# E1 - Assignment
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GG1U2EQX9/assignment)
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(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*** Kyoto-Shimazu Multi-purpose Gymnasium
***SIGN*** December, Kyoto
***SIGN*** Victory
***SIGN*** Mitsuhoshi Bank
***SIGN*** Ito Koji
JHL Hokkaido
***SIGN*** Shiratori Mikoto
Mitsuhoshi Bank
**[00:20] Mikoto**
*Not yet.*
**[00:22] (Flashback) Mikoto**
You're firing me?
**[00:25] (Flashback) Masatoki**
I gave you a year.
**[00:28] (Flashback) Masatoki**
A whole year.
**[00:31] (Flashback) Mikoto**
I can keep going!
**[00:34] (Flashback) Masatoki**
If you're so sure, then achieve
something at the next tournament.
**[00:38] (Flashback) Masatoki**
That's everything here at Mitsuhoshi.
**[00:42] Mikoto**
* If I can just win this rally,*
* I can keep going.*
***SIGN*** Toba Commercial One
Tokyo
***SIGN*** March, Kyoto
***SIGN*** Nozomi 16 12:01 Tokyo Unreserved Cars 1-3
**[01:28] Sign**
Stops: Nagoya, Shin-Yokohama, Shinagawa
***SIGN*** Kodama 724 12:10 Tokyo Unreserved Cars 1-6.13-16
**[01:28] Sign**
Stops: Every Station
***SIGN*** Nozomi 18 12:24 Tokyo Unreserved Cars 1-3
**[01:51] (Flashback) Takuma**
Loser.
***SIGN*** Shiratori Makoto-sama, Since joining the company, you worked wholeheartedly to develop the team and made significant contributions. As you leave the company, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your years of distinguished service. -Mitsuhoshi Bank Badminton Team
***SIGN*** Chili Oil
***SIGN*** Carbonated Beverage
**[02:17] [Messenger] Sign Phone**
Mom
Cell
**[02:19] Inami**
*Hey, Mikoto!*
**[02:21] Inami**
*Nobody told me you were fired from your job!*
**[02:24] Mikoto**
I just texted you.
**[02:25] Inami**
*Jeez!*
**[02:26] Inami**
* Just so you know, don't expect*
* to stay here if you come back.*
**[02:30] Mikoto**
What?
**[02:31] Mikoto**
*An iguana?*
**[02:32] Inami**
You're the one who ran off
to Kyoto to get a job.
**[02:36] Inami**
Of course I assumed you
wouldn't be coming back.
**[02:39] Inami**
Right, Micchan?
***SIGN*** Micchan's Room
**[02:42] Inami**
Anyway, sounds like they're
hard-asses over at Mitsuhoshi Bank.
**[02:45] Inami**
Everyone called you a child prodigy,
and you still couldn't cut it.
**[02:48] Mikoto**
*Could you stop calling me that?*
***SIGN*** Award
***SIGN*** Award
**[02:51] Inami**
If you couldn't make it playing singles,
then couldn't you play doubles again?
**[02:56] Mikoto**
No. In any case, I'm moving
back home for a while.
**[03:00] Inami**
* Then as a souvenir, bring me*
* back some coriander yatsu—*
**[03:09] Mikoto**
Is it over for me?
**[03:18] Mikoto**
Jeez, give it a rest.
***SIGN*** Incoming Call
**[03:20] Mikoto**
Huh?
**[03:22] Mikoto**
Hello? Yes.
**[03:27] Mikoto**
What?
**[03:28] Mikoto**
An offer for me?
***SIGN*** Salaryman's Club
***SIGN*** April, Urawa
**[05:03] Mikoto**
*The phone call I received
that day was an offer*
***SIGN*** #01: Assignment
**[05:06] Mikoto**
*from the coach of Sunlight
Beverage's corporate team.*
**[05:12] Mikoto**
*My badminton career wasn't over yet.*
**[05:17] Mikoto**
There's a shortcut through the park, huh?
***SIGN*** Message
***SIGN*** Mom
New message from Mom.
***SIGN*** Today
***SIGN*** Mom
***SIGN*** Are you up?
***SIGN*** I had your suit sent for cleaning
***SIGN*** Got your handkerchief?
**[05:24] Mikoto**
I'm not a child.
***SIGN*** Got your necktie?
***SIGN*** I had your suit sent for cleaning
***SIGN*** Got your handkerchief?
***SIGN*** Got your necktie?
**[05:32] Clerk**
Welcome.
**[05:40] Mikoto**
* Why am I even wearing a suit and necktie*
* when I came here to be an athlete?*
**[05:55] Mikoto**
Just a drunk.
**[05:58] Tatsuru**
Excuse me.
**[06:01] Tatsuru**
Could I have some water?
***SIGN*** Natural Spring Water
**[06:12] Tatsuru**
Now that's satisfying.
**[06:14] Mikoto**
Well, I should get going.
**[06:16] Tatsuru**
Hold it right there!
**[06:19] Tatsuru**
I owe you my life.
**[06:21] Tatsuru**
It'd be dishonorable if I let
you leave empty-handed.
**[06:24] Mikoto**
Don't worry about it.
**[06:26] Mikoto**
Jeez, you reek of booze!
**[06:29] Tatsuru**
I can tell from your tie
that you're just a kid.
**[06:34] Tatsuru**
They say a simple knot is standard for
fresh youngsters, but I recommend...
**[06:39] Mikoto**
Hey, what are you—
**[06:41] Mikoto**
Aw, crap! It's my first day,
and I'm going to be late.
**[06:45] Tatsuru**
Good luck, newbie.
**[06:54] Mikoto**
I made it in time.
**[06:57] Sakaki**
Starting today, he'll be
joining our sales department.
**[06:59] Sakaki**
His name is Shiratori Mikoto-kun.
**[07:01] Sakaki**
Shiratori-kun, ask anytime if you
have any questions or concerns.
**[07:10] Yada**
Your tie.
**[07:16] Mikoto**
Huh? What the hell is this?
**[07:20] Takeda**
You mean you didn't tie that yourself?
**[07:23] Takeda**
I thought you were some kind of party animal!
**[07:28] Mikoto**
That old guy...
**[07:29] Tatsuru**
Good morning.
**[07:32] Takeda**
Tatsu-san, you're late.
**[07:33] Takeda**
Were you out all night again?
**[07:35] Tatsuru**
The Waoko guys wouldn't let me leave.
**[07:39] Mikoto**
What? Why are you here?
**[07:43] Tatsuru**
Hey, newbie.
**[07:45] Tatsuru**
What do you think of that knot?
**[07:47] Tatsuru**
Perfect hold, right?
**[07:49] Sakaki**
Oh, if you guys already know
each other, that'll save us time.
**[07:52] Sakaki**
This is Miyazumi-kun, our top salesman.
***SIGN*** Miyazumi Tatsuru (32)
Sunlight Beverage Sales Department
**[07:55] Sakaki**
You'll be shadowing him.
**[07:58] Tatsuru**
And we're both on the badminton team.
**[08:01] Tatsuru**
Nice to meet you, partner.
**[08:05] Mikoto**
What?
**[08:07] Tatsuru**
Sunlight Beverage is a beverage
manufacturer founded 40 years ago.
***SIGN*** Bubbly Bursting Soda
Released 2009
First Bottled Jelly Drink
**[08:12] Tatsuru**
Our top seller is local sodas.
***SIGN*** Untouched Sparkling Grape Drink
Released 2015
**[08:14] Tatsuru**
Since a decade ago, we've also
been making craft beers, and—
**[08:17] Tatsuru**
Hey, are you listening?
**[08:19] Mikoto**
Natto Cola.
**[08:20] Tatsuru**
That one's definitely not a big seller.
**[08:25] Makoto**
Um, do we not need to go to practice?
**[08:28] Tatsuru**
Cheer up! Our next stop is our last.
**[08:32] Tatsuru**
Hello!
**[08:34] Tatsuru**
This newbie joined us today.
**[08:36] Tatsuru**
I hope you'll all show him the ropes.
**[08:38] Mikoto**
Ow!
**[08:42] Mikoto**
I'm Shiratori Mikoto. Nice to meet you.
**[08:45] Toya**
Mikoto?
**[08:46] Toya**
*You're* the newbie?
**[08:48] Mikoto**
Toya?
**[08:49] Tatsuru**
You guys know each other?
**[08:50] Toya**
We were teammates in high school.
***SIGN*** Saeki Toya (19)
Sunlight Beverage Planning Department
**[08:53] Toya**
Can you believe this jerk?
**[08:55] Toya**
He left us for Kyoto without a word.
**[08:59] Mikoto**
Sorry.
**[09:00] Toya**
Yeah, right! You're not sorry at all!
**[09:03] Toya**
Jeez, you should've told me you
were back. Don't be a stranger.
**[09:06] Toya**
Are you still not over what
happened at the Inter-High?
**[09:13] Mikoto**
That has nothing to do with this.
**[09:15] Toya**
Uh-huh...
**[09:17] Tatsuru**
Wow, look at the time.
**[09:19] Mikoto**
Can we finally practice—
**[09:20] Tatsuru**
Let's head outside next.
**[09:22] Mikoto**
What? Didn't you just say
that was our last stop?
**[09:24] Tatsuru**
Our last stop inside the office.
**[09:27] Tatsuru**
Practice starts at four.
**[09:30] Mikoto**
Huh?
**[09:34] Tatsuru**
Now, you're a newbie worth teaching.
**[09:38] Tatsuru**
Not only did you forget your business
cards and get our client's name wrong,
***SIGN*** Kotoriasobi-san.
***SIGN*** It's "Takanashi."
**[09:42] Tatsuru**
you don't even have a license.
**[09:46] Mikoto**
This doesn't make sense.
**[09:47] Tatsuru**
Huh?
**[09:48] Mikoto**
I was invited here to be a badminton player.
**[09:51] Mikoto**
But practice is in the evening?
Is this a joke to you?
**[09:55] Mikoto**
At Mitsuhoshi—
**[09:56] Tatsuru**
Those are the rules here.
**[09:58] Mikoto**
This is why you're stuck in
the second division league.
**[10:01] Tatsuru**
Actually, last year we made
it back into the S/J league.
**[10:04] Mikoto**
You're ranked last, though.
**[10:06] Tatsuru**
Compared to Mitsuhoshi,
we've got a long way to go.
**[10:10] Tatsuru**
Let's work on that together.
**[10:12] Mikoto**
I like badminton. I won't
slack off at practice.
**[10:16] Mikoto**
But I have no intention of making friends.
**[10:18] Tatsuru**
Come, now.
**[10:20] Tatsuru**
Coordinated play between pairs is what
achieves results, in both work and badminton.
**[10:24] Mikoto**
I wouldn't know. After all,
I don't play doubles.
**[10:28] Tatsuru**
I see. That's too bad.
***SIGN*** Saitama Matsugishi Public Elementary School
**[10:32] Mikoto**
What?
**[10:34] Mikoto**
*This* is where you practice?
**[10:37] Mikoto**
Seriously?
**[10:39] Toya**
You're in the way.
**[10:41] Mikoto**
Toya?
**[10:42] Mikoto**
Wha... Are you...
**[10:44] Toya**
Wouldn't it be weirder if I *weren't*
on the badminton team?
**[10:47] Haruki**
Hey, you.
**[10:50] Haruki**
What's in the big bag?
**[10:52] Mikoto**
Huh?
**[10:53] Toya**
Uh, this is—
**[10:55] Haruki**
What kind of adult comes to
an elementary school? Weirdo.
**[10:58] Mikoto**
I couldn't agree more.
**[11:02] Mikoto**
Anyway,
**[11:03] Mikoto**
don't you think there's something off about
practicing in an elementary school gym?
**[11:07] Toya**
You're even worse.
**[11:09] Toya**
You showed up to your first
day with that goofy necktie.
**[11:12] Mikoto**
Who told you that?
**[11:14] Takeda**
Hey, guys.
**[11:15] Takeda**
The walking speaker,
***SIGN*** Takeda Koki (27)
Sunlight Beverage Sales Department
**[11:18] Takeda**
Takeda Koki, has arrived!
**[11:20] Mikoto**
So it was you.
**[11:23] Toya**
By the way, Ko-san and I are a doubles team.
**[11:26] Takeda**
They call us the Taketo Pair.
**[11:28] Takeda**
Nice to meet you.
**[11:29] Toya**
You're the only one who calls us that.
**[11:34] Toya**
Hey!
**[11:34] Takeda**
Hey!
**[11:37] Sota**
Hey.
**[11:38] Toya**
You're here early, Brother.
**[11:39] Mikoto**
Brother?
**[11:40] Toya**
Oh, right. You haven't met.
**[11:43] Toya**
This is my brother, Saeki Sota.
He's four years older.
***SIGN*** Saeki Sota (23)
Sunlight Beverage Quality Assurance Department
**[11:46] Toya**
He plays singles.
**[11:48] Soya**
Hello.
**[11:49] Mikoto**
I'm Shiratori. I also play singles.
**[11:52] Soya**
Ah, the bow tie guy they're all talking about?
**[11:56] Mikoto**
Did you do this?!
**[11:58] Takeda**
It's funny, though.
**[11:59] Ono**
Shut up, morons!
**[12:04] All**
Hey, Coach!
***SIGN*** Ono Yasuomi (46)
Sunlight Beverage General Manager
& Badminton Team Coach
**[12:07] Ono**
Hey.
**[12:08] Ono**
You're here, Shiratori.
Let's see you go all-out.
**[12:11] Mikoto**
Yes, sir.
**[12:13] Ono**
Where's the other half of your pair?
**[12:16] Mikoto**
Huh? What do you mean by "pair"?
**[12:19] Ono**
A pair's a pair. A doubles team.
**[12:23] Mikoto**
Doubles?
**[12:27] Tatsuru**
Hey, sorry I'm late.
**[12:30] Tatsuru**
Thanks for waiting.
**[12:32] Tatsuru**
Whether it's work or badminton,
you and I are a pair.
**[12:39] Mikoto**
I'm quitting. Thank you for everything.
**[12:41] Ono**
Hold it, Shiratori!
**[12:43] Mikoto**
Nobody told me I'd be playing doubles!
**[12:45] Ono**
Of course not. I never told you.
**[12:48] Mikoto**
You mean you tricked me?!
**[12:49] Toya**
He hadn't told him?
**[12:50] Ono**
Sorry about that!
**[12:52] Sota**
He's got some brass balls.
**[12:54] Ono**
You're better at doubles than singles.
**[12:57] Ono**
I know I'm right.
**[13:00] Mikoto**
You can't just decide that!
**[13:03] Mikoto**
I'll win playing singles and prove
that Mitsuhoshi was wrong.
**[13:09] Ono**
You could do that playing doubles, too.
**[13:12] Mikoto**
I don't want to play doubles.
**[13:15] Mikoto**
Besides, I wouldn't have come here if
I'd known you had such a shoddy team.
**[13:19] Takeda**
Hey, watch your mouth—
**[13:21] Toya**
Ko-san.
**[13:22] Mikoto**
I don't want to end here.
**[13:29] Tatsuru**
In that case, let's play singles.
**[13:32] Mikoto**
Huh?
**[13:33] Tatsuru**
You don't want to play doubles, right?
**[13:36] Tatsuru**
Beat me at singles, then.
**[13:40] Mikoto**
What are you—
**[13:41] Ono**
All right.
**[13:42] Ono**
If you win, I'll let you play singles.
**[13:51] Mikoto**
Okay.
**[13:52] Tatsuru**
But if I win, you'll be my partner.
**[13:57] Mikoto**
Fine, but I'll win.
**[14:04] Ono**
One-game match. Shiratori versus Miyazumi.
**[14:07] Ono**
Love all. Begin.
**[14:20] Mikoto**
*His shots are heavy.*
**[14:21] Takeda**
Tatsu-san, this is your chance!
**[14:27] Tatsuru**
Yeah!
**[14:28] Sota**
1-0.
**[14:37] Takeda**
Looks like he can't do anything
against Tatsu-san's power.
**[14:40] Toya**
No, that's Mikoto's style.
**[14:43] Sota**
You mean he's a defensive player?
**[14:45] Toya**
No. He observes his opponent
at the start of the game.
**[14:48] Toya**
He's studying Tatsuru-san's movements.
**[14:50] Takeda**
Observes?
**[14:53] Sota**
7-0.
**[14:59] Mikoto**
*I see it.*
**[15:16] Takeda**
What? His movements suddenly changed.
**[15:19] Ono**
That's Shiratori's greatest
weapon, his "foresight."
**[15:23] Ono**
His opponents feel like he's
predicting their moves.
**[15:28] Sota**
He's a psychic, then.
**[15:29] Takeda**
So... what does that mean?
**[15:32] Toya**
He's exceptionally good at observing
people's subtle movements
**[15:35] Toya**
and predicting what they'll do.
**[15:36] Toya**
How their eyes move, which way their
body is facing... That kind of thing.
**[15:41] Toya**
Apparently, he can predict how people
will move next based on that.
**[15:44] Takeda**
Seriously? Wow.
**[15:54] Tatsuru**
*He's got my number.*
**[15:56] Tatsuru**
*No matter where I aim, he's already there.*
**[15:59] Tatsuru**
*That said, we're just getting started.*
**[16:05] Mikoto**
*A straight shot.*
**[16:09] Sota**
He's good.
**[16:10] Sota**
He swapped his stance from a straight
to cross-court shot at the last second.
**[16:15] Sota**
11-9.
**[16:17] Ono**
His foresight is a powerful weapon if you
fall for it, but it's also a big gamble.
**[16:22] Ono**
Shiratori's ability becomes more
effective when he plays doubles.
**[16:27] Toya**
In singles, he doesn't have a partner to
cover for him when he loses his gamble.
***SIGN*** Toba Commercial One
Tokyo
**[16:47] Sota**
11-10.
**[16:52] Tatsuru**
*What was that?*
**[16:53] Sota**
He could've returned that, right?
**[16:56] Toya**
What is he doing?
**[16:59] Mikoto**
* Damn it. I'm using my foresight*
* to anticipate his moves, but...*
**[17:03] Mikoto**
*He's so persistent.*
**[17:11] Tatsuru**
Hell yeah!
**[17:13] Mikoto**
Is it really necessary to play so recklessly?
**[17:16] Mikoto**
Why won't you give up already?
**[17:18] Tatsuru**
You lose when the shuttle hits the ground.
**[17:20] Tatsuru**
So I'll return all of them.
**[17:24] Tatsuru**
Why don't *you* give up and become my partner?
**[17:30] Mikoto**
* He has the brute strength*
* to overpower his opponents*
**[17:33] Mikoto**
* and a strong defense that allows*
* him to react to any shot.*
**[17:36] Mikoto**
*I though he was simple-minded,*
**[17:38] Mikoto**
*but he's got an intellectual side to him.*
**[17:40] Mikoto**
*He's tough to play against.*
**[17:50] Tatsuru**
I've got you backed into a corner.
**[17:53] Mikoto**
I'm just getting started.
**[18:03] Takeda**
Whoa, whoa. How long is this
rally going to keep going?
**[18:10] Mikoto**
*This guy would make a pretty tough opponent.*
**[18:13] Mikoto**
*But if he were my teammate...*
**[18:20] Mikoto**
*What am I thinking?*
**[18:37] Tatsuru**
I...
**[18:39] Tatsuru**
I did it!
**[18:44] Mikoto**
*I lost?*
**[18:52] Tatsuru**
Man, singles is tough.
**[18:55] Tatsuru**
I'm totally worn out.
**[19:00] Mikoto**
Please don't puke on the floor.
**[19:03] Tatsuru**
Why don't you admit it already?
**[19:05] ---**
What?
**[19:06] Tatsuru**
You like doubles, don't you? I could
tell from playing against you.
**[19:13] Mikoto**
You're making things up.
**[19:15] Tatsuru**
A contest's a contest.
**[19:17] Tatsuru**
Starting today, you're my partner.
**[19:24] Tatsuru**
All right!
**[19:30] Mikoto**
What a long day.
**[19:32] Tatsuru**
Since we're Miyazumi and Shiratori,
would that make us the Miyashiro Pair?
**[19:36] Tatsuru**
Or maybe Tatsumiko, from Tatsuru and Mikoto?
**[19:40] Mikoto**
We don't need an abbreviation.
**[19:42] Tatsuru**
What? Then how about making your name
first, and calling us the Mikotatsu Pair?
**[19:47] Mikoto**
Just so you know, I haven't
accepted that we're a team.
**[19:50] Tatsuru**
What are you talking about? You lost.
**[19:54] Tatsuru**
It's okay. We'll make a good pair.
**[19:58] Tatsuru**
Both in work and at badminton.
**[19:59] Mikoto**
I can't do it.
**[20:00] Tatsuru**
Sure you can!
**[20:02] Tatsuru**
I'll teach you the joy of being a Badaryman.
**[20:07] Mikoto**
What kind of lame proper noun is that?
**[20:12] Tatsuru**
I'm glad you asked.
**[20:14] Tatsuru**
Sometimes he's a corporate warrior!
**[20:16] Tatsuru**
Other times he's a badminton player!
**[20:19] Tatsuru**
A superhero who paves the way to
the future with suits and shuttlecocks.
**[20:25] Tatsuru**
He is the Badaryman!
**[20:30] Mikoto**
Well, goodbye.
**[20:32] Tatsuru**
Wait, wait. Don't blow me off!
**[20:33] Mikoto**
Why are you following me,
anyway? Are you stalking me?
**[20:37] Tatsuru**
Huh? This is our dorm.
***SIGN*** Sunlight Beverage Corporate Dorm
**[20:45] Mikoto**
Wha...
***SIGN*** Miyazumi
***SIGN*** Shiratori
**[20:47] Mikoto**
What?!
**[22:35] (Flashback) Tatsuru**
What are you doing?
**[22:38] (Flashback) Tatsuru**
It's time for kids to head home.
**[22:41] (Flashback) Mikoto**
Don't worry about me.
**[22:44] (Flashback) Tatsuru**
"Don't worry about me"?
**[22:48] (Flashback) Mikoto**
What's that bag for?
**[22:50] (Flashback) Tatsuru**
This? This is called badminton.
**[22:57] (Flashback) Tatsuru**
Wanna give it a try?
**[23:00] (Flashback) Mikoto**
Yeah.
**[23:02] (Flashback) Mikoto**
Who are you, Mister?
**[23:04] (Flashback) Tatsuru**
Me? I'm a superhero who paves the way to
the future with suits and shuttlecocks.
**[23:11] (Flashback) Tatsuru**
I'm a Badaryman!