Chapter 603: MVP!
The air was thick with anticipation.
Miura stood at the rostrum with the envelope containing the result, while others were intently staring at him.
Looking at the result, Miura revealed a faint smirk.
At that moment, Hiro stood to make way for a friend who had returned from the restroom. Just then, Miura exclaimed, "Takahashi Hiro!"
With the announcement, many let out a collective gasp, their eyes widening in disbelief and surprise.
With dilapidated eyes, they turned to look at Hiro.
Upon seeing him stand, they felt even more perplexed.
Did he already know that he'd win?
Was he confident of winning the award?
They couldn't help but think. Seeing him stand while everybody remained seated, they found it extremely difficult to comprehend the situation.
Hiro, himself was dumbfounded.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
He had only stood to make way for his friend. But he hadn't expected that he'd get caught in the timing.
The stare of the people around was stifling him. But he couldn't bring himself to react either. Finally, exhaling deeply, he thought, 'Since it has already come to this, let's keep up the act.' Thinking so, he walked to the stage with an indifferent look on his face.
Only when he started moving did the people realize that they were forgetting to congratulate the winner. They had been utterly stunned by the revelation that they had even forgotten to celebrate.
Clap!! Clap!!
Immediately the hall became lively again.
Many of them were still finding it hard to believe. Even the reporters had a rather dumbfounded expression on their faces.
While the majority of the people were still in shock, a few of them had already accepted the outcome. Those were the people who believed in Hiro.
"Can you believe it, honey?" Hiro's mother with her gaze fixated on Hiro spoke in disbelief.
Turning to look at her husband, she found him on the verge of tearing. However, at the same time, he was smiling.
Hiro calmly swept his gaze and began in a relaxed manner, "To be honest, I'm equally surprised about the outcome. But I won't lie to you all, I did imagine winning the award."
"Even before coming here, I was looking at myself in the mirror and imagining holding this award," while speaking, he turned to look at the award he was holding.
The people didn't find his words overbearing or arrogant. Rather they found his words childlike. It was exactly what a kid would imagine.
They often liked to imagine themselves at the center of attention.
And Hiro who himself was a seventeen-year-old thinking that way wasn't anything strange.
If they were in his place, they'd have probably thought the same.
Hiro's eyes glistened looking at the award he was holding. The cooling sensation of metal, the texture of the award, everything felt real.
Tightening his grip, he continued, "Even now, everything feels so surreal. Winning the league with the team, representing the national team, or even standing here before you all. It feels like it was only yesterday when I was dreaming about playing for the country."
"But today, I'm here, standing before you all. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the support I have received and words can't even express how grateful I am to receive this prestigious award. I'm truly thankful to everyone who has supported me until now."
"This award, I'd like to dedicate to my parents who have supported the whimsical dream of a child, coaches who have trusted me, my friends and teammates, who have supported me, and everybody who has supported me until now."
"I'll keep trying to become better. Thank you, everyone!"
The speech was rather lengthy filled with gratefulness. Many people upon hearing the speech couldn't help but commend him while many disdained him for acting overtly courteous.
It was like he was trying to earn public sympathy.
What followed after the speech was a thunderous round of applause.
Among the many who were applauding him, one of them was the contender who had lost by a
margin to Hiro.
While the sound of the applause was getting louder, many people started to stand. Following them even more people stood.
Soon, almost the entire venue was on their toes, applauding him.
Hiro looking at the scene before him couldn't help but feel touched. His eyes glistened with
elation as he saw them giving him a standing ovation.
Even the ones who didn't like him were forced to stand. With everyone standing, they couldn't afford to remain seated.