Free Web NovelChapter 371: Before the Game Begins
After waiting for a while, all the players from both teams finally lined up in the tunnel, following the referee from behind. Shimizu Higashi High acted as the home team today, wearing their all-white jersey. Meanwhile, since the color clashed with Hakodate Nishi’s white-and-black jersey, the Hokkaido team had to use its golden-orange one.
During their time in the tunnel, no one spoke to each other. Hell, even the ones who were familiar with each other, like Higo and Mamoru Suzuki, didn’t even take a glance, just putting their pure focus on the pitch in front of them. Even though this wasn’t their first encounter, today’s game had a higher stake, one where winning it would lead them to the top 4 of the country.
The moment they came out of the tunnel, the crowd was buzzing immediately. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"Oh! That’s Shimizu Higashi! Damn, Mamoru Suzuki looks so imposing!"
"Han-Gyeol-sama! We love you!"
"Come on, Hakodate boys! Let your hometown be proud of you!"
"Hakodate! Hakodate! Hakodate!"
It was so strange to hear someone cheering for them in this foreign land, let alone that many people. However, this was not a strange occasion at all. If anything, this should be how the national tournament was.
They were playing in one of the biggest cities in Kanagawa, a busy prefecture close to the capital city, and here, so many people from different prefectures lived for their work. Now that their hometown team was playing in the national tournament, the top 8, nonetheless, there was no reason for them not to come and support their boys.
Still, the noises, strangely enough, were not enough to distract them. If anything, the players couldn’t even hear them all, just having their focus on the game. Right now, one thing they couldn’t afford to lose was concentration, letting the opponent team take the advantage at the beginning of the game.
After shaking each other’s hands, the referee finally called the two captains, who were getting ready for the coin toss. Coincidentally enough, both captains were the defenders here. Makino glanced at the opponent in front of him, inwardly recalling all the information about that man inside his head.
"Miki Yamane, the team’s left back. His performance is always stable, protecting that side cleanly while also providing timely support for the team’s attack. He isn’t flashy or full of flair, but that is more reassuring for the team to have."
Miki Yamane didn’t really notice that Makino paid more attention to him. The boy just offered a handshake, nodding at Makino politely. "Let’s have a good game, okay?"
"Sure." Makino nodded in return, accepting the handshake.
"Okay, I want to have a clean game today. No excessive challenge if necessary, no dangerous contact against your opponent as well. If any of your teammates want to ask about my decision, you both step up and do it for them. Is that clear?" He gave a warning to them both, more to Makino.
The Hakodate Nishi captain just smiled wryly, accepting the warning. "Don’t worry, Senpai. As long as nothing outrageous happens, we will never act like a bunch of thugs." That was the only thing he could promise, since the boy himself couldn’t really control his teammates anymore.
The referee just had the corner of his mouth twitching, but accepted the weak promise, nonetheless. He also recognized the bottom line here. As long as he didn’t make any outrageous decision, they wouldn’t go crazy in the pitch later.
"So, head or tail?" The man finally took out the coin from his pocket, offering it to the boys in front of them.
Miki Yamane just nudged his head lightly, and Makino didn’t stand on ceremony as well. "Head," The boy said with conviction.
"Tail." Miki Yamane followed a second later.
The referee didn’t say anything else, just tossing the coin in the air. He caught it flawlessly on the back of his hand before revealing the result to both captains. Tail. That meant Shimizu Higashi would have the first kick-off.
"Tch." Makino clicked his tongue, not even hiding his annoyance. At this point, all the people in this tournament knew that Hakodate Nishi always wanted to get the right to kick off first, so there was no point in hiding it anymore.
After the referee said a few more things for formality, Makino finally went back to his teammates. At the others’ expectant gaze, he just smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, I lost today." Followed by groans from all the boys there.
"Yeah, you are back with your worst luck, Teme." Higo laughed sarcastically. "I thought you would be able to change your fortune after the last game, you know? This means so far this tournament, you have only won one coin toss in total."
"Oh, shut up, will you?!" Makino scowled in return. However, he couldn’t hide the redness on his cheek, feeling slightly embarrassed at his terrible statistic.
In all honesty, a coin-toss battle shouldn’t be that big a deal. It only determined who got the kick-off first, not even giving any advantage at all. However, for Hakodate Nishi, this was like a do-or-die decision. While they still got the second-half kick-off, the effect wouldn’t be as great as doing it at the beginning of the game.
"Anyway!" Takaaki suddenly coughed, snapping their two senpai out of their bickering. Without Kuroki on the pitch, the boy was the one acting as the adult in the room. "Senpai, let’s move on first; the game is about to start." He reminded them quickly.
"Oh, yeah, thank you, Takaaki." Makino shook his head, sending one last glare to Higo before saying, "Before the game begins, let me remind you all: just keep communicating with each other! Don’t let any of your teammates get blindsided! Keep everything tight, and let’s create more history today!"
"Hell, yeah!"
"HAKODATE NISHI!"
"FIGHT!"
With one last war-cry, they all finally went to their position, getting ready for the game. Higo also did the same, checking the area in the penalty box to make sure that nothing bothered him. However, as he turned around to face the whole pitch, the boy narrowed his eyes a little, slightly dumbfounded at what he faced.
"Holy hell... I am going to play in this shitty situation?"
