CHAPTER 55: — Before the Whistle Blows
Morning light poured through the tall windows of Haruya's bedroom, soft and golden, painting long rectangles across the polished hardwood floor.
The air still carried the faint scent of last night's jasmine from Aunt Yumi's perfume, lingering like a sweet memory.
Haruya stood beside his bed, methodically packing his sports bag: cleats wrapped in a soft towel, spare jersey neatly folded, water bottle, a small roll of athletic tape, and the team's lucky wristband that Reina had insisted he wear for every match.
He zipped the bag closed with a quiet, satisfied sound and slung it over one shoulder, already mentally running through today's warm-up drills.
The state tournament. His heart beat a little faster—not from nerves, but from the quiet thrill of a dream taking its next real step.
A gentle knock came at the half-open door.
"Haruya?"
His mother, Akaya, stepped inside, elegant even in her simple morning robe, hair loosely tied back. In her palm rested a small, matte-black device no larger than a key fob, attached to a slim silicone band.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you while you're getting ready," she said softly, voice carrying that familiar mix of warmth and unyielding protectiveness. "But before you leave… I want you to take this."
She held it out.
Haruya tilted his head, curious. "What is it, Mom?"
"It's a GPS tracker," Akaya explained, stepping closer. "It connects directly to your phone. It tracks your location in real time.
If anything—anything at all—feels wrong, or if someone approaches you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, just press the power button four times quickly.
It will send an instant alert to me, to Aoi, and to Sakura, along with your exact live position. We'll know where you are within seconds."
Haruya looked down at the small device, then back up at her. A tiny, fond smile tugged at his lips.
"Thank you, Mom. I love you… but this feels like a little too much."
Akaya's expression didn't waver. If anything, her gaze grew more serious, more resolute.
"Too much?" she repeated quietly. "Haruya, you're a boy. Today you'll be surrounded by thousands of people—spectators, players from other schools, staff, reporters. Many of them will look at you with admiration… and some with eyes that aren't kind. In this world, boys like you are treasures, and treasures attract greed. I will not allow you to step outside this house without protection."
She reached out and gently took his wrist, turning it palm-up.
"If you refuse to wear it, I won't let you go at all."
Her tone was final, but the worry behind it was raw and maternal. Haruya felt a soft pang in his chest—not annoyance, but gratitude for how deeply she cared.
He exhaled through his nose, then offered his wrist without another word.
"Okay," he said gently. "I'll take it."
Akaya's shoulders relaxed visibly. She fastened the band around his wrist with careful fingers, making sure it sat comfortably but securely. Then she pulled him into a brief, fierce hug, pressing her cheek against the top of his head.
"That's my good boy," she murmured. "Don't worry. Your mom and your sisters will be right here waiting for you to come home safe. Just focus on playing beautifully, like you always do."
Haruya hugged her back, careful and warm. "I will. Promise."
He started to pull away, then paused.
"Mom… what about Aunt Yumi? I didn't see her after last night."
Akaya smiled, a little wistful.
"Oh, your Aunt Yumi… she left very early this morning. She only came to see you, you know. She runs her own company now—very busy, very successful—and she doesn't get much time to visit anyone these days. But she couldn't bear to leave without giving you something."
She gestured toward the far corner of the room.
Haruya followed her gaze—and his eyes widened.
Leaning against the wall, nearly as tall as he was, sat an enormous plush teddy bear. Soft caramel fur, round black eyes the size of dinner plates, a bright red satin bow tied around its neck. Six feet of pure, ridiculous fluff.
"What… a six-foot teddy bear?" Haruya said, half-laughing in disbelief.
Akaya chuckled. "Yes. She didn't know exactly what you like anymore—you've grown up so much since she last saw you—so she decided 'bigger is safer.' She wanted to make sure you had a gift from her. Something to hug when she can't be here."
Haruya walked over and tentatively patted the bear's giant paw. It was impossibly soft. He couldn't help but smile.
"Okay… tell her thank you for me when you talk to her next."
"I will." Akaya stepped closer and brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Now go. Your ride is waiting."
Haruya nodded, shouldered his bag again, and headed for the door.
"Bye, Mom. I'll call you after the match."
"Don't forget," she called after him, voice soft but firm. "Not even once."
Outside, the black car waited in the morning sun, gleaming like polished obsidian. The driver—same poised woman from yesterday—opened the rear door with her usual graceful bow.
"Good morning, young master. Ready for the day?"
Haruya slid inside, bag resting on the seat beside him.
"Yes. Let's go to school."
The door closed with that satisfying, expensive thud. The car pulled smoothly away from the estate, tires whispering over the driveway, carrying Haruya toward the tournament, toward the field.
---
— Under Everyone's Protection
The Rolls-Royce glided to a smooth halt just inside the school gates, the engine's low purr fading into the morning bustle.
Haruya stepped out, sports bag slung over one shoulder, the small GPS band on his wrist catching a glint of sunlight.
The moment his feet touched the pavement, the familiar wave of attention began—heads turning, soft gasps rippling through clusters of students near the entrance. But today the energy felt sharper, more electric. Word of the state tournament had spread like wildfire overnight.
Across the wide field that doubled as the school's bus loading area, the tournament coach bus already waited—sleek white with the Sakura High crest proudly displayed on the side, engine idling, doors open. Teammates and support staff milled around it, laughing, stretching, checking gear one last time.
Haruya had barely taken three steps when he heard them.
"Haruya-kun!"
Three figures broke from the group and sprinted toward him, waving enthusiastically.
Saeko reached him first, cheeks already flushed a bright pink, her usual confident grin softened into something shy and radiant.
"Good morning, Haruya-kun!" she said breathlessly, stopping just short of colliding with him. "We were all waiting for you. The bus feels empty without you here."
Haruya smiled warmly, the kind of gentle expression that never failed to make hearts stutter. "Good morning, Saeko. Thank you for waiting."
Ayame arrived a heartbeat later, taller than the others, her athletic frame moving with purposeful strides. She slowed as she reached him, suddenly looking almost nervous—hands clasped behind her back, cheeks tinting rose.
"Good morning, Haruya," she said, voice quieter than usual. "I… I'm coming with you today. I'll be watching every single match from the stands. I feel really sorry that I can't support you on the field—I'm not on the team—but I'll cheer as loud as anyone. I promise."
Haruya tilted his head slightly, eyes soft with understanding.
"It's okay, Ayame. There's no need to say sorry. It's not your fault at all. I'm just happy you'll be there watching."
The words hit her like sunlight after a long storm. Ayame's blush deepened to a vivid scarlet; she ducked her head for a second, a tiny, helpless smile breaking across her face as she tried (and failed) to hide how much those simple words meant.
Reina slid in last, bouncing on her toes with barely contained excitement, ponytail swinging.
"Haruya-kun! Did you sleep well?" she asked eagerly. "I already prepared a full strategic plan for the team—formations, substitutions, even some counter-plays if the opponents press high. And if you feel even a little exhausted during the match, just leave everything to me. I've got your back."
Haruya chuckled softly, the sound warm and genuine.
"You don't need to worry so much, Reina. I'm really excited for today. I feel great."
He paused, looking between the three of them—Saeko's hopeful eyes, Ayame's still-flushed cheeks, Reina's bright anticipation—and something soft and sincere rose in his chest.
"I love you all."
The sentence landed like a gentle bomb.
For a frozen second, none of them moved. Then—
Saeko's eyes went wide, hands flying to her mouth as a delighted squeak escaped.
Ayame's knees actually wobbled; she grabbed Reina's arm for balance, face burning so hot steam might as well have risen from it.
Reina let out a tiny, strangled "Ehhhh?!" before dissolving into a full-body blush, hands flapping uselessly as she tried to process what she'd just heard.
The three girls stared at him, then at each other, then back at Haruya—like they had collectively won the lottery of life. Their hearts were visibly racing; small, happy sounds bubbled up from all of them at once.
Haruya blinked, suddenly realizing how much impact those four casual words had carried that just he said. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Um… shall we get on the bus?"
That snapped them out of it. Giggling, blushing, and still half-dazed, the three girls nodded vigorously and formed their usual protective circle around him as they walked toward the waiting vehicle.
Inside the bus, the seating arrangement happened almost by instinct now: Haruya claimed his favorite window seat near the middle, Saeko immediately beside him, Reina directly in front so she could turn and talk to him,
Ayame taking the aisle seat across from Saeko to keep watch from the other side.
The rest of the team filed in around them, casting fond, envious glances at the unbreakable little fortress they'd built around their star player.
Miss Yuzuki Arai gave a quick headcount, Akari settled near the front with her usual cool composure, and the bus doors hissed shut.
The engine rumbled to life. The vehicle rolled smoothly out of the school grounds and onto the open road, carrying excited girls, one very special boy, and the weight of tomorrow's
Two and a half peaceful hours passed—filled with light chatter, Reina going over her strategy one more time (mostly to hear Haruya's encouraging "That sounds perfect"), Saeko quietly resting her head against his shoulder for a few minutes, and Ayame stealing glances whenever she thought no one was looking.
Haruya spent most of the ride gazing out the window, the GPS band a small, reassuring weight on his wrist, his mind calm and focused.
Finally the bus slowed, turning into a vast parking area already crowded with dozens of other team buses—flags fluttering from windows, rival school colors everywhere.
As the doors opened and everyone began to disembark, a familiar figure came sprinting across the asphalt toward them.
"Miss Akari! Here! I'm here!"
The registration center manager from yesterday—still sharply dressed, clipboard in hand—skidded to a halt in front of the group, panting heavily.
"Huff… huff… huff…"
She straightened, brushing a strand of hair from her face, then offered Akari a bright, professional smile.
"You're here already. So you're managing the venue side too?" Akari asked, one eyebrow raised in mild surprise.
The manager nodded vigorously. "Yes! And I've prepared special security measures just for Haruya-sama. Dedicated escorts, priority access lanes, a private viewing suite if needed—everything to make sure no one tries anything inappropriate. No bad actors get anywhere near him on my watch."
Akari's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile of approval.
"That's excellent. You're impressive. Truly."
The manager beamed, cheeks coloring slightly at the praise.
"As Haruya-sama's protector today, it's my duty—and my honor."
She turned toward Haruya then, bowing deeply.
"Welcome to the state tournament venue, Haruya-sama. We're all rooting for you."
Haruya returned the bow with his usual gentle politeness.
"Thank you very much. I appreciate everything you're doing."
The manager looked ready to faint from happiness.
Behind her, the massive tournament hotel loomed in the distance—waiting.
---
— Arrival at the Grand Hotel
The group stepped through the wide glass doors of the tournament hotel.
The lobby alone was larger than the entire ground floor of Sakura High's main building—vaulted ceilings soaring three stories high, crystal chandeliers dripping light like frozen rain, marble floors polished to a mirror shine that reflected every movement in soft golden tones. Columns of pale ivory stone rose like silent guardians, and fresh orchids bloomed in massive arrangements along the walls. Soft classical music drifted from hidden speakers, mingling with the low murmur of arriving teams and the occasional excited laugh.
Haruya's teammates slowed their steps without realizing it, eyes wide, mouths slightly open.
"Whoa…" one girl whispered.
"This is… a palace," another breathed.
"I've never seen anything like this in my life."
For most of them, the biggest "hotel" they had ever stayed in was a modest two-star inn.
This place felt like something out of a movie—luxurious, overwhelming, and impossibly real.
Akari walked at the front beside the manager, arms folded, expression calm but clearly pleased. Haruya stayed near the center of the group, flanked as always by Saeko, Reina, and now Ayame too, their protective little circle instinctively reforming the moment they entered unfamiliar territory.
The manager turned to face everyone, clapping her hands once to gather attention.
"Welcome to the Grand Azure hotel—the official host hotel for the state tournament," she announced with professional pride. "We've reserved the entire east wing exclusively for haruya-sama participating teams, so you'll have privacy and security."
She gestured toward a bank of golden elevators and a wide hallway beyond.
"There are over thirty individual rooms prepared for the players. Each of you will have your own private suite—queen bed, en-suite bathroom, work desk, mini-fridge, and a view of either the tournament fields or the gardens. No sharing required; we want everyone well-rested and focused."
A ripple of delighted gasps and excited whispers ran through the team.
"For the teachers and support staff," the manager continued, nodding toward Akari and Yuzuki Arai, "we've allocated larger executive suites on the top floor—separate living areas, and private balconies. And for training and warm-up, there's a dedicated indoor practice facility on the lower level: full-size artificial turf pitch, weight room, recovery pools, physiotherapy tables, and even a small video analysis room. Everything you need is right here under one roof."
Reina's eyes sparkled. "A private pitch? Indoors? That's perfect for practice"
Others girl nudged his friend gently with her elbow, grinning. "You're going to destroy everyone tomorrow after sleeping in a bed like this."
That girl gave a small, shy laugh. "I just hope I don't get too comfortable and oversleep."
Ayame, still a little flushed from earlier, looked around with quiet awe before murmuring to him, "This place… it feels like they really value the players here. Especially you haruya."
The manager caught the exchange and smiled warmly at Haruya.
"Haruya-sama, your suite is on the same floor as the team but at the end of the corridor—extra security, soundproofed walls, and a private balcony. If you need anything at all—extra towels, different pillows, late-night snacks, even a personal wake-up call—just dial zero. I've instructed the staff to treat you with the highest priority."
Haruya bowed slightly. "Thank you. That's very kind of you."
The manager's cheeks pinked at the simple politeness. She quickly recovered, gesturing toward the elevators.
"Now, please follow me. I'll escort everyone to check-in and room assignments. Your luggage will be brought up shortly."
As the group began moving—teammates chattering excitedly, phones already out to take discreet photos of the lobby—Haruya glanced back once at the massive entrance doors, the late-afternoon sun turning the glass into sheets of fire.
Tomorrow the matches would begin.
But tonight… tonight was for rest, for quiet preparation, and for letting the reality of it all sink in just a little deeper.
—To be continued…
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Author's Note 📝
Sorry for the late upload, guys.
Also, if you guys spot any mistakes (especially the timeline slip where I said the match is "today" instead of "tomorrow" in Ch. 54 & 55), please call them out in the comments so I can fix them quick. My brain glitches sometimes when I'm rushing between study sessions.
This chapter is more setup than action, I know — sorry if it felt a bit slow/boring. The real matches start next chapter, promise!
Thanks for sticking with me. Your comments keep me motivated more than anything. See you soon with the football heat 🔥
love All
—king_fuzu_