Aoashi (アオアシ)

EHIME PREFECTURE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT

MEN'S SOCCER PRELIMINARIES

That's number 10. Isn't he amazing?

Seems like he always has the ball at his feet.

Let's go!

The dumb ball went to number 10 again!

That raggedy-headed kid is our only problem!

We need to find a way to slow him down!

-Eat that! -

Talk about a hat-trick!

We were down three goals, but we're tied now!

If we keep this up, we might actually win!

Which will land us a spot in the prelim semifinals.

Hard to say with how random Aoi's plays are.

Watching him makes me nervous.

He's still not paying any attention

to positioning or formation.

Who cares? Why do it if he doesn't have to?

As long as he gets the goal.

You see? We are going to win this thing!

-Yes? - Yes!

-All right! -Let's go!

-Hey, 10! Your shoe's untied. -Huh?

Hey, it actually is! Oh, crap!

Ashito, do you remember me?

We were in a club in grade school.

Man, you were such a psycho ball hog then.

No one wanted you on their team because of it.

Must have sucked knowing you weren't welcome.

And you ended up quitting the club, didn't you?

Right. I guess it wasn't just a dream after all.

As you can see, I'm loving playing on this team now.

People change.

So let's make the most of the next five minutes.

Congratulations, dude.

Glad the Podunk junior soccer team took you on.

Feel great, Mr. Big Deal in Hicksville?

But I gotta say, the way you guys

map out your plays is a snore.

It's way too predictable.

They pass you the ball

and then go and chill over by the goal.

Least you could do is offer a challenge.

Guess they do look like a bunch of idiots.

All you gotta do is tell them to pass.

I'm sure they think it's a great strategy.

You managed to get those dumb monkeys

pretty well trained. Respect.

Oh, is this a good game or what?

I'm starting to wonder if anyone told this crowd

that they're watching a junior high match.

Noriko, that's not nice.

There aren't a lot of things to do in this town.

- -

-No way! -He just headbutted him!

That dude is nuts!

FIRST TOUCH

You told me this was your last tournament

for the school year, so I took time off work

to come watch you. I am such an idiot!

Why do you go and do these things without thinking?

Your mother came and you act like it's no big deal.

And then right in front of her.

What? You leave my mom out of it.

WHAM

You're not aware that Coach Kijima

from Dougo Business High came to watch the game today.

About getting you in on a recommendation...

He said he couldn't do it and declined.

He'd heard about you and was excited

about a promising forward.

In the end, he said he didn't need

a mentally immature player.

- -

GAME 4 - FUTAMIHAMA BAISHINJI

Ehime? What the heck brought you out there?

- A family grave. - Huh?

It's crazy how little things have changed.

Time flows just as slowly as it always has in this place.

Well, you really tick nose-me off.

You completely ignored the schedule.

Someone should check the memos because I left full details.

Whatever! That is so not the point!

You're that freaked out? It's kind of scary.

Of course I'm freaked out!

Calm down, Hana.

Now that I'm here, I'll be able to--

Get me souvenirs?

I was gonna say there's some work here.

When? Now? Hey, I'm--

It's been two hours, you know?

Even a hamster would be going insane by now.

Your legs are gonna give out.

I'm sorry, who are you?

I've been waiting for you to stop, but you keep going.

And I don't blame you, that was a scene.

I bet you're pretty worked up.

Man, you sure are something.

You were already running twice as much as the others,

yet you still have the energy to...

I'd like to introduce you all to our new member.

This is Ashito Aoi.

I call my position Genius Forward!

I'm only interested in scoring!

I'm Ronaldo, in his prime, but reincarnated!

I mean, he's still alive, but all you guys get the point!

Just feed me the ball and I'll lead you to victory!

No matter where you are, just pass it to me!

I'm the reincarnation of Marco Van Basten! Got it?

Except Marco Van Basten's still alive too!

Alright. Listen, son.

No, Coach. You listen!

I don't need anyone's tactics!

'Cause I am the tactic!

Oh, well, I...

I said I am the tactic.

Know why I said it twice? 'Cause it's important.

- -

Wow! He might be the funniest guy ever!

He's just like a goofy main character in a manga series!

We gotta throw him a welcome party!

I can't lie about who I am.

I know I'm good, so I say I'm good.

If I don't want to do something,

I'll say I don't wanna.

That's why I was always an outcast on every team

I joined. Until then...

Those guys knew who I was and accepted me

right from the start.

Guess they do look like a bunch of idiots, though.

I must have fallen asleep out here.

How'd that happen?

What? Whoa! What was that?

The time between hitting it

with your chest and setting off was crazy!

Who the heck are you, old man?

It's just a little trick I know.

Want me to teach it to you?

With this, you could've scored,

I'm guessing, three more goals today?

Want to give it a shot? Nope! Wrong!

Don't point your midsection toward the ball.

When you receive it, that part should already be pointed

in the direction you want to run.

In order to maintain your field of vision,

your torso twists when you make your first touch,

and from there you start running. Heads up!

It's called "Control orientado."

Come here. I'll show you.

Using only one touch, control the ball

into one of these circles.

You need to land it into any of them

without missing, okay?

Oh, and you start here.

Once the ball's in a circle, you've got three steps max

to play it. However, you won't be able to do that

unless your body's facing the right way

after you make your first touch.

Okay. Got it.

Sorry. Ashito's not home just yet.

Right. Yes?

TEACHER-GUARDIAN NOTEBOOK

Crap, I'm late!

Really? What do you mean

his teammates are out looking for him?

I'm sorry he's causing you all this trouble.

Oh, no, no. They volunteered

to form a search party themselves.

Unfortunately, they're coming up

empty-handed, but they're determined.

They only started winning games after Aoi joined.

Everyone's genuinely grateful to him.

-I say just leave him out there. -Mom...

I took time away from my job to go watch him play,

and he thanks me with an act of violence?

I don't know if I believe all that, though.

Ashito being violent?

What reason would he have?

Shun. I'm sorry for bringing it up.

I know how tired you are from working your job.

Oh, it's not that bad, actually.

Dinner's made. All you have to do is warm it up.

Make sure Ashito eats when he gets home.

You're so bad at this.

Know what time it is? It's late.

Come on. I might not make check-in time at the hotel.

- - Oh! Shut up.

No one asked you to stay here and watch, did they? Jeez.

Damn it! This is so hard!

I can get it in the circle, but hitting it again

within three steps is rough!

Maybe if I cut out all my extra movements...

Hey, time's up. You've gone

and tried long enough.

Close control techniques might not be your thing.

-And it's all right. -

Guess I was expecting too much. At this level,

he probably won't make it.

But before I go,

I would like you to answer one question for me.