The Battery (バッテリー)

Two outs already.

WHITE TIGERS

SHIMONOSEKI BELLO A

Come on!

Last pitch. Right in the center. Play!

Are you okay, Seiha? Does it hurt anywhere?

You feel sick?

Seiha, we're nearly there. Hold on, okay?

Takumi, close your window. Seiha could catch a cold.

Takumi!

It feels nicer with the breeze.

Seiha, Grandpa's house is over there.

Wow!

I can see it.

Brother, it's over there.

Takumi, that's where our new life begins.

Come see.

The air is so good.

Seiha...

- Feel better now? - Yeah.

- Your throat's not sore? - Yeah.

Has that always been there?

Of course.

That's Grandma.

How nostalgic. This is still here?

This used to be my room, you know.

Our stuff arrives tomorrow, so tidy up today, okay?

Got it?

Seiha!

Where are you? It's time for your medicine.

Never heated a bath like this, right?

I really appreciate you letting us move in.

No need to be so formal.

Anyway, it's good you could move during spring vacation.

Yes.

Takumi.

Say hello to Grandpa, Takumi.

If you want to go for a run,

go up to Nitta Shrine.

Grandpa.

Yes?

Teach me the curveball.

Not yet.

You're not ready.

Takumi...

Please excuse his attitude.

It's just the way he is.

Nice pitch!

You're Harada Takumi of the White Tigers, right?

I watched all your games... right up to the finals.

We were in that tournament, too.

Though we lost our second game...

I've been a fan of yours ever since, Harada Takumi.

Oh, I'm...

I'm Nitta Stars' cleanup hitter Nagakura Go, the catcher.

The catcher!

Want me to pitch?

Huh?

If you can catch my pitches, that is...

Great. Then I'll come help you move in tomorrow.

Let's do it after that.

Seems your Mom and mine are friends from childhood.

Maybe it's a lucky sign.

A lucky sign!

Take this.

No, thanks.

Take it anyway.

See you then.

Go...

Why did you give him the fishes?

It's fine.

It's been a while since we got a fish that big.

We can always get more.

Harada Takumi... Seiha.

Coach! Sorry for being late.

Sorry, Inamura, to trouble you on your day off.

Hey, Inamura.

Hello.

- Thanks for coming. - Of course.

Oh, excuse me.

Excuse me.

Oh, the famous catcher.

No...

Mom.

Five more seconds.

Four, three, two, done. Let's see.

Huh?

See? I told you I don't have a fever.

We have to be vigilant.

Seiha, don't get overexcited. There!

Hello there.

Hello.

What's your name?

Harada Seiha.

How cute.

I'm Nagakura Go.

- How old are you? - Nine.

My Go was the cutest at Seiha's age.

You did well to convince Go to quit baseball at elementary school.

I can't see Takumi doing that.

He played on the condition that he give up before junior high.

He is Nagakura Hospital's heir.

You're right. They can't play baseball forever.

Maki, your accent came back at last.

You're right. It's been so long.

I'm surprised I still remember.

- Don't you forget it. - What a surprise.

Was that Takumi?

Jeez. He's so unsociable.

Seiha.

Hey, Go.

What does this fish eat?

It's very fierce. So... bugs, worms, or frogs.

Sometimes humans.

What?

Really?

Just kidding.

Let's do it.

I'm ready.

Come on!

That's...

That's incredible...

How long did it take your catcher to catch these?

Just over six months.

I bet.

Come on, then.

Wow. It's like it's got a life of its own.

Catch it properly.

A runner could steal a base.

You'll let 'em get that far?

Almost...

I did it!

Harada, give me more.

More!

I'll get them all.

Come on.

Time out!

Oh... Sorry, Takumi and Go.

Inamura from my company wants a go. How about it?

Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you guys but...

Watching you... it was so tempting.

Mind if I take a swing?

Not at all.

He was in the last team your grandpa took to Koshien.

The cleanup hitter at Koshien!

So what?

So...

Let's strike him out.

Of course.

Got it.

Strike one!

Nice ball!

You can just feel its power.

I can't believe he's in junior high...

Inamura.

Yes?

They both start junior high next week.

What?

What?

Got it.

Strike two.

Go Koshien finalist!

Go Takumi!

Wait. Time out.

Hey, mister...

What is it?

The next one will be... right in the center.

Come on.

Got it!

Strike three!

- Batter out! - Yes!

Great! Nice ball!

We did it.

Hey, Inamura...

You figured they were just kids and that was your mistake.

Go...

What are you doing? It's time for your cram school.

Mom, why are you here?

Why? I got a call from the cram school's teacher.

Okay...

Okay, just wait!

Okay, wait!

Seiha, you mustn't be out dressed like this.

Okay!

Okay, I know. Just wait a bit.

Sorry Harada, I have to go to cram school.

You passed.

You, too. You got an amazing arm.

Will you pitch to me tomorrow?

Until I decide whether to keep on playing baseball?

I want to catch your throws every day.

Sure.

Looks like it's done.

Eat up your veggies too.

How's Seiha? Better?

The medicine's finally working. His fever's down and he's half asleep.

Listen, Takumi.

I told you countless times. Don't show off to your brother.

Seiha's weak. Baseball's out of the question.

How could you show it off to him? You're his big brother!