Blue Box (アオのハコ)

There is someone...

that I want to meet first thing every morning.

That person is...

Are you all right?

I'm okay.

Sorry! I was practicing my elbow pass.

Show me.

It's turning red.

Did it hurt?

It's really okay!

But...

Wait.

Here, take this.

A treat from her pocket...

Will you forgive me...

in exchange?

Of course!

EIMEI PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL

Eimei Private High School is an integrated junior and senior high school

known as a sports powerhouse.

After retiring from my junior high club activities,

I now practice with the senior high badminton team.

Mornings are for free practice,

and I always want to be the first one in the morning.

But Chinatsu Kano from the girls' basketball team always beats me to it.

In the cool, still air of the school gym,

she practices her shooting with intense focus.

Chinatsu Senpai is someone...

I like.

BLUE BOX

BLUE BOX

EPISODE 1 CHINATSU SENPAI

-If only I could marry her... -Not happening.

Wow, harsh!

What's all this talk about marriage?

I mean, I'd get to see Chinatsu Senpai's face first thing

when waking up in the morning!

That would be awesome!

Do you want coffee?

You can't even go out with her in the first place.

Chinatsu Senpai is the basketball team's next ace.

She not only has talent

but also personality and star quality.

She's popular both inside and outside the school.

On the other hand, you have yet to achieve much in badminton.

And you're not even close to being popular.

You're just a low-level underling who participates in high school practice.

If we were to compare you to schools, Chinatsu Senpai would be a seeded school,

and you'd be the school that gets knocked out in the first round.

You're at completely different levels.

Talking to her at practice is your only point of contact...

I have a point of contact!

My mom's an alum of our school's basketball team.

Private schools are full of kids whose parents also went there.

I get what you're saying, Kyo.

But you can't win if you don't try.

Besides, it's fun to play against a powerhouse school.

At least aim to get to the second round.

Get her to remember your name, or ask for her contact info.

-I see. -What are you talking about?

The heck are you doing?

Salutations!

Are you in elementary school?

Wrong! This spring, I became a high schooler, just like you guys.

I've also gained 7 cm since my elementary school days.

You're still under 150 cm.

Shut up!

You're not even 170 cm!

I'll get taller!

They're both like elementary school kids.

So? Something on your mind?

Not really...

Just asking for reference.

What kind of things... make girls happy?

What's this? Are we talking relationships?

If so, leave it to me!

First of all, don't be weak.

You need to act like someone who is relaxed and reliable!

And the most important thing is...

LIKE MARCE* NGUYEN

...physical beauty!

EIMEI PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL

Asking Hina was a mistake.

Her tastes are way too specific.

Maybe the door's still locked.

Right.

It's now or never.

This is my chance to talk to her!

I should introduce myself... No, that might be too sudden.

THIS AIN'T NO JOB INTERVIEW

I should thank her for the treat... But I haven't eaten it yet.

I OFFER MY THANKS

Got it!

I should ask what she's reading.

RUNNING A STACK PLAY

I'll just keep quiet...

Hey!

Use this if you like!

It's just been washed!

And...

here's some hot tea.

This thermos is great at keeping things warm.

Here are some gloves, and a pocket heater!

It gets warm if you shake...

Shoot! I jumped the gun!

What is it?

I was curious what you'd hand me next.

I'm kidding.

Thanks for looking out for me.

No worries.

She laughed...

I'm fine, so make sure you keep warm.

Isn't this...

kinda like a newlywed wife tying her husband's tie.

-Sorry. -It's okay.

I noticed this the other day too,

but Chinatsu Senpai has a low body temperature.

Finished.

Sorry I'm late.

It's okay.

Don't catch a cold, Taiki Inomata.

How do you know my name?

Good question. I wonder why.

Has she known all this time...?

You have a great mom.

Mom?

TAIKI INOMATA

So embarrassing!

But she said my name...

It's still so embarrassing!

Break time!

Taiki, get a damp cloth.

Roger!

In any case, she remembered my name.

Taiki Inomata.

Her saying my name was more destructive than I expected.

Anyway, I made it to the second round.

Now to the third round.

Ask for her contact info!

Chinatsu Senpai and the girls' basketball coach?

What're you up to?

Hina!

Nothing!

You mustn't aim too high.

You're one to talk.

I just thought they looked serious.

I saw that girl walking with a boy the other day.