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 see!
You reacted to that fast!
And you were able to see the ball as it moved, too.
Who are you?
Um... who are you?
Just an older guy who happens to love soccer!
Oh, you were just thinking that I'm old, weren't you?
Let me...
see that leg.
What are you doing? Stop.
Kick the ball.
Hurry.
With your left.
Um, I use my right leg.
Just try it!
Hurry!
Sure, but...
If you turn your back, your shots will never go in.
Ever.
Listen carefully.
You need to watch out for their forward, Kosei Oka.
Oka's scored 10 points this season.
He's Fujita East's ace striker, and their leader.
Half of their players are some of the best in Shizuoka.
Shutting him down is the key to winning this game.
Since we have fewer players,
we'll put Kazama out ahead and put more emphasis on defense.
Narrow the play area and protect it.
Yes, sir!
But you can't win a soccer game unless you score!
Score in the first five minutes, no matter what it takes!
Yes, sir!
Fujita East is a strong school.
You each need to do the work of two... no, three people!
Let's go, everybody!
Right!
Kakegawa! We're going to the finals!
Fight!
What?
I don't know why, but Kakegawa's playing
with 10 players and missing their ace striker.
They'll probably go for a counter from a defensive formation.
Mark the pair of #7 and #10, and their attacker #9,
and we've got them.
Here we go!
Nice cutoff, Tatsunami!
I guess Coach Kamiya knows how to train his team better than other coaches.
Go!
No! They're passing to #9!
Kurokawa!
On it!
It's too far ahead!
No, Kurokawa's using the pass timing he's always used.
But he's used to passing to Tsuji!
Okay, kick.
Why my left leg?
You'll know once you try.
You know, though...
You're way too close!
It's fine! It's fine!
Squeeze your other leg hard against the ground,
and be careful to keep your body tight!
Squeeze? Tight?
I can't do anything with this leg...
Ready, go.
Now think of it as a live ball.
A live ball?
Yeah. Like a pass that came from a teammate.
A teammate...
Your other leg's power is incredible.
Yeah, good shot.
That's what I wanted to see!
You're finally smiling.
What are you doing? Stop.
You looked so miserable a moment ago.
But with that last shot, you had the face of someone who likes soccer.
Yeah, when a pass comes, don't hesitate. Shoot!
Believe in your teammates.
I...
You can't be here, can you?
Sorry!
Just so you know, Fujita East's tough.
I'm looking forward to the finals.
Thank you.
Oh, this...
Nah.
Don't look back.
Don't look at what's behind you. Just look forward and go on ahead.
And there...
Damn it!
Go! Go!
Move up the line!
They've moved up their defense line.
It was the right call, since we're down a man and have to focus on defense.
First, we score on them!
Put the pressure on them!
Fujita East has way more time with the ball than we do!
Damn it! We need to steal the ball somehow!
Kurokawa!
We finally got an interception!
Kurokawa, counter!
Go upfield!
Okay, if I can just get the ball there...
Damn it! Kurokawa!
Your line's a total mess.
Get back! Get back!
Crap!
I-I'm sorry!
Get back, Kurokawa!
#11 and #10 are open!
Yes!
He's not moving like he usually does.
Yeah.
Subaru.
I saw Tsuji...
I tried to put it in the center for Tsuji, when he's not even here...
What are you saying?
Jo...
It's my fault that Tsuji...
How long are you going to keep talking about that?
We need to protect this place, because he's going to come!
1-0!
Kurokawa's a mess today!
They keep making mistakes and losing the ball.
Okay!
Kurokawa, what are you doing?!
Go up from the right!
Subaru!
Get back!
Get back! Get back!
I'll stop it!
You can't, Amagai!
Amagai!
Damn it! Damn it!
Calm down!
But we've down by two goals!
Amagai!
You have to set an example!
Stay calm. Be a leader!
You're the captain, right?
Hey, Subaru, what's wrong? You're acting strange.
Tsuji...
Tsuji is...
Kurokawa, what are you doing?!
He's telling me to focus.
He's worried about me...
Where is he?
Tsuji!
You...
Hey, isn't that Tsuji?
But he quit, right?
Why?
You know, that article!
Tsuji... I... I...
I thought you were in my way!
I didn't want you to take Jo from me!
I wanted Jo to look at me, forever!
I wanted to be the one who helped him!
But you...
But why you?
I really wished you'd just disappear!
I'm a coward. A sneak.
And I'm afraid...
I'm always scared to apologize...
I worry I'll end up being bullied again...
All the time...
I'm sorry, Tsuji!
I don't expect you to forgive me because I apologized.
I know it's not that easy!
But... But believe me, please!
I didn't want you to quit!
I can't forgive it!
I can't!
I can't forgive myself for being so obsessed with my own stupid trauma...
For hiding in my shell and abandoning my teammates.
For only thinking of myself and putting my teammates in bad situations!
That's what I can't forgive, most of all!
Tsuji!
Kurokawa...
We're pathetic, aren't we?
Tsuji! Tsuji!
I'm so sorry!
Kurokawa!
Tsuji, you know what you did, right?
Coach...
Please!
Let me play soccer with Kurokawa again!
I want to play soccer with my teammates!
Please! I'll pick up balls, or do anything you want!
So please let me stay on the team!
Coach, we need Tsuji!
It's all my fault!
Please!
No, it's not just Subaru's fault!
Coach!
I'll do anything! All of us will!
So please, let Tsuji join the team again!
Coach, please!
We need Tsuji!
Tsuji is our teammate!
Kurokawa...
Coach!
Hold it.
When did I say he couldn't?
When did Tsuji quit the team?
But I submitted my resignation...
Resignation
Coach!
Tsuji, I've got you registered for today's game.
Go change into your uniform!
The last half's starting, fool!
Tsuji, welcome back!
We've been waiting for you, Tsuji!
Welcome back!
Okay, listen up!
You did a good job keeping a school like Fujita East
to just two points in the first half!
But the fight's just beginning!
We'll end it in the next 40 minutes!
Yes, sir!
Forwards, just keep pushing!
Don't let them predict the course of your passes!
Yes, sir!
Oka's mark is Sonoda!
Yes, sir!
Defenders, keep it tight out there!
Yes, sir!
When Oka gets the ball and starts running,
there'll be a second's worth of space between the defense and the offense!
When you get the ball, pass it there!
I'll take it!
Okay! Kakegawa 11, let's go!
Yeah!
Kakegawa!
FIGHT!
Yeah!
#10's coming onto the field.
Now Kakegawa will be two times... no, three times as strong!
We're going back to our original plan!
Think of this last half as the national finals!
Yes, sir!
We're going to win!
Just like you said, Fujita not only has a two point lead, they're marking Tsuji.
Kurokawa!
Kakegawa's speedster is none other than me, Yu Sahara!
Oops! Take it!
Kazama!
Yes!
That's one point!
Crap!
Keep it up!
What was that? What's going on here?
They only got one more player, #10!
Hey, Kakegawa scored!
While they're down a player?
No, Tsuji joined in the last half!
That was enough to turn the game for Kakegawa!
Go!
So close!
Yeah. They're a famous school for a reason.
They won't be easy to defeat.
We're running out of time!
#10! Cut the line from #9 to #10!
I won't let them score!
Okay,
it's ours!
No! Impossible!
Okay! That's two points!
Yay!
We caught up!
That's my guys...
They're amazing!
Just one more point! Just one more point!
Who is this guy?
A shot from above the keeper?
Gotcha!
Go, Kurokawa!
They're getting closer!
Focus on defense! Hurry!
Where's #10?!
Get on him! Don't let him shoot!
Kosei Oka!
You're this far back already?
I'm shooting!
It's not over yet!
Tsuji will go... here!
It's too far away!
A missed pass!
No, this is bad!
Kurokawa was envisioning passing to Tsuji this whole time!
What?
When did he shoot?
I couldn't see the moment of impact at all!
Yes!
Tsuji! Tsuji!
3-2! 3-2!
Tsuji...
Kurokawa...
Nice assist.
Subaru...
Nice shot... Hideto.
Look at the two of you, off in your own little world.
Let me join in the fun!
Tsuji.
You met my old acquaintance, huh?
The left. The left.
Oh, you know him?
Then... he was...
That's right.
"Do you like soccer?"
That was the question someone once risked his life to ask me.
At the time, I answered innocently.
But I still keep thinking about the answer all the time.
I hope you will, too, and get as close as you can to the answer.
Kohei...
Don't lose.
I... no, we will...
defeat you and go to nationals.
Can you?
Don't underestimate Kakegawa!
We'll surpass you!
Kohei...
I promise.
I love it so much, it's scary.