CHAPTER 44: LOSS AGAIN?

Haruma was frozen into stunned silence, when suddenly a familiar voice scattered his thoughts.

"Brother Harumaaaa!"

Haruma quickly spun around to see little Mio running towards him, her face lit up with a bright, radiant smile.

An instant smile appeared on Haruma’s face as he slightly crouched down, opening his arms. Mio came running and leapt into his embrace. He caught her effortlessly, lifting her up in his arms.

Giggling brightly, Mio spoke up with clear joy, "Brother Haruma, how are you?"

Haruma’s smile deepened, "I’m good, how are you? and what are you doing here?"

"Hey everyone!"

Another voice rang out drawing everyone’s attention. It was Kento Takayama, the coach of Japan U-17 squad, walking towards them accompanied by Minato sensei and Raon.

All the players immediately straightened up, their posture shifting into attention as Kento made his way towards them.

Coming to a stop before the gathered team, Kento spoke up, "Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing a great job."

All the players quickly responded with confident smiles and nods, their energy steady and focused.

Kento then turned his gaze to Haruma, watching him with silent admiration clear in his eyes. In response Haruma returned the smile with a nod.

Minato sensei then stepped forward, "I thought having Mr Kento here to watch you all in action might give a little extra motivation."

Kento’s smile grew wide, as he lifted his hands before speaking, "And don’t think that I’m here to help Minato finalise the starting eleven. He still has the full authority. I’m just here to enjoy as a fan, a spectator."

Raya beamed with excitement, "It’s our honor to have you here Kento Sensei."

Izaya smiles even brighter, "Yeah, I’m feeling a lot more motivated now to give my very best."

"Yeah!" Jiho added enthusiastically, "I’ll definitely push beyond my limits to get a spot!"

Kento smiles, clearly impressed by their spirits. "Very well then, best of luck to all of you, I’m cheering you all."

Mio’s smiles grew even brighter, turning to Haruma, she energetically began, "Brother Haruma you’ll play too, sight? you’ll play the same as you played back then, when you scored that brilliant goal in the finals!"

Maintaining his smile, Kento asked, "Which goal are you talking about Mio?"

Mio’s excitement sparkled in her eyes, as she practically burst with excitement, exclaiming, "Father! the goal, the goal in that final match, where brother Haruma was flying, I saw it, he was flying."

Her voice was echoing with pure admiration and excitement, catching everyone’s eye, as they were looking at her with slightly wide eyes, surprised by the intensity of her enthusiasm.

Even Haruma seemed momentarily stunned, watching her with slightly wide eyes.

Beaming with excitement, Mio continued breathlessly, "He was flying! Everyone was cheering for him. I was there, he flew so high, so high and high in the air and then boom, he kicked the ball"

She burst into giggles, eyes sparkling, "I didn’t even see it, and the ball was already in the nets and Brother Kurogami had no chance!"

Everyone’s eyes snapped open in surprise, caught off guard by Mio’s words.

Jiho stood utterly still, frozen in disbelief, his breath caught in throat.

Meanwhile Kurogami forced a stiff smile, irritation flickering in his eyes with his eyes fixed on Mio.

"He actually scored such a brilliant goal against Kurogami!" Izaya muttered under his breath.

"And in the finals?" Ichimaru added, equally stunned.

"He did!" Mio exclaimed with uncontainable excitement, "And it was amazing! He scored and his team won! He was celebrating and everyone was cheering him on. It was amazing, I could never forget that day."

Kurogami, clearly irritated, spoke up, forcing a tight smile, "Well Mio, I promise it won’t happen ever again!"

Mio turned to Kurogami with a playful smile, "You can’t stop Brother Haruma, he is the best!"

Her bold declaration made Haruma’s eyes snap open, his heart skipping a beat. Staring at Mio with complete shock.

Meanwhile Mio was consumed in a playful argument with Kurogami, while Haruma remained still, watching her with wide eyes.

Suddenly the moment he scored that final goal began repeating in Haruma’s mind in a loop.

His jump into the air, his flying volley kick, his roar after the goal. Each moment flashing before him. He could hear the thunderous celebrations of Hanaka High supporters. His mother, Mio, and Rukia’s cheers for him echoing in his mind.

It all came rushing back to his mind like a short film etched into his soul forever.

A genuine smile slowly spread across Haruma’s face. The confidence in himself returned, the fire in his heart and eyes ignited once again.

Noticing Haruma’s self confidence coming back to him, Kento’s smile grew into something more genuine. His eyes remained fixed on Haruma until a flashback hit...

Flashback.

Kento was in his house, sitting on a couch, casually writing down items on the grocery list. He was lost in thought until a smile tugged at his lips, "Ahh, instant ramen!" He quickly wrote it down with a smile.

He went into deep thought again, "Lets see, what are we missing now?"

Just then his phone rang with an incoming call, breaking the stillness, glancing on the screen he saw Minato’s name.

Answering instantly, he pressed the phone to his ear, "Hey Minato, what’s up?"

Minato’s voice came from the other end, "Yeah all good, I just wanted to ask, if Haruma has any health issues?"

Kento’s brow furrowed, confusion flashing across his face, sitting up straight he said, "No, why? what happened?" his tone, serious.

Minato continued, "Today, at training grounds, Haruma suddenly started sweating a lot, his breathing was uneven, his whole body language shifted with unease, like he is having problems with his health, and the weird part is, it all happened suddenly."

Kento was listening intently, with his expressions thoughtful, "Hmm... What was going on at the time? like were they training or something?"

Minato replied, "Not exactly, It happened right after I shared the plans about the test."

"What test?" Kento asked almost immediately.

"I’ve decided to put everyone through a performance test today." Minato explained, "To finalize the starting eleven for the tournament."

A slight smile appeared on Kento’s face as he leaned back on the couch, "Ahh, a selection test, huh? I see... Minato, would you mind if I come over to watch this test?"

Slightly taken aback Minato replied, "Umm, yeah sure, why not."

"Great!" Minato exclaimed calmly, "I’ll be there soon, and don’t worry about Haruma, he’ll be fine."

"Alright, I’ll be waiting." Minato replied before ending the call.

Kento slowly lowered his phone, smiling to himself...

Kento’s car cruised down the road with Mio sitting on the front seat, practically buzzing with excitement.

"I can’t wait to meet Brother Haruma!" She said enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Kento smiled to himself, then glanced at Mio, "Yeah me too" He said slowly. After a pause, he added "Hey Mio, do you remember that one goal from brother Haruma, where he was flying, kicking the ball, and won the finals with everyone cheering him?"

Mio’s eyes instantly lit up with excitement, "Yes yes I remember! Brother Haruma flew and kicked the ball, Father I couldn’t even see the ball!"

Kento’s smile grew wide, "Correct! It was a brilliant goal and you know what? it was against brother Kurogami, can you believe that?"

Mio’s smile and eyes brighten further, "Yes, yes, It was against brother Kurogami, I remember, Brother Haruma is the best!"

"Exactly," Kento said with a big smile, "Mio, why don’t you remind your brother of that fantastic goal when you meet him?"

Mio nodded eagerly in agreement, "Ofcourse father, I’ll definitely remind him, he will be so happy to know that I remember, I’ll definitely remind him!" She went on praising Haruma with uncontainable joy and excitement.

Kento’s smile grew wide as he kept his eyes locked on the road ahead...

End of Flashback.

Haruma planted the ball firmly into the grass, standing up straight, fixing his eyes onto the nets ahead. The distance between him and the net was big, with nets blocked with sets of huddles and a target hanging at the top right corner of the nets.

The rest of the team along with Minato sensei and Roan was gathered at the sideline, keeping a close eye on Haruma.

Raya, observing Haruma, muttered, "Haruma is strong and fast, he can score long goals. But, does he have the precision to clear those huddles and hit that target?"

Standing beside Raya, Itsuki added, "Yeah... it will be tough, we already saw failing to control the ball during that simple dribble."

On the other hand, Kurogami was keeping a sharp eye on Haruma, his jaw clenched, "Even if he scores now, I’ll not let him score against me! not this time! I’ll settle my score with him." fire of revenge burning in his eyes.

Out on the field, Haruma drew in a deep breath composing himself before closing his eyes.

"I’m the best! I’m the very best! There is no one like me! I’m the fuckin greatest they’ll ever see again!"

Haruma’s heartbeat thundered, his fists clenching tightly, as he began to take a few steps backward.

"Ha-ru-maaaa!" Mio cheered out loud from the stands, clapping her hands over her head.

Besides her, Kento was sitting, watching with a silent, confident smile tugging at his lips.

Haruma’s face hardened with determination as he lunged himself forward, swinging his foot at the ball with both power and precision.

His foot struck the ball hard, sending it flying high towards the nets.

Everyone’s eyes followed the ball sharply, watching the ball flying towards the nets, their breath caught in their throat.

Haruma with his face etched with determination and fury held his pose of shooting, watching the ball traveling the long distance.

The ball was soaring into the air with perfection, gliding past through the huddles.

Then, THUD

A sharp echoing crash echoed out loud, shocking everyone.

Just then, the target and the ball both dropped down on grass together, undeniable proof that Haruma’s shot has struck the target.