Chapter 60: Unshaken Will

Chapter 60: Unshaken WillHaruma was jogging steadily towards his position, stretching his legs on his way, his eyes calm and locked in focus. In the stands, Takanami on one side and Kento on the other side were nearly bouncing on their seats, shouting and cheering out loud. Mio held her cheering sign up high, chanting Haruma’s name over and over with pure joy and excitement. Masaru couldn’t hold still either, as he was on his feets too, a bright, radiating smile lighting up his face. "Come on Harumaaa! you’ve got this!" He shouted, his voice cutting through the roar of the crowds. Rukia was sitting quietly with a warm, faint smile tugging at her lips, until her gaze drifted instinctively towards the sidelines near the technical area where Mintao sensei, Raon and Shiori stood. Upon seeing Shiori, Rukia’s eyes widened, clearly surprised by Shiori’s presence there. Minato sensei stood composed and focused, hands tugged in his sweater jacket’s pocket. Besides him, Raon and Shiori stood, wearing Tokyo Wolves U17 traveling jackets. The opposing striker stood tall on the ball, his stance firm and confident, his teammates appearing focused and ready to kick off. Across the stadium Haruma stood tall in his position, keeping his eyes locked on the ball. Nagisa, in his position, crouched down slightly, muscle coiled ready to sprang in action. Keeping their eyes on the ball, Jiho and Izaya appeared eager for the whistle to blow out. Itsuki and Zora’s eyes were sharp and unblinking, radiating their intense focus. Kurogami stood firm in front of the nets, before slightly crouching down, side raising his arms, slightly crouching down, ready and alert. Meanwhile, Haruma appeared focused, instinctively looking upwards at the crowds when suddenly his gaze found Mr.Takanami and next to him was his mother. His eyes begining to open wider, his breath catching in his throat. Takanami’s eyes widened as he hurriedly spoke up, "Miss Sumiko! Haruma! Haruma is looking at us!" His mother’s eyes snapped open, quickly looking at the field to meet her son’s gaze. She quickly wipes her tears off, replacing with a warm, proud smile, as her eyes remained locked on Haruma who was helding her gaze with slightly wide eyes. Just then a sharp whistle from the referee echoed across the field, causing the Fukuoka striker to kick off the game by nudging the ball to his teammate who began moving forward with the ball. Jiho Izaya and Itsuki sprang forward exploding into a sprint. The crowds roared to life, the atmosphere instantly got charged with energy. Haruma, however, was standing still, eyes still locked on his mother, for him the roaring atmosphere faded into silence... until sharp, chaotic anonymous sounds flooded in his mind like a storm. Having the ball, the opposing player was cautiously moving forward, eyes scanning for openings, when suddenly Izaya appeared in front of him, eyes sharply focused on the ball. Sensing the danger, the Fukuoka player quickly pulled the ball back with himself before firing a crisp pass to his teammate who one touched it towards another and another burst forward into a full sprint towards the nets. From the dugout Minato sensei shouted out commands to his players, as he directed them to close in, as that Fukuoka winger was dangerously moving forward. On the pitch Haru and Makoto broke into a hot pursuit of that Fukuoka winger, who kept on moving forward but just as Haru and Makoto near him, the winger applied a sudden break on his sprint, catching Haru and Makoto off guard forcing them to slightly stumble on their full sprint. Seizing the opportunity, that Fukuoka winger scanned the field before sending a long pass across the field towards the other winger who effortlessly collectes the ball. "Fuck! how are they moving so fast!" Jiho cursed under his breath, his face etched with frustration. The moment the other winger took control of the ball, Zora came charging with full force, slamming his shoulder on to his. But that winger reacted instantly, as he gracefully spun the ball and himself around Zora slipping past his defense effortlessly, having a clear chance at the goal. The commentators sprang to their feets, the crowds collectively held their breaths. Shuya, with a bright smile, jumped to his feets. Nagisa Jiho and Izaya’s eyes snapped open in alarm. The Fukuoka winger swung his foot and struck the ball with a sharp thud. Just as the ball was about to take flight, a foot crashed in, blocking the shot cleanly. It was Kabuto blocking the shot with a wide maniac grin stretched across his face. Raon let out a big roar of cheer, pumping his fist in the air, followed by Shiori’s energetic applause beside him. Minato sensei exhaled deeply in relief. The ball flew high up in the air, with a Fukuoka player rushing in, leaping up to claim it. But, in a blink of motion, Nagisa with deadly speed came charging in launching himself higher than that Fukuoka player. With perfect timing, Nagisa meets the ball in mid-air with a perfect header, sending it away. The ball dropped cleanly at Izaya’s foot, when suddenly a Fukuoka player came sliding his feet in for a tackle. But Izaya with his eyes wide, tongue between his lips, dribbles the ball past that player before exploding into a sprint towards the opposing goal. The crowds erupted into cheers with buzzing energy, Kento bouncing on his feets, roaring out loud. Cheers filled the air as Izaya was charging towards the nets. Two defenders were closing in fast, flanking Izaya. But, Izaya unfazed let them close in before sliding a slick pass behind him without even looking, where Itsuki was already there who collected and without wasting any second, he fired it towards Jiho, who immediately directed it sharply straight to Haruma. As the ball travelled towards Haruma, Masaru’s eyes widened in excitement, Rukia shot up from her seat, heart pounding, followed by Toru and his friends, all of them frozen, eyes locked on Haruma. Takanami’s jaw was clenched tightly, eyes firmly locked on the ball approaching Haruma. Back on the field, Raya began moving, positioning himself near the nets, before calling Haruma’s name out loud. Haruma, who seemed to be in a brief daze, suddenly snapped himself out, working on his instincts he gracefully collected the ball at his feet. But before he could even think, a Fukuoka defender came sliding hard, taking out Haruma’s legs causing the ball to pop up from the impact, hovering in mid-air, while Haruma crashed hard on the floor. Rushing at the ball Jiho came charging leaping up to direct it towards Raya, but another Fukuoka defender came leaping into the air, colliding with Jiho mid-air. The clash causes Jiho to lose his balance, while the defender managed to head the ball away, clearing it out of the play. Jiho crashed on the ground, slamming his fist down with a furious, "Fuck!" Just a few feet away Haruma was lying on the ground, holding his ankle, his face twisted in a mix of pain and frustration. From the dugout, Shiori’s eyes went wide with alarm, instinctively taking a few worried steps forward, her hand raised slightly as if trying to reach Haruma. Minato sensei and Raon immediately came to the edge of the dugout, waving their hands hurriedly calling out for the referee and medics. Haruma’s mother closed her eyes, lowering her head as a deep ache filled her heart. Besides her, Takanami let out a quiet sigh, and began clapping gently in Haruma’s support. Rukia’s face fell, her heart sinking. Masaru beside her, wrapped his arms around her head, overwhelmed with disappointment. Meanwhile Toru and his friends brust in cruel, uncontainable mocking laughter. Up in the VIP box Shuya fell back on his seat, laughing out loud with unfiltered delight, while Ameha sat, staring at Haruma with growing irritation, her expressions dark with frustration. Still on Kento’s shoulder, Mio appeared slightly concerned looking down at her father, "Dad, is brother okay?" she asked softly. Kento looks up at her with a warm smile, "He’s okay, don’t worry he will get back up, we just have to keep cheering for him." Hearing her father’s words, Mio’s face lit up a bright smile as she gave him a nod, and continued chanting out Haruma’s name. Back at Kento’s residence, Ayane watched Haruma’s fall with a straight uninterested face, she slightly scoffed, "Loser!" she muttered before turning her attention back to her book. Back on the field, Jiho angrily sprang to his feets storming towards fallen Haruma. Between his laugh, Toru said, "Ooh look at that, he’s about to get chewed out by his own teammate!" Jiho came and crouched down, hooking Haruma’s arms under his shoulder, holding him up, "You alright man?" his voice was laced with worry. Haruma, taking a heavy breath nodded in agreement. Jiho patted his chest and asked for a water bottle for Haruma. One of Toru’s friends scoffed, "Looks like Haruma has managed to make a few friends out there." Another chuckled, "Yeah for sure, my bet on Haruma’s getting subbed off before the half time is still on!" With that, They all resumed their mocking laughter. "Guys!" Rukia cuts in firmly, her voice slicing through their laughter, "Can’t we just support our friend!" "Rukia!" Toru chimed in with a firm tone, "We’re here to support the team, not just an individual. If Haruma isn’t compatible with the team then we have every right to boo him and demand his substitution!" Rukia stared back at him with her brow slightly furrowed in a mix of confusion and frustration, "But aren’t we supposed to back our players, and Haruma is not just a player he’s our friend!" Toru didn’t respond, staring back at Rukia with jaw clenched tightly, keeping his furious gaze firmly on her, clearly fuming. Meanwhile Masaru, appearing concerned, sat quietly, looking at the field where Haruma was on his knees, gulping down water, with his teammates surrounding him. Shuya kept on laughing before reining in it, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, "Sorry to say, but this is the team your father put his money on?" With a mischievous smirk she leaned on her and whispered, "But who cares about the money anymore, you better start getting ready...For me!" Ameha’s jaw tightened, her eyes sharp as steel seeming pissed, her grip on her whine’s glass tightening. Just then their tense moment was cut off with a blow of whistle, as the referee signalled a corner kick to Tokyo Wolves U17. The ball was now set on the corner, with Nagisa standing over it, calmly scanning his teammates positioned near the box. Taking a breath, Nagisa stepped back before jogging forward and launching a curling cross inside the box. All the players leaped up high in a chaotic clash for the ball, but It was Itsuki who connected the ball with a header sending it towards the nets. But the goalkeeper dove with a sharp reflex, blocking Itsuki’s header, but the ball remained dangerously close to the nets. Jiho with a fierce roar came rushing towards the loose ball, but a couple of Fukuoka defenders came crashing their bodies on Jiho to restrain him. But Jiho, gritting his teeths, fought through the pressure and fired the ball at the nets. But again, with incredible reflexes the goalkeeper deflected it again, parrying the ball hard back to the play, causing Jiho’s eyes to widen in frustration. The ball went past everyone, rolling aimlessly across the edge of the box. For a split second, time seemed to freeze. Then came Haruma, charging in at the ball with fierce determination burning in his eyes. He swung his foot with a ferocious force, striking the ball echoing like a gunshot, rocketing the ball back towards the nets which cut past all the players slamming inside the top right corner of the nets. Jiho, Nagisa, Izaya, Raya, Itsuki, Raon, Shiori, Masaru, Toru and Rukia all were left in complete shock, eyes wide, bodies frozen in utter disbelief. The entire stadium fell into a heavy, breathless silence.