"The Young Samurai team?! Are you fucking kidding me?!"

The moment those three told the news to the other boys, commotion started to erupt. Some shouted in shock, while the rest were so quiet as they tried to comprehend everything here. It wasn’t like they didn’t believe that those two could join, but no one had ever thought about it before.

"Psst! Don’t say it out loud! Everything is not official yet!" Makino hissed, glaring at anyone else who dared to raise their voice further.

The boys shut their mouths immediately, some even slapping their mouths with their hands. Still, after things got calmer, they couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. "The Young Samurai team? This sure is a surreal thing, huh?"

For a small team in Hakodate, the national team always seemed to be so far from their reach, the thing they could only watch as a fan on television. Who would’ve thought that now, two of their friends would have a chance to get into it?

Three, even, if they counted Kumiko as a player here.

"I mean, I get Higo-senpai because he is just that awesome. But Makino-senpai?" Kenji asked incredulously, couldn’t even hide his jealousy. "You are not that far better than Hiroshi-senpai or me, for God’s sake!" He said in exasperation.

"Ha?! What do you mean by that, Brat?!" A thick vein popped on the captain’s forehead. "You are not convinced with this?! Go complain about it to the head coach if you dare!"

The boy wilted immediately at the challenge. Not that he could, since no one among them had ever met the Young Samurai’s head coach.

Hiroshi just smiled flatly, not even reacting as his name got dragged into this mess. No one knew what was inside his mind, but everyone could guess that he also had a similar thing inside his mind.

Fortunately, Kumiko seemed to foresee this situation.

"This is the research that I have done, but the Young Samurai team doesn’t really have any shortage in the attacker’s position." The girl explained while also reading something on her phone. "We still have Hiroki Kawabe, Kosuke Tagawa from FC Tokyo, who graduated from high school last year, and Taisei Miyashiro, who was also the number one on JFA’s top 100 last year. Compared to that, in defense, we are quite weak, so it is no wonder the head coach wants to have more people to try."

"Hoo... So, that’s it..." The rest of the players nodded in understanding. "Still... Makino-senpai sure has the best luck possible, right?" Some who were still jealous couldn’t help but give the older boy a stinging glance.

"Hmph! What do you guys know? Luck is also a part of the strength!" Makino snorted, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Also, why target me? Chibi is way more ridiculous, you know?! One year of playing, and now he is already in the national team! Don’t you think there is something shady here?"

The boy he mentioned just had the corner of his mouth twitching furiously, not expecting himself to get dragged into this mess. Fortunately, he got the whole team’s support, as everyone just looked at the captain with the most deadpanned expression they could muster.

"I mean, yeah, if I don’t know Higo-senpai at all, I would think so. But he has been carrying us on his back since the beginning of the tournament, right? If there is one person who deserves to have a spot in the national team, it should be him." Kenji said as a matter of fact.

"Yeah, I mean, you are being hosen out of pity, but he is picked pure from his ability." Hori sent a jab to the captain, which elicited chuckles from the others.

"Anyway, before the federation announces the list of names officially, don’t say it to others, okay?" Kumiko warned them all with a serious gaze. "It would make us bad if things got leaked."

The boys nodded simultaneously at that. At least, for all the ruckus they created, they still knew one thing or two about the importance of secrecy.

Still, the topic today revolved around this invitation, as everyone couldn’t help but feel excited. This was the kind of glory that any young player always yearned for. No one really noticed it, but somehow, time passed so quickly. They were at 15:00 right now, and it was time for them to go to the station.

"Goodbye, Masuko-san! Thank you for your help in the last two weeks!"

"I hope we’ll meet again in the future!"

"Goodbye as well, kids! The next time I see you, you’d better be on television!"

After checking out from the hotel and saying goodbye to the hotel staff that always took care of them, the team finally went to the bus they had rented since the very first day they were here. It didn’t take a long time, especially since the traffic was quite good, for them to reach the station.

Then, all the 17 teenagers went onto the Shinkansen, enjoying the short trip to Tokyo. From one station to another, 40 km was passed through in 30 minutes, the flex of Japanese modern transportation.

The journey was spent in a peaceful silence. Unlike the first time they were here, now that they were about to go back home, exhaustion finally hit hard. Coupled with the homesick feeling lingering in their heart, the only thing they wanted right now was just to finish their journey and get into the warmth of their home.

After going straight to the Narita International Airport, having a super expensive bento box they brought there for their dinner, it was time for them to board back home. With the Jetstar Airline, the Hakodate Nishi team was finally on their final journey back home, where hero treatment was awaiting them.

As he took a seat close to the window, Higo let out a deep sigh, staring at the small window next to him before muttering, ’It is finally time to go back home, huh?’ Before finally falling asleep, he let his consciousness wander around the dreamland.