Here goes my "Let's Draw Nomo" Song!
Two balls came flying in.
Small balls came flying in, too.
But hold on, here's one more.
Just barely scrape the surface for a fine play.
Cross one, two, and three mountains.
The sign for "victory" is V! V! V!
Then we have ourselves another V! V! V!
And surprise! We're done!
That's game, set, and Nomo's done!
That was a good pitch.
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
I'm sticking the cushion underneath.
Okay.
Does it hurt?
No, I'll manage.
Are you sure this position is comfortable?
Yeah, I'm fine.
Is this all the cold spray we have left in the inventory, Dad?
I thought we had some more in the basket by the entrance.
Good evening.
Are you just getting home?
Yeah, I made a stop at the library on my way back.
I saw Akaishi on my way back,
and he said Aoba got injured.
Yeah, she got hit by one of Azuma's batted balls.
Apparently it cracked one of her leg bones.
She's going to have to stay hospitalized with a cast on her leg for the time being.
Although you could say she didn't pick a bad time to get injured,
since we're already done with finals and spring break is just around the corner.
You seem pretty easygoing about this;
this means she won't be able to make the Women's National Team anymore, right?
Plus it'll be a while until she can play baseball like before, won't it?
Yeah.
But she did say that she was only trying out just for the heck of it,
and I guess her injury won't affect the team in any significant way
since she can't play in official games anyway.
You can't seriously be thinking that.
Not me;
those words came from her mouth.
Do you believe her?
As if.
She's really frustrated.
About not being able to tryout,
about not being able to play baseball,
and also about the fact that her injury is not affecting the team in any significant way.
It's all killing her inside.
But at the moment,
she's probably more concerned that Azuma might start feeling guilty and that will affect his performance.
And where's Azuma?
He's still at the hospital.
Did you come back early, then, Kitamura?
Yeah.
It's important that she's given some peace and quiet.
She'd get agitated if I had stayed next to her and said anything, after all.
That's amazing.
What is?
You just know everything about Aoba, don't you?
I've known her for quite some time, you know.
I see.
So you do know.
All right.
Know what?
Oh, hi.
So it was true.
I thought Kei'ichiro was just joking when he told me.
I guess I was a little clumsy.
Oh, you don't have to worry about me.
I'm not bummed out about this at all.
Just goes to show that I wasn't meant to play on the National Team.
But you would have definitely made the team.
You think so?
Yeah, definitely.
Give the tryouts your best shot.
I'm sure you'll make the team, Koganezawa.
Thanks.
I'll make the team, I promise.
Come on now, Azuma.
I don't seem all that cold-blooded now, do I?
You idiot.
Aoba would kick your ass to the moon if she saw you like this.
I'd feel much better if she would.
It's just like that time with my brother.
She won't put any of the blame on me.
Of course she wouldn't.
It's her fault for not listening to me when I told her to use the pitching net.
I must be a jinx or something.
Would you give it up already?
She'll be back to her old self after a month of good rest.
A month, huh?
If it was one of us who got injured,
we might be able to endure it under the hope
that a fast recovery would allow us to play in the Summer Tournament.
But the National Team tryout was her only chance to play on a team, wasn't it?
I won't stop you if you want to keep on blaming yourself.
Stop me, you cold-hearted bastard.
Geez.
I'll be back tomorrow.
You don't have to show your face here every day, you know.
Unlike being sick,
my condition isn't going to suddenly get better or worse;
all I have to do is just lay here.
That's why I'm worried.
If the only thing you can do is lay down,
your frustration is going to slowly build up,
and we won't know when you'll explode.
It'd be for the best if the person who did this to you is there when it happens.
I told you, I don't blame you for this at all.
You should at least blame me a little.
I will blame you, if you end up letting this affect your batting.
Going home already, Yuhei?
I'll be back tomorrow.
See you, Tsukishima.
Bye.
Maybe Yuhei likes you, Aoba.
Did you get those snacks I asked for?
I have them right here.
You bought me cheap candy?
Maybe I should have just asked for a cake.
Make do with that, will you?
Tsukishima's injured?
I see.
And he's hit a single through the hole!
Nansei University High School extends their lead with another no out base hit
in their first appearance at the Spring Invitationals...
Did Azuma go to the hospital again?
Yeah.
He's been hauling his butt over there every day.
But this might just become a good opportunity for those two.
What part of this is an opportunity?
He's the one who caused this; quit joking around!
What would he have done if the ball had hit her in the face instead?
Aoba's a girl, you know!
This is exactly why I told her to quit baseball while she's ahead.
Something's burning, man.
Oh, don't worry.
This is the Napolitan you two ordered.
Hey...
Now, they need to stay strong here.
Yasuda, the captain, signals to the pitcher on the mound;
before the game, he had told us in an interview
that he'd rather focus on enjoying this game at the Koshien,
than to worry himself over winning or losing.
Come in.
Oh, hello.
I will now announce those of you who survived the second round cut:
Number 3, Number 8, Number 11, Number 15, Number 19!
Number 23, Number 31, Number 47, Number 49!
Number 56, Number 57, Number 77, Number 81!
Number 84, Number 90, Number 102, Number 103!
Number 106, Number 119, Number 127, Number 131!
And that's it.
Now for the reserves:
Number 35, Number 44, Number 83, and Number 100.
The 26 of you that I just mentioned will join us at the National Team Training Camp in May.
You did it, Koganezawa!
Making the reserves still counts as making the team; congratulations!
That's the girl from the store next door to you...
...isn't she?
Yeah.
Who's the guy?
No clue.
He doesn't look as if he's her boyfriend, does he?
Yeah.
Shouldn't you go help her?
I wouldn't worry about it.
Damn it, you'll regret this!
Well I'll be.
Look at Akaishi being all moonstruck over a girl.
He really liked Wakaba, you know.
Thank you so much.
Be careful next time.
There's a lot more guys like him around here.
I will.
How's Aoba doing?
She's recovering nicely.
According to Azuma, that is.
Aren't you going to visit her?
Baseball's probably the last thing she wants to think about right now,
and she'd end up thinking about it if we were to all go see her.
I see.
So you're being nice.
I wouldn't call it being nice.
There's nothing we can do for Tsukishima, after all.
Not even Kitamura?
Who knows.
He's not honest about his feelings, after all.
Just like Tsukishima.
This is bitter!
Coming to the beach during spring time isn't so bad, either.
I guess it's about time to head back to the hospital now.
Sorry.
Huh?
I know I promised that I'd go traveling with you during spring break,
but now that Aoba's in the hospital...
Nah.
You need to stay and help out at the store since things will get hectic.
Aoba better heal completely.
Both for the team, and for Yuhei.
For Yuhei?
Me getting injured was a big detour for him, after all.
I'm sure Aoba is probably frustrated,
but I hope she'll cool down and focus on getting better for now.
I know just how much of a burden being injured places on the people around you.
Although it wasn't until recently
when I figured being injured wasn't so bad, either.
For if I hadn't been injured, I wouldn't have been able to meet the most important person in my life.
Ichiyo,
Yes?
Let's build a home garden named "Happiness" together.
Huh?
W-Well, it sounded good in my head last night when I was thinking about how I should propose—
In that case, um...
Just as how a juicy watermelon needs its green and black stripes to come together in harmony...
Oh wait, I decided not to use this one since it's Spring.
Oh, this one!
Please accept my bulb in marriage.
Well, what I'm trying to say is...
Please marry me!
I will do my best to make you happy!
No good?
I will.
R-Really?!
But there's a condition.
A condition?
I'll think about it.
Huh? So does that mean...
That's an "okay," right?
But still...
Wait, Ichiyo!
Is that an "okay" for now?
Hey Azuma,
if you're going to the hospital today, could you...
Huh?
Where's Azuma?
Didn't he leave just now?
He did?
What?
You told Tsukishima the results of the second round cut?
Yeah, I stopped by the hospital before practice.
I figured Tsukishima would want to know, too, so...
Are you retarded?
Don't you realize that's the one subject she doesn't want to hear about right now?
Well Midori told me to tell her, so...
Could you think of how Tsukishima feels for just one minute?
Don't talk to her about baseball for the time being, got that?
My waist!
Where's Ko, Nakanishi?
He left for the hospital.
He said Aoba's withdrawal symptoms should be showing up soon or something,
and took her ball and glove with him.
What's up.
Huh?
Aoba's the cutest when she's asleep.
Aoba said the same thing.
She said you're cute when you sleep.
It looks like Midori's been selected to join them at the training camp.
Can you believe it?
Feeling better now?
You were angry, weren't you?
About me and Ko going to the park without you, that is.
So that's why.
I knew something was up when you asked me to play catch with you.
Ko's the one who told me.
Told you what?
That you'd probably feel better if I played a little catch with you.
Looks like he was right.
You really love baseball, don't you, Aoba?
Could you teach Ko how to pitch properly next time?
Once he gets serious, he could become the best pitcher in Japan!
He might even be able to throw 160km/h.
I'll excuse myself, then.
Going back home after a delivery?
Oh, yeah.
Take care.
Oh yeah.
Feel free to use these.
What are they?
My parents were going to go see it, but something came up.
Really?
This is great!
I actually wanted to go see it at least once.
But why don't you go?
I'm not a big fan of these things.
Oh yeah, why don't you ask Ko to go with you?
You think he'd go?
He will.
He likes those kind of things.
I see.
I'll try asking, then.
Well, I'll be on my way.
Thanks a lot.
Good night.
It's a little early for that.
You're right.
See you, then.
I'm home!
What are you doing, Akaishi?
Oh, nothing.
I was just getting done with a delivery.
How was Tsukishima?
She was sound asleep, so I came back without talking to her.
I see.
Did you see Ko on your way back?
No.
Did he go to the hospital?
Yeah.
No matter how it may look,
he's probably the one who knows her feelings best.
Ow!
Just how long are you planning sleeping?
Go home already!
Huh?
What time is it?
Do I look like I know?
I'm starving.
Imma go home.
What's his problem?
How does your leg feel, Miss Tsukishima?
Oh, it doesn't really feel any different.
Huh?
You look a lot more refreshed than you were in the morning.
It's because I got some good sleep.
Come in.
He strikes out looking!
And the batter strikes out on a curveball.
Hi.
Oikawa of Ryuou Academy,
has struck out seven today.
He's as smooth as usual in this tournament.
I'll have to start working out after I get out of the hospital.
Don't you think Koshien would only be a stone's throw away
if we had a batting practice pitcher who could throw all the pitches this Ryuou pitcher's got?
This is for you, Kitamura.
Tickets to a kabuki show?
Akaishi told me.
You like these things, don't you?
Huh?
Since when did I become a kabuki fan?
I just wanted to see Wakaba Tsukishima smile even more.
She always smiled the brightest when she was with you.
Next time, on Cross Game Episode 38:
It's his first date.