Chapter 72 - 404 6

Haruma returned the smile and shook her hand, "We were already friends." he replied. Maintaining her smile Rukia asked, "So as a friend, when and where can I see you again? since you won’t be here for the next whole year." Haruma with his smile in place replied, "You can accompany Masaru when he comes to visit me." Rukia gave a nod and said, "Alright then, let’s meet again soon." Both exchanging smiles, hands still clasped in a slow gentle shake. Separating their hands, Haruma said, "Alright bye, and I’ll take Masaru with me, I’ll drop him off at his house." Without saying a word Rukia gave her nod a warm smile playing on her face. Haruma returned the nod and turned walking towards Masaru. Making Masaru stand, he placed Masaru’s arm around his shoulder, supporting him to stand. He began walking towards the exit, waving at Rukia. Rukia waved back at her watching him leave with a big, warm smile... The sun was about to rise, Haruma packed his traveling bag and swung it on his shoulder, standing straight he gazed at his sports bag lying on the ground. With a determined gaze he grabbed his sports bag and stepped out of his room. Coming outside, Haruma saw his mother standing in the kitchen, packing a lunch box, her eyes had tears in them, and a warm smile playing on her lips. Upon seeing his mother, Haruma flashed a faint warm smile, he walked and stood at the doorway of the kitchen. "Mother." he called out softly. His mother quickly turned around wiping her tears, "Ooh Haruma, you are here." She quickly packed the lunchbox and stood before Haruma, handing him the box. Without missing a beat she spoke up, "This is your lunch box, I know it’s not enough and I also know you prefer to eat homemade food but you don’t worry I’ll visit every once a week and I’ll bring your favorite meal with me, and yeah" She quickly takes out some cash from her pocket and quickly placed it inside Haruma’s front pocket. "I know it isn’t much for a week but I’ll try to increase the amount from the next week, and have you packed your everything I hope you aren’t forgetting anything and-" Haruma pulled her in a warm hug, causing her words to freeze. There was a moment of eerie silence, before she burst into sobs, she hugged Haruma back, her loud sobs echoing in the air... Later on, Haruma and his mother then stepped out of the building and noticed Ryusei standing some distance, leaning on his car. Haruma smiled and walked towards him. Ryusei smiled, and stood straight watching him approaching. Closing in, they both shared a hug. Pulling back from the hug, Ryusei said, "I’m so proud, Haruma." Haruma smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Takanami," he said with gratitude. Maintaining his smile, he glanced over his mother, who still had tears in her eyes. "Miss Sumiko" Ryusei said in a soft tone, drawing her gaze, "Don’t worry... I’ll watch after Haruma, he’ll be fine." Haruma’s mother smiled faintly and gave him a slow nod. With a smile Ryusei opened the door gesturing them to step inside. With that Haruma’s mother settled on the backseat, and Haruma sat in front and Ryusei took the driving seat, driving the car away into the distance... Later on, Ryusei’s car came to a halt. Haruma, his mother and Ryusei then stepped out of the car, and saw Kento and his family already waiting outside with a car parked near them. Kento gaze landed on Haruma and he gave him a big wave. Haruma smiled back and began walking towards him. Closing in, both stood face to face with Kento firmly gripping both Haruma’s shoulders, "Are you ready?" he asked in an energetic tone. Haruma with a confident smile gave him a quick nod. Just then Ryusei and Haruma’s mother came from Haruma’s behind standing to his side. Ryusei extended a hand to Kento and said, "Hello, my name is Ryusei Takanami, his uncle and a family friend." Kento with a smile clasped and shook his hand, "My name is Kento Takayama, the coach of Japan U17 Football team."????????????????????????????????????????????????.???????????? "It’s a pleasure meeting you." Ryusei added with a sincere tone, before immersing in further chat with him. While Haruma was standing nearby with a smile. "Brother!" Mio’s voice echoed, immediately drawing Haruma’s attention, who saw Mio standing next to his father. Kneeling down to her, Haruma said, "Hey little princess, I hope you are coming to see your brother off." Mio’s expressions softened into sadness, "I wanted to, but I have school." Haruma smiled, "Yeah, you shouldn’t skip your school." Looking around he asked, "Where is your sister ayane?" "She’s in her room, studying." Mio replied, her demeanour still down. Haruma gently placed a hand on top her head, "Don’t be sad, you can visit me on weekends, and I’ll treat you with your favorite ice cream" Mio’s face brightened with a smile, "Thank you brother Haruma!" she said cheerfully, with a wide bright smile she said, "I definitely like brother Haruma more than the other brother." Haruma got slightly confused, "Other brother?" he asked, maintaining a puzzled smile. Mio turned around, glancing at a specific direction, Haruma followed her gaze and saw another boy standing near Kento’s car, his back on Haruma. Haruma, slightly puzzled, rose to his feets and walked towards him. The other boy remained motionless, his back still turned. Standing behind that boy, Haruma said, "Hey." his voice etched with slight confusion. Haruma seemed confused when Kento landed a firm hand on his shoulder and spoke up, "He’ll play as a Striker." Haruma’s eyes widened in disbelief, shooting a quick glance at Kento who was smiling with his eyes fixed on Minato. Kurogami stood with a straight face, unaffected by the news. Fixing his firm eyes on Kento, Minato asked, "Are you sure that he really can be a striker for our junior side?" He sounded serious. Kento nodded confidently, "Hundred percent sure." he declared with unwavering confidence. While Haruma kept his astonished gaze him Nodding in agreement Minato said, "Being scouted by Kento means that you both have some serious skills. But still I wanna test you both." Haruma and Kurogami kept his gaze on Minato, focusing on every word he was saying. "This ain’t any school tournament." Minato continues with a firm tone, "It’s a national tournament! The players from this tournament will go on and represent Japan on the world stage. So for that, I have to be sure that you really are worthy of playing on this big stage!" "I’m ready for any challenge!" Kurogami declared boldly. "Yeah me too!" Haruma chimed in with determined eyes. Kento being proud added, "Ofcourse, feel free to put them in any challenge, I’m sure these two will surpass your expectations!" Minato smiled and said, "Alright, you two have to compete against the best I got!" he gestures to his left. Haruma, Kurogami and Kento followed his direction and saw young players wearing Tokyo Wolves training jerseys, standing tall, gazing at them. Haruma and Kurogami were returning the stare with a determined, serious gaze. Minato with a smirk spoke up, "We’ll have a three on three match of forty five minutes, If you can beat them you’ll have your spot." Haruma with a determined gaze turned to Minato, "It’s on." He accepted with a determined tone. Kurogami smirked gazing at those players before shifting his gaze back to Minato, "Let’s begin this then." Minato with a confident smile calls out, "Raya, Subaru, Makoto!" Three players from Tokyo Wolves Juniors stepped forward. Trio seemed determined and focused, gazing at Haruma and Kurogami. Minato then shifted his gaze on the remaining Tokyo Wolves players and called out, "Any player willing to play from Haruma and Kurogami’s side, step forward." There was stillness from the gathered players of Tokyo wolves, no one was willing to join them. Haruma, Kurogami and Kento’s gaze were locked onto the team. Suddenly a hand rose up, "Can I join them?" A boy stepped forward, seeming younger than both Haruma and Kurogami, his short blonde hair was gently floating on his forehead, his smile bright and pure. Minato smiled, "Itsuki?" he muttered before giving him a nod of approval. Maintaining his pure smile, Itsuki walked, and stood on Haruma and Kurogami’s side. "You have ten minutes to strategize!" Minato said, "After ten minutes the game will begin!" Haruma and Kurogami locked Their determined gaze on their opposition, while Itsuki was gazing at them with a smile. Meanwhile the opposition, Raya, Subaru and Makoto were returning the stare with the same intensity of focus... Now Haruma, Kurogami and Itsuki were gathered together on the side of the field, with Haruma and Kurogami fixing their suspicious gaze on Itsuki who was looking back at them with a smile. "What?" Itsuki asked, maintaining his smile. Fixing his suspicious gaze, Kurogami spoke up, "Are you sure you’ll play fair with us by going against your friends?" Itsuki’s smile widened, "They aren’t my friends" he said, "This team was formed a week back, so I don’t personally know anyone, but yeah I can give you insight of their games."