How long had you been hiding for?

The results were less than promising, through doctor's orders were more than clear: don't put your body under any physical strain, rest as much as you can. It was a blow, especially considering the match against Japan's U-20 was next week. Under any other circumstances, you would have listened, but now? Now, when the future of Japanese soccer weighed heavily on your team's shoulders? Now, when the fate of the Blue Lock Project hung by a fragile thread? No.

Nothing happened. The pills worked, the headaches were easy to ignore and the dizziness had become a mere occurrence that took place from time to time. Everything was going to be fine. And it seemed like it at first. You received a decisive pass from Karasu, then took off to the left, your eyes searching the field for the missing piece to your scheme.

Niko, meanwhile, was stuck on the sidelines. His foot still hurt from the collision with Shidou. Yellow card. He hadn't meant to fault him, his eyes didn't lie, but he just didn't have another choice at that point. It was the second half and he was as attentive as always, his eyes following the match play out like a hawk eyeing prey. They actually stood a chance. The U-20 had Itoshi Sae, Ryusei Shidou and Oliver Aiku, true. The threat they posed was undeniable.

However, after you passed to Bachira, Niko couldn't help but notice something, something the others hadn't seen. You were swaying? Why did you stop running...

"Wait!" He called out, shooting up from his chair and attempting a run on the field as he realised you were going to collapse right there, where you could get hit, trampled, destroyed. Chigiri was the second to react, with Nanase shooting up soon after, his eyes already wide. "Stop the game, wait!"