The cherry blossoms were falling on that day.
I had checked out a hundred romance novels from the library.
Momoko!
Do you want to get some tea?
Some third years invited us.
They're good guys.
Hello?
- Sorry, I can't hear you. - Where are they?
I'd rather have the dream-like love present in novels than deal with love in real life.
That was how I felt, until the accident awoke me from those dreams that day...
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry.
Let me...
Ouch!
Sorry, but it has to be cold.
Are you alright?
Can you tell me your name?
Momoyama Momoko.
I'm a first year on the baseball team, Oushima Hideki.
I'm horrible at this... I'm so sorry!
Hey! Oushima! How much long do you plan on sitting out?!
Ah, I'm fine.
Really?
Hey Oushima!
Sorry.
I'm really sorry!
What are you doing? Hurry up!
'The baseball turns into a rainbow of colors.
Middle school baseball, the pitcher gets the victory!' Oushima Hideki-kun.
You know him?
Height 174 cm, weight 58 kg.
He's famous.
Pro scouts are aiming for his talent.
Blood type A.
All the girls are aiming for him too.
You can do it! Oushima-kun!
Dear Sir, Too many people walk by without noticing the flowers at the peak of its season.
The cherry blossom season welcomed me, but...
I think that it was Oushima-sama who made me become more cheerful.
out of the blue, I am giving you this letter, but please pardon my rudeness for doing so.
I am classroom 2-C's Momoyama Momoko.
You saw that?
There's no hope for Momoko and Oushima-kun...
He's younger, and you have many rivals.
I think it's impossible.
But in this novel, after the two meet by chance when the girl is hit by the pitcher's ball..
they fall in love from the love letter she writes.
With a good-luck charm, the distance between the two of them shrinks.
At graduation he gives her the second button and...
That type of cliche thing doesn't happen,
we're not in the Showa Era afterall.
If it was me, I would become the Baseball Team's manager.
No... Momoko could never do that.
First off, Momoko
why don't you get rid of those glasses and that hairstyle?
Yeah, without those glasses
you would be really cute.
Yeah. Since you clearly can't become the Baseball Team's manager
and you went through great pains to write the love letter, you should deliver it.
That won't happen.
I don't know...
Since we're talking about Oushima-kun and Momoko getting together, afterall.
No, no, there's absolutely chance.
At that moment
a voice from the heavens brought me words of encouragement.
One,
No matter what kind of difficulties we face, we must not give up
and must fight against them.
I decided to follow the voice from the heavens.
You want to be our manager?
There's no way, the team is full.
You know that already! What are you saying?
Hey you guys, hurry up with that stuff!
Yes, Ma'am.
Ah! I'm sorry!
Oushima-kun!
Shut it with all the 'Oushima'!
Oushima-kun!
Sorry about that. Thank you.
One,
No matter what the circumstances
we must not put off working hard!
One,
For the sake of our school,
we must not forget about the spirit of selflessly cheering on others!
We can do!
I beg you.
Cheering for the baseball team?
Our goal is to win at championships.
We don't cheer for sports teams.
Got it, Momoko?
I don't want to give up just yet!
What... what about?
Even though I worked hard this past week, no one has enrolled.
Is.. is that so.
Not even one person.
For cheer teams... my generation has seen the end of them.
I see.
But at next week's baseball match
I can't come and cheer with you.
But ever since our amazing pitcher Oushima arrived
we now have a chance to play in the Koshien. ( Where the National Tournament is held )
Cheer team...
I have something to ask.
Even though I might not be in the position to, but...
"No matter what kind of difficulties we face, we must not give up and must fight against them.."
Is there something you need?
Um...
This...
I have this!
A letter of enrolment...
En-en-enrolment!?
Mo-Mo-Momoyama... Mo-Mo-Momoko
Would it be alright that I'm a girl?
Girl...
A girl...
A girl... girl... girl...
girl... girl.
B-But why? Why?
Because...
I adore the spirit of "Kouha and Oshinin."
Oshinin?
( Read as "Ossu" which is a greeting used between guys. Momoko misread it as Oshinin. )
Momoyama Momoko.
B-B-But somehow I feel great.
You heard my voice and were determined join.
You know that there's a baseball match next week, right?
So should we start cheering right away?
T-That's right.
Ever since Oushima joined, it looks like the baseball team has been aiming to play in Koshien.
I have to make an appointment at a salon.
It's no good afterall!
What's wrong?
We can't cheer with just two people.
A Leader, a Vice-leader, Officer, Standard Flag Bearer, and Drummer.
At the very least, we need five people.
Then let's persuade some people to join.
The Cheer Team
needs you!
The Cheer Team needs you!
The Cheer Team
Please...
Pathetic.
If you want to be popular, then it's weightlifting.
Ah, no...
If you join the Cheer Team, p-pop...
Do you even have a girlfriend?
Ah... no...
Excuse me.
Yeah..
You can see I'm a girl, and I think that the weightlifting club and cheer club are just as cool as each other.
Please excuse me.
"It takes a strong, dignified, and stoic person,"
"to cheer for everyone."
"Girls wouldn't be able to leave such a promising man alone."
Seriously?
That's what is written in this book.
Hey, Taihei!
Weren't you unable to stand because of your injury?
Continuing the Cheer Team has become more difficult!
Please consider it.
Huh, what? Who are you?
Doing this type of thing is unpopular these days.
We can't make it popular, but we have the drive to create one!
Do you enjoy yelling like an idiot?
For me, I find joy in doing it.
Excuse me.
"Rather than playing a magnificent tune,"
"we have the sound of our hearts resonating."
"Our words shake people's lives."
That's what is written in this book.
Like how a piece of music lives on for eternity by those singing it
For generations, we've inherited the spirit of those cheering for us.
I feel that it's like the immortality of art.
Sorry, Akira-kun,
there's no need for someone who is tone-deaf in the choir.
But, I want to sing.
We have a lot of girls because girls are the only ones who can join.
I thought it was something like that... I...
For Koshien let's sing our Cheer Song!
For Koshien let's sing our Cheer Song...
Please look at this. Please look at this.
It's for the Cheer Team, please look at it.
Have you gotten anyone else to join? I doubt it because it sounds so stupid.
But...
I feel that people cheering together
isn't the same as cheering by yourself.
Huh?
"Your encouragement gives your friends bravery."
"Your friends working hard gives you back your strength."
By doing so, you increase the amount of harmony in the world!
Hey!
Momoyama!
Ah, yes! I'm here, I'm here.
We did it!
Look!
What are you doing?
He's classroom 1-C's Endo Joji-kun.
We're pleased to have you as our drummer.
And this is classroom 1-B's Tamura Akira-kun.
It's a good song, isn't it? It's called "Sakura of Tomorrow."
I am classroom 1-A's Outsubo Taihei.
I am the strong man you requested.
Everyone
I look forward to working with you.
We don't have much time before tomorrow's game.
Yes.
So, from now on..
As the Vice-leader, I will instruct the leader in our method of cheering.
Huh? You're the leader, aren't you?
No.
My father is the co-owner of our restaurant,
my mother is the vice-president of our neighborhood watch,
my younger sister is vice-president of her handicrafts club,
it runs in my family to be the second in charge.
Therefore, I decided that Momoyama will be the leader!
Huh? Me?
But having a girl as the leader...
But everyone joined thanks to you.
You have done more than I have.
I think you are the more appropriate choice.
I look forward to working with you, Leader.
Huh?
Caught it! Strike, batter out!
So cool.
You're so cool!
L-O-V-E HI-DE-KI!
L-O-V-E HI-DE-KI! YAY!
Ryotaro-kun, are you alright?
Wh-what?
Your neck is crooked.
P-please stop with the jokes.
Try not to fall in love with me, you guys.
For the Cheer Team, we need someone in charge of the flag. It's sacred...
that's why, when it's time to raise the flag
it will be bad if you aren't wearing your hat with your white gloves.
Ready, go!
Wow, it's huge.
Shiranui!
Gakuen!
Cheer song...
"The Cry of Victory Song"
We take pride in...
When dusk draws near in the sky
from far away in the darkness we kick about.
The glory of our passionate leader
turns on thousands of stars.
We nobly shout for our victory
and take pride.
Amazing.
Shiranui Gakuen...
F-F-For ten years in a row they have performed in Koshien.
Their cheer team is at first-rate level of the entire country.
I've always longed to be in their place.
Don't feel defeated, Leader.
What are you saying?
[The sign reads, "Fure, Fure Sakuragi"]
Let's do our routine.
You can do it! Momoko!
Momoko, you can do it!
Fure...
Sa-
ku-
ra-
gi
On that note, that note!
There!
Ready, ready?
Yes!
Fure, Fure Sakuragi!
Fure, fure...
Third base!
Shit!
Way to go! Attaboy!
He has a terrible hand.
My glory.
There!
Ready?
Attaboy, Attaboy Shiranei Attaboy, Attaboy Shiranei!
Dead ball.
Eh?
What's going on? What's wrong?
Calm down, Oushima-kun!
Hey Momoko,
You're the leader aren't you? Come on, cheer for them properly.
Ah.
Elbows level...
Ryutaro-kun!
Elbows at 90 degrees...
Ryutaro-kun!!!
As expected, Shiranui Gakuen's curve is something else.
Oi!!
Keep the elbows at 90 degrees this time too.
Akira-kun!
What a nice smell...
Akira-kun! Akira-kun!
Could you arrange the cheer?
Leave it to me!
Joji-kun, get the drum ready.
Taihei-kun! Bring the banner.
Eh? Again?
Yeah.
Sakuragi Koukou Cheer Team!
"Sakura of Tomorrow"
The glow of the morning sky, go!
The glow of the morning sky!
Undulating winds and clouds,
The blazing flames,
The passionate spirit of our youth,
Our thoughts unstoppable, we cry out..
Huh? What the hell?!
Ah! That hurts!
Ow! Help me!
What the hell is this!?
Joji-kun! It hurts!
Game.
Thank you very much.
Sakuragi Koukou-san!
I'm truly very sorry but
I'll decline the after-match cheer exchange.
What do you mean?
N-n-not exchanging cheers...
We're not that kind of cheer team!
If you consider yourselves to be Sakuragi Koukou's Cheer Team,
you should learn from our members.
Please, wait a minute!
Shiranui Gakuen!
Are you talking to me?
Ah,
Shiranui Gakuen-san,
Aren't you trampling on the spirit of cheer team etiquette?
Weren't Sakuragi Koukou-san the ones who lost the spirit?
You call yourselves a cheer team,
however, going through training and using effort...
have you even done any of that?
Excuse me.
Thanks for your hard work.
Sorry for saying this,
but could you not come to our games anymore?
Is it our fault?
It's because you guys suck that you lost, right?
B-back off.
You guys are the worst cheer team.
"Expectations of rookie ace Oushima crushed in tears of defeat."
Poor Oushima-kun.
But it wasn't Oushima-kun's fault that they lost.
I wonder if it was our fault that Oushima was beaten?
We need to take this more seriously.
Extra! Extra! Extra!
"Oushima Hideaki: Transferring. Aiming to be the ace of a rival school!"
So Oushima transferred...
I guess without Oushima.. Koshien is impossible.
What are you saying?
At times like these the Cheer Team has to rally.
Because the leader has become serious too, right?
Yo!
Who's that guy?
Who are you?
Ah!
Ah.
Aren't you the leader from the 23rd Cheer Team?
I'm Yanagihara Genzo. Nice to meet you.
Alright,
Sakuragi Koukou's traditional
Golden Week Training Camp Program.
Right, open them.
Training camp?!
Yep! That's the idea!
The sea!
Mountains!
Love!
Becoming friends at a training camp,
Isn't that what enjoying your high school life is all about?
The beach? Yeah!
Mountains? That's right!
Love... Love!
Uhm, actually at the moment I'm...
It's okay! OB will pay the expenses.
Don't you wanna be turned into a cheer team together with us OB?
Overthrow Shiranui Gakuen!
Overthrow Shiranui Gakuen?
That's it!
Uhm, but I'm...
I said money's no problem, okay? Okay?
Good.
Right, it's decided.
Everyone, Let's enjoy!
Yes!
Enjoy.
Nice spot, isn't it?
It's Sakuragi Koukou Cheer Team's traditional training spot, Oushouji!
Everyone, I'm under your care for a week.
Come greet everyone.
Yes.
Come on, the leader too.
Hello, for this occasion....
Please look after us!
You brats!
Is that how you greet your Senpai?
Senpai?
The 23rd Sakuragi Koukou Cheer Team-
I'm the Vice-Leader, Kariya.
From the same team, Officer Tamai.
I'm the flag-bearer, Umida.
I'm the drummer, Kitamura. Good to meet you.
Okay.
It's not 'okay.'
Yes.
I can't hear you!
Yes!
I can't hear you!
Yes!
Alright,
Go get ready for a workout!
A 10 kilometre run is impossible!
Come on, hurry it up!
The day's not getting any younger.
My stomache hurts...
What's your answer?!
Yes...
Your voices are too quiet!
Yes.
Two!
Three!
Four!
Hey Leader, keep it going!
Hey, wait!?
Please stop the sexual harassment!
Idiot. Sexual harassment?
This brat...
Momoyama you aren't trying your best!
It's impossible to do my best.
I've never done push-ups before.
Even so, try harder in your heart.
That's the way of the Sakuragi Koukou Cheer Team.
But we're not athletes.
Why do we have to work this hard?
If you're members of the Cheer Team, then find the answer yourselves.
What's the matter? Aren't you going to eat?
I feel sick, I can't eat.
If I eat anything, I'll throw up...
Is that so...
Reminds me of Dankikougun.
Eh? What's 'Dankikougun'?
On the last day of training camp,
we'd go for a walk up the hill carrying a big flag.
If even one of us slowed down,
or dropped the flag on the ground,
the whole thing would be considered a failure.
If we fail, everyone will have to shave their hair off, and clean the cemetery.
That's tradition.
Um, would I have to do that too?
More than any other member. Even if you're a woman, there's no discrimination!
Three! Four!
Hey! Who said it was okay for you to take a break!?
Hey, what're you doing?!
Hey! Who said it was okay for you to take a break!?
It's those kind of attitudes that makes you lose to Shiranui!
The whole cheer team has the responsibility for the outcome of the match!
We're trying our best
but if the baseball team is weak, then won't they just lose anyway?
You really don't understand at all.
People possess unlimited potential,
the ones who can bring that out are the cheer teams.
Let's say, for example, that Shiranui's power is '10',
our power is '5'.
No matter how you look at it, it's our loss.
Spirit!
Strike out and '10' will bring the enemy down to '7'!
Gather our spirit and courage,
and '5' will increase to '8'!
Fire!
Ah! Stop! Ah!
Take that!
How about it? With '7' vs '8', it's our come-from-behind-victory!
I see.
That's... a strange type of reasoning.
Strange logic is still logic. The possibility isn't zero.
If you can communicate your thoughts, a miracle might happen.
Believe in that and fight with all your strength.
That's the Sakuragi Koukou Cheer Team.
Hurry and wash up!
Yes!
A miracle? There's no way!
No matter how hard we try
there's no way we'll win, is there?
Doing these worthless things,
those guys are crazy!
It hurts!
Our Senpai
are pleased with us, and doing their best!
That doesn't have anything to do with this!
You're an idiot, an idiot!
Alright.
Senpai, let's go home.
Even you...
It was Kitamura's sweet and sour pork, but there was no taste...
What? That colour, and no taste...
I don't believe this...
( "Shiranui Gakuen Training Camp Practice Field" )
Stand up! Stand up, Oushima!
Oushima-kun...
Bring it!
Keep it up!
What have you guys gone and done!?
Genzo, I'll go and look for a bit.
Sorry.
We'll go too.
Just as I thought, it's impossible for a girl to be the leader.
That's not true.
The one who got these guys to join was Mo-Mo-Momoyama.
The friends that she got to join
were the ones I couldn't keep.
That deserves respect.
The set of your shoulders is kinda desperate.
Have you fallen for her?
Please don't say foolish things.
Ow ow ow!
I'm a h-h-hard ass.
Ow ow ow, it hurts!
Your neck's bending!
In any case, I've made up my mind, I'm totally, definitely...
Momoyama!
Ah!
What time do you think it is?
I'm sorry.
But I understand now.
About what?
I wasn't doing my best
and people who can't do their best can't cheer.
Sit down, you guys.
Yes.
Momyama, what do you mean?
Yanagihara-san taught us
that 'if you can convey your feelings, miracles can happen'.
I think that's really splendid.
Now, I want to believe it.
Alright.
Let's start night practices today.
Eh?
Seven!
Joji, you're cracking up!
Akira! Your legs are bending! Straighten up!
Man, the practice was as tough as I thought.
I can't do it anymore.
Even though Momoyama's a girl...
she's really trying her best.
Right, brush my teeth...
Shhh, be quiet!
Sorry.
What're you doing?
Hey hey hey...
Hey.
The Senpai are drinking, now's our chance.
Are you running away?
It was a short time, but thanks for taking care of us.
Hey!
Momoyama.
Hm?
What's the matter?
Those guys ran away.
Eh?
Those guys ran away.
EH?!
Get in there!
We already know
how you guys think.
If there's something you're unhappy with, say it now.
Telling your companions your feelings, that's a part of the Cheer Team too.
"The beach. Mountains. A fun training camp!" That's what you said...
You've got the beach and the mountains! Even the 'koi'!
Why do we have to push ourselves this hard?
I don't get it.
Think about that yourselves.
We already told you that.
If that's the case we can practice ourselves- do this training camp ourselves!
Please let us think about it all by ourselves!
That's right.
I'm not following you guys anymore.
What's that? Watch what you're saying.
Shut up! I don't care what you think!
Violence...!
Guiding juniors is a senior's responsibility!
Hey! Ouch!
Please excuse me.
Sorry.
Sorry, Umi-chan...
is your hand okay? Does it hurt?
Hey!
It's over now.
Momoyama, come with me for a bit.
My hand hurts.
I have never even hit my own child before...
I...
will go home tomorrow.
My cat's waiting for me after all.
Kariya
Won't you stay for a while more and watch what will happen?
Impossible, impossible.
You too, isn't Kami-san and your kid waiting for you?
What's wrong?
Genzou,
I... know about it.
About what?
My company went bankrupt.
Since when?
What's your job now?
Are you jobless?
I'm searching for one.
Would you like me to ask
an acquaintance of mine if he can hire you?
No, it's fine.
Why did you keep quiet about it? That's so stand-offish.
That's right.
This isn't the time to organize a training camp like this then, right?
You should depend on us sometimes.
Don't try to act cool every single time!
But you know,
being a leader means that you always have to try to act cool.
You think it's still the time to act cool when you've made your family cry?
One,
No matter what kind of difficulties we face, we must not give up
and must fight against them.
One,
No matter what the circumstances
we must not put off working hard.
One,
For the sake of our school,
we must not forget about the spirit of selflessly cheering on others.
I can't believe it.
How can he hit the face?
Those guys are mad.
You're so noisy! I am the one that got hit!
Break it off, Joji-kun, aren't we comrades?
We aren't comrades... We aren't comrades!
What is the meaning of fighting spirit?
What is the purpose of a cheer team?
The purpose of a cheer team is to love the school,
to cheer on the entire school population...
Those are just pretty words!
No one's expecting anything out of us!
It's because we didn't put in enough effort and hard work...
How can we put in more effort than we've already, you say?
Stop it.
Our level of training is what is expected of a sports team!
The baseball team's also practicing much more intensely than us
To push them on to work harder , isn't that what a cheer team's supposed to do?
If we continue the Cheer Team,
will there be any benefits?
Leader...
Everyone...
let's consider the Cheer Team seriously once more.
What's the point of continuing the Cheer Team?
Please answer me!
Please answer me properly!
That...
even I don't know.
But...
we haven't even given support to anyone yet.
We haven't even cheered on anyone properly yet.
To cheer someone on is really tiring,
and difficult,
I think it is something that cannot be done if we don't give our best.
But...
I want to cheer people on.
Even if it's just once,
I want to tell them
"please do your best" in a dignified manner.
Wear this.
Three... Four...
Five...
Six... Seven... Eight...
Nine... Ten...
Senpai, good morning!
Good morning!
We are done warming up.
We are going to start basic training.
What's with you all? Something hit you on your head?
We thought it through
and came up with an answer in our own way.
People who cheer on other people
must be stronger than the people being cheered on.
Only people who have put in more effort than others
have the ability to cheer on others.
That's why we should work hard, right?
You guys are on the right track.
That is why the Cheer Team must continue with the strict training regime.
We are sorry for yesterday!
You guys, watch your words when you speak!
Yes!
Your punch was painful.
Let's finish the basic training quickly.
We're going to do more intense training from today onwards.
Yes!
One... Two... Three...
Your pull is weak, the pull.
Five... Six...
Taihei, your body is falling forward!
Where are you looking?!
Momoko, the leg at the back!
Your footsteps
Marking the road to tomorrow.
When will the Sakura Spring come?
That was Sakuragi Koukou's biggest dream:
the legendary song only to be sung when we get into Koshien.
"Sakura in Full Bloom"
I had always wanted to sing it at the baseball court, even if it's just once.
Okay, this will be all for today.
What's left to do is to refresh your mind and body
in preparation for tomorrow's Flag March.
Oushima, sorry!
I'm sorry!
Good afternoon.
Um... our team also came here for our training camp.
And well... I have something that I want to pass to you.
What happened?
Hide-kun's friend?
Ah...
The leader of the Cheer Team of my previous school, right?
Yes.
I'm sorry.
Sakuragi Koukou-san
performed so terribly in last month's practice match,
I couldn't help but laugh.
That was only the game which I was in from the start
that I had lost.
So, what business do you have here?
Ah, no... ah...
What are you doing, Oushima?
We're in the middle of practice!
I'm sorry!
Let's go, Hide-kun.
Ah, it's okay.
I didn't see anything, yes.
Hey, I really didn't see anything!
Wait up!
It's not pure, right?
I entered the Cheer Team because I wanted to cheer on Oushima-kun.
But in the end I didn't manage to convey anything and fell out of love one-sidedly.
What are you talking about? Me too, I'm a lump of impurity.
I will quit the Cheer Team.
Idiot!
Everyone tagged along because they believed in Momoyama.
That's why they were able to put up with the difficult training!
I want to cheer together with you!
Ah, no, in other words, I...
I'm sorry.
I want to be alone.
He's sleeping?!
I'll change places with you.
Thank you.
Leader.
Alright!
It's now the job of the leader!
We're going to climb this?
I'm leaving it all to you, Leader.
Yes, sir.
One, two.
Fure!
Sa- ku- ra- gi-!
There!
Yes!
Fure Fure Sakuragi!
Alright! There's only a little bit more until we reach the goal!
Yes!
Leader, let's work harder!
Yes!
Let's all work harder.
Yes!
Joji-kun, the front.
Okay.
Don't let it touch the ground!
Leader. Your fighting spirit, fighting spirit!
Work harder!
Just a little bit more.
I can see the goal!
Concentrate!
Yes!
Everyone, raise your voice!
Don't drop the flag!
Put in more strength!