Chapter 64: The Thrill Of First Win

Chapter 64: The Thrill Of First WinHaruma and the entire squad were still in the dressing changing into their casuals. "Woohooo!" Jiho screams out loud standing on his locker’s seat, drawing everyone’s attention. "For our first and many to come victories, let’s celebrate tonight!" he spoke out loud with unmatched energy. The entire squad erupted into cheers, exchanging nods and chatter to agree on the idea of celebration. "We should visit the beach! yeahhhh!" Itsuki screams out his idea. "Yeah definitely!" Itsuki echoed with the same energy, "Beach would be perfect, we’ll play football and volleyball too!" "I’m in!" Zora chimed in, "The beach with lots of beautiful ladies, sounds just great!" Nagisa sighed, "If we are going we better stay at least one night, so that i can sleep and relax" "And for a meal we better do barbeque." Kabuto spoke up in a low tone, "and then have a swim together as a duo, I’ll swim with Haruma." A mischievous smile playing on his face. "Then it’s finaaal! Tonight we are going to the beach!" Jiho screams out loud. "Guys hold on!" Raya intercepted them with a smile, "You guys are planning as if we won the tournament! I’m not saying we shouldn’t celebrate, but let’s take it easy, we can have a pizza party!" "You are boring Raya!" Itsuki spoke up with a pout. Raya turned to Kurogami who was focused on changing into casual, "Captain, what’s your thoughts on this." Kurogami turned to them, "Umm, yeah pizza party sounds good." Jiho’s, Itsuk’s and Izaya’s faces fall with pouts on their faces. Kurogami sighs, "Alright, if we win the tournament I’ll take you all to the beach on my expanses!" Everyone’s eyes lit up with pure excitement, Haruma and Raya were looking at Kurogami with genuine smiles. Kabuto’s face beaming with excitement, spoke up loud, "Cheers for captain," he shot his arm up "hip hip!" "Hurrah!" All echoed in loud unison. Kabuto again shot his arm up. "Hip Hip!" "Hurrah" All echoed again, igniting a smile on Kurogami’s face. Just when they were about to erupt in another wave, Raon entered the dressing room, immediately drawing all eyes. "Haruma, you have visitors," Raon said, looking at Haruma. Haruma, appearing slightly confused, asked, "But didn’t Minato sensei instructed us not to meet anyone after the game?" Raon smiles brightly, "He did" he said cheerfully, "But I think you should meet!" Haruma nodded, "Alright, I’m coming." he replied in a calm tone before walking towards the exit of the dressing room. While Raon stayed inside the Locker room having playful chats with players... Just as Haruma stepped out of the dressing room, his eyes began to widen. At the corridor of the stadium stood his mother and Takanami. His mother had tears in her eyes, and a faint smile of pride curving on Takanami’s lip. Haruma’s wide eyes remained locked on them, trying to speak but the word was stuck in his throat. Maintaining his smile, Takanami walks forward and pulls Haruma in a heartfelt hug, with Haruma remaining still in his embrace. Keeping him in his embrace, Takanami patted his back, "I’m proud of you Haruma! I’m really proud of you!" His voice was warm with pride. Haruma’s eyes began to well up with tears, as he remained still. Pulling back from the hug, Takanami patted his shoulder before stepping aside, giving him a clear path to his mother, who kept her tears-filled eyes on Haruma covering her mouth to muffle her sobs. Overwhelmed with emotions, Haruma hurriedly walks to her and takes her in a hug, his arms wrapped tightly around her. Her mother, overcome with emotions, couldn’t hold any longer as she broke into tears, Haruma’s tears continued to flow in silence as mother and son exchanged an emotional moment. Haruma and his mother were sitting on a bench side by side, while Takanami was standing nearby. Tears still filled in her eyes, shs gently cupped Haruma’s cheek, "I’m so proud of you." her voice shaking with emotions, "I can’t believe you actually made it, you did it." Haruma held her hand on his cheek, smiling warmly at her. Takanami standing nearby was watching the exchange with a smile. Just then Minato sensei along with Kento came to the scene, immediately drawing their attention. Haruma and his mother stood up, turning to them. With a smile Kento began, "It’s good to see you Miss Kusaka and Mr Takanami" Takanami nodded, shaking hands with him, "It’s nice to meet you too Mr Kento." Kento with a wide grin turned to Haruma, playfully punching his shoulder, "You little devil! you nailed it, I’m really proud of you!" Haruma, maintaining his smile, asked, "You were there in the stands?" Kento nodded with a bright cheerful demeanor. Minato with a sigh chimed in, "He didn’t let Japan Football to officially announce him as Japan U17 yet, so that he could enjoy watching every game from the stands." Haruma laughs softly, "You really enjoy football as a fan." he said, then turned to Minato sensei, "Sensei, she’s my mother and he’s our family friend Mr.Takanami." Takanami turned to Minato, shaking hands with him, "It’s nice meeting you, I hope Haruma doesn’t cause much trouble at the camp." Minato sensei smiles back, "Not at all, he’s a good kid and a star in making." Listening to this a bright smile appeared on both Haruma’s mother and Takanami’s face. "It’s good to listen to those words from you." Mr Takanami said before turning to Haruma, "Give your best Haruma, your journey has just started, go and win this entire thing." Haruma gave a confident nod to Takanami with a smile playing on his face. Takanami swept his gaze on both sensei’s and Haruma, speaking up, "Alright, we’ll get going now, let us know if I can help in any matter I can." Upon receiving nods from Kento and Minato, Takanami turned to Haruma’s mother waiting for her to lead the way. Haruma’s mother looks at Haruma one final time before leaving, her eyes getting teary again, "Take care and best of luck." Haruma with a smile gave her a nod, With that she turned and began walking away with Takanami trailing behind her. Minato sensei turned to Haruma, placing hand on his shoulder, "We shall get going now, the team must be waiting to depart." Haruma nods before turning around and walking back towards the dressing room, followed by Minato, walking next to him. However Kento remained standing, Minato turned to him, "Kento?" he called out gently Kento turned to him with a warm smile. "You go ahead, I’ll join you later" he said before walking in the direction from where Takanami and Haruma’s mother just left... Takanami and Haruma’s mother were walking through the corridors, when a voice called from behind, "Excuse me!" They quickly turned to spot Kento approaching them with a smile, watching Kento a flicker of confusion appeared on both of their faces. Coming to a stop before them, Kento spoke up, "I’m sorry for interrupting but, for a second can I talk to you Miss Kusaka?" His request caused Takanami’s brow to furrow in further confusion, "Is everything alright Mr.Kento?" he asked. Kento shook his hand dismissively, "Yeah sure, just wanted to ask something about Haruma, not anything serious, but private I guess." he smiles nervously. Both Takanami and Haruma’s mother were confused before they exchanged a look, and his mother gave a nod to Takanami. Takanami clears his throat before speaking up, "I’m waiting for you in the car." with that he walks away leaving her and Kento alone. Kento turned to her and smiled, "Miss, Kusaka, Haruma is a brilliant talent isn’t he?" Her mother appeared slightly nervous, "Umm, yeah he is." Kento smiles great watching her nervousness, "I mean it’s not regular for us to see such talented and skilled kids, he must be god-gifted." Sweat of nervousness began to form on her forehead, which she began to wipe. "It’s okay Miss.Kusaka i didn’t mean to make you nervous." He said maintaining a slight smile. "Haruma is a god-gifted isn’t he... or maybe the chosen one?" Haruma’s mother’s eyes snapped open in disbelief looking up at her with wide stunned eyes. Seeing her reaction Kento’s smile widened, "I mean he can be, since he has a mother who can see exactly what I saw at the All-School cup." Haruma’s mother kept her wide stunned eyes locked on him, appearing to be frozen in disbelief. "You saw it too, right?" Kento asked in a low tone, "The wings?" Haruma’s mother’s breaths get heavy, breathing heavily, wiping her sweats in hurried movements. Kento kept on smiling, "I guess you are getting very nervous Miss.Kusaka." his voice still low, "If you don’t mind, can I ask who you are, and where Haruma’s father is?" That question sent a wave of chills on Haruma’s mother’s body, her breaths heavy, as the tension between them grew thick and heavy, the silence kept on stretching between two.