You're seriously in high school?
You're so damn short, I thought you were still a baby in diapers!
Whew boy, that's a load off my mind.
I thought we might get in deep shit shaking down a little kid for cash.
So just do the smart thing and hand it over.
It's five on one.
Okay then, I'll give you five minutes.
Huh?
The hell are you talking about?
Calcium Bar
Bring it on!
I'll take you out one by one!
A minute for each of you!
I've never seen a kid so full of himself, what a riot!
Goddammit...!
Ganging up on people like that is so unfair...
Speak with your words and not your fists, dammit.
They took every last yen I had, those bastards!
But it's fine...
...as long as they didn't take these babies away from me!
Whatcha got there?
That bag.
Those punks tried to take it from you a few times,
but you clung on to it so desperately they gave up.
You must have somethin' really special in there.
Well, these...
These are my wings!
Rikukaikuu doko ni ikou Where to go? The land, sea or sky?
Ahiru no Sora
Kimi o sasoitai na I wanna invite you to come along
Monogatari wa hajima tterunda The pages of our story have started to turn
Okubyou kaze mo recycle If you lose your nerve then recycle it
Mayotteru senaka oshite And let it push you past hesitation
Give and go! Isogou Give and go! With the flow
Mogutteita honou ga kaodashite Instincts that are buried deep will always rear their head again
Kakusenai no sa yume ni mita yume People can't just hide the dreams they once dreamed of
Tobenai tsubasa demo Even if these wings can't fly
Bokura wa habataite sora o kanjitai We want to spread them wide and embrace the sky
Naritai jibun ni naritai Becoming the people who we want to be
Ima dekinai koto mo ashita wa wakannai ze You never know, the impossible could be possible tomorrow
Waru agaki shiyou So let's keep up the struggle
Happy go ducky!
Sorry to bum so much food off you, man.
The Ugly Duckling
N-not a problem.
I was waiting here to meet someone at 5:00, but then I got really hungry.
Oh yeah?
Do you want to know who I'm waiting to meet?
I bet you do!
N-no, not particularly.
Oh, come on! Play along, man!
I met this girl named Tomo online. Isn't she a major cutie?
Look at that, it's almost 5:00 already!
I don't want to get in the way of your date. So uh, I'm just gonna leave.
Whatever, it's too late...
I already waited here a whole 24 hours and she never came.
Goodbye.
Don't just abandon me, man! I'm beggin' you!
Go higher!
But man, you really took a beating back there.
What's your name?
It's Kurumatani.
Sora Kurumatani!
Curly-man-panties?
No, "KURUMATANI"!
Well, even though you got your ass whooped...
...I'll admit I'm impressed you didn't run away from all those guys.
I've always been really short.
It's made me the target of bullies for my whole life.
But more than anything,
I hate being thought of as weak just because of my size.
So I swore to myself that I'd never run away from a fight,
no matter how many guys I was against!
By the way, that last fight put my losing streak at 200 in a row!
Nice. I'm diggin' your good vibes, man.
But I guess since I keep losing, the fact that I'm weak hasn't really changed at all.
It's never too late to change that.
I can teach you... how to put up a real fight.
So you must be really strong, right?
Let me put it this way...
...someday soon I'll have dominated every martial art in the world.
In the entire world?!
W-well, this guy is really tall and he seems pretty buff!
If you want to win a fight, then...
...you first have to train your reflexes to avoid
anything and everything that may come at yo-
Crap, it crashed!
Jeez mister, why didn't you just move outta the way?!
The propeller better not be busted!
What a disaster!
Watch out next time, geezer! What a disaster!
Watch out next time, geezer! Let's get out of here.
Stupid jerk! Fluff for brains!
I'm just gonna go.
Good morning!
Mornin'!
Morning!
Can't believe school's already back in session.
KANAGAWA PREFECTURE KUZURYU HIGH SCHOOL
All right.
Time to spread my wings!
It's huge!
It was hard to tell yesterday since it was
filled with chairs for the entrance ceremony.
Starting today, I can come here...
...to play basketball every single day!
Ah! This is the life!
I can't wait until it's time for practice to start!
Look what we have here.
What elementary are you from, kid?
Huh...?
BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM
Since you're wearing our uniform, I'm gonna assume you're one of the new freshmen.
Look, I'm not here to fight!
What a total pipsqueak.
So, are we gonna teach him a lesson or what?
Let's cut him some slack. You're still on probation, remember?
Those shoes are downright filthy. You should just throw them out.
I can't! These are way too important to me to just throw away!
Oh?
Are they some sort of expensive limited edition or what?
Nothing like that.
I really treasure them... because my mother gave them to me.
I'm Momoharu, the captain of the team.
Uh, okay!
It's nice to meet you!
BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM
So basically, the court and this locker room are all part of my turf.
If I catch you playing any basketball without my permission...
...I'll stuff those shoes of yours full of dog shit and then drop 'em in the sewer.
No, I just...
Huh?
W-wait!
Enough with the pranks!
Open up! Come on!
Oh crap. They seriously locked me in here.
Well, somebody will let me out eventually... I hope.
They should take better care of these.
Nobody ever came to let me out...
And now I've skipped my first day of classes.
I'm starving...
I think I still have a few in here.
Found one!
What's this?
Ouch...
Those guys made a peep hole!
That's another level of perverted!
She's like a super model...
Oh yeah, baby! Keep going! Take it all off!
Yo, we meet again.
H-how did you even get in here?!
Whaddya mean how? I used the door.
Huh?
I was here first thing in the morning waiting for the girls to come in for practice.
But then I fell asleep inside this locker.
So, you're also a student at this school?
Yeah, I'm a sophomore in class 2-4.
But damn, you just can't catch a break from being harassed.
Can you, Burly-tan-granny?
It's "Kurumatani."
That Momoharu guy is only a sophomore, but he's number 2 on the school food chain.
You should do what he says if you want to enjoy a peaceful life.
Wait, did you see everything that happened?
Yeah, I was in the locker.
Then couldn't you have done something to help me?
No way! Too much effort, man.
Are you serious...?
Um, I'm pretty sure it's well past the time that teams are supposed to meet up for practice...
...so why haven't those guys come back here to get started?
Tell me, did any of them seem like the type that actually takes sports seriously?
Huh?
The Kuzu High boys' basketball team has been defunct for years now.
Not only do they not practice, but they don't even try to recruit new members.
At this school, every student has to join a club or a sports team.
Even the ones that don't want to are forced to become a member of something.
And this team has turned into a gang of punks like them as a result.
I'm also a member of the team, but unlike them, I show up here every day.
I keep tabs on how much the girls' team is growing! If ya know what I mean!
But listen to my advice, just give up on basketball and pick another sport to play.
No way!
Look man, you're too short to even dream of becoming a serious B-baller.
Why be so picky about this?
I can't deny the fact that I'm short, or that I've never won a single fight in my life.
But when I play basketball, it turns me into someone totally different.
The court is the only place...
...that I feel like I can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone else.
Listen...
...you should take what they said to you more seriously.
If you try to play, then you'll be signing your own death warrant.
This is their territory.
Anyone who takes the game seriously is just going to throw a wrench into their plans.
Is pissing them off just to play basketball really worth it to you?
It is.
Then... just do it.
Huh?
You want to play basketball, right?
Uh, I do, but...
What now?
Are you changing your mind on me?
No, but, even if I wanted to... the door is locked from the outside.
BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM
You were saying?
Nothing.
I won't lie to you. I hate weak little brats.
But I dig guys who refuse to give up, even when the odds are against them.
They're really going at it!
Look!
That girl over there is Madoka Yabuuchi. She's the idol of the girls' basketball team.
In case you're curious, I know that her body measurements are 78-56-80.
It's the girl I saw earlier.
So her name is "Madoka."
Well, hey there, ladies!
Sorry for the short notice, but do you mind if we take half the court?
S-sure, we don't mind.
Thank you!
Sh-she's looking my way.
If she asks my height, I'm totally saying 160 centimeters!
Although, I'm actually just 149...
Hey, have a second?
M-my height is 165 centimeters tall thanks for asking!
The boys' team is dangerous.
Be careful.
Madoka!
Sorry, I'm coming!
Hey, Pearly-butt-acne!
It's "Kurumatani," jeez.
Check it!
Impressive, huh?
This isn't the circus!
I'm actually going to practice, so please toss me one, uh...
Actually, I don't think you've told me your name yet.
Oh yeah? Well, my name is...
Yo, Chiaki.
The hell are you doing...
...on my court?
Hey, cut it out! Let me go!
Give them back!
Hey brat, didn't you get the message?
We told you not to practice in here without permission.
Listen here. I really hate assholes who don't keep their word.
Now I've got no choice.
These are going straight to the sewers.
Get your hands off them! Those are the shoes my mom gave me!
Shut the hell up, mama's boy.
Just have her go buy you a new pair.
Seriously?! They're mine?!
Awesome!
I know you've always wanted them.
But hey, if these shoes are mine now, then...
...you won't have a pair left to use, mom!
That's okay. Because I...
...don't need to wear them anymore.
Dammit!
Hey kid, are you all right?
Oh no! Your nose is bleeding!
Those jerks are just the absolute worst.
But it's a good thing that all they did were take his shoes.
No, it's not...
Huh?
Those shoes are way too important to just give up.
I'd rather die than lose them!
Too easy!
Come back and fight us when you grow out of those diapers of yours, kid.
Go back to kindergarten, you'll fit in better.
Give them back...!
You damn runt! Let go!
That's enough, Yasu.
Huh?
I suppose we did force you into making that promise with us.
So I'll spare your shoes from becoming friends with the turds.
Damn right you will! Give them back right now!
It would be a pain to find a sewer grate to dump them in, anyway.
I'll settle with a trip to the incinerator instead.
Pipsqueaks like you always suck out on the court, anyway.
No incinerator today.
Chiaki!
Let go, shithead!
Not happening.
Come here.
Huh?
You don't want to get mixed up in what's about to happen.
Wait, what do you mean by that?
If they start having an all-out fight in here...
...then the gym is going to get shredded to pieces.
Huh?
Chiaki Hanazono...
...and his twin brother, Momoharu!
Those two completely dominate everybody in Kuzuryu High School.
They're the twins from hell!
Hell yeah! The Shining Wizard!
But why?
I thought... you were a basketball team...
Why don't any of you just play basketball?!
Huh?
Did I forget to tell you?
We're all members of the team, but none of us actually want to play basketball.
And why is that?
Well...
...it's just too much effort!
I mean, basketball is one of those sports with too many damn rules.
They really just suck all of the fun out of it.
There are three words that I hate more than anything.
"Rules," "Regulations," and "Requirements."
Like I said before, I dig your good vibes, man.
That's why, I'm going to tell you one more time.
Just quit trying to play basketball at this school.
Even if they have wings, birds can never fly without the sky.
Just you watch!
I'm going to become a legendary B-baller, just like you were, Mom!
Oh, really?
Great! I can't wait to see you on the court.
I get it.
But...
...let's play a game!
What? Are you crazy?
I'll go and get a teacher!
Wait! Let's just see how this plays out.
I get the feeling that kid is going to treat us to a real show.
You want us to shove you in a locker this time, brat?
You're on the basketball team.
So let's sort this out on the court.
Huh?
If I lose, then I'll quit trying to play basketball here.
But in exchange, if I win then I want you to let me join the team.
Sorry, but you're not going to provoke us into taking up that deal.
We're so far out of practice that there's no way
any of us could actually win a one-on-one.
Who said anything about one-on-one?
What?
Five-on-one is fine.
I'll take all of you on at once!
Don't get cocky, pipsqueak!
Five-on-one, huh? That's pretty ballsy.
A-are you ready to play...?
Bring it on!
We'll see just how tough you are after you lose, brat!
I gotta say, you're pretty good at roping people in...
...Kurumatani.
S-so then, does that mean you'll be joining us, Chiaki?
Huh?
Who, me? I'm gonna have to pass.
I mean, that's just too much effort.
That's why I'm proposing...
...that Madoka here steps in for me instead!
Huh?
What? Why should she?!
He wants this to be a legit five-on-one match,
which means that someone has to fill my spot since I'm not playing.
Okay! I'll be watching from the sidelines, so let's get this party started.
Running away again, huh?
You never fuckin' change.
Don't even bother with these guys, Madoka!
That's right!
They're just trying to make you look like a bully, too!
Actually, how can they even think that Madoka would take this seriously?
Um...
I-I have a little favor to ask.
Please play!
And don't hold back!
Sure.
He'll win this match if he gets past all 5 defenders and scores just a single basket.
Is everyone agreed?
Okay!
Fat chance, kid!
He did it!
Whoa! Awesome fake!
No, that wasn't a fake!
Momoharu anticipated the move he was making and totally shut him out.
But then that kid... he used a spin to force his way out and get past!
He backed off?
A jump shot?! From here?!
A Duck-in!
So low!
That wasn't any ordinary Duck-in.
This kid...
...he just dove straight under!
Doredake sora o miagetatte It didn't matter how long you stared up at the sky
Boku wa tobenai to kimi wa itta You always said that you would never be able to fly
Ato nankai te o nobaseba One night I cried wondering how long it would take
Todoku no darou to naita yoru Until I could finally reach you with my hands
Nigedasu koto ni nareteitte Eventually I got used to just running away
Sore ga yowasa dato shitta ano hi Until the day I realized that was a weakness
Hajimeyou mata, kyou kara So let's start it all over, right now
Taisetsu na mono wa itsudemo soba ni atta The things precious to us were always close at hand
Bokura wa itsumo hitori janai donna toki mo We are never completely alone at any time in our lives
Toberu sa doko made mo kimi wa The truth is that you can fly, wherever you want
Dare yori tataku tataku habataite Spreading your wings to go far higher than anyone else
Nagashita namida no kazu dake The more tears that you shed
Tsuyoku narunda Then the stronger you become
Tsubasa hiroge sekai o megutte Let's use those wings to travel the world over
Dare mo shiranai mirai o sagasou And find a path to a future that no one knows about
Zutto, zutto, zutto Always, always, always
Aruite yukou saa, issho ni Walking onwards, all of us together
Ahiru No Sora Next Time: Boys Without Talent
Next time: "Boys Without Talent."