Chapter 83 - 404 16

The game entered its final five minutes, tension heavy in the stadium. Shino was standing ready, about to take the free kick, while the rest of the players were in their positions, all appeared focused and ready. The stadium was engulfed in tense silence. Shino then exhaled deeply and walked a few steps back before jogging towards the ball and swung his feet. All the opposing players instinctively backed off, expecting a powerful shot. But just as Shino’s foot reached the ball he slowed his speed and gently passed it to his side. From where, The Demon, Haruma Kusaka appeared out of nowhere, controlling the ball flawlessly with his face etched with intense focus. Hanaka crowds held their breaths, rising on their feets in anticipation. The opposing coach yelled frantically, "Stop him!" From the other side, The Hanaka coach yelled, "Go for the goal Harumaaa!" With a sharp breath, Haruma broke into an explosive rush, heading towards the nets. The Hanaka crowds erupted in loud cheer, charging the atmosphere with their electrifying roars and cheers. While Haruma with precision was sprinting towards the nets. With furious roars, all the opposing players began rushing at Haruma, their movements frantic and desperate. The Black Kallor, Kurogami perfectly positioned himself from where Haruma was approaching, appearing ready for the inevitable duel. Haruma charged with relentless determination, slightly lifting his gaze, just enough to meet Kurogami’s cold stare. The two locked eyes. From the distance of almost 35 yards, The Demon and The Black Kallor were staring at each other, their wills clashing in the calmness before the storm. Haruma’s eyes burned with intense intense determination, and with a surge of brute, raw force he swung his foot at the ball. Kurogami side-raised his arms, appearing ready. As Haruma’s foot was about to reach the ball, lots of defenders stepped between, leaping high, ready to use their bodies to block. Without slowing down, Haruma’s foot made contact with the ball, but instead of launching it at the nets, he sent the ball sailing to the left wing, leaving the defenders shocked. Opposing players, Kurogami, Commentators, Rukia, Haruma’s mother, Kento, the coaches, everyone held their breaths, watching the ball flying towards the left wing. Chapter 27 "Now It’s My Rise!" As the ball was soaring to the left, Toru came charging in, his face set with unrelenting focus, leaving Hanaka crowd’s in immense anticipation Kurogami slightly flinched and with a quick fluid movement, he shifted his feet to the left and sprinted towards Toru. Already in the three final minutes of stoppage time, the ball reached Toru, his face set with sheer determination, he swung his right foot with all his might, his mind racing with thought. "This time I’ll score! for Hanaka, for my team, for Rukia! I will score!" With a furious roar of rage, Toru connects the ball with brute force, sending it flying towards the nets. All 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!" "Yeah!" Masaru added, his tone equally puzzled "What are you doing here?" Haruma, seeming serious, began, "Toru, can I have the trophy for a second?" The group’s confusion deepend, unable to understand why Haruma is here and what he is up to. Toru, initially confused, broke into a smile, "Yeah sure," he said warmly before extending the trophy for Haruma. Haruma’s gaze briefly moved over the trophy before he took it into his hands, his expressions as serious as ever. "Thanks" he muttered in a hushed tone, before turning and walking away. Toru and the others watched in confusion, their eyes following Haruma as he made his way towards his mother, who was standing some distance away. Everyone stood frozen, their eyes wide in confusion. Rukia and Masaru were confused too watching Haruma approaching his mother. Haruma’s mother stood a distance away, covering her mouth with trembling hands. Tears silently streaming down her eyes, her sobs silent and deep, raw emotion clear in every tremor of her body. With the trophy gleaming in his hands, Haruma stood before his mother, his eyes locking with her. 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!" "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." Haruma, with his expressions stoic, gave a slow, acknowledging nod. With a final worried glance at the mother, Rukia turned and walked towards Toru and the others. Joining them they all together began walking away.