Chapter 739: Back to the Training Ground Again!

Of course, Higo couldn’t just go to the training ground like he wanted to do. No, the first thing the boy had to do was to schedule a swab test with the club’s medical team to make sure that he didn’t carry the virus and spread it to the others. The process was also done in private so that no crowd would form before everything was safe.

Higo couldn’t help but let out a relieved sigh when the result came out, and he read the word ’Negative’ in it. Even though the boy always felt healthier than ever, at this point, coronavirus didn’t even give a shit about that, just attacking people randomly.

True enough, even though his result was okay, some couldn’t escape from this virus. Fabian and Oczipka had a positive result even though they didn’t feel sick, which meant they had to do a self-quarantine at least for two weeks before the medical team would check on them again.

This news was like a punch to everyone’s guts, as those two were key players for the team. Still, there was nothing they could do other than pray for them, as no one could even make a visit here. So, instead of worrying about something that was beyond his control, Higo decided to put his focus on what was in front of him, which was the training day.

"Why would I need to bring a pack of masks like this? One should be enough, right?" He could feel the corner of his lips twitching when Kumiko gave him that.

It was the morning before the training session began, and before he could go, his girlfriend stopped him for a moment, giving the boy so many things to carry. There was a lot, from masks, a large bottle of water, healthy snacks and fruits, and so many more. Honestly, it felt like he was about to travel far rather than just going to the training ground.

"Well, it is better safe than sorry." Kumiko grinned cheekily.

She was still in her pajamas while eating, with crumbs of potato chips on the corner of her lips, a natural appearance that made Higo want to kiss her more. If only Sakura was not here...

"Anyway, other than when you are doing the practice, always wear a mask, okay?" Kumiko reminded him again. "I gave you a pack with 12 masks in it, so you don’t have any reason not to use it!" She reminded him sternly.

"I know, I know." Higo rolled his eyes in exasperation while also tying his shoelace. "Anyway, any last message before I go?"

Kumiko pondered for a moment before a genuine smile spread from ear to ear. "Don’t forget to have fun, okay?"

Higo’s expression softened instantly before he leaned his head forward and kissed the girl on her temple. "Thank you for the support. You too, don’t forget to have fun, okay?"

"Sure! Be careful on the road!"

Soon enough, Higo had already found himself walking down the street in a cheerful mood. Well... At least for just a few meters, because after that, he found the atmosphere around was so heavy, full of depression.

Shops were closed, and only a few people could be seen, those with their heads bowed and negative energy surrounding them. It was clear that this coronavirus didn’t just attack people’s health, but their lifeline as well.

’Is this what the news called the economy is getting destroyed?’ Higo couldn’t help but murmur inwardly. ’I am so lucky that I still have work even in this lockdown situation, but so many people would lose their jobs, right? What would they do after that?’

Unfortunately, that was not a question that could be answered straight away. So, Higo just put that on the back of his mind for now, deciding to go to the training ground first so that he wouldn’t be late.

Still, the road that was usually jam-packed with people was so empty right now, and the greeting that Higo would usually receive was nowhere to be heard anymore. It was like he was in the middle of a dying city, with no one left to live here.

The atmosphere was enough to send a shiver down Higo’s spine, enough to make him walk faster. Fortunately, the Berger Feld, the team’s training ground, wasn’t far from his flat, so it only took 14 minutes before he finally arrived there. When the boy could hear so many familiar voices, he couldn’t help but let out a relieved sigh.

"Goddamnit, Suat! How could you grow this big in two months!"

"You are the one to talk! Don’t think I don’t know that bloated stomach of yours!"

"So, are we getting punished together? Come on!"

The laughter there was nostalgic, reminding Higo of the time when everything was normal. When he entered the locker room, the boy could also see some players gathering inside, and it would be a lie if he said that he wasn’t surprised.

"How could you guys be that thick so quickly?!" He blinked in slight awe.

Indeed, most of the players there somehow became way thicker compared to before the lockdown. Hell, Higo didn’t think that Jonjoe Kenny would be able to run on the flank with how heavy he was right now.

"Tch! Don’t act so innocent like that, Higo!" Ozan Kabak clicked his tongue in annoyance. "This is what the pandemic does for normal people! Just wait, you will also have a problem in the check-up session later!"

Higo just shook his head in surprise while also greeting the others around. After so many weeks of not meeting them, somehow, seeing the guys again was enough to cause a ripple in his heart.

Well... At least, that feeling lasted for a moment before Frohling finally arrived in the locker room. His face was so dark the moment he entered, finding that almost all the players had gained weight just from a visual scan. That showed how bad the current situation was.

"After this... We will have a medical check-up first. Whoever fails to meet the standard will have a double training session for a full week! Do you guys understand?!"