Original subtitles

Hey, hasn't Yusa-kun gotten stronger?

He's bulked up.

And gotten faster too.

Even our second-years might have trouble with him now.

Thank you very much.

You seem to be in top form, Yusa.

But in that match, you could have saved at least five more points.

That return in the second half with the cut shot... If it were me, I would've smashed it right there...

Don't fall asleep!

I don't have time to deal with you, Yakushiji-senpai.

Sleeping means you have time to spare.

I'm just taking a breather.

I'm saving my energy so I can give it my all against him.

You mean Haryuu-kun?

Well, he is definitely the strongest at Eimei.

And to top it off, he made it to Inter-High.

He always knows just where to hit it...

That's what makes it fun!

Huh? No way, it's not fun at all!

Don't mess with me!

Yusa.

Sorry to bother you again, but you're up next.

Who's my opponent?

Inomata-kun, another first-year.

Inomata...

Please take care of me.

Ah, you're the one who showed me where the gym was earlier.

I know that!

Yes!

Let's have a good match!

Yeah, let's do it!

Ah, they're starting!

They're about to start.

What are you doing?

You promised to cheer him on, didn't you?

I said I'd watch, not cheer.

I never said anything about cheering.

It's the same thing!

This is Inomata-kun's revenge match against the opponent who beat him in the prefectural tournament, right?

That's right.

I know that, but...

I don't want to see Taiki like that.

Back then, I...

I didn't know what to say to him.

Why are you assuming he'll lose again?

That's not what I meant...

Ah, it's starting!

It's not about "how should I talk to Taiki-kun?"

I think you should watch for your own sake.

Oh, he's returning well, returning well!

Everyone's playing really well.

Well, they are supposed to be the top school in the prefecture.

Ah, he got a point!

Which court are you watching?

Second from the left in the back.

Let me see...

Yes!

Hey, I might be wrong about this, but...

Hm?

No, but...

What is it?

Hold on...

Were you with him during your birthday?

I heard his voice for a moment when you hung up the phone.

Could it be that you two are dating?

Come on, tell me! Don't be so distant!

No need to be shy just because we're in the same gym!

That's not it...

The truth is, I'm staying at his house...

At Taiki-kun's house.

Eh...

Our moms know each other, and they happened to have a spare room...

So...

Are you an idiot?

I was really happy that you decided to stay in Japan, but...

Living in a house with a boy your age? Are you serious?

What if something happens?

Haven't you heard the saying "men are beasts"?

My younger brother even ×××× and ××× at home!

What could happen...

Nothing will happen.

That was some hesitation there.

Well, I don't know all the circumstances either, but...

You could have at least told me about it earlier.

I'm sorry about that.

Even in the early stages, the opponent seems to have the upper hand.

Still though...

How could you decide to live with someone you barely know?

It's not like I didn't know him at all...

Ah, that was close!

The rally continues but he can't seem to finish it off.

That point won't mean anything if you can't score it.

Haryuu, you could be a bit nicer to your kouhai...

I've already seen him lose!

Hey!

If you don't break through here in this practice match

you'll get left behind again, Taiki.

I can't believe I used to talk so casually about making it to Inter-High..

What was I thinking back then?

This level... no, I need to be even better than this to make it there.

When I took one set from Haryuu-senpai, I got carried away thinking "maybe..."

And as a result, while everyone else went to Inter-High...

I could only watch from the sidelines.

And on top of that...

I was happy.

It caught me off guard, but I was really happy.

But somewhere in my heart...

"Why me?"

Hey, is your housemate going to be okay?

His plays seem rough, almost...

Like he's becoming self-destructive?

He'll be fine. As long as his legs can move...

Even back then...

Chinatsu-chan lost her match...

When Chinatsu-senpai was feeling down...

Ah, idiot! That spot!

What are you doing?

Well, Yusa-kun is skilled too.

He's really being pushed around.

I was happy that Chinatsu-senpai relied on me.

I wanted to cheer her up, but...

"Who do I think I am?"

Are you alright?

Yes.

Badminton is pretty intense, isn't it?

It's really tiring.

To keep up with the shuttlecock at that speed...

The Taiki I know...

despite how tough it was, he always seemed to be enjoying himself.

I've never seen Taiki like this before.

Out!

What a waste! That was your chance!

Missing after a long rally is mentally tough.

Especially when you're already drained from the first game...

I understand what Taiki-kun meant before.

This is quite a match.

Being out there on the court by yourself...

When the pressure's all on you...

I know. I know how hard he practiced every morning.

I used to just think of him as the guy who showed up every day.

But he really was there every single day.

Whenever someone showed up early, he'd just come even earlier the next day...

Even though Taiki-kun said...

Chinatsu-senpai...

you practiced even the day after retiring from middle school.

I was watching too.

I saw you practicing the day after your retirement too.

Fight! Go for it!

Nice read!

Something's off here.

He's picking up speed.

Rain or shine...

Taiki, fight!

Taiki!

No matter what day...

You never stopped moving forward.

I know that!

The final game is quite close.

Looks like we awakened something in him.

And he wasn't even a notable player before...

Looks like we've got another strong rival for next year's Inter-High...

You seem pretty happy about it.

What an incredible rally!

Taiki is definitely keeping up, no...

No, Taiki is actually...

Taiki won!

Well done!

Nice match!

Amazing! Inomata-kun won!

Well, let's get back to play practice.

Eh? Aren't you going to say anything to him?

Ah!

Hina!

Nice one, Taiki!

Honestly, I didn't think you'd win, but that was a great match!

I didn't think you'd win either, but you've grown.

Yusa, time for the closing bow.

Yes!

Thank you very much.

Hey...

I'm still not satisfied though.

Then let's have another match!

Are you an idiot?

You're already exhausted.

Yusa-kun too.

Get some rest first, then you can face me.

I'm completely wiped.

I'm moving forward, aren't I?

I won!

You'll catch a cold if you sleep like that.

Hm?

Chinatsu-senpai!

You said you'd come watch...

Right or left, which do you prefer?

Eh?

I have drinks - one on the right, one on the left.

Then I'll take right.

Right it is.

Thank you. My throat was pretty dry.

By the way, what's in the left one...

This.

They're the same thing!

You can be so childish sometimes.

They're not the same.

The right one's got my special good luck charm in it.

That explains why I'm feeling better already.

You know how Pocari Sweat...

Why is it super sweet normally...

But after exercise, it doesn't taste as sweet?

Because you're tired.

I mean, yeah, but still...

You were sweating so much too. Need to stay hydrated.

Sorry you had to see me like that...

Don't worry about it.

You looked cool out there.

Thank you very much.

But my win today was partly thanks to you.

Like how you practice every morning...

Running so hard during club activities...

Seeing Chinatsu-senpai like that...

That's why I was able to do my best too.

I'll definitely work harder and prove I deserve it.

Today's win was close too. Next time I won't cut it so close.

Yeah.

Ah, this song...

That's the light music club practicing for the festival.

The cultural festival is coming up soon, isn't it?

It's definitely cooler than it was in August.

♪ These peaceful days

♪ Colored by waves' gentle sound

♪ Dear dream, please stay around

You are... surprisingly bad at singing...

You didn't need to bring that up.

Sorry, sorry!

It's just nice finding out new things about you, Chinatsu-senpai.

Are you good at singing?

I'm average.

That 'average' sounds pretty suspicious.

No, really!

Kyou won't sing in front of others

Like a musical star

Haryuu-senpai is good too

Chouno-san is the one who's good at singing.

Yeah, I can totally see that.

Speaking of which, Chouno-san was watching too.

Ah, she came during a break from play practice...

Are you really going to do it?

Like...

Well, really...

I couldn't have won without everyone's support...

Calm down, calm down. We haven't actually done it yet...

How's the play coming along?

I saw them making props in the courtyard.

Yeah, it's coming along pretty well...

Hmm, looking forward to it.

I'll definitely come watch.

Please come! We've put our own spin on it.

-The kiss scene... -We're not doing that!

Huh?

I was wondering what you were going to do about that scene...

It's just stage direction! Stage direction!

Taiki! Where did you go?!

I need to get back!

Yeah.

Thank you very much for today.

Thank you as well.

Let's head back.

This way, this way.

Yusa-kun!

Hey, you forgot this. It's yours, isn't it?

Ah, thanks.

No problem.

Inomata!

Well then...

Inomata-kun.

Yes?

Is it "Ino" like the boar and "mata" like the crotch?

Yeah, that's right.

I can't remember names unless I know how to write them in kanji.

See you later then, Inomata-kun.

Yeah... see you.

Next time in an official match.

Haryuu-senpai, shall I...

Just leave him be.

Eh? Why?

Haryuu-kun just lost to Yusa-kun earlier...

So he's in a bad mood.

Taiki, dinner's ready!

Taiki!

He must be sleeping.

The food will get cold...

Let him sleep. He had a practice match today, right?

He must be wiped out.

And now, for the Inter-High preliminary finals! What an intense match!

Inomata scores the winning point!

And the winner is Eimei High School's Inomata Taiki!

I lost, Inomata-kun.

You beat me fair and square.

Let's play again.

Then how about right now?

Taiki-kun.

Ah, Chinatsu-senpai.

You were watching?

Yeah! Congratulations on winning!

You looked really cool.

Thank you very much.

How about a victory kiss?

Hah!

Ah... wait...

This is bad...

Chinatsu-senp...

I won't let that happen!

Hina!

Ah...

What a dream...