Chapter 705: Big Bonus?!

"So, you are wondering what happens with all the news there?" Minami asked while enjoying a warm latte in her cup.

It was the morning after the game, and right now, they all were enjoying their breakfast in the nearby café. Well... At least everyone other than Higo, as the boy had to grit his teeth right now, following the strict diet from the team.

Yeah, right now, he was suffering from the strict rule that any professional player had to adhere to: Following the diet. The purpose was different for any other players, but for Higo, whose body proportions were at their best, he just did it to maintain his condition. If somehow he gained weight or his fat level started to increase again, the boy would end up in a lab quicker than he could blink.

So, yeah, in the end, while everyone was enjoying either a croissant or a pretzel, Higo had to be satisfied sticking with steamed broccoli and plain chicken breast, definitely among the top five of the least appetizing food that the boy had ever consumed.

Both Kumiko and Ayaka giggled gloatingly at the boy, while Minami herself, even though she felt heartache for her son’s suffering, still found a giggle escaping when the boy cringed at another bite he forcefully took.

"Anyway, yeah, I just want to know how to respond to it," Higo answered while also not hiding his attempt to shift his attention right now. "Shall I do something here? Talking to someone?" He asked.

"Oh, well, if you need to talk to someone right now, I would recommend you get in touch with Fujita-san." In the end, it was Kumiko who answered. At Higo’s questioning gaze, she added, "He is your super agent, so there is no way this would escape from his grasp. Hell, I bet all of my money that he is the one who triggered this scene."

"That’s a sucker bet, and you know it." Higo snorted not-so-amusedly.

Still, he couldn’t deny the answer here. No way in hell Fujita would not notice this, not when he always spent at least half an hour every day analyzing Higo’s influence on social media. After getting connected with the man, Higo got the answer he wanted straight away.

"Yeah, it is me who arranged this. Don’t worry too much about your influence online, just focus on your life there. As long as you are not back at commenting every single debate on the Internet, you will be fine."

Higo could feel the corner of his lips twitching madly, especially when his sister and Kumiko were giggling secretly at how casual it was for Fujita-san to mention his dark history. Still, since the man said that he didn’t have to worry about it, Higo didn’t have any reason to do so.

"Instead of thinking about that, have you checked your bank account? Your bonuses should’ve already been in, by the way." Fujita-san asked, trying to change the topic. Well, it worked as everyone perked up at the keywords here.

"Bonuses?" Higo narrowed his eyes slightly. "What bonuses?" He asked.

"Of course, it is for your performance, duh?" If the man were here, Higo would be able to see him rolling his eyes exasperatedly. "Don’t tell me you forgot the content of your contract? In your first year, you have a bonus of 1000 Euros for every time you play for the senior team and 2000 Euros for every time you have a clean sheet. For fuck’s sake, you should care a little bit about your financial potential, Higo!"

Right after that, the man cut off the call immediately, letting the boy proceed first. Higo could feel his cheek warm in embarrassment right now, feeling like he had just gotten scolded by his agent. Not that he could be blamed, of course, since he had only been playing for the second team so far, and the bonuses on his contract only worked when he played for the main team.

Meanwhile, the three women around him were also so stunned right now. They had been reading the contract when Higo brought it for the first time, but honestly, after six months passed, they completely forgot about the content there. This time, getting reminded by the agent, they couldn’t help but have their jaws drop in utter shock, looking at Higo like he was an alien.

"A 2500 Euros bonus just for one game? That is exactly your monthly wage, right?" Ayaka asked, unsure.

"Yeah..." Higo nodded while also checking his account balance from his phone. When he saw the number there, he couldn’t help but gulp, showing it slowly to the others. "It is in, just exactly like what Fujita-san said."

This time, dramatic gasps finally came out of the women there, not just from the amount itself, but also because they knew how sustainable this was. As long as the boy still played regularly, he would get around 1000 Euros, and regarding the clean sheet clause, they didn’t doubt that Higo would have a lot here, which meant the money he received from the bonuses alone could be way higher than his basic salary.

Realizing this, Minami’s face suddenly turned solemn as she stared at her son intently.

"Listen, Ryukkun, I might have never mentioned it before out of my trust in you, but as a mother, I have to state it first." Her tone was heavy, making everyone else straighten their back immediately. "You will be involved in bigger money in the future, so you have to remember that money is a means to an end. So many good people are ruined by their greed for money, forgetting this concept entirely. So, I will make sure you remember what to do in the future."

Thus, a crash course of how to manage his finances began straight away, and Higo was forced to listen here. Not that he would refuse it, since the boy knew that his mother did this for his own good. Still, he appreciated the fact that she didn’t mention the amount of his money or point at him about how to spend it, but just gave a lot of precautions so that he wouldn’t get drowned by his own greed.

"Once again, remember this, Ryukkun and you two." Minami’s eyes scanned through the three young adults in front of her thoroughly. "Money is a double-edged sword. Wield it wisely, and you will go further, but if you are careless, it could also be your downfall. Don’t let that happen."