Chapter 577: Surprise


    ?


    "Sure," he agreed. "When are we leaving?"


    "I''ll pick you up in half an hour. See you soon!" she said, excitementcing her voice.


    Hiro hung up the phone, a slight smile creeping onto his face. Although they had met only recently, he couldn''t help but feel excited for some reason. The time he spent with her was always one to remember.


    He quickly freshened up and put on something warm for the snowy day ahead. As he headed downstairs, his mother noticed the slight change in his expression.


    "Going somewhere?" she asked, eyeing him with a knowing smile.


    "Just out to the market with a friend," Hiro replied casually, though a hint of anticipation was hard to hide.


    "Alright, but be back by evening. We''ve got some... ns," she said mysteriously.


    "ns?" Hiro raised an eyebrow, but his mother simply waved him off, her smile widening. Thirty minutester, Ishikawa arrived. As Hiro stepped out into the snowy street, he noticed she was bundled up in a cozy coat and scarf, her cheeks slightly flushed from the cold. Her eyes lit up when she saw him.


    "Ready?" she asked with a yful grin.


    "Yeah, let''s go," Hiro replied, walking alongside her as they made their way to the market. The streets were alive with the festive season in full swing - shop windows decorated with lights, the aroma of roasted chestnuts filling the air, and the asional sound of buskers singing in the distance.


    They wandered through the market, Ishikawa pausing at stalls filled with gifts and trinkets, while Hiro followed her lead.


    Even though Christmas wasn''t a major festival here, the influence it had was great. "So, what are you looking for?" Hiro asked, hands in his pockets to fend off the chill.


    Ishikawa smiled, picking up a small snow globe from a stall. "Just a few things for the holidays. You know, gifts for family and friends." She nced at him. "What about you? Done any shopping yet?"


    Hiro shrugged. "Not really. I haven''t thought about it much."


    Ishikawa shot him a teasing look. "You''re hopeless. It''s almost Christmas, and you haven''t even started!"


    Under the disguise of buying gifts for Christmas, she was searching for gifts for him.


    Hiro chuckled, feeling more at ease. Spending time with Ishikawa always had that effect on him her lighthearted nature bnced out his more serious side. As they continued to browse the market, they talked about everything and nothing, the conversation flowing naturally.


    At one point, as they passed a bakery stall, Ishikawa paused to warm her hands over a cup of hot cocoa she had just bought. She looked at Hiro thoughtfully, then asked, "How''s your arm feeling?"


    Hiro nced down at his arm, "Better. I''ve already healed. I''m just waiting for the season to start again so that, I could get back on the field."


    While speaking, he couldn''t hide his excitement for theing season. He had been wanting to test out his newly strengthened bone.


    The effect was palpable. With his strengthened bones, he could even punch concrete walls without getting greatly hurt.


    Truly, he had gained superhuman abilities.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But he was still curious about the effect it''d have on a real match. Would he be able to run faster?


    Ishikawa nodded, her eyes glistening with joy, "You''ve been through a lot this year. Yet you always have that passion within you."


    Hiro looked at her deeply and said, "Is that so?"


    Ishikawa took a sip of her cocoa, watching him closely, "You do. But sometimes I couldn''t help but ponder if you''re putting on airs. Don''t get me wrong but sometimes I feel as if you''re hiding the truth behind that smile of yours."


    "I mean, it''s okay to admit it''s hard sometimes," she added.


    Hiro met her gaze, surprised by the intensity in her eyes. She wasn''t just a friend at that moment she was someone who genuinely cared about him. He felt his usual walls crumble, just a little.


    "Yeah... I know," he said quietly. "It helps to have people like you around. But trust me, I''m fine now. I even feel stronger than ever."


    Ishikawa smiled warmly, her cheeks tinged pink not just from the cold. "Then it''s all good. But you have to let us know if you''re having a hard time, okay?"


    Hiro nodded.


    After spending a few hours at the market, they began walking back. The snow had started falling again, lightly dusting the streets with a freshyer of white. Ishikawa nced at Hiro with a mischievous glint in her eye.


    "Hey, there''s one more stop we need to make."


    Hiro raised an eyebrow. "Where?"


    "You''ll see," she said, quickening her pace. They walked through the familiar streets until they reached a small café tucked away in a quiet corner. It was the same cafe he had visited with her on their previous visit.


    Ishikawa held the door open for him, and as Hiro stepped inside, he was greeted by a chorus of voices shouting, "Surprise!"


    The café was filled with familiar faces - his parents, teammates, and friends, all gathered around arge cake adorned with the words Happy Birthday, Hiro written in bright frosting. The warm light inside contrasted with the snowy world outside and the room was filled with


    laughter and joy.


    Hiro blinked in surprise. "You... nned this?"


    Ishikawa beamed, stepping up beside him. "Your mom may have had something to do with


    it," she admitted, "but I thought you could use a good surprise."


    His mother rushed over, hugging him tightly. "Happy birthday, sweetheart! We wanted to do something special for you."


    His father, standing nearby with a proud smile, added, "We''re so proud of you, Hiro. And don''t worry, we''re saving the real celebration for when you''re back on the pitch."


    Hiro, overwhelmed by the love and warmth surrounding him, felt a sense of peace settle over him. He had always thought of birthdays as just another day, but this... this was different.


    It wasn''t just the cake, the gifts, or the party. It was the people who cared about him, who had gone out of their way to make him feel special, even in a time when he felt vulnerable.