บท 11: Just The Beginning!
Walking towards the field, The Hanaka boys stepped into the stadium which was roaring with cheers from the crowds.
Toru led his team into the field, while Haruma and other benched players made their way to the sidelines where The coach stood.
Standing in the sidelines, Haruma froze for a moment, appearing stunned by the sight of the packed stadium, with more than a thousand spectators filling the stands, some waving Hanaka flags while the rest waved opposing school flags.
Masaru and the other players appeared stunned too, their eyes darting nervously around the stadium as cheers and noise echoed all around them. Meanwhile Toru remained unfazed, seeming calm and focused, warming up his body one last time before the game.
Just then the Hanaka supporters erupted into their signature "Toru" chants, their voices booming across the stadium, charging the atmosphere with energy. Toru unfazed stayed locked on warming his body up, his focus unwavering.
Haruma began scanning the crowds who all were chanting for Toru when his gaze eventually landed on Rukia. She was with her friends, her bright smile glowing on her face as she was matching the crowd's energy, enthusiastically chanting Toru's name.
Haruma watched in silence, his expressions blank and unreadable, until a loud voice chanted Toru's name from beside him.
Turning to his left, Haruma saw one of his fifteen year old teammates with white hair wearing a training bib, chanting Toru's name aloud.
"Come on Toruuuu!" The boy shouted with a big grin, clapping along in sync with the crowd's rhythm.
Haruma stared at him with wide stunned eyes, unable to look away.
(This reaction has a reason that will be revealed later!)
Toru and his team stood ready and confident on the field as the referee with the ball entered the field, prompting players from both sides to begin taking their positions, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
Toru then stood over the ball ready to kick off the game. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he passed the ball to his teammate, kicking off the game with a loud cheer from the crowds.
Haruma sat silently on the bench, his full attention fixed on the game ahead, while the white-haired boy kept on standing chanting Toru's name with fervor.
The Hanaka players moved with precision, carefully passing the ball between each other, not giving many chances to the opponents. When the ball reached Shino he took a moment to assess the field before charging towards the nets with attacking intent, prompting Toru to sprint at the nets too.
Hanaka players erupted in enthusiastic cheers as Shino kept advancing. Noticing a few defenders ahead, he quickly found a gap and without wasting a second he passed the ball to his left winger who first kept the ball with him for a moment before beginning to sprint towards the nets drawing the defenders to turn towards him, but that winger stopped in mid-sprint and passed the ball back to Shino. Who with swift touch sent the ball towards Toru who collected it with ease, his eyes now fixed on the nets ahead.
Hanaka crowds held their breaths, standing on their feets, eyes locked on Toru. Haruma watched Toru with wide anticipated eyes.
With fierce determination, Toru launched the ball towards the nets, just as it was soaring towards the net an opposing defender came flying with his leg outstretched, intercepting the shot with a powerful block.
Toru's eyes widened with shock, The Hanaka crowds gasped in disbelief. Haruma sat stunned, his expressions frozen. The white-haired boy next to him watched that incredible stop with his jaw dropped.
The ball fell back towards the opposite side, and the opposing player quickly claimed the possession.
Toru walks a few steps forward before standing still, his head lowered.
"Where did he come from?" he thought, still processing the shock.
"Toruu!" A voice called out loud, Turning to the voice Toru saw Shino in the distance, giving him a thumbs up and silently asking if it was okay.
Toru smiled and returned the gesture, "I'm good," he shouted back, "It looks like the real competition has begun!"
Shino returned the smile and nodded, "Indeed it has," he replied, "So let's show them the reason we are here!"
Toru smiled confidently and Shino mirrored his expressions, matching his confidence…
The opposing player was charging with the ball at his feets, skillfully dribbling past the Hanaka players. As he neared the nets he saw his striker in open and swiftly passed the ball towards him. But as the ball just reached the striker, Masaru appeared out of nowhere, sliding in for a perfect block just before the striker could collect it.
With his expressions etched with intense focus, Masaru, in one smooth motion swung around himself and the ball at his feet, regaining complete possession of the ball, receiving loud cheers from Hanaka supporters.
Haruma's eyes widened in amazement, stunned by Masaru's skillful play.
"He never showed me this skill!" He thought, his mind racing, "Was he always this good? Was he just hiding his true potential from me? Was he just going easy on me? And I couldn't even keep up with him when he wasn't even taking practice seriously with me!"
His expressions darkened with shadow, his face blank, his heartbeat thudded in his chest, loud and fast, echoing in his ears.
Masaru was now charging towards the opponent's nets, dribbling past a few players coming in his way, his speed increasing with every dribbling skill he was performing. Realizing he couldn't get any further he swiftly pulled back and sent a perfect long pass to his teammate who was in the best possible position at that moment, who now began advancing carefully.
Haruma remained seated in silence, his expressions darkened with sadness, and the cheers of the crowds and his teammates echoed all around him.
The whistle blew, signalling the end of the first half with neither team having scored.
The Hanaka players were now gathered at the sidelines, circling around the coach who was passionately guiding them for the second half. The players listened carefully, their focus sharp.
Just then, Haruma appeared with a tray of water bottles and towels. Swiftly unscrewing the bottle caps before handing them to each player.
Masaru grabbed the bottle, and took a quick sip and grimaced, "It's warm!" he exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.
The coach glanced at Haruma and ordered, "Go and bring cold water and something to eat!"
Haruma with dark expressions nodded and reached to take the bottle back from Masaru, who quickly pulled it away.
"It's fine, I'll drink it anyway!" Masaru said, with a hesitant smile.
Haruma quickly took the bottle from Masaru's hand, "I'll bring you cold water!" he said curtly, before quickly jogging off to get it.
Masaru watched him, puzzled, a look of confusion crossing his face.
The whistle blew again, signalling the start of the second half.
An opposing striker was charging towards the nets, dribbling with ease, eyes fixed on the nets. Spotting an opening he took the shot, launching the ball towards the nets, as the ball travelled halfway to its target Nara came leaping into the fray, blocking the shot, kicking it back to the opposite side, receiving immense cheers from the Hanaka supporters.
The ball flew through the air when Masaru leaped up high, skillfully controlling the ball with his chest, leaving the crowds in awe, Haruma watched with wide stunned eyes, his expressions filled with disbelief.
Getting the control, Masaru swiftly passed the ball to Shino who collected it smoothly, but just as he was about to move forward, n defender lunged at him to intercept with his feet, but a wild smile appeared on Shino's face who swiftly performed a quick dribble, slipping past the defender leaving him frustrated. The Hanaka crowds were going wild with their cheers.
Charging ahead with the ball, Shino sent a long pass towards the nets, where a couple of opposing defenders gathered and jumped high to intercept. But in a burst of speed, Toru appeared on their backs and leaped even higher, leaving everyone with dropped jaws.
As the ball was descending, the two defenders and Toru was leaping up high,
The ball came close, and with a savage precision Toru struck the ball with his head, sending it hurtling into the nets, scoring a brilliant header.
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