Original subtitles

Hey, Kominato.

You didn't go back home?

Did you talk to Ryosuke-san?

No.

Well.

I wouldn't know what to say, either.

Shirasu told me that Ryosuke-san asked the coach to switch him out.

He isn't really the type to show his weak side,

so that was the first time I've seen him cry.

It's our first and last chance to make nationals together.

I want to go to nationals.

Practicing at this point won't really help me.

I just need to give my all tomorrow.

Restart

Hey.

You're really not coming?

I'm going without you.

Don't feel like swinging today, huh?

You're so lucky.

You got to play in the game,

so you can feel bad from the bottom of your heart.

Take this the wrong way if you want,

but somewhere in my heart, I was waiting for this day.

For the upperclassmen to retire.

Of course, it sucks that we lost.

I was cheering as loud as I could.

When we lost, my mind went blank.

But...

To be really honest,

I wanted to play in the game.

Even if it was a losing game,

I wanted to be standing on the field.

It's our age now.

There's a part of me that's excited about that.

Though I doubt you'd know how it feels,

since you made the roster as a first-year.

Oh, good.

You got home safely?

Be sure to rest up.

Our job isn't finished until the students get into college,

but the third-years have retired now.

Huh?

Coach Kataoka!

I thought we didn't have practice today.

Who in the world could be...

Zono!

Wh-What are you doing here?

Go sleep!

See?

Told ya.

Damn.

Now everyone's here!

This isn't a secret practice anymore!

They have two days off, yet...

What a great attitude.

They learned from the third-years.

Even if the third-years retire,

their will gets carried on by the next team.

I'm sure, just like the third-years,

these boys will trust you and follow you.

Seido Spirit Dorm

Tea, please!

Oh! Get me rice, too!

Can you get me eggs?

Practice starts tomorrow, but the energy from the second-years is crazy.

They're already fighting for the spots on the roster.

What are you talking about?

We're in that fight, too.

Yeah, I know.

But I heard the summer break camp is really hard.

You're eating a lot today.

They're not the only first-years!

Oh, by the way, do we have a captain yet?

I wonder who it'll be.

The obvious choice would be one of the two key players

who played in the tournament.

Yeah, that would make sense.

But wouldn't Maezono-senpai be a good captain?

Yeah, I agree.

He's a little scary, but he looked out for me on the bleachers.

Shirasu-senpai, too.

He was on the roster, too.

Maybe the coach hasn't decided yet.

Oh, yeah.

Chris-senpai told me that Tetsu-senpai was picked unanimously.

They say having a natural leader in your year makes everyone better.

But in that case, what about this year?

Hey, Sawamoron. Who do you think it will be?

Me.

Huh?

Are you out of your mind?

I'll...

...become the ace of this team.

I'll become the ace!

I'll be the ace of all aces!

The king of ace!

King?

Hey, sit down!

No one's talking about that!

Don't ignore me!

You must eat at least three bowls of rice per meal!

Damn it! I'm eating!

Harucchi, rice!

Get it yourself.

Let's see.

What should I get for dessert?

Did something happen?

That idiot needs to shut up.

But...

He's finally himself again.

You gonna take that, Nori?

They're talking about becoming the ace.

Nori's the ace.

It's gonna be our team.

We need to make it strong.

You're really serious about this, Zono.

You look even more like a mafia boss now.

Just make sure you don't spin your wheels.

Shut up!

Miyuki-senpai.

Can I see the footage of the final later?

Yeah.

Go ahead.

You want to watch, too, Furuya?

I know my problem.

Stamina roll.

Nori.

He's still...

Can't blame him.

I'm not ready to watch myself lose again.

Right here.

The ninth inning.

I should've noticed and taken a time out for you.

After each out, your face gets stiffer.

In hindsight, we had no runners and just needed one more out.

You hit him in the head,

but we lost way too much cool from just allowing a runner.

In any case, I'm surprised he asked today.

I thought it'd take more time.

I guess he's trying his best to move forward.

I'm really worried about...

Game set!

What an unbelievable end!

Inashiro will still have five of their main players in their new team.

And they'll all have experienced nationals.

But...

Even without you, we have the ultimate team this year.

We're going to nationals.

Just live with regret for not joining us.

Ten years, or even twenty years, down the line.

Sure.

Come back as strong as ever.

The bigger the goal, the better.

Staff Office

Kuramochi-senpai, the coach wants to see you.

He wants to talk to me?

Could it be?

Excuse me.

Zono.

August 3 The Start of the New Team

Some went home, and some stayed.

Sleep Deprived

Slept Well

Too Much Sleep

But all fifty-nine first- and second-year students are back.

I'm sure you guys have learned a lot already,

but I've never had anyone grow as much as the third-years who retired.

In every practice, they all showed up with high standards

and faced baseball head on.

That's what made the difference.

It is my failure as the coach

that they couldn't go to nationals.

Never forget how it feels to lose.

Yes, sir!

A word from the new captain, please.

Well...

Um... What should I say?

Anything!

Just a few words.

Is he nervous?

Keep it together, leader-in-training!

Miyuki's the captain?

What do you think?

I want to hear your honest opinions.

Damn.

Why'd I even get my hopes up?

I don't think he can be the captain Tetsu-san was,

but I think he's right for the job.

Kuramochi...

I haven't reflected on our last game yet.

But he's different.

He accepted the loss and was looking forward.

You, Maezono-kun?

He's been on the roster since he joined,

so I'm not sure if he can sympathize with those who don't make the roster.

However, he understands baseball and has a lot of influence.

He has the most presence on the team.

I also thought Miyuki would be the only choice.

Zono...

Okay.

I'll let Miyuki know.

However, I have some concerns.

He'll play an important role in batting,

and he needs to keep the pitchers in check.

Miyuki's going to have a lot on his shoulders.

It's up to you two to support him.

Well, then, uh...

I'm still a little unsure about this,

but here goes nothing.

I can't hear you!

I don't think

I'll ever be able to forget the tournament final.

Seido High School Practice Field

I learned about my weaknesses,

and I learned how strong the opponent was.

Most importantly, I discovered how scary baseball is.

It's unfortunate for the third-years who've retired,

but we have another year to set the records straight.

I personally want to see results.

I want to be greedy about winning.

True.

We're the only ones who can avenge the third-years.

We're gonna play to win. That's a given.

Greedy.

You said it without fumbling!

To do that,

I'm not gonna mince words, so keep that in mind.

Seido High School Practice Field

Wait!

Did he just slide that in there?

He looked dead serious, too.

Let's start with the warmup!

I can't hear you, Captain!

Can you talk louder?

Let's start with warmup!

Let's be loud!

Yeah!

Focus!

Yeah!

One, two!

Three, four, one, two!

One, two, three, four, one!

Let's go!

Two!

Let's go!

Three!

Let's go!

Four!

Let's go!

Greedy about winning.

I know where he's coming from.

Hey, Captain!

Can't hear you anymore!

This is so hard!

Have you always been

thinking about making him captain?

Yeah.

Yuki strongly recommended him, too.

He did?

Also, I'm gonna take the time now and tell you...

All right!

I'm gonna be pitching hard, so—

Thank you in advance.

Those two are really going at it.

The fall tournament is close.

We shouldn't have any problem with group stages in September.

So the real tournament starts in October.

Meiji Jingu Stadium

Strong teams from the east also participate in the fall,

so it'll be really tough,

but if we win,

we'll almost definitely be invited to the Spring Invitational.

In other words,

we have the chance to make nationals in the fall, too.

It's this fast from a light throw?

Is he seriously a first-year?

Did he get bigger after playing in the summer tournament?

Kariba, you're just gonna have to get used to his pitch.

Yes, sir, Ono-senpai!

Furuya's really eager to practice today.

It's nice and cool in the shade.

Ono-senpai, here I go!

All right!

His pitch is pretty annoying to catch, too.

All right!

Nice pitch!

Really?

It looks good!

That's good.

I can still pitch.

I'm gonna go run.

I need to warm up some more.

Nori-senpai.

Is Nori gonna be okay?

He probably can't get over the fact that

he gave up hits, and feels responsible

for ending the third-years' summer.

The walk he gave to the third batter hurt,

but he was pitching aggressively to win.

No one blames him for his pitching.

Well, of course.

It's up to him to get over it.

We can't do anything about it.

Only one person

can wear the ace number in the fall.

The team's already moving on, Nori.

How can you be so cold like that?

Not everyone is as strong as you.

You have to help him get over it, new Captain!

Wow! That flies.

Well, when he hits.

Even though the third-years had overshadowed them,

these guys are really good, too.

We've been mostly helping the first-string practice,

so I bet they've been itching to practice hard.

The group stages for the fall tournament starts in September, too!

Looks like I won't have it easy.

These guys look like they've been swinging a lot during the tournament.

Kuramochi!

You're leaning too far forward.

Wait for the pitch to come to you.

Yes, sir!

Maezono, your swing is too wide.

Your bat's swinging outside the zone.

Yes, sir!

Are you serious?

Yeah.

B-But...

We may have missed nationals,

but we made it that far, thanks to you!

Did the school pressure you?

No.

I decided for myself.

I'm sorry for being so selfish.

Principal, is this...

Yeah, I tried to talk him out of it.

But he left it here in the end.

He'll still help the third-years go to college,

and he asked to take charge until the end of fall tournament

to make sure the new team doesn't lose its way.

It must be his way of taking responsibility.

Well, it's true we've been away from nationals for six years.

Perhaps...

He had already made up his mind before summer.

Resignation Letter

We have a new captain, and our new team's coming along.

While at nationals, Inashiro is making a name for themselves.

Kuramochi-senpai, did you know why the stadium was named "Koshien"?

When the stadium completed in the year 13 Taisho...

What are you studying?

Next time on Ace of the Diamond: In The Sun.

In The Sun

Might as well watch it until the very end now,

so we won't ever forget what we felt that day.