Episode 3: The Magic Words to a Home Run
It was the next day, when Yuuki had promised to invite a coach.
Misato
Everyone, it's time to start today's practice! Let's do our best!
Member 1
Yeah!
Member 3
Hey, Asahi. Who's this coach that Yuuki said he'd bring?
Asahi
Who knows... We don't know who he's going to bring, so let's just work on the fundamentals until he shows up.
Kaya
Yo! I'm here. So this is the beach baseball field, huh. You guys look like you're up to something fun, too. My arms are already itching!
Yuuki
1. "Thanks for coming today."
Member 1
Ugh! K-Kaya!?
Kaya
Hmm? You know me? Have I met you somewhere?
Member 1
Uh, no... Never mind.
Member 2
Heh heh, what were you so shocked about?
Member 1
Um, no... It's just that lately, I've heard rumors of a pretty fearsome prize fighter... She's a member of a gang, too...
Kaya
What're you whispering about over there?
Member 1
N-Nothing! Um... So, are you here to be our...?
Kaya
Yeah, Yuuki asked me. A favor between friends. Just leave it to me to whip you into shape.
Member 1
He said he'd bring a coach, and here she is... And to think that she'd be that prize fighter, too... Just what kind of connections does Yuuki have?
Member 3
Yeah. There's more to this guy than we can see. He's not bringing anyone else, is he...?
Jun
Apologies for keeping you.
Member 3
Wha...! The captain of Nightmare!?
Jun
Ah, yes. I'm Jun. Pleased to meet you. Yuuki asked me to come.
Kaya
(Huh, the captain of Nightmare... Yuuki said he'd be asking some people aside from me, but I didn't think it'd be someone like her...)
Jun
(Hmm? Those wings and that tail... This must be that girl from the gang that Tomo and the others infiltrated, that one time...)
Jun & Kaya
......
Asahi
E-Excuse me? What has the two of you so silent?
Jun
No, it's nothing. I hope we can work well together. Kaya... I believe your name was?
Kaya
Yeah, likewise. Looks like our friend asked us the same favor. I'm here to have some fun playing beach baseball. Sound good? Captain.
Jun
Yes, I wish for the same.
Member 1
Ooh... I dunno what's going on, but the whole atmosphere changed all of a sudden... We're on the beach, but things got cold in an instant...
Member 3
To bring these two wild cards together, that Yuuki isn't any ordinary person after all...
Ayane
Ah, there you are! Big brother!
Yuuki
1. "There, that should be everyone."
Ayane
Ehehe, what are we gonna do today? Swimming in the ocean? Or making sand castles?
Member 2
The atmosphere changed again...
Member 1
It's changing too much!! I'm getting whiplash! ... Hey, young lady. This is no place for children. Be a good girl and run along home before you get hurt, okay?
Puukichi
"Hey, stay away from Ayane!"
Member 1
Gah! The stuffed bear talked!?
Ayane
It's Puukichi! He's a part of my family!
Puukichi
"Yeah, that's right. Got it?"
Member 1
Got it... No, I don't get it at all.
Member 3
Hey, Yuuki. I get why Kaya and Jun are here, but why did you bring this child here?
Yuuki
1. "Ayane will be an effective coach as well."
Member 3
What are you talking about... You're saying this little girl can teach us beach baseball?
Asahi
It's hopeless after all... The summer national tournament will only ever be just a dream...
Ayane
Hey, hold on. Are you making fun of me? Big brother, say something!
Yuuki
1. "Let's try some batting."
Ayane
G-Got it. If that's what you want!
Kaya
Then, I'll be throwing. He asked to be the pitcher, after all.
Kaya
He must've invited you here, too. Which means I'm confident that I can go all out. You do the same, all right?
Ayane
Yeah! Let's do this, Puukichi!
Asahi & Others
Huh...?
Misato
Oh, my!
Ayane
Eh, what? Why did everyone get quiet all of a sudden?
Member 1
N-No, I mean, that was an incredible hit, but it was probably just beginner's luck! Yeah, just a lucky shot!
Kaya
Hey, you're pretty good! I knew he must've invited you for a reason. Let's show them that it wasn't just luck... There!
Ayane
Eh? Ah, yeah! Puukichi Full Swing!!
Asahi & Others
......
Asahi
A-Amazing...! That swing speed, that rotation about the waist, that grip on the bat, they're all perfect... It's not luck -- Ayane's a world-class slugger!
Puukichi
"Now you get it. Don't you owe Ayane an apology for looking down on her?"
Member 1
Yes, Mister Puukichi... Ayane, I'm sorry for making fun of you. Please, teach me the way to hit a home run!
Puukichi
"Ah, there you go. Apology accepted."
Asahi
A-All right! Let's start practice! We'll learn batting from Ayane!
Misato
Ha ha. Coaches, we'll be in your care for today!
Later.
Ayane
Why can't you guys hit, though? Aren't you beach baseball players?
Member 3
Gah...!
Kaya
Aw, man. With such crappy batting, pitching is getting boring, too.
Ayane
Let me demonstrate for you one more time! Kaya, please! ... Puukichi Full Swing!
Ayane
See? Isn't it simple?
Kaya
Man, it actually feels good to see it hit like that. That shout sounds cool, too.
Asahi
Shout...? Well, anyway, we should try imitating Ayane when we hit.
Member 3
I can imitate just fine. But can someone tell us how we're supposed to do the rest?
Asahi
It's not just the motions, but the shout, too. When she says "Puukichi Full Swing."
Member 3
What...? How can we say something that embarrassing? If we have to say stuff like that, then I quit.
Hatsune
Everyone, I brought some refreshments! Some cold juice and sweet fruits! I thought you were all probably getting tired by now!
Hatsune
So, how's practice going? Well?
Member 3
...! Hatsune, you're just in time -- I was about to hit a home run.
Hatsune
Really? Show me, show me!
Kaya
Honestly. What a bluffer. Hey, you ready? Hi-yah!
Member 3
(I can't afford to look bad here. Ugh, I've got no choice...)
Member 3
P-Puukichi Full Swiiing!
Member 3
I-I hit it... I hit it! Did you see that, Hatsune?
Hatsune
Ah, sorry! I was talking to Yuuki and I missed it!
Member 3
Ugh... Well, okay. I'll just have to keep hitting home runs until you look this way.
Asahi
B-But hey, just like that, you learned the trick to batting! We should practice, too! The key is to shout, Puukichi Full Swing!
Members
Yeah!
Member 1
Puukichi Full Swiiing!!
Asahi
Nice! Just like that!
Member 1
How's that, Misato!? My specialty home run!
Misato
... Oh, my? I'm sorry, I was reading the rule book, so I missed it...
Misato
There are so many regulations to keep track of... But as the team manager, I have to remember them well.
Member 1
Ugh... But, er, it's great that our advisor is so serious about learning the rules...!
Kaya
I know it's practice, but I'm getting bored of this batting exhibition. Hey, is it all right if I get serious about throwing now?
Member 1
Gah ha ha! At this point, I can hit a home run off of any ball! I'm not afraid of no gangs! Bring it on!
Kaya
Oh, really? Then, I'll be putting my full strength into my throws now. No regrets now, okay? ... Hi-yah!
Member
...!? What speed... And the ball lit on fire! Are beach baseballs supposed to turn into fireballs!?
Yuuki
1. "I think only Kaya could throw them this way."
Asahi
But if we become capable of responding to that speed, then we'll should definitely be able to hit anything!
Kaya
Hey, hey, where'd all that swagger go? That was barely half of my full power.
Member 1
W-What...!? One more time! I'll hit the next one!
Kaya
Yeah, that's the spirit. Then, here we go... Hi-yah!
Member 1
Puuki...!?
Kaya
Ahaha. What's with that weak posture? You've gotta swing the bat, you know. C'mon, show me what you've learned.
Member 1
Grrr... Say all you want, but there's no way I can hit such a crazy pitch!
Misato
Oh, my, your hands are shaking. Are you okay? In case you're sore, I have medicine for that, so let me know, okay?
Member
Gah ha ha! It's nothing! Next time, I'll be hitting a gigantic home run!
Kaya
Whoa, you've got guts. Maybe I underestimated you. All right, let's keep going... Hi-yah! Ah. My finger slipped.
Asahi
The ball's flying for your head! Watch out!
Member 1
If it hits me, will Misato look after me!? No, wait, I'll probably die!? Ugh... Grrrr, Puukichi Full Swing!!
Kaya
Wha!?
Asahi
He hit that dangerous pitch!? I guess he's better at hitting errant pitches. I can't decide whether that's strange or fitting...
Member 1
Heh... Miss Misato, how was that? Did you see my home run?
Misato
Oh, my, my! How wonderful! If you can hit such a fast ball, then you'll surely succeed in a real game as well!
Member 1
Gah ha ha! That was nothing! It wasn't just a fluke -- that was my true power! Kaya! Aim another one at my face!
Kaya
Is this guy serious... Guess I've got no choice. Hi-yah!!
Misato
Ha ha, show me another home run!
Member 1
Misato! ... Gah!?
Kaya
You idiot! Don't look away! That ball just dinged you right in the face!
Asahi
His face is on fire! Someone, get some water from the ocean!!
Member 1
M-Misato... How was my performance... Guh...
Kaya
Ah, man. He could seriously die like this. I'm a bit tired out too, so I'm gonna take a break. Let's change pitchers.
Hatsune
Then, I'll be throwing next! It looks fun, so I've wanted to try it for a while! Let's go! Here!
Member 2
The ball's path is curving crazily!? I can't hit that!
Asahi
Amazing, Hatsune! How'd you throw that changeup just now?
Hatsune
Um, well... Uh... It was psy... Gulp.
Asahi
Eh? Psy...
Yuuki
1. "It was nothing."
Hatsune
Yeah, that's right... It was nothing... Zzz...
Asahi
She fell asleep just like that!? It's dangerous to sleep in the middle of the field like that -- let's bring her to the bench...
Asahi
Um... We don't have a pitcher now, so let's wrap up batting practice for now. Next up is...
Jun
It's my turn. We'll be practicing defense now.
Member 3
Special training from the captain of Nightmare... I wonder what kind of strict exercises she has planned for us.
Member 2
But being on the receiving end of the captain's harshness... There's something to it. I'm looking forward to it... Heh heh.
Jun
Quit whispering over there. Let's begin. Everyone, put on a glove.
Later.
Jun
Why aren't you putting your body in the ball's path? Act like there are innocent civilians behind you who you must protect. If we don't stop the ball, then they'll all be put in harm's way.
Member 1
Can we have a quick break... My face still feels hot...
Jun
There are no breaks in battle! Now, stand up. We're doing it again.
Member 3
Damn... That Yuuki... He brought a real devil of a coach...
Member 2
Pant, pant... I take back what I said before... I can't take any more... I only wanted the last thing I saw in life to be the real Suzuna... Gulp.
???
Smarty, yo! Nice weather today!
Member 2
... Huh? Whose bright voice is that...? That "yo"... Ah! It couldn't be!
Suzuna
What're you all up to? Are you working out or something? Here, have some refreshments. This'll perk you right up!
Member 2
S-S-Suzuna!? The fashion model, Suzuna!? Am I hallucinating...? No, it's really her? Why is Suzuna here!?
Yuuki
1. "I asked Suzuna to come."
Member 2
Whaaat!? You're Suzuna's friend, too!? Oh, sign my album... Wait, damn! I lent it to Daichi!
Io
Miss Misato, cheers for the hard work. I heard what you were doing from Yuuki, so I thought I'd come by to send my greetings.
Misato
Oh, my, Miss Io! Thank you very much. We're all working hard at practice right now!
Io
What wonderful spirit! I'm sure that your guidance will lead them to great things, Miss Misato.
Member 3
Why does Yuuki know so many sexy ladies like them...? He looks like an airhead, but there's really something crazy going on with him.
Member 1
I've done my share of bad stuff, but I don't even have a single girl who I'm as close to... How can I become as popular as him...?
Member 3
I don't care about your popularity. But if Yuuki joins us, then we could become an incredible team.
Member 3
Hey, Yuuki. You wanna play beach baseball with us?
Hatsune
... Yawn. What were we talking about just now? Wait, what about practice?
Asahi
Hatsune, are you awake? We were just about to invite Yuuki to join our club.
Hatsune
That sounds great! If you play beach baseball too, then I'll work even harder to cheer for you! Let's do it together!
Misato
Yes, I agree! You're serving as my assistant right now, but you're the same age as the students in this school, so I think it'll be fine!
Suzuna
Kya ha ha! It'd be super funny if you played! But I feel like it'd suit you! Cause it's you, Smarty!
Io
Your goal is the summer national tournament, right? I think it'll be a difficult road, but if you're there, then I'm sure you can do it. I'll be eagerly looking forward to seeing your performance.
Yuuki
1. "I'll do my best together with everyone."
Misato
How wonderful to hear your motivation! Then, allow me to handle the necessary procedures.
Hatsune
Yay! Yuuki, let's go to the national tournament together! It's a promise! Kiraaan!
Suzuna
Everyone! I'll come to watch your matches, so play well with Yuuki! I'll also drop by practice on my days off!
Member 2
To think that Suzuna will be cheering for us...!! Yeaaaah!!! Jun, please continue!
Jun
Very well. Then, we'll turn the intensity up another notch. There isn't much time until the tournament, after all.
Asahi & Others
Yes, ma'am!!
Spurred on by such loud cheers, the members were filled with a new level of motivation, and they underwent intensive training with their special coaches.