Fortunately, Ayaka was never the one who got angry for so long, and once Minami and Kumiko took over the conversation, the girl just nodded along and let this offense slide. Still, Higo would never forget the icy glare that she sent earlier, the one that promised pain once he was back home in the future.
’Yeah, she will remember and will keep mentioning this over and over again in the future. She knows how to hold a grudge.’ Higo muttered wryly.
"Anyway, this is a big lesson for you, Ryukkun." Minami’s tone was solemn. "I know that adrenaline could get in the way, but I want you to get it in the deepest part of your brain. When the doctor said no, you followed the instruction, never fighting back. You are lucky that this time nothing goes wrong. If your injury is worse than this, we wouldn’t be able to do anything from here, you know?"
Higo just nodded along here, knowing that any defense he had meant nothing in this scenario. The boy himself also accepted the fact that he was guilty, forgetting how the others would react to his action.
Once the call was over, though, when the guilt was at its peak, his phone suddenly buzzed, showing a new message coming. He raised one eyebrow after noticing that it was Kumiko who sent it, realizing that the girl hadn’t said anything in the call earlier. Curious, he opened the message, just to choke immediately from his own laughter.
Kumiko-chan: Putting aside your head injury, great performance! I watched the highlight that your team’s official YouTube account posted, and so many people show their love for you and your tough appearance!
Kumiko-chan: I even saved one photo as a wallpaper XD
Kumiko-chan: Don’t tell Aya-nee and Obaasan I said that; they would be angry at me. LOL.
"Yeah, of course, she would be the first one to congratulate me." Higo shook his head amusedly.
It didn’t mean Kumiko didn’t care about his head injury, but since two out of the three had already shown their concern, as the last one in the group, she felt like doing the same wouldn’t bring anything here. It was better to appreciation for what he had done, because other than his head injury, everything yesterday was flawless.
After Kumiko sent that message, Higo also checked on the team’s YouTube account, and true enough, he found the video of the game yesterday. Much to the boy’s surprise, though, the thumbnail here was him greeting the supporters at the end of the game, showing his bandaged face while also waving at the stand like he was the biggest hero of the game.
Well, based on the comment on that video, he was indeed the one whom the supporters appreciated the most from the last game.
HansPieterZ: This is what I mean to play for your badge! He is bleeding so much and still insisting on fighting! What a warrior!
ThomasH: 13 saves! Damn, can you imagine any goalkeeper making that many saves in one game?! This is ridiculous!
Rexi0132: His name is Ryusuke Higo, right? I will remember it when he is getting promoted to the first team!
Higo kept scrolling through his phone, and even in his bed, the boy started kicking his feet, finding himself enjoying reading people’s praise about him. It wasn’t healthy, of course, since he would be so down the moment the same people talked badly once his performance dropped, but that would be a problem in the future.
His little activity here had to be stopped soon, when he heard someone knocking on the door. When Higo opened it, he found Morita was there, carrying a basket of fresh fruit with him.
"So, how are you doing?" He asked after sitting on the couch. "I watched the game yesterday, and damn! I really regret not being able to play there! I mean, I didn’t even get included in the first team’s roster, for God’s sake! If I knew I wouldn’t have any chance, I would refuse their invitation to the first team!"
Higo had a sweat drop as he heard the boy’s rant. Somehow, it was as if Morita was here to vent his grievance, not to check him. The first question was the formality, but the most important part was his story next.
Not that Higo could blame the boy, since he himself was the victim here. He only got noticed by the first team three days before their game against SC Paderborn, and with that short time to prepare, Morita failed to adapt to the team’s intensity and had to be left out of the squad for that game. Hell, he didn’t even get into the main 18 players who were brought for this away game, having to be satisfied practicing with the other neglected players.
"Well, I’m sure I am fine here." Higo smiled wryly, answering the first question. "Hell, screw it! I am doing well. I mean, we even beat our rival 3-0 without you and the other two. Maybe, we really are that strong, you know? You can rest assured, we will be able to continue this momentum without you." He smiled playfully.
If anything, this only made Morita’s mood worsen, as he pouted at Higo.
"Don’t joke around like that, please. That’s not funny." He threw an apple from the basket he brought to Higo. "Also, don’t think just because you steal the thunder here that you can dismiss me like that! Once I start playing for the main team, you will be left in the dust, you know?!" His competitiveness flared after he was being teased by Higo.
"Yeah, yeah, you will get your spotlight again when that happens." Higo waved it off casually, as the boy truly believed that when Morita was given a chance, he would shine brightly without any problem. "Still, you don’t really know when that chance would come, right?" He chuckled mischievously.
Morita’s face darkened instantly as he picked another apple to throw. "You bastard! Just wait, I will make my name resound louder than you in this city!"
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