Chapter 20: Hanaka High VS Kurogami

Chapter 20 - Hanaka High VS KurogamiWith a furious roar, Toru unleashed a powerful strike sending the ball hurtling towards the nets. But Kurogami, with unmatched agility dived into the air catching the ball mid-air. Toru let out a frustrated roar, glaring at Kurogami, who calmly rose to his feet and dismissively kicked the ball back into the play... Soon after, a winger of Hanaka skillfully dribbled past a defender and sent a low shot towards the net. But Kurogami once again at the perfect moment, deflecting the ball away from the nets. Toru watched Kurogami's another brilliant save with a frustrated look, before looking down, wiping sweat from his forehead... Another Hanaka player delivered a precise pass towards Toru who was positioning himself to receive it when suddenly, a defender stepped in blocking his sight. Gritting his teeths in frustration, Toru surged ahead, slipping his foot in front of that defender, receiving the ball with precise movement. Without missing a beat, Toru turned sharply and sprinted towards the nets once again, weaving through that defender. The Hanaka crowd's burst into cheers once again, their hopes rose once again. Among them, Rukia was watching intently, her anticipated gaze fixed on sprinting Toru. As Toru neared the nets he sharply fixed his eyes on Kurogami, who was staring back at him with a serious intensity. Continuing his sprint, Toru lightly tapped the ball up in the air before positioning himself for a powerful volley strike. Kurogami stood unfazed, slightly raising his arm to the sides, his stance firm and ready to embrace the shot head-on. With fierce determination burning in his eyes, Toru let out a furious roar and struck the ball with all his power he could muster, sending the ball hurtling towards the nets like a missile. The force of the kick left him collapsing on his knees, and as he immediately looked up... his eyes widened in disbelief, because... Kurogami was in the air once more, diving with fluid precision, his outstretched hand met the ball, deflecting it away from the nets, once more. With frustration consuming Toru, he began punching the ground again and again, his frustration boiling. Rukia slowly lowered her head, her eyes closing, as pain and worry was visible on her face. The crowds around her buzzed with tension, clearly frustrated. "What is Toru doing!" One of Rukia's female friends exclaimed, her voice tinged with anger. "How can you say anything to Toru!" Another of her friends shot back, her voice equally heated, "He's giving everything he's got! and we still got a lot to play. He'll definitely score, let's just support our hero!" Rukia lifted her head with a newfound determination, "She's right!" she declared, "Toru needs our support, and that's exactly what we're going to give him!" With a burst of confidence she rose to her feet and began clapping aloud, and soon her friends joined in, their energy rising, and one after another the Hanaka crowds followed suit, backing their Hero with loud cheers and applause. Still weighing down by frustration, Toru heard a wave of applause and chants. He lifted his head up and was surprised to see the sudden surge of encouragement from his side of crowds. Just then two hands gripped his both arms and lifted him to his feet. It was Shino and Masaru, their determined eyes locked ahead on Kurogami. Toru glanced at Shino and Masaru, who were standing on either side of him. Shino then began scanning the roaring crowds, Their cheers for Toru and Hanaka were echoing around him. Masaru began scanning the crowds too, a bright smile forming on his face, "I can't believe we made it this far!" He said, his voice gentle. Shino with a warm smile nodded, "Yeah," he said, then turned to Toru, "You are still, and always will be our hero!" Toru smiled, and slid his both arms around Shino and Masaru's shoulders, earning a loud cheer from the crowds. With a warm smile, Toru declared, "We are their Heroes!" Masaru and Shino were staring at Toru with a bit of surprise, taken aback by his words. "And together as one," Toru continued, "We have to tear down the empire this man has built." He looked ahead, locking his eyes on Kurogami, who stood tall before the nets, staring back at them with a serious, cold look. Toru, Shino and Masaru stood together side by side, with Toru's arms resting on both of their shoulders, their cold determined gazes locked on Kurogami, who was staring back at them with the same intensity... The game progressed, with the opposing team having the possession, passing among themselves, edging closer to the nets. One of the opposing players then sent a pass to his teammate, the ball sailed towards him when suddenly Nara came sliding in, intercepting the pass with a determined expression. Claiming the possession, Nara sent a long pass towards Shino, who leaped into the air and controlled the ball with his chest, letting the ball drop at his feet, noticing a few opposing players closing in on him. Desperation flashed across his face as he searched for an opening, Just then Masaru's voice rang out loud. Turning to Masaru's voice, Shino saw him in the open with no defenders near him. Without missing a beat Shino launched the ball long at him, who expertly collected it with ease. With the ball at his feets and fury in his eyes, Masaru charged at Kurogami from the left side, his pace relentless. Kurogami was staring at Masaru, who was charging at him with intense fury. With a deliberate motion, Kurogami slightly raised both his arms to the sides and slowly began walking towards the approaching Masaru, preparing for the inevitable clash. All eyes were locked on the imminent clash between Masaru and Kurogami, anticipation thick in the air. Haruma, Rukia, her friends, the coach, and the players on the bench, everyone was watching intently. With a furious roar Masaru swung his foot towards the ball, while Kurogami with sharp focus braced for the shot. In a flash, Masaru's foot reached the ball with incredible power but, instead of firing it directly at the nets, he calmly passed it to his right side of the nets, leaving everyone stunned. Haruma's eyes wide with disbelief. With slightly wide eyes, Kurogami watched the ball smoothly rolling towards the right side, from where Toru came in charging at the ball, facing the right open side of nets with Kurogami far on the left side. The crowds held its breaths, their eyes wide with anticipation. Toru, with his face set with immense focus, struck the ball with brute power, sending it flying towards the open right side of the nets. Opening his eyes with intense Determination, Kurogami quickly shifted to the right side and launched his leg at the ball, stretching his legs unbelievably wide... deflecting the ball just before it could cross the line, causing the ball to go soaring up into the air. The crowd was left in stunned silence, their jaws dropping in disbelief at the incredible save. Toru was frozen in his shooting stance, his face etched with frustration. Kurogami landed, sliding on the ground with one knee and one foot, his fist pressed into the ground, his face lowered in a menacing way. But just as the ball was in the air, Shino came charging forward, launching himself into the air, and with a furious roar, he met the ball with his head, sending it hurtling down towards the nets. Still on one knee, Kurogami slightly glanced back, over his shoulder and launched his body backwards, outstretching his arm, making a powerful tap that sent the ball flying back to the field. Just as the ball zipped past Toru and Shino, Masaru soared in from behind, striking the ball with all his might, sending it flying back towards the net once again. But in an instant Kurogami rose to his feet at a scary speed, positioning himself between the ball and the nets, catching it with both hands in mid-flight. The shockwave of the force rippled through the air. Masaru, Shino and Toru were staring at Kurogami with their eyes nearly popping out of disbelief.