After the new head coach arrived, Higo, Makino, and Kumiko basically withdrew from the team for good. They might still join the training session once or twice to maintain their condition, but they wouldn’t join any discussion with the team.

’It would be harder for them to adapt later once we graduate if we are still here with them.’

At least, that was what Kumiko said.

Not that Higo complained, since he had a bigger matter to deal with. The training started to get more intense, forcing him to use all the hidden potential in him to survive this hell. Most of the training still revolved around physical training, and with the language learning that was like a hell camp, this was enough to fry Higo alive, both physically and mentally.

It also didn’t help that Higo still had to study for the University Entrance Exam. Yeah, even with all the invitations from the club, his mother still forced him to enter this. After all, no one really knew what would happen in the future.

Higo himself just accepted it. The boy still remembered vividly Makino’s story of how he failed to join Sapporo Otani at the last second due to an injury during the trial. Higo couldn’t make sure that this wouldn’t happen to him, so the best thing he could do was to prepare for all different scenarios in the future.

Still, with the daily life starting to get peaceful and monotonous, time passed by so quickly, and before he knew it, he had been at the end of February already. Tomorrow, he, with all of his friends, would have to fight in the Entrance Test for one bright spot in their future.

Well, all of his friends, except for Kumiko.

"I don’t get it." Higo groaned as he played along with his pencil, trying to distract his brain that had already let out a burnt smell from anything but his study. "How could I, the footballer one, have to go for this shit, while you, the studious one, can just stay at home peacefully?!" He asked incredulously.

"Well, for one, our test is different," Kumiko answered amusedly. "I still have to take at least three more language tests, both in English and German, to prove that I am capable of studying there. This is at least the requirement from the federation before they could send me there. What, want to switch places?"

Higo shuddered instantly, shaking his head as quickly as possible. While all the hell training to force him to get used to the English language somehow worked, it was just for a conversation, not for something academic like this.

Then, there was also the German Language. While Higo hadn’t touched this yet, the boy had seen how Kumiko studied, and all the gibberish words he read were enough to make his brain short-circuit.

"Anyway, just focus on your test first. Don’t underestimate what is in front of you, okay?" Kumiko warned him once again.

"I know, I know. No need to worry about me." Higo waved off his concern nonchalantly.

The next two days, though, had become his worst nightmare. He had to take seven tests in that time, spanning from Japanese Literature, English, Math, Science, Geography, History, and Civics. Honestly, Higo didn’t know who had the brilliant idea to cram that many tests just in such a short period.

It also didn’t help that Higo didn’t do well in this exam. All the arduous activity that he had since joining the football team really took up most of his free time, shortening his study time. If Higo didn’t have the invitation from several professional teams, he would start to worry about his future right now.

As the final test was finally over, though, the boy could finally let out a relieved sigh, finding the tension on his shoulder to ebb away.

"Finally, the biggest obstacle in my high school life is over..."

"Eh, don’t forget the essay test next month, okay?" Kumiko, a party pooper she was, suddenly said with a teasing smile. "Well, you pick one in Sapporo, right? It is good that you don’t have to go that far, but you still need to get ready, you know?"

"Don’t remind me..." Higo groaned once again, feeling a headache at the thought of the second exam.

Indeed, in Japan, there were two steps in the University Entrance Exam. The first was the general one where all the senior year students across Japan did simultaneously, and the second was an essay test that the university the students picked held as their final selection. That was where all the headaches came.

Higo himself picked a normal data science major for his choice. At first, he wanted to go for sports science, since that was the subject that Kumiko introduced him to. However, after a little bit of research, he found out that all the universities that offered that major were very, and he meant it, very expensive.

The tuition fee was astronomical, and the mere thought of it was enough to send a shudder down the boy’s spine. He wasn’t like Kumiko, who was smart enough to get a scholarship, so without hesitation, the boy crossed that major from his list.

Well, it was fortunate, as after thinking more, Higo found out that his only interest came from Kumiko. However, since the national tournament began a few months ago, the boy hadn’t opened his book anymore, so all the knowledge inside his head got rusty.

Charging there would definitely be a stupid decision on his part, so in the end, Higo decided to go for a popular major that wasn’t very far from home.

While Higo was still daydreaming about his future, though, his phone suddenly buzzed, showing a new email coming. It was from an unknown person, and based on the subject, this was definitely far from being spam.

Curious, Higo clicked it open, just to find a big grin slowly formed on his face.

From: Japan Football Association

To: Ryusuke Higo

Subject: Get Ready for the Camp!

Just one short sentence, and Higo hadn’t even read the whole message yet. However, the boy knew that at this moment, the next Chapter of his life was about to begin.