CHAPTER 45: SELECTION TEST

Everyone from the sidelines was watching with wide eyes, shock written all over their face, while Kento from the stands was watching with a smile and Mio next her was watching with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with pure joy.

Haruma flashed a big smirk and clenching his jaw he punched the air in a silent celebration.

Slowly Itsuki’s shock faded, turning into a smile before he exploded in applause, "Yeahhh!" he screams, "That was amazing Harumaaaa!"

Raon standing with a smile joined Itsuki in applause, soon after him everyone followed, clapping in appreciation.

"That was one heck of a shot!" Raya said while clapping and smiling.

"Damn this boy is something!" Kabuto added clapping with a lazy smile.

Kurogami standing next wad watching Haruma with his arms crossed, staring at him with his eyes burning for revenge...

Nagisa let out a deep breath and slightly leaped jogging forward before striking the ball lying before him, sending it flying far, passing the hurdles striking the target effortlessly.

The team gathered exploded into applause while Nagisa seemed calm and composed.

"That was easy for him." Izaya said, clapping with a smile...

Taking quick furious breaths, Jiho screamed and stormed forward striking the ball hardest sending it flying towards the nets, everyone followed the shot with wide eyes.

Smiling hesitantly, Itsuki said, "Don’t you guys think he puts a lot of power behind the shot?"

The ball soared towards the nets, going completely off target, missing the huddles and net.

Jiho screamed in frustration pulling his hair collapsing on knees...

Now taking the shot, Raya jogged forward and struck the ball, sending it flying into the air, gliding past the hurdle and striking the target.

The gathered players once again exploded into applause, praising Raya in murmur among themselves.

Minato sensei was keeping a close eye on the game, noting down something on the notebook he was holding.

On the stands, Mio was sitting calmly eating potato chips, while Kento was sitting next, appearing to be deep in thoughts.

"This year’s U17 talent seem serious, I’m sure Minato will have a tough time finalizing the starting eleven"

He sighs and leaned back, "And at the tournament it will be more difficult for me to pick a squad, man I’m screwed!" he thought, flashing a lazy smile...

Next up, Zora, one of the center backs, was standing in Middle of the field facing the net far ahead of him.

Behind him, the rest of the team was gathered in a loose formation, only Raya stood a few steps ahead of the group closer to Zora but still behind him in position. The ball was placed on the ground in front of Raya.

Zora was taking quick breaths, while Raya was focused ahead.

Minato sensei then brought the whistle to his mouth and blew out sharply, prompting Raya’s eyes to flash with determination, jogging forward and launching the ball soaring far towards the nets.

As the ball was traveling through the air soaring towards the nets, Zora clenched his jaw, pulsing his muscles on the thigh before exploding into a sprint towards the nets chasing the ball flying towards the nets.

Every eye was locked on him, with Kento watching with wide eyes.

Zora rushed towards the ball as it hit the ground before the nets, bounced high right towards the nets. But before it could cross the goal line Zora came rushing in, launching himself in a bicycle kick stopping the ball before the nets and launching it back far away on the field.

All the gathered players exploded into applause and roars of cheer, the air buzzing with their energetic cheers.

Raon smiles brightly, "Woah, that was amazing!"

Minato sensei nodded with a firm straight face and noted down something again in the notebook.

Kento, seeming impressed, began clapping with a silent, thoughtful demeanour.

Haruma had a look of appreciation on his face, applauding for him along with others....

Raya took another shot sending the ball flying towards the nets before another center back, Haru broke into a sprint chasing after the soaring ball towards the nets.

Everyone was watching with clear anticipation. As the ball hits the ground before the nets aggressively bouncing towards the nets.

Haru came rushing, throwing himself forward in the air, outstretching his leg forward, reaching the ball. With his face etched with fierce determination he outstretched his legs desperately but he fell short, the ball went inside the nets, and with a crash Haru fell inside the nets, letting out a frustrated roar smacking the ground.

All the gathered teammates felt slightly bad for Haru, but almost immediately, Raon began applauding out loud, "You did great Haruuu! amazing efforts buddy!"

Raon’s actions caused all the others to join in the applause, supporting Haru...

"Kabuto you are up next." Minato sensei declared calmly.

Kabuto smiles and walks forward, before leaning slightly on Haruma, "Now watch me Haruma."

Haruma’s brow slightly furrowed in confusion, while Kabuto walked towards his position.

Taking his position, Kabuto was now set for the test, with Raya positioned ready behind him.

Minato sensei blew out the whistle sharply, prompting Raya to jog forward and launch the ball again towards the nets. While Kabuto remained still in his position maintaining a lazy smile.

As the ball traveled the half distance Kabuto smiles grew wide and he exploded into a sprint chasing the ball. His running style was different, with his body appearing to be relaxed and loose even while running.

Watching him run, Haruma’s brow furrowed slightly, "What is this? how can he run like that?" he thought to himself.

Observing Kabuto carefully, Kento thought to himself, "Hmmm, that’s a unique one, it’s a long time since I saw a float run!"

Kabuto was running fast, practically floating loosely in reaching the ball before the nets, before launching himself up, using a back heel kick to dismiss the ball away from the nets before landing neatly on his feet.

With smiles and a chatter of his praise his teammates break into applause.

Haruma seemed impressed, clapping alongside his team.

Kabuto turned around to his team, bowing them gracefully, placing one hand on his heart and the other flying backwards...

Raya jogged again and took the big shot sending the ball flying again, Makoto with his eyes etched with determination sprinted forward with impressive speed, leaving everyone in awe.

"That’s some serious speed!" Haruma thought to himself, gazing at Makoto with wide eyes.

Makoto fixed his eyes on the ball which was going straight into the nets, Makoto exhaled mid-sprint and took a big leap heading the ball away from the nets, before crashing on ground.

"Woohoo!" Raya let out an enthusiastic roar before exploding in applause, followed by the rest of the players.

Applauding in pure joy, Izaya exclaimed, "That maybe was the hardest to save but he made it look effortless!"

Haruma standing along them was applauding with a slight genuine smile...

Raya shoots again, as another center back named Rei went rushing, stretching his legs wide to reach the ball but the ball went past his foot and entered the nets.

Nextup, another center back named Naoya went rushing, leaping at the ball but his foot missed the ball causing it to enter the nets.

Minato sensei shook his head in disappointment and noted something down...

Next up was the 100m race from one goal to another, all the players were gathered in a line with Raon standing next to them, while Minato sensei was starting on the ending line.

Raon, smiling with anticipation, brought the whistle to his mouth and blew it sharp, causing all the players to explode into sprints.

Haruma ran forward with a serious pace, his face etched with determination. But, the players began catching up with him and passed him forward.

Haruma closed his eyes, and boosted up in his sprint, giving his all to keep up with the others.

Nagisa running with laser sharp focus crossed the line first, followed by Jiho then

Rei, Raya, Tezuka the other striker, Itsuki and then Haruma.

Haruma crossed the line frustratedly kicking the ground before bending forward holding his knees, breathing heavily.

The two goalkeepers along with Kurogami didn’t participate in this race, who were watching from the sidelines.

Kento was sharply observing the race from the stands, his face set with a serious look appearing to be lost in some thought.

Mio with a cute pout, quickly sat back on her chair, "Seventh? Brother Haruma finished seventh?"

Kento turned to her with a warm smile, "Don’t worry I’m sure your brother will make a comeback in no time"

On the field, Haruma remained bent down, holding his knees, breathing heavily before taking a deep breath and standing straight. looking to his left he saw other two goalkeepers on the sidelines, smiling, clapping for the efforts everyone puts in the race. However, Kurogami’s eyes were locked on Haruma, a slight smirk on his face more in a mocking way.

Haruma stared back at him with a serious face and gritted teeths. Both staring down at each other.