Chapter 436 Tominaga’s resolve

Chapter 436 Tominaga's resolve

"I can do this," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I have to."

He said to himself as he tried to encourage himself.

Then with trembling fingers, he reached for his phone. He had to share this moment with his parents. After all, they had sacrificed so much for his dream. So, they should be the people to get to know about it before anybody else.

For sure, they'd be overjoyed to hear it.

Ring! Ring!

The phone in Hiro's house kept on ringing. Yet none picked it.

"Why aren't they picking?" Hiro mumbled, sounding a little impatient.

They were taking way too long to pick up his call. Usually, he'd have been considerate. But right now, he desperately wanted to share this wonderful piece of news with them.

Ring after ring echoed in his ear, sending a pang of disappointment through his chest. Where were they? He couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

But little did he know, a very different scene was unfolding in his house. His father was slumped before the TV with an empty beer can at his feet. Meanwhile, his mother was in the kitchen doing her dishes.

The loud sound of the television only muffled the ring.

"Maybe they're not home," he thought as the call failed to connect.

As the call failed to connect even after several tries, he thought of giving up. After all, he had all the time he needed to inform them.

Then he lifted his bag and exited the locker room. It'd be a little troublesome for him if he were to keep the team waiting. So with that thought in mind, he headed straight to the shower.

after all. Tominaga Nijichi, the absolute ace, the goal machine, the cyborg. But today, that cyborg had crumbled before Hiro's onslaught.

He had failed to deliver. It was an absolute disgrace. To make matters even worse, the person whom he considered his rival had not only scored a goal but also delivered the game-

winning assist to win them the game.

Hiro's talent was undeniable, a fact that gnawed him.

Why was he not granted such talent? What did he lack? Why wasn't he chosen?

Tominaga's mind raced as he thought about Hiro's talent.

He was aware of his lack of talent. He hadn't been the brightest of the players during his early years. From an early age, he was well aware of his weaknesses.

But what he lacked in raw ability, he made up for in sheer determination and grit as he poured all his energy into training.

Later as his efforts bore fruit, people attributed his performance to talent. If only they knew, he wasn't the kind of talent they thought, what kind of reaction would they make?

Lacking talent, he envied those who were gifted. That's why, he didn't have a favorable impression of Hiro because every time he looked at him, he reminded him of the person whom he could only wish to become.

Sure, having the opportunity to play alongside him, he had seen him train equally hard. But even so, why could he get everything easily while he had to spend months and years perfecting it?

Indeed, he didn't have any ulterior motive. He might not even be aware of it. But every time, Hiro was around him, he felt inferior.

The way he mastered new techniques easily was like looking down on his efforts.

Maybe it might only be him who was obsessed with surpassing Hiro. And maybe they might even call him pathetic for being stuck on such a childish thing. But even so, he would rather struggle than admit defeat like the rest.