Chapter 79 - 404 12

the crowd’s eyes intently fixed on the ball, watching it going towards the exposed net. Toru was still in shooting posture, his gaze nervously fixed on the ball sailing towards the exposed net. Just as the ball reached the goalline, Kurogami came diving in the air, his arm outstretched wide, his face a mask of calmed focus. The crowds gasped, their collective breath caught in disbelief, while Toru remained in his shooting stance gazing at Kurogami with wide eyes. Kurogami, with an outstretched arm, hit the ball hard with such power that the ball went flying far back to the play. The entire Hanaka crowd fell in stunned silence, Rukia, Masaru, Shino, the coach, everyone’s breath caught their throat. The moment hanging heavy in the air. Toru, unable to face the reality, closed his eyes, causing the scene to consume into darkness. "I failed? we lost?" his voice thick with sorrow, echoed in the darkness. "Not yet!" Shattering the darkness, Haruma, from the center of the field, threw himself forward high up in the air with his leg outstretched for a perfect volley, the ball and his foot closing the distance. (Time Slowed!) The commentators were on their feets, leaning over the desk, eyes wide and mouth agape, watching Haruma’s incredible jump. From the stands, Kento was frozen in awe, his jaw slack and eyes almost popping out, struggling to believe the sheer brilliance from Haruma. Rukia’s heart was pounding fiercely, gazing at Haruma with a blank face of disbelief. Haruma’s mother was watching with wide, teared up eyes, her hands covering her mouth was trembling with emotions. overwhelmed by the sight of his son. Haruma’s face etched with intensity beyond belief, locked his eyes on the ball hovering in mid-air alongside him. Suddenly, the scene dimmed, consumed by darkness. "Harumaaaa!" a firm male voice thundered through the darkness, "You are just as miserable as your mother is!" "After all, a pathetic, worthless woman could only give birth to a pathetic, good for nothing son, like you!" Seven year old Haruma was standing quietly before her mother, who was huddling in the corner of the room, her head hanging low with her shoulder shaking with silent sobs. Haruma with his eyes wide with uncertainty was gazing at his mother. Haruma then began extending his small hand towards his mother. Just as his hand was about to reach his mother, that man’s cold, harsh voice echoed in his mind. "Your mother’s belief in you is nothing but just a hollow dream! A pathetic delusion to cover up her own shame!" Seven-year-old Haruma’s trembling hand reached under his mother’s chin and he slowly raised her head. Her face was a canvas of brutality, bruises, cuts, and marks of violence were all over her face, her silent sobs wrecking her fragile frame, her tears mingling with blood, a haunting testament of her pain. Haruma stood frozen, eyes wide with shock, gazing at his mother with his face blank and pale. World around him began to darkened, until the darkness consumed everything. "No!" Haruma’s cold firm voice echoed through the darkness. "My mother’s belief is not a hollow dream! I will prove you wrong! I will prove you wrong even if it means giving up on my life or even tearing apart my soul! I’ll prove you wrong! You hear me? I’ll make you remember that I am a Striker like no one else! I am Harumaaaa!" With a furious, soul ripping scream Haruma struck the ball in mid-air with such strength and raw power which bent the ball’s trajectory, the impact behind the connection sent shock waves of energy across the stadium, leaving every spectator with a spine-tingling sensation. Haruma, holding his volley kick pose in mid-air with his foot still bending the ball, In that instant, a pair of enormous golden wings emerged from his back, spreading through the field. Kento and Haruma’s mother’s eyes snapped open in sheer disbelief, as if only they were the only ones able to see the miraculous appearance of the golden wings. With glowing golden wings spread wide across his back, Haruma’s face was a mask of raw fury. Striking the ball in a perfect volley, he swung his foot, sending a missile of a shot, back towards the net. The ball was traveling the distance, carrying the weight of Haruma’s tears, his struggle, his suffering, his failures, leaving them all behind. And in the next moment, the ball crashed into the back of the nets, leaving Kurogami with wide stunned eyes, still lying on the ground, in the posture of his recent save. He couldn’t even react. The ball dropped inside the goal line, and the final whistle sliced through the pin drop silence of the stadium. Kento was paralyzed in shock, his jaw dropped, beads of sweat trickling down his face. Haruma’s mother remained seated, with her eyes wide open, hands covering her mouth, tears filling her eyes. Rukia was stunned into silence, her eyes popping out, her entire body still numb with the intensity of that final goal. One of the commentators slammed his hand on the desk with all his might. ’Harumaaaaaaaaa!’ he shouted out loud, his voice bursting with all the energy he had left. Haruma landed on his feets, clenched his both fist tight, and in swift motion he snapped his head up at the sky. "Yaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" He roars out loud with his might, as if releasing all the frustration he was carrying for years, his roar had such raw intensity that it could shake the earth beneath him. In a swift single motion, Haruma thrust the trophy into the ground at her feets, the sharp sound of metal striking the earth cut through the tense silence. The group stood frozen, their eyes wide with shock, an unsettling chill creeping down their spines as they were observing at the scene before them. Haruma’s mother’s sobs grew more desperate, though still muffled behind her trembling hands, her body shaking with each cry. Haruma remained bent over, holding his posture of thrusting the trophy in the ground. His face was steely, his expressions stoic, eyes lowered focusing on the trophy. The silence between them felt thick and heavy with unspoken emotions. "Mother," Haruma’s voice was soft, yet carrying a quiet intensity, "Start counting!" he said in a determined voice. The mother’s sobs deepend, her body trembling more with each passing moment, as if the words of his words left her unable to stand still. Toru, Masaru and the others were watching the scene with wide stunned eyes. While Rukia was watching with a look of quiet concern, tears slightly welling up in her eyes, her heart heavy as she took in the raw emotions between mother and son. Haruma’s mother, overwhelmed with desperate sobs, began to shake, her body struggling to stay upright under the weight of her emotions. Rukia, noticing Haruma’s mother’s struggle, immediately moved towards her, and with gentle hands she supported her, gently guiding her to a nearby bench. Once there, Rukia carefully helped her sit, her hands softly stroking her back in a comforting rhythm, as the sobs continued to shake Haruma’s mother, her tears flowing freely. Haruma with his expression still stoic, straightened up, holding the trophy firmly in his hands, he began walking back towards Toru. Once there, Without a word, Haruma gives the trophy back to Toru, his eyes locked onto his. Toru’s confusion easen and he broke into a soft smile, "Looks like you are aiming to win a lot of trophies" he said. Masaru grinned widely, cheerfully adding, "Yeah, and It’s just the beginning for him!" Haruma slightly smiled, and said, "I’m looking forward to playing with you guys, for now, I have to leave!" "Haruma!" Toru called out, his voice soft, "Tomorrow, I’m hosting a big celebration at my house, and you are coming, I won’t hear any excuses!" Haruma’s lips curved into a faint smile, his gaze softening as he slowly nodded. Toru’s smile widened with excitement, as he spoke, "Great! rest up for today, and let’s celebrate tomorrow, and after tomorrow, we’ll train. Just to let you all know, we are qualifying for another local football tournament!" Masaru and Toru’s other friends burst into cheers, laughter filling the air, as they celebrate the exciting news. While Haruma was watching them celebrate with a faint smile. After a moment his smile faded, and he turned around to find her mother still in tears with Rukia still on her side, comforting her. Haruma walked over, and stood before his mother, "Mother, we should get going now." he said softly. Rukia, still worried, glanced at Haruma and spoke with care, "Haruma, if you need my help then please don’t hesitate to ask." her voice was warm. Haruma glanced at her, and slowly shook his head in denial, "Right now I don’t, but thanks for asking" Rukia hesitated, uncertainty clear in her eyes, but she still slowly nodded in agreement, though she remained seated next to Haruma’s mother. "Rukia you should get going too" Haruma said in a low tone, "They are waiting for you." Rukia, with her concern growing quickly, rose to her feet up, facing Haruma she said, "I’ll send you a text so you’ll have my number, I know you don’t have any other female in your house, so If you need any help, don’t hesitate to reach out."