Battery

Like I said, we're making an offering to Mom.

It has to be the high-end ones.

Don't be stupid.

Mizuyoukan that cost 500 yen each?

Your mother would be rolling in her grave if she knew that.

Oh, Takumi, are you going out?

Just to the field.

Takumi, there's something I've been meaning to ask you.

That incident with the baseball team...

You weren't involved, were you?

Not that I'm really expecting you to actually answer me.

Why would you ask me that at this point?

Because you seem depressed.

They suspended our team. Of course I'd feel depressed.

You're right.

If you take away baseball from you, you have nothing left.

But you've lost weight, haven't you?

Is something troubling you?

Don't touch me.

Don't touch my shoulder.

Takumi!

Fine. I won't mention it again. Just do what you want, then.

Oh, you were so close, Makiko.

Close with what?

It's because you touched a pitcher's shoulder.

You need to be more careful.

I touched my son's shoulder.

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

All right, let's get to it before it rains.

Rain? Look how clear the skies are.

-Is that coming this way? -Yeah.

You notice how humid it's gotten?

Let's warm up that shoulder.

What is it?

Behind you.

Otomurai.

Coach...

Let me borrow that for a second.

Yes, sir.

Harada, I'll catch for you. Throw it to me.

What? Am I not up to your standards?

No, it's just...

Can you really catch my throws, coach?

You've got some nerve.

Go for it, Takumi.

I get to watch you from a different position.

Different position?

Is that Harada's best pitch?

-No, he can do more. -I figured as much.

He's not holding back for my sake, is he?

Coach, the next one he pitches will be his.

Was Harada testing me?

Honestly.

Harada, give me one right down the middle.

Show me the fastest pitch you got.

-Was that it? -Yes.

Give me three more in that same spot.

Can't you give it back to me a little more carefully?

I was ready to laugh and say how unimpressed I was with his throws.

Come here, Harada. On the double.

Harada, you want to play, don't you?

With our activities suspended,

there hasn't been much hope for a game, let alone even time to practice.

I hope you've realized how powerless you are.

-Coach! -Quiet. Let me talk here.

Listen up, Harada.

You're still in junior high.

If it's canceled, you don't get to play in the game.

That's where you're at. Got it?

Coach, please stop.

Then what about you, coach?

What makes you so great that you can sit there and judge us?

They took baseball away from you too.

You need to cut this out, Harada. Who do you think you're talking to?

Didn't you want to play baseball?

Didn't you want to compete as a coach?

You said that I was going to start the first match of the tournament.

Yes, you're right. I did.

I pitch and Go catches.

Are you telling me, coach,

that you never wanted to see what it'd be like to coach a game like that?

You are such an insufferable brat.

Harada, I'll be getting our activities resumed before long.

Make sure you stay in shape.

I won't let you do what you want next time.

What did you say?

I'm not letting any of you tell me what to do again.

There's still a lot you don't know.

Including just how fun a sport baseball is.

Why don't you give it a serious shot?

To not just play for yourself but for your team instead.

Harada, Nagakura.

We're going to make it to the nationals next year.

Coach.

I'll take you to the nationals with me.

What did you say?

I'm willing to make you a coach that takes the nationals.

Well, now that you've made that bold claim,

I'm going to make sure you do what needs to be done to keep that promise.

Mr. Principal, I have a favor to ask.

I heard that you were close with Yokoteni Junior High's principal.

Yes, I suppose.

Could you ask them for a game? With Yokote's baseball team?

Yokoteni Junior High's baseball team...

Didn't they win the district tournament 8 to 1 or something?

It was 9 to 1.

I doubt it, then.

I see.

If I were Yokote's principal, I would decline.

We're just not the same caliber.

Please. I can step in and help with the negotiation.

Mr. Tomura, please try not to rush things.

The only thing you need to worry about doing

is leading the baseball team in a wholesome manner.

I apologize.

Please refrain from taking action on your own.

The baseball team does not belong to you.

It belongs to Nitta Higashi Junior High.

Takumi! It's Mr. Kaionji!

Hello?

The coach wants to talk to us after the opening ceremony.

We're meeting by the net.

Captain, does that mean we can start practicing again tomorrow?

I think so.

We might be able to make the rookie game in the fall.

If I'm being honest,

I'm a little jealous of you first- and second-years.

-Harada. -Yes?

It goes without saying that I'll be contacting Nobunishi and the others too. Okay?

Captain, I hate Nobunishi and his friends.

But I can live with it as long as it means I can play baseball.

I don't care what you want.

All I care about is that we have a functional team.

-Yes, sir. -Bye, then.

Pardon me! Is Takumi here?

This is my house. Of course I'm here.

Oh, you've got a point.

-Did you get a call from Mr. Kaionji? -Just now.

Isn't it awesome? We get to play baseball again tomorrow.

Go!

Oh, Seiha!

You're looking more manly. Have you put on weight?

Do you mean that? I've been eating three square meals a day.

I eat all my vegetables too.

Oh, Seiha, you act so spoiled around Go.

I guess you look for attention because Takumi never gives you any.