Chapter 4: My Last Chance

Chapter 4 - My Last Chance"If I play well, I can get my place in the starting eleven... this is my last chance!" Haruma's expressions tighten with intense focus... Back in school, Haruma sat at his desk, staring blankly ahead, lost in his thoughts, The classroom was buzzing with chatters and laughter, as students freely moved around the class in the absence of a teacher. "Our team formation only allows one striker!" Haruma thought to himself, "Toru is a striker, and if I want to play I have to perform better than him." Closing his eyes, Haruma took a deep breath, steadying himself. Just then a group of girls standing near Haruma, chatted excitedly. One of them with her voice brimming with enthusiasm said, "Did you hear about today's match? It's between Toru eleven and Shino eleven!" Another grinned back and chimed in, "Yeah! And the best players will secure their spot in the starting eleven for the All-School-Cup, and there is no doubt that Toru will score a hatrick and seal his spot for the All-School Cup" Their conversation reached Haruma's ear, he slowly opened his eyes, a hint of sadness visible across his face. Just then, Rukia entered the classroom, her presence instantly drawing Haruma's attention, her eyes met with Haruma's almost instantly. And for a brief moment both stared at each other, both wide eyed and frozen in place. Rukia lowered her gaze and quietly took her seat, while Haruma also dropped his gaze, seeming embarrassed. That group of girls who had been chatting earlier quickly gathered around Rukia. "Hey Rukia! Did you hear about today's match between Toru eleven and Shino eleven." One of them asked excitedly. Rukia smiles warmly and nodded, "Yes of course, I believe it's going to be a great game" "Are you planning to watch it?" another girl asked eagerly. The question immediately caught Haruma's attention, who remained sitting still at his desk, but his ears tuned to every word. Maintaining her warm smile Rukia replied, "Yes, I'll be there." Haruma's eyes widened in realization, "This is the first time she will see me playing in an actual match!" he thought to himself, "And It will be my first time actually playing in front of my entire school." Closing his eyes he took a deep breath, but his heart kept pounding loudly, refusing to calm... As the final school bell rang, The football field of Hanaka High School buzzed with activity. Players scattered across the field each immersed in their preparation, some practicing drills, some stretching or jogging, warming up in their own ways. The crowds of the students began to gather, filling the stands with chatters and anticipation. The atmosphere around the field was filled with energy. Off the side, Haruma stood alone, juggling the ball with laser focus, his eyes never leaving the ball, and only one sentence was echoing in his mind over and over. "This is my last chance!" "This is my last chance!" "My last chance!" Drenched in sweat, Haruma remained intensely focused, juggling the ball with precision, when suddenly the coach blew the whistle, signaling the players to gather. All the players quickly assembled in a line, their faces etched with determination and anticipation. The coach Kenta stood facing the players with both captains, Toru and Shino standing on either side. "The match will start in an hour" The coach announced, his voice firm, "Now I'll let Shino and Toru decide their teams, Shino you are picking first." Shino gave a confident nod and said, "I'll take Shika as Center Back" With a proud smile Shika stepped forward and stood next to Shino. "Nara, you're my Center Mid," Toru announced confidently. With a focused expression Nara gave a firm nod and stood next to Toru. The picking of the players continued, and at one moment Toru called out, "Masaru you're my Left Mid." The selection continued, with Haruma standing silently, his head lowered, eyes closed, each pick raising his anticipation and heartbeat. "I'll go with Haruma as my Striker," Shino announced firmly. Haruma's eyes snapped open, his head lifting up to meet Shino's gaze who was looking back at him with a serious look. Quickly nodding with determination Haruma stepped forward and stood next to Shino, joining his team. Now the both teams were finalized, each side was now standing in a circle strategizing for the game ahead. "Our game plan is simple," Shino began, his tone serious and commanding, "We will defend in both halves, yes we will switch our gears in the last fifteen minutes of the game, in those last minutes we will play aggressive and relentless, attacking with everything we've got." The players around him nodded, their attention fully locked on Shino. "As you all know Toru is an unbelievably skilled striker," Shino continued, his tone steady. "If we give him a little space he'll score, that's why I picked two best Center Backs we had... We have to give our everything to stop Toru... Even if he manages to score one or two, our plan won't change, we will keep defending." "Shino!" a player calls out, drawing everyone's attention, "But what if Toru scored three or more goals? Do you really think we can catch up to that in the last few minutes? you must know we have weak attacking." The two wingers lowered their heads, their faces clouded with doubts, while Haruma stood tall, his determination unwavering. "Don't worry" Shino reassured them "I'll be there at the Center Attacking Mid." Turning to Haruma, Shino added, "Haruma, at the beginning I'll play safe and try giving you the easiest assist I can, so try scoring, not much, one would be enough, but in the last minutes I'll go berserk in the passings, I know you can't score long range, so try to stay near the nets all the time, got it?" Seeming determined, Haruma nodded in agreement. Shino flashed a smile and said, "Good, now everyone be really careful with the passes, and don't give Toru even a little space!" The team nodded in unison, with a renewed energy they dove into their practice. Haruma stretched his body, seeming both confident and nervous. His gaze shifted forward where he saw Toru practicing in the distance. His shooting power, techniques were really scary, making Haruma's stomach tighten, his breaths came quick and laboured, anxiety creeping him over as kept staring at his competition Toru practicing... Inside the dressing room, Haruma and his team were geared up, wearing an additional blue substitute shirt, ready to step on the field. Shino stood at the front and scanned his team with a confident look. "Alright, everyone lets give our best out there!" Shino urged, his voice full of energy. In response, the entire team screamed "Yeaah!" in unison. With a confident nod Shino led the team onto the field, Haruma taking a deep breath, followed, his nerves raced as he stepped on the grass. Stepping into the field, Haruma looked around and the sight of packed stands hit him hard. Almost every student from their school had come to watch. The sight made Haruma's heart beat like a drum Shino and his side gathered together, starting to stretch their bodies. When suddenly, all of their gazes fell on the other side of the field from where Toru's eleven led by Toru himself entered the field. The atmosphere instantly got charged. All the students erupted in loud cheers welcoming Tour's side. Toru, radiating nothing but immense confidence, standing tall, he began warming up without any hint of nervousness, his presence commanding attention. Haruma was watching him with wide, stunned eyes. Then suddenly a hush silence fell over the crowd enveloping the field into complete silence. A player from Shino's side smiled, "Ooh here it comes!" excitement was clear in his voice. "To-ruuu!" The crowd voice rises in unison before falling silent for a brief moment, the air thick with anticipation. "To-ruu!" Once again the chant burst forth, echoing louder than before, only to fade in silence again. "To-ruu!" The loud chant once again shattered the quiet, before falling into silence once again. The chants repeated rhythmically, each one more powerful than the last. Entire football field was echoing with Toru's chants, sending a wave of goosebumps down the spine to every single player in the field. One of Shino's players remarked, "Damn! this is one heck of a chant, never fails to give goosebumps!" Shino smiled, and added, "Yeah, there's no doubt that Toru is one of the best and most loved players among us." Haruma was in silence, gazing at Toru, who was doing his stretching with a confident grin, his name chant's echoing all around the field. Haruma's eyes scanned the crowds, feeling the energy of their cheers for Toru. His gaze then landed on Rukia whose smile and eyes were solely on Toru, chanting his name with the same intensity and excitement as the rest of the students. As Haruma turned back to Toru, he leaped up high, stretching his legs, before landing effortlessly on the ground, standing tall, radiating an aura of confidence. A bead of sweat trickled down Haruma's forehead, as he gazed at Toru with visible fear in his eyes. "I can't compete against this guy! I'm just no way near his level!"