Right after they were done with their lunch, all 17 members of the Hakodate Nishi team went back to the Sapporo Dome, going straight into the west section where they could get a better look at the game. This time, they were alone, as all the members of the parents’ association had to go back first to Hakodate.

Yeah, unlike them, who had this tournament in their plan, the adults couldn’t really accompany them until the end. There was no way they would be allowed to take four or even five days off in a row, especially when the only excuse was to watch a football game.

Still, they promised to be back again for the final, and at that time, they would also arrive with the 100 students that the headmaster promised to come and support the team in the most important game of their lives.

That thought was enough to send a chill down everyone’s spine, injecting them with dopamine that would make them stay active at night.

Still, that was for later, as right now, the moment they entered the stadium again, all the boys were so dumbfounded at how jampacked their stand was with the blue jersey around. It seemed that Kumiko bought the ticket as a fan, getting them a proper seat close to the Sapporo Otani supporters who were singing and waving flags close to the pitch.

"Damn, Kumiko-chan, you sure know where to pick the seat, huh?" Kuroki smiled wryly, getting worried that a problem would occur if people knew that they were spying on their favorite team here.

"Eh, don’t worry about so many trivial things outside. Just sit and observe carefully." Kumiko waved his concern nonchalantly. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Well, all the Hakodate Nishi players didn’t have any choice here. They could only grit their teeth, following Kumiko from behind while also trying to ignore the stares and whispers from the people around them.

’Is that the Hakodate Nishi team? What are they doing here?’

’Idiot! Of course, they would spy our game today! I mean, we are going to fight them in the final, right?’

’You are right! Shall we talk to the others about them?’

’Eh, no need. Even if they watched, what could they gain that could help them win against us?’

The last part was said with the arrogance that only the best team could have. However, no one could deny that, even though Hakodate Nishi watched the entire game carefully, it would still be hard for them to get something against Sapporo Otani.

Hell, some of the players here had the same question, but in the end, it was Jun who dared to ask it. "Um... Kumiko-senpai, we have been watching so many Sapporo Otani games in the past, right? Is what we are doing right now necessary?"

Kumiko didn’t even bat her eyes, answering while her gaze was still locked on the pitch. "Of course, it has its use. I mean, besides watching their current condition and trying to figure out which one is in their best state and which one is not, the purpose here is to see if their additional new players are as dangerous as their main roster or not. This will at least prevent us from getting caught off guard later."

Well, no one could deny it, since the reasoning was valid here. However, that didn’t mean they were going to enjoy this. After all, not only was it uncomfortable to be surrounded by their opponent’s fans, but after such a long day, fatigue finally started to kick in, and with their stomach full of food, all they wanted to do right now was to have a nice nap in a warm bed.

While they were chatting with each other on the stand, their presence had already been noticed by the Sapporo Otani team. How could they not, since the news spread so fast from one mouth to another, until it reached the home team’s bench on the pitch.

"So, they are here as well?" Shintaro Okamura, the team’s left back, snorted in amusement. "Shall we hold back a little so that they cannot see anything worth mentioning, Senpai?"

Yuma Igari arched one of his eyebrows lightly before pointing at the person behind the boy. "Ask your captain first if he agreed or not."

Okamura froze on the spot, turning around slowly just to flinch immediately when he saw that the captain was looking at him icily.

"Okamura, I don’t care how much you brag to the others, but looking down on your opponent is the bottom line here. If you dared to hold back, you don’t need a sensei to make a decision. I will be the one who personally puts you on the bench, understand?!"

"Y—Yes, Captain!" The boy stuttered before running as far away as possible, not wanting to get caught by his angry captain anymore.

"I swear..." Rin Mito let out a deep, tired sigh as he watched his kouhai’s antics. "No one has a reliable personality in the sophomore year. I am really worried about who can replace me as the team’s captain once I retire, Yuma."

"Well, no need to overthink it. If you cannot find one, just let Sensei decide it. I mean, your only task now is to enjoy your last high school tournament and probably seek to get further than the second round of the National Stage, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I know... You are always nagging about me having fun. I am having fun, you know?" Rin Mito grumbled lightly, punching his friend lightly on the shoulder.

Yuma Igari just snorted softly before he couldn’t help but mutter, "Besides, don’t you think that Okamura-kun has a point? If they are here to watch us, is there something that we need to hide?" Even though he wasn’t really worried, the boy also acknowledged Hakodate Nishi’s improvement, and he didn’t dare to be reckless right now.

In return, though, Rin Mito just stared at him incredulously. "You need to ask another question, Yuma. It is not like we need to hide anything, but is Ritsumeikan strong enough to force us to show everything that we have?"