Harada, it's getting late.
Pack it up.
Yes, I was about to turn in.
You're free to practice the way you want, but you have to keep to the schedule.
-Understood. -We're sorry.
Good.
Harada, you lock up the equipment room.
Nagakura, you clean up the club house. Don't cut any corners.
-I'm heading home. -Yes, sir.
Bye then.
-"Bye then." He said. -That's the Otomurai effect.
It means that he has to accept us since we got Otomurai's approval.
What are you guys doing?
We've been waiting for you by the gate.
Come help me put these balls away.
-What about Go? -He has to clean the club house.
Hey, I'll wait for you outside. I hate the dark.
I've heard it so many times
It's not going to work out
That nothing will change
Even if I pretended not to listen
I knew it all, I learnt this from you
That it's not a failure, even if it is
When I thrust my feelings upon the drifting clouds
The quiet melodies push my back
Because the sky is so vast and free
I decided I wouldn't cry no more
Sawaguchi?
Stop screwing around. Let's go.
What the hell is this?
Let go of me, you idiot!
What the hell is this?
Let go of me, you bastards.
Beg for our forgiveness.
-We'll let you go if you get on your knees. -Screw you!
Ask us to spare you, and we'll end this.
No.
-I'll give you a haircut. -Stop! Nothing above the neck.
People will notice that.
Come on, that's enough. We don't have time.
Don't get carried away just 'cos you can throw a ball a little fast.
That's enough. Come on, let's go.
Don't compare my pitching to you losers.
You little bastard...
That's enough. We don't want to get caught.
Takumi?
Takumi!
What happened here? What is this?
Like I know.
Isn't this blood?!
Can you stand?
This way. Come to my house.
-Why would I do that? -Nobody's home.
We need to treat your wounds.
-Leave it. -I can't do that.
Come on.
-Let's go. -See ya later.
You should take a shower. I'll show you where it is.
Takumi, you're okay. Nobody else is here.
They're going to pay for this.
I know. Just relax and breathe.
-Are you okay? -I'm fine.
You're the one who said it.
I'll take that shower now. I'm feeling really sweaty.
This barely fits me.
Really? They're my pajamas from last year.
All right, lay down on the bed, and I'll treat your wounds.
My God, how can you even...
-Damn, Go. That really stings. -Stop complaining.
All done. I'll change out the gauze tomorrow.
Did it hurt?
Go. Don't feel sorry for me.
I don't want your sympathy.
Take the painkiller.
-You've got everything here. -Of course. It's our business.
You think I could sleep for a bit?
-Yeah, sure. -Thanks.
Go. Don't tell anybody else about today, okay?
Don't worry, I wasn't going to. Good night.
Here, eat up.
-Oh crap, I forgot. -Forgot what?
Oh, I already called your house to tell them you were spending the night.
-You called them? -Yeah.
Your mother seemed fine with it.
That's not a problem, right? Oh, I washed your uniform too.
You really are...
How do I put this? You think of everything.
-You're flawless. -Really?
Well, I guess I do think ahead before I act.
Don't you ever get sick of that?
You don't like doing that?
This isn't about me.
I'm asking about you.
Oh, that's right. I need to get you a toothbrush.
Could I get some more tea? Make it hot!
You're way too demanding.
What is it?
-Sawaguchi isn't here. -What?
Did he stay home today?
Hey. He wasn't around last night, was he?
-When we left the school? -Right.
He wasn't. He's a really timid kid.
I figured he probably went home early because he got scared.
He was with me until I got to the equipment room.
Takumi...
Yesterday, Sawa came to the club house to get us.
He said you were in trouble.
And where was Sawaguchi while I was in this trouble?
Sawa had nothing to do with it!
Sawa would never do anything like that!
Nobody said he did.
But he stayed home today.
-Let's go when we're done with class. -To Sawa's place?
Aren't you worried?
Harada. You better not hit Sawa.
Why would I punch Sawaguchi?
Because you're making a face like you want to.
I know you suspect him, and you're going to interrogate him or something.
Sawa's not that kind of guy!
I don't suspect him.
After what happened yesterday, and today he doesn't come to school?
Doesn't that worry you?
Are you really doing this because you're worried about Sawa?
Obviously!
Otherwise, I wouldn't be skipping practice to do this.
Hey, it's Sawa. What is he doing?
Tree climbing? What is he thinking?
Wait, he's not going to jump, is he?
Don't be stupid!
Sawa. Get down here!
-Harada, I'm sorry. -Sorry for what?
Get down here and tell me.
You're mad, aren't you Harada?
-I'm not mad! -Stop yelling, Harada.
-Try looking a little less threatening. -Yeah, Takumi. Smile!
And try to sound nicer.
How can I smile when I'm not happy?
What if Sawa falls? It'll be your fault.
Sawaguchi, look at me. You can talk about yesterday, can't you?
Yesterday when I was waiting outside the equipment room,
someone grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth, telling me to be quiet.
I was so scared. I was too scared to move.
After a while, a few guys came out of the room laughing how they're done.
I went to get Go.
But I was too scared to see you, so I just ran home.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
-Was it Nobunishi? -I think so.
Hey, what should I do?
I was thinking about it all day, but I can't figure out what to do.
Even climbing up to get a bigger view
didn't give me any answers.
I think we should tell Otomurai.
What's that going to accomplish? We don't even have proof it was Nobunishi.
-The marks on your back. -And then what?!
That'll only get our team shut down. Who's going to be happy about that?
Not me! If I can't play baseball, I have no reason to go to school!
Then what are we going to do?
-You're just going to say nothing? -I don't know! Damn it.
Sawaguchi. You better at least come to practice tomorrow.
Hold it right there.
Harada, what's wrong?
-You don't have your usual zip. -Really?
What were you thinking skipping practice yesterday?
Why did you skip practice yesterday?
Explain to me why you're slacking today.
I'm not slacking.
Well, don't get sloppy with your form.
-That'll lead to injuries. -Yes, sir.
I'm letting you start the first game in our next tournament.
Wow. Starting?
I won't be able to pitch if the catcher is Mr. Nobunishi.
What do you mean?
Mr. Nobunishi can't catch my pitches.
I don't want to bother playing if I can't throw it as hard as I can.
You won't know if he can catch it or not unless you practice.
There's no point in practicing if he doesn't even care about catching them.
Nobunishi said something similar.
Said he doesn't want to be your catcher.
I can't believe he'd disobey me.
You're sweating a lot.
-Are you feeling that bad? -No.
That's not the case.
Nagakura, let's give Harada a break and call it a day.
Yes, sir.
That's awesome! You both get to start!
-I'm just tagging along with Takumi. -Come on!
You're a vital part of this battery.
Who is he going to throw the ball to without you?
-Coach. -What is it?
You better not tell me you do this all the time!
-Let's just keep this quiet. -What?!
I'll apologize for losing my temper and going too far.
An apology isn't enough!
You know better than anyone how hard we've worked these past two years.
We were good and obedient.
We played baseball even when we hated it.
Why can't you look the other way this one time?!
Coach, you wouldn't betray us, would you?
Betray?! You have to be joking right now.
Mr. Nobunishi.
Do you hate baseball?
I don't hate or like it.
Junior high is just a stepping stone for high school.
I heard that if you did well on the baseball team, it'll look good on your application.
We would've been better off if you hadn't joined.
You get to say what you want, do what you want.
And now you get to start?! Are you kidding me?!
You didn't have to endure anything! It's not fair!
You both can go to hell!
And just so you know, Kaionji isn't with us.
He's loved baseball ever since he was a kid.
He's not like us.
-Harada. -Yes?
They need you in the principal's office.
Good morning. I've heard you've been through a lot. Please, have a seat.
I spoke with Mr. Tomura and Mr. Nobunishi earlier.
What's going to happen to Nobunishi?
He'll be staying at home for a while.
Will he be punished?
Considering this incident, we have to tread carefully.
Mr. Nobunishi and the others were exemplary students.
It's really hard for me to believe.
There's something I'd like to know.
Has Mr. Nobunishi and the others been doing this sort of thing the whole time?
No! I can't imagine that.
So if we consider their futures,
we would like to avoid involving the police.
You may not like this, Mr. Harada,
but I'd like you to leave their punishment to the school.
We're committed to ensuring an incident like this will never happen again.
What do you mean?
First, we'd like the baseball team to cease all activities for the time being.
This is less of a school issue
and more of an internal baseball team matter.
-Ceasing activities can't be avoided. -For how long, sir?
We have a tournament soon.
Tournament? Unfortunately, it might be best if our school withdrew.
If people learn that we let you play after such an incident,
there's no telling what will happen.
I would want to spare them that.
But we've worked hard to prepare for the prefecture tournament...
Mr. Kaionji, I understand your pain.
But I believe the whole team needs to take responsibility for this incident.
But...
Mr. Kaionji.
-Let's keep practicing. -No, we can't.
They might even disband the team if we don't cooperate.
No way!
We were never a strong team to begin with.
They wouldn't miss us.
If we can't practice, could I at least borrow equipment?
Harada?
I want to play baseball.
I don't care about anything else. I will play baseball.
You won't have the school's permission.
I can still play baseball without their permission.
Takumi.
I'll hand you a key to the equipment room.
You're not going to join us, Mr. Kaionji?
Harada, I have entrance exams next year. I'm sorry, but I can't go against the school.
-Are you really going to do this? -Yes.
-Then I'll see you after school. -Yeah, see you then.
Mr. Kaionji.
You know, I couldn't just sit there and watch.
I may have come today, but I can't promise I'll be here again tomorrow.
Now, let's do our usual running and calisthenics.
Then we'll begin our position drills right after.
Okay!
Harada. I want a shot at your pitches.
-What? Seriously? -Totally.
I'll have you know, I'm a pretty good batter.
To the baseball team members on the field.
Baseball practice is canceled today.
Please stop immediately and head home.
To the baseball team...
Bring it, Takumi!
I saw you running, the white ball sparkling
Following a parabola, disappearing into distant memories
You turn as you fade away, I run after you
I dream of hearing the cheers in the stadium
I continue to call out your name, ever since that fun day
I love you, That was probably the day before eternity
If spring comes tomorrow
I will come find you
Do you remember the place
Where the rain turned to sunshine and time stood still?