After Lucas Tanaka's third goal, the stands seed on the verge of collapsing with the deafening screams of the fans.
The narrator, hoarse from shouting, still found the strength to do justice to the mont.
"REFEREE'S WHISTLE! IT'S OVER! IT'S OVER! BRIGHTON ARE CHAMPIONS! A HISTORIC FINAL! A MATCH THAT WILL LIVE LONG IN THE MORY! LUCAS TANAKA, THE HERO! THE GENIUS! THE ARTILLER! HAT-TRICK! HAT-TRICK FOR THE BOY WONDER! WHAT A MAGICAL NIGHT FOR BRIGHTON! WHAT A MAGICAL NIGHT FOR SOCCER! WHAT A MAGICAL NIGHT FOR JAPAN AND ENGLAND!"
The stands shook with the jumps and shouts of the fans. Brighton flags were raised in the air as the players fell to the turf, exhausted and ecstatic.
The Brighton players fell to the turf, overco by exhaustion and emotion. So fell to the ground, others were on their knees, raising their fists to the sky.
Javier cried with his hands on his head, while Raphael and Miguel hugged each other as if they would never let go.
Lucas, with his hands, also fell to his knees, trying to process what had just happened.
Adrenaline was coursing through his body, but the emotional impact was even greater. He was about to cry when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Nishida holding out his hand to him.
The opposing No. 9 walked over to him, his face exhausted but wearing a sincere smile. Tanaka stood, and in consideration of his best friend, extended his hand for a respectful shake.
"You were amazing, Tanaka." Nishida said.
Lucas squeezed his hand tightly. "You too, Nishida. If it hadn't been for you, this match wouldn't have been so morable. Both for and for the others."
"Don't be so modest." Nishida smiled, pulling Lucas into a tight hug. "This ga was only incredible and could only happen because you led this team to victory in this championship."
"Now go on, champ." He let go of and pointed with his chin to the Brighton bench, where Lucas' teammates were celebrating wildly.
Lucas nodded and ran over to them. On the bench, Eddie and Alex were hugging each other like brothers, Kader was shedding tears as he threw water up in celebration, and Jinez had already had a cold shower from the reserve players, all laughing, crying and singing along with the crowd.
And then, several ters above, in the VIP section of Wembley Stadium, Lucas's family was watching it all.
Ayumi, Tanaka's mother, had her face bathed in tears, her hands covering her mouth in pure emotion.
John, his father, was crying like never and holding up Hana, Tanaka's younger sister, who was screaming at the top of her lungs:
"LUCAS WON! MY ONII-CHAN WON!!!"
At the Wushia school, a large hall was packed. A big screen was showing the match, and the reaction was an explosion of euphoria.
Yukihiro was jumping up and down with his fists in the air. Toshinori was hugging Kuwabara and holding him like a child. Yuuga was screaming his head off. Hidefumi, Kenji and Tsukada celebrated with a collective hug, but then Tsukada, as always, quickly reverted to his proud and serious posture, crossing his arms as if victory was sothing he had expected all along.
"I an, it's nothing. When he wins a World Cup for Japan, I'll be impressed."
anwhile, Lucy and Kate, Tanaka's best "friends", were watching the match on the campus of the Seyek Institute, where an enormous television had been installed to gather the students who wanted to watch the ga.
The surrounding crowd was euphoric, shouting and jumping. Kate clutched the collar of her blouse, trying to catch her breath, while Lucy laughed with pure joy.
"He really did it... Lucas is unbelievable!" Lucy exclaid.
Kate just smiled, knowing that Tanaka would have accepted nothing less than victory.
In Japan, Hasumi Seiya was watching everything with a satisfied smile. Next to him, the coach of the Japanese team was also smiling, his eyes shining with interest.
Seiya then thought to herself:
'Get ready, Lucas. Next ti we et, I'll make you train rigorously.'
Back on the field, Lucas was being carried on his shoulders by his companions. He looked around, absorbing every detail. This was the mont he had fought so hard for.
The Brighton players gathered in the center of the pitch, their voices mixed with shouts, laughter and tears.
The silver trophy, gleaming under the Wembley lights, rested on a pedestal, waiting for when it would be lifted by the champion.
The tournant organizers began preparing for the awards ceremony. A platform was set up and the Brighton players were called up one by one to receive their dals.
Anton, the goalkeeper, was one of the first, raising his arms to the sky as he felt the weight of the tal against his chest. He had given his life to this championship.
Loki and Aidan, the full-backs, exchanged a firm handshake before climbing the steps.
Javier, still teary-eyed, hugged Denis and Felix before putting the dal around his neck.
Arthur, the center forward, walked with a broad smile, cheered on by the fans.
Willian was the most serious of all, as if he was happy, but not happy enough not to have been the star.
Daniel Riber and Luiz Fernando followed one after the other, smiling as always.
Hillebrand knelt down and kissed the hand of the woman who had given him the dal, which surprised her and made her blush.
Reserves Mark, Parker and Kevin accepted their dals for any problems. It didn't matter that they were reserves. They trained together and played together, even if only in less important matches. They deserved these dals, too.
And then, the last na was announced.
"And finally, tonight's captain, the player of the match, the na that will remind us of this day for years to co... LUCAS TANAKA!"
Wembley erupted in celebration.
Lucas climbed the steps slowly, each step being recorded by caras all over the world. When he reached the top, he saw the tournant officials handing him his dal, but his eyes were fixed on the trophy. It was a symbol of everything he had fought for. He picked up the cup, feeling the solid weight of the tal against his sweaty hands.
He turned to his companions, who were waiting on the platform. He lifted the trophy slowly, his eyes shining with emotion, and then raised it high above his head.
Wembley roared like a volcano. Gold and blue confetti exploded into the air, covering the players. Fireworks lit up the London night, and the screams of the Brighton fans seed to make the stadium itself shake.
Lucas closed his eyes for a mont to blink. In his mind, flashes of the past and present mixed. The school field, the bitter defeats, the incessant training, the weight of doubts and uncertainties... And now, the glory, the top, the consecration.
[The Main Mission "The last step of the second chance" has been completed.]
[You have received 10,000 Star Points!!!]
[You have reached Star Level 15!]
[You will now be recognized not only by soccer fans in the country where you play but also by normal people].
[You may face problems about your toilet and caution is advised, but big brands will look to you for partnerships or sponsorships.]
[You are now internationally famous.]
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