The air between them grew dense as the roar of the crowd fading into a low hum with both Haruma and Kazutora staring down at each other.
The comntators shot to their feet, voices sparkling with excitent.
'It's Haruma! Against all odds, he's stepped out of position just to stop Kazutora! And look at this, he's holding the giant back all on his own!'
On the field, Haruma was standing firm, his eyes locked onto Kazutora, focused and fierce, with Kazutora staring back with his eyes slightly widened, frustration flickering beneath his calm exterior as the two faced each other, will against will.
Suddenly, Kazutora's face twisted into a wild smirk as he began stepping back, rolling the ball smoothly with him, anwhile Haruma began to move forward slowly, closing the distance, his focus locked entirely on the ball.
'Haruma is actually making Kazutora fall back! It's unbelievable!' The comntator shouted with a big smile on his face.
Keeping their eyes on the field, Raon, Minato, Kento, Ismau, and the other senior players were watching with wide, stunned eyes.
With a big grin, Masaru leapt to his feet.
"Get him, Harumaaa! yes, co on!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the stands, clapping out loud.
Kazutora, still moving backward, let out a short sigh before flicking the ball quickly to his left, creating open space to which Haruma reacted instantly and shifted his body toward the ball with his eyes sharp on the ball.
Kazutora then pushed the ball wider to the left and then struck it hard forcing Haruma to stretch his leg out in a desperate attempt to block, but the ball slipped past his reach, flying ahead down the field.
Yohan sprinted toward the ball, but this ti Kabuto charged in, slamming his back into Yohan's front, blocking his way ahead, keeping him in place.
Yohan growled in frustration, muscles straining as he tried to break free, but Kabuto held firm, eyes fixed on the incoming ball. The clash between them was fierce, both refusing to give an inch.
"Let go, you shit!" Yohan spat, fighting to push past him.
Kabuto's lips curled into a smirk. "Not no more you fuckin bastard."
Keeping his eyes on the incoming ball, Kabuto's grin widened, holding Yohan back with his back and arms and at the sa ti readying himself to head the ball clear.
But in the next instant, his smile vanished.
The ball twisted mid-air, arching unexpectedly, changing its path completely right in front of his eyes.
A wave of confusion rippled through the Wolves as they stared up at the ball, stunned by the sudden curve.
Haruma too was looking up at the ball, frozen in place, eyes wide in shock.
Standing in front of the net, Subaru's heart pounded like a drum before he planted his feet firmly on the turf, keeping his panicked eyes locked on the ball which was arching through the air, traveling straight toward him.
Clenching his jaw in a fierce resolve, Subaru took a few steps to his left before leaping into the air, stretched his arm high, his hand desperately reaching for it, but the ball curved at the last mont, slipping just past his hand and sailing into the top-left corner of the net.
The net shook, the stadium and the players on the field fell silent and the ti itself seed to be stopped.
"Goooooaaall!"
The Tyrants erupted just after a mont the ball hit the net. Their roars shook the field as so of them leaped, so punched the air but all together rushed straight toward Kazutora, their faces blazing with triumph.
On the field Kabuto stood frozen, eyes wide, breath caught in his throat as if his mind was refusing to accept what had just happened. His hold on Yohan began to loosen.
Yohan's smirk returned in full force as he quickly shoved Kabuto aside before letting out a thunderous roar and joining his team to sprint toward Kazutora.
From the dugout, Raon lowered his head, burying his face in both his hands. His shoulders sank, trembling with sheer humiliation and disbelief.
Minato stood still, his hand tucked in his pocket, eyes glistening with unshed tears. He said nothing, just stared at the field, his expression hollow.
Beside him, Shiori lowered her head, covering her mouth with both hands, trying to hold back her emotions.
While the field was set with chaos, as the Tyrants were running wild, roaring in triumph, charging toward Kazutora with their celebration shaking the air like thunder.
From his position, Raya ran a trembling hand over his forehead, fighting back tears that threatened to fall. Jiho gritted his teeth, folding both his arms around his head before letting out a raw, desperate roar with slight tears spilling freely down his face.
Nagisa dropped to a crouch holding ground with his one hand to balance himself before lowering his head in despair, his body shaking in frustration.
Kabuto stood motionless, eyes filled with tears which were streaming down his cheeks as he hurriedly wiped them away, but it was pointless. The emotion was too strong to hide.
Haruma stood in complete silence with his expression devoid of any emotions. Slowly, he turned his head around to et Kazutora's gaze who was already staring back at him. Just then, a wild smirk spread across Kazutora's face as he opened his arms wide, tauntingly, like a king welcoming victory.
Haruma didn't move, just staring at Kazutora when in an instant the Tyrants stord past him, shouting in triumph, leaping into Kazutora's embrace, wrapping him in a storm of cheers, hugs, and celebration.
Haruma kept on standing still, watching the Tyrant's celebration in complete silence. The sorrow and despair in his eyes was clear to be seen. Just as he was keeping his eyes on them, Yohan sprinted past him with his shoulder brushing hard against Haruma's on the way before leaping into Kazutora's arms, screaming in wild celebration.
From the stands, Kento sat hunched forward with his face shadowed with darkness. Next to him, Ryusei was watching the field with empty, lifeless eyes, while the crowd around them began to rise and started to walk toward the exits.
Ayane stayed seated with her posture firm, eyes sharp and cold. Anger burned quietly beneath her calm expression as she kept staring down at the field.
In the balcony of a VIP box, Ismau and his teammates stood in heavy silence, their faces blank, eyes fixed on the pitch without a word or any sound between them.
Inside the other VIP box, Shuya was hamring his fist hard against the table, his rage boiling over, while beside him, Aha was leaning back in her chair, watching the scene with a detached, emotionless stare.
Across the stands, Toru sat with his hand over his mouth, eyes wide, struggling to process what he was seeing. Beside him, Masaru watched the field in silence, his body trembling as he fought to keep himself from breaking down. Next to both of them, Rukia shared the sa pain, blinking rapidly to hold back her tears, but a few still slipped free as she quietly wiped them away.
A few rows behind, Keiichi, the office boy, sat slumped in his seat before letting out a frustrated huff. "What a pathetic performance and what a waste of ti," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disappointnt before pushing himself up, he dusted off his pants and turned to his friends.
"Co on guys, let's go. No point watching this anymore," he said, glancing at the girl and the other friend beside him who both were watching the field with the sa heavy sorrow as everyone else in the stands.
"And with the fifty-third minute of the match, the score stands at Tokyo U17 with 1, and Kashiwa U-17 with 4… And at this point, the Tyrants are scoring just for fun."
On the field, Haruma's lifeless eyes stayed fixed on Tyrant's wild celebration for a mont. Then, quietly, he sank to the ground. Sitting with his elbows resting on his knees, he lowered his head, his shoulders heavy as tears began to gather in his eyes.
Above him, the giant screen flashed the score, a harsh reminder of the Tyrants' commanding lead over them.
Kashiwa Tyrants U17 (4 – 1) Tokyo Wolves U17.
Haruma remained seated as the sounds of Kashiwa's celebration were echoing all around him. His tears slipped quietly, falling onto the grass beneath him.
From the sideline, the referee stepped forward and raised his whistle to his lips. The sharp blast cut through the noise, drawing the attention of the Wolves and Tyrants towards it.
Lowering the whistle, the referee pointed towards the Tokyo Wolves' side of the nets and raised his voice loud clearly across the field.
"Substitution for Tokyo Wolves U17!"
Haruma's brows furrowed in confusion as he lifted his gaze toward the sideline. A pair of feet ca into view, soone standing just beyond the dugout line.
As Haruma's eyes trailed upward, he saw a figure wearing a goalkeeping jersey, slowly pulling on a pair of sleek black goalkeeper gloves, tightening the straps around his wrist with deliberate precision.
Haruma's breath hitched as his eyes began to widen in slow disbelief.
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