Chapter 18: From The Darkness

Chapter 18 - From The DarknessHaruma stood motionless, holding his luggage, staring at her in disbelief. The mother approached him with a wide smile and stood before him. "Mom?" Haruma muttered, his voice laced with shock, "What are you doing here?" Maintaining her smile, she replied, "There was no chance for me to miss this game!" Haruma's gaze dropped, "You shouldn't have come here!" he said in a hushed tone. With a smile the mother cupped his face, lifting it to meet her gaze, "Haruma!" she began softly, "Don't be sad, this your game, your team. Their win is your win. And I'm here to see my son win!" Haruma's eyes widened, his heartbeat getting rapid. "Give your very best!" The mother urged, "Whatever role your team needs, give it your all. Put your heart and soul into it!" Her words lit a spark in Haruma's heart, who tightened his grip on the strap in his hand, determination burning in his eyes. Looking at his mother, he nodded firmly, "I'll win, mom!" his words filled with determination, "I will win!" The mother's smile grew warmer. "I believe in you Haruma, I always will!" Haruma's eyes shot open in disbelief, his grip on the straps tightening further, his heart beating rapidly, his jaw clenching tight with raw anger. But his eyes were burning with intense, fierce determination... Haruma now stepped into the dressing room and sensed a heavy tension hanging in the air, the atmosphere felt different, not as same as the games before. The players were focused, but there was a hint of nervousness in their eyes, even Toru appeared tense. Haruma was observing them with a confused look. Toru let out a quick sigh, before speaking, his voice firm, "Whatever happens out there, just remember, that we have to keep fighting until the very end! We will fight till the very last second. In order to win, we all have to bring out the very best of ourselves." His expressions were hard, his tone serious. Haruma's confusion deepend, "What's happening here?" he thought, trying to understand the sudden change. Toru then took a deep breath, steadying himself before nodding, "Alright everyone. As one, we will win! For this next ninety minutes, let's play the best football of our lives" With those words Toru began to walk, his team followed with determined steps. Haruma, still confused, joined the team, walking behind them Walking through the dim hallway, the sounds of their footsteps were the only noise. As they neared the door the roars of the crowd flooded in. Stepping on the field the Hanaka boys led by Toru faced the bright lights and charged atmosphere of the stadium. As Haruma stepped onto the grass a wave of goosebumps ran through his entire body, feeling the charged air buzzing with the electric crowd's cheers, almost like the atmosphere of a professional football game. Toru and his team stopped in their tracks, standing on the sidelines, waiting for the signal to enter the field. Haruma's mother took her seated in the stands, a bright smile spreading across her face, as her eyes were locked on Haruma. Rukia was sitting in the crowds, a mix of both nervousness and anticipation in her heart, her eyes were fixed on Toru. With a big bright, excited smile, the little girl Mio jumped to her feet, "Father, look! Its brother Haruma!" she exclaimed. Kento, her father, broke into a big smile, "Yeah, there he is, let's hope we get to see him play" Haruma's eyes were darting everywhere at the crowds, "I can't find mother!" he thought to himself. "Unbelievable!" a player standing near Haruma muttered. Haruma's attention shifted to that player who appeared both stunned and tense, his eyes locked ahead. Following his eyes, Haruma saw a guy standing on the opposite sideline. That guy wore a full black jersey with a red captain band on his arm, his long black hair swept back flowing down till his neck, his arms folded behind his back, he was casually leaning against something behind him, his feets crossed, eyes fixed on Hanaka boys. Haruma's brow furrowed in tense concentration, his eyes fixed on the guy with a mix of suspicion and unease. The guy's calm yet terrifying posture seemed to make the air around him thick with an unsettling aura. Haruma took an empty gulp, his mind racing, "Who is that guy?" Haruma followed that guy's gaze and saw he was staring directly in the eyes of Toru, who was returning the stare but appeared nervous. Haruma's confusion grew, unable to understand the situation, his gaze shifting between the mysterious guy and Toru. Just then the referee signals for teams to enter the field. Clenching his jaw in fury Toru stepped onto the field followed by the rest of his team. Only Haruma, the Coach and other benched players remained on the sidelines. That guy straightened up revealing his hands with goalkeeping gloves on. With a slight smile he gestures for his team to come out, and from the shadows behind him his team emerges, all dressed in maroon Jerseys, their posture full of confidence and determination. That guy then stepped onto the field earning a loud cheer from the crowd on his side. With steady steps, he was heading towards the nets, while the rest of the players were taking their positions. The Hanaka boy's attention and eyes were solely fixed on that guy, who remained unfazed by their intense stares. Watching that guy with wide eyes, Haruma muttered, "Coach, who is he?" The coach's tense and cold gaze was fixed on that guy. "Kurogami Shikyo!" He said with a firm voice, "A monster Ryugen High School created this season!" Haruma watched Kurogami making his way towards the nets, his walk calm and composed. The coach's voice cut through the silence, "Including qualifiers, Kurogami has played fifteen matches this season and he has yet to concede a goal!" Haruma's eyes went wide, staring at Kurogami with complete disbelief. Kurogami now stood before the nets spreading his arms wide like dark wings, his face shrouded with darkness, fingers outstretched, it felt as if every bit of energy seemed on the field was being drawn at him. Haruma was staring at Kurogami with wide eyes, a bead of sweat trickling down his face. All the Hanaka players stood rigid, their every muscle tight with tension, faces set with grim determination, their eyes locked on the menacing figure before them. The Black Kallor, Kurogami Shikyo!