"Muroe Private High School"
Good-bye!
Later!
Bye-bye!
Good-bye!
I envy Chiba.
Yeah, she's always so happy-go-lucky.
She seems to be especially having fun with her team lately.
Wow, I had no idea kendo was so fun.
Maybe I should've joined the kendo team, too.
Instead of the pottery club.
But...
- Bye-bye! - Summer's coming up, right?
- Let's see that energy now! - What about it?
Good-bye-bye!
I hear it stinks...
I see... So it stinks...
- See you later! - Which means...
Bye-bye.
Oh?
I like the air humming with energy
My quickening pulse expands outwards
Take in a deep breath
And all I see now is straight ahead
No one can take my place
A path only I can walk
Even those tears will all begin to sparkle
That's why when I raise my hand high, there's power in my palm
I'll head straight for tomorrow without hesitation
In just the blink of an eye
I'll make the story of my dream come true
Even if it's hopeless and far from my grasp
I'll never give up
Sounding the bamboo beat that's mine and mine alone
Please wait a minute! That's too sudden!
What? You can't wait?
No, no, if you could just wait somehow...
If I could have just one more month...
No?
Uh, I understand.
Then, next week.
Sensei!
Oh, sorry. I didn't know you were here.
We can't do anything about the money, but...
Huh?
Please hang in there and don't give in to the forces of society.
No, that's not it! It's not about debt or anything.
"Red Bean Paste Bun" No, that's not it! It's not about debt or anything.
"Red Bean Paste Bun" Sensei, you can have this. Eat it.
Like hell I want charity from you!
But, I'll accept the thought behind it.
Thank you.
So he's going to accept it in the end...
It's next week!
The repayment deadline?
Give it a rest! I'm talking about the girls' practice match!
My senpai's students are coming!
Next week! For a match!
A practice match?!
Next week?!
But there are only four of us.
Aren't we short by one for a team match?
It'll be fine. I've got an idea.
"Surpass the person that I was yesterday!!"
We don't have many days left, so get cracking like you mean it!
Don't take it lightly, thinking it's just a practice match!
Tama, you come over here.
You're practicing with me.
Me, me!
Do you mind if I play her opponent?
I haven't seen how strong Kawazoe-san is yet, after all.
You're a new member, but you have experience, right?
Yes...
Then, well, you be her opponent first.
Yes, sir!
Now, come at me for real, Tama-chan!
For real...
You know, Tama...
She may have told you to come at her for real, but...
Men! Men! Men!
So honest to a fault...
This one needs to learn a bit more about how society works.
I'm no good...
I'm no good at all...
A new member just beat me hands down...
I was out of it for too long...
- I'm no good. I'm no good.
- Hey, Saya, you should know that she's special. - I'm no good. I'm no good!
Tama!
I'm sorry.
It's nothing to worry about. It's not Tama-chan's fault, anyway.
What's with you guys?! Skipping out on practice!
Well...
We thought it might be better practice to watch Tama-chan.
I swear...
Well, whatever. Gather around.
Let's get this done first.
"Machido Private High School"
Girls! The five of you in the match, gather around!
We're going to decide the match order now!
First, we've got the vanguard...
Tama, I'll leave it to you.
- Yes, sir. - Oh?
But sensei, I was always the vanguard...
You're the team captain now, remember?
Team captains serve as commanders.
"Grand Prize" Team captains serve as commanders.
"Grand Prize" Commander!
"Grand Prize" That's written wrong.
I need to figure out a good way to outwit my senpai...
We don't have the fighting power to take them head-on.
Tama-chan's the strongest.
Are you sure you want her to go first?
Yeah, because you want to win the first match and get the morale up.
I do this here, do that, and that, and that, and that's what happens... Yeah, because you want to win the first match and get the morale up.
I do this here, do that, and that, and that, and that's what happens... So, you want a strong person as the commander, of course,
I do this here, do that, and that, and that, and that's what happens... but you often see a strong fighter in the vanguard position, too.
But you often see a strong fighter in the vanguard position, too.
"Vanguard" "Deputy Vanguard" "Center" "Second-in-Command" "Commander" but you often see a strong fighter in the vanguard position, too.
"Vanguard" "Deputy Vanguard" "Center" "Second-in-Command" "Commander" We only have four members,
"Vanguard" "Deputy Vanguard" "Center" "Second-in-Command" "Commander" so one way to do it
"Vanguard" "Deputy Vanguard" "Center" "Second-in-Command" "Commander" would be to forfeit the commander match against their strongest fighter,
"Vanguard" "Deputy Vanguard" "Center" "Second-in-Command" "Commander" and match up our strongest fighters against their possibly weak fighters.
And match up our strongest fighters against their possibly weak fighters.
Wow...
Kendo's so cheap.
It's strategy, my friend!
But there's no point in trying too hard to outwit them, either.
"Vanguard: Tamaki Kawazoe" "Deputy Vanguard" "Center" But there's no point in trying too hard to outwit them, either.
"Vanguard: Tamaki Kawazoe" "Deputy Vanguard" "Center" Knowing senpai, he probably knows exactly what I'm thinking anyway...
Kojiro, I know exactly the kind of trickery you'll come up with.
"We'll assign our big guns
as the deputy vanguard and second-in-command..."
I bet that's the sort of thing you're thinking about, Kojiro.
That's naïve. I won't use any strategy like that.
I'll come at you with a head-on match.
- What's sensei muttering about? - I'll show you just how strong our school is!
- No idea. - I'll show you just how strong our school is!
- Harada. - Y-Yes, sir!
"Team Vice Captain Konatsu Harada Year 3" - Harada. - Y-Yes, sir!
"Team Vice Captain Konatsu Harada Year 3" I'll leave vanguard to you.
Nip them in the bud.
Yes, sir!
For deputy vanguard...
Oh? Where's Asakawa?
Oh, she went home along with everyone else.
"Akemi Asakawa Year 2" Oh, she went home along with everyone else.
"Akemi Asakawa Year 2" She said her boyfriend was waiting.
Pisses you off, doesn't it? I wish she'd drop dead.
Hey, now...
Akemi-chan could become a lot stronger if only she'd train seriously...
I swear, she's hopeless. She always does this.
Our deputy vanguard is Miya.
- Yes, sir. - Yay!
Sorry about this, Miya. We're being unreasonable to you, a beginner...
- Once this match is over, we'll spend plenty of time training you. - Yay! Good luck, Miya-miya!
So, I want you in the match, even though it's just a formality.
Yes, sir. It will be my pleasure.
All right, let's go practice right away, Miya-miya!
Right!
For center, we'll go with Saya.
Yes, sir! It's been so long! I can't wait! I'll do my best!
Make sure you win.
Yes, sir! I'll win for sure!
You better win for sure!
Huh? What?
For sure, got it?!
Center, Nishiyama.
"Karen Nishiyama Year 3" Center, Nishiyama.
"Karen Nishiyama Year 3"
You'll be fine... right?
You can do it, right, Nishi-chan?
Y-Yes, I'll do my best...
You show such skill during practice,
but you don't bring any of it to competition.
Or rather, Nishiyama's never participated in a serious tournament.
Even though her presence is as good as a commander's.
B-But I mean, to smack around someone I just met with a shinai is...
A horrible thing like that, I just...
I can't! I can't do it!
Why the hell did you join the kendo team?!
Well, in part to overcome that mental weakness,
you make sure to participate in the practice match, all right?
Okay, I'll do my best.
Second-in-command, Ando.
"How to Maneuver Through Life" Second-in-command, Ando.
"How to Maneuver Through Life" Yes, sir.
"How to Maneuver Through Life" "Yuuri Ando Year 2" Yes, sir.
"How to Maneuver Through Life" "Yuuri Ando Year 2" I hope you understand, Ando.
"How to Maneuver Through Life" I hope you understand, Ando.
"How to Maneuver Through Life" Understand what?
"How to Maneuver Through Life" Don't use any of your usual underhanded tricks!
Huh? What're you talking about?
Like stepping on your opponent's foot on purpose
or shoving them so they trip!
What? I don't do those things on purpose...
She's just...
Second-in-command is Kirino!
Second-in-command?
Yup, second-in-command.
Second-in-command?
Yup, second-in-command.
Didn't you say that team captains serve as commanders?
Well, if we had enough people, sure.
"Deputy Vanguard" "Center" "Second-in-Command" "Commander" Well, if we had enough people, sure.
"Deputy Vanguard" "Center" "Second-in-Command" "Commander" But we only have four members this time, so it's a special case.
"Deputy Vanguard" "Center" "Second-in-Command" "Commander" I want you to do the match with this lineup this time.
Well, this is part of the strategy.
Yeah...
They'll probably have their strongest fighter as their commander, after all.
"Grand Prize" They'll probably have their strongest fighter as their commander, after all.
"Grand Prize" It was such a fleeting dream.
"Grand Prize" Like I said, that's written wrong!
Commander, Yokoo!
"Maya Yokoo Year 3" Commander, Yokoo!
"Maya Yokoo Year 3" Yes, sir!
"Maya Yokoo Year 3" Man, this is great! The commander! I love this sense of responsibility!
Don't you make your opponent cry!
You're going to be fighting a girl, after all.
Sensei, I'm a girl, too!
Well, I think this ought to do it.
Win this!
Yes, sir!
Men!
Wait, time out. Hold on, Tama-chan.
Sorry about this, Yuuji.
You're the only one who can seriously match up with Tama, so...
I'm at my limit already.
Switch places with me, sensei.
All right, let's do this, Tama!
You're sure you don't need a break?
Yes, sir. I'm totally fine.
Say, Tama...
I have to win against my senpai, no matter what.
But we only have four members, right?
We're at a disadvantage, right? A huge crisis, right?
Yes, sir...
But see, there actually is someone...
Our team has one more person, a fifth member.
This person appears out of nowhere and fights to save the people!
An envoy of justice!
The name...
Blade Braver!
What?
One second, I'm second-in-command?
You get 100 points!
"26th Shoryuki High School Kendo Tournament"
Men!
Match over!
Sorry, senpai, I scored by a fluke.
I guess I got lucky.
No, whether it was luck or a fluke, the result is all that matters.
You won, Kojiro.
Yes, sir!
- Congratulations! - Thank you!
Um, sensei, no one's here yet...
I'm sorry. I know we were supposed to meet up at 9 o'clock.
Yeah, I figured it would end up like this anyway.
Get in, Harada. We'll search for them by car.
Oh, yes, sir.
Did you call their cells?
I've been calling since earlier...
They do seem to be on their way at least, but they're not answering...
Oh, it's Nishiyama.
Oh! She's running!
Harada, secure her!
Yes, sir! I'm sorry, Nishi-chan!
Nishiyama, let's work on breaking that habit of yours
to run when you get scared.
Competition's scary!
There's the next one.
What?
Thanks for coming to get us, sensei.
I had some trouble dragging her along.
Oh?
Is it me or is Asakawa slightly dead?
Oh, don't let that bother you. Let's go.
That leaves Ando, huh?
Ando-san was the only one I couldn't get in touch with.
Can't be helped. We're going all the way to her house.
Sorry...
Come on, Ando-san, hurry up and get changed!
I'm sleepy...
"Kendo Dojo" I'm sleepy...
"Kendo Dojo" One, two!
"Kendo Dojo" One, two! One, two!
"Kenzaburo Ishibashi" One, two! One, two!
"Kenzaburo Ishibashi"
Hello? Senpai? Where are you right now?
Sorry, I think we're still going to be well over an hour.
Huh?!
Is it time yet?
You guys, be more tense about this!
You're going to lose at this rate!
But they haven't come yet.
And we said we'd be beginning at 10 o'clock.
- Look this way, Dan-kun! - What? Uh...
W-Well, they've got various reasons for this...
Miya-miya, we're all set to go already, aren't we? W-Well, they've got various reasons for this...
Miya-miya, we're all set to go already, aren't we? - Tama! - Yes, sir.
Until my senpai's team gets here,
would you lead everyone through a little training?
Me, sir?
- Yeah, just a light practice. - Rah! Rah! Miya!
Since a serious practice will wear everyone out before the match.
But what about you, sir?
I'm going to take a little break.
I've been skipping meals in anticipation of the sushi, after all...
If I don't preserve my energy, I won't last until evening.
This is the perfect opportunity.
Tama-chan, aren't there any surefire ways to win in matches?
That sort of thing is...
In kendo, it's the fundamentals that are important.
Then, would you teach us the fundamentals?
Right...
Then, some footwork...
Footwork, huh?
We never did practice footwork that much...
Especially with an advisor like that...
Hey, give us a demonstration!
Certainly.
Wow, I'm so sorry about this.
Blood circulation in my brain is so poor in the mornings...
Unless I ate something sweet,
I couldn't even begin to consider fighting a match.
We get it already, so hurry up and eat!
Oh? The world is slanted today...
Come on, get it together!
Hey, don't you just go ordering for yourselves, too!
Come on, Ando! Your head's tilted again!
Hey, Harada, where's the point in you eating, too?!
Asakawa!
- Wait, is Asakawa breathing?! Hey! - Lt's delicious.
The successive step.
It is used to execute a powerful strike from a slight distance.
Draw your left foot close to your right foot,
and use that same momentum to take a big step forward with your right foot.
Oh! The successive step!
Come to think of it, I remember practicing it early on.
There were a lot of other kinds, too, weren't there? What were they again?
Sliding step, clearing step, successive step, walking step.
These are the four basic steps.
Footwork is extremely important.
Try to keep your feet from lifting off the floor as much as possible
and move with a flowing rhythm
in order to constantly place your body in an advantageous position.
Pardon me for speaking so peremptorily towards my senpai.
It's a habit from home.
Huh?
It's fine! It's fine! Teach us more!
Keep going like you've been doing already!
But for me to just do this, going over the teacher's head...
It's fine! It's fine! Never mind the teacher.
It's a fact that you're stronger than him anyway.
And we want you to teach us!
Right?
But...
We said it's fine, so it's fine!
You might be an underclassman, but for you, we'll make an exception!
Yup, yup! Because it's you, Tama-chan!
I understand.
Then please watch me.
Position your right foot forward,
keeping it parallel to your other foot about half a step apart.
Put your weight on the balls of both your feet
and think of keeping your right heel a paper's width off the floor.
Your feet should be approximately half a step apart.
Any wider and your forward reach will be limited when attacking,
and your executions will be incomplete.
Conversely, if it is too narrow,
your body will be unstable and you will be unable to execute any moves,
plus, an opponent could easily knock you off balance by slamming into you.
Tama-chan's such a good girl!
Look! She's so small, but she's acting so nobly!
She's really working so hard!
I guess she always lives life to the fullest!
- When clearing to the right, - She's so adorable!
Step diagonally forward to the right with your right foot,
and pull your left leg in.
To move to the left,
Somehow, I get the feeling they're not watching or listening at all... To move to the left,
Somehow, I get the feeling they're not watching or listening at all... step diagonally with the left foot first
Somehow, I get the feeling they're not watching or listening at all... and then move the right foot.
And then move the right foot.
Yellowtail, fatty tuna, salmon roe, shrimp...
Spaghetti... Casserole... I ate too much.
It hurts...
It's no surprise after you ate all those extra orders!
Sensei, she also ate a pizza, too.
Huh? Hey, Harada, where are we?
Where's Muroe High?
Please, don't ask me...
I'm going to buy a map!
Oh, sorry...
Kojiro, where am I? Where's your school?
"12:40pm" Kojiro, where am I? Where's your school?
"12:40pm"
We finally got here...
We have been waiting for you...
I'm hungry.
Just hang in there until the match is over, Dan-kun.
Since this was a great opportunity,
I would've liked to do some joint practice before the match,
but considering the time, shall we just get right to it?
Huh? Sure...
Kojiro, I would've also liked to try my hand against you,
since it's been a while.
There's not much point in us doing that at this late date, right?
Let us leave the rest to our students.
Yeah.
I'll be the chief referee.
The subreferees will be me and...
Yuuji, I'll be counting on you.
Yes, sir.
Dan, you'll be in charge of the clock and score board. You can do it, right?
Yeah, I'll do my best.
Do you remember how to do it?
Yeah, I'll do my best.
I wonder if he'll be all right...
Hmm, what should we do about record keeping?
I'll do it.
Ah, then I'll leave it to you.
Got it.
Ready?
Then we'll commence the Muroe High and Machido High practice match.
Bow to the front!
Bow to each other!
Let's have a good match!
- Go for it, Harada! - The match will be determined by the number of victors.
The team with more victors will win.
Each matchup will be 5 minutes. Overtime will be 3 minutes.
Three rounds, whoever wins two points first wins. Got it?
Huh? Kojiro, you guys only have four members?
Oh, sorry about that.
She seems to be running late, so our fifth member will show up later.
I see.
What?!
Begin!
Men!
Head strike!
Huh?
She's fast!
I'm calling the star rise
The wishes begin to sparkle in the twilight
Shooting stars, come down into my hands
Barefoot by my window, looking up at the night
Sleepless, alone with the moonlight
What I did during the day flickers before my eyes
I'm the only one spinning my wheels and I still feel impatient
I'm calling the star rise
I close my eyes, listening to my heart
I want to meet the me that I haven't gotten to know yet
I'm calling the star rise
The wishes are sparkling brilliantly
Shooting stars, come down into my hands
Hey, there! It's Saya!
Next time, it's "Tamaki Kawazoe and the Tardy Bureiba,"
but I composed a theme song for it.
Please listen to it!
? Tama-chan disappears!?
? She disappears in the middle of the match!?
? Bureiba comes along!?
? She comes in the middle of the match!?
? The one is two and the two are one!?
? Hold me tight! Hold me tight!?
? Win or lose, grazie, grazie!?
? The heavy chest guard, the stinky wrist guard...?
? Let's discard them and run off!?
? Tamaki Kawazoe and the Tardy Bureiba?
? Forever!?