Battery

It's a nice day today.

That reminds me, Sawaguchi was complaining.

He doesn't want to be a senior...

...or have to retire from the team.

What about you? You think about stuff like that?

There's no point thinking about the future.

I see. It's pretty normal to think about.

Didn't you say you wanted to go to the Koshien tournament?

A year ago, I did.

But I can't even think about that now.

I'm too tired.

Just thinking about being stuck with you in high school is all I can handle.

Go. Why did you come back?

Why did you think to be my catcher again?

Do you want to be friends with me or something?

What's the reason you put those mitts on?

Takumi...

The pitch you threw Mr. Kaionji...

...was that...?

Grandpa, this rice is funny.

Takumi, the rice cooker is broken. The rice isn't cooked.

Grandpa, did you not put enough water in?

Don't be stupid.

Then you pressed the wrong button.

You probably hit "warm" instead of "cook."

Would you mind not telling your mother about this?

-What is it? -Hush money.

I'll go buy some take out with it and do some shopping.

Seiha, make a shopping list.

Okay! We need bread and strawberries. I want some hot dogs too!

-Why are you staring at me? -I was just impressed.

You're sounding very capable.

Did you think I couldn't do anything but play baseball?

It was meant as a compliment.

It's not that you can't do anything...

...you've just never tried to do anything else.

I don't need anything else.

Takumi, don't be a person chosen by baseball.

Be a person who chooses baseball.

What does that mean?

Do you know what's out there in the world?

You have no idea what you can and can't do, do you?

Once you know that, and if you still want to play baseball...

...then you can say you chose it yourself.

Hey, should we get milk and ramen too?

It's okay, Grandpa. Takumi's not mad.

That right? I thought I might've crossed a line again.

-But that was really cool, Grandpa. -It was cool?

Yeah! You're the coolest when you're talking about baseball with Takumi.

Shun. There's something I want to ask you.

What is it?

Do you really think that I can't beat Harada?

Are you stupid? Your weakness is that naivety of yours.

It doesn't matter what I think.

You should learn from the princess. He only believes in himself.

But you're the only one who knows all my faults...

...and still believes in me.

I never believed in you.

I mean, who's gonna believe in someone who punched them in the face?

Shun, I heard you turned down the sports scholarship.

Where did you hear that from?

Was it my mom? I bet she went to complain to your mom.

You could get in anywhere you wanted.

So why did pick a school without a baseball team?

Because I don't want to play baseball in high school too.

Then what are you going to do? Soccer?

-Nothing. -Nothing?

You're going to spend three years doing nothing?

That's right. I'm planning on just hanging around and doing nothing.

That sounds pretty rough.

Maybe.

Do you really hate baseball that much?

No. I don't hate it. I still love it.

Does it hurt?

Of course it hurts!

I'd like to meet the guy who's fine after getting hit by a huge oaf like you.

Sorry about that.

Apologizing isn't going to help it hurt any less.

You violent types are such trouble.

You're the only person I've ever felt like hitting.

Shun, why?

You provoked me.

It was different than usual. You really pushed me.

You wanted me to hit you, didn't you?

But why...?

You got me.

Shugo. You're not as dumb as I thought you were.

Harada.

I didn't know you were so popular.

-The flowers. -Stupid.

These are from Nonomura, not a girl.

It's customary for the new captain to give flowers to the former one.

I didn't know that.

Everyone clapped for us.

You and Yoshisada were the only ones not there.

Yoshisada wasn't there either?

Apparently he fell asleep during the ceremony, so he was getting yelled at.

That's so like him, huh?

It sure is.

-Are you serious? -What?

About the upcoming game.

Are you thinking I wouldn't be throwing it seriously?

No.

Then why ask me that?

I just had a thought.

Harada, have you ever been serious about anything?

That made you angry, didn't it?

You thought that you would've punched me if I weren't your senpai.

I didn't. I'll listen to what you have to say.

-What do you think about Kadowaki? -Mr. Kadowaki?

Do you think he's a great batter or something?

Yes.

-Is that all? -What else is there?

Harada, you'll lose.

You mean he'll hit off of me?

I can't really express it well...

...but I think you and Nagakura could stand to be a little more afraid.

I mean, you can't win if you don't.

-Scared of Mr. Kadowaki? -That's right.

He's really serious about this.

You want me to fear him because he's serious?

Harada, be scared. Kadowaki is going to really come after you this game.

He's not thinking about winning or losing. He's only coming for you.

I can't be scared.

What good is a pitcher that's afraid of a batter?

Logically, yes.

I'm a pitcher. That's why I won't lose to anybody.

-Got rejected, huh? -Coach.

You got totally rejected there, Kaionji.

There was something I had to say to Harada, but I had trouble expressing it.

It wouldn't have helped anyway.

-No? -What did he say?

He said I'm a pitcher, so I won't lose to anybody. Honestly.

Is that something a normal 13-year-old says?

What should I do?

You already warned Harada. That's enough.

You don't need to do any more.

I honestly think it's amazing.

-What is? -You.

Me? Not Harada?

Don't bring him up. He's just a conceited little brat.

But he's a natural born pitcher...

Mr. Tomura. You have a phone call.

I leave Harada and Nagakura in your hands. Do what you want.

What's wrong? I'm leaving the whole battery to you. Does that not satisfy you?

No, it's....

You promised Kadowaki that Harada would pitch, didn't you?

So I'll leave the battery under your care until the game.

I won't butt in.

-Yes? -Hello, Mizugaki.

Oh, is that you, Kaionji?