Higo checked the clock for a moment, finding that it was still 8:22 in the morning. Even with everything that Higo had done this morning, from the little run to a small conversation with Fabian earlier, only 40 minutes had passed, and the training session, which was scheduled to be at 10:00, wouldn’t start for at least one and a half hours.
That was probably why Torsten Frohling, the second team’s head coach, was so surprised to see him here.
"Ah, Frohling-sensei, wie geht es dir?" Higo bowed immediately, asking in polite German.
This was a deliberate move that Kumiko told him the first time he met the head coach. First, unlike Japanese, Germans didn’t use that many honorifics in their daily life. By using this honorific to greet the coach, it was a subtle way to flatter the man, as Frohling, who was not used to being called this politely, would have a good impression of Higo.
Then, to enhance it once again, greeting the man with the local language, German, was also essential. Even though Higo was still not that fluent in it, he still had to do it here. The reason was simple. It was to show the coach that he was willing to adapt to the new environment, even learning the local language that usually was a hassle for the newcomers.
"Listen, Ryukkun. While at the end of the day, your ability will speak for itself, some little gestures outside will smooth your path, at least give you an ally when things go south. Don’t underestimate this, because you are not living alone. You will be in a team, and having someone else to back you up will be a huge deal for you."
At least, that was what Kumiko said before he went here. Even though Higo was confused at that time, he still remembered the instruction quite well. Then, when the boy heard Fabian’s words, he figured out why he would need an ally inside the team, and Higo didn’t hesitate to follow the plan that she had set for him.
True enough, not only Frohling, but even Fabian himself was surprised by how he greeted the coach. They both knew that Higo had learned German, as he had shown during the trial with one or two stuttered words that the boy spoke. However, this time, Higo did it flawlessly, showing that he hadn’t been idle in the last couple of weeks.
"Good lad, it seems that you are eager to adapt to the new environment as quickly as possible!" Frohling let out a small laugh, patting the boy on his shoulder. Instead of answering in German, the man used English that Higo was more comfortable with. "Still, your German is a bit too stiff. Only a non-German who learned from an official institute will speak your way. Talk more to people, okay? Don’t just learn inside the classroom."
"Yes, Sensei!" Higo nodded quickly.
Frohling nodded in approval once again, a smile forming on his face. The more he looked at Higo, the more he liked it. Inwardly, the man also couldn’t help but praise himself. ’This young lad is the one I picked by myself. It seems I have a good vision in recognizing a talent.’
They chatted for a while, and Frohling also finally noticed Fabian’s presence here. "What are you doing this early?" He blinked at the blonde winger.
"Ah, just hitting the gym again." Fabian laughed awkwardly. "I just hope that this year will be my year." He clenched his fists secretly.
Frohling’s gaze softened a little bit when he heard that. Fabian was one of his most trusted players on the team last year, the one who fought tooth and nail to bring the team back from the fifth division to the fourth one. He naturally understood the winger’s ambition, and while it would be sad to not work with him anymore, Frohling had already been prepared when that time came.
"Work hard, Young Man. I will recommend you to the first team this year." He patted Fabian’s shoulder firmly.
Soon enough, more players finally started coming one by one. Some just walked by casually, while the others used a big car that Higo knew most people couldn’t afford. Still, none of them greeted him, treating him like invisible air.
Well, Higo himself didn’t think too much about it. His agenda today wasn’t to join the training session, but to do a medical checkup first to ensure that he was in his best condition. Once the team began their training, he also came to the medical team, following their instruction one by one.
Once again, Higo experienced the uncomfortable feeling of being a guinea pig. So much high-tech equipment was put on his body while he was being forced to do several tests to measure his data, and the boy had to say that he didn’t like the process at all. The feeling of being stared at by some people while he was exercising sure was quite nerve-wracking.
Still, the boy didn’t back down even for a moment, and after about six hours, everything, even the result of the test itself, was finally ready.
"Your basic data... Your body fat percentage is at 9.9 percent, lower than when you first came here. Your muscle distribution is also going in the right direction. It seems you didn’t slack off during this time, practicing according to what we told you to do."
"Your VO2 max is still high even as a goalkeeper..."
"Your lower limb condition..."
"Your..."
...
Honestly, Higo felt like his head was spinning when he heard the medical team’s explanation. He wasn’t the most studious person in the classroom, and whenever something complicated like this happened, the boy would’ve just taken a quick photo and sent it to Kumiko for her to analyze it.
So, at this time, he could only stop the serious discussion in front of them and ask an essential question here. "Can you give me a short summary of my situation?"
The medical team there looked at each other with a little frown on their face, clearly feeling offended for being interrupted like that. Still, one of them was kind enough to step up and do the task.
"To put it simply..." The man paused for a second, looking at the boy in approval. "You are in your best condition, even better than when you came here for the first time during the trial. It seems that you are ready to take over the team, so keep up your good work, young man!"