The Rise of the Iron Wall!

Chapter 280: New Year Morning at Mount Hakodate

It was still quite dark outside, with the sun still below the horizon. However, both Kumiko and Higo had already taken a walk right now, bracing themselves against the gentle snow and the cold wind around. Not only that, but they also had to fight the high terrain of Mount Hakodate, climbing it in these freezing temperatures.

However, they were not alone in this escapade. No, as they climbed higher, both teenagers found more people were already there, even greeting some of them politely.

"Hey, kids! Have a nice climb!"

"Don’t be too hasty in reaching the top! It is still long before the sunrise!"

"Of course, Ojiisan! Thank you for the advice!" Kumiko smiled back at the reminder before turning around at Higo who was already panting behind. "Come on, Ryukkun! You are the athlete here. How could you be so tired just from this little climb?" The playful mocking tone here was so infuriating that Higo couldn’t help but grit his teeth, forcing his legs to walk again.

Right now, they were in the middle of their spiritual journey toward the Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine, the biggest one in the city. Rumor said that if people prayed there in the morning of the New Year before the sun rose, whatever they prayed would be granted in that year. Of course, both Higo and Kumiko never believed something superstitious like that, but this was indeed a nice tradition in this city.

Well, at least that was nice for Kumiko, since she enjoyed this kind of activity. For Higo, though, the boy was definitely in hell right now. After all, even before joining the football team, cold was always his biggest weakness. A little bit of irony, considering he lived in the snowiest prefecture in Japan, but if Higo had to choose, he would rather continue sleeping under his kotatsu rather than climbing this shit in such an early morning.

"Come on, a little bit more, Ryukkun!" Kumiko offered a hand here, her smile shining through the small sunray that had started to pierce the sky, stunning Higo on the spot. "Let’s go to the top in five minutes!"

In the end, Higo could only nod silently, inwardly saying to himself, ’Yeah, that’s a lie. No matter how good my sleep is, I would rather be outside with Kumiko-chan like this...’

Fortunately, it didn’t take so long before they arrived at the top. There, the crowd was quite big, not like what they met at the bottom of the mountain.

"Come on! Early snacks, everyone! Hot Takoyaki! Hot Taiyaki!"

"Want to see your fortune this year?! Come on, buy the charm from Hachimangu Shrine!"

"Just 1000 yen! Come on, tie your charm to the shrine and let Kami-sama do the rest!"

Higo could feel the corner of his lips twitching madly when he saw this. "Yeah, they even did business in the name of Kami-sama, huh? At least, they are dedicated enough to stay here in such an early morning for this opportunity..."

"Oh, don’t be sarcastic! Come on, let’s get to the shrine first!" Kumiko slapped him on the back.

Well, Higo didn’t have that much choice here. He just followed the girl like a lost puppy as they joined the short queue in front of them. Once they were straight in front of the shrine, both teenagers rang the bell there, throwing a coin before sending their prayer.

"Kami-sama... Please, give me a chance to stand next to her this year... And probably forever from now on... And don’t forget to give us happiness as well... Amen..."

It was such a short and decisive prayer, and Higo didn’t really ask for anything else. Honestly, he didn’t really care about anything else. As long as he could be with Kumiko and they were happy, everything was good in his book. As for the others, like doing well in the national tournament, going to a professional team, or anything else, it was just a bonus point for him.

"So, have you done praying?" Kumiko asked, snapping him from his own thought.

"Yup. What about you?" Higo asked back.

"Yeah, I am down. Let’s get something warm and find a bench to enjoy the sunrise."

Soon enough, they found themselves sitting quietly on a bench where they could watch the entire city from the top of the mountain, waiting for the sun to warm them there. On their hand, they also had a warm Taiyaki, as the buttery taste really exploded throughout their mouth.

"Um! This is nice!" Kumiko took a deep breath, swallowing the food slowly. Then, her gaze was melancholic as she said, "This is going to be our last time doing this, huh? After this year, we will definitely be away from the city, and I don’t know if we will have the opportunity to do it again or not..."

Higo felt his chest tighten when he heard that. Indeed, this was probably what he feared the most as their high school time was about to finish. With Kumiko planning to go to Germany, they wouldn’t be able to see each other that often again. Hell, they might not be able to see each other for a year or even more, for God’s sake!

’Yeah, that would definitely be hell on earth for me...’ He sulked silently.

"Hey, Ryukkun..." Kumiko’s voice suddenly snapped him back from his own depression.

"Yes?"

"You know what? I am a little bit afraid of the future..." She mumbled softly, catching Higo off guard. He had seen her in her most vulnerable moment a few times in the past, but this hesitation... This fear was definitely the first one. "I know that this is egoistic from me, but promise me, Ryukkun..."

Higo swallowed all the words he was about to say at the sudden, intense gaze from the girl. "Um... Yes?"

"Promise me that you will not back down on your promise to stand next to me..." Her voice was eerie, giving the boy the chills on his spine. "I know that it would be difficult for you, but please... Always be on my side..."