Rukia broke into tears, her sobs lost in the collective despair of the Hanaka crowd, who sank back to their seats, some appearing frustrated, others deeply disheartened, While on the other hand, Ryugen high erupted in celebrations, their supporters chanting their school's anthem aloud.
From the sidelines, the benched players' hands slipped apart, their heads lowered, faces heavy with disappointment.
Haruma remained frozen in shock, still trying to process the incredible save Kurogami had just pulled off.
'And after witnessing such brilliance, there is no chance Hanaka would ever want things to go to a penalty shootout, not against The Future called Kurogami Shikyo!'
Kurogami stood tall before the nets, his expressions set with cold seriousness, his piercing gaze locked on the kneeling figure of Toru…
As the game was underway, The opposing was charging forward with a wicked smile, skillfully dribbling past Hanaka's defenders before spotting the opening, he powerfully shot the ball towards the nets, the goalkeeper leaped to intercept but before the ball could reach him, another Hanaka defender came sliding in taking the full force of the shot on his face.
The impact sent the defender crashing to the ground, his nose bleeding heavily, wincing in pain.
The opposing striker looked at that bleeding defender with a look of disdain, his expressions devoid of empathy.
The referee rushed to check on the injured defender, quickly gesturing, asking for his substitution.
With dark grim expressions another Hanaka player on the bench removed his training bib and stepped onto the field.
The Hanaka team stood apart on the field, their faces etched with despair and their shoulders slumped, as if they'd already accepted their defeat.
Once lively Hanaka crowds sat in a suffocating silence, their faces nothing but blank and devoid of any emotions. Rukia and her friends sat still, their heads lowered with their expressions empty and somber.
With just twenty minutes left in the game, Hanaka players were playing sluggishly, their spirits crushed, just passing among each other with no conviction, each play devoid of fire they once had.
A Hanaka defender received the ball and was about to deliver a careless pass when suddenly a Ryugen Striker surged in delivering a clean tackle, stealing the ball with perfection.
Haruma's eyes widened in shock seeing the defender giving up possession so easily.
The Ryugen striker's face twisted into a sinister smile as he locked his gaze on the trembling Hanaka goalkeeper.
With a powerful swing of his leg the striker was about to connect the ball when Nara surged in determined to block his shot. However the striker completed his swing with ruthless force. As Nara screamed in agony, the striker aggressively shoved him aside.
Nara cried out in agony as he violently crashed to the ground, tears streamed down his face, and his ankle appeared to be broken.
Meanwhile the rest of the team including Toru, Masaru and Shino were standing with their faces blank in fear, their shoulders slumped down in defeat.
'That's another red card for Ryugen, and this time the victim is their best defender. Can they recover from this loss, is there any hope left for the broken Hanaka?'
The Hanaka crowds were gazing at Nara with wide, stunned eyes, unable to believe their hero, Nara being brought to tears and helpless on the ground.
Rukia lowered her head, her face crumbling as she broke into sobs, and soon her friends, along with several other female supporters were also overwhelmed with tears.
The coach took a deep sigh, his shoulder sagging in defeat. He then turned to a benched defender who appeared terrified and hesitant.
"Taka," the coach called in a low tone. Taka, the defender, with wide, terrified eyes turned to face the coach.
"You're up!" The coach urged, his tone low and depressive.
"They'll kill me, coach!" Taka replied with a trembling tone, "I'm sorry… but I just can't!"
The coach still standing with a blank saddened expression, began to speak "Alright, I think we should give u-"
Before he could finish, a figure stepped forward, standing right between the coach and that defender Taka, facing the coach.
The coach slowly looked up and saw Haruma standing tall before him, his eyes locked firmly on the coach.
"Haruma?" the coach muttered in a confused tone.
"Let me play, coach," Haruma said with a firm and serious tone, surprising both benched players and the coach.
"But you are a striker?" the coach replied, still baffled.
Haruma's confident gaze remained locked on the coach, as he spoke, "It doesn't matter, I just want to play!"
The coach's eyes widened, momentarily stunned by Haruma's words, who was standing with a focused and determined face.
'And here comes the substitution for Nara!'
Taking off his training bib to reveal the name Haruma on the back, he stepped onto the field, with each deliberate step he slowly made his way towards his position.
"Haruma?" One of Rukia's friends whispers in a low, confused tone.
Rukia's tear stopped abruptly as she quickly lifted her head up, with her eyes brimming with tears, she saw Haruma walking towards the defensive position, "Haruma?" she whispers softly.
Toru, Shino and Masaru appeared confused too, unable to comprehend why Haruma was heading towards the defense.
A frustrated Hanaka's fan jumped to his feets, "Get lost! We don't want to see you play anymore! just give up!" his shout rang out with bitterness.
Another fan followed the suit, springing up with anger, "Yeah! Get lost and give up!" he yelled.
Soon more voices joined in, cursing the Hanaka players, urging them to give up.
Rukia, however, kept her soft gaze locked on Haruma, her eyes reflecting deep sadness.
Haruma, with his face blank and lowered, was walking quietly towards his position, surrounded by the harsh voices of a few fans who were cursing and shouting at him.
A small pair of feets slowly climbed up onto the seat, a pair of tiny hands raised overhead before coming together in a sharp, resounding clap.
"Harumaaaaaa!" she chanted joyfully, her voice full of brightness and energy.
Haruma paused mid-steps, his eyes opened wide in disbelief. Slowly, he turned to the voice and saw Mio, her face shining with a bright smile, jumping excitedly on her seat, chanting Haruma's name with pure enthusiasm.
"Ha-ru-ma"
"Ha-ru-ma"
"Ha-ru-ma"
Mio's infectious enthusiasm, laughter, and bright smile radiates through the crowds, making her shine brightest among the sea of crowds. Her father sat beside her, a proud smile on his face, watching his daughter cheering so joyfully. The rest of the crowds including Rukia and her friends were gazing at Mio in stunned silence, their eyes wide with amazement.
Haruma stood frozen in his spot, his mind reeling in disbelief, gazing at Mio who with uncontainable joy was clapping, jumping and laughing, her voice ringing through the air as she kept chanting Haruma's name over and over.
"Harumaaaaaaa!" another chant echoed, louder than the Mio's.
Haruma's heart skipped a beat, and with his fist clenched tight he turned around and saw his mother standing on her feets, clapping her hand over her head, chanting Haruma's name. Tears of joy were streaming down her face, her pride and love shining through every emotion.
Haruma's head dropped, his gaze fixed on the grass beneath. A wave of goosebumps surged through the entire body of Haruma, his heartbeat pounding aloud in his chest as if it might explode, gasping heavily for air. Tears began streaming down his face.
The entire stadium was in stunned silence, with just Haruma's mother and Mio's chants of 'Haruma' echoing loudly across the stadium.
Clenching his fist with all his strength, Haruma drew in a deep breath and as he exhaled, a thick mist escaped his mouth, a golden steam began to rise from his body, swirling around him like a radiant aura.