Chapter 16: A Faint Smile

Chapter 16 - A Faint SmileEarly in the morning, Haruma was standing before the mirror, looking ready to leave. He swung his bag over his shoulder and reached for his phone where a message from Masaru read: "Don't be late today!" Seeing the message with a blank face, Haruma slid the phone back into his pocket, and stepped out of his room. Coming out of his room, he walked towards his mother's room and gently pushed open the door and peeked inside, finding his mother sleeping. Watching her peaceful sleep for a moment, he slowly closed the door... Haruma was now walking down the road, his expressions serious and emotionless. As he Approached, he saw buses parked near the school building, with students and players gathered together in a lively crowd. Haruma let out a quick sigh and started walking towards the crowd, when suddenly a voice called out from behind. "Harumaaaa!" Turning around, Haruma saw Masaru running towards him. Masaru reaches him and throws himself on him in a tight hug, "Where were you buddy?" he asked in urgency. "I was busy," Haruma replied, his tone calm and casual. From Masaru's back, Toru, Rukia and their friends joined them. "You missed two days of training," Toru said with a smile. Masaru released Haruma from the hug, standing next to him. "Yeah sorry, I was actually busy," Haruma replied, meeting Toru's gaze. "It's fine, I'm just glad you're here," Toru said with a warm smile. Rukia, with her eyes never leaving Haruma, asked, "Is your mother okay?" Haruma glanced at her and nodded, "She's fine, thank you for asking." Toru with a smile, turned to Haruma and said, "Haruma, you left just after the semi finals, I didn't get my chance back then, but now... Thank you Haruma!" Haruma, looking slightly confused, asked, "For what?" "For treating my foot," Toru said grateful, "I never would've been able to score that goal if you hadn't been there" Everyone was looking at Haruma with warm smiles, while Rukia watched him with a bright, heartfelt smile. Haruma offered a slight smile in return and replied, "No, I just tried to help my team. It wasn't a big thing, it was just dislocated. If I hadn't been there then the medical staff would've done that." "But it was you who did that." Rukia intercepted softly, drawing everyone's attention. Haruma blinked, meeting her warm beautiful gaze with slightly wide eyes. "Thank you Haruma," Rukia said with her eyes sparkling with gratitude, and a wide beautiful smile spread across her face. "Everyone!" The coach's voice rang out, capturing everyone's attention, including Haruma and Toru's group. "Before we leave for the big game, can I please have a moment with you all?" The coach asked kindly, his tone warm and inviting. Students, players, teachers and parents, all gathered around the coach, forming a circle. The coach continued, "Before I speak any further, I'd like to invite Toru to join me, please." With a smile, Toru walked up and stood beside the coach. The coach continued, "There's no need for me to tell you about Toru, we all know how talented this boy is. Playing his first All-School Tournament this young man has already made his mark in its history book. His incredible jump of 2.53 metres in the round of sixteen is now a new record in All-School Cup." The crowd erupted into applause, clearly impressed, and a wave of Toru's praises spread through the crowds. Rukia, Masaru and their friends were clapping enthusiastically, their faces glowing with joy. Haruma watched with a faint smile. "That's not all!" the coach continued, "That goal in the semi final was scored from 33 yards, which is also a new record" The crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause once again, their cheers and excitement filling the air. Haruma was watching with a faint smile, While Rukia and others were clapping with uncontainable joy and enthusiasm. "Lets go Toru, that's amazing!" Masaru shouted, his voice rising above the clapping. The white-haired was jumping, laughing, clapping, shouting out Toru's name with excitement. As the applause began to die down, Toru spoke up, "I'm glad that I've got the honor to be in the history book, but now, what I want is the trophy. However, before that, there's something else I want to win." His words sparked excitement among his friends, while Rukia's smile faded, her face turning red. Toru glanced at Rukia and in a gentle tone, said, "Rukia, could you please come here?" His friends erupted into cheers, encouraging Rukia to go ahead, while Haruma was watching her with a faint smile. With slow steps, Rukia walked forward, eventually standing in front of Toru. With a smile Toru walks up to her, standing face to face, and pulls out a ring case from his pocket. All the students erupted in cheers and applause, their excitement electric. Rukia's face turned even redder as she was staring at the case, Toru slowly knelt before her and opened the case to reveal a shiny ring inside, causing crowds cheer and applause to grow. "Rukia," Toru said softly, a smile on his face, "Will you marry me?" The crowds erupted in unison chanting of "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Even the coach, Masaru and all the other students were chanting loudly, only Haruma was watching in silence, just a faint smile on his face. With a bright smile, Rukia gave him a nod and extended her hand towards him. With a smile Toru slid the ring onto her finger. Toru and Rukia embraced each other in a heartfelt hug, with crowds cheering and applause echoing loud around them. Pulling back from the hug, both shared smiles at each other, their faces glowing with happiness. The coach came forward to congratulate both of them, followed by their parents and the head principal. Toru's father pulled him in a proud hug, before gripping his hand and raising it up high, shouting out loud, "My son! I'm so proud of him!" a big smile on his face. Haruma's faint smile wavered slightly as he watched the father and son embrace, sharing a laugh together. The coach, still smiling, called out, "Alright, before we leave, let's take a memorable photo of the first Hanaka Football team to qualify for the finals!" With wide smiles, the team quickly began walking forward, joining Toru and the coach. Haruma's faint smile returned, and as he stepped forward to join, a group of eager students with their backs on Haruma, stepped in front of him blocking his way, all desperate to take the photo of the team. Haruma's smile faded, his heart getting heavy, he quickly pushed past the crowds with urgency, and as he came in front, his eyes widened... His team was already posing as a team, the cameraman clicking their photos from front, while other students used their mobile phones to capture the moment.