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Encoded by Winterbird
You're pathetic.
Ain't you got nothin' better to do on a Sunday?
I'm broke!
And--
You're outta your head worryin' over the manager.
Am not.
Are too.
A lot's happened this year...
She quit bein' Manager...
and she almost stopped bein' an Otonashi.
So stop moping around here.
Go out and make yourself into somebody she can rely on.
She's so energetic today!
I guess you get more chipper with exercise.
Now that you mention it, Kyoko hasn't played tennis in ages.
What happened?
I shouldn't say. The whole affair is so sordid.
--What is!? --Mrs. Ichinose!
This isn't anything to spread gossip about!
It's nothin' to be ashamed of.
Think of the manager! She's finally put it behind her.
So let's just keep it quiet. You know how sensitive she is.
Did I miss something?
The manager--
Mrs. Ichinose!
It doesn't involve you, Mitaka.
If it's about Ms. Otonashi then I'm deeply involved.
I noticed it myself.
She is haunted by some deep-seated anxiety.
You can tell?
Observe--
The way she swings on her return betrays her heart's unrest.
That's a pro for ya!
Tennis is a spiritual sport.
You're full of it.
Is it obvious?
Everyone's over here! What are you all talking about?
Is everything all right?
Everything's fine.
How does it feel to work up a sweat?
--Great! --Ms. Otonashi?
May I share the burden of your troubles?
Quit the sweet-talk!
Godai, I thought you'd left.
Quit clinging to the fence like some old lizard.
It's a free country.
But it's disgusting. You're young. Get a life.
Makes you look like a sicko.
You're a poor excuse for a man!
You made your point.
I won't stay where I'm not wanted.
Godai.
You could stay and play tennis.
Boy, can I!?
Wow, I never thought I'd actually get to play!
I'm not sure. This is supposed to be ladies only.
You can bend the rules. We're saving a life.
She's right!
Let him work off his frustrations here before society suffers.
Mrs. Ichinose!
Let's get it over with. Get yourself a racket.
You mean, play with you?
Who else?
But you'll beat the pants off him, Coach.
I hate a match where the outcome is obvious.
How about mixed doubles?
"Doubles"?
Good idea! Ms. Otonashi and I will be one pair.
She should be my partner to balance your skill.
You're saying I should play?
What do you think?
The Coach still needs a handicap.
"Handicap."
Hope we do well.
So do I.
You pretty much know the rules, right?
More or less.
You know the rules, right?
What rules?
"What rules"!?
I know nothing.
What have you been doing at the club all this time!?
Have you EVER seen me practice?
Never.
That's right. Who cares who wins the dumb game.
Just as long as it cheers the manager up.
Manager? Let's really give this our best shot.
Okay!
Let's make it count! Play!
I got it--
The winner.
15-Love!
What's that!?
I hit it over the net, didn't I?
Godai, I was supposed to return the first serve.
Really? I didn't know.
I'm sorry. I guess I'm ruining our chances.
Don't worry. I'll cover for you.
He don't even know the rules! We may pull this one off!
Mrs. Ichinose I'll take it from here!
It's all yours.
I got--
Get the next one!
Since we've got some time, let's gossip.
They may force the manager to quit herjob.
You hit it!
Her folks want her to get remarried--
It's good!
See, Godai? You can do it if you try!
They got us good!
This remarriage--who do they have in mind?
Here comes the serve.
I don't think they've picked out a groom yet--
I see. And?
First, they want her to use her maiden name.
Next, they want her to cut her connection with the Otonashis.
Makes sense.
Move back, Godai! Come forward, Ms. Otonashi!
What for?
Ms. Otonashi. I understand your problem perfectly.
Listen to your parents. Quit as manager...
and start from square one.
What was that?
I want you to be my lifetime partner.
"Partner"?
You heard it!?
Think it was a proposal!?
Oh, to be young again!
You just talk too much!
Maybe, but I know who I'm talkin' to.
It's your conversation partner that's the problem!
This won't do anything to relieve the manager's stress!
You're so naive. She won't solve her problems by ignoring them.
Right. She has to think seriously about remarriage.
Who's she supposed to marry!?
Nobody's asked how the manager feels about this!
How does she feel?
I'm all ears.
You see, she's not just rebelling against her parents.
The manager--
She--
S-She still l-loves S-Soichiro.
Man, the truth hurts.
So she can't just give in to other people's desires.
Ms. Otonashi, Godai may have scored on me today...
but I'm serious about you being my partner in the future.
Mitaka!
Coach Mitaka, I've thought this over carefully.
And?
I'm sorry. I just can't.
B-But why not!?
I-- I--
I'll never be good enough to partner with you professionally!
I just don't have the confidence.
So I can't!
Good morning!
My what a beautiful day!
You're quick to recover.
Manager!
Coach Mitaka's here to pick you up.
H-He what!?
Manager!
Coming!
Godai! Good morning!
Manager, you're not going on a date with Mitaka, are you?
"A date"? It's nothing like that!
He's just taking me out for a drive, that's all.
A date if I've ever heard of one!
Don't be stand-offish. Come on in!
I-It's okay. We'll be on our way soon anyway.
Thanks for waiting.
After you.
I won't keep her too long.
Take your time!
See you later!
I gotta hear this!
That was Coach Mitaka, right!?
It sure was!
Didn't he propose yesterday?
I want you to be my life time partner.
I was sure he did, but--
What did Kyoko--?
She didn't get it.
Oh, please! She was just playing hard to get!
Think so?
No question. It was all an act!
She's right. I didn't look at it that way.
If she's just pretending to misunderstand the proposal...
...then that means the answer is "no" for now.
There's still hope!
Time for school!
...and he's living in this glorious luxury condo!
His folks are rich?
He has a degree from a top university!
Plus, he's gorgeous!
I'd dump my husband for him, any day!
What're you still doin' here?
What's the long face for first thing in the morning?
Don't give up! You're still young!
And youth's all you got going for you!
Top university-- Wealthy Family--
Nothing about him would surprise me now!
Do I have to live like this?
Do what you can to get by.
I wish I could graduate today.
Why? College students like us got it good!
They treat me like a kid. And I'm always broke.
But students are the only guys with a license to loaf.
Listen--
Now what?
You're feasting on your cutlet set, while all I got is a bun!
You're not touching it.
Some friend.
Every man for himself!
Could I borrow 300 yen?
Why didn't ya say so from the start?
I should have borrowed 200 yen more!
Whatcha doing?
That feels wonderful.
I've been thinking of buying a house lately.
Really? But isn't your condominium more convenient?
While I'm single, sure.
I'd want a yard, of course.
How nice.
The largest one I can afford.
I'd like a yard that goes on forever--and a dog to play in it.
So you're a dog person, then!
Sure. Especially the big ones like Soichiro.
Yuji! Come back here!
C'mere!
He's so cute!
Sorry!
Coach Mitaka, look!
How cute. Cutest thing I ever saw!
You won't catch cold, will you?
I love the beach.
You're right. The beach is wonderful.
Ms. Otonashi.
The only dog I want in my yard is Soichiro.
You DO understand what I'm saying?
Sorrt of--
You realize that I'm not asking you for your dog.
It's my roundabout way of proposing to a friend.
I know.
I-- I don't know what to say--
I know. But I can wait. Two, three years, if you need it.
I'm sorry.
Hey, in two or three years, maybe I can get over my dog phobia.
Young men have such healthy appetites!
--He's scarfin' all our food. --Yosuke!
That was great!
Nothing like a home-cooked meal!
So what's your major, Godai?
Education, sir!
So, you're planning to be a teacher?
No, not exactly.
A businessman, then?
I suppose so.
But my ambitions lie more toward building a happy home!
I'd head straight home, never drinking after work.
Every day off, I'd spend with my wife!
I'd want two children. A boy and a girl.
I'd rent some suburban house with a big yard...
for a dog.
I just love dogs!
You know just what you want, don't you!
A man who places his home before his work is a rare find.
Not many of them around.
But that's the man a woman dreams of!
So true!
In any case, a home-first husband really suits Kozue!
It's true. Kozue is so laid-back.
You don't mind the "for poorer" part, do ya?
"Two can live as cheaply as one," right?
We could make it a multi-generational home.
Yes, indeed!
But we needn't worry about that until after he graduates.
T-That's true. I still got three years to go. Three long years--
Stop asking that, Mrs. Ichinose!
Hey, it's not just me who wants to know.
So what happened??
We went to the beach and talked about dogs.
You mean he didn't propose?
He did, didn't he?
Manager!
Public baths again?
You gotta hear this!
Shall we go, Godai?
Uh, sure!
Is something wrong?
Nothing at all!
They got away.
Say, Ma?
Dad proposed to you, too, right?
I didn't get proposed to. I did the proposing!
I knew it!
Mrs. Ichinose wouldn't let up.
She just can't resist spreading rumors.
Who'd bother with me?
I'd bother, a lot!
It doesn't matter what I say right now.
In time, it might be different, but now--
"In time"?
Three more years.
You can be manager for another three years, right?
Three years?
Yes! In three years...
C'mon, I'll race you home!
...the memoy of Soichiro will flow away like the sands of time.
And then--
And what'll be different three years from now!?
You naive young man!
Graduation will provide you a rosy future? Is that your delusion?
Are you really plannin' to graduate in only three years?
Well, young man!?
You could get held back. You could bounce your tuition check.
Provided you graduate, how do you intend to support a family?
You know what you want but you got no way to get there.
Indubitably.
Good morning, Soichiro!
Good morning!
G-Good mornin'.
Godai?
Are you okay?
Manager--
Yes?
Let's make it five years. Five more years.
I'm off!
I got a call from an old friend to meet in town.
A few memories, her child's smile then I climbed back up Clock Hill.
"Remarriage."
Next: "Godai's Out of It! Kyoko's on the Rampage"
And today I'll climb Clock Hill again.