Episode 2: Advisor Misato's Trials
After school, Misato and Yuuki began practice with the members of the beach baseball club.
Misato
Everyone, good work in class today! Then, it's time for the club. Let's get excited! ... My, where is Asahi?
Member 3
He has a shift at work right now. He should be here as soon as that's done, so let's just start without him.
Misato
My, I see... Then, let us start. Everyone, be careful not to hurt yourselves!
Member 3
Yeah, got it. You guys... You know what comes next?
Member 1
Y-Yeah!
Member 3
Let's start with warm-ups first. Remember, the teacher said not to hurt yourself. Let's do some shoulder exercises... Hi-yah!
Member 1
Ow! What kind of stretch is that!?
Member 3
If you can't take this much, then you're hopeless.
Member 2
Heh heh! We're not here for beach pro wrestling, you guys! You're gonna get us all dirty in an instant!
Member 3
Yeah, and these uniforms just got cleaned, too. So... Let's do it again! Hi-yah!!
Member 1
Grr... Don't treat me like an old man...! I'll show you just how youthful I am! Hi-yah!
Member 2
Heh heh! I'm getting involved, too! Hi-yah!!
Misato
Ha ha, everyone is so full of energy! Just like that!
Yuuki
1. "It looks like a fight..."
Misato
Oh, my, I hadn't thought about that... But isn't that just how people get when they're excited?
Misato
My, Daichi. Are you not going to join in? I was hoping that you could direct the practice until Asahi showed up...
Daichi
I'm not getting involved. And anyway, what they're doing right now is... Hmph. Well, never mind.
Daichi
Don't you know not to expect too much from me? You'll only be disappointed. Well, not like it's my business.
Misato
As a teacher, having expectations of my students is only natural. I'd very much like to see you play.
Daichi
Hmph...
Misato
My, he left... I wonder how to get Daichi to participate in the club...
Member 3
All right, that should be it for warm-ups.
Member 2
Are these uniforms supposed to get this dirty for beach baseball? Heh heh!
Misato
My, are you done stretching? What should we do next?
Member 3
Well, next up is catching.
Misato
My, how very like the beach baseball club! Is there any way that I can help? As the advisor, I'd like to participate in practice however I can.
Member 3
That's perfect... Because we need you to get the balls that we throw away. We're just a bunch of amateurs who can't throw, after all. Who knows where we'll be sending them.
Member 3
If we had to pick them all back up one by one, then we'd be wasting our practice time. So if you could pick them up for us, then we could save that time.
Misato
Ha ha, understood! Just leave it to me -- throw the balls as hard as you'd like.
Member 3
Did you hear that? Throw them as hard as we'd like... Hi-yaah!!!
Member 2
A home run! Ha ha ha! If we throw them all like this, we'll run out in no time!
Member 3
Nothing to worry about. Our teacher will be picking them up for us. Right?
Misato
Of course! Let's go, Yuuki. Everyone, please continue with your catching practice!
Misato
I thought that it fell somewhere around here, but where is it...?
Member 3
Sorry, teacher! Another one fell over there!
Misato
Oh, my?
Yuuki
1. "Miss Misato, watch out!"
Misato
Eek!
Misato
Thank you, Yuuki. Nice catch!
Misato
My, my, many more balls have just flown this way. We have to gather them all up. Let's hurry!
Member 3
All right, let's keep going. You guys have to make sure to catch them this time.
Member 1
Ha ha ha! You're throwing them into next week, though!
Member 1
But you've got a pretty good arm, if you can throw them that far. Are you sure you wouldn't actually be pretty good at beach baseball?
Member 3
Don't kid around. I don't know what anyone thinks is so fun about throwing balls like this.
Member 1
Anyway... I wonder if that teacher really is going to pick them all up.
Member 3
She talks like a saint, but she's just like any other teacher. She'll give up on us before long. She's just going to end up seeing us as useless trash.
Member 3
So, this is the last ball left... Then, let's finish this... Huh?
Misato
Thank you for waiting? I've got them all!
Member 3
What...? Wait, did you seriously pick them all up?
Misato
One, two... Yes, this should be all of them. I'm sorry for being slow.
Member 3
No, that's not it. We, um...
Misato
Hmm? In any case, you're quite impressive to be able to throw so far! I have no doubt that you'd be very successful playing in a real game.
Member 3
What!?
Misato
I'm also glad that you put so much vigor into your stretching. You may have gotten your uniforms dirty, but I'll clean them all up tomorrow, so don't worry about a thing.
Misato
Practice as much as you'd like, and don't mind the dirt! It's proof of how much effort you've put in, after all.
Member 3
Why aren't you angry at us...?
Misato
Angry at you? Why would I be? On the contrary, I should be the one apologizing...
Misato
You must have been surprised at first. For a special lecturer like me to suddenly take such an interest in your club...
Misato
But after seeing you put your all into this practice... I'm truly glad to have met such wonderful students as you.
Member 3
Are you actually serious...?
Misato
Yes, I'm quite serious!
Member 1
Gah ha ha ha! Just like I said! She's different from the others!
Member 2
I didn't think teachers like her actually existed...
Member 3
Hey, you. Is this teacher always like this?
Yuuki
1. "She even lets me rest on her lap."
Member 2 & 3
... What!?
Member 1
O-On her lap!?
Member 1
That's that thing, right? Letting him rest his head on her lap... And gently patting his head? Is that it!?
Yuuki
1. "Yes, it is."
Member 1
Why does a brat like this get to have such nice memories...
???
Ah, there you are!
Misato
Oh, my! Hatsune!
Hatsune
I'm here, too! Kiraaan!
Hatsune
Ah, but don't worry! I asked Aoi to handle the rest of Forestier's work!
Misato
Ha ha, that's a relief. But what of that outfit...?
Hatsune
When I heard that you were going to be the advisor for a beach baseball club, I really wanted to help!
Hatsune
So I thought I'd participate as a cheerleader, to support you, Yuuki, and all of the members, too!
Misato
My, my, it's so reassuring to have an ally like you on my side.
Member 1
Another young girl...? Seems like she's Yuuki's friend, too...
Member 2
Her name was... Hatsune. A bright, kind girl...
Member 3
I also didn't want to admit it, but when I look at our teacher...
Member 2
Yeah... She's super hot...
Member 1
I recognized that from the start! Our teacher's... Misato's charm!
Member 3
So you're on a first-name basis now... You're getting carried away.
Member 1
Hmm? I mean, I'm older than her, so it's fine.
Misato
Oh, my? Were you whispering secrets to each other just now? What could you have been talking about? I'd like to hear, too!
Member 1
T-The truth is... I kind of feel a certain way about you, Misato... Ow!
Member 3
Cut it out. It's not gonna happen. An old fogey like you just isn't her type.
Hatsune
Ah, you must be the members! I'm Hatsune. Pleased to meet you!
Hatsune
Aside from cheering you on, I can also help out with a lot of things, so if you're ever in need, just give me a ring! Kiraaan!
Member 2
Dokiiin!
Hatsune
Huh? Why'd you tense up like that all of a sudden? Are you sore from practice, or...
Member 2
N-No! It's nothing!
Hatsune
Really? Okay, I'm glad!
Member 2
... From the depths of suffering in our male-only baseball club, I can finally see the true meaning of youth...!
Member 2
H-Hatsune!
Hatsune
Yeah, what's up?
Member 2
Ah, no! I mean... Are you sure we don't have to call you 'Miss' or anything?
Hatsune
Yeah, of course!
Member 2
...! Hatsune! I'll work super hard in practice, so please watch me!
Member 3
Yeah. Please, cheer us on, Hatsune.
Hatsune
Yep, leave it to me! I'll make sure you're all fired up!
Member 2
Oooh! She's so reliable! Then, let's start practice!
Hatsune
Then, it's already my time to shine! Let's get pumped! Play on, play on! Go, fight! Go!
Member 2
Ha ha ha! Just from Hatsune's cheering, I feel like I can do anything!!
Member 2
Yeah. Hatsune's cheering is pretty good.
Yuuki
1. "Everyone, that's the spirit!"
Member 1
Please watch me closely, Misato! Watch my super play! Gah ha ha!
Misato
Hee hee, of course. I'll always be watching over you all. Do your best!
Member 1
Yeah!!
Asahi
Hey! What are you doing in those uniforms!?
Member 3
You're late, Asahi. You've gotta be more committed.
Member 1
Can't you tell? This is the club! It's your beloved beach baseball!
Hatsune
You must be the captain, Asahi! I'm your cheerleader, Hatsune! Pleased to meet you! Kiraaan!
Hatsune
It's fun to see everyone so motivated by my cheering! I think this is gonna be an exciting summer!
Member 3
Yeah. Let's make some great memories, Hatsune.
Asahi
Hey, wait a moment. Are you serious about this?
Member 3
Our eyes have been opened. Thanks to Miss Misato and Hatsune.
Misato
Asahi, could you lead practice for me? I still don't know much about beach baseball myself.
Asahi
Somehow, this is really happening... I understand, Miss Misato. Then, let's start practice!
Misato
Hee hee, thank you!
Later.
Asahi
So, make sure you throw at the chest of your partner. And when you catch, don't just try to grab it with one hand, but gently hold both hands together like this... That way, you can guarantee receiving the ball.
Member 1
At the chest... at the chest...
Misato
Everyone, remember, I said not to push yourselves, right? Resting is an important part of practice, too.
Member 1
Gah! Misato!? ... Ah!
Member 2
You, your control is totally awful! Whew... Miss Misato, you're not hurt, are you?
Misato
My, thank you! You're very quick on your feet. Have you played other sports before?
Member 2
Heh heh! I don't wanna brag, but I've always been pretty confident in my speed. Must've been from all that shoplifting... I mean, never mind.
Misato
Oh, my, I see! You must be skilled in apprehending shoplifters. I think you must have a very noble heart. How wonderful!
Member 2
... Yeah, let's go with that!
Asahi
Yeah, we'll be counting on that speed during games. And you two have a strong build, so I'm sure you'll be able to hit home runs.
Member 1
Wha... really? How do I do that? You're experienced, right? Teach me how!
Asahi
U-Um... Sorry. I don't have any tricks for hitting home runs. I've actually never swung in a real game before...
Asahi
I can teach the fundamentals pretty easily, but I don't think I can give any special advice for playing in national tournaments.
Member 3
Seriously... How can we make it into the national tournament then? Even our supervisor is an amateur.
Member 1
Then, who can teach us beach baseball? I wanna hit a huge home run!
Yuuki
1. "I have someone in mind."
Misato
Someone to serve as a coach? Then, could you ask them to come to practice next time?
Asahi
Hey, wait. It's not like hitting home runs is all you need to win a beach baseball game. Throwing, catching, hitting... You need to master all of those things.
Yuuki
1. "Leave it to me."
Asahi
Is there really someone that convenient who can be our coach...?
Hatsune
If Yuuki says so, then it'll be fine!
Member 2
Yeah, quit blabbering, Asahi! Hatsune said so! Right, Miss Misato?
Misato
Yes, there's no need to worry. He's a very dependable person.
After a drastic shift in their attitudes, the members of the club began practice. In order to resolve the various problems with the team, Yuuki planned to bring a coach to the team.