The Rise of the Iron Wall!

Chapter 162: Their Determination

Kumiko really knew how to flip the team’s mood with her words. Even when they were on the bus and had already started their journey back home, the solemn atmosphere was still lingering there. However, no depression could be seen among them all.

No, somehow, the girl’s announcement was enough to pump their spirit.

’Winning against Sapporo Otani...’ Makino murmured inwardly. ’Is that even possible to do?’

Unlike the newcomers who weren’t blinded by Sapporo Otani, he knew best what that team meant for Hokkaido. Hell, two final occasions, and two times he was destroyed by them. For him—and probably most people in Hokkaido—that team was the biggest nightmare that blocked their way to the promised land.

Winning against them... That would be a legendary story resounding throughout the football community in Hokkaido, and honestly, before this, Makino would’ve never dreamed about it. However, Kumiko was right about one thing.

"You have done a great job last April, holding them back with only one goal before the last accidental goal. That was also when we didn’t have any newcomers on the team. With them, we are definitely far stronger. Hell, you saw it yourself, one of the strongest powerhouse teams couldn’t even score a single goal from open play, having to rely on a penalty kick and a lot of luck to deal with you guys. You are stronger than you think, so hold your head high and get ready to create more chaos back home!"

The explanation was so long-winded and felt like a motivational speech that he usually responded with a big yawn. However, Makino knew that the girl was right. They were able to hold back Shimizu Higashi until the last second, even when they were down by one player. They were definitely stronger than he thought.

’The question, though... Is that whether we are strong enough to hold Sapporo Otani back or not...’ He murmured.

"Yeah, we are." Higo, who sat next to him, suddenly answered.

Makino didn’t really notice it until he heard his friend, but it seemed he was talking out loud unconsciously.

"We are probably on the same level as Sapporo Otani right now. We have a chance to break through their dominance." Higo said once again, his tone full of conviction.

"Honestly, I love your confidence, but I myself am not sure about that." Makino smiled wryly.

"What is there to doubt?" In return, Higo just scoffed. "We lost our last game because we couldn’t stop Yuwell Carlson. However, we managed to shut down Park Han-Gyeol from Shimizu Higashi, and Sapporo Otani doesn’t even have someone good enough like Mamoru! Their number 10? Bah! Ishinori shut him down in our last game, remember?"

Well, indeed, even if it was hard to admit, they had done a really good job in the last game. Makino himself also knew unconsciously that they had a better chance the next winter. Still, he was so used to losing that the boy didn’t dare to dream big.

"Also," Higo added, not noticing his friend’s hesitation. "Now, we have four amazing newcomers on the team. I mean, look at Kenji! Look at the twins! Hell, even Sano has his own value when we are in a critical situation, even if he just kicked the ball in the last two months. You think that this, coupled with our original team, is not enough?"

"Why, thank you for the compliment, Higo-senpai

!" Someone suddenly chimed in on the conversation here.

Both Higo and Makino were taken aback, turning around just to find out that all of their teammates were eavesdropping on their conversation so intently. They were also dumbfounded when Kenji suddenly spoke like that, looking at the boy with a deadpanned expression.

"Kenji, you idiot!" Yuji hissed in a whisper. "Now, they know that we are eavesdropping!"

Makino felt the corner of his mouth twitching. "So, you have been listening to our conversation? No wonder I feel like everything is so quiet. Since when?"

"Since the beginning. I told you that they would notice." Kuroki mumbled while also avoiding the captain’s gaze.

"Eh, don’t worry about that trivial thing, Senpai!" Kenji suddenly inserted himself into the seat where Makino and Higo sat, jostling through that small spot that was enough to make everyone uncomfortable. "Higo-senpai is right! Sapporo Otani, who? We even almost beat Shimizu Higashi, there is no way any team in Hokkaido is closer to us!"

"Yeah, hear that, hear that!" The twins hyped this up immediately.

"Urgh... Why are you trying to sit here as well?! Go to your own chair!" Makino scowled, trying to push his kouhai away from his seat. However, he also had a small smile curling on his face, couldn’t help but ask, "Are you really that confident?"

It wasn’t a question for the newcomers, but for those veterans who had fought together with him since the beginning. Those people were also there when the team was slaughtered like a pig with the score of 7 – 0, and they were also there when the team managed to improve it to 2 – 0. He just wanted to make sure if they had the same confidence or not.

Well, he didn’t really need their verbal answer. The moment Makino saw their expression, he knew that they weren’t really convinced, but a hope started to bloom inside their heart. At least, for now, that was enough.

Of course, the captain could still hear some mumbles like how Hiroshi mumbled, ’He would go to the National even if he had to die,’ or something like that, which Makino connected with him failing to get the MVP award in the tournament yesterday.

It seemed the failure really made the boy fall deeper into madness, and honestly, Makino couldn’t wait to see what Hiroshi would come up with next once they started playing again.

"Also, don’t forget, Teme," Higo suddenly spoke again, gaining everyone’s attention. The grin on his face was so big that it was enough to spread confidence among them all. "Don’t forget that I am still at my improvement stage, so I will definitely be better once we are facing them again. So, get your ass up and stop dwelling on useless matters, or I will leave you to dust!"