Dammit!
Everyone on the team... knows how you must feel.
So I think...
...that's exactly why Nanao decided to ask you that question... in front of all of us.
And in that moment, you answered clearly.
It psyched me up. Seeing your bravery.
Y-yeah.
Ahiru no Sora
Nice, Chucky!
VOW
Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
Shit, they just won't let up.
Only 3 more minutes...
We're not losing the lead now! Keep your heads in the game!
The first match of the day is turning out to be a real spectacle.
If memory serves, neither of these schools even entered the tourney last year.
What a shame! They've both got such amazing players.
I hope this is a sign that more high schoolers
are taking an interest in the game of basketball.
He's boxing me out!
Koji and I were the only members in our freshmen year.
Playing in a game like this was a pipe dream.
Basketball Team
The year after that, we still couldn't get up to 5 members.
Basketball Team
And now our first go at the inter-high tourney... is also our last!
Did he foul...?
No, they're not calling it.
I let him get by!
We can't afford to waste all our stamina in this very first game!
Not on my watch!
Loose ball!
A three-pointer!
Rebound!
It went in!
Now we're ahead by 4!
Simply wonderful, Roku!
Thanks.
Okay, just a bit more!
Let's go into the second half with a solid lead!
Right!
We WILL win this!
Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
The first half is just about to end.
We have to avoid letting them get a huge lead here at the very least.
That means no screw ups.
We have to keep up with them no matter what!
Until Chiaki comes back into the game!
The qualities that a good point guard needs most?
That's simple, a manly attitude and chiseled good looks.
But Chiaki... you don't have any of that.
If I have to be real, then an eye for opportunity is essential.
Particularly when it comes to hot babes.
You always fail 'cuz you try to memorize them one-by-one.
You'll never be a good point guard unless you learn to look at the bigger picture.
Channel your five senses. Your whole team is aiming for the basket.
Nice pass!
That pass got them into a good spot!
That guy has some smooth moves!
It's a hook! Get on the side with the ball, Yukio!
LIGHT
I guess he really does know his shit.
GREASED LIGHTNING
Pretty good. Is this how Kuzu High always plays?
Dunno. This is the first year they've ever participated.
It's a good thing we came to check them out.
Nice assist!
Right back at you. Great pass, Kurumatani.
You missed me making a cut for the basket three times.
You gotta pay more attention.
Sorry.
He sure likes to gets on everybody's case,
but I have to admit he plays the game well.
But honestly, the more I look at it, the weirder his hair gets.
Huh? Did you say something?
That's our freshmen trio.
They're pretty damn impressive.
All right! Time to totally shut them down!
Bring the pain!
I screwed up...!
Holding! White #6!
That damn attention whore. I'll make him pay for this.
He made me look like a complete fool in front of everyone.
And the worst part is...
...Nao saw every second of it!
He missed the second one!
Whoa! Nice rebound!
We're pretty much invincible under the basket now thanks to Momoharu and Mokichi!
I think we're really starting to turn this around!
We can probably hold our own for a while even without Chiaki!
Don't ya think so, Nao?
Huh? Oh, I suppose so.
Sweet! I'm getting psyched up now!
Damn. It won't go in!
Counter!
That one's gonna hurt bad.
Right after things started going their way.
Hey, Mokichi.
You okay?
Oh, yeah. I'm fine.
I see... I hadn't noticed until now,
but since they have to run between the very ends of the court
the center has the most strenuous job of all.
I've gotta switch up the rhythm of our offense,
and spread out the burden among us more equally.
We've been playing almost exclusively in the post for a while now.
Is that little idiot trying to kill me?!
Holy cow! Did you see that pass just now?
He chucked it from behind the half court line!
Our resident shorty is starting to find his groove!
Ain't that right, Chiaki?
Huh?
Chiaki...?
That's the end of the first half!
It's down to a 2 point game. Shinjo worked hard to defend their lead.
That last pass was really incredible though.
Man, this game is super high level. Both teams are good.
It seems they were evenly matched for the entire first half.
Well, I'm not surprised.
The second half will test more than skill, the team
with the better stamina and concentration will cinch it.
This is where they're going to have to set themselves apart.
Alrighty then. It's about time for us to start warming up. Let's move!
Roger that.
He's nothing at all like when we played before.
I can tell that he really practiced his ass off.
I'm looking forward to our rematch.
Huh? Where'd Chiaki and Nanao go?
Yeah, about that... Chiaki just up and vanished a couple of minutes ago.
So Nao had to leave to go and check on him.
Where do you think he got off to?
Dunno.
Must be taking a shit or something.
I'm sure he'll be back soon.
We have more important things to focus on right now.
Everybody needs to rest up and recover what stamina they can before the second half starts.
Goddammit... I totally spaced on how rotten his attitude can get!
The hell are you doing, man?! We're still in the middle of a game!
I mean, there's no point if we can't win.
I don't wanna keep playing when we look so uncool.
Don't tell me... that bastard did it again?!
What's the matter, Captain? You look like you're gonna puke.
HURRY!
Get the lead out, Kato! We gotta speed it up!
I'm telling you, we don't have to rush because it's only halftime!
Hurry!
But I... want to spend as much time in Nao's presence as possible.
Hold up a sec!
Wait, don't pull!
WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!
Look... over there.
Huh?
That's gotta be somebody else. There's no way he'd be here.
But he's wearing the uniform and everything...
He's coming this way!
Why is he chasing us?!
And why the hell is the cashier following after him?!
Premium Popsicle Soda Flavor Total: 5 Items Yen
Th-that'll be 324 yen, please.
Don't eat popsicles you that can't pay for, dammit! Especially not FIVE of them!
And this, too.
Just put the magazine back!
3 fouls in the first half?
Damn, that's gotta be rough.
I actually got 4 in our game today, so it's a big problem for me, too.
I don't care about the peanut gallery,
but Nao is the one person I never want to see me as uncool.
Huh?
MIYUKI OVERPASS
Did Nao actually say that to you?
That you were "uncool"?
I figured. She's not the type to look down on people like that.
Back when I first started and absolutely sucked,
and even when our team got wrecked by stronger schools...
...Nao would always cheer me on with a big smile.
To her, I always looked cool on the court. She's never said anything different.
So don't you dare... disrespect Nao like that!
Taro...
I guess this Suzuki dude is a pretty decent guy after all.
Huh?
Just who the hell is Suzuki?!
Huh? Wasn't that your name?
In any case, you should really get back there.
It's not unheard of to get a technical foul for ditching.
Seriously?
Not to mention, any team will struggle to play
without their point guard, three fouls or not.
We can probably hold our own for a while even without Chiaki!
Huh? Oh, I suppose so.
No... I'm not...
Chiaki!
Nao...
Hey, Nao! You came all this way to meet me?
My angel!
Huh? What are you doing out here Taro?!
Hey, Nao, you've got some blood on your knee...
Oh... I tripped and fell a minute ago.
I've been worried about you. What on Earth made you disappear like that?
She came... all the way out here to find me?
She ran herself ragged just for me?
What a relief. I had no idea what I was going to do if I couldn't find you.
Shit. I look... drastically uncool right now.
Now listen here! Whenever you get benched from now on...
I'm begging you, Nao. Just please don't look at me...
Here, take this!
Use it to wipe off your sweat.
Make sure you keep your body from getting too cold.
Everybody worked real hard out there to make sure you wouldn't come back to a big mess.
So be sure to show your appreciation later, okay?
Oh, I get it...
Nao's already seen it, she's always watched us struggle to improve...
Okay! I need to get back right away to have a meeting with the others.
But I want you to walk back slowly so you don't get tired, Chiaki.
There's still plenty of time left!
It's just like seaweed head said...
All right!
We gotta get going too, Kato!
Wait!
What? What do you want this time?
You're going down, seaweed head. I'll become the most important person to Nao.
Huh?! What the hell?!
In other words, I'm going to become the best basketball player in Japan.
Huh?
I will... never lose to anyone!
Juri? What's up with this text? How'd she get her hands on a phone?
bought a celly r u playing now?
Jeez, she ain't even using full sentences.
was gonna come see u play 2day 4 real was saving my monies for it
I was gonna come see you play today for real. I was saving my money for it.
but couldn't w8 and bought a celly yesterday
But I couldn't wait and bought a cellphone yesterday.
but couldn't w8 and bought a celly yesterday so can't now.
So I can't now.
Oh great. So I'm playing second fiddle to the fancy new cellphone.
but couldn't w8 and bought a celly yesterday so can't now.
pls be a gr8 player and listen to ur coach don't cause any problems 4 ppl.
Please be a great player and listen to your coach.
Don't cause any problems for people.
She sounds like our mom...
do ur best.
Do your best!
Yeah. I'll do my best.
I guess this is what I get... for quitting basketball once.
Just 5 minutes and I'm exhausted...
Hey Manager, you're in charge of drinks.
SAIJO
The water for icing injuries is in the cooler box. So get that ready, too.
I'm beat...
We managed to stop the other team from taking a huge lead.
But I had no idea all the anxiety and pressure would wipe me out this much...
Please Chiaki, hurry and get back!
You hanging in there?
Madoka...?
Hey Yabuuchi.
What the hell are you doing out here?
Hey! Have a little more respect! We came all the way here to cheer you guys on!
It's only natural for us to come see how things pan out,
especially after all that time we spent helping you practice.
That's for sure. If they're gonna go out, I hope it's with a bang!
Please stop making it sound like they're doomed to lose this match!
If you're just gonna be a nuisance, then go the hell home.
Oh? Only 2 points behind! You guys are putting up a fight!
Um, how about the girls' team?
We lost our game.
But it was soooo close!
Seriously, you won't believe it!
We had it down to a 1 point game at the very end!
I can't concentrate with all this screeching going on!
We had a chance!
It was totally down to the wire!
Here. You can have this.
We put literally everything we had into it!
For sure!
What's this supposed to be?
Brown sugar candies for a calorie boost.
You guys didn't prepare anything like this, did you?
Oh, thank you.
Here. You all should have some.
Thanks grandma...
Too damn sweet!
You need the boost.
I hear you scored 24 points in the first half alone?
You're on fire.
You know, your face is all sorts of beautiful, girl.
You should wear your hair up. Don't let it go to waste.
Huh? You... you really think so?
What a god!
Do you enjoy eating sweet candies, Shigeyoshi?
Yeah... I, uh, love them.
Great. Then I'll give you a bonus piece.
Here, Momoharu. You need one, too.
Great, thanks.
Ice Pack
I'll give you this in return.
Huh?
'Cuz your eyes are all puffy.
Oh crap! He noticed!
I knew I should've put on a pair of glasses!
Although, you should know I was keeping it in my underwear.
Ugh! Then keep it to yourself!
Man, these candies are super tasty.
He's really got sharp eyes.
Got one for you, Sora. Here.
They went in and then stopped.
Do you... understand what that means?
We can do this! We will win!
All that energy they have will definitely drop off in the second half!
When it comes to hidden reserves, we have the advantage!
Don't any of you dare give up!
Think back on all of the training that we've done!
Yes, sir!
Koji, did you notice anything we could improve upon while you were watching?
Nope. Do you think we're struggling 'cuz our team is weak...
...or 'cuz Kuzu High is just that strong?
I was sure that we could compete on an even level,
whether we went up against Saijo or Shinmaruko.
And I'm not just being an arrogant jackass.
This is a damn good matchup.
I think we can get our 3 years worth of fun right from the start.
Very true. That's a good point.
This is what we always wanted.
Ever since we were freshmen.
A match? But there's only 2 of you...
We roughed it out for 2 years playing against middle schoolers
and training absolute novices.
We've been waiting to taste the thrill of a close game,
where we have to fight for every point.
And right now... I am definitely living that dream!
Kazushi. Yukio.
Did you think our practice sessions were too hardcore?
Huh?
Why are you asking out of the blue?
They were way too hardcore! I wanted to quit all the time.
But you weren't one of the noobs!
You guys are amazing to make it this far. Thanks for hanging in there.
Captain, you're supposed to save that for after the game.
Yeah, exactly! After we win it all!
Buzz off.
What a jerk!
C'mon dude, it's not like everybody is playing for your sake.
Yeah, I know that.
I just... wanted to try saying it.
Ain't that a coincidence.
I was thinking about doing the exact same thing.
I'm so sorry for getting back late!
Hey, Nanao! What about Chiaki?
He's okay.
Huh?
Anyways, I'm really sorry. We don't have time for a proper meeting now.
Don't worry about it. It's not gonna be a problem for us.
Only 3 minutes left...
Pay attention. I need all of you to listen closely.
It's true that we were unable to make a comeback
in the last 5 minutes of the first half.
However, there is no doubt that we were in control of the game for that time.
So in order to keep our momentum strong,
we're going all in right from the start of the second half.
Shigeyoshi, I want to keep you out on the court. Is that okay?
Yeah. Of course.
If Kurumatani decides to make a fast break, don't force yourself to keep up.
Momoharu will dash at full speed to provide support instead.
Right.
Shigeyoshi can prepare for the event we get a second chance.
Understood.
Hold up a sec! What about Chiaki?
He's on the bench until the fourth quarter, dude.
Even if we put bro back on the court, he couldn't do mu-
DEATH!
Oh crap! Kite!
I think you boys have been screwing around a little too much lately.
And just where the hell have you been, jackass?!
You better not have gone to stuff your face with a damn popsicle again!
Nature called!
You can drop the scary face with me, dude.
Miss Nao.
Uh, yes?
I want off the bench. So, please put me back in.
To assure our victory.
And... to kindle our love.
What the hell are you talking about, dumbass?
You've got three fouls, remember?!
We sure as hell can't afford to let you get ejected in the third quart-
That's fine with me.
Huh?!
However, I'm benching you the instant you get a fourth foul.
And then I'm not letting you back in until the final 3 minutes.
I like what you said earlier. I'm going to borrow it.
Shinjoooooo! Fight!
We're gonna climb our way to the top! Don't let anything stop us!
Right!
Let's get out there. And assure our victory!
Ahiru no Sora Next Time: Bonds
Next episode: "Bonds."