Original subtitles

Second Players' Match, First Half

East Hand 1

Dealer - Nijou Izumi

Shiraitodai High School

Round 13 Free For All

Welcome back, Teru!

Good job!

I brought some sweets from the market.

Um, I'll make some tea...

You got away from the press quickly.

That's because we're still in the middle of the semifinals.

You didn't use "that" this time.

You know, that whizzing thing.

The players today were really tough,

so it was hard to find an opportunity to use it.

I'll try to use it in the finals, though.

That girl from Senriyama...

Huh?

Nothing.

I wonder if that girl from Senriyama is all right.

Achiga Girls'

Kuro, we're starting.

Yes!

What are you doing?

A ritual to revive the Dragon.

Huh?

I checked the play records for the kids' mahjong club.

Back in grade school,

Kuro would occasionally discard a dora, if she needed to.

It'd take a while before she'd get doras again,

and the length of these times varied.

However, the number of hands played until they returned was almost always the same.

It looks like even games with three or two players are okay.

So you mean...

...you're going to play a lot before the finals to revive her dora?!

That's what I was thinking.

I'm going to play Kuro and raise her basic mahjong skills

and wait for the Dragon's revival!

Harue...

For the finals...

Even if we can revive your dora, and make it to the finals,

there's no guarantee that we can pull off a cooperative play like before.

Cooperative?

Kuro, didn't you notice?

While I think Miyanaga Teru had to declare riichi because you had all the dora,

that's not all.

Shindouji's Hanada called a tile,

which wrecked the champion's chance at an ippatsu tsumo.

Then, Senriyama's Onjouji made her take that last tile.

Hanada...

She had the biggest smile even though she was the most discouraged.

Onjouji was so weak and still...

They didn't do that for you.

Why don't you look at the play records and the video later?

You'll be seeing them many times from now on.

There's nothing wrong with feeling down,

but right now, you have to move forward.

Right.

I stopped moving forward, once.

Use that as an example of what not to do.

It's fine to feel a bit sad as long as you're moving ahead while you're at it.

Right!

East Hand 1

Seventh Turn

Kuro...

A

Achiga Girls' (Nara) 3rd Year - Second Player Matsumi Yuu

Onjouji chose to close the gap

between us and Shiraitodai instead of securing second place.

Our coach said the same thing.

Senriyama's goal is not to stand on the final stage.

Our goal is to be on top!

We'll take out Shiraitodai.

Twice, if we have to.

A

Shiraitodai High School (West Tokyo) 3rd Year - Second Player Hirose Sumire

But that's being idealistic.

Securing second place while studying Shiraitodai so that we can beat then

in the finals would be better.

A

Senriyama Girls' (North Osaka) 1st Year - Second Player Nijou Izumi

In mahjong, that kind of thinking should work quite well.

Looks like Achiga might be in tenpai...

Safely, elegantly...

Time to close shop?

Ron.

3,900.

A

Shindouji Girls' (Fukuoka) 3rd Year - Second Player Yasukouchi Yoshiko

She won without declaring riichi with that hand? With this point gap?

A

Senriyama Girls' (North Osaka) 1st Year - Second Player Nijou Izumi

What is she thinking?!

Ron.

2,600.

Yes.

Again.

If you think about the points, shouldn't you go for a single suit?

Her style is totally different from the day before yesterday.

She wasn't the type of player who repeatedly won small hands, like this.

It's not like her wins are worth more and more points like Teru's,

but I'll still shoot her down.

East Hand 3

Look at this! Shiraitodai's Hirose Sumire is in an ideal tenpai!

Wait, what?

What's this?

She went with the worse wait!

She's probably adjusting.

Her cleavage?

Giddy

What?! No!

What are you talking about?

You mean that she'll adjust her wait for the eventual winning tile.

You knew?!

That's what Shiraitodai's Hirose does best.

She targets one player for a direct hit,

like an archer taking aim.

Hirose Sumire's target is Shindouji.

Ron.

8,000.

It was me?!

She shot her down in a flash!

She's Shiraitodai's sharpshooter!

Hirose Sumire!

Hirose Sumire's great at getting a direct hit on the player she chooses.

Wouldn't it be normal

to make last place go bust and take the win?

It's not because I look down on you.

It's because I'm wary.

To keep our chances in the finals high,

we need to keep an eye on all three schools.

All the way to the fifth player.

We've fallen to third place.

If Onjouji hadn't helped out Achiga...

No. It might have been worse if Miyanaga Teru had continued her winning streak.

No, I know that's not it!

It's my fault that we just got knocked down!

Damn, I read that completely wrong.

East Hand 4

Sixth Turn

She should be aiming at Achiga next.

Tsumo.

1,300. 2,600.

Again?

Shindouji, again!

It's not like Hirose Sumire can shoot down every hand,

Shindouji took the round again!

Shindouji's Yasukouchi is playing

completely differently from previous matches.

She goes for cheap hands instead of aiming for more.

Did she develop a new playing style,

now that she's experienced a second round match?

That's right.

She's a third year from Kyuushuu's veteran school.

She's not going to play in some predictable way.

Wait a second.

Everyone else here is a third year.

No, no.

In Senriyama's long history,

only a few first years have become regulars.

I am one of the very few.

In the inter-middle-school tournament,

individually, I didn't win as many points as Haramura Nodoka,

but I was able to do well in the group matches.

Right now, I should be the strongest first year in Japan.

Don't get freaked out now!

Let's do this.

All right.

One tile from tenpai.

Ron.

2,600.

She went for me again!

Yes.

Yuu?

Are you still on greenhouse duty?

The Inter-high Tournament is soon. Why don't you get someone to switch with you?

But it's so warm here.

Plus, there are a lot of flowers here that my mom liked.

I haven't been in the multimedia room in a long time.

You don't use it for class?

Not recently.

What are we here for?

Right.

From last year's champion school,

Shiraitodai High School: Hirose Sumire.

She's a third year and their second player.

If we are to make it to the finals, you will be playing against her.

I pulled some strings and got loads of her play records and videos.

I've watched them over and over.

Watch her right hand.

Yes!

Well?

Huh?

Didn't you see?

Her right hand moves back a couple of millimeters for a moment.

I don't see it.

Let me enlarge it a bit.

Oh, I get it!

Right after this gesture, her gaze wanders a tiny bit.

The one she looks at is her target.

I couldn't tell just from her look,

but combined with the hand movement, you can tell who'll be her next target.

So watch her hand's movement!

South Hand 2

Dealer - Matsumi Yuu

She moved.

Her target is...

...me.

She's set her arrow on me.

If I just continue straight down my path,

regardless of calling tiles or how my hand advances,

she'll shoot me down easily.

That's why

I have to change my movements and confuse my opponent.

I'll leave the path,

and change my destination.

She dodged...

Was that a coincidence or what?

Even you manage to dodge her shot by coincidence, either by being cautious or playing poorly,

Hirose Sumire will always set up a second shot.

However, by then, she'll be forcing it.

At that time, when she's forcing herself, you...

Ron.

12,000.

...have an opening.

What?

Not only did she avoid my attack, I played into her hand?!

I knew Achiga's Matsumi Yuu was used to tricky plays because of her skewed tile distribution,

but I never thought she could surpass Hirose Sumire, even temporarily.

At this rate, I'll fall behind.

I don't have a choice.

I'll try again.

Bonus 1

South Hand 2

She dodged it again!

Tsumo.

2,100 from all.

No,

trying again might be dangerous.

I'll have to sit back and watch Achiga for a while.

Hey.

Yeah?

Does Sumire have some kind of give-away?

A give-away?

Dunno. I never worried about that.

I bet.

Huh?

You mean she's been found out?

Probably.

If we find out how...

We can tell her about it during the break!

I hope that give-away isn't something she needs, though.

Will we make it in time?

Ron.

3,200.

This was another wasted win.

Is she prioritizing speed that much?

You're marvelous, Yasukouchi!

Yeah, but it was another cheap, undeveloped hand.

It's probably what Yoshiko considers best, given the circumstances.

Captain...

Let's believe in Yoshiko.

Yeah!

South Hand 3

Dealer - Yasukouchi Yoshiko

Right now, my mission

is to avoid going bust,

and to gather some points for the next match.

I'm not weak, either, when I play normally.

Tsumo!

1,600. 3,200.

What's this?

I don't think I'll ever win a single hand from these people!

I can't figure out what's giving Sumire away.

Not at all!

We won't find it before the second half.

She'll just have to do her best as usual.

Sumire.

Why?

I'm moving towards winning as fast as possible,

I'm pushing forward as hard as I can,

but I can't even get into tenpai!

Someone's always better!

Ron.

1,300.

Good game...

The second players' match...

...is over!

This is bad.

Good game.

Good game.

You just said that.

What? Really?!

Yeah.

Sorry you had to respond even though I spaced out.

You call that "spacing out"?

That was a good game.

Good game.

You didn't all have to play along,

but thanks!

What? Can't go back?

Eguchi!

I was like that last year, too.

I didn't want to show my face.

Yeah. I'm sorry.

Hey. That's just how it goes.

I don't get it.

You have next year and the year after that.

Just get revenge then and all's good.

But you guys only have this year.

And I...

You're an idiot, you know that?

That's why we're going to give our best.

Eguchi!

If you go in like that, Funakubo will give you hell.

Crap!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

SCOLD!

I can't?

No.

You go to the hospital.

Yes!

And bring Ryuuka back here before the fifth match begins.

I will.

And now...

Okay.

Stay focused.

It's all on you! Go, go, Ako!

Ako?

Huh?

Eguchi Sera is stronger now than she was in the second round match.

Right.

I know that!

Yuu!

Ako!

You were super stable!

You've had a positive score since the regionals.

Today, it was thanks to Akado.

I'm not going to lose, either.

What?

I'm warming you up because you did your best...

Just kidding.

You're kidding?

You've been on a winning streak.

I thought maybe some of your luck would rub off on me.

Some of your boobs, too.

That's fine. If I can help...

Thanks.

I'm not shaking anymore.

Thanks for that game the day before yesterday.

Thank you for remembering.

Senriyama Girls'

I'm back.

Good job.

We're alone?

I'm not happy about it.

I'm really sorry about the match!

What?

Oh, yeah.

They took quite a few points from you.

Then again, look at your opponents. Plus, they were all third years.

That sort of thing happens.

Age isn't an excuse, though.

No, it does matter.

These are the Nationals.

Tsumo.

2,000. 3,900.

It's Senriyama's Eguchi Sera!

She's winning too much!

In the second round match, I was a bit on the defensive,

but now I'm on the offensive.

Our team right now is second best in the nation.

I don't consider that our destination.

Right now, our ultimate goal is to beat Shiraitodai twice!

South Hand 1

Dealer - Atarashi Ako

Ron.

7,700.

Wow, you're good.

Last year, I was Senriyama's ace as a second year,

but that didn't do me any good in the Nationals.

The third years who were supposed to be weaker than me

suddenly showed an incredible power and played well once we got here to the Nationals.

I was really confused by that,

but now, I finally get it.

Riichi.

Because I'm in that position now.

Thank you!

According to my research data,

when third years play at a national level,

their average tenpai speed increases.

That's strange.

Which is why it makes sense that a first year,

like yourself, would get beaten by those veteran third years.

I guess so.

It would happen.

Tsumo.

4,000 from all.

Does she have to keep winning as the dealer?!

Don't you realize that Shibuya Takami is here?!

That's it.

I'll get things moving!

But aren't there those strong, monster-like first years,

who can beat third years, as well?

Yeah, there are.

Then I'm useless!

Last year, I was a young first year kid, too.

I wasn't a regular,

but last year's first year representatives were

Arakawa Kei, Amae Koromo, and Jindai Komaki.

They were in a totally different world,

so I never thought I'd be a match for them.

I'm sure we'll have amazing first years appear this year, as well.

Do you think you'll be one of them?

I was hoping so.

As of now, you haven't produced sufficient results.

Who do you think are this year's excellent first year players?

Hmm, I'd really watch out for Shiraitodai's Oohoshi Awai.

When she's at her best, I think even captain Shimizudani would have problems.

Also, that first year from Kiyosumi High School.

You mean Haramura?

Miyanaga Saki.

Rinshan kaihou may be her specialty,

but that's not all she has up her sleeve.

She's probably...

related to the champion, or something.

But you know, Izumi,

don't get too caught up in comparing yourself with other people.

I guess that's the wisdom of experience?

Oh, yeah.

I sent you the name of the hospital that Onjouji is in and her room number.

Really?

Then I'll go see her.

Wait.

I want you to buy some bread from a convenience store on the way,

and force captain Shimizudani to eat some.

Got it.

Will you be okay here by yourself?

Stupid. It's not like I'm scared.

Got it.

I guess I should contact some other club members.

The first half is over!

Huh?

The overwhelming point scorer was Senriyama Girls' Eguchi Sera!

A

Senriyama Girls' (North Osaka) 3rd Year - Third Player Eguchi Sera

In just the first half, she added on an amazing 36,000 points!

Continuing on, Achiga Girls' has held on to second place,

A

Achiga Girls' (Nara) 1st year - Third Player Atarashi Ako

and is back to their starting point total.

Shiraitodai's Shibuya has been whittled down quite a bit,

A

Shiraitodai High School (West Tokyo) 2nd Year - Third Player Shibuya Takami

but she seems to have an ace up her sleeve.

Shindouji has fallen farther behind third place.

A

Shindouji Girls' (Fukuoka) 3rd Year - Third Player Ezaki Hitomi

Will they be able to recover?

Everything is because of bad politics!

I'm not getting any doras.

I'm getting so many that it's hilarious!

I'm back!

Good work.

Did you see anything strange?

Not especially.

Shibuya was just what I expected.

I knew it.

Knew what?

Shiraitodai's Shibuya Takami.

The girl with glasses.

The slightly round faced girl?

Oh, that girl!

What about her?

That girl has a history of getting a yakuman in the last hand.

Wow!

Generally, one would think that's all there was to it, but there's a pattern.

All the initial tile discards by Shibuya Takami in the hands prior to the last

would then come to her starting hand in the last hand.

That means, if an East-South match has a lot of draws or dealer winning streaks,

with some luck, she could even get a Tenhou hand.

(Tenhou: yakuman hand where the dealer has a winning hand from the beginning)

On the other hand...

If an East-South match goes as quickly as possible, with only eight hands,

she'll only be able to collect seven tiles at most.

That's still scary.

She can easily make a daisangen or something like that.

(Daisangen: yakuman hand with 3 of the red, white, & green dragons)

Shibuya Takami only started playing as a regular this year,

so we couldn't be sure, since there weren't many play records for her.

However, Harue noticed this pattern.

So to counter her, we need to avoid dealer winning streaks,

and to make sure the dealer is not in tenpai when it's a draw.

That's it!

A pretty easy strategy, I'd say.

Or so I thought!

This is bad!

East Hand 2

3rd Players' Match, 2nd Half

I'm the dealer and got a tsumo!

Now what do I do with this?

I guess, if Shibuya Takami gets to set eight tiles instead of seven, that would still be okay...

Would Nodoka be able to calculate what would be better here?

I just don't know!

Tsumo.

How much?

1,000 from all.

I blew it...

If it had been more expensive at least...

Bonus 1.

East Hand 2

Bonus 1

Tenpai. 11,600, even like this.

But I can't really be happy about this...

Ro—

Ron... 11,900.

Okay.

It was a lot, so it's okay, right?

East Hand 2

Bonus 2

What should I do if I get a hand together, again?

Riichi!

Pon!

Nice trick with that pon.

Tsumo! 2,200. 4,200.

Oh, well.

East Hand 3

Dealer - Shibuya Takami

Ron.

That was fast!

Okay.

She's going on a streak, too.

Now she has ten tiles for sure.

East Hand 3

Bonus 1

Tsumo!

2,100. 4,100.

Geez, that tomboy from Senriyama keeps winning with expensive hands!

Isn't that going to turn into a weakness of hers or something?

Thank you.

Chi!

She goes for it!

Atarashi plays like this a lot.

Huh?

If you don't have any honor tiles or aren't near a tanyao, and you're aiming to win fast,

you can see if it's feasible to get to a sanshoku or ittsu by calling.

That can be used to get ahead a bit,

and whether it's done well or poorly,

I feel like this is Atarashi's forte.

Oh, I see.

Yes... Wait, we're working here!

Oops, Eguchi is in tenpai!

Riichi.

Ron, 3900.

So that didn't go through.

She's meticulous, as always.

South Hand 1

Until now, Shibuya Takami's initial discards were

red dragon, white dragon, south, green dragon, north, white dragon, red dragon, red dragon.

So a daisangen.

I'm dealer, so riichi!

Dealer riichi?

If Shindouji goes on a streak,

Shibuya Takami will have 11 tiles for the last round.

I can't do much with this hand,

so I'll have to hope for Eguchi Sera to come through.

Tenpai.

No-ten.

Draw

Useless.

Damn it! Now, I'm just gonna force the game to keep moving!

Ron. 1,300.

Nice, I got the riichi wager!

I'm dealer...

Should I just close shop,

or give up the last hand and try to win as many points as possible?

All right, I'll go for a win!

7th Turn

South Hand 2

Tsumo. 3,000. 6,000.

Another big one?!

We were overtaken!

Senriyama has taken second place!

South Hand 3

Dealer - Shibuya Takami

Pon.

She's moving fast for a streak.

I won't let you!

Chi!

I won't lose at high speeds!

Riichi.

Ron. 3,900.

Oh, she stopped my riichi with 39 again. Fun.

And now... it's time.

The last round.

The seeds I've sown will turn into plants and bear fruit...

Harvest time!

Next

Aspiration

Hey, what kind of fish do you think are in Tokyo's rivers?

A long time ago, I saw on the news that seals live in them!

Really?!

We have to book a boat!

What kind of bait should we take for them?!

Wait... You're going to fish them?