Chapter 810: Ozan Kabak’s Departure

The atmosphere during the training session was so gloomy, as everyone was too busy thinking about the news to focus on the pitch. The movement there was sloppy, and some even made a basic mistake that would’ve been punished by the coach immediately on a normal day.

Still, Frohling knew that this was because of him, so the head coach took responsibility immediately, stopping the training session half an hour earlier than the normal time.

"I know that this is a difficult time for you to ponder, and that’s why I’ll give you half a training session today. However, make sure you sort things out inside your head quickly, and I expect that tomorrow, you guys will be back stronger than ever!"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Thank you, Boss!"

The guys shouted so many answers simultaneously, showing their appreciation toward their coach. It was fortunate that they had a head coach who was willing to understand their struggle here, not just punishing them for failing to focus on this difficult day.

Higo himself went to the locker room quickly, picking up his sports bag immediately before taking out his phone, searching for one name that was the focus of the team right now. He didn’t even wait for anyone else, knowing that once everyone had their phones, it would be difficult to get in touch with that Turkish defender.

"Come on, Oz-san... Pick it up..." The boy bit his lips impatiently.

Fortunately, it seemed that Ozan Kabak wasn’t really that busy, what with him not having to go to the training session. It only took a few seconds before Higo finally got the answer that he wanted.

"Yes, Higo? Is this about Liverpool’s offer for me?" The Turkish defender asked straight to the point. It seemed that he had already expected the call from any of the Schalke players today.

"...Is it real? Are you really going to move?" Higo asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Honestly? The offer is real, but this is a difficult choice for me, Higo..." The Turkish defender let out a deep sigh. "This is Liverpool that we are talking about, one with Virgil Van Dijk, the best defender in the world, in it. Getting through the first team will be difficult, and I cannot even get a guarantee of playing except for the smaller cups like the Carabao Cup or FA Cup..."

"So, why are you accepting the offer, then?" Higo frowned, not liking how Ozan Kabak tried to paint it as a difficult decision when he himself had already agreed to everything that was offered to him.

"It is because this is Liverpool that I have to agree, Higo!" This time, though, Ozan Kabak’s tone rose, showing that he was excited. This startled Higo for a moment, even distancing the phone from his ears due to the man’s loudness. "This is Klopp that we are talking about! Liverpool! One of the best teams in the world right now! When they call, you don’t refuse them! You accept them immediately! This is my chance to climb higher, and sorry to say, but although I love this city, I will not spend the rest of my career here, nor should you."

The last part was said like it was advice, and Higo couldn’t help but sigh when he heard that.

It was something that so many people had already told him so many times in the past, from Kumiko to Fujita-san, that Schalke was too small for a talented player like him. In the past, he would just brush it off nonchalantly, not thinking too much about this matter.

However, when it was Ozan Kabak who said it, a player who would leave the team to pursue a higher stage, this caused a ripple in his heart. Hell, hearing Ozan Kabak’s determination to move, even willing to fight from the bench just to play for Liverpool, it would be a lie if Higo said that it didn’t move him.

Now, even Higo himself started to feel confused, not knowing what he should do.

"Oh, well... Congratulations, that means." Higo smiled stiffly when he said that. Fortunately, the man wouldn’t be able to see his expression, or he would know that it wasn’t a genuine congratulation. "I hope you will have a great time in Liverpool."

"Thanks a lot, Higo! That means so much to me!" Ozan Kabak’s tone softened. "Anyway, I will also wait for you on the bigger stage! Don’t get trapped in that small well for too long, okay? Don’t get too used to losing!"

"Ha! What are you talking about?!" The boy couldn’t help but snort. "Work hard, Oz-san! Don’t let your little panic episode after your team has a lead destroy you there! If you came back without any success just because of that, I would laugh my ass off in front of your face!"

"Ha! As if I would do that!"

The little banter here was enough to melt the tension among them. Soon enough, Ozan Kabak said that he had to go, and Higo also closed the call politely. Still, the casual atmosphere in the call earlier was gone immediately.

His eyes were still on the phone, and his mood was so complicated right now.

Higo knew that he couldn’t be so selfish as to ask Ozan Kabak to stay, especially when the man himself had already told him the reason behind his decision. Still, the boy also couldn’t help but resent the Turkish defender for that decision, leaving the team with a big mess on the back.

It also didn’t help that his mind kept replaying the conversation earlier, especially the part where Ozan Kabak said that he shouldn’t stay here for too long. Higo had just signed a new contract a few weeks ago, so he didn’t have any intention to move at all. Still, this made him start thinking about his future and what he would do if he were in Ozan Kabak’s position.

"...Tch! This is a waste of time!" Higo shook his head strongly, scowling at himself right now. "No need to think too much about that traitor’s words. For now, I have to focus on my recovery first! Getting back to the pitch is the first target, and after that, let’s see what happens next!"