The next morning, when they arrived at school, Higo couldn’t help but groan at the massive banner placed on top of the gate.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RYUSUKE HIGO, TOMOAKI MAKINO, AND KUMIKO SHISHIDA FOR BEING CHOSEN TO REPRESENT HAKODATE NISHI HIGH FOR THE YOUNG SAMURAI TEAM!

It was big, bold, and so bright that it hurt his eyes even from afar. Higo could feel the corner of his lips twitching madly when he read this, somehow getting a headache over this.

"The headmaster sure is moving fast, huh?" Kumiko giggled amusedly, not finding any problem in this.

"The announcement was only made yesterday, and we haven’t even told him yet about it. How could he know about this?! He is not stalking us, right?" Higo couldn’t help but ask, a hint of exasperation in his tone.

"Well, no, he would never do that." The giggle got louder as Higo was about to snap. "He probably gets an email from the federation as well. I mean, we are still students in this school, right? It is no wonder they would tell the one responsible for us about this matter."

Higo nodded secretly, finding the explanation to be reasonable. Still... "Why would he make this so high-profiled?! This is so embarrassing!" He whined childishly.

The giggle finally broke into full laughter as Kumiko heard that. It also didn’t help that students from all over the years recognized him, whispering around while also pointing at the boy not-so-subtly.

"He is Higo-senpai, right? I cannot believe that he will get called to the national team!"

"I know! I heard that he has been monitored since the last tournament."

"No wonder..."

The gossip around was enough to make his face flustered red. Without even waiting for Kumiko, who was laughing her ass off, the boy stormed off the spot, going straight to the classroom while also ignoring the whispers around.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t escape this matter today. In the classroom, the boys had already surrounded Makino, grilling him about this national team selection. Not that the captain—or former captain—minded, though, as he clearly enjoyed being surrounded by the admiration around.

Honestly, it was so strange that a day after the University Entrance Exam, no one really talked about it. However, that was what big news would do, especially when it was related to their friends.

The moment he stepped into the classroom, though, all eyes suddenly snapped at him, looking at the boy like they were a bunch of predators looking at a flesh of meat.

"W—What?!" He asked, stepping back nervously.

"Higo-kun, you genius bastard!" Suddenly, the biggest boy there, Kumayoshi, laughed and hugged his shoulder enthusiastically. "You and Makino-kun are going to represent our class in the World Cup? Damn, this is crazy!"

"Hey, does that mean you are a big star now?" The others chimed in.

"Leave us a photograph first! Oh, let’s have a selfie so that I can brag to my brother later!"

"Hey, don’t push around like that!"

Higo was so helpless as he got ragdolled left and right. The worst thing, though, was that after the exam yesterday, they didn’t have any serious classes anymore, just spending their time here waiting for the second exam while also cleaning the class or probably helping their team in this transition period.

That was why they could bother Higo and Makino so relentlessly like this.

This whirlwind of shit didn’t just stop in the classroom. No, after this, someone suddenly relayed a message that the headmaster was looking for them.

At first, Higo let out a sigh of relief, thinking that he was finally escaping from the beast’s mouth. However, the moment the boy saw two cameramen and a person with a press ID on her chest, his face darkened instantly.

Having three members of his school entering the national team was a good feat. Too good to be true, even. There was no way the headmaster would let this chance slip from his grasp easily.

The man didn’t even consult anyone first, just calling all the media platforms around to use this event to promote the school further. It was a brilliant strategy, since this was probably the first time ever that a student from Hakodate managed to get through the national team.

The interview lasted for a while, and Higo had already felt that all of his energy ebbed away in the air. Honestly, today was far more exhausting than any game he had ever played, and this told people a lot since he himself had been in some of the most draining games in the country.

Hell, even a social butterfly like Makino also got pushed to the edge. The moment they all left the headmaster’s room, the boy couldn’t help but let out a deep, wary sigh, muttering, "Will there be any more interviews after this?"

Higo didn’t answer immediately, but looked straight at Kumiko. The girl was, after all, the one who was close enough to know the headmaster’s train of thought. Fortunately, after pondering for a moment, she shook her head, giving a smile of reassurance that was enough to let them take a breath.

"The headmaster might be too eager to make a name for this, but he will definitely see your struggle here. He also has several interviews in his bag, and doing more would only do the opposite of what he wants. Except if it is something he cannot refuse, he will not bother us again."

Hearing that, both boys let out a relieved sigh simultaneously.

"Still... The national team, huh?" Makino’s gaze suddenly wandered far. "Even before I got injured, I had never thought of this, so everything seems to be so surreal, you know?"

"I know. Compared to the other guys there, we will probably look like a bunch of country bumpkins." Higo threw a joke with a little smile.

"Bah! That would probably be you! I will never do that." Makino snorted amusedly. "Once we are there, don’t embarrass me too much, okay? In fact, just pretend that we don’t know each other, that would be better."

Even if he said so, there was no maliciousness in his tone, and Higo saw it as well. With a little laugh, he suddenly offered a fist to his friend, saying, "Well, we will fight alongside each other once again, Teme. Let’s do our best and conquer the national team!"

Makino was stunned for a moment before a similar smile formed on his face. He accepted the fist bump and replied, "Sure! Let’s rock the Young Samurai’s Den!"