Chapter 63: Where Dreams Begins

Chapter 63: Where Dreams BeginsThe final whistle rang out loud, marking the end of the game with Tokyo Wolves U17 clinching a 3-0 victory, all thanks to Haruma’s stunning hattrick. All the players on field erupted into cheers before beginning to rush over Haruma, patting on the back, ruffling his hair. While Haruma stood in the center of it all, smiling warmly soaking in the praises. The entire stadium began buzzing with cheer and applause. Kento stood with a big smile on his face, chanting Haruma’s name with unwavering energy. Mio with a radiant smile was still perched on his shoulder, happily echoing each chant. ’And with that we have the results as Tokyo Wolves U17 punched their ticket for the quarter finals of the tournament! what an electrifying game this has been!’ The commentator’s rang out, voices brimming with excited energy. Takanami, too, was on his feets applauding with a broad, proud smile stretched across his face. Besides him Haruma’s mother remained seated, her tears-filled eyes remained locked on the field, her hands gently covering her mouth, as silent tears kept flowing, overwhelmed by emotions. With a warm smile, Haruma began scanning the crowds soaking in the buzzing atmosphere. The stands were alive as everyone on their feets, some still chanting his name. The teammates were standing proudly behind Haruma applauding in unison. Just then, Haruma instinctively turned to his left to spot Kurogami approaching. He came to a stop in front him with a slight smile on his face as he extended his hand at Haruma. Returning the smile, Haruma clasped his hand in a loud, solid dape. Without any word, Kurogami pulled him into a firm hug patting his back in quiet appreciation. From the stands Toru was watching with a heavy silence, his face darkened with shadow, eyes unreadable. His friends next to him look visibly annoyed, turning their faces away from the scene, pretending not to care. But among them, Masaru and Rukia were on their feets, a bright smile adorning their faces, applauding out loud with their eyes locked on the scene. ’Truly remarkable, what a moment of pride, what a joy it must be for a young team to advance ahead in this tournament. A brilliant team performance, captaincy was spot on, and above all, what a display of absolute brilliance and talent this young rising star, Haruma Kusaka has shown! absolute gem!’ Breaking the hug, Kurogami with a smile began walking towards the dugout with his teammates trailing behind him. Haruma, standing back for a moment, waved at the roaring crowds, blowing them a kiss, drawing another loud wave of cheer. At the dugout Kurogami was welcomed by thunderous applause and cheers from the bench. The substitute players were on their feets clapping loud with joyous energy. Minato and Raon were standing among them, their faces lit up with pride. A burst of laughter echoed from the VIP box, coming from none other than Ameha who was still clapping, keeping her eyes on the field. Besides her, Shuya remained seated motionless, his face a mask of irritation, eyes burning with frustration. Between her laughter, she turned to Shuya with a sly grin, "What a game! What a win! for both Tokyo... and for me!" She said with a mocking tone. Shuya scuffed, "Tch, whatever! You only won ’cause that punk pulled off a surprise hat-trick! Seriously, what a pain... did he really have to play the game of his life today?" With a sly smirk, Ameha said, "What was his name again? Haruma Kusaka?" Shuya let out another sharp scoff, "I’m pretty sure this was the game of his lifetime, he won’t be pulling the same performance ever again!" Just then, Shuya’s phone rang, letting out a frustrated grunt. He yanked his phone out from his pocket and pressed it on his ear. After a moment of listening he began to bark orders with his voice still laced with frustration. Ameha, with a sly smirk took a slow sip from his wine, "Haruma Kusaka... I guess I’ll be putting more money on you." she thought to herself, her eyes remained glued on Haruma with growing interest. Down on the field, Haruma stepped on to the dugout where Minato sensei welcomed him with a warm smile. He pulled Haruma into a gentle embrace, patting his back with quiet pride before stepping aside. "Well played, Haruma! keep the momentum going!" He said in a calm, steady tone. With a smile Haruma gave him a nod, and just as he walked past Minato, he was met with Raon, who stood waiting with a wide beaming grin. Unable to hold back, Raon burst with joy, letting out a triumphant roar before wrapping his both arms around Haruma’s neck pulling him in a firm heartfelt hug. Haruma stood still in his embrace, a big smile stretching across his face. Pulling back from the hug, Raon ruffled his hair with both hands, before stepping aside to give him a way towards the tunnel. As Haruma walks past Raon, Shiori suddenly appears beside him, a big, bright smile on he face holding out a water bottle for him. Haruma with a smile accepts the water bottle, giving her a nod of gratitude before continuing on, disappearing into the tunnel. "Woww!" Rukia exclaimed, beaming with joy, "What a performance! a hattrick! hattrick on his debut!" Masaru, just as thrilled, spoke up, "This wasn’t surely the Haruma we knew! He really turned into a beast of a striker! I mean a hat-trick, and on his debut!" he let out an excited laugh. "Yeah so what!" Toru snapped with a low, irritated tone, before standing from his seat, "We should get going now!" Still grinning Masaru shrugged, "You guys can go ahead, but I’ll meet Haruma!" Rukia’s face glows with excitement, as she quickly turns to Masaru, "You really going to meet him? how?" Seeing her excitement only deepened Toru’s irritation, "Yeah right." he muttered "As if he’ll actually meet!" Masaru shot him a sharp look, "Yeah, he will!" He said firmly. "I’m his best friend! Of Course he’ll meet me!" "He will not!" Toru snapped back, his voice raising, "He must’ve forgotten about a friend who left him behind the moment he got selected for Hanaka High!" Masaru’s eyes snapped open, as the flashbacks from the past came rushing back when he began to ignore Haruma, that tackle he made to secure his own spot, it all came flooding back. One of Toru’s friends shot Masaru a look of complete disgust, "Yeah Toru’s right! you abandoned him the moment you got a spot! there’s no way he still sees you as a friend, he’ll ignore you just the way you did!" With his words trembling, Masaru began to mumble, almost to himself, "N-no I didn’t, he my friend he can’t forget me, we are friends." Watching Masaru’s shaken state, Rukia sharply turned to Toru, "What is your problem!" She snapped, "No one ever left Haruma behind! Masaru didn’t, it was just he got busy with the tournament!" Toru let out a quiet scoof, smirking as he looked away, shaking his head in dismissal. Rukia then turned to Masaru and with a soft tone, she said, "Haruma might forget us, but he will never forget you." Masaru remained motionless, a flicker of doubts crossing his face... The moment Haruma stepped into the dressing room, the entire squad erupted into thunderous applause, smiling and cheering out loud. Among them, Jiho grinning ear to ear, started banging rhythmically on the locker like a drum, quickly joined by Kabuto, Haru, Itsuki, and Izaya each adding to the wild chorus of the celebration, turning the room into a riot of joyous noises and excitement. Haruma with a big smile walked through it all with hands raised in a gesture of gratitude, soaking in the electric energy of the team’s celebrations. Just then, Minato stepped into the dressing room with Raon walking just behind him. Their presence instantly captured everyone’s attention. The applause and banging noises came to a halt, the room coming to a charged silence, yet the excited grins, muffled chuckles and electric excitement was hanging thick in the air. Minato with a slight smirk stood confidently between the center of them all, he began to look around at all the players, then in a calm yet demanding tone he said , "We are going in!" "Quarter Finals!" The entire squad along with Raon roared together aloud in unison, before breaking into uncontainable laughter, energy was buzzing from each corner as all the players were practically bouncing on their feets, unable to control their joy. The word, Quarter Final quickly turned into a rhythmic chant, echoing like a song, filling the dressing room with an electric buzz. Haruma was on his feets clapping along with the rhythm of chants. Off the side Kurogami remained seated, a soft faint smile curving at his lips, there was something painful in his eyes, as if something weighing beneath it, yet he clapped along with the rhythm.