Maruo Eiichiro Ide Yoshiaki
I won!
You did it, Ei-chan!
Ei-chan, you pulled it off!
Congratulations!
I won.
You both did great!
I really got excited!
Yosshi! You really are the best!
Even when you lose, you look awesome!
Yeah, you looked awesome!
Great job, Yosshi!
You did so well!
Damn...
But, hey...
That was the best match ever, so I guess it's all good.
Here, give 'em a little show.
Wha... Oh, right.
You're both awesome!
That was inspiring!
Maruo! You'd better work twice as hard for Ide at the All-Japan!
I really beat Ide-kun...
How many more times
will I get to hear a roaring crowd like this?
Now I can move forward.
A Rude First Meeting
Ei-chan!
Congrats on officially making it to the All-Japan Junior!
Congratulations, Maruo-kun!
Thank you.
But seriously, that was an incredible match.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
But it seems as though you were able to overcome a huge hurdle.
Yeah!
Kageyama and Sasaki-san, thank you for supporting me.
And I noticed when you came to watch, Nat-chan.
You obviously won your match, right?
Yep! Now we can go to the nationals together!
Yeah!
Huh?
I'm starting to shake now.
Huh?!
Squeeze
It's okay.
See? It stopped.
Th-Thank you.
Wow...
She grabbed his hand with no hesitation.
In all seriousness, those last few points were outstanding.
Ah... Yeah. I was surprised myself.
I was under immense pressure the whole time,
but I identified it clearly instead of running from it,
and I started doing better.
Pressure
In the end, I left some pressure in my mind,
and I imagined erasing the rest of it.
Pressure
Then, suddenly, both my body and my mind started moving faster.
You were doing all that?
Yeah.
But I honestly don't know how I was able to stay so calm
or able to move so well in a situation like that.
Tell me about it in a little more detail.
Um...
I was able to see the opponent, the ball, and the court very well,
but it was almost like I couldn't see anything else.
Like I was concentrating so hard, I couldn't even hear anything.
Maybe that means you were in the zone.
The "zone"?
It's said that even if people give it their all,
they're using only about 30% of their ability.
Anxiety Exhaustion Ability Pressure Adversity
Being in the zone is, in effect, ridding yourself of those limitations.
In the sports world, athletes at the highest level are said to have
the ability to create that state of mind at will.
Huh?
I thought it happened only because all the factors miraculously coincided.
You can actually will it to happen?
From what I've seen, Ide seems like the type of player who
naturally starts to get in the zone when his matches get close.
Right...
But in the end, it appears you were able to deal with Ide
by getting in the zone yourself.
Looking back on it, I did have a feeling Ide-kun was going to get even stronger.
That's why I don't think I could've won if I hadn't broken serve when I did.
In any case, this victory was a result you earned for yourself.
I earned it for myself...
If using my reason to visualize my pressure
and then playing instinctively led to this,
maybe I really did get in the zone at will.
M-Maruo-kun, you were amazing!
When you won in the end, I almost cried!
She has to be bummed about Ei-chan and Nat-chan,
but she's trying to hide it with cheer. It's breaking my heart.
Somehow I feel better after cheering so loudly today.
Let's cheer them on at the All-Japan, too.
C-Cute...
Wh-What?
I'm sorry. You went to the trouble of coming here, and I couldn't keep my promise.
It's not your fault.
Huh?
So when my leg gets better, I'll take that guy down myself!
Huh? You play tennis?
I'm gonna start now!
Goodness, this boy...
I see. So that's it...
That's great!
It's an awesome idea! Tennis is super fun!
But defeating him means you'll become my rival.
When that day comes, you'd better be ready!
Okay!
See you later, Onii-chan!
Later!
I just can't believe you won't be going to the nationals.
Well, there's still the inter-high.
I'm sure the break will do you good.
What good does it do for you guys to worry about my standing?
But it's important if you want to go pro, right?
If you just do what you have to do, it'll all come together later.
Personally, I care more about avenging my loss to Maruo.
That's why I've decided
to go abroad this year.
What?
I'm thinking of leaving right after the inter-high.
But... wh-where?
Well, for tennis, it'll probably have to be America or Europe.
Wait a second.
This doesn't seem well thought-out.
And what are you gonna do about school?
Do you even have enough money?
What about the language? And lifestyle?
It'll all work out once I get there.
What?!
It's not like I haven't given it any thought.
I have to change my training and strategy according to what my circumstances are.
I agree with that, but...
Right now, my body is still maturing.
I want to play against some top-level overseas players while I'm still growing.
I was having trouble deciding when to go, but I just decided now!
I'll come back an even bigger man.
You'd better stay in touch.
No matter where you go, we'll be cheering for you.
Thanks!
Bro!
I won!
I'm going to the All-Japan, too!
First Nationals
Really?! Congratulations, Yukichi-kun!
It's all thanks to you, Bro!
Huh?
Well, no one pays attention to someone like me who doesn't want to go pro.
I thought of how nervous you must've been, playing a match that would decide your future,
and with all those eyes on you...
But then I heard that instead of being nervous, you were out flirting!
Everyone's talking about it, bigtime!
What?
See? I got this email.
After seeing this, I went beyond anger and sort of turned a corner.
I don't know if that loosened me up or what, but I was on top of my game!
6-4, 3-6, 6-4. I handled all the close battles and won swimmingly!
I think I get how turning a corner like that feels.
My dream finally came true!
Congratulations.
I'm so glad you won too, Bro!
Let's do our best at the nationals!
We need to get through the third round first.
That's right.
By day two, the sixteen players going to the nationals are already decided.
But now it's a battle for seed rankings at the All-Japan Junior.
All right, I'm gonna take them to the station, so you guys can use the baths first.
Okay, we will.
Nat-chan, everyone, good luck tomorrow!
Yeah. We'll do our best!
If you lose, you go home.
I understand that, but it's still a harsh reality.
It means the nationals are just that high a hurdle to overcome.
If I hadn't beaten Ide-kun,
I wouldn't have overcome it myself.
It sure is a harsh world they live in.
Ei-chan and the others are really working hard.
Yeah.
Should we be heading home, too?
That sounds good.
I'll give Ei-chan a call later.
Okay.
Okay, all done.
Yukichi-kun!
Huh?
He's already fast asleep.
Ei-chan, are you there?
Nat-chan, what's up?
It's nothing, really. I was just wondering what you were up to.
Did you call home already?
No, I'll do it later.
Tell us how you feel now that you've successfully made it
into the All-Japan Junior, Maruo.
Huh?
It's practice for your interview. Well?
Today's match was very important for me in determining whether I can go pro,
so I'm happy I won.
Ide's play was not only difficult to predict,
but very aggressive as well, so there were constant challenges.
But what I learned from playing against Nat-chan a few months ago really helped.
Anyway, I believe it was a great match
in which I was able to give it my all against a truly powerful opponent.
If I can, I would like to become stronger
and play a match like that as a pro one day.
Something like that?
Wh-Why are you laughing?!
Sorry! It was just so perfect.
It wasn't too stiff?
No, it was very you, Ei-chan!
Oh, I'm changing the subject, but have you ever been in the zone?
Oh, like being in the ideal state of mind while playing?
I don't really know much about all that.
There are some times when I play unbelievably well,
but I don't know if that's because I'm in the zone or because of my training.
So it's something even a player at Nat-chan's level doesn't understand.
I wonder if it's when I can't even
hear a big crowd because I'm concentrating so hard.
That's how it feels?
Come to think of it, Nat-chan's matches draw crowds like Ide-kun's, too.
I bet she's experienced a lot of those matches.
She's strong...
And she's cute.
I'm dating that Nat-chan...
I... I wonder if it'll be hot tomorrow, too.
It's supposed to be about the same as today.
Oh... I see.
I didn't see the forecast.
That's no good. People who won today should check.
Y-Yeah...
What does it mean to date someone?
It feels like nothing's really changed,
but it also feels like something between us is different.
I wonder if holding my hand like that just happens naturally. or...
Reason
No, no, this obviously isn't the right time.
But Nat-chan's hands were so soft...
Instinct
No! I have to keep my head!
I sometimes feel like my instincts are outweighing my reason lately.
Here.
Huh?! Does she know what I was thinking about?
Here, hurry! Put your hand on top.
On top?
All right, we're gonna do our best again tomorrow!
Here we go!
Go!
Is this... okay? Or what?
Okay, it's now a battle between the strongest players who made it into the All-Japan Junior.
You're all aware that this next match will determine what seed you'll get?
Yes!
Today's results will heavily influence your position in the All-Japan Junior.
Consider today the beginning of the All-Japan Junior.
Yes!
Yukichi-kun, you sure are fired up.
This time, I'll go as far as I can!
Let's both win today and meet up in the fourth round!
Yeah, let's do it.
That being said, my opponent's pretty tough.
Good morning, Maruo-kun.
Nabae-kun, good morning.
That was a great match against Ide yesterday.
Thanks.
I was able to calm down after I noticed you were there.
Oh, right...
Hey, Takagi!
Huh?
What do you want, Nabae?
This is Takagi Sakuya. He's from my club.
He's up against Fukazawa-kun today.
I thought I should introduce you, since you might end up playing him in the fourth round.
Oh, is that so?
This is the fourth seed, Takagi Sakuya.
Maruo, as in... Oh.
So?
Huh?
Is that it?
Yeah, that's it.
I know who he is.
Then introduce yourself.
You're as meticulous as ever.
Sorry about that. He's a really good player, but...
Well, see you.
Yeah.
Hey, Takagi, wait a second.
Huh?
They are close, right?
Bro, I really don't like that Takagi guy.
Huh?
He was really rude for someone meeting you for the first time.
Just because he beat Nabae once...
What? That guy beat Nabae-kun?
Oh? You didn't know?
Takagi beat Nabae once, in an unofficial tournament at their club.
What?
I can't believe it. Nabae-kun lost...
But I'll defeat Takagi, so you have to win today too, Bro!
Then we'll have our first
official match against each other in the fourth round!
Yeah!
First I have to get through the third round!
Ono Kazuma. He's the eleventh seed and made the top four in the Chiba prefectural.
Even though he favors hitting risky flat shots,
he makes very few mistakes and corners you with ground strokes.
He's also a skilled defensive player, so I can't attack carelessly.
What's important when facing opponents like this is
how well I can maintain my attack style.
Best of three set match.
Maruo to serve.
As expected from a seeded player.
There are a lot of people here to watch.
But compared to my match against Ide-kun, there's less pressure.
First, I have to hit my serve in just the right spot,
learn how he plays at my own pace,
and hold serve in this first game!
It's in!
A strong flat shot.
But I won't miss a shallow hit!
If that doesn't do it, then...
15-love.
Yes!
Even if his reaction is slow, he makes up for it with his fast legs
and hits back harder than I expect.
That's the way, Maruo!
Even though he's not seeded, I heard he's number two in Kanagawa.
That match against Ide yesterday was amazing.
Th-There are people here to watch me?!
No, no! Don't get distracted by that!
I just need to play like I always do.
Here I go!
Game, set, and match. Winner: Maruo.
Score: 6-3, 6-3.
Yes!
All right, good job!
But then again, you beat Ide-kun, so there was no way you'd lose today.
Right.
Depressed
I-I'm so crushed.
I wanted to... I wanted to play a match against you, Bro.
Yukichi-kun...
Bro! That Takagi guy is really, really nasty, so be careful!
Yukichi-kun, you keep saying that.
What exactly do you mean?
That punk was leading 4-2 in the first set,
and he hit an unnecessary and unexpected underhand serve!
Takagi Sakuya Fukazawa Yukichi
40-love.
That pisses me off!
I got it on video.
Oh, thanks.
But I've done that before, too.
I think it's something you have to do if you want to win.
What you did is different from this!
Normally, you do something like that to throw off an opponent who's much stronger,
or to calmly but forcibly change the pace!
There's no reason to do that when you're winning!
But why would he do such a thing?
It's obviously because he was trying to make me look bad!
He broke my serve and had a two-game lead,
so he wanted to toy with me!
Is that really true?
That being said, he's the fourth seed, so he was a strong opponent anyway.
Takagi Sakuya
In the end, I lost because of my lack of ability.
That's why you have to avenge me, okay, Bro?!
Y-Yeah. I'll try my best.
Takagi Sakuya, eh?
From what I see in his match with Yukichi,
he seems like an all-rounder who's devoted to fundamentals and has few blind spots.
It's true. I can tell he's strong.
But how did this guy beat Nabae-kun?
Oh, Takagi.
Congrats on making it to the fourth round.
You usually overshadow me, but I'm the fourth seed, after all.
Good morning!
Hey, right on time as usual!
Good morning!
Morning!
What are you writing?
I'm identifying what my current situation is like, and things I want to improve.
I'll use it as a reference for my next practice.
Nabae's thorough self-analysis and pursuit of the fundamentals were impeccable.
Repeating that process made Nabae stronger and stronger.
I also climbed up to this level by following Nabae.
What's wrong, Takagi?
I'm gonna make it to the top so I can beat you one more time.
Better do your best.
There's no excuse for the first seed messing up.
Yeah. I will.
To win the All-Japan Junior,
I want to play against Nabae-kun in Kanto, no matter what.
And to do that, I have to beat this guy first.
Kanto Junior Tennis Arena
4th Round
That's a rather casual way of deciding who serves.
Okay, bottom.
Top it is.
My serve.
He didn't even check. He already knew.
Regardless, I have to win.
Good luck.
Next Time
What really bothers me is that
he's been glaring at me this whole time!
Wait, this isn't the time to think about how strange he is!
I need to be more composed at times like these.
I shouldn't let him get to me every time.
He seems like he'll fall for it, but he doesn't.
But I won't lose this match.
I'm going to face Nabae, no matter what!
Next time on Baby Steps,
Psychological Warfare and Self-Control
"Psychological Warfare and Self-Control."
End