A swimmer from Aoba High in Tokyo is transferring here today.
Aoba High School?
He is Himeno High's savior.
He will definitely win if he enters the meet.
I remember now. That guy is the Aoba Turtle!
- Turtle?
Who do you think I am?
Yeah I went to Aoba but I was the slowest one, a substitute for a substitute.
If you don't want to swim, how about synchro?
It's an exciting once-in-a-lifetime chance.
This is your last summer in high school.
You are running away.
I hate guys like you.
Just once I want to leave this all behind.
This is it for me. Now is my only chance.
You're cheating!
Water!
They have approved the boy's synchro club!
But there is one condition.
Before the end of the term, you have to give a synchro performance in front of all of the students to show the results of your practice.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
Ok, now you try.
Ready, set...
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
Look at your moves!
That's it. Wonderful!
-That's it. Wonderful!
From tab position to ballet leg.
Ok, now you.
Ready, set...
Well, at least their moves are synchronized.
Final exams start tomorrow.
I have been worrying so much about the competition that I haven't studied at all.
You are practicing so hard, Shiori.
We have practiced a lot.
I have a feeling we might do good this year.
Practice hard with your timpani, Kozue.
Yes, ma'am!
This boy's synchro club!
It freaks me out just thinking about naked guys running all over school!
What will happen to our school's discpline?
It's the principal's idea though.
Some of the student council members have been complaining too
but I think that it will be impossible for Turtle and Yowasuke
to get official approval for the synchro club in two weeks.
Don't be so easy on them!
Are we going to let this go on for two weeks?
This activity must be stopped.
I'm going to give them a severe talking to!
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
We're synchronizing well now, aren't we?
Yeah, club activities are a blast.
Yep!
Hey, you guys!
Sensei!
Translation brought to you by Kinzaru and Yuko.
With the help of some Kirin Akiaji.
Woo-hoo! Now on to the show!
We are really sorry!
What are you looking at, guys?
But they didn't do it on purpose.
This is a dignified school and yet they were completely naked! Completely naked!
This would have never happened at an all-girl's school!
Principal, please give them a warning.
I'm going to change now!
Well anyways, from now on it is forbidden to be naked.
We are so very very sorry.
We did she get so mad and start crying about that?
Haruka-sensei is known for being allergic to guys.
She's pretty provocative though, isn't she?
It's one of the seven mysteries of Himeko.
How are we going to change now?
I've got a good idea.
1, 2, lift!
If it can be done then we can do it!
-Look at this! -Boy's Synchro Club!
Club Captain, Eikichi Mizushima.
Eh? I'm the captain?
Of course.
Also... I wonder if it would be ok for me to be the co-captain...
Yeah cause there's only 2 members!
Yay!
These are plates for steamed fish paste.
I asked those 3 brothers from the fish market to bring them.
But won't they make fun of me for being the captain?
Since I was such a disgrace at the swim meet
and they found out I am the Turtle of Aoba.
It doesn't matter what you did at Aoba high school.
All you have to worry about is becoming the new Eikichi here at Himeno High.
What are you doing in here?
The clubroom?
Yep.
Wow! Isn't this exciting? It's like your own secret base!
Yep!
Saotome-sensei, we saw this.
The pair dance is really cool.
We are going to have to work hard.
Well, about that...
With two weeks to go before the performance, I think it may be too difficult for you.
Are you saying it is impossible for us?
Um, well...
Anyways, let's watch the video!
This is Yuino High's school festival, Eikichi.
Awesome.
Isn't it though??
With more people it becomes intense, vibrant and full of life!
It is not as difficult as the pair dance.
So this may be better I think.
Well, I am not saying it is impossible for you two.
If we do this...
it will be the best!
I think so too.
But the problem is whether or not we can get enough members.
Ah, that's right. We only have 32 boys in this school.
Well, to kick things off, I'll join your club.
Senichi!
You're going to join?
Well this is awesome, firing it up like that.
It's the school festival, right?
Oh yeah, this is gonna make the girls talk.
We guys have really gotta do synchro. Synchro!
Right, how bout we hold a club meeting right now?
Yeah, this is it. The new coffee shop that just opened.
Ok, before we go in, I want to make sure you don't tell the other teachers I came with you.
We know, we know. Let's go in.
Hello!
Welcome! May we have your order?
Your order?
Oh, don't mind them.
I hired them because they are twins and I thought it would be funny.
But they ended up being two guys doing one man's job.
Well, try to get along with them.
Oh, sit down, sit down.
Ok, we'll have fried noodles, deep-fried chicken, sliced raw fish and meat & potatoes.
Right away.
Order taken. 4 coffees coming up.
Sorry. We can only serve coffee right now.
We've only just opened this shop so you can't expect too much.
But on the menu...
That was the menu when this place was a bar.
Ok then, 4 coffees please.
Hey, you were the guy from before.
Have we met?
What are you talkin' about?
Swoosh, the door opened. I brushed past, bumped into you.
You dropped something.
I was walking along
and you came racing past me.
What's with you? You don't remember at all?
Ah, never mind. You're this coffee house's first customer. Some kind of coincidence, huh?
Let's be cool from here on out.
Well, we can start the meeting now.
Right, right. We need to make posters and tickets for the school festival performance
so we can advertise to all the cute girls!
First things first, we have to practice for the performace!
We have to work hard!
Recruiting should come first. How are we going to do this with so few guys?
I want to get matching swimwear. Some kick-ass ones.
Well first, let's run on the beach. I've always wanted to do that.
Well, then we should...
That's enough!
It's useless coming apart like that.
You can't give a good performance if you aren't united in spirit.
Stressin', stressin', stressin' out.
I'm stressing out too cause I didn't put my money on Take.
Well, at times like this
a good workout should make you feel better.
You guys are in a sports club, right?
Look at you. You won't last long being all skinny like that.
A free workout?
We can got to the gym for free?
Get buff? Let's go, let's go!
Good for you, boss.
You'll get a finder's fee for introducing 4 people.
You idiots! Don't put it like that.
No, it's not like that. It's not.
I'm not in it for the money.
Seriously.
Hey, you two. Stop standing around. Back me up here. Get them some coupons for coffee or something.
Yes, sir. Right away.
Here you are. (50 yen off)
We're gonna get ripped!
Hello there...
Hello!
This isn't about gettin us all ripped.
Yeah, it's more like ripping us off.
It's free though.
Alright, let's begin!
Ah, working out for free feels pretty good, doesn't it?
Alright, for 4 people the total comes to 8400 yen.
What? It's not free?
It's free to enter the gym. Use of the machines is not.
It WAS a rip-off.
It's all on the flier.
That's tiny!
Hey, isn't that Gan-chan?
Saotome-sensei.
Are you a member here?
No.
I got this from that coffee house over there.
I figured this would be a good chance to become a man.
Since it's free.
Well, see you.
Huh? Shouldn't we tell him?
Hold up, hold up.
Gan-chan is one of Bakayo's followers.
Forget him. We need to worry about getting members.
Just leave it to me, fellas. I'll take care of it somehow.
When it comes down to it though, we have already tried a baseball and soccer club and you didn't persuade anyone.
Oh, that's true. The other clubs were scrapped.
Hey, this time I'm serious.
I've been thinking about changing my ways.
Let's go!
That's right. We need to change.
I'm home.
How did it go?
Monochrome?
It's not monochrome, Grandpa.
It's synchro.
Ah, shirokuro?
Boy's synchro club?
Yep. Well...
He's also the captain.
Eikichi has become a man that stands above others.
How is it, Shiori? Good?
Yes, it's delicious.
You're passing up New York for this?
Is that strange?
It's a bit strange when you think about it, isn't it?
Well, he is determined to be recgonized.
But what can two people, you and Yosuke, do with synchro?
It's not two people.
Senichi said that he would get others to join.
You are depending on an irresponsible guy to do that?
What do you mean?
You don't know? Senichi's other name?
Wolf-boy Sen.
Wolf-boy Sen?
For lying.
He's also irresponsible and leaves things half-finished.
It's not like that.
This time he is serious.
-But I... -I'm home.
Welcome home.
Thanks for the watermelon.
You were saying?
You'll find out sooner or later.
Really, Shiori...
She's promised to talk to her father before finals
about which college she wants to go to
but all she seems concerned with is the music competition.
She's needs to work as hard at studying as she does with the band.
Eikichi too. If you're thinking about what's best for you future,
shouldn't you go to New York with your dad?
We shouldn't be interferring.
This is something Eikichi needs to think about and decide for himself.
Oh right, right.
That must be some good watermelon.
Yo, Ei-chan!
Senichi.
We went a bit overboard yesterday, huh?
My legs are killin' me.
My whole body is worn out.
So you're trying to get in good with the transfer student?
Hey Mizushima, you need to keep an eye on Senichi here.
Being Himeno High's Wolf-man and all.
Sano, it's Wolf-boy...
I know, I know. That's what I said.
Come on.
Don't pay attention to rich boy.
He talks big cause he has money but he's just a friggin' idiot.
Oh, I've got some killer news.
1st year's Niinuma, Toba, Itsuki, Kitajima and Hikawa.
Otherwise known as Himeno High's Karaoke Five!
With boy's synchro we can impress girls!
Damn straight. We can't let the girls boss us around anymore!
Finals have already started today
and there isn't much time before the performance.
So let's get serious about practicing!
The rumors must be wrong. He's really into this.
He does seem serious this time.
Final Exams 1st Day 1. Classic Literature 2. Math
You guys have try harder than that. You're the captain and co-captain.
Sorry.
Everyone needs to stay under 1 more minute.
Look, follow Senichi's example.
Come on, everybody. Give it your all!
5 seconds left.
4-3-2-1
Ok, that's good.
I wonder if the captain and co-captain are going to be ok.
Senichi is here so it's all good.
Alright, once more.
I think I want this song for the school performance.
This one??
This song brings back old high school memories.
Doing synchro to this song and screwing it up...
That's why I want you all to do well with this song and avenge me.
That one's a bit out there.
We need a classic.
I got it. We should ask the brass band club to play live for us.
That would rock!
A live performance by the band?
Can we pull that off?
Leave it to me. It's all good.
Awesome!
But what about my nostalgic song...
Good work.
See you tomorrow.
Later.
-Goodbye. -Let's go for some karaoke! -I'm going first today!
Where's Eikichi?
What are you doing, Eikichi?
If cleaning needs to be done then everyone can do it.
I'm the captain but haven't done anything yet.
In my old swimming club they made me clean by myself.
So I've had the practice.
I'm beggin' you!
Get out of here.
Please perform live.
No thanks. Get out!
Please!
Listen, the competition will be soon.
That's the most important thing for us.
Please, I'm begging!
How is synchro supposed to work with live playing?
What is a fake band club member doing asking anyways?
You'll just go half-way with this synchro thing too.
No, I'm serious about it this time.
So please!
How about I play the timpani for this competition?
Gozue will be playing in the competition.
I'll definitely bring the house down.
Let me have a go at it.
Hey, hold up!
This is terrible.
No, don't mind, don't mind.
I didn't do it on purpose.
You shouldn't be leaving these out during a meeting anyways.
Ah, don't get so upset.
I'll take care of it somehow.
Ok, see ya.
Yo!
Don't approach me all familiar like that.
But we live in the same house.
I don't want anybody to find out about that.
I have something to talk to you about though.
If it's about Senichi, I am not going to forgive him.
Our first year he quit after not practicing enough for the competition and completely blowing it.
The next year he came back to the club but felt like he could show up late to all the meetings.
He's the worst guy ever.
But he said he would take care of it somehow.
That was just talk.
He's just being irresponsible and making up an excuse so he can run away.
Give him a chance.
He destroyed the timpani.
How do you think the competition will go?
This is your responsibility since you are the captain.
You're working so hard, Shiori.
It seems that she has especially high hopes
for her last high school competition.
I hope it goes well for her.
That's it for morning practice.
We'll meet after school.
Good work.
Where's Senichi?
Huh? He was just here.
Looks like the wolf-boy ran away.
Quit saying that.
Anyways, the synchro club needs to accept responsibility for this incident with the music club.
In two days they will begin ensemble practice for the competition.
Can you do something about the timpani by then?
I understand.
We'll think of something.
If you don't fix it within this time your performance will be put on hold,
a school assembly will be called and a proposal to remove synchro will be made.
That is the deal.
Gan-chan, let's go.
This is bad. If they call a school assembly
the overwhelming number of girls will decide to close the club.
Hey, it's Senichi!
Phew, she finally left.
Bakayo's bitching was gettin' annoying.
Welp, all that diving practice paid off.
What are you planning on doing?
Don't start panicking.
Every year that sucky music club gets destroyed at the regional competition.
It's useless with or without the timpani.
You should at least go and apologize to the music club.
That old thing just fell apart.
It's not our responsibility.
But that...
You don't think it's over for the synchro club?
Enough with the whining.
If it's over, it's over.
Starting a boy's karaoke club would be awesome.
Alright, fall out!
Senichi!
What are we going to do?
Final Exams 2nd Day 1. World History 2. Modern Literature
Saotome-sensei.
Bonus points, please?
-What are you talking about? Be quiet. -Just 5 points, please.
-You know I can't do that. -How bout 10 points?
Oh, they're here!
Sorry for being late.
Can you all practice by yourself today?
What?!
Look, we have to deal with this music club thing...
The captain and co-captain won't be here?
Not to mention what are we supposed to say to the girls?
I bet they are going to chew us out.
No kiddin'.
-Is Senichi coming? -Yeah, is he?
He is coming.
I just think he is running a little late.
Senichi? He already went home awhile ago.
He's not going to do synchro anymore, is he?
I told you to be careful of him.
I've had trouble with him and his lies before.
Hey, let's go home.
Wait a minute.
The captain says there is practice.
No one would recognize that transfer student as the captain.
Excuse me, does this timpani cost a lot?
It's a very expensive timpani.
Are you going to buy it?
I'm sorry.
I didn't know about your last high school meet
and how important the competition is to you.
I'm sorry.
I'll ask the school to see if they can help somehow.
It's already been done.
There is no budget for it so we'll just get through the competition without the timpani.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
You don't have to apologize. There is nothing you can do.
It's fine.
I wasn't expecting anything from you all anyways.
I'm quitting synchro.
What's with that?
You said you were serious this time.
I've been thinking about it
and I'm just a pain in the ass for everyone.
I'll take responsbility by quitting and you guys can talk it out with Bakayo.
But nothing is solved by that.
You're still not taking responsibility.
What? Are you serious, Yowasuke?
Everyone is serious.
Eikichi and I
even Shiori
You don't get it but everyone is being serious.
You're pretty aggressive when you're with Ei-chan.
You didn't have anyone but me before.
You didn't have anyone but me either.
We shouldn't have let someone like the Wolf-boy join.
That's enough, Yosuke.
Why are you sticking up for him?
Aren't we in this together?
No, we aren't!
The synchro club is coming apart!
It's Senichi's fault! He's ruined everything!
Senichi.
Can I have a minute?
What do you want to say?
Well...
I've never really had any friends.
I told myself that doing things alone
would be the most comfortable.
So everyone stopped hanging around me.
Even my dad has left me.
I used to tell him I was studying hard
so that he would be pleased.
But it didn't work.
He just called me a liar.
That's why I...
I understand what you are feeling.
Don't tell me you understand!
Having you pity me changes nothing.
Don't just give up like that!
I am thinking about making changes too!
You don't start changin' by stressing out, highschooler.
And no one can really understand someone else's feelings.
Start from yourself first.
It's time to close down the shop.
Please pay for the both of you.
Can I use this?
Grandpa!
Look.
Something's missing here without Eitarou.
For me?
Yes, and I imagine it is the same for Eitarou.
Not consulting with anyone.
Solving everything
by himself.
I'm not as strong as that.
That isn't being strong.
Not opening his heart is a weakness.
I'm going to set this right here.
Don't get comfortable just because final exams are over.
Academic and career counseling will begin next week.
Write your career or academic choice on the form being passed out now and have it turned in this week.
Alright, that's it for today.
Stand.
Bow.
I wonder if you know
about the time limit that ends tomorrow morning.
I know, I know.
Let's go, Shiori.
Where are you going, Yosuke?
I've got work to do at my house.
So no one is coming, huh?
Yeah.
It's difficult to get everyone to feel the same.
It is hard when you're not getting along.
On Aoba's swim team, competing for time was the world.
There was nothing fun about it.
But being here swimming with everyone
I remembered that
I love the water.
I
think that I was
really going to like synchro.
Is that so?
When you are with everyone
you can forget all your troubles.
It was the same for me in high school.
It was great being with everyone, not having a care in the world.
I wanted you all to have that kind of an experience too.
I understand what you are saying, Sensei.
I will try to do everything I can
by tomorrow morning.
Yosuke, get in the car. Let's head out.
Renting a timpani, you say?
I could order one for you soon if you wanted to buy it.
But I can't rent it out.
Sorry for asking.
Hello.
What? You still stressin' out, highschooler?
What's with that?
We're rearranging the coffee house.
Since it still looks like a bar.
The middle school that closed in the next town over
gave me the blackboard for a menu and some clocks and some other stuff for free.
Free?
Seriously. I didn't steal them.
Hey, you guys stop standing around and say something.
Mothra is coming.
Mothra is not freakin' coming!
It's true. They gave this stuff to us for free.
That's right.
Thank you!
What's with that guy?
Did I say something he should've thanked me for?
Who knows.
Nevermind. Push!
All ready now.
Excuse me! Wait just a minute!
I'm getting on!
Where are you going?
Out for just a bit.
Timpanuu?
A timpani. It's a drum about this big. Like this.
Oh, yeah! There was one.
We had one.
Where is it?
They're taking it away now. See. That's it.
Thank you very much!
Guidance counseling starts soon, right?
I'm sorry.
That we can't send you to college.
Don't worry about it.
He got on the train?
Eikichi?
He was in such a hurry too.
Shouldn't we go look for him?
Isn't it almost time for the last train?
You don't need to worry about him.
Eikichi.
Yosuke.
I'm sorry.. I...
You tried so hard without giving up.
You came to look for it too though.
Alright, let's grab the timpani.
Senichi.
I can't count on just the two of you gettin' the job done.
You bastard!
Paper, rock, scissors!
Yeah!
Let's roll!
Me again??
Look! It's getting light.
It sure is.
Hey, we've got to hurry if we're goin' to make it in time for brass band practice.
Hurry!
Ok, let's begin practice.
Yesterday we finished part B...
Hey! Here it is! We found it!
We did it!
We found the timpani.
Now you can survive the competition.
It's broken.
You are out of time.
I guess that means that your boy's synchro club
is closed, huh?
Kayo.
What is it, Gan-chan?
Over there.
Saotome-sensei!
It's a new timpani!
This is incredible!
What's going on?
The principal bought this using the school budget.
The principal?
You asked her, didn't you Saotome-sensei?
Yes.. well...
Now we can make it through the competition.
This should settle things, right student-council president?
This has only extended the life of your club for just a little while.
Let's go, Gan-chan.
Ok everyone, let's bring it over and start practice.
Yes, ma'am.
Please wait.
I'm sorry, everyone.
You all were giving your best
but I just didn't get it.
I caused you a lot of trouble
and said some insulting things.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
It's ok, right Shiori?
Let's go practice.
No.
Senichi, you need to take care of things once and for all.
Stop being a fake member
and hand in the form to quit the band.
If you're really serious about this
you can't be in two clubs anyways, right?
Well, let's start practice.
Yes, ma'am!
Ah, you scared me.
You guys!
There isn't much time before our performance.
We have to practice too.
Yep!
You heard our captain. Time for synchro!
Are you sure this is ok, principal?
Buying a timpani with the school budget?
Oh, the school's budget wasn't used at all.
Saotome-sensei bought it on a loan.
You love synchro that much?
You'll love it too when you see the performance.
That will never happen.
Alright, let's go!
To be continued...