The inter-high finals.
Against Tokyo Shukyu,
where the world class genius player, Leonardo Silva, attends,
Kamakura utilized the extremely offensive formation
that had crushed all previous competition, the Tomahawk,
and scored the first goal.
Takajo-san's explosively powerful and accurate long shot
took the lead for Kamakura,
but Shukyu, with their numerous athletic stars,
showed their underlying strength
and claimed a comeback win.
They took the title of number one in Japan.
However, I think Kamakura, who lost, was strong as well.
It was an amazing match, wasn't it, Suguru-san?
Partly Cloudy
There are only minutes left in the friendly game
against Russia.
Will the game end in a tie, Nadeshiko Japan?
Mina Nakae has dashed off with the ball!
Mai-chan!
There it is! Mishima's killer pass.
It's to Mai Murasaki,
who hasn't scored a goal yet this match.
Will she put one in this time?
Go, Mai-chan!
Go through!
Don't underestimate us, midget.
Mai-chan, over here.
It's okay. I can still go.
Murasaki continues to press forward.
Will she be able to make it past these defenders?
Oh, too bad!
They've lost their chance and the ball goes back to the Russians.
Wait, it's Mishima!
The Little Witch was right there with them!
Witch...
Okay!
Otsuki is overlapping on the right side.
Will they score?
Nana-chan!
We're going to crush you!
Here it comes.
There it is! The "Witch Turn."
Like a dancer, she splendidly slips
between the two large Russian defenders.
Why, you!
Here's a through pass. The receiver is...
Mai Murasaki!
I won't let you!
Go!
Goal! Mai Murasaki's acrobatic shot has scored!
That's the end of the game.
Against the powerful Russians,
Nadeshiko Japan claimed a spectacular comeback victory.
All right!
Nice game, nice game.
You were lovely again today, Nana-chan.
Thanks.
I know!
Mai-chan?
What happened?
Well, you see...
Thanks for coming to cheer us on yesterday.
I'd go through fire or storms for you, Nana-chan— ow!
Mishima-san's witch turn was amazing,
but Murasaki-san's no ordinary player, either.
I wish I had those acrobatic movements in me.
No way. Your DHA wouldn't allow it.
DHA?
You mean DNA.
Is that right?
What's up?
Actually, it's about Mai-chan.
Okay, everyone, warm-up is over. Hustle over.
Let's do this!
Yeah!
Sorry. Later.
Okay.
All right! Another day of beach soccer!
Wait a moment.
Before that...
How did this happen, Matoba?
D-Don't ask me.
Are you okay, Kaoru-kun?
We usually just sprint up this,
but this is like martial arts training.
I'm really feeling it.
I'm the one feeling it!
Sorry, sorry.
Your time has really dropped, Araki-kun.
Let's try a little harder.
Gimme a break. What is this?
Like I said, this is our usual 100 meter dash, but uphill.
I believe I explained this in the beginning.
If I keep doing something this excruciating, I'm going to die!
It's all right.
People don't die that easily.
We're doing another 20.
What?
Wait a second, Iwaki-chan.
That's a little bit absurd...
I'm aware that it's absurd,
but you all must overcome this trial.
If you can't...
...then the championships are a dream beyond a dream.
You won't even be able to beat Yoin.
Coach Kondo.
Since the inter-high matches,
you have all unmistakably become stronger.
However, if we continue doing the same things,
it would be difficult to break through the wall
to the Top 8 - no, impossible.
In other words, to break through that wall,
we've reviewed the training menu
and saw a need to revise it.
And what we came up with was...
...this uphill dash.
The stone steps training, correct?
Yes. In order to leap to the next level,
you will need greater physical strength than before.
This was the conclusion that Coach Kondo and I came to.
Of course, I don't intend to put your efforts to waste.
Those who don't believe they can keep up
with this menu can leave.
That is, if you don't mind experiencing
that inter-high embarrassment again.
Araki...
Let's go. We've got another 20 to go.
Who are you trying to look cool for?
Wait up, Araki!
C'mon, let's go.
For our final dish, we'll have a marathon race to the summit.
Mishima-san will depart 30 seconds after you start,
so do your best not to get caught.
So, in other words...
It's a game of tag.
Just running isn't fun, right?
So let's have some fun at the end.
Yes, question.
What happens if you get caught by Nana-chan?
A very fun punishment game will be waiting for you.
I've got a really bad feeling about this.
Yeah.
In the event that you all complete the course without getting caught,
I have prepared a big present for you,
so do your best.
Yeah!
Get set...
Um, Coach?
What is this big present?
An all-you-can-eat barbeque?
It probably is something like that. Right, Mako-san?
No, no. It might be something even better.
Like a three-day, two-night hot spring vacation!
That sounds nice!
Just think of it.
A rustic hot spring town with a modern hot spring inn.
You turn to the sound of golden voices reverberating in the lounge
and see a group of energetic college tourist girls.
So you're from Enoshima?
How nice! I'd love to visit.
The conversation gets lively and more intimate,
and after enjoying dinner together...
It's all right.
It's a mixed bath so we can get in together.
Come on, hurry!
I'm coming right now!
I'm exhausted.
They're gone.
Found you!
Better hurry, or we're going to catch you.
The tables have turned!
Yeah, that's right!
Better hurry, or I'm going to catch you!
Are you all right?
Get it off!
That hurt.
Are you all right?
Uh oh.
Hey, wait!
Man, she's persistent.
Darn it!
If I've come this far...
Welcome home.
When did you...
Araki sure is slow.
Here he comes.
Why is he wet?
Hurry, Araki!
Mixed bath, mixed bath! Hot spring vacation!
Too bad.
Damn it!
After being chased around like that,
now I've got to carry these as punishment.
Remember this, you witch girl.
You better remember this, too, Araki.
We don't get to go on a hot spring vacation
because of you.
You'd better finish the race next time.
What do you think you're doing?
It's your punishment.
This time it's our turn. Get him!
If they knew the truth,
I wonder how they'd react.
The prize for everyone finishing the race is
"first place in the championship."
That was a great idea, Iwaki-kun.
But it will be a while before they can claim it.
Despite the 30 second lead,
after that harsh training,
to see everyone escape
from Mishima-san would be next to impossible.
But if they were to do it...
...it would mean that
they had trained their bodies enough
to reach the top of the championship.
Once they've trained that hard, all we can do
is to present the word "victory" to them.
Well, compared to a hot spring vacation,
it may be a modest gift.
Hey, Witch!
Okay.
Nice goal, Tae-san.
Thank you. Nice pass yourself, Nana-chan.
Hold on, Witch.
In that situation, I should've had the ball, right?
Didn't you see me?
I saw you, but your mark was on you.
Mi-chan was on you.
Didn't you notice?
Tae-nee is right.
If she had passed it to you, I would've intercepted it.
I told you at the match against Russia.
Mai-chan, you have to pay more attention to your surroundings.
What's that about?
She's still a child.
Let's get back to practice.
What are we going to do with Mai Murasaki?
We won't be able to perform team plays like this.
What should we do from here?
What are you saying, Naomi-chan?
In the soccer that I'm aiming for,
Mai-chan is indispensable!
That's right, Mai-chan! You're so cute!
This man bases everything on looks.
Thank you very much.
Good work.
Mai-chan, are you free after this?
Why?
I thought we could get some tea.
Are you planning to lecture me?
Huh?
Like, that I should get along better with my teammates.
Or I should listen to my senior's advice.
I don't really want to hear it.
That's not it.
I'm not even in a position to be lecturing others.
What?
Of course you are!
The media is all excited over the Little Witch,
who's Nadeshiko's best player.
They just say whatever they want.
I have to hold on to this regular position
and be more active on the world's stage.
It's different for you!
Hey, wait!
Leave me alone!
You're annoying!
Mai-chan!
Mai-chan.
Man, I want some pork ramen!
Sounds good. Let's get some on our way home.
Really?
Yeah, without you.
What's that about?
You still can't find your wallet?
Yeah. It's probably in the club room.
Just go on without me.
Found it.
Kakerucchi!
Mai-chan.
I'm glad you're here.
No one was here, so I didn't know what to do.
What's wrong?
Can I borrow your shower?
I came right after practice,
so I'm all sticky with sweat.
Is that right?
See?
I probably smell.
Oh no, do I smell that bad?
No, not at all.
Please? It's okay, right? Please?
I think it should be fine.
The clubs have a shower room, so you should use it.
Yay! All right!
It's locked.
Looks like everyone is done with practice and went home.
Then let me use the men’s.
Since you always use it,
you should know where the key is, right?
Sure, I know, but...
this sounds like a bad idea.
It's fine. It's fine.
Men’s Shower Room
Keep watch so no one comes in.
Okay.
She's showering!
Wait, that's what
I'm supposed to do when my leg cramps up!
Um, um... how to calm myself down....
Oh no, what should I do?
What? What's wrong?
I forgot my towel.
Kakerucchi, do you have one?
I'm pretty sure I don't... not have one...
Oh, good. Then let me borrow it.
Yeah, but...
Hurry up. I'll catch a cold.
O-Okay!
Over here.
Here. I haven't used this one.
Huh?
What are you doing, all of a sudden?
Put on your clothes!
It's all right. I'm already wearing clothes.
Cut it out. That was a terrible joke.
You're so pure at heart, Kakerucchi.
What are you doing?
Why did you do this?
It should be obvious.
Because I like you, Kakerucchi.
N-No! No, no!
Don't run away.
I'm just kidding. I won't do anything.
B-But...
Don't worry. I'm wearing them.
It's fine! You don't have to show me.
I'm seriously wearing them!
I don't know anything! I don't know!
What's wrong, Kakerucchi?
I-It's Seven...
Kakeru? Kakeru?
What should I do? I have to hide!
What's the point in me hiding?
Mai-chan! Hide!
Kakeru? Kakeru?
Hey, sorry to keep you.
What were you freaking out about?
Is someone there?
No way. It's just me.
I see.
More importantly, what are you doing here?
Today was Nadeshiko's practice day, right?
Yeah. I had something I wanted to talk to you about.
Talk?
Did something happen?
I tried to talk to you about it before, remember?
About Mai-chan.
She's sort of isolated from the team.
Really?
Yeah.
Of course, everyone acknowledges her ability...
but her teamwork is a little...
You think so?
When we played together on the beach,
she passed a lot
and participated in plays where she was the bait, right?
Yeah.
So then if she's not mixing well,
then maybe the receiving end
needs to change their attitude a little, too.
That's what I think, too.
Mai-chan does have a strong personality,
but that isn't a bad thing in the slightest.
That's the sort of sport soccer is.
Team play is, of course, important,
but occasionally playing out in front,
like Mai-chan, is necessary, too.
This is what Nadeshiko was lacking up until now.
In any case, getting results should be a priority.
Even if it doesn't look good, a forward needs
to get a goal to gain the confidence of others.
You're right. You're right!
Yeah.
Then I'll have to give Mai-chan more passes.
She's absolutely necessary.
To Nadeshiko's future and to me.
She's an irreplaceable friend.
Thank you, Kakeru.
I feel much better.
You're welcome.
I completely forgot about her!
Well, that's the end of the talk,
so let's go home! Right? Right?
Yeah.
Shower time!
You can't!
I see, she went through...
I'm sorry!
I'm feeling kind of thirsty.
Let's stop by the convenience store.
Hey, Kakeru.
Mai-chan was in the shower room, wasn't she?
What makes you think that?
So she really was there.
What were you two doing together?
It's not like we were doing anything.
Honest. That sort of stuff is totally...
What do you mean by "that sort of stuff"?
What? Ah! No!
Wait, really! There really wasn't anything!
I can go next week, if you want. -Mai
Thank you! -Nana
I'm home.
He's home! Papa!
What's with the rush?
Just have a seat.
We have something important to talk about.
Wh-What is it?
Were the results of the examination bad?
You've been chosen to be a representative.
Representative? For what?
Idiot! Soccer, of course.
We just got the call.
They want you as a U-16 Japanese representative.
Sakurai-san, the coach from the soccer association, told us.
Come on. I'm not my brother.
There's no way I'd be called on for...
Is it really true?
It's not a lie?
Yes.
I-I—
I did it!
Next Episode U-16 Representative Training Camp
Kakeru receives an invitation
to join the U-16 representative training camp.
He will finally get to see the place
where his brother always was,
and his heart beats with ambition.
Kakeru, bewildered by the unique world
of challenges that differ from high school soccer,
is gently supported by his brother's teammates.
Araki, who also receives the same invitation,
recalls his experiences with Suguru,
and secretly yearns for combat.
Next time on Knight in the Area,
episode 30: "U-16 Representative Training Camp."
Seven, this was my brother's stage.