Chapter 74 - 404 8

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. The boy slowly turned around to reveal himself. The Black Kallor, Kurogami Shikyo. Haruma’s eyes snapped open in disbelief, while Kurogami was shooting him a serious gaze. Both locked eyes, air around them heavy with tension. Chapter 36 "Tokyo Wolves" Haruma was standing staring at Kurogami with wide stunned eyes, while Kurogami was returning the gaze with a serious look. Silence was heavy between them. Just then Kento came from Haruma’s behind standing next to him casually placing a hand on his shoulder. "You both must know each other." Kento said with a smile. While Haruma and Kurogami kept staring at each other in silence. "Starting from today you both will be teammates" Kento continued, "I hope you both will get along and support each other throughout your careers." Silence remained heavy between Haruma and Kurogami, both eyes not letting go of each other. "Alright, let’s not delay any further," Kento said with a cheerful tone. "Get in the car, I’ll be right back" With that Kento walked back Into the house, leaving Haruma and Kurogami staring at each other, with Haruma’s still appearing perplexed. "Harumaaa!" A voice called out, causing Haruma to turn around and saw Ryusei standing with Haruma’s mother standing next. Ryusei then gestures to him to come over. Haruma walked and stood before Ryusei, extending a plastic bag towards him. Haruma glanced at the bag with confusion, before looking up to Ryusei, "What’s that?" he asked. With a smile Ryusei replied, "A small gift for you." Haruma smiled and was about to say something. "No" Ryusei interrupted him before he could say anything, "You can’t say no to this, we talked about it." Haruma smiled and took the bag with a faint smile. Maintaining his smile Ryusei gave him a warm hug, pulling back he said, "Best of luck, Haruma" Haruma returned the smile and gave him a nod, Then he slowly shifted his gaze to his mother who was standing in silence, tears welling up in her eyes. Haruma with a smile turned to his mother and envelopes her in a hug, who returned the hug, her silent sobs echoing in a hushed tone. Pulling back from the hug Haruma said, "Don’t worry mother, I’ll be back soon" The mother smiled and placed a comforting hand on his cheek, "Take care of yourself." Haruma flashed a smile, "You too, and I’ll be waiting for you on weekends." he said warmly. Minato was gazing at Kurogami with sharp firm eyes before giving him a slow nod, he then turned to Haruma. Haruma quickly stood straight, "M-My name is Haruma Kusaka, I’m seventeen years old and I was a Center Back for Hanaka High." Minato’s eyes narrowed, "Center Back?" he muttered. 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." "But why join us?" Haruma asked, seeming suspicious. Itsuki turned to him and said, "I just wanted to get noticed by Kento Sensei...He’s watching over this game, so I thought it might be my chance to get noticed by the coach of Japan U-17." Haruma and Kurogami slowly nodded in understanding. "Well, I guess, We’ll be good friends" Itsuki said, "My name is Itsuki Kato, from Mizuha High, and I serve as Center Mid, nice to meet you both." Slightly nodding, Kurogami turned to the opposing side, "All of them must be very skilled if they are picked by Minato Sensei." Haruma and Itsuki turned too, gazing at their opposing team. One of the players from them stood guiding the other two, his hair bright red with sharp facial features and an athletic build. "He’s Raya." Itsuki said, "He’s a striker, his game is just unbelievable, he is so calculated and perfect that sometimes it feels like he’s not even a human, and he’s probably going to be the captain of our side." Haruma and Kurogami were gazing at them with a serious look. With a smile Itsuki added, "Subaru is a goalkeeper and Makoto is a center back, both are amazing!" "Alright" Kurogami said, "I’ll make sure they don’t score, and you both make sure to score at least one, but score!" Haruma and Itsuki locked eyes with him, both seeming determined. Kurogami turned to Haruma and said, "Keep your eyes open" Haruma got slightly confused, gazing at him, who was returning him a serious gaze. Just then a whistle blew out, drawing their attention, and as Haruma turned to the whistle he saw Minato, Kento and the remaining players gathered on the sidelines. Raya stood ready with the ball under his foot, his entire posture exuding readiness to kickoff the game. Minato then brought the whistle up to his mouth and placed it between his lips, his gaze sweeping the players on field one last time before a sharp piercing blow echoed through the air, signalling the start. As the whistle echoed, Haruma quickly slid his foot in for the possession of the ball but Raya with perfect timing flicked the ball defetly to his side, dribbling past him in a blur. Just as Raya was about to charge forward, Haruma’s foot came sliding in from the left. With a burst of instinct Raya flicked the ball to his right, narrowly avoiding Haruma’s outstretched leg.