Media

Episode 5: Renewing a Promise Once Made


Translated by Arctic Passerine

Misato and the beach baseball club followed Asahi's directions to reach where Daichi was.

Misato
Is Daichi really here? There only seem to be a bunch of older people here...

Asahi
Yes, there's no doubt. Look, there...

Daichi
Hey, the ball's headed that way!

Misato
My, you're right! And he's playing beach baseball, too... Asahi, how did you know about this?

Asahi
One time, I was going on a run around here when I heard Daichi's voice. I was curious, and when I came to check the beach, I spotted him mingling with these grown-ups.

Member 1
That means he doesn't actually hate beach baseball? Then we'll just have to drag him by the neck back to the club right away. Hey, Daichi!

Asahi
Wait!

Daichi
Huh? ... You guys, why are you here?

Member 3
We're the ones with questions. Why did you keep quiet about quitting the club!?

Daichi
... Asahi, you told them!?

Asahi
S-Sorry... But we need you, Daichi! With our current team, I'm sure you'll be able to play some real beach baseball with us!

Daichi
Are you seriously? Not long ago, these guys had never even thrown a ball!

Member 3
Don't look down on us. Our training has put us through the pits of hell.

Misato
Ha ha, it's true. We've been practicing intensely until quite late every day, and they've all become quite impressive players.

Adult
Ah, Daichi. Are those your teammates from the club...?

Daichi
No way! These guys aren't players!

Misato
My, what a problem... We'd truly like you to return, Daichi, so won't you?

Daichi
You're stubborn... Just give it up.

Misato
Ha ha, I'm your teacher, and I could never give up on any of my students.

Misato
Not to mention, for you to be playing beach baseball here after quitting the club, your true feelings must be...

Daichi
Ugh... Shut up! You don't get to decide things for me!

Adult
Daichi had always been watching our baseball field from outside. So, one day, we asked him if he wanted ot play. We were surprised to find just how skilled he was.

Daichi
Don't tell them all that! You just didn't have enough players, so it was only natural for me to step in!

Misato
My, my... So you do still like beach baseball after all.

Asahi
Hey, Daichi. You really do enjoy it, right? So come play with the club... We'll pursue our dreams again. We made a promise, right? We were going to make it to the national tournament!

Daichi
I know that! But it doesn't matter! Just forget about it!

Misato
Then, how about this? We're all beach baseball players here, so let's have a game!

Misato
If we win, then you have to consider coming back to the club. But if you win, then we'll promise not to try to convince you again. How about it?

Asahi
A game... You mean, we'll be playing against Daichi and those grown-ups?

Misato
Yes, exactly. Ah, but our team doesn't have enough members, so we'll have to ask one of the grown-ups to fill in for us.

Daichi
Hmph, as if you could win against my team! You don't have a chance.

Misato
Ha ha, we'll see about that! Everyone, let's show Daichi our true abilities!

Member 1
Misato can be pretty pushy, huh... But hey, that's just fine, too!

Asahi
A game against Daichi's team... I wonder if we'll be able to hit his pitches at all...

Asahi
But this is our only way to get Daichi back...! Everyone, remember what you learned in practice, and hit them with all you've got!

Members
Yeah!

Daichi
Hmph... You've got guts, if anything. Do your best.

Misato
Thank you for participating in this practice match against us. I'm their advisor, Misato. I look forward to working with you today.

Adult
Not at all -- playing against a team of young players will be good exercise for us, too.

Adult
But, Daichi. Are you sure you don't want to pitch?

Daichi
Yeah. They'd never be able to keep up with my pitches. They're amateurs, so I'll go easy on them.

Adult
All right. Then, I'll throw the first pitch.

Asahi
He's taking us lightly...!? Everyone! We have to force Daichi to recognize our true strength, so that he'll pitch against us! And then, we'll hit those pitches right back at him!

Misato
Ha ha, that's the spirit! Get excited! Then, let's begin our practice game!

Member 2
Heh heh, I'll show you what I can do then! ... Yah!

Adult
A safety bunt on the first pitch!? And he's fast, too!

Misato
Great! Safe!

Member 2
Hyah hah! Hey, Daichi! What do you think of that!?

Daichi
Hmph...

Member 1
He doesn't think much of it... This guy's never satisfied!

Member 1
I'll wake him up with my batting! Let's go! Puukichi Full Swing!

Adult
Ah!? Daichi, the ball's coming for you!

Daichi
... There.

Member 1
This damn guy... Catching my ball like that! And since when was he standing there? I thought he was farther forward...

Asahi
Probably, when he saw your forceful swing, he predicted where your ball would land, and moved there in advanced. It wasn't a flashy play, but it's proof that Daichi is a top-rate player.

Member 1
Ugh... I don't like it, but I can see that he's good. Hey, guys, playtime is over! Get serious!

Member 3
I don't need you to say that. I'm been serious from the start. I'll go for a home run... Hi-yah!

Misato
Amazing! A two-run home run! Your practice has certainly paid off. Great work!

Member 3
That was nothing compared to Kaya's pitches. You guys, keep the energy going.

Adult
Oh! I could never hit it like that when I was still a student. They're pretty good! Don't you think, Daichi?

Daichi
Hmph... They've gotten some practice, but it's nothing special. We just can't throw them such softball pitches anymore.

Adult
Ahaha, but I was pitching quite seriously just now. Don't worry. I'm not holding back.

Later.

Misato
It's finally the last inning. You're not tired, are you? We're five points behind, but we can definitely come back! Everyone, fight your way back into it!

Asahi
Sorry, everyone. We scored two points in the first inning, but my pitching has given them more hits than I'd expected...

Misato
Ha ha. It's all right. The rest of us will make up for the hits you've allowed! Don't lose the spirit of teamwork!

Member 1
Exactly, Misato! For every hit they get off of you, I'll just have to get one more myself! Gah ha ha ha!

Member 3
I've gotten a read on the opposing pitcher, so I'll hit a home run no problem this time.

Asahi
Thanks, everyone. But I'll also help to make up for it myself with my batting!

Misato
My, a double! Let's keep it up!

Later.

Misato
... Safe! The first batter is on base! This is our final-inning comeback!

Member 2
You see that, Daichi!? This is no time to slack off!

Adult
Hmm... This may be all I can do. If I keep pitching like this, we'll throw the game to them... And my shoulder is getting sore, too... Daichi, what do we do?

Daichi
Ugh, I guess there's no choice! All right, I'm pitching!

Misato
My, my, it looks like Daichi is pitching now. The real challenge starts now!

Asahi
Daichi's throwing with his right hand!? We haven't seen that before...!

Misato
Asahi, what do you mean?

Asahi
He's left-handed!

Daichi
Oh, Asahi. You remembered. Hmph, have you never gone up against a serious pitcher before?

Member 1
This guy... He's always looking down on us!

Misato
My... So this is something that we've never encountered before... Just remain calm and concentrate on your own play. Can everyone do that?

Member 1
Got it, Miss Misato!

Member 1
Hey, Daichi. I'm not holding back anymore, either! I'll make you eat those arrogant words!

Daichi
Hmph. Always confident, aren't you? ... Hi-yah!

Member 1
Huh!? What speed!

Member 3
Daichi is left-handed, isn't he? How can he throw so quickly with his non-dominant hand?

Asahi
He's practiced enough that he can throw insane pitches with even his right hand...

Asahi
He's got good instincts, too, so he can do this with even his non-dominant arm... That's just how good of a player he is...

Member 1
Damn! Three strikes! This guy's pitches are crazy! Respect your elders!!

Member 3
He's going to blow through our batting lineup just like that -- can we really win against Daichi?

Member 1
Idiot! Don't say that now! Even my confidence is fading away now...

Misato
My, my, it's rare to hear such fear. What's the matter?

Member 1
Misato... When I see the way he throws...

Misato
Ha ha, so that's what you're worried about. But there's no need to worry... Just remember. You've practiced a huge amount up until now, haven't you?

Misato
This is your big chance to show him what you've achieved in this game... And then, once you get him back into the club, we'll move onto the summer national tournament, won't we?

Misato
If you bear those dreams in your hearts, then you... Or rather, we can overcome anything!

Asahi
... Thank you, Miss Misato. You're right, we have that dream! And we can't give up on it here!

Member 1
... I didn't need anyone to tell me that! Miss Misato, I was never even thinking about giving up!

Misato
Ha ha, I'm glad you're all back in your usual spirits! Then, let's focus on the game!

Daichi
Hey, are you done chatting over there?

Member 3
Shut up. I'll hit. I'm ready for anything now.

Daichi
Is that right... Then, hit this if you can!

Daichi
(Do those guys seriously think they can hit my pitches? They should just give up... Who cares about the tournament? Who cares about the club?)

Daichi
... Damn it!!

Member 3
Graaaah!!

Misato
My, my... Ever since Daichi took over, the strikes have continued... We haven't hit a single ball...

Member 3
Come at me, Daichi! I'm not afraid of your pitches!

Daichi
(Are they idiots? Idiots giving their all... Just like me, back then!)

Daichi
(If these idiots had been in the club from the start...! If they'd been there, then maybe...!)

Daichi
... Gahh!!

Member 3
Damn it... I didn't even graze it! But next time. Next time, I'll definitely hit it!

Daichi
Are you stupid? It's already the last inning. There won't be a next time!

Asahi
But we only have two outs. The game isn't over yet. We won't be giving up until the very last strike.

Daichi
What nonsense. You won't even be able to graze any of my pitches, let alone hit them! ... Grrah!

Asahi
I've got it!

Misato
It's a foul ball, but we've finally hit a ball! You can do it, Asahi!

Asahi
Yeah... This works. Next!

Daichi
It was just luck. Don't get carried away...! I'll show you how pointless this really is!

Asahi
Daichi's changing gloves...!? He's finally getting serious about pitching. Then, I'll make sure to get the next one!

Daichi
This will finish it! Grah!!

Daichi
... Hmph!

Misato
What speed... This is Daichi at his most serious...!

Asahi
Hey, Asahi. Where'd that confidence go? It's been a while since you've seen my pitches -- you pissing yourself yet?

Asahi
Ugh...

A flashback.

Asahi
Nice, Daichi! You're in top form today!

Daichi
Of course! No one can touch my pitches. Here's another!!

Asahi
...! That was even faster than the one before!

Daichi
Hmph, I can do even more in a game. Don't piss yourself, okay?

Asahi
Ha ha, no one's pissing themselves here. But I'm sure that, if you pitch at the nationals, then the whole crowd will be.

Daichi
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. If I'm with you, then we can definitely make it.

Asahi
We can't just settle for going to the nationals. We've gotta dream bigger. We've gotta win the championship!

Daichi
There it is. But yeah, you're right. If I'm with you, Asahi, then we'll be able to win!

Asahi
Yeah! We'll make it come true! That dream of ours!

End of flashback.

Asahi
... How many thousands of times have I received Daichi's pitches? Pitches that nobody can hope to hit.

Asahi
Nobody knows more about Daichi's pitching than me. His strength, his habits... And where he decides to throw.

Daichi
Huh? What are you mumbling about? You gonna forfeit the game before your third strike?

Yuuki
1. "You can't give up until the end!"

Asahi
That's right... I can't give up... on our dream!

Daichi
Tch... I see. Then, let's finish this! Hi-yahhh!!

Asahi
I'm going to the nationals with you!! Graaaah!!!

Daichi
What!?

Asahi
I-I got it...? I... hit Daichi's pitch...?

Misato
You did it! Your first home run, Asahi! Congratulations!!

Misato
Now, the game isn't over yet! Let's make our comeback!

Later.

Misato
... Game set.

Daichi
... We won. Go home now.

Member 1
Damn it! Even though Asahi hit Daichi's pitch...!

Asahi
That's the game, old man...

Asahi
Thank you, too, Yuuki. Thanks for encouraging me right before that home run.

Adult
Good work. That was a great game. And you have a truly wonderful team.

Misato
Daichi... As promised, we won't try to convince you again. Our apologies for asking you so many times.

Misato
But I think you've seen just how committed we are to our efforts. I hope you can come away understanding that much.

Daichi
... Maybe.

Asahi
Now you should understand why we came to try to bring you back to the club, Daichi. This is the new beach baseball club.

Daichi
... Yeah, I get it. You're serious about playing beach baseball now... You were pretty tough for a bunch of amateurs...

Daichi
... Damn it! If the team had been this way back then, I would've stayed in the club all along...!

Misato
My, speaking of reasons... We still haven't heard why you left the club in the first place. Could you tell us what happened?

Asahi
Um, well...

Daichi
It's fine, Asahi... I'll tell you everything.

Daichi
See, I... Ever since I was little, my name's been kind of well-known in beach baseball.

Asahi
Yeah. Everyone in our generation knows about him.

Daichi
Of course, my dream was to win the championship at the summer national tournament. So I joined the beach baseball club as soon as I entered this school.

Daichi
There were a lot of other schools trying hard to recruit me, but I specifically wanted to come to this school.

Daichi
Because I remembered watching the national tournament as a kid, the one time this school made it. I thought that, if I came here, then I'd definitely be able to achieve that dream.

Daichi
There was another person who came to this school for the same reason. That was Asahi.

Misato
My! What a wonderful way to meet!

Asahi
That's why we pulled together a team, and really put our all into making it happen back then. Since there wasn't an advisor, we really had to go above and beyond.

Asahi
But, when our upperclassmen graduated, a lot of the motivation went with them. Nobody wanted to take practice seriously anymore...

Daichi
I couldn't stand the way things were going, so one day, I had a pretty big argument with the other people.

Daichi
It was just a small disagreement at first, but when I heard them making fun of my... no, of our dream, I snapped, and without thinking...

Misato
My, my, my... How could such a thing have happened...

Daichi
The principal found out about it. I was still overcome with anger, so I ended up feuding with the principal as well, and he became extremely upset...

Daichi
They didn't want word of this little scandal to spread beyond the school walls, so in order to put a lid on it, they announced that they would be abolishing the club.

Daichi
And then, I and the upperclassmen all decided to quit. I was the one who caused the disturbance in the first place... So I thought, without me, they wouldn't need to abolish the club.

Daichi
I entered this school thinking that the nationals would one day return to this place, and I didn't want to let it all go to waste by having the club abolished...

Misato
My... But why did you keep this secret until now? If you had said something earlier, I may have been able to help...

Daichi
It should be obvious. It'd be uncool to admit that I quit the club because of the principal. There's no way I could say that!

Member 1
I'd only been in this club to slack off, so I never knew that something like that had happened...

Daichi
Maybe the whole reason you started loitering around the field was because, somewhere in your heart, you also wanted to be near where they played beach baseball, old man.

Member 3
I remember the time you started hanging out with us was around the same time you said you were quitting beach baseball. I guess that's why.

Daichi
Well, there are other reasons that we started getting along. I never thought you guys would be fans of Suzuna's, too. Even without the club, I still thought of you as friends.

Daichi
But, even if I had made up my mind to leave the club, I was still going to pursue my dream wherever I could. I guess that's why I came here to play beach baseball.

Misato
What terribly sad memories... Thank you for telling us, Daichi.

Asahi
When all of that went down, I was working a day shift... By the time I made it to practice, you'd already made up your mind to quit... I couldn't do anything...

Daichi
Don't worry about it. If you'd been there, even you might've decided to quit, too.

Asahi
I can't just let it go! Because there's only been one reason I've stayed in this club all this time! And that was you, Daichi!

Asahi
I never wanted to give up on the dream I shared with you! That's why I tried to make this club a place you could come back to... It was for your dream!

Daichi
Asahi... You've been doing that all this time by yourself...?

Asahi
Why else? It was my dream, too. ... But now, it's not just our dream any longer!

Misato
Ha ha, that's right. You have friends you can rely on now!

Member 3
Yeah, we all dream of the same thing. You should've realized that the moment our game started.

Daichi
But... You still have the principal to deal with, right? It's not like he'd let me back in so easily.

Misato
It's all right, Daichi. Even you didn't believe in our commitment until you saw us play, right?

Misato
But now, we've been able to share these dreams with each other face-to-face.

Misato
So, let's share these same feelings of not wanting to give up with the principal as well!

Later.

Misato
Mister Principal, excuse me! Do you have a little time?

Principal
Of course, Miss Misato. ... Hm, Daichi is with you. What's this about?

Daichi
I want to talk about something. Um...

Misato
Hey, Daichi. Be honest about your feelings.

Daichi
Tch... I know. Principal, it's about the club.

Principal
What? You've already quit, so what is this about? It has nothing to do with you any longer.

Misato
Well, well, Mister Principal. Please listen to his feelings until the very end.

Daichi
Yeah, even I think it's pretty pathetic to be talking about these things now.

Daichi
I know I flew into a rage and quit the club that day... But in the end, I don't want to give up on my dream. So please... Allow me to join the club again!

Principal
Hmm... I can see you've changed your attitude... However, the procedures for your withdrawal have already been processed. Not to mention, the beach baseball club is to be abolished anyway.

Daichi
What...!?

Misato
But that isn't decided yet, is it? We had a promise that, if we made an appearance at the national tournament this year, then the club would be allowed to continue.

Principal
Ah, yes. However, that is only a dream. When will you wake up to this fact, Miss Misato?

Misato
I have no intention of giving up. All of the members of the club are making great strides towards this dream!

Daichi
Yeah, exactly! So, for Asahi and the others' sake, please give me another chance! I don't want to let their efforts go to waste!

Misato
Daichi, well said. How wonderful.

Principal
Still...

???
Please, excuse me!

Adult
Oh, it's you, Daichi, and Miss Misato. Your timing is perfect!

Principal
Ah, who's this person?

Misato
Oh, my! You're the person who held a practice match against us in that field close to the school!

Adult
Yes, I witnessed the zeal of this school's beach baseball club for myself. And I have something to bring to you today!

Principal
Hmm... These are...! References for Daichi's re-entry!

Misato
Oh, my!

Adult
I want to see Daichi's performance in the national tournament... I wanted to cheer on his team, and I thought it'd be a shame if he couldn't be a part of it.

Adult
As such, for the sake of these members' dreams, I gathered up these references. I spoke to many people who live in this area.

Adult
Everyone said things to the effect of, they're all proud to have such a stupendous player from this area.

Daichi
You did that much for me...!

Adult
Long ago, I also dreamed of being a part of the national tournament. So I want you to see that dream through, Daichi.

Misato
How about it, Mister Principal... Can you allow Daichi to rejoin the club?

Principal
Gah... I suppose I have no choice. Very well, I'll allow him to rejoin the club... I can't very well ignore the voices of the local community, after all...

Daichi
R-Really...? Thank you... Mister Principal...!

Adult
We'll be cheering for you at the games as loudly as we can! I'll be looking forward to it!

Misato
Ha ha, thank you! I'm sure that his return will also do much for the other members...

Principal
That's enough, Miss Misato. All I'm agreeing to is for him to rejoin the club. The club's abolition is still as before.

Misato
Yes, I understand. But with this, they are a complete team. I believe in their strength!

Daichi
Yeah. I'll definitely make it to the nationals. And this time, we'll protect the club!

End of branches.

Asahi
Everyone... Haven't you started warm-ups yet? Why are you standing around?

Hatsune
Yeah, get excited, everyone. The tournament's soon, so all we can do is practice now...

Member 1
Yeah... But will Daichi be able to come back or not? He has to convince that stubborn principal...

Member 1
If he isn't allowed to come back... then will be able to make it in the national tournament without him?

Asahi
T-That's hard to say... But we just have to try. We've worked hard to get this far. We can't throw it away now.

Member 3
But we need a real pitcher, right? I don't know how we can win otherwise.

???
Easy! I'll win the game no problem!

Members
Who's that!?

Misato
Everyone, allow me to introduce our new member! It's Daichi!

Asahi
D-Daichi! What's that uniform!?

Daichi
... It's nothing! Suzuna came to the club earlier to show her support, right? I wanted to get my album signed. So I came back here.

Member 2
Oh, I see, I see. You trying to make us jealous? Nice of you to be so honest, heh heh...!

Yuuki
1. "Is that the real reason?"

Daichi
S-Shut up! I'm not answering any more questions! Who cares about the specific reason I'm back?

Hatsune
Yeah! The important thing is that Daichi is back. I'm super glad to see all the members here!

Asahi
Welcome back, Daichi!

Daichi
... Yeah. Sorry for keeping you, Asahi!

Daichi
... Anyway, we've got to talk about yesterday's game. If you put on a showing like that, you'll be knocked out in the first round! There isn't much time before the qualifiers. We'll have to keep working until the very last second! You wanna make it, don't you? Then show me your grit!

Member 1
Ooh... This is Daichi's training, which even the upperclassmen ran away from...

Member 2
It'll be even more intense than Jun's training... I wanted to believe that nothing could be more hellish than that...

Daichi
You over there. What are you talking about!?

Member 1 & 2
Nothing!

Asahi
You don't have to be that scared. Daichi's only thinking about what's good for us, after all.

Member 3
Yeah... Daichi's finally come back to us. Let's show him our passion.

Daichi
Are you still blabbering!? Cut it out -- practice is starting!!

Asahi & Others
Yeah!

Hatsune
Daichi's super fired up, and everyone else is, too! How nice! Peace, peace!

Misato
That's right. This is another step towards that dream of theirs. It's still a long ways away, but I think they'll be just fine.

With Daichi back, the promise they'd made was even stronger than before. The team resolved to continue training all the way until the first game of the local qualifiers.