The Rise of the Iron Wall!-Chapter 72: A Nerve-Wrecking Moment

This was the first time Higo went to Sapporo Dome. Usually, he only watched this gigantic building on television whenever Kumiko dragged him to watch the local football team play.

He didn’t know what to expect here, but it was definitely not the nervousness that could twist his stomach like crazy.

We are the bravest~!

We are the strongest~!

We are Sapporo Otani~!

Oh~ Come on, come on, Sapporo Otani~!

Even before the bus stopped, the moment they got closer to the bus, Higo could hear the supporters chanting loudly. The sound of the rhythmic drum, people jumping in the stands, and the shouts and screams echoed even outside of the building, was like a war cry from the enemy’s side.

Honestly, this snapped every awe feeling he had toward the majestic stadium in front of him, forcing him to pay the fullest attention to the crowd there. Everything was so overwhelming that, honestly, it was a miracle that he didn’t pass out on the spot right then.

It didn’t help that before they even stopped, Higo could see so many people with light-blue jerseys walking on the street, all going to the same place with huge flags and banners in their hands. This was clearly intended to convey two things.

First, it was to support the team, and second, it was to intimidate the opponent.

Higo didn’t know how effective this method was for the first purpose, yet he could tell that this worked well to intimidate him.

Hell, even before he stepped out of the bus, he could feel cold sweat on the back of his neck, with his Adam’s apple bobbling on his throat.

The festive atmosphere inside the bus also disappeared instantly. Everyone was so tense, sitting so straight like they were a rabbit that didn’t dare to breathe under the predator’s gaze.

’We also experienced the same thing last winter, so we are used to this scene to some extent.’ Makino muttered with a calm tone, yet the sweat on his forehead told Higo otherwise. ’I have to admit, though, walking into the enemy’s den like this is so uncomfortable. It suffocates me, you know?"

Higo didn’t know who that boy was talking to, but he just nodded along, clearly feeling the same way.

A moment later, the bus finally arrived at the parking lot, where all the Hakodate Nishi players finally had to step into the battlefield. Their expressions were somber, and honestly, it was a miracle that no one passed out during this ordeal.

"Okay, everyone, gather!" Kumiko spoke softly.

All the players just nodded along, following the order silently like they were just a bunch of chickens.

"I know that this is a nightmare for some of you." She spoke, ignoring the stiff expression that her players showed. ’You don’t have to say it, but I know some want to flee away, while some are trying to hold back their pee right now. Hell, some of you are probably cursing inwardly, wondering how a high school game could have this kind of scene, am I right?"

No one truly understood to whom she spoke here, but Higo just rubbed the tip of his nose sheepishly, inwardly thinking, ’She sure knows me that well, huh?’

"Well, I can tell you that this is not normal. However, this is Sapporo Otani High, this is their home base, and this is the semifinal. You have experienced something similar in the past, and you failed to conquer it. So, are you ready for your redemption arc?"

The reminder gave jolts to some of them, with several cringing at the painful experience in the past.

Seeing that no one truly answered, the girl asked again with a higher tone. "So, are you ready or not?!"

This time, almost everyone raised their voice. "Yes, Ma’am!"

"Good! Let’s go, we have a war to fight today!"

Higo took a deep breath once again, slapping his cheeks repeatedly. Sometimes, pain was truly an effective medicine to combat any psychological discomfort. As his heartbeat slowed down, he inhaled another deep breath before throwing it away to ease his mind.

’Okay, I am ready for this...’ Higo spoke to himself. ’This is nothing... I just need to shut my ears, and everything will be normal. I can do this...’

Unfortunately, the moment he stepped out of the player tunnel onto the football pitch, the scene there was enough to turn his legs into jelly.

There, for a stadium with a capacity of about 40,000 people, everything looked empty. Only one side of the stand was full, with so many flags waving proudly in the sky. The number of people there was around 1000, definitely not much for a stadium this big.

However, Higo felt his face ashen, especially at the thought of him having to play under their scrutiny in half of the game later. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Um... They are not going to throw anything like a bottle of water, right?" He suddenly asked, stuttering a little.

He didn’t even think of the trivial matter like the first time he was in the Sapporo Dome, the first time he stepped into a grass pitch, or something like that. No, right now, his brain was constantly battling the psychological struggle formed by the passionate group on the stands.

Makino just looked at him like an idiot before realizing that Higo was just a new person in this sport. So, with one more sigh, he shook his head quickly. "No, we Japanese people are always the most polite bunch in the football world. However, you can expect boos, distractions, loud noises, or anything that would annoy you later. So, keep your concentration on the game, okay?"

That... Was not so reassuring. If anything, Higo gulped one more time, feeling his throat dry from the tension.

The others didn’t fare too well.

Hiroshi started clapping with eyes shut tightly, muttering a long chant as if he was about to face Buddha.

Jun’s legs trembled so hard that it looked like he was in the middle of an earthquake.

Even Ishinori, the most stoic person in the team, had his face pale white, blood drained from his brain.

The stadium was indeed mostly empty, but the electric crowd on that side...

The cheers...

The chants...

The drums...

Everything mixed into a war cry to crush their soul, and in the jarring silence, Kumiko only said one word here.

"Welcome to hell."