The Golden Demon Of Football: Haruma Kusaka

The force of the jump brought Toru crashing to the ground.

A heartbeat later, Hanaka crowds erupted into wild thunderous celebration and cheers. The boy next to Haruma leaped up high in celebration before evading into the pitch followed by the other benched players, only Haruma remained seated, silent and still.

Toru rose to his feet before jogging and standing before his roaring fans and blowing them a big kiss. Just then his teammates swarmed him, leaping onto his back in celebrations, their joy uncontainable

Haruma sat alone on the bench for a moment before slowly standing. He picked up the water bottles and jogged towards his celebrating teammates, his expressions blank and distant

In the stands, Rukia and her friends were celebrating enthusiastically, when her gaze fell on Haruma, who was approaching his team, carrying water bottles. Watching him, her bright smile slightly faltered.

"What's wrong with Haruma! Why can't he just be happy for his team?" One of Rukia's friends said with an irritated tone.

"Yeah! He's just jealous of Toru!" Another girl muttered dismissively. However, Rukia's eyes remained fixed on Haruma, her smile replaced with quiet silence and concern…

The final whistle echoed through the stadium, signalling the end of the game with Hanaka highschool winning the game with 1-0 and securing their place in the quarterfinals.

The crowds erupted with cheer, the atmosphere electrified with celebration. Toru with a big smile spread open his arm wide and gazed up at the sky soaking in the moment, just in seconds his team rushed at him and envelopes him in a joyous group hug, celebrating their first victory with the whole stadium reverberated with Toru's chants.

The coach was applauding from the sidelines, his face lit up with satisfaction, as he turned to his left he saw Haruma standing quietly watching his team celebrating, his expressions unreadable.

"Haruma!" The coach called out, his voice cutting through the noises, catching his attention, "Pack everyone's bags, we'll be leaving soon!"

Haruma nodded silently and quickly began gathering everyone's belongings...

Inside the locker room, the team erupted in celebrations, their cheers and laughter echoing around as everyone was celebrating and congratulating Toru.

Haruma was standing alone in the corner of the room, silently packing his own bag after packing everyone else. He then turned to his left and saw all his team gathered together in a circle sharing laughter.

Haruma then swung his back over his shoulder, stepped forward and stood behind Toru. "Toru!" he called softly.

Toru turned and met Haruma's gaze.

Haruma offered a smile, before saying, "That was a brilliant goal, congrats" he raised his hand for a handshake.

Toru returned the smile and shook his hand, "Thanks, and congrats to you too," he replied, before noticing Haruma's bag, "Why are you carrying your bag? We still have time before we leave."

"I'm leaving now," Haruma replied gently, "I need to go to somewhere important, which is near from here."

Maintaining his smile Toru nodded and said, "Oh I see, but I'll be waiting for you tonight!"

Haruma blinked, confused by the statement, "Tonight?" he asked.

"I'm throwing a party tonight to celebrate our first win!" Toru said, his excitement evident, "Our entire team is joining, so don't be late."

Haruma smiled faintly and slowly shook his head in denial, "Thanks, but I'm busy"

"Come oh Haruma! It will be fun!" Toru said, leaning closer, a sly smirk forming on his face, "There'll be girls too, and if you want, I can arrange you a girl."

Haruma flinched slightly at the offer, his smile faltering before turning awkward, "No thanks but I'm really busy!" he said.

Toru stepped back, standing upright with a a casual shrug "Alright, I'll still send you details, If you get time then do join us"

Haruma gave a nod before turning to Masaru who was in the middle of changing into casual clothes.

"Masaru!" Haruma called out, making Masaru turn to him.

locking eyes with Masaru, Haruma said, "I'm leaving, and I'll see you tonight at our usual spot."

Toru got a bit surprised and turned to Masaru.

Masaru quickly wears his shirt and walks over to Haruma, holding his arm, "Let's talk for a moment." he said, taking Haruma out of the room.

Once outside, Masaru and Haruma stood face to face.

"Haruma." Masaru started, "I won't be there tonight"

Haruma's brows furrowed with confusion, "Why not?" he asked, but Masaru just kept his gaze steady on him.

A sudden realization struck Haruma, his eyes widening, "You are joining Toru's party tonight, aren't you?"

Masaru sighed. "Yes Haruma, and you should come too, we can practice tomorrow!"

Haruma, appearing stunned, said "Masaru!" his voice firm, "I know you played well, but you all still need practice! instead of partying and getting involved with girls at least you should focus on improving your game! the game ahead will be much more challenging!"

Masaru let out a disappointed sigh, "Haruma, I know! but having a little fun isn't a bad thing! We'll practice, of course, but we also need to do some outings!"

Haruma, looking disappointed, shook his head firmly before turning around and walking off in anger.

"Harumaa!" Masaru called after him, trying to stop him, but Haruma stormed out without a word...

Inside a stillness of a quiet park, Haruma stood alone juggling his new football in the middle of the night. His focus unwavering, his eyes locked on the ball as he tapped it higher, stepping a few steps back and with a powerful swing of his leg he struck the ball sending it flying ahead towards a water bottle placed against the wall. But the ball missed the water bottle and slammed into the wall instead.

The ball came back to Haruma who stopped it by placing his feet on it. Frustration crept over him as he gasped for air, sweat dripping down his face.

"Why can't I hit the basic target from fifteen yards!" his voice roared in his mind, his fury boiling within him.

Determined he began juggling once more, firing shots after shots, but everytime missing the target, still he kept trying…

The gathered Hanaka boys clinked their glasses together, laughing before stumbling back and collapsing on the couches of the karaoke bar, with girls surrounding them, all of them laughing and drinking, including Masaru and Rukia. It was clear that all of them were drunk, caught up in the carefree joy of the moment …

As the first light of dawn crept over

the horizon, Haruma raced down the road, wearing a hoodie and shorts, his face set with intense determination, completely lost in his own world of training.

Early in the morning a white honda pulled up to the corner of the street, with Toru and Rukia inside, both clearly drunk.

With a smile, Toru leaned over and kissed Rukia, "I'll be back soon." he said before stepping out of the car and heading towards a nearby house.

Rukia, still smiling, sat quietly in the car, but as her gaze drifted, she instinctively looked out the window. Across the street inside a park she saw Haruma doing push-ups.

Her attention snapped to him, watching him with wide eyes as he finished doing his push ups before standing up he picked up his bag and jogged out of the park, without knowing that Rukia had her eyes on him all this time.

Rukia sat in stunned silence, her gaze still fixed on the park, confusion clouding her thoughts...

Inside his apartment's kitchen, Haruma carefully poured tea into a cup then placed it on a tray before carrying it out.

Entering the room, he saw his mother still sleeping. Moving quietly he set the tray on the side table, gazing at his mother he gently grazed her head before quietly leaving...

Inside the same roaring football stadium, the ball soared through the air when Masaru skillfully controlled it with his feets and with a powerful strike he launched it inside the nets, scoring a flawless goal. The Hanaka supporters exploded in celebrations and cheers.

Smiling Brightly Masaru sprinted across the field before sliding on his knees in celebration. In an instant his teammates rushed over piling on top of him in a wave of pure joy.

Meanwhile Haruma quickly grabbed water bottles and hurried over to his team.

Taking a corner kick, a player from Hanaka launched the ball towards the nets, when Shino leaped up high into the air and struck the ball with his head, scoring a brilliant header.

The Hanaka crowd erupted in enthusiastic celebrations, their cheers echoing across the field with their team huddling in a group hug in the middle of the field.

The quarter finals ended with Hanaka High School victorious, securing a 2-0 win...