We only have a week left before the regional qualifiers.
Starting the day after tomorrow, we will be starting our annual training camp.
I trust you will all condition yourselves well in preparation of the upcoming tournament.
Fortunately, we won't be facing Ryuou, the team that knocked us out last year,
until the final leg of the tournament.
Although every game before then is equally important,
our main training objective will be to defeat Ryuou.
Check it out, guys! The geezer actually wants to make it to the finals!
Especially you 12th graders!
This is going to be your last summer as members of the baseball team.
Play so you won't have anything to regret later!
Yes, sir!
We won't be holding practice tomorrow.
Get plenty of rest and ready yourselves for the training camp.
That'll be all.
Thank you!
Mitsuru Adachi
（Serialized in Shogakukan's 「Weekly Shonen Sunday」）
Created by
Toshihiro Nakazawa
Nobumasa Sawabe
Planning
Masato Hayashi
Rei Anami (TV TOKYO)
Shin'ichirou Tsuzuki
Planning Assistance
Toshisato Okuno Shin Omura Takenori Ichihara
Tetsuya Takeda
Supervisors
Original Planning Assistance
Michihiro Tsuchiya
Series Composition
Yuji Kondo
Main Character Design
Maho Takahashi
Tomoyuki Matsumoto
Koichi Imano
Art Design
Subcharacter Design
Prop Design
Kayoko Ono
Miki Tsubouchi
Hiromi Komine
Yutaka Kuramoto
Art Director
Color Design
Photography Director
Editing
Nobuhide Tanaka Toshiyuki Kuroiwa
Kotaro Nakagawa
Takeshi Takadera
HALF H・P STUDIO
Music Producer
Music
Sound Director
Sound Production
「Summer Rain」
Lyrics／Composition: Kentaro Kobuchi
Arrangement: Kobukuro
Kobukuro
（Warner Music Japan）
Opening Theme
Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TV-TOKYO Music
Warner Music Japan
Music Assistance
Ryosuke Sakurai
Animation Producer
Animation Production
Shin'nosuke Wada (TV TOKYO) Naohiko Furuichi
Producers
Osamu Sekita
Director
Shogakukan Shueisha Production
Production Studio
SUBTITLED BY ANBU
It's been three years already, huh?
So much has happened, hasn't it?
Yeah.
So it's our last summer...
I can't say the feeling's quite hit me yet.
Hey, Nakanishi!
I forgot to say this earlier,
but be sure to lose three kilograms before summer's end!
Beat Ryuou, huh?
We'll probably have a fair chance of doing that since Azuma and Kitamura are on the team.
Don't talk as if this is someone else's business!
We're part of the starting lineup, too, remember?
We've got quite a heavy burden ourselves, don't we.
We'll have to try our best not to drag down the seniors.
B-By the way...
What do you think will happen to Tsukishima once Azuma graduates?
About that.
According to Kitamura,
those two aren't really going out just yet.
What?
That means we'll have a chance if we do well in the tournament!
We still have a chance!
Let's beat Ryuou, then!
Let's try to make this the best summer ever for the seniors!
Yeah!
That's right, let's do this for the seniors!
For the seniors!
Mifujidai, Mifujidai.
Akane?
Oh, welcome back.
I'm sorry I had you worried there.
I got off the train and suddenly started feeling sick.
But I'm all right now.
Are you sure?
Yeah.
It's happened quite a few times before,
so I'm used to it now. Don't worry.
I'll be at work at the Clover on Sunday, too.
I was really weak until I started elementary school,
so I stayed home quite a bit.
Thanks for walking me.
Please let me know when you start feeling sick again next time, Akane.
Okay, I will.
Huh?
I could have sworn the sports towels used to be here.
What are you doing?
I'm getting stuff ready for training camp.
The sports towels are in the third drawer.
Huh?
They were moved there.
The bath towels are now in the second drawer, by the way.
Thanks for letting me know.
Where's Ichiyo?
She's out on a date.
What about Akane?
She has a painting that she needs to finish.
And Aoba?
Out shopping.
She said she's buying stuff for training camp.
And today would have made a perfect day to go out on a date, too.
More importantly, how much longer is that guy going to keep freeloading at your place?
You mean Azuma?
Does he plan to leave any time soon?
To somewhere as far as possible, perhaps.
Don't ask me.
Ask his brother.
He really doesn't help my case,
especially if he keeps hanging around Aoba at this crucial time.
Is the coffee ready yet?
Just to confirm,
you like Akane, right?
What's that supposed to confirm?
I have enough rivals as it is already.
Does that even matter?
If you like her, you should keep going for it instead of worrying about how many rivals you have.
It's not that easy for me, you know!
I have the handicap of not being on the baseball team.
I don't have that chance of being able to throw a 160km/h fastball!
Oh yeah!
If Seishu loses at the Summer Koshien, then that would be it for the 12th graders.
I'll be on even ground when that happens!
Where's my coffee, damn it!
One more for you.
This will have to be my last.
I have tomorrow to think about.
Don't say that; we've just started!
Oh no...
Oh, you're here again?
Hey, Baseball Boy!
And Coach?
The Director invited me.
But why are you dressed like that?
Oh, I was out training a little.
I did give you guys the day off to rest, you know.
I don't want to have anything to regret.
Don't let him drink too much, okay, Dad?
A youngster's dreams are quite dazzling, don't you agree?
You can say that again.
Heat 6, get into position.
Ready...
Going out, Kei'ichiro?
Yeah.
Where to?
The arcade.
I'm so nervous.
I'm the one who should be nervous.
Well you're right about that, but...
I wonder if my parents will be able to make a good impression on you.
I'm the one who's supposed to make the good impression.
Well you're right, but...
Don't tell me you're feeling insecure.
A-About what?
About Seishu.
Making the Koshien, that is.
Oh, that.
We'll make it there, no problem.
We'll definitely make it.
The light's turned green.
Oh crap!
Where's Ichiyo?
She's gone to meet his parents for the first time.
That's quite a big deal.
I guess they're just counting the seconds now.
Good for them.
And what about you?
Are things going well with that boyfriend of yours?
I wouldn't be playing catch with you if they were.
I see.
Yo.
Oh, spiky head!
It's Senda!
What's up?
Here to drink some coffee?
I'm a high school baseball player, you know.
Why else would I be here, other than to practice batting?
You?
I'm a completely changed man from yesterday—
Oh my god, a cat!
Ow!
I'm going to get going.
Thanks for playing catch with me.
Where are you going, Ko?
To keep a man's promise.
Damn it, I'm going to unleash this pain and anger at the batting cages!
You want me to play with you?
If you don't mind me, that is.
Ozaki!
Welcome back, Ao.
Makihara!
Well, if it isn't Akaishi.
Out shopping?
No, dumbass, I'm going to work right now.
Us working people are busy, unlike you high school kids.
Oh yeah, it's coming up for you guys soon, right?
You guys are going to be facing that one strong team in the summer tournament...
what were they called?
Are you talking about Ryuou?
Yeah, Ryuou!
You guys got murdered by that team last year, didn't you?
Are you sure you should be walking around here and not practicing right now?
Well, we've been making some preparations.
Some preparations?
You better not be underestimating your opponents!
Both Ryuou's ace and cleanup hitter are the same as last year!
You better be doing more than just "some" if you want to win!
So you have been keeping up with it.
Anyway, give us something to be proud of.
Beat them no matter what happens!
Will do!
You're opening up too much when you swing.
Your strengths lie within the flexibility of your upper body.
You'll be able to get a hit if you just try to make contact without straining yourself.
Think about raising your batting average before anything else!
We'll have less chances batting unless you manage to get on base as the first batter.
So that's what you're worried about.
Damn it, just you watch, Azuma.
The flexibility of my upper body is my strength?
Looks like you've started to understand some of my talents.
Who are you again?
I'll make sure you never forget my name again!
Looks like you can do it when you put your mind to it, Sendo.
It's Senda!
Hey, this is no place to be having a picnic, you know.
Oh, sorry.
I got hungry.
You won't be able to get any autographs no matter how long you wait.
Aren't you Seishu's...
Yes, I'm the team manager.
So you're spying on us?
You brought lunch, too?!
How's Kitamura doing?
He's doing great.
That's good to hear.
Don't you dare lose until you get to us, you hear?
Sure thing.
Don't you lose either, okay?
Is that really something a spy should be saying?
Will do.
What's with that goodie-two-shoes attitude, Mishima?
I guess that's the kind of thing that sets popular guys apart from the rest.
What's that supposed to mean, damn it?!
Hey.
Did you warm up a bit before coming?
Yeah, I threw the ball around quite a bit before coming.
Come on, now.
Don't overdo it, you hear?
And who was there to catch for you?
Was it Tsukishima?
I guess you could say that.
Huh?
Let's get started.
Yeah.
So you guys run a batting center.
Oh, yes.
I'm jealous.
Oh, it's not all that great.
It doesn't throw very accurately, either.
I want a cute sister like yours, too.
U-Um...
How did you know where I live?
Midori told me.
Koganezawa did?
She's really trying hard.
She probably improved the most out of anyone at training camp.
She might even make the starting lineup at this rate.
The World Cup's in August, right?
Yeah.
Summer training camp is coming up soon.
I actually had my hopes up a little.
I heard Coach Takei asked you to participate at the training camp.
Sorry.
Oh no.
Everyone has something they can't give up, after all.
It was just that...
I couldn't feel at ease because I kept feeling like I was leaving something behind.
I want to see your pitch one more time from the plate, Tsukishima.
Ozaki...
Now, I'll have you fulfill our promise.
I have to get back before it gets dark.
O-Okay!
Fourth place, huh.
I guess this is just how it is.
Just how it is?
If you hadn't gotten caught on the last hurdle, you might have even made it to the semi-finals!
Nah, that's impossible.
I don't have the skills.
But thanks to this, I can come root for you at the Koshien now.
The Koshien, huh?
It's over for me, so it's on you now, Nakanishi.
Nakagawa...
It's over, huh...
I tried pretty hard this year.
I really did.
I guess I have no choice, then.
I'll take you to the Koshien with me.
Okay!
But, Nakanishi?
What is it?
You need to lose three kilograms before that happens.
Get outta here!
It's been a while.
We used to train here all the time before we made the high school team, huh?
Yeah.
I'm glad that you became more than just our "secret weapon."
Now bring on the heat!
The sun's going to set if you keep standing around like this.
I'm the pitcher and you're the catcher
in a jam-packed Koshien, huh?
Thanks.
All right, the next one's going to be a curveball.
We'll square off for one at bat.
Is that all right with you?
Yes.
You've gotten even faster.
I completely swung too late.
Strike one.
No wonder.
You got me with that pitch last time, didn't you?
Strike two.
You don't have to swing at every pitch.
That was a ball just now.
Okay.
I'm sorry if that offended you.
Oh no, that's not what I meant.
Now, the count's at 1-2.
Okay.
That's too low.
I swung too late again.
Oh, sorry.
It's all right.
With that, the count's at 3-2.
The next one will be the clincher.
Yes.
I lost.
Thanks for today.
Thank you.
That last pitch was the fastest you've thrown against me.
You probably would've gotten a hit off me if you had another pitch.
I'll be looking forward to our next duel.
Me too.
Do you think you guys will make it to the Koshien?
We definitely will.
You don't have any regrets, right?
None at all.
I'll be looking forward to this year's Koshien, then.
I hope you'll give the World Cup your best shot, too, Ozaki.
We'll go claim that number one spot.
Training camp begins today.
I hope you will all give your best to the practices ahead.
Yes, sir!
Let's make it to the Koshien!
Yes, sir!
Bring on the wedding reception!
I'll lose those three grams!
Don't you mean three kilograms?
All right, let's do this guys!
Yeah!
Akane was here?
Why didn't you wake me up?
Akaishi told me to let you keep sleeping.
Akaishi!
He even saw Akane off.
What?
Hey, Azuma?
Is that Miki that Miki?
Yeah, that's him.
Next time, on Cross Game Episode Forty-Three:
I guess he hasn't changed.
He looks pretty happy.