NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Great Things Take Time
Haruma stood frozen, gazing at the team who didn't even notice his absence. Masaru, Shino and Toru stood side by side, arms around each other's shoulders, all smiling brightly.
Haruma was watching them with expressions of quiet disbelief.
"But I am a part of this team too," his voice gently echoed in his mind, as he continued to watch his teammates, who all were happy together.
Clenching his jaw, Haruma turned on his back and walked through the crowds, approaching the bus. He stormed inside and took a seat at the very back, taking his seat on the last, his face tense with frustration.
A moment later the rest of the team began entering the bus. Haruma, sitting alone with blank expressions, quickly becomes alert, gazing at his teammates entering.
Just then Toru Masaru and Shino walked in, chatting and laughing together, as they made their way towards the seats, Masaru sat next to Shino, a place Haruma had always shared with him.
Haruma's eyes were opened wide in disbelief. The seat next to him was still empty before a random player came and sat next to him.
A wave of sadness washed over Haruma, as he slowly lowered his head, the weight of it all sinking in...
The buses arrived at the football stadium, and all the players began stepping out of the bus. At last, Haruma came down, standing with the team, gazing at the new, bigger stadium. The crowds were gathered around the stadium, and this time it wasn't just the school students but the local citizens also came to watch the finals.
With a big smile, Toru led the team towards the stadium entrance, and all his teammates followed him.
Once inside the dressing room, players were amid changing into playing jerseys, While Haruma was standing shirtless, still appearing to be upset, distant from the bustle around him.
Just then the coach entered, holding a bag, announcing, "The jerseys for the benched players have finally arrived."
A wave of joy and excitement swept across through the benched players, all hurrying to collect their Jerseys. Meanwhile Haruma remained rooted to his place, seemingly uninterested.
The coach handed Haruma his jersey, who gazed at it with a serious face, suddenly a playful jab landed on his shoulder.
Turning aside, Haruma saw Masaru smiling at him. "Congrats!" he said.
Haruma nodded, and took out the jersey from the bag and held it up, his eyes scanning the name 'Haruma' written with number '67'
Masaru furrowed his brow in confusion, "33?" he asked, "But you wrote 22 on your form."
Haruma kept staring at the jersey with blank face, "Whatever, it doesn't matter!" he said flatly.
"No!" Masaru insisted firmly, "I'll talk to the coach, there must be some mistake!"
"It doesn't matter Masaru!" Haruma cuts him off with a sharp voice, before quietly putting his shirt on and then puts a training bib over it.
Masaru then broke into a big smile, "By the way, do you know the number of crowds today is almost ten thousand!" His voice was full of excitement, "And for today's game we have commentators and a big screen!"
"That's Cool!" Haruma replied with no interest, still focused on changing into his jersey. Masaru blinked in confusion, gazing at him.
"Masaru!" Toru called him, gesturing to him to come over. With a smile Masaru walked away to join Toru, while Haruma remained focused on his preparation.
Just then the coach approached Haruma, "Haruma!" he called out gently, Haruma turned to face him.
"I've forgotten a couple of important bags on the bus." The coach said "Can you bring it for me?"
Haruma, gazing at him with a serious look, nodded. The coach smiled and thanked him, but Haruma remained silent…
Haruma emerged from the bus, struggling to carry one large luggage bag on his back and another in his hand. He walked towards the stadium, his steps heavy because of the weight.
As he was struggling to hold the bags up, he quickened his pace, but suddenly something bumped into his legs. He paused, confused and before he could think any further a loud sob broke through the air.
Stunned, Haruma turned to see a little girl almost five years old sitting on the ground crying aloud, with an ice cream cone lay abandoned on the ground near her.
Haruma's expressions shifted to mild frustration, letting out a soft sigh, he shook his head…
With the luggage now lying on the ground, Haruma was sitting on a bench with that little girl sitting next to him licking the new ice cream Haruma had bought for her.
Turning to her, Haruma asked, "What's your name?"
The girls looked up at him and replied, "Mio, Mio Takayama!"
"Where are your parents?" Haruma asked, glancing at her.
"My father was buying the tickets," Mio began, "And I went to buy ice cream and after buying I was going back to him but then you bumped into me."
Haruma's face twisted in confusion, "Hey! you bumped into me!" he protested.
"Did I?" Mio murmured innocently, her gaze drifting into deep thinking.
"Mioooo!" a voice called out, Turning to the voice Haruma saw a man in his late twenties rushing towards them.
As Mio looked at that man, her face lit up with a bright smile and she rushed at him. The man then quickly lifted her up into a hug, "I'm sorry, Mio, I should've been more careful" he said.
With a smile, Mio reassured, "I'm fine, Father!"
The man's expressions turned into one of concern, "You weren't lost or scared, were you?"
pulling back from the embrace, Mio replied, "I almost lost my way, but then my big brother helped me" she gestured towards Haruma, who stood a little further away.
The father of that girl and Haruma exchanged brief glances before the father smiled and walked forward. Standing before Haruma, the father extended his hand for a handshake.
"Thank you so much young man, thank you," The father said gratefully.
Haruma smiled slightly, and gave him a nod.
"Father!" Mio chimed in cheerfully, "I also lost my ice cream, but big brother got me a new one!" She proudly shows off her ice cream.
The father smile, "He did, that's so kind of you, thank you again"
"No it was my fault she lost her ice cream, so I had to buy a new one" Haruma replied with a calm tone.
With a smile the father said, "My name is Kento Takayama, what's yours?"
"Haruma Kuska," He introduced himself.
Noticing his playing jersey the father's eyes lit up, "Hey! You are a player from Hanaka! aren't you?" he said with enthusiasm.
Haruma's smile faltered, his expressions subtly shifting.
Mio beamed with excitement, "That's amazing, I'll watch my brother play and cheer for you a lot!"
Kento the father shook Haruma's hand enthusiastically, "Nice to meet you Haruma! I can't wait to see you play!" he said with a bright smile. Haruma looked down, his expressions quiet and heavy.
After a moment he slowly lifted his gaze and said softly, "Sorry but I'm just a water boy!"
Kento's smile faltered, while Mio tilted her hand in confusion.
Haruma gently freed his hand, turned around and picked up the bags. Without a word, he continued walking towards the stadium.
"Young man!" Kento's voice rang out, causing Haruma to stop in his tracks. He glanced back over his shoulder.
With a bright smile Kento gave him a thumbs up, "You've got this! Just remember, great things take time!"
Haruma was staring at Kento, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Yeah!" Mio chimed in excitedly, "And I know my big brother Haruma is the greatest and my most favorite footballer ever!"
Haruma's eyes widened further, as he kept staring at both of them, completely speechless. Then without a word he turned around and started walking off, his steps quick and urgent.
"Byeee, Brother Haruma!" Mio called out loudly, cheerfully waving at him, as Haruma disappeared into the distance.
Haruma was walking with quick steps, his heartbeat pounding, the words of that father and daughter echoing loudly in his ear.
"Harumaaaa!" Suddenly a voice called him out.
Haruma's eyes widened in shock, pausing in his tracks, he turned to his left and saw his mother approaching him with a bright smile lighting up her face.
Haruma was staring at his approaching mother in sheer disbelief.