Then again, Haruki showed deep concern in his eyes as he added, "Don't get me wrong Hiro. I'm not benching you because of the circulating matter. It's purely a strategic decision. So, you don't have to feel concerned."
Now that he heard him, it seemed like he was overthinking. So, he felt at ease when he heard him.
"The opposing fan might target you. So, I want you to get acclimated to the pressure before stepping inside," Haruki continued.
It did make sense. After all, for better or worse he was in the limelight presently. So, it wouldn't be strange for him to be the target of the jeers.
Earlier, he might have misinterpreted his decision. But now, he came to an understanding that he was just looking after him.
So, he nodded his head as he said in an understanding tone, "I understand, Sir. I'll go with your decision."
Upon hearing him, Haruki revealed a subtle smile on his face, "You can leave now"
Before leaving Hiro added, "Thank you for looking after me, Sir"
********The sun, a smoldering ember on the horizon, bathed the heavens in a rich gradient of gold and amber, fading into a tender blush of pink. Wisps of clouds, like delicate brushstrokes, drifted lazily across the expanse, tinged with violet and indigo, as if kissed by the departing day.
Despite the fading light, at this moment, in a certain pitch, a silhouette of an individual could be seen moving on the field.
The silhouette belonged to Shun.
"Just 15 more minutes and I should wrap things up" he murmured as he paused to look at the sky that was quickly transforming.
Perspiration seemed to trickle down his face while at the same time, he appeared to be drenched in sweat. His breathing was ragged and he seemed to be panting heavily.
Yet still, visible excitement could be seen in his eyes.
Then just as he was about to return to his training, a familiar voice pierced his ear.
"I knew, you'd be here..."
Hearing the voice, he turned to find the person.
"Didn't the coach warn you from training excessively before?"
The person who said those words to him was rather jacked-looking. He had black hair and a somewhat tanned complexion.
"I was about to head out, Kaoru-san," Shun responded with a smile on his face.
"That's what you always say when someone catches you," Kaoru responded in an all-knowing way as if he was familiar with him.
Hearing him, Shun revealed a subtle chuckle. Well, he couldn't bring himself to deny it, after all, it was the fact.
"You know me...," he said while breaking into a subtle smile.
"I also know that you're excited about tomorrow"
"How did you know?" Shun acted surprised as he asked.
"It's written all over your face... I can vividly see the excitement on your face," Kaoru replied with his eyes narrowed.
Shun's face brightened as he heard him.
"Yeah, we'll be playing against Hiro after all," he responded with a glee on his face.
Tomorrow they were going to face Kawasaki. Although he played for Yokohama, he was loaned out from Kawasaki. So, he couldn't help but feel excited about the prospect of returning home.
Though he had been wanting to play with Hiro, he wasn't going to go easy on him. More than his excitement to return to his parent club, he was excited to go up against Hiro.
They were scheduled to face Kawasaki in the Emperor's Cup.
The excitement on his face was rather contagious. And even Kaoru couldn't help but feel excited, "Indeed..., I'm looking forward to the match as well"
After witnessing the brilliance of Hiro on the international stage, he had been eagerly looking forward to their scheduled clash. Now that it was so near, he couldn't shake the feeling of excitement.
However, by no means was he overestimating himself.
He was well aware of the threat Hiro possessed. However, precisely because of such reasons he wanted to go up against him.
Previously, when he went up against him, he had been utterly defeated. So, he wanted to pay him back for the defeat back then.
"He's gonna give us a lot of trouble from the get-go tomorrow," Shun said excitedly.
The statement of Shun ignited a spark in Kaoru's eyes.
"Exactly, it's not gonna be easy to go up against him..." Kaoru said with a trembling voice.
Both of them were well aware of the threat Hiro possessed. Hence the two shared the same sentiment when it came to Hiro.
They were both frightened and excited.
"But with how the situation is playing out, he might not be at his best tomorrow," Kaoru
added while frowning.
He wasn't unaware of the mess Hiro had gotten himself involved. So, he couldn't rule out the possibility of him being affected by the criticism circulating.
Even though he feared him, he held no ill motive toward him. Rather he wanted to face him when he was at his best.
But Shun thought differently than him.
He wasn't bothered by the situation. He knew what kind of mentality monster Hiro was. So, he believed that he would be at his best despite the unfavorable situation.
"You think too lightly of him," Shun said. "Such adversary won't affect him. If you go easy on him tomorrow just because you pity him, you'll get utterly humiliated," he added with a playful smirk on his face.
It was almost as if he could already imagine the outcome.
"Even at the moment, that guy would probably be training," he continued. Then he paused to look at the sky before continuing, "People say that hard work beats talent. But what if
geniuses start working hard as well?"
Though he casually said those words it got Kaoru thinking.
With a complacent look on his face, he began to ponder. In less than a week, he had improved
his defending. Also the last match against Brazil, he had displayed something out of this
world.
It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that he singlehandedly carried the match.
And even now, he was still developing.
For an average player, their prime would be around their twenties. But he was already displaying overwhelming strength when he wasn't even twenty.
So, how good would he become in a few years?
Maybe he might even go on to win the Balon d'Or before twenty. With how fast he was developing, it was certainly possible.
At least that's what he believed.
Thinking about it, he felt a shiver run down his spine. He couldn't even bring himself to
imagine how threatening he would become in a few years.
Subconsciously, he blurted, "It'll birth a monster!"
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