The Golden Demon Of Football: Haruma Kusaka

"And he scoooores! France wins the world cup. After twenty four years, under the leadership of a great player, France are the champions of the world once again!"

Inside a small dimmy room of an apartment, the only light coming from was from the tv screen, showing French players celebrating their hard fought victory in the finals of the Football World Cup 2042.

A boy was sitting motionless on the couch, a blanket draped over his shoulder and top of his head, his eyes barely visible beneath the shadow, as he kept staring blankly at the tv screen. The room around him was a complete mess, his books, clothes scattered all over the floor.

The boy continues to stare blankly at the screen, watching the team celebrate their victory. There was silence in the room with only the sound of their celebration echoing loudly across the dark room...

The sun rises, casting a warm glow inside a small apartment. The space wasn't much, with just two rooms and a third, that holds a tiny kitchen and a small dining table set on the floor.

In that tiny kitchen a woman in her late thirties moves fluidly, skillfully frying eggs, pouring tea and toasting the breads, her each movement was smooth and practiced.

Smell of the breakfast fills the air as she sets the table and calls out, "Harumaa! you are getting late for school, come out now!"

The door opened and a 17-year-old boy named Haruma came out, his eyes swollen, his hairs messed up, his movements sleepy and lazy, forcing his body to move. He came and settled down on the breakfast table, his eyes barely opened.

The elderly woman, who was the mother of Haruma, was looking at him with wide eyes,

"Haruma?" She gently calls, but in response Haruma remains quiet.

Looking disappointed, she slowly shook her head, and sat beside him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Haruma, It's fine, I know how hard you are trying and I'm sure one day your hardwork will pay off."

There was still no response from Haruma.

The woman closed her eyes in disappointment and stood straight.

She wore an additional long coat, and picked up her bag.

"I'm getting late for work, but we will talk once we return." She came and kissed the top of his head and walked away, exiting the apartment, leaving Haruma sitting alone in the silence...

The boy shoots the ball with brute force sending the ball flying towards the nets. The goalkeeper dived wide but the ball went past his outstretched hand and struck inside the corner of the nets.

Cheers erupted inside a small football field, packed with around hundred spectators, their cheers echoing in unison.

The striker who scored, took a triumphant sprint towards the spectators, celebrating wildly before the crowd who all were roaring in admiration.

The team celebrated joyously, The striker with a big smile turned around and raised his hand high, signalling for something.

A hand swiftly picked up water bottles and towels before quickly dashing onto the field running towards his team.

The boy carrying the water bottles was none other than Haruma Kasuka, clad in a substitute jersey.

Wearing a substitute jersey he quickly came, offered towels to the team before quickly opening the bottles and started handing to each one of them.

Haruma reached the team handing out towels before quickly opening bottles, disturbing them to each player.

One player turned to that striker who scored and said, "That was one heck of a goal Toru!" admiration clear in his tone.

After taking a long sip, That striker named Toru wiped his mouth and casually replied, "Aahh, that was nothing." a big smile remained on his face.

Another player, brimming with excitement chimed in, "Well the good thing is we are leading the scoreboard, we just need to defend for thirty more minutes then we will secure our spot in the top sixteen of the All-School Cup!"

All the players smiled proudly, radiating confidence, While Haruma remained silent, his expressions blank and emotionless.

One player turned to Haruma and asked "Haruma, did the coach give any advice?"

Staying quiet, Haruma simply shook his head in denial.

That player nodded and tossed the towel at Haruma which landed on his shoulder.

Haruma slightly adjusted the towel on his shoulder, then collected everyone's towels and empty bottles before sprinting back to the benches.

In a rush, he sat the items down before quickly sitting back on his bench, his face still expressionless.

Besides him, a boy named Masaru was sitting down staring at him for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Come on Haruma." he said "Smile a little. We're about to qualify for the biggest school tournament"

Haruma remained silent, his gaze fixed on the game ahead.

"Ooh come on, you can't be serious," Masaru said, his tone teasing "You can't be angry about not getting subbed in, our strikers are in the form of their lives, especially Toru. He is a monster nowadays"

"I'm not angry!" Haruma shot back sharply, his voice firm but not loud, his irritation clear, While Masaru kept looking at him with confusion.

Haruma exhaled deeply and added, "I'm sorry. I was just mad about something else."

"Ooohhh" Masaru said, his tone thoughtful, "Now I get it, but don't worry, we still have time and I'm sure, you will achieve that feat before the beginning of super sixteen"

Haruma stayed silent, his expression tensed and anxious, his eyes fixed on the game ahead...

That same night, under the soft glow of yellow park light, Haruma stood with closed eyes taking deep breaths. A football was lying at his feets, opening his eyes with determination Haruma ran forward and shot the ball towards the wall where a net was marked.

Masaru standing in as the goalkeeper dove effortlessly and caught the ball with ease. Haruma let out a frustrated roar, seeming angry.

Haruma ran forward and took the shot again, this time missing the target completely.

Trying once again, but again Masaru caught it with no difficulty.

Haruma kept trying, taking shots again and again and again, but kept failing to score.

Masaru leaped and caught the ball once again and tossed it aside, "It's enough for today, Haruma," he said, "it's getting really late"

Haruma was standing at a distance drenched in sweat, his breathing ragged, exhaustion and frustration clear on his face.

"Let's rest a bit, then we are leaving" Said Masaru before walking away from the nets.

Haruma expressions slowly shifted from frustration to quiet sadness.

Haruma and Masaru were now sitting side by side on the grass, silence stretching between them.

"Damn, It's really happening" Masaru break the silence, "Our school will play the All-School-Cup"

Haruma sat motionless, his head lowered, his face blank showing no emotions.

Masaru glanced at him and let out a disappointed sigh before giving him a playful punch on the shoulder, "Come on, cheer up now."

Haruma slowly turned to look at Masaru, his eyes filled with deep sadness.

"Masaru, why can't I score a simple fifteen yard goal?" Haruma asked, his voice heavy with sadness, "I'm a striker, and I'm supposed to score, then why can't I? You are not even a goalkeeper but still you are stopping my goals like it's nothing. What am I lacking?"

Masaru took a sigh and looked ahead, "You lack speed, strength and your technique is off, you lack everything a striker should have."

Haruma's face darkened with sadness, his tears almost about to spill. He quickly pressed his hand to his forehead, struggling to hold back his tears.

"Well, the good thing is that you have improved from worst to bad!" Said Masaru, his words struck Haruma like lightning.

Haruma was stunned, frozen in disbelief, he quickly turned his head towards Masaru who was staring blankly at the sky.