Haruma was standing staring at Kurogami with wide stunned eyes, while Kurogami was returning the gaze with a serious look. Silence was heavy between them.
Just then Kento came from Haruma's behind standing next to him casually placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You both must know each other." Kento said with a smile. While Haruma and Kurogami kept staring at each other in silence.
"Starting from today you both will be teammates" Kento continued, "I hope you both will get along and support each other throughout your careers."
Silence remained heavy between Haruma and Kurogami, both eyes not letting go of each other.
"Alright, let's not delay any further," Kento said with a cheerful tone. "Get in the car, I'll be right back"
With that Kento walked back Into the house, leaving Haruma and Kurogami staring at each other, with Haruma's still appearing perplexed.
"Harumaaa!" A voice called out, causing Haruma to turn around and saw Ryusei standing with Haruma's mother standing next. Ryusei then gestures to him to come over.
Haruma walked and stood before Ryusei, extending a plastic bag towards him.
Haruma glanced at the bag with confusion, before looking up to Ryusei, "What's that?" he asked.
With a smile Ryusei replied, "A small gift for you."
Haruma smiled and was about to say something.
"No" Ryusei interrupted him before he could say anything, "You can't say no to this, we talked about it."
Haruma smiled and took the bag with a faint smile. Maintaining his smile Ryusei gave him a warm hug, pulling back he said, "Best of luck, Haruma"
Haruma returned the smile and gave him a nod, Then he slowly shifted his gaze to his mother who was standing in silence, tears welling up in her eyes.
Haruma with a smile turned to his mother and envelopes her in a hug, who returned the hug, her silent sobs echoing in a hushed tone.
Pulling back from the hug Haruma said, "Don't worry mother, I'll be back soon"
The mother smiled and placed a comforting hand on his cheek, "Take care of yourself."
Haruma flashed a smile, "You too, and I'll be waiting for you on weekends." he said warmly.
"Haruma, he's waiting for you" Ryusei said, causing Haruma to turn and see Kento, his wife and Mio, all standing near the car, waiting for him.
Haruma let out a sigh and began walking towards them.
Haruma's mother was on the verge of bursting into sobs, watching his son leaving. While Ryusei was watching Haruma with a serious confident look.
With a smile Kento stepped inside the car, taking the driving seat.
Haruma opened the door of the back seat to find Kurogami already sitting there gazing blankly out of the window.
Haruma too settled inside, taking a seat next to Kurogami who didn't even acknowledge his presence.
Kento started the engine, causing Mio to wave enthusiastically at them, "Byeee! take care!" he said energetically.
Haruma looked out the same window as Kurogami, and waved at Mio, instinctively looking up to Kento's house, he saw Ayane standing on her window, her serious gaze fixed on the car.
As Haruma was looking at her, Kento began driving and the car moved into the distance.
Ayane watched the car travel, Mio and her mother waved at the car, While Haruma's mother was watching with tears in her eyes and Ryusei seemed serious and confident. Everyone watches Kento's car disappearing into the distance.
Kento's car drove onto the street with Haruma and Kurogami sitting in the back.
Kento with a smile on his face said, "Just to let you boys know that academy is currently not giving admissions, the admissions process ended a month back. The Tokyo Wolves Juniors has been finalized, but since I scouted you both, they'll let you in. So, give your best and make me, your family and country proud."
"I won't let you down, I promise" Haruma responded enthusiastically.
Meanwhile Kurogami kept sitting in silence, glancing outside the window.
Maintaining his smile, Kento asked, "Well, since you both are going to be teammates and roommates for a whole long year, let's know what you think about each other's game. Let's start from Haruma."
Haruma glanced at Kurogami who seemed uninterested, "I think he's a very skilled goalkeeper." he said.
Kento flashed a big smile before saying, "Yeah he is, now it's your turn Kurogami.".
Kurogami slowly turned his head, locking his eyes on Haruma, "He isn't special, his last goal was a fluke."
Haruma's eyes widened, "Huh?" he muttered, his face etched with irritation, "That wasn't a fluke! it was a perfectly strategized goal!"
Kurogami's face etched with irritation too, "It was a fluke! all you did was just hit the ball with all your power and it was your luck that it went in! Otherwise you had no chance of scoring against me!"
Haruma was boiling with frustration, his gaze locked on Kurogami who was returning the stare with a serious look.
"Alright!" Haruma said with his teeth gritted, "I'll prove myself again! I'll score again, and this time it will be more ruthless!"
Kurogami smirked, "That's what I'm talking about, let's do our duel again!"
Kento's smile grew wide, "Having competition between friends is a great thing."
Both Haruma and Kurogami locked eyes, with Haruma seeming determined and Kurogami smirking in confidence...
After a long journey, Kento's var finally came to a halt.
"We're here!" Kento announced with an excited tone.
Haruma glanced out a window and saw an enormous facility with the Tokyo Wolves logo and their famous players' statues posterz everywhere.
Haruma was awed, stunned, gazing at it with wide, shocked eyes.
Kento and Kurogami stepped out of the car, with Haruma coming out at last, his astonished face still fixed on the facility.
"Lets go" Kento said and began walking towards the facility, Kurogami followed him behind, Haruma appearing confident followed then, walking towards the facility.
Entering the facility area Haruma gaze landed on big trees and beautiful green grass around with some staff members working around, the atmosphere seemed beautiful and calm.
Haruma was awe stunned, his mouth agape, eyes darting around in astonishment.
Just then Kento stepped on the entrance of the training field, with lots of young players warming up, all wearing training Jerseys.
Upon noticing Kento Haruma and Kurogami, all the young players' attention turned to him, pausing in their activities.
Kento's eyes were searching for someone, when suddenly he smiled and waved his hand, calling out, "Hey, Minatooo."
A man with long hair, tied in a one sharp ponytail stood straight, before turning around towards Kento.
The man seemed in his late thirties, his expressions serious, eyes sharp, his presence exceeding an aura of power and authority.