Episode 16 "Clashes and Revealed Motives" - "Shaken by the Waves, the Courage of That Day"

The "theft" of Dr. Shuji Kurokawa's work was an outrageous act.

Captain Akira Shinoda is still hurting his leg, but is still pushing forward to the inter-high school qualifying rounds.

The surfboard was recovered, but the department advisor was effectively absent,
The Surfing Department was in unprecedented turmoil.

--but time waits for no man.

The day of the qualifying round is ticking away, and Shinoda-senpai's ankle is screaming.

Some may say, "Stop," but he only looks forward with determination and resolve.

In the midst of all this, calls for an explanation for the thefts grow from the parent-teacher association and from inside and outside the school.

What exactly was the advisor's motive?
The case itself has already been solved, but what "the teacher really wanted to protect" has not yet been fully communicated.

How will the Surfing Club survive this difficult phase?

And in what form will Shinoda-senpai's dream end or continue?

When the "motive" after the incident comes to light in the final phase,
There was an unexpected collision and a little bit of light waiting for us - and we were there.

1. pressure from parent-teacher associations

A few days after the theft was discovered to have been committed by the advisor.

Some parents at the school complained vehemently that they could not entrust their children to such a dangerous teacher and that it was unprecedented for an advisor to commit a crime, leading to an emergency meeting of parents.

Some parents of surfing club students begin to say that they are afraid to send their children to competitions and that surfing is dangerous in the first place.

After all, if Shinoda-kun were seen with an injured leg, his parents would probably be worried about him. ......

After school, in the club room, Tomoki Ohtani, with a downcast expression on his face, says with a sigh.

"If it weren't for the doctor's case, I might not have been so anxious. ......
　To be honest, from the outside looking in, people might think, 'Is the Surfing Club okay?' ' from the outside."

"Yeah. ......."

Kohei (Kohei Aizawa) agrees, but looks out the clubroom window at the schoolyard.

Hinata Tachibana, the manager, anxiously muttered, "When is the date for the parent-teacher meeting?

I believe he said something about the day before the qualifier." That means it's almost ......"

"Wow. ...... that's the worst timing ever. For our club, we're about to have a tournament right before--"

The atmosphere was gloomy, but then the captain, Akira Shinoda, a senior, appeared with a bag of boards.

I don't give a damn about parent-teacher conferences. I'm not a parent, I'm leaving by my own choice.
　If my feet hurt, it's my choice. I don't care what the surf club thinks of me."

The senior's tone is still bullish.
You can see that he is in pain in his leg, yet his attitude is unwavering.
Kohei and Otani bristled, "That's right, but .......

(No one can convince the seniors. Usually the advisor would either stop them or instruct them on how to take care of their injuries. (The suspended teacher never shows up.)

As a result, the entire department was in a state of limbo and no one could offer effective advice to the seniors.

2. board repair complete--but what about the legs?

Shinoda-senpai's precious board was repaired in a simple manner at a pro store and was finished in a minimal condition.
Although there are no major scratches, minor abrasions and paint peeling remain and are not perfect.

"But this will get me into the inter-high qualifying rounds. ......
　But I'm at a disadvantage, not only do I have a sore foot, but my board isn't up to par."

Saki Kawakubo, the ace, says coldly, and Shinoda senpai sniffs.

It's now or never," he said.
　If I miss this opportunity, I'll never be on the national stage again.
　I don't want to be stopped by the doctor, and I don't care what happens to my leg."

Saki-senpai is stunned into silence by his intense determination.
The other members of the department are too scared to say anything.

"...... huh. Well, I guess I'll just have to support you then.
　I want to go to the main tournament, too, and without the captain, the club won't be unified."

When Saki-senpai concludes, Shinoda-senpai replies a little happily, "Oh, please.
The two men may be awkward, but they trust each other.

3. invisible "clash"--Sensei's regret and Shinoda's will

Mr. Shuji Kurokawa, a teacher under house arrest, remains unable to come to school.
However, there have been a few sightings here and there. A member of the club says, "I saw someone who looked like a teacher at the beach in the morning," and "He seemed to be checking on me from afar on his way home from club activities."

I knew it, doctor, you're sneaking in here. ......
When Kohei mumbles, his manager Hinata replies, "I wonder if the teacher thinks he is not qualified to stop anymore.
So, as outsiders, we have no choice but to sit back and watch in silence.

The way he looks like a stalker, but it is painful to see that his motive is "to protect.

"Sensei must be truly afraid that Shinoda-senpai will break his leg.
　But I can't meddle in anything else: ......"

Hinata's eyes water.
Kohei is also filled with frustration inside. "One wrong step and I could get seriously hurt, and no one can stop me?" This is the conflict.
Should we respect his will or force him to stop - the teacher went to the wrong means of theft and failed.

**It is Shinoda-senpai and his teacher who are right in the middle of the "conflict and motive to be exposed "**,
But neither of them ever meet in person, never bump into each other, and they both suffer.

4. conversation between Kohei and Otani just before the parents' meeting

A few days later, in the evening.
On the eve of the parents' meeting, Otani spoke to Kohei with an unusually serious expression on his face.

Hey, Kohei.
　To be honest, when I see Shinoda-senpai's recklessness, I want to stop him, but who's to say now, right?
　And that's why the teacher tried and failed to stop him that way."

I think you're right." ......
　Seniors don't listen to anyone's words anymore.
　And he insists that whatever happens to his legs is his own fault. ......"

Otani scratched his head,

'I saw the doctor in distress a few times from a distance.
　Like the beach at night, or behind the school building. Like a ghost.
　It's kind of demoralizing to see him like that."

"I know. .......
　The teacher's motives were certainly not wrong. But the means were the worst.
　It makes me feel like there's no way to save them."

As he answered, Kohei's heart was also in pain.
Otani raises his eyebrows and mutters.

But there is still a little time before the convention.
　Is there really no way Shinoda-senpai can do it while protecting his legs?
　Fighting in conditions with minimal waves as much as possible, or ...... using painkillers effectively, or ......"

"Hmmm, maybe if the teacher were here, he might be able to come up with a strategy or something, but he's suspended and practically unreachable. ......

The situation is all over the place.
If at least the parents at the parent-teacher conferences would be more willing to support the team, knowing the risk of injury, the atmosphere in the club might change.

5. parent-teacher conferences--adults appealing to "not underestimate injuries".

Then came the day of the parents' meeting.
Several members of the surfing club were also present, and since the advisor was away on house arrest, the assistant advisor and the principal took over the place.

Students Kohei, Hinata, Saki seniors, and a few club members sit in the distance,
Parents throw questions in rapid succession, "How is the safety management going?" and "Is it safe for the advisor to cause such an incident?

I heard that a student named Shinoda-kun is going to participate in the tournament with a broken leg.
　Can we tolerate such dangerous behavior?"
"Dr. Kurokawa went out of control because he wanted to prevent serious injury, right?　The result was a mistake, but I understand the intention.

Various opinions were exchanged, but the principal and assistant advisor simply replied brusquely, "It is difficult for the school to forcibly stop him since his will is so strong.

Hinata, who was listening in the background, could not bear it and raised her hand.

Excuse me, I am Hinata Tachibana, the manager.
　Shinoda-senpai is indeed limping, but he says it's the only chance he has now.
　I'm scared too, but I don't think it's right to deny ...... my seniors. ......"

As the parents look on, Hinata shakily continues.

I understand that injuries are terrible and that the teacher tried to stop them excessively," he said.
　But the worst thing we did was to do it in the form of theft.
　That's why I want this parent-teacher conference to find a way to 'share the risks of surfing while still respecting the student's challenges.'"

Silence for a moment.
Eventually, a few parents, puzzled, whispered, "But my leg is injured .......
The principal follows up with a bitter look on his face, "Safety management is certainly our top priority, but ultimately we must also respect the wishes of the students themselves.

**In the end, the parent-teacher conference ended with the delicate conclusion that "Mr. Kurokawa's actions were unacceptable, but the mandatory suspension of the surfing club would not be imposed.
The document stated, "If Shinoda-senpai breaks his leg, it is his own responsibility," and the parents of the other club members agreed with a "bitter look on their faces.

Kouhei waits in the hallway, his heart aching when he hears it.
(I can move what the department can move with this, but the ...... foot problem is completely up to the individual? Is the teacher out of the picture now?)

6. depressed hinata

After the parent-teacher conference, Hinata comes out with an unflattering face.
I've given my opinion, but I don't feel anything has changed.
　'If it's at your own risk, you're free to go to the convention.' That just doesn't protect your ...... senior's leg."

But thanks to Hinata's statement, the calls for 'forcibly suspending the surfing club itself' seem to have died down.
　Thank you."

Kohei pats him on the shoulder encouragingly.
Hinata's expression was heavy with tears in her eyes as she said with relief, "I see. ...... is still better.

I can't protect my seniors, but I ...... will still support them to the end.
　We're going to be managing the pain meds, icing, and we're never going to miss it."

Hinata's determination is inspiring.
(You like ...... not so much Shinoda-senpai, but the club and surfing itself.
　Even in a situation like this, I'm facing it without running away. I can't lose either.)

I wondered if I should gently hold his hand, but refrained because there were people around.
But I vowed in my heart that we would get through this together.

7. the motive of the advisor, Mr. Kurokawa, is spoken again

The day after the parent-teacher conference, he hears a rumor that a teacher under house arrest is writing a letter to Shinoda-senpai at home.
Otani explains, "I heard from an acquaintance of the teacher that he is trying to 'tell us all about his past.

Like, "If Shinoda-senpai is going to get hurt at a tournament, I hope he at least learns a few things so he doesn't make the same mistake I did. ......?"

Hinata's chest tightened at the mention of it,
'I knew the teacher cares about his seniors. But it's too late now. ......," he tweeted.

Kohei feels that this "last piece" may be "the teacher's true intention.
The underlying suffering that caused the theft, it is not fully understood.
The reason is that they only argued with each other and did not reach Shinoda-senpai to their true intentions.

8. the day before the last club activity--the entire conflict and motive

The day before the tournament.
Shinoda-senpai applies an even stronger taping to his leg and comes to the club room to make final adjustments.
Saki-senpai, Otani, Kohei, and Hinata are also gathered there, and everyone is tense.

'Tomorrow, senior. Are your feet ...... feeling a little better?"
Hinata asks fearfully.

No, it's not good at all. But I have to go. I'll take the painkillers and get through it.
　Now it's up to the board and me."

Shinoda-senpai says just that and pulls out an envelope from his bag while propping himself up on his crutches.

This was in the mailbox this morning. The sender is unknown, but ...... it's probably from Dr. Kurokawa."

Everyone gasps.
The senior opens the envelope and takes out several sheets of letterhead.

"'I'm sorry for taking up your time because of me.
　I wanted to stop him because I know the fear of injury and the preciousness of still taking on the challenge.
　When I was in high school I cut my ligament in a big wave,
　I resented the people around me and wished they would have stopped more, but the truth is that it was the path I chose. ......

When the senior read the content, it spelled out the teacher's suffering.

I didn't want you to regret it.
I didn't want them to think, 'I should have stopped then,' like I did.
But I'm a jerk for only being able to stop it by stealing it.
If you leave, I will support you to the end. I want to see it through. ...... Please don't regret your recklessness.
Shuji Kurokawa."

As soon as the senior finishes reading, he crumples the letter and mutters lowly, "You idiot .......

"You want to support ...... to the end?
　Don't tell me I'll regret it when my leg breaks. I'll never regret it.

The senior's fists are shaking and tears seem to be floating in his eyes, but his tone is only strong.
Kohei softly calls out.

He was really still holding on to the regret of giving up the pro career after he was injured in high school.
　'I wish someone had stopped me more.' ......"

"I don't know ....... I'm not the same as my teacher.
　I don't need protection, I'll do it on my own. If my leg breaks, that's it.
　I don't care if I'm out of the pro ranks. Tomorrow is the day."

No one can return the senior's words.
Knowing the motives that the teacher had all along will not change the situation or the choice of the senior.

However, this clarifies the nature of their "clash.
The teacher projected his wish that his old self had been stopped onto Shinoda-senpai, and he went on a theft spree.
Shinoda-senpai tries to ride the wave even at the cost of his legs in his will to "not miss the moment.

Are they both right or wrong--?
The answer is still not in sight.

9. inter-high school qualifying round at last

The next day, the inter-high school qualifier.
Shinoda-senpai, with a sore leg and a repaired board, heads for the venue.
The teacher is under house arrest, but some club members believe that he will surely sneak in, while others say that he may not come again.

Saki prepared herself nonchalantly, "As long as I am aiming for the main competition, I will concentrate on my own surfing, but I want Shinoda-senpai to do well, too.
Hinata, Kohei, Otani, and the others are all fired up, saying, "I don't know what will happen to my legs, but at least I'll support them until the end.

The clash is not over.
Rather, the moment Shinoda-senpai will ride the wave from now on will be the last battle.
Will the teacher show up there?
Will the legs hold?
All will be revealed in front of the wave - and all will be revealed in front of the wave.
　

--Episode 16 The End