Chapter 65: Pizza Treat

Haruma’s mother was now standing with her gaze lowered, while standing in the distance looking at her with a serious face. Kento then nodded, "Alright, It’s a big thing, a big news you can say, I hope it won’t cause problems in Haruma’s career." Haruma’s mother nodded, "I would appreciate it if you don’t tell this to anyone, not even to Haruma that I’ve told you everything." Kento nodded with understanding, "Don’t worry miss.kusaka, I’ll keep it a secret, and you should leave now Mr.Takanami must be waiting." She nodded before turning and walking away, Kento watched her go before taking a sigh, running his hand on her forehead appearing to be worried, he too, then turned and walked away... At the backside of the stadium, there was a travelling bus standing ready to take players back to the academy. A few crowds were gathered with Masaru, Rukia, Toru and his friends were among them. A few security guards were standing before the gathered crowds. Just then Kurogami dressed in a travelling jersey came out of the stadium walking towards the bus. A wave of chatter and murmurs spread among the gathered crowds, watching Kurogami approaching the bus. After Kurogami, Jiho then Rei, Zora, Nagisa everyone began approaching the bus carrying traveling bags. Masaru kept his eyes locked on them, eagerly waiting for Haruma. Rukia next to him appeared nervous, eyes on the players. As Masaru, Rukia and Toru were keeping their eyes, Haruma came out of the stadium, his gaze lowered, wearing his traveling hoodie with hood over his head, carrying his bags. Upon seeing Haruma, Masaru clenched his teeth and moved toward her only for a guard to intercept holding him back. Keeping his eyes on Haruma, Masaru shot his arm up, letting out a big call of, "Harumaaaa!" Haruma kept his head lowered walking towards the bus. Masaru’s eyes snapped open in disbelief, "Harumaaaa!" he called out again and again, trying to break free from the guards hold and ran at him. However Haruma kept his head lowered, ignoring his existence before stepping inside the bus. The raised hand of Masaru fell, his eyes darkened with shadows of sadness. Rukia was stunned and watched the entire scene with wide eyes. Toru scoffed, "Hnh! friends!" he said in a mocking tone. Masaru kept his head lowered before turning around and walking away aimlessly. Rukia watched him with concern and sorrow visible in her eyes... Inside the bus, Haruma went and took a seat next to Itsuki before removing his hood over his head and removing the headphones he was wearing under the hood. Itsuki, appearing excited, said, "I can’t wait for the quarter finals! which team do you think we would be facing?" Haruma smiles, "I have no idea." he replied, "But yeah, I also can’t wait to play the quarter finals!" Itsuki nodded, "And I’m also excited about tonight’s match! I’m predicting it’s gonna be a thriller!" Haruma nodded, "We will watch the match, who knows maybe we get to face one of the teams in future." Itsuki nodded, as the two continued their chatter, when the bus moved forward began the way back to their academy... As they got back to their academy all the players were lined up outside the academy with Minato and Raon standing before them. The players looked exhausted, still dressed in their traveling jerseys having their bag, making it clear that they just returned after the match. Minato sensei with a commanding tone began, "Alright everyone, no doubt it was a good match but don’t get carried away, once this stage of the tournament ends we’ll be playing the quarter finals." He paused scanning the players before a warm smile appeared on his face. "But, since it’s your first victory you all will have a tomorrow’s day off, no training, rest up." A wave of smiles appeared on everyone’s faces, appearing delighted and thrilled to have a day off. Minato with a smile spoke up, "And." Everyone turned their attention back to Minato sensei who continued, "Mr.Kento has asked you all to watch tonight’s game, he said it’s a must watch, so don’t forget." All the players gave nods to Minato sensei before Jiho with an energetic tone spoke up, "Sensei! we all are having a late night pizza party tonight, it would be great if you and Raon can join." Raon’s face lit up with excitement, "Wooh! A pizza party sounds fun!" Minato sensei turned to Raon, shooting him a serious look, which quickly eased his excitement. Minato sensei turned back to Jiho, "Thanks for the invitation, but Jiho and I have to attend a meeting tomorrow morning so it’s important we sleep early." Raya nodded, "And we promise we won’t stay up all night, we’ll sleep when tonight’s game will end." Minato sensei returned the nod, "That’s good! enjoy you all." With that he and Raon walked away, and all the players erupted into cheers once again, unable to control the thrill of having a day off... At night, a loud roar of excitement echoed as all players were now gathered in a room, with delicious pizzas on the desk. Izaya, Jiho and Rei with smiles were distributing the slices to each player who all were settled on the couches a big screen before them where the live broadcast of the match was playing. Izaya gave the pizza to Haruma who accepted it with a smile. Izaya took a bite, and in an instant his eyes lit with pure delight, "Mmm, It’s delicious!" he began crying dramatically. Jiho then took the bite, his eyes shining with the same delight as Izaya, "It’s delicious, thank you captain!" he began crying too. Kurogami took the bite looking at them with his brow furrowed, "Thanks." he said watching both of them crying dramatically. Nagisa sat next to Haruma, taking a bite, "Damn, it’s really delicious." he said, clearly surprised by the taste. Haruma, chewing the pizza, nodded in agreement, "Absolutely, it’s been long since I ate this good pizza." Kabuto next to Haruma smiles and slightly leaned on him, "You really like pizza don’t you?" Haruma focused on his pizza, nodded, "I mean yeah, this pizza is really the best I’ve ever eaten." Raya sitting nearby turned to Kurogami, "Where did you order it from?" he asked in a casual tone. Kurogami, eating it like a normal pizza, turned to Raya, "It’s near my apartment, I always order this from there." Haru, eating the pizza, casually asked, "By the way, is today’s match anything special that Kento sensei himself asked us to watch it?" "Naah!" Kabuto spoke up, "He probably wants us to watch every game, so we would be prepared for every challenge." Rei quickly pointed at the screen, "Look! the game is about to begin!" All the eyes turned to the screen watching the stadium buzzing with excitement. Taking a bite from pizza, Subaru said, "Mm, there isn’t as much crowd as our match had." Nodding in agreement, Zora spoke up, "Ofcourse, we were the home team." All the players began to step into the field with every room in the room fixed on them. As one team was emerging out from the tunnel, a foot stepped out of the tunnel and as he came out Haruma’s eyes began to widen. It was the same striker from Kurogami’s All-School cup. The striker who split opened Haruma’s chin. Haruma’s eyes were widened, locked on the player who stepped onto the field with a big smirk. Flashbacks from the past, where the striker was toying with Hanaka high’s defenders mocking them, landing that rough kick at Haruma’s which split opened his chin. As Haruma was still in shock, after that striker, The destroyer Kazutora Inuzaka stepped onto the field. Haruma’s eyes widened even further watching him taking the field with the same look, same intensity and same aim. The flashbacks from the past where Kazutora single handedly destroyed Masaru, flooded in Haruma’s mind. The tackles from Kazutora, the way he was destroying Masaru’s every try, making him fall again and again was repeating in Haruma’s mind like a loop. Haruma slowly turned to Kurogami who’s sharp, and slightly narrowed eyes were locked on the screen too, it was clear he recognized both of them. Kurogami locked eyes on screen, slowly turned to Haruma, now both exchanging looks, with Haruma appearing to be taken back surely wasn’t expecting them to be here. While Kurogami was looking at him with a firm serious face. Haruma and Kurogami then in unison turned their faces back on screen, watching both that striker and Kazutora standing side by side walking towards their positions. A realization dawned on Haruma that why Kento asked them to watch today’s match. Taking his position, The striker on the field began stretch his legs, a wide maniac smirk playing on his face While Kazutora Inuzaka took his position, standing tall and firm, his posture was nothing but just an unbreakable wall looming over the field, his eyes were filled with both calm and intense focus.