Free Web NovelChapter 372: The Support from Back Home
Meanwhile, back home, two middle-aged women, around their late 30s, were currently chatting in a house, one on the couch while the other was doing something in the kitchen as they were waiting for the television to show them what they had been waiting for. It was a cold day outside, with the snow falling quite intently there. However, that didn’t dampen her enthusiasm as they watched the broadcast in front of her.
The moment the screen showed a football pitch, one of them squealed immediately, startling the other.
"Come on, Kana-chan! The game is about to begin! I can see my boy there!" The first one gasped with hands covering her mouth.
"Really?! Wait, I’ll go! I’ll go!" The second woman jumped from the kitchen, her hand was still quite messy. However, the moment she saw the players coming onto the pitch, especially one particular boy with the jersey number 10 there, her eyes went teary. "Hiro-kun is there..." She mumbled softly.
Those two were Minami and Kana, Higo and Hiroshi’s mother. Somehow, with them always being together in every match they watched, they grew closer to each other, and when they knew that their boys’ game would be broadcast by the local TV station, they hit each other up immediately to watch the game together.
In the end, they met in Hiroshi’s house, with Minami preparing everything from the large screen TV to the snacks. Kana also wanted to contribute something, so she picked up so many fried foods from the supermarket and prepared them in Minami’s kitchen before the game began.
This way, they could enjoy their lovely noon watching their son’s game to the fullest, not having to worry about anything else.
"Look, Kana-chan! So many people are watching our boys!" Minami wiped a single tear from the corner of her eyes. "I know they are amazing from their game in Sapporo Dome, but this... This is different! Ryukkun is growing up so fast!"
Minami had the right to say that. After all, just a year ago, her boy was probably the most ordinary one at school. He didn’t join any club, having a mediocre grade and only having one close friend in life. To see him standing there, being broadcast live throughout the whole island, was a massive boost that even she herself would never dare to dream of.
"I know, right? Hiro-kun also looks good with that golden-orange jersey..." Kana nodded in agreement while also being busy snapping so many photos with her phone. "Anyway, you are recording this broadcast, right?" She turned around and asked.
"Yup! There is no way I would let this go so easily." Minami nodded quickly. Then, as she watched Higo picking up a cap, the woman frowned a little bit. "Um? He has never worn one in his life before; why would he do that?"
Right now, the camera shows Higo standing in front of the goal after taking a blue cap from the bench to wear it on the pitch. This left Minami in confusion, but a second later, she got the answer from the broadcaster’s commentary.
"The audience back home might not notice this, especially since January in Hokkaido is always snowy. However, the same month is also one of the sunniest and driest months of the year in Yokohama. Even though the temperature is quite cold right now, Higo-kun is standing right in the direction of the sun, so it will block his sight. It is necessary to wear one." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
"Wait, does that mean we are at a disadvantage?"Kana frowned, couldn’t help but complain. "How is it fair that they get the kick-off first and we still get the worst position here?" Even though Minami didn’t say anything, she still nodded, showing her agreement. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Little did they know that it was Makino who picked the side. He just didn’t notice the sun’s position before it was too late.
"So, what is your prediction for this game, Subaru-san?" One of the broadcasters asked as they still waited for the referee to blow the whistle.
"Well, this will be a tense game for us. We are going to defend first at the beginning, trying to lure our opponent into our slow rhythm. However, everything still depends on how Makino-kun, Ishinori-kun, and Jun-kun contain Park Han-Gyeol and Mamoru Suzuki in front of the goal." The broadcaster named Subaru gave his brief analysis here.
"Then, what about the goalkeeper? Is there any concern there?"
Minami tensed immediately when she heard that question. This was related to Higo, and if she heard any bullshit as the answer, the woman would go berserk on that TV station instantly.
"Well... No. So far, Ryusuke Higo has been, I dare to say, the best player in this tournament. His quality cannot be doubted anymore, and as long as he can maintain this level of performance, I think no matter how strong the storm is brewing, we will be okay." The man said. Somehow, he even shivered a little, as if he had just dodged a stray bullet.
Minami’s expression went back to neutral immediately, even nodding in approval with a sweet smile on her face. The broadcasters might not know this, but they had just escaped the door of death by a tiny margin.
After waiting for a few more seconds, the camera finally moved on to the center line, where two of the Shimizu High players were standing in front of the ball. The referee was still communicating through his headphones, but by the nod the man gave to whoever was behind the call, it was clear that the game was about to begin.
Everything was ready, and within a second...
FWEEE!
The referee blew the whistle, and the players finally started moving. The moment all the Hakodate Nishi players rushed, both women cheered immediately, even having two balloon sticks in each other’s hands to support the team.
"Come on, Hiro-kun! You can do this!" Kana cheered as if her son could hear her; her voice became hoarse immediately.
"Ryukkun! Come on!" Minami was a little bit calmer, but she was sitting on the edge of the couch right now. "Bring back the win, you can do this!"
