Inside the area, Hanaka defenders shoved hard, pushing Kabuto, Nagisa, Jiho, and Izaya aside to carve out a clean lane for the delivery.
The ball dropped perfectly.
Masaru's jaw tightened, expression hardening, and with fierce intent he stepped into it and t it on the volley.
A clean, explosive strike, launching the ball like a gunshot straight toward the corner of the net. Keeping his eyes firmly on the ball, Kurogami narrowed his, digging his feet hard into the grass.
As the ball closed in at the nets, Kabuto ca flying across its path, throwing his body into it and eting the strike with his back, cutting it off before it could break through.
The ball deflected high, from where Izaya reacted instantly, slipping under its drop, and with a controlled touch he volleyed it, launching it back into play instead of letting it die out.
With widened eyes, Toru tracked the ball as it hung in the air before it finally dropped right at the feet of Haruma Kusaka, who without missing any beat, began pushing forward, toward the net.
The crowd quickly rose to their feets, chants rising in waves for Haruma Kusaka as he was moving forward smooth, effortless, with no imdiate pressure closing him down.
Just then, Masaru clenched his teeth in a smirk before he exploded forward, launching himself into a full sprint, chasing after Haruma with blistering speed, the gap shrinking with every stride.
The crowd felt the shift instantly, their noises spikes even further, voices surging higher, feeding the chase, charging the mont with raw, rising energy
Within seconds, Masaru drew level with Haruma Kusaka, but in that sa instant, Haruma eased his pace just enough to let Masaru edge slightly ahead.
Masaru was caught off guard, and as he turned his head, his eyes widened.
Haruma was still moving forward, but the rhythm at his feet had shifted quickly as he perford rapid stepovers flowing beneath him, each touch tight, controlled, blending into a blur that refused to be read.
Masaru's pace faltered, and for a split second, his mind lagged behind the blur movent of Haruma's legs, unable to process what he was seeing.
Then, in one sharp shift, Haruma slipped the ball past him from the left and burst forward.
Masaru reacted too late. His weight gave out, balance collapsing under him as he stumbled and dropped onto his knees, the play already gone.
The crowd split in reaction, so left frozen in disbelief with their jaws dropped, while so celebrated.
Rukia stood still among them, eyes wide and lips slightly parted.
Ahead, Haruma Kusaka kept pushing forward effortlessly, steadily closing the distance.
The goalkeeper reacted in panic and rushed out to et him. And just as they ca face to face in a one-on-one situation, the keeper dived fully, sliding low at Haruma's feet.
Keeping his calm, Haruma Kusaka, at the last mont, shifted the ball left with a soft touch, letting the slide miss completely.
He moved past the goalkeeper and closed in on the open net, before gently tapping the ball into the net.
The entire crowd, in unison, exploded into cheers and celebration.
The principal stood frozen with both hands on top of his head, mouth slightly agape, a faint smile forming despite his disbelief.
anwhile, Haruma's mother smiled quietly, clapping softly.
On the field, Haruma Kusaka wore a soft smile, waving and gently bowing at the crowd before turning around to find Izaya already sprinting toward him.
Izaya jumps straight into Haruma Kusaka's arms, who instinctively holds him steady. Kabuto and Jiho cut in imdiately, locking into a tight group hug, laughing, ruffling Haruma's hair with wide, easy grins. From a distance, Raya was walking toward them at an easy pace.
Kurogami takes off his gloves and walks up to Nagisa, sharing a quick dab before pulling him into a brief hug and patting the back of his head.
They pull apart, then both turn toward the Hanaka players and begin moving down the line, shaking hands with each of them.
On the field, Masaru remains on his knees for a mont, motionless, before slowly lowering himself and lying flat on his back.
His eyes close as he lies still on the grass, the sound of celebrating crowds and chants for Haruma Kusaka echoing all around him.
"Masaru."
Masaru opens his eyes.
Haruma was standing above him, a gentle smile on his face, offering a hand.
Masaru watches him for a mont, then a faint smile forms on his own face. He reaches up and takes Haruma's hand.
Haruma pulls him back to his feet in one clean motion.
Once standing, Haruma Kusaka and Masaru remain face to face, their hands still locked in a brief dab.
"You played well, Masaru," Haruma says in a low, steady tone.
Masaru lets out a soft, almost relieved laugh. "I'm sad I couldn't stop you… but yeah, I'm happy you won."
Haruma's expression softens into a faint smile. "These forty-five minutes playing with you… I enjoyed it. Thank you for inviting ."
Masaru lets out a soft laugh, then nods. "Best of luck. Go, and don't you dare co back without the gold."
Haruma Kusaka smiles. Masaru smiles back, and they pull each other into a quick hug, patting one another's back in quiet acknowledgent.
The crowd were in steady applause, watching the mont between Haruma and Masaru, understanding the bond they both carries, sothing beyond the match itself.
Nearby, Kurogami continues moving through the line, shaking hands with each player of Hanaka High.
As he finishes, Toru steps forward to et him.
Toru lets out a small breath and raises his hand. Kurogami ets it with a quick dab, then they share a brief shoulder press in a compact, respectful hug.
They pull back.
Toru holds a steady expression. "That was a good ga, and best of luck for the future."
Kurogami nods calmly. "I appreciate your team's effort. Don't stop playing."
Toru gives a faint smile and a small nod in response as both move on.
Haruma Kusaka and Masaru walk over to the gathered Hanaka High players with relaxed smiles.
With a burst of excitent, Milo steps forward and launches himself on Haruma in a tight hug.
With a smile, Haruma Kusaka gently reciprocates the hug before pulling back to look at him. "I couldn't do it back then, but thank you for the shirt."
Milo's eyes widened in disbelief. "You… you rember ?"
Haruma lets out a light smile. "How could I forget? And yeah, that hair actually suits you."
Milo's expression instantly lights up, overflowing with excitent, and he nods quickly, still unable to fully process it.
Haruma moves further ahead, and Shino steps in with a smile, eting him with a quick dab before they press shoulders in a brief, tight hug.
They pull back.
"Nice to see you, mate," Shino says with a grin. "Can't wait to see you playing for Japan."
Haruma smiles and gives a small nod in response, then keeps moving forward, exchanging quick dabs and short hugs with his old friends along the way.
All of them smile, offering praise as Haruma passes through, never breaking stride as he moves along the line.
At last, he reaches Toru, who stands waiting with a genuine smile.
Haruma returns the smile and steps forward. They share a quick dab before Toru pulls him into a firm hug, patting his back with steady approval.
Toru pulls back, still smiling. "Man, I really don't have the words, just, I'm proud of you."
Haruma keeps his smile, eting his gaze with quiet, genuine respect.
Toru pats Haruma Kusaka's shoulders. "Knowing one of our friends is going to play at international level… makes us all proud. Really proud."
His smile widens. "Play your heart out. Best of luck."
Haruma nods, then shares one last brief hug with him before moving on.
As he steps forward, he spots his mother standing near, smiling softly, her expression full of quiet pride.
Haruma Kusaka quickly moves forward and takes his mother in a warm hug. She embraces him back tightly, a soft smile forming even as tears well in her eyes.
She gently pulls back and cups his cheek, her hand trembling slightly, eyes still shimring with emotion.
Haruma smiles and gives a small nod, then turns his head to find the principal and the school authorities standing nearby.
Just as Haruma turns to face them, the principal eagerly steps forward with a wide, joyous grin and quickly grabs his hand, raising it high into the air.
"Harumaaaa Kusakaaaaa!"
The stands explode once again, cheers rising in a unified roar as the crowd chants his na in unison, the sound rolling across the stadium.
Haruma keeps a gentle smile, taking it all in, the sight of his classmates, the people he knows, all of them cheering for him without restraint.
The principal slowly lowers Haruma Kusaka's hand, then reaches to his right side where an authority figure hands him a fra. He turns back and presents it directly to Haruma.
As Haruma notices the fra and looks toward it, his eyes widen slightly in quiet surprise.
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