The Golden Winged Of Football: Haruma Kusaka

Chapter 108 108: Applause For The Future.

"And now, it is time for the presentation of this year's U17 Japan Football Championship 2042."The stadium answered at once. Applause thundered through the stands, layered with cheers and roaring chants that rolled endlessly.

At the center of the field, the stage was set. A male presenter, who seemed to be in his early thirties, was standing tall at its center with a microphone in hand.

Behind him, stood the officials of the Japan Football Federation, the organizers, and sponsors, all smiling broadly, clapping in unison as they looked out over the spectacle.

And to the side, bathed in stadium light was waiting the big, gleaming winning trophy of JFC U17, featuring two elegant curved handles extending from the cup, adding balance and grandeur.

The U17 Tokyo Wolves stood gathered at one side of the stage, shoulders squared, faces lit with wide, unrestrained smiles. Their applause rang loud and proud, hands clapping until palms stung, laughter slipping through the noises.

On the opposite side, the U17 Kashiwa Tyrants remained still.

Shoulders slumped. Heads lowered. Not a single clap.

Yohan stood among them with his arms crossed, his face stripped of expressions, as if carved from stone. Yet beneath that calm lay something heavy and crushing, an inner pain that refused to surface.

Beside him, Kazutora was standing motionless, head bowed, his features swallowed by shadow, fists clenched on his sides.

At the center of it all, the announcer smiled gently before raising his hand, signaling for the roaring applause to settle.

Slowly, the stadium's thunder softened to a restless murmur as he brought the microphone to his lips.

"The decision for Man of the Match was not an easy one," the announcer said, his voice carrying clearly across the stadium. "After careful discussion, however, we are ready to announce our choice."

A hush swept through the stands, breaths were held. Kento leaned forward. Ryusei's jaw tightened. Masaru and Toru stood frozen, eyes locked on the stage.

The announcer's smile widened as he lifted the mic.

"Ladies and gentlemen… please welcome the Man of the Match of the Finals—Kurogami Shikyoooo!"

The reaction was instant as the young Wolves erupted, cheers crashing out in a deafening wave.

The stadium burst apart in sound. Cheers and applause crashed through the stands as Ryusei and Kento beamed, clapping overhead, while Masaru roared at the top of his lungs, hands striking together without restraint.

All at once, the young Wolves turned toward their captain where Kurogami stood frozen for a single heartbeat. Then his expression softened, a warm, genuine smile spread across his face.

Still smiling, Kurogami stepped forward. Jiho, Kabuto, and Haru fell beside him, grinning wide, ruffling his hair and patting his back as they walked, laughter and pride trailing him all the way toward the stage.

Haruma, smiling the brightest of them all, clapped with full force, patting Kurogami's back who was on his way toward the stage.

One of the officials stepped forward, holding the Man of the Match award firmly in his hands. Kurogami came to a stop before him, and the two shook hands. And with an approving smile, the official patted Kurogami's back and presented the award.

Kurogami accepted it with both hands, offering a brief bow of thanks.

Behind him, the U17 Wolves erupted again, cheers growing louder, laughter spilling freely as they celebrated their captain.

Maintaining his smile, Kurogami turned toward the stands, bowing deeply to the fans, before lifting the award high above his head.

The applause continued to roll through the stadium. Minato and Raon clapped with proud smiles, while Ismau and the seniors joined in loudly, cheering without restraint. In the stands, Haruma's mother kept clapping with a bright, relieved smile, her eyes shining with emotion.

But among all the noise, Ayane felt different,

She clapped slowly, softly, her expression calm yet conflicted. Her gaze never left Kurogami. Admiration was clear in her eyes.

The announcer's voice rose once more, cutting cleanly through the noise.

"And now… it's time to welcome the Best Striker of the Tournament."

The stadium leaned in.

"For his relentless consistency, eleven goals across the tournament, two hat-tricks, and a brilliant five-goal performance in the finals… please put your hands together for

Haaaaruuuumaaaaa Kuuuuuusakaaaa!"

The Tokyo Wolves exploded again, cheers and roars crashing together as they turned toward Haruma, who stood with a faint, warm smile, eyes calm but shining.

Applause was thundering from every side of the stadium. Ryusei and Kento stood tall, clapping with pride, while Masaru and Toru matched each other's wide smiles, shouting his name as the crowd drowned the stadium in celebration.

Haruma started walking toward the stage, his teammates cheering, roaring his name, hands thudding against his back in celebration.

From the stands, his mother clapped as hard as she could, tears spilling free while her smile never faded.

Haruma stepped onto the stage where an official stepped forward, and shook hands firmly. The award was placed into Haruma's hands, a congratulatory pat landing on his back as Haruma bowed his head with a grateful smile.

Then he turned to the crowd and lifted the trophy high above his head.

The cheers surged even louder. Minato clapped with a proud smile, while Raon roared at the top of his lungs, grinning like a madman.

Masaru was bouncing on his feet, clapping wildly, voice tearing through the noise.

"That's my friend! That's my buddy! Yaaahhh!"

Beside him, Toru matched the energy, smiling just as wide, clapping without restraint. Rukia watched with a soft, warm smile, eyes shining.

And behind the gathered U17 Wolves, Shiori clapped hard, her gaze fixed on Haruma, admiration and quiet love glowing in her eyes as the stadium shook with celebration.

The announcer clapped a few sharp times, sending Haruma off the stage before turning back toward the cameras, his voice rising once more.

"And now, for the Best Defender of the Tournament… please welcome the captain, the wall of this championship… Kazutora Inzukaaaa!"

A strong wave of applause rolled through the stadium. The Tokyo Wolves clapped in unison, their eyes shifting toward the Kashiwa Tyrants.

On the opposite side, the Tyrants stood with slumped shoulders, their applause muted, heavy. Among them, Kazutora stepped forward.

His face was blank, emotions buried deep, eyes dull and distant. Without a glance to either side, he began walking toward the stage, every step slow and weighted, carrying the silence of defeat with him.

The official stepped forward with a practiced smile, clapping as Kazutora reached him. Kazutora shook his hand, his eyes lifeless, and took the award without a single word.

The official spoke anyway, offering praise, encouragement, anything to lift the weight hanging over him, but none of it reached Kazutora.

With the award in his hands, Kazutora turned. He did not bow. He did not raise it. He simply walked off the stage, shoulders heavy, gaze fixed ahead, carrying his silence with him.

The announcer clapped a few times to fill the space, then turned back toward the camera.

"Now it's time for the Best Goalkeeper… the Golden Gloves. And the award goes to none other than… Kuuuroogami Shikyooooo!"

The stadium erupted all over again. Cheers thundered through the stands as the Tokyo Wolves burst into applause, turning toward their captain. Kurogami smiled and stepped forward, the noise washing over him as he walked toward the stage.

Kento and Ryusei clapped hard with matching smiles, while from the balcony Ismau raised his hands, applauding overhead.

Kurogami stepped onto the stage and met the official, who congratulated him warmly, patting his shoulder as he placed the Golden Gloves award into his hands. Kurogami bowed lightly in thanks, his smile calm but proud.

Masaru blows out the whistle clapping hard, Rukia was clapping with a genuine smile. While Toru next was clapping along, with a faint smile on his face.

Kurogami turned to fans and lifted his award once again, earning loud cheers and applause.

As Kurogami stepped down from the stage, the applause slowly eased, the noise settling into an expectant hush.

The announcer took a deep breath. A smile spread across his face as he raised the mic.

"And now… for the very best of this tournament. Japan's Rising Prodigy of 2042."

The stadium held its breath. Smiles stretched across faces everywhere. Minato waited with bright, eager eyes, while Raon stood frozen, anticipation tightening his chest.

"The new rising star. The Golden Prodigy. The future of Japanese football."

The announcer paused just long enough to let the tension burn.

"Please give it up for…"

"Haaaaarumaaaaaaaaa—!"

The name echoes loud through the stadium, and before the announcer could even finish. Cheers crashed down in a roaring wave as Ryusei and Kento shouted at the top of their lungs, clapping with wild energy. Raon joined in, applauding hard, Minato grinning brightly, Masaru bouncing in place, Toru clapping without restraint.

"Kuuuuuuuusaaaakaaaa!"

The Tokyo Wolves exploded once again, reaching for Haruma all at once, patting his back, ruffling his hair, pulling him into the chaos of cheers and laughter. At the edge of it all, Kurogami turned toward him with a genuine smile, watching as Haruma embraced his teammates, standing at the center of a moment that belonged entirely to him.

Amid loud applause and constant pats on his back, Haruma stepped forward once more, walking toward the stage.

From the stands, his mother watched him, emotions surging all over again as tears gathered in her eyes, pride and disbelief mixing in her trembling smile.

Haruma climbed onto the stage. The president of the tournament stepped forward, shaking his hand firmly and patting his shoulder in praise. Haruma smiled, bowing his head slightly as he thanked him.

Then the president then turned, lifted the gleaming Rising Prodigy trophy and held it out toward Haruma, the light catching the gleaming trophy, featuring a design of a big golden Star.

Taking a deep breath, Haruma accepted the trophy, and the stadium erupted into its loudest roar yet.

He bowed respectfully to the president, then turned to the stands and lifted the trophy high. In an instant, everyone was on their feet, applause and cheers crashing together in a deafening wave.

Ryusei and Kento clapped hard, smiling brighter than ever. Mio bounced on her seat, arms raised, clapping overhead with her usual, unfiltered joy.

Masaru clapped harder than anyone, tears of happiness shining in his eyes, while Toru applauded beside him with a soft, faint smile. Rukia joined in too, clapping warmly, her gaze filled with quiet pride as the moment burned itself into memory.

Ismau and the seniors clapped overhead, laughter and cheers spilling freely, while in the VIP box Shuya and Ameha were on their feet, matching the crowd's rhythm, clapping without restraint.

On the field, Raon and Minato were applauding hard, voices rising. Jiho, Kabuto, Raya, and Haru were roaring in celebration, while Kurogami was clapping with a calm, warm smile, pride clear in his eyes.

Across from them, the Tyrants stood still. Only a few offered half-hearted applause. While Yohan's face was dark, jaw tight, while Kazutora remained motionless, expression empty.

Shiori was clapping with shining eyes, smiling wide, unable to hide her joy and admiration.

From the stands, Haruma's mother kept clapping through streaming tears, her hands never slowing, her pride overflowing.

At the center of it all, Haruma turned slowly, lifting the trophy and showing it to every side of the stadium, a genuine smile resting on his face as the roar of the crowd was wrapping around him.