Chapter 595: The New No. 10


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    Suddenly, themotion grew even bigger after the crowd witnessed Hiro''s arrival. People squeezed closer for an opportunity to interview Hiro.


    Swarming the entrance, they blocked the path.


    The people hired to maintain the order found it increasingly difficult to manage the people. With a rather frantic expression, they began shouting for backup.


    Immediately, those people swarmed him like a flock of zombies.


    Witnessing the swarm of people, Tatsuki panicked, "I...., told you it wouldn''t be a good idea to enter from the front door, didn''t I?"


    Naoto had also tagged along. However, unlike Tatsuki, Naoto was rather calm.


    Grinning, Naoto said, "Well, isn''t it amazing?"


    "Hiro, what do you think about the transfer? Can you share your views regarding it?"


    "Hiro, do you think Ito will be a great addition to the team?"


    Swarming all around Hiro, the flock of reporters began to question him. If it weren''t for the guard who hade to his aid, he might not have gotten enough space to breathe.


    Being surrounded by those people, Hiro found it rather suffocating.


    Even though the weather wasn''t hot, Hiro was sweating. Jewel-like beads of sweat umted on his forehead while he navigated his way to the entrance.


    Given their persistence, it seemed rather impossible to avoid them.


    How was he supposed to say he wasn''t enthusiastic about the transfer of Ito? Hiro found it rather troublesome to answer their questions.


    Inside the venue, a stage had been set. Slightly raising the surface with wooden boards, a raised stage had been set adorned with lights and decorations.


    Beneath the stage, a lot of reporters were seated. While awaiting the man in question, they were chatting idly.


    Even with those people, the venue hadn''t been filled. There were several vacant seats left to be filled and many people were still entering.


    The hall where the unveiling ceremony was to be held was huge.


    Despite having negative views regarding the transfer, Hiro responded positively. He even mentioned that he was looking forward to learning from Ito, and may have exaggerated a little.


    Even though he didn''t view the situation favorably, he couldn''t afford to offend Ito. After all, the influence he had wasn''t something he could criticize.


    Finally, after a while, he made it inside.


    Upon entering, Hiro heaved a sigh of relief. But he couldn''t help but scoff inwardly, ''Hmph! What are they so excited about?''


    Entering a tunnel-like path, Hiro then arrived at the hall where the ceremony was to be held. Immediately upon arriving at the hall, bright lights bombarded his vision making him squinch his eyes slightly.


    As his eyes adapted to the brightness what stood before him was a fully decorated hall. In front of the audience chamber, a grand stage was set with arge LED screen.


    "Aren''t they spending handsomely?" Tatsuki who appeared to be in a daze mumbled in


    amazement.


    Hiro couldn''t help but agree.


    Soon an announcer dressed in a tuxedo walked out to greet the people. Entertaining the guest, he announced themencement of the event.


    All this time, Hiro felt as if he was in an award ceremony. Well, he had been invited to attend one. So, he couldn''t help but ovep the two events.


    In about a week, he had to attend one of the most prominent annual events in Japan that took ce after the end of the season, the "J-League Awards".


    In this event, different kinds of awards such as the Best Young yer Award, MVP of the league, and many more awards were going to be distributed.


    It was Hiro''s first time attending the event. So, he was rather looking forward to the event.


    At this moment, the massive screen was disying the key highlights of Ito''s career. Even Hiro with his initial skepticism couldn''t help but apud the career this veteran had led. Soon after the highlighted footage ended, a thunderous round of apuse reverberated in the hall.


    p!! p!! p!!


    Just then Ito emerged on the stage.


    The noise grew even louder now that he had entered the stage. Camera shutters flew nonstop without any pause while Ito greeted the people who hade to observe the unveiling


    ceremony.


    After that, they signed a prop contract. Then the president of the club handed Ito a jersey with Ito written on the back.


    Beneath the name written in bold letters was the number "8".


    Many felt surprised when they saw the number. A murmur began to grow as the reporters talked among themselves.


    Many even turned to look in the direction of Hiro.


    Hiro, however, ignored their gazes. He was aware of why they were looking at him that way- they were wondering why Ito hadn''t taken the number 10.


    On the national team, the number ten was reserved for Yamada. Here, the number was taken by Erickson previously. But now that he had transferred, Ito was expected to take the number. But looking at the oue, they couldn''t help but feel perplexed.


    The oue was different than what they had expected.


    But they were aware of why the oue was different.


    A few weeks ago, Hiro had been asked if he could abandon the promised number for Ito. But Hiro had declined the proposal.


    Ito, initially didn''t mind him.


    And it wasn''t that huge of an issue. But still, Hiro wanted to y under the number 10 in his final season at the club. So, due to that reason, Hiro denied the request.


    Doing that might have made him seem rude or arrogant. But he couldn''t care less about other''s judgment. In this final season at the club, he wanted to do things his way. Ignoring their gazes, Hiro clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, ''Haven''t I proven myself worthy of the number?''


    Ito and the president of the club then took a few pictures together. After that, the interview began. The reporters bombarded Ito and the coaching staff with questions.


    Hiro and the rest remained seated at their spot as they listened to the interview. Finally, after a long while, the event came to an end.