Please don't go.
Please.
Please don't leave me alone right now.
Natsuki...
What's the matter?
I...
...have things to do.
Is that right?
I'm sorry.
What happened?
Nothing. It's nothing.
Nothing at all.
Meeting someone?
Yeah.
A friend.
So...
I have to get going.
I see...
I'm really okay now. Go.
Here.
Don't catch cold.
Batteries went dead. This is bad.
Naoki!
Riko!
Sorry I'm late.
Didn't you have an umbrella?
I think I might have left it in my room.
- Have you been waiting long? - No.
- Forgive me. - Anyhow, let's go!
Come in! Come in!
I'll get you a towel.
That's right... will you make it to the bus on time?
Eh?
Ah, that's okay. I won't be able to make that bus.
Eh?
I couldn't think of what I should do, but at least I wanted to wait for Naoki.
There's one left.
I'll go home by train tomorrow.
I've already contacted my parents.
I'm sorry you couldn't go back.
No. It's okay.
Was practice tough?
- It ran a little long. - I see.
Hey,
what's this?
That's okay, that's okay! That... don't look at it!
What's this?
Whaa! Is it French toast?
You made some.
Never mind, never mind that! Don't eat it.
It's okay already.
Next time I'll teach you how.
I knew it.
And I followed the recipe, too.
I'm joking. It was really good! Thank you.
Just a joke, huh...
It's true. Plus, I'm hungry.
- Want any? - No.
- Truth is... - Uhm.
I was a little scared there.
When I thought you might not be coming, I got a little scared.
It'd be impossible for me not to come.
- I promised you. - Yeah.
Still,
someone could have showed up along the way; some other person you might have liked could have appeared.
Thinking very carefully about myself,
I thought maybe you didn't love me all that much,
so I wondered what I should do.
You don't have to think like that, now do you?
I must look like a fool.
I'm sorry for making you worry.
Sorry, I have a call.
Hello?
Hello.
This is Nanami.
Is it possible you're with Naoki right now?
Eh?
Ah! I was right after all!
He said he was going to meet a friend, so I thought it might be Riko-chan.
Naoki was late, wasn't he?
I'm sorry.
It was my fault.
Ah...
No.
I walked out forgetting my umbrella,
so he caught up with me and gave me an umbrella and a towel.
So I was right, it is Riko-chan.
I caused both of you some trouble.
But, Naoki didn't do anything wrong.
It's all my fault.
No.
Just before the Season is an important time for Naoki,
so he needs to be careful not to catch cold, okay?
We'll have dinner again sometime, okay?
See you again!
Yeah. Again.
Are you okay? Is it about your job?
No.
Naoki,
you need to leave early today, don't you?
Eh?
I don't want you catching cold.
Don't worry. I'm in super health right now.
Still, this is an important time for you...
I wonder if it wouldn't be best if you hurried home
and got into a bath and warmed up...
Yeah.
Thanks.
Then, maybe I should...
It's been opened with the key.
Eh?!
We're home!
Welcome back.
Oh?
Riko, weren't you going home to your parents?
Then we could have invited Riko-san out, too!
My practice ended early today, so we went out to eat.
Eh...
It ended early?
Still, that set-menu store had the greatest noodles, didn't it?
It did. They're making a profit.
They are.
But that Chinese shop in Wakayama,
there were far fewer noodles in their base soup.
Mmm.
Riko.
- What's the matter? - No.
It's nothing.
"At that time..."
"Floating inside my head..."
"...wasn't Riko's smile,"
"but Natsuki's small form from behind..."
Buzzer Beat ~Hero on the Edge~
Episode 09: "Torn Bonds"
Softsubs by Heiwa Fansubs. Special thanks to furransu for timings.
If you would please.
- 116 over 73. - Yes. Take a big breath.
How'd it go, Utsu?
My height has shrunk a little.
Isn't that too soon?
How about you, Naoki?
Let's see... I increased my weight by 1.5 kg.
- Oh! That's the result of your weight training, isn't it? - Yes.
"Thank you very much for the other day. Natsuki"
Brings back memories...
Ah, Naoki-san's here. Hey, Naoki.
The press conference for the PBA starts tomorrow,
would you go along with Utsu-san to it?
- You want me? - Yeah.
Yoyogi's looks, see,
would be too wild in an official place like that.
And Moriguchi-san's mustache is too thick.
And on those points,
Naoki looks nice and clean.
Thank you very much.
- Then, I'll go. - Yeah.
Riko!
Mom!
Welcome home.
I'm back!
- Doing okay? - I'm doing great!
While you'll do the interview in your uniform, since there'll be executives from the sponsors there, be sure and bring a suit just in case.
Yes. I got it.
Come in.
Excuse me.
Kamiya-san, here is a map and schedule for tomorrow.
Yes.
- We'll be counting on you tomorrow. - Yeah. If you would, please.
- Excuse me. - Yeah.
- Then you'll need to arrive there at noon for the 1:00 meeting. - Yes.
Eh?! Shuji and Ebina-san are going out together?
Yes...
Truth is, you may have already slightly noticed,
but I've been longing for Utsunomiya-san for quite a long time.
- Very much so. - Ah...
But, Utsunomiya-san seemed to be living quite well by himself.
That's what Shuji-kun said...
So now, since we want you to get along with both Hatano Shuji
and myself for forever, please allow this.
Please allow this.
I see.
To be honest, I'm relieved.
It may already know this, but I'll ask resolutely anyway.
Like I thought,
the likely winner'll be Kawasaki-san, won't he?
Eh?!
- Eh? - Eh?
You're wrong!
I'm often misunderstood that way.
Thank goodness!
See, look, we were wrong.
I'm happy, but...
I'm sorta disappointed, too...
I have someone I like.
But she loves another man.
I carried a torch for her for a looong time.
I wonder if I should give her up.
So that's how it was...
Okay! Looks like I'll have to find a good person again.
Eat up.
Itadakimasu.
That's Naoki-san and the rest.
Excuse us...
- Kanpai! - Kanpai!
Just what is this magnificent landscape?
The Japan All-Star I longed for.
And these gorgeous sports boys all over 180 cm tall.
And, my cute, younger boyfriend.
And...
the diligently working youth, A.
Would it be best to add in a few more onions?
Ah, I'm sorry, thank you very much.
- Here you go. - Thank you very much.
She's gathering stickers again.
Once she has enough, she says she'll give it to Kamiya-kun.
Is that right?
Yeah. We were out of it.
No.
Here, I'll take over.
Thank you very much.
- Um... - Yes?
When Kawasaki-san returns,
I was thinking of talking to him about Riko and I.
So,
until then,
can you and Shuji not say anything about this to everyone else?
I know that.
I want Riko's love for Kamiya-kun to go well.
But... recently Riko's been depressed.
Well, there are various things going on about her part-time violin job.
Her violin...
You haven't heard? She got fired from her part-time job.
When?
Mai-san.
- We've run out of meat. - Ah? Yes, yes, yes.
Anyhow, if you make Riko unhappy, I won't forgive you.
Here, thanks for waiting. Those are vegetables.
All of you need to make sure to eat more vegetables.
She has no sex appeal whatsoever...
Eh?
That violinist was fired?
They said the manager fired her.
What's that...
That's not what I intended when I said that.
I was just thinking of having her become more determined.
What should we do, Sensei?
There's no time.
Find out her contact address.
Understood.
This is bad.
I have to lose weight before I see Naoki.
- Riko. - Huh?
You left this out. Here.
Say, Mom, I gained weight.
It's all because of those delicious food you make.
- Just cause you gained some weight doesn't mean you're any less cute. - I put on 1.5 kg in 2 days.
"How are things at your parent's home?"
"Are you taking it easy?"
"I had my somatometry (body measurements) taken,"
"and my body mass went up 1.5 kilos."
"I've built up my muscles,"
"so my body has reached it's mark without any loss."
Naoki's gained weight, too.
Then it's okay.
Now,
the PBA, Japan's Professional Basketball Association, will now start it's press conference.
Before the interviews,
we will first have a photo session.
HARTS. Player Igarashi Kei.
Player Ryu Han.
For JC ARCS, player Utsunomiya Toru.
Player Kamiya Naoki.
This is rousing, isn't it?
We'll be counting on you for the photos.
- Say, Naoki. - Yes?
Can you stop by for a little while? There's a great cake store nearby.
I'm sorry. I have somewhere I really need to go to today.
Ah, I see.
It's time for us to go.
Utsu-san!
Oh, Kei!
Please give me your guidance.
Well, same here.
- How's your condition? - I'm in top condition.
- Hello. - Please take care of us this season, too.
You have reached the Answering Machine Center...
Missed him again...
Sorry for asking you out.
The cakes here are really delicious,
so you have to try some.
- Utsu-san. - Huh?
What sort of look do I have right now?
Eh?
Somehow... I'm becoming more and more of a bad woman.
What's the matter?
I...
wanted no good for Naoki.
Ever since he and I broke up, I wanted him to feel depressed and worn out,
and have nothing with his basketball go well.
I wanted him to regret
having breaking up with me.
And...
I wanted him to come back to me, crying.
"I guess I'm no good without you," he'd say.
I must really be a fool.
But I know there's nothing I can do at this late hour.
Still...
I can't stop this feeling.
I can't stop it.
Rather than then let it become a memory and then vanish...
It's far more preferable to be hated...
"From: Kamiya Naoki Subject: The Four Seasons I bought this"
Hello?
Hello! Ah, I reached you at last!
We must've been passing by one another.
Doing okay?
Yeah.
Naoki seems fine through your voice, too.
Say, you bought that Vivaldi, didn't you?
Yeah.
While listening to 'Spring' and 'Summer,' you have to listen closely to the phrases, don't you?
Yeah.
Is that right?
That's it, that's it!
Yeah.
But,
I think 'Summer' is the best one.
It's strong.
Especially the Presto part.
In the 3rd movement.
No way!
- You really have been listening closely, haven't you? - Yeah.
Still, I don't know what Presto means though.
Presto is a music symbol meaning to speed up.
It has a rushed feeling, so it's incredibly difficult to play.
Ehh...
A speed thing.
Yeah.
Ah.
Huh?
Just now, the sound of a refreshing breeze came in.
Ah, it's already the end of summer, isn't it?
Yeah.
- Look... - Um...
- Huh? - Huh?
No, what is it?
Well... it's nothing.
How about you?
Yeah. I had nothing, either.
- Really? - Yeah.
Talk some more.
Huh?
It's like... I want to hear your voice. It's been awhile.
3 days already, huh...
Even if you put it that way, I don't know what to talk about.
That's true.
Over here, my father, he...
Yes?
Riko.
Dinner's ready.
I'm sorry, my mother's calling for me.
Ah. You're coming back tomorrow, aren't you?
Then let's meet tomorrow evening and have a long talk.
Yeah. All right.
Then, once practice is over, I'll call you.
Yeah, I'll be waiting.
Good luck.
Thanks.
Take care coming back.
"Thank you very much for the other day. Natsuki"
The croquettes mom makes are delicious as expected.
Thank you.
- Hey, Riko. - Yes?
I discussed with your dad,
what do you think about giving up violin?
Eh?
It's been 2 years since you graduated, right?!
And dad'll retire next year.
I think if you stay here now, you can find a job somewhere.
Your dad was saying that, too.
And I can feel relieved if Riko comes back.
So please come back, okay?
- I'll think about that. - Okay.
- Ah, dear, 1 more bottle. - Okay.
Mai, I'm back.
Riko, welcome back!
I wanted to have lunch with you, so I came here.
Okay, wait a minute.
- I'll finish soon. - Okay.
Mai, um... this book is about stock...
Natsuki-san.
Good afternoon.
You don't have your part-time job today?
Ah, yeah. I just came back from my hometown.
You're working?
Yeah. I wonder where you keep books about computers.
Ah, you can find it this way.
That's good, isn't it?!
- He'll be back soon. - Eh?
Kawasaki-san.
He'll be back the day after tomorrow, right?!
Ah, yeah.
What's wrong?
You don't look happy.
Eh? No, it's not that.
Ah, books about computer are here.
Is it possible you're having an affair?
Eh?
An affair?
With Naoki.
I've guessed right, haven't I?
Ehh? Kawasaki-san is being deceived by a girl, huh?
Ah, that's... I'm not deceiving...
No, I don't mean to blame you.
There're times when even girls want to have an affair.
Me, too...
I hurt Naoki.
Eh?
You had an affair?
Yeah. Right.
No way!
Even though he cares for you like that.
What can I get if he only just cares for me?
Tell me.
Would my life become stable?
Or I wouldn't get any wounds or diseases?
Or that I'll live happily my entire life?
Sweet things like that are impossible, right?!
Naoki is so gentle though.
I...
...wanted to live in reality with Naoki.
Not just lick each other wounds like you and Naoki do.
Lick each other wounds?
Because you two always carelessly escape from reality, don't you?
"I wish my dream could come true someday."
Naoki is also feeling comfortable, isn't he?
When he's with you, he doesn't have any inferiority complex, right?!
Your relationship is so childish and woolly.
But how long can that sort of thing last?
Hey.
Why are you telling me that?
Because I be like you.
Whenever I see someone always saying, "dream this, dream that,"
I get very annoyed and tell them to their face from time to time.
"Face reality!"
"If you have the free time for delusions,
then do your work properly!"
I don't especially escape from reality.
Then, is your dream... coming true?
Naoki's, too.
Do you know?
Naoki has an injury in his leg.
But he won't undergo an operation; he just endures it.
Operation?
This is a very important time for him!
Like I thought, you didn't know.
Naoki...
...couldn't even tell you something as important thing as that.
Wait, what are you talking about?
Mai.
If you have something to say, then just go talk about to Kamiya-kun.
You didn't have to come here and tell Riko about that.
What are you thinking?
You're right.
I'll do that.
I just wanted to make sure.
Who is important to you? Kawasaki-san or Naoki?
You want to make sure?
What's that got to do with you?
That's enough, Mai.
What Natsuki-san said is all true.
Eh?
My dream doesn't seem to be coming true.
Perhaps I can't say anything if you think I'm having an affair.
But...
I can't forgive you for making a fool of Naoki's dream.
Naoki isn't escaping from reality.
It will definitely, definitely come true!
Is that so?
You're so nice.
Okay, let's go!
What a miserable person!
One who only builds relationships so they can hurt others.
Miserable? Me?
Let's go!
You got along with that woman for a long time, didn't you?
Eh?
I'm already so tired of her.
In front of everyone she pretends to be honorable person,
but she's such a bitch inside.
What are you talking about?
She's super bad.
I couldn’t endure her as I thought.
Wait a minute.
What are her good points?
Her face?
Stop joking around!
What the hell are you two doing?
Stop it! You're not kids anymore!
This isn't the time to do things like this!
Apologize to her!
Apologize to Natsuki!
Stop it, Naoki!
NAOKI!
What're you doing, Riko?
Ah, nothing.
I just want to fix the sound of this clock's second hand.
It's usually a 'Re' note,
but don't you feel that recently it's fallen by a half tone?
Sorry, I don't feel that. Put the battery back!
I'm home!
Welcome home, Shuji-kun!
- Ah! This smell... - Right.
Is it curry?
I tried cooking green curry.
Wha~ I love Mai-san!
I'm very hungry now.
Ah, speaking of which... today locker room became a fighting scene.
Eh? Fighting scene?
What? What's that?
Naoki-san and Yoyogi-san struck each other.
Because of Natsuki-san.
Well, I'm not clear about what it was about,
but maybe he still loves her. They did get along really well.
Natsuki-san is...
- Shhh, don't say unnecessary things. - I'm sorry. Eh?
Wait right here until dinner's ready! I'll call you later.
- See you, bye bye. - Mai-san. Mai-san.
"Sorry. I can't meet you today. Naoki."
I'm really thankful to Natsuki.
She always cared for my health.
She also thought about
the balance of my meals before a match.
When I was renewing my contract,
thanks to her, I could continue with ARCS.
When I broke up with her,
I realized how much I really depended on her.
That's why I couldn’t forgive her.
I know.
Even so,
you shouldn't have fought about a love affair in the workplace.
You're not some junior high student anymore.
I'm really sorry.
Say, Naoki.
Shouldn't you think about Natsuki one more time?
She still can't get over you.
Maybe Yoyogi realized that, too.
Good morning.
Sorry about yesterday.
I had to talk with Utsu-san.
What's up?
Why are you cheating on me?
Eh?
On that rainy day,
you were with Natsuki-san, weren't you?
And yesterday, you were fighting because of Natsuki-san, right?
I knew.
I knew that it was all lie.
Why did you lie?
I didn't mean to lie.
I just thought...
If I told the truth, Riko'd worry about it.
Natsuki-san...
...is more important to you than me?
Eh?
Why?
You were betrayed by her, weren't you?
Then why do you keep caring for that kind of person?
What's that?
Isn't the girl who betrayed you terrible?
Because Naoki is too gentle, you're made fool of...
Why are you saying these bad things?
Because it's all true, isn't it?
Riko...
...you don't know anything about what's between me and Natsuki, right?!
I'm sorry.
But I don't want you saying such those things.
I see.
Um...
Then we're together...
...just to lick each other's wounds?
Because when you're with me,
you don't have any inferiority complex, and you can enjoy yourself?
What's with you?
I always...
...have my eyes on Naoki alone.
Even in the rainy night,
or in the sunny morning.
When I'm at home, or at my hometown.
And when I'm playing violin,
I think about Naoki at any time!
So why...
...why don't you...
...look at me?
Please come back, okay?
Riko!
Your phone's ringing.
Eh? Who's calling?
Naoki?
Dunno.
From a strange number.
Should I answer?
It's a bit scary from a strange number, right?
They hung up.
Well, that's fine.
I'm going out for awhile.
Don't wait up. Why don't you call him?
Eh?
You're arguing with Kamiya-kun, aren't you?
Wait, Mai!
I'm...
...thinking I should go back to my home.
Eh?
Kamiya-san!
Here's the article from the other day.
It's not really a big article, though.
Thank you.
Is your injury okay?
I heard about it.
I'm sorry. It was my fault.
I...
...and Yoyogi-san are finished.
I...
...guess I couldn't forget about Naoki...
Natsuki.
I...
...have someone important to me now.
Is it Shirakawa-san?
Yeah.
I'm thankful to you.
Thanks to you,
I came to realize a lot of things.
Sad things... happy things...
But...
...I have to walk my own path now.
Kawasaki-san.
I'm back.
I come back 1 day early.
Like I promised, I came here first.
Where's Mai-chan?
Ah, Mai has lessons with her orchestra.
And Shuji-kun'll back soon after his practice.
I see.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's practice.
Kawasaki-san.
I'm sorry.
I can't...
...accept this.
I...
...love Kamiya-kun.
Is that so?
Like I though, you've gotten along well when I wasn't here.
I'm really sorry.
I...
I don't get it.
Why you love Naoki, but not me?
I thought so.
Well, it can't be helped.
You can't force a person's heart no matter what.
Then, you're happy now, aren't you?
Eh?
That's fine. That Riko-chan's happy is enough.
Yeah.
Naoki is also a nice guy.
He definitely cares for you.
And he definitely won't make you cry.
Yes.
I'm happy.
I think he'll care for me.
But...
I...
...really don't know...
...what Kamiya-kun is thinking.
I don't know...
...anything.
I'm sorry.
Anata wa watashi no honno ichibu shika shiranai You only know a fraction of me
Kachihokoru youni wararete mo Like when you laughed during my triumph
Sore hodo iya jyanai yo Even so, I couldn't hate you
Umaretekuru mae kiita youna sono fukai koe Before I was born, I heard this profound voice
Final Chapter - Separation