Chapter 8: Getting Along

Chapter 8 - Getting AlongBoth Haruma and Masaru were staring at the training bib Haruma was holding, their eyes wide in disbelief. Haruma then looked around and saw the other players who didn't get selected were also handed new training bibs, their faces etched with confusion. Masaru's expressions hardened with anger as he quickly stood up saying, "Coach what is this?" Everyone's attention snapped to him, including the coach's. "What about the playing jerseys of other players who didn't get selected?" Masaru demanded, his voice loud and firm, "I know they didn't get selected, but they're still a part of this team!" Everyone was looking at Masaru with wide eyes, shocked by the tone he was using to address the coach, who was staring back at him with a serious face. "Masaru!" The coach said firmly, "I know that they're part of this team! Their jerseys are still being made. The tailor couldn't finish all the twenty jerseys at once, so I asked him to finish the jersey of the ones who are in the starting eleven first. The remaining players will get theirs before the tournament ends!" Masaru's anger faded at the coach's words, his gaze dropping in disappointment... "I'm sorry coach" he muttered, but the coach continued to stare at him with a serious look. All the remaining players watched the interaction between coach and Masaru with wide eyes, tension hung heavy in the air. Then suddenly a smile appeared on the coach's face, "It's okay" he said warmly, "I'm actually happy to see you worrying about your teammates." Masaru returned the smile and quickly nodded in agreement, and soon the rest of the players also broke into smiles. "Alright everyone don't get late for tomorrow's training" The coach said before turning and walking away, while the players went back to packing up their things... Masaru and Haruma were now walking down the road. Haruma walked with a serious, straight face, while Masaru was walking, playfully kicking every stone coming in his way. "Come on Haruma, cheer up, you'll get your jersey soon" Masaru said, his tone almost exasperated. Haruma remained silent before replying, "You overreacted, you shouldn't have spoken to the coach like that." Masaru sighed with disappointment, "Yeah I kinda lost my cool." "Apologize to him properly when you get the chance," Haruma said with a serious tone, to which Masaru nodded in agreement. Suddenly a thought hit Masaru, who eagerly stood before Haruma and began walking backwards, "Did you train last night?" Walking straight, Haruma flinched slightly, "Yeah I did" he answered. Masaru eagerly asked, "How did the wall get crushed like that? don't tell me you did it with the power of your foot and football!" Haruma appeared confused, "Crushed a wall? what are you talking about?" Masaru got more confused, "The wall you use to train on was literally crushed from several spots as if something heavy was being hit over and over. And to me, that heavy thing was a football, which was hit with brutality!" Haruma shook his head in denial, "I don't know, and I didn't do that!" Masaru seemed confused, placing finger beneath his chin, as if he's lost in deep thoughts. Suddenly a burst of laughter echoed nearby, causing Haruma and Masaru to stop and turn. 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.