# E31 - What Must Be Protected
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/G6W47G4MR/what-must-be-protected)
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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.)
**[00:05] ---**
Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
**[00:13] ---**
We're doin' a player substitution.
**[00:14] ---**
Natsume?
**[00:16] ---**
It's been long enough. I'm good.
**[00:19] ---**
Me, too... I'm ready.
**[00:21] ---**
Shigeyoshi...
**[00:24] ---**
Just stay put!
**[00:26] ---**
If our lead is still shrinking
after 3 minutes from now,
**[00:29] ---**
then go ahead and put
Bro or the beanstalk in.
**[00:32] ---**
But until then, I'll find a way
to hold the other team off.
**[00:36] ---**
Shot-clock violation!
**[00:37] ---**
Huh? Already?!
**[00:40] ---**
Player substitution! Kuzuryu High School!
**[00:47] ---**
Just "hold them off"?
**[00:49] ---**
Not "stretch out our lead even further"?
**[00:56] ---**
It's not wrong
**[00:59] ---**
So that one step you took
and endured today is
**[01:02] ---**
The sound of a footstep
that radiates brilliantly
**[01:08] ---**
It's not wrong
**[01:12] ---**
So the world you blindly
jumped into must be right
**[01:19] ---**
The plans I held for the
future when I was greedy
**[01:21] ---**
Ahiru no Sora
**[01:25] ---**
Was soiled by my days of
attentiveness to others
**[01:32] ---**
Those that sought the
same dream have long ago
**[01:35] ---**
Started on new paths
**[01:38] ---**
Sighs color the sky a dark gray
**[01:44] ---**
But it's not the end yet
**[01:50] ---**
Today must be the day, so I pray as I sing
**[01:59] ---**
It's not wrong
**[02:02] ---**
So that one step you took
and endured today is
**[02:05] ---**
The sound of a footstep
that radiates brilliantly
**[02:11] ---**
It's not wrong
**[02:14] ---**
The world you blindly
jumped into must be right
**[02:23] ---**
What Must Be Protected
**[02:25] ---**
It's a real shame.
**[02:27] ---**
You've got so much amazing talent,
**[02:29] ---**
but not enough stamina to
run for 40 minutes, huh?
**[02:33] ---**
Wait, let me guess!
**[02:34] ---**
Back in middle school, you
skipped out on practice thinking
**[02:36] ---**
you were too good for it.
**[02:38] ---**
Just buzz off.
**[02:40] ---**
I'm really purr-ceptive!
**[02:42] ---**
Well, considering that you've been the one
scoring on us the most,
**[02:45] ---**
it really helps to have you
get all tuckered out now.
**[02:48] ---**
Uh-oh, better keep your eyes on the prize!
**[02:58] ---**
Going above my head again... dammit!
**[03:03] ---**
Get outta my way, ya big lump!
**[03:05] ---**
Don't you dare, sideburns!
**[03:08] ---**
He's wide open!
**[03:12] ---**
Nobody gets a free shot
as long as I'm on the court, dammit!
**[03:16] ---**
They stopped it!
**[03:18] ---**
Defensive foul! #4!
**[03:20] ---**
Shit, he got free-throws?
**[03:22] ---**
That was a nice block, Momoharu.
**[03:24] ---**
Thanks.
**[03:26] ---**
I'll run like hell if the second shot misses,
**[03:28] ---**
so chuck the ball as hard as you can.
**[03:30] ---**
Every point counts,
Kazushi. Don't miss these.
**[03:36] ---**
Two free-throws!
**[03:44] ---**
You talking about Kashiwagi?
He's bad news, for sure.
**[03:47] ---**
Did you hear? He caused a big brawl.
**[03:49] ---**
What a thug...
**[03:51] ---**
I hate being stuck in the same class as him.
**[04:00] ---**
Oh?
**[04:01] ---**
What's up? You hoping to join the team?
**[04:04] ---**
Wait! You can't let that guy in!
**[04:07] ---**
His name is Kashiwagi and he's done nothing
but cause trouble lately.
**[04:10] ---**
Whatever, that's nothing a bit
of old fashion discipline won't cure.
**[04:13] ---**
I guarantee that won't work on him!
**[04:15] ---**
He totally beat the snot out of 3 guys
from West High the other day.
**[04:18] ---**
Ouch!
**[04:19] ---**
Oops, sorry.
**[04:21] ---**
That hurt, asswipe!
**[04:23] ---**
Sorry, my bad. But you should
watch where you're going, too.
**[04:27] ---**
Huh?
**[04:32] ---**
If you're interested in playing,
then why not come join us?
**[04:34] ---**
Huh?
**[04:36] ---**
I know the feeling. I got into basketball
because of that same manga!
**[04:46] ---**
He missed the first shot!
**[04:48] ---**
Aw, man, they needed that!
**[04:50] ---**
Stay calm, Kazushi!
**[04:51] ---**
Take deep breaths and shoot
carefully. You'll be fine!
**[04:58] ---**
Back on that fateful day,
if you hadn't reached out to me like you did...
**[05:04] ---**
...then I'm sure my high school life
would've been the pits.
**[05:12] ---**
Even a hopeless punk like me
can find something to be passionate about!
**[05:16] ---**
He missed the second one, too!
**[05:18] ---**
Rebound it! We have to hold them off!
**[05:21] ---**
Dammit!
**[05:24] ---**
Shit, it's a fast break!
Don't let him pass it!
**[05:33] ---**
Yukio!
**[05:34] ---**
Oh no, Tamo!
**[05:35] ---**
Out of bounds! White team's ball!
**[05:38] ---**
He took Momoharu's full-force
throw right to the face...
**[05:40] ---**
That's the 10th guy I've seen him
put out of commission like that.
**[05:43] ---**
For real?!
**[05:45] ---**
Don't die on us, Yukio!
**[05:47] ---**
Say something, Yukio!
**[05:49] ---**
I'm all right. I know how
to roll with the punches.
**[05:53] ---**
If they scored with a fast break now,
**[05:55] ---**
it would totally kill all the
momentum that Kazushi built for us.
**[06:01] ---**
How adorable, he's so shy.
**[06:07] ---**
Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
**[06:11] ---**
A'ight! We're gonna crush their streak!
Keep your voices and spirits high!
**[06:16] ---**
We WILL catch up! Nobody call it quits now!
**[06:19] ---**
What is the thing that
I'm supposed to protect?
**[06:23] ---**
I already abandoned
basketball once, didn't I?
**[06:26] ---**
Yasuhara, you gotta get further inside!
**[06:28] ---**
So why exactly am I here right now?
**[06:31] ---**
You're going down.
**[06:34] ---**
A three!
**[06:36] ---**
No way!
**[06:41] ---**
It went in!
**[06:42] ---**
A 10 point lead! Now they're
back in the double digits!
**[06:48] ---**
Eat shit.
**[06:50] ---**
That smug bastard!
**[06:52] ---**
I didn't skip out on practice
because I was lazy. It's just...
**[06:57] ---**
...there was a time I almost
let go of the precious
**[07:00] ---**
little hand that I was
supposed to hold tight.
**[07:03] ---**
I won't lose her! Never again!
**[07:06] ---**
There's only 3 minutes left,
guys! Stay confident and-
**[07:08] ---**
Everybody move up!
**[07:10] ---**
We can't just keep the same defense!
We gotta lay on more pressure!
**[07:13] ---**
Hey Chucky! Yasuhara! We're
doing man-to-man now!
**[07:16] ---**
Roger that!
**[07:21] ---**
Kuzu High is going all out!
**[07:22] ---**
They're in the endgame now!
**[07:24] ---**
Oh jeez, that's way too reckless.
Especially when they have the lead.
**[07:27] ---**
With the players who are on the court now,
**[07:29] ---**
there's hardly any difference
between zone and man-to-man.
**[07:32] ---**
Well, I suppose this allows
them to suppress Kojima
**[07:34] ---**
and hope his knee puts him on the bench soon.
**[07:37] ---**
But of course, that's only if
they have enough stamina left to run at this point.
**[07:42] ---**
Hey, Madoka?
**[07:44] ---**
Uh, yes?
**[07:45] ---**
The one who shot that last three...
**[07:47] ---**
What's the name of that boy
who has his hair all braided up?
**[07:50] ---**
Oh, uh, that's Kenji Natsume.
Everyone calls him "Kite," though.
**[07:56] ---**
He's in the same grade as Sora.
**[07:58] ---**
Is he really just a
freshman? He's so skilled!
**[08:02] ---**
There was a lot of trouble
leading up to him joining the team, though.
**[08:05] ---**
What about that other one?
The boy who made the amazing block.
**[08:08] ---**
Momoharu Hanazono. He's the
team captain and center.
**[08:11] ---**
He's actually twins with the afro boy
who's sitting on the bench now.
**[08:15] ---**
That one's name is Chiaki Hanazono,
he's the point guard.
**[08:19] ---**
They don't look very similar...
**[08:20] ---**
And then, the really tall boy
is Kaname Shigeyoshi. He's also a freshman.
**[08:26] ---**
Wow!
**[08:27] ---**
That's all of 'em!
**[08:32] ---**
Uh-oh, they got by Sora!
**[08:34] ---**
My legs...!
**[08:36] ---**
Another basket for us!
**[08:38] ---**
I said we should switch our defense,
but then I let them get right by me.
**[08:42] ---**
Kite's gonna be so pissed...
**[08:44] ---**
Don't sweat it.
**[08:46] ---**
I wouldn't be surprised if they came at us
with a full-court press anytime now.
**[08:50] ---**
These final 3 minutes are when you gotta show them
what a point guard can really do.
**[08:54] ---**
Throw me some good passes.
**[08:56] ---**
Right!
**[08:58] ---**
So, Kite and Shigeyoshi.
**[09:00] ---**
Momoharu and Chiaki.
**[09:02] ---**
And then Yasuhara, Nabeshima, and Saki.
**[09:06] ---**
Finally, little Nao.
**[09:07] ---**
Okay, I'll remember them!
**[09:09] ---**
Ms. Yuka, are you doing all right?
You're starting to look sweaty...
**[09:13] ---**
Well, all the excitement
is making it hot in here.
**[09:19] ---**
We need to start laying on defensive pressure,
or else it'll be too late.
**[09:23] ---**
But... it's not realistic for us to do
a full-court press with Koji's leg.
**[09:27] ---**
We have to find another way to...
**[09:30] ---**
No skin off my bones!
**[09:32] ---**
Koji?
**[09:33] ---**
Just take a good look at their faces.
**[09:36] ---**
We had them running their
asses off in the first half,
**[09:38] ---**
so there's no way they'll
last the full 40 minutes.
**[09:40] ---**
A lion with a busted leg or
a bunch of weak-ass rabbits.
**[09:43] ---**
Who do you think is gonna get eaten?
**[09:46] ---**
They both seem helpless to me.
**[09:48] ---**
And rabbits are herbivores, anyway.
**[09:50] ---**
Either way, it's all over
for us if we lose here.
**[09:54] ---**
Save the complaining for
after we win this damn thing.
**[09:58] ---**
Regrets and sacrifices. I've dealt with
enough of those to hate both of them.
**[10:03] ---**
Maybe the only thing that
we get out of winning...
**[10:06] ---**
is small and cheap in the long run.
**[10:10] ---**
But even so, all we can do
is keep striving for it.
**[10:13] ---**
Not good!
**[10:14] ---**
Miss, miss, miss!
**[10:17] ---**
Go in!
**[10:17] ---**
Go in, go in, go in!
**[10:19] ---**
Miss!
**[10:20] ---**
Go in!
**[10:27] ---**
Counterattack!
**[10:29] ---**
Never missing a shot! Being
the fastest man on the court!
**[10:33] ---**
For a small player like myself...
**[10:37] ---**
...that's the only way to stay alive!
**[10:40] ---**
I want to be useful to the team!
**[10:45] ---**
Reach, reach!
**[10:47] ---**
REACH!
**[10:54] ---**
A 6-point gap!
**[10:56] ---**
We're almost there!
**[10:57] ---**
Ka-Kashiwagi!
**[11:08] ---**
Kurumatani!
**[11:11] ---**
Uh-oh...
**[11:13] ---**
They've closed the gap even further now.
We have to widen it back up.
**[11:16] ---**
10 points... no, is it 8 points now?
**[11:20] ---**
I've gotta protect our lead...
how many minutes left?
**[11:24] ---**
Huh? Someone is... calling my name...
**[11:27] ---**
What's wrong with me? Everything
feels... so far away...
**[11:31] ---**
Have to protect it... have to protect it...
**[11:37] ---**
You did well out there. Leave the rest to me.
**[11:41] ---**
Chiaki...
**[11:47] ---**
That #7 with 4 fouls is coming back in.
**[11:50] ---**
And now, there's no way of telling
how this match will play out.
**[11:53] ---**
Feh, pathetic!
**[11:55] ---**
They've only got 3 subs on the bench.
**[11:57] ---**
This situation was unavoidable for them.
**[11:59] ---**
There's less than 3 minutes left now,
**[12:02] ---**
but that's still too much time to
defend a 6 point lead to the end.
**[12:05] ---**
And even if they do manage to win,
this is still just the first round.
**[12:09] ---**
Let me tell you something.
These guys don't have a future.
**[12:14] ---**
There's no way a team like this
can make it anywhere near the top.
**[12:19] ---**
She must be worried about Sora.
It doesn't look like he got injured, though.
**[12:24] ---**
Um, I'm going down to have a closer look.
**[12:27] ---**
I'll check and see if Sora's
okay. I won't be gone long!
**[12:30] ---**
Stupid...
**[12:31] ---**
Huh?
**[12:32] ---**
That stupid blockhead!
**[12:34] ---**
Huh?!
**[12:35] ---**
Can't even last for 40 minutes...!
**[12:38] ---**
He should know better, I always
said that practicing for
**[12:40] ---**
lengthy runs is absolutely
vital in basketball!
**[12:43] ---**
Studying for school entrance exams
must have made him slack off!
**[12:46] ---**
I think that's pretty
ordinary for every kid...
**[12:51] ---**
He can't afford to be ordinary.
**[12:53] ---**
Huh?
**[12:54] ---**
It's just like Sakam... ahem,
Mr. Sakamaki was saying earlier.
**[12:58] ---**
It would basically take a
miracle for Sora to get on the
**[13:01] ---**
starting lineup of most any team.
**[13:02] ---**
And it's not just him,
**[13:04] ---**
every shorter player inevitably
comes up against that same hurdle.
**[13:08] ---**
If Sora wants to secure his
own place on the court,
**[13:12] ---**
then he can't just do
the same things everyone else does.
**[13:15] ---**
Although, I know fully well
that he won't discover
**[13:19] ---**
what he should do all by himself.
**[13:23] ---**
Then you should focus on getting better,
**[13:26] ---**
so you can come to Kuzu High and
become their coach, Ms. Yuka.
**[13:29] ---**
Huh?
**[13:30] ---**
Both our boys' and girls' basketball teams
don't have a proper coach.
**[13:34] ---**
Our advisors are just math
and history teachers.
**[13:37] ---**
The boys' team has Nao serving
as both manager and coach, but...
**[13:41] ---**
There's a limit to what she can do on her own
**[13:43] ---**
and she's been very frank about her concerns.
**[13:47] ---**
If Sora and his team are serious
about aiming for the top,
**[13:50] ---**
then they need a good coach to lead them.
**[13:53] ---**
If you could come to our school
and do that, Ms. Yuka...
**[13:55] ---**
Uh, well... the girls' team
would love to learn from you, too!
**[14:00] ---**
So please, do everything you
can to start feeling better!
**[14:05] ---**
Me? A coach?
**[14:08] ---**
I think it's a great idea.
You should take them up on it.
**[14:12] ---**
But I...
**[14:16] ---**
The future is built on hope.
**[14:19] ---**
And hope is born from life.
**[14:22] ---**
As long as you strive for a dream,
then tomorrow will come.
**[14:29] ---**
The job given to us adults
is to protect the future of all the kids.
**[14:36] ---**
Listen up, boys.
**[14:40] ---**
We've all lost sight of hope
once in our lives already.
**[14:44] ---**
We had no place to belong,
**[14:46] ---**
and spent a year without
knowing what we wanted to do.
**[14:50] ---**
To be real with you,
**[14:52] ---**
there's no guarantee that winning this
match will change anything for us.
**[14:57] ---**
However!
**[14:59] ---**
We know for sure nothing
will change unless we win.
**[15:03] ---**
Take this to heart. The lead we have now
represents our future!
**[15:08] ---**
Defend it with your very lives!
**[15:38] ---**
Hey, Bro! Be careful with those fouls.
**[15:40] ---**
You think the threat of ejection
is enough to scare me?
**[15:43] ---**
He's a damn good guard.
**[15:45] ---**
Now I'm getting pumped!
**[15:47] ---**
They've rallied up some morale.
**[15:49] ---**
Their team must trust that #7 wholeheartedly.
**[15:52] ---**
And that #15, too. I gotta admit,
they're a real solid team.
**[15:59] ---**
Okay, let's do this! Time
for the final battle!
**[16:02] ---**
Excuse me, Fujita? The girls' team
is about to start their game.
**[16:06] ---**
All right, let's go.
**[16:07] ---**
What? Aren't we gonna watch the end?
**[16:09] ---**
Regardless of which team wins,
it doesn't change what we must do.
**[16:14] ---**
Good point.
**[16:20] ---**
Say, Mokichi. How big is our lead?
**[16:24] ---**
8 points.
**[16:26] ---**
And now, it's down to 6 points.
**[16:29] ---**
Do you think we'll win?
**[16:31] ---**
Yeah... well, I'm not so sure.
**[16:35] ---**
It really kills me.
**[16:37] ---**
If only I could move as fast as Kite does...
**[16:40] ---**
If only I could jump as
high as Momoharu does...
**[16:43] ---**
If only I could pass as
well as Chiaki does...
**[16:48] ---**
If only I could grow as
tall as you are, Mokichi...
**[16:53] ---**
Hey, Kurumatani.
**[16:55] ---**
Do you remember the conversation we had...
when we first met?
**[17:00] ---**
You said you were jealous of me.
**[17:03] ---**
And then I replied by saying
I was jealous of you.
**[17:08] ---**
Ever since the day I first started basketball,
I've always played center.
**[17:13] ---**
I was never allowed to experiment
with other positions, even if I wanted to.
**[17:17] ---**
But what I've always dreamed of...
**[17:20] ---**
...was to become an all-rounder,
like that guy is.
**[17:25] ---**
Mokichi...
**[17:26] ---**
From now on, as you keep growing taller,
**[17:29] ---**
you'll find yourself able to
play a variety of positions.
**[17:33] ---**
And then, you'll eventually reach it.
**[17:35] ---**
The peak of what a basketball player can be.
**[17:39] ---**
You are full of nothing but potential.
**[17:42] ---**
And that... is what I'm jealous of.
**[17:46] ---**
But it's okay. I'm not giving up.
**[17:50] ---**
"Potential"...
**[17:55] ---**
Defensive foul! #6!
**[17:56] ---**
Sweet!
**[17:57] ---**
Time for free-throws!
**[18:01] ---**
S-sorry, you guys!
**[18:03] ---**
It happens. Shake it off!
**[18:05] ---**
Nice, Roku!
**[18:06] ---**
Thanks.
**[18:09] ---**
Player substitution, Kuzuryu High School!
**[18:11] ---**
Shigeyoshi!
**[18:12] ---**
Right. I know.
**[18:18] ---**
Just 1 minute left! Here
comes the giant once again!
**[18:22] ---**
I dragged us down out there.
And at such a crucial time...
**[18:25] ---**
If we end up losing now, it's
basically gonna be my fault!
**[18:29] ---**
Senpai.
**[18:30] ---**
Huh?
**[18:30] ---**
Your defense... was solid.
**[18:36] ---**
You can drop the act!
**[18:38] ---**
I can't dribble and I can't shoot,
so I know I'm not worth shit out there!
**[18:42] ---**
I get it...
**[18:43] ---**
He wasn't being sarcastic.
**[18:45] ---**
Our team doesn't have
anybody who would be at a time like this!
**[18:49] ---**
Goddammit!
**[18:51] ---**
Don't be so impatient, Chucky.
**[18:53] ---**
What lies beyond this line is
like a holy ground of sorts.
**[18:56] ---**
It's a battlefield where only those
**[18:58] ---**
who've spent years
of intense training are allowed to fight.
**[19:03] ---**
That's more or less how I see it.
**[19:06] ---**
Half-assed guys like us could never compete
on the same level as them.
**[19:13] ---**
Well, that's what the old me
would say and then give up.
**[19:16] ---**
But after watching how Chiaki and Kite
played in this game, I felt motivated.
**[19:21] ---**
Nabe...
**[19:23] ---**
I wanna pull off sick
moves just like they do.
**[19:25] ---**
Then turn around and have them say to me...
**[19:28] ---**
"Nice job, Nabe!" and get
showered with their praise.
**[19:29] ---**
You're the best, Nabe!
**[19:31] ---**
Way to go, dude.
**[19:32] ---**
Not half-bad.
**[19:33] ---**
You've got skills!
**[19:34] ---**
I've been bested.
**[19:35] ---**
I'm in love...
**[19:37] ---**
Totally.
**[19:40] ---**
It'd be nice to actually be
of some use someday, huh?
**[19:43] ---**
Yeah.
**[19:46] ---**
He sunk it!
**[19:47] ---**
Now we're only 5 points behind!
**[19:49] ---**
Don't miss this.
**[19:50] ---**
Sink it or get an ass whoopin'!
**[19:53] ---**
When I found out this team only
had 2 members at the start,
**[19:55] ---**
I thought they were out of their minds.
**[19:59] ---**
But now, I can't help but feel driven...
to keep playing with them!
**[20:06] ---**
Go in! Please go in!
**[20:15] ---**
OMG, I'm totally starting to cry right now!
**[20:18] ---**
Me, too!
**[20:19] ---**
This match is so crazy...
it's rare to ever see two teams go at it like this!
**[21:06] ---**
Are you sure? You don't
want to see how it ends?
**[21:10] ---**
I was already cheating by
going in the first place.
**[21:13] ---**
"Cheating"?
**[21:13] ---**
Even though I went, I still want to hear my son
tell me the results himself.
**[21:18] ---**
In any case, I'm surprised you went
without seeing him for so long.
**[21:22] ---**
I'm sorry that we had to
impose on you like this.
**[21:24] ---**
It's okay.
**[21:28] ---**
Doctor...
**[21:31] ---**
At the arena, my old college friend...
he gave me the same advice you once did.
**[21:38] ---**
That having hope and dreams
breathes life into us.
**[21:42] ---**
That the importance of life is found
in the precious things we protect.
**[21:49] ---**
Doctor... I did it...
**[21:54] ---**
I found a dream that... I want to pursue.
**[22:01] ---**
I want to convey them to you
**[22:04] ---**
Lay all of my feelings bare
**[22:07] ---**
Whether I have to lie or sin,
I just want you to smile
**[22:14] ---**
By using these wings that you gave me
**[22:17] ---**
And embracing the "promise"
that ties us together
**[22:19] ---**
I'll stretch up to the sky!
**[22:23] ---**
Towards where only light shines
**[22:28] ---**
I was suffocating myself
**[22:34] ---**
In the empty corner of a cage
**[22:38] ---**
Yeah... it was as if
**[22:39] ---**
"I'm just like a bird that can't fly"
**[22:43] ---**
I nearly locked myself
in with all the excuses
**[22:49] ---**
I want to change
**[22:51] ---**
I cannot change
**[22:52] ---**
Even if I become stained in lies
**[22:55] ---**
I want to fall apart
**[22:56] ---**
I cannot fall apart
**[22:58] ---**
Now... I set flight
**[23:01] ---**
Sailing into the open sky
**[23:03] ---**
On these ugly wings
**[23:06] ---**
To assure I never go through
the same pain again
**[23:13] ---**
Still so very fragile and ephemeral
**[23:16] ---**
But no matter how dirty or pathetic
**[23:19] ---**
I'll fight! I'll rise!
**[23:22] ---**
Towards where there is a tiny glimmer
**[23:31] ---**
Ahiru no Sora
**[23:31] ---**
Next episode: "Time limit."