"Ladies and gentlemen!"
The presenter's voice rang out across the field, cutting through the noise with renewed energy.
"Hold your hearts, because this is no longer just Hanaka High vs. The U19 Tokyo Wolves."
A brief pause, just enough to build the tension.
"Now… it's Hanaka High vs. Japan U20!"
The reaction was immediate as a surge of cheers swept through the crowd, louder and more charged than before, pulling everyone to their feet in excitement.
On the sidelines, the principal sat clapping with a wide, satisfied grin, while Haruma's mother watched quietly, a soft smile resting on her face as she took it all in.
Along one side of the field, Haruma and his squad moved through their warmups, stretching and loosening their bodies with a calm, controlled rhythm, their focus already settling into the game.
