Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun (潔癖男子！青山くん)

We're deep into added time at the end of the second half, and the score remains 1-1.

This will probably be the last action of the game for Japan's Under-16s.

Goal!

You know, I don't mind you celebrating...

Aoyama!

...but can you please not hug me and stuff?

You'll get me dirty.

Aoyama-kun sure is a clean freak.

#01

Aoyama-kun Is a Clean Freak

Fujimi High School

Aoyama-kyun...

So cool!

It's so clean!

I wish he'd wipe it every day!

Aoyama-kun!

Wow, it's so sparkly!

You're amazing, Aoyama!

Aoyama-kun!

I get it, Aoyama.

Even as you clean, you feel like the dirt keeps coming back,

leaving you in an endless loop where you just keep cleaning forever.

A-o-ya-ma!

Practice has already started.

Zaizen-san...

You're already worn out!

Do you have enough in the tank for practice?!

I want to hear you guys!

Yes, sir!

Aoyama-kun!

What kind of soap are you using?

Aoyama-kun, that's some impressive lathering!

Far post!

Keep your eyes on your man!

Here it comes!

Aoyama-kun!

His hands are so clean.

Look at his fingertips!

Damn you...

How long are you going to keep that up?

I'll kill you!

That's enough.

Coach Miwa.

Kaocchi, Aoyama's an extreme germaphobe.

Could you please stop calling me that?

Ah, it's all good.

Just keep an eye out for him, as his senior.

After all, you'll be linking up because of the positions you play.

"Linking up..."

Pass!

Header!

Eek!

I don't see it working in the slightest,

but with him on the team, winning the district prelims isn't a pipe dream.

Hey, Aoyama!

Make sure you stay hydrated.

No.

Drink it!

I'd rather die.

What?

I told you. He's a germaphobe.

He won't use something if someone else has touched or drank from it.

Does he really have to wash it?

Here it comes!

Just you watch, Aoyama...

It's a cross!

I have the height advantage.

I'll jump higher than you and score!

Why isn't he jumping?

Gotcha!

Just leave the muscleheads to us.

We got this.

That was a blatant foul!

Is it a throw-in?

I'll take it!

Thank you.

What is this?

Don't get so worked up.

That guy's kinda fun.

Exactly. The real winners are the ones who have the most fun.

Keep it fun!

Aoyama-kun!

Here it comes!

If you think you can get away with everything just because you're good,

you're in for a rude awakening, you idiot!

And you guys! Quit coddling him!

You know what I mean!

Dude, don't you realize you're far more coddled than he is?

I mean, just look at those brand spanking new cleats.

He's right! Coddle City!

I got these from my daddy— I mean, my old man!

Oldest son of a business mogul? What is your life, a TV show?!

Get outta here, Richie Rich!

And what is with that old butler ferrying you to and from school?!

Yeah! Right on!

Try experiencing the crush of a morning rush hour train for once!

Amen!

Seriously? I'm the more coddled one here?

No!

Being spoiled rotten has nothing to do with this...

...and you have even less to do with this, baseball team!

Hey, Aoyama!

You're gonna start taking soccer seriously!

I told you all to get along!

There it is!

Miwa-chan's "ippon seoi nage" throw!

That's a third dan judo master for you!

Another clean throw.

Why is a judo aficionado even coaching the soccer team?

He jumps out of the way of passes,

he won't head the ball,

and any kind of contact play is out.

I don't care how talented he is.

I will never accept someone like him!

Hey, what are you doing?

U-Um, I...

What was that all about?

Kaocchi.

Coach?

I really would like you to stop calling me that.

What's up?

I'll take care of locking up the clubhouse.

It's not that. It's about Aoyama being a clean freak.

I don't care if he's a clean freak or whatever.

He's either not serious about soccer, or he just doesn't care.

You think so?

It's obvious!

He'll use wanting to stay clean as an excuse

to just look on when the game's hanging in the balance.

He won't even touch the ball without rubber gloves.

You're right about that.

After every session, Aoyama cleans the balls like that without fail.

Well, sure he does. He is a clean freak, after all.

But why does he put on that ridiculous outfit to do it?

He has to, or else he can't clean the balls.

It's a tremendous handicap.

He can't do what everybody is able to do naturally.

You sweat and get dirty.

Once the game starts, you can't avoid contact with others.

It must be rough for a germaphobe.

In spite of all that, he engages in soccer activities every day.

Polishing the balls is probably like a ritual to him.

It's like a "thank you" to the balls.

Aoyama is a true soccer nerd.

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun

Hot-Blooded Scion! Zaizen Kaoru

Fujimi High School

So this is Fujimi High School, where I'll find Aoyama.

I don't believe this.

Oh, well. It won't matter once I win.

From tomorrow, you'll be part of our team!

That's the famous Oshigami-Minami High.

That's Takechi, the guy who was picked along with Aoyama for Japan's Under-16s.

He's Tokyo's number one forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I heard they'd only send the reserves...

He's coming this way.

Fine by me.

I'll go introduce myself.

Hey! Don't cause any trouble!

Hey.

It's been a while, Aoyama!

Takechi-san?

That over-waxed little gel-head!

He's actually gelled it really well.

Aoyama, why did you reject our invitation?