Battery

Takumi.

Takumi.

What?

Come here!

Grab me!

Grab me, and

never let me go!

You'd better not pick anything over me!

You'd better not.

I've heard it so many times

It's not going to work out

That nothing will change

Even if I pretended not to listen

I knew it all, I learnt this from you

That it's not a failure, Even if it is

When I thrust my feelings Upon the drifting clouds

The quiet melodies push my back

Because the sky is so vast and free

I decided I wouldn't cry no more

Come on, Kadowaki. Let's go.

Hey, you got a call from Kaionji, didn't you?

What did he say?

Nothing that has anything to do with you.

It's about the game, wasn't it?

How is that not related to me?

Don't get carried away.

I can't believe you can say that after how little you're thinking about the game.

The only thing on your mind

is Harada.

Have you even given a single thought

to how we're going to win the game or who to put in the starting line-up?

Yeah, but

It has nothing to do with you.

Shun, I've noticed that you've become more short-tempered lately.

Really?

Yeah.

You used to get mad at me all the time when we were little.

Like when I was lagging behind.

Whoa, let's save the reminiscing for after we're old and bald.

It's good.

You seem more like the real you when you're angry. I like it.

Thanks.

That reminds me, you've always been a bit of a masochist.

Why don't you wipe your sweat off?

You need to work on your abs, Shugo.

What the hell?

I'm just paying you back for the other day.

Now we're even.

See you.

Hold on.

What the hell is your problem?

Because you keep acting like you know me.

What do you mean the "real" me?

Why would you know what that is?

I've never once shown you the real me.

Remember that.

Shugo.

I hate you.

I couldn't stand you.

I kept wishing you'd just go away and disappear.

Since forever.

It's not your fault.

But what was I supposed to do?

I just hate you too much.

Sorry.

"Yokote Baseball Park"

Omizu! You seriously starting Hagi?

Yeah.

Why not me?

Because it's dangerous.

Dangerous?

You saying they'd hit off of me?

Enomoto.

You don't have to tell me how good of a pitcher you are. I already know.

I've been defending from behind you all this time.

So why then?

Don't make me say it.

Say what?

Enomoto, you hurt your shoulder, didn't you?

You've been off since the nationals.

I didn't tell anybody about it.

How did you know?

I already told you.

I'm always behind you.

I've been watching your back this whole time.

It's all better now though.

Give it up.

It won't work on him.

Omizu, just give it to him straight.

Enomoto's not going to be satisfied with that.

Look.

That's Nitta Higashi's pitcher.

Can you really compete with his throws?

They've been practicing with the assumption that you would be playing.

They've been practicing off of that pitcher.

They're gonna be strong against fast balls.

You're gonna keep pitching in high school, right?

Don't push yourself here.

I guess I'll go in the coach's box.

Omizu.

How did you know about Enomoto's shoulder?

I'm a shortstop.

I know my pitcher's condition like the back of my hand.

I didn't notice at all.

Karaki. Don't underestimate Nitta Higashi.

Mizugaki-senpai!

Senpai!

Kurinosuke!

Why are you here?

What do you mean why? I'm a player for Nitta Higashi.

You missed me, didn't you?

Don't be stupid.

You're the last person I wanted to see.

Ah, don't be like that.

I came all this way to trade player charts.

Ah, whatever.

Hey, Kurinosuke.

Yeah, yeah, yeah?

Don't repeat your yeses.

How's your team holding up?

I'm doing great.

Nobody's asking how you are!

I'm talking about your battery.

Oh, those two.

Hard to say.

I don't think they're doing too hot.

Harada's still got some ball-control issues.

Maybe I should've played catcher.

Yoshisada!

Stop blabbing to the enemy!

I'm Nonomura.

I look forward to our game.

Thank you.

So, you're the future captain, huh?

Yes.

I thought so.

You can tell?

Of course.

Must be hard for a team to come together carrying a battery like them.

Are you jealous, Mr. Mizugaki?

What did you say?

Having a battery like them on your team

it's really fun.

Excuse us.

Karaki.

We're next. Field some balls for them.

All right.

I didn't notice either.

Notice what?

About Enomoto.

You don't need to.

Actually, not noticing is the kind thing to do.

I wouldn't have said anything if we weren't facing the princess.

It's not Harada's fault.

I know. He's just getting up on that mound and pitching.

He doesn't mean to make everyone around him feel cornered.

Those are the ones to look out for.

I think that's enough.

What?