Kanagawa School of Medical Science Secondary Hospital
That boy must be in the middle of his match about now.
Though, I'd bet his team'll lose pretty darn quick.
Mom...
Sora's basketball game... I'd love to see it.
I want to see... my son.
It's not wrong
So that one step you took and endured today is
The sound of a footstep that radiates brilliantly
It's not wrong
So the world you blindly jumped into must be right
The plans I held for the future when I was greedy
Ahiru no Sora
Was soiled by my days of attentiveness to others
Those that sought the same dream have long ago
Started on new paths
Sighs color the sky a dark gray
But it's not the end yet
Today must be the day, so I pray as I sing
It's not wrong
So that one step you took and endured today is
The sound of a footstep that radiates brilliantly
It's not wrong
The world you blindly jumped into must be right
SHI-N-JO! SHI-N-JO! SHI-N-JO! SHI-N-JO!
BONDS
KU-ZU HIGH! KU-ZU HIGH! KU-ZU HIGH! KU-ZU HIGH!
Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
Whoa... both teams are going all in under the basket!
They'll come from high to low! Don't let #12 get into position!
His arms are unbelievably long.
Even though we're nearly the same height... his reach is way longer than mine!
They saw him coming!
It went in... that guy can shoot from long-range, too?!
SHINJOTOWA
They took the lead! Kuzu High is starting the second half really strong!
You saw I was totally open for a shot just now!
So why did you throw it back outside?! Don't make me whoop your ass, dammit!
Sorry, it was instinctive.
Nice assist.
Offense! Offense! Offense! Offense!
My first order of business is to shut this guy down.
It's this foppish jerk who has been propping up the other team...
both offensively and defensively!
So heavy...!
This guy is packing more pounds than even Yukio does!
Feels like I just got insulted somehow.
Huh?
Rebound!
All mine!
They're tough. Especially under the basket.
Yeah.
The one with the afro seems like top tier material,
but he's only 4th or 5th tier when someone else is playing point guard.
In other words, if he was playing the position he was meant for,
they wouldn't be struggling this much.
So, the points they've scored so far don't actually show their full potential.
Although, I don't think that Mokichi will hold out for the entire game.
But in either case, it's unlikely Takahashi and that #8
can stop Kuzu High's inside game by themselves.
NURSES STATION
Permission to leave?
Apparently Mrs. Kurumatani wants to go watch her son play sports.
But Dr. Hayashi isn't even on duty today, if I remember right.
Yes, as far as I know he's not here.
If you had told us ahead of time then we could have been prepared.
There's not much we can do on such short notice.
We nurses don't have the authority to allow a patient to leave the hospital.
I know, but... she just brought it up today out of the blue.
She's never breached the subject herself before, this is the very first time.
I'm sure she must be preparing for the worst...
Yes... yes.
Is that so?
Ms. Yabuuchi, apparently Dr. Hayashi is actually here today.
They're putting him on the line now.
Hello, this is Yabuuchi speaking.
Yes, Mrs. Kurumatani's son is...
Right. Yes, that's correct. Apparently it's happening right now.
From what I understand the venue is close by...
Really? Sure. Of course, thank you very much!
Mrs. Kurumatani! The doctor is coming to chaperone.
I'll call a taxi now, so please get ready.
Way to go, Sora!
What a high arc!
That's not the same hook he did before!
Basket counts! One free-throw!
They can't be stopped! Kuzu High is totally dominating the second half!
They've rushed to the basket relentlessly! The point gap is about to be double digits!
What's up? You're not shooting anymore skyhooks?
It's true those can't be stopped, but the angle needed to get them
in is too tight for me to pull off.
I only used it as a bluff earlier.
Besides, jumping so high every time wears me out.
This damn punk...
Th-they're so strong.
I'm starting to think this team is even better than Saijo...
Don't let your nerves start showing.
We've still got time left!
Let's go, let's go! Shinjo!
Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
Crush 'em, crush 'em, Shinjo!
SHI-N-JO! SHI-N-JO! SHI-N-JO!
On the defensive again! Shinjo can't even manage to score!
Watch #7! He's going for high post!
Did that really just happen? An elbow pass?!
It must've been fluke, dude.
These fools!
That pass went through at close-range, and in just a fraction of a second!
Two flukes can't happen at the same damn time!
Both passer and receiver can only make that happen with pure, unadulterated skill!
You should really let me know ahead of time to expect a pass like that...
Whatever, you caught it just fine!
They planned that ahead... right?
Fascinating. It seems our next opponent is going to be Kuzu High.
It's not over! Just stay calm and let's score one!
Spread yourselves around the inside!
Right!
They're 5 minutes into the second half.
Even Shinjo and their two 190 cm players are struggling
to cut through the defense in the paint that's centered around Mokichi.
Fast break!
They're quick!
Stay on #11! They'll definitely pass to him! Don't let him score no matter what!
He got past me!
He smashed right through!
That tiny guy is totally putting all these 190 cm giants to shame!
Now they have a 16 point lead!
That basket just now really hit where it counts!
Too tough...
How can they be this strong?
They've never participated in any tournaments until this one!
Damn showoff!
Hey, Chiaki.
Let's win this thing.
You know it.
Timeout! Shinjotowa Academy!
So crazy! This game is the real deal!
And apparently the winner is gonna face Saijo next.
This tournament is totally gonna make the news!
Tanabe, it's your turn to keep score. Kawamoto, get the athletic tape ready.
Get moving!
Wait, Kojima, you aren't thinking about...?
You bet your ass I'm gonna play!
I'm sure as hell not sitting on the bench like an idiot!
Koji...
Huh? There isn't a basketball team here at all?
Well, that's not exactly true.
We have a team, but there are 0 members after last year's graduates left.
To be honest, this school is mainly for those focused on going to college,
so club activities aren't really taken seriously in the first place.
You two are a rarity. Wanting to keep it up through high school...
Goddamn, what a disaster.
If I had know this was my future, I would've
studied more and tried to get into Saijo instead!
I could've made it there with ease, you know.
What?! Hey, man. You aren't seriously blaming me for this, are you?!
But I'd hate to play basketball with a bunch of smug elites, anyway.
This is much more my speed.
Is that your attempt to try and cheer me up?
Huh?
I swear, this guy has absolutely zero social awareness.
Takahashi has always been smart, for as long as I've known him.
Do you dream of becoming popular? Be a part of the basketball team!
Join the boys' basketball team!
Let's live it up together, c'mon!
Anybody interested in playing basketball?
Be a part of the basketball team! Basketball Team
Are they for real? So lame.
Forget them, did we manage to score any ladies?
Shimamoto said he's bringing 4 of them later.
Good! Keep your eyes forward. Only 50 more!
Oh, hey, Koji!
Dude, who the hell are these kids?!
Our advisor asked if we could coach some middle schoolers,
and so I'm seeing what they can do.
That's great, but every other team is off at the inter-high tourney!
Why are we stuck babysitting?!
All of these kids are in their first or second year of middle school.
I know what you're thinking,
but the older ones will actually be freshmen here by the time we're seniors.
Hey, you guys are planning to come to Shinjo right?
Yeah!
I'D FOLLOW YOU FOR LIFE!
Are you going to give us more popsicles again today?
Today I've got a smorgasbord of snacks!
You and I are the only members of this team right now.
Which means, we have to do whatever it takes to recruit some fresh blood next year.
But even then, I don't think we'll have enough time to enter the inter-high prelims.
So with next year's newbies and then all of these kids the year after that...
...then we can put together a full team that even Kitasumi and Saijo won't be able to stop!
It should be a piece of cake... for the two of us.
Despite all your talk, you still sound like a wimp.
You gotta at least say "let's dominate the inter-high," man.
Fair enough.
Hand it over.
But Kojima...
I'm playing. I refuse to just watch our dream come to an end from the bench.
Listen up. Our plan for the inside...
Don't ignore me, dammit!
Don't make me repeat myself. I said you're benched today.
Takahashi... you of all people should know already.
Being this far behind this late in a game is never a good sign.
You can't beat the other team with your smooth talk.
Just trust me. We will win this.
Just put yourself in my shoes for a damn second!
Do you seriously think you'd be satisfied after hearing that? Huh?!
What's up? Are they fighting?
Senpai...!
Can you even run?
You know full well how terrifying a knee injury like yours can be to basketball career.
Can you really go out on that leg and put up a fight against them?
Damaged?
You were lucky that nothing was broken instead.
This should heal up in about a month, I'd say.
Ligament injuries are pretty much inevitable for people who play sports.
You got off with a relatively light one, all things considered.
Wait a damn second.
"A month"?
"Light"?
"Lucky"?!
I can't get it to bend at all!
KOBAYAKAWA CLINIC
This leg pain is nothing compared to the agony of just idling around while we lose.
Even with the cast on, I never went a day without doing shooting practice.
I even went as far as forcing my stiff knee to bend again.
I'm begging you, Takahashi. Take me off the bench.
Please let me stake my basketball career... right here on this very game!
Kojima...!
But... what if your injury only gets worse out there?
You should just let him play.
Even if his leg gets busted, it ain't gonna kill him.
Don't joke around about that!
Cool your jets.
But, Roku...!
Captain, I have to agree with Kazushi on this one.
Just like the special bond that you both share with the freshmen,
we sophomores feel equally as close to you seniors.
If we're gonna win this, then we wanna do it together.
We'll provide any backup, as much as you need.
The timeout is over!
Kawamoto! Wrap his leg with the athletic tape! Get it done fast!
Y-yes, sir!
Koji, I need you to promise me just one thing.
We have a lot of games to win. Don't wreck yourself in this one.
Just who the hell do you think you're talking to?
Let's make our way to the top together!
The promise that we made back as kids still lives on to this day.
And it's not gonna come to an end here.
We're still climbing our way up the ladder!
Throw-in with Shinjo in possession!
Got it!
Nice rebound!
Shinjo can't score!
Kuzu High totally dominates under the basket!
If only you knew how to shoot a basket...
Stuff it!
He really is incredible. I jumped before him, but he still got the ball.
I don't think there's gonna be a comeback with only 1 quarter left.
I mean, they're 16 behind!
Yeah, I think Kuzu High has it in the bag.
Don't worry about it, Captain!
Time for defense! Let's focus on stopping them here!
Okay! Forget all about the scoreboard!
Just keep cool and play like we always do!
Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
Something... has suddenly got them fired up.
It's probably... because of him.
We're gonna stop them this time! Watch out for any threes!
Look, Shinjo is gonna make a player substitution.
Uh, I thought he was injured or something?
Yeah, at least he was supposed to be.
Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
Shinjo's bench is really going at it.
Kinda weird since they're so far behind.
Is a comeback possible?
Out of bounds! Blue team's ball!
Dammit.
Nice defense, Kashiwagi!
Showtime.
Shinjo is putting in their own giant now!
Neither side is backing down until the very end!
Don't let them push you past your limit out there.
Relax, I won't let them take meowt.
Throw-in with Shinjo in possession!
All right, 3 minutes left! Let's drop the gap to single digits!
Yes, sir!
Fo' sho!
Let's go, let's go! Shinjo!
Crush 'em, crush 'em! Shinjo!
I can't get on the inside!
That #12 really nails the more subtle moves.
Compared to him, Shinjo's players totally suck at getting into a good spot.
It's a shame, since they're all so tall.
Yukio!
Quit posting up in such a shitty position!
I don't remember training you to play like a pussy!
What part of the court does the real fight happen?! Remember!
Listen up! The real fight happens under the basket!
If you just wait off to the side,
they'll have forced you out by the time the ball shows up!
You have to fight for a spot right under the basket!
Unless you can do that, then we stand no chance of winning!
So shove your legs and arms out, and then plant your ass right on their knees!
That's right! You have way more power than any of them!
As long as you get into a solid position, Takahashi will pass you the ball!
He got it!
I won't let anybody score with an assist from that damn pretty boy!
You picked the wrong team to fuck with.
I don't pull any punches for the weak or the injured!
That's just the kind of lowlife I've always been!
I gotta admit, that makes you manly as hell.
Out of bounds! Blue team's ball!
We did it! It's our ball!
Just bumping up against this guy was enough for me to tell.
He's really goddamn good at this!
Nice try.
YOU'RE the one who let the ball get this far!
Are you okay, Koji?
I pissed myself a bit.
But... I'm good now.
Koji...
Damn that pompadour bastard!
He smashed against my knee without a second thought!
Don't let it bother you.
We'll lose if you're distracted.
It's not distracting me at all!
Let's get the ball moving!
I'm such a dumbass! This ain't pain I can just suck up!
But... this is only the first match of the prelims.
We've still got a long way to the top.
I can't let this be all it takes to knock me out!
Run for it!
Switch back to defense!
It's going straight in!
Not gonna happen.
A double-clutch!
Nice block!
They actually stopped that #11!
Thank you, Takahashi. You saved our asses.
Stop a basket and then score a basket.
That's the only way we're gonna turn the tide.
Nobody give up!
We WILL make a comeback!
No signs of that 16 point gap closing yet.
It's impressive, truly a spectacular match.
But it will be quite difficult to catch up at this point.
Even if they have a whole quarter left to work with.
What do you think, Mr. Sakamaki?
There's still a fire in their eyes.
Back when I was a student myself,
our team once managed a 20 point comeback in the final 10 minutes.
You never know what can happen in a game,
until the clock has completely run out.
I want to convey them to you
Lay all of my feelings bare
Whether I have to lie or sin, I just want you to smile
By using these wings that you gave me
And embracing the "promise" that ties us together
I'll stretch up to the sky!
Towards where only light shines
I was suffocating myself
In the empty corner of a cage
Yeah... it was as if
"I'm just like a bird that can't fly"
I nearly locked myself in with all the excuses
I want to change
I cannot change
Even if I become stained in lies
I want to fall apart
I cannot fall apart
Now... I set flight
Sailing into the open sky
On these ugly wings
To assure I never go through the same pain again
Still so very fragile and ephemeral
But no matter how dirty or pathetic
I'll fight! I'll rise!
Towards where there is a tiny glimmer
Ahiru no Sora Next Time: Reason for Living
Next episode: "Reason for Living."