The news of Higo and Makino’s selection to the national team spread so quickly like wildfire. This was probably the first time Hakodate produced a national-level player, and the whole city couldn’t help but celebrate this occasion.
So many pictures of them were being placed in the street banner, while the request for an interview always kept coming to their email. Fortunately, now that they were professional with an agent, they didn’t need to handle everything alone again. Their agent just dealt with this matter quietly, helping both teenagers solve this matter without having to offend anyone else.
Still, it was clear that they were the new icons in town. The neighborhood talked about them with great enthusiasm, and everyone tried to claim they knew Higo or Makino quite well. Hell, they couldn’t even leave their own home without getting recognized anymore, which was quite troublesome if Higo had to be honest.
In the end, even now, when they had to take a train to Sapporo, they had to wear a mask to cover their face so that no one could recognize them.
Seeing the two boys acting so awkwardly like this, even Kumiko had to hold back her giggle right now. "You guys sure act more like an idol than an idol himself, you know? If I didn’t know better, I would call the police for shady behavior here."
Kuroki didn’t have any reservations about holding back his laughter, while both Makino and Higo just had the corner of their lips twitching speechlessly for that. Not that anyone could see their reaction, since they themselves covered their face with a mask.
"This is really something I don’t get." Higo couldn’t help but groan. "Kumiko-chan is also a part of the team, so why could she just go out without getting swarmed by those people as well?! This is so unfair!" He whined childishly.
"Well, unlike you guys, I am just the assistant of the assistant coach, not a position worth mentioning." Kumiko smiled while also wiggling her finger playfully. "Also, you haven’t denied anything about your shady appearance, right? If a police officer came out of nowhere, you would be arrested straight away, you know?"
Both Makino and Higo just groaned once again while their friends were laughing their asses off right now. Soon enough, though, the train they were in finally started to slow down, and even without looking at the window, they four knew that they were close to their final destination here.
"Well, come on! I cannot wait to see the rest of the guys there!" Kuroki stepped outside impatiently the moment the train stopped, leaving the other three teenagers to dust.
"Tch! I swear, he is the one who mocks us for having too much free time to come here, so how could he be the one who is the most excited here?" Higo clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Well, less talk and do more. Come on, if we stay here for too long, Kuroki-kun will truly leave us alone here." Kumiko said while also making sure nothing was left behind.
Their destination was not that far from the station. They just needed to walk for around ten minutes while also enjoying the rare sunny weather in Hokkaido. Soon, though, the street started getting crowded with more people chanting and hitting their snare drum everywhere, enough to intimidate any poor, inexperienced boy outside.
"Damn, I really miss the atmosphere here!" Makino couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh, a smile forming on his face. "I mean, National team and Yokohama FC are great, but their supporters are just too bland, you know? This exact atmosphere is why I love this game."
Somehow, Higo couldn’t help but nod, getting reminded of the Schalke game he attended a few days ago. The atmosphere was even crazier at that time, with more people bringing flares that were enough to block everyone’s eyesight.
While the atmosphere in this Sapporo Dome was quite light compared to that, Higo could still appreciate the effort that the supporters showed to support their team.
"Anyway, let’s go! Hakodate Nishi’s supporters will fill the northern part of the stand, straight behind the goal. If we are quick enough, we will be able to get a good spot to see the entire thing from our place!"
The warning from Kumiko was enough to snap the three out of their own thought. Without even waiting, they carried their backpack, walking into the stadium with their heart pounding fast. This was going to be their first time watching the team play after they retired last spring, and they couldn’t wait to see the team’s transformation under the new management.
The moment they entered the stadium, though, they were greeted by so many familiar faces.
"Oh! Isn’t this our hero?!"
"Higo-kun, Makino-kun, Kuroki-kun, and Kumiko-chan, you are here to watch your kouhai’s game?"
"Man, you will not be disappointed here! Just wait and see!"
Their attitude was definitely different than the people who just came for Higo and Makino due to their status as the national players. No, they were more genuine here, since they had been watching them all growing up from mere prefectural players to stand tall and represent the country.
For the people there, Higo and Makino were not just national players, but they were also the boys they watched growing up. That was why the sentiment was different here.
"So, has the game already started? Anyway, where are the players?" Higo turned his attention back to the pitch after greeting the people there, his eyes narrowed to search for his kouhai.
"Well, they have just entered the locker room again, having just done their warm-up session. They will be back soon, don’t worry about it." One of the supporters answered casually. "Anyway, get a better seat, you four! When the guys find you later, they will become more enthusiastic! Let’s give them the support they deserve!"
The four teenagers looked at each other for a moment before they nodded simultaneously.
"Hell, yeah! Come on, Hakodate Nishi!"