Chapter 15: Showdown Between The Very Best

Chapter 15 - Showdown Between The Very BestThe ball came to Shino who collected it with caution, carefully passing between teammates. Their movements were deliberate, almost hesitant, as if trying to waste the time and settle for a penalty shootout. Meanwhile, Standing alone, Toru clenched his fist tight and leaned his body forward before bursting into an explosive sprint, breaking through the defenders. The Hanaka crowds leaped to their feets, erupting in wild cheers. Haruma's eyes widened with diabetes, watching Toru surpassing his limits, the white-haired boy erupted in enthusiastic cheers. Shino's face lit up with hope, and with fierce determination he charged at the nets, igniting a spark of hope in the team, who all lifted their game in no time. A player from Hanaka sent a long pass to Shino who collected it, dribbled past a few players, and with a sharp pass he sent the ball to Toru who collected it perfectly. The Hanaka crowds erupted in chants and cheers, their voices buzzing aloud with intense energy. Toru, his face set with fierce focus, charged towards the nets at incredible speed, effortlessly dribbling past all the players on his way. Haruma, The Coach and all the benched players watched Toru's brilliance in awe, unable to believe the unbelievable display of speed and skills. Hanaka's faces lit up with hope, their spirit and belief rising with every step Toru was taking. As Toru saw the goalkeeper in open, Kazutora came sliding between him and the goalkeeper, his face set with intense focus. Toru's expressions twisted with fury, and with a roar he charged forward. Kazutora, clenching his jaw in anger, rushed at Toru too. The two titans! the two very best! one the pride, the hope, and other the unstoppable force of destruction, charged at each other with explosive speed. The entire field held its breaths, every eye locked on the collision, air heavy with intense anticipation. Rukia's face was tight with worry, Haruma's eyes filled with anticipation. As they both came face to face, Toru slowed and attempted to dribble, but Kazutora never slowled, he came rushing slamming his feet at her ankle and shoulder into Toru's with a crushing force. Toru lost all his balance and because of Kazutora's immense speed Toru went spinning away, brutally crashing onto the ground, gripping his foot, letting out a piercing scream of agony, his foot seemed to be hurt from Kazutora's ruthless tackle. The stadium fell into a stunned silence, broken only by Toru's anguished cries echoing across the stadium. Rukia stood frozen, her eyes brimming with tears locked on the sight of fallen Toru. Shino and Masaru stood stunned, their terrified gazes fixed on Toru, who's agonizing screams were echoing around them. The coach of both teams were stunned, disbelief written all over their faces. The referee blew the whistle, rushing onto the field to check on Toru. Kazutora standing tall, turned to Toru, watching him suffering with intense pain, his expression blank, showing no hint of any regret. "Pride, under my foot!" Kazutora muttered, his voice low and chilling. The referee quickly stood before Kazutora and brandished a red card at him. Amid a storm of boos, Kazutora began his slow walk off the field. Standing before his coach, Kazutora began with a chilling tone, "It's over, I've crushed every single one of them under my foot!" Toru was wincing, screaming in pain, Shino and Masaru's eyes were wide with horror watching Toru, their faces etched with nothing but fear. Rukia was gazing at the scene with her mouth slightly agape, tears trickling down her cheeks, her friends stunned into silence. "Three minutes are left." Kazutora continues, "And Toru is out for months now!" The coach stared at him with wide eyes, too shocked to respond. Rukia covered her mouth with her hands, breaking into silent yet painful sobs. The hanaka crowds stood in silence, unable to see their pride suffering. The coach lowered his face, as if he accepted the defeat. From the sidelines, Haruma was standing in stunned silence, his eyes wide with shock, his fist clenched tightly, his breaths coming in sharp, ragged gasps. Drenched in sweat, his heartbeat was racing, beating like a drum in his chest. Gripping his chest tightly, he tried to calm, but his heartbeat refused to ease. The coach of Hanaka's eyes welled up with tears, who began to speak in hushed tone, "Haruma you-" his words caught in his throat, as his eyes widened, snapping to his left. There Haruma stood in a sprinting stance, his face hardened with determination and fury. Time seemed to be slowed as the Coach watched Haruma, who in an instant exploded into a sprint charging onto the field. The Hanaka crowds seemed confused, staring at Haruma, who was in his training bib rushing at Toru. Rukia's tears momentarily halted, as she stared at Haruma, with her expressions filled with confusion. Haruma raced past Shino and Masaru, leaving them stunned in his wake. "Haruma!" Masaru whispered in confusion. Haruma went running and sat near Toru's injured legs, who was suffering with immense pain. With heavy breaths, Haruma firmly gripped Toru's foot and ankle with a firm hold, causing him to let out a scream of agony. The sight left Kazutora confused, who was watching everything from the sidelines. Haruma quickly removed Toru's shoe and sock, seeing his foot which appears to be dislocated. With determined expressions and heavy breaths, Haruma firmly grabbed Toru's ankle and foot, taking a deep breath Haruma gave it a big sharp twist. Toru let out a primal roar of pain, while Haruma's eyes stayed locked on Toru. Slowly, Toru opened his eyes and met Haruma's gaze and managed to give him a faint smile. A wave of disbelief swept across the crowds, Rukia stood stunned, her jaw dropped, eyes open wide. Shino and Masaru's faces wore expressions of utter disbelief, unable to comprehend what just happened, The coaches watched with wide eyes, their faces frozen in stunned astonishment. Kazutora was standing, watching with wide stunned eyes, his fist clenched tight in frustration. Haruma smiled at Toru and quickly put his sock and shoe back on. Rising to his feet, Haruma offered his hand to Toru, who clasped it with a big dap, and stood up, both smiling at each other. The Hanaka crowds, stunned in disbelief, suddenly erupted into thunderous cheers and chants, the atmosphere electrified with uncontainable energy. Masaru and Shino smiles brightly, their hope and confidence coming back to them once again. Meanwhile Kazutora was out of his senses, staring at both Haruma and Toru from the sidelines. Gazing at Toru, Haruma smiled and asked "Three minutes is enough for you to score right?" Toru smiled confidently, "More than enough!" he replied, as both he and Haruma exchanged smiles, their hands still clasped. The whistle blew, resuming the game with the opponent having the ball. They stalled, passing the ball unnecessarily as they wanted to waste. Then suddenly out of nowhere Nara swooped in, intercepting the ball, and quickly passing it to a teammate who passed it ahead to Toru, who smoothly collected the ball, causing Hanaka crowds to erupt in cheers. Toru with the ball, locked his eyes on the net which was in some distance, while the defenders were charging at him from his front. Toru remained still, watching defenders approaching him, he side-eyed the timer which almost ran out, he then closed his eyes then opened them again, now filled with fierce determination. As a defender neared him, Toru deftly dribbled past him and launched the strike with all his might. The ball soared through the air, covering the long distance. All eyes were fixed on the ball as it sailed through the air, the timer nearly out. The goalkeeper launched himself at the ball, outstretching his arm wide, but the ball slipped past his hand and went into the nets. The final whistle blew and the referee signaled the goal to Hanaka. Toru, exhausted, gazed up at the sky before stumbling backwards and collapsing to the ground. The Hanaka burst into wild, uncontainable celebrations. All the Hanaka players rushed at Toru, followed by benched players, all roared with enthusiasm, piling over Toru in a whirlwind of celebration. Meanwhile Haruma stood in the sidelines, watching the scene with a warm smile on his face. Suddenly a hand rested on his shoulder, turning he saw it was the coach who was looking at him. "Thank you Haruma! Thank you very much!" The coach said, his tone filled with gratitude. Haruma smiled and gave him a small nod, then both of them turned their eyes ahead watching their team celebrating their victory