Chapter 50 — Part 2: When the Field Becomes a Battlefield
Morning at School (Before Training)
The next morning at school felt louder than usual.
Not noisy in the sense of chaos, but alive—charged with anticipation, like the air itself was buzzing. Conversations overlapped in the hallways, footsteps echoed faster, and laughter lingered longer than normal. The announcement from yesterday had spread through the entire school overnight.
Football season had begun.
Haruya walked down the corridor at his usual pace, his school bag slung neatly over one shoulder. At first glance, nothing about him had changed. Same posture. Same calm expression. Same gentle presence.
Yet everything around him felt different.
He noticed it almost immediately.
Eyes followed him.
Not the casual glances he was used to, not the shy looks that quickly turned away—but lingering stares. Some open. Some whispered about. Some slow and deliberate.
Groups of girls stood near lockers or leaned against the walls, pretending to talk about training schedules or class assignments, but their attention kept drifting back to him.
"Did you see him yesterday…?" "He's really joining, right?" "Imagine him running on the field…" "No wonder everyone wants to participate."
"…He's really joining, right?" "That's what I heard." "Look at how relaxed he walks…" "I wonder how fast he runs."
Two girls pretending to stretch exchanged looks.
"Hey," one whispered, nudging the other, "don't you think his legs look… so hot (〃ﾟ3ﾟ〃)"
The other giggled. "You're staring too obviously."
"I'm not staring," she protested. "I'm observing those cute fragile legs."
Haruya caught snippets as he passed.
His gaze drifted downward for a moment and then back up, subtly aware of what they were watching. His legs. His shoulders. The way he walked—relaxed but confident.
Some looks carried admiration.
Some carried excitement.
Some… carried something heavier. Some simping over him.
A faint heat crept up his neck.
But instead of discomfort, a quiet thrill stirred in his chest.
Being seen like this… by girls… made his heartbeat quicken.
He wasn't naïve. He knew what those looks meant. And instead of shrinking away, he felt a strange sense of pride bloom inside him.
"So this is what it feels like," he thought lightly. "To be wanted openly."
His lips curved ever so slightly.
The pressure was there—yes—but it wasn't crushing. It was building. Waiting.
And Haruya walked straight through it.
---
Team Selection Chaos
Before training could officially begin, the homeroom teacher entered the classroom with a firm, purposeful stride.
The moment she stepped inside, the chatter died down.
She placed her files on the desk and adjusted her glasses, her gaze sweeping across the room.
"As you already know," she began, "our school's football event starts this season."
A ripple of excitement moved through the class.
"This is not a casual activity," she continued. "Training begins immediately. Teams will be formed today. In five days, we will hold our first internal match. The winning team will represent our school at the Tokyo State School Tournament."
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"As i already tell you the rewards," the teacher added, "include certificates, merit points, and recommendations that will significantly benefit university admissions."
That got everyone's attention.
She paused, then turned her gaze toward one student in particular.
"Haruya-Sama."
The room stiffened.
"Yes?" Haruya replied calmly.
"Due to your unique position and… the circumstances surrounding this event," she said carefully, "you will be given a special privilege."
The class leaned forward.
"You will choose your own team."
For half a second, there was silence.
Then—
"ME!!" "Choose me, Haruya-sama!" "No, pick me! I'm better at football!" "She can't even run properly—choose me instead!" "Haruya-sama, I'll do my best!"
The classroom exploded.
Hands shot up. Voices overlapped. Desks rattled as students half-stood from their seats, desperation and excitement blending into pure chaos.
Haruya got overwhelmed by the requests.
Reina's eyes widened.
Saeko's mouth fell open.
The teacher slammed her palm onto the desk.
"SIT. DOWN."
The shout cracked through the room like thunder.
"If anyone makes another sound," she warned coldly, "you will be removed from the event entirely."
Instant silence.
She turned back to Haruya, her expression softening slightly.
"Haruya-sama," she said, "choose eleven players."
Every girl held her breath.
Haruya swallowed once.
Then he spoke.
"Saeko."
Saeko jolted upright, her face flushing red as her heart nearly burst.
"Reina."
Reina straightened immediately, her posture sharp, pride flickering in her eyes.
Haruya continued choosing—nine more names—most of them girls who openly admired him, girls whose faces lit up as their names were called.
When the list was complete, Saeko and Reina exchanged a glance.
Inside, both of them were glowing.
"He chose me." "He chose me."
The teacher nodded and began forming the opposing team.
She selected the remaining students, placing several strong players together—
Kuroiwa Nana,
Shindou Rika,
Mizuno Ayame,
along with eight others.
None of them looked happy.
Some stared at Haruya's team with resentment.
Some looked disappointed.
Some looked heartbroken.
No one wanted to stand against Haruya.
"Teams are finalized," the teacher announced. "Do your best."
But everyone knew—
This match was no longer about football.
---
Before Training Begins
(Saeko POV)
Saeko stood at the edge of the field, stretching her legs with more focus than she had ever given any physical activity before.
Her heart was racing.
Not from exertion—but from awareness.
Haru-kun is here.
He's watching.
She stole glances toward him whenever she thought no one would notice.
"I have to look cool," she told herself. "I can't embarrass myself."
Her imagination betrayed her.
Haruya cheering.
Haruya smiling.
Haruya looking proud.
Her face burned.
"If I do well… maybe he'll notice me more," she thought, clenching her fists.
This wasn't just training.
This was her chance.
---
(Reina POV)
Reina rolled her shoulders once, eyes already scanning the field.
Distances.
Player spacing.
Angles of movement.
She noted the opposing team's strongest members immediately.
But her attention flicked back to Haruya.
Some girls were looking at him too closely.
Her jaw tightened.
"This isn't just football," she thought. "This is territory."
She adjusted her stance subtly, placing herself closer to him without making it obvious.
"If he's stepping onto the field," she decided, "then nothing touches him."
This will be war (ノ｀Д´)ノ.
— To be continued…