Chapter 18: Mini-Soccer!
Higo blinked several tis, his eyes wandering around as he still marveled at this place. He had been living in Hakodate for more than 16 years, and this was the first ti he was in this kind of building. From outside, it looked like a dilapidated factory from a century ago, with the artistic mural painted on every inch of the wall. As he was being led inside, everything was dim, making the place look shadier and creepier than he initially thought.
If Higo didn’t know better, he would think that this was just a random place that Makino and the others found to bully him more without leaving any trace or evidence. However, based on Kumiko’s reaction, it was clear that this was the kind of place, and they were regular visitors to this business.
"So, what kind of place is this?" Higo finally asked, his voice barely a whisper. "I thought we were going to play football, should we be on the school’s pitch now?"
Kumiko was startled for a second, then rembered that she had never invited Higo to co into this place. So, with a smile, she explained, "This is the indoor mini soccer place owned by Haraguchi-sensei’s family, and this is the place where we usually train during the winter season. I an, it is impossible to train outside when the snow is heavy and the temperature is below zero, right?"
Well... That thing had never crossed Higo’s mind. However, right now, he was more intrigued by this place. "Mini soccer? Is that a... Thing?"
"Of course! In fact, football has a lot of variations, from this mini soccer, 7V7, futsal, takraw, and so many more. People always co up with innovations to make this sport entertaining, and this is just one of them."
"Hey, Chibi! What the hell are you doing there?!" Makino’s voice suddenly snapped their conversation. When those two perked their head, they found the captain’s gaze was full of jealousy, and if looks could kill, Higo would be deep under six feet right now. "Co on, don’t slack off like that! Start warming up, so you don’t have any excuse later!" The grin on his face was full of maliciousness.
Kumiko just looked at Higo worriedly, tugging the corner of his sleeves gently. "Is it really okay? You know that they have a bad intention here, right? Just walk away, you are not losing anything, anyway."
No matter how hard she tried to play dumb, Kumiko couldn’t ignore the fact that Higo was walking into a trap willingly here. She also felt guilty, since the conflict initially sparked because of her. She had received a lot of confessions in the past, and it was always awkward in the aftermath since the girl had never accepted one. However, this should be the first ti things got explosive like this.
"Don’t worry, Kumiko-chan, I know what I am doing here." Higo smiled reassuringly, starting to put on the gloves that he borrowed from the girl and warming up his body a little. "It is exactly because I have nothing to lose that I accept this. I an, I am not gambling anything, and if I won, I would get one favor from each of them. Don’t you think that this is a good deal?" His grin also had the sa malicious aura.
This was indeed the agreent that they made before. Knowing that they didn’t have anything to use as leverage, Makino and the three senior students finally decided to give Higo a favor from each one of them if they were satisfied with the result, which, of course, he would accept imdiately. After all, he wouldn’t lose anything even if his performance was bad. Well... Probably just bruises here and there, but not enough to make him refuse this challenge.
As for why they were willing to go for the agreent that they were at a disadvantage like this, well... That was not Higo’s business. He knew they were planning sothing, but just like any wise man said, any conspiracy would be useless in front of true strength.
"..."
Kumiko sighed once again, sohow feeling exhausted. Sotis, she felt like her role was to be the team’s nannies here, taking care of their fragile egos.
"Fine, just do whatever you want! Don’t co at
when everything goes downhill, okay?" She huffed, walking faster with an annoyed expression.
After they walked through the dim alleyway, Higo could see a small door on one side of the wall, and once Makino opened it, he couldn’t help but wince, finding that so many sources of light suddenly hit his eyes violently.
After he adapted a little, Higo was dumbfounded to find a smaller football pitch, probably half the size of the usual one, in front of him. The place was also different than the pitch in the school, though. There was no snow at all, and the temperature here was quite comfortable for any physical activity.
’No wonder they invite
to go here...’ He couldn’t help but mutter. "Still... Urgh... Why wouldn’t the owner put one of the lights here in the alleyway before?" Higo narrowed his eyes slightly, still trying to adjust to the new surroundings.
"Well, that is the question of the century, right?" Makino shrugged. "Anyway, let’s not think about trivial things like that. Don’t you see that so of the people there couldn’t wait to take action?" He smirked evilly, nudging his head at the pitch.
When Higo and Kumiko turned around, they found that the three senpai were already there, juggling with the ball or just playing a quick pass ga with each other. It seed that they really couldn’t wait for this shit already.
"Man, it has been a long ti since I kicked a football! What a feeling!" Junya, the bun-haired one, was grinning as the ball was rolling in his head.
"Yeah, I cannot wait until the university exam is over, and I can just play as much as I can!" Ojiro, the bald one, nodded in agreent, passing the ball to Miyashi.
"Speaking of which... It seems that the main character has finally arrived, right?" The tall boy, Miyashi, stopped the ball with his sole as he turned around at Higo. The other two seniors also did the sa; the grin on their faces was enough to send a shiver down Higo’s spine.
"So, anyway!" Higo coughed, trying to hide his nervousness. "How would we do this?" He asked.
"Why, of course, it would be the old-fashioned Arican style penalty!"
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