E41 - Challenger

Source: Crunchyroll
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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.)
[00:02] ---
    Oh! I hit the rim!
[00:03] ---
    But that was still a bad shot.
[00:05] ---
    Seriously?
[00:06] ---
    You have to be loose, like this,
    and aim straight for the hoop.
[00:11] ---
    Okay fine, but why do I
    have to keep shooting with both hands?
[00:14] ---
    I wanna shoot it in the cool one-hand way
    like everybody else, ya know?
[00:18] ---
    Your shots probably won't reach the basket
    if you did it that way.
[00:22] ---
    Really?
[00:23] ---
    You have to get the proper
    shooting form down first.
[00:26] ---
    And besides, using both hands
    provides more stability.
[00:29] ---
    You have nothing to be embarrassed about.
    
[00:31] ---
    I started out by doing the exact same thing!
[00:33] ---
    But you're talking about
    back in elementary school, right?!
[00:35] ---
    I'm a high school student!
[00:38] ---
    No more whining!
[00:40] ---
    You're gonna keep shooting
    until you get one in.
[00:41] ---
    O-okay.
[00:43] ---
    I'm gonna get it this time.
[00:47] ---
    Takes me back...
[00:48] ---
    I remember being embarrassed
    at first and complaining
[00:50] ---
    almost every day while my mom taught me.
[01:12] ---
    Ahiru no Sora
[01:17] ---
    The morning yields a rainbow of seven colors
[01:20] ---
    The birds all spread their wings wide
[01:23] ---
    There are no answers to be found anywhere
[01:27] ---
    So let's go and create them
[01:30] ---
    Feel it
[01:33] ---
    Feel it
[01:38] ---
    You have beautiful wings of your own
[01:41] ---
    And you will use them to fly up to the sun
[01:45] ---
    For that one sparkling moment
[01:49] ---
    Believe that you can change
    even the world itself
[01:53] ---
    We were surely born with transparent hearts
[02:00] ---
    Using our dirty shoes we will take flight
[02:05] ---
    Drawing an arch in the air
[02:07] ---
    Before the sky of tomorrow
    disappears completely
[02:14] ---
    Pass through a night of sorrow and be reborn
[02:26] ---
    Challenger
[02:28] ---
    Heeeeeey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
[02:34] ---
    I'm open in back!
[02:40] ---
    Okay, that's enough!
[02:44] ---
    I have to say, you've become
    a really solid defender, Chucky!
[02:48] ---
    O-oh yeah? Is that your impression
    from watching me play, Nao?
[02:51] ---
    Yes!
[02:53] ---
    It's really rare to see Kurumatani look that frustrated
    when someone is defending him.
[02:58] ---
    Actually, Mokichi gave me
    some advice a while back.
[03:01] ---
    He explained that playing defense isn't about
    guarding the basket, but making it harder to attack.
[03:06] ---
    So I started thinking real
    hard about what he meant.
[03:09] ---
    It's kind of difficult to understand
    just through words alone.
[03:11] ---
    This whole time us noobs have been focused entirely
    on defending the basket that's behind us.
[03:17] ---
    But after talking to Mokichi, I started thinking
    more about how to interfere with the offense.
[03:21] ---
    And oddly enough, that got me focused on watching
    how the opponent in front of me moves.
[03:26] ---
    Like, "Oh crap, it'd be bad
    if I let them pass here."
[03:29] ---
    Or, "They've gotta be paranoid
    about steals being in that spot."
[03:31] ---
    "Okay, this is my chance to
    lay on pressure!" and stuff.
[03:34] ---
    My focus is the only thing
    that's changed, though.
[03:36] ---
    You've made great progress as a result.
[03:38] ---
    For real? It makes me real happy
    to hear that from you, Nao!
[03:42] ---
    With only a few months of practice,
    I didn't think we'd improve too drastically.
[03:46] ---
    But they've actually developed
    in some surprising ways.
[03:50] ---
    Our achilles heel is a lack of stamina,
[03:51] ---
    but we should be able to deal
    with that thanks to these three.
[03:56] ---
    All that's left now is Natsume...
[04:01] ---
    Holy shit...
[04:12] ---
    Gather up!
[04:14] ---
    That's enough. We're done
    with regular practice for today.
[04:17] ---
    Huh? Isn't that taking it a little too easy?
[04:19] ---
    We can't risk any fatigue
    going into tomorrow's match.
[04:22] ---
    Please make sure you do
    all of your stretches.
[04:25] ---
    We've already done everything
    that we can to prepare.
[04:28] ---
    Well, that's not entirely true, but the rest of it
    mainly comes down to motivation and focus.
[04:34] ---
    Please think back. I want you to remember
    how exactly we ended up in this situation.
[04:39] ---
    We lost in the prelims.
[04:40] ---
    BOYS'
    BASKETBALL
    TEAM
[04:41] ---
    And caused a bad accident.
[04:42] ---
    Mr. Satsuki
[04:43] ---
    We tried to form a clique,
    which became our only hope.
[04:46] ---
    But then we ran into a roadblock
    at the very last step.
[04:50] ---
    Whether or not you'll all be able
    to continue playing basketball
[04:53] ---
    is riding entirely on the
    outcome of tomorrow's match.
[04:56] ---
    To make sure that we never
    make the same mistake again...
[05:01] ---
    We'll summon every ounce of strength
    that our young and clumsy bodies can muster...
[05:07] ---
    1, 2, 3...!
[05:09] ---
    Go team!
[05:11] ---
    ...and lay it all out on the court!
[05:14] ---
    KUZURYU HIGH SCHOOL
[05:19] ---
    Staff Room
[05:19] ---
    Please keep in mind, as I
    announced the other day,
[05:23] ---
    we will be holding a boys' basketball match
    in the gym at 2:00 PM this afternoon.
[05:27] ---
    Oh, I didn't think you
    were serious about that.
[05:30] ---
    I'm sorry, I have to prepare for
    the senior's guidance counseling that's coming up.
[05:34] ---
    I have zero interest, to be honest.
[05:37] ---
    I'm afraid I don't really know
    anything about basketball...
[05:40] ---
    Same here.
[05:42] ---
    What I'd like you to pay attention
    to is not the sport itself.
[05:45] ---
    This is going to be a display
    of genuine human effort.
[05:48] ---
    And it's rare to be able to
    experience that in person.
[05:51] ---
    It's not about winning or losing.
[05:53] ---
    Please go and see for yourself.
[05:56] ---
    Chemistry Lab
[05:58] ---
    Um, hey, Teach?
[06:01] ---
    Would it be okay if we went to watch, too?
[06:05] ---
    What do you need, Mr. Osho?
[06:06] ---
    Could you go and round up
    the soccer team for me?
[06:17] ---
    Sora!
[06:19] ---
    Hi, Madoka!
[06:20] ---
    Hey! It's rare for a freshman to have the guts
    to call your senpai to the roof like this.
[06:24] ---
    Uh, don't get me wrong!
    I swear I don't have any ulterior motives!
[06:28] ---
    Relax, I'm just pulling your leg.
[06:31] ---
    So, what's up? Did something happen?
[06:33] ---
    Well... um...
[06:36] ---
    There's actually something
    I wanted to apologize to you about.
[06:40] ---
    I had to leave a lot of things
    up in the air while I dealt with
[06:43] ---
    what happened to my mom
    and the basketball team...
[06:46] ---
    And since we got disbanded
[06:47] ---
    I hardly see you or any other
    students outside of my own class...
[06:51] ---
    So I know it's way too late for this,
    but I still feel obligated to say it anyway.
[06:56] ---
    I'm very sorry I couldn't keep...
    the promise that we made back then!
[07:04] ---
    It's no big deal.
[07:05] ---
    But the last time that we, uh...
[07:08] ---
    Sorry.
[07:10] ---
    The last time that we were
    up here I saw you crying.
[07:16] ---
    A lot has happened and, uh...
[07:18] ---
    I realized that you were showing
    a lot of concern for me.
[07:22] ---
    Wow, so I've been on his
    mind... ever since that day.
[07:27] ---
    Okay then.
[07:29] ---
    Your apology is fully accepted!
[07:30] ---
    Oh, that's great!
[07:33] ---
    But actually, the reason I cried back then
    had nothing to do with that.
[07:37] ---
    S-so then why were you crying?
[07:41] ---
    Uh! Forget I said anything!
[07:44] ---
    It's a secret.
[07:49] ---
    This is great. She's back to her usual self.
[07:53] ---
    Oh, one more thing!
    We're about to have a match starting soon!
[07:56] ---
    Yeah, I heard.
[07:58] ---
    I really hope one of the teachers
    is inspired to be your advisor.
[08:01] ---
    Um, please come watch if you have time!
[08:03] ---
    I swear to you we're gonna
    win this one for sure!
[08:06] ---
    Though actually... our opponent
    is one of the hardest teams to beat around here.
[08:10] ---
    Tsukasa
[08:16] ---
    Sorry. I already have some plans after this.
[08:21] ---
    Good luck though!
[08:34] ---
    So hot...
[08:35] ---
    Can't the damn sun just take a break today?
[08:38] ---
    Apparently, it's gonna be
    the hottest day of the year.
[08:41] ---
    C'mon! This heat is nothing,
    so no more complaints!
[08:45] ---
    Roger!
[08:46] ---
    The inter-high is in a
    place way hotter than this!
[08:49] ---
    Let's get moving!
[08:50] ---
    Yes, sir!
[09:19] ---
    I'm Sakamaki, the coach at Yokohama Taiei.
    Nice to meet you.
[09:22] ---
    We really appreciate you having us today.
[09:26] ---
    You're covered in sweat.
[09:28] ---
    Don't tell me you had your
    team run all the way here?
[09:31] ---
    Nah, we just came out on the
    wrong side of the station.
[09:34] ---
    I'm Satsuki, the advisor
    for the boys' team here.
[09:37] ---
    That's only for today, though...
[09:40] ---
    Well, I know we're here
    to have a practice match,
[09:42] ---
    but I tend to consider them more
    like joint practice sessions.
[09:46] ---
    I hope that by playing each other today,
[09:48] ---
    both teams will benefit and learn
    something that will help them grow.
[09:51] ---
    I'm certain our team will learn a lot,
[09:54] ---
    but I'm not sure there's much
    merit in it for your team.
[09:58] ---
    You've got it wrong. It's quite the opposite.
[10:00] ---
    Our team is far too busy to play
    against teams that we can't gain anything from.
[10:04] ---
    Your team has plenty to offer.
    That's why we chose to play them.
[10:08] ---
    W-we appreciate that.
[10:11] ---
    Um, I'm not seeing any of the seniors
    you usually have on your starting lineup.
[10:15] ---
    Yeah. That's because I built today's team
    around our sophomores instead.
[10:20] ---
    Wh-what a relief.
[10:21] ---
    Hopefully that means we won't lose too badly.
[10:24] ---
    Is that supposed to mean
    you lowered yourselves to our level?
[10:28] ---
    Let me tell you, Nanao...
[10:31] ---
    I've been a basketball coach for many years
    at a number of different schools.
[10:35] ---
    And no matter what sort of team I've faced...
[10:38] ---
    ...I've never pulled my punches
    or belittled any of them like that.
[10:41] ---
    So, you're saying...
[10:43] ---
    Yep.
[10:44] ---
    I organized our roster with the full intent
    of winning against Kuzu High.
[10:50] ---
    Okano from our team will
    serve as the referee.
[10:53] ---
    And our freshmen can fill
    the other official roles.
[10:56] ---
    Then students from our
    school will be on mop duty.
[10:58] ---
    It's hot today, so get them to cover
    as much of the court as you can.
[11:03] ---
    Excuse me.
[11:04] ---
    Uh, I have one request I'd like to make.
[11:11] ---
    I'm roasting...
[11:13] ---
    Are they still not ready to start?
[11:16] ---
    It's so hot!
[11:18] ---
    It will begin shortly. We teachers need
    to endure longer than the students at least.
[11:22] ---
    That's a lot easier said than done, honestly.
[11:26] ---
    It's not like we came to
    watch because wanted to.
[11:29] ---
    In the end, not even half of the teaching staff
    showed up to watch the match...
[11:35] ---
    Can we at least get those curtains open?
[11:38] ---
    We can't feel the wind otherwise.
[11:40] ---
    Opening the curtains lets in light
    that would reflect harshly off the court.
[11:44] ---
    Please just bear with it.
[11:46] ---
    Sitting here is gonna give me heat strok-
[11:58] ---
    Th-they're really going at it.
[12:01] ---
    It's pretty intimidating.
[12:06] ---
    Our boys are playing THEM?
[12:12] ---
    I'm starting to feel nervous now.
[12:14] ---
    Actually, why isn't our team out here yet?
[12:23] ---
    Wh-what are you guys doing here?!
    Taiei's already starting their warm-ups!
[12:27] ---
    It's fine. We already finished
    doing our warm-ups, but...
[12:30] ---
    Kite hasn't shown up yet. And
    we can't get a hold of him.
[12:34] ---
    What a pain.
[12:37] ---
    Did he...
[12:39] ---
    ...attend school today?
[12:40] ---
    He said he wouldn't since there's no class.
[12:43] ---
    But I'm positive that he
    knows the match is today!
[12:46] ---
    And I swear I repeatedly
    texted him the starting time!
[12:48] ---
    But...
[12:49] ---
    He never did join us for practice...
[12:52] ---
    That damn punk.
[12:54] ---
    He better not skip.
[12:56] ---
    Don't worry. This is Kite
    we're talking about.
[12:59] ---
    I know he'll show up for sure.
[13:00] ---
    Sora, my man, you're a real inspiration!
[13:03] ---
    I'm so ashamed for not having faith!
[13:06] ---
    Forget Kite, I'm sad about Madoka!
[13:08] ---
    I wanted her to come!
[13:11] ---
    I'm sorry!
[13:13] ---
    Wh-whether he comes or not,
    the game is about to start!
[13:16] ---
    So, Chucky, I want you to play
    in Natsume's place for now.
[13:18] ---
    Huh? Me?!
[13:20] ---
    Dude! That makes you a starter!
[13:23] ---
    Shigeyoshi will stay on the bench for now.
[13:25] ---
    Which means Chiaki will be our center.
[13:27] ---
    Okay. Sounds good.
[13:30] ---
    We didn't really get a chance
    to practice doing any formations,
[13:33] ---
    so a lot of the burden is
    going to fall on you, Chiaki.
[13:37] ---
    Not a problem.
[13:39] ---
    Because I'm a genius.
[13:43] ---
    We're counting on you!
[13:48] ---
    All I've really done up until now
    is cause trouble and drag the whole team down.
[13:55] ---
    But... I swear I'll make
    up for that on the court!
[14:00] ---
    A'ight. Let's get out there.
[14:02] ---
    W-wait!
[14:03] ---
    Please get changed in here!
[14:05] ---
    Huh? We're already in uniform.
[14:07] ---
    I misspoke. What I meant is
    I need you to change again. Please.
[14:12] ---
    I've already worked it
    out with Taiei's coach.
[14:16] ---
    Generally speaking, the home team is
[14:18] ---
    supposed to wear light colored
    jerseys when they play.
[14:21] ---
    So, you're telling us to play
    in our away jerseys instead?
[14:28] ---
    I'm not a fan of black.
[14:31] ---
    Black, huh? Looks sick!
[14:37] ---
    I think this color suits me better.
[14:40] ---
    We're the challengers here.
[14:42] ---
    Okay! Let's get going!
[14:49] ---
    All right, boys. I've got
    something to tell you.
[14:52] ---
    Including this match with Kuzu High today,
[14:55] ---
    we only have four games scheduled
    before the inter-high begins.
[14:58] ---
    Looking ahead to that,
[15:00] ---
    I intend to promote any player
    who proves useful, even among the freshmen.
[15:04] ---
    Which ultimately means, some of you
    are gonna get demoted to the bench.
[15:08] ---
    I expect those of you who I grant the chance
[15:10] ---
    to play to throw literally
    everything you have into it.
[15:14] ---
    If you don't want any regrets,
    then you better show me what you can do on the court.
[15:18] ---
    You hear me?
[15:19] ---
    Opportunity doesn't come knocking
    at just anybody's door.
[15:23] ---
    So if you see a thread of hope get dangled
    in front of you, grab tight and don't let go!
[15:29] ---
    That... is what this match is all about!
[15:44] ---
    Attention everyone, the practice match
    between Yokohama Taiei High School
[15:47] ---
    and Kuzuryu High School will now begin!
[15:56] ---
    Chiba!
[15:58] ---
    Yo!
[15:59] ---
    Takahashi?
[16:00] ---
    What's the deal?
[16:01] ---
    Are you wearing those training sweats
    out of habit or making a fashion statement?
[16:03] ---
    Oh shut up!
[16:05] ---
    What do you want from me?
[16:06] ---
    I almost forgot.
[16:07] ---
    Did you decide on a college yet?
[16:11] ---
    I heard from somebody you
    declined Johoku's invitation.
[16:13] ---
    Yeah...
[16:14] ---
    It's far away and costs too much money.
[16:17] ---
    Plus it's not really my scene, you know?
[16:20] ---
    Then, are you gonna be joining us at Seishu?
[16:22] ---
    No.
[16:24] ---
    I decided to go ahead and
    start job hunting instead.
[16:28] ---
    My youngest brother is going to start
    elementary school next year.
[16:32] ---
    I wanna be able to buy him
    one of those fancy backpacks.
[16:35] ---
    I see.
[16:36] ---
    Sorry to let you down
    after you extended that invite to me.
[16:40] ---
    You have six siblings, yeah?
[16:42] ---
    Seven, actually.
[16:43] ---
    That must make for a rowdy house.
[16:46] ---
    Koji will be sad without you around.
[16:48] ---
    And what about you?
[16:50] ---
    Not at all.
[16:52] ---
    Oh shit! It's hot! It's
    hot! Shit! Hot! Hot! Shit!
[16:57] ---
    That kid's on the Taiei team.
[17:04] ---
    I'm burning up...
[17:05] ---
    Dammit. How the hell
    did we get stuck on stupid mop duty?
[17:09] ---
    Somebody's gotta keep the court clean.
[17:11] ---
    That's not the point!
[17:13] ---
    I wanna know why our soccer team
    is being forced to help the basketball team!
[17:17] ---
    My apologies, Mr. Osho.
    Sorry to make your team help out.
[17:21] ---
    It's fine, we're not really doing it
    to help the basketball team.
[17:25] ---
    The soccer team has had problems
    lately, a cigarette butt
[17:28] ---
    was also found in our locker rooms.
[17:30] ---
    Although I never found who was responsible...
[17:33] ---
    Well, this is basically
    serving as their punishment.
[17:36] ---
    Anyway, tell your team to give it their all.
[17:40] ---
    We don't need that many of
    you acting as officials!
[17:42] ---
    The rest of you go watch from upstairs!
[17:43] ---
    Yes, sir!
[17:46] ---
    He must be about 150 cm tall.
[17:49] ---
    #15... so he's good enough
    to be on the bench.
[17:53] ---
    No, it looks like they
    don't have enough players.
[17:56] ---
    Which probably means they had no choice.
[17:59] ---
    Excuse me! Sorry I'm late!
[18:06] ---
    Sorry, please give us just a minute.
[18:16] ---
    We're wearing our white uniforms today.
    Hurry and go get changed.
[18:21] ---
    I made you a starter, Hyou.
[18:26] ---
    Fuwa. We're gonna have a little
    chat when this is over.
[18:29] ---
    Uh... okay.
[18:31] ---
    Hurry and get ready.
[18:34] ---
    The coach said he wanted
    to test some things in this match.
[18:36] ---
    I'm pretty sure this is one of them.
[18:39] ---
    To see if Fuwa can last
    for a full 40 minutes,
[18:42] ---
    and have him play a different position.
[18:44] ---
    Alright! Time to get started!
[18:46] ---
    Go out there and put your backs into it!
[18:49] ---
    Taiei's starting lineup is...
[18:52] ---
    #16, point guard. Hiroshi Usami.
[18:55] ---
    #11, center. Shigenobu Yakuma.
[18:59] ---
    #15, shooting guard. Hyou Fuwa.
[19:03] ---
    #13, power forward. Tetsuya Shibasaki.
[19:07] ---
    #10, small forward. Sei Shiraishi.
[19:11] ---
    Huh? They look different
    from the guys we saw play before...
[19:14] ---
    Isn't that dude with the orange hair
    one of their freshmen?
[19:18] ---
    Taiei formed their team mainly
    with sophomores for today's match.
[19:21] ---
    For real?!
[19:22] ---
    Whoa! I see a glimmering
    ray of hope shining above!
[19:25] ---
    This is just like back at the Shinjo game,
    we have some crazy good luck!
[19:28] ---
    Although we did lose that one.
[19:29] ---
    Grow a spine, you guys.
[19:31] ---
    We might actually stand a chance
    playing against their sophomores!
[19:35] ---
    Let's do this!
[19:36] ---
    I'm not so sure about that.
[19:39] ---
    It seems ridiculous... but I'm afraid Taiei
    might actually be a stronger team like this.
[19:44] ---
    It doesn't make a lick of difference
    whether we play against
[19:46] ---
    their sophomores or their seniors.
[19:48] ---
    Because no matter the circumstance we can't
[19:50] ---
    become anything more than
    what we already are.
[19:52] ---
    G-good point! We shouldn't
    let our guard down!
[19:55] ---
    I'm gonna stay sharp as a needle!
[19:56] ---
    Way to keep them focused. He's so reliable!
[20:00] ---
    A'ight! It's go time!
[20:02] ---
    Yeah!
[20:18] ---
    What's with him?
[20:19] ---
    Is he really a starter?
[20:21] ---
    He looks even shorter than Yozan.
[20:23] ---
    Hold up, they've only got
    2 players on the bench?
[20:29] ---
    Quit smiling like a damn
    clown. It's creepy, man.
[20:32] ---
    Well, I guess this is our first match after that
    emotional rollercoaster we all went through.
[20:37] ---
    So I suppose I can understand
    why you're so excited about it.
[20:39] ---
    Chiaki...
[20:41] ---
    You're going to be our playmaker today.
[20:43] ---
    Don't get so hyped you lose focus.
[20:45] ---
    Chiaki seems like he's pretty giddy himself.
[20:48] ---
    But there's more than one
    reason why I'm excited.
[20:51] ---
    I noticed that even at a
    tough school like Taiei,
[20:53] ---
    there's a short player just like me
    who must be striving real hard!
[20:58] ---
    So I really don't want to lose!
[21:03] ---
    Phew... looks like I made it in time.
[21:07] ---
    I'm sorry! Please give us just a moment!
[21:09] ---
    What the hell were you doing?!
[21:11] ---
    Sorry, my bad.
[21:13] ---
    I wanted to really psyche myself up for this,
    but it took me a little longer than expected.
[21:18] ---
    Psyche yourself up? Are you serious?
[21:20] ---
    So I see you picked Chucky to be a starter.
[21:22] ---
    I'm ready to swap with him anytime.
[21:23] ---
    Anytime? But what about warming up?
[21:26] ---
    No need.
[21:28] ---
    I've been ready to throw
    down since yesterday.
[21:43] ---
    I'll be out there in a flash. Just you wait.
[21:56] ---
    Let's all have a fair game!
[22:17] ---
    I know that realizing dreams
[22:22] ---
    Is not an easy thing to accomplish, but
[22:27] ---
    Those who say it's impossible
    from the beginning
[22:32] ---
    Can't see light with their eyes
[22:38] ---
    Up above in the sky are the fixed stars
[22:43] ---
    That always shine bright with life
[22:48] ---
    I can, too
[22:51] ---
    Taiyou runner with a heart burning at maximum
[22:55] ---
    Radiating the light of
    revolution towards the goal
[23:01] ---
    Nobody can know the outcome
    until the very last second
[23:07] ---
    I'll keep on running and improving
    until I don't recognize myself
[23:14] ---
    Step 1! Focus on winning
[23:16] ---
    Step 2! Imagine the future
[23:19] ---
    Step 3! Just penetrate through at full power
[23:31] ---
    Ahiru no Sora
    Next Time: War Declaration
[23:31] ---
    Next time: "War Declaration."