01x21 - A Chance to Blossom

[bunniefuu]

Why did Kyo put this in my head?

I like Chinatsu Senpai.

Chinatsu Senpai?! What are you doing here?

My grandpa's surgery was a success,

so I'll be moving back in tomorrow.
I came to drop some stuff off.

Right, she said it'd be any day now.

Thanks for having me again.

It's our pleasure.

I'll be spending the night at Karen's.

You two are pretty close.

I've known her since kindergarten.

She's acting normally.

Maybe she doesn't think
anything of the play.

Or maybe she didn't even come to see it.

But if that were the case,
I think she'd tell me.

What a day!

We were eating popcorn
on the way home from shopping

only for Chii's mom to spill it
when we got to the front door!

I need a trash bag.

I'll help.

Thanks.

Chinatsu Senpai.

About the play at the culture festival...

They're good, right?

I was trying to ask you something!

Like the rumors

about Hina and me kissing,

or that we're going out.

Even if it doesn't bother Chinatsu Senpai,

I want to talk to her about it.

BLUE BOX

EPISODE 21
A CHANCE TO BLOSSOM

Taiki, I'm here if you want to talk.

Huh?

Don't worry, I understand.

I know you didn't kiss her.

And that you're not going out.

It's all fake news, right?

Yes, but what's with the pressure?

Don't betray me like Haryu did.

Nishida's secret crush went to him
to have her fortune read

and asked him for advice
about a guy she likes on the track team.

Really?

I'm glad you weren't hurt, though.

I was so startled when
the confetti ball fell on you.

You came to watch?

It's my duty as your captain!

I was there with Haryu, his girlfriend,
and Kano from the basketball team.

So she did come see it.

The second- and third-years
are talking about it too.

Not that I can blame them.

That rhythmic gymnastics girl
is pretty famous after all.

The people who were there
know it was an accident.

But rumors like these
take on a life of their own.

Make sure to have her back.

The spectator fee is 4,000 yen.

You raised your prices?!

No, that's for two people.

Me too?

I'm kidding.

Hina.

Coming.

Yeah, no way she'd go out with you.

If I find anyone spreading bullcrap,
I'll straighten them out for you!

Thank you.

Those are the two
who are supposedly dating, right?

Apparently, that's fake news.

Really?

You okay with these weird rumors
going around?

You're moving back in, right?

Did you see that? I was like Curry!

Well, she's only staying with them
so she can keep playing basketball.

One more.

I guess Chinatsu
isn't interested in these kinds of things.

It's been forever.

When's the last time you stayed over?

You came over all the time
when we were little.

I've been busy with basketball.

Everyone's busy with their sports.

Well, you have your job.

I mean, that's true.

And it looks like Kengo will be busy
with badminton for a while.

He gets so distant during crunch time.

I barely ever hear from him.

Please, you know you'd be mad
if he prioritized you over practice.

Obviously!

I don't want him using me as an excuse.

Besides,

I find him most attractive
when he's playing badminton.

So I'm getting you to give me attention.

How convenient for you!

I guess I'm two-timing him.

I have to make sure
you don't have any flies buzzing around.

Flies?

I'm only asking
because he asked me to, okay?

My friend from another school
wants me to introduce him to you.

He asked for your number.

No thanks.

That was fast.

I don't like talking to strangers.

You really are uninterested in romance.

I wanna marry Mr. Nakamura!

Me too!

You were the only one who felt nothing
for Mr. Nakamura in kindergarten.

I was the only one acting our age!

But you're right,
I might not be as good at this as others.

Hey, Chii...
Is there someone you're interested in?

What's with that troubled look?

Yeah.

There is.

Someone I'm interested in.

Is it...

Inomata?

Yeah.

So you like him?

Maybe not to that degree just yet.

What? Not yet?

What do you mean?

How do I explain it?

It's like I'm growing a flower.

That's a unique metaphor.

Being interested is like
when the plant starts to sprout.

Back when I used to see him
during morning practice,

I just thought of him
as some guy who was always around.

After talking and getting to know him,

I realized he was a nice guy,
and the seedling began to grow.

The more things I find
that I like about him...

the bigger and bigger the plant grows.

But since I'm so focused on basketball,

and considering my situation,

it hasn't quite blossomed yet.

So if it blossoms, it means she likes him.

Then there's what happened at the play.

It really... startled me.

I don't really fall for guys
that easily either,

so I know how you feel.

But all that stuff
about whether they kissed or not,

it doesn't matter if it was an accident.

I'd be so over him the moment
those rumors started flying around.

The twig would be snapped.

But I've seen lots of people
go through this.

Some consider it love
the moment the plant starts to sprout.

It's just a different way
of looking at it.

It's not about who's right.

We all go at different speeds
when it comes to love.

You're not the type to fall in love
just because you want a boyfriend.

You're the type to take love seriously.

So I get that you can't decide
whether you like Inomata yet.

But...

while you're struggling with that,

he might get snatched up by someone else.

That's mean.

It's reality.

In other words, what I'm trying to say is

I want you to experience a wonderful love.

I don't know when that moment will come,

but if you ever feel like
you've fallen in love with someone,

I want you to acknowledge that feeling.

Yeah.

What I'm getting at is that
some would say you're already in love.

I'm sure for Chinatsu,
there's still one piece missing.

I wish my little sister
would learn from you.

Why?

She's a serial monogamist.

Just the other day, she broke up
with a guy because he walked too fast.

Sis.

Can I borrow your nail polish remover?

Speak of the devil.

I already lent it to you, Ayame.

What? No you didn't.

It's Chii!

Your hair is so silky!
And you have such pretty skin!

Is it the exercising?

You hate exercising.

I just hate sweating.

Hold on,

I thought you had a date tonight.

I broke up with him.

Again?

It's not my fault.

Whenever we went to a cafe, the barista
never knew if he wanted a medium or large.

He needs to speak more clearly.

But it's okay!

I found another guy I'm interested in.

Chii, don't try to learn
anything from her.

What are you talking about?

You've always got your head in the clouds.

By the way, what do you like
about this new guy?

Huh? His looks.

INOMATA

Thank you for having me again.

- Welcome back!
- Welcome back!

We missed you so much!

You're like our own daughter
at this point.

Please, come in.

I'll grab your other things.

Let's go get sushi
like we did your first day!

Okay, okay, coming through!

I'll get that.

Yeah?

As usual, I have no idea
what she's thinking.

Taiki.

Could you get this club expenses sheet
to the seniors?

Sure, thanks.

Did you tear your net?

You mean strings?

Oh, you're the kind of person
who laughs at others' ignorance.

How foolish.

I didn't laugh!

So those two really are...

I guess the rumors were true.

Really...

Don't pay any attention to them.

I actually figured out a way
to use the rumors to my advantage.

Really?

We can make the rumors real
whenever you want.

What?!

It worked!

I found my in!

I'll stick with this strategy for a while!

What was I ever worried about?

But I guess that's her way
of looking out for me.

Don't say anything.

I haven't.

Gather round!

- Yes, sir!
- Yes, sir!

You all came up with a goal
at the start of the semester...

There's so much I need to think about.

Now that the culture festival is over,

I need to focus on practice.

I need to get good enough
to beat Yusa again.

Also, we have a new member
joining us today.

But not an athlete.

Hello!

I'm your new team manager.

My name is Ayame Moriya.

I'm your new team manager.
My name is Ayame Moriya.

She's so cute!

We finally have a female manager!

- Yay!
- Welcome!

Wait, where's the guy with the bowl cut?

I saw him in the gym about two weeks ago.

So hot! He's totally my type!

He had a bowl cut
and was lean and muscular.

Is she talking about Yusa?

He goes to Sajikawa High School.

He just came here for a practice match.

So I can't see him every day?

He goes to another school.

I won't be able to wash his jersey?

That's what you want to do?

Thanks so much, it's been fun.

Wait!

Kengo.

Karen was right.

She knew you must've had
an ulterior motive for becoming manager.

But I mean...

He was so hot!

I want to see that cool demeanor
get all flustered!

Haryu, do you know her?

She's my girlfriend's little sister.

Karen's younger sister?

We'll probably have
more practice matches with them.

And you could see him at tournaments.

I mean, that's the only way
you could meet him anyway.

I suppose I'll stick around for a while.

- She's a cunning one.
- She's a cunning one.

Okay, Taiki. Show her the ropes.

Okay.

This is the storeroom.

This is where you'll make drinks.

And this is...

our club room.

It's a little messy.

A little?

Does nobody clean this place?

It stinks!

This is unbelievable.

This girl's not afraid to speak her mind.

She's Karen's sister,

and she doesn't seem like a bad person.

Spider! Spider! Spider!

Too close!

Chii, save me!

That makes it seem like I did something!

- There was a spider!
- Inomata... What did you do?

I didn't do anything! It was a spider!

There it is again! Shoo it away already!

Don't push me! I need a tissue or some--

Just use your bare hand!

Nice one, Chii.

Wait...

I thought Chinatsu Senpai hated bugs.

I can fight.

Did she overcome her fear?

So, what are you doing
in the boys' badminton club room?

I somehow ended up being their manager.

You volunteered.

Manager?

So this guy was giving me the rundown.

I have a name.

What was it again?

Taiki Inomata.

Okay, Inota then.

Huh?

Let's go, Inota!

Grab a trash bag! We need to clean!

Don't give me a name like a pet!

See you later, Chii!

We need rubber gloves too.

We all go at different speeds
when it comes to love.

This is what she meant.

EIMEI PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL

It's so heavy!

There.

It's the badminton team's new manager.

It's so freaking hot.

How can everyone move so much?

Up we go!

I can't beat her.

On what grounds?

I made you drinks!

Thanks!

Thanks, Manager.

I've come back to life!

Inota, what's next?

I'll teach you how to keep score.

Show me.

Sorry, this is a bit awkward to say.

You might be too close.

I don't want any weird rumors to start.

You should probably back up a little.

Rumors?

Oh, you're the prince from Snow White!

You just realized that now?

My friends were talking about it.

It must be hard hearing all the rumors.

Like whether you kissed or not.

Everyone's getting way too worked up
over some little kiss.

Some little kiss?

Anyway, don't worry about it.

The only opinions you should care about

are those of your loved ones.

Be that as it may...

if you could back up just a little.

Sorry.

It's out of habit.

Spider!

What did I just say?

Is that so?

Hurry up, Inota!

I forgot something!

It's not what you think!