02x07 - Zutto Soba ni Itai kara

[bunniefuu]

I said wait!

Ow...

What the hell are you doing?

I told you to stop and you wouldn't!

You ran away from home!

You must've come to see Sano.

Shin-kun...

Sounds like he contacted my mom.

She said he's coming straight home.

Oh, really?

That's good news.

He was in the city anyway,

so he took the chance to check
out my school, allegedly.

He wanted to see you.

He may talk tough,

but he really looks up to you.

Can't say I don't understand.

I have an older brother too.

True, you do have a thing
for being babied.

Th-That's not true!

Looking at the people around you
like your brother and Julia,

maybe it's that they're too soft on you.

Coddling you and all.

What's that supposed to mean?

You just said that I like being
babied in a different way!

I'm saying you've got
good people around you.

Not that I know anything
about good families...

But even to me, having a friend
who seriously worries about you

seems like a good thing.

Sano... Did you meet up with Julia?

I... wouldn't say that.

Why?

Just a feeling.

Why do I feel like
a guilty cheating husband?

I'm starving.

Nakatsu? What happened? You're hurt.

Oh, you know.

With the fight for the
regular spots coming up,

it's like a badge of honor.

That's some hard practice...

Tell me about it.

It's true our athletics department
takes no prisoners.

Sano.

But, well, I can't complain.

This was my special ticket into Osaka.

I chose this path for myself.

Nakatsu's really serious about this.

What?

I mean...

Well...

Never thought I'd hear you
talking like that.

Hard to believe.

Gave me the chills, man.

You makin' fun of me?!

I'll make you eat your words!

Easy, easy.

There, there.

I know!

For practice tomorrow,
I'll bring you some grub.

F-For real?!

Uh, yeah.

Sweet!

That is one sadly colored aura.

Sano, what would you like?

Meat and potato croquettes.

Okay!

Julia!

Out for a walk?

Yeah, something like that.

While I think about some stuff...

Hey, then why don't you come with me?

I'm making a delivery to Nakatsu.

What? I'm good.
I don't need to see that ape.

Don't be like that!

The school's right there.

But...

Nakatsu's on fire right now!

Oh! There he is.

Go around!

Apparently, they're duking it out
to make the cut.

He's been covered in dirt every day.

Nakatsu!

Mizuki!

Hey! Where are you going, Nakatsu?

Oh, thanks!

The American woman!

You're here too?

Maybe get your eyes checked.

I hear you're trying to make the team.

Y-Yeah.

Sounds rough.

I don't really think so.

I do love soccer, after all.

Chasing what you love
is never rough going.

Nakatsu!

Yeah! Coming!

Good luck.

Here you go. A pick-me-up.

Wow!

Okay, gotta run.

Thanks for the drop-off!

Oh, he fell.

He looks like... he's having fun.

Huh?

You do too.

Julia?

I'm going back to the States.

What?! Why all of a sudden?

I only planned a short stay to begin with.

Plus, I guess I'm feeling a bit relieved.

About what?

That you're really being held dear here.

That you've got people supporting
you and your sunny disposition.

I'm relieved that you're
surrounded by decent people.

Oh, Sano said the same thing.

That I'm blessed
with good people around me.

That I have a good friend in you, Julia.

He said that?

All right, time for a break!

Here. This is for you.

Thanks.

What's wrong? You seem down.

Yeah.

Julia said she's going back to the States.

I see...

Did she say anything else?

No, not really.

Wait, she said something
kind of like what you did.

That she's relieved I'm
surrounded by good people.

I guess you're gonna miss her.

Yeah...

Hi!

Julia!

Wait, you're already leaving?!

Yeah, I figured I'd come say my goodbyes.

Take care.

I will.

You too, Julia.

Oh, that's right.

Hmm?

I said before that you should
just go steady with Sano already,

but you don't have to rush things.

He seems shy.

What's all this, American woman?

You goin' home?

That's correct.

Thank you, Sano.

You too, Nakatsu.

Do my ears deceive me?

That's the first time you've used my name!

Would you prefer I call you an ape?

Who would prefer that,
you violent American woman?!

That's rich coming from a dumb
ape with zero manners!

Who're you callin' dumb ape?!

Try sayin' that again!

I'll say it as many times as it takes!

Dumb ape! Dumb ape! Dumb ape!

What do you call this?

A fight without honor and humanity.

Or maybe cats and dogs?

I miss having you here already.

You'll see me soon enough.

Oh, you're still in uniform?

I've got school now.

Sano's left already because
he has morning practice.

Oh, I'm sorry! It's morning for you.

I forgot.

It's fine. Thanks for calling.

It made me happy.

I'm kind of sad that my good
friend Julia has gone back home,

but now it feels like things
are returning to normal.

Hmm?

Wait, wh-what's this?

Morning! Hey, so there's...

Did you see it?

I sure did!

They're so lucky.

Morning.

Hey. What's going on?

What? You really don't know?

We only found out this morning.

It's because of this. Here.

Th-Th-That's...

Wha... Wha...

They look so cool!

Oh, oops.

It's gotten so many likes.

Guess they could instantly track down
our school because of the uniforms.

So you're saying
those girls out there are...

Obviously!

They're after these three!

Right. That makes sense.

I mean, maybe my opinion doesn't
count, but Sano really is cool.

Damn it.

Every one of them's probably all like,

"With some luck,
I could snag one of those guys!"

They're seriously delusional if they
think they have a shot with Nanba-senpai!

Hey, sexy boys!

That... That was harrowing.

Yeesh, what happened to you?

You're all roughed up!

The hell's with that crowd?!

I thought we were gonna be eaten alive!

That was really something!

Like ants swarming candy!

Don't just watch! Come help us!

Once again, I've gotta
admit that Sano looks good.

He's tall, and his face is so chiseled.

His eyes are especially pretty.

How about doing a mixer sometime?

That hurt, ya dumbass!

Who the hell're you, anyway?

Don't be like that.

Jeez, this is a huge pain in the neck.

Seriously.

What have we here?

You lads don't look happy.

Nanba-senpai!

I'd expect no less from you!

That photo is so good!

I saved it immediately!

Right after I cropped everyone else out.

O-Oh, yeah?

Thanks.

You guys really are like monks, though.

Those girls came all the way here for you.

You should at least show them
that you're real men.

We're not like you!

Look at you, talking all big.

What ever happened
with the American woman?

She's so adorable...

Parting from me was so unbearable

that she went back home
without saying a word.

I'm waiting.

Waiting for the day she
comes back into my arms.

He's suffering.

He's suffering so hard...

Warum?

Warum nicht?!

Es wird mir schwarz vor den Augen!

G-Guten Tag, Himejima-san...

What's the Dorm 3 RA doing here?

Ich schmerz, weiss du nicht,
nein weiss Gott!

Shut up!

Speak Japanese!

Fine, then I shall say my piece.

I uploaded a picture on that same day,

so tell me why yours has
overwhelmingly more likes?!

So stupid.

Kitahama was looking at us earlier.

Huh? You mean Kitahama-sensei?

He's gotten so annoying ever since they
made him the head sub for our year.

Yeah, really.

Why are you dressed so sloppily?

You're to wear your tie at all times!

Check it out. There he goes again.

I wonder if Sano and the rest
managed to make it out.

You all right?

Oh, yes. I'm sorry.

Dang, he's tall.

Um, can I help you?

Would you mind turning to the side a bit?

Ooh, very nice.

You're slim, but you've
got nice bone structure.

Not very muscular, are we?

What the hell are you doing?

I like your eyes.

See you later.

Like I'd ever see you again!

Who the hell does he think he is?

Mizuki-kun!

Rio-chan? What's wrong?

I'm really sorry!

A girl from my school is the one
who uploaded that photo.

Aha.

I had her delete it.

But I want to apologize to those three.

I'll tell them.

It's not like you did anything.

Thank you!

Really, I'm so sorry!

It's fine, it's fine.

Welcome back!

I just talked to Rio-chan, and...

Sano?!

A-Are you okay?

Do you have a fever?

No. I'm just starving.

That's all?

Stay there.

Sano...

He has no idea how I feel about him.

But that's okay.

Your hand is so cool. It feels good.

Y-Yeah?

Glad it could come in handy.

Because I want to stay
by your side forever...

I-It's like there are more than yesterday.

There are some people
at the back gate too.

Nanba-senpai!

There's nothing we can do.

Want to go k*ll some time
until they disperse?

What happened to yesterday's
"real men" shtick?

Everything's relative.

Guess we got no choice.

Hey there, you guys!

Well, looks like we did meet again.

I've been looking for you guys.

Who are you, Gramps?

That's cruel. I'm only 25.

Oh, here's my business card.

Photographer Hara Akiha?

That's right.

Mind letting me sh**t you?

Wha?!

Well, I suppose we could
at least hear you out.

What?!

Don't hold back. Go on, now. Eat up.

It's my treat.

Don't we stick out like a sore thumb here?

We hella do.

Well, let's get to business.

Thank you for waiting!

That looks so sweet...

I'm looking for models for a new brand.

I happened to see you online, and...

I just got the shivers all over.

A brand that sends a photographer
to scout models can't be all that good.

This entire project is predicated
on me sh**ting it.

I only ever sh**t people I like,

which is why I, as the top-class
photographer, get to make all the calls.

Talk about confidence.

H-He poured...

...it all on.

Well, I'm sure you can't give me
your answers right away,

so why don't you think it over?

Hey, Ashiya.
Did you know that guy already?

I just ran into him at the
gate yesterday. That's all.

I figure he was waiting for you guys.

Sano! Here he is!

He's won a ton of crazy awards!

Guess he's the real deal.

Looks like it.

What are you going to do
about the modeling thing?

I'm not participating.

I was never interested.

Aw, man.

I kinda wanted to see you as a model.

Don't be silly!

Take your bath and go to bed!

Okay...

Nakatsu, you're not doing it either?

Of course not!

The only thing I'm
interested in is soccer.

Can't even see anything else.

Nanba-kun from 3-A.

Sano-kun and Nakatsu-kun from 2-C.

Please come to the student
counseling office immediately.

You do know why you're here, right?

Do you realize how much trouble
your carelessness is causing the school?

We've got girls from other
schools crowding both gates,

leading to complaints
from the neighborhood.

Some idiots have even snuck
onto the school grounds!

What a mess!

And what is this?

What is with your hair?

It's flashy and inappropriate!

What does Nakatsu's hair
have to do with any of this?

Don't you get high and mighty because you
got a little bit of attention online!

I don't believe our dress code
has rules concerning our hair,

so students are free to do
with it what they please.

As for the girls, I will take personal
responsibility and handle things.

Can you believe him,

dragging in all that unrelated stuff?

What a nag.

Pissed me off good!

I'll listen to you rant as long as
you keep those hands moving.

Yes, sir.

Oh, and this photographer named
Hara Akiha-san saw the picture,

and he came over to scout them.

D-Doctor?!

H-H-H... H-Hara... H-Hara Akiha?!

Yeah. You know him?

Do not, under any circumstances,

mention my name to him!

Got it?!

Okay...

Oh, that?

Sounds like Kitahama put them
through the wringer for it.

And you want to work out
that anger through karate?

That is very manly of you!

But you can't let your karate
be controlled by anger.

If you're distracted by idle thoughts,

you'll only hurt yourself.

What's important is to focus your mind.

Osu!

Easier said than done, though...

I can't stop thinking about it!

Not bad.

I dig it.

I knew I'd spotted something good...

I hit it...

Ashiya's got chivalry and grit!

You're openly praising him? That's rare.

Because he came and challenged me!

But he is missing one thing...

Which is?

The medal of masculinity! Muscles!

You would say that...