Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Hiro advanced.
Before ascending the stairs, he glanced at the shimmering award before him. The Golden Ball gleamed like a sun waiting to be claimed.
Then came the stairs.
For some reason, as he began to ascend the stairs, he felt as if every step sounded louder than it should. He could hear the chants, the murmurs, the stunned disbelief of the crowd.
The world around him had come alive.
Despite that, the moment felt so distant.
Nonetheless, he advanced to the stage. The host greeted him with a smile, raising his hand for a handshake, "Congratulations, Hiro. You deserve it."
Hiro shook his hands as he thanked him, "Thank you, sir."
Then the host handed him the award before turning to the crowd and announcing in a commanding tone, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the best player of this season, your winner of the Golden Ball. The youngest winner to ever lift this award..."
