Previously, Hiro had struck a deal with Carlos.
Since they were only granted permission to explore the safer part of the city, Hiro had bribed Carlos to take them to the part of the city where they could experience the culture of the city to its fullest. And for that, they had to delve into the part of the city that was considered forbidden.
As they followed Carlos's lead closely, after a while the scenery around them started to change. Previously they were surrounded by tall concrete buildings, wide paved roads, and rather extravagant-looking places.
But right now they passed through rather shabby-looking places.
They had entered the so-called slum areas.
"Hiro..., are you sure about it?" glancing around him timidly, Kaoru asked.
For soone his age, he seed rather frightened. If he had known that they'd be entering such a place he wouldn't have followed them.
But by the ti, he was inford about their plans, it was too late for him to back out.
"Haha..., Kaoru-san, it doesn't suit soone your age to chicken out," Tatsuki said cheerfully. "Also, what's there to be terrified about? It's not like we'll get kidnapped or anything," he added.
Just at this mont, suddenly a dog jumped out in front of Tatsuki.
Bark! Bark!
"Ah....!!"
He was startled by the sudden appearance of the dog.
Imdiately, he took several steps back as he hid behind Hiro. As for Hiro, he wasn't startled. Due to his excitent, he had been observing his surroundings. So, he had already seen the dog. Also, the dog was chained.
So, while many shouted out of startlent, he remained calm about the situation.
"Hahaha...., Big words from soone terrified of chained dogs," Naoto exclaid, his tone full of mockery.
At once as realization struck him, Tatsuki felt embarrassed.
Then he calmly answered, pretending as if nothing had taken place, "But we still need to be vigilant while walking here."
Upon hearing his remarks, others let out a hearty laughter.
"Hahaha..., Yeah, we need to be vigilant around here. Who knows another dog might jump on us?"
"We can't rule out cats too, hahaha..."
Carlos who was leading the bunch also couldn't help but break into smiles. Though he understood nothing, he still found their way of conduct funny.
He found those bunches extrely amicable.
Though many of them were already earning big bucks not a shred of arrogance could be seen on their face. They seed like the type of people who could mingle in any clique.
Walking along the narrow alleys that at tis passed through soone's front door, Hiro and his friends weaved their way through the alleys. If it wasn't for Carlos's guidance they might easily get lost in it.
On the far western horizon, the sky had transford into a fiery pit while the eastern horizon had started to darken.
So houses had already lit up while many were following suit. Yet still more and more people were chilling outside. The temperature had dropped, so many people had co out of their houses to enjoy the gentle breeze.
It seed almost everyone in the neighborhood was familiar with Carlos.
The greetings didn't stop no matter where they went. But since they spoke in Portuguese, Hiro and the company failed to understand. They were like circus animals in an exhibition.
At tis they'd chance upon so local kids playing football in the narrow alley under the streetlight. While at tis they'd chance upon so local gangs.
Those encounters were rather dreadful as every ti they'd chance upon those bunches they'd glare at them in an intimidating manner. By no ans did they appear friendly.
If not for Carlos, who knows what would happen to them?
But for so reason, despite the intimidating gaze he would get occasionally, Hiro found the place rather lively.
The developed part of the city although it looked extravagant lacked the soul. But here though the place appeared rather shabby, it was full of life.
"You're not uncomfortable, are you?" Carlos asked as he led the way.
"Uncomfortable? Why would I be? If I had to be honest then I'd say that I was uncomfortable in the hotel than here," Hiro responded.
Hearing his response, Carlos chuckled as he said, "Hahaha...., You're quite funny. Many people living here dream of spending a night at the luxurious hotel in which you're staying but you feel comfortable in such a shabby place."
Finally, after walking for a while, Hiro and the rest started hearing so loud noises. It was as if many people had gathered together at a place to do sothing.
"We're getting close," Carlos said.
Upon hearing his words, Hiro's eyes lit up with excitent. Finally, after walking so much they were close to their destination.
Then as they walked, it got even more noisier. While at the sa ti, sothing beca visible in the far corner.
Amidst the dim alleys, a place was dazzling with bright light.
Pointing at the brightly illuminated place, Carlos said with a smile, "We're here..."
The place in front was bustling with life. Sounds of cheers, balls colliding against tal fences, running of people, music, and many other sounds were coming from that place. It was almost as if a party was taking place over there.
Then as they rounded up the corner, a concrete pitch surrounded by a sh fence ca into their sight. In the pitch, a group of people consisting of both young and adults, male and female was engaging in an intense showdown.
It wasn't just the people present on the pitch but many others were watching the match from the sidelines, cheering and jeering on the players playing.
The atmosphere of the place was electrifying.
"Campo de Santana, here you'll find people of all age groups playing together in harmony. As you can see, so of these guys are laborers who have returned after a day's work while so
are kids who spend their entire day balling"
Carlos began to talk, introducing the place to Hiro and others.
"And all those people you see on the sidelines, don't confuse them as re supporters.
They're waiting for their turn to play."
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