The Rise of the Iron Wall!

Chapter 143: Game Day!

The next day, Higo found himself standing in the tunnel as the main players formed a long line and were about to walk onto the pitch. Next to them, the players from Shimizu Higashi also did the same, waiting for the referee to lead them forward.

Being the second in line, Higo could see clearly the opponent’s captain. He was a good-looking boy with long hair tied into a bun and a clean-shaven face, definitely another Ikemen. Honestly, that boy didn’t look like a high school student, but more like a celebrity who was about to go to a shooting film.

However, no one dared to underestimate that boy. To be the captain of a powerhouse school like Shimizu Higashi, he should be the one who sweats the most, the one who sheds tears the most for the team. There was no way such a player would be ordinary.

’We didn’t pay attention to him during our scouting, but if he is an attacking player, combined with Han-Gyeol and Mamoru, I think I will be in big trouble later.’ Higo’s expression was solemn as he imagined how troublesome the game today would be.

Then, he glanced at the person next to him, the opponent’s goalkeeper from South Korea, Kang Do-Jin. The boy had a straight posture and broad shoulders, and his height was definitely enviable. Even if Higo didn’t know the exact number, he could guess that it should be above 180 cm.

’Damn, and here I am, just 167 cm! God sure is unfair, huh?’ The boy cursed inwardly.

Still, there was one thing that Higo admitted he was wrong about. In his mind, all the Korean teenagers were like the idol group he watched on TV, handsome with a hint of feminism carried on their shoulders.

Well, the boy next to him was far from that. Kang Do-Jin was definitely a straight man, having a rough and rectangular face with a big frown there as if everyone owed him some money. Higo wouldn’t be surprised if someone told him that Kang Do-Jin had never smiled in his life.

He didn’t see Mamoru’s presence, though. However, Higo knew that it wasn’t because the boy was on the bench.

No, there was no way such a player would be put on the bench in a championship game like this. It should be that because after the captain and the goalkeeper, the line behind was formed based on seniority, and since Mamoru was just a freshman, he should be at the bottom of the line.

True enough, once the referee led them all onto the pitch and each one of them shook hands before the game began, he saw Mamoru walking behind everyone else. However, to his surprise, the boy in question wore the jersey number 10, one that the best player on the team usually wore.

’Damn, and he is still a freshman? It is either their team goes crazy, or he really is their best player, even with only a few months of high school experience.’ Higo shook his head in admiration.

Once they shook each other’s hands, it seemed Mamoru also noticed his gaze, and the boy just offered a polite smile. "We meet again, Higo-san," He greeted casually.

Makino’s gaze sharpened when he noticed the interaction, but Higo just brushed it off as nothing while he greeted the boy back. "I didn’t expect that you are such an amazing player. Have a little mercy on me, eh?" He joked around.

Mamoru just smiled lightly, saying, "Let’s see about that later..." Before moving on and leaving Higo behind.

After the boy was out of the vicinity, Makino couldn’t help but ask, "Since when did you know him?"

"Yesterday, I guess." Higo shrugged nonchalantly. "I mean, you remember my morning date with Kumiko-chan, right?" A little smirk formed as he mentioned that.

Makino felt the corner of his mouth twitching, knowing that based on his friend’s infuriating smirk, the boy just wanted to tease him now. "Get to the point, Chibi. This is not the time to do that." He grunted grumpily.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Higo chuckled. "But, to answer your question, Kumiko-chan and I met him near the temple, a little bit far to the south. He was doing his morning routine, and Kumiko-chan was so impressed with his ball control, even saying that he is the best one she has ever seen in a high school player."

Now, that gained Makino’s attention. "Why didn’t you say anything about that yesterday?" He groaned.

In return, Higo just tilted his head confusedly. "What do you mean I didn’t say? Kumiko-chan had already said everything, you know? About how amazing his ball control is, and how difficult it would be for us to snatch the ball from his feet without a foul, even with four players surrounding him. Didn’t you hear that as well?"

This time, Makino didn’t have anything to answer that. Of course, he heard that part, as, indeed, Kumiko had already warned them all. He was just infuriated that both Higo and Kumiko had a common secret like this and didn’t even share it with the team.

"Anyway, let’s focus first on the game." Makino coughed a little before glaring fiercely at Higo. "We will talk about this later. Just get ready." Said the captain one last time before he walked to the middle of the pitch for the coin toss.

Higo just shook his head amusedly, finding teasing the captain to be quite entertaining. However, once he was under the goal, his expression turned serious, acknowledging Makino’s point.

’Today will be a difficult game, so I need to be ready for everything.’

The stadium was still quite empty. However, the number was definitely bigger than before, since today was the last day of the tournament. The sun was also at its highest right now, as they were playing straight at noon. Higo wore his cap tightly to protect his eyesight from the sun, wiping the sweat that had already formed on his forehead before the game even began.

This was definitely not the most ideal weather for them, but there was nothing they could do about it.

As the referee blew the whistle to start the game, Higo punched his gloves lightly and got ready for the bombardment from the opponent’s attacking line.

’Shimizu Higashi High, a powerhouse school from Shizuoka... Let me see how far we can push you today!’