The president returned the smile. Then, his voice softened slightly, touched with emotion as he continued,
"And what makes me happiest… is the joy of seeing our youngsters truly starving to win."
His words sent a quiet wave of goosebumps through the everyone gathered, goosebumps rising little by little as the weight of them settled on everyone listening.
Haruma's eyes remained fixed on the president, slightly widened, completely unmoving.
With a warm smile and faint tears gathering in his eyes, the president continued,
"Seeing that dedication… that hunger in our youngsters… it makes me believe."
"It makes me believe that there is hope… a hope for a better future. A future where Japan will, one day, win the World Cup."
Haruma's breath caught in his chest. His
chest rose and fell unevenly, almost shakily, his grip tightening just a little more around the trophy in his hands.
