The Golden Winged Of Football: Haruma Kusaka

Chapter 111 111: Superstars

Ryusei hugged him tighter, arms wrapped firmly around Haruma, holding on for a long second.He pulled back quickly, hands still on Haruma's shoulders, looking straight into his eyes.

"Woohhhh!"

The cheer burst out of him, bright, unrestrained, full of genuine happiness.

"Haruma, congratulations! Man, you rocked it! Goal after goal… you were everywhere. You absolutely nailed it. You won, Haruma."

His eyes started to well up with tears as he looked at Haruma with calm eyes, and a small, quiet smile on his face.

"You really won, Haruma."

The words came out soft this time, stripped of the earlier excitement, carrying pride, relief and the quiet weight of everything it took for him to reach this point.

Keeping that small smile on his face, Haruma stepped forward and pulled Ryusei into a quiet, soft hug. Ryusei with a smile responded instantly, holding him.

Around them, their teammates watched in silence, each having smiles on their faces.

Ryusei slowly pulled back from the hug and stepped aside.

And in that small opening, Haruma saw his mother standing a short distance away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and beside her stood Rukia, Masaru, and Toru, each wearing faint, quiet smiles, their eyes locked on him without wavering.

Haruma's breath caught in his throat, as he looked back at his mother with eyes slightly wide, his heartbeat began to rise, firm and unmistakable against his chest.

With tears streaming down his mother's face she was taking in the sight of her son, standing upright in a professional football jersey, a golden medal resting against his chest.

Haruma then drew in a slow breath before walking and stopped to stand in front of Kurogam, who was wearing a faint smile, with a hint of slight confusion, as if trying to read something in Haruma's expression.

Without a word, Kurogami then instinctively shifted the trophy forward, offering it to Haruma.

Haruma took the trophy and turned to walk straight toward his mother, each step steady, controlled.

The noise around him seemed to fade with every stride.

When he reached her, he stopped, gripping the trophy tightly for a moment, then he slammed it down at her feet. The metal struck the ground with a sharp, echoing thud that cut through the air.

A visible shift ran through those watching. The young wolves stood still, Kento, Raon, Minato, all staring, eyes slightly widened, caught off guard by the gesture.

Haruma's mother broke into silent sobs, her hands rising to cover her mouth as her shoulders trembled.

Behind her, Toru and Rukia held faint smiles. Masaru stood beside them, tears slipping down his face, jaw tight as he fought to keep himself composed.

Haruma remained bowed low, the gleaming trophy held steady in both hands, resting gently at his mother's feet on the grass.

Kurogami, Raya, Jiho, Kabuto, Nagisa, Izaya, Itsuki, and Haru stood motionless, eyes wide, chests tight, each trapped in the heavy, electric tension of what they were witnessing, caught between awe and disbelief.

Still bowed, Haruma drew in a slow, deliberate breath. Then he straightened, shoulders squared, and met his mother's eyes, still glistening with tears that hadn't stopped falling.

Keeping his eyes steady and firm on his mother, Haruma spoke up,

"Keep the counting going, mother."

Her sobs broke through again, louder this time, and Rukia moved quickly from behind to hold her hands, steadying her.

Haruma stepped forward, guiding his mother to the nearby bench and settling her there with careful, controlled movements. Then he lowered himself to his knees before her.

With tears shimmering in her eyes as she reached up and placed a gentle hand on his cheek. Haruma responded with a soft, genuine smile, holding her hand on his face.

Ryusei watched from the side, a warm smile and a quiet pride spreading across his face. Masaru and Toru mirrored him, while the young wolves stood a few distance behind, still caught in shock at the scene unfolding before them.

Just then, Raon leaned close to Minato's ear, whispering, "Sensei, we need to hurry before we draw the crowd's attention."

Minato nodded, then signaled the players to resume their walk toward the bus. Obedient, they moved with slow, measured steps, eyes still partially fixed on Haruma.

Minato turned fully to him, voice carrying clearly across the moment. "Haruma, we have to leave now."

Haruma's eyes stayed locked on his mother. He nodded once. "Mother, I have to go, but I'll be home soon."

Her own nod came quick, almost frantic. "I'm proud of you, Haruma." she said in a shaky voice.

A faint smile curved his lips, as he nodded again, then rose swiftly, exchanging a brief, firm hug with Masaru, then with Toru, before grabbing the trophy.

He fell in step with his team, and together they climbed into the bus. The engine roared to life, and soon the vehicle pulled away, carrying them into the distance, leaving the stadium and its echoes behind…

The bus rolled out and came to a stop outside Tokyo Junior's Academy. A small cluster of reporters had already gathered, held back by guards, microphones extended, cameras clicking relentlessly, lenses trained on the vehicle.

After a brief pause, Kurogami stepped down, the trophy in hand. Instantly, flashes erupted, and questions rained down, rapid and unrelenting, each one vying to break through the controlled chaos around him.

Kurogami smiled, waving briefly at the reporters before striding toward the academy grounds.

Behind him, Jiho and Haru followed, giggling quietly over something between them. Catching sight of the press, they waved casually, then continued walking, unfazed.

Izaya followed next, sipping from a bottle, expression calm. Kabuto came after, yawning and raising a hand in a lazy wave. Raya followed, smiling and giving a confident thumbs-up. Nagisa brought up the rear, earbuds in, casting the cameras a quick, detached smile before turning his attention back forward the academy grounds.

Then came Haruma Kusaka. He stepped down from the bus with the prodigy trophy in his hand.

The reaction was immediate as reporters surged forward, only to be stopped hard by the line of guards holding them back, flashes exploded in rapid bursts, lighting the entrance in relentless white.

Haruma stood still for a few seconds, eyes fixed on the crowd in front of him.

They were climbing over one another, arms extended, microphones thrust forward, voices overlapping in sharp, urgent waves.

Questions fired at him without pause, each one louder than the last, each one fighting to reach him first.

"Haruma!"

"Haruma, over here!"

"Just a few quick questions Haruma!"

"Haruma, please, this way!"

"How you feeling Haruma?"

"Haruma, whats your future plans?"

"Haruma!"

"Haruma!"

"Haruma!"

Haruma faced them head-on, with his eyes level, unblinking against the storm of flashes. The lights burst across his vision in sharp white streaks, but his gaze never shifted.

A faint smile touched his face and without a word, he lifted the trophy slightly, just enough for the cameras to catch it. The flashes grew more rapid.

After a moment, he lowered the trophy and began walking toward the academy gates.

The reporters surged again, voices rising, calling his name with renewed intensity as the flashes grew harsher, faster, desperate to capture one more frame before he disappeared inside…

Once he stepped into the academy hall, he saw his teammates already gathered inside, laughter echoing across the space, voices overlapping in loose celebration. And the moment they noticed Haruma, the sound dipped.

Kabuto looked up at him with a grin, calling out loudly,

"And here comes the superstar of the season! The Prodigy, the one and only, Haruma Kusaka."

The players reacted instantly, breaking in sharp and unified applauds, boots tapping against the floor, hands striking hard. It wasn't chaotic, it was earned.

Haruma let out a wide smile this time, bowing slightly in acknowledgment, before straightening with quiet composure.

As the applause faded, Izaya stepped forward, energy still buzzing through him.

"Man, did you see the media out there?" he said, barely containing his excitement. "Are we superstars now or something?"

"Yes. You are."

Every head turned to find Raon and Minato walking in, both wearing composed smiles.

Raon looked across the group, eyes sharp, voice firm.

"Definitely you are," he continued. "And this is just the beginning."

Smiles spread wider across the room. Kabuto and Jiho stood tall, pride clear in their expressions. Izaya and Makoto looked charged with excitement. Kurogami, Raya, and Haruma held calmer smiles, measured, and controlled.

Minato nodded, folding his arms across his chest. "Definitely… So, superstars, get yourselves ready. We'll be busy for the next few weeks."

"Yeah! We are partying for at least a week!" Jiho shot back with a wide grin.

Minato and Raon burst into laughter.

Jiho blinked, glancing around as a few others exchanged confused looks, unsure what was so funny.

Between laughter, Minato shook his head. "Partying?" he repeated. "Yes, but not your kind of parties."

Confusion spread further across the players' faces, brows tightening, glances shifting from one to another.

Minato's expression settled, voice turning firm.

"Get your rest today," he said. "Tomorrow night is a big night."

He then turned to Kurogami, a knowing smile forming.

"Get yourself ready, Captain." he said

Kurogami's eyes narrowed slightly, confusion flickering across his face, while Minato and Raon only smiled wider.