The Golden Demon Of Football: Haruma Kusaka

The game went underway with Shino eleven playing cautiously, carefully maintaining possession with precise passing doing their best to not lose possession of the ball.

One of the players from Shino eleven got the ball and pushed forward, but an opposing player quickly stepped in, blocking his path.

Determined, Shino's player tried to dribble past him, but the player intercepted skillfully, stealing the possession, quickly passing the ball to a teammate who didn't waste a second to pass the ball to Toru, controlling the ball, Toru rushed towards the nets once again.

The crowds erupted once more, their cheers shaking the field, Meanwhile Haruma stood with a nervous look, watching the scene with his heart beating like a drum.

As Toru neared the nets and prepared to shoot, Nara, the best defender of the school stepped between, blocking Toru, his intense focus locked on the ball.

Instead of attempting a dribble Toru tried to make a quick pass to his left but Nara intercepted the pass perfectly allowing a player from Shino eleven to claim the possession.

That player quickly passed the ball to a teammate, then another until it reached Shino who immediately burst into a sprint towards the nets.

Haruma sharpened his focus and slowly began walking backwards, trying to get in the best position possible.

Shino was dribbling past everyone, getting cheers and praise from the crowds. Spotting Haruma near the net he sends a precise pass towards him.

The ball soared through the air, and with flawless timing and skill, Haruma controlled the ball with his feet, causing a wave of shock ripple through the crowds. Rukia quickly stood on her feets her anticipated eyes fixed on Haruma.

A shiver of goosebumps spread through Haruma's body as it was the first time he touched the ball in the match.

With a furious look on his face, Haruma turned around and fixed his eyes on the goalkeeper who seemed ready.

Haruma's eyeball shifted to the corner of the nets, and with a furious roar he began to swing his foot at the ball. All the opposing defenders began charging at him.

The crowds held their breaths, all eyes fixed on Haruma, Rukia seemed anticipated, Shino seemed hopeful, Toru racing towards the play with a look of anger.

With a fierce determination, Haruma struck the ball with brute force, as the ball just began to fly, a foot came, successfully intercepting the shot.

The ball went up high into the skies and landed onto the feets of a defender from Toru's eleven who seized possession.

Haruma stumbled and collapsed to the ground. Rukia took a sigh of relief. Furious Shino quickly sprang back into action determined to reclaim possession.

Haruma was still on the ground, completely stunned, the sound of crowds cursing him was ringing in his ears. With a burst of anger Haruma turned his head back and saw Masaru standing there, watching him with cold eyes.

It was Masaru who blocked Haruma's goal.

A smile appeared on Masaru's face, "Sorry Haruma," he said with a sympathetic tone, "But I want to be on this team."

Suddenly the crowd erupted in celebrations and cheers once again.

Haruma and Masaru turned to the game and saw Toru celebrating once again, signalling his another goal.

Masaru turned his attention back to Haruma who was still on the ground.

"I really want you to play instead of Toru," Masaru said with a serious tone, "But that doesn't mean that I will let you score. I will stop you as many times as I can!" His expressions were serious.

Haruma was glaring back at him, fury burning in his eyes.

Masaru then flashed a smile before running back to his position, leaving Haruma still lying on the ground, his face darkening with sadness…

Toru took another shot, sending the ball flying into the nets, scoring yet another brilliant goal.

The crowds erupted into cheers and wild celebrations as Toru, with a big smile, ran and slid on his knees. His team rushed over, piling on top of him in a jubilant celebration.

Haruma stood frozen in his position, his head lowered with his face shadowed with disappointment.

The final whistle blew signaling the end of the game. Toru eleven claimed the victory with a commanding 3-0 scoreline.

A wave of applause and cheers spread through the crowds as the players from both teams stood on the field. Their eyes fixed on the School's principal and the Head coach standing on a small stage in front.

With a smile The head coach began, "And after witnessing some brilliant performances, I'm pleased to announce our starting eleven, welcoming on stage our first center back, Nara!"

The crowds erupted into applause as Nara, with a serious expression, walked forward and took his place on the stage.

The announcement of the players continued. The selected players were beaming with joy and excitement but Haruma stood behind everyone, his face dark with shadow, his face lowered with deep disappointment.

"And for one of our center mid-field, we have Masaru!" The coach declared.

Masaru's face lit up with excitement and he hurried to the stage, a wide smile constant on his face.

"And for our striker we have…" The coach began, his smile widening as the crowd buzzed with anticipation.

"Toruuuu!" The coach declared.

The crowds exploded into cheers and applause. The team seemed joyous, congratulating Toru, who embarrassed all the praise with a smile.

"And he will also serve as our captain!" The coach added, causing the cheers to grow louder, the atmosphere was electric.

With a confident smile, Toru walked on to the stage, and stood with his team, ready to lead them for the All-School cup.

Meanwhile Haruma remained on the field, his head lowered, expressions darkened, fist clenched with anger.

Rukia, beaming with excitement and joy was enthusiastically clapping for Toru, but as her gaze instinctively landed on Haruma, her joy and excitement flattered slightly watching his distant and somber demeanour....

In the middle of the night, inside the park bathed with dim yellow light, the only sound breaking the silence was something brutally slamming against the wall over and over.

It was football.

And it was Haruma.

Drenched in sweat, Haruma's expressions were hardened with fierce determination and barely contained rage. He struck the ball towards the wall with relentless force. Each time it rebounded, and he struck it again. The cycle repeats like an outlet for the storm raging within him.

Haruma's condition was bad, his clothes were stained with dirt, his hairs clinging to his sweaty forehead, but he kept striking the ball again and again.

Suddenly a memory flashed before his eyes.

In a small dim light room, a woman was sitting in a corner, her face lowered and her silent soft sobs echoed in the room.

Seven year old Haruma was looking at her from a distance, his eyes wide with shock, with shaky steps he made his way towards her, stopping right in front of her.

lowering himself into a squat, Haruma watched her sobbing with her face still lowered.

With shaky hands Haruma extended his hand towards her, gently lifting her chin up and as he did, his eyes snapped open.

Inside that park Haruma's eyes snapped open with the same intensity of that moment, and in seconds he struck the ball with all his might, which soared like a cannonball, slamming into the wall crushing the spot where it hit...