Episode 4: What Was Missing From the Team
Overcoming several days of special training with Kaya and the others, the members of the beach baseball team had been steadily improving.
Member 3
I'll slam this one... Puukichi Full Swing!
Member 1
Gah, I can't catch it!
Member 2
Yahoo! With my speed, I can run it down easily!
Misato
Oh my, what amazing progress. At this rate, the summer national tourmanent may no longer be just a dream. I have to thank Jun and the others for this.
Jun
No, we did nothing special. That they came this far was due to their own hard work... as well as your enthusiasm for them, Miss Misato.
Jun
The team has also gained a new member since we arrived. I can feel the enthusiasm in the air more than ever.
Jun
I'm certain that these members were brought together due to your influence on the club. That, too, is a testament to your efforts, Miss Misato. However...
Misato
Yes. There are only 8 people at practice right now.
Jun
There aren't many days left until the local qualifiers. All of this practice will be in vain if we cannot field a full team. We must find one more member...
Misato
It'll be all right. I'm not worried about the last member!
Kaya
Nice, you guys have gotten pretty good.
Member 2
Heh heh, it's 'cause of Hatsune's cheering!
Hatsune
Really? I'm glad I could help!
Hatsune
Seeing you all working so hard gets me pumped up, too! I could fight on forever like this! Yay!
Asahi
But I don't think we can win with just this much. Beach baseball is a team sport. Next, we should scrimmage to work on our teamwork!
Asahi
I'll be the pitcher, and you guys can play defense, Kaya. We should treat this as a real game and form a batting lineup.
Member 3
Then, I'll hit first.
Member 1
Wait, I should go first! If I start off with a home run, then it'll crush the other team's spirits!
Asahi
Wait up. I've already decided on the order. Sorry, but the first one up isn't either of you two.
Member 2
Then, is it me?
Asahi
Yeah. You're the fastest one out of all of us. You've got the best chance of making first base, so you should be the leadoff.
Misato
Ha ha, I think that would be perfect! Do your best!
Asahi
Second is you, old guy. You've got the power to hit for a home run, but you should also learn how to maximize our team's scoring opportunities.
Member 1
So I've just gotta figure out how to make us score more? Got it! Lemme get practicing then!!
Asahi
Hold on, now. I still haven't presented the rest of the lineup. Um, next is...
Later.
Asahi
... And finally, you're the last one, Yuuki. Don't misunderstand -- just because you're the final one in the order doesn't mean we're expecting any less of you. The last batter leads back into first one, after all. We'll be counting on you.
Asahi
Unlike our previous practice games, Kaya and the others will be playing defense, so be sure to run at top speed once you hit the ball. Then, let's get... started!
Kaya
Right off the bat, it's coming towards me. I've got this! ... Wait, seriously?
Member 2
Heh heh. Sorry, Kaya. I'm already on first base!
Kaya
Wow, he's pretty fast... Not bad!
Misato
Hee hee, he perfectly fulfilled the role of the first batter. Nice play!
Misato
If our first runners are like this, then momentum will be on the team's side. Keep it up!
Member 1
Next, I'll fire up the audience with the arc on my swing! Hi-yah! Hi-yah!
Member 1
Graaah! Quit loafing around! Hurry up and throw again, pitcher!
Asahi
No, that's already three strikes.
Misato
Oh my, don't get yourself down, okay? You'll do better the next time you're up!
Member 3
You're the one who's loafing around. How long are you going to stand at the plate? It's my turn now.
Member 3
Asahi isn't the only one with experience. I'll show you just how much of a beach baseball player I've become.
Asahi
... You two are swinging way too wildly. We're at strike two now.
Member 3
Ugh... But I'll get the next one. Hi-yah!
Asahi
!?
Misato
Oh, my!!
Member 3
How's that, a home run! I'm just as experienced as you are, so I'm not gonna hear any more sass.
Hatsune
Hmm... Isn't that a foul ball? It went way off to the right...
Misato
Ha ha, it sounds like you've studied the rules as well, Hatsune. How great!
Hatsune
Ehehe! I'm also a member of this beach baseball club, so I've gotta know the rules, too.
Hatsune
But it went super far! So it's no big deal! Just try the next one!
Member 3
Tch, a foul ball... But Asahi's pitches are nothing. You don't have guts like Kaya, you know?
Asahi
(That was just a lucky shot just now... But he's right that I'm no pitcher -- my throws are pretty weak. If only we could get him to be our pitcher, then in the real games, we'd definitely...)
Member 3
Hey, quit spacing out. You tired or something? Hurry up and throw! ... Hi-yah!!
Asahi
Like I said, you're swinging way too wildly. You need to keep in mind that we've got a runner on first base when you go up to bat.
Asahi
All right, next batter! Think about the state of play when you go up to bat, okay?
Later.
Asahi
We got some runners out, but the batting order isn't syncing up at all. Just getting a few lucky hits off isn't going to win us a real game!
Member 1
Sure, but... It's boring to swing without style.
Asahi
Why don't you listen to me... I'm saying we won't be able to win a real game like this...
Jun
The team members seem to be in disagreement. Is everything okay? I think you should offer some advice, as the advisor...
Misato
Ha ha, we've only just started playing beach baseball, but I think everyone has their own ideas about how to play.
Misato
If I were to step in, it may sap their enthusiasm for the game.
Misato
I think that a clash of opinions may be a good chance for them to understand each other's feelings better. Rather than imposing my one opinion on everyone, I think we should trust in their motivation to improve, and simply keep watching for now.
Jun
Hm... I see. If you say so, Miss Misato...
Asahi
This will never end at this rate... Let's switch gears for now and practice defense! Coaches, could you serve as the batters?
Asahi
Oh, and Ayane, try not to hit a home run. Or else we won't be able to get much practice.
Jun
You'd like to simulate playing as a team on defense? Very well. We'll hit the ball according to your directions.
Yuuki
1. "Where should I stand?"
Asahi
Hmm, good question...
Member 1
How about center? It'll be reassuring if I've got you backing me up!
Member 3
You normally get in lots of fights with monsters, right? Then, even if this is just a game, it'd probably be better for you to stand somewhere where you can watch the state of battle, so to speak. It seems like you've got a surprisingly good eye for small details.
Asahi
Understood. Then, you'll be the center, Yuuki! All right, let's get back to practice!
Kaya
I'm hitting first, right? Great, I was getting bored of just throwing. Hi-yah!
Yuuki
1. "I've got it!"
Member 2
Heh heh! No, I'm going! ... Ow!
Misato
Oh, dear! Those two ran into each other!
Member 2
Ow, ow... I thought I'd be able to make it in time, with my speed...
Asahi
That was a ball that the center should've gotten. As the second baseman, you're outside of your area.
Member 2
Ugh... I thought I'd be able to make a big play, but it was all for nothing!
Asahi
On defense, it's important to coordinate catching as a team. The surrounding players as well as the bench will be shouting directions, so you need to listen closely.
Misato
The bench can offer support as well, right? I'll be shouting loudly to help you make the best plays possible!
Misato
It's headed for first or second! Try hard to catch it!
Member 1 & 2
Gah...?
Misato
Oh, my... The two of them were staring at each other, and the ball slipped by.
Member 1
Wasn't that your ball? If I went for it, no one would've been on first to get the runner out!
Member 2
No, that was your ball! You can't just stand on base forever -- you've gotta move sometimes! Or are you all tired out, old man!?
Asahi
Cut it out, you two! You should've been able to catch it if you'd communicated better!
Misato
My, my, calm down, all right? Haven't we gotten a little too worked up over practice?
Misato
It's certainly frustrating that the play didn't go the way you'd thought, isn't it? But that's also proof of how much progress you've made.
Misato
Because if you hadn't improved, then you wouldn't even be thinking about these things now. Hee hee, seeing you put so much into your play is truly nice.
Asahi
We've certainly improved. But everyone is still thinking only of themselves, so we can't work well together as a team. We won't be able to succeed in a real game like this...
Asahi
Everyone, do you remember how our coaches were moving when they were playing defense earlier? Jun was calling out directions, and Kaya and the others followed them closely, right?
Asahi
Nobody was out of place, and there were no breakdowns in teamwork.
Member 1
But, as much as it might be bad to say this, it felt really boring.
Member 2
Yeah. It wasn't flashy, and nobody was making huge plays...
Asahi
Big plays are born from ordinary plays. If everyone goes for flashy plays, then that just means everyone's trying to be lucky. ... And we can't win a real game that way!
Member 3
So you're telling us to make boring plays. Sorry if I've never been in a real game before.
Member 2
Yeah... Way to rain on our parade.
Asahi
H-Hey, hold on! We've worked hard to come this far!
Misato
My, my... Please, wait. Everyone, please gather around.
Misato
Will you be good children and listen to what your teacher has to say?
Member 1
Y-Yeah...
Misato
Ha ha. So, everyone wants to make cool plays in the game, right? But, even in practice, I've already seen plenty of cool things from all of you.
Member 2
I'm glad, but that's not it! I want to make flashy plays that'll have everyone falling over me!
Misato
My, my... Then, could all of you share your thoughts with me?
Misato
Emerging as the star of the game... Having the attention of everyone in the stadium on you... What do you imagine that scene being?
Member 1
That's obvious! It'd be when I hit a home run!!
Member 2
It's clearly when I chase down the ball and catch it!
Misato
Mmm, all good answers. But... I think I have something even more glorious in mind.
Member 3
What are you saying? What could be better than hitting it out of the park?
Misato
Ha ha. That would be winning the game, and celebrating your victory together as a team.
Misato
In that moment, you'll be able to hear the cheers and the applause of all of the fans in the stands. All of you will be in the same position, sharing that most brilliant achievement of all.
Misato
Even if you make incredible plays during the game, if you can't experience that final happiness together, then it would be a great shame...
Misato
I want to celebrate our victory together. And I trust that all of you share that same feeling.
Misato
And I think that, as the good kids that you are, all of you will do what you need to do in order to secure that.
Member 3
Winning is the greatest achievement... huh.
Member 2
Now that you say it, that sounds right. It's a bit of a shame to have to share the spotlight, but it beats losing by a long shot!
Member 1
That's our Misato! She always knows what to say!
Asahi
Everyone...! All right, then, let's pick up where we left off!
Members
Yeah!
Misato
Ha ha, how wonderful that everyone can recognize the important things.
Jun
Indeed. Your words have changed their way of thinking completely.
Misato
That's not so. All of them shared the same thoughts to begin with... They all wanted to win. All I did was help them realize what they needed to do for that.
Misato
Not to mention, all I can do is watch from the bench -- I can't make plays on the field with them. So instead, it's my duty to support them however I can.
Later.
Misato
All right, good work at practice! Let's wrap up for today! I'm so happy to see how much you've grown!
Member 3
Yeah... I guess teamwork is surprisingly all right. It feels pretty good to see that our batting lineup really works.
Misato
Oh, my, I'm so glad to hear it! Then, this practice has been a great success. How do the rest of you feel?
Asahi
There's one more thing the team needs to do. And it's pretty important, too...
Member 3
What? You got more complaints about our play? You're a part of this team, too, you know.
Asahi
No, you all did really well. Considering how inexperienced you all were not long ago, I never thought that you'd improve this quickly.
Misato
My... Then, what has you concerned now?
Asahi
That's... We don't have an ace for our team. I've been pitching the ball in practice so far, but I honestly don't think I'd be able to cut it in a real game.
Misato
I see that you're really more of a catcher, Asahi.
Member 1
Isn't that bad news?
Misato
Yes... I suppose we'll have to ask him after all.
Asahi
You mean...?
Misato
Yes, exactly. We'll have to speak with Daichi again! We'll only be a complete team once all of our members are assembled.
Member 1
But... He hasn't shown up to practice ever since we started the club back up for real. Does he seriously hate beach baseball now?
Asahi
... No! There's no way Daichi could ever hate beach baseball!
Member 1
W-Why are you shouting!?
Misato
My, Asahi, do you know the reason why Daichi hasn't shown up?
Asahi
Daichi... He quit the club...
Misato
My, my, my...
Member 3
Hey, you. Why haven't you said anything about that until now? None of us knew. You shouldn't have kept this from us for this long!
Asahi
I know you're right. But it wouldn't make sense if it came from my mouth... I want you to ask him directly.
Member 3
Ask him -- but school is out tomorrow. And we don't have time to wait until next week.
Asahi
I know where Daichi goes on the weekends. So let's go tomorrow.
Misato
Let's do it!
The next day, Asahi showed Misato and the others to where Daichi would be, to hear why he left the club.