Oofuri Chapter 58
Next Oofuri chapter out by Sunday?: OFFFICIAL FAILUREEEEE. ^^ I will, however, try to reset the date of the next one to Sunday again. I may end up deciding to move the day, though, as I'm starting to wonder if the problem with using the weekend as planned catchup days since they are your days off doesn't work since EVERYONE KNOWS those are your days off and thus tend to expect you are free for their use (and will help them with their senior project....or that your mother will then instead expect you to ENTIRELY WRITE their senior project for them when it turns out to be difficult so that they can just get their diploma and move on to college to get a good job, and you will spend an inordinate amount of time over the weekend in screaming matches because no matter what your morals are, you can't pass a paper written by a college English major for one written by a girl who can barley speak English much less write it, and for another thing JUST NO, and no, I don't care that “God won't mind,” thankyouverymuch.)
B-But Novel Koushien started. That's a good thing, right? ^_^; I should really write or draw something for it... But it's hard. Hahaha. Writing random not-overly-thought-out junk is hard for me. It's very possibly all junk whether I think it our or not, but not thinking about the junk is just hard for me, and knowing it is junk is also hard. It's too bad I doubt anyone is turning in fic anonymously to NK, as then I could too and have someone to, uh, mix with. ...Not that I could actually fool anyone that knows me. I suspect I can't get the me out of my writing voice very well. T_T;
Now and then I get ideas for possible dialogue/stuffs in the (formerly?) empty part of my first IzuMizu fic. Stringing them together is going to be a bitch (or, er, rather 'making them fit as if they HAVEN'T just been strung together ^_^;), but at least there's, like, uh...content...now. I'm veryvery glad I did not try to force myself to write it before when I didn't really have any ideas. *pats head* Good job, brain. You controlled me well. I know sometimes we fight about that, but in the end, our continued relationship is for the best.
...Though It's actually getting rather unwieldy with all these disconnected bits. I really need to sit down and figure how they fit...I-I really wanted to tomorrow...b-but now I'm behind in other stuff and I don't know if I should. T_T (Curse you, Mother. And you too, God. If you would only be more specific about minding cheating on high school projects then my mother would have had no argument at all!)
Last episode of House pandery like WHOA , but just not as yummy as episodes with actual...relationship substance. :( Fairly uncreative/predictable too as far as 'someone thinks we're gay' hijinks go. Still entertaining overall, but... *sniff* I like to go and read reactions to some episodes online, but I'm not sure I should take the time, hahaha.
SUMMARY:
At home, Abe listens to the baseball news on TV. His mother asks what he would like for lunch, and all he will tell her is that he wants meat. The TV mentions that Musashino Daiichi will be competing to get into the best 8 today, and Abe notes that till this year Musashino was an unremarkable team. He admits their improvement must be due to Haruna and becomes very frustrated.
It is the 24th, and the team goes about their morning practice schedule. Hamada arrives, and as Hanai begins to talk to him Tajima teases him for calling Hamada “san” quietly (more formal than the rest of them speak to him). Hanai asks if his part time job is ok with him coming like this, and he says they will be till the 29th, anyway. Hanai notes that is when the finals are and thanks Hamada earnestly for cheering for them. (I take it Hanai figures Hamada asked for time off up till the finals in case Nishura made it, and he is touched?) Hanai tells him they might not have won against Tousei without them, and Hamada is embarrassed.
Hamada notes that nobody seems to be down about the loss. He asks about Abe, and Hanai explains he won't make it to newcomer's and the fall tournament is questionable too, but he's coming to camp and word is he seems ok. Hamada figures the coach is worried about not having Abe for fall, but Hanai says that Tajima should be able to manage.
Hamada points out that being both clean-up and catcher will be very hard. Hanai looks as if this had not occurred to him. Hamada adds that with Nishihiro their offense will be even weaker (?? I think?), and if Tajima's offensive power drops, the team will have a tough time. He finishes, however, noting that the newcomer's tournament is only district-wide, so maybe Tajima can pull through.
Momokan calls the team together. They need another new catcher while Abe is gone. After sending Tajima and Mihashi off to play catch, she teaches the rest of the team some catcher basics to see who takes to it best. She describes basic posture, the proper way to throw to second to prevent steals and the importance off shaving off as much time as possible from the throwing action, and about how to catch a foul fly. As Hanai continues to think on how hard it must be for Tajima to do all this and be clean-up at the same time, he puts in more effort than most into trying to do the catcher exercises well.
As Tajima and Mihashi finish up throwing, Tajima asks Mihashi who he thinks will be the best catcher. When Mihashi is unable to answer, Tajima becomes frustrated and reminds him that Abe won't make it for the newcomer's tournament or for fall. He tells Mihashi that it's not just about him and Abe playing together (??). Mihashi thinks to himself, seeming as if he is slowly building to the conclusion that this is true, and that even if his catcher is not Abe or Tajima, he will still pitch, however he is even slower at
voicing these thoughts, and Tajima becomes even more frustrated.
Tajima switches tactics and points out that if they win the newcomer's tournament they will be seeded for fall, and in that case won't have to play very strong teams till later in the tournament. That way, Abe may have time to recover before they have a tough game, though they should watch out since the newcomer's tournament is not seeded and they may run into a strong team at any time. When Mihashi becomes excited at the prospect, Taima then points out that if he wants that to happen, he is going to have to try his best to pitch with Tajima now. Mihashi is taken slightly aback but agrees without hesitation.
At home, Abe watches the sports news and hears that Musashino won their game and entered the best 8. As he slumps onto his desk, his mother comes in to ask what he wants for dinner, to which he again replies meat. His mother goes out, a little frustrated but also somewhat thankful for his lack of preferences, and thinking about what else Abe needs in the way of vitamins and minerals.
As Hamada helps the rest of the team do the knock, Momokan talks to Hanai. She thinks he took the catcher practice most seriously, asks him to take the position, and he accepts. Momokan figures now Hanai can just practice catching while in the bullpen instead of pitching.
Hanai asks if Tajima will still be the starting catcher while Abe is gone. Momokan says she hasn't decided and asks the reason for Hanai's question. Hanai describes his concerns about both positions being too much for Tajima. He tells Momokan that to relieve some of the burden he could be catcher instead. Momokan tells Hanai that she had also been thinking about the problem of having Tajima do both jobs, but her conclusion was different than Hanai's. Momokan explains sternly that she expected Hanai to offer to take over the clean-up position rather than the catcher position. As Hanai stands speechless, Momokan asks him as captain not to leave Tajima all alone.
As she sends Hanai off to practice with the others, she notes how it is indeed surprising just how invincible Tajima manages to make himself appear. Hanai seems to rank himself under Tajima as if it is natural. She thinks there may be no helping that at this stage, but hopes he realizes eventually that they are all still young and there is no telling how any of them could develop. She goes through possible defensive formations, and notes that though it will be tough without Abe (??), compared to before the current team is like a dream.
The team finishes afternoon practice, practicing the bunt shift, running bases, taking a break, doing practice swings, jumping rope, and doing other activities. After practice the boys stop by a convenience store to get something in their stomachs as soon as possible. They gobble down their food and immediately become exhausted and sleepy. Tajima offers everyone smoked squid to chew on the way home so they don't fall asleep riding their bikes.
Mihashi comes home while his mother is cooking dinner and once again falls asleep in the doorway. His father is shocked to find him there when he gets home. The two parents reminisce about the last time this happened, and Mihashi's dad admits he was rather worried when it happened before, though both seem amused and somewhat pleased now.
The team continues to train, and two days pass.
Abe sleepily walks down the stairs without crutches. His mother asks how he is planning to get to the doctor's later, and he explains he should be able to borrow someone's bike. His mother asks if he has been getting bigger, and sure enough when he gets on the scale he sees he has gained 4 kilos (a little under 9 pounds). He thinks he does feel a little taller, and figures it can't be a bad thing. (??)
Abe's mother drives him to school to get ready for camp with everyone. Everyone is elated to see Abe, but he sourly points out that though they act so happy to see him, no one bothered to message him the whole time he was gone. As they make excuses, Abe explains he was joking. Mihashi sees Abe and notes happily that he isn't using crutches.
Abe and his mom talk to Momokan, thanking her for taking care of him. Abe's mom goes off to join the other moms and Abe explains that he can walk on his leg now and will start stretches tomorrow. Momokan asks if he is seeing the doctor today, and he says he is. Momokan calls Mihashi over, and Mihashi is extremely started to hear himself called. Abe watches with great irritation at Mihashi's jumpiness, and Momokan observes that while the two don't exactly get along badly... (dot dot dot ^^)
Thus when Mihashi comes over, Momokan explains to him that Abe will have to ride a bike to the doctors but will still have trouble riding up hills in his condition. Momokan asks Mihashi to go along with him and push the bike on the slopes. Abe wonders why, as he thinks he can do it himself.
Momokan also says that while the parents will be making lunch and dinner for them, the team is on their own for breakfast. She asks that Abe and Mihashi make breakfast for everyone during camp. Before Mihashi can agree to do it, Abe quickly stops him from speaking to say that he can cook breakfast himself as he will have more time and energy as he is unable to practice. Momokan says no, and that they must both do it. Abe asks why, and she says she thinks he'll understand if he does it, and that she just wants them to work together for a little while. Abe agrees to do it looking very disgruntled (and Mihashi very bewildered).
TRANSLATION:
[translation by narwhaltortellini]
[Please note that my grasp on the Japanese language is tenuous and my understanding of baseball even more so. These translations and summaries were made with hopes of being helpful to fans who would like to read on in the story and do not mind suffering the occasional ambiguity or error. Parts I am consciously unsure of have been marked with two question marks (??), sometimes with my best guess at what they might mean. Note that the absence of question marks does not make the translation correct. ^_^]
[Anyone is free to use or repost these as they like, and scanlators are free to use them as aids. Just remember to use them, not trust them. It would, of course, be very kind of anyone taking them to let me know where they're going.]
01
[Moving on to baseball,] ??
[The best 8 teams will be determined today during four games at the prefectureal staduim and Saitama municipal Oomiya Stadium.]
Mom: Taka~
Mom: How about soumen for lunch?
Abe: As long as there's meat, I'll eat it.
Mom: (Right, right. Meat it is.)
Mom: (This heat doesn't do a thing to your appetite, does it?)
[At the municipal Oomiya Stadium, the first match victory went to Hannoukita, defeating Koshigaya Chuuou with a score of 4 to 3.]
02
[The second match featuring Musashino Daiichi High School up against Ageo Commercial High School is scheduled to start at 12:30 today.]
*twitch*
[And now let's take a look at the current match on VTR.]
Abe: Musashino Daiichi, huh?
Abe: Just last year that school was nothing but a total small-timer.]
03
Abe: Their bench isn't exactly overflowing. (??)
Abe: And they've got two second years! (?? in their starting lineup maybe?)
Abe: Aah...
Abe: I guess it really is all Haruna.
04
Abe: It's not like
Abe: I want him // to lose, but...
Abe: ...God damnit!
05
(board contains the schedule for half the day, the 24th)
Mizu?: (I'm starving~)
[At 12 o'clock, morning practice ends,]
[And everyone eats their own packed lunched.]
Hanai: (I'm back. Everyone just take what you bought.)
arrow: (Lost at rock, paper, scissors.)
Saka: (Wow, yours is really something.)
Izumi: (You put three umeboshi in there, right? (??)
Mizu: (Thanks, Hanai.)
[Meanwhile,]
Abe: (Thanks for the food!)
Mom: (I'll just have the soumen.)
(Minced tuna)
(Soumen)
(Cold pork shabu)
[Lunch at the Abe house]
05
[Then a nap till 1:00.]
arrow: (Other clubs also sleeping)
arrow2: ??
[Study for one hour after nap.]
Shiga: (If you need help with the math, (??)
Shiga: (Just ask!)
saka arrow: Tatami marks
[At 2 o'clock, afternoon practice starts.]
Hama: Hello~!
Saka: (Hello!)
Miha: (Hello)
Izu: (Hey.)
Taji: You get here so late, Hamada!
Taji: You should have been here an hour ago!
Hama: Eh?
Hama: Did I miss something good?
Taji: Totally.
Taji: Right?
Miha: Ah.
Miha: Yeah.
Hama: But...
Hama: I said I'd be coming at two...
Hana: ….
Hana: Ha // Hamada // -san.
06
Taji: He called Hamada 'san' in this pewny little voice!
Miha: ??
Hanai: ??
Hama: Er, Hanai.
Hama: You can call me 'san', it's fine.
Hanai: Ah. // Well.
Hanai: Y- // Your work is ok with you coming? (??)
*cough*
Taji: (He was so~ angry! Gahaha!)
Hama: …. // Yeah. // Till the 29th, anyway. (??)
Hanai: The 29th...
Hanai: That's...
Hama: ??
Hanai: [The finals?]
Hanai: Ah...
07
Hanai: Thank you
Hanai: For cheering for us!
Hama: .!
Hanai: For yesterday... (??)
Hama: Ah, well... // You guys just really inspire us, you know? (Er, so thanks. // I guess.)
Hanai: But, // If you guys hadn't been there,
Hanai: We...probably wouldn't even have been able to beat Tousei.
Hama: Y- // You're really overdoing it!
Hanai: I'm serious...
08
Hama: By the way, everyone seems to be doing really well.
Hama: It's pretty amazing that no one's depressed.
Bottom: (?? Everyone warms up themselves in the afternoon.)
Hanai: Ah... // We don't really have time for that. // I guess.
Hama: Oh.
Hama: What about Abe? // How's his knee?
Hanai: Well,
Hanai: It looks like he won't make it for the newcomer's tournament... // And it seems like the fall one might be pushing it, too.
Hanai: But he's coming to camp. // I haven't seen him myself, but I hear he doesn't seem to be that down.
Hama: Huh...
Hama: Though if he can't make it for fall,
Hama: The coach must be pretty worried, huh?
Hanai: Well, // Tajima will manage one way or another...
09
Hamada: I guess, but...
Hamada: Being both catcher and clean-up must be pretty tough, don't you think?
Hanai: …Er.
Hamada: And now with Nishihiro in,
Hamada: You've got even more low-rank batters. (??)
Hamada: If Tajima's offensive skills drop too, you guys are going to have a pretty rough time, right?
Hanai: ….
Hama: Still, the newcomer's tournament is only district-wide. // With Tajima, you never know just what he might be able to manage! (??)
Hanai: Ah. // Yeah!
10
Hama: Well when the cheering squad works out we can help you with practice, (??)
Hama: So keep it up!
Hanai: Yeah! // Thanks for your help!
Momo: That's it for catch time!
Momo: Now,
Momo: Each of you already play two positions, // Just in case we ever need to make any changes! (??)
11
Momo: But while Abe-kun is gone,
Momo: Were going to need another catcher.
Taji: But coach, // I'm gonna do it!
Momo: Well you do have a previous record. (??)
Momo: For now,
Momo: I'll be deciding based on your ability to throw to second and deal with catching foul flies. (??)
12
Momo: Mihashi!
Miha: Y-Y- // Yes ma'am!
Momo: Why don't you do some light throwing on the mound? (??)
Momo: Tajima will come with you. // Your count's restricted today, so take it easy.
Miha: Y- // Yes ma'am.
Taji: Yes ma'am.
Momo: So first I'll explain the basics.
Momo: Why don't you try it with me Nishihiro-kun?
Nishi: Yes ma'am.
Momo: The the point of the stances is to be as solid as possible. // You want to assure the pitcher they can throw to you without fear.
Momo: Ah. // That's it.
Momo: Then, // When he starts to move, // Adjust your center of balance to a point where you'll be able to move better.
Momo: Yeah. // Farther forward, or you'll have trouble. (??)
Nishi: Ok.
13
Momo: To avoid getting hurt,
Momo: Keep the fingers on your right hand in a light fist.
Momo: Keep the thumb on your left hand perpendicular to your other fingers. (?)
Momo: If you don't, low balls will (??) and your thumb will start hurting, so be careful.
-(Oh. I get it.)
Momo: Keep your head alert and looking up.
Momo: And work hard to keep the mitt up! (??) // Let the pitcher see the inside!
Suya: Ah...
Izumi: Seems pretty tough...
Momo: Now we'll look at throwing to second.
Nishi: The mitt's so heavy...
14
Momo: When a runner moves off first, (??) your back just a little,
Hanai: Like this?
Momo: Pull back your right leg slightly, and (?? position at a slant?)
Momo: Use the force from the caught ball to push your weight back onto your right foot, (??)
Momo: (?? with minimum take back,)
Momo: And make the throw in one step!
Momo: Stealing bases isn't entirely dependent on a batter's running speed.
Momo: When you consider that a slide can also gain someone 50 to 60 centimeters in just 0.1 seconds, // You can understand just how important it is to get the ball to second even just a little faster.
15
Momo: It's 38.8 m from home to second base. So!
Momo: How long would it take for a ball going 100 km/h or a ball going 130 km/h to make the distance? // Nishihiro-kun? (??)
Izu: Eh?
Saka: Eeh?
Nishi: The 100 km/h ball would take 1.39 seconds, and the 130 km/h ball would take 1.07.
Momo: Probably, // Right!
-Probably?
Hanai: Probably?
-Nishihiro's amazing.
Momo: In other words, even if you use all your power to throw at 130 km/h instead of 100, (??)
Mizu: (If I could throw at 130, I'd be a pitcher!)
Momo: The ball will only make it to second around 0.3 seconds faster.
Momo: Which means you have to use your throwing motion to take that time down even more! (??)
Suya: He's sure into it.
Momo: Now can you think of any other way we might be able to shave some more time off?
16
Momo: Suyama-kun!
Suya: Ma'am! // With..good control, maybe?
Momo: That's right! // Would you mind explaining to everyone?
Suya: Yes ma'am!
Suya: Well...
Suya: Your target will be standing over the base like this.
-??
Hanai: [Tajima...]
Suya: If a ball comes in down here, it'll take time to get down like this to get it.
Suya: Down like this.
Suya: Here.
Suya: A ball that comes in with better placing might give you the difference of 0.5 seconds or so.
Hanai: [Is faster at throwing than Abe, isn't he...]
Momo: You get that? // So even if you throw a fast ball, if it's got no control, there won't be any point!
-Yes ma'am!
Hanai: To be a catcher, (??) // You've got to have great reflexes.
17
Momo: Moving on! Since a foul fly wasn't hit directly, it won't fall with a straight path.
Hanai: [Catching flies on one hand,] (??)
Momo: So keep your knees and elbows loose so you can move along with it.
Momo: Some more things about the stance, (??)
Momo: Though the ball may bee falling right in front of your face, you need to be able to keep your eyes open. (??)
Momo: And just do the best you can to chase after it!
Hanai: And keeping up your reflexes on the other,
Saka: (No way. I'd totally close my eyes.)
Hanai: And then,
Momo: Though you may want to, don't place yourself behind the ball! (??)
Hanai: You need to have guts, // And the brains to keep up a good understanding of the game as it happens.
Momo: Though it may be falling right on to you, just hold your ground... (??)
Hanai: [And then on top of it all, you'd have to deal with someone as frustrating as him...]
Taji: (Last one!)
Miha: O- // Ok!
18
Hama: Being both catcher and clean-up...
Hama: Must be pretty tough, don't you think?
Hanai: ….
Hanai: It really is.
Taji: Strike!
Taji: Alright! // That was great!
19
Miha: Ok!
Taji: Say, // Who do you think will be best?
Miha: ...T- // Tajima-kun.
Taji: No!
Taji: Who else besides me!
Miha: ….
Taji: ….
Taji: Abe's can't play in the in the newcomer's tournament, you know.
Taji: And he's not going to make it for fall, either!
20
Miha: ….
Taji: ...I think you need to understand this. (??)
Taji: You can't just play baseball with Abe. (??)
Miha: Not...
Miha: Just Abe...
Miha: I // can throw.
Miha: With Abe-kun // Or Tajima-kun // Or if not them...
21
Miha: I'll still...
Taji: Grr~~
Taji: Let's make ourselves a seeded team for the fall tournament, then!
Taji: If we win Newcomer's, we'll be seeded.
Taji: And in fall the matches are only one a week.
Taji: That way, Abe might have time to get better before we ever have to play a really strong team!
22
Miha: T- // That
Miha: It // It // It's
Taji: There are no seeds in the newcomer's tournament, though. // So remember we might run into someone strong any time!
Taji: But in that case, // You're going to have to do your best with me.
Miha: Yeah.
23
[Meanwhile with Abe...]
[Moving on to baseball,] (??)
[The second game at Saitama municipal Oomiya Stadium has come to an end.]
[Musashino Daiichi left the match victorious with a score of 1 to 2 against Ageo Commercial High.]
[This will be the team's first time advancing into the best 8.] (??)
[And now let's take a look at the current match on VTR.]
Mom: Taka~
Mom: I'm going out shopping. What would you like for dinner?
Abe: Meat.
24
Mom: I don't mean meat, I mean choose an actual meal!
Mom: So meat, and then... // Vitamins and minerals are important for recovery, too...
Momo: [He needs a balance between all six food groups.]
Momo: [And nothing that's too hard to digest (??)]
Mom: And nothing too high in fat or sugar.
Mom: That boy doesn't have any preferences one way or the other, so compared to Shun he's pretty low-maintenance.
Mom: (Haa)
Mom: But I still haven't used my head so much since I was in school!
Mom: I wonder if my home ec teacher Kuroba...er, Kuroda-sensei is still doing alright...)
Hama: Get ready for the original AMERICAN KNOCK! (??)
25
-(Cut it out!)
-(Just do it normal!)
-(Stop fooling around!)
Hama: It was... // Just a joke.
Momo: So...
Momo: You seem to be the one most serious about this.
Momo: How about it?
Hanai: ...I'll do it!
Momo: Great!
Momo: In that case, from now on when you're in the bullpen, you'll just practice your catching instead of pitching!
Hannai: Yes ma'am!
26
Momo: That way we don't have to cut back on your batting practice.
Momo: And then maybe we can get Oki-kun to invest a little more in his pitching.
Hanai: Coach?
Momo: Yes?
Hanai: While Abe's gone the starting catcher...
Hanai: Is still Tajima... // Right?
Momo: It's not set in stone yet, but...
Momo: Why do you ask?
Hanai: Well... // Tajima's definitely the most able out of all the people we've got now, but...
Hanai: Tajima... // He's our clean-up.
Hanai: Being both the clean-up and the catcher...
Hanai: That's...got to be pretty rough.
27
Hanai: So I thought...
Hanai: I could be catcher...
Hanai: Plus it works out well to have the captain as the catcher, anyway, and... (??)
Momo: Actually, I've been concerned about having our catcher and clean-up in one myself...
Momo: Though my conclusion was a little different.
Hanai: ...C- // Conclusion?
Momo: “So I thought I could be clean-up!” That's what I thought you'd say!
Hanai: ...Ah.
28
Momo: Don't leave Tajima all alone out there, // Captain.
Momo: You'll practice as catcher after the bunt shift today! // You can get back to doing the knock now!
Hanai: Yes ma'am! // Excuse me!
Momo: Frankly, even I've been surprised by just how invincible Tajima-kun manages to come off as every single day.
Hanai: (I'm going out!)
Hama: (Ok.)
29
Momo: [Hanai-kun // Finds it natural to place himself below Tajima.]
Hanai: (Go ahead!)
Momo: [But there may be no helping that at this stage.]
Momo: But everyone here is still only 15 or 16 years old.
Momo: There's no telling where any of you could end up from here on out. // You need to realize that!
Momo: Well then,
Momo: If Hanai-kun were to be the catcher,
Momo: And Tajima-kun were injured,
Momo: This is how it'd go.
catcher: Hanai
pitcher: Mihashi
first: Tajima
second: Sakaeguchi
short: Suyama
third: Mizutani
center: Izumi
right: Oki
left: Nishihiro
Momo: And if Oki-kun had to replace Mihashi,
Momo: Like this...
(differences:)
catcher: Tajima
pitcher: Oki
first: Mihashi
right: Hanai
30
Momo: If we had to change the battery entirely...
Momo: Hmm...
Momo: We'd barley manage to stay afloat. (?? she might be referring to how things are now, actually, I'm not sure.)
Momo: Still, comparing this to back then...
Momo: [It's like...]
Momo: [A dream.]
Momo: At any rate, // Abe-kun is going to be out at least till the fall tournament and won't make it to newcomer's at all.
Momo: (This is going to be tough...)
31
Momo: Suyama-kun, I'll take your place. // Go do shortstop.
Suya: Yes ma'am.
Momo: I'm doing it random!
Momo: No outs, no runners!
[3:10 - Infielders and outfielders practice the knock separately.]
[4:00 - (?? something about the bunt shift and the outfield being involved too?)]
Momo: Alright, after it, catcher!
Momo: Call it out!
Hanai?: Yes ma'am!
32
[4:30 - Base run]
small: ??
[5:00 - Break] (??)
*eating sounds*
Mizu: (Mmm~)
Oki: (?? spreading?)
Izu: (Umeboshi are so~ good.)
[5:15 - Practice swinging]
-Curve ball!
33
[5:45 - Long jump rope]
(*note: ...I assume the background words are some sort of chant or song they're listening to? Because it would be really weird if they were just saying that for no reason. ^_^;)
-(But,)
-(You know,)
-(It's hard)
-(To explain it, but)
small: ??
Background last panel: (We're happy.)
Hanai: There's so much
Hanai: I want // to // think about, but...
34
Hanai: Now isn't the time!
[7:00 - (?? something about abdomen muscles?) 7:30 - stretch 8:00 - meeting, journals 8:30 - breakup
Hanai: Gotta...
Suya: Get something in my stomach.
35
next to mihashi after the bread enters his happy stomach: happiness
Hanai: Mihashi. Wake up.
Hanai: I'm goin' home...
Taji: Here.
Arrow: Home made smoked squid
Taji: Chew it on the way home.
Taji: So you don't fall asleep on your bike.
Taji: (Anyone else want one?)
Miha: Fank // voo.
Mizu: (What is it?)
Miha: (I'm back~)
Mom: Welcome home!
Today: Hamburger
Side dishes: Carrots, broccoli
Soup: Yam soup with green onions (??)
Mom: Red, green, white // Yellow, brown, // Black...
small words: Okra, fish (??), mini tomatoes (??), (…?????)
Dad: *creak* Wah! // Oh my gosh! Whoa!
Mom: Welcome ho- // Eh?
Small: (????...spaghetti)
Mom: Oh dear.
Dad: How long has he been here?
Mom: Come to think of it he did get home quite a while ago.
Dad: Practice must be really doing him in.
38
Mom: Say, // Didn't the same thing happened back in April?
Dad: Oh yeah. // I was actually sort of worried back then.
-Pff. // Keheh.
-Such a relaxed face.
39
[By continuing to eat, sleep, and wake in the morning, // They managed to keep keep their bodies moving.
[As they somehow pulled themselves through their training menu,]
[Two days passed...]
40
Abe: ...Hey.
Mom: Good morning. // You know, I can take you this morning, but...
Mom: How are you going to manage to get to Saitou-san later?
Abe: Eh.
Abe: I'll just borrow someone's bike. It'll be fine.
Abe: I'm starving.
Abe: There anything to eat? // Bread or whatever's ok.
Mom: Taka.
Mom: Have you been getting bigger?
Abe: Eh?
41
Abe: Hm?
Abe: I went up 4 kilos.
Abe: I guess I do sort of feel taller.
Abe: Not that I was keeping track, // But having a bigger body can't hurt my playing, anyway.
42
Abe: Alright!
Abe: I worked hard to get plenty of food and sleep while I was hurt, (??) // And got something good out of it!
Abe: And now there's camp! // I just need to keep going and not rush it!
Taji: Oh!
Taji: It's Abe!
Abe: Hey.
Oki/Saka: Long time no see! // Have you been alright?!
43
Abe: You act like you're so glad to see me,
Abe: Yet that entire time I didn't get even one message from any of you.
Taji: (Well we didn't really have any reason to! (??))
Saka: (And we were going to see you so soon anyway!)
Nishi: (Gosh, sorry!)
Abe: (I was just joking.)
-(But your face looked so pissed.)
-(Have you gotten taller or something?)
Mom: Um, I've got some Pocari I brought in here...
-(??)
Miha: A // be // kun.
Box: potatoes
Miha: H- // He
Suya: (Whoa!)
Mizu: (So much!)
Miha: Doesn't need crutches?!
Momo: Abe-kun.
Momo: It's good to have you here!
44
Abe: Ah, hello! // Thank you for all your help!
Mom: Coach, // I'm sorry you're going to have to drag around an injured boy...
Momo: (Not at all!)
Momo: I should be thanking you!
Hmama; Oh! // It's Abe-san!
Smama: Good morning!
-We're going to go pick up some things!
Amama: Ah! // Hey!
Amama: (If you'll excuse me! Thanks again!)
Amama: (Looks like another hot day!)
Momo: How's your knee?
Amama: (What are you making?)
-(?? Look, Suyama-san's ?? is amazing!)
Smama: It's not that great!
Abe: I can use the leg now. // I'll be starting my stretches tomorrow!
45
Momo: Well, that's good. // You're going to Saitou-san's today, right?
Abe: Yes.
Momo: Mihashi-kun!
Mizu: Ah!
Hanai: Wah!
Hanai: Whoa...
Hanai: Er...
Miha: S- // Sorry.
Abe: (Ugh.)
-(That was close!)
-(Hahaha!)
Momo: These two...
-(You're way too jumpy, Mihashi!)
Momo: It's not that they get along badly exactly, but...
Momo: Mihashi-kun...
Miha: Y- // Yes?
Momo: Abe still has to go visit the hospital during camp.
46
Momo: Going up hills on the bike is still going to be hard for him, // Would you go and help push him up so he doesn't have to deal with the weight?
Miha: Y- // Yes ma'am!
Abe: ...Eh?
Abe: I could have made it myself...
Momo: And both of you listen to what the doctor has to say together.
Miha: ? // Y-Y-
Miha: Yes ma'am.
Abe: What? // What's the point of that?
Momo: Also, about our meals during camp...
Momo: The parents are going to be taking care of lunch and dinner, but for breakfast we're on our own.
Momo: I'd like the two of you two make breakfast for everyone!
Momo: (Make at least two side dishes!)
Miha: Yes ma- *omph*
Abe: Hold on a...!
Abe: Um...
47
Abe: Why don't I take care of breakfast myself? // Since I won't be in practice, I'll have more time and energy...
Momo: Nope!
Miha: Haa
Momo: You're both doing it!
Abe: ….
Abe: Why is that?
Momo: Once you do it,
Momo: I think you'll understand.
Momo: The two of you can work together for a little while!
Miha: ?? // Y- // Ye-
Abe: ...Yeah.
______________________________
Taka~~~ <3 SAY. Someday do you think Mihashi will be close enough to Abe to...pfft, I'm not even going to finish that sentence.
Also, Taka is such a rude little boy to his mama. I want to see what his relationship with his brother is like more, though. He seems like the kind of person Abe wouldn't normally associate a ton with (...but then....who is the sort he would? ^_^;) normally, but they're brothers so they must have some manner of relationship.
Is it me, or do Izumi and Sakaeguchi disappear from Hanai's side between panels 3-5 on page 15? ...Is it lame that I noticed that, hehehe? T-They are important to me. I don't want them to disappear. ^_^; Ok, really I was just wondering who to credit their lines to and got confused. ^^
OMG, strictwithMihashi!Tajima! Sexy! And a bit frustrated in the end (hahaha, Tajimaaaa, being Mihashi's pitcher is turning you into Abe~) I sort of wonder, if Tajima weren't around, would Abe and Mihashi have been able to advance far with improving their relationship at all? Maybe something else would have happened eventually, but it seems like he helps along a lot of the changes, even if they have to be the ones to really do it in the end.
Eee~ maybe she IS hinting Hanai might grow more than Tajima? That would be kind of neat. Hanai...has a lot of growth to do, hahaha. I like him because of that, since characters that DON'T need a lot of growth can usually be only so interesting, but...it's sort of with the understanding that he will indeed grow. Cause if this were another author I didn't get nice hints from and trust to change him gradually...I might be a tad annoyed with him (sort of like Mihashi. ...Only in that case it might be a bit more than a tad. ^^) Hahahaha. It makes me wonder how Tajima will change through the series, too. It stands to reason he could, but the idea kind of weirds me out, hehe. Tajima...seems timeless.<3
Momokan is so~ cool, hahaha. I love the way she suddenly threw that at Hanai like that, hahah.
Aaaah~ So many Mihashi eating faces~ Hahahah. And poor Tajima looks like he won't be masturbating at all tonight.
I-I know he's just supposed to be getting taller and maybe, er, beefier, but....but they keep saying “bigger.” Wouldn't it be AWESOME if all that excessive eating made Abe FAT?!
Are those hearts for the drink? For a second I thought they were coming from Mihashi when he saw Abe and thought, “Wow. That's a bit much.” lol
OMG, didyousee?! Abe totally shoved his elbow into Mihashi's mouth. (If wide gape of it when he tried to answer in that panel is anything like the wide gape of it when he did answer in the last panel.) Abe's elbow+Mihashi's mouth!! Surely it must be intentional!!!!! IS ANYONE TURNED ON!?!?!?
And finally, of course, I just have to say: HAS THIS MANGA FINALLY TURNED INTO FANFICTION OR HAS THIS MANGA FINALLY TURNED INTO FANFICTION?! Lololol. Heck, when I see something like this in fanfic I *roll my eyes* cause that totally wouldn't happen in the canon and you're just doing that as a lame excuse to put them together a lot. *can now never doubt fanfiction again *snort* Also, Momkan=my hero and totally ONE OF US. She hadn't been working her wonderful matchmaking magic much on Abe and Mihashi much lately (too busy helping out the TajiHana? ^_^), but of course it was only a matter of time. On cannot doubt the Momokan. m(_ _)m
I enjoy looking at the second panel on the last page. I imagine it must be what Abe looks like when experiencing the startings of extreme irritation while (for once, since he's talking to the coach, haha) actually managing to conceal it. ^_^
...There's something I want to say about the end of this chapter, but it's kind of linked to the next, so I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut for now. ^_^; *remember to complain later how they don't seem to be affected. In this chap I noticed and was a little let down but willing to admit change takes time. But with all that interaction I was expecting at least a little TRYING or a 'hey, didn't we promise to change?' form them, and didn't get ANYTHING.
01
[Moving on to baseball,] ??
[The best 8 teams will be determined today during four games at the prefectureal staduim and Saitama municipal Oomiya Stadium.]
Mom: Taka~
Mom: How about soumen for lunch?
Abe: As long as there's meat, I'll eat it.
Mom: (Right, right. Meat it is.)
Mom: (This heat doesn't do a thing to your appetite, does it?)
[At the municipal Oomiya Stadium, the first match victory went to Hannoukita, defeating Koshigaya Chuuou with a score of 4 to 3.]
02
[The second match featuring Musashino Daiichi High School up against Ageo Commercial High School is scheduled to start at 12:30 today.]
*twitch*
[And now let's take a look at the current match on VTR.]
Abe: Musashino Daiichi, huh?
Abe: Just last year that school was nothing but a total small-timer.]
03
Abe: Their bench isn't exactly overflowing. (??)
Abe: And they've got two second years! (?? in their starting lineup maybe?)
Abe: Aah...
Abe: I guess it really is all Haruna.
04
Abe: It's not like
Abe: I want him // to lose, but...
Abe: ...God damnit!
05
(board contains the schedule for half the day, the 24th)
Mizu?: (I'm starving~)
[At 12 o'clock, morning practice ends,]
[And everyone eats their own packed lunched.]
Hanai: (I'm back. Everyone just take what you bought.)
arrow: (Lost at rock, paper, scissors.)
Saka: (Wow, yours is really something.)
Izumi: (You put three umeboshi in there, right? (??)
Mizu: (Thanks, Hanai.)
[Meanwhile,]
Abe: (Thanks for the food!)
Mom: (I'll just have the soumen.)
(Minced tuna)
(Soumen)
(Cold pork shabu)
[Lunch at the Abe house]
05
[Then a nap till 1:00.]
arrow: (Other clubs also sleeping)
arrow2: ??
[Study for one hour after nap.]
Shiga: (If you need help with the math, (??)
Shiga: (Just ask!)
saka arrow: Tatami marks
[At 2 o'clock, afternoon practice starts.]
Hama: Hello~!
Saka: (Hello!)
Miha: (Hello)
Izu: (Hey.)
Taji: You get here so late, Hamada!
Taji: You should have been here an hour ago!
Hama: Eh?
Hama: Did I miss something good?
Taji: Totally.
Taji: Right?
Miha: Ah.
Miha: Yeah.
Hama: But...
Hama: I said I'd be coming at two...
Hana: ….
Hana: Ha // Hamada // -san.
06
Taji: He called Hamada 'san' in this pewny little voice!
Miha: ??
Hanai: ??
Hama: Er, Hanai.
Hama: You can call me 'san', it's fine.
Hanai: Ah. // Well.
Hanai: Y- // Your work is ok with you coming? (??)
*cough*
Taji: (He was so~ angry! Gahaha!)
Hama: …. // Yeah. // Till the 29th, anyway. (??)
Hanai: The 29th...
Hanai: That's...
Hama: ??
Hanai: [The finals?]
Hanai: Ah...
07
Hanai: Thank you
Hanai: For cheering for us!
Hama: .!
Hanai: For yesterday... (??)
Hama: Ah, well... // You guys just really inspire us, you know? (Er, so thanks. // I guess.)
Hanai: But, // If you guys hadn't been there,
Hanai: We...probably wouldn't even have been able to beat Tousei.
Hama: Y- // You're really overdoing it!
Hanai: I'm serious...
08
Hama: By the way, everyone seems to be doing really well.
Hama: It's pretty amazing that no one's depressed.
Bottom: (?? Everyone warms up themselves in the afternoon.)
Hanai: Ah... // We don't really have time for that. // I guess.
Hama: Oh.
Hama: What about Abe? // How's his knee?
Hanai: Well,
Hanai: It looks like he won't make it for the newcomer's tournament... // And it seems like the fall one might be pushing it, too.
Hanai: But he's coming to camp. // I haven't seen him myself, but I hear he doesn't seem to be that down.
Hama: Huh...
Hama: Though if he can't make it for fall,
Hama: The coach must be pretty worried, huh?
Hanai: Well, // Tajima will manage one way or another...
09
Hamada: I guess, but...
Hamada: Being both catcher and clean-up must be pretty tough, don't you think?
Hanai: …Er.
Hamada: And now with Nishihiro in,
Hamada: You've got even more low-rank batters. (??)
Hamada: If Tajima's offensive skills drop too, you guys are going to have a pretty rough time, right?
Hanai: ….
Hama: Still, the newcomer's tournament is only district-wide. // With Tajima, you never know just what he might be able to manage! (??)
Hanai: Ah. // Yeah!
10
Hama: Well when the cheering squad works out we can help you with practice, (??)
Hama: So keep it up!
Hanai: Yeah! // Thanks for your help!
Momo: That's it for catch time!
Momo: Now,
Momo: Each of you already play two positions, // Just in case we ever need to make any changes! (??)
11
Momo: But while Abe-kun is gone,
Momo: Were going to need another catcher.
Taji: But coach, // I'm gonna do it!
Momo: Well you do have a previous record. (??)
Momo: For now,
Momo: I'll be deciding based on your ability to throw to second and deal with catching foul flies. (??)
12
Momo: Mihashi!
Miha: Y-Y- // Yes ma'am!
Momo: Why don't you do some light throwing on the mound? (??)
Momo: Tajima will come with you. // Your count's restricted today, so take it easy.
Miha: Y- // Yes ma'am.
Taji: Yes ma'am.
Momo: So first I'll explain the basics.
Momo: Why don't you try it with me Nishihiro-kun?
Nishi: Yes ma'am.
Momo: The the point of the stances is to be as solid as possible. // You want to assure the pitcher they can throw to you without fear.
Momo: Ah. // That's it.
Momo: Then, // When he starts to move, // Adjust your center of balance to a point where you'll be able to move better.
Momo: Yeah. // Farther forward, or you'll have trouble. (??)
Nishi: Ok.
13
Momo: To avoid getting hurt,
Momo: Keep the fingers on your right hand in a light fist.
Momo: Keep the thumb on your left hand perpendicular to your other fingers. (?)
Momo: If you don't, low balls will (??) and your thumb will start hurting, so be careful.
-(Oh. I get it.)
Momo: Keep your head alert and looking up.
Momo: And work hard to keep the mitt up! (??) // Let the pitcher see the inside!
Suya: Ah...
Izumi: Seems pretty tough...
Momo: Now we'll look at throwing to second.
Nishi: The mitt's so heavy...
14
Momo: When a runner moves off first, (??) your back just a little,
Hanai: Like this?
Momo: Pull back your right leg slightly, and (?? position at a slant?)
Momo: Use the force from the caught ball to push your weight back onto your right foot, (??)
Momo: (?? with minimum take back,)
Momo: And make the throw in one step!
Momo: Stealing bases isn't entirely dependent on a batter's running speed.
Momo: When you consider that a slide can also gain someone 50 to 60 centimeters in just 0.1 seconds, // You can understand just how important it is to get the ball to second even just a little faster.
15
Momo: It's 38.8 m from home to second base. So!
Momo: How long would it take for a ball going 100 km/h or a ball going 130 km/h to make the distance? // Nishihiro-kun? (??)
Izu: Eh?
Saka: Eeh?
Nishi: The 100 km/h ball would take 1.39 seconds, and the 130 km/h ball would take 1.07.
Momo: Probably, // Right!
-Probably?
Hanai: Probably?
-Nishihiro's amazing.
Momo: In other words, even if you use all your power to throw at 130 km/h instead of 100, (??)
Mizu: (If I could throw at 130, I'd be a pitcher!)
Momo: The ball will only make it to second around 0.3 seconds faster.
Momo: Which means you have to use your throwing motion to take that time down even more! (??)
Suya: He's sure into it.
Momo: Now can you think of any other way we might be able to shave some more time off?
16
Momo: Suyama-kun!
Suya: Ma'am! // With..good control, maybe?
Momo: That's right! // Would you mind explaining to everyone?
Suya: Yes ma'am!
Suya: Well...
Suya: Your target will be standing over the base like this.
-??
Hanai: [Tajima...]
Suya: If a ball comes in down here, it'll take time to get down like this to get it.
Suya: Down like this.
Suya: Here.
Suya: A ball that comes in with better placing might give you the difference of 0.5 seconds or so.
Hanai: [Is faster at throwing than Abe, isn't he...]
Momo: You get that? // So even if you throw a fast ball, if it's got no control, there won't be any point!
-Yes ma'am!
Hanai: To be a catcher, (??) // You've got to have great reflexes.
17
Momo: Moving on! Since a foul fly wasn't hit directly, it won't fall with a straight path.
Hanai: [Catching flies on one hand,] (??)
Momo: So keep your knees and elbows loose so you can move along with it.
Momo: Some more things about the stance, (??)
Momo: Though the ball may bee falling right in front of your face, you need to be able to keep your eyes open. (??)
Momo: And just do the best you can to chase after it!
Hanai: And keeping up your reflexes on the other,
Saka: (No way. I'd totally close my eyes.)
Hanai: And then,
Momo: Though you may want to, don't place yourself behind the ball! (??)
Hanai: You need to have guts, // And the brains to keep up a good understanding of the game as it happens.
Momo: Though it may be falling right on to you, just hold your ground... (??)
Hanai: [And then on top of it all, you'd have to deal with someone as frustrating as him...]
Taji: (Last one!)
Miha: O- // Ok!
18
Hama: Being both catcher and clean-up...
Hama: Must be pretty tough, don't you think?
Hanai: ….
Hanai: It really is.
Taji: Strike!
Taji: Alright! // That was great!
19
Miha: Ok!
Taji: Say, // Who do you think will be best?
Miha: ...T- // Tajima-kun.
Taji: No!
Taji: Who else besides me!
Miha: ….
Taji: ….
Taji: Abe's can't play in the in the newcomer's tournament, you know.
Taji: And he's not going to make it for fall, either!
20
Miha: ….
Taji: ...I think you need to understand this. (??)
Taji: You can't just play baseball with Abe. (??)
Miha: Not...
Miha: Just Abe...
Miha: I // can throw.
Miha: With Abe-kun // Or Tajima-kun // Or if not them...
21
Miha: I'll still...
Taji: Grr~~
Taji: Let's make ourselves a seeded team for the fall tournament, then!
Taji: If we win Newcomer's, we'll be seeded.
Taji: And in fall the matches are only one a week.
Taji: That way, Abe might have time to get better before we ever have to play a really strong team!
22
Miha: T- // That
Miha: It // It // It's
Taji: There are no seeds in the newcomer's tournament, though. // So remember we might run into someone strong any time!
Taji: But in that case, // You're going to have to do your best with me.
Miha: Yeah.
23
[Meanwhile with Abe...]
[Moving on to baseball,] (??)
[The second game at Saitama municipal Oomiya Stadium has come to an end.]
[Musashino Daiichi left the match victorious with a score of 1 to 2 against Ageo Commercial High.]
[This will be the team's first time advancing into the best 8.] (??)
[And now let's take a look at the current match on VTR.]
Mom: Taka~
Mom: I'm going out shopping. What would you like for dinner?
Abe: Meat.
24
Mom: I don't mean meat, I mean choose an actual meal!
Mom: So meat, and then... // Vitamins and minerals are important for recovery, too...
Momo: [He needs a balance between all six food groups.]
Momo: [And nothing that's too hard to digest (??)]
Mom: And nothing too high in fat or sugar.
Mom: That boy doesn't have any preferences one way or the other, so compared to Shun he's pretty low-maintenance.
Mom: (Haa)
Mom: But I still haven't used my head so much since I was in school!
Mom: I wonder if my home ec teacher Kuroba...er, Kuroda-sensei is still doing alright...)
Hama: Get ready for the original AMERICAN KNOCK! (??)
25
-(Cut it out!)
-(Just do it normal!)
-(Stop fooling around!)
Hama: It was... // Just a joke.
Momo: So...
Momo: You seem to be the one most serious about this.
Momo: How about it?
Hanai: ...I'll do it!
Momo: Great!
Momo: In that case, from now on when you're in the bullpen, you'll just practice your catching instead of pitching!
Hannai: Yes ma'am!
26
Momo: That way we don't have to cut back on your batting practice.
Momo: And then maybe we can get Oki-kun to invest a little more in his pitching.
Hanai: Coach?
Momo: Yes?
Hanai: While Abe's gone the starting catcher...
Hanai: Is still Tajima... // Right?
Momo: It's not set in stone yet, but...
Momo: Why do you ask?
Hanai: Well... // Tajima's definitely the most able out of all the people we've got now, but...
Hanai: Tajima... // He's our clean-up.
Hanai: Being both the clean-up and the catcher...
Hanai: That's...got to be pretty rough.
27
Hanai: So I thought...
Hanai: I could be catcher...
Hanai: Plus it works out well to have the captain as the catcher, anyway, and... (??)
Momo: Actually, I've been concerned about having our catcher and clean-up in one myself...
Momo: Though my conclusion was a little different.
Hanai: ...C- // Conclusion?
Momo: “So I thought I could be clean-up!” That's what I thought you'd say!
Hanai: ...Ah.
28
Momo: Don't leave Tajima all alone out there, // Captain.
Momo: You'll practice as catcher after the bunt shift today! // You can get back to doing the knock now!
Hanai: Yes ma'am! // Excuse me!
Momo: Frankly, even I've been surprised by just how invincible Tajima-kun manages to come off as every single day.
Hanai: (I'm going out!)
Hama: (Ok.)
29
Momo: [Hanai-kun // Finds it natural to place himself below Tajima.]
Hanai: (Go ahead!)
Momo: [But there may be no helping that at this stage.]
Momo: But everyone here is still only 15 or 16 years old.
Momo: There's no telling where any of you could end up from here on out. // You need to realize that!
Momo: Well then,
Momo: If Hanai-kun were to be the catcher,
Momo: And Tajima-kun were injured,
Momo: This is how it'd go.
catcher: Hanai
pitcher: Mihashi
first: Tajima
second: Sakaeguchi
short: Suyama
third: Mizutani
center: Izumi
right: Oki
left: Nishihiro
Momo: And if Oki-kun had to replace Mihashi,
Momo: Like this...
(differences:)
catcher: Tajima
pitcher: Oki
first: Mihashi
right: Hanai
30
Momo: If we had to change the battery entirely...
Momo: Hmm...
Momo: We'd barley manage to stay afloat. (?? she might be referring to how things are now, actually, I'm not sure.)
Momo: Still, comparing this to back then...
Momo: [It's like...]
Momo: [A dream.]
Momo: At any rate, // Abe-kun is going to be out at least till the fall tournament and won't make it to newcomer's at all.
Momo: (This is going to be tough...)
31
Momo: Suyama-kun, I'll take your place. // Go do shortstop.
Suya: Yes ma'am.
Momo: I'm doing it random!
Momo: No outs, no runners!
[3:10 - Infielders and outfielders practice the knock separately.]
[4:00 - (?? something about the bunt shift and the outfield being involved too?)]
Momo: Alright, after it, catcher!
Momo: Call it out!
Hanai?: Yes ma'am!
32
[4:30 - Base run]
small: ??
[5:00 - Break] (??)
*eating sounds*
Mizu: (Mmm~)
Oki: (?? spreading?)
Izu: (Umeboshi are so~ good.)
[5:15 - Practice swinging]
-Curve ball!
33
[5:45 - Long jump rope]
(*note: ...I assume the background words are some sort of chant or song they're listening to? Because it would be really weird if they were just saying that for no reason. ^_^;)
-(But,)
-(You know,)
-(It's hard)
-(To explain it, but)
small: ??
Background last panel: (We're happy.)
Hanai: There's so much
Hanai: I want // to // think about, but...
34
Hanai: Now isn't the time!
[7:00 - (?? something about abdomen muscles?) 7:30 - stretch 8:00 - meeting, journals 8:30 - breakup
Hanai: Gotta...
Suya: Get something in my stomach.
35
next to mihashi after the bread enters his happy stomach: happiness
Hanai: Mihashi. Wake up.
Hanai: I'm goin' home...
Taji: Here.
Arrow: Home made smoked squid
Taji: Chew it on the way home.
Taji: So you don't fall asleep on your bike.
Taji: (Anyone else want one?)
Miha: Fank // voo.
Mizu: (What is it?)
Miha: (I'm back~)
Mom: Welcome home!
Today: Hamburger
Side dishes: Carrots, broccoli
Soup: Yam soup with green onions (??)
Mom: Red, green, white // Yellow, brown, // Black...
small words: Okra, fish (??), mini tomatoes (??), (…?????)
Dad: *creak* Wah! // Oh my gosh! Whoa!
Mom: Welcome ho- // Eh?
Small: (????...spaghetti)
Mom: Oh dear.
Dad: How long has he been here?
Mom: Come to think of it he did get home quite a while ago.
Dad: Practice must be really doing him in.
38
Mom: Say, // Didn't the same thing happened back in April?
Dad: Oh yeah. // I was actually sort of worried back then.
-Pff. // Keheh.
-Such a relaxed face.
39
[By continuing to eat, sleep, and wake in the morning, // They managed to keep keep their bodies moving.
[As they somehow pulled themselves through their training menu,]
[Two days passed...]
40
Abe: ...Hey.
Mom: Good morning. // You know, I can take you this morning, but...
Mom: How are you going to manage to get to Saitou-san later?
Abe: Eh.
Abe: I'll just borrow someone's bike. It'll be fine.
Abe: I'm starving.
Abe: There anything to eat? // Bread or whatever's ok.
Mom: Taka.
Mom: Have you been getting bigger?
Abe: Eh?
41
Abe: Hm?
Abe: I went up 4 kilos.
Abe: I guess I do sort of feel taller.
Abe: Not that I was keeping track, // But having a bigger body can't hurt my playing, anyway.
42
Abe: Alright!
Abe: I worked hard to get plenty of food and sleep while I was hurt, (??) // And got something good out of it!
Abe: And now there's camp! // I just need to keep going and not rush it!
Taji: Oh!
Taji: It's Abe!
Abe: Hey.
Oki/Saka: Long time no see! // Have you been alright?!
43
Abe: You act like you're so glad to see me,
Abe: Yet that entire time I didn't get even one message from any of you.
Taji: (Well we didn't really have any reason to! (??))
Saka: (And we were going to see you so soon anyway!)
Nishi: (Gosh, sorry!)
Abe: (I was just joking.)
-(But your face looked so pissed.)
-(Have you gotten taller or something?)
Mom: Um, I've got some Pocari I brought in here...
-(??)
Miha: A // be // kun.
Box: potatoes
Miha: H- // He
Suya: (Whoa!)
Mizu: (So much!)
Miha: Doesn't need crutches?!
Momo: Abe-kun.
Momo: It's good to have you here!
44
Abe: Ah, hello! // Thank you for all your help!
Mom: Coach, // I'm sorry you're going to have to drag around an injured boy...
Momo: (Not at all!)
Momo: I should be thanking you!
Hmama; Oh! // It's Abe-san!
Smama: Good morning!
-We're going to go pick up some things!
Amama: Ah! // Hey!
Amama: (If you'll excuse me! Thanks again!)
Amama: (Looks like another hot day!)
Momo: How's your knee?
Amama: (What are you making?)
-(?? Look, Suyama-san's ?? is amazing!)
Smama: It's not that great!
Abe: I can use the leg now. // I'll be starting my stretches tomorrow!
45
Momo: Well, that's good. // You're going to Saitou-san's today, right?
Abe: Yes.
Momo: Mihashi-kun!
Mizu: Ah!
Hanai: Wah!
Hanai: Whoa...
Hanai: Er...
Miha: S- // Sorry.
Abe: (Ugh.)
-(That was close!)
-(Hahaha!)
Momo: These two...
-(You're way too jumpy, Mihashi!)
Momo: It's not that they get along badly exactly, but...
Momo: Mihashi-kun...
Miha: Y- // Yes?
Momo: Abe still has to go visit the hospital during camp.
46
Momo: Going up hills on the bike is still going to be hard for him, // Would you go and help push him up so he doesn't have to deal with the weight?
Miha: Y- // Yes ma'am!
Abe: ...Eh?
Abe: I could have made it myself...
Momo: And both of you listen to what the doctor has to say together.
Miha: ? // Y-Y-
Miha: Yes ma'am.
Abe: What? // What's the point of that?
Momo: Also, about our meals during camp...
Momo: The parents are going to be taking care of lunch and dinner, but for breakfast we're on our own.
Momo: I'd like the two of you two make breakfast for everyone!
Momo: (Make at least two side dishes!)
Miha: Yes ma- *omph*
Abe: Hold on a...!
Abe: Um...
47
Abe: Why don't I take care of breakfast myself? // Since I won't be in practice, I'll have more time and energy...
Momo: Nope!
Miha: Haa
Momo: You're both doing it!
Abe: ….
Abe: Why is that?
Momo: Once you do it,
Momo: I think you'll understand.
Momo: The two of you can work together for a little while!
Miha: ?? // Y- // Ye-
Abe: ...Yeah.
______________________________
Taka~~~ <3 SAY. Someday do you think Mihashi will be close enough to Abe to...pfft, I'm not even going to finish that sentence.
Also, Taka is such a rude little boy to his mama. (And did you see that slovenly boyishness?! Hahaha.) I want to see what his relationship with his brother is like more, though. He seems like the kind of person Abe wouldn't normally associate a ton with (...but then....who is the sort he would? ^_^;) normally, but they're brothers so they must have some manner of relationship.
Is it me, or do Izumi and Sakaeguchi disappear from Hanai's side between panels 3-5 on page 15? ...Is it lame that I noticed that, hehehe? T-They are important to me. I don't want them to disappear. ^_^; Ok, really I was just wondering who to credit their lines to and got confused. ^^
OMG, strictwithMihashi!Tajima! Sexy! And a bit frustrated in the end (hahaha, Tajimaaaa, being Mihashi's pitcher is turning you into Abe~) I sort of wonder, if Tajima weren't around, would Abe and Mihashi have been able to advance far with improving their relationship at all? Maybe something else would have happened eventually, but it seems like he helps along a lot of the changes, even if they have to be the ones to really do it in the end.
Eee~ maybe she IS hinting Hanai might grow more than Tajima? That would be kind of neat. Hanai...has a lot of growth to do, hahaha. I like him because of that, since characters that DON'T need a lot of growth can usually be only so interesting, but...it's sort of with the understanding that he will indeed grow. Cause if this were another author I didn't get nice hints from and trust to change him gradually...I might be a tad annoyed with him (sort of like Mihashi. ...Only in that case it might be a bit more than a tad. ^^) Hahahaha. It makes me wonder how Tajima will change through the series, too. It stands to reason he could, but the idea kind of weirds me out, hehe. Tajima...seems timeless.<3
Momokan is so~ cool, hahaha. I love the way she sort of shot Hanai down like that, hahah.
Aaaah~ So many Mihashi eating faces~ Hahahah. And poor Tajima looks like he won't be masturbating at all tonight.
I-I know he's just supposed to be getting taller and maybe, er, beefier, but....but they keep saying “bigger.” Wouldn't it be AWESOME if all that excessive eating made Abe FAT?!
...And those hearts when Mihashi sees Abe are for the drink, right? For a second I thought they were coming from Mihashi about Abe and thought, “Wow. That's a bit much.” lol
OMG, didyousee?! Abe totally shoved his elbow into Mihashi's mouth. (If wide gape of it when he tried to answer in that panel is anything like the wide gape of it when he did answer in the last panel.) Abe's elbow+Mihashi's mouth!! Surely it must be intentional!!!!! IS ANYONE TURNED ON!?!?!?
And finally, of course, I just have to say: HAS THIS MANGA FINALLY TURNED INTO FANFICTION OR HAS THIS MANGA FINALLY TURNED INTO FANFICTION?! Lololol. Heck, when I see something like this in fanfic I *roll my eyes* cause that totally wouldn't happen in the canon and you're just doing that as a lame excuse to put them together a lot. *can now never doubt fanfiction again *snort* Also, Momkan=my hero and totally ONE OF US. She hadn't been working her wonderful matchmaking magic much on Abe and Mihashi much lately (too busy helping out the TajiHana? ^_^), but of course it was only a matter of time. On cannot doubt the Momokan. m(_ _)m
I enjoy looking at the second panel on the last page. I imagine it must be what Abe looks like when experiencing the startings of extreme irritation while (for once, since he's talking to the coach, haha) actually managing to conceal it. ^_^
...There's something I want to say about the end of this chapter, but it's kind of linked to the next, so I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut for now. ^_^;
This is actually the last FULL chapter of Oofuri I've read, hehehe. I read most of the next, but quit during the middle and never came back to it for, er, certain reasons. So...if the translations start sounding funny, it's because I'm lost, helpless and confused. Just ignore it.
B-But Novel Koushien started. That's a good thing, right? ^_^; I should really write or draw something for it... But it's hard. Hahaha. Writing random not-overly-thought-out junk is hard for me. It's very possibly all junk whether I think it our or not, but not thinking about the junk is just hard for me, and knowing it is junk is also hard. It's too bad I doubt anyone is turning in fic anonymously to NK, as then I could too and have someone to, uh, mix with. ...Not that I could actually fool anyone that knows me. I suspect I can't get the me out of my writing voice very well. T_T;
Now and then I get ideas for possible dialogue/stuffs in the (formerly?) empty part of my first IzuMizu fic. Stringing them together is going to be a bitch (or, er, rather 'making them fit as if they HAVEN'T just been strung together ^_^;), but at least there's, like, uh...content...now. I'm veryvery glad I did not try to force myself to write it before when I didn't really have any ideas. *pats head* Good job, brain. You controlled me well. I know sometimes we fight about that, but in the end, our continued relationship is for the best.
...Though It's actually getting rather unwieldy with all these disconnected bits. I really need to sit down and figure how they fit...I-I really wanted to tomorrow...b-but now I'm behind in other stuff and I don't know if I should. T_T (Curse you, Mother. And you too, God. If you would only be more specific about minding cheating on high school projects then my mother would have had no argument at all!)
Last episode of House pandery like WHOA , but just not as yummy as episodes with actual...relationship substance. :( Fairly uncreative/predictable too as far as 'someone thinks we're gay' hijinks go. Still entertaining overall, but... *sniff* I like to go and read reactions to some episodes online, but I'm not sure I should take the time, hahaha.
SUMMARY:
At home, Abe listens to the baseball news on TV. His mother asks what he would like for lunch, and all he will tell her is that he wants meat. The TV mentions that Musashino Daiichi will be competing to get into the best 8 today, and Abe notes that till this year Musashino was an unremarkable team. He admits their improvement must be due to Haruna and becomes very frustrated.
It is the 24th, and the team goes about their morning practice schedule. Hamada arrives, and as Hanai begins to talk to him Tajima teases him for calling Hamada “san” quietly (more formal than the rest of them speak to him). Hanai asks if his part time job is ok with him coming like this, and he says they will be till the 29th, anyway. Hanai notes that is when the finals are and thanks Hamada earnestly for cheering for them. (I take it Hanai figures Hamada asked for time off up till the finals in case Nishura made it, and he is touched?) Hanai tells him they might not have won against Tousei without them, and Hamada is embarrassed.
Hamada notes that nobody seems to be down about the loss. He asks about Abe, and Hanai explains he won't make it to newcomer's and the fall tournament is questionable too, but he's coming to camp and word is he seems ok. Hamada figures the coach is worried about not having Abe for fall, but Hanai says that Tajima should be able to manage.
Hamada points out that being both clean-up and catcher will be very hard. Hanai looks as if this had not occurred to him. Hamada adds that with Nishihiro their offense will be even weaker (?? I think?), and if Tajima's offensive power drops, the team will have a tough time. He finishes, however, noting that the newcomer's tournament is only district-wide, so maybe Tajima can pull through.
Momokan calls the team together. They need another new catcher while Abe is gone. After sending Tajima and Mihashi off to play catch, she teaches the rest of the team some catcher basics to see who takes to it best. She describes basic posture, the proper way to throw to second to prevent steals and the importance off shaving off as much time as possible from the throwing action, and about how to catch a foul fly. As Hanai continues to think on how hard it must be for Tajima to do all this and be clean-up at the same time, he puts in more effort than most into trying to do the catcher exercises well.
As Tajima and Mihashi finish up throwing, Tajima asks Mihashi who he thinks will be the best catcher. When Mihashi is unable to answer, Tajima becomes frustrated and reminds him that Abe won't make it for the newcomer's tournament or for fall. He tells Mihashi that it's not just about him and Abe playing together (??). Mihashi thinks to himself, seeming as if he is slowly building to the conclusion that this is true, and that even if his catcher is not Abe or Tajima, he will still pitch, however he is even slower at
voicing these thoughts, and Tajima becomes even more frustrated.
Tajima switches tactics and points out that if they win the newcomer's tournament they will be seeded for fall, and in that case won't have to play very strong teams till later in the tournament. That way, Abe may have time to recover before they have a tough game, though they should watch out since the newcomer's tournament is not seeded and they may run into a strong team at any time. When Mihashi becomes excited at the prospect, Taima then points out that if he wants that to happen, he is going to have to try his best to pitch with Tajima now. Mihashi is taken slightly aback but agrees without hesitation.
At home, Abe watches the sports news and hears that Musashino won their game and entered the best 8. As he slumps onto his desk, his mother comes in to ask what he wants for dinner, to which he again replies meat. His mother goes out, a little frustrated but also somewhat thankful for his lack of preferences, and thinking about what else Abe needs in the way of vitamins and minerals.
As Hamada helps the rest of the team do the knock, Momokan talks to Hanai. She thinks he took the catcher practice most seriously, asks him to take the position, and he accepts. Momokan figures now Hanai can just practice catching while in the bullpen instead of pitching.
Hanai asks if Tajima will still be the starting catcher while Abe is gone. Momokan says she hasn't decided and asks the reason for Hanai's question. Hanai describes his concerns about both positions being too much for Tajima. He tells Momokan that to relieve some of the burden he could be catcher instead. Momokan tells Hanai that she had also been thinking about the problem of having Tajima do both jobs, but her conclusion was different than Hanai's. Momokan explains sternly that she expected Hanai to offer to take over the clean-up position rather than the catcher position. As Hanai stands speechless, Momokan asks him as captain not to leave Tajima all alone.
As she sends Hanai off to practice with the others, she notes how it is indeed surprising just how invincible Tajima manages to make himself appear. Hanai seems to rank himself under Tajima as if it is natural. She thinks there may be no helping that at this stage, but hopes he realizes eventually that they are all still young and there is no telling how any of them could develop. She goes through possible defensive formations, and notes that though it will be tough without Abe (??), compared to before the current team is like a dream.
The team finishes afternoon practice, practicing the bunt shift, running bases, taking a break, doing practice swings, jumping rope, and doing other activities. After practice the boys stop by a convenience store to get something in their stomachs as soon as possible. They gobble down their food and immediately become exhausted and sleepy. Tajima offers everyone smoked squid to chew on the way home so they don't fall asleep riding their bikes.
Mihashi comes home while his mother is cooking dinner and once again falls asleep in the doorway. His father is shocked to find him there when he gets home. The two parents reminisce about the last time this happened, and Mihashi's dad admits he was rather worried when it happened before, though both seem amused and somewhat pleased now.
The team continues to train, and two days pass.
Abe sleepily walks down the stairs without crutches. His mother asks how he is planning to get to the doctor's later, and he explains he should be able to borrow someone's bike. His mother asks if he has been getting bigger, and sure enough when he gets on the scale he sees he has gained 4 kilos (a little under 9 pounds). He thinks he does feel a little taller, and figures it can't be a bad thing. (??)
Abe's mother drives him to school to get ready for camp with everyone. Everyone is elated to see Abe, but he sourly points out that though they act so happy to see him, no one bothered to message him the whole time he was gone. As they make excuses, Abe explains he was joking. Mihashi sees Abe and notes happily that he isn't using crutches.
Abe and his mom talk to Momokan, thanking her for taking care of him. Abe's mom goes off to join the other moms and Abe explains that he can walk on his leg now and will start stretches tomorrow. Momokan asks if he is seeing the doctor today, and he says he is. Momokan calls Mihashi over, and Mihashi is extremely started to hear himself called. Abe watches with great irritation at Mihashi's jumpiness, and Momokan observes that while the two don't exactly get along badly... (dot dot dot ^^)
Thus when Mihashi comes over, Momokan explains to him that Abe will have to ride a bike to the doctors but will still have trouble riding up hills in his condition. Momokan asks Mihashi to go along with him and push the bike on the slopes. Abe wonders why, as he thinks he can do it himself.
Momokan also says that while the parents will be making lunch and dinner for them, the team is on their own for breakfast. She asks that Abe and Mihashi make breakfast for everyone during camp. Before Mihashi can agree to do it, Abe quickly stops him from speaking to say that he can cook breakfast himself as he will have more time and energy as he is unable to practice. Momokan says no, and that they must both do it. Abe asks why, and she says she thinks he'll understand if he does it, and that she just wants them to work together for a little while. Abe agrees to do it looking very disgruntled (and Mihashi very bewildered).
TRANSLATION:
[translation by narwhaltortellini]
[Please note that my grasp on the Japanese language is tenuous and my understanding of baseball even more so. These translations and summaries were made with hopes of being helpful to fans who would like to read on in the story and do not mind suffering the occasional ambiguity or error. Parts I am consciously unsure of have been marked with two question marks (??), sometimes with my best guess at what they might mean. Note that the absence of question marks does not make the translation correct. ^_^]
[Anyone is free to use or repost these as they like, and scanlators are free to use them as aids. Just remember to use them, not trust them. It would, of course, be very kind of anyone taking them to let me know where they're going.]
01
[Moving on to baseball,] ??
[The best 8 teams will be determined today during four games at the prefectureal staduim and Saitama municipal Oomiya Stadium.]
Mom: Taka~
Mom: How about soumen for lunch?
Abe: As long as there's meat, I'll eat it.
Mom: (Right, right. Meat it is.)
Mom: (This heat doesn't do a thing to your appetite, does it?)
[At the municipal Oomiya Stadium, the first match victory went to Hannoukita, defeating Koshigaya Chuuou with a score of 4 to 3.]
02
[The second match featuring Musashino Daiichi High School up against Ageo Commercial High School is scheduled to start at 12:30 today.]
*twitch*
[And now let's take a look at the current match on VTR.]
Abe: Musashino Daiichi, huh?
Abe: Just last year that school was nothing but a total small-timer.]
03
Abe: Their bench isn't exactly overflowing. (??)
Abe: And they've got two second years! (?? in their starting lineup maybe?)
Abe: Aah...
Abe: I guess it really is all Haruna.
04
Abe: It's not like
Abe: I want him // to lose, but...
Abe: ...God damnit!
05
(board contains the schedule for half the day, the 24th)
Mizu?: (I'm starving~)
[At 12 o'clock, morning practice ends,]
[And everyone eats their own packed lunched.]
Hanai: (I'm back. Everyone just take what you bought.)
arrow: (Lost at rock, paper, scissors.)
Saka: (Wow, yours is really something.)
Izumi: (You put three umeboshi in there, right? (??)
Mizu: (Thanks, Hanai.)
[Meanwhile,]
Abe: (Thanks for the food!)
Mom: (I'll just have the soumen.)
(Minced tuna)
(Soumen)
(Cold pork shabu)
[Lunch at the Abe house]
05
[Then a nap till 1:00.]
arrow: (Other clubs also sleeping)
arrow2: ??
[Study for one hour after nap.]
Shiga: (If you need help with the math, (??)
Shiga: (Just ask!)
saka arrow: Tatami marks
[At 2 o'clock, afternoon practice starts.]
Hama: Hello~!
Saka: (Hello!)
Miha: (Hello)
Izu: (Hey.)
Taji: You get here so late, Hamada!
Taji: You should have been here an hour ago!
Hama: Eh?
Hama: Did I miss something good?
Taji: Totally.
Taji: Right?
Miha: Ah.
Miha: Yeah.
Hama: But...
Hama: I said I'd be coming at two...
Hana: ….
Hana: Ha // Hamada // -san.
06
Taji: He called Hamada 'san' in this pewny little voice!
Miha: ??
Hanai: ??
Hama: Er, Hanai.
Hama: You can call me 'san', it's fine.
Hanai: Ah. // Well.
Hanai: Y- // Your work is ok with you coming? (??)
*cough*
Taji: (He was so~ angry! Gahaha!)
Hama: …. // Yeah. // Till the 29th, anyway. (??)
Hanai: The 29th...
Hanai: That's...
Hama: ??
Hanai: [The finals?]
Hanai: Ah...
07
Hanai: Thank you
Hanai: For cheering for us!
Hama: .!
Hanai: For yesterday... (??)
Hama: Ah, well... // You guys just really inspire us, you know? (Er, so thanks. // I guess.)
Hanai: But, // If you guys hadn't been there,
Hanai: We...probably wouldn't even have been able to beat Tousei.
Hama: Y- // You're really overdoing it!
Hanai: I'm serious...
08
Hama: By the way, everyone seems to be doing really well.
Hama: It's pretty amazing that no one's depressed.
Bottom: (?? Everyone warms up themselves in the afternoon.)
Hanai: Ah... // We don't really have time for that. // I guess.
Hama: Oh.
Hama: What about Abe? // How's his knee?
Hanai: Well,
Hanai: It looks like he won't make it for the newcomer's tournament... // And it seems like the fall one might be pushing it, too.
Hanai: But he's coming to camp. // I haven't seen him myself, but I hear he doesn't seem to be that down.
Hama: Huh...
Hama: Though if he can't make it for fall,
Hama: The coach must be pretty worried, huh?
Hanai: Well, // Tajima will manage one way or another...
09
Hamada: I guess, but...
Hamada: Being both catcher and clean-up must be pretty tough, don't you think?
Hanai: …Er.
Hamada: And now with Nishihiro in,
Hamada: You've got even more low-rank batters. (??)
Hamada: If Tajima's offensive skills drop too, you guys are going to have a pretty rough time, right?
Hanai: ….
Hama: Still, the newcomer's tournament is only district-wide. // With Tajima, you never know just what he might be able to manage! (??)
Hanai: Ah. // Yeah!
10
Hama: Well when the cheering squad works out we can help you with practice, (??)
Hama: So keep it up!
Hanai: Yeah! // Thanks for your help!
Momo: That's it for catch time!
Momo: Now,
Momo: Each of you already play two positions, // Just in case we ever need to make any changes! (??)
11
Momo: But while Abe-kun is gone,
Momo: Were going to need another catcher.
Taji: But coach, // I'm gonna do it!
Momo: Well you do have a previous record. (??)
Momo: For now,
Momo: I'll be deciding based on your ability to throw to second and deal with catching foul flies. (??)
12
Momo: Mihashi!
Miha: Y-Y- // Yes ma'am!
Momo: Why don't you do some light throwing on the mound? (??)
Momo: Tajima will come with you. // Your count's restricted today, so take it easy.
Miha: Y- // Yes ma'am.
Taji: Yes ma'am.
Momo: So first I'll explain the basics.
Momo: Why don't you try it with me Nishihiro-kun?
Nishi: Yes ma'am.
Momo: The the point of the stances is to be as solid as possible. // You want to assure the pitcher they can throw to you without fear.
Momo: Ah. // That's it.
Momo: Then, // When he starts to move, // Adjust your center of balance to a point where you'll be able to move better.
Momo: Yeah. // Farther forward, or you'll have trouble. (??)
Nishi: Ok.
13
Momo: To avoid getting hurt,
Momo: Keep the fingers on your right hand in a light fist.
Momo: Keep the thumb on your left hand perpendicular to your other fingers. (?)
Momo: If you don't, low balls will (??) and your thumb will start hurting, so be careful.
-(Oh. I get it.)
Momo: Keep your head alert and looking up.
Momo: And work hard to keep the mitt up! (??) // Let the pitcher see the inside!
Suya: Ah...
Izumi: Seems pretty tough...
Momo: Now we'll look at throwing to second.
Nishi: The mitt's so heavy...
14
Momo: When a runner moves off first, (??) your back just a little,
Hanai: Like this?
Momo: Pull back your right leg slightly, and (?? position at a slant?)
Momo: Use the force from the caught ball to push your weight back onto your right foot, (??)
Momo: (?? with minimum take back,)
Momo: And make the throw in one step!
Momo: Stealing bases isn't entirely dependent on a batter's running speed.
Momo: When you consider that a slide can also gain someone 50 to 60 centimeters in just 0.1 seconds, // You can understand just how important it is to get the ball to second even just a little faster.
15
Momo: It's 38.8 m from home to second base. So!
Momo: How long would it take for a ball going 100 km/h or a ball going 130 km/h to make the distance? // Nishihiro-kun? (??)
Izu: Eh?
Saka: Eeh?
Nishi: The 100 km/h ball would take 1.39 seconds, and the 130 km/h ball would take 1.07.
Momo: Probably, // Right!
-Probably?
Hanai: Probably?
-Nishihiro's amazing.
Momo: In other words, even if you use all your power to throw at 130 km/h instead of 100, (??)
Mizu: (If I could throw at 130, I'd be a pitcher!)
Momo: The ball will only make it to second around 0.3 seconds faster.
Momo: Which means you have to use your throwing motion to take that time down even more! (??)
Suya: He's sure into it.
Momo: Now can you think of any other way we might be able to shave some more time off?
16
Momo: Suyama-kun!
Suya: Ma'am! // With..good control, maybe?
Momo: That's right! // Would you mind explaining to everyone?
Suya: Yes ma'am!
Suya: Well...
Suya: Your target will be standing over the base like this.
-??
Hanai: [Tajima...]
Suya: If a ball comes in down here, it'll take time to get down like this to get it.
Suya: Down like this.
Suya: Here.
Suya: A ball that comes in with better placing might give you the difference of 0.5 seconds or so.
Hanai: [Is faster at throwing than Abe, isn't he...]
Momo: You get that? // So even if you throw a fast ball, if it's got no control, there won't be any point!
-Yes ma'am!
Hanai: To be a catcher, (??) // You've got to have great reflexes.
17
Momo: Moving on! Since a foul fly wasn't hit directly, it won't fall with a straight path.
Hanai: [Catching flies on one hand,] (??)
Momo: So keep your knees and elbows loose so you can move along with it.
Momo: Some more things about the stance, (??)
Momo: Though the ball may bee falling right in front of your face, you need to be able to keep your eyes open. (??)
Momo: And just do the best you can to chase after it!
Hanai: And keeping up your reflexes on the other,
Saka: (No way. I'd totally close my eyes.)
Hanai: And then,
Momo: Though you may want to, don't place yourself behind the ball! (??)
Hanai: You need to have guts, // And the brains to keep up a good understanding of the game as it happens.
Momo: Though it may be falling right on to you, just hold your ground... (??)
Hanai: [And then on top of it all, you'd have to deal with someone as frustrating as him...]
Taji: (Last one!)
Miha: O- // Ok!
18
Hama: Being both catcher and clean-up...
Hama: Must be pretty tough, don't you think?
Hanai: ….
Hanai: It really is.
Taji: Strike!
Taji: Alright! // That was great!
19
Miha: Ok!
Taji: Say, // Who do you think will be best?
Miha: ...T- // Tajima-kun.
Taji: No!
Taji: Who else besides me!
Miha: ….
Taji: ….
Taji: Abe's can't play in the in the newcomer's tournament, you know.
Taji: And he's not going to make it for fall, either!
20
Miha: ….
Taji: ...I think you need to understand this. (??)
Taji: You can't just play baseball with Abe. (??)
Miha: Not...
Miha: Just Abe...
Miha: I // can throw.
Miha: With Abe-kun // Or Tajima-kun // Or if not them...
21
Miha: I'll still...
Taji: Grr~~
Taji: Let's make ourselves a seeded team for the fall tournament, then!
Taji: If we win Newcomer's, we'll be seeded.
Taji: And in fall the matches are only one a week.
Taji: That way, Abe might have time to get better before we ever have to play a really strong team!
22
Miha: T- // That
Miha: It // It // It's
Taji: There are no seeds in the newcomer's tournament, though. // So remember we might run into someone strong any time!
Taji: But in that case, // You're going to have to do your best with me.
Miha: Yeah.
23
[Meanwhile with Abe...]
[Moving on to baseball,] (??)
[The second game at Saitama municipal Oomiya Stadium has come to an end.]
[Musashino Daiichi left the match victorious with a score of 1 to 2 against Ageo Commercial High.]
[This will be the team's first time advancing into the best 8.] (??)
[And now let's take a look at the current match on VTR.]
Mom: Taka~
Mom: I'm going out shopping. What would you like for dinner?
Abe: Meat.
24
Mom: I don't mean meat, I mean choose an actual meal!
Mom: So meat, and then... // Vitamins and minerals are important for recovery, too...
Momo: [He needs a balance between all six food groups.]
Momo: [And nothing that's too hard to digest (??)]
Mom: And nothing too high in fat or sugar.
Mom: That boy doesn't have any preferences one way or the other, so compared to Shun he's pretty low-maintenance.
Mom: (Haa)
Mom: But I still haven't used my head so much since I was in school!
Mom: I wonder if my home ec teacher Kuroba...er, Kuroda-sensei is still doing alright...)
Hama: Get ready for the original AMERICAN KNOCK! (??)
25
-(Cut it out!)
-(Just do it normal!)
-(Stop fooling around!)
Hama: It was... // Just a joke.
Momo: So...
Momo: You seem to be the one most serious about this.
Momo: How about it?
Hanai: ...I'll do it!
Momo: Great!
Momo: In that case, from now on when you're in the bullpen, you'll just practice your catching instead of pitching!
Hannai: Yes ma'am!
26
Momo: That way we don't have to cut back on your batting practice.
Momo: And then maybe we can get Oki-kun to invest a little more in his pitching.
Hanai: Coach?
Momo: Yes?
Hanai: While Abe's gone the starting catcher...
Hanai: Is still Tajima... // Right?
Momo: It's not set in stone yet, but...
Momo: Why do you ask?
Hanai: Well... // Tajima's definitely the most able out of all the people we've got now, but...
Hanai: Tajima... // He's our clean-up.
Hanai: Being both the clean-up and the catcher...
Hanai: That's...got to be pretty rough.
27
Hanai: So I thought...
Hanai: I could be catcher...
Hanai: Plus it works out well to have the captain as the catcher, anyway, and... (??)
Momo: Actually, I've been concerned about having our catcher and clean-up in one myself...
Momo: Though my conclusion was a little different.
Hanai: ...C- // Conclusion?
Momo: “So I thought I could be clean-up!” That's what I thought you'd say!
Hanai: ...Ah.
28
Momo: Don't leave Tajima all alone out there, // Captain.
Momo: You'll practice as catcher after the bunt shift today! // You can get back to doing the knock now!
Hanai: Yes ma'am! // Excuse me!
Momo: Frankly, even I've been surprised by just how invincible Tajima-kun manages to come off as every single day.
Hanai: (I'm going out!)
Hama: (Ok.)
29
Momo: [Hanai-kun // Finds it natural to place himself below Tajima.]
Hanai: (Go ahead!)
Momo: [But there may be no helping that at this stage.]
Momo: But everyone here is still only 15 or 16 years old.
Momo: There's no telling where any of you could end up from here on out. // You need to realize that!
Momo: Well then,
Momo: If Hanai-kun were to be the catcher,
Momo: And Tajima-kun were injured,
Momo: This is how it'd go.
catcher: Hanai
pitcher: Mihashi
first: Tajima
second: Sakaeguchi
short: Suyama
third: Mizutani
center: Izumi
right: Oki
left: Nishihiro
Momo: And if Oki-kun had to replace Mihashi,
Momo: Like this...
(differences:)
catcher: Tajima
pitcher: Oki
first: Mihashi
right: Hanai
30
Momo: If we had to change the battery entirely...
Momo: Hmm...
Momo: We'd barley manage to stay afloat. (?? she might be referring to how things are now, actually, I'm not sure.)
Momo: Still, comparing this to back then...
Momo: [It's like...]
Momo: [A dream.]
Momo: At any rate, // Abe-kun is going to be out at least till the fall tournament and won't make it to newcomer's at all.
Momo: (This is going to be tough...)
31
Momo: Suyama-kun, I'll take your place. // Go do shortstop.
Suya: Yes ma'am.
Momo: I'm doing it random!
Momo: No outs, no runners!
[3:10 - Infielders and outfielders practice the knock separately.]
[4:00 - (?? something about the bunt shift and the outfield being involved too?)]
Momo: Alright, after it, catcher!
Momo: Call it out!
Hanai?: Yes ma'am!
32
[4:30 - Base run]
small: ??
[5:00 - Break] (??)
*eating sounds*
Mizu: (Mmm~)
Oki: (?? spreading?)
Izu: (Umeboshi are so~ good.)
[5:15 - Practice swinging]
-Curve ball!
33
[5:45 - Long jump rope]
(*note: ...I assume the background words are some sort of chant or song they're listening to? Because it would be really weird if they were just saying that for no reason. ^_^;)
-(But,)
-(You know,)
-(It's hard)
-(To explain it, but)
small: ??
Background last panel: (We're happy.)
Hanai: There's so much
Hanai: I want // to // think about, but...
34
Hanai: Now isn't the time!
[7:00 - (?? something about abdomen muscles?) 7:30 - stretch 8:00 - meeting, journals 8:30 - breakup
Hanai: Gotta...
Suya: Get something in my stomach.
35
next to mihashi after the bread enters his happy stomach: happiness
Hanai: Mihashi. Wake up.
Hanai: I'm goin' home...
Taji: Here.
Arrow: Home made smoked squid
Taji: Chew it on the way home.
Taji: So you don't fall asleep on your bike.
Taji: (Anyone else want one?)
Miha: Fank // voo.
Mizu: (What is it?)
Miha: (I'm back~)
Mom: Welcome home!
Today: Hamburger
Side dishes: Carrots, broccoli
Soup: Yam soup with green onions (??)
Mom: Red, green, white // Yellow, brown, // Black...
small words: Okra, fish (??), mini tomatoes (??), (…?????)
Dad: *creak* Wah! // Oh my gosh! Whoa!
Mom: Welcome ho- // Eh?
Small: (????...spaghetti)
Mom: Oh dear.
Dad: How long has he been here?
Mom: Come to think of it he did get home quite a while ago.
Dad: Practice must be really doing him in.
38
Mom: Say, // Didn't the same thing happened back in April?
Dad: Oh yeah. // I was actually sort of worried back then.
-Pff. // Keheh.
-Such a relaxed face.
39
[By continuing to eat, sleep, and wake in the morning, // They managed to keep keep their bodies moving.
[As they somehow pulled themselves through their training menu,]
[Two days passed...]
40
Abe: ...Hey.
Mom: Good morning. // You know, I can take you this morning, but...
Mom: How are you going to manage to get to Saitou-san later?
Abe: Eh.
Abe: I'll just borrow someone's bike. It'll be fine.
Abe: I'm starving.
Abe: There anything to eat? // Bread or whatever's ok.
Mom: Taka.
Mom: Have you been getting bigger?
Abe: Eh?
41
Abe: Hm?
Abe: I went up 4 kilos.
Abe: I guess I do sort of feel taller.
Abe: Not that I was keeping track, // But having a bigger body can't hurt my playing, anyway.
42
Abe: Alright!
Abe: I worked hard to get plenty of food and sleep while I was hurt, (??) // And got something good out of it!
Abe: And now there's camp! // I just need to keep going and not rush it!
Taji: Oh!
Taji: It's Abe!
Abe: Hey.
Oki/Saka: Long time no see! // Have you been alright?!
43
Abe: You act like you're so glad to see me,
Abe: Yet that entire time I didn't get even one message from any of you.
Taji: (Well we didn't really have any reason to! (??))
Saka: (And we were going to see you so soon anyway!)
Nishi: (Gosh, sorry!)
Abe: (I was just joking.)
-(But your face looked so pissed.)
-(Have you gotten taller or something?)
Mom: Um, I've got some Pocari I brought in here...
-(??)
Miha: A // be // kun.
Box: potatoes
Miha: H- // He
Suya: (Whoa!)
Mizu: (So much!)
Miha: Doesn't need crutches?!
Momo: Abe-kun.
Momo: It's good to have you here!
44
Abe: Ah, hello! // Thank you for all your help!
Mom: Coach, // I'm sorry you're going to have to drag around an injured boy...
Momo: (Not at all!)
Momo: I should be thanking you!
Hmama; Oh! // It's Abe-san!
Smama: Good morning!
-We're going to go pick up some things!
Amama: Ah! // Hey!
Amama: (If you'll excuse me! Thanks again!)
Amama: (Looks like another hot day!)
Momo: How's your knee?
Amama: (What are you making?)
-(?? Look, Suyama-san's ?? is amazing!)
Smama: It's not that great!
Abe: I can use the leg now. // I'll be starting my stretches tomorrow!
45
Momo: Well, that's good. // You're going to Saitou-san's today, right?
Abe: Yes.
Momo: Mihashi-kun!
Mizu: Ah!
Hanai: Wah!
Hanai: Whoa...
Hanai: Er...
Miha: S- // Sorry.
Abe: (Ugh.)
-(That was close!)
-(Hahaha!)
Momo: These two...
-(You're way too jumpy, Mihashi!)
Momo: It's not that they get along badly exactly, but...
Momo: Mihashi-kun...
Miha: Y- // Yes?
Momo: Abe still has to go visit the hospital during camp.
46
Momo: Going up hills on the bike is still going to be hard for him, // Would you go and help push him up so he doesn't have to deal with the weight?
Miha: Y- // Yes ma'am!
Abe: ...Eh?
Abe: I could have made it myself...
Momo: And both of you listen to what the doctor has to say together.
Miha: ? // Y-Y-
Miha: Yes ma'am.
Abe: What? // What's the point of that?
Momo: Also, about our meals during camp...
Momo: The parents are going to be taking care of lunch and dinner, but for breakfast we're on our own.
Momo: I'd like the two of you two make breakfast for everyone!
Momo: (Make at least two side dishes!)
Miha: Yes ma- *omph*
Abe: Hold on a...!
Abe: Um...
47
Abe: Why don't I take care of breakfast myself? // Since I won't be in practice, I'll have more time and energy...
Momo: Nope!
Miha: Haa
Momo: You're both doing it!
Abe: ….
Abe: Why is that?
Momo: Once you do it,
Momo: I think you'll understand.
Momo: The two of you can work together for a little while!
Miha: ?? // Y- // Ye-
Abe: ...Yeah.
______________________________
Taka~~~ <3 SAY. Someday do you think Mihashi will be close enough to Abe to...pfft, I'm not even going to finish that sentence.
Also, Taka is such a rude little boy to his mama. I want to see what his relationship with his brother is like more, though. He seems like the kind of person Abe wouldn't normally associate a ton with (...but then....who is the sort he would? ^_^;) normally, but they're brothers so they must have some manner of relationship.
Is it me, or do Izumi and Sakaeguchi disappear from Hanai's side between panels 3-5 on page 15? ...Is it lame that I noticed that, hehehe? T-They are important to me. I don't want them to disappear. ^_^; Ok, really I was just wondering who to credit their lines to and got confused. ^^
OMG, strictwithMihashi!Tajima! Sexy! And a bit frustrated in the end (hahaha, Tajimaaaa, being Mihashi's pitcher is turning you into Abe~) I sort of wonder, if Tajima weren't around, would Abe and Mihashi have been able to advance far with improving their relationship at all? Maybe something else would have happened eventually, but it seems like he helps along a lot of the changes, even if they have to be the ones to really do it in the end.
Eee~ maybe she IS hinting Hanai might grow more than Tajima? That would be kind of neat. Hanai...has a lot of growth to do, hahaha. I like him because of that, since characters that DON'T need a lot of growth can usually be only so interesting, but...it's sort of with the understanding that he will indeed grow. Cause if this were another author I didn't get nice hints from and trust to change him gradually...I might be a tad annoyed with him (sort of like Mihashi. ...Only in that case it might be a bit more than a tad. ^^) Hahahaha. It makes me wonder how Tajima will change through the series, too. It stands to reason he could, but the idea kind of weirds me out, hehe. Tajima...seems timeless.<3
Momokan is so~ cool, hahaha. I love the way she suddenly threw that at Hanai like that, hahah.
Aaaah~ So many Mihashi eating faces~ Hahahah. And poor Tajima looks like he won't be masturbating at all tonight.
I-I know he's just supposed to be getting taller and maybe, er, beefier, but....but they keep saying “bigger.” Wouldn't it be AWESOME if all that excessive eating made Abe FAT?!
Are those hearts for the drink? For a second I thought they were coming from Mihashi when he saw Abe and thought, “Wow. That's a bit much.” lol
OMG, didyousee?! Abe totally shoved his elbow into Mihashi's mouth. (If wide gape of it when he tried to answer in that panel is anything like the wide gape of it when he did answer in the last panel.) Abe's elbow+Mihashi's mouth!! Surely it must be intentional!!!!! IS ANYONE TURNED ON!?!?!?
And finally, of course, I just have to say: HAS THIS MANGA FINALLY TURNED INTO FANFICTION OR HAS THIS MANGA FINALLY TURNED INTO FANFICTION?! Lololol. Heck, when I see something like this in fanfic I *roll my eyes* cause that totally wouldn't happen in the canon and you're just doing that as a lame excuse to put them together a lot. *can now never doubt fanfiction again *snort* Also, Momkan=my hero and totally ONE OF US. She hadn't been working her wonderful matchmaking magic much on Abe and Mihashi much lately (too busy helping out the TajiHana? ^_^), but of course it was only a matter of time. On cannot doubt the Momokan. m(_ _)m
I enjoy looking at the second panel on the last page. I imagine it must be what Abe looks like when experiencing the startings of extreme irritation while (for once, since he's talking to the coach, haha) actually managing to conceal it. ^_^
...There's something I want to say about the end of this chapter, but it's kind of linked to the next, so I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut for now. ^_^; *remember to complain later how they don't seem to be affected. In this chap I noticed and was a little let down but willing to admit change takes time. But with all that interaction I was expecting at least a little TRYING or a 'hey, didn't we promise to change?' form them, and didn't get ANYTHING.
01
[Moving on to baseball,] ??
[The best 8 teams will be determined today during four games at the prefectureal staduim and Saitama municipal Oomiya Stadium.]
Mom: Taka~
Mom: How about soumen for lunch?
Abe: As long as there's meat, I'll eat it.
Mom: (Right, right. Meat it is.)
Mom: (This heat doesn't do a thing to your appetite, does it?)
[At the municipal Oomiya Stadium, the first match victory went to Hannoukita, defeating Koshigaya Chuuou with a score of 4 to 3.]
02
[The second match featuring Musashino Daiichi High School up against Ageo Commercial High School is scheduled to start at 12:30 today.]
*twitch*
[And now let's take a look at the current match on VTR.]
Abe: Musashino Daiichi, huh?
Abe: Just last year that school was nothing but a total small-timer.]
03
Abe: Their bench isn't exactly overflowing. (??)
Abe: And they've got two second years! (?? in their starting lineup maybe?)
Abe: Aah...
Abe: I guess it really is all Haruna.
04
Abe: It's not like
Abe: I want him // to lose, but...
Abe: ...God damnit!
05
(board contains the schedule for half the day, the 24th)
Mizu?: (I'm starving~)
[At 12 o'clock, morning practice ends,]
[And everyone eats their own packed lunched.]
Hanai: (I'm back. Everyone just take what you bought.)
arrow: (Lost at rock, paper, scissors.)
Saka: (Wow, yours is really something.)
Izumi: (You put three umeboshi in there, right? (??)
Mizu: (Thanks, Hanai.)
[Meanwhile,]
Abe: (Thanks for the food!)
Mom: (I'll just have the soumen.)
(Minced tuna)
(Soumen)
(Cold pork shabu)
[Lunch at the Abe house]
05
[Then a nap till 1:00.]
arrow: (Other clubs also sleeping)
arrow2: ??
[Study for one hour after nap.]
Shiga: (If you need help with the math, (??)
Shiga: (Just ask!)
saka arrow: Tatami marks
[At 2 o'clock, afternoon practice starts.]
Hama: Hello~!
Saka: (Hello!)
Miha: (Hello)
Izu: (Hey.)
Taji: You get here so late, Hamada!
Taji: You should have been here an hour ago!
Hama: Eh?
Hama: Did I miss something good?
Taji: Totally.
Taji: Right?
Miha: Ah.
Miha: Yeah.
Hama: But...
Hama: I said I'd be coming at two...
Hana: ….
Hana: Ha // Hamada // -san.
06
Taji: He called Hamada 'san' in this pewny little voice!
Miha: ??
Hanai: ??
Hama: Er, Hanai.
Hama: You can call me 'san', it's fine.
Hanai: Ah. // Well.
Hanai: Y- // Your work is ok with you coming? (??)
*cough*
Taji: (He was so~ angry! Gahaha!)
Hama: …. // Yeah. // Till the 29th, anyway. (??)
Hanai: The 29th...
Hanai: That's...
Hama: ??
Hanai: [The finals?]
Hanai: Ah...
07
Hanai: Thank you
Hanai: For cheering for us!
Hama: .!
Hanai: For yesterday... (??)
Hama: Ah, well... // You guys just really inspire us, you know? (Er, so thanks. // I guess.)
Hanai: But, // If you guys hadn't been there,
Hanai: We...probably wouldn't even have been able to beat Tousei.
Hama: Y- // You're really overdoing it!
Hanai: I'm serious...
08
Hama: By the way, everyone seems to be doing really well.
Hama: It's pretty amazing that no one's depressed.
Bottom: (?? Everyone warms up themselves in the afternoon.)
Hanai: Ah... // We don't really have time for that. // I guess.
Hama: Oh.
Hama: What about Abe? // How's his knee?
Hanai: Well,
Hanai: It looks like he won't make it for the newcomer's tournament... // And it seems like the fall one might be pushing it, too.
Hanai: But he's coming to camp. // I haven't seen him myself, but I hear he doesn't seem to be that down.
Hama: Huh...
Hama: Though if he can't make it for fall,
Hama: The coach must be pretty worried, huh?
Hanai: Well, // Tajima will manage one way or another...
09
Hamada: I guess, but...
Hamada: Being both catcher and clean-up must be pretty tough, don't you think?
Hanai: …Er.
Hamada: And now with Nishihiro in,
Hamada: You've got even more low-rank batters. (??)
Hamada: If Tajima's offensive skills drop too, you guys are going to have a pretty rough time, right?
Hanai: ….
Hama: Still, the newcomer's tournament is only district-wide. // With Tajima, you never know just what he might be able to manage! (??)
Hanai: Ah. // Yeah!
10
Hama: Well when the cheering squad works out we can help you with practice, (??)
Hama: So keep it up!
Hanai: Yeah! // Thanks for your help!
Momo: That's it for catch time!
Momo: Now,
Momo: Each of you already play two positions, // Just in case we ever need to make any changes! (??)
11
Momo: But while Abe-kun is gone,
Momo: Were going to need another catcher.
Taji: But coach, // I'm gonna do it!
Momo: Well you do have a previous record. (??)
Momo: For now,
Momo: I'll be deciding based on your ability to throw to second and deal with catching foul flies. (??)
12
Momo: Mihashi!
Miha: Y-Y- // Yes ma'am!
Momo: Why don't you do some light throwing on the mound? (??)
Momo: Tajima will come with you. // Your count's restricted today, so take it easy.
Miha: Y- // Yes ma'am.
Taji: Yes ma'am.
Momo: So first I'll explain the basics.
Momo: Why don't you try it with me Nishihiro-kun?
Nishi: Yes ma'am.
Momo: The the point of the stances is to be as solid as possible. // You want to assure the pitcher they can throw to you without fear.
Momo: Ah. // That's it.
Momo: Then, // When he starts to move, // Adjust your center of balance to a point where you'll be able to move better.
Momo: Yeah. // Farther forward, or you'll have trouble. (??)
Nishi: Ok.
13
Momo: To avoid getting hurt,
Momo: Keep the fingers on your right hand in a light fist.
Momo: Keep the thumb on your left hand perpendicular to your other fingers. (?)
Momo: If you don't, low balls will (??) and your thumb will start hurting, so be careful.
-(Oh. I get it.)
Momo: Keep your head alert and looking up.
Momo: And work hard to keep the mitt up! (??) // Let the pitcher see the inside!
Suya: Ah...
Izumi: Seems pretty tough...
Momo: Now we'll look at throwing to second.
Nishi: The mitt's so heavy...
14
Momo: When a runner moves off first, (??) your back just a little,
Hanai: Like this?
Momo: Pull back your right leg slightly, and (?? position at a slant?)
Momo: Use the force from the caught ball to push your weight back onto your right foot, (??)
Momo: (?? with minimum take back,)
Momo: And make the throw in one step!
Momo: Stealing bases isn't entirely dependent on a batter's running speed.
Momo: When you consider that a slide can also gain someone 50 to 60 centimeters in just 0.1 seconds, // You can understand just how important it is to get the ball to second even just a little faster.
15
Momo: It's 38.8 m from home to second base. So!
Momo: How long would it take for a ball going 100 km/h or a ball going 130 km/h to make the distance? // Nishihiro-kun? (??)
Izu: Eh?
Saka: Eeh?
Nishi: The 100 km/h ball would take 1.39 seconds, and the 130 km/h ball would take 1.07.
Momo: Probably, // Right!
-Probably?
Hanai: Probably?
-Nishihiro's amazing.
Momo: In other words, even if you use all your power to throw at 130 km/h instead of 100, (??)
Mizu: (If I could throw at 130, I'd be a pitcher!)
Momo: The ball will only make it to second around 0.3 seconds faster.
Momo: Which means you have to use your throwing motion to take that time down even more! (??)
Suya: He's sure into it.
Momo: Now can you think of any other way we might be able to shave some more time off?
16
Momo: Suyama-kun!
Suya: Ma'am! // With..good control, maybe?
Momo: That's right! // Would you mind explaining to everyone?
Suya: Yes ma'am!
Suya: Well...
Suya: Your target will be standing over the base like this.
-??
Hanai: [Tajima...]
Suya: If a ball comes in down here, it'll take time to get down like this to get it.
Suya: Down like this.
Suya: Here.
Suya: A ball that comes in with better placing might give you the difference of 0.5 seconds or so.
Hanai: [Is faster at throwing than Abe, isn't he...]
Momo: You get that? // So even if you throw a fast ball, if it's got no control, there won't be any point!
-Yes ma'am!
Hanai: To be a catcher, (??) // You've got to have great reflexes.
17
Momo: Moving on! Since a foul fly wasn't hit directly, it won't fall with a straight path.
Hanai: [Catching flies on one hand,] (??)
Momo: So keep your knees and elbows loose so you can move along with it.
Momo: Some more things about the stance, (??)
Momo: Though the ball may bee falling right in front of your face, you need to be able to keep your eyes open. (??)
Momo: And just do the best you can to chase after it!
Hanai: And keeping up your reflexes on the other,
Saka: (No way. I'd totally close my eyes.)
Hanai: And then,
Momo: Though you may want to, don't place yourself behind the ball! (??)
Hanai: You need to have guts, // And the brains to keep up a good understanding of the game as it happens.
Momo: Though it may be falling right on to you, just hold your ground... (??)
Hanai: [And then on top of it all, you'd have to deal with someone as frustrating as him...]
Taji: (Last one!)
Miha: O- // Ok!
18
Hama: Being both catcher and clean-up...
Hama: Must be pretty tough, don't you think?
Hanai: ….
Hanai: It really is.
Taji: Strike!
Taji: Alright! // That was great!
19
Miha: Ok!
Taji: Say, // Who do you think will be best?
Miha: ...T- // Tajima-kun.
Taji: No!
Taji: Who else besides me!
Miha: ….
Taji: ….
Taji: Abe's can't play in the in the newcomer's tournament, you know.
Taji: And he's not going to make it for fall, either!
20
Miha: ….
Taji: ...I think you need to understand this. (??)
Taji: You can't just play baseball with Abe. (??)
Miha: Not...
Miha: Just Abe...
Miha: I // can throw.
Miha: With Abe-kun // Or Tajima-kun // Or if not them...
21
Miha: I'll still...
Taji: Grr~~
Taji: Let's make ourselves a seeded team for the fall tournament, then!
Taji: If we win Newcomer's, we'll be seeded.
Taji: And in fall the matches are only one a week.
Taji: That way, Abe might have time to get better before we ever have to play a really strong team!
22
Miha: T- // That
Miha: It // It // It's
Taji: There are no seeds in the newcomer's tournament, though. // So remember we might run into someone strong any time!
Taji: But in that case, // You're going to have to do your best with me.
Miha: Yeah.
23
[Meanwhile with Abe...]
[Moving on to baseball,] (??)
[The second game at Saitama municipal Oomiya Stadium has come to an end.]
[Musashino Daiichi left the match victorious with a score of 1 to 2 against Ageo Commercial High.]
[This will be the team's first time advancing into the best 8.] (??)
[And now let's take a look at the current match on VTR.]
Mom: Taka~
Mom: I'm going out shopping. What would you like for dinner?
Abe: Meat.
24
Mom: I don't mean meat, I mean choose an actual meal!
Mom: So meat, and then... // Vitamins and minerals are important for recovery, too...
Momo: [He needs a balance between all six food groups.]
Momo: [And nothing that's too hard to digest (??)]
Mom: And nothing too high in fat or sugar.
Mom: That boy doesn't have any preferences one way or the other, so compared to Shun he's pretty low-maintenance.
Mom: (Haa)
Mom: But I still haven't used my head so much since I was in school!
Mom: I wonder if my home ec teacher Kuroba...er, Kuroda-sensei is still doing alright...)
Hama: Get ready for the original AMERICAN KNOCK! (??)
25
-(Cut it out!)
-(Just do it normal!)
-(Stop fooling around!)
Hama: It was... // Just a joke.
Momo: So...
Momo: You seem to be the one most serious about this.
Momo: How about it?
Hanai: ...I'll do it!
Momo: Great!
Momo: In that case, from now on when you're in the bullpen, you'll just practice your catching instead of pitching!
Hannai: Yes ma'am!
26
Momo: That way we don't have to cut back on your batting practice.
Momo: And then maybe we can get Oki-kun to invest a little more in his pitching.
Hanai: Coach?
Momo: Yes?
Hanai: While Abe's gone the starting catcher...
Hanai: Is still Tajima... // Right?
Momo: It's not set in stone yet, but...
Momo: Why do you ask?
Hanai: Well... // Tajima's definitely the most able out of all the people we've got now, but...
Hanai: Tajima... // He's our clean-up.
Hanai: Being both the clean-up and the catcher...
Hanai: That's...got to be pretty rough.
27
Hanai: So I thought...
Hanai: I could be catcher...
Hanai: Plus it works out well to have the captain as the catcher, anyway, and... (??)
Momo: Actually, I've been concerned about having our catcher and clean-up in one myself...
Momo: Though my conclusion was a little different.
Hanai: ...C- // Conclusion?
Momo: “So I thought I could be clean-up!” That's what I thought you'd say!
Hanai: ...Ah.
28
Momo: Don't leave Tajima all alone out there, // Captain.
Momo: You'll practice as catcher after the bunt shift today! // You can get back to doing the knock now!
Hanai: Yes ma'am! // Excuse me!
Momo: Frankly, even I've been surprised by just how invincible Tajima-kun manages to come off as every single day.
Hanai: (I'm going out!)
Hama: (Ok.)
29
Momo: [Hanai-kun // Finds it natural to place himself below Tajima.]
Hanai: (Go ahead!)
Momo: [But there may be no helping that at this stage.]
Momo: But everyone here is still only 15 or 16 years old.
Momo: There's no telling where any of you could end up from here on out. // You need to realize that!
Momo: Well then,
Momo: If Hanai-kun were to be the catcher,
Momo: And Tajima-kun were injured,
Momo: This is how it'd go.
catcher: Hanai
pitcher: Mihashi
first: Tajima
second: Sakaeguchi
short: Suyama
third: Mizutani
center: Izumi
right: Oki
left: Nishihiro
Momo: And if Oki-kun had to replace Mihashi,
Momo: Like this...
(differences:)
catcher: Tajima
pitcher: Oki
first: Mihashi
right: Hanai
30
Momo: If we had to change the battery entirely...
Momo: Hmm...
Momo: We'd barley manage to stay afloat. (?? she might be referring to how things are now, actually, I'm not sure.)
Momo: Still, comparing this to back then...
Momo: [It's like...]
Momo: [A dream.]
Momo: At any rate, // Abe-kun is going to be out at least till the fall tournament and won't make it to newcomer's at all.
Momo: (This is going to be tough...)
31
Momo: Suyama-kun, I'll take your place. // Go do shortstop.
Suya: Yes ma'am.
Momo: I'm doing it random!
Momo: No outs, no runners!
[3:10 - Infielders and outfielders practice the knock separately.]
[4:00 - (?? something about the bunt shift and the outfield being involved too?)]
Momo: Alright, after it, catcher!
Momo: Call it out!
Hanai?: Yes ma'am!
32
[4:30 - Base run]
small: ??
[5:00 - Break] (??)
*eating sounds*
Mizu: (Mmm~)
Oki: (?? spreading?)
Izu: (Umeboshi are so~ good.)
[5:15 - Practice swinging]
-Curve ball!
33
[5:45 - Long jump rope]
(*note: ...I assume the background words are some sort of chant or song they're listening to? Because it would be really weird if they were just saying that for no reason. ^_^;)
-(But,)
-(You know,)
-(It's hard)
-(To explain it, but)
small: ??
Background last panel: (We're happy.)
Hanai: There's so much
Hanai: I want // to // think about, but...
34
Hanai: Now isn't the time!
[7:00 - (?? something about abdomen muscles?) 7:30 - stretch 8:00 - meeting, journals 8:30 - breakup
Hanai: Gotta...
Suya: Get something in my stomach.
35
next to mihashi after the bread enters his happy stomach: happiness
Hanai: Mihashi. Wake up.
Hanai: I'm goin' home...
Taji: Here.
Arrow: Home made smoked squid
Taji: Chew it on the way home.
Taji: So you don't fall asleep on your bike.
Taji: (Anyone else want one?)
Miha: Fank // voo.
Mizu: (What is it?)
Miha: (I'm back~)
Mom: Welcome home!
Today: Hamburger
Side dishes: Carrots, broccoli
Soup: Yam soup with green onions (??)
Mom: Red, green, white // Yellow, brown, // Black...
small words: Okra, fish (??), mini tomatoes (??), (…?????)
Dad: *creak* Wah! // Oh my gosh! Whoa!
Mom: Welcome ho- // Eh?
Small: (????...spaghetti)
Mom: Oh dear.
Dad: How long has he been here?
Mom: Come to think of it he did get home quite a while ago.
Dad: Practice must be really doing him in.
38
Mom: Say, // Didn't the same thing happened back in April?
Dad: Oh yeah. // I was actually sort of worried back then.
-Pff. // Keheh.
-Such a relaxed face.
39
[By continuing to eat, sleep, and wake in the morning, // They managed to keep keep their bodies moving.
[As they somehow pulled themselves through their training menu,]
[Two days passed...]
40
Abe: ...Hey.
Mom: Good morning. // You know, I can take you this morning, but...
Mom: How are you going to manage to get to Saitou-san later?
Abe: Eh.
Abe: I'll just borrow someone's bike. It'll be fine.
Abe: I'm starving.
Abe: There anything to eat? // Bread or whatever's ok.
Mom: Taka.
Mom: Have you been getting bigger?
Abe: Eh?
41
Abe: Hm?
Abe: I went up 4 kilos.
Abe: I guess I do sort of feel taller.
Abe: Not that I was keeping track, // But having a bigger body can't hurt my playing, anyway.
42
Abe: Alright!
Abe: I worked hard to get plenty of food and sleep while I was hurt, (??) // And got something good out of it!
Abe: And now there's camp! // I just need to keep going and not rush it!
Taji: Oh!
Taji: It's Abe!
Abe: Hey.
Oki/Saka: Long time no see! // Have you been alright?!
43
Abe: You act like you're so glad to see me,
Abe: Yet that entire time I didn't get even one message from any of you.
Taji: (Well we didn't really have any reason to! (??))
Saka: (And we were going to see you so soon anyway!)
Nishi: (Gosh, sorry!)
Abe: (I was just joking.)
-(But your face looked so pissed.)
-(Have you gotten taller or something?)
Mom: Um, I've got some Pocari I brought in here...
-(??)
Miha: A // be // kun.
Box: potatoes
Miha: H- // He
Suya: (Whoa!)
Mizu: (So much!)
Miha: Doesn't need crutches?!
Momo: Abe-kun.
Momo: It's good to have you here!
44
Abe: Ah, hello! // Thank you for all your help!
Mom: Coach, // I'm sorry you're going to have to drag around an injured boy...
Momo: (Not at all!)
Momo: I should be thanking you!
Hmama; Oh! // It's Abe-san!
Smama: Good morning!
-We're going to go pick up some things!
Amama: Ah! // Hey!
Amama: (If you'll excuse me! Thanks again!)
Amama: (Looks like another hot day!)
Momo: How's your knee?
Amama: (What are you making?)
-(?? Look, Suyama-san's ?? is amazing!)
Smama: It's not that great!
Abe: I can use the leg now. // I'll be starting my stretches tomorrow!
45
Momo: Well, that's good. // You're going to Saitou-san's today, right?
Abe: Yes.
Momo: Mihashi-kun!
Mizu: Ah!
Hanai: Wah!
Hanai: Whoa...
Hanai: Er...
Miha: S- // Sorry.
Abe: (Ugh.)
-(That was close!)
-(Hahaha!)
Momo: These two...
-(You're way too jumpy, Mihashi!)
Momo: It's not that they get along badly exactly, but...
Momo: Mihashi-kun...
Miha: Y- // Yes?
Momo: Abe still has to go visit the hospital during camp.
46
Momo: Going up hills on the bike is still going to be hard for him, // Would you go and help push him up so he doesn't have to deal with the weight?
Miha: Y- // Yes ma'am!
Abe: ...Eh?
Abe: I could have made it myself...
Momo: And both of you listen to what the doctor has to say together.
Miha: ? // Y-Y-
Miha: Yes ma'am.
Abe: What? // What's the point of that?
Momo: Also, about our meals during camp...
Momo: The parents are going to be taking care of lunch and dinner, but for breakfast we're on our own.
Momo: I'd like the two of you two make breakfast for everyone!
Momo: (Make at least two side dishes!)
Miha: Yes ma- *omph*
Abe: Hold on a...!
Abe: Um...
47
Abe: Why don't I take care of breakfast myself? // Since I won't be in practice, I'll have more time and energy...
Momo: Nope!
Miha: Haa
Momo: You're both doing it!
Abe: ….
Abe: Why is that?
Momo: Once you do it,
Momo: I think you'll understand.
Momo: The two of you can work together for a little while!
Miha: ?? // Y- // Ye-
Abe: ...Yeah.
______________________________
Taka~~~ <3 SAY. Someday do you think Mihashi will be close enough to Abe to...pfft, I'm not even going to finish that sentence.
Also, Taka is such a rude little boy to his mama. (And did you see that slovenly boyishness?! Hahaha.) I want to see what his relationship with his brother is like more, though. He seems like the kind of person Abe wouldn't normally associate a ton with (...but then....who is the sort he would? ^_^;) normally, but they're brothers so they must have some manner of relationship.
Is it me, or do Izumi and Sakaeguchi disappear from Hanai's side between panels 3-5 on page 15? ...Is it lame that I noticed that, hehehe? T-They are important to me. I don't want them to disappear. ^_^; Ok, really I was just wondering who to credit their lines to and got confused. ^^
OMG, strictwithMihashi!Tajima! Sexy! And a bit frustrated in the end (hahaha, Tajimaaaa, being Mihashi's pitcher is turning you into Abe~) I sort of wonder, if Tajima weren't around, would Abe and Mihashi have been able to advance far with improving their relationship at all? Maybe something else would have happened eventually, but it seems like he helps along a lot of the changes, even if they have to be the ones to really do it in the end.
Eee~ maybe she IS hinting Hanai might grow more than Tajima? That would be kind of neat. Hanai...has a lot of growth to do, hahaha. I like him because of that, since characters that DON'T need a lot of growth can usually be only so interesting, but...it's sort of with the understanding that he will indeed grow. Cause if this were another author I didn't get nice hints from and trust to change him gradually...I might be a tad annoyed with him (sort of like Mihashi. ...Only in that case it might be a bit more than a tad. ^^) Hahahaha. It makes me wonder how Tajima will change through the series, too. It stands to reason he could, but the idea kind of weirds me out, hehe. Tajima...seems timeless.<3
Momokan is so~ cool, hahaha. I love the way she sort of shot Hanai down like that, hahah.
Aaaah~ So many Mihashi eating faces~ Hahahah. And poor Tajima looks like he won't be masturbating at all tonight.
I-I know he's just supposed to be getting taller and maybe, er, beefier, but....but they keep saying “bigger.” Wouldn't it be AWESOME if all that excessive eating made Abe FAT?!
...And those hearts when Mihashi sees Abe are for the drink, right? For a second I thought they were coming from Mihashi about Abe and thought, “Wow. That's a bit much.” lol
OMG, didyousee?! Abe totally shoved his elbow into Mihashi's mouth. (If wide gape of it when he tried to answer in that panel is anything like the wide gape of it when he did answer in the last panel.) Abe's elbow+Mihashi's mouth!! Surely it must be intentional!!!!! IS ANYONE TURNED ON!?!?!?
And finally, of course, I just have to say: HAS THIS MANGA FINALLY TURNED INTO FANFICTION OR HAS THIS MANGA FINALLY TURNED INTO FANFICTION?! Lololol. Heck, when I see something like this in fanfic I *roll my eyes* cause that totally wouldn't happen in the canon and you're just doing that as a lame excuse to put them together a lot. *can now never doubt fanfiction again *snort* Also, Momkan=my hero and totally ONE OF US. She hadn't been working her wonderful matchmaking magic much on Abe and Mihashi much lately (too busy helping out the TajiHana? ^_^), but of course it was only a matter of time. On cannot doubt the Momokan. m(_ _)m
I enjoy looking at the second panel on the last page. I imagine it must be what Abe looks like when experiencing the startings of extreme irritation while (for once, since he's talking to the coach, haha) actually managing to conceal it. ^_^
...There's something I want to say about the end of this chapter, but it's kind of linked to the next, so I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut for now. ^_^;
This is actually the last FULL chapter of Oofuri I've read, hehehe. I read most of the next, but quit during the middle and never came back to it for, er, certain reasons. So...if the translations start sounding funny, it's because I'm lost, helpless and confused. Just ignore it.