The Golden Winged Of Football: Haruma Kusaka-Chapter 58: Let The World Talk

Haruma and the rest of the Tokyo Wolves U17 stood straight in a line, all dressed in their jerseys, arms folded behind their backs, their faces were calm but sharp, radiating focus and quiet determination.

In front of them stood Minato sensei, arms crossed over his chest, a proud smile spread across his face. He was in silence taking in the sight of all the players dressed in their jerseys, all seeming ready and focused. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Besides him, Raon was standing with a warm smile, his gaze calmly scanning all the players.

Minato sensei then reached into his pocket and pulled out a captain’s armband. The band was sleek black with ’Respect’ emblems stitched on it, accented by a strip of red fabric.

Minato sensei was looking down at the bands with a warm smile for a moment before looking up at that one player.

"Kurogami Shikyo!" He called out politely, with his voice steady.

Kurogami drew in a deep breath before stepping forward with quiet confidence. A wave of applause followed from his teammates. Haruma was clapping with a slight smile on his face, watching Kurogami take his spot in front of Minato sensei.

As the sounds of applause gradually faded, Minato sensei and Kurogami were standing face to face.

Looking at Kurogami with a proud, steady smile, Minato sensei spoke up with quiet strength in his emotions.

"Wearing this band means you are carrying the hope of thousands of people who are supporting this franchise. Lead them like a true leader like you are... Move forward Kurogami, I and your team have your back."

Kurogami stood tall, hands folded behind his back, his posture firm. But, beneath the surface his body was slightly shaking. In his focused eyes there was a hint of tears, reflecting the value of the moment.

With both hands, Minato sensei extends the captain’s armband towards Kurogami.

Kurogami held his gaze with Minato sensei for a moment before speaking up with a steady tone. "Till the very last second of every match, I will not fall! And I won’t let my team fall. You put your trust in me sensei, and I’ll make sure you’re proud of it!"

He then dropped his gaze to the armband and accepted it with both hands, firm and respectful.

Without missing any other second, Jiho broke into an enthusiastic round of applause, his energy igniting all the other players as one by one they all began applauding with the same energy as Jiho, the atmosphere got charged with energy.

Amid the thunderous applause, Kurogami calmly slid the captain’s armband up to his bicep before standing tall, giving a sharp, respectful nod to Minato sensei.

Minato sensei smiled with pride, and placed both of his hands on Kurogami’s shoulders in a gesture of encouragement and trust...

That evening, outside the Hanaka high school, Toru and his friends along with Masaru and Rukia were gathered under a big tree.

"I can’t believe, Haruma will be playing as a striker!" Toru’s voice echoed loud, out of complete disbelief.

One of his friends scoffed, shaking his head, "I’m sure he must’ve pulled some strings to get that spot. I mean, Haruma as the striker is literally the worst thing. He was barely good enough to make the bench at our school, and now he’ll be playing as striker in a national level tournament! No way! this is just impossible!"

"Guys!" Rukia cuts in firmly, her voice filled with conviction, "Why are you all thinking like that? Haruma earned that spot, he proved himself in that final! Have you all forgotten? his saves? His passion? His last goal where he shattered that goalkeeper’s walls!"

Toru’s expressions slightly tightened with irritation watching Rukia taking Haruma’s side so passionately.

"She’s right!" Masaru spoke up, "I know Haruma better than any one of you, football isn’t just a game for him, it is his passion, his life! there was no chance of him not having this chance!" He smiles faintly, "I’m sure he must’ve got a lot better!"

Rukia smiled warmly, "We all should go and watch his match, we have to support him!"

Toru’s irritation rises as he swiftly averted his gaze as if not interested in watching him play.

Masaru stood up with a grin, "Like if there’s any chance of me missing that important day of his life!" He dramatically threw his hand up, "I’ll be at the front of the row yelling... Haaarumaaaaaa!"

Next day, under the sunny football field. Dressed in his training jersey, Haruma came running, bending down, straining his thighs muscles, before launching himself up, rising above everyone around.

From the stands, Shiori leaned forward, eyes wide with wonder and a radiant smile crossing her face. Her gaze followed Haruma as he met the ball mid-air. His head striking it cleanly, sending it crashing inside the nets.

The moment he landed on his feets, Jiho came charging in leaping onto Haruma’s back. Raya followed after taking Haruma in a big hug, ruffling his hair with a wide grin...

At the office, Ryusei Takanami was lounging comfortably in his chair, casually turning rubik’s cube in his hand with a faint smile on his face.

Just then his secretary stepped inside the office, "Mr Takanami, the meeting with the owner of Samuya Enterprises has been scheduled for the day after tomorrow."

Takanami shot a cold glance at his secretary, "Cancel it!" he said evenly, "I’ll be going to watch a football game!"

The secretary blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback by the order, but quickly composed himself, "As you say! sir." he said before quietly walking out of the office.

Takanami remained seated on his chair, his smile never leaving his face as he continued twisting, trying to solve the rubik’s cube...

The next day, at Kento’s residence, he stood proudly in the living room, before raising a bright color cheering board that reads ’Go Go Haruma’

Seeing that Rukia’s jaw dropped, "Dad... are you serious?" she asked with a sharp, loud tone, unable to believe what she’s seeing.

"Wooo! Yeah buddy! Go Go Haruma!" Kento cheered out loud with a bright smile, proudly waving the cheering sign.

"Go Go Brother!" Mio cheered out excitedly, holding up a smaller version of the same sign.

"Yeah! That’s the spirit!" Kento chuckles, raising his sign even higher, "Go Go Haruma!"

Rukia was staring at the two of them, letting out a long sigh before turning on her heels and walked away leaving the overly excited duo in their moment...

In the darkness of the night, under the stadium’s light, Haruma, Itsuki Kabuto, Rei and Makoto were sprinting through the field, all seeming focused.

At the center of the field, under Raon’s guidance, Haruma and others were fully immersed in different drills. The air seemed to be filled with heavy determination, with sweats clinging to their bodies, their movements heavy, the exhaustion in their bodies was a clear sign that they’ve been training for hours...

And then, the long awaited day finally arrived. It was the Tokyo Wolves U17 going up against Fukuoka Tengu U17.

Haruma was standing under the shower, eyes closed, letting the steam of the water pour down his face. He remained still.

The flashbacks from the past were playing in his mind like a loop. All those lonely late night training sessions in the park, the time when he was a benched player serving water to his teammates. Each memory reminds him how hard and for how long he was waiting for this moment.

He lets out a big sigh before turning off the shower...

The Tokyo football stadium was all set, buzzing with excitement, with a massive crowd waiting outside eager to get in.

Just then, Two cars pulled up in the stadium’s parking lot, coming to a stop, Toru, Rukia and Masaru with their remaining friends stepped outside one by one.

Masaru and Rukia were beaming with excitement and anticipation, clearly thrilled for the match ahead. The rest of the group however remained quiet and uninterested, including Toru, whose expressions made it clear he’d rather want to be somewhere else.

Masaru walks forward, taking in a good sight of the grand Tokyo Stadium, its towering structure surrounded by a large number of crowds.

His eyes shine brighter, "Woo! and that’s what we call a crowd!"

"That’s actually insane!" Rukia said, stepping next to him, looking around.

Meanwhile Toru remained standing a few steps behind, silent and detached, his disinterest clear on his face.

Still beaming with excitement, Masaru added, "Yeah, you know today’s attendance is 25,000!"

Rukia’s jaw dropped hearing the numbers, "Woh, that’s a big number!" She said, clearly surprised, "I hope Haruma just doesn’t get nervous with so many people watching.

"Hey everyone, let’s predict today’s score!" Toru said with a smirk, his tone lace with sarcasm, "My prediction is Tokyo 2, and Fukuoka 0, and I don’t think Haruma will score."

One of his friends smirked and joined in, "Exactly, I’m going with Tokyo winning by a single goal, and It won’t be Haruma who scores!"

Another friend chimed in with the same smirk, "And I’m calling, Tokyo winning 1-0 and Haruma getting subbed off in the 30th minute, without scoring!"

They all burst into mocking laughter, With Toru laughing along, clearly enjoying every second of tearing into Haruma with their predictions.

Both Masaru and Rukia were staring at them with disgusted looks.

"Well... I’m going with Tokyo winning by a goal scored by Haruma!" Masaru declared firmly, his tone cutting through the laughters

Rukia nodded with sharp eyes, "Yeah! Tokyo will win, and Haruma will definitely score!"

Their friends responded with teasing smirks, a silent challenge passing between the two sides, with Toru staring at Rukia with a hint of irritation on his face.

"He’ll score a hat trick!" A confident female voice echoed loud from behind them.

Appearing confused, Toru and his friends turned around, only getting puzzled after seeing the source of the voice.

Standing there was a girl in a baseball cap, arms crossed, posture firm and confident.

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on freew(𝒆)bnov𝒆l.(c)om