The Golden Winged Of Football: Haruma Kusaka-Chapter 54: U-17 JFC

The next day, under a bright afternoon, Kurogami sprinted across the field with all his teammates following close behind him. Their footsteps pounding against the turf in rhythm, every face set with determination and focus.

At the center of the field Raon stood with arms crossed, watching them intently. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"Come on, come on!" He shouted out loud, his voice brimming with energy, "five more laps to go, speed up!"

His words echoed across like a spark, pushing the team to pick up their pace.

Kurogami surged forward with a renewed energy, as the rest of the team followed suit. Haruma, running among them, pushed himself harder, his face a mask of unwavering focus and determination...

Kurogami stood focused in front of the nets, eyes locked in concentration. As the first ball came flying to his left, he dived sharply and deflected it with quick reflexes. Without missing a beat, he regained his footing and dove again to the left, deflecting another shot, before regaining his footing again, repeating the process...

Itsuki, Nagisa, Izaya and Jiho all were formed in a circle with training mannequins placed between them. As they were exchanging one touch passes between the narrow gaps of mannequins, all appeared focused and precise...

Haruma, Raya and Jiho, all three were standing in a line, side by side, juggling balls on their feets.

Haruma was drenched in sweat, wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt, his eyes locked on the ball with razor sharp focus, every touch precise and measured.

Watching them closely from nearby, Raon blows out the whistle sharply.

At the signal, the trio tapped their balls slightly higher in a perfect unison before stepping back and striking the ball in powerful volley kicks. Sending the ball soaring forward, one after another, all the three balls slammed into the nets with flawless accuracy.

Jiho let out an exhilarated roar, pumping his feet in the air before jumping on both Raya and Haruma, pulling them in a cheerful celebration...

Haru, wearing just shorts, ran to the left and outstretched his left foot to tap a training disc on the grass with the tip of his toe. Without wasting another second, he ran back to right, outstretched his right foot, tapping the training disc with the tip of the toe, and repeating the process again and again...

All the players were now gathered in the center of the field, some were slumped on the grass, others taking sips from their water bottles, appearing exhausted.

While Raon stood before them, his voice sharp and filled with fire as he drilled his team with powerful tips and lessons, his energy pushing through every word.

Drenched in sweat, all the players were listening to him intently. Their breathing was heavy but their eyes remained fixed ahead on Raon.

Just then Minato sensei stepped onto the field, approaching them from the sidelines, holding a paper sheet.

First one to notice him was Izaya who quickly stood up on his feets, prompting the rest of the team to follow suit.

Raon glanced over his shoulder to spot Minato sensei approaching, then respectfully he stepped aside, letting Minato sensei take the center of attention.

Minato sensei came to a stop in front of the players, standing tall and composed, his presence commanding attention.

With a firm, steady tone he spoke up, "The schedule for this year’s JFC U-17, Japan’s U-17 Football Championship, is here."

His words send a wave of energy and determination through the team, lighting up their faces with renewed focus.

Minato sensei continued with the same steady and commanding tone.

"Sixteen teams will play a round of sixteen... then we’ll have, quarter finals, semi finals and then the final."

He paused for a moment before continuing,

"The tournament will begin in three days. Our first game is the day after, four days from now on. We will be facing the Fukuoka Tengu’s in our round of sixteen, and remember if we lose we are out!"

Another pause followed, letting the words sink in.

"This year’s tournament will be hosted across different cities... But all of our matches will be held here in Tokyo."

He glanced around the faces of players before adding, "And The Final? It will be held here too!"

His words sparked a wave of excited chatter and murmur’s among the players, the air buzzing with excitement.

Haruma was listening quietly, his eyes slightly wide with thoughts.

"Final in Tokyo?" he mused to himself, "It means, if we made it to the finals, all our families and friends will be there to support us!"

Minato sensei again spoke up, "Playing the finals in your home city, in front of your crowds is not just an advantage but an honor. But, it also comes with a responsibility, so give your best. Not just me, the entire Tokyo would want to see their team playing and lifting the trophy on home ground."

With that he extended the Tournament fixture list towards Kurogami, who stepped forward and tooks it.

Minato sensei then folded his arms, "Get back to practice," he said casually, "The players this year are not the ones to take lightly, they have serious talents and skills."

He paused, smiling ear to ear, "And in the end... Only time will tell which player will rise the highest to win this year’s Japan’s Rising Prodigy Award!"

Jiho’s smirk widened as he cracked his knuckles, radiating confidence. Nagisa’s eyes were sharp with focus and determination.

Izaya bites his tongue, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Raya’s draw in a slow breath, his face a mask of determination.

Itsuki smiles warmly, with a hint of confidence and excitement in his eyes. Besides him, Kabuto’s signatured wicked grin kept playing on his face.

Kurogami lifted his eyes up from the fixture list, his eyes icy and focused, jaw tight with purpose.

Among all them, Haruma stood tall, arms folded behind his back, expressions covered in shadows...

All the players were spread across the center of the field, with some juggling, some sprinting through the drills, each of them focused. Minato sensei stood nearby, giving advice to the defenders.

Off the sides Haruma was stretching his legs alongside Raya, Jiho and Izaya.

"I can’t believe it!" Raya said with a warm smile, "In just four days, we’ll be playing our first real professional game!"

Jiho grinned from ear to ear, "Man, just thinking about it being broadcast gives me chills!"

Izaya stretched his arms overhead, his grin matching Jiho’s "That’s crazy just how many people will be watching us live... and among them there will be our family and friends too!"

Maintaining his smile, Jiho added, "Yeah! my parents and my entire school would be there chanting my name!"

Izaya chuckled, "Yeah, my family and my sisters are planning to blow the stadium up with my chants!"

"My Family and friends will be there too!" Raya said with a grin, "Not just my family but my relatives and even the family friends they’re all coming, it will be a heck of an atmosphere!"

All the three of them laughed together. Raya then smiling, instinctively turned to Haruma who was stretching in silence.

"Hey Haruma." Raya called out casually, "Your family and friends will be there too right?"

Haruma paused mid-stretch, and replied with a low tone, "Yeah, my mother will be there."

Raya, Izaya and Jiho exchanged glances, sensing something off.

Jiho slightly tilted his head, "And about your father?" he asked.

"He’s Dead!" Haruma replied with a firm tone.

The air shifted, the trio stood still, taken aback by the unexpected words.

"Ohh, I’m sorry!" Jiho said softly, his voice lace with surprise.

Haruma sighs slightly, "It’s alright," he murmured, "The only two people to support me... will be my mother and Mio, and they are good enough for me."

Jiho, Izaya and Raya were silent, looking at Haruma with sad and concerned gazes.

"Heeeeyyyy!"

Just then a voice called out loud from the gate, catching everyone’s attention to find the waitress Shiori standing behind the main gate of the field. Dressed in a casual outfit and a baseball cap, appearing slightly nervous but determined.

Raya’s smile widened, shooting a teasing glance at Haruma, "Well, well, I guess not two, it’s actually three!"

He walked towards Minato sensei, leaving Haruma who was watching Shiori with slightly wide shocked eyes.

Raya smiled and approached Minato sensei and said, "Sensei, that friend of mine is here, the one I told you about."

Minato sensei glanced towards the gate, finding Shiori standing there, visibly nervous, but waiting patiently.

Giving a nod, Minato sensei turned to Raon, " Go welcome her, and make sure she is comfortable on the stands."

Raon nodded in agreement, jogging off towards the gate to let her in.

From a distance, Haruma was watching quietly as Raon opened the gate and welcomed her with a warm smile.

She stepped inside, her nerves softening and followed her to the stands. Once seated she looked out at the field, a gentle smile playing at her face.

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