Takumi.
What?
Come here!
Grab me!
Grab me, and
never let me go!
You'd better not pick anything over me!
You'd better not.
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
Come on, Kadowaki. Let's go.
Hey, you got a call from Kaionji, didn't you?
What did he say?
Nothing that has anything to do with you.
It's about the game, wasn't it?
How is that not related to me?
Don't get carried away.
I can't believe you can say that after how little you're thinking about the game.
The only thing on your mind
is Harada.
Have you even given a single thought
to how we're going to win the game or who to put in the starting line-up?
Yeah, but
It has nothing to do with you.
Shun, I've noticed that you've become more short-tempered lately.
Really?
Yeah.
You used to get mad at me all the time when we were little.
Like when I was lagging behind.
Whoa, let's save the reminiscing for after we're old and bald.
It's good.
You seem more like the real you when you're angry. I like it.
Thanks.
That reminds me, you've always been a bit of a masochist.
Why don't you wipe your sweat off?
You need to work on your abs, Shugo.
What the hell?
I'm just paying you back for the other day.
Now we're even.
See you.
Hold on.
What the hell is your problem?
Because you keep acting like you know me.
What do you mean the "real" me?
Why would you know what that is?
I've never once shown you the real me.
Remember that.
Shugo.
I hate you.
I couldn't stand you.
I kept wishing you'd just go away and disappear.
Since forever.
It's not your fault.
But what was I supposed to do?
I just hate you too much.
Sorry.
"Yokote Baseball Park"
Omizu! You seriously starting Hagi?
Yeah.
Why not me?
Because it's dangerous.
Dangerous?
You saying they'd hit off of me?
Enomoto.
You don't have to tell me how good of a pitcher you are. I already know.
I've been defending from behind you all this time.
So why then?
Don't make me say it.
Say what?
Enomoto, you hurt your shoulder, didn't you?
You've been off since the nationals.
I didn't tell anybody about it.
How did you know?
I already told you.
I'm always behind you.
I've been watching your back this whole time.
It's all better now though.
Give it up.
It won't work on him.
Omizu, just give it to him straight.
Enomoto's not going to be satisfied with that.
Look.
That's Nitta Higashi's pitcher.
Can you really compete with his throws?
They've been practicing with the assumption that you would be playing.
They've been practicing off of that pitcher.
They're gonna be strong against fast balls.
You're gonna keep pitching in high school, right?
Don't push yourself here.
I guess I'll go in the coach's box.
Omizu.
How did you know about Enomoto's shoulder?
I'm a shortstop.
I know my pitcher's condition like the back of my hand.
I didn't notice at all.
Karaki. Don't underestimate Nitta Higashi.
Mizugaki-senpai!
Senpai!
Kurinosuke!
Why are you here?
What do you mean why? I'm a player for Nitta Higashi.
You missed me, didn't you?
Don't be stupid.
You're the last person I wanted to see.
Ah, don't be like that.
I came all this way to trade player charts.
Ah, whatever.
Hey, Kurinosuke.
Yeah, yeah, yeah?
Don't repeat your yeses.
How's your team holding up?
I'm doing great.
Nobody's asking how you are!
I'm talking about your battery.
Oh, those two.
Hard to say.
I don't think they're doing too hot.
Harada's still got some ball-control issues.
Maybe I should've played catcher.
Yoshisada!
Stop blabbing to the enemy!
I'm Nonomura.
I look forward to our game.
Thank you.
So, you're the future captain, huh?
Yes.
I thought so.
You can tell?
Of course.
Must be hard for a team to come together carrying a battery like them.
Are you jealous, Mr. Mizugaki?
What did you say?
Having a battery like them on your team
it's really fun.
Excuse us.
Karaki.
We're next. Field some balls for them.
All right.
I didn't notice either.
Notice what?
About Enomoto.
You don't need to.
Actually, not noticing is the kind thing to do.
I wouldn't have said anything if we weren't facing the princess.
It's not Harada's fault.
I know. He's just getting up on that mound and pitching.
He doesn't mean to make everyone around him feel cornered.
Those are the ones to look out for.
I think that's enough.
What?
I think that's enough about Harada.
This game never would've happened if it weren't for you.
Shun, I have been watching you from behind all this time.
Well, you play left-field.
That's not altogether surprising.
I mean, since we were kids. It's got nothing to do with baseball.
Let's go.
Mr. Ato.
Mr. Tomura! It's been a long time.
Are you here to watch?
Watch?
That's one way of putting it.
I've taken this opportunity to observe your team practice.
Yes.
Kadowaki asked me some time ago to arrange a game with your school.
He said he wanted to face off against Nitta's pitcher.
I ignored him, telling him we didn't have the time.
That's only natural. I would've done the same.
I suspect the one throwing earlier was that pitcher?
His name is Harada.
And the catcher?
He's Nagakura.
I hear they're only second years.
Nitta Higashi will be in the prefectural tournament this year, won't they?
Definitely.
The reason Mizugaki put Jono and Hagi in the starting line-up was probably
because he took the tournament into account.
He wanted to see Nitta Higashi's new battery with his own eyes.
I wouldn't put that past Mr. Mizugaki.
Well, I'm not wasting this opportunity.
I'll be keeping a close eye on this game as Yokote's coach.
It seems that this year's Nitta Higashi is a real contender.
Please be gentle.
Makoto.
Coach.
You've come to watch.
This one kept pestering me.
He really wants to watch his brother's game.
Ah, Seiha, wasn't it?
You've come to cheer with your grandpa.
Not to cheer. I came to watch.
Are you here to cheer them on, mister?
I suppose so.
You suppose?
Why is the coach in the stands anyway?
You should be down there in the dugout.
It's a little complicated.
Today is just a game between the kids.
Coach.
These are my students.
I look forward to seeing them.
But could you stop with the "Coach"?
I'm just an old man now.
No, you will always be Coach to us.
Are you Mr. Ioka?
The former coach of Nitta High School?
That's right.
Oh, hello.
I'm honored to meet you.
Would you mind if I shook your hand?
Every time Nitta High School went to the Koshien,
I was glued to the TV.
I didn't realize you liked baseball, Mr. Principal.
I love baseball.
I might not be able to play, but I do enjoy watching it.
I was never much of an athlete.
I was very frail as well.
I was so jealous of all the good baseball players.
You're wrong.
You're wrong, mister.
What am I wrong about?
Even if you're bad at gym or have a frail body, you can still play baseball.
You can if you really love it.
I'm gonna play baseball and beat my brother.
Brother?
Well, you'd better watch your brother closely.
Watch and see what kind of baseball your brother and his team plays.
Isn't this fun?
Cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossoms?
These cherry blossoms will produce cherries.
They blossom earlier than the others.
Line up!
Have a good game!
Harada.
Yes?
It's finally time.
Yes.
I've been waiting for you for a long time.
Too long.
Play ball!
Ball.
Strike.
Ball.
Out.
It's been a while, boy.
Mr. Mizugaki, I see you're the third batter.
I've always wanted the chance to hit before Shugo.
You're not going to crumble like you did last time, are you?
Of course not.
My we've gotten brash.
You would've been cuter if you were still that same little boy.
Out.
Damn it!
Nice pitching.
He cleared it.
Mr. Kaionji, it's going to come around to you.
Hagi's pitches float high at the start of the game. Be careful.
Takatsuki.
Do you want to pitch?
I'm sorry. Forget it.
I mean, I'm not real particular about it.
I see.
I mean, the mound's a small place.
I like being out in the field.
The diamond, the outfield, I love it all.
Right, Harada?
The mound's small, isn't it?
I've never felt that way before.
I see, you don't feel that way.
No.
Two outs, huh?
It's nice to see you again, Mr. Kaionji.
Jono, wasn't it?
Yes.
I've been looking forward to this.
I see.
Strike.
Out!
Damn it!
Kaionji.
Our center fielder Taoka's got the strongest arm in the country.
I'll keep that in mind.
I'll just have to hit it over the center fielder next time.
All we need is one point to win after all.
That's some big talk considering that panicked phone call you made to me.
Hey, Mizugaki.
Baseball's real fun, isn't it?
Yokote does not disappoint.
Yeah.
Here, partner.
Let's go, Takumi.
It's been a long wait, hasn't it, Shugo?
Yeah.
Go get them.
Harada.
Shugo Kadowaki.
That's what I'm talking about.
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?