All right. Bring it, Takumi.
You don't need to bring the ball to me every time, stupid.
That was awesome.
It was like whoosh, bam.
And the ball's in my hand.
Stop being so overly dramatic.
I don't know how to put it.
I just get excited when I think it's coming.
-And then-- -All right, I get it.
But you can't come tell me after every pitch. Hurry up and get back there.
Okay, okay.
-Hey, let's call it a day. -Okay.
You're going to apply to the team tomorrow, right?
Yeah.
Takumi, are you planning on mastering the breaking ball?
My grandpa said something to me before.
He said not to even throw curve balls while I'm pitching with soft balls.
Yeah, fastballs are probably good enough.
It'll be plenty effective for junior-high baseball.
I wouldn't rely on breaking balls, but...
...I'm going to master them when my body's finished developing.
You plan on that too.
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
This is the flavor from his childhood he just described.
It's his mother's kinpira gobo.
Yes. this is it.
What?
I'm applying for the team.
Write your name down where it says "guardian" sometime today.
Wait, hold on. What's with your attitude?
Why are you always giving out orders to people?
I didn't give any orders.
So that's how you ask someone for a favor?
I didn't ask for a favor.
-I decided to join the baseball team. -I know that.
-I would never suggest it to you. -Makiko, just leave it alone.
Why are you so irritated when he's just applying for the team?
You stay out of it, Dad.
He's always like this.
What would you do if I said I was against you joining the baseball team?
It doesn't matter if you're against it.
Yes, of course. I thought you'd say that. But....
Who's the one who has to wash your muddy uniform?
Who has to make you a boxed lunch for your games?
I think it's not unreasonable for you to realize there are people supporting you.
I'm going to master them when my body's finished developing.
You plan on that too.
Maybe I'll just quit baseball.
So then I'd just watch him throw to some new batterymate?
Why did I have to meet a guy like Harada?
You there. Your hook.
Your collar isn't hooked.
-What's your name and class? -Let go of me.
Come with me.
Faculty Room
Takumi Harada? That's a good name.
You've got a good look in your eyes.
Do I? Thank you.
So, what do you have?
In your pocket. I'm asking what's inside it.
A Tokarev.
Answer seriously.
Nice Tokarev.
But you shouldn't bring anything that isn't school-related here.
But it is.
Show me your hand.
Take off your jacket.
You've got good musculature.
How much running do you do?
About 5 or 6 kilometers a day.
And you make sure to stretch.
But you can't throw a breaking ball yet. Is that about right, Harada?
That's about right.
-Who's training you? -Nobody.
You can't tell me you don't have any baseball experience.
I was on a Little League team.
But I did the running on my own.
That's quite an attitude you have for a freshman.
You could show some remorse.
Please, give me back my ball.
All non-scholastic items are confiscated for being against the rules.
Please, give it back. It does matter to me.
So you're applying to the team? You sure took your time.
So you're saying you can have the ball since you're joining the baseball team?
Yes.
Well, that kind of argument's not gonna work here.
Never take that out of your pocket.
And don't play catch in the hallways.
What's so funny?
Who would play catch in the hallways?
Hey, it happens sometimes.
Some idiots breaking windows throwing a ball around in the hallway.
I'm sure you could if you're just tossing the ball around.
But catch isn't a game.
It's not often you meet such an argumentative guy.
All right, get back to your classroom.
Thank you.
Takumi
Yo.
I heard you got pulled into the teachers' lounge.
So I came to check on you, and I see you just grinning.
-Grinning? Me? -Yup.
That's the famous Harada for you. Otomurai gave you a lecture, didn't he?
And you're still grinning. I guess I have nothing to worry about.
-Otomurai? -That's right.
That's Mr. Tomura's nickname.
He's the baseball coach.
That guy's strangely gloomy.
I wouldn't go that far.
But I wouldn't say the vice captain is very cheerful either.
Vice captain?
Not of the baseball team, I hope.
Yes, for the baseball team.
That's number three, Mr. Nobunishi. He plays catcher.
Seriously?
-Mr. Kusanagi. -Yes?
Could I take a look at the student questionnaire for your class?
Of course.
Here it is.
Harada Takumi
He's barely filled anything out about himself.
Hobbies, talents, best subjects....
He doesn't even have the most important part, his list of friends.
Coach Ioka?
You mean Mr. Ioka that used to coach Nitta High's baseball team?
That's right.
Apparently that boy who was here is Mr. Ioka's grandson.
That's right, you played for Nitta High's baseball team, didn't you, Mr. Tomura?
Were you coached by Coach Ioka?
Yeah, but when I was a junior, Coach suddenly quit.
We weren't much of a team after.
-One, two. -Oh, yeah.
Gather up.
That's the captain, Mr. Kaionji.
All right, we'll be starting real batting drills today like we discussed.
We'll be dividing you up into two groups.
Freshmen will be gathering balls in the outfield.
There's no chatting or sitting down to rest.
Is that all, coach?
Sounds good for practice.
Just one thing before we start.
-Harada. -Yes?
Go to the mound.
Quiet. I'll let anyone else who wants to pitch have a chance too.
But Harada goes first.
Nobunishi, catch for him.
Yes, sir.
Takumi, good luck.
All right, go ahead and throw, Harada.
He needs to wear protection.
Harada, hurry up.
Hey.
Is he okay?
I'm sorry, my hand slipped.
Sir, I think I need to take a little break.
All right, better safe than sorry.
In that case, I'll catch instead.
Coach.
Would it be okay for me to pick a catcher I work well with?
Hey, Go.
Do you think Harada threw that ball wild on purpose to get you out there?
No way, don't be stupid.
-But I just thought-- -Even if you think it...
...don't say it out loud. Don't tell Sawa either.
-Nagakura. -Yes, sir.
You've been chosen by Harada.
-Come switch with Nobunishi. -Yes, sir.
Could I borrow some protective gear?
I'm ready.
Takumi.
Let's do it, Go.
This is our junior-high baseball debut.
You better throw it at 100 percent from the start.
Of course.
Try throwing it at the same spot again.
Kaionji, get in the batter's box.
-Am I hitting it? -You don't have to.
Just take your stance and stand there.
Time out.
Takumi, you're on fire.
You're throwing some real heaters.
Did you come up here just to tell me that?
No. I'm going to start calling out the trajectory. Don't miss.
Nice one, Takumi. That was awesome.
All right, that's enough.
Yes, sir.
I got the gist of it.
You two get to the outfield and pick up the balls.
-But.... -Nagakura, don't get carried away.
You guys are still freshmen.
Just do as you're told, got it?
Honestly, we've got some mouthy freshmen this year.
Is there anyone else who wants to try to pitch?
All right, we're starting the batting drills, then.
Harada, come here a sec.
Harada, you should try throwing it a little less hard.
You shouldn't be throwing all-out at your age.
You need to focus on strengthening your legs...
...and building up your stamina.
-Understood. -Good to hear you understand, Harada.
If only you were always like this.
There's no doubt you will become a good pitcher.
But if you don't polish talent, you won't get very far.
-You got that? -Yes, sir.
Good, then.
Now, let's start with this.
Your hair is too long for baseball.
Go get your hair cut.
Will cutting my hair build up my stamina?
What did you say?
You were the one who mentioned a practice that makes sense.
What does it matter how long my hair is?
Just do as you're told.
I will regarding my practice regimen.
Why is your attitude so bad, you fool?
It's because you are being unreasonable.
How am I being unreasonable?
Please, don't bring up hair length, when it has nothing to do with baseball.
It does not make sense at all.
Go get your hair cut. I want you bald.
Fix your appearance.
Sir, we're ready for the drills.
Go to the outfield.
-Man, practice is tough. -Yeah.
-Otomurai was so scary. -No, not really.
Takumi, are you really not going to get your hair cut?
No way.
-But.... -You worry too much.
Idiot, what good will disobeying the coach do you?
Yeah, Harada.
If you disobey the coach, he won't let you play.
You'd be a starter in no time.
Seems our team has had weak pitchers, this is a big break for you.
-Yeah, just play ball here. -No way.
Hey, hold on. This really could be your big break.
Stop screwing around, stupid.
I'm not stupid, and I'm not screwing around either. I'm serious.
You're stupid because you're being serious.
There's no way I'm letting Otomurai make me cut my hair.
You say that, but...
...what if he doesn't put you in the game?
You don't let someone put you in games, you just play.
I imagine Otomurai wants to make it to the prefecture finals and nationals.
You mean he'll have to use you if he wants to win?
Basically.
But, Harada...
...what if Otomurai doesn't care about winning?
What do you mean?
If you keep mouthing off...
...he might rather lose than give in and let you play.
Yeah, what are you going to do if he doesn't put you into the game...
...because he says you disrupt teamwork?
Then I won't play.
I don't need to play.
What do you mean, you don't need to play?
We're not just talking about this year. He might not let you play next year either.
That's fine.
I'd rather not play than have to do everything he tells me.
Are you kidding me?!
What do you mean, you don't care if you play?
Why don't you stop looking down on everyone?!
Go, stop. You'll kill him.
Go, let go.
You....
You're the worst kind of person.
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?