# 31 - Kind of Like a Promise
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GYX0MZ58R/ace-of-the-diamond)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
***SIGN*** May 11th
Practice Field A
***SIGN*** Mamiya East – Seido
(Kanagawa) (West Tokyo)
**[00:13] @Sawamura**
Okay! Nice pitch!
**[00:16] @Sawamura**
Looking good, Nori-senpai!
***SIGN*** Batting eighth Left fielder
Eijun Sawamura
**[00:19] @Sawamura**
I can even tell all the way from left field!
**[00:21] @Sawamura**
I think I'm in love!
**[00:22] @Kuramochi**
Shut up!
**[01:59] @Kanemaru**
Left field!
**[02:00] Aso**
It's yours, Sawamura!
**[02:02] @Sawamura**
I've got it! I've got it!
**[02:03] @Kanemaru**
Fine, just don't drop it!
**[02:07] @Sawamura**
I've got it!
**[02:09] @Kanemaru**
Yeah! Nice catch, Sawamura!
**[02:12] Seki**
Nice catch!
**[02:13] Aso**
It was right to him.
**[02:15] @Sawamura**
Nori-senpai, nice pitch!
**[02:18] @Sawamura**
Two outs!
**[02:20] @int_Miyuki**
*He's able to play defense now.*
**[02:23] @int_Miyuki**
*But I hate his MLB-inspired call outs.*
**[02:26] Ota**
I get nervous when the ball flies that way.
**[02:29] Sachi**
He's gotten better at fielding.
**[02:34] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Kawakami will start! Miyuki will bat cleanup!
**[02:37] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Sawamura will play left field!
**[02:39] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Be ready to pitch at any time.
**[02:41] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Keep your shoulder warm while you're fielding.
**[02:45] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
In the summer tournament, you may have to
take the mound after being in the field.
**[02:51] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Let's prepare for as
many scenarios as we can.
**[02:55] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
Yes, sir!
**[02:59] @Sawamura**
Two outs!
**[03:01] @Tojo**
Focus on the batter!
**[03:02] @int_Sawamura**
* The game looks different*
* depending on where you play.*
**[03:05] @int_Sawamura**
*Three per inning.*
**[03:08] @int_Sawamura**
*Twenty-seven in nine innings.*
**[03:12] @int_Sawamura**
* An out that the fielders*
* get and a strikeout...*
**[03:16] @int_Sawamura**
*both count as an out!*
**[03:25] @Sawamura**
That's the Cap cannon!
**[03:28] Narrator**
* Spurred on by their*
* eight-game winning streak,*
***SIGN*** Mamiya
***SIGN*** Seido
**[03:31] Narrator**
*the batters exploded in this game,*
**[03:33] Narrator**
* getting double-digit hits*
* in six innings.*
**[03:36] Narrator**
* Sawamura took the mound*
* in the eighth inning.*
**[03:41] Narrator**
*The numbers were all over
the place at the start*
***SIGN*** Eep
**[03:43] Narrator**
*as he had trouble controlling them.*
***SIGN*** H
o
l
d
!!
***SIGN*** H
o
l
d
!!
***SIGN*** S
o
r
r
y
!!
**[03:46] @Miyuki**
Hold yourself back!
**[03:47] @Sawamura**
Sorry!
**[03:49] Narrator**
*Subsequently, he went back to his fastballs,*
**[03:52] Narrator**
*and his pitching settled down.*
**[03:54] Narrator**
*He allowed no runs.*
**[03:59] Narrator**
* The cleanup put the game out of reach*
* with a second home run*
**[04:04] Narrator**
*for the team's ninth straight win.*
**[04:05] @Miyuki**
That felt good.
***SIGN*** Y
e
a
h
**[04:07] @Sawamura**
Yeah!
**[04:10] @Miyuki**
Number 2 looked pretty good that last inning.
***SIGN*** Mamiya
Seido
***SIGN*** Win Kawakami – Sawamura Loss Okamoto – Kido – Mizuno
**[04:13] @Sawamura**
Yes, and 7 was improving, too.
**[04:16] @Miyuki**
Yeah, let's work on that.
***SIGN*** Kodama – Seido
(Chiba) (West Tokyo)
**[04:21] Narrator**
*Next, the second game.*
**[04:23] Narrator**
*The Kawashima-Ono battery started.*
***SIGN*** Kodama
***SIGN*** Seido
**[04:27] Narrator**
* The early innings were a*
* fierce hitting battle.*
**[04:30] Narrator**
* Two first-years had especially*
* good performances.*
**[04:34] Narrator**
* Left fielder Masashi Yuki hit*
* two doubles and a home run.*
**[04:39] Narrator**
* Right fielder Kaoru Yui had*
* three hits and four runs.*
**[04:45] @Kataoka**
With Miyuki and Ono on the first string,
**[04:48] @Kataoka**
you won't have many chances to don a mask.
**[04:52] @Kataoka**
Would you be willing to
play a different position?
**[04:59] int_Ono**
*The coach is asking him?*
**[05:01] @int_Miyuki**
* He must have been really*
* impressed by Yui's batting.*
**[05:05] (Flashback) @fb_Yui**
I'm Kaoru Yui from Mamiya Senior.
**[05:08] (Flashback) @fb_Yui**
I was a catcher in elementary
and middle school,
**[05:11] (Flashback) @fb_Yui**
so I can't think of playing
any other position!
**[05:19] @Yui**
Yes, if you think I can help the team.
***SIGN*** Meanwhile
Practice Field B
Maeda – Seido
(East Tokyo) (West Tokyo)
**[05:47] @int_Ochiai**
*He hit that slider well.*
**[05:50] @int_Ochiai**
*Was he waiting for it?*
**[05:52] @int_Ochiai**
* I said I'd train him, but he*
* already has a head for baseball.*
**[05:59] @Ochiai**
What do you think of those two?
**[06:03] @Furuya**
They're trouble if they get on base.
**[06:06] @Furuya**
That alone makes me not
want to pitch to them.
**[06:09] @Furuya**
And it's discouraging when they hit
strikeout pitches.
**[06:14] @Ochiai**
I see.
**[06:16] @int_Ochiai**
* That's his opinion as a pitcher,*
* but he's watching them closely.*
**[06:21] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Would you please show Furuya
the second-string game?
**[06:25] (Flashback) @fb_Ochiai**
If you're sure that's what you want.
**[06:27] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Yes, I want him to defend the infield.
**[06:32] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
That will teach him how the
other fielders behind him feel.
**[06:36] _Sign**
Itching
**[06:36] _Sign**
Itching
**[06:36] @int_Ochiai**
*This natural pitcher...*
**[06:42] @int_Ochiai**
*No matter what amazing pitches you throw,*
**[06:44] @int_Ochiai**
*it is your heart that moves your body.*
**[06:47] @int_Ochiai**
* That is probably what*
* Coach Kataoka wants him to learn.*
***SIGN*** Practice Field A
***SIGN*** With the relay from Kawashima
to Kaneda to Tojo
***SIGN*** Kodama
Seido
***SIGN*** Win Kawashima – Kaneda – Tojo Loss Sasaki – Shigeki – – Izumi
***SIGN*** Seido has reached
10 consecutive wins
***SIGN*** Third week of May
**[07:13] _Student**
How does Okumura-kun seem today?
**[07:15] _Student**
Pretty quiet.
**[07:17] _Student**
What's that thing he's reading?
**[07:19] _Student**
It's a baseball scorebook.
**[07:21] _Student**
A scorebook? Not a story
about swords and magic?
**[07:27] (Flashback) fb_Student**
Okumura-kun, I borrowed
this from Umemoto-senpai.
**[07:31] (Flashback) @fb_Okumura**
Thanks.
**[07:34] (Flashback) fb_Umemoto**
Oh, a scorebook?
**[07:36] (Flashback) fb_Umemoto**
That's some pretty hardcore studying!
**[07:38] (Flashback) fb_Umemoto**
I'm impressed!
**[07:42] int_Student**
* She complimented me for studying,*
* and I didn't have the heart to deny it.*
**[07:50] @int_Okumura**
*This is amazing.*
**[07:52] @int_Okumura**
* Not only did he threw various pitch types,*
* he also threw them to various areas.*
**[07:57] @int_Okumura**
* He threw a lot in the early innings to*
* show the batters his different pitches.*
**[08:02] @int_Okumura**
* But in the middle innings,*
* he didn't throw any balls.*
**[08:06] @int_Okumura**
*They're all in the strike zone.*
**[08:10] @int_Okumura**
*Trusting his pitcher's arsenal,*
**[08:12] @int_Okumura**
*he calls a simple and effective game.*
**[08:15] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
You should know, pitching is an art
performed by the pitcher and catcher!
**[08:22] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
Are you sure you want to do this?
**[08:26] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
Will you create that art with me?
**[08:39] Watanabe**
Two home runs in one game.
**[08:42] Watanabe**
Batting practice is really paying off.
**[08:45] @Miyuki**
Could be.
**[08:46] @Miyuki**
I'm getting more comfortable
with a wooden bat, too.
**[08:50] Maezono**
I want to do that, too!
**[08:59] @Sawamura**
Yeah!
**[09:08] @Sawamura**
Go!
**[09:12] @Sawamura**
Run!
**[09:20] @int_Okumura**
*What is he, damn it?!*
**[09:23] @Asada**
He said that trying the tire...
showed promise.
**[09:29] @Asada**
Sawamura-senpai sounded really happy.
**[09:34] @Sawamura**
Okay, last one!
**[09:40] @Okumura**
Jerk.
**[09:49] _Player**
Thank you for the food!
**[09:51] _Player**
Thank you for the food!
**[09:53] @Yui**
Thank you for the food!
**[09:56] _Player**
Thank you for the food!
**[09:57] _Player**
Thank you for the food!
**[09:59] _Player**
Thank you for the food!
***SIGN*** May 13th
Practice Field A
**[10:21] @Kataoka**
Move your legs and lower your hips!
**[10:24] @Kataoka**
Keep your eyes on the ball!
**[10:28] @Kuramochi**
Furuya's playing infield?
**[10:31] @Kominato**
Maybe he'll be in the game.
**[10:33] @int_Miyuki**
*The coach really meant it.*
**[10:40] @Yui**
Let's make the twentieth a good one!
**[10:48] @Yui**
Nice pitch! Let's take a break.
**[10:52] @Sawamura**
Yeah.
**[10:54] _Fan**
Resting after twenty pitches?
**[10:55] _Fan**
Is that all for today?
**[10:58] @Kataoka**
No, he'll be pitching one hundred times.
**[11:01] @Kataoka**
But he would never pitch one hundred
times consecutively in a real game.
**[11:06] @Kataoka**
Twenty pitches, rest, twenty pitches,
sprints, twenty pitches, rest.
**[11:12] @Kataoka**
I'm having him practice like a real game,
**[11:15] @Kataoka**
including anticipating him
getting on base as a batter.
**[11:19] _Fan**
Oh, I see.
**[11:22] @Yui**
Want to work in some of the numbers?
**[11:24] @Yui**
Number 11 or the improved cutter?
**[11:29] @Sawamura**
I'll stick to fastballs for today.
**[11:31] @Sawamura**
Miyuki-senpai is catching for me tomorrow.
**[11:34] @Sawamura**
I'll work on the numbers then.
**[11:37] ---**
I understand.
**[11:41] @Okumura**
Nice pitch! Next will be
your fifteenth pitch!
**[11:47] (Flashback) @fb_Ochiai**
Okumura and Seto are not physically ready yet.
**[11:52] (Flashback) @fb_Ochiai**
I said I'd train them on the second string,
**[11:55] (Flashback) @fb_Ochiai**
but their high baseball IQ
may help motivate the first string.
**[12:04] @Kataoka**
Okumura, you'll switch with Yui for this set!
**[12:07] @Kataoka**
You'll catch for Sawamura.
**[12:18] @Okumura**
I'm sorry, but I can't do that.
**[12:23] @Kataoka**
You can't? What do you mean?
**[12:31] @Sawamura**
Boss, he won't catch for me
until he's on the first string!
**[12:36] @Sawamura**
It's kind of like a promise,
a rule for himself!
**[12:39] @Sawamura**
He's like... as difficult
to deal with as a wolf!
**[12:45] @Sawamura**
But that's what makes him interesting!
**[12:53] @Kataoka**
I intend to put you and
Seto on the first string
**[12:56] @Kataoka**
before Miyuki leaves for
the Tokyo Tournament.
**[13:01] @Kataoka**
Does that satisfy you?
**[13:06] (Flashback) @fb_Okumura**
I haven't earned the right yet.
**[13:11] (Flashback) @fb_Okumura**
I'm going to make it to the first string.
**[13:14] (Flashback) @fb_Okumura**
Once I do...
**[13:16] @Okumura**
Once that time comes,
I will be all too happy to.
**[13:24] @Okumura**
But...
**[13:25] @Okumura**
I am a catcher.
**[13:27] @Okumura**
If I'm going to be on the first string,
it has to be as a catcher.
**[13:46] @Kataoka**
I understand. That's enough.
**[13:52] _Fan**
He disobeyed Coach Kataoka.
**[13:55] _Fan**
Who is that kid?
**[13:59] @Sawamura**
Time to get back to it, young Yui!
**[14:01] @Yui**
Y-Yes, sir!
**[14:03] @Sawamura**
Okay, third inning!
**[14:08] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Would you be willing to
play a different position?
**[14:13] (Flashback) @fb_Yui**
Yes, if you think I can help the team.
**[14:48] @Sawamura**
He's back, he's back!
**[14:50] @Sawamura**
Wolf boy's back!
**[14:53] @Okumura**
Is today another cram school day?
**[14:55] @Sawamura**
Nope, not today.
**[14:58] @Okumura**
Then why are you here?
**[15:00] @Miyuki**
I heard, Okumura.
**[15:03] @Miyuki**
You won't catch for Sawamura
until you're on the first string?
**[15:06] @Miyuki**
You said that to the coach?
**[15:16] SFX**
Grrrr
**[15:18] @Miyuki**
The coach thought it would be best for the
team if you caught for a first-string pitcher.
**[15:24] @Miyuki**
Then you went and refused.
You sure are a weird one.
**[15:29] @Miyuki**
And really...
**[15:30] @Miyuki**
You made the coach mad and passed up
your chance to be on the first string.
**[15:36] @Sawamura**
He may be right!
**[15:38] @Sawamura**
The boss is even stricter than he looks!
**[15:44] ---**
G
r
r
.
.
.
**[15:46] @Miyuki**
Come to think of it, there was
another guy who mouthed off
**[15:49] @Miyuki**
to the coach and almost
got removed as a pitcher!
**[15:55] @Sawamura**
Who was that idiot?
**[15:57] @Miyuki**
You. It was you.
**[15:58] @Sawamura**
What a handful!
**[15:59] @Miyuki**
You sure are.
**[16:01] @Sawamura**
Why are you bringing that up now,
in front of a first-year?!
**[16:05] @Sawamura**
It got way worse because you got involved!
**[16:12] SFX**
Grrrr
**[16:17] @Okumura**
I must seem insignificant
to the guys on the first string.
**[16:25] @Sawamura**
No, I don't think that at all.
**[16:28] @Sawamura**
You stand out, you're a
good catcher, and you're scary.
**[16:32] @Okumura**
I won't...
**[16:35] @Okumura**
be satisfied with just
making the first string.
**[16:37] @Okumura**
I want to become a starter.
**[16:47] @Miyuki**
Well...
**[16:49] @Miyuki**
*I see.*
**[16:51] @Miyuki**
* No wonder he's been so hostile*
* toward me from day one.*
**[17:00] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
I'll be joining the team this spring.
**[17:02] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
My name is Kazuya Miyuki.
**[17:04] @fbint_Miyuki**
* I'll steal everything I can from you,*
* even your starting spot.*
**[17:11] (Flashback) fb_Chris**
Yeah, good luck.
**[17:17] @Miyuki**
Sounds like fun.
**[17:53] @Yui**
Furuya-san, what would you think about
playing a position other than pitcher?
**[18:04] @Furuya**
I don't want to, of course.
**[18:09] @Furuya**
Especially infield.
**[18:10] @Furuya**
There's so much to learn,
and everyone else is better than me.
**[18:21] @Furuya**
But I'm in no position to complain.
**[18:26] @Furuya**
If I have to be a fielder,
I'll do my best, even if I suck.
**[18:30] @Furuya**
That's what I think.
**[18:32] @Furuya**
When I'm out there playing, it means
there's someone else who isn't.
**[18:47] (Flashback) _Player**
Furuya, don't you have
an outfielder's glove?
**[18:52] (Flashback) _Player**
You can borrow mine when
you're in the field.
**[18:56] (Flashback) _Player**
It's pretty beat up,
but it'll serve you well.
**[19:01] @Furuya**
If I can play,
**[19:03] @Furuya**
I'll do my best in any position.
**[19:08] @Furuya**
That's why I want to practice
swinging and do fielding drills.
***SIGN***
**[19:15] @int_Kataoka**
* Wanting to be the best pitcher in Japan*
* and wanting to make your team the best*
**[19:20] @int_Kataoka**
*are admirable goals.*
**[19:23] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
The one who shoulders the feelings of
the whole team on the mound is the ace.
**[19:27] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
The current jersey numbers will be discarded!
**[19:30] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
The twenty players on the
tournament roster will be decided
**[19:33] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
by your performance and
attitude in the coming days!
**[19:37] (Flashback) _Fan**
He's going for third!
**[19:38] (Flashback) _Fan**
He's crazy!
**[19:41] (Flashback) _Fan**
He's out!
**[19:43] (Flashback) _Umpire**
Out!
**[19:45] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
There is no shortcut to glory.
**[19:48] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
The team doesn't need plays that mistake
arrogance for aggressiveness.
**[19:55] @int_Kataoka**
* But it may be for nothing if you*
* lose yourself within those goals.*
**[20:03] @int_Kataoka**
* They may show themselves as you continue*
* working without doing anything special.*
**[20:16] @Yui**
Thank you, Furuya-san.
**[20:19] @Yui**
I made this decision, so I'll stand on the
field and make sure that I don't regret it.
**[20:28] @Furuya**
I will, too.
**[20:30] @Yui**
Yes, sir!
***SIGN*** "Kind of Like a Promise"
**[21:23] @Furuya**
"Kind of Like a Promise"
***SIGN*** Seido Spirit Dorm
***SIGN*** May 15th
***SIGN*** Sawamura's Birthday
***SIGN*** Kuramochi-senpai's
Birthday
**[21:36] ---**
Born May 15th
**[21:36] ---**
Born May 17th
**[21:38] @Sawamura**
As of today, we're the same age!
**[21:41] @Sawamura**
I don't need to talk to you
like you're older anymore!
***SIGN*** Eijun Sawamura
is now 17 years old.
**[21:44] @Sawamura**
Right, Yoichi?
**[21:47] @Asada**
Okay, I'm taking the picture.
**[21:49] @Asada**
Kuramochi-senpai, smile please!
***SIGN*** 2 days later...
**[22:02] @Kuramochi**
What are you waiting for, Asada?
Take the picture!
**[22:05] @Asada**
I'm sorry!
**[22:06] @Asada**
I'm sorry, Sawamura-senpai!
**[22:09] @int_Asada**
* Kuramochi-senpai is not*
* someone to mess with...*
**[22:13] ---**
18 years
**[22:13] ---**
17 years
**[22:13] ---**
HB!
**[23:49] @Okumura**
It doesn't matter once I'm on the field.
**[23:51] @Ochiai**
If I'm going to be in the game,
I want to show what I can do!
**[23:55] @Kataoka**
I'm not looking for anything special.
**[23:58] @Kataoka**
You just focus on doing what you need to,
every day, and it'll come to you.
**[24:03] @Kataoka**
That will get you closer
to being the best in Japan.
**[24:06] @Kataoka**
I'll ask again: What kind of pitcher
do you think the best in Japan is?
**[24:12] @Okumura**
On the next episode of
*Ace of the Diamond Act II*:
***SIGN*** Next Time
***SIGN*** "Hunger"
**[24:15] @Okumura**
"Hunger."
**[24:16] Kawakami**
Let's win the national title!
***SIGN*** Illustration / Yuji Terajima