Whoa! Another throw from Umeya!
You're pretty good for a freshman.
Thanks.
But how will you deal with this?!
You've done well to endure our rigorous training regime to get to this point.
Your judo skills are the real deal.
I entrust Fujimi High School's judo team to you!
The path to the top of Japan will no doubt be rocky and punishing,
but I'm sure you can do it, Umeya Tsubasa!
I know...
I know that you can persevere!
#08
Umeya-kun Is Very Patient
My name's Umeya. I'm a freshman, and I'm joining the soccer team from today.
Umeya hasn't played soccer before, so teach him what you can, guys.
Yes, sir.
I may not be worthy, but I am extremely grateful for your tutelage.
This guy's so freakin' stiff!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Hold it right there!
What do you mean you're quitting the judo team, Umeya?!
What's happening?
Why is the judo coach here?
You were so serious about judo!
Why are you switching to soccer all of a sudden?!
You must have felt yourself improving and making great strides!
Wait, was it my cool teaching style?
Did you not like it?!
What?
You mean overbearing, no?
I can't believe he's actually asking that for real.
No... No! No! No!
I can see others doing this,
but it doesn't make sense for someone with your perseverance!
I'll carry that for you.
What?!
I-It can't be.
You, an avatar of academic and athletic excellence, of austerity and fortitude,
are doing this for a girl?!
Wh-Who are you?
I've lost all respect for you, Umeya!
As the judo coach, I cannot allow this!
I don't like it, but I'll have to beat some sense into you!
Whoa, the new guy threw him!
I'm sorry, sir, but my mind is made up.
The Next Day
What do you think of the new guy?
What, you ask? It's dead obvious that he has a thing for Gotou-chan.
Poor guy.
Aoyama Life
I mean, Gotou-chan's love for Aoyama is unshakable.
He's giving her such a passionate stare, but she hasn't even noticed...
He even quit judo, the sport he'd been playing all his life.
Hey, new guy!
If you're here for some ridiculous reason,
haul your ass back to the judo team right now!
We're serious about going to Nationals!
I'm serious, too.
That counts as "ridiculous"! Look at me when I'm talking to you!
Nice shot, Aoyama!
Aoyama...
I'd like to face you, one-on-one.
Oh, the new guy challenged Aoyama!
Well, this was to be expected, though.
A newbie taking on Aoyama is reckless behavior.
I don't know about that.
You're here again?
No matter how strong an opponent Umeya's facing,
he never panics or gets discouraged.
And he refuses to give up to the very end.
So close, new guy!
The tackle didn't work, but I'm amazed he even caught up to him.
He's got amazing athletic ability.
Seriously. And remember, he was doing nothing but judo until yesterday.
He's quick on the uptake.
He's the shining star of the judo team.
Actually, he's ours now.
Even if he's no match for his opponent now, he'll definitely win in the end.
That's the kind of judo he champions.
Wait, don't you have your own practice now? What are you doing here?
Umeya! Come back to the judo team!
I'll always be waiting for your return!
Aoyama Life
His motivation may be questionable,
but he looks game-ready.
A-o-ya-ma! Clean, clean!
A-o-ya-ma! Love!
Wh-What is it?
H-He's so tall.
I'm scared.
I'm the new guy, Umeya Tsubasa.
I'll help.
Huh?
Th-Thank you.
Oh!
What have we here?
He's making a move.
Looks like he plans to score brownie points with Gotou-chan by helping her clean.
But all that cleaning's for Aoyama in the first place.
She's so admirable.
Yep.
Hey, Gotou-chan! This is the guy's bathroom!
I was cleaning Aoyama-kun's toile—
You can't come in when there are people in here!
You can't even when nobody's in here!
No girls allowed!
Aoyama.
Good morning.
U-Umeya-kun?
I'll help.
U-Uh...
I'll help.
Umeya-kun, use these.
I mean, if you're barehanded, your skin will get all rough.
I always carry a spare pair, anyway, and they're cheap,
and they're too big for me, but they should fit you.
You don't have to return them! It's just as a thank you, or well...
I'm happy to have you helping me out.
Thank you.
Huh.
He sure is relentless, isn't he?
All that cleaning you're helping with is something she does for Aoyama...
This is just so...
Good luck, new guy!
We're cheering for your love!
Ardent Umeya Support Group
Aoyama Life
All right.
Gotou.
That Aoyama!
He's cleaning the spot that Gotou-chan's already cleaned!
Why do you like Aoyama so much?
Huh?
Well...
By the time I realized...
Before I knew it...
I'd already started feeling this way.
I'm the same.
Hey, Aoyama!
A direct confrontation?!
Gotou's already cleaned that sink.
I see.
Thank you,
Gotou Moka.
But I can't relax unless I do it myself.
You idiot!
Four eyes-san.
This is why you are just so...
Yep.
You're denser than lead!
Aoyama Life
Gotou.
Your feelings...
I'll help them come true.
You just need to win in the end
Umeya Tsubasa
Umeya, come back to the judo team!
Jinnai Daisuke
Cat Festival
Aoyama, this weekend, the zoo in Inugashira Park
is going to hold a cat festival overflowing with cats.
Wanna come?
With Gotou and me?
This is it.
Four eyes, Yocchi... What do you make of Umeya?
I'm not sure.
He's supposed to like Gotou-chan,
but he's gone out of his way to invite Aoyama to the zoo.
Wait! That turd!
Under the guise of rooting for her, he'll force her into a bad decision.
"Rejected!"
Then he plans to console the brokenhearted Gotou-chan and make her his own!
That bastard!
He's so smart.
Yeah.
Isn't he just?
Not the point! That's not happening on our watch!
Looks like it's come to this.
As her seniors, we have no choice but to protect Gotou-chan!
I-I'm about to go on a d-date with Aoyama-kun.
I'm so nervous, I could die at any moment!
Aoyama.
I think it's still too early to bring those out.
Really?
The cat festival isn't starting for a while. Why don't we go look at some other animals?
Gotou, you'll get lost if you don't walk with us.
Oh no, my old habit!
So huge.
So tiny.
It moved.
It won't move.
What is it with them?
Gotou-chan's looking at Aoyama, and Umeya's looking at Gotou-chan.
Only Aoyama's actually looking at the animals!
Gotou...
Since you're here with Aoyama and all, why don't you talk to him?
I... I...
I-I'm so nervous, I don't know what to shay.
Don't worry.
Just tell him whatever is on your mind.
Be honest.
I knew it!
He's trying to make her confess her feelings!
It's almost time for the cat festival.
Cat Cat House
All right. This is the cat festival where you can play with the cats!
Everybody, please enjoy playing with all the kitties!
H-Hey! Please don't hog all the cats!
But this person's got some amazing skills with those cat toys!
Cute.
Master!
Odagiri Mio.
You, too! Please don't hog the cats!
Fancy meeting you here. You're a cat person, too, huh?
High five memory!
Heya.
Odagiri-san?
This is chaos.
Umeya likes Gotou-chan, and she likes Aoyama.
The three of them were already a weird group.
Now, on top of that, Odagiri's been thrown into the mix, too.
It was a real surprise to find out that you like cats, master.
But they're so cute, aren't they?
Odagiri-san really is cute.
And she's got a great figure to go with her cheerful and energetic nature.
I'm sorry.
She can even touch Aoyama-kun.
What the hell is this?
Stop with the mushy stuff!
Huh? You got a problem?!
This is weird. Umeya's supposed to be a whiz at judo.
I need to protect Aoyama-kun!
All right! Everybody, run!
That was so scary.
Gotou-san, you can run so fast! You're amazing!
Huh? I'm not, uh, thank you!
She's so nice. She's a thousand times more suitable for Aoyama-kun.
Could it be that he's...
Before we leave, shouldn't we have a go on those boats?
Count me in!
Let's go, Yuu-chan!
Umeya!
There!
Oh! Master!
I'm sorry, but please don't interrupt those two.
Huh?
Wow!
Hey, you like Gotou-san, don't you?
Why are you trying to set them up?
I...
I'm here with Aoyama-kun, but I haven't been able to say a single word.
Being with me must be so boring.
I bet he would've preferred to ride with Odagiri-san.
I...
Hey, Gotou!
What's going on?
Dammit, we're too far away. I can't hear anything!
Faster, you guys!
Then you peddle, too!
How was today? Did you have fun?
Umeya-kun...
Good luck.
Just tell him whatever is on your mind.
A-Aoyama-kun.
Be honest.
I-I haven't been able to say anything all day,
but I really had a lot of fun today!
Don't tell me...
Is Umeya seriously rooting for those two?
I had fun!
I see.
Fishies. Fishies.
You...
I just want to protect her feelings.
So you'd be fine if they dated?
Yes.
As long as I can be buried alongside her, I'm fine.
What kind of long-term plan is that?!
Not every couple is destined to marry.
I just have to be patient until the time comes.
That's the man I put my faith in: Umeya Tsubasa!
That's what I love about you! Your unwavering perseverance!
I understand how you feel.
Right now, what the soccer team needs...
...is a training camp.
Next time
Miwa-chan Wants to Do a Training Camp