Tumbling (Shintaiso ga, oretachi o otoko ni shita / タンブリング / 新体操が、オレ達をオトコにした)

Let me join the club.

What?

Let me join the rhythmic gymnastics club too.

I'm going to do rhythmic gymnastics!

Be that manager thing.

Would you like to join us?

Defeat Washizu Academy!

I don't think people who run away can produce results.

I can't leave you be.

You're exactly the same as I was.

The person on the phone was your father.

They've told him how long his life expectancy is...

He's being treated at a hospice.

Don't be so stubborn. Go see him.

If he dies, you'll never get to talk to him again.

I was able to move forward because of you!

It's your turn next.

You're Wataru?

Come in.

What's with your hair?

Are you a rooster?

Is that all you've got to say?

Right back at you. Can't you even ask, "How are you feeling?" I'm...

...a sick man.

What?

But, I'm surprised.

For me to have a son this big...

It's the biggest surprise of my life.

I'm about ready to drop dead any second, you know.

Onodera-san, it's time for your medicine.

Is this... your son?

No.

Even if we're related by blood...

...you and I are strangers.

You're both so awkward...

His...

...his eyes. I liked the look in them.

I see. You went and saw your father.

Yup.

So?

How'd it go?

I don't really know. It's just like that, y'know.

Were you able to have a good conversation with him?

That sort of thing doesn't really matter.

There's less than a week until the tournament.

Let's give practice everything we've got.

Let's go!

Having your dad appear out of nowhere like that...

It's not an easy thing to accept.

Yeah. Plus, he's always been a little awkward.

Yeah...

Hino-kun.

You're not going to wear the t-shirt everyone made?

Please wait.

I think it's important to enjoy what you do.

I'm not doing rhythmic gymnastics to have fun.

Then why are you doing it?

Are you trying to rebel against your father?

Oh, Shoko-sensei.

Why didn't you say anything?

You lied about not doing any sports.

Well, it happened a long time ago...

If you were a pro athlete, then...

...shouldn't you be able to give better guidance based on that experience?

Well, soccer and rhythmic gymnastics are entirely different sports.

Former Olympic athlete?

Yeah. Hino-kun's father is really famous in the world of artistic gymnastics...

Right now he's the director of the Gymnastics Association.

His older brother, too...

He's a favorite on the next artistic gymnastics Olympic team. He's amazing.

Which means his dad and brother are super elite.

Yeah. Hino also did artistic gymnastics until middle school, but...

...he switched to rhythmic gymnastics.

His father compares him to his accomplished older brother...

It must make him feel inferior.

Even he has his own issues, then.

Tumbling Episode 7

How long do you intend to continue with rhythmic gymnastics?

I was asked about you at today's board meeting of the Gymnastics Association, and was very embarrassed.

I know you're trying to punish me.

Stop acting like a child.

Hey there, wait up.

Sorry, but could you lend me some money?

Hey, don't ignore me.

Gimme your wallet.

I'll let you go if you do.

You guys are trash.

What was that?

Don't talk down to me!

Just leave it be.

What do you want?

Crap, that's Kara High's Azuma.

- Azuma? - Yeah.

Geez, what're you doing?

What? Did I ask for kabocha?

It's fine. They represent my feelings for you.

I have decided!

No matter what happens, I have decided...

...to protect Natsuko-san and Wataru with all of my strength...

- I'm home. - Welcome back.

Welcome back.

Kaachan, where's the first aid kit?

Let's see, I think it's in the bottom drawer of the cabinet in the living room.

Hello.

Hey. Come on up.

How unusual for him to bring a friend home at this time of night...

Oh, Shige-chan. I'm sorry, were you saying something?

I...

- No, never mind. It'll wait. - I see. Then, I'll close this...

Don't pick fights when you don't know how to defend yourself.

Are things not going well with your dad?

It's none of your business.

I don't know what happened, but...

Isn't it a good thing that you're able to fight with your dad?

A good thing? You've gotta be kidding.

Do you understand what it feels like to be told you're an embarrassment by your own parents?

Embarrassment?

It's rhythmic gymnastics.

He's never come to see me once at a competition.

He doesn't acknowledge that I exist.

The other day...

...my dad, who I had been told was dead, appeared out of nowhere.

I went to see him, but...

I have no idea what to talk to him about.

In the end, we didn't even spend 5 minutes together.

I don't understand what a "dad" really is.

Ever since I was a kid, not having a dad was normal.

But, your dad has always been around, hasn't he?

So, don't run away...

Just hold your head up and talk to him.

Are you in any position to lecture me?

What?

The one running away...

Isn't that you?

Thank you for having me.

Good morning.

- Kaachan. - Hm?

What kind of guy was he?

That guy...

When we were in school, he was obsessed with rugby.

Every day, he'd get covered in mud with his friends...

He was just like you are now, Wataru.

Why...

Why did you break up?

I didn't tell him, but...

His father...

...came to me, bowed his head, and asked me to break up with him.

His family is very famous in our home town...

His father was a city councilman.

I'm sure he would have preferred a more suitable bride for his successor.

Soon after we broke up...

...I found out that I was pregnant with you, but...

I never told him.

Why?

That's the reason you raised me by yourself, burdened yourself with suffering?

I've never thought of it as "suffering."

I decided on this path myself. I have no regrets.

That's how I've lived my life.

That's right...

But, even if that was okay for me...

...I wonder how it was for you, Wataru.

I'm sorry, Wataru.

I'm going to see him.

What?

I'm gonna go fight him.

What? You're back?

Hey...

I've come to settle this with you.

What?

He said he's here to fight you.

Fine then.

Then, outside.

Let's go.

Shall we get started?

Come and get me.

Come and get me.

Are you stupid?

Huh?

You're here to fight, right? C'mon.

Come on. Hey.

It may not be your fault.

But...

I know it was tough on my mom.

I found out how my dad meddled...

...afterwards.

I searched everywhere for Natsuko.

But, I wasn't able to find her.

I know I didn't do the right thing.

Not for Natsuko...

...and not for you.

You smoke?

What? Who in the world would encourage a high schooler to smoke?

I was just kidding.

- Hey. - What're you doing?

Sick people shouldn't be smoking.

Quiet, you. I'm sure you're smoking on the sly. Give it.

Give it here, you.

I quit smoking.

If I got in trouble, I couldn't compete at the tournament.

Tournament?