Chapter 76 - 404 10

A loud voice called out, breaking the silence. It was Masaru who was walking inside the park, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a hint of confusion. "Harumaaaa!" He called again, his voice echoing as he continued his search for Haruma. Walking a bit further, his gaze landed on a wall ahead where Haruma used to train, seeing the wall caused him to freeze in his steps, his eyes opened wide in utter disbelief. The wall ahead was covered with multiple crushed spots, each spot a sign of sheer force. Masaru stood frozen, staring at the wall with complete disbelief. "How... How did this happen?" he wondered, his mind racing as he was trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Suddenly, a thought hit him like lightning. "Haruma?" he thought to himself, his eyes widened with astonishment... Masaru was now sprinting down the road, his expressions still etched with disbelief, his breathing heavy and uneven. "It can’t be," he muttered to himself, while running. "But if not him... then who?" his expressions hardened, confusion mingling with shock. "That’s the spot where Haruma trains every night! I’ve never seen such brutality or power before! How can he generate such power!" Masaru, driven by urgency, quickly entered the football field of Hanaka High School, where all the players were already immersed in practicing under the supervision of Coach Kenta who was standing on the sidelines. Masaru’s eyes desperately scanned all the players but Haruma was nowhere to be found. He then quickly ran and stood behind Coach Kenta calling out his name in a rush. Coach Kenta turned around to find Masaru bending down holding his knees, gasping for air. "Masaru?" Kenta called out with confusion. Standing straight, Masaru managed to ask, "W-where... is Ha-ruma?" His breaths still laboured. Kenta frowned slightly, then pointed towards the far end of the field "He’s over there bringing water for the team" Masaru followed the direction of his gesture, and saw Haruma jogging towards his gathered teammates. He was carrying a tray of water bottles in both hands and towels were draped over his shoulder, his demeanour calm and collected. Masaru watched Haruma with a bit of sadness, as Haruma quickly stood among his teammates, silently distributing water bottles and towels, his expression focused and serious. Coach Kenta’s firm voice breaks through Masaru’s thoughts, "Masaru! go and join the training! you’re already late!" Snapping to attention, Masaru quickly straightened and gave a respectful bow before rushing onto the field to join the practice... A group of girls, including Rukia, were sitting in the stands, watching the team practice. "Ahh Rukia, don’t mind, but Toru is incredible!" One of the girls remarked with a cheerful smile. Rukia returned the smile warmly and nodded, "He sure is" she agreed. "So Rukia," Another girl chimed in with clear excitement, "When are you two planning to get married?" Rukia’s cheeks flushed a deep pink, "What? noo... no!" she stammered, her voice flustered and hurried, "We haven’t planned it yet, and right now he is focusing on his football career." All the girls smile teasingly at Rukia, "Oh come on, we know Toru is planning to reveal his relationship with you very soon." Rukia’s cheeks grew more redder, her embarrassment growing. Another girl chimed in, "Yeah, Toru’s friend is my boyfriend and that dork accidentally spilled that Toru is planning to propose to you in front of the entire school!" Rukia’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing even deeper. "Yeah, right." the third girl added with a dramatic flair, "And I guess he will do it after winning the Trophy of All-School Cup! How romantic it’s going to be." All the girl’s burst into giggles, while Rukia’s struggle to hide her flustered face, keeping her gaze lowered, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. "Yeah, just imagine the scenes" Another girl chimed it with her eyes sparkling with excitement, "Toru, holding our school’s first All School Cup Trophy, then proposing the most beautiful girl of our school! Ah, a perfect couple, a perfect love story!" she sighed dreamily. All the girls erupted into laughter teasing Rukia who couldn’t help but blush. Amid the laughter... One of the girl’s gaze instinctively landed on the field and with a sudden burst of excitement she said, "Oh look! They are practicing long free kicks." All the girls’ eyes turned to the field, where all the players were in position for a free kick. Shino was about to take the free kick, and all the other players were ahead inside the box, seeming ready for the kick. Coach Kenta firmly declares, "You just have three minutes, All the attackers try to score, and defenders try to defend!" with that he blows the whistle. At some distance, on the corner of the road they saw Toru with his four male friends, along with Rukia and her three female friends were gathered, laughing and chatting, enjoying each other’s company. Masaru stared at them with wide eyes, while Haruma looked on with blank expressions. "Lets go Masaru." Haruma said, beginning to walk away, but Toru caught their sight, quickly raising his hand, he shouted, "Heyy! Masaru, Harumaaa!" Haruma and Masaru turned to see Toru smiling and waving at them, gesturing to them to come over. Toru’s friends’ gazes were locked on them, While Rukia was looking down, clearly uncomfortable. "Let’s go, he’s calling!" Masaru said and started walking towards them. Haruma let out a disappointed sigh and followed behind. Masaru with a wide smile came and stood before the group. "Hey Captain" he said cheerfully. Haruma silently came and stood behind Masaru, his expressions blank. With a wide smile, Toru said, "I hope I’m not disturbing you, you both must be busy or going somewhere important." Returning the smile Masaru replied, "No captain, we’re not busy, and we weren’t going to anywhere important" Toru’s smile grew even brighter, "That’s great! if you both aren’t busy then why not join us for a drink?" Masaru, matching Toru’s smile and demeanor, replied, "Alright captain!" A silence settled over the scene with both Toru and Masaru exchanging bright smiles. The moment hanging in the air. Toru’s friend first looked at Toru then to Masaru, confused by their odd exchange of words, while Haruma remained silent, his expressions blank. Radiating with a smile, Toru said, "Brilliant! then let’s get going" as he started to walk. "No Toru." Haruma interrupted calmly "Thank you, but we will be heading home now." Toru’s smile faded, replaced with a look of sadness, "Ooh, but it will be fun." Masaru quickly turned to Haruma, "Yes Haruma, sometimes having fun with friends is fine!" his tone low yet firm "Yeah come on, join us!" Toru urged with a smile. Haruma’s eyes shifted to Rukia who was still looking down, appearing uncomfortable. Haruma took a quick sigh and said "Sorry Toru, but I really have to go." Toru’s smile grew wider, "Alright then! Think of it as a celebration for that amazing goal contribution we both had, it was a brilliant pass and a great finish. Just to celebrate that goal, please join us, please" he insisted, turning to his friends saying, "Come on everyone, ask him to join us!" Toru’s male friends began urging Haruma to join, all trying to convince him. Haruma then looks at Rukia who slowly looks up and meets his gaze for a brief moment before looking back down. "Alright... fine," Haruma said. Masaru’s face lit up with excitement, while Toru’s smile grew wider "Let’s go then" he said warmly.... Everyone was now sitting inside a cafe, chatting and laughing among each other. The only one quiet was Haruma, who was sitting with his elbow on the table, hand under his chin, looking through the window with a blank expression. A waiter then appeared on the group’s table with a menu card in hand. "Order whatever you want, it’s all on me!" Toru announced with a smile, sparking excitement in the group. Toru then glanced at the waiter and said, "Two matcha latte, and one matcha cheesecake for Rukia," he said, casually placing his arm around her shoulder. Rukia seemed embarrassed, and shot Toru a quick glare. Toru smiled and turned to Haruma and Masaru, "Hey guys, just so you know, she’s my girlfriend" he announced proudly. Masaru smiled awkwardly, "Ooh amazing, but we already knew." Toru, clearly surprised, asked, "Really? how?" "Haruma saw you both walking home together!" Masaru replied. Now even more surprised, Toru stammered "Walking home together but-" "Toru!" Rukia quickly interrupted, gripping his arm, "He did see us" she said, signalling him with her eyes to go along with it. Toru smiled and nodded, "Oh yeah, yeah, he did see us!" he said, turning to Haruma whose attention was elsewhere, gazing at something that was up and behind Toru. Toru turned around and saw a tv mounted on the wall, broadcasting a live football match. "Ooh, today’s the match!" he exclaimed excitedly. One of Toru’s male friends jumped in, "Absolutely! And Tokyo Wolves are ahead with two goals, and this man, Isamu Nakagawa! is about to score a hat trick!" his face beaming with excitement. Haruma was watching the game carefully, his focus on Isamu Nakagawa’s play. Just then, their drinks arrived and all began to have their drinks. Haruma also took his drink and placed it in front of him when suddenly his phone rang with a notification. Haruma pulled out his phone from his pocket, and as he saw the notification, his eyes snapped open in disbelief.