CHAPTER 41: NEW FRIENDS?

A sharp knock echoed through the room, Haruma pulled the door open, his hair damp hinting his recent shower. Across the room, Kurogami was sitting on the bed with headphones on, completely absorbed in his laptop.

It was Itsuki standing at the doorway with a cheerful smile playing on his face, "Time for lunch." he said brightly.

Haruma gave him a small nod before turning to Kurogami who lowered his headphones and shut his laptop...

Haruma, Itsuki and Kurogami now stepped into the dining area where a large dining table was placed at the center, surrounded by the Tokyo Wolves Juniors Players.

Raya looked up to them with a smile, "Welcome, we’ve been waiting for you."

As the Trio made their way to their seats, Haruma said, "Sorry for being late."

Raya, still smiling, shook his head, "No, you’re not, we’re just early."

Taking their seats, everyone began serving themselves from a variety of food spread across the table.

Seated comfortably, Haruma reached for a dish of rice, but before he could, someone picked it up and held it out for him.

Appearing surprised, Haruma looked up to see a young boy with spiky blonde hair with a bright smile, holding the dish out for him.

Still a bit surprised, Haruma accepted the dish with a small smile, "Thanks..." he said.

Maintaining his bright smile the boy spoke up, "Nice to meet ya, my name is Jiho, play as Center Attacking Mid, and I just wanted to say that your game is badass... especially that first goal of yours, man! it was ass kicking!"

Haruma smiled, appreciating the enthusiasm "Thanks alot." he said.

Still beaming with excitement, Jiho added, "I can’t wait to play alongside you."

Still smiling, Haruma gave him a small nod.

Raya with a warm smile spoke up, "Alright, I think we all should properly introduce ourselves to Haruma and Kurogami, I’ll start!"

Raya then turned to Haruma and Kurogami, "My name is Raya Katsuro, I play as a Striker, jersey number is thirty eight."

Next, a boy with short black hair spoke up with a friendly smile, "My name is Jingo, Jersey number six, and I play as Striker tool."

"My name is Zora!" Another boy with a good height chimed in, "Jersey number ninety two, I play as Center Back."

Then the familiar voice of Makoto spoke up, "We’ve already met, but again, my name is Makoto, jersey number thirteen, play as Center Back!"

"I’m Ichimaru," Another boy chimed in with a warm smile, "Jersey number eighty eight, and I play as Center Defensive Mid."

Another boy, appearing to be the youngest of them all, eagerly shot his hand up, "Oh it’s my turn! I’m Izaya the little genius, jersey number one and I play as a Center Mid."

"And I’m Kabuto." drawled a boy with sleepy eyes and a laid back tone, "Jersey... Uhh yeah... twenty it was, maybe, yeah and I play as Center Back"

Then another voice chimed in with a calm and respectful tone, "Hey, Rei here, number fifty, also a Center Back."

"I’m Nagisa," said a boy with short purple hair, "Jersey number nineteen, Center Attacking Mid."

"My name is Shinra." Another boy added, "Jersey seventy two, a goalkeeper."

Then a familiar voice spoke up, "It’s me again, name is Subaru, jersey is nine, a goalkeeper too."

"And I’m Taro!" Another boy spoke up, "Jersey is five, plays as Center Defensive Mid."

"Yagami here." Another boy chimed in, "Jersey is fifty seven, play as Center Mid."

"I’m Tezuka" said the next, "My jersey is twenty nine, a Striker!"

With a burst of excitement another boy spoke up "My name is Haru, jersey is ninety and I serve as Center Back."

"And I’m Naoya," Another chimed in, "Jersey is forty, play as Center Back"

Itsuki excitedly jumped to his feets, "And last but not the least, I’m your dearest Itsuki," he announced proudly, "Jersey number is thirty, a brilliant Center Mid."

Laughter rippled through the dining room, and with smiles everyone turned to Haruma and Kurogami.

Haruma was offering a warm, genuine smile in return. Besides him, Kurogami sat with a cold serious face, showing no interest in all this introduction.

"It’s great to meet you all." Haruma spoke with a warm tone, "Im Haruma... jersey number..." He paused for a second then smiled.

"Twenty-Two, my jersey number is Twenty-Two, and I am a Striker."

Everyone was watching Haruma with smiles on their faces. Raya, still smiling, turned to Kurogami who was unfazed by the attention, eating his meal.

"And what about you?" Raya asked.

Without looking up or pausing in his meal, Kurogami spoke up in a flat tone, "Kurogami... Jersey number three, a Goalkeeper." His tone made it clear that he had no interest in all this.

Everyone got slightly confused, exchanging slightly puzzled glances with each other.

Jiho, the blonde guy, furrowed clearly irritated, "Ehh, what’s with that attitude you have?" He asked with annoyance clear on his face.

Kurogami calmly took a bite of steak, chewing slowly and deliberately, before finally speaking, "Attitude of being better than all of you!"

His words sent a ripple of shock through everyone, the room got filled with tense silence.

Jiho’s expressions darkened, clenching his jaw in clear frustration.

Haruma was staring at Kurogami with wide stunned eyes, unable to believe what he heard.

Meanwhile Kurogami was completely unfazed, eating his meal like nothing happened.

All eyes were fixed on Kurogami who continued eating calmly, unaffected by the tension in the air.

Jiho leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with frustration, "You think you are better than us, huh?" he asked in a low growl of rage.

Kurogami chewed his meal before looking up at Jiho with a steady gaze, "I am!" he declared.

Jiho’s face got twisted into rage, and he tried to reach Kurogami but Raya quickly placed a firm hand on his shoulder, holding him back.

Jiho shot a glare at Raya only to find him wearing his usual calm smile.

Raya then turned to Kurogami and said, "Well, It’s great to hear that, you being the best will be beneficial for us."

Kurogami continued eating without offering any word, not even acknowledging Raya. Raya, however, kept his calm smile unshaken.

Just then, Izaya, the youngest, spoke up with his voice loud with excitement, "Yeaah, if our goalkeeper is the best then no one can stop us from winning!"

Jiho shot an irritated glance at Izaya, "Why are you yelling?"

Izaya just smiled and turned to Jiho, "Well, Kurogami’s right to some extent, even I am better than you!"

"Huhhh!" Jiho’s frustration boiled over, "What did you say, you little brat!"

With that, Jiho and Izaya quickly fell into a playful banter, easing the tension in the room, with everyone watching them with amused smiles.

Haruma was watching them with a small smile before he shifted his gaze to Kurogami who was still focused on his meal, detached from the moment...

Inside the gym, a loud chorus of cheers echoed, as everyone being shirtless was gathered around Jiho who was also without a shirt was amidst lifting a heavy weight. His muscles pulsing, vein bulging as he let out a roar of efforts, his face a blend of pain and raw determination.

Haruma was standing a short distance away, watching them with wide eyes because the weight Jiho was trying to lift was 250 kilograms, way too much for him.

Around Jiho, the rest of the Tokyo Wolves were roaring encouragement, their voices echoing through the gym. Amidst the frenzy, Raya stood slightly apart from the chaos, watching them with a smile.

Sweat streamed down Jiho’s face, muscles pumping violently, as he let out a roar before finally lifting the weight up.

Players around burst in enthusiastic cheers and celebrations, while Haruma watched him with wide stunned eyes.

Caught up in excitement, Izaya jumped up and gave a hard slap at Jiho’s back. Sudden impact caused Jiho to lose his balance resulting in weights to drop with a thud and he fell face first to the ground. forward landing on the ground, face-first, causing everyone to go silent.

Izaya with an awkward smile rubbed the back of his head, "Hehe... my bad!"

"You little brat!" Jiho growls, before lifting his face up to reveal his reddened nose with a small trickle of blood.

With his face etched with rage, "I’ll kill youuuuu!" Jiho screamed and jumped to his feet.

Izaya, with a big laugh, spun on his heel and bolted out of the gym, his laughter echoing before Jiho, seething with fury, ran after him, chasing him down.

Izaya’s laughter was ringing through the corridors chased by Jiho’s furious screams behind him.

Haruma was still in surprise, keeping his eyes locked on the entrance of the gym. Just then an arm came sliding casually around his shoulder.

"Hey, Haruma..." came a laid back voice, the speaker’s breath brushing Haruma’s ear.

Startled, Haruma turned his eyeballs to his side to find Kabuto far too close, his half-lidded eyes and an unsettling smile hovering inches from his face.