NOVEL NEXT Chapter 89: Pathetic!
Haruma sat motionless on the ground, his body stiff, almost as if time itself had stopped for him. Nearby, Kazutora stood with a faint, mocking smirk, his eyes never leaving Haruma, enjoying every second of his silence.
Then came the sharp, piercing sound of the referee's whistle. Kazutora's smirk faltered as he turned his attention back to the field where he found Kabuto right on the referee's face, shouting and waving his arms desperate trying to justify what had happened. But it was pointless, one of the Tyrants was still down on the pitch, the foul was undeniable.
Without paying any attention to Kabuto's complaints, the referee turned and signaled a free kick in Kashiwa's favor.
Kazutora's smirk widened, "A free kick huh? It's just as I thought, your team is just as pathetic as you are!" he sneered before turning toward Haruma, only to get taken aback.
Haruma Kusaka was rising to his feet, and with him came a strange change. An unseen golden aura was now radiating from his entire body, his shoulders, legs, and head everything was glowing golden. Though it was invisible yet the weight it was carrying was undeniable, leaving Kazutora momentarily shaken.
Keeping his gaze lowered, Haruma slowly lifted his head, revealing pale, lifeless eyes set in an expression of pure calm. His posture was steady, serious, every movement controlled. Without shooting Kazutora a glance, he began to walk forward and just as he passed, his shoulder brushed lightly against Kazutora's, a subtle but deliberate nudge.
Kazutora froze for a moment, then his smirk returned. He turned his head to watch Haruma walking into the distance, step by step, until he reached his spot…
From a far distance outside the box, the players lined up for the free kick. A Kashiwa player stood over the ball, steady and patient, his eyes sweeping across the field as he measured every option.
The stadium had fallen into a hush, the air heavy with anticipation. All eyes were locked on the moment, waiting for the strike.
The Wolves tightened their formation, restless and tense, each man shifting to find the better position. Yet, in the middle of their movement, Haruma stood utterly still, his face darkened by shadows, his fist clenched, a silent storm ready to break.
The Kashiwa player fixed his gaze on the ball, took a short run-up, before striking it cleanly, sending it flying high toward the crowded box.
Kabuto and Itsuki instantly moved to take control of the ball, but before they could close in, Yohan cut between them like a blade. Launching himself into the air he twisted his body mid-air, dropping backward, whipping his one leg upward.
In one breathtaking motion, he connected, a fierce bicycle kick that sent the ball rocketing toward the open left side of the net.
Not having a chance to breathe, Subaru remained frozen, as the ball slammed inside the back of the net.
From the stands, Ryusei and Kento were on their feet, leaning forward with jaws tight and eyes stretched wide in pure disbelief.
Ayane sat stunned, her face expressionless yet her widened eyes clearly showing the shock she felt. And among them, Haruma's mother watched quietly, her gaze soft yet heavy with pain, her lips curved in the faintest smile.
'Euensong! Yohaaaan!' The commentator roars out loud.
With almost silence from every corner of the stands, Yohan sprang back to his feet and began sprinting across the stadium. His face blazed with raw intensity, every feature burning with adrenaline. Running across he leaped up high, thrusting a fist in empty air, roaring all along.
From the stands, Masaru was watching with slight tears in his eyes. Besides him, Toru sat with a straight, dull face, while Rukia sat with her face a mixture of both disbelief and nervousness.
Yohan, sprinting across the field, raised his fist toward the crowd in a mocking display, while his teammates were chasing after him, their faces glowing with wide, joyful smiles.
From the sidelines, Minato remained still on the dugout, his expression firm and unreadable. Beside him, Raon stood frozen in shock, struggling to process the moment, while Shiori watched quietly, her face shadowed with sadness and concern.
Yohan finally came to a stop, facing the silent crowd, he was still roaring at them with all his power. Moments later, his teammates came jumping on his back wrapping him a wild group hug.
Not far away, Nagisa stood frozen, her face blank, eyes fixed straight ahead. Izaya, moving slowly back to his position wiping at his forehead, brushing away the sweat forming.
Kabuto, meanwhile, jogged toward his spot seething with fury, his jaw tight and teeth grinding with every step. Beside him, Itsuki kept his composure, but the emptiness in his eyes clearly showed the pain quietly burning inside.
'A goal craved with brilliance and perfection! Yohan Eunseong is showing his levels here in the finals of the U17 JFC 2042!'
There was complete silence in the VIP box with Ismau and his team watching the field with heavy silence.
Across in the opposite box, Ameha watched with a blank, unreadable face, her eyes fixed on the pitch. Beside her, Shuya couldn't contain himself, boiling with rage, shouting and cursing at the players, his fury echoing through the quiet box.
Raya stood frozen in place, hands resting on his hips, his eyes blank as the opposition's roars were thundering through the stadium. From behind, Kazutora walked past on his way to join the celebration, but paused just enough to glance back over his shoulder straight at Raya.
A sly smirk curled on Kazutora's lips, his eyes gleaming with arrogance and malice, throwing a mocking stare at Raya.
Raya met it head-on staring back at him with his jaw tight, teeth clenched, fury simmering beneath the surface as he forced himself to hold the stare.
And away from it all stood Haruma, his stance unshaken, fists clenched so tightly that the veins on his forearms and neck strained against his skin. Shadows were surrounding him, blending with a faint golden aura, like a storm gathering in silence, waiting for the moment to break…
With the clock ticking into the 32nd minute, Izaya carried the ball forward with measured steps. His teeth clenched, eyes wide with focus, he kept his gaze fixed on the field ahead, dribbling carefully as he slipped past each challenge.
Lifting his head, he spotted a few of opponents closing in to flank him. Determined, he pressed on, forcing his way forward, when suddenly, a Tyrant came charging in, launching into a sliding tackle at his feet.
Izaya sensed it at the last second, yanking the ball back in a desperate attempt to escape. But the defender's boot clipped the ball, knocking it free and sending Izaya stumbling off balance as control slipped from his feet.
As the ball slipped free, Raya, Jiho, and Nagisa's eyes widened, panic flashing across their faces.
From a distance, Kazutora caught sight of it and broke into a smirk. "Charge!" he roared, sprinting in from one side as a teammate of his rushed straight toward the loose ball.
Raya bolted from the opposite direction, throwing his arm up. "Itsukiii!" he shouted.
Responding to the call, Itsuki rushed forward at the ball, his gaze locked firmly on the ball rolling dangerously between them.
The entire crowd rose to their feet as the loose ball turned into a desperate chase between Itsuki and a Tyrant player.
Just as they closed in, Izaya swung his leg and struck the ball with force. But the opposing player threw his foot into its path, deflecting the shot, causing the ball to fly upward, spinning high into the night sky.
Itsuki glared up at the ball with frustration written across his face, while the Tyrant smirked with quiet confidence.
All around the stadium, eyes followed the ball flying, hanging in the air under the floodlights.
From one end of the field, Raya rushed forward, his footsteps pounding against the turf. From the opposite side, Kazutora charged with a confident smirk, eyes locked on the ball as it dropped from the night sky.
Raya planted his feet firmly into the grass and launched himself upward, while Kazutora leapt ahead of him. The two soared into the air, bodies about to collide in a fierce contest for the header.
Raya's face was carved with raw determination, while Kazutora's carried a wild, arrogant thrill. Both swung their heads for the ball. But, having the height advantage, Kazutora connected cleanly, driving the ball toward his waiting teammates.
Ryusei clutched his head in disbelief, while Masaru let out a roar of frustration.
However, apart from them, only Kento was staring at the play with his eyes wide, and an unsettling smile on his face.
On the field, a Tyrant calmly brought the ball under control, his confidence showing as he settled the ball onto the grass. But the moment it touched the grass, Haruma came charging in like a wild beast, sliding his foot in a successful, clean, precise tackle. The impact sent the opponent stumbling, losing the possession completely, his expression frozen in shock.
The young wolves on the field were frozen, their eyes wide in shock at Haruma's tackle. Even Kazutora, caught off guard, stared with surprise, though a crooked smirk still tugged at his lips.
"Cover him!" he shouted out loud for everyone to hear.
From the Wolves' side, Jiho clenched his fists and rushed forward, sprinting straight toward the box. At the same time, Nagisa, moved purely on instinct, breaking through the defense, slipping into the perfect position for Haruma to deliver the pass.
Minato's eyes snapped wide as he spotted the clear line of play, Haruma to Nagisa, and from Nagisa straight to Jiho who was moving in an excellent position to score.
He moved ahead on the sideline, shouting at the top of his lungs, "To Nagisaaaa!"
Kazutora's eyes snapped open in alarm. Throwing up his arm, he gave the signal, and the Tyrant defenders immediately scrambled, rushing to close down Jiho and seal the net.
The stadium seemed to hold its breath. Ismau and his team leaned forward, eyes wide with anticipation, while Masaru and Toru sat drenched in sweat.
Kento and Ryusei ground their teeth, holding their breath as they watched the moment.