01x08 - Voluntary Training

[bunniefuu]

ORIGINAL WORK - SHIINA KARUHO

"PRACTICING ON MY OWN"

So, did you hear about Class D?

About the midterms, right?

You mean those, right? Sadako's notes.

That's right, the "Sadako Note."

I gotta admit that I'd use it.

Me, too.

Kurumi!

I'm sorry.

Did we make you wait?

No, not at all.

I'm glad.

You're so nice.

I hear rumors about Sadako everywhere.

She made a big scene the other day, too.

First of all,
what kind of girl is she, really?

I don't get her.

Speaking of, we saw Sadako chatting
with Kazehaya before, huh?

Yeah, I remember that.

We were like, "Are they dating?"

I doubt that possibility.

You think so?

It wouldn't be weird if...

he liked her.

That's impossible.
That's just not possible.

You know, Kazehaya's a nice guy.
He can't leave her alone.

Rather, if he likes anyone,
it'd be Kurumi.

There's no way.

What are you saying? You two are so close.

That's because we're
from the same middle school.

Jeez, why don't you two go out already?

Not happening.

Even though you deny it,
what if he falls for you?

It has only started recently, but...

a lot is happening around me.

Lately, some bizarre phenomenon
has been going on.

Oh, there's Sadako!

Hey, you, make a funny face at her.

A funny face?

Like that?

How's that? How's that?

Well...

It didn't work. Mission failed.

I'm too surprised to explain it well,

but I'm glad people no longer avoid me.

Oh, that?

I heard, "If you make Sadako laugh,
you'll have good luck."

Good luck?

No one's ever said that about me before.

Way to go!

I'll laugh! I'll laugh a lot!

Hey, you! Tell this girl a joke!

You got it!

My pop popped me for drinking pop.

Pop!

A complete miss.

Yeah, in more ways than one.

Why do you end up looking like
Medusa when you force a smile?

-Morning.
-Morning!

-Morning!
-Morning!

Yano-san, Yoshida-san.

Good morning.

Sadako,

you've already made friends
with Hirano-chan and Endo-chan.

Friends...

Sure.

We're friends, right?

Friendship was already built
before I even realized...

I'm so happy!

My life's greatest moment!

You know, it's a pain to say
your family names with legit honorifics.

Can we use your first names?

Sure.

I'm Ekko.

I'm Tomo.

You can call us Chizu, Yano-chin or Ayane.

Okay, got it.

Chizu-chan and Ayane-chan.

Thank you for doing that on my behalf.

So smooth.

What is?

You were suddenly able
to call them by their given names.

I'm learning so much.

It's not a smooth transition at all.

People usually just start saying them
casually without some official procedure.

First, do you remember?

-Ekko.
-Tomo.

-Chizu.
-Ayane.

You're included in this too, you know?

Me, too?

There you go.

Try calling us by them.

Ayane-chan.

Oh, you said it.

Chizu-chan.

That took you long enough.

Ekko-chan.

Tomo-chan.

Wow. How refreshing.

It makes me sorta happy.

Sawako, again! One more time!

They liked it.

You're so formal on your own.

From now on, why don't you
just call girls by their given names?

By given names?

Isn't that considered forward?

I think it's okay.

You're really unfamiliar
with that sort of thing.

I guess it'd be hard to change so fast.

Try it with close friends.

Oh, and here comes
the perfect practice partner.

A practice partner?

-Morning!
-Why not try calling him

by his given name?

Given name... no, no, no. Yano-san.

"Yano-san"?

That is...

Ayane-chan!

This is a monumental task!

How else do you think
you'll get close to everyone?

Yano-chin is sadistic after all.

I thought you were going to try your best?

Morning!

Hey, Kazehaya, guess what?
Right now, Sadako's...

Go!

K...

Kazehaya...

That's his last name.

Yes. What's up?

...-kun.

Got it? As you can see,
boys are more difficult.

Thus, I suggest you start with girls.

What terrifying manipulation.

I...

I was so nervous.

Okay, girls first.

All right, I'll try.

I'll call boys as I usually do for now.

I see, so Yano forced her to do that.

-Boys...
-You got nervous?

He's always kind to me,
like Yano-san and Yoshida-san.

He's friendly to everyone,
regardless of gender.

Because Kuronuma called me "Kazehaya"...

Kazehaya-kun is... a boy.

...I was wondering what she was
going to tell me.

He's a little different
from Yano-san and Yoshida-san.

I don't know how to explain it.

Kazehaya-kun is, well...

he's really a boy.

In today's homeroom, we'll decide
who's on the Sports Festival Committee.

It's a hassle to choose.
The PE Rep will do it.

Okay, all done.

That's me!

It's not your day, Kazehaya.

I didn't have time to volunteer.

Do it well.

By the way, the Committee Chairman is... me!

Slack off,
and I'll share your embarrassing...

Of course I'll do it!

I know. I'll do what I'm asked.

Listen! You all gotta take first place.

We don't have enough people, so
good athletes will compete multiple times.

Experienced players must be involved
in their respective fields!

Weaklings must call in sick.

Take the day off!

Worst teacher ever.

With that...

SOFTBALL AND SOCCER
(USED TO BE IN THE TEAM)

VOLLEYBALL AND SOCCER (ATHLETIC)

SOFTBALL (IN THE TEAM)
SOCCER - VOLLEYBALL (HAS EXPERIENCE)

I'm pumped!

My blood's boiling!

My biannual golden limelight!

You're all fired up!

First place victory!

First place victory!

Defeat all enemies!

I don't get them.

I must do all I can to not be burdensome.

Kuronuma, can you play soccer?

Not at all.

Really?

It's obvious you're a slowpoke.

I'll use my full power.

Don't hurt yourself.

You can take the day off.

Then how about we practice
a little during lunch?

Good idea.

Roger that!

That'll help a lot.

Yeah, let's try our best.

I definitely will.

WOMEN'S BATHROOM

Practicing for the festival?

It's usually a pain in the butt,
but it'll be fun with Kazehaya around.

You know what? Poor Kazehaya was forced
to be a committee member in two seconds.

I heard.

Our next class is
a homeroom seminar, right?

Oh yeah, that's right.

Will he assign events to everyone?

Speaking of which, the
committee representative from Class D is...

Kazehaya.

Oh, really?

Kurumi, you should totally represent
our class then.

What, me?

Yeah, why not? You should do it.

It may be the catalyst
to make you two an official couple.

No. There's no way.

Like I said, that's impossible.

I don't mind joining the committee
for our class, though.

Then, why not?

But I doubt I can nominate myself.

It's embarrassing.

We'll recommend you to our teacher.

You're blushing.

Over there! Sadako!

Yes!

Oops.

As I thought.

I guess jumping right
into a scrimmage was a bit much.

Sadako should start
by just kicking the ball.

I'm really sorry...

Nah. We kinda knew
things would roll this way.

Don't look so sad. Smile, Sadako.

If she smiles, maybe
our opponents will chicken out.

If not that, we might be given
good luck and win!

Chizu-chan!

We have to head back now,
or we'll be late for the fifth period.

Oh, really?

Lunch is way too short.

But the actual sports teams
use the fields after school.

I'm already burdening my teammates.

They shouldn't waste
their time training me.

I must improve on my own.

I need to get a soccer ball.

-I have to train on my own.
-What are you mumbling about?

You're scary.

Sadako's chanting a spell...

Okay, let's head back.

The guys are still practicing.

There!

Kazehaya-kun...

What's that?

It's no different from
when they're messing around.

He's enjoying himself.

I finally got to see him play a sport.

I wonder how he looks playing softball.

We gotta go back now, guys!

We'll be late for class!

Yeah!

We're going inside!

Let's go.

Braids.

Let's go, Kazehaya.

Sure.

Sadako.

Kuronuma Sawako.

Why are you zoning out?

We're going back to class.

Whoa, you're beet red!

What? Really?

Did you run that hard?

No, not particularly.

What? What?

Nothing special happened, right?

We were far apart.

All he did was walk back to class.

But I just... couldn't take my eyes...

off of him as he walked back.

Stand.

Bow.

It's over!

Yano-chin, let's go eat something!

Sadako, come with us. How about ramen?

Pass! If I stick around you, I'll get fat!

You said you needed
to go shopping earlier, right?

Darn right! A red t-shirt
to draw attention during the festival.

You'll join, right Sadako?

Well, I need to water the school's
flowers. I'll go with you next time.

Oh yeah?

We'll go shopping
after taking care of that real quick.

Three's better than one.

Thanks, but I'm all right for today.

Maybe some other day...

I... I might ask for your help.

Sure, we'll be there.

Deal. We'll go shopping afterwards, too.

Yeah.

If I told them that I was going
to practice on my own,

they might say that they'd help me.

But they're busy.

Next time, when you two don't have plans,
please help me.

Thank you.

Kazehaya. Anything going on today?

Kazehaya-kun.

Seriously, what's gotten into me?

What? You want to borrow a soccer ball?

Yes, please.

Nope. We can't loan out school property
for someone's personal use.

There's absolutely no way?

I promise to return it.

No means no!

My great plan fell flat.

Do I actually have to buy one?

Maybe I'll pull from my savings.

Should I open it more?

That's fine.

This is where...

I first talked with Kazehaya-kun.

Kazehaya, you got chosen?

You, too? Cool.

We're both unlucky.

That seat's free.

Oh, thank you.

Thanks for lending me that CD.

No problem. I want to borrow
one from you, as well.

Sure. I'll bring whatever.

Yay!

About the album that was released
prior to the one I lent you...

Are you listening,

Kazehaya?

Sorry, what's up?

The album that came out prior
to the one I just lent you.

I'll bring it soon.

Where are you going?

Is that the bell? What time is it?

Over here.

I don't know why...

Why can't I smile right now?

The atmosphere feels a little different...

In that case...

instead of a smile...

I hope this reaches
from me to you, Kazehaya-kun!

PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE

I wonder why...

my heart... aches.

Next episode: "A New Friend."