Chapter 2: Assumption

Haruma was gazing at Masaru in disbelief while Masaru was gazing at the sky, his face expressionless. "What did you just say?" Haruma asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Looking at the sky, Masaru began, "When I first saw you playing football, It was obvious that you were the worst striker I ever saw... But now after a year of playing with you..." Masaru slowly looks at Haruma and smiles. "I can finally say that you're not the worst... Congrats you've gone from worst to bad." Haruma's eyes widened, and within moments tears began falling down his cheeks, as he burst into loud sobs. Masaru kept smiling, watching him cry, "To celebrate your promotion, let me give you a ramen treat." he said, standing up with a big smile, "Lets gooo!" he excitedly announced, while Haruma kept crying... The next day, Haruma arrived at school, standing in front of his locker, as he began to swap out his shoes. "I'll definitely be there watching every game." A female voice reached his ear of one of the two girls standing nearby. "It's unbelievable that our school will actually play in this tournament." The other girl said, her excitement was evident. "It really is! And it all happened because of Toru, he's just awesome" the other girl added, her face glowing with admiration. Staying quiet, Haruma shut the locker, the sound catching those girl's attention. Without a word Haruma turned and walked past them, completely ignoring their existence. "Isn't he also part of the team?" one of those girls asked, watching Haruma go. "Yeah," the other girl replied, "He's a substitute striker, his real job is being the waterboy and undoubtedly he's the worst striker." Haruma kept walking and disappeared into the distance... Haruma was now walking through the corridors with his expressions blank, his eyes shadowed as the words of those girls were relentlessly echoing in his mind. Haruma reached his classroom and swung open the door, only to stop dead in his tracks. There, on a bench, was Toru kissing a girl... Both Toru and that girl's faces were close and lips pressed together. Keeping the lips locked, Toru subtly side-eyed Haruma, watching him from the corner of his eyes. That girl quickly pulled away, her face was red as she avoided Haruma's gaze looking anywhere but at him, clearly embarrassed. Haruma stood frozen in the doorway, his wide eyes filled with disbelief. Looking at Haruma, Toru let out an awkward chuckle and scratched the back of his head, "Ooh, hey Haruma, how are you buddy?" he said, forcing a casual tone and smile. Haruma let out a sigh, and with a blank expression, he quietly walked to the back of the class and took his seat. The girl hurriedly walked and sat on her own bench, still avoiding Haruma's gaze. Toru sat down at his bench, a nervous energy hanging around him. The room fell into an awkward silence. Haruma slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes landing on that girl. She sat in silence with her long beautiful black hair cascading down her back. For a moment Haruma just kept looking at her hair, his face unreadable. Suddenly a wave of students flooded into the classroom, their chatter and laughter filling the once quiet room with life and energy. As the day progressed, the classroom erupted into thunderous applause, as all the students were clapping with immense enthusiasm, while Toru was standing proudly, a big smile lighting up his face. The female teacher inside the classroom was also brimming with pride, before raising her hand signalling for students to quiet down, and the students gradually complied. "After some amazing qualifying matches," The teacher began, her smile widening "Our football team has earned a spot in All-School Cup!" A wave of broad smiles spread across all the students' faces, their excitement lighting up the entire classroom. Turning to Toru, the teacher gestures towards him and adds, "And it all happened because of this young man. The pride of Hanaka High school, Toru Aokawa!" The applause erupted once again, with all the students murmuring praises about Toru among themselves, While Toru remained standing, his posture confident and proud, basking in the admiration. The teacher raised her hands once more, calming the class, as the claps gradually subsided. The teacher, with a warm and genuine smile, turned to Toru. "Toru, we all are honored to have you between us." she said, her voice filled with pride, "And I'm sure, that one day, you will represent Japan on the biggest stage of the world." Toru's demeanor softened as he smiled gratefully. Bowing his head before her teacher he paid respect to her words. Smiling proudly, the teacher turned to the class, "And I'd like to congratulate the other players representing this class, Masaru and Haruma, please stand up." she announced warmly. Masaru shot to his feets with enthusiasm, his energy peaking, while Haruma rose slowly, his face devoid of any excitement. "Congratulations to both of you as well." the teacher said with a kind smile. Masaru smiles brightly "Thank you so much, I'll make you all proud!" he declared, his voice brimming with excitement. The teacher nodded with a smile, "Alright everyone, let's give them a big round of applause to boost their confidence!" she said cheerfully. The classroom erupted into loud, enthusiastic applause, but all of their energy and attention were still directed to Toru. All the students' eyes were on him, their voice filled with admiration as they praised him openly. Haruma was standing in silence, his expressions blank, devoid of any emotion or excitement... Slowly he looked at that girl with long black hair, who was also clapping enthusiastically, her focus entirely on just Toru. Haruma appeared serious, his gaze remained fixed on that girl with long hair who was clapping with unrestrained enthusiasm, but just for Toru... As the school day ended and the sun was about to set, Haruma and Masaru were walking home together. "Ughhh, when will this break end!" Masaru groaned, stretching his arms, "I'm missing the field, I wanna get back to training!" Haruma didn't respond and just kept walking, his expressions blank. Masaru glances at him and chuckles softly, clearly amused by something. Noticing his laugh, Haruma turned to him with a raised eyebrow, "What? Why are you laughing?" he asked. Stopping in his chuckle, Masaru smirk mischievously, "Well, I bet it must be hard for you to see your crush appreciating some other dude." Seeming confused, Haruma asked, "And who's my crush?" Looking at Haruma, Masaru teasingly said, "The one you can't stop staring at, your Long Haired Goddess" Haruma flinched, his eyes widened in shock. Masaru leaned in slightly, his smirk growing "Your long haired goddess, Miss Rukia Takahara" Haruma shot an irritated look at Masaru, "Are you crazy?" he snapped. Masaru burst into laughter, "Ahhh come on don't lie to your buddy! I know how much you love long hair, and lately the way you've been eyeing Rukia, I'm pretty much sure that you love her." Looking forward, Haruma shut his eyes briefly as frustration crossed his face, "No, I don't love her," he said sharply. Masaru smirked, "Yes you do, you are just too scared to confess, so I did it on your behalf." he said casually. Haruma's eyes snapped open, slowly he turned again to Masaru, "What did you do?" he asked, his tone tensed. Masaru chuckles, "Look buddy, it's better to confess, even if she rejects you, then at least you won't have any regrets" Stunned, Haruma stared at him, "What are you even talking about? Rejection? Confession?" his anger growing Still smiling, Masaru met Haruma's glare, "I wrote a confession letter to her from your behalf, and put it in her locker." Haruma frozed mid-steps, his eyes wide in utter disbelief. Masaru also stopped, glancing at Haruma, "Come on, it's not a big deal Haruma, if she rejects you then it would be easy for you to mo-" A punch landed squarely on Masaru's face, stumbling back Masaru lost his balance and fell down on the ground. "Why the hell did you do that?" Haruma shouted furiously. Masaru stood up to his feet, wiping his dirt, "Haruma, I just wanted to help you" Haruma's frustration boiled over, "Helping me with what? I don't like her damnit!" he shouted. Masaru sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Stop lying to yourself Haruma," Consumed by anger, Haruma desperately started pacing around aimlessly, his mind racing. Masaru was looking at him with his own blank expression, "What are you thinking now?" he asked quietly. Haruma swiftly turned, looking at the route going back to the school, without any other thought he sprinted back towards the school. Masaru flinched, startled by the sudden movement, before rushing after him. "Hey! where are you going?" he called out, trying to catch up. "I believe she hasn't opened the locker yet," Haruma shouted, keeping his eyes ahead, "We will take that letter out before she sees it!" Masaru let out a small sigh of disappointment but kept running behind him. Together they both were sprinting back towards the school, their footsteps pounding against the pavement.