NIKE -Blue Lock-

Dog

German stratum

Team A and Team B were experiencing such different emotions that it almost seemed like they were not to be in the same game.

On the one hand there was the team whose players were fired up, some more fiercely and some more enthusiastically; on the other hand there was the team whose players were lost in utter confusion, some uncertain of what to expect and some burdened with the knowledge of the true identity of the redhead.

Raichi was in such an intense emotional state that he felt he might vomit at any moment. The negative energy in his body was so much that he knew his stamina that day would be double, if not triple than normal.

All that nervousness was enough to kill a horse.

Kurona, while knowing the same secret, was instead calmer. His confusion was not the cause of nervousness, but of uncertainty about what to do.

He had played with Nicklaus, and he had also activated chemical reactions with him.

He wondered if now that he knew his secret something would change or not. He also knew about his manipulative ability, having experienced it firsthand, and he was in doubt about how that game would turn out.

Would he act like Caesar, and fight alongside his soldiers, or would he be like Nerone, and let others die for his cause?

His pink eyes shifted to the figure with his back turned in front of them, seeing him for the first time in the position of central forward instead of lateral or defender or midfielder. He had one hand on his hip, and his gaze was shifting from one opposing player to another, as if he was trying to understand them even before knowing them.

Then, after a few moments, the redhead raised his hand like a child in school when he has to request permission to speak.

Only difference was that she did not wait for it: "I changed my mind, I'm on defense."

Those who didn't know him and had not even seen the famous game were confused by his words. Usually a striker didn't ask to go on defense, and a defender didn't ask to go on offense. It made no sense.

"It doesn't work like that..." a German player raised his voice, shifting his gaze to the coach to see what he thought about the redhead's words.

But Noel Noa's eyes had not even moved to the red ones, remaining instead on the tablet in his hands.

The last one who had spoken cleared his throat, understanding that it was best not to ask questions.

Apparently the master striker agreed with the Italian boy.

"Sharky, let's switch." the redhead said, and Kurona's pupils widened imperceptibly at Nicklaus's familiar smile.

Nicole's.

He looked at her for a few moments without answering, noting the nonchalance and calmness on her expression that he now recognized belonged to a real woman. He thought back to the nickname, to the way it had the same sound as when he still believed she was simply Nicklaus. He observed that grin of understanding, which had been directed at him before.

Yes, that was still the Nicklaus he had met inside that place. Or perhaps the Nicole whose name he had never learned.

"Oki doki." replied Kurona in a calm tone, heading toward the girl.

There was no point in putting an assist player in the center forward position. It could also have been dangerous.

But he trusted her.
He had trusted Nicklaus, and there was nothing different between him and Nicole.
They were the same person.