I'm Kakeru Aizawa.
The match to decide the school representation
has finally reached its climax.
We had struggled for the whole match,
but with the hotline connected between me
and the returned king, Araki-san,
we tied up the score.
It was anyone's game again.
Then, in overtime after the second half,
carrying everyone's hopes,
with my last ounce of strength,
I sent a final overhead towards the goal.
Conclusion
The ball is heading straight for the goal...
but Todo blocks it!
Enoshima Broadcasting Club
The ball's still in play!
Will it go in?
Will it go in?!
Go in!
Oh, no goal!
The ball stops just barely outside of the line!
That's the game.
It's a tie game, 3 to 3.
Neither team gave an inch.
They showed us a superb battle today!
That's was awesome, SC!
Amazing, FC!
So close, Kakeru.
Kakeru.
Nice shot!
I'm sorry. I missed.
It's fine. It's fine.
You're really something.
If you had been playing from the start,
we would have...
Araki?
Hey! What's wrong? Hey!
Somebody! Somebody, help me!
Araki-san?
Araki?
Get it together, Araki!
Take him to the doctor's office!
My st-stomach...
What's wrong with your stomach?
I'm...
hungry...
Just die there!
Someone go get him a red bean bun.
I'll go get it.
And a ch-chocolate cornet...
Following the intense game, both teams have cooled down,
but what happens now that there's been a draw?
Will school representation
be decided by a rematch?
What is it, Iwaki-kun?
I have a favor to ask of you, Coach Kondo.
A favor?
After today, I plan on disbanding the Enoshima High FC.
What?
I'm asking you, Coach Kondo, to take my players
and bring them onto your SC team.
They may still be unrefined,
but they are wonderful players full of talent.
The same is true of the SC eleven.
Showing splendid effort and leadership,
Ryoma Oda-kun.
Entering partway through,
but scoring through his many magic-like plays,
and claiming multiple assists, Ryuichi Araki-kun.
Physically gifted, making use of his height in offensive plays
and goal scoring ability, Michiro Takase-kun.
Small in build but with splendid dribbling and technique,
Kaoru Matoba-kun.
The primary attacker,
and top goal scorer for SC, Yuji Sawamura-kun.
With a wide field of vision,
and stable ball control and passing,
pulling through in the first half in place of Araki-kun,
Makoto Hyodo-kun.
Spectacularly blocking the FC's attacks in the second half,
and also assertively participating in offense,
Go Kaiouji-kun.
Todo-kun,
Kurebayashi-kun,
both keepers with beautiful saves.
Yakumo-kun's sideline advance,
and Kota Nakatsuka-kun's overlap were both superb.
And breaking through the SC's iron defense,
putting away two goals, the thoroughbred striker,
Kakeru Aizawa-kun.
He is apparently the Suguru Aizawa-kun's brother.
Is that true?
Yes.
At a school without any real achievements,
a collection of this many fine players could be called a miracle.
If their talent and passion could be combined,
winning the championship wouldn't be just a dream.
Don't you think so, Coach Kondo?
If we demand that the school representative
be determined by the winner of a rematch,
the talent of that losing team is squandered.
As a coach, I cannot do something that would waste their talents.
So, please.
Allow them a place at your side.
This reminds me, Iwaki-kun,
of when you founded the FC.
Coach Kondo?
Because of the division in disposition
between me, the director, and you, the coach,
the team broke in two.
Defeated by the mere 15 players on your team,
my team, with close to 60 members, fell apart.
Then, your team won regionals,
and went to compete in nationals...
Enoshima High School
Mikuni High School
Coach, that story is...
If only I had withdrawn at that time,
Enoshima might have won.
Right, Iwaki-kun?
After today, SC is disbanded as well.
What?
A new team is born.
Enoshima High's sole soccer team.
Coach Kondo?
You be the director, Iwaki-kun.
Th-That's... Please wait!
It's the only way I could atone
for forcing your genius into a worthless leadership position.
You got me, Iwaki-kun.
C-Coach.
Thank you very much.
Neither SC, nor FC,
Enoshima High School's Soccer Club is born.
What?
Of course you'd be bewildered.
However, this is something that has already been decided
through my discussion with Coach Iwaki.
S-Seriously?
It can't be...
Starting tomorrow, you're all on the same team.
Work to improve yourselves and each other,
and keep aiming higher.
Your faces say you can't accept it.
Obviously!
We want to continue to fight at your side, Director Kondo.
SC's soccer alone could take on the nation—
Then why did you go against my instruction?
Back then,
watching your fight at the end of the game,
honestly, I was disappointed.
But, it was splendid.
What?
One cannot move just as they are told,
but must think on their own and act.
That kind of soccer might be necessary now and again.
Director Kondo...
You have limitless potential.
Make use of your experiences up until now,
and aim higher than before.
That is all.
Yes!
It's amazing how it all turned out.
Yeah.
To think that, starting tomorrow, I'll get to play
with Oda-san and Takase-kun.
You must be happy, too, Brother.
Kakeru.
All right. Let's get started.
Are you sure you're okay?
Aren't you tired from the match?
I'm fine!
My body's been restless ever since the match ended.
Me, too.
All right. Here I go!
You're shaky after all!
I'm not done yet!
Yes?
That was great.
Soccer really is fun.
Yeah.
You're really good, Seven.
You kept playing when you were in America, right?
I guess so.
What kind of team were you on?
A middle school club?
Or a youth club?
Who cares about that stuff?
Don't say that. Tell me.
Was it a pretty strong team?
It's... a... secret!
So stingy!
That's mine.
Hello? What's wrong, Mama?
I'm home!
Welcome back.
This is who I mentioned on the phone...
Director Goto of Nadeshiko Japan,
and the captain, Taeko Ishiki-san, right?
Nice to meet you, Nana Mishima-san.
Or rather,
"little witch."
Well then, once again,
I, Teppei Iwaki, will be taking on the position
of coach of the Enoshima High Soccer Club.
I look forward to it.
Henceforth, Coach Kondo will act as an advisor.
The captain will be third year, Sawamura-kun.
The sub-captains will be second year, Oda-kun and Hyodo-kun.
Got it.
Now, in order to pursue the inter-high league as a new team,
there's something that I would like to tell all of you.
Firstly, to everyone once from FC,
you were easily able to play in matches
because we didn't have many members,
but it won't work that way from now on.
And to everyone once from SC,
though your coach has changed
and I expect things to be bumpy at first,
changes to strategy and practice are an everyday occurrence.
Remember that and try to keep up.
With regards to the line-up,
I plan to remake it from the ground up.
Even players who didn't have a regular position before,
come to practice with the intention of stealing one.
Now, one last thing.
Let's have fun playing soccer!
And so, the Enoshima Soccer Club has started anew...
However...
Hey, Nakatsuka!
Why didn't you get that?
What? Where do you think you're kicking it?
Is your head stuck up your ass?
You threw an elbow on purpose just now, didn't you?
I told you it was an accident.
You're pretty sensitive for such a tough guy, aren't you?
Hey! Cut it out!
Th-That's right!
Cut the crap, all of you!
If you're gonna fight, do it off the field.
My, my. I expected things like this to happen, but...
Komura Road
For a moment, I wasn't sure what would happen,
but Sawamura-san saved the situation.
That's a captain for you.
What's wrong, Seven?
What?
It seems like you haven't had any energy since this morning.
Th-That's not true. I've got energy!
Well... if you say so.
I'd play for Nadeshiko Japan?
Yes. We'd like to borrow the strength of the "little witch."
B-But I don't have the strength to be a full representative.
What are you talking about, Mishima-kun?
I've already done my research on you.
If Nadeshiko had you,
do you know how much we'd improve?
Please, I'm begging you.
Director Goto...
I understand you're currently a manager for a soccer club.
Is that why you have no confidence?
That might be true.
So what then? Don't you like soccer?
I'm sorry, Ishiki-san.
I still have something that I'm uncertain about.
So, for now...
I understand. Let's go, Director.
What? But...
She's not the "little witch" anymore.
It's been a year and a half since she left soccer.
She's just a regular girl now.
There's no use in holding out hope for her anymore.
Please wait!
I haven't quit soccer yet.
If you haven't seriously kicked a ball in a year and a half,
it's the same as quitting.
As you said, it's natural to have doubts when you're young,
but there are people who keep walking even if they're in doubt.
People like that, even if they go down the wrong path
and have to come back,
they always reach their goal in the end.
That's what I believe.
Beach soccer, beach soccer!
Are you serious?
I've never heard of a practice like this.
Come on, what have you got to lose?
Try it out. It's surprisingly fun.
You're all doing it, too!
Let's go!
Okay...
I'm glad you're better.
It seemed like you were worried about something recently.
I'm fine now. I decided I'd turn them down.
Hmm? What?
Nothing you need to worry about. Now, go, go!
I see. After simple and harsh physical training,
bringing out beach soccer is a truly reasonable choice.
When people are having fun,
they don't feel tired.
Yes. In a place with so much rejuvenatory energy,
the muscles relax
and you can achieve a safer and more effective training.
The fact that you're thinking that much about it
shows you're really an impressive man.
Oh, I don't know...
Mark over there!
By the way, Hyodo,
is Araki not coming to practice yet?
With such a sudden loss in body weight,
he has virtually no stamina,
and apparently he's in shock about it.
So he went and disappeared again.
Yeah.
Said he'd get his stamina back with some training.
But I bet he's been dying to play some soccer, so—
Looks like you're at it, guys!
Looks like he made it.
Araki-san!
My bad. My bad.
Sorry I took so long.
The king is back!
Let's go all out at practice today!
Hey, Araki...
What's with that gut?
No! Don't look!
Don't try to cover it up!
Didn't you say you were training? Huh?
Well, I figured the most important thing
to gain back stamina would be to eat, so...
So?
I rebounded!
Die!
I give up!
I'll have you tell me
what you think you're doing.
Like I said, Mr. Magistrate, sir,
I never meant to enrich my stomach!
You already enriched it!
What a splendid comeback, Mr. Magistrate!
He's ribbing you, Oda!
Don't you laugh!
Director, please say something!
The inter-high league matches are starting soon,
but with the man who wore number 10,
even temporarily, in this kind of shape...
Now, now, don't take it so seriously.
B-But...
I can understand why you're upset,
but, for now, let's resume practice.
Okay?
Break up into four teams
and scrimmage with 20 minute halves.
All right! Let's go all out!
You can't talk.
Are you really going to be all right?
Will things be okay as they are?
You're talking about Araki-kun?
Yeah. He may be a genius, but as it is,
won't it affect the team's morale?
I think so, too.
Don't be so soft
and be firm where you have to be firm!
It's all right.
I think he understands that kind of thing quite well.
Uh, and besides,
when he looks like that,
I feel as though the team is actually pulling together more.
Araki-kun's intuition really is a cut above.
It isn't "I have to do something,"
but the thought that "we have to do something"
which helps the growth of the team—
You're too soft!
That's too soft!
In any case, please leave Araki-san to me.
I'm so hungry!
When I get home I'm going to drink some juice,
then eat two or three sweet buns and meat buns before dinner...
Araki
I'm home!
This is so tasty!
Right?
Hey!
Oh, hello.
We're visiting.
Who's visiting?
What have you guys been eating...
That's mine!
Mom, what is this about?
Oh, you're home, Ryuichi?
Your school friends are visiting.
I can tell by looking!
Why did you let them in?
Oh, it's fine.
What are you guys doing here?
We came to ask a favor of your mother, of course.
A favor?
Yes, for the sake of the future of the soccer club,
we asked her to help you diet!
Wh-What?!
So, please help us out, Mrs. Araki.
Yes. Leave it to me.
Starting tonight, we'll have half the dinner, and no snacks.
And I'll cut his allowance, so he can't buy food, either.
Okay, Ryuichi?
Of course it's not.
I'm sorry.
This is for the sake of Senpai and the team.
Thank you for having us.
Thanks.
Wait up!
How about you worry about yourself before others?
If your ball gets taken away so easily
in one-on-one, you'll never be a forward.
There's a fatal error in your dribble.
A forward who can't perform one-on-one
when it counts is never going to make it.
O-Okay.
It'll be fine.
What?
Kakeru will be able to get past it.
I'll be there with him, after all.
Seven...
It really is as Araki-san says.
I need to practice more and more.
But just blindly practicing...
I guess that's not good enough.
Oh, now that you mention it...
Some time ago, my brother had said...
You got it from me again.
Do you know why you lose the ball, Kakeru?
It's because you're too good, Brother.
That's not it.
Your ball touch intuition
doesn't actually differ much from mine.
The problem is...
Yes? Yes?
Figure it out yourself.
What?
Then I'll give you just one hint.
Really?
Figure out why "run with the ball" is your weapon.
That's why in a one-on-one situation
that becomes your weakness.
That's what my brother said back then.
If you're good at running with the ball,
that means...
I'm good at concentrating on the ball?
Right.
So, the reason why this becomes your weakness is...
Wait!
I'll figure it out myself!
Nope, I just don't know.
For now, let's just try what we usually do.
Stop!
Kakeru, where were you looking just now?
Where?
I see!
I've got it, Seven!
I've been looking at the ball too much.
Especially in a one-on-one situation!
That's right, Kakeru!
Totally right!
So then, that time...
Right. But once you've noticed it...
Yeah.
He looked!
See?
Yeah!
It's good that you've found your weakness.
That's true,
but it's not so easy to just change my habits.
Just keep practicing until it changes.
I'll be your opponent again anytime.
Thank you, but I'll be fine.
What?
I won't run away again, like last time.
Kakeru?
So, go play soccer.
I want to see it.
The sight of you,
playing an active role on the field,
like you did back then.
Oh, but I do want you to join me
in practice now and then, too.
Thank you, Kakeru.
There!
Wh-What was that all of a sudden?
Nothing.
Goshima
Hello, this is Mishima.
In the upcoming match,
please allow me to play.
Next Episode: Panic at the Training Camp?!
Finally in action, the Enoshima Soccer Club
attends a training camp to work toward the inter-high league.
Kakeru works up a sweat at tough practices,
but as they say, the real training starts at night.
Kakeru faces endless temptation and fear
in the springtime of his youth.
Nana steps forward and joins Nadeshiko Japan
to face off against the world.
Next time on Knight in the Area,
episode 9: "Panic at the Training Camp?!"
Kakeru, you pervert!