*Footsteps*
(Yukiko) You’re really working so hard.
It’s amazing.
It even makes me happy to watch you.
I can’t help but cheer you on so much.
You need to build up your strength for Nationals!
I better cook up a feast!
(Chinatsu) Thank you very much!
(Taiki) That’s great.
Chinatsu Senpai made it to Nationals.
That’s amazing…
I’m so glad.
She’s incredible.
She always follows through on her words.
She’s so cool.
And yet…
(Referee) In!
Game: 21-11, 21-13.
Sajikawa High’s Yusa wins.
(Taiki) And yet…
(Taiki) *Panting*
(Taiki) And yet…
Meanwhile…
I lost.
[MUSIC STARTS]
[MUSIC ENDS]
(Elementary School Kid) Hurry up!
(Elementary School Kid) Wait for me!
(Elementary School Kid) You’re so slow!
*School bell rings*
(Taiki) I can’t do it anymore.
I’ve hit my limit.
I’ll just have to give up.
Screw midterm exams…
Why do I have to deal with tests right after the tournament?
(Kyo) That’s why I told you to study bit by bit...
Let’s go to practice.
Studying bit by bit is the hardest way to do it!
You make it sound so easy, but...
You just don't get it.
(Kyo) Quit playing the victim.
(Girl A) Thanks for waiting.
(Girl B) No problem.
(Broadcast Club Member A) Which category will you enter for the competition?
(Broadcast Club Member B) I think I’ll do the reading category.
*MATHEMATICS*
(Taiki) I still have practice during exams.
So by the time I get home, I've got no drive to study.
Even though you always make time to strength train.
(Taiki) Oh.
(Taiki) Hina!
(Hina) Can you please not talk to me?
I have no mental space to think about anything other than English vocab.
(Taiki) Glad I'm not the only one.
(Hina) Would you mind not throwing me in with your lot?
I’ve never gotten a failing grade before!
(Taiki) Neither have I!
(Hina) Uh-huh. First semester of your second year in junior high.
(Taiki) Doesn't count! I had a stomachache!
(Hina) Yeah, yeah, sure, totally.
*Whistle blows* (Girl Basketball Team Member) Let’s go, team!
(Girl Basketball Team Members) Let’s go!
(Girl Basketball Team Member) Over here!
(Hina) The girls’ basketball team's already started their practice.
(Girl Basketball Team Member) Focus!
(Girl Basketball Team Members) Defend! Defend! Let’s go for the next one!
They have less than two months before Nationals.
They’ve even started practicing at night.
*ENGLISH VOCABULARY* *2000 REQUIRED WORDS*
(Taiki) We can’t let them outdo us!
Come on! Forget about studying. It's all about practice! Practice!
(Hina) He really is down in the dumps, isn't he?
After he lost at the prefectural qualifiers…
He said he’d imagined the possibility of losing, but still...
Now Chinatsu Senpai's going to Nationals.
Things must be awkward at home.
Sounds like he hasn't really been able to talk to her.
Tests and practice are keeping them busy.
(Hina) I see.
She's not the kind of person to be happy over this.
Anyway, knowing Taiki, he'll be fine.
Picking himself up every time he falls down is his greatest virtue.
(Hina) Yeah, you’re right.
(Yuasa) And now, once again—
Congratulations, Kengo Haryu, on going to Nationals!
*Applause*
(Yuasa) Oh, good. This is a relief.
I didn't want to see Sajikawa securing all the spots.
(Haryu) That’s your concern?
It's really all thanks to everyone's help.
I'll probably be a burden to you from now until Nationals, but...
Here's to teamwork.
*Applause*
(Nishida) Bring it on!
I’ve got your back!
(Haryu) Not you, Nishida.
(Nishida) Huh? Come on, man!
Guess you'll be taking a break from doubles for a while.
Yeah, probably.
And now…
With that over with,
let's each write our goals and post them on the wall.
My goal, huh? I wonder what I should put.
I want to write something grand.
*WITH FORTITUDE AND RESOLUTION* *-KASAHARA*
Hmm, how do you read this?
“With fortitude and resolution,” maybe?
There, all done.
(Club Member) Huh? (Nishida) Heheheh.
(Club Member) Hey, Nishida.
*PARTICIPA-* *GET INTO NATIONALS!!*
If you messed up the kanji, get a fresh sheet.
(Nishida) It’s the thought that counts, not the kanji!
(Haryu) *sighs*
(Club Members) Ah!
(Nishida) Haryu...
*WIN AT NATIONALS* *(MAYBE EVEN THIS YEAR)* *-HARYU*
Could you not stick yours over mine?
(Club Member) Let’s stick Haryu’s on the ceiling.
(Nishida) Oh, you mean like “The greatest under heaven”?
*Laughter from Nishida and others*
Alright.
(Tanigawa) Taiki, hand me the tape!
(Taiki) Got it.
*MAKE MY SMASHES MORE PRECISE* *-INOMATA*
(Yuasa) Don't forget to add “Don’t fail your exams” to your goals.
*MAKE MY SMASHES MORE PRECISE* *-INOMATA* (Nishida) Coach, you can’t write goals that aren’t possible.
*MAKE MY SMASHES MORE PRECISE* *-INOMATA* (Yuasa) Nishida, you little…
(Taiki) Here.
(Tanigawa) Thanks.
(Teacher) Emmanuel is
having some conversation with his best friend Kevin.
“Hey Kevin, you know that I recently…”
(Club Member A) Let’s go!
(Club Member B) Let’s go!
(Club Member C) Fight!
(Club Member D) Who said that so fluently?!
(Girl Basketball Team Member) Let’s go, team!
*Sneezes*
(Taiki) A summer cold?
Maybe I'll take a break.
*Sound of the front door opening*
(Yukiko) Ah! Chinatsu-chan, welcome back!
Good for you for practicing so hard.
(Chinatsu) Sorry for staying out so late.
(Yukiko) No, it’s fine, really!
You don't have to worry about us.
After all, it's for Nationals!
(Chinatsu) Thank you so much.
(Nishida and others) It’s over!
We did good.. We did real good!
Yeah, yeah!
Besides the tests, we still nailed our practice!
No matter the outcome, it's worth having done it.
(Club Members) Yeah, you said it.
(Club Member B) Let’s celebrate by going out for some food.
(Club Member E) Nice idea!
(Club Member F) Nishida’s treating us!
(Nishida) Wait, what?!
(Nishida) Why am I the one paying?
(Kyo) Taiki, are you coming?
(Taiki) Oh, uh…
I’ll pass this time.
(Kyo) You sure you’re okay?
(Taiki) I just haven't been sleeping much.
I'll be fine once I take a nap.
After all, I've gotta keep it going at practice again tomorrow.
(Taiki) Good work today!
(Club Members) Good work!
Alright, let’s head out.
Yeah, let’s go.
*Sound of footsteps climbing stairs*
(Taiki) *sighs*
(Taiki) My head hurts.
I’ve definitely got a fever.
I wish I could have a sports drink.
But there's nobody home.
I’ve got to be careful that I don’t pass it on to Chinatsu Senpai.
Uuuugh…
This isn't good… oh man…
It's times like these...
…that I remember all the bad times.
Even after the tests had put them out of my mind…
If I were feeling well, I’d go out for a run to empty my head.
*Coughs*
(Taiki) You have to go to Nationals!
(Chinatsu) Thank you, Taiki Inomata!
Take it seriously, okay?
Next time, I’ll win.
(Chinatsu) That’s the spirit!
I think Taiki is gonna get strong.
(Taiki) Huh?
Yes!
(Chinatsu) Don't think about anything else, and just go out and show them what you've got!
(Taiki) Please…
Please. May Chinatsu Senpai and I make it to Nationals.
(Coach) Taiki, Score!
(Taiki) Hah…
(Taiki) I’m so uncool.
(Chinatsu) No, you're not.
*Footsteps approaching*
(Taiki) Ah…
You're burning up.
(Taiki) Huh?
(Chinatsu) Good work.
*Taiki suddenly sits up*
(Taiki) Chinatsu Senpai!
You shouldn't be here!
I’m feeling under the weather right now, and if I pass it to you, it’ll be a disaster, so please—
(Chinatsu) It's fine.
(Chinatsu) People who are sick should just stay quiet.
(Taiki) Yes ma'am…
(Chinatsu) Hmmm…
*Knock on door*
(Taiki) Come in.
(Chinatsu) I found some udon noodles, so—
I figured you should eat something.
(Taiki) Udon…
Chinatsu Senpai’s home cooking?!
(Taiki) Sure.
(Chinatsu) It looks like your mom will be home late.
Sorry it’s so plain…
(Taiki) Thank you so much.
(Taiki) Chinatsu Senpai’s home cooking...
(Taiki) Thank you for the meal.
*Blowing on the hot udon*
(Taiki) My nose is so stuffed up, I can barely taste it.
(Chinatsu) If there's anything else you want, let me know.
(Taiki) Thanks.
Hmm?
(Taiki) Um…
(Taiki) It’s been so long since we've been this close together.
(Chinatsu) Two pills should be fine, right?
(Taiki) Um…
(Taiki) I’m really feeling fine now, so you can go back to your room.
(Chinatsu) I’ll stay here until you fall asleep.
You might have a relapse.
(Taiki) But I’m not sleepy at all…
(Chinatsu) Then how about we chat a little?
I mean, between the tournaments and exams, we haven't been able to talk lately.
And you said so yourself, Taiki.
That after the tournament's over, you'd have a question for me.
(Taiki) Um… Chinatsu Senpai.
After tomorrow, can I ask you a question?
(Taiki) Did I really say that…?
(Chinatsu) Hey, are you trying to give me the slip?
(Taiki) Haha… Not at all!
(Taiki) It's just that back then—
(Taiki) I had enough confidence to ask.
(Chinatsu) Seeing Chono... made me jeaolus.
(Chinatsu) Fine, then can I ask you a question?
(Taiki) Okay.
(Chinatsu) Earlier today, I saw the badminton team's posters,
with their goals written on them.
(Taiki) Ah…
(Chinatsu) I thought for sure you’d write "Get to Nationals.”
So I was wondering why you didn't.
(Taiki) Because…
During my matches, there were so many moments where I thought, “If only I’d landed that smash…”
I think...
Maybe Nationals was too lofty a goal for me.
Playing in an actual tournament, I found so many people better than me.
Chinatsu Senpai, you experienced how tough it is to get to Nationals as a first-year...
...Yet you were still determined to take on the challenge.
All I had was the desire to go, and the desire to win.
I don't think I realized I was in over my head.
(Chinatsu) *laughs softly*
(Taiki) Wait, are you laughing at me?
(Chinatsu) Sorry!
So even you think about these kinds of things, Taiki.
(Taiki) Oh, thank you for the meal.
(Chinatsu) I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I mean, I already thought you'd think about those things, but...
I figured you're the type to never show it.
(Taiki) That's just…
(Chinatsu) Why not be a "new and improved" Taiki?
Hang on to that lofty goal, but also see yourself as you are now.
(Taiki) But at my current level, having such a lofty goal is…
(Chinatsu) Taiki, you said I was determined, but...
I'm also always wondering...
If maybe I'm in over my head.
Or if it's just impossible for me.
Determination becomes a kind of pressure...
And I sometimes think how much easier it'd be to just settle.
I can't stand it when I think that way.
But still, the drive I had to go to Nationals...
Always got me going, first thing in the morning.
So if you have a goal of how you want to be or what you want to do,
then I want you to value that.
Don’t be afraid of having lofty goals.
No matter how out of your league it might feel...
If you can turn that into a force that drives you to work harder...
Those are the kind of people I'll be rooting for.
(Taiki) Ah…
*Coughs*
(Chinatsu) Are you okay? (Taiki) Yeah.
(Chinatsu) I'm sorry.
Maybe you should go to sleep now?
(Taiki) Gosh. I...
Love this about her.
She's thought about and worried about these same things.
And with everything she's experienced...
She can really sympathize with other people's feelings...
In such a gentle way.
(Taiki) I’m going to make an addition to my goal sheet.
(Chinatsu) Ah…
Okay.
(Chinatsu) Well, I’m going to clean up.
(Taiki) I’ll get that.
(Chinatsu) It’s fine. You sleep.
(Taiki) But!
*Sound of something falling*
(Both) Ah!
(Taiki) Uh…
I'm sorry…
I lost my balance.
(Taiki) Eh?
*MUSIC STARTS*
*MUSIC ENDS*