Good work.
You, too. See you tomorrow.
Yeah.
That reminds me...
You're looking well, Aoyama.
Kurata Kozue, what are you doing in Japan?
I wonder who that woman was.
Who knows? Aoyama never talks about himself.
We don't know anything about him, not even where he lives.
I guess he's being extremely secretive in order to keep his distance from people.
Aoyama-kun, good work!
It looks like Aoyama has more than just one secret.
#10
Aoyama-kun Has Many Secrets
All right, there he goes.
Let's go!
Team Discover Aoyama's Secrets: move out!
This work is a piece of fiction. Please do not ride bikes like this!
Just so we're clear...
I'm only coming along because I'm worried you three will get up to mischief.
It's not like I want to know more about Aoyama.
Sure, sure.
We'll be done for the day once we found out where Aoyama lives.
Don't fall behind, Unit 2!
Go! Go! Go!
You've gotta be kidding me!
This is totally unfair!
And definitely do not ride in this pathetic manner!
It's your fault for losing at rock, paper, scissors.
If you have the breath to complain, pedal harder!
Dammit!
But I'm really interested to know where Aoyama lives.
I picture him living in some model room for a high-rise apartment block.
Something that doesn't feel homely at all.
Nah, I think his place will be more like a mansion, with a butler and the works.
I can see him gazing at a photo of his daddy and sister in his room
and saying "good night" to it before he goes to sleep.
Are you guys talking about my place?! How the hell do you even know that?!
What? You seriously do all that?
Huh? Where did Aoyama go?
It's absolutely packed here.
Well, this is the shopping district.
There! He got off his bike and he's walking through the crowd!
Whoa, he's fast!
He's moving so fast that everyone else looks like they're standing still!
Has he realized we're tailing him?!
Don't lose him!
Excuse me, miss!
Oh, sorry!
This meat's so good.
Don't make yourself even heavier!
There he is! It's Aoyama!
He's already all the way over there!
He jumped?!
Kids at home: Do not copy Aoyama!
No way.
Is he for real?!
He survived that?!
That monster.
Is he telling us not to follow him?
But why is he going to such lengths to keep things about him concealed?
Maybe his home is his safe space?
He wants to maintain a clean state, leaving no information about him behind.
He doesn't want anybody to enter his personal space.
Well, it does sound like him, but even so...
We've come this far! We can't retreat now!
Zaizen!
Kids at home: Do not copy Zaizen!
Are you stupid, Zaizen? There are stairs right here!
Can you give me a hand? I can't get up.
You deserve that for getting carried away and jumping!
Just don't do anything they're doing!
It's been quite a while since we lost sight of him.
He might already be home.
You want to go in that store over there?
I'm hungry, so why not? Zaizen's treat.
Looks like I'll have to.
Aoyama!
That's too much food for just himself.
It's enough to feed a family.
That means...
...the goal is in sight!
Is that it?
Huh?
Is this Aoyama's house?
It's nothing like we imagined.
Well, then...
As if Aoyama would ever let us in if we asked!
We're storming the place!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Aoyama!
Y-You're...
Ibuki Seigo?!
I heard you signed with the youth team of a renowned Spanish club!
What are you doing in Aoyama's house?!
No, this is my place.
Then why is Aoyama here making food?!
Because I beat him in a match.
Thanks for the food.
So good, so good.
You lost? I can't believe it.
He's been cooking for himself since he began making the age-group national teams.
We've been wagering home-cooked meals ever since,
and I've always eating his food like this.
But you've really improved.
One slip-up,
and I wouldn't have been able to eat today's chicken-and-egg rice bowl.
They're going to have another match?
Oh, yeah. Where is Aoyama's house?
Save it for another day...
Ibuki Seigo
National Youth Superstar!
Earnest Childhood Friend
Kurata Kozue
Hey! Aoyama!
Where are you going, Aoyama-kun?
Practice is about to start.
Aoyama Life
Aoyama! You're not skipping practice, are you?!
Zaizen-san.
Gramps! Bring the car round front!
Follow that bike—I mean, Aoyama!
We're bringing him back!
U-Um...
You get in, too!
Where is Aoyama-kun going?
I don't know.
It's not like he's going home.
Oh, that's Ibuki's house.
So he's not going there either.
Oshigami-Minami High School
What have we here? This is like the miracle of the young girl falling from the sky.
So you've finally decided to join us, Aoyama?
You came again.
So that's what's going on? You sent the girl, Takechi!
Huh?
Who are you?
Aoyama, I've lost all respect for you. Falling for a woman's bait!
What are you blabbering about?
Don't play dumb with me!
Stop making a scene.
Shut up!
You're the problem here!
Hey, what's going on here?
Uh... Well, um, this is...
What? Do you want to see my abs?
Hell no, you ab-obsessed freak!
Jeez, why can't you just come straight to the field?
Are you listening, Seigo?!
Why are you at Oshigami-Minami?
I don't know why, but Ibuki will be playing for us now.
Seriously?
Wait, Aoyama!
You'd better not be thinking about joining Oshigami-Minami because Ibuki is here!
What? Really, Aoyama?
Stop doing that!
Ah, you see, I heard about this soba place near here...
I'm really picky about my soba.
Soba Shop
He came back because he missed Japanese food too much.
What?!
Kozue came back with me, but her cooking's...
If you have a complaint, spit it out already!
A-Are you two going out?
We're just childhood friends!
Soba Shop
Here, try this soba stick.
Th-Thank you very much.
Soba Shop
Soba sticks are yummy.
Ibuki-san...
I'd like to have a 1-on-1 match.
After delicious soba, I get a cocky upstart?
Not the worst thing after a meal.
So these are soba sticks, huh?
Are they always like this?
Yup, they always start a match.
They get along because they were on the national team together.
I was there, too!
Takechi-san, please stop them!
No, let's have them play.
If it goes well, we might be able to get Aoyama to join Oshigami-Minami as well.
If that happens, it'll be Takechi, Aoyama and Ibuki forming a colossal front line.
The double crowns of summer and winter nationals won't just be a dream, then!
Don't come crying if you get in trouble for doing this 'cause Coach isn't here.
Aoyama-kun will win, right?
Yeah, I can't imagine Aoyama ever losing to another high-school player.
First to three.
If you lose, you know my terms.
For Seigo, Aoyama's easy prey.
What?!
Aoyama got beat?
No way.
Looks like I've got tonight's dinner in the bag.
Round 2!
Beef bowl, tempura bowl, or pork bowl?
No matter which I go for, your seasoning is on point!
Terrible.
Huh?
I've decided.
Pork cutlet rice bowl!
Let's call it a day.
Hey, now... It's over?
Seigo's really off today. Aoyama noticed it, too.
That was him having an off day?!
Takechi-san, looks like you're going to lose your spot as the team's striker.
What?!
What are you doing?
Concentration
Stamina
Power
Technique
Speed
Ibuki Seigo is on another level. All of his abilities eclipse Aoyama's.
Aoyama
Ibuki
Technique
Speed
Concentration
Stamina
Power
Zaizen
Incidentally, this is you.
What did you say?! You wanna go?!
I've had enough of your crap!
Zaizen-san, please stop.
Let me down!
Shut up!
Aoyama-kun...
Kozue!
Oh, it's you, Aoyama.
I'm coming in.
Sure.
Did something happen?
So good! You really are a genius in the kitchen!
Seconds, please!
Please cheer up. There's no point in winning like that.
Kozue?!
Takechi
Oh, it's Takechi.
Nah.
So Kurata Kozue's the reason for it?
I put mayonnaise on it.
Kozue's food is always lightly seasoned.
Mayonnaise heaven!
She found out.
Why did you do that? Are you stupid?!
I put it on because I wanted to enjoy the meal my way!
Besides, it's because your cooking sucks!
So you were dumped.
Not dumped! She's just in a bad mood!
I can see everything in soccer so clearly, but with girls, I have no freaking clue!
Please, Aoyama! Help me make up with Kozue!
All right.
Really?!
Call Kurata Kozue.
Huh? What for?
A date.
Why does he want to go on a date all of a sudden?
And why did I dress up like this? Why am I getting my hopes up?
Sorry, did you wait long?
N-Not really.
Huh?!
Hey.
If Kurata Kozue is mad, you should go meet her while wearing this.
Huh? That?
Why do you even have that?
Cats heal people. I'm sure this would also calm her anger.
Rather than calm her, I feel like she's getting even angrier.
I-Ibuki...
Nutritional science, first-class recipes,
nutritional science for athletes, food and nutrition...
Kozue.
Wh-What is it?
I'm sorry about the other day.
It wasn't right, after you'd put in all that effort.
Exactly. My cooking isn't lightly seasoned because I'm useless in the kitchen.
Nutritional Science for Athletes
First Class Recipes
It's because I carefully calculate nutritional values,
keeping Seigo's health and future in mind!
If he puts mayo on it, all those calculations go to waste!
This isn't much, but here...
Seigo got me a present?
Does this mean he understands what I'm doing?
Can I open it?
S-Sure.
A present?
Yes.
You're a genius! And what should I get her?
Let's see...
Introduction to Cooking
You can do it even if you're not good!!
What's this supposed to be?
Even if you're not good, if you put in the effort, you can improve.
I don't need this! Are you mocking me?!
It's a good book, though.
Ow!
Hey, Aoyama, I feel like Kozue is getting angrier by the minute.
Let's move on to the next phase.
Futsal Court
A futsal court?
You go change, too.
Wait a second...
Let's go, Kozue!
As if I could ever beat you at soccer!
It's futsal.
It's the same!
Playing together brings you closer. That's the power of sport.
You soccer-obsessed idiot! I've had it with you!
Why do you think I went to Spain with you?!
Why do you think I was making you lightly seasoned food?!
Why do you think I came to the same school as you?!
It's all because I love you,
because I love the way you love soccer.
And because I wanted to try to help you with that!
Why can't you...
understand that?!
Huh?
It looks like you two are feeling a bit better again.
This guy.
It always ends up like this.
I knew this all along.
Seigo doesn't understand me at all.
He'll probably never change.
All right! I win!
You've got a long way to go!
Seigo.
I brought some food. If you want, you can eat it.
Just so you know, the seasoning is—
So good!
Kozue, this is good!
Seigo, I'm sorry I got mad.
Huh? What's gotten into you now?
Well, you're eating my food so enthusiastically...
You know how it is...
When you're hungry, everything tastes good!
You jerk!
What now? I don't get you!
I'm so breaking up with you!
Hey, where are you going?
Kozue? Kozue-chan?!
I'll win next time.
It's not just his house. Everything about Aoyama is a mystery.
Sa-ka-i! Sa-ka-i!
Huh?
I can hear them.
Next Time
Sakai-kun's Hairstyle Has Changed