After that, the meeting was finally over, leaving only the four teenagers who were about to graduate in the next few months in that empty room. If only they were adults, they would’ve been enjoying some sort of sake or beer right now. Unfortunately, they still hadn’t graduated from high school, so a can of cola for each one of them would do.

They spent the next few moments in silence, lamenting over everything. They all knew that they would graduate soon, but once they retired from the football team, everything finally sank in.

"I didn’t expect that time would pass by so quickly..." Makino sighed in melancholy, pretending to be a little bit drunk here. "Hei, Kuro, what is your plan next? You don’t want to continue with football?"

In return, Kuroki just took a big gulp, snorting lightly before replying, "Continuing football? Are you kidding me? Even in our team, where the requirement is not that high, I cannot become a regular, so what hope do you think I have in the future?" He laughed sarcastically.

Well, that was enough to make Kumiko guilty. After all, she was the one who put Kuroki on the bench. Still, the girl would never apologize for that decision, especially since it brought a huge success to the team. Kuroki also didn’t expect her to do that here.

"Don’t feel bad, Kumiko-chan, you did the right thing with me, and I accept it." He added once the boy noticed the guilt creeping on the girl’s face. "But yeah, I don’t see myself putting the same effort into a football team again in the future. Just this high school time is enough to put a core memory inside my head, no need to do that again."

Silence followed before Higo asked, "So, which university do you want to go to?"

"The Sapporo one. I have set my eyes on their mechanical engineering program for a long time, and I think my grade is good enough to go there." Kuroki answered once again. "What about you two? Continuing the football path?"

Makino and Higo stared at each other for a moment before they both nodded simultaneously.

"While my invitation is not as impressive as Chibi’s, Consadole Sapporo has already contacted my mother to inquire about my information. It is not Kashima Antlers or the other big teams, but their offer is genuine. They will also let me join the university league, so I will probably be around you, Kuro." He gave a nod at the taller boy in front of him.

"As for me... Well, you know how it is. I will probably try my luck with the Schalke one, and if it fails, the rest can be considered later."

Both Kuroki and Makino just stared at Higo in a complicated gaze. "Who would’ve thought that the boy who no one could even notice that he was there just one year ago would turn into a butterfly, flying higher than anyone else?" Kuroki sighed in melancholy.

"You sure have a way with words, Kuro." Makino snorted before taking another big gulp of his cola. "Still, you are right. Not even playing for one year, and you have already been linked to a foreign team, a big one, nonetheless. You sure jump quite high, Chibi."

Yeah, honestly, Higo’s football career rose so ridiculously that no one could believe it. However, this was the reality, so those two could only sigh while lamenting that a genius truly existed in this world.

Higo himself just smiled a little, not offering a single word. He knew that anything coming out of his mouth right now would only sound like bragging, so the best answer he could offer was his silence.

In the end, though, Makino finally turned his attention to Kumiko. "What about you, Kumiko-chan? Still sticking with sports science?"

The girl was taken aback for a moment before realizing that she had never told anyone else about the federation’s invitation to her. With a hint of awkwardness, the girl started explaining everything from A to Z, enough to make the two boys’ jaws drop instantly.

"You mean to tell me that you are going to Germany as well? Together with him?" Makino asked while also pointing at Higo, who had a goofy grin in disbelief.

"Yup!" Kumiko nodded lightly, confirming the information once again.

Jealousy sure was an ugly thing. Even though Makino had already let go of his feelings, knowing that Kumiko only had one person in her mind, knowing that their romantic story would go onto another level like this was enough to make his stomach twist. Still, he offered a weak smile here, not wanting to be petty about their achievement.

Of course, Kuroki was a different matter. He didn’t even hesitate, laughing while also half-crying here.

"Damn, this is so crazy! I have never thought that two of our best members are going to spread their wings and fly so high, leaving us mere mortals staring at the bottom of the well! Congratulations, you two! This is something that you truly deserve!" His tone was so genuine as he truly felt happy for his friends.

Higo had a sweat drop on his face, inwardly muttering, ’Kuroki sure has a way with words, huh? He makes everything sound more poetic than it should be.’ Still, the boy offered a polite smile, thanking his friend for his kind words.

"So, we have a future superstar goalkeeper, a national-level defender, a woman head coach who would take the football world by storm, and a future mechanical engineer, huh?" A smile curled from one corner to another on Kuroki’s lips as he thought about the future. "Damn, everything sure looks so bright! I cannot believe that we are so close to stepping into adulthood right now!"

"You make everything sound so dramatic, Kuro." Even Makino couldn’t help but smile, getting snapped out of his jealousy.

"Because it is!" Kuroki argued, raising the can of cola in his hand. "After this, we are going our own path, so let’s never forget about our friendship today! Come on, let’s cheer with me!"

The other three just looked at the boy in exasperation before following his action.

Clank!

"CHEERS!"