Amid roaring cheers, a football came soaring through the air. A young boy leaped up high, trapping it on his chest before letting it drop on his foot. He sprinted towards the nets, but suddenly a defender came blocking his path, but with a smooth dribble that young boy glided past him, causing the crowds to explode in cheers.
"Hello, My Name is Hakuji Ogawa, a 19-years-old In my final year of high school. It's 2028, and today is a crucial game of football between the two football teams of Karata High School. The winner of this game will advance and represent Karata High School in the upcoming High School Tournament."
"Almost every student from Karata High school, along with their parents has gathered here…. Ehh, but why are they so loud? can't they just watch in silence?"
That young player sent the pass to the striker, who quickly collected it and saw a clear opportunity to score. With determined fury in his eyes, he swung his left foot to strike the ball. But just as he was about to hit the ball a player from another team came sliding in hitting on that striker's ankle. The striker winced in pain and collapsed to the ground with a scream of agony. The whistle blew sharply, halting the game.
"Damn, that was brutal! it might be a penalty"
The referee signals for a penalty, igniting a surge of excitement and cheers from the crowd.
"Hmm, a penalty at this stage of the game means, it's now a score and win!"
With a loud chorus of cheering from the crowds, the ball was placed on the ground. A foot rested firmly on top, and as the view shifted upwards, revealing a handsome young boy with jet black hair held by a white headband, gently floating on his forehead, his eyes a shade of blue.
The crowd were in a heavy silence, with every eye locked on him with eager anticipation.
The boy clenched his fist and took a deep breath, calming his racing heartbeat.
"But why the hell am I in this position? I wasn't supposed to be here. Damn it!"
The boy lifted his foot from the ball and began walking backwards, his eyes locked on the net ahead, radiating determination.
"Everyone's watching me! Their hopes are on me, I can't mess this up"
A fierce determination burned in that boy's eyes. Standing a distance away from the ball he took another sigh and started jogging towards the ball. The crowds held their breaths, rising to their feets.
"I have to do this! I have to prove that I'm not a loser! Every girl is watching me, it's my ultimate chance to impress every girl here!"
The boy came jogging forward and with his eyes burning with fierce rage, he swung his feet at the ball, pouring all his intensity into the strike.
"Now It's my time, I'll prove that I am not a loser! It's my ultimate chance to become the greatest!"
With a fierce scream the boy strikes the ball with all his might, sending the ball soaring towards the top right corner of the net.
The goalkeeper dived towards the ball, outstretching his arm wide in a desperate attempt to reach the ball. As the ball neared his hand it got brushed by his fingertips. But, it was too late, the ball slipped past through his finger, hitting the back of the net.
Boy's eyes sparkled with pure joy, and with a victorious scream he sprinted towards the crowd, who erupted into cheers. His teammates were charging behind him, trying to catch up, but the boy was running forward, his roar ringing out in joy and boundless enthusiasm.
The girls in the crowds were cheering aloud, their eyes fixed solely on the boy who was celebrating his goal. Coming to a stop the boy playfully formed a gun from his two fingers, kissed the tip, and aimed it toward the most beautiful girl of the school and shot her a kiss. The girl's face brightened with joy, sending a flying kiss back to him in response.
The boy's teammates rushed in from behind, enveloping him in joyous embraces. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and energy. Everyone was caught up in the joyous moment.
"Shit… How can I mess this up?"
"Ooh, You thought that was me?"
"No!"
"I was the goalkeeper."
The goalkeeper, still lying on the ground with his face buried in the grass. In a swift fluid motion he lifted his head up with dust clinging to his face, revealing an average looking boy with black hair.
"Yeah, that's me! A failure of a human being!"
His expressions twisted with anger and frustration before he slammed his face back onto the ground…
The losing team were gathered in a locker room changing their clothes in silence. The air was thick with disappointment, their faces etched with frustration and sadness.
Just then, Hakuji Ogawa stepped into the room, instantly drawing everyone's furious gaze on him.
With calm and unhurried steps, Hakuji made his way towards his locker, his every step being followed by intense, angered glares of his teammates. Hakuji reached his locker and began pulling out his clothes, completely unaffected by the storm of frustrated glares around him.
"Ha-ku-ji!" The captain's low yet frustrated voice broke the silence.
Hakuji let out a sigh, "What?" he asked casually, his focus still on pulling out his stuff from the locker.
"You should've stopped that," the captain shot back, his anger visible.
"Huhh," Hakuji muttered dismissively, "How can you say that?" he asked, while maintaining his focus on his task, "I'm just a substitute keeper. It's not my fault if your two main goalkeepers got injured before the game. And it's also not my fault if your defender carelessly gave that penalty in that crucial stage of the game… I even stopped that one goal at the start. What else were you expecting from your third choice?"
The room fell into silence, with everyone's angered eyes remaining locked on Hakuji, who, completely unfazed, began changing into his regular clothes…
Hakuji was now walking down the street, a large paper bag tucked between his one arm, causally munching a sandwich with the other. The bag seemed to be filled with various items. His headphones were on, isolating him with the world around him, while his expressions remained empty, devoid of any emotions.
He came and stood at the bus stop, standing among a crowd of people, all waiting for the bus.
A short distance behind Hakuji, two girls stood with their eyes locked on Hakuji.
"He was the goalkeeper!" One of the girls remarked.
"Yeah, he's such a loser and pathetic, not just in sports but in studies too" the other girl added, her voice helding a hint of frustration.
"Slow down! He'll hear us," one girl whispered to another.
"I hear you girls," Hakuji thought to himself, still eating his sandwich with blank expressions. There wasn't anything playing in his headphones.
"Well, they are not wrong!"
"I'm a below average student in both sports and study, a loner who loves to stay alone. A boring and most unwanted person in my entire school."
Hakuji stepped into his house, a grand two-story residence that exudes luxury, with elegant furnishing and an air of quiet sophistication.
Entering the hall, he called out "Mom dad, I'm home," His voice echoed in silence. Standing still in the hall, he turned his head to his side and saw a large photo frame of his parents hanging on the wall. Where his parents' smiling face seemed to watch him in stillness.
"My parents passed away when I was eight. They both died in a car accident."
Hakuji was now standing in the kitchen, he emptied his paper bag, scattering the stuff across the counter. With practised ease he began preparing his mean, his knife slicing through the vegetable with speed and perfection, his cooking skill evident in his every movement.
"Of Course I can cook, since I've been living on my own for five years now. And after my parents It was me and my brother living together. From a very young age my brother took over our dad's business, becoming the CEO of Ogawa Enterprises. He gained massive success in no time. and five years ago he went to America for some business meeting… and never came back."
"He is living there with his girlfriend and I'm here living alone. He sends me a large amount of money every month, but he never comes back. We only talk once a month only in phone calls and everytime he goes like,
'Hello, Hakuji I've sent the money, don't waste it on unnecessary things…'
Pfft, where will I waste them on? My girlfriend? Or on my kids? I really hate him."
Haruto held a big spoon between his teeths and lifted the lid off the pot, causing a thick plume of steam to escape. With his eyes closed, he inhaled deeply, savoring the warmth.
"Perfect"
He was now climbing stairs holding a tray with a steaming bowl of ramen, drinks and lots of crispy fried chicken. He kicked the door open with his foot.
"Yes, this is where I spend all my money!"
His room was bathed in a glow of vibrant RGB lights. Posters of anime characters and footballers were adorning his wall, while a few gym equipment were on the floor. A bright red, expensive guitar was also hung on the walls.
His gaming PC setup was nothing short but majestic. Sleek, high end, and enhanced by vibrant lightning around it that made it look a masterpiece.
With a proud smile he started walking towards his bed, his steps cheerful and joyous. He placed the tray on the bed, turning around he saw two big led screens hanging on the wall, flanked by two powerful speakers, his PS5 sat neatly on the table below, completing a perfect dream room for every boy.
With cheerful steps Hakuji approached the table and opened the drawer, revealing a neatly organized collection of video games. He pulled out one and slid the game disc into the PlayStation. Then he opened the second drawer where a variety of custom gaming consoles were arranged. With a satisfied smile he grabbed one and began walking back towards the bed.
Lying on his bed he placed the tray on his lap, and with console in his hands he began playing games, effortlessly switching between bites of his meal and intense moments of his game.
"Ahhh, absolutely perfect life. I always used to think that things would stay the same… but I was wrong!"
"I never imagined that only a few peaceful nights were left for me…. Ohh did I just say for me? Sorry, I mean only a few peaceful nights were left for all of humankind."