The closer Hiro got to the press room, the more he felt his heart pounding. He could hear the distant chatters and the bright room before him enthralled him.
"You okay, Hiro?" Noticing a trace of nervousness on his face, Diego couldn't help but ask.
Hiro nodded and revealing his pearly white teeth, he smiled.
Following Sione, Hiro entered the press conference room. Upon entering the brightly lit press room, Hiro felt his heart pounding steadily.
The buzz of the murmuring journalists quietened almost imdiately after he stepped inside. Flashes erupted like lightning, illuminating the room as photographers captured the mont.
The bright flashes irritated his eyes, and he couldn't help but squinch them. Blinking, he tried to adjust to the blinding lights and the sea of faces waiting eagerly to dissect his performance.
He had faced such monts previously. Yet still, he couldn't help but feel odd. Even though the setting was almost similar, the vibe was exponentially different.
Diego Sione gave him a brief, encouraging nod from the side of the room before taking his seat at the far end of the table.
For so reason, Hiro found Sione's gaze rather assuring. It was as if he could trust those gazes if he needed help.
After adjusting, Hiro approached the microphone at the center. His every step was asured. He then settled into the chair and straightened his posture. Upon settling, he scanned the entire room. He could spot a few important figures almost imdiately.
Even though it was his first ti attending a press conference here, Hiro had rembered the faces of the important journalists to be prepared.
He knew that he couldn't be hasty. He had to weigh his words before speaking or else he might get in trouble. The scene around here was entirely different than back ho.
The moderator cleared his throat, signaling the start of the questions.
"Now if you'd like to ask questions please raise your hand," the moderator said as the journalists settled peacefully.
Imdiately after the moderator finished, all of them raised their hands. Their expressions, however, were poised, and neither looked impatient.
Hiro searched through the crowd and stopped at one individual. Staring at the individual, Hiro pointed his hand, "You there, the lady in a blue blazer."
"First question goes to Clara Moreno from Marca."
Clara, a poised woman in a sharp blazer stood. Her hair was blond and she had a rather petite figure. A subtle hint of makeup could be traced on her dolled-up face. Clearly, she had prepared herself thoroughly for her job.
"Hiro, congratulations on a phenonal performance tonight. Scoring two goals against Real Madrid at Bernabeu and shutting down players like Vinicius and Mbappe is no small feat. How does it feel to have made such an impact in your debut La Liga derby?" she asked, her voice steady but enthusiastic.
Hiro leaned slightly into the microphone. He stared fixedly at her, his hazel eyes filled with an unusual calm.
He had heard her question audibly. The complint was huge. But Hiro didn't feel burdened by it. He had delivered the result after all.
While staring at her with his striking eyes, Hiro began, his voice calm but carrying a subtle edge of pride. "Thank you. It feels incredible. To play in a match like this is every player's dream. I knew it would be intense, but I trusted myself, my team, and the work we've been putting in. Monts like these are why we play the ga."
Though he was elated with her praise, he answered as humbly as he could. It wouldn't look good to be too haughty. Neither would it look good to be too humble.
Tugging a smile, he answered the question calmly.
The room murmured in approval, scribbling notes feverishly.
Though it wasn't the response she was expecting, Clara felt satisfied with his response. And since each reporter could only ask one question, she couldn't help but sit down.
"Next question, Javier Diaz from Morning Madrid."
A grizzled journalist with glasses perched on his nose stood up.
"Hiro, during the match, you stripped your jersey and held it up to the Real Madrid fans. While it certainly made a statent, so are calling it disrespectful. What was your thought process at that mont? Were you inspired by ssi?"
Hiro could tell that this person was deliberately trying to stir trouble. Though there didn't seem anything wrong with his question, Hiro could sense a sche. The topic in itself was sensitive and he had already antagonized a lot of Madrid supporters.
If he were to speak sothing scandalous at this mont, he would further antagonize them. Who knows, he might beco one of the most hated individuals in Real Madrid.
But as much as this was a setup to tarnish his reputation, it was also an opportunity to ease the tension. Though he had made that provocative gesture previously, he could turn things around if he could find the right words to explain.
Hiro's lips curled into a faint smile as he considered his response. "It wasn't about disrespect. It was about passion." Hiro paused and squinched his eyes, staring at the journalist with a gaze filled with amusent as if he were toying with him.
"Football is an emotional ga, and at that mont, I wanted to express what it ant to , to my team, and to the fans who believe in us. I understand if so people didn't take it well, but for , it was about celebrating a hard-fought victory." He added.
"I'm sure if soone else were in my place, they'd do the sa. So, I don't think I did
anything controversial or disrespectful."
Though Hiro didn't want to stir trouble, he couldn't help but add a few extra words to send the reporter into a frenzy.
After all, he wouldn't be able to ask more questions even if he said sothing.
Javier wanted to follow up with a question to spice things up. But he was aware that he had to pass the turn. So, he sat down with a rather unwilling expression.
The room buzzed again, so nodding in agreent, others exchanging skeptical looks.
"Don't you think he answers rather smoothly?"
"Yeah, I too feel as if I am in the presence of a veteran. I can't even believe that this kid is the sa kid who until a mont ago seed nervous while entering."
The caran whispered as they found the conference rather intriguing. They found this character called Hiro extrely fascinating.
Even when faced with these veteran reporters who were after him like hungry wolves, he could remain calm and face them head-on.
"Next up, Miguel Torres from ESPN."
A younger journalist with an excited air stood quickly. He had a rather lean build and he was wearing a white shirt, layered with a navy blazer. He had a rather dashing appearance, one
filled with charm.
"Hiro, you've co from Japan, a country not traditionally known for its football exports, and already you're making headlines worldwide. How do you handle the pressure of representing not just Atletico Madrid but also Japan on this stage?"
This ti, the question wasn't targeted to raise scandal. But this ti, the question was
genuine.
Hiro's shoulder relaxed, his expression softened, and his voice grew reflective. "It's an honor, honestly. I know I carry the hopes of many back ho, and I don't take that lightly. We
weren't able to deliver before."
Hiro paused as he realized that he was steering off the topic. He shouldn't be talking about their disappointing World Cup run here.
Now, he was here to represent Atletico Madrid. So, he shouldn't be talking about the national
team.
"But I don't see it as pressure-it's motivation. I want to show the world what Japanese
players can achieve and inspire the next generation to dream big."
A ripple of applause broke out before the moderator restored order. The conference was proceeding more smoothly than what he had expected. Thus, Diego
couldn't help but feel relieved. He was prepared to intervene if things were to go south. But now upon hearing Hiro's response, he felt as if he was worrying for no reason. There wasn't even any need for him to intervene. So, he laid back and enjoyed the show.
"Final question for Hiro, from Sarah Queen of The Daily News."
A red-haired woman, dressed in a white coat stood up. She wore gold-rimd glasses that rested loosely on her nose-bridge and her fra was rather delicate.
"Hiro, many expected you to join a club like Real Madrid, PSG, or Manchester City, yet you
chose Atletico Madrid. What was the deciding factor in your decision?" she spoke, her accent sounded British, and her tone was filled with intrigue.
Hiro hesitated for a mont, his gaze flickering toward Sione before returning to the journalist. "Atletico believed in -not just as a player, but as a person. They didn't see as a marketing opportunity or a brand; they saw my potential to grow and contribute. That belief is sothing I couldn't ignore."
The room erupted into another round of flashes and murmurs, the answer clearly resonating with many in attendance.
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