Blue Box (アオのハコ)

Every morning, there's one person...

who I'm always dying to see.

And that person is...

Are you okay?

Yep, just fine.

Sorry. I was practicing my elbow pass.

Let me see.

It's getting all red.

- Probably hurt, huh? -

I'm fine, really!

But...

Oh, I know.

Take this.

She has a candy bar in her pocket.

And in return...

forgive me.

Of course I forgive you!

EIMEI PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL

I go to Eimei, a private school that's junior through senior high.

It's got a powerhouse sports program.

Since I graduated from junior high,

I'm now practicing with the high school badminton club.

There's optional open practice every morning,

and I try to get there earlier than anyone else.

But she always beats me.

Chinatsu Kano.

Even before the gym has warmed up for the day,

she's there, shooting shot after shot.

That's how Chinatsu is.

That's why I like her.

BLUE BOX

BLUE BOX

EPISODE 1 CHINATSU SENPAI

- -

I wanna marry her so bad.

- Not gonna happen. - Come on, bro!

What, a wedding out of the blue?

Just think. I could see her face...

- Mornin'! - ...first thing every morning.

- It'd be awesome. - You want coffee?

You couldn't even date her, she's out of your league.

Not only is she the basketball team's future MVP,

she has talent, she's charismatic, she's got the it factor.

TO THE HOOP WITH AGGRESSION!

And she's popular inside and outside of school.

Then there's you, Taiki.

It may be that you're fine, at badminton,

- but you aren't exactly popular. -

You're a bottom-rung player

who's being allowed to practice with the high schoolers.

Like, if Chinatsu was a ranked school,

she'd be one of the top seeds.

And your school would lose in the first round.

You're just on different levels.

All you've got in common is morning practice.

We have other things in common! You know, like my mom.

She used to play basketball for our school.

A lot of legacy kids at private schools...

I understand where you're coming from, Kyo,

but you also can't win unless you try!

And you know what? It's fun going up against the top schools.

Well, okay, then. See if you can make it to the second round.

You know, introduce yourself,

or ask for her number.

All right.

- What are you talking about? - What're you doing?

I was just coming to say hi!

What are you, a grade-schooler?

I wish I was a kid, but as of spring, I'll be in high school, same as you!

I'll have you know,

I've grown a whole seven centimeters since we were in grade school.

And yet you're still shorter than the badminton net.

Shut up!

Oh, you're one to talk, you're not that tall either!

I'm still growing! Okay?

Both of them are children.

Anyway, something bothering you?

Oh, no, don't worry about it.

But, uh, just for the fun of it...

What sort of things...

can a guy do to attract a girl?

Oh, is this a matter of love?

I'm a one-stop-shop for all that kinda stuff!

For starters, don't act like such a weenie.

You need to show them

that you're cool, calm, collected, and reliable!

And then, the most important of all is...

LIKE MARCE NGUYEN

...the body of a Greek god.

EIMEI PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL

Asking for Hina's help was a mistake.

Her taste is too particular.

Huh?

I guess they haven't unlocked the gym doors yet.

Okay. Now's my chance.

I gotta talk to her!

I'll introduce myself. Er, that might be weird, out of nowhere.

THIS AIN'T NO JOB INTERVIEW

Maybe thank her for the candy bar?

Then again, I haven't eaten it yet.

I OFFER MY THANKS

Oh, I got it!

I'll ask her what she's reading.

RUNNING A STACK PLAY

I'll just keep quiet I guess.

- -

Uh, um... If you'd like, you can wear my scarf!

It's fresh from the laundry!

And then... I have hot tea.

This thermos is really good at keeping things warm!

And also, I have gloves and a hand warmer!

It heats when you shake it!

I've done it now.

I word vomited!

- -

Wha... what is it?

Nothing, I'm just wondering what you're going to offer me next, that's all.

I was just kidding.

Thanks for watching out for me.

Uh... Sure!

She laughed!

You don't have to worry about me. You keep yourself warm.

This feels like...

when a wife... ties her newlywed husband's tie.

- Sorry. - It's fine.

I've always thought...

Chinatsu would have a low body temperature.

All done.

- Sorry, I'm running behind this morning! - No worries.

Don't catch a cold, okay?

Taiki Inomata.

How do you know my name?

Well, how do you think?

Hang on. Has she always known my name?

You have a good mom.

Good mom?

TAIKI INOMATA

So embarrassing! Well, at least she said my name.

Nope, it's still embarrassing!

- Good effort dude! - Nice serve!

Take a break!

Phew! Taiki. Could you go wet the rags?

Yes!

The good thing is she knows my name now.

Taiki Inomata.

Hearing her say it hit me a lot harder than I expected it to.

Anyway, I've made it past the second round.

Now it's time for round number three.

I'm going to ask for her number!

The coach of the girls' basketball team and Chinatsu?

- Whatcha looking at? - Hina!

- I wasn't looking at anything. -

- Hm. -

Don't shoot too high, Taiki.

Like you're the expert.

It's not that. She just looked really serious.

That's all.

You know the other day, I saw her walking with another guy, just the two of them.

JK!

What a jerk!

Mm.

- Ah, I'm tired. - Nice hustle!

- See you tomorrow. - Yeah, see ya!

I'm heading out!

Have a good night, y'all!

Have a good night!

Oh.

I forgot my towel in the gym.

What, did you forget something?