You don't have the right to play soccer!
What are you saying?
I'm more useful than you to anybody!
So why?
Enough.
You can play soccer yourself.
Stop it...
That's enough.
Fine.
I'll quit the team.
Tsuji!
Is this because of that article?
You said you were fine.
I'm sorry.
I'm glad I was able to learn soccer under you.
Thank you for everything.
How was it?
How was playing soccer with Kakegawa?
If you're serious about something,
you'll sometimes * heads with those around you.
Or start to hate yourself.
Where will you play soccer, Hideto Tsuji?
They're saying a huge storm is gonna hit tomorrow.
Really? Think they'll call off practice?
Fine. I'll quit the team.
Wait! Wait, Tsuji!
Jo...
They said it's going to rain tomorrow.
I wonder if we'll still have practice.
I hope it doesn't affect the game...
Was this what you wanted?
Did you have him write that article so Tsuji would quit?
N-No! I just wanted you to... wanted you to...
Jo...
He quit?
No... Right before the semi-finals?
Is he serious?
He submitted his resignation.
That much is true.
But why so suddenly?
Was it that article?
Actually, Hayashi's group was saying something about Kurokawa.
Kurokawa?
Whatever the reason, he quit.
But we're going up against Fujita East! They're really good!
Without Tsuji, how do we...
Amagai, I know you're worried, but you're the captain.
Right now, you need to act like it,
because I'm sure the rest of the team will be panicking.
Got it.
Namioka, you listen carefully to what the team members say.
Some of them will need your kindness.
I'm sorry for putting the extra pressure on you,
but I'll come up with a plan to win with 10 players as soon as I can.
Tsuji is using us!
Tsuji, we're just a replacement for Kokubo to you!
Yes!
Yay!
So... was that all a lie?
You.
We met at the practice match, right? I'm Matsukata, with Nomada High.
Oh, yeah.
Kokubo's right.
If you want to play us, make it to the finals of the regional tournament.
He's their captain, right?
Why?
You didn't like Kamiya's practices?
No. I don't want to play.
So why practice lifting?
And come all the way out here to do it?
Leave me alone, please.
It's none of your business.
Want to go for a little walk?
Your shot in the quarterfinals was amazing.
I've watched the videos of all of your games.
Why quit?
Because they told me I burden the people doing the assists too much.
What the heck?
Come join Nomada.
I'm asking if you want to play soccer with us.
Yeah, that'll make you want to quit.
If your friends told you that.
No, but...
It's my fault.
I can tell that you've put in an immense amount of effort since our practice match.
Even with Kamiya, if they think you're a burden, Kakegawa's got no future anyway.
Don't insult them, please.
Hey, why are you getting mad?
It's a fact that they weren't able to make good use of you.
So how about you forget them,
and join us?
Why?
If you join us, Kokubo should be able to get even better.
As will you, of course.
And with the two of you leading the team,
I can feel safe entrusting it to the next generation.
But... uh...
You can't quit.
Come join us.
I don't want to play anymore.
I'm sorry.
Hey! Tsuji!
I hate soccer...
Kohei!
Jo!
Yes! Go!
Come on!
Yay!
Kurokawa! Focus!
I'm sorry!
Are we gonna be okay in the semifinals?
We're in no position to talk.
Yeah, but...
They're acting kinda weird.
Hey, Kurokawa was saying something about Tsuji's article, right?
You're right...
Things are that bad at Kakegawa?
There were a lot of problems,
but I certainly didn't think Tsuji would quit.
You don't seem too worried.
You have a plan?
If I didn't, I wouldn't be out here having a drink.
You gonna call him in and lecture him?
No, I'm not going to say anything directly.
Then, your plan...
This is a good experience for them.
Soccer's a team sport. Sometimes unfair things happen.
But there are some things you can only taste by overcoming that.
That's true.
I'm hoping this is a good chance for them to tell each other how they really feel.
I see.
And there's more to Kakegawa than just Tsuji now.
Kurokawa and Kazama in particular are fascinating.
There's so much I want to teach them.
It sounds like you're having a lot of fun.
You want to help them win, right?
Not quite.
I don't want to help them win.
I want to win.
Alongside them.
Tsuji, Kurokawa, and Kazama, huh?
That's right.
Oh, isn't Kazama one of our junior's—
Welcome!
He's here.
My plan.
Jo!
Would you join me for lunch?
Subaru!
Why don't you apologize?
B-Because...
You think we'll forgive you if you say you're sorry?
Stay down there forever,
mud-boy.
Even if I apologize...
If you * something up, you say sorry!
You do that when you make a mistake in the game, right?
B-But...
Stop being a spoiled brat.
Hi.
That thing's rustier than when I got here.
Is there a problem with that?
Isao Kazama. He's your dad, right?
He was here several years after us.
That's right.
The captain who was the beginning of the end for Kakegawa.
Is that why this team's so important to you?
That's right.
I want to help Kakegawa win!
And—
Why are you playing soccer?
For your dad?
Listen, Kazama...
We don't play soccer for the sake of somebody in the past.
We do it for our own sake.
Because I love it.
Because I love soccer.
Isn't that a good enough reason?
I see. You love it, huh?
You don't need to laugh.
No, it's simple.
And that's what makes you special.
I don't feel like that's a compliment.
You don't overthink. You just keep getting out in front.
That's what makes you special.
Okay, keep going forward!
Face what's in front of you!
That's who Jo Kazama is!
Today we'll just be making some minor adjustments.
We'll do some minor training after this and we'll be done.
Will tomorrow's semifinals be okay?
I-It'll be okay!
I made a sunshine charm doll.
Namioka!
What are you doing?
A sunshine charm doll?
Hey, Kurokawa. You're the reason Tsuji quit, right?
Hey, Hayashi!
Don't just accuse people like that!
What do you mean?
When that article came out, he was saying that Tsuji was bossy and arrogant.
That stuff about his team finding out he looked down on them?
And so they forced him to quit?
Kurokawa, what do they mean?
You didn't say that to Tsuji, did you?
Look, there's no point talking about it now.
We have a game tomorrow—
Well, Kurokawa? Tell us the truth—
I'm sorry!
Why are you apologizing?
What's going on?
We'll handle things with Tsuji.
So please forgive him!
Senpai, please!
I'll handle things! So...
It has nothing to do with you, right?
Now, now. Calm down.
Kazama says he'll handle it.
We can leave it to you, right?
Yes!
Subaru, come with me.
Ready, Subaru?
Here I go!
What's the soccer team doing?
Subaru! I can't forgive you for what you did!
But I don't know what to do!
I won't run anymore!
Don't get scared!!
Is that all your feelings are worth?
No! No!
Do you understand how I feel now?
This time...
Hey, what was that play just now?
Subaru!
Have you been holding out on us?
Because... you don't want me to be better than you, right?
What?
I want to be #2, after you.
So...
Then why... why...
are you playing soccer?
To be with you!
Isn't that good enough?
That's the only reason!
If I play soccer, I can be with you!
If I play soccer, you won't abandon me, right?
If we both practice, we can play soccer forever, right?
I want you to need me.
I want to be with you always.
That's why I've worked so hard!
I can't lose... Not to you!
You're saying I *, then?
You do!
What?
You don't understand?
That's why you need me, right?
You need me, right, Jo?
Yes!
You shut your damned mouth!
Here I go.
Jo always goes right!
I knew it!
He knew what I'd do?
Subaru, I can get the ball in the damn goal without you!
You mean you don't need me?
I don't need you.
I don't need you if you're only here for me!
I just want to see you smile...
Together, with me!
That's right...
Forever...
Together...
If you think I *, then someday I'll be a better player than you!
I'll prove that I don't need you!
So, Subaru, you... you play for your own sake!
I'll never leave you. You know that.
I'm with you because I like you.
Because I like you!
Subaru, let's play soccer together!
I'm sorry, Jo!
I'm sorry...
I'm sorry I didn't understand you.
Jo... I want to apologize to Tsuji!
I have to apologize to him!
Good idea.
Kurokawa!
Kurokawa! Kazama!
Kishiya? You were watching?
What's going on?
Tsuji quit the team?
Wait! Calm down!
That article... Was it because of that article?
I'm sorry!
Forget that. Do you know where Tsuji lives?
He's ignoring all of my messages!
It's real close. You didn't know?
Yeah, he never tells us that stuff.
Really. That *...
I want to go, too.
I want to apologize to him!
There's already someone ahead of you.
You can go alone, right?
Yeah.
Even if I say I'm sorry, he won't forgive him.
But...
Hello? Is anyone home?
Hello?
Aren't you Tsuji's friend?
Aren't you his pal?
Huh?! How can he be my friend when he's trying to steal what I care about?!
Subaru, I've been waiting for you!
Why didn't you call?
Did you find him? No?
He's not there?
I don't think so. I waited until late last night and came first thing this morning.
But nobody's come or gone...
What do we do?
Tsuji's not here.
Well, we can't do anything about it.
You can go back there tonight.
Let's just head to the game.
If we lose today, we won't be able to face him.
Subaru.
We're going to win!
Yeah.
You're good.
Hey, why are you playing soccer?
You don't look like you're having fun.
Maybe I'll ask another way.
Do you...
like soccer?
I love it!
Almost as much as Jo!