Chapter 661: Not Alone Anymore! Preparation for the Next Game!

A few hours later, everything was finally settled, and Higo was sitting on the train right now, on the journey back to Gelsenkirchen. He also felt exhausted here, having to fight against the sleepiness that attacked his head. After all, the journey to Dusseldorf, then to Cologne before going back again to Gelsenkirchen was not short.

Still, this couldn’t hide the excitement bubbling in his heart. The boy looked at the bag he carried in his hand, a bag full of local snacks and food from back home that Kumiko brought from Hakodate, and he couldn’t help but clench it tightly.

’Yeah, now, I am not alone here.’

Even though Kumiko would be in a different city, at least she was still in the vicinity, just one hour of travel by train. Compared to the long distance between Japan and Germany, especially considering the complexity of traveling abroad, one hour seemed to be nothing. Just like what Higo thought, he was basically not alone anymore in this foreign land.

This somehow brought more motivation to him, as the boy started to train more enthusiastically in every session. Hell, Frohling even noticed this, and the head coach couldn’t help but remind him about it.

"I don’t know why you are suddenly getting so excited like this, and while I appreciate your attitude, that doesn’t mean you can train recklessly like that. Slow down a little bit and don’t rush things up. You are an important part of the team right now, so don’t let yourself get hurt for a stupid reason."

Higo was quiet for a little bit, knowing that the coach just wanted to give him some advice here. However, the boy shook his head quickly, smiling gratefully at Frohling. "Thank you for the concern, Sensei, but I am okay. I feel really good, in fact! Don’t worry, I will never overdo my training, trust me!"

Frohling could feel the corner of his lips twitching madly at that. "No, no, no, he cannot be trusted here. What the hell is going on with this kid?" He murmured secretly.

"Oh, it is the usual." Tomasz Waldoch, the team’s assistant, just smiled in amusement. "His girlfriend just landed here yesterday, and she will be living in Cologne for at least four years for her studies, so he is quite pumped up right now."

Among all the coaching staff in the team, Higo’s time with Waldoch in the car when they were going to the hospital after the game against Dortmund made them get closer to each other, so it was no wonder for Higo to tell the Polish man about this private matter.

"Ah, so that’s it..." Frohling widened his eyes in realization.

Indeed, having a familiar person in a foreign land, especially the love of their life, could increase the players’ motivation crazily. He had seen a fair share of boys who experienced the same, so the man didn’t feel surprised or confused after hearing the reason.

"Anyway, Tomasz, keep your eyes on him. Don’t let him do any reckless stunt, okay? Also, ask him if he needs a seasonal ticket for his girlfriend. Although she lives in Cologne, she might want to come for our home game from time to time."

It wasn’t like he was trying to curry a favor here. Well... Yes, this was a part of it. However, the team also had a policy to give the players’ families free tickets for a full season, wanting to motivate the players in every single one of the home games with the presence of their loved one. Higo was not different here, and that was why Frohling asked Waldoch to relay this message to the goalkeeper.

Waldoch nodded quietly, knowing that this was coming from the team’s policy. Of course, Higo was ecstatic when he heard that.

"You mean this is all from the team? Not something that would be cut from my wage?" He asked once again for confirmation.

"Of course. Everyone also receives the same treatment." Waldoch nodded lightly.

"Then... Can you get me two jerseys as well? For the ladies, I mean." Higo rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, knowing that his request was a bit shameless. After all, he had just given a free ticket for all the home games this year, and yet, he still dared to ask for more?

Waldoch also shook his head amusedly at Higo’s antics, but he still nodded in agreement. "The jersey will be paid with your wage, though. Don’t think you can fleece the team all the time!" The man said jokingly.

Higo just laughed once again, rubbing the back sheepishly. Of course, the boy also accepted this, knowing that he couldn’t be so shameless all the time. After all, he had already gotten two free jerseys in the past to give them to Koji Yabu and Chiaki Yabu, a pair of father and daughter who always came to support him. He was not thick-skinned enough to ask for more free stuff in this scenario.

Still, this ticket was enough to make him excited, and once he was back at his own flat, the boy didn’t hesitate to send this good news to the girl.

Kumiko-chan: Wait, you mean I don’t have to buy a ticket?!

You: Yes, and you will be included in the family stand, a nice spot to watch the game no matter which side we are playing on.

Kumiko-chan: Good! Sakura-chan and I will be there next Monday! I really want to see how far you have improved since you came here!

You: Don’t worry, you will not be disappointed!

Higo couldn’t help but grin when he read the message. Inwardly, he glanced at the calendar, finding that there were still two days left before the game day.

’Damn, now, I cannot wait for the game to be played!’ He laughed secretly, his hand shaking in excitement. ’The opponent is SC Verl, huh? It doesn’t really matter! Even if it is the fucking Real Madrid themselves, I would never let anyone ruin the first game Kumiko here!’