Chapter 505: Street Football


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    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 ces.


    But right now they passed through rather shabby-looking ces.


    They had entered the so-called slum areas.


    "Hiro..., are you sure about it?" ncing around him timidly, Kaoru asked.


    For someone his age, he seemed rather frightened. If he had known that they''d be entering such a ce he wouldn''t have followed them.


    But by the time, he was informed about their ns, it was toote for him to back out.


    "Haha..., Kaoru-san, it doesn''t suit someone 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 moment, suddenly a dog jumped out in front of Tatsuki.


    Bark! Bark!


    "Ah....!!"


    He was startled by the sudden appearance of the dog.


    Immediately, he took several steps back as he hid behind Hiro. As for Hiro, he wasn''t startled. Due to his excitement, he had been observing his surroundings. So, he had already seen the dog. Also, the dog was chained.


    So, while many shouted out of startlement, he remained calm about the situation.


    "Hahaha...., Big words from someone terrified of chained dogs," Naoto eximed, his tone full of mockery.


    At once as realization struck him, Tatsuki felt embarrassed.


    Then he calmly answered, pretending as if nothing had taken ce, "But we still need to be vignt while walking here."


    Upon hearing his remarks, others let out a heartyughter.


    "Hahaha..., Yeah, we need to be vignt 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 extremely amicable.


    Though many of them were already earning big bucks not a shred of arrogance could be seen on their face. They seemed like the type of people who could mingle in any clique.


    Walking along the narrow alleys that at times passed through someone''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 transformed into a fiery pit while the eastern horizon had started to darken.


    Some 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 hade out of their houses to enjoy the gentle breeze.


    It seemed 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 thepany failed to understand. They were like circus animals in an exhibition.


    At times they''d chance upon some local kids ying football in the narrow alley under the streetlight. While at times they''d chance upon some local gangs.


    Those encounters were rather dreadful as every time they''d chance upon those bunches they''d re at them in an intimidating manner. By no means did they appear friendly.


    If not for Carlos, who knows what would happen to them?


    But for some reason, despite the intimidating gaze he would get asionally, Hiro found the ce rather lively.


    The developed part of the city although it looked extravagantcked the soul. But here though the ce appeared rather shabby, it was full of life.


    "You''re not ufortable, are you?" Carlos asked as he led the way.


    "Ufortable? Why would I be? If I had to be honest then I''d say that I was ufortable 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 feelfortable in such a shabby ce."


    Finally, after walking for a while, Hiro and the rest started hearing some loud noises. It was as if many people had gathered together at a ce to do something.


    "We''re getting close," Carlos said.


    Upon hearing his words, Hiro''s eyes lit up with excitement. Finally, after walking so much they were close to their destination.


    Then as they walked, it got even more noisier. While at the same time, something became visible in the far corner.


    Amidst the dim alleys, a ce was dazzling with bright light.


    Pointing at the brightly illuminated ce, Carlos said with a smile, "We''re here..."


    The ce in front was bustling with life. Sounds of cheers, balls colliding against metal fences, running of people, music, and many other sounds wereing from that ce. It was almost as if a party was taking ce over there.


    Then as they rounded up the corner, a concrete pitch surrounded by a mesh fence came 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 yers ying.


    The atmosphere of the ce was electrifying.


    "Campo de Santana, here you''ll find people of all age groups ying together in harmony. As you can see, some of these guys areborers who have returned after a day''s work while some


    are kids who spend their entire day balling"


    Carlos began to talk, introducing the ce to Hiro and others.


    "And all those people you see on the sidelines, don''t confuse them as mere supporters.


    They''re waiting for their turn to y."