# 49 - A Nostalgic Face
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.)
**[00:00] Is**
Wait, managers.
**[00:03] Is**
Thanks for everything you do.
**[00:06] Is**
Let's keep working hard for two more days.
**[00:09] S1**
Isashiki-kun...
**[00:10] S2**
Senpai!
**[00:13] Ku**
Ryo-san, are you free—
**[00:21] Ku**
*Ryo-san?*
***SIGN*** Seido High School Practice Field
***SIGN*** A Nostalgic Face
**[02:04] C1**
Those are some nice hits.
**[02:06] C2**
That's going at around 150 km/h, right?
**[02:14] C3**
Narumiya-kun's max is 148 km/h
and he's a southpaw.
**[02:17] C3**
If they can't hit his pitches,
it won't even be a game.
**[02:26] Ka**
Sakai.
**[02:27] Ka**
You're still trying too hard to make contact.
**[02:29] Ka**
You have to swing the bat all the way.
**[02:33] Ka**
Listen up!
**[02:34] Ka**
If you can't swing with confidence,
**[02:36] Ka**
it'll only give momentum to the opponent!
**[02:38] Ka**
You have to swing the bat all the way through!
**[02:40] Ka**
Even if that means you get struck out.
**[02:41] SS**
Yes, sir!
**[02:45] Sa**
Got it!
**[02:47] Sa**
So close!
**[02:49] Sa**
Just a hair lower!
**[02:52] Ot**
W-Well, his swing is nice.
**[02:54] Ka**
Yeah.
**[02:58] C1**
Look at Furuya!
**[03:00] C2**
Impressive.
**[03:01] C2**
His batting's good, too.
**[03:03] Fu**
*I want to pitch in the bullpen.*
**[03:09] Sa**
Harucchi!
**[03:12] Sa**
Damn, you lucky boy.
**[03:14] Mi**
Sawamura! Bunt!
**[03:19] Ma**
That's good!
**[03:20] S1**
Look how slow that's rolling.
**[03:22] S1**
That's off a 150 km/h pitch.
**[03:24] S2**
How can he tap it like that?
**[03:27] S3**
Are you serious?
**[03:28] S4**
Can he bunt off anything?
**[03:30] Ma**
Oh, no.
**[03:31] Ma**
I can't believe I'm so impressed by him.
**[03:33] Ka**
It's because he's not afraid of the pitch.
**[03:36] S1**
That can't be the only reason.
**[03:38] Ha**
Good job!
**[03:39] Ha**
You're the bunt master!
***SIGN*** Not good at bunts
**[03:43] Is**
Just bunt every at-bat!
**[03:46] Sa**
Wh-What?
**[03:50] C1**
These guys are surprisingly relaxed.
**[03:53] C2**
Well, there's only one more game,
no matter what happens.
**[03:57] C2**
So they just have to go all out.
**[04:00] Sa**
Damn you all!
**[04:02] Sa**
It's about time I showed you my true power.
**[04:05] Ka**
Don't swing.
**[04:06] Ka**
Just practice your bunts.
**[04:08] Sa**
B-But, General!
***SIGN*** Seido High School Practice Field
**[04:18] Ka**
Field practice starts after lunch.
**[04:20] Ka**
Go eat, then come back here at one.
**[04:22] SS**
Yes, sir!
**[04:24] C1**
Good luck!
**[04:25] C2**
We'll be there tomorrow!
**[04:27] Ta**
Furuya, Sawamura.
**[04:30] Ta**
Let's look through the data on Inashiro while we eat.
**[04:35] Sa**
Yes, sir!
**[04:36] Sa**
Lunch and meeting, sir?
**[04:38] Ha**
*Did you have to say that?*
**[04:42] Mi**
Having Tanba-san in charge of the pitchers
**[04:43] Mi**
takes a load of our shoulders.
**[04:47] Ch**
Yeah.
**[04:49] Ch**
*We've made it this far with a four-pitcher relay.*
**[04:54] (Flashback) Ta**
Whoever's on the mound at that time is the ace!
**[04:57] (Flashback) Ta**
That's how we should all pitch!
**[05:02] Ch**
*And he knows that more than anyone.*
***SIGN*** Seido Spirit Dorm
**[05:10] Ch**
We need to watch out
for their first and second batters.
**[05:13] Ta**
Yeah.
**[05:14] Ta**
I'm sure they'll try for steals, too.
**[05:17] Ch**
And we definitely need
to watch out for their cleanup,
**[05:22] Ch**
but the scariest thing
about Inashiro's batters...
**[05:24] Ch**
...is their attachment toward victory.
**[05:26] Sa**
Attachment?
**[05:28] Ch**
Yeah.
**[05:30] Ch**
Last year,
**[05:32] Ch**
the game was decided by a squeeze
play from their cleanup.
**[05:37] Sa**
From their cleanup?
**[05:40] Ch**
In order to score,
they'll even make their cleanup bunt.
**[05:45] Ch**
Some of the best players
in the country come at you as a team
**[05:49] Ch**
to make sure they score
when there's a chance.
**[05:54] Mi**
In other words,
**[05:55] Mi**
they're the team that knows how
to play so that they won't lose.
**[06:04] Ch**
Anyway, we can't give them any four-ball walks.
**[06:09] Ch**
Let's check on everyone's pitching
in the bullpen after lunch.
**[06:12] Sa**
Yeah!
**[06:14] Ta**
*I'll just do the best I can do right now.*
**[06:18] Ka**
*I won't let the team down.*
**[06:23] Fu**
*I can finally pitch.*
**[06:29] Mi**
What's wrong, Sawamura?
**[06:34] Sa**
Not giving up four-ball walks is important for sure,
**[06:37] Sa**
but people can easily hit
my pitch to the outfield, right?
**[06:41] Sa**
You were right,
and I gave up a hit yesterday, too.
**[06:48] Mi**
What?
**[06:49] Mi**
Did you lose your confidence again?
**[06:51] Sa**
No, I didn't!
**[06:53] Sa**
And what do you mean "again"?
**[06:55] Sa**
I know tomorrow's the game,
**[06:57] Sa**
and I may be saying something stupid,
**[06:59] Sa**
but can I say something?
**[07:04] Sa**
I want to learn breaking balls.
**[07:11] Mi**
Well, time to get back to practice.
**[07:14] Ch**
Yeah.
**[07:15] [SONG] On-screen**
Rejected
**[07:16] Sa**
Wait!
**[07:18] [SONG] On-screen**
Seido High School Practice Field
**[07:24] Az**
Hey, managers.
**[07:26] Az**
Can you help me out a bit?
**[07:27] M1**
Y-Yes, sir!
**[07:29] M2**
Are there still more?
**[07:30] Az**
Of course!
**[07:31] Az**
Who do you think I am?
**[07:34] Az**
There are plenty more in the car!
**[07:37] Az**
This is a gift from me to the guys.
**[07:40] Az**
It's the least I can do for them!
**[07:44] C1**
H-Hey, isn't that...
**[07:46] C2**
No doubt about it.
**[07:49] C2**
He's the cleanup from last year.
**[07:51] C2**
Kiyokuni Azuma, third-round draft pick
for the pro league.
**[07:56] Is**
Azuma-senpai!
**[07:57] Is**
It's Azuma-senpai!
**[08:01] Az**
Hey, Isashiki.
**[08:03] Is**
How've you been?
**[08:04] S1**
Hello.
**[08:05] S2**
Hello. Hello. Hello.
**[08:07] C1**
Why's a pro here?
**[08:09] C1**
Aren't they in season?
**[08:11] C2**
I heard Azuma's trying
to lose weight in second-string.
**[08:14] C2**
He needs to lose 10 kg, or he can't play.
**[08:17] C3**
Seriously?
**[08:18] Is**
Azuma-senpai, did you get bigger?
**[08:21] Is**
How did you get fat after going pro?
**[08:23] Az**
Shut up!
**[08:24] Az**
It's from all the stress of not playing!
**[08:29] Is**
Did you say hi to the coach already?
**[08:32] Az**
Yeah, well...
**[08:34] Az**
He just told me to lose weight.
**[08:37] Az**
Stop asking me questions!
**[08:40] Az**
This is your year!
**[08:50] Az**
The dream I couldn't achieve
**[08:54] Az**
is in your hands now.
**[09:00] Is**
*Azuma-senpai.*
***SIGN*** Seido High School Practice Field
**[09:04] Az**
You guys'd better make it to nationals!
**[09:12] Mi**
Next, splitter.
**[09:17] Mi**
Slide step!
**[09:29] Mi**
*Not bad.*
**[09:31] Mi**
*He's throwing low,*
**[09:32] Mi**
* and thanks to the break he got,*
* his pitches have power.*
**[09:37] Mi**
All right, that's enough.
**[09:39] Fu**
Already?
**[09:40] Mi**
Tomorrow's the game.
**[09:42] Mi**
Your biggest problem is stamina, remember?
**[09:49] Mi**
Nice pitch!
**[09:53] Mi**
Tanba-san's pitch is looking good.
**[09:55] Mi**
Yeah.
**[09:57] Mi**
Though he still has some
slip-ups here and there.
**[10:01] Mi**
* The batters were waiting*
* for his slip-ups in the last game,*
**[10:04] Mi**
*but being able to pitch through five innings*
**[10:06] Mi**
*should've given him some confidence.*
**[10:10] Mi**
*The condition of his pitch is important,*
**[10:11] Mi**
* but it's more important*
* that he has his eyes set forward.*
**[10:16] Mi**
*I'm more worried about...*
**[10:21] Ka**
Shoot! Sorry!
**[10:23] S1**
Don't worry!
**[10:24] S1**
Your speed's looking good!
**[10:25] S1**
Just a little higher!
**[10:29] Mi**
*He's been pitching in every game as the closer.*
**[10:35] Mi**
* Nori might be the most mentally*
* fatigued out of anyone here.*
**[10:41] Ot**
He's able to consistently throw low.
**[10:45] Re**
He might be pitching a little too cautiously.
**[10:52] Ka**
Yeah.
**[10:55] Mi**
* At this point, it's more about*
* the heart than the technique.*
**[10:58] Mi**
* How strong and confident*
* can you be on the mound?*
**[11:02] Mi**
*That's what's key, Nori.*
**[11:07] Sa**
Yes!
**[11:08] Sa**
Perfect!
**[11:09] Sa**
I'm scared for my own sake!
**[11:13] Sa**
Why aren't we playing for real today?
**[11:16] Ch**
That was a ball.
**[11:18] Ka**
Are you trying to hit me?
**[11:21] Sa**
What are you talking about?
**[11:22] Sa**
My mind's set right down the middle.
**[11:24] Ka**
That's even worse!
**[11:25] Ot**
Well, he has energy.
**[11:27] Ot**
But that's all.
**[11:31] (Flashback) Sa**
I want to learn breaking balls.
**[11:35] Ch**
Next, four-seamer.
**[11:37] Sa**
Yes, sir.
**[11:44] Ch**
*His form's starting to look consistent.*
**[11:48] Ch**
Nice pitch, Sawamura.
**[11:50] Sa**
Oh, not at all.
**[11:51] Sa**
I've still got a lot to do.
**[11:53] Sa**
I'm sorry I'm such a newbie.
**[11:56] Ka**
That's the wrong reaction.
**[11:58] Mi**
Chris-senpai, it's about
what Sawamura said at lunch.
**[12:02] Ch**
I know.
**[12:03] Ch**
If he could learn a breaking ball overnight,
**[12:06] Ch**
I would've done it long ago.
**[12:10] Mi**
No.
**[12:13] Mi**
I'm not sure what was
on his mind when he said it,
**[12:17] Mi**
but in yesterday's game...
***SIGN*** Seido High School Practice Field
**[12:22] Mi**
Sawamura, come here!
**[12:25] Sa**
What is it?
**[12:28] Mi**
You said you wanted to learn breaking balls.
**[12:31] Mi**
What did you have in mind?
**[12:38] Mi**
All right, I get it.
**[12:40] Mi**
We'll listen this time.
**[12:43] Mi**
*He's still mad we ignored him?*
**[12:46] Sa**
*They didn't even give me a chance at lunch.*
**[12:50] Sa**
A cutter.
**[12:54] Sa**
Well...
**[12:55] Sa**
A cutter's a type of moving fastball, right?
**[12:59] Sa**
It's not just a random break
but an intended break,
**[13:03] Sa**
and you make batters jam an inside pitch
to get them out with grounders.
**[13:07] Sa**
I thought if I could jam
the batters even more,
**[13:11] Sa**
I could avoid having
the ball go into the outfield.
**[13:16] Sa**
That's what I was thinking.
**[13:19] Mi**
*I see.*
**[13:21] Mi**
*So he's got Sanada from Yakushi on his mind.*
**[13:24] Mi**
Not bad.
**[13:26] Mi**
Not bad coming from you, Sawamura.
**[13:31] Mi**
The crossfire pitch you threw in the last game...
**[13:35] Mi**
...was basically a cutter.
**[13:39] Ka**
Seriously?
**[13:42] Mi**
If you already have it thought out
in your head, then it should be easy.
**[13:46] Mi**
Remember what you did
that time and try to throw it.
**[13:51] Mi**
Kanemaru, can you go in
as a right-handed batter?
**[13:54] Ka**
Y-Yes, sir.
**[13:56] Ch**
*He grows in every game.*
**[14:00] Ch**
*He's quickly getting out of reach.*
**[14:04] Az**
Well, what's this?
**[14:05] Az**
You're that disrespectful brat
from that one time.
**[14:09] Az**
Why are you in the bullpen?
**[14:13] Az**
Don't tell me you're on the first-string team.
**[14:20] Sa**
Y-You're...
**[14:29] Sa**
...the person I completely shut down before!
**[14:34] Sa**
Chubby-senpai!
***SIGN*** Chubby!
**[14:35] Az**
Chubby?
**[14:36] Sa**
Wait.
**[14:38] Sa**
I don't remember you being this fat.
**[14:40] Az**
Are you trying to pick a fight, twerp?
**[14:43] Az**
I remember you saying something
about not liking famous schools!
**[14:47] Az**
So what are you doing at our school?
**[14:51] Sa**
I d-don't remember any of that.
**[14:54] Az**
Learn some respect, or I'll box
you up and send you back home!
**[14:59] Sa**
Look how soft this is.
**[15:04] Mi**
Azuma-senpai.
**[15:05] Az**
What?
**[15:07] Mi**
He's a valuable member of our team right now.
**[15:12] Az**
What...
**[15:13] Sa**
...did you say?
**[15:16] Mi**
There's a pitch we wanted to try.
**[15:19] Mi**
Want to take a look at his pitch
from the batter's box?
**[15:29] Ot**
Something crazy's about to happen.
**[15:32] Re**
Not at all.
**[15:33] Re**
He's just going to stand there.
**[15:36] Re**
* Azuma-kun and Sawamura-kun*
* dueled ten months ago.*
**[15:41] Re**
* I wonder how Azuma-kun*
* will see Sawamura-kun now.*
**[15:46] Az**
Give it here!
**[15:46] Ka**
Y-Yes, sir.
**[15:48] Ka**
You should put on these guards.
**[15:53] Az**
I don't need 'em!
**[15:54] Az**
You think I can't dodge his pitch?
**[15:57] Ka**
Azuma.
**[15:58] Ka**
You're a professional who gets paid
to play with a healthy body.
**[16:03] Ka**
If you're going to stand
in the box, put on the guards.
**[16:11] Ka**
*He suddenly got quiet.*
**[16:14] Ch**
Miyuki.
**[16:16] Ch**
You want to see if it'll be
any good for tomorrow, right?
**[16:19] Ch**
You should catch this one.
**[16:22] Ch**
This is an important role
as the main catcher.
**[16:25] Mi**
Chris-senpai.
**[16:42] Az**
Hey, so you really think
he's a valuable member?
**[16:47] Az**
I'll have to see it for myself to believe it.
**[16:53] Mi**
*There aren't many batters*
**[16:55] Mi**
* who can put on so much*
* pressure just by standing here.*
**[17:00] Mi**
Then we won't hold back, sir.
**[17:05] Mi**
*Give me one to the inside.*
**[17:08] Mi**
*Try to throw what you threw yesterday.*
**[17:15] Sa**
* I just wanted to throw*
* a hard pitch to the inside.*
**[17:26] Az**
*Are you serious?*
**[17:27] Az**
*Your legs are way too closed.*
**[17:31] Az**
* Can you swing your arm*
* all the way through like that?*
**[17:36] Az**
*What?*
**[17:37] Az**
*Out of the blue?*
**[17:40] Az**
*And it's breaking!*
**[17:52] SS**
Azuma-senpai!
***SIGN*** Seido High School Practice Field
**[17:54] SS**
Are you okay, Azuma-san?!
**[17:57] S1**
The guards were useless!
**[17:59] S2**
It got his fat!
**[18:01] Mi**
*His flexible shoulder and elbow*
**[18:04] Mi**
* and the twist between*
* his upper and lower body...*
**[18:07] Mi**
* ...introduce a new kind of break*
* as he transfers power to the ball.*
**[18:13] Mi**
*This is Sawamura's cutter.*
**[18:17] Sa**
*That was it.*
**[18:20] Sa**
Chubby-senpai!
**[18:22] Sa**
Can I throw more?
**[18:23] Sa**
I don't want to forget what I just felt!
**[18:26] Sa**
Thanks!
**[18:27] Az**
Dumbass! Why don't you apologize first?
**[18:29] Az**
And I'll kill you if you call me chubby again!
**[18:38] Az**
*I don't remember his pitch looking like this.*
**[18:42] Az**
*I couldn't even react.*
**[18:49] Ku**
Ryo-san!
**[18:54] C1**
That was solid.
**[18:56] C2**
Those two are an amazing duo.
**[19:01] Ku**
*He's a monster.*
**[19:05] (Flashback) Ku**
Ryo-san, your leg.
**[19:09] (Flashback) Ku**
Did you hurt it when you
slid for home last game?
**[19:15] (Flashback) Ry**
What's your point?
**[19:19] (Flashback) Ry**
I hit the catcher's leg guard with my shin,
**[19:23] (Flashback) Ry**
so it's just a little swollen.
**[19:25] (Flashback) Ku**
A little?
**[19:26] (Flashback) Ry**
Don't worry.
**[19:29] (Flashback) Ry**
I'll have plenty of adrenaline flowing in a game.
**[19:32] (Flashback) Ry**
Everyone hides minor injuries like this.
**[19:36] (Flashback) Ry**
But...
**[19:38] (Flashback) Ry**
If you think I'm dragging the team down,
**[19:41] (Flashback) Ry**
you should tell the coach.
**[19:44] (Flashback) Ry**
If it comes from my year-long partner,
**[19:47] (Flashback) Ry**
then I can't disagree.
**[19:59] Ku**
*He's as good as always.*
**[20:03] Ku**
*He may not have a big body,*
**[20:05] Ku**
*but his heart is bigger than anyone's.*
**[20:08] Ha**
Nice.
**[20:09] Ry**
Shut up.
**[20:11] Ku**
*He's only a year older than me,*
**[20:13] Ku**
*but he has my full respect.*
**[20:16] Ku**
*He's been teaching me so much this year.*
**[20:23] Az**
Man, that was quite a misfortune.
**[20:25] Az**
That kid just kept hitting me nonstop.
**[20:29] Re**
Aren't you glad you had guards on?
**[20:31] Az**
It's not a laughing matter!
**[20:33] Ka**
You suck at dodging.
**[20:35] Ka**
You're gonna have a hard time in the future.
**[20:40] Fu**
Excuse me.
**[20:42] Fu**
Please stand for me.
**[20:44] Az**
Who are you?
**[20:46] Ch**
Azuma-senpai.
**[20:47] Ch**
How was Sawamura's pitch?
**[20:50] Az**
Hey, Chris.
**[20:51] Az**
I heard you've been healing pretty well.
**[20:54] Az**
You don't look like a dead man anymore.
**[20:59] Az**
I have to say, his pitch is peculiar,
**[21:02] Az**
and he's a different kid from a year ago.
**[21:05] Az**
But he's still very rough.
**[21:08] Az**
I can't imagine him
wearing the ace number.
**[21:14] Ch**
You're quite a harsh judge.
**[21:15] Az**
Are you kidding?
**[21:16] Az**
Do you even know what the third-years
were like in their first year?
**[21:22] Az**
You were head and shoulders above the rest,
**[21:24] Az**
but everyone else was just trash.
**[21:28] Ch**
Compared to you, everyone's trash－
**[21:30] Az**
No way.
**[21:31] Az**
They were actually really bad.
**[21:34] Fu**
*The third-years used to be trash?*
**[21:39] Az**
How much you can improve is really up to you.
**[21:49] Az**
Tell him I said that.
**[21:55] Ka**
It's time you improved, too.
**[21:58] Az**
*He's merciless.*
**[22:00] Sa**
Yeah!
**[23:36] Re**
You can't believe what Azuma-kun said?
**[23:38] Re**
The third-years were once
first-years, too, you know?
**[23:41] Re**
No one's reliable from the very start.
**[23:43] Fu**
What do you mean?
**[23:44] Az**
These guys are a joke.
**[23:46] Az**
They have no future.
**[23:47] Is**
I'm not quitting!
**[23:48] Is**
I can't just give up!
**[23:50] Yu**
In order to survive,
**[23:52] Yu**
we can only keep our chins up.
**[23:53] Mi**
Next time on *Ace of the Diamond*:
Footsteps to Tomorrow.
***SIGN*** Footsteps to Tomorrow
**[23:57] Mi**
Let's win the national title!