"Ryukkun, here!"

It was the next day, forty-eight hours after they were back in Hakodate. At this point, the school was still in the middle of the winter break, so the students didn’t have to suffer from the cold morning just to go to school.

Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for the Hakodate Nishi football team, as their busy schedule had just basically started today. It wasn’t related to the football pitch at all, but their achievement attracted so much attention that they had to go from one place to another just to receive the invitation.

Today, though, their first agenda was to the Sapporo TV, where they were going to have a live broadcast with the TV Show ’Good Morning Hokkaido’. This was a famous news program with a casual approach, as the host basically invited some people to talk about the hottest news on the island right now.

Coincidentally enough, this was also where Yumiko Shishida, Kumiko’s mother, worked.

"Good morning, Yumiko-obaasan..." Higo nodded politely. "Here, a gift I brought from Yokohama. I hope you like it." He took out a box that was wrapped nicely before giving it to the woman in front of him.

"Oh, you are so kind, Ryukkun! You don’t have to buy anything for me, you know?" She smiled, accepting the gift quickly. "Yokohama Renga?" The woman raised one of her eyebrows slightly when she read the box’s title.

"It is the local chocolate cake that is quite famous there. The hotel staff said that it is a traditional cake that is suitable for a gift." Higo shrugged. "Also, of course, I have to bring something. Kumiko-chan also did the same for Mom, so how could I not?" He said as a matter of fact.

Yumiko was quiet for a moment before shaking her head in exasperation.

"You kids... You are always too sensible to my liking." There was no heat in her tone as she just expressed her feelings right now. "Anyway, come on! The others have been waiting for you!"

After this, she guided him to the waiting room, where the rest of the team had been waiting for him. There, everyone wore their team jacket, some looking so nervous that they looked like they were about to pass out.

"Where is Kumiko-chan?" He asked Kuroki nearby.

"Still doing her makeup in the other room. It is different from us, boy, apparently." The boy snorted. "Anyway, help us calm down some of the boys. Look, Kazawa is about to lose his damn mind right now."

Yeah, surprisingly enough, Kazawa was the most nervous one here, not knowing what to do once he appeared in front of the camera. Higo always thought it would be Usami, but after thinking about it, the boy felt like it was a stupid thought.

’His father is an important person; there is no way he would be nervous that easily. He is just shy, not camera-phobic.’

Makino, who saw the boys here, couldn’t help but snort. "Pathetic. You can face the whole crowd in the national tournament, but a mere camera stump you? This is disgraceful."

In return, Kenji retorted, "Don’t think I don’t see your legs wobbling, Senpai. You are just the same here." Which elicited snickers from all over the place.

Makino’s face was so red from embarrassment. However, he didn’t say anything else, noticing that the remark was enough to lighten up the mood in the room. Soon enough, Kumiko came inside, checking the boys for a moment.

"Come on, everyone! After this segment, it is our time to step onto the stage. Don’t be too afraid to embarrass yourself, okay?" She smiled playfully.

Some of the boys just snorted when they heard that, turning their heads to those who were on the verge of their death right now.

Soon enough, they heard the host of the show say, "Then, let’s welcome our history maker, Hakodate Nishi football team!"

"Let’s go, everyone!"

Being led by Kumiko, the boys followed from behind, walking so closely to hide their nervousness. The moment they appeared on the stage, though, deafening cheers echoed from all over the place, catching them off guard.

"Welcome to the show, Hakodate Nishi team!" The host, a classy middle-aged man with a formal suit, greeted them all with a bright smile on his face. "Come on! Take a seat there! We have prepared so many for today’s occasion!"

"Thank you very much..." The boys just said that awkwardly before sitting with a stiff posture. The host was trying his best to hold back his laughter as this was probably the first time he faced such a bundle of nervousness straight in front of him.

The interview itself wasn’t that long, with the questions revolving around Higo, Kumiko, and Makino as the three main focuses of the team. Still, the boys were grateful that the host was fair enough to allow each one of them to speak, even the one who didn’t have that much time on the pitch, like Yuji and Fujinaga.

They talked about so many things, from the team’s journey from the very start three years ago until the success they achieved today. It helped that Kumiko was such a great storyteller, letting even the boys get immersed in their own story.

Hell, Makino even whispered at Higo secretly, ’Damn, I was involved in all of those shits that she talks here, and I have never known I am that awesome!’

Well, Higo couldn’t help but nod here. If he didn’t know better, he would also get fooled here, finding the team’s journey to be so dramatic.

Then, the host asked him a few more questions, which was understandable considering he was the best player on the team here. They talked about his daily training, his thoughts as a goalkeeper, his opinion on the game, and even something so absurd as how being a goalkeeper helped him in his daily life.

"I mean, it sure doesn’t help me concentrate on the classroom more," Higo answered the last question with a cracking joke, eliciting giggles here and there. "I mean, I cannot say the ability translates well in daily life, and I am so glad that it doesn’t. I quite enjoy my life right now, being able to separate things from football so easily."

The host nodded lightly before leaning forward with great interest. "Well, the last question for you, Higo-kun. I heard so many teams paid attention to you right now, including some from abroad. Can you confirm the news here?"

This...

Higo got stumped for a moment, not expecting the question at all. For a moment, he didn’t know what proper answer he could give. However, when his eyes darted to Kumiko for a second, he could see her giving him a nod, and at that moment, the boy finally clenched his fist.

"It is not official, but yeah, some teams have already been in contact with me."