roccoschili Chapter 114 114: Stars Of The Next Generation
Chapter 114 114: Stars Of The Next Generation
The president returned the smile. Then, his voice softened slightly, touched with emotion as he continued,"And what makes me happiest… is the joy of seeing our youngsters truly starving to win."
His words sent a quiet wave of goosebumps through the everyone gathered, goosebumps rising little by little as the weight of them settled on everyone listening.
Haruma's eyes remained fixed on the president, slightly widened, completely unmoving.
With a warm smile and faint tears gathering in his eyes, the president continued,
"Seeing that dedication… that hunger in our youngsters… it makes me believe."
"It makes me believe that there is hope… a hope for a better future. A future where Japan will, one day, win the World Cup."
Haruma's breath caught in his chest. His
chest rose and fell unevenly, almost shakily, his grip tightening just a little more around the trophy in his hands.
The president smiled, gently wiping the tears from his eyes before lifting his gaze back to the crowd once more.
"And today… I am even happier. The young Wolves, the future of Japan, have delivered yet another truly brilliant performance."
"And with the blood young Izaya shed on that field… the fire and aggression Jiho and Kabuto brought… the sharp, composed instincts of Nagisa and Itsuki… and the flying, crucial saves from Haru, Makoto, and Zora…"
"And with the belief and trust that Raya and Kurogami placed in their team…"
"We have won the U17 JFC… once again."
The hall erupted into thunderous applause.
Managers, players, families, everyone clapped with overwhelming pride, some with tears quietly glistening in their eyes, unable to hold back the emotion of the moment.
Jiho, Izaya, and Itsuki struggled to keep their composure, fighting back tears as their emotions threatened to spill at any second. Raya, Nagisa, and the others wore wide, proud smiles, their eyes shining with satisfaction.
And at the front, stood Kurogami, tall and steady, carrying the weight of the moment with quiet, unwavering strength.
After a moment of applause, the president raised his hand, gently signaling for everyone to settle down, and as the noise gradually faded, he stepped forward and spoke with a firm, deeply proud tone.
"And now… I invite the captain who ended a fourteen-year drought… and led us to our second U17 title."
A brief pause followed, just long enough to build anticipation.
"The young. The fierce. The chief of the tribe… Kurogami Shikyoooo!"
The hall erupted again, cheers exploding from every direction. The young wolves broke into loud, spirited applause, their voices rising higher and higher above the rest in fierce support of their captain.
Kurogami smiled softly and stepped forward, making his way toward the Wall of Glory, climbing the steps with steady, measured composure.
Behind him, the hall was echoing with steady applause. Pride was visible across every face, especially Kento, Raon, and Minato, whose smiles stood out even more clearly, and nearby, Ryusei and Haruma's mother watched on with gentle, heartfelt smiles.
And among them, Isamu stood with the widest grin, clapping loudly over his head without holding back in the slightest.
Kurogami stepped forward and met the president, the two sharing a brief, warm hug, both smiling genuinely.
From the crowd, Ayane watched quietly, a soft smile on her face as she clapped in a gentle, steady rhythm.
The president then stepped back, still
smiling, and gestured for Kurogami to address the crowd.
Kurogami, with a soft smile, turned to face the crowd. As the applause gradually settled, he spoke,
"Thank you."
"Thank you, everyone, for coming to the stadium and showing us your support and love. We wouldn't have been able to win this without the belief you all had in us."
He took a small breath, steadying himself, before continuing.
"And thank you, Minato-sensei and Raon-sensei. It's been an absolute honor to play under your guidance."
Minato smiled warmly while beside him, Raon's eyes glistened, faint tears forming once again as he listened.
Kurogami then turned toward the young Wolves.
"Thank you, guys, for trusting me. Without all of you… I'm nothing. The only reason I'm standing here is because of my Wolves. I love you all."
The team grew emotional, smiles mixed with tears as they kept their eyes on him, taking in every word one by one.
Kurogami smiled softly before turning back to the crowd.
"This is a great day of my life," he said. "And I promise… one day, I'll celebrate the greatest day of my life, with all of you, and all of Japan."
The crowd once again erupted into thunderous applause. Behind Kurogami, the president wiped away tears, clapping with overwhelming pride and joy.
Kurogami lifted the trophy high once more before making his way toward the newly set podium, placing the gleaming trophy carefully atop it.
It stood there not just as a reward, but as proof of everything they had endured to reach this point.
Flashes of cameras exploded, capturing every angle, while the applause kept roaring louder and louder.
Kurogami stepped back, eyes fixed on the trophy for a heartbeat, before the president handed him a pen.
He took it without a word and stepped forward, bent slightly and began to sign the empty plate on the podium, leaving his mark with calm, absolute authority.
With the applause swelling around him, Kurogami turned to face the crowd and gave them a measured, commanding bow before beginning to descend the Hall of Glory.
Once down, Isamu met him with a warm embrace, patting his back with unspoken respect.
The president watched with a quiet smile as Kurogami, after exchanging a brief embrace with Isamu, shook hands with the senior players. And after that, he began trading daps and quick hugs with his young wolves, one after another.
The president's smile widened, and he lifted his eyes to the crowd.
"I know most of you are thinking I forgot to mention someone who made this all possible."
A ripple of smiles and excitement spread through the spectators, their eyes turning toward that one player almost instantly.
Ryusei's face was shining with a prideful grin, Kento practically radiated joy, and Minato and Raon exchanged warm smiles.
The president nodded. "As I said, today I am
the happiest, because today, not only have we won the U17 league, but we've also claimed our first ever Prodigy of Japan title."
Haruma's mother felt her emotions surge, tears welling in her eyes all at once as the weight of the moment hit her.
Shuya and Ameha broke into wide, radiant smiles. Isamu and the other seniors, their faces lit with pride, turned their attention to that one player.
Ayane's expression was equally genuine, arms folded, a warm smile spreading across her face as her gaze locked on the same player.
Maintaining his smile, the president
continued:
"The one who never gives up."
"The one who played his heart out."
"The one whose belief and dedication never let our hopes falter even once."
"The best striker of the league, the best striker of the next generation, the absolute beast, the Prodigy, the future of Japanese football. Ladies and gentlemen…"
"Haruumaa Kuuusaaaaakaa!"
The hall erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, every hand clapping with raw energy, every face lit with exhilaration and pride.
Jiho, Kabuto, Izaya, Itsuki, and Haru clapped with fierce intensity, while Raya, Nagisa, and Kurogami offered composed yet equally powerful applause.
Among the gathered Young Wolves, Haruma Kusaka stepped forward, and with the trophy gleaming in his hands, he walked with his shoulder broad, chin high and absolute unshaken confidence.
There was no hesitation in his steps, only the quiet dominance of someone who knew exactly where he stood.
From the crowds, Ayane was clapping enthusiastically, her face lit with a wide, genuine smile.
Minato was with a bright smile, while Raon was with his hands raised up high, cheering at the top of his lungs without holding back.
Watching her son ascend the Wall of Glory with the trophy in his hand, Haruma's mother clapped tirelessly, tears streaming down her cheeks without pause.
Haruma stepped onto the stage, greeted by the president's warm smile and applause, who quickly pulled him into a firm embrace, patting his back with quiet pride.
Haruma returned the hug with a smile, and when the president pulled back, he grasped Haruma's hand and raised it high above their heads, presenting him to the crowd as the one who deserved every ounce of the spotlight.
Haruma stood with one hand raised, the other clutching the trophy, taking in the sight before him, the crowd in a frenzy of cheers and applause, their voices echoing through the hall, while cameras captured every angle, flashes exploding like sparks all around him.
His eyes swept over the sea of faces, Kurogami, Jiho, Raya, Minato, Raon, Kento, Ayane, Ryusei, and his mother, all smiling, all applauding with effortless energy.
Haruma maintained his smile, soaking in the glory before him, as if he was injecting the moment straight into his veins, holding onto it for just a little longer.