The next few minutes somehow became a therapy session for them both. Higo would vent out all of his grievances, and Kumiko would follow with her letting out her feelings. In the end, though, after all the volatile emotion ebbed away, they both sighed simultaneously, finding themselves lost in a moment.

"So, this is really the end, huh?" Higo couldn’t help but mutter. His gaze wandered far in melancholy. "One year sure is a long time, huh? I didn’t expect that I would last this long in this team. Honestly, if not for you, I would never come closer to this shit, Kumiko-chan." He smiled playfully.

"Indeed, I can still remember the first day you joined the team." A smile also formed on Kumiko’s face. "You were so handsome at that time, shielding me from the wild ball from the others."

Higo could feel heat creeping up his face instantly. Even though there was a hint of playfulness in her tone, the boy could feel the genuine feeling Kumiko had when she said that part. "A—Ah! Of course, I am always handsome! Who do you think I am?!" His voice shrieked in a high-pitched tone for a moment, enough to make the girl giggle.

"Still... With this tournament over, our youth is finally coming to the final episode, huh?" Kumiko sighed, leaning her body back against the chair while her eyes stared at the ramen in front of her intently. Higo could see from the corner of his eyes a hint of tears falling on her face. "After this, we will continue with our own lives, and maybe, the only time we can meet each other is at some sort of an izakaya, talking and laughing about our crazy journey today..."

Higo was quiet the whole time, knowing that Kumiko was in her somber mood right now. He also knew that she was referring this to the whole team, knowing that once she graduated in the next few months, it would be harder for them to meet each other.

He might not admit it out loud, but the boy also felt the same way here. Somehow, after fighting together for so long, the team really grew on him, enough to make him think that they were some sort of a family. Hell, once he graduated later, he would miss his time bickering with Makino, laughing with Kuroki over the latest trend on the Internet, and even mocking Kenji for the boy’s lively personality.

The boy let out a long sigh before he put his hand on top of Kumiko’s quietly.

"Ah, sorry, I am being too emotional here." Kumiko laughed a little, wiping the tears on the corner of her eyes. "Anyway, everything will be okay. I know everything will be okay. I mean, I would still have you going together with me to Germany, right?" Her tone was full of hope.

It was clear that she was anxious right now. The thought of going to a foreign country for a long time was enough to make her stomach twist, and the thought of the future was even worse. The girl stared at Higo with a mix of hope and nervousness, inwardly praying that Higo wouldn’t change his mind after agreeing about this in the past.

In return, the boy just let out a long sigh before smiling a little at her. "What are you talking about? I have already said it to you in the past, and I will say it again right now. Please, take care of me in the future, okay?"

-0-

They only stayed at the Shokudo for the next fifteen minutes before leaving. The reason was simple. The guys had already woken up, and it was time for them to have a post-match meeting.

Those two went straight to the meeting room that Kumiko rented in the hotel, just to find out that most players were already there. Some still had the gloominess of losing the game earlier, but fortunately, most of them had recovered from everything that happened today. A hint of exhaustion could still be seen here and there, but it was a normal sight after fighting for so long.

"Second round of the prefectural tournament." Kumiko suddenly started her speech as the screen on the projector showed an old image of a football team. Most of the faces were unfamiliar, with only the immature Kuroki and Makino being the two people with whom everyone was familiar.

That was the photo of the team two years ago, when Kumiko took over everything for the first time.

"The first round of the prefectural tournament, a downgrade if you tell me."

Some chuckled quietly when they heard that, as both Kuroki and Makino could not hold back their tears anymore.

"The third round of the prefectural tournament, a respectable result for a no-name team like us." This time, the photo showed more familiar faces, from the youthful Hiroshi to the innocent-looking Jun. It seemed that this was their first tournament with the team.

"The final of the prefectural tournament, losing only against Sapporo Otani. The tournament where we make a name for ourselves."

Some of the sophomore boys couldn’t help but snort when they saw that image. It was the winter tournament last year, the moment the idea that they were not a weak team anymore started to grow inside their mind.

"The third place of the prefectural tournament, falling short against Sapporo Otani again."

This time, the team was the one everyone was familiar with. Higo was also already there, standing next to Makino on the lineup. This was the Inter-High tournament last spring, the first tournament that Higo attended with the team.

"Then, lastly... The top eight of the national tournament..."

After this, another photo popped up on the projector. This time, it was the recent one, probably taken on the first day of the tournament against Toin Gakuen.

"We have been going on a long journey, starting from the very rock bottom to climb into this place. Three years ago, no one, not even me, dared to say that we are going to wreak havoc in heaven like today. Still, all the effort, all the sweat and blood we poured, finally brought us here, and for that, I cannot be prouder of any of you. Thank you for allowing me to be with you in this wonderful journey."

With that, she bowed deeper than ever, showing her gratitude toward the team.