Awan clenched his fists, a scoff escaping his lips, "Oh? Is that what you think? If he's me, why does he fear me every time I take over? Why does he act like I don't exist? Ain't I just a nuisance?"
"Maybe because you frighten him," Alan replied bluntly, his tone steady, "Maybe you're so focused on protecting him that you don't realize how much you're hurting him in the process."
Awan faltered, his arrogant mask slipping for a moment. But he quickly recovered. "You don't know what you're talking about," he snapped, turning away, "I've kept him safe. I've done the things he couldn't, whether they were right or wrong. If not for me, he'd still be that scared little kid. You think I enjoy this? Taking over, cleaning up his messes? Do you know what it's like to care about someone so much and feel powerless to stop them from falling apart?"
Alan exhaled deeply, "No, I don't know what that's like. But I do know this—you can't keep acting like this and expect him to trust you. If you want him to stop fearing you and start accepting you, you need to meet him halfway."
Awan's smirk returned, but it was weaker now, almost bitter, "You're bold for someone who doesn't even know me."
"I don't need to know you," Alan said with a calm but firm smile, "I already know you, Awan. And if you care about him the way you claim, let him breathe. Let him see who you really are."
The wind rustled the grass between them as Awan stared at Alan, his gaze unreadable. He shook his head, scoffing. "You're insufferable, you know that?"
"I know," Alan replied, "But I also know that you're alone, Awan. Hidden deep within Seraph, you protect and watch over him, never asking for anything in return. Makes me wonder, in this kind of selfish world, how could someone like you still exist? Maybe that's why you are a part of him."
Awan blinked, momentarily stunned, his hair shadowing his face.
Alan sighed, feeling tired after the unusual exertion of his skill, he thought, "Sigh, I just want to sit down now…"
---
Meanwhile, in the pitch black darkness of Seraph's mind, Awan walked forward, his gaze locking onto Seraph, who stood silently, surrounded by towering walls. His lashes blinked calmly, his expression blank, as if it were normal for him to remain trapped there.
Awan frowned, stepping closer.
Seraph turned to face him, his voice hesitant, "You…"
But Awan walked past him.
Seraph clenched his fists, his unsaid words hanging in the air.
However, Awan stopped and turned back, his gaze sharp. Seraph instinctively stepped back, his wariness clear, he gulped.
Whereas, Awan remained calm, recalling Alan's words: "If you want him to stop fearing you and start accepting you, you need to meet him halfway." Raising his hand, Awan moved closer.
Seraph flinched, shutting his eyes and turning away.
But Awan simply extended a finger and lightly tapped his forehead. "Meet you halfway? You are me, Seraph. How would I not know how you think of me? That's why… it doesn't matter. Until you grow strong, let me be the wrong one," Awan thought, "For you, I have never once… hated being in this place despite being alone." The cold touch lingered only for a moment.
When Seraph opened his eyes, Awan was already walking deeper into the darkness. "Hey, Aw-" Seraph called, but an invisible force pushed him back.
Awan glanced sideways before vanishing into the shadows.
---
Back in the ground. "Alan…" Seraph's voice was softer now, serene.
Alan who had been resting on the ground, sensed the change. "Ah, you're back," he said, stretching, "Shall we get in a bit more practice?" But, Alan couldn't shake the thought, "He might have not remembered anything about the previous over."
Yet, Seraph stood motionless, his gaze distant.
Alan approached, placing a hand on his arm, "Seraph? What's wrong?"
"I… remember everything," Seraph whispered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Alan blinked, "Everything? Since Awan took over?"
Seraph nodded, "Maybe he gave the memories back deliberately."
"Awan can control his memories?" Alan thought, stunned.
Seraph's gaze softened, "You know, the first person to call him 'Awan' was my mother."
Alan's throat tightened as Seraph continued, bitterness lacing his words, "She knew I wouldn't fight anyone or talk back to her. I was the perfect good boy she raised. When she first saw him… that side of me, she instinctively called him 'Awan'. It was only that time that I could sense what he felt and it was unbearable. After that he vanished, leaving me in front of my terrified mother."
Seraph's voice grew distant, "Did you know how old I was then? I was just seven."
Alan nodded silently, sensing the depth of Seraph's pain.
Seraph exhaled, turning away, "Forget it. I'll never understand him, and he'll never understand me."
"Huh? Never understand him? But he just said…" Alan recalled confused. As he walked away, Alan called out, "Did he give you all the memories back, Seraph?"
Seraph paused, narrowing his eyes, "I remember the over he played with you."
"And after that?" Alan pressed.
Seraph shook his head, "Did he say something?"
Alan sighed, shaking his head, "Nope. Nothing at all."
"If he did, then let me apologize. And come, let's go together. You're a mess," Seraph said, pausing to wait for Alan.
"Huh?" Alan glanced down at himself, confused by the mention of the word 'mess'.
Seraph elaborated knowingly, "You used your skills during that over, didn't you? You always lose one of your senses after using them, right? So, which one is it this time?"
Alan hesitated, but under Seraph's serious gaze, he finally exhaled. "It's the sense of touch. My body feels slightly numb."
Clicking his tongue in frustration, Seraph muttered, "All the more reason to be annoyed at him. Let's go."
As he followed, Alan's thoughts drifted. "Awan, that idiot. He didn't pass on the memories of the most crucial moment? Haiz…" His gaze lifted to the sky. "A big brother willing to do anything to protect and guide, and a younger one struggling to accept the way he does it. Now that's a tough situation." He sighed softly, his expression thoughtful, "I just hope those two can find a way to get along someday."
_____
A short distance from the lodgings, the practice nets were bathed in light. Three bowling machines tirelessly hurled balls of varying speeds and lengths toward the wicket, where Kenzo stood, sweating and visibly frustrated. He wiped the perspiration from his forehead, his silver hair sticking to his damp skin, before crouching to set the toppled stumps upright once more. The pattern of failure persisted, each collapse eroding his patience, yet resolve remained.
"Tch, just where are my abilities sealed?" Kenzo muttered under his breath, "It's like I've forgotten how to use them entirely. But how can that be? I can still hit these balls if I focus, but without my abilities... can I really hold my own in the matches ahead?" his thoughts drifted to how Feng, Isa, Kazuna, Helios, Aigou, and Xavier had faced their previous opponents with their abilities and skills.
Then, two balls launched in quick succession. With a sharp tap of his bat, Kenzo redirected them to the off-side netting, but his expression remained grim.
"Tch," he clicked his tongue, "Just hitting the ball isn't enough. This isn't what I need right now." His grip on the bat tightened, irritation clearly written on his face.
From the benches nearby, Feng called out, "That's enough, Kenzo. Take a break and have a drink."
Kenzo raised a skeptical brow, "You're annoying me. Why did you even come here?" he asked sharply.
"I told you, I'm here to help," Feng replied casually, tossing a ball in the air and catching it again.
Kenzo rolled his eyes. "I don't need your help. You're wasting your time," he retorted, attempting to channel his abilities into his next shot.
The ball, however, crashed into the stumps, sending them tumbling once again. Annoyed, Kenzo bent to reset them.
Feng exhaled softly, his gaze pensive. "How ironic hun... I couldn't even imagine the stumps behind Kenzo falling, even in practice, let alone in a real match. And yet, here he is, struggling so much." he thought.
Kenzo caught Feng's serious expression and smirked, "What? You feel like laughing at me right now?"
"Arg… and here we go." Feng exhaled, rolling his eyes, "Why do you always assume the worst? Can't you try being a bit more positive for once?"
Kenzo grinned wryly. "Oh, I wondered if you were thinking, 'Look at him, the guy who talks big every day.'"
Feng raised an eyebrow, momentarily speechless, "Now I find youannoying," he replied.
Kenzo turned back to the bowling machines, ignoring him.
Feng called out again, "Aren't you tired? Just give it a rest already. Why are you so intent on hurting yourself? It's been three hours. Have some pity on yourself. Geez… I knew you were cruel, but I didn't realize you're cruelest to yourself." he exaggerated.
Kenzo remained silent as the balls kept coming, some rebounding off his bat, others striking the stumps.
Feng narrowed his eyes, a memory surfacing.