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Chapter 488: Scene at the locker room



The scene in the locker room was a mix of tension and confidence. Well, it was the first international match for many so the nervousness on their face was justifiable.

So, Nanami wasn't overly concerned.

Yet still, it was his responsibility to help ease the tension in the locker room. As for how they received his words it depended entirely on his ability to convey.

"Okay everyone, we've already gone through the tactics previously. But let me repeat it once more, nonetheless. I've already talked about it in our previous discussion, we need to pay special attention to their attacks from the flanks."

Nanami began to talk about their strategy.

Even though they had already discussed the strategy before rather than choosing to provide some motivational talks he chose to rediscuss their strategy in hopes of diverting their attention away from the feeling of unease some were feeling at the moment.

Plus he wasn't good with words. So, it was the only method he could think of to help his players.

"Often they initiate their attack from the offense. And it could be attributed to their wingers."

It wasn't a mystery to any present in the locker room that the opposing side possessed some great wingers in their team. So they didn't take long to understand what Nanami was trying to -convey.

At this moment, Nanami turned to look at a rather tall figure seated quietly at one of the seats and called out to him, "Tomiyasu..., Can I leave the opposing number seven to you?"

Tomiyasu who played for Arsenal nodded his head before replying with conviction, "Yes coach"

Hearing him, Nanami gave an approving nod to him before proceeding to further explain their tactics. He knew that he could count on him. So, he felt assured when he heard his response coated with conviction.

After a while, as everyone slowly walked out of the locker room to participate in the match, he stopped Hiro on his track.

"Hiro...," Nanami called out to him.

Upon hearing the sudden call, Hiro stopped on his track to look behind him. There he found his coach appearing as if he wanted to discuss something with him.

Did he have something to say to him? If so why didn't he speak of it a moment ago? Maybe he wanted to talk something in private.

Hiro was puzzled.

Curious, he asked, "Yes coach, do you need something?"

"No..., I don't need anything from you," he was quick to deny. Then he nervously scanned his surroundings before asking him, "I just wanted... to ask about how you are feeling right now. I know starting against such a team in a venue crowded with rival fans at such a young age can be intimidating"

It just so happened that he was worried about Hiro. Well, even though he hadn't shown a hint of nervousness on his face, it was only natural for the coach to get worried.

After all, it was his debut match for the national team.

It would have been an entirely different scenario had it been on their home soil but unfortunately, his debut was rather unfortunate.

For such obvious reasons, he had even thought of starting him from the bench. But since it was only a friendly match, he wanted to observe how he'd fare with the pressure. He wanted to test if he truly was as tough as he appeared in the training.

Even an adult would lose their temper in such an oppressive atmosphere and he was only a child.

Yet, despite his initial thoughts he still couldn't help but worry about Hiro. After all, if he faltered here, it might affect him negatively. Who knows he might even be traumatized?

But the resilience of Hiro had convinced him to put him on the starting eleven.

At this moment, Nanami was like an open book. Thus Hiro easily figured out his thoughts. He could tell that he was worried.

"I feel perfectly fine coach. Thank you for asking," Hiro replied politely with a smile on his face.

Though it was a rather positive response, Hiro's response was a lot different from what he had initially assumed. So, he couldn't help but feel slightly baffled by his response.

Was he really fine? Or was he simply trying to put a facade?

Although Nanami had already figured out about Hiro's mental toughness, he still couldn't help but feel it was too good to be true.

It was his very first match for the national team. So, how could he be so calm? Was he really telling the truth?

The main factor leading to his unsettling feeling was Hiro's age.

Sure, he believed that age was nothing more than a number. And there were plenty of examples that proved it right. But some had also fallen victim to early stardom.

So, how could he rest easy?

Yet when he conversed with Hiro, he felt a soothing feeling well up inside his heart. Be it the smile on his face or the way he talked, he couldn't help but put his faith in him.

He radiated an aura that was unlike any he had met before.

There was something about him that made him extremely comfortable talking with him. It

was such an inexplicable feeling he couldn't comprehend.

"Is that so?" he asked absentmindedly after hearing Hiro.

"Yes, sir, I'm more focused than ever and won't disappoint the trust you've placed in me, coach," Hiro said determinedly.

Hearing him, he couldn't help but curl his lips.

Subconsciously, he felt as if he could put his trust in him. For some when he heard him, a strange feeling of pride almost as if he was watching his son succeeding in life welled inside his heart, causing his chest to widen with pride.

His eyes glistened with pride as he patted Hiro on his shoulder, "You've got this Kid"

Though Hiro was happy to hear such warm words, he couldn't help but feel annoyed upon being called a "Kid". After all, he wasn't a kid at all.

Even so, he was grateful for the trust the coach had put in him. So, he didn't retaliate despite his evident annoyance.

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