Chapter 1032: A Video Call with Family

"Wait, really?! The National team?!"

Higo had to wince and distance himself from his phone the moment he heard his sister’s shout. The boy couldn’t help but rub his ringing ears, finding himself pouting a little bit in front of the camera.

"I know that the news is shocking, but can you be a little bit calmer?" He grunted grumpily.

It was after the boy received the news from Fujita-san, and even though it was two hours past midnight in Japan, he didn’t care about it, creating a four-way call so that he could tell his mother, sister, and girlfriend about this news.

Just as his expectation, those three were so shocked as this news came out of nowhere. Hell, Higo could even hear his mother scolding Ayaka for shouting too loudly, as they were still in the middle of the night.

"Wait, so, is it real? You are going to join the national team?" This time, Ayaka asked in a voice barely a whisper. However, the trembling in her voice showed that the older girl was also excited about this new development in Higo’s career.

"Yes, and I will have to report back to Yokohama before 22nd March." Higo nodded. "However, don’t forget that I am just the third goalkeeper! Fujita-san reminds me that I have to be ready to be a bench player since the two Senpai there have strong positions in the team."

"Bah! Who cares about that? This is the Samurai Blue team that we are talking about! Mom! We have to watch it!" Ayaka squealed excitedly.

Higo had a sweat drop on his face when he heard that, inwardly wondering, ’She wasn’t this excited when I joined the Young Samurai team a few years ago, so what is the difference here?’

Little did the boy know that his sister wasn’t truly a fan of football until he joined Schalke, so her lack of interest in the past was quite justifiable.

"So, you are going back home? Is there anyone who can accompany you?" Kumiko finally spoke, and just like usual, the first thing that came to her mind was the most practical problem here, showing her concern for him.

"Don’t worry, I am not alone here." Higo smiled gently. "Morita-san will be called as well, and most of the players who got called up also come from Bundesliga. I will have so many familiar faces on the team, from Endo-san, Kamada-san, Osako-san, and so many more."

Two long sighs could be heard simultaneously before both Kumiko and Minami were startled and giggled uncontrollably. It seemed that they both had the same concern here, and they were so relieved to hear the answer.

"Good, God... At least, you will have someone senior if the others dare to bully you." Minami murmured before her gaze turned sharp like a knife. "Always respect your senpai, but don’t let them step on you, okay? Protect your dignity wherever you are, Ryukkun."

"Don’t worry, Mom. I know." Higo nodded. There was no way in hell he would let himself become a piece of meat that anyone could eat.

"Good." Right after that, her eyes went watery as she suddenly tried her best to hold back tears from falling. "I am so proud of you, Ryukkun... You have changed into a respectable man, someone whom the whole country could idolize... You have come so far, you know?"

The image of Higo in her mind overlapped with the little boy who took the responsibility of the household after his father passed away, how he and his sister sacrificed their youth just to take care of their irresponsible mother.

Now, though, the same boy was still in front of him, but a hint of childishness couldn’t be seen on his face anymore: no chubby cheeks, no laziness of a student who forgot to do his homework, but eyes full of maturity.

Minami knew that her sentimental side seemed to slip quite often whenever she talked about her children, and yet, she couldn’t help it right now.

Higo and the other two girls could also be seen with teary eyes, probably thinking about the past as well.

Even though Kumiko was not a family—not yet officially, at least—the girl also witnessed how hard the Higo family worked to climb and support each other, and the success that their son earned was well deserved.

"Anyway, enough about this tear-jerking topic! Let’s talk about something else!" Ayaka suddenly raised her voice, not wanting to get drowned in this melancholic atmosphere.

Yeah, she was always like this even in the past, always cold outside yet caring inside, not wanting to show the world when everything was too much and she wanted to cry.

"So, you are going to Yokohama next week, right?" She asked once again.

"Well... Yeah?"

"Good! That means you can come as well!" The girl clenched her fist as if she was celebrating something.

"Come... Where?" Higo asked confusedly.

In return, though, Ayaka just rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Well, duh, of course, my graduation! Don’t tell me you forgot about that!" She narrowed her eyes dangerously.

Unfortunately, yeah, Higo forgot about that. However, there was no way he would admit it out loud. No, the boy still loved his life so much to commit such a stupid suicide.

"N—No way I would forget that! Do you really doubt your brother like that, Aya-nee?!" His voice was louder than he expected, making him look more guilty.

"Oh? So, when is my graduation day?" Ayaka just raised one eyebrow questioningly.

Well... Higo just turned his face away from the camera, not daring to stare at those judgmental stares from the three women on this call.

"Oh, for God’s sake! You didn’t even read my message carefully!" Ayaka exclaimed in exasperation. "It is March 26th, Ryukkun! 26th! Put that in your calendar, and don’t you dare forget about this date again!"

"Y—Yes, Ma’am!"

After that, they chatted for a little bit more before everyone could see Minami stifle a yawn. That was when Higo remembered that it was still close to midnight in Hakodate, and she should’ve been sleeping if he hadn’t called her.

After apologizing a little bit more, Higo finally ended the call. That was when the excitement of getting into the national team came, as the acknowledgement of those three finally reached his brain.

’Going to the national team for two weeks, and attending my sister’s graduation? Oh, man, I will have a great time there...’