Chapter 33: To The Street

It is currently their break time and the three of them are currently sitting near the window inside their club room on the second floor of the main building.

"This just won't do it. I know that the Founding anniversary is still far away, but at this rate, we might just lose to them without proper preparation. We need a good challenge!" Chiko opened up to Mark and Ferdy as he handed them both a cold Yakult drink.

The two of them accepted it and immediately drank it up just in case Chiko might change his mind.

"Aaaah," Mark exclaimed after finishing the refreshment in one big gulp.

"Yeah, I have noticed it too. Ever since the day of the founding anniversary announcement, their performance during our practice games become somewhat low-key. Perhaps they are purposely doing it to hide their true capacity and strategy." the big guy added as proceeded to burp loudly.

"That is for sure. But thus that means they are afraid of us?" Chiko asked.

"I don't really think so. Though they look and treat us like a team, behind their backs, I can still hear them mocking our regu a lot during their private chats. For example, they call this guy an untamed wild horse without control." Ferdy replied as he pointed at Chiko. He too calmly drank the Yakult drink but at a slower pace.

It wasn't long before Chiko and Mark have realized that Ferdy has exceptional senses probably as a part of his aswang curse. Be it by smell, touch, hearing, and even seeing in the dark. The man was like a tiger in human skin.

"How about me? What do they call me? Did they say something like, 'he is the most improved and handsome guy'?" Mark wanted to know.

Ferdy shook his head without hesitation, "They call you a hopeless fatass."

"Motherfather! Those guys need to learn their lesson!"

"Calm down dud. Don't you ever forget that we are not allowed to make trouble in this school or else, risk losing our scholarship in just a single day?"

Mark angrily shouted but Chiko was quick to hold him in place to calm him down.

It was not a secret to them that Jevin's sub regu team is now the so-called main team because of their seniority and experience in terms of playing. While Chiko and his team have great potentials, unfortunately, during their practice match, their inexperience and unfamiliarity with the game caused them to lose a lot.

It was not because Jevin and his team were extremely good, it was that they knew a couple of strategies and tricks that can easily give them an advantage against their newbie regu opponent. Mark had a pretty good reaction but his heavy body caused him a lot of energy and so he gets tired real quick with a couple of sprints and rallies.

Chiko was fit but too naive, predictable, and careless. He has strong kicks and can easily copy other player's moves. Unfortunately, in a long run, it was a double-edged skill according to their coach U-bear; it would take away Chiko's flexibility in making decisions and ability to adapt to any position situation in the future. Not to mention, suddenly executing an unfamiliar move caused a lot of burden to Chiko's body. Thus, Mr. U-bear kept on encouraging Chiko to eventually create his own move and avoid copying other people's styles.

As for Ferdy, though he has the most knowledge and capacity to play properly at the moment, what caused his performance to drop was his lack of confidence in himself, overthinking his moves during the game to avoid injury, and the instinct to hold himself back or else risk exposing his dark secret.

Overall, they still had a long way to go. Mr. U-bear reminded them about this and assured them to just trust the process.

"Sh*t, no wonder they have been very boring during our practice match. They are purposely trying to make us think we can beat them easily." Mark said while trying to calm himself.

"Any suggestions? We need some real experience. At this rate, our practice match will never be able to give us proper preparation before the tournament. Is it possible to ask Mr. U-bear for a friendly match from another school's takraw team?" Mark added.

Ferdy was quick to respond,

"With just a week left before the founding anniversary, I don't think they will allow it, so many departments will be using the gym for activity rehearsals. The only time we get to use it is about an hour during the day and two hours during the night before closing time."

While, talking Ferdy took the yakult bottle from Chiko and Mark before proceeding to throw it to the nearby trashcan. They both looked bothered as they try to think of a way to improve their performance.

"Not to mention, the two other colleges in the Bantayan island called Salazar Colleges and Bantayan Colleges have pretty much a hostile relationship with our school because of the attitude of the previous captain Rino. Ever since he was the leading captain of our school's takraw team, they never had the chance to have a friendly exhibition match against their teams." Ferdy added.

"In other words, we are on our own..." Chiko mumbled as the other two nodded in confirmation.

The group is currently irritated. They need to find a way to hone their skills but their current options were too limited. It was like trying to find a proper sharpening stone for your knife only to find soft rocks and pebbles.

Chiko walked near the window and saw the countless houses and buildings on the horizon. It was until then that he got an idea,

"I know! How about we play outside?"

"Outside?" both Ferdy and Mark replied at the same time.

Chiko nodded enthusiastically, "Since we currently can't find a proper match inside the campus, then how about we try to find it on the streets? I remember there is a sepak takraw court at the town plaza and saw a couple of guys playing there as well. What do you think?"

Mark's eyes glowed upon hearing Chikos suggestion.

"You are right! We can do that."

"Hold your horses' boys," Ferdy said and the two turned to him.

"I know that you guys are hungry for a real match. So I am." Ferdy walked towards the window and stopped beside Chiko. He turned his gaze towards the direction of the Madridejos town plaza that can be seen on the horizon.

"I once went to the town plaza to try and play sepak takraw with the street players..." Ferdy said while his eyes furrowed. Chiko and Mark stared at him with utmost curiosity.

"It didn't take long for me to go back with disappointment."

"What happened there? What did you saw?" Chiko asked. Ferdy turned to him before replying,

"The street sepak takraw in that particular spot was messy and rigged. Many outside players were confident in taking them only to go home with injuries, anger, and defeat. The referee's decisions were always in favor of his street friends. They cheat on the scoreboard, they bend rules to give an advantage to their local players and the list goes on. In short. It was a trap. I do not suggest it."

"I see." Mark and Chiko mumbled at the same time. Ferdy sighed calmly thinking that it was over before the other two blurted something ridiculous.

"If that's the case, we should go and fight them!"

"Yeah! That's the spirit! We should teach those cheating bastards some beating lesson too! With the new ultra-special spikes that I improved from the last few weeks, I am sure we can dominate them!"

"Are you guys even listening!?"

Ferdy's neck veins almost popped out.

"Those players are rough street thugs. Not only were they good after playing for years on the streets, but they are also terrible people when it comes to"

"Who cares about winning or losing? Experience is an experience! I believe we can beat them by showing them how real sepak takraw should be played." Chiko was optimistic.

"Anyway, if they continue to cheat, I can just give them a quick beating too. Though I can't really break them too much because of my promise with my old man; but, just leave it to me." Mark cracked his fist as if he was more excited about beating them rather than playing.

Ferdy looked at both of them with helplessness. After a couple of minutes of thinking, he gave up.

"I really don't know about you but I guess you are right. Let's just grab this little opportunity and have a quick game. Just prepare your hearts to lose though."

"Yeah! Now that's what I like about it. We still have two hours before our next class. Should we go now?" Mark excitedly asked.

"Yeah. We should so we can get back on time." Ferdy helplessly agreed as they start to move.

"By the way guys..." Chiko's voice came from behind. His eyes were covered by a shadow of impending wrath.

"Don't you both think you are forgetting something?"

Mark twitched upon seeing Chiko's sudden aura change,

"Forget what?"

"Is there a school project? I don't remember anything." Ferdy added, sweats starting to drop.

Chiko's hand came forward with his open palm facing upward. He seems to be asking for something to be handed. His voice followed together with cold terror.

"You guys think the Yakult you drank was free? That was thirty pesos each for your information."

"Did I hear it wrong? Thirty pesos for a single Yakult?" Mark poked his ears with his finger trying to confirm what he just heard.

Ferdy too can't believe it, "Chiko, are you serious? I know you are the business kind of guy but, that pricing was just..."

"Can't help it. I can't sell balut here anymore, but I figured that Yakult is much easier to sell to students so I am testing it for you guys. I didn't even have to put an effort by talking, I just hand it over and a sale is made!"

"What!? That was selling!?" Ferdy and Mark dropped the empty Yakult plastic cans together with their jaw.

"Oh, by the way, you better pay me now or I will charge an additional twenty percent from the total price by tomorrow morning."

Chiko smiled with a threatening vibe. Ferdy and Mark knew that this guy is serious when it comes to making money and paying him is a necessity to continue living in peace.