208 Chapter 208: Down the Stairs I Fell

Hey guys, I just fell off my bike a few hours ago.

My overall body's okay, but my left foot joint got a bit banged up. I swung by the hospital just to be safe.

Everything seems fine.

Still feeling a lot of pain, though, so I'm thinking about heading back to the hospital just to double-check today.

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As the break time concluded, the audience erupted into shouts and cheers, and their excitement rekindled, casting a vibrant atmosphere over the court.

Both teams made their way back onto the playing area, ready for the next phase of the game.

Kaijo High headed to their bench, taking a moment to organize their gear before reentering the court. During this brief interlude, Kasamatsu's expression bore a solemn demeanor as he observed Fukuda Sogo's players.

"...They didn't seem to waver in the slightest, such confidence. Very admirable, indeed," he thought, acknowledging the resilience of Fukuda Sogo's team.

Despite Kaijo gaining momentum, it appeared that the opposing team's mindset remained steadfast.

While there was an air of frustration around one player, Kasamatsu noted with surprise that Haizaki now seemed composed.

However, a lingering question occupied Kasamatsu's thoughts.

"...Why does he look like he just got beaten?"

Haizaki's appearance told a clear story – his face bore bruises, and dried blood marked some areas, leaving no doubt that he had taken a severe beating.

The referee, noticing Haizaki's condition, approached him with concern.

"Hey! Did you get involved in violence? If so, I need you to tell me what happened..."

"I don't know what you're talking about..." Haizaki replied casually as if everything was normal.

Still unconvinced by Haizaki's nonchalant response, the referee furrowed his brow and fixed a sharp gaze on him.

"Lying to the referee would be considered an offense; I need you to be aware of this, student..."

Haizaki, seemingly unfazed by the threat, maintained his calm demeanor. "...Like I said, I don't know what you're talking about."

Despite the referee's attempt at a threatening tone, Haizaki remained unyielding in his response.

"Please don't joke around! How do you explain your appearance, then? Violence is strictly forbidden!"

Haizaki turned toward the referee, his gaze intensifying with a seriousness that sent a shiver down the referee's spine.

It was evident that Haizaki was no ordinary individual.

"I fell down the stairs..."

"..."

The seemingly straightforward explanation hung in the air, leaving a momentary pause as those present processed the unexpected statement.

"...Huh?"

It took quite a while for the referee to fully process what Haizaki had just told him. Veins bulged out of his temple, and he was on the verge of lashing out in disbelief.

"He said it clearly, didn't he?"

Just as the referee was about to vent his frustration, Tsuna approached. The aura surrounding Tsuna, however, caught the referee off guard.

He felt as if he were standing in front of his own superior, and this unexpected presence quenched his urge to lash out, replacing it with a frown.

Tsuna was unfazed as he patted Haizaki on the shoulder while addressing the referee. "Shogo here can be quite clumsy sometimes. That's why when he said he fell down the stairs..."

"...He fell down the stairs."

As Tsuna delivered the final line, his tone dropped to a near-whisper.

"..."

The referee, involuntarily gulping down saliva, felt the weight of Tsuna's words was akin to a decree.

The onlookers couldn't help but shake their heads at the unfolding scene.

Even Kasamatsu found himself frowning, entertaining a momentarily absurd thought: "Did he beat up Haizaki?"

Quickly dismissing the idea, Kasamatsu shook his head.

Tsuna didn't strike him as the violent type. Still, the evidence of Haizaki having been involved in a physical altercation was undeniable.

"...If it's not him, then..." Kasamatsu's gaze scanned the Fukuda Sogo players, who were somberly observing the interaction.

His gaze halted on Nijimura's figure, standing with complete nonchalance. The way he carried himself signaled an unwavering trust in Tsuna to navigate and resolve the unfolding situation.

"Probably that guy..." Kasamatsu mused, a frown deepening on his face.

Nijimura was the type of person who treated Tsuna's words like gospel, indicating that it was Tsuna who had given the order. 

"...I guess I should reconsider my opinion on Fukuda Sogo's captain."

This realization prompted Kasamatsu to reassess his views on Fukuda Sogo's captain.

However, a certainty settled in.

"He's a dangerous individual..."

The conclusion echoed in Kasamatsu's thoughts, casting a shadow over his understanding of the Fukuda Sogo captain.

However, after a moment of consideration, the referee shook his head lightly.

"...Whatever, you better watch yourselves, students. Violence is strictly forbidden. I'll let this slide as you didn't want to complicate things, which I understand." The referee sighed as he spoke.

Still, he turned his gaze toward Tsuna, adopting a stern voice. "...But if we ever find out you were actually committing violence, we will have no choice but to ban your team going forward."

The referee's warning hung in the air.

"...I see. Thank you for your understanding," Tsuna was taken aback before he responded with a smile, his tone now amicable compared to the previous ones.

The referee, once again let out a sigh as he walked away. Tsuna and Haizaki silently observed the referee's departure.

Tsuna then chuckled suddenly, breaking the silence. "...He's a good referee."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Forget about it. Let's focus on the game..."

Tsuna spoke as he walked away.

While the referee might have been intimidated by Tsuna, his willingness to enforce the rules and issue a stern warning showcased his commitment to his responsibilities as a referee.

And that alone had gained Tsuna's respect for him.

As the referee gestured for both teams to gather and position themselves for the next half, he stole a glance at Tsuna.

The aura emanating from the teenager was undeniably abnormal. Although he was uncertain of Tsuna's true identity, one thing was clear as the referee's thoughts swirled, "...He's one scary kid." 

As the game pressed on, the ball found its way into Kise's skilled hands. With Haizaki now marking him, Kise took slow, deliberate dribbles.

Looking at Haizaki's composed demeanor, Kise felt a twinge of disbelief.

It was a stark contrast to the Haizaki, who would usually take his time mocking and provoking him.

Shaking his head slightly, Kise mused, "...I kinda miss his curses, though."

On the other hand, Haizaki was fully focused on shadowing every move Kise made.

Despite losing the earlier duel, it no longer bothered Haizaki.

As Tsuna had once told him, the team didn't belong to those who were weak.

Letting his circumstances get the best of him and getting upset over some small things when he had been through worse was a sign of weakness, and Haizaki couldn't afford to do that at the moment.

He had already bared his vulnerability, exposing his weak side to others, and any further embarrassment was something he refused to tolerate. 

It didn't sit well with his pride!

Observing Haizaki's resolute gaze, Kise was alarmed. The intensity in Haizaki's eyes left him taken aback, prompting him to wonder, "...Just what the hell happened to him?"

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