Kou Ichijo

> Yasogami High gym...
> You watched the basketball team.

Nice shot!
Alright, let's run some basic drills.

> Yasogami High gym...

> You attended basketball practice.

Man, I'm hungry...
Hey , Aiya or Junes?
You decide.

Ooh, you really know what's up!
Their Hui Gou Rou is awesome.

> There is a gleam in Kou's eyes.

Ahh, you mean on the roof?
It's good once in a while. Nice and cheap.
The okonomi set is pretty tasty, too.

> There is a gleam in Kou's eyes.

Huh!? You mean you're just gonna go
home!?

> Kou is sulking...

Hey Kou, hurry up.

The soccer team's done already? You guys
are fast, man.
Don't you have cleaning up to do?

Yeah, but I don't have to do that stuff.

Hmmm...

Oh yeah, this girl in my class was
looking for you.
She made something for you in home ec.
She said, "Kou-chan loves sweets," or
something like that.

Well, I do like me some sweets...

No no, we're just friends.

> Kou is laughing.

No, I'm happy. We're just friends,
though.

> Kou shrugs.

I don't mind the sweets and all that, but
I wish she'd stop calling me "Kou-chan."
I swear, the more girls I tell not to
call me that, the more they seem to
enjoy doing it.
I hate my name. "Kou." It's such a
crappy name...

Well? What are you gonna do?

...I guess I'll go pick 'em up.

You like sweets, ?
Want me to get you some, too?

If I mention you, I bet she'd give
me tons!
Alright, leave it to me. I'll get us so
much candy, we'll be too fat to practice!

> Kou is pumped up!

The man offered to get you some candy,
fool. You're supposed to say yes.

> Daisuke sighs.

Hey, no big deal. It's just candy, right?
It's not like there's some kind of deeper
meaning to it.
I just figured that if
liked sweet stuff, I'd offer him some.

> You sense Kou's consideration for you...

> Your relationship with Kou seems to
have grown stronger...

I'm off.
Hey Daisuke, , don't leave
without me, alright!?
If you're not here when I get back,
I'm gonna cry!

Funny thing is, he's probably serious...

> You waited for Kou and stopped by a
few places together before going home...

> Yasogami High gym...

> You attended basketball practice.

Okay! The balls've been polished, the
floor's been mopped...
Let's grab some grub!

I'm down for some Aiya.

How do you always pop up when we start
talking about food?
Alright, let's get changed, then head
over to Aiya.

...Oh damn! I forgot, I can't!

What are you arguing with yourself
about?

Sorry, I just remembered some personal
stuff I've gotta take care of.
You two go on ahead. Sorry, guys!

Ahh...
Today's the day he goes before the
almighty "House of Ichijo."

Hm, well, I guess it wouldn't hurt if I
told you.
In fact, I could use your help...

> Daisuke looks serious...
> You head to Aiya to listen to what
Daisuke has to say...

> Central shopping district,
Chinese Diner Aiya...

About Kou...

> Daisuke slowly begins to open up...

I don't really like talking behind his
back like this, but...
...I want you to help him out.

Yeah, thanks.

> Daisuke nods somberly.

It's about Kou's family.
He lives by himself, but his parents's
place is like, right next door.
Once a week or so, he drops by there,
like he did today.

His family is--what's the word I'm
looking for--distinguished? Very
traditional, very strict.
You'd never know just by looking at 'em,
though...

The head of the Ichijo family is Kou's
grandma. They follow her orders like
she's the law.
Problem is, the old crone doesn't approve
of him playing basketball.
She calls it "barbaric."

Yeah...

> Daisuke nods and sighs.

Well, according to her, there are sports
that are "proper," and those that...
aren't.

> Daisuke sighs.

Well, I guess I can kinda understand too,
with all the potential for injuries...

> Daisuke sighs.

He's been forced to quit a lot of things
since he was a kid.
But not basketball. He can't give this up.
So... I want you to help him out.

Just showing up to practice makes a world
of difference. He gets really happy when
you do.
So if you don't mind, I want you to come
to practice every chance you get.

> Daisuke is pleading with you...

Okay... I'm glad I came to you.

> Daisuke looks relieved...

All you have to do is show up at practice.
He's been really psyched ever since you
joined. You're all he talks about.

> Daisuke smiles...

...I'm glad I can rely on you.

> You sense Daisuke's trust in you...
> After worrying about Kou with him,
you feel your relationship with the
pair has grown deeper...

This one's on me, so eat up, man.

...I-I used up my allowance...
......
H-Hey, how 'bout some zha cai?
Those are good.

> ......
> You talked with Daisuke for a while
about school.
> You decided to go home after saying
goodbye.

> Yasogami High gym...

> You attended basketball practice.

Huh? The others already left? This is
exactly why this team is--
Whatever. Hey, good news--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.

Huh? Then why'd 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.

...Yeah, that's about what I expected
when I saw Ai here. So much for having
a manager.
Anyway, I'm hungry. Let's grab some food.

> Central shopping district,
Chinese Diner Aiya...

Man, this place has been calling to me in
my dreams ever since I had to bail on you
guys last time.

...How'd it go?

What, the dream?
Oh, you mean with my family?
Well, it's... complicated.

> Kou is laughing...

Daisuke told you all about it, right,
?
My family's pretty interesting. Arranged
marriages for political gain are pretty
standard with us.
Just the other day I was greeting people at
one of those high society gatherings. Can you
imagine? Me, at one of those things?

Seriously, I have to laugh at myself
sometimes.

> Kou smiles wryly...

Aha! So you can tell how refined I truly
am, ?

> Kou laughs jokingly...

Anyway, if you ever run into anyone in
my family, don't tell them I eat here or
talk like this.
At home, it's nothing but studying, tea
ceremonies, and lessons. To them, I'm
the prim and proper "Kou-sama."

"Kou-sama"?

Yep... That's what they call me.
I know it sounds crappy, but hey,
they feed me and give me an allowance.
I need to do my part too, y'know.

I don't know, man...

Ahh, it doesn't matter. It might all be
over soon anyway.

We're an old-fashioned family, so the
Ichijo name has been passed from
generation to generation.
But the last male of the family, my
dad, didn't have any kids to pass the
name on to.
Well, they weren't going to let the
Ichijo name just up and die, so they
adopted me.

And then what do you know? My dad ended
up having a kid after all. A girl.
I guess you could say she's a little
sister to me...
Her name's Sachiko. She's almost two,
and she's really cute, y'know?

> Kou tries to sound cheerful...

Isn't it?

> Kou smiles...

"Cheer up"? C'mon, I've got more cheer
than I know what to do with! See, just
look at me.

> Kou grins...

......

It's better this way.
Becoming the successor would be a major
hassle... And really, it should go to
a blood relative.

...Sorry. Didn't mean to put a damper on
the mood. C'mon, let's eat!

...Yeah.

> Your heart-to-heart talk with the
players showed you Daisuke and Kou's
trust...

Just forget I said any of that stuff.
Oh man, did I tell you guys about the
one-in-a-million shot I made?

> ......
> You talked about practice with Daisuke
and Kou.
> After saying goodbye, you decided to
go home.

> Yasogami High gym...

> You attended basketball practice.

> Kou isn't here...
> Perhaps something urgent came up...

Man, I'm beat... Let's call it a day!

> Yasogami High shoe lockers...

> Kou's shoes are still in his box...
> It seems he is still at school...

> You decided to go look for him...

> Yasogami High rooftop...

> You see Kou...

Hey. Practice over already?

Wow... I've been up here a long time.
Funny, I never really feel the time pass
when I'm on the court...

> Kou closes his eyes...

Haha... C'mon, man, cut me some slack.

> Kou forces a laugh...

Nah, it's nothing...
No, I can't lie to you. There is
something.
...Nothing big, though.

> It seems Kou is trying to find the
right words...

I don't know if I like basketball
anymore.

It's not my family, I got their blessing.
They told me I can do whatever I want.
It's funny... They were all so dead set
against me playing ball... And now I can
do anything.
So I shot a few hoops this morning...
But I wasn't feeling it. I wasn't
feeling anything.

It wasn't fun, it wasn't boring, it was
just... nothing.
......

> Kou looks up at the sky...

I've been here since class got out.
Then I heard all the sports teams
starting to practice...
And I wondered, why does everyone look
like they're having so much fun?
I felt so distant...
......

Ooh, a bird.
Birds have the life, man... They can fly
as high as they want.
But me, I'm feeling like I've sunk to
the bottom of the ocean.

Haha... Sorry, I'm not making much
sense, am I?
Even I don't know what I'm saying...

> Kou sighs...

Yeah... You're right. It's not like I'm
gonna find the answers right now.
But it's good to slack off like this
once in a while.

> Kou smiles...

Maybe we should go to one of those group
blind dating things. Whaddaya think?
Chicks totally dig guys who are all
chilled out and intellectual, right?

> Kou smiles ironically...

Anyway, I'll be at the next practice,
so don't worry.
Did you come up here just to find me?
...Thanks, man.

> Kou grins...
> You feel your relationship with Kou
has grown deeper...

I think I'll stay up here a little
longer.
I got some relatives coming over tonight,
but I'm still not ready to meet 'em.
I'm pretty good at putting up a facade,
but it gets old sometimes.

Sorry man, I just need a little space
right now.

> You decided to leave Kou staring at
the sky and go home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High gym...

> You attended basketball practice.

> Kou doesn't look very motivated...

'Sup guys. Wanna grab some grub on the
way home?

Hm... Huh? Is practice over already?

Mine? Yeah, they're just cleaning up.

No, mine...

It's over, isn't it...
I gotta go home.

Hey, , what's his problem?
Is he sick or something?

Oh, well, that sucks. You better head
home and rest up.

Something else...? What's wrong?

You know, I'm pretty short for a
basketball player.

I... guess...

But it has its advantages. I always get
a kick out of driving right past all
the tall guys.
It makes me feel good, like it's something
I can do and no one else.
Not my grandma, not my sister, it's all
me.

......

But what's the point?
Who cares how hard I train? It's not like
we ever play any real games.
It's totally worthless. It has no
meaning whatsoever.

Kou... You serious, man?

......
I'm out. Later.

What's up with him...?

> You tell Daisuke about what Kou told
you on the rooftop...

You gotta be kidding! He should be
celebrating that they let him play,
not sulking...
......
......?
......

Dammit! I don't get any of this!
But hang on, he said it was "pointless,"
right? 'Cause they don't play any real
games...

Well then, why don't we give him a real
match?
Sitting around here thinking about it
won't do crap. We gotta take action.
Right?

That's what I'm talkin' bout! If it's
a game he wants, it's a game he'll get!

> Daisuke is pumped up.

"Impossible"!? It's not impossible until
you've tried!
Heh, that's what my sister always says.

> Daisuke laughs sheepishly.

Save him? You don't have to make it sound
so epic... It's kinda embarrassing.

> Daisuke smiles childishly.

Anyway... Where do we start with setting
up a real game?
......
Hmm... I got an idea.

Hey, you!

What's up, Daisuke? Did you switch over
to the basketball team or somethin'?

Yeah, right.
But listen to this. You guys are gonna
have a real game, so pick a day and a
team to play against.

What!? No way!

Yes way. And if you don't play, I'll tell
the teachers about all the homework
you're always copying.

That's low, man!

Shut up.
You better be ready, too, 'cause it's
gonna happen soon. You got that? Soon.

I got some dirt on some of the other guys
too, so we should have no problem getting
together a full team.

Hey, is that supposed to be a
compliment!?

> Daisuke laughs.

Probably.

> Daisuke doesn't seem to mind.

Oh yeah, I forgot about me...

> Daisuke laughs.

Hell, if we come up short, I'll play too.
I don't really know the rules...
But whatever, right?

> Daisuke laughs...
> You two planned a match for Kou's
sake...
> You feel your relationship has grown
stronger...

Alright, next practice will be
a real scrimmage.
I'm gonna go "recruit" more people.
Catch you later, man.

> You parted with Daisuke and decided
to go home.

> Yasogami High gym...
> Today is the scrimmage game that you
and Daisuke planned against another
school...

Is the other team here yet?
More importantly, is Kou here yet?

Daisuke? This is the gym, not the field,
you know.

I'm on the basketball team today.

Alright, they're here.

The game's about to start, Kou.

Huh!?

Wait, we don't have enough players!

I see five of us right here.

But... that's counting... you!?

Look, I know you think that no matter how
hard you train, you're not accomplishing
anything.

But you can't do it all by yourself.
You've got us. And you've got the rest
of the guys who showed up today.
Don't forget that.

> The scrimmage began...

> Kou's skills are undeniable!
> But the opposing team is passing well...
It's a close game...

> You're playing your best today!
> Your defense is tenacious, and you
manage to prevent the opposing team from
scoring several times.

> But the score is tied...
> There are only a few seconds left
until the final buzzer...

> An opponent fakes out Daisuke and
scores.
> Your team lost the game...

> Yasogami High rooftop...
> The three of you came up here after
the game...

I can't believe we lost...
and I were on fire out
there, too...

......

I'm not surprised, though. I won't name
names, but we had one guy out there who
didn't even know what traveling is.

......

"No matter how hard you train, you
can't do it all by yourself!"
Is that how it went?
Man, even after dropping a pearl
of wisdom like that...

Shut up, dammit!
Look, the whole reason we set up this
match was for--

Haha, I know. It was all for me, right?

Yeah. I feel... better.
I don't know how to say it, but...
I don't feel so alone anymore.
Does that make sense?

> Kou looks up at the sky...

Lately... I've been feeling bad for
my parents.
They took me in and raised me, hoping
that I'd carry on the Ichijo name,
you know?
But then Sachiko was born... and even if
she can't carry on the name, she'll be the
successor of the family.

But what does that make me? I'm not
related by blood, so do I even have a
purpose?
It's like there's no point in them even
raising me anymore.

...Should I just leave?

Why? Did your mom and dad say something?

No, they've all been really good to me.
It's not them, it's me.

So you think just because they're not
your real parents that they're not
your family?

In this family? That's a load of bull.

What do you mean?

If we can be family without being
related, why are they getting a tutor
for a two-year old!?
Why is it suddenly okay for me to play
basketball!?
I can quit my lessons, I don't have to
go to the social gatherings anymore...
Why would they tell me that stuff!?
It means they don't need me anymore,
doesn't it? That I've been replaced,
right!?

......

Sorry... I know yelling at you guys
won't solve anything...

I'm gonna drop by the institute.

The institute? You mean...

Yeah, the orphanage.

I was thinking maybe I'd ask about
my real parents.

Haha... No, nothing like that.
I was thinking maybe I'd ask about
my real parents.

I don't know...

Huh...? N-No, that's okay. I don't want
to drag you into this.

If that's what you need to do, then do it.
...I know you'll be back.

Um... Well, th-thanks, man.
Hey, about the game... When I heard you
set it up just for me, it made me really
happy. Thanks again, guys.

> Kou laughs sheepishly.
> The plan you and Daisuke made
was a success...
> You feel your relationship has grown
stronger...

...Too bad we lost.

Dude! Shut up!
Sometimes you gotta lose a battle to
win the war, or however that goes.

Haha, yeah, except we didn't win
anything...

> You talked with Kou and Daisuke and
went home after saying goodbye.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High gym...

Hey ...
I'm about to, uh...
I'm gonna head out to the orphanage.
I just wanted you to know...
Later.

> You watched Kou leave, then practiced
with the rest of the team...

Yo... Hey, where's Kou?

> You told Daisuke that Kou went to the
orphanage.

Today? Hmm...
I'm kinda worried...

When it comes to his family, he's a
wreck, man.
He beats himself up over the tiniest
things.

> Daisuke sighs.

I guess we should go meet up with him
before he gets any more depressed...

Yeah, that's a good idea.

> Daisuke nods in agreement.

Let's call it a day.

> You decided to go meet Kou at the
station with Daisuke.

> Yasoinaba Station, entrance...

What are you two doing here?

......
You guys came all the way out here just
to worry about me?
Losers.

> Contrary to his words, Kou looks happy.

No, not yet... Wait, you guys came all
the way out here just to worry about me?
Losers.

> Contrary to his words, Kou looks happy.

The orphanage hasn't changed at all.
The teachers even remembered who I was,
and they were really nice to me.
But... They said they can't tell me who
my real parents are, or why I was left
there.

No kidding...?

They did give me this, though.
I've been too scared to read it by
myself, but...
It's a letter from the person who left
me at the orphanage.

I-I'm gonna read it...

"Dear Kou-kun...
By the time you read this, you'll have
grown into a fine young man.
"Your parents named you 'Kou' because
they hoped that you would always be in
good health.
"They considered health more important
than fame or money, because it's much
harder to keep and maintain.
"You see, your parents were very frail,
and they passed away about half a year
after you were given up for adoption.
"They always wanted you to know how
sorry they were that they couldn't raise
you themselves.
"They loved you very dearly.
"Kou, you are your parents's ray of hope.
"No matter how difficult things get,
hold your head up high, and keep pressing
onward. You can't lose hope.
"Both of them would undoubtedly say, 'We
will be watching over you, always.'"

......
No names. Not a single clue.
......
My real parents are dead.

......

I was half expecting something like
this, but... it's still pretty shocking,
y'know?
I have no one...

You think so? I really don't know anymore...

> Kou smiles wryly...

I mean, if the people who brought me
into this world are gone...
Then, who do I have left? No one. I'm
all alone.
Well, no... I just don't know anymore.

> Kou smiles wryly...

But I'm glad to have found out.
...I'm glad to have this.

Thanks, man...

> Kou smiles weakly...
> It seems you were able to support Kou...

It's gonna get dark soon.
Let's head home... The others are
worried about you too, you know.

> After seeing Kou off, you parted with
Daisuke and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High gym...

> You attended basketball practice.

> Samegawa riverbank...
> Kou wanted to be by the river, so you
stopped by on the way home...

This place brings back a lot of
memories...
The first time I came here was also my
first time in town, right after the
Ichijo family took me in.
The sky was totally clear except for the
setting sun, and the light hitting the
water made it shine.

It was beautiful. It helped me decide
something...
I thought, "From now on, I am an
Ichijo."
I convinced myself that the old me was
dead. At least, that's what I thought.

But you were just a kid then, right?

Yeah. Isn't that crazy? A little kid
thinking like that?
But I guess even kids have stuff on
their minds sometimes.

Funny thing is, I never really became an
Ichijo.
I looked, sounded, and acted like one,
but it was just a mask I wore.
And now that I don't have to wear that
mask anymore... I guess it's time to
step off the stage.

I don't know...
It's not entirely my decision to make,
not after they've raised me this
whole time...

> Kou stares off into the distance...

...I don't know what I mean, either.
I don't have a clue what to do with
myself...

> Kou stares off into the distance...

Well, I haven't reached any conclusions yet.
Besides, I'd never just wander off
without telling you guys.

> Kou smiles gently...

It just makes me feel kinda empty,
knowing that my real parents are dead.
It's like... I have no roots.
......

We should go visit their graves after
practice sometime.

I wouldn't even know where to find 'em.
I've got the letter, but whoever wrote
it didn't sign it. They didn't mention
my parents's names, either.

Whoever handed you over to the orphanage
wrote that letter, right?
Wouldn't that mean they've been holding
onto it for like... ten years?
It's pretty rough asking someone to
remember what happened ten years ago...

Ten years ago...

You're still carrying that thing...?

Yeah, well, I can't let anyone at the
house see it, so...
Huh?

Hmm, the name on the front, "Kou-sama,"
is smeared. Like someone rubbed their
hand against it...

Maybe they just wrote it in a hurry?

Plus... the corner of the envelope is
sharp enough to give you a papercut.

...What do you think?

No, ten-year-old letters don't look this
nice, even if they are well-preserved...
Meaning... This must have been written
pretty recently...

> Kou looks serious...

But the envelope and the stationery have
the same insignia.
Meaning... This must have been written
pretty recently...

> Kou looks serious...

You think so too?

> Kou nods seriously...

What does this mean...?

I think... the head of the orphanage
must have written it.

When I visited... She could probably
tell I was depressed...

H-Hey, cheer up, man. Even if it is a
fake-- Uhh, it sounds bad to call it
a fake, but...!
She didn't do it to pull a fast one
on you...

No, you've got it all wrong...
I'm happy.
I'm glad there are such nice people out
there in the world...

Maybe the letter is true, or maybe it's
just a nice lie, but all the same...
Someone was there to give birth to me...
Someone was there to raise me...
And someone is there to watch over me
like this...
......

I thought I had no roots... No ties
to anybody...
But... That's not true.

Took you long enough to get the picture,
stupid.

Stupid? I know you are, but what am I?

I'm the one who told you that you'd
always have us... Stupid.

W-Well... I'm rubber, you're glue!

> Kou's eyes are red, but he's
laughing...
> It seems you were able to support
Kou when he needed you most...

...Man, you've got a really ugly mug,
you know that?
Wanna go for a swim, ugly? It'll be
like old times...

Ha, yeah... Come to think of it, we used
to play around here, didn't we?

How 'bout you? Wanna go for a dip?

What!? Like you have a choice!

Whoa, it's freakin' cold!

> You horsed around in the river with
Kou and Daisuke and then went home...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High gym...
> Kou is working hard...

> You attended basketball practice.

Y'know what, ? I'm gonna
keep playing basketball.
Studying, lessons, and all that crap...
I think I'm gonna keep doing it all.

Haha. Don't worry, I'm good at slacking
off when I need to be.

Thanks.

Until now, I've been doing those things
because I felt kinda obligated to.
But if I put my mind to it, I can be
good at anything I want, right?
I've gotta be at the top of my game so
I can be the "big brother" the next master
of the house deserves.

> Kou is smiling cheerfully...

Hey, you got some time later? There's
something I wanna give you.

> Yasogami High rooftop...
> Kou asked you and Daisuke to meet
him here...

Well, I did it. I asked them.
My parents, my grandma... I sat them
down, and I asked, "Do you guys even
want me anymore? Did you ever want me?"
That's when all hell broke loose.

My mom started crying, and then she was
all like, "Of course we want you,
stupid!" She was practically yelling.
Man, what is with people calling me
stupid lately?

Kou, it's time you learned the truth.
You're pretty stupid.

Ha, well, I'm starting to think so too.
I thought I had it all figured out,
but I just didn't get it.
Y'know, it's really the people around me
who've shaped who I am.
I bought into the same crap artists are
always writing or singing about. They're
trying to "find themselves."
So I thought I knew all about how to
"find yourself." I thought I got it.

But...
Really getting it is totally different.
I mean, really finding yourself.

Without you guys, I probably never
would've figured it out.
I would've just kept pretending, and I
probably would have given up on the
people I care about most.
So...
Thank you.

Man... You say some mushy stuff
sometimes.

Yeah...
So while I'm on a roll...

I want the two of you to hold onto my
letter from the orphanage.

D-Dude... We can't take this...!

Look, I'm not giving it to you. I just
want you to hold it for me for a while.
, Daisuke, please.
I'm asking you to do this for me.

Yeah, but...

This way, I'll never forget that I'm not
alone... Please.

Fine, but this is just for now, man.

I know. I'll ask for it back when I feel
like I can stand on my own two feet again.
So, uh... You better stick around
till then.

> Received the .
> You feel an unbreakable friendship has
formed between you, Kou, and Daisuke...

> The three of you passed time
conversing with each other...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Yasogami High gym...
> You poured your heart into basketball
practice.

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...?