Original subtitles

What is this?

What is this guy?

Damn it.

This guy!

Kuribayashi!

Th-This is insane.

The momentum we'd built up has been upended.

All because one player joined the game.

When I saw an amazing player on TV as a kid,

and when I saw Yoshitsune-san for the first time on the B team,

I admired them.

I wanted to be like them someday.

But I've never felt like this before.

Man, I can't be like him.

Tokyo Esperion

First Half

Second Half

Kashiwa Dai

Don't Quit Thinking

I just don't get it.

I don't get what's happening or how it works.

None of it.

Is that it?

You're shocked. So is this as far as you go, Ashito?

Don't give up, guys!

Don't quit thinking on the field!

"Be strong as a person!"

Remember what our manager, Sugiura, said!

Y-Yeah!

That's right!

I'll mark Kuribayashi!

Yariike-san! Do what you judge is best!

We'll cover the open space!

That's right.

Even if I'm not good enough,

I still need to be thinking, "What can I do?"

Think. Think. Think!

If I don't understand it, I need to watch and learn.

What can I do? What can I do?

Why are you going wandering, peabrain?!

Someone like you can't do jack to support Kuribayashi!

Just do what I say until the end of the game, dumbass!

Matsu.

That one made sense to me.

He shook off his marker the moment he started ball watching.

Damn it.

Just one goal. Just one.

You...

Huh?

That right there. What was that?

Does gravity not apply to you?

It's a one-two you want, right, Kuribayashi-san?

Kick

Dash

Oh no you don't!

Huh?

Esperion's making a substitution. They're slowing the game down.

Yuma! Takasugi! Drop back and defend!

Damn it.

It feels a little off.

Just then, I made a run to draw away the guys who are wary of me.

I wanted you to go forward with the ball, Yuma.

Well, not much I can do. It's fine.

Kuribayashi-san.

Sorry, but are you, uh, holding back?

I-I totally blurted out what I was thinking.

But to me, it looks like he's holding back.

If I were Kuribayashi...

where would I...

Where would I want me to be?

Good! He gave the foul!

Ping it forward!

Push up! Push up!

This is our chance! Go for it!

Tournament

Teams

First Half

Second Half

Extra Time

First Half

Extra Time

Second Half

Score

Kashiwa Dai

Esperion

Time's almost up, so this'll be the last kick of the ball.

Just one goal. Just one goal!

Let's push up!

There's another spot that's wide open.

And there's their Number 3.

Doesn't it bother everyone that he's unmarked?

And then...

No, let it go.

I had a plan to grab another goal, but conceding would really bug me.

I guess I'll go defend.

All right. It's ours!

Kick it out—

To me!

Point the toes of my planted foot where I want it go,

aim for the middle of the ball...

and kick it.

Simply being in the right place can start a counterattack.

Damn it!

A solo counterattack by Kuribayashi?

Go!

Stop him! Stop him!

Ya gotta stop him!

There's only one defender!

Stay calm and think.

The worst thing to do would be to try to win the ball and let him go past me.

Good. Kawajiri's staying strong.

Plant yourself there and wait for the others to make it back.

Can I have just one more?

One more person who moves the way I envision.

Well, I guess that's asking too much.

Kuri!

They scored a third on the counter!

And...

The final whistle!

Tokyo Esperion

First Half

Second Half

Score

Kashiwa Dai

Esperion has spanked them, 3-0!

Aoi!

Well done.

That was a killer long ball.

I heard you practiced that a whole bunch in the B team.

The heavens must be shining on you.

You were in the perfect spot, even if only by chance.

Shimura-san, your movement was excellent.

What's up?

You don't look too happy.

Oh, uh...

When attacking, images come to me instantly.

That's what happened there.

Mark their Number 10 already, dumbass!

Now! Press him!

Box him in!

But not when defending.

Yearn for it, Ashito.

Yearn to defend subconsciously in the same way you attack.

All right!

My U-18 Premier League debut is over.

Hey, we won. That's great, right?

Why are you sneaking around like this?

I'm glad we got to play you.

This guy's a first-year, so this was his first time seeing you.

I'm glad he got the chance to see you up close.

Now we can grow stronger.

"Don't quit thinking on the field."

You didn't give up on winning until the last kick.

That was great.

Thank you for your support.

Most lose their fight or play recklessly when Kuribayashi-san shows up on the field.

That's usually how it goes.

So playing a team like Kashiwa, who played decent stuff and went for it,

must have been refreshing for Kuribayashi-san.

For high school teams, the Inter-High and nationals are what matter.

Many schools use these league games purely for conditioning.

But that definitely wasn't the case today.

Right. They gave it their all until the last kick.

I've got to do something, or I'll be a total waste of space.

The ten other players on Esperion were phenomenal today.

They totally covered for me, the weak link.

I'm pathetic.

I have no right to join them in celebrating.

Defending.

I've got to work on my defending, or I'm doomed.

If I get the chance to play again at this level in the U-18 Premier League,

I know I can find my route to mastering defending.

Aoi.

The manager's calling for you.

O-Okay.

Aoi.

This is just the beginning for you.

Huh?

If anything doesn't make sense, just ask.

You did great, Ashito!

I was worried at the beginning, but you didn't let them score,

and in the end, you initiated an attack!

Not bad for a debut, huh?

I bet you'll be on the bench again next time, you lucky son of a gun!

Why are you making that face?

You're more small-minded than I expected, Togashi.

Huh?

Your face is saying you don't understand why Aoi is ahead of you.

Where the hell is this comin' from?

I don't think he's ahead of me.

Have you ever tried to learn anything from Aoi?

I don't get what you're sayin'.

What am I s'posed to learn from him?

I can tell from your response.

You subconsciously underestimate Aoi.

Princess.

If ya wanna be a manager of a men's soccer team,

ya gotta be able to say stuff like that without your legs shakin'.

Stay out of this, woman.

M-Miss!

A-Are you okay, Anri-chan?

Shall I dispose of him?

I'll ask again: What are you up to?

You were sitting on the very edge of the stands.

Even though I hear you're Manager Fukuda's little sister.

I'm sure they would've found you a better seat if you'd asked.

I don't know much about soccer, so I didn't want to disturb anyone.

Disturb who? Is there a player you're staying away from?

Ashito.

Manager Fukuda?

I'm here, old man—

I mean, Manager Fukuda. It's about how I did today, right?

Then hear me out. I'm almost there. So in the next game—

Let me tell you straight.

If you play like you did today, I can't use you.

You won't even make the bench.

You must be somewhat aware of that.

With the way you played defensively today, you can't really object, Aoi.

I know I deserve everything you're saying after my defending today.

But to not play in the U-18 Premier League anymore?

That sensation. That intensity. It burned my skin.

Once you've tasted it, there's no going back.

Please. I'm begging you, old man.

Just one more game will do.

I think I'm onto something. I'm serious.

Please use me.

At least put me on the bench—

No.

Observe from outside for a bit.

To add a bit of context, Aoi...

Third-year Kobayakawa is back from injury tomorrow.

He's a defender who can also play in midfield.

He's been our left-side full-back since the spring.

Akiyama

Kobayakawa

Akutsu

Shimura

Yamada

Kiriki

Matsunaga

Kuribayashi

Yuma

Takasugi

Yoshitsune

With Kuribayashi and Kobayakawa are back, Esperion can field its strongest lineup.

You can observe them training tomorrow and think some more.

You did good today, so get some rest.

Don't you want to say something to him?

Wh-Why?

Aoi-kun looks really down.

You seemed to really understand his game when they played our team,

and when he came on today...

You were cheering loudly for him.

I-I don't know what you mean.

I root for anyone on my bro's team.

I relate since I'm a player myself, but to be that insistent...

He must really want to play. He knows he's close.

But it's all up to the manager.

At times like this, you're painfully aware of how powerless you are.

The least you can do is to say something to him.

You know how a player feels because you are one.

That's nice.

All I can say is, "Good luck."

I don't know why you're holding back,

but heartfelt words will always inspire a player.

I know it.

Your cheering works.

It gives me power.

What's up, Ashito? It's me!

Good luck! Good luck!

Fight! Fight!

Hey! You kissed me, didn't you?

I can't do it!

Aoi.

Everyone's already in the locker room changing.

Kaido?

What's wrong?

You look kinda pale.

Huh? Oh, um, I'm not feeling too well.

I'm just on my way home.

I see.

You look tired, Aoi.

I thought I'd give this to you.

I observed how you played today and made some notes on what I saw.

Mainly about your defending.

Defense is all about shape.

So it's about how you link up to create shapes and so on.

A-Are you serious? I really appreciate it.

When I was stuck before, your advice really helped me out.

You know, about turning my head.

Oh, uh, yes.

By the way, you're always coming to see the games, Kaido.

And you're even giving me advice. I'm grateful.

M-My pleasure.

I-I think you can go pro, Aoi. You've been working very hard.

I know you have.

Thanks.

Miss? Please wait for me!

Damn, I miss that face.

Translation: Tomoko Takedani Sater Timing: Andy Ellis Editing: SMR Quality Control: William Haggard Translation Check: David Saylor

Man, that Aoi kid.

"Please use me." It's rare for someone to be bold enough to ask that.

I love it.

Summoning Aoi to speak to him personally...

It's clear he has high hopes for him.

But starting tomorrow, we'll have a truly formidable lineup.

On the other hand, things will be tough for the reserves.

From here on, there'll be fewer chances to break into the team.

Do you know what the key component of a strong team is?

I'm disappointed in myself.

They yap a lot for guys not on the team sheet.

Oh, please.

Takeshima, take this one.

Ashito. Teach me a bit of soccer.

Don't worry about it.

I wonder what kind of defending they'll show me.

Next Episode

Teach Me

This is a work of fiction, and bears no relation to any actual persons, organizations, or names.