Daisuke Nagase

Hm? This is the faculty office, young
man. Are you here to see me?
Oh, you're here to join a sport? Well,
I don't see why not. I love seeing the
sweat glistening on your young bodies.
Unfortunately, there aren't many teams
still accepting members, since you
transferred in late...
But, I'm sure I can pull some strings
and get you in somewhere. You can thank
me tonight, handsome.

You can join one sports team and one
cultural club each. Which ones are
you interested in?

...Wait a second, you're already
enrolled.
Are you trying to pull a fast one on me?
Tsk tsk, naughty boy! Why don't you go
on home?

...Hmmm? You're already enrolled in the
basketball team.
Don't get greedy now, young man! We
can't have you doubling up on sports
teams.

The soccer team, then? Great, I'll add
you to the roster.
That team meets on the field on Mondays,
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, but
only if it's not raining.
Have fun sweating out there!

...Hmmm? You're already enrolled in the
soccer team.
Don't get greedy now, young man! We
can't have you doubling up on sports
teams.

The basketball team, then? Great, I'll
add you to the roster.
That team meets in the gym on Mondays,
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, but
only if it's not raining.
Have fun sweating out there!

...Hmmm? You're already enrolled in the
brass band.
Don't get greedy now, young man! We
can't have you doubling up on cultural
clubs.

Oh, I forgot. Cultural clubs don't start
accepting new members until May 2nd.
Come back later, okay?

The drama club, then? Great, I'll add
you to the roster.
Umm, rehearsals are on Mondays, Tuesdays,
and Fridays. Find the room and introduce
yourself, okay?
Break a leg!

...Hmmm? You're already enrolled in the
drama club.
Don't get greedy now, young man! We
can't have you doubling up on cultural
clubs.

Brass band, then? Great, I'll add you
to the roster.
Umm, rehearsals are on Mondays, Tuesdays,
and Fridays. Find the room and introduce
yourself, okay?
Good luck!

Hm? Did you drop in just to see me?
What a naughty young man! *giggle*

> Yasogami High field...
> You watched the soccer team.

Nice kick!
Alright, line up! It's time for
everyone's favorite: Sprints!

> Yasogami High field...

Hey, . Tear down the goals
and clean up before you leave, alright?

Haha, later!

...Because new guys do the cleanup,
alright? Just do it.

......?
What were those guys saying to you?

> You told Daisuke that you're going to
tear down the goals and clean up.

What? Everyone's supposed to take
turns...
You don't have to do that, man.
Let's just go home.

Hey guys... Hm, did the soccer team
finish early today?

...What's wrong?

> You told Kou that you're going to tear
down the goals and clean up.

Let me guess, they told you it was your
job? Tch, how predictable.
But yeah, you should probably do it
anyway.

How come? They got no right to dump it
all on him...

Don't do it because they told you to,
do it because you "want to help." That'll
throw 'em off guard.
Here, I'll help out too. It'll go faster.

> The three of you cleaned up the field.

Whew, I'm beat...

That's because you got so into polishing
those balls, man. You gotta pace
yourself.

Nah, it's not my style to half-ass
things.

Still, it went pretty fast with three
people.

No problem.

> Daisuke looks happy.

That's pretty cold, man...

> Daisuke looks annoyed.

Haha. He's just embarrassed.

Hey, you wanna grab some ramen on the
way home?

> Clean-up went quickly thanks to their
help.
> You sense their consideration towards
you...

> You decided to go to Aiya.

> You attended soccer practice.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Central shopping district,
Chinese Diner Aiya...

Hey, I saw that first-year at your
practice today, Daisuke.
She was watching you the entire time,
man. I even heard her say, "Wow, he
kicked the ball so hard!"
I mean, duh... that's kinda the point of
the game...

...I didn't notice.

Really? What a waste.

Enough of that crap. , wanna
stay after practice to work on your
game a little more?
Let's show those guys what you can do.

Yeah, that's a good idea. If you can run
circles around them, they'll have to
accept you, right?

Exactly. Then it's decided.
You're helping too, Kou.

What? Since when do I have anything to
do with the soccer team...?

> ......
> The three of you discussed practice.

> ...You decided to go home after saying
goodbye.

> Yasogami High field...

Hey , you're on cleanup
duty today too, alright?

Again!?
Before we do any cleaning, though, let's
work on your dribbling!

You guys haven't even started?
Oh well...
Want me to toss balls at you or
something?

This isn't tennis, dude. Go stand over
there and play some defense.

Defense? No problem! You should see me
on a basketball court.

> Daisuke and Kou are helping you
practice...
> You sense their consideration towards
you...

Uh, um, hey, D-Daisuke-kun!
Practice is over, right? D-Do you wanna,
um...?

Does it look like I'm done practicing?
See ya.

Huh? Oh, uh... Would you mind if I
waited for you? Am I in the way?

Yes... you are. We need to concentrate.
C'mon, , let's get started.

H-Hey, don't mind him. He's got soccer
on the brain, y'know?

What's his problem...?

Well? Are we gonna get started?

> The three of you had an intense
practice...
> Afterward, you cleaned up and went
home.

> You attended soccer practice.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High field...

Alright, is this everyone? Good news,
boys, you're getting a team manager.
Now you guys won't have to take turns
doing all the work anymore. You can
thank me later!
Go on, introduce yourself.

...Ai Ebihara.

......

Great! You can take it from here.
I'm going home!

I'm gonna tell you guys straight up,
I'm not lifting a finger for this team.
I wouldn't be caught dead watching out
for a bunch of sweaty guys.

What? Then why did you--

I've missed too many days of school.
But they'll let me move up if I manage
a team.
But don't expect me to put any effort
into it. For the most part, I'm not
even gonna be here.
Well, see ya. Or not.

What was that all about...?

Oh well. I guess Ai-san won't be doing
our laundry, huh?

Tch, why are you showing her so much
respect? She's the same age as us.

Dude, just let me fantasize about her
in peace, alright?

No way! Her!?

> The soccer players continue talking
about Ai Ebihara...

Hey Daisuke, think you'd go for a chick
like Ai-san?

Not in a million years.

Really? I mean, yeah, she's got major
issues, but don't you think she's kinda
hot?

...Girls annoy me.

They do? How 'bout guys, then?

Knock it off!

Weren't you dating back in middle
school, bro?

......

Ohhh, I get it. You've got higher
standards now, huh?

Must be nice to be so popular that you
can get any chick you want! Us "normal"
guys couldn't possibly understand...

Whatever... Girls are a pain in the
ass, right, ?

Yeah, you see where I'm comin' from?

> Daisuke looks happy.

Hmm... Maybe I'm not patient enough?

> Daisuke looks puzzled...

Uh, I didn't mean it to come out that
way...

> Daisuke looks uncomfortable...

Girls don't even talk to me, but they're
always coming up and asking me out. What
do they know about me?
......

You guys done over here? Same thing
as last time, right? A little overtime
practice, and then we'll clean up.
Let's do this!

Hm...
Haha. Sure, let's do it.

> The two of them are willing to help
you train today, too.
> You feel your relationship with
Daisuke and Kou has grown stronger...

> After practice, you cleaned up and
went home.

> You attended soccer practice.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High field...

Alright, we've got a game today, so don't
hold back!

> The soccer game began.

> It's time to show the results of your
hard practice!

Whoa!

What was that!?

Nice! Get the ball to if
he's open!

That was crazy, ! I didn't
know you could hustle like that!

With him on the team, we might have
a shot at next year's tournament.

Man, I'm glad you came along.

> Thanks to your play, it seems the
rest of the team has begun to
acknowledge you.
> You owe it all to your training...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Central shopping district,
Chinese Diner Aiya...
> After waiting for basketball practice
to end, you came here with Daisuke and
Kou...

That's awesome! So the training paid
off, huh?

You should've seen the looks on their
faces.
Now he won't get stuck with all the
grunt work. He's one of the team!

> Daisuke is beaming as if it's all
thanks to him...

Nice. So am I free now?
It's hard work polishing balls after
a full day of b-ball practice.

Yeah, thanks for helping out, Kou.

It's not like I did it for you!
Still, , I'm glad it all
worked out!

> Kou is also beaming like it's all
thanks to him...

No worries. In the end, it was all
you, man.

> Daisuke nods.

Hey, you sound pretty confident. Maybe
I should leave the team to you, huh?

> Daisuke laughs.

Well, I say we celebrate!
One extra order of mapo rice, please!
, yours is on me.

> The three of you celebrated the end of
your training...
> You feel your relationship has grown
even stronger...

I'll have the pepper steak. Hold the
green peppers.

...Hold the peppers? All you've got left
is meat, dude.
If that's all you want, why don't you
order this?

> ......
> The three of you had a good time
talking about food...

> Yasogami High field...

Daisuke, what's your problem? Are you
hurt or something?

Huh? What do you mean?

Wow, basketball practice finished before
soccer today? It's a miracle!

You're running like a fat kid with
asthma, and you're letting guys drive
right past you.

Don't worry... When I play for real,
I'll be fine.

Yeah, well, when I play for real, I'm a
freakin' juggernaut! Haha.

You have to play seriously, dude.
If you're not gonna play for real at
practice, why are you playing at all...?

Kou...? What's that supposed to mean?

You think I don't know?

......

H-Hey you guys... lighten up...

Go on, say it, Kou. What do you mean?

> The air is tense...

Why don't you ask yourself?

Hey, what the hell's going on over here?

......

...Daisuke, sprint over to the gym and then
give me twenty sets of burpees!

......

Hey, are you okay?

...Kinda.

Um... maybe next time you're free--

Daisuke! You just earned yourself five
more sets!

S-Sorry. Was that my fault?

No. I needed the practice anyway.

O-Okay. I'll, um, see you later then.

...Sorry about putting a damper on
everyone's mood...
......

, we need to talk.
It's about him...

I have to do some family stuff today,
though. Would next time be okay?

> You promised Kou that you'd listen...

Thanks...

> Kou smiles with relief.
> This seems very important to Kou...

Alright... Thanks!

> Kou smiles with relief.
> This seems very important to Kou...

I don't think it'll put you out too
much... I hope.

> Kou looks disappointed.
> This seems very important to Kou...

Daisuke really likes you, man.
I do too. You're the only guy I can trust
to talk about him with.

> You feel Kou's trust in you...
> You sense a bond has formed between
you, Kou, and Daisuke.

Oh, sorry. I better get going.
See ya later.

> You finished practice and went home.

> You attended soccer practice.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High field...

I have to do the class record today,
so don't wait up for me.

Ah... Perfect timing.
Later.

You sure...?
...Ehhhh...
No, man, really. I'll see ya later.

Hm? What's up with the cold shoulder?
Daisuke can be such a damn rebel.

Oh well, I guess that makes it easier.
I need to talk to you.
Tell you what, we'll talk over mapo rice.
My treat!

Great! Heck, I'll get you a large!

> Kou looks happy...

> You tried to negotiate...

Alright, fine. But I'm still gonna throw in
an order of gyoza...!

> Kou looks frustrated...

> You left school to listen to what
Kou has to say.

> You attended soccer practice.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Central shopping district,
Chinese Diner Aiya...

You probably guessed this, but it's
about Daisuke.

> Kou speaks with a serious expression...

You've noticed him slacking off at practice
a lot lately, right?
He never used to do that kinda stuff...
Before, he woulda died for any chance to
play soccer.
You practically had to pry the ball away
from him, even off the field.

But now he's half-assing everything...
I don't get it. Maybe he just doesn't think
playing hard is "cool" anymore...

He took it seriously when he was helping
you train, though, right?
He really wanted you to get good enough
for the team to accept you...
Don't get me wrong, I don't think he was
faking it or anything...

But... I wonder if part of that was him
trying to make you do the things he feels
like he can't anymore...
...He's fooling himself.

It just pisses me off to watch him do this...

> Kou sighs...

How did he get like this...?

Ya know, his new attitude toward girls
is pretty sudden, too.
He used to talk about girls like any
normal guy would.
You think it could be related...?

You think so too?

> Kou nods...

Hmmm... I don't know...

> Kou cocks his head to the side in
thought...

About Daisuke's half-assed practices and
his girl problems! Remember!?

> Kou sighs in exasperation...

He can be a little blunt sometimes, but
he's a nice guy.
He's been acting so cold toward girls,
though, like he's saying stuff that he
doesn't really mean...
......

I'm only telling you this because
I trust you, but...
......

> Kou begins to speak slowly...

See, Daisuke had a girlfriend back in
middle school...
But from what he told me, they never
even held hands.
Then she broke up with him.

She made a big scene. She was all like,
"You don't even like me, do you!?"
I heard she even slapped him.
And ever since then, he's been saying
stuff like, "I don't know what it means
to like someone..."

At the rate he's going, he's gonna die
an old hermit.

> Kou sighs...

What do you think?

Yeah, I think so too.

> Kou nods.

Well, yeah, I know that, but...
You think he's really doing this because
he wants to?
I mean, I guess it IS still his problem,
but...

> Kou nods...

Whoa!
I just had a great idea. I'm a genius...

You're with me on this, right? You're
gonna help him?

> Kou is looking at you expectantly...

> You start to decline, then think better
of it...
> You reluctantly decided to take part...

Alright! Now we're talking!

> Kou is ecstatic...
> By worrying about Daisuke with Kou,
you feel your bonds strengthen.

I'll set everything up. Make sure you wear
some clean boxers!

> ......
> You passed the time with a rather
vulgar conversation...

> Kou stopped you on your way to
practice...

> Okina City, in front of Okina Station...

So... What's all this about?
You made us skip out on practice, man.
I think you owe us an explanation.

Oh, there he is. Kou-chan!

Hey! Sorry for calling you here on such
short notice.

That's okay. We weren't doing anything
anyway.

What's going on...?

What does it look like? I set up a group
blind date for us.

Huh!? Why didn't you tell me!?

> You can hear the girls conversing with
each other...

They're from Yasogami High, huh? How'd
they get here? By bus?

Yeah, that's way out in the boonies.
I wonder how they plan to get home...

Maybe they're hoping we'll invite them
back to our place... Pervs! *giggle*

Well, I think they're passable as far as
looks go, don't you?

...I'm outta here.

Huh? No, wait!

S-Sorry ladies, looks like tonight isn't
going to work out!

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> The three of you rode back home on the
bus in an awkward silence...

> The flood plain...

I said wait, dammit!

I never asked you to try and set me up
with anyone.

I only went because you told me it was
important...

Don't drag me into that BS. If you want to
get a girlfriend, do it yourself.

I did it for you!
You're always going on about how "girls are
just a pain in the ass." But it's all an act!

Whaddaya mean, "an act"!?

> Their quarrel starts to escalate...

He's right... Sorry. Yelling won't solve
anything.

> Kou looks apologetic...

I'll tell you what I mean!

> Kou's face is red with emotion!

You're just scared! You hear that!?
Scared!

Scared...? Of what?

Of girls!
You're scared of being rejected again,
aren't you?
That's why you give them all the cold
shoulder. You don't have to worry about it
if they hate you already, right?

And it's no different with soccer!
You're half-assing it!
You're scared to play seriously and hit
your plateau!
You're afraid that if you play hard,
you'll be depressed when you can't
improve anymore!

Wha...? N-Now you're just making things up!

You take all the fun out of life if you
never have to feel pain. What's the
point of living like that?

I don't need you to lecture me about
my life!
You got that!? It's MY life! You guys have
nothing to do with it!

Of course we do!

What am I to you!? What is
to you!?
And what are you to
and me, huh!?
Don't talk like we have nothing to do
with your life, dumbass!

I'm sorry...
Yeah...

Kou's right...
Girls are a pain in the ass, but I don't
hate them... I'm just scared.
They say they like me, then they say
they can't understand me, and then they
dump me out of sheer disappointment.
Makes me wonder about myself...

You're talking about that girl you dated
in middle school, right?

Dated? Tch, I don't think you could even
call it that.

I still remember, she said, "You're not
the guy I thought you were. The real
Daisuke is the one on the field."
When I think about going through all
that again, I get scared... or maybe
lonely. It's hard to tell.

Forget about her...
There's always gonna be people like
that. But you have to just let 'em go
and move on.

......
But... I can't let it go...

I still have feelings... What'll happen
to them?

Ahh... You really liked her, huh...?

Yeah, but only after she asked me
out...

She was my first girlfriend. I was
thrilled... All I wanted to do was hold
her close to me.

Then you've gotta go settle it. If you
don't, you'll carry this baggage for who
knows how long.

...You're too nosy, you know that?

Yeah, what of it?

...Thanks.

You can be pretty sincere when you want
to, Daisuke.

Knock it off!
> Daisuke's face is red.

Shut up...!
> Daisuke's face is red.

> You felt your bond strengthen with Kou
and Daisuke...

Alright, , it'll be your job
to make sure Daisuke doesn't get cold
feet about this thing.

I won't, dang it!

> ......
> The three of you had a good time
before heading home.

Kou's right...
Girls are a pain in the ass, but I don't
hate them... I'm just scared.
They come up and say they like me...
But then they tell me they can't
understand me, they get disappointed,
and break up with me.
Makes me wonder about myself...

You're talking about that girl you dated
in middle school, right?

Dated? Tch, I don't think you could even
call it that.

I still remember... She said, "You're not the
guy I thought you were. The real Daisuke
is the one on the field."
When I think about going through all that
again, I get scared... or maybe lonely.
It's hard to tell.

Forget about her...
There's always gonna be people like
that. But you have to just let 'em go
and move on.

......
But... I can't let it go...

I still have feelings... What'll happen
to them?

Ahh... You really liked her, huh...?

After she asked me out. But...

She was my first girlfriend.
I was thrilled... All I wanted to do was
hold her close to me.

Then you've gotta go settle it. If you
don't, you'll carry this baggage for who
knows how long.

...You're too nosy, you know that?

Yeah, what of it?

...Thanks.

You can be pretty sincere when you
want to, Daisuke.

Knock it off!

> Daisuke's face is red.

Shut up...!

> Daisuke's face is red.

> You felt your bond strengthen with Kou
and Daisuke...

Alright, , it'll be your
job to make sure Daisuke doesn't get
cold feet about this thing.

I won't, dang it!

> The three of you had a good time
before heading home.

> Yasogami High field...

Hey, see that girl over there?

That's her. My ex-girlfriend.

She shows up every so often to watch us
practice.
I wonder if she's as stuck in the past
as I am...

Then... we definitely need to talk.
Not just for me, but for her, too.

> Daisuke nods with a gentle expression...

You think?

> Daisuke seems to be lost in thought...

Then the only thing we can do is talk.
Not just for me, but for her, too.

> Daisuke nods with a gentle expression...

Thinking back on it...
I... should've just told her everything
that was on my mind.
Even if the truth hurt, at least we
would have understood each other...

Well, I'll talk to her after practice.

> Thanks to your and Kou's efforts,
Daisuke is taking a big step...

> You attended soccer practice.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High shoe lockers...

> Daisuke is talking with his
ex-girlfriend...

I just want you to know... I really did
like you, back then.

......
What's gotten into you all of a sudden?

......
Hey, have you been coming to practice
because you...

Oh, he's here.
Get outta the way, or he might get the
wrong idea.

Senpai, you're late!

Sorry about that. Tearing down the goals
took a little longer than usual today.

So you'll take me somewhere nice for
dinner then, right? *giggle*

Sure, sure.

Daisuke...? What's up, man?
I'll see ya at practice. Later.

Daisuke... Thank you.

......
Hahaha... Ya know, I feel pretty good...

> Daisuke laughs with relief...
> You walked home with him.

> Yasogami High field...

C'mon guys, you haven't even finished
your knee lifts yet!

*gasp* I... can't... run anymore...

That's when you've gotta push yourself!
C'mon, one more lap! I'll run with you!

Yes, Sir...

> Daisuke is coaching with passion...

Whew, it feels like forever since I've been
this exhausted!
But damn, it feels good!

I'm not gonna screw around anymore.
From now on, I'm all business!

> Daisuke suddenly appears pensive...

I kept pretending that I was trying my
hardest... But the truth is, I was hardly
trying.
If I managed to do well playing at half
my potential, nobody really cared that
I wasn't taking it seriously.
And if I wasn't doing so hot, I had a copout.
All I had to do was say I wasn't trying.

I was scared of the possibility that
things could go wrong, even when I
gave it my all.
Because if that happened... I would have
felt like I had no business even being here...
Haha... Pretty lame, huh?

This is for you.

> Obtained .

It's a brush you can use to clean your
cleats.
I realized I haven't used it in a long
time... I just soaked my cleats and
let 'em hang dry, like I didn't care...
But I used to like cleaning my cleats
and soccer balls...

I don't know why I'm doing this... It just
kinda popped into my head, y'know?
It's not super fancy or anything, but
it's easy to use. You and I are gonna be
running a lot from now on, so...

...Come on, let's grab some grub before
we go home!

> You attended soccer practice.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Central shopping district,
Chinese Diner Aiya...

I've been hearing people talk about ya,
Daisuke.
"He's a new man!" "A demon awoke inside
of him!" Words to that effect.

Yeah, well, I quit pretending. I was getting
pretty bored of not taking things seriously.
You give it 110%, and sometimes you win,
sometimes you lose. Not knowing is what
makes it fun.

Ain't that the truth? Lay the charm on
thick, get rejected, and cry about it later.
That's a woman for you.

Still, too bad about your ex, though.

You were kinda hoping she still liked
you, right?

What? H-Hey, that's not--

Whoo boy, look at his face. I think I've seen
tomatoes less red than that.

Wh-What about you guys, huh!? All that
"What am I to you" shit, you're the ones
who should be embarrassed!

What, you want us to say it again?
Maybe in unison this time?

Don't give me that touchy-feely crap!

> ......
> You spent quality time with Daisuke
and Kou.

But yeah, uhh...
Thanks.

Don't worry, we'll always be here to
embarrass you.

...Gee, thanks.

> You feel a deep bond has formed
between you, Kou, and Daisuke...

I feel like I can finally move forward again...

That's good, man.

So, let's do another group date. Kou,
you should call those chicks up again.

Huh!? Now you're gonna pull a 180
on me!?
Dude, you really ticked those girls off
last time!

Oh. I guess you'll have to do some
groveling then.

ME!?

> ......
> You take a moment to enjoy the good
times with your friends, with whom you
have formed a tight bond...

> Yasogami High field...
> You attended soccer practice.

> Daisuke is busy coaching the
first-years...
> Watching him, you feel an inseverable
bond between you, Kou, and Daisuke...

Whoa!

...Haha, what a coincidence.

We were just talking about you.
Why don't you join us, man?

W-Well...
You see, we started talking about
whether or not all the crazy stuff that
happened here was really over, and...

...We were consoling each other about
you leaving tomorrow.

Why you gotta blurt that stuff out!?
That's embarrassing, man!
To be honest, though... I did wanna see
you one last time, but I figured you'd be
too busy.
The next thing I know, you walk right in!
It's like man, I was being thoughtful for
nothing!

> You shared a joyful moment with Kou
and Daisuke...

Oh, while you're here, lemme tell you
something.

After I graduate, I think I'm gonna go
to college overseas.

Not only does it sound like a blast,
but I think it'll look good on my resume
when I join "the society," you know?
I figure that'll help out the Ichijio
family, too.

...Come on, you're not doing this for
your family.

I know. It's for my own sake.
It's not for the family that took me in,
or because I'm their first son...

I want to support the family in my own
way. I don't need to be the head in
order to do that.
That's why I think it'll be cool to
study overseas. I'm sure I'll learn all
kinds of things I couldn't over here.

...'Course, Daisuke's gonna be a loner.
Hahaha.

Not really...
No matter where in the world all of us
are, it won't matter.
Friends are still friends, even when
you can't see each other all the time.

......

Wh-What?

Those were some touching words, man.
To tell ya the truth, I had a hard time
just thinking about how to start this
conversation.
I was even thinking about hopping on the
train 'll be on tomorrow so
I could tell him all about it.

Haha, that doesn't sound like a bad
idea. Why don't we go get some ramen?

......
Umm, ...
You can come back and visit any time
you want, man!
This is your hometown now too, ya know!

> You feel a close bond between Kou,
Daisuke, and yourself...

I'm sure you've got other people to say
your goodbyes to.
We can see you off tomorrow, but uh...
...We'll always be friends.

We'll always be friends, too.

Hey, don't steal my lines! I'm gonna
make you eat pickled bamboo shoots!

Whoa!

...Haha, what a coincidence.

We were just talking about you.
You should chill with us for a little.

W-Well...
You see, we started talking about
whether or not all the crazy stuff that
happened here was really over, and...

...We were consoling each other about
you leaving tomorrow.

Why you gotta blurt that stuff out!?
That's embarrassing, man!
To be honest, though... I did wanna see
you one last time, but I figured you'd be
too busy.
The next thing I know, you walk right in!
It's like man, I was being thoughtful for
nothing!

> You shared a joyful moment with Kou
and Daisuke...

Oh yeah, at this rate, our team might
actually have a shot at the summer
tournament.

For real? You're talking about the
nationals, right?

If we keep our pace up until then,
that is.

That's still a huge improvement.
Heh, probably thanks to all that harsh
training of yours. The first-years were
all whining about it.

...Yeah, they don't take it seriously.
But seeing them slack off like that,
I now understand why Kou got mad at me.
I mean, I can clearly tell when someone's
not being serious, and it pisses me off
a lot.

Hahaha! See?

Trying hard is tough, but... I dunno,
I get more fun out of it than when I
used to slack off.
...'Course, it would be even better if
were sticking around.

...Oh well, nothing we can do about that.
Time to suck it up.
... I'll go over to your place
sometime, so you better come back here
and visit us, too.
......

Bahh! Enough of this sad crap! Let's be
how we normally are and send him off
with a smile!
So , call me if you find a
cute girl that's available, okay?

Huh? I thought you liked Chi--

Ahhh! Shut up! Enough said!!

Speaking of which, what happened to that
promise of yours? You're the one who
said we'll have another group date.

...You mean you were serious?

Of course.

...Then I got one thing to say:
Stop wearing the same damn training
clothes!
, think you can give Daisuke
a nice shirt and some pants as a farewell
present?

Hey, I've got more clothes than this,
ya know.

Yeah, I bet they're all sportswear!

......

......

You better come visit, .
I can't handle the dating scene with
Daisuke alone.
The three of us should have a big ol'
group date sometime soon!

> You feel a close bond between Daisuke,
Kou, and yourself...

Well I'm sure you've got more goodbyes
to say. We can see you tomorrow anyway.

Yeah, don't waste your time on us, man.
Even if we're separated--

We'll always be friends.

...Why do you always get to say the
good part...?