ORESUKI: Are you the only one who loves me? (俺を好きなのはお前だけかよ)

Sun-chan. It must've been so frustrating to you.

You were so close to Koushien.

Hey.

What?

She's the beautiful girl from the bleachers!

Oh, that's an interesting expression.

Ahem.

I-Is there something I can help you with?

I spoke to you because I'm interested in you.

A-Am I being a nuisance?

No, no, not at all!

That's good.

She's cute!

Can I make a proposal?

By all means! What is it?

It's still hot out here, so could we move to a cooler place?

Maybe a coffee shop? I'd like to talk to you more.

No?

Sorry, I can't.

Why is that?

I'm waiting here for someone.

My best friend.

You already have plans?

Nope. I'm waiting here on my own volition.

The guy I'm waiting for...

NISHIKIZUTA TOSHOBU

When he feels down, he takes the whole burden on himself.

That's why...

I don't want him to be alone.

I see.

So why don't we continue this another day?

Yes, why don't we?

I'd like to make fun memories with you then.

I don't have any friends at school, so I'm lonely.

Then I'll make them for you.

Awesome friends. No, best friends!

You don't know how thrilled I am.

That's a promise.

Leave it to me!

Then I'll be on my way.

H-Hey! Can I get your name and contact info?

Don't worry. We'll meet again.

Seriously?

Oh, well. Can't do anything about it now.

I hope Sun-chan comes out soon.

That's right. I'm not the main character of this story.

I'm fully aware of that.

But just for a little bit.

It's just for a little bit.

Would you listen to my story?

All right!

Nice ball!

Yes!

That's the way, Oga!

Pitch just like that for our next game!

Y-Yes, sir! Th-Thank you!

Back in elementary school,

Have more confidence in yourself!

Because of my reserved personality, it was hard making friends with my fellow teammates.

You're amazing, Oga!

As expected from our team's ace, number four, right?

Y-Yeah.

Only the catcher, Shiba, would really talk to me.

Thanks.

So Shiba was someone who was precious to me.

So tired...

Huh? What's that?

Oh, this?

A Nomo keychain.

It's my treasure.

Nomo, huh?

That's cool.

Thanks.

Go straight home, without stopping anywhere!

Yes, sir! Goodbye!

- I'm starving. - I'm so tired!

I want to get something to eat!

It's gone! It was right here just before!

What's wrong, Oga?

My keychain is gone!

That's terrible!

- What should I do? - We just have to look for it!

Okay, I'll check the field!

Shiba!

Thank you.

It's nothing. After all, we're friends.

Shiba...

There's no way I would've dropped it around here, right?

You're a riot, Shiba.

You can count on me!

He'll never find that keychain now.

Right?

Oga trusts me, after all. It was child's play.

Shiba...

It's no fair that the coach always singles him out.

I wish that jerk would just quit the team.

I know.

If Oga weren't around, I'd be...

They hate me.

What should I do?

Pathetic, right?

I believed in Shiba, but he betrayed me.

And yet, instead of being angry, I was scared.

I was scared of being hated.

I was scared of being rejected.

That's why I...

Hey, everybody! From today, start calling me Sun-chan!

All right! Let's work hard together today!

I hid my true self and became "Sun-chan."

Whatever the circumstances, I'd smile and try to shine light on everyone.

JULY

It's finally here.

REGIONAL TOURNAMENT FINAL!!

The day of reckoning.

For now...

Previously, with Amatsuyu Kisaragi...

Hose is Pansy's mortal enemy and a naturally dense main character of a romantic comedy.

My one job was to keep them apart, but I facilitated their reunion.

As a result, the immediate problem of the school library closure was solved,

but at the cost of an even greater problem arising.

So in order to set Pansy free from the curse of Hose's good intentions,

I challenged him, with Pansy on the line.

Or that was the idea.

But for some reason, three beautiful girls

made the situation much more complicated by confessing their love to me!

It's okay. You can give me your answer after your challenge is settled.

I'll wait for you! After all, I really love you!

I'll be waitin' for your answer.

O-Okay, I get it!

I'll be waiting for you, Joro!

What the hell kind of twist is this?

Okay, you have that squared away, so now let's cut to the chase.

The chase?

Yeah, about your challenge.

The six of us girls each have a barrette, so let each one of us add a rule.

Why?

Because you might cheat otherwise.

They're on to me!

Stare.

We agree with that proposal.

Indeed.

I'm surrounded by too many enemies!

So what kind of rules?

Well, I'll start.

Go ahead.

First, each girl can only give one barrette to one guy.

That makes sense.

Yep!

Roger.

- I'm next. - Sure.

Once you've given a barrette, there are no do-overs.

Good one.

Roger!

Okay, me!

After the six of us have given our barrettes and the regional's final game is over,

so is this challenge!

Agreed!

Roger.

So it can't be prolonged.

- All right, I've got one. - Go ahead.

Let's make it so we can only give a barrette when Joro and Hose are together.

Good idea!

Yeah.

- I see. - Sniff.

I'm next.

Of course there's no stealing barrettes.

Only the intention of the person who gives it counts.

- Yeah! - Agreed.

All of these rules are aimed at me!

And last but not least, Sumirekocchi!

The punishment definitely applies to whomever loses.

These are all good rules.

Joro, Hose, there are no problems with any of these, right?

Nope! No problems at all!

No, I sure don't.

I've already been through a lifetime's worth of misery!

HINATA

Joro? Good morning! Were you awake?

Yeah.

So let's go to the ball park together for today's final game!

Together?

Yeah!

Himawari.

Do you think you can hold on to Joro?

Yeah, I've got this!

Then as soon as you get to the ball park, if you meet up with Cherry and the others...

Right!

So listen, I'm on my way to your place now, so take your time getting ready.

Yeah, of course!

See you!

REGIONAL TOURNAMENT FINAL!!

All right.

Hurry!

- Where is he? - Joro, where are you!

He must've beaten us here!

To think he would devise a plan to escape...

How could he have realized?

Let's stay calm and split up to search for him!

GENKI YAKITORI

- Right. - Okay. Joro!