number24

Natsu.

Hey, Sei. Good morning!

Still feeling numb?

Yeah. A little bit. But otherwise, I'm a-okay.

Hand it over.

Really though, I'm doing fine!

I talked to your mom yesterday.

Crap. I forgot to call her back!

Guess she tried you instead, huh?

Sorry. Was it about the paperwork

for repeating the school year?

I think the first two minutes

of the conversation were about school stuff.

The last hour was about how

her favorite idol group is breaking up.

She barely talked about me?

Actually, she started crying.

About her boy band, I bet.

You need a break?

No. I'm all right.

It's been a while since I've walked anywhere this far is all,

so don't you worry about me!

Who am I kidding?

I'm totally about to make you worry. A whole lot.

Catch you later.

You should probably head to your own class.

Last thing we need is you getting held back, too.

I'll come by and get you after class,

so wait here for me.

You're the best, Sei!

I'll be back in the swing of things in no time.

There's no rush.

Is that Natsu?!

I was so worried. It's great to have you back,

but are you sure you're okay?

Uh. I am.

Looks like we're gonna be first years together,

so hopefully you can watch my back.

Yes, sir. Don't hesitate to ask me for help.

I'm here for you, buddy!

Wow. That's nice of you.

But first, you should cool off a little.

Oh! Sorry 'bout that. I ran all the way over here!

Oh. Yasunari?

Hey, how've you been? Long time no see.

What's up?

Uh? Say, that reminds me.

I saw some of this year's league fixtures.

Sei showed me a few videos, and I was wo--

Are you giving me advice?

Uh. Nah, man. Just wondering how you felt.

Good, Because I wasn't looking for any pointers.

Especially not from you.

Uhh...

Hey, wait up!

Hold on, Yasunari. Dude, slow down!

Was it something I said, or what?

I don't ever remember him being like that back in high school.

Oh, god, ew!

I'm gettin' nervous.

What's there to be scared about?

Mm. Uh, nothing.

Yeah, 's all good!

So why don't we get a move-on Natsu--

everyone's waiting!

Whoa--!

Natsusa. Welcome back!

Don't be careless

Hey, Taylor. Knock it off!

It's his first day back, so take it easy.

Oh, sorry. Whoa, did you shrink while you were in the hospital?

Nuh-uh. He lost muscle, not height.

But that's pretty unavoidable

when you're laid up in bed for half a year.

I dunno.

I feel like he was always kinda shrimpy to begin with.

Everyone really lost all sense of boundaries

when I was away, huh?

Hi, stranger. Welcome back!

--Oh, hey! --Sup, bro? Feeling better?

Hey, what's up, Taku?

I haven't seen the whole gang in forever.

What's with the shakedown?

We're celebrating.

Yeah. We're just loving on him!

More like bullying on me!

Hey.

Uh?

Hurry up and start stretching already.

Yes, sir!

Gotta run. Time for practice.

Hmph.

Well, see ya.

Mm-hm.

It's great to see you face-to-face, Captain.

Are you sure you wanna do this?

Wait, are you saying I can't? Am I too annoying?

Huh?

I know I can be a pain in the butt sometimes,

so if you decide to change your mind,

then I understand. Oh...

Uh...

Natsusa, wouldjya stop guilt tripping Gakuto?

I didn't change my mind, I was only checking in.

If this is what you want, I support you.

We're announcing you at the meeting.

The matches for the year have already begun.

And we still don't have enough bodies on the field.

So you'd be doing us a favor.

All right!

All right you guys, listen up!

We brought you in here so we could announce Natsusa

as the official manager and trainer of the rugby club!

Welcome!

Uh...

I'm sure that I'll trip up a bit

while I'm still learning the ropes.

But either way I'm gonna give it my all!

Looks like he might be a little mad.

Wait a minute, Natsu does that mean you're gonna help us

with our stretches and act as our timekeeper,

and maybe even wash our uniforms every time

we practice and have a match and stuff?

Uh. I suppose I'm gonna have to?

No way! I can't believe it.

That's so motivating!

Well, on that note, we should end our meeting for the day.

Everyone, make sure to stretch out properly,

and cool down your muscles with plenty of ice.

You know, this could actually be pretty cool!

Uh?

Earth to Sei. Hey. Are you ignoring me?

Please don't be mad.

Who said I was?

You're totally pissed at me!

I knew you would've been against it if I told you

from the get-go.

A manager still has to hustle; there's lots of heavy lifting.

You can't sit during practice. Cold days'll be rough.

I'll be careful!

That'll get you far.

I need...

You suffered a severe hernia.

That means no strenuous physical activity.

Rugby? Well, that's out of the question.

I guarantee there's no way that your body

would be able to handle that kind of stress.

I need...

I need this. Okay?

I'm begging.

It's the only way I can stay in the game.

But you'll be stuck on the sidelines. Are you sure?

Well, if you ever need a hand, then,

of course I'll be there to lend it to you.

Don't walk so fast.

You starting to get hungry yet?

You want some home cooking from your best buddy Natsu?

Yeah. Toriten.

Fried chicken. Uhh...

That'll kinda take a lot of work to put together.

You're suggested cooking in the first place,

so don't complain now.

Looks tasty!

Hey, Natsu!

Over here, Seiichirou!

Sup, Fuuga. Ya mind if we sit with you?

It'd be my pleasure!

Hello. Nice to meet you!

Yayoi Tsudura, am I right?

And you're Kotori Kureha. The two of you came from

Fukuoka South High School, didn't you?

That's us. And I gotta say,

I'm flattered that you even remembered our names!

Right? Kotori?

Whatever.

As soon as I decided to become a manager,

I got to work memorizing the profiles of every club member.

So when did you guys start rugby.

Cause I totally remember your team.

Pretty sure we played against you a few times.

--Kotori, aren't you a-- -- Hey.

Uh?

I really hate my name.

So try not to use it so much, okay?

Hey, now...

That was cold.

No, it's fine. My bad.

I can't get a word in with anyone today.

Fuuga's ravenous as ever.

And you can really put it away for someone your size, Yayoi.

That guy over there.

I think his file said he's a first-year student

named Yuu Mashiro?

He went to Raselle High School in Kyushu.

That's a super hard school to get into.

Honestly, I'm pretty impressed.

Why is he eating alone?

I'm not sure.

We take a lot of the same classes together

and he seems to be a friendly guy,