Your profile looking up towards the blue sky
The stopped spiral of time
I'm always stubborn and hiding my feelings
I ache for you so much (I pine for you so much) that it hurts
I'm not actually that strong
In truth, I become afraid about the distance between us two
I want you to touch my heart
If I can still reach the goal taking the long way around
Start line
A story that unravels the heart
I'll say goodbye to tears and walk towards the future
Because I can go with the kindness I found clasped to my heart
Please, just for now, stay the way you are
"Suzuka"
I can taste the blood in my mouth.
I had no idea how tough these practices were...
Asahina might be right.
I guess I underestimated the track and field club...
She manages these hard practices every day and stays normal.
A-Asahina...
Is she still practicing?!
She's a scholarship student for the track and field club
and is admired by everyone.
She even trains on her own after those hard club practices.
I feel like the closer I get to her,
the more I feel like I'm slipping away from her...
"Photograph"
There she is!
Good morning!
Are you leaving for school now?
Yeah...
I see... Then can we go together?
Why don't you go by yourself?
Okay.
Why does she hate me so much?
I don't think I'm too lazy.
We all work very hard to improve our marks by one second, by one centimeter.
Yamato, do you think you do that?
Maybe it's because I haven't shown any results in short-distance events yet.
Hmm, Akitsuki, you're in pretty good shape.
A little surprise...
H-Hashiba... What kind of outfit is that?!
You're almost nude!
This is just a simple outfit!
Is... that right?
Don't say it so seriously.
It makes me embarrassed, you idiot!
Why are you so enthusiastic today?
Oh, yeah... When we had our club meeting,
you hadn't joined the club yet.
Today, they'll select the members
who'll compete in the Tokyo metropolitan meet in two weeks.
That's why I was told to bring my outfit and spikes.
You got it!
Well, do your best and you'll get good results.
But our club is especially deep in men's short-distance running...
So it's going to be tough.
Right...
Result...
11.39 seconds!
11.88 seconds!
All right!
Man, everyone is so nervous.
They all look so serious.
What's wrong, Akitsuki?
Miyamoto sempai...
You look a little bit down...
Well, everyone is easily hitting the 11-second mark.
Seniors run really fast.
It varies from person to person,
but the freshmen and sophomores are at a similar level.
I-Is that right?
Don't worry.
I'm sure your ability is higher than that.
Plus, you've been practicing really hard the last two weeks.
Y-Yeah...
Next! Akitsuki and Kobayakawa!
Come on, do your best!
It's not just my results...
I'll embarrass myself in front of Asahina, too.
Akitsuki, good luck!
O-Okay...
Huh? Is Akitsuki a rocket starter?
Yes! He achieved a great record before with it!
I see.
All right, on your mark!
Okay!
This is the worst situation...
Asahina is watching me...
Get set!
Even I'm impressed that you ran so fast.
Don't worry.
I'm sure you have even greater ability than they do.
What do you guys know about me?!
Stop saying...
...all those stupid things!
Whoa! Akitsuki is fast!
No kidding! What a guy!
He hasn't passed me yet!
100 meters sure is long!
Damn, my legs are getting tired!
I'm almost there!
Just don't embarrass yourself!
10... 10.98 seconds!
What!
10-second level?!
Really?
That guy's amazing...
Huh? What? I won?! Really?
Miyamoto, you found an amazing rookie.
Captain.
Well, I never thought he'd be this good. I mean...
I didn't think he'd hit the 10-second mark in the 100-meter dash this fast.
Akitsuki...
Don't you think he's just like...
Yeah, he sure is.
- The more I watch him, the more he reminds me of that guy... - Help me!
- The more I watch him, the more he reminds me of that guy... - What are you doing, Akitsuki?
Are you all right?
You're awesome, Akitsuki.
You had the top mark and will run in the competition.
Now I'm getting some good results...
so Asahina will give me more credit.
Asahina...
Um... Well, I ran the 100 meters in 10.98 seconds at today's tryouts!
I did my best!
I see...
Huh?
What kind of response is this?
I'm not kidding!
I really...
I know.
I was watching.
R-Right...
Then why?
I got some good results!
Ah... And I was even selected for the Tokyo metropolitan preliminary!
Sounds good.
What's that supposed to mean?!
Well, I'm going home...
W-Wait!
Why do you hate me?!
I just don't know what to think about you!
That hurts! Move your hand away!
I get irritated when I watch you.
Huh?
I don't think I like you, after all!
She said she doesn't like you...
Right... She doesn't like me.
Let's see...
I think "doesn't like" sounds worse than "hate" because it sounds more realistic.
Right.
Well, but it's better than being indifferent about you, right?
Yeah, I guess being indifferent is just about the worst.
You think so?
And there might be the rare case of a stalker becoming the lover.
Are you trying to cheer me up?
Akitsuki, you're having school lunch, too?
You look gloomy.
Did something happen?
Hashiba...
Well... nothing...
Actually... He likes Suzuka, but she told him that she doesn't like him.
What?
What... Hey, you!
Don't you know that you have to get rid of the obstacles
before you can attack the castle?
So you'd better get some help from those around her.
I see...
Akitsuki, you really like Suzuka, huh?
I'm interested in you a little, so I feel unlucky in love all of a sudden.
What?
Give me a break!
There is always a woman around who says something like that.
It's disgusting!
Do you have a problem with that?!
I sure do!
How do you want me to act after you say something like that?
I didn't say it to you!
Hey, what are you guys talking about?
Oh, sorry, sorry.
It reminds me of something...
Anyway, if she doesn't like you that much,
there is no reason for you to stay on the track and field club.
Is that so?
You joined the club because you wanted her to get to like you,
but now she doesn't like you, after all. It's the totally opposite effect, right?
Are you crazy?!
He can run 100 meters at the 10-second level!
That would be such a waste of talent!
Listen, before this he was not interested in track and field.
So, even if he breaks the world record, it's nothing if Suzuka doesn't like him!
Listen to me!
Suzuka hates people who quit without finishing what they start!
I swear that's true, because I'm her best friend!
R-Really?
Yeah!
Besides, nothing good will come out of listening to this frivolous guy.
Ah? Who's frivolous?
You! You haven't joined any club at all.
You're just hanging around.
I have my own goals!
How about you?!
You call yourself a track and field athlete and you grow your hair so long!
I keep my hair long because an athlete whom I respect has long hair!
You should button up your shirt!
Who are you trying to attract, anyway?!
It's because I'm hot!
You look sloppy!
It looks extremely ugly!
I think I'll stay in the club for a while longer.
- What? - What?
I won't have anything to do if I leave the club now...
Getting better results is the only way to go.
I see!
Are you sure?
Hey, hey. What are you guys talking about?
Ah, that's okay. We've finished.
Huh?
Yeah, yeah.
By the way, Sakurai.
- What do you think about her long hair? - What do you think about his shirt button?
What? Huh?
That's right... for now...
Getting better results is the best way to go!
"Training Room"
All right, we're finished for today!
You're pretty good, Akitsuki.
Your max is 82kg.
Why don't you try shot-putting, too?
No way!
Anyway, Captain, if I improve my strength, will I be able to run faster?
Yes, absolutely.
In short-distance events like the 100-meter dash,
you need that explosive speed,
so you have to have a certain amount of power.
All right!
Then I'm going to work out some more before going home.
Okay, but don't overdo it.
All right!
Akitsuki, we'll stay with you then.
Huh?
It'd be weird if everybody went home and a freshman was still training.
That's right.
I guess we'll stay with you.
The atmosphere is so much better now.
Miyamoto sempai.
Akitsuki has put everyone in a good mood and has encouraged the whole club.
Sempai, add 5kg more, please.
Can you lift that?
It's easy!
It reminds me of my days in junior high...
Don't you think Akitsuki is just like...
Kazuki Tsuda?
Ah, hey, Asahina...
I'm going to practice outside for a while and go home.
Okay...
What's wrong, Suzuka?
This was always easy for you.
Don't you feel good?
Don't worry. I'm fine.
Really?
Take care of yourself.
The competition is coming up soon.
Sorry... but I'm going home.
Hey, you were thinking of Akitsuki... is that why?
No...
I'm just tired...
I see...
"Suzuka Asahina"
I feel terrible...
I'm so irritated...
Don't you think Akitsuki is just like...
Kazuki Tsuda?
Not at all!
They're not... alike at all...
We're done for today!
Boy, we're finished.
Let's go eat! Eat!
There is no practice tomorrow because the next competition is coming up.
- Everyone get enough rest! - Okay.
Great! No practice tomorrow...
No practice...
It's a rare day off, so I'm wondering if there is something to do...
Hopefully with Asahina...
Ah! I can say, Ayano asked us to go shopping.
But there is no way she'll say yes if I ask her.
Plus, it's her rare day off.
B-But maybe I'll just ask her anyway. I've got nothing to lose.
I'm guessing she has nothing to do, either.
Maybe it'll work...
Going back?
Huh?
Asahina and Miyamoto sempai...
It's right before the competition...
so I'm thinking about going home... to Yokohama.
Yokohama?
Oh... Kazuki?
Yeah... I really want to see him.
Kazuki?
Well, please say hello to him for me.
Okay...
Who... is he?
Kazuki...
Her brother? No, can't be.
He's the guy she's going all that way just to see.
Boyfriend? Unrequited love?
Either way, she likes whoever it is...
I didn't hear about it from her, but...
there must be someone she likes.
She will see him again tomorrow, and they've got a date.
...or maybe it's her unrequited love, so she'll be happy just to see him.
I really want to see him.
Sorry...
I'd be very annoyed if you joined me with that kind of irresponsible attitude!
I think I dislike you after all.
I thought I'd be fine whatever she said to me, but...
it's tough to realize that the girl I like is thinking of another guy.
Good morning.
Good morning, Yamato.
W-What's wrong with you, Yamato?
You have really dark circles under your eyes.
Umm... yeah...
After all, I didn't get a wink of sleep because I was thinking of Asahina...
Here's your tea, Yamato.
Oh, thank you, Miho.
Hey, what about Asahina?
Is she still sleeping?
Ah, Suzuka?
She already left.
She has something to do at her parents' home.
I see...
She did go to see him, after all...
Asahina... is in Yokohama now, Goro?
I don't understand what "meow" means, you fat cat!
Hey...
Where are you going?
You need to pee?
Hey! Wait!
Wait!
You can't go there. That's Asahina's...
What are you thinking, you fat cat?!
Could that be...
Oh... Kazuki?
I really want to see him...
This is the guy...
...that Asahina likes!
- Here it is. - Thank you!
Bye!
Why are you going there, Yamato?
I don't know.
I don't know!
I'll become the wind on the green field
Right now, I'll just...
Get a little "reckless" and "fired up" and speed up
Let's go
Run
Stop
Advance
Falter
Jump
Squat
Sing
Shout
Triumph
Fall short
I'll live, right here
Living recklessly like this isn't altogether bad, either
Something'll happen, I have this feeling
Day after day of getting covered in bruises
Some days, I feel my "limit", though...
I'll become the wind on the green field
I'll run right through the moment
The shapes of things change, it's just the way it is
You can't stop it...
A little "stubborn" and "mischievous"
"Competitive"
That spirit
Run
Stop
Advance
Falter
Jump
Squat
Sing
Shout
Triumph
Fall short
I'll live, right here
Are you going to quit the track and field club?
I thought you had some motivation, but...
You wanted me to quit the club, right?
You just join and then quit so soon...
"Next episode: Love Rival" You just join and then quit so soon...
"Next episode: Love Rival" It's really annoying!
"Next episode: Love Rival"