Battery

There's still snow even though it's the end of March.

Really, snow? Where?

Oh, wow! You're right! Dad, can you stop the car?

Watch Your Footing

Seiha, you have to put on a jacket! You'll get another fever.

I'm okay, Mom!

It's so cold!

It's really snow!

Here, Bro! I made a snowball!

Try throwing it, Seiha.

There's a bird on that branch up there.

I think that's a varied tit.

Okay, let's go then. It's getting late.

Seiha, did you aim that throw?

The bird. Did you aim for it?

No, because I didn't want to hit it.

-Then did you aim for the branch? -Yup!

I'm glad you weren't the one who threw the snowball.

Because you can hit anything you want.

-You could've killed the bird. -Seiha, Takumi! Come on!

Strike!

Okayama Prefecture Welcome to Nitta

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

Bro, we made it to Grandpa's house!

Takumi, good to see you.

Seiha, it's your grandfather.

This is our first time meeting, Seiha.

What's so funny?

Because you're like the spirit of this plum tree!

A plum spirit? Well, I'm not sure how to take that.

How do you like your room?

-I'm going to go for a run. -Right now?

Okay, it might be good for you to see what's around here.

Do you see that building up there? That's Nitta Higashi Junior High.

I know. Their baseball team is not that good.

You looked them up?

Is it a problem for you that they're not good?

No.

But you won't be able to make it to national tournaments...

...if you're struggling at the district tournaments.

We will.

I'd rather have them say we won because I was on the team...

...instead of it being expected all along.

I mean, the White Tigers weren't much of a team either...

...but we made it to the Chugoku regional tournament.

Although we lost in the semi-finals.

Going out for a jog?

Grandpa, I want to ask you something.

About how to heat a bath? You need experience.

Can you teach me your breaking ball?

Breaking ball? Like a curve ball?

Curve ball, and a sinker if possible.

What are you going to do learning a sinker at 12 or 13?

You'll just damage your elbow.

A good pitcher doesn't throw a half-assed breaking ball.

I can't stand having people throw pitches I can't throw myself.

What kind of nonsense is that?

It shouldn't matter to you what other pitchers pitch.

I don't care about the logic.

I'm not planning on using a sinker in a game.

Don't underestimate baseball.

You just want to be able to throw it? You fool!

How much strain do you think you're going to be putting on this elbow...

...to learn how to throw a sinker?

Instead of learning how to throw a mediocre sinker now...

...just wait until your body fully develops enough to pitch halfway decently.

Now, go on and start your run.

Take a right after the gate.

There's a shrine after you cross the bridge.

That should be a perfect distance for a run.

Strike.

Nice form!

I went fishing and a man came down from the shrine. I saw it.

You can fish around here?

They're bluegills.

Hey, Go. Let's go.

It's getting dark.

All right. Do you want to come fishing with us next time?

I'm not that interested in fishing.

Are you only interested in baseball?

You're Takumi Harada, aren't you? From the White Tigers?

Am I really that famous?

I suppose. Our team actually made it to the prefecture tournament last year.

Last year?

Coach said this pitcher Harada is old man Ioka's grandson.

We saw one of your games from the Chugoku tournament.

You said you made it to the prefectural tournament last year.

Yeah, with the Nitta Stars.

So are you going to be in junior high this year?

Obviously! I graduated elementary school just fine.

-We'll see you later. -Bye. Go!

You want a ride?

No, I'm good. I'll run.

What's your name? I know it's Go, but what's your last name?

Oh, Nagakura. I live pretty close.

Also your mom and my mom were classmates.

I can't wait to see you pitch.

Right by the batter?

I only saw it from a distance...

...but your ball didn't lose any speed when it got to the plate.

Of course not.

I bet batters have trouble when a ball like that comes in low.

If they go to swing for it.

And if they don't swing for it?

They get struck out.

You want me to throw to you?

You're a catcher, right? You want to try taking my pitch?

You'll really throw one to me?!

Yeah, sure. Only if you can catch it.

Oh, don't you worry about that.

So I'll come by tomorrow morning. That okay?

All our furniture is getting here tomorrow. I'll be busy in the morning.

I'll help! I'm pretty strong, so I know I'll be useful.

All right! Don't forget!

You were out late. We've already had dinner.

Bro, it's sukiyaki! Hurry up!

You were out for quite a while.

The whole trip should've barely been five kilometers.

Well, he'd been in a car for several hours today.

Even Takumi would get exhausted after that.

Dad. Do you really believe that?

Believe what?

Do you really think I was late because I got tired?

Is that not the case?

Takumi, what is with your attitude?

Everyone is trying to have a pleasant meal.

You're free to sulk, but try being more consi--

Makiko, that's enough.

Thank you for watching.

You were talking with somebody, weren't you?

Right? You met someone along the way and started talking.

I met some weird guy. His name was Go Nagakura.

You met Go? His family runs Nagakura Hospital.