My system allows me to copy talents

Chapter 446  Shocking news

Hearing him, Hiro couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Naoto wasn't the type of person who liked to yell. And, he wasn't the type of person who got tensed easily. The way he carried himself, it was more like a gentleman. Well, it's different when he's on the pitch though. There he had to be loud, and he had to appear domineering. If not, he'd have no presence on the field. But right now, he could feel the same aura in the house. That peace-loving Naoto was forced to yell. All because of one person. Well, it's not like that he couldn't relate to him. After all, he too was a victim of Tatsuki's selective picking. It seemed like it'd take a while. So, he turned his focus to his packed bags. While they took their time, he started rechecking his necessities. One by one, he went through his belongings. And, only when he confirmed he had put everything did he feel satisfied. It wasn't that he had any doubts. He was sure that he had already packed his necessities. But still, when he rechecked his stuff, he couldn't help but reveal a satiated grin. Just then the two walked out. Naoto appeared quite disgruntled, a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor. Meanwhile, Tatsuki appeared as if he had nothing to care for. Sometimes, when seeing this duo together, it made him wonder how Naoto could tolerate Tatsuki. Well, he wasn't the one to talk though. Since he had been tolerating him as well. Overall, Tatsuki was a nice guy. But he could be so annoying sometimes. But looking at their state, he couldn't help but giggle. "Yo, newbie, ready to go?" Tatsuki called out, a relaxed smile adorning his face. It was rather ironic that the person who had kept him waiting had the nerve to ask that question. Sure, he was the newbie. But it should be him asking him that question. Naoto's eyes twitched uncontrollably. It was as if he had already pushed past his limit. Any more word from him, and he might lash out for real. Just as Hiro was about to respond, his phone rang. Brr!! Brr!! Brr!! n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Take it quick," Tatsuki said as he heard the ring. "If it's not important then you can take it on the bus too or else we'll be late," he added. Ironic how the person responsible for the delay was the one worried about being late. Says the one who caused the delay in the first place, Hiro wanted to respond in such a way. But he refrained himself. Naoto on the other hand, couldn't take it anymore. He erupted like a volcano as he smacked him hard, sending waves of pain across his body. Tatsuki let out a painful cry, "Argh!! What has gotten into you?"

"Just shut up," Naoto yelled, his eyes bloodshot. While they continued to squabble, Hiro glanced at his screen. The call was from his mother. The squabble of the two was already entertaining enough. But now he had gotten a call from his mother. So, he couldn't stop smiling. Since he had informed her about the date of departure, he assumed that she had called him to wish him good luck. Smiling, he answered the call with a cheerful tone, "Hey, Mom. I'm just about to leave."

His mom's voice, usually calm and reassuring, was filled with a tremor that immediately set off alarm bells in Hiro's mind. "Hiro," she began, her voice breaking slightly, "there's been an accident. Your father...., he's in the hospital."

The words hit him like a freight train. Time seemed to stand still as the world around him blurred. The cheerful morning suddenly felt heavy and oppressive. He could barely register what his mother was saying, his mind struggling to process the information.

The smile on his face withered away. Despair filled his eyes, as he felt the world around him turning upside down. "What? What happened?" Hiro's voice was shaky, his heart pounding in his chest.

His tone was laced with extreme worry. He broke down. Immediately as they heard him, both Naoto and Tatsuki turned to look at him. They couldn't help but cast gazes full of concern. They hadn't seen him so much worked up until now. Just from a glance, they could tell that it was something serious. But neither could muster any courage to ask what had befallen him. "There was a car accident. He's in the hospital now. The doctors are doing everything they can," his mother explained, her voice filled with anxiety and fear.

Hiro felt his knees weaken, a knot forming in his stomach.

He had been so focused on his upcoming journey, so excited about the opportunity to represent his country, and now this news had shattered his world. He could hear the worry and helplessness in his mother's voice, and it tore at him.

"Which hospital? I'm coming," Hiro said, his voice steadying with determination.

Forget about representing his nation, nothing was as important as his family. At the moment, he simply couldn't think straight. His mind became clouded with worry and fear. If something were to happen to his father again, he wouldn't be able to bear it. The event he thought he had prevented, came down knocking on him like a sudden massive wave of tsunami, flattening him to the ground. Finally, Naoto and Tatsuki could muster their courage.

"What's wrong, Hiro?" Naoto asked with concern etched on his face.

Hiro could barely hear their voice. He could only think about one thing, to be present beside his father's side, to be there for his family. He tossed the bag he had been holding aside as he prepared to storm away. But before he could leave, Tatsuki jumped onto him. Grabbing him tightly, he prevented him from storming away. Naoto was startled. But he immediately joined in as well. The two of them held onto him tightly, preventing him from escaping. Seeing him break down like that, they could tell that it was shocking news enough to make him throw away such a precious opportunity.

Against their combined strength, Hiro was helpless. Yet still, he struggled to break free, "Let go of me! I have to go! Let me go!"

He yelled desperately while trying to break free. At the same time, tears streamed down his face like a monsoon downpour.

Even with their combined strength, Naoto and Tatsuki found it quite difficult to restrain him. "Calm down, Hiro," Tatsuki said repeatedly in an attempt to calm him down. "Snap out of it," Naoto said.