rino faintly said to Kurt and John. Both of them nodded in response, agreeing to his suggestion.

"So what's the plan captain? Are we going to transfer? The other school will accept us right?" John asked with hints of worry in his eyes.

Hearing his question, Rino nodded with a smile, "You guys might not know this but the Salazar College has been trying to win me and you guys during the past two years. I only declined because I love being the dominant regu in this school and not to mention, we can have this whole gym for ourselves. Once we switch school now, we can still make it and receive a full scholarship with even better allowances and accommodation."

"Sounds like a good plan for me," Kurt replied excitedly.

"But, I heard they have more new talent this year," John asked with a little hint of anxiety in his gaze.

"He's right. I reckon they still have our seniors Doroteo, Leyte, and Sally as their main regu." Kurt added.

"Those guys only have one year left before graduating college. At their current level, I doubt they can go past the Regional level. What that school really needs are veteran players like us that can lead the new ones to the National level and eventually to the international stage! We are going to take over them. And not to mention-" Rino said as he turned to look at Chiko and his team,

"three months from now, I am pretty sure Mr. U-bear would push them to join the Municipal meet for the experience. I wanted to meet these morons on the municipal meet stage and destroy them completely there as our revenge. What do you think?"

Kurt and John both smiled wickedly. If it is on the incoming Municipal meet, they should be able to prepare properly and show those newbies their true skills. This time, they don't plan to show any mercy. Full force spikes and ace serves are what's flowing on their mind.

Until then, the first move they should do is to part ways with this small school and grab the higher walls of the Salazar Colleges.

And so with their plan in place, Rino and his team approached the happy Mr. U-bear and brought him the sad news of them leaving.

"So soon? That's sad to hear. Can't you please stay a little bit and help these new players?" Mr. U-bear pleaded.

Rino quickly replied with a shake of his head. There was even a faint mockery in his face.

"Unfortunately Mr.U-bear, as much as we wanted to stay, we are only given until tomorrow to apply for the scholarship. If we don't go there and present ourselves tomorrow, it will be considered as if we have declined the invitation. We hope that you will understand and allow us."

"I see." Mr. U-bear said after sighing deeply.

Suddenly, Chiko's head popped out from the side,

"Are you guys leaving because we defeated you?"

As if getting poked by a sharp but tiny needle, Rino's team replied with irritated faces,

"As if you already won!" John quickly rebutted.

"You guys are lucky those foreign players arrived. Else, we could have completely destroyed you!" John added while fuming.

"We are hoping to see improvement on you guys the next time we meet. Until then, good luck." Rino was calmer and bowed to Mr. U-bear before leaving with the two.

Rino secretly enjoyed it as he watched at the sight of Mr. U-bear getting frustrated at the news of him leaving the school as the captain of the best regu.

Aside from them, there is another regu that is not as good as them but was decent enough to play sepak takraw. But with just those talents, this school is destined to become a laughing stock during the official sepak takraw meets.

"Very well." After a brief talk, Mr. U-bear has finally decided. "As much as I hate to see you guys go. I could only wish good luck for you and your new school."

Bowing down together with John and Kurt, Rino calmly replied, "Thank you Mr. U-bear for understanding."

And just like that, Chiko and the rest watched as they watched another team leaving the gym for good.

Mr. U-bear could not help but feel sad a little. Rino's team has been playing and representing Madridejos College for the past three years.

It was Rino himself who came to him and pleaded for a scholarship in return for playing for the school. Unfortunately, it wasn't as fruitful as he hoped to be.

Rino was a prideful and egoistic player. The moment he saw players with better potential than himself, he would instinctively suppress that player and force him to leave their talent pool. As a result, they only have a total of six sepak takraw players at the moment including Rino's team.

Although he and his team managed to win one of the three Municipal championships from the past three years, the core problem was in his attitude and style of leading.

Nevertheless, Mr. U-bear has his own plan.

"Alright, it is really getting late now. You guys should go home and have some rest for now. Come back tomorrow morning as early as 8'o-clock for your formality and meet the other reserved regu." Mr. U-bear told them when Chiko slowly came closer.

"Uhm, I have a question Mr... U-bear, right?"

"Go on." Mr. U-bear gave permission,

"Is it really not possible for us to sell that takraw ball?" Chiko said while pointing at the Santi ball in the hands of Mr. U-bear.

As if expecting the question, Mr. U-bear smiled gently and replied, "Unfortunately young man, it is not. Santi has the right to this ball since they are personally made just for him. So basically speaking, he is lending us this ball to use and not to sell. I hope you understand."

Chiko nodded with a gloomy face when Gantes suddenly grabbed Chiko by the neck, "Cheer up bro! Don't forget we still get to become official sepak takraw players and a school scholarship at that!"

Hearing the words from the big fluffy guy, Chiko's eyes flare up as if remembering something,

"Allowance… how much allowance do we get again?"

Mr. U-bear looked at Chiko with gentle eyes and replied, "I remember putting five thousand pesos per month aside from the full scholarship on the poster. I also forgot to add that there will be free accommodation as well... If that is not enough for you, then maybe I can find another team to-"

"It is enough! It is enough!" Chiko and Gantes hurriedly said.

The two are extremely broke at the moment and after hearing Mr. U-bear's offer, they could not help feel extremely lucky today. Chiko on the other hand was in heaven while calculating the money he could save!

Yang on the other hand seems to know already about the details of the scholarship and humbly bowed down to Mr. U-bear with deep admiration and respect.

"And you Mr. Yang will have a special assignment. Since you will be leaving your post as the school janitor, do you mind finding another one to replace you?" Mr. U-bear told Yang.

"I will Mr. U-bear and thank you very much for this opportunity," Yang replied while still bowing.

He too is extremely happy at the moment despite the normal expression on his face. The reason he was unable to talk a lot is that he was a silent person in the first place. Not to mention, he was not used to expressing his true feelings.

But now that he has found new friends, a new job, and a new opportunity, Yang smiled contently and secretly promised himself to give it his all.

"Well, I have a very tiring day. Before you guys leave, can you please help Yang to clean the gym first? Anyway, seems everything is going to be more fun this time, I am assigning the three of you to clean the gym before leaving okay?"

"Noted Coach U-bear!" Yang politely bowed in reply.

Hearing the word 'Coach', Mr. U-bear smiled meaningfully before finally leaving. Yang watched him leave with excited and teary eyes before moving towards the stock room to start cleaning.

"You two." Yang turned around only to look at his two friends in helplessness,

" Help me too okay?"

Behind him, Gantes and Chiko were dancing like monkeys in celebration while following Yang. They seem to have lost their minds.

"Unlimited samgyupsal here we come! Meat all you can eat is why we sweep!"

"Five thousand per month with free accommodation and free scholarship! Savings! MONEEEY! BEEYBEEH!"

Well, you know who they are.