After an instant victory celebration of the Vipers, they lined up to paid homage with the Vikings. The two coaches approached each other and shook hand, exchanging acceptance of each other's victory and defeat with pride and respect.
Coach Jim took the microphone, preparing himself to give a speech. As he deemed himself ready, he let out a sigh and started speaking.
"We stand here right now not as enemies, but as brave surviving warriors who fought and tested each other strengths," coach Jim started, his words drew attention, making the stadium hung in silence.
"We the Vipers, are giving respect and admiration to the Vikings, for showing their skills, talent, and resilience during the game." Coach Jim paused, facing the Vipers before continued speaking.
"For the Vipers, I want to remind you that winning doesn't mean being strong," he said, then shifted his eyes at the Vikings.
"And for the Vikings… I also want to remind you that losing doesn't mean being weak."
Coach Jim's words had made the players of both teams nodding in agreement, resonating on what they feel at the very moment, especially to the captains of both teams.
"In the volleyball game, having good traits doesn't mean being a good player. It doesn't matter if you're tall or short, fast or slow, strong or weak, 'cause when it comes to volleyball, this trait was all just an illusion. It is made to deceived your opponent, that's why the foolish is the real weak."
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?!" Coach Jim shouted, making the players shivering in shocked, and respond in unison. "YES, PO, COACH!"
Coach Jim continued his speech. "This victory and defeat may become a knowledge and inspiration for us, to improved more our skills as well as ourselves, and become stronger than we were today."
"Everyone… thank you for the unforgettable experience!"
As coach Jim finished speaking, the players, especially the Vikings, were left sobbing as they tried not to burst in tears—their ego is telling them to put themselves together.
Couch Jim glanced at Caspian, giving him a signal for the final homage. Caspian nodded, and turned his faced to the person in front of him— the team captain of the Vikings, Roan.
Caspian extended his hand, genuinely asking for a shake hand. Roan face lit up; a gentle smile curved in his lips. Unfortunately, Caspian is not having it—he let out a dismissive "tch!"
However, Roan didn't mind it at all. He took Caspian's hand, as well as the other did the same. After that, they have started packing their stuff, preparing to leave the stadium.
The crowd also left the stadium one-by-one, leaving few remaining people inside. After a few moments, something's happened that immediate caused a commotion.
Caspian faltered and lost his balanced, and people had started circling him. However, no one knew what is really happening, leading all of them to come up with various speculations.
"Hey, cap! shouldn't we help him?" someone asked to Roan.
"Do you want?" Caspian asked back sarcastically. "Just let his teammates to help him, and besides... I doubted him. I'm sure he's just scheming something," he added.
Suddenly, a loud feminine voice echoed through the stadium, saying; "GET OUT OF THE WAY! THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER WILL BE PASSING BY!" The warning on its voice is unmistakable, drawing the attention of the crowd.
"Here they comes... we should've leave now, or we might get involved with them," said by someone named Maki; Roan's teammates.
Someone said, "Shouldn't we stop them? I'm sure that will damage their image."
But Maki responded, "No, let's just leave them alone, right Cap?" His tone laced with callous, glancing at Roan.
However, Roan seemed convinced, and said, "Yeah... let's just leave them alone."
They left the stadium, as well as the remaining people inside, feared of getting involved with the commotion— unless they want to get drop out from the university.
.
.
.
It's already 4 o'clock before the sundown. The event has concluded, and the students have subsequently departed. But some were still at the campus; resting and doing some stuff. Meanwhile, the two of Roan and Maki hasn't leaving yet, strolling down the pathway.
Maki let out "Ugh!" out of disappointment.
"To bad! We couldn't win the last set, I wouldn't be able to play in the Nationals!" he cried, feeling frustrated.
"What are you?!" Roan exclaimed. "Are you stupid?"
"Just because we lost, doesn't mean we won't be able to play in the Nationals," he said.
"And are you forgetting what coach Jim said? The foolish is the real weak, so stop imposing yourself like one!" he added.
"Fine, so sorry! My bad!" Maki retorted, and clarify what he said. "What am I just saying is... we have a better chance of getting selected for the Nationals if we won."
"Darn Mr. Beast! If it weren't for him, we would have won!" he hollered, before opening the cafe's glass door.
When they got inside, Caspian appeared before them, along with Vaughn and Pasha.
"Taking about Mr. Beast...," said Roan nonchalantly.
"Woah, Woah! What is this?!" Maki exclaimed, surprised by what he saw, apparently Roan remained calm.
The three of Caspian, Vaughn, and Pasha were sleeping closely together on a sofa, as if they were so tired that they couldn't help but fall asleep.
Thankfully, they didn't wake up because of Maki's sudden outburst. Yet, the Cafe's owner scolded him. "Cafe's rule: don't make noise. So, please be silent, students. Otherwise, I'll send you out!"
"I'm verry sorry, Ma'am. I'll keep him quiet," Roan apologized, then he glared at Maki and pat him on the neck.
AH!" Maki whined in pain.
"Apologized to her, you blockhead," said Roan nonchalantly, narrowing his eyes as he tried to intimidate Maki.
"I'm v-very sorry, Ma'am!" Maki apologized, swallowing hard in fear.
"Apologize accepted," the owner said thoughtfully, so Maki breathed a sigh of relief.
After that, they proceeded inside. Maki made their orders, while Roan took a seat on the empty couch near the glass.
Roan's face was etched with disgust as he saw Caspian's face. He was thinking of something to do with the man, but surely the owner would scold him if he did something bad. Therefore, when he turned his eyes to the person on its lap, a smile appeared on his face with the thought of "I wish, I could just be him".
"He's cute while he's sleeping," Roan whispered, but unexpectedly Maki, who had just returned from the counter, heard what he said.
"Do you mean, Pasha?" Maki asked confusedly.
"Idiot," Roan blurted. "Do you think Pasha is a guy?" he said sarcastically.
"What?! Are you referring to Caspian?" Maki said in disbelief. "Is this what they called... "enemy to lovers" thing?" he added, frustrating Roan.
A whispered profanity scaped Roan's lips: "Fuck you!"
"Never to that damn beast! I'm talking about Vaughn, that guy!" he said, his frustration evident as he pointed.
"What?!" Maki muttered, surprised by what he found out. "Seriously, bro? You're in love with that guy? You're in love with Vaughn Carter?"
"You're insane, man!" Maki exclaimed in silence, shaking his head in disbelief.
"What the hell are you saying?!"
"What I mean is, that's a mess, bro!"
"Do you mean that damn beast will beat me up if I approach him? I could fight him, you know! I'm not afraid him!"
"No, bro. That wasn't I meant to say! J-just don't go near at him again... no matter what."
VAUGHN'S POV:
I woke up at five PM groggily, realizing my nap had turned into a long sleep. I'd expected Rhys and Pasha to rouse me up, but instead, I was the one who woke them up. Though, I understand why they were exhausted. For sure, Rhys had just come from the volleyball game, and Pasha had spent the entire day at an event.
Before we leave the café, we apologized to Miss Gina for staying so long on her café. But she just said; "It's fine, as long as it just the three of you." I was even embarrassed by her, because she's making us an exemption. But of course not for Pasha, since she's daughter of the university's president wherein Miss Gina was working on.
We were now strolling at the street, feeling a bit tired since we're already walking for so long. But Pasha seemed lethargic, as if we we didn't rested on the café. But I guess, his social battery just ran out.
I was enjoying the view of sunset, when Pasha asked me suddenly. "Vaughn... are you okay?" Her voice is barely audible, sounding sluggish as she spoke. "Can you still walk?"
Coming from you! I thought. However, I know we're all worn out and she might just thinking of me.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied. "You should be the one asking if you're okay?" I added, chucking softly.
"We can rest for moment if you want, let's just watch the sun before it sets," I suggested.
Talking about Pasha's status in life... yeah, of course they have a car— a lot of it. However, she doesn't want to have their driver pick her up because she thinks she might looks like a spoiled brat.
Suddenly, Pasha seems to have lost her strength, so I immediately helped her lean against the steel fence.
"Thank you, Vaughn! Because that one over there seems so heartless," said Pasha, making Rhys listen.
She'd been asking Rhys to carry her because his leg was hurting badly, but Rhys said he was too tired after the volleyball game. So, I offered to carry her instead, but she wouldn't let me.
Rhys let out a dismissive "Tch!"
"Fine, fine! I'll carry you later!" he said, but Pasha just snubbed him.
I let out a resign sighed. I don't know what's up with these two!
As we started to watch the sunset, a fine, misty rain poured down. At the same time, a cool breezed blows, touching our skin, even the birds have started to fly over us.
I haven't felt such feeling before, but I knew what it is. It must be "that" rare moment were only happens every after sunsets.
I took a deep breath and uttered, "Serenity."
Pasha and Rhys glanced at me. "What's that?" asked Pasha, her tone dripped with confusion. "I've never heard that word before."
Yeah... He may not have even heard this word before, so it is not familiar to her.
I let out a sigh, enjoying the cool breeze and the small drops of rain in my skin. "It means... the absence of mental stress and anxiety," I explained. "A state of freedom from being worry and stress." I gestured towards the pale tint of orange clouds from the ocean's horizon. "It's like this sunset—a moment of stillness and tranquility."
"It's more than just calm," I continued, letting my thoughts to flow. "It's a sense of composure, the feeling of being at ease. That despite of every aftermath, there's always a misty rain that will pour to cleans our hearts from doubts and fears." I paused, letting the imagery sink in.
"This is the peace that many people have long sought, the only time that we will feel at ease, and a moment of stillness that connects us."
As I finished speaking, the sun dripped below the horizon. and the night sky filled with stars.
Pasha said, "Wow, what a wonderful word, I'm glad I learned it."I glanced at her and smile. "Me too," I concurred.
My eyes turned to Rhys. The wind is blowing his hair, showing her natural thick eyebrow. Just then, I remembered again that I haven't congratulated him earlier because I fell asleep.
Suddenly, a gentle smile curved in his lips—I wondered what's in his mind.
As planned, we left after watching the sunset. And just as Rhys promised to Pasha, he carried her all the way to the compound. Then the three of us parted ways towards our house with goodbyes.