-Rainy season is over at last. -The weather is getting warmer.
It's the season for outdoor activities.
Let's go somewhere fun.
What shall we do?
How about fishing?
That's not a bad idea. What's there to catch at this time?
Summer is the season for catching delinquents.
Nagisa can be our bait to catch those that extort from him.
We'll turn the tables on them and blackmail them.
So there's a season for delinquents too.
-Anything else that's nice? -What do you think, Nagisa?
Shall we go to the beach?
Nice pitching, Captain.
KUNIGIGAOKA JUNIOR HIGH, BASEBALL CAPTAIN, KAZUTAKA SHINDO
Hello, Tomohito!
I haven't seen you in a while.
-Really? -It's Tomohito.
-Tomohito. -Hello.
Tomohito.
What's this? You should come see us occasionally.
I felt a little awkward.
Will you be joining next week's tournament?
I haven't decided yet, but I'd like to.
-We'll be waiting. -Okay!
But I'm envious of you, Tomohito.
You have it easy being in Class E.
We have to study and be at the club. It's exhausting.
Stop it, he'll get offended.
Dealing with assignments and the club at prep school
is just for the select few. The rest of us can just forget it.
That's amazing.
You talk like you're one of the select few.
Indeed, I am.
Are you unhappy with that?
We'll make it clear during the tournament.
Who are the select few and who are the commoners.
There's already a huge difference between us in this age.
EPISODE 12
Inter-class ball match?
It's wonderful that you're nurturing healthy minds and bodies through sports.
But why isn't Class E included?
Class E isn't included in matches
for the grandiose reason that there'll be an odd number.
On the other hand,
we'll take part in an exhibition match at the end of the tournament.
Exhibition match?
In short, it's nothing but a show.
As the entire school watches,
we'll be playing against the baseball club and the girls basketball club.
Is that so? So it's the same as always.
That's right.
We don't want to be made a laughing stock.
You can deal with it yourself.
-Bye. -Wait, Ryoma.
Seriously...
Tomohito is our only hope where baseball is concerned.
Do you have any secrets to winning?
It's impossible.
Our school's baseball team is formidable.
Especially the present captain, Kazutaka.
His fastballs even caught the attention of prestigious high schools.
He excels in both sports and studies. It's so unfair.
But...
I still want to win, Mr. Koro.
Not just a draw, but win.
I don't want to lose at baseball. I love it.
After I was kicked out from the club and came to Class E,
my desire to win has grown stronger.
-I want to team up with them and win... -It's so exciting.
It's obvious that Mr. Koro wants to play baseball too.
I've always wanted to be a hot-headed coach in a sports manga.
I won't beat you all. I'll flip tables instead.
You've prepared meticulously.
All of you
have become more vocal about your objectives lately.
Whether it is killing or winning.
Not wavering in the face of difficulty.
To reward that fighting spirit,
Coach Koro will provide you with the training and the strategy to win.
The ball is struck!
Center fielder intercepted it easily.
It's the end of the match!
Class A wins the Junior Baseball Match.
What a terrible defeat.
Let's watch the next game and forget this.
Those kids are far worse than we are.
They'll suffer greater humiliation.
Lastly, it's the exhibition match between Class E and the baseball club.
Only the scholastic and sports elites
are worthy to be among the select few.
This is what I call a fine scholar and soldier.
You're neither. You're not chosen.
-Let's play! -Yes!
Why are they so enthusiastic?
And where's Coach Koro?
-Isn't he coming out to lead us? -He's over there.
Tadaomi told him not to draw too much attention.
So he's using distance to look like a ball.
He said he'll use his face color to signal us.
He'll attract more attention that way.
What is he saying?
-Hello, Mr. Koro. -Let me see.
He said, "Play like you're determined to kill."
He said it right.
We have a far greater objective.
If we can't beat them, we won't be able to kill Mr. Koro.
Okay, let's slay them.
Yes!
Come on, let's give them a taste of baseball from hell,
with a killer's mind and tentacles.
Class E is on the offensive in the first inning.
Masayoshi is the third baseman, first batter.
Strike!
That junior high student throws a really fast ball.
I hear the speed goes up to 140km per hour.
What? 140km? That's like a professional player.
The home team's dominance is too great.
Understood.
I'm ready!
The batter looks enthusiastic.
The three batters of the first half will be struck out.
We'll get ten rounds in the next half before the game ends.
-A pile of garbage. -Kazutaka is going for the second pitch.
He's bunting for a hit!
-What? -That was unexpected.
Masayoshi is Class E's top sprinter.
As long as he caught them off guard, he should easily reach first base.
-He touched base. Didn't expect that. -Awesome!
What a petty trick.
Second batter, Nagisa.
-It's a push bunt! -Damn it!
They're strong, but they're still junior high students.
They can't deal with bunt hits like the professionals.
He got the ball, but he can't throw it.
There are no outs. He got first and second base!
What?
Hey, I feel like this match has become weird.
How can it be?
To get a fastball thrown by Kazutaka to the desired direction
is almost impossible.
-Third batter, Yuma. -What do you think?
We've been training against that.
Pitcher Koro threw fastballs at 300km per hour.
Infielder Koro used clones to set up well-fortified defenses.
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
Catcher Koro used whispering tactics to distract the batter.
You secretly played guitar behind the school.
You played so energetically, Koki.
-I can't go on. -Next, we study our opponents.
I got Kotaro to spy on them for three days.
That was troublesome.
Kazutaka's fastest fastball is 140,5km per hour.
He can only throw fastballs and curveballs.
During practice, 90% of his throws are fastballs.
He needs to throw those fastballs.
That's all he needs to do to win.
That's true, but in a way,
as long as we can handle that fastball, we should be able to win.
So for the next practice,
I'll throw fastballs the same way Kazutaka throws them.
I'll also throw slow balls the way Kazutaka does.
After you've seen how I pitch,
the pitches he throws will seem like it's not moving.
Another bunt.
So if it's just bunts, you'll know how to deal with them.
A fair ball!
It stopped just within the line!
The third batter, Yuma, can reach the base safely.
All bases are occupied.
No one got sent off, but all bases are occupied.
Could it be that Kazutaka is not at his best?
Pitcher four, Tomohito.
Tomohito.
Begin.
The match begins again.
The same bunt position.
What?
What's with these kids?
Am I really
playing baseball now?
My abilities are nothing compared to yours.
But even though I'm weak,
as long as I aim well when I strike,
I can still defeat
the strongest of them all.
It's a hit!
The ball has sailed into the center of the right field.
Following the runner on second base, the first runner also heads for home base.
How can this happen?
Tomohito is also heading for third base.
-All bases cleared with three-base hits. -Awesome!
What's happening here? It's totally unimaginable.
-Class E scores three points. -This is not good.
Kiyoshi, you don't look too good.
Are you not feeling well?
You should go rest now.
Otherwise, the club members will be so worried.
They won't be at their best.
There's no need for that, sir.
-I'd like to stay here... -It's good that you're not well.
If you were not sick, you won't be able to stay in my school
after such a disgraceful performance as a coach.
You have a high fever.
-Take Kiyoshi to the medical room. -Yes.
Meanwhile, I'll take over as the coach.
What will you do?
What will I do?
I just want to give them a little lesson, that's all.
-Too bad. -Yes, we'll have our revenge next time.
Sorry, I dragged everyone down.
-No, you didn't. -Don't worry too much.
When I saw the big breasts of those basketball players,
my eyes turned red with rage. I felt like killing them.
Kaede, why do you hate big breasts so much?
Because...
That's enough.
I wonder how the boys are coping.
Director.
It's just the first half of the game, but the big boss has already shown up.
According to the latest information I just received,
Kiyoshi, the baseball club's consultant, fell ill just before the match.
Worrying about their teacher, the players couldn't concentrate on the match.
The director couldn't just sit back and watch.
So he hurried out to lead the players.
-Batter five, second baseman, Hiroto. -The match has started again.
What will happen next...
What's going on here?
All players are defending the inner field.
They found out that we only know how to bunt.
Even so, they can't come so close in defense.
The rule book says as long as it's within the boundaries, they can defend anywhere.
Unless the umpire feels otherwise.
But the umpire is on their side.
-We can't expect him to help us. -Okay.
We change the direction of this match.
I hear Tomohito of Class E
joined the team of a municipal club.
He works hard,
but so what?
Everybody works hard.
You are one of the select few and you have another mission.
From now on,
you have to step on a lot of opponents like them to move forward.
It's better if you don't consider this as a baseball match.
You should just step on ten of those thousands of opponents.
Come, let's get started on your task.
He hit it!
Was Hiroto cowed by pressure from the infielders?
One of them is out.
-Batter six, center fielder, Taiga. -This is not a joke.
The bunts will have no effect now. Coach Koro, what do we do now?
Is there no other way?
Strike three, batter out!
Three players out in a flash.
Pitcher Kazutaka has recovered.
That's the way, Kazutaka.
Just keep throwing four-seam fastballs.
Enlarge your movements, make your opponents feel pressured.
-Yes! -Let me advise you all again.
This is not a baseball game.
This is a work of stepping on your opponents.
Yes!
-Let's turn the game in our favor! -Okay!
That man is a skilled teacher.
Not only does he remember his students' appearance and ability,
but he also excels at teaching and motivating his students.
Both their methods are very similar.
But then,
what makes them so different from the other teachers?
The confrontation between these two people
is quite interesting to me.
I understand now, Tadaomi.
The ball and the bat have to...
Batter one, left fielder, Hashimoto.
Begin.
It's Tomohito's first throw. He throws.
-Amazing. -Breaking pitch.
Don't let them hit the ball, Tomohito.
We don't have the confidence to catch the ball when it comes.
I understand.
Repeat after me. I'm very strong.
I'll wind up and throw hard.
"I'm very strong.
I will wind up and throw hard."
I'll overpower you with my strength.
"I'll overpower you with my strength."
I will trample them.
"I will trample them."
-Two players out in a row. -Karma.
Coach Koro, don't come out from under my feet.
Do you want me to step on you?
You'll be the first batter in the next game.
Try to provoke your opponents.
It's the first half of the second inning. They are still using the bunt defense.
Batter eight, left fielder, Karma.
-What's up? Hurry up and go bat. -Hey.
Sir, isn't this a bit sneaky?
Having these guys in defense is a nuisance.
But the umpire hasn't uttered a word.
Don't you think this is strange?
I understand now.
You're all too stupid to understand what defense positions are.
Stop talking already, Class E student.
This is just an exhibition match. Stop complaining about the defense.
Coach, it doesn't look effective.
That's okay.
We just need to protest loudly and clearly.
It's the first half of second game. Class E is helpless with three outs.
He hits the ball. It's flying really low. The ball hit the fence!
He couldn't catch the bounce.
Kazutaka easily makes it to the second base.
Thank you, Mr. Koro.
You cooperated with me in this style of teaching.
The weak ones try to win by using sneaky tricks,
but the formidable ones could easily overcome them.
Which do you think the students want to become?
Strike three, batter out!
Third game, second half.
It's the baseball club's last offensive.
-Hashimoto. -Yes.
Give them a demonstration.
He's bunting for a hit.
-No! -It's Class E's turn to be tormented.
-Sorry. -It's okay, no worries.
The baseball club and amateurs are bunting.
Students who are watching would usually protest.
But you were the ones who used it first.
-It has given us a good excuse. -No.
So we want to show you how it's done.
No outs, all bases occupied.
The next batter is the pride of our school and baseball superstar.
Kazutaka!
I will trample them.
Tomohito.
To stage this for the last round,
I started nurturing him from the first game itself.
A bunt won't determine who wins,
but the mighty swing of the leader will as he hits the ball.
Okay, what trick will you use, assassins' class teacher?
Karma, it's time to use the provocation like earlier.
So that's how it is.
Looks like we can only recommend Kazutaka.
Hey, I just got the instructions from the coach.
The game has started again.
But
the defense has gone forward.
Obviously, we're trying to distract you.
When they were doing that just now,
the umpire didn't protest.
So it's not a problem. Right, sir?
I see.
Good for you. But that's just a petty trick.
Do as you please.
The chosen ones won't be flustered by defense positions.
The opponents said it. We'll go ahead with it then.
That's too close.
That's not a close-range defense. It's a point-blank defense.
They'd be hit by the bat at this distance.
Just hit it, superstar.
We won't block the pitch.
What a boring bravado.
Just hit the ball, Kazutaka.
Even if you break their bones,
Class E will still receive a penalty for obstructing.
How dare they belittle me.
As long as I swing hard,
they'll definitely jump back with fright!
Strike!
It seemed like they hardly moved to evade the swing.
These two are the best in our class
in terms of bravery and dynamic visual acuity.
Compared to bunts, dodging bats is a piece of cake.
That won't do. Your swing is too slow.
Next time,
swing your bat with a desire to kill.
At this point,
Kazutaka is physically unable to keep up with the director's strategy.
The runners and the spectators
were overwhelmed by this weird display that's supposed to be a baseball game.
Nagisa!
-Out! -To third base now!
-Out! -Masayoshi.
Proceed to first base!
No need to rush, the runner is not running.
Okay.
Out!
Three strikes. Game over.
Unbelievable.
Class E actually beat the baseball club!
What's this? It's so boring.
The baseball club actually lost to those Class E students.
With such a vast difference in ability, they still lost.
The spectators must have not known
that behind the scenes,
the two coaches were in combat with their strategies.
Taking the midterms into account, it's one win, one loss.
Next time, we'll settle it with the finals.
Kazutaka.
Sorry for making it such a messy ball game.
But I just want you to know.
As a baseball player, I'm no match for you.
I don't consider this a victory.
If that is the case,
why did you go that far just to win?
Isn't it because you want to use it to prove that you're stronger?
It's because
Nagisa kept me company while I practiced those breaking balls.
Karma and Yuma have great reflexes.
Don't you think everyone's bunts were great?
But if we didn't win, you wouldn't have noticed these things.
To put simply,
I just wanted to show off a little.
I wanted my old friends to see what my new friends are like.
Tomohito, remember this.
Our next ball game will be in high school.
Goodness!
The Earth needs to exist for us to go to high school.
What's the matter?
It's nothing.
Speed of Mach 20 is about 6,800km.
Running four bases of a baseball field is about 110km.
So I've completed my necessary round.
The calculation for time is distance divided by speed.
That's about 0,016 seconds, Tomohito.
Next episode, A Lesson on Ability.
Subtitle translation by Elaine Liew