Episode 17 "A Step Toward Reconciliation" - "The Courage of That Day, Wavering Between the Waves"

Dr. Shuji Kurokawa (Shuji Kurokawa) stole a surfboard,
The truth about how he tried to "stop" Akira Shinoda, a senior who had injured his leg, came to light.

The motive was that he himself once suffered a serious injury in high school,
A past that ended his dream of becoming a professional.

I don't want them to have the same regrets."
The distortion of the "theft" method was used to achieve this.

And Shinoda-senpai?
He insisted, "I don't care about the pain in my leg. It's a game of now or never,
The team is poised to compete in the inter-high school qualifying rounds.

The club advisor was suspended and the captain was forced to play due to injury,
The air in the department is extreme.The company has fallen into a

-- In the midst of all this, many wish that the teachers and seniors could talk to each other just one more time.
However, the advisor who committed the serious act of theft sinks into remorse,
He has remained out of the public eye due to the uproar at the parent-teacher conference and the school's internal disciplinary action.

If this continues, the senior will push through recklessly and break his leg,
The teacher just blames himself more and more: ......"

Kohei (Kohei Aizawa) feels this way, but cannot find a way to take action.

Will **"a step toward reconciliation "** really come?

1. the air just before the convention

There are only a few days left until the day of the Inter-High School Preliminary Round.
The air in the surfing club's clubroom is heavy and stuffy,
Everyone was worried about Shinoda-senpai's legs, but nothing could be done.

When the sound of crutches kicking against the asphalt,
That alone is enough to make the hearts of the club members buzz.

"Seniors, are you okay ......?"
If you're in pain, you should rest ......."

Such voices were exchanged, but Akira Shinoda, the senior, simply replied in a dismissive manner, "It's none of your business.
His own gait is clearly poor, taping stiffens the pain, and he appears to be losing his temper.

But those around them have no choice but to keep their mouths shut.
The inter-high school qualifying round is a few days away.
Although he is far from perfect, no one can stop Shinoda-senpai, who insists that he will compete.
His advisor, Mr. Kurokawa, tried to stop him and caused a big problem, and as a result, he is now under house arrest.
Adults with coercive powers are absent.

Haa...... really think it's safe to leave my senpai alone like this?"
Next to him, Tomoki Otani mutters darkly.
Kohei = I feel the same way.

The manager, Hinata Tachibana, laments, "I want you to concentrate on your treatment and not go to the beach today, but your seniors won't listen to me.
Saki (Saki Kawakubo), a senior, wants to practice with an eye toward the inter-high school tournament, but she cannot hide her frustration, saying, "The club is not cohesive.
They are all reaching their limits.

2. hinata's tears--"even though I want to support my senpai

After school, Shinoda-senpai said he was going to the beach again.
Even though his legs hurt, he is desperate to regain some feeling.

"Senpai, you really should take the day off today. ...... You were in a lot of pain yesterday."
Hinata pleaded with him, but the senior said, "Shut up. Shut up. Don't let an amateur talk to you.

Shocked by his words, Hinata begins to shed tears in a corner of the club room.
"I'm trying to take care of ...... my feet as a manager, and you're trying to take care of ...... my feet.
I can't believe that a senior would treat me like a distraction. ......"

Kohei and Otani encourage her, saying, "Senpai can't afford it either, don't worry about it," but Hinata bites her lip.

I know.
I know how painful it is for seniors to suffer. ...... but this is just too sad."

In terms of romantic comedy, the standard flow is that Kohei hugs and comforts her here ......, but there is also the public eye.
I gently tap Hinata on the shoulder and say quietly.

It's okay, Hinata. Senpai, I really appreciate it.
I'm just frustrated by the pain."

I'm sure you'll be able to find it at .......
But if we don't do something soon, my senior's leg will break."

Seeing Hinata wiping away her tears was painful.
If they had an advisor, they would have had proper medical advice.
The teacher is under house arrest and cannot interfere in any way.
This situation is the deepest nail in the coffin of the incident that the teacher caused, and I am keenly aware of it.

3. "Visiting with the teacher" proposed by Saki Sr.

After seeing Shinoda-senpai off to the beach,
As Kohei and the others stayed behind in the clubroom to clean up, Saki-senpai unexpectedly approached them.

Hey ...... if you must try to force seniors to ignore their feet,
I would like you to at least talk to Dr. Kurokawa once.
What do you think?"

Otani rolls his eyes.

But the teacher is under house arrest and can't come to school, and the seniors feel like they're rejecting him. ......

Saki-senpai crosses her arms and continues in a heavy tone.

Still, I think those two are the closest thing we have.
I can honestly understand both the teacher's desire to stop you and the senior's desire to challenge you.
But it just resulted in a conflict in the form of theft.
Then you should at least settle up properly and take my advice on foot care."

It's a fair point.
Hinata nodded, her eyes moistening.

"But do you think the seniors will try to see the teacher ......?
When I talk to them, they just say, 'Shut up.

"Hmmm ...... we need to figure out how to do something about that."

Kouhei = I bite my lip in a toothy grin.
Meanwhile, Saki-senpai looks up as if she suddenly thought of something.

I actually know where the doctor lives.
...... because it followed me when I delivered materials for a previous convention.
If we could get the seniors there, don't you think that would give them a chance to talk to their teachers?"

That's an outlandish suggestion.
"Forcibly taking a senior to the teacher's house: ......?"
Otani is surprised, but Saki Senpai says with a straight face, "Direct talks are the best.

Of course you won't like it, but if you're going to underestimate the injury, this is about as forceful a measure as you can take."
If you're going to push your leg and go to a convention, shouldn't you at the end of the day properly listen to your teacher's advice and sentiments?"

Indeed, if Shinoda-senpai and Sensei meet in person, something might change.
The teacher has had a tragedy in the past where an injury changed his life, and the senior is determined to try, even if it means pushing through the injury.
If both sides share their "true feelings," they may be able to find a path that they will not regret.

4. secret operation "take them to the teacher's house"

That evening, Shinoda-senpai returned from the beach and, as expected, went to the club room with a frown on his face, saying, "My legs hurt.......
There, Saki-senpai waits for him and says, "Senpai, I'm sorry, but I need a little company.

What?　What? Suddenly."

Just come. Just give me five minutes."

The seniors look like a pain in the ass, but they can't ignore the words of their ace senior Saki.
It was painful to see him staggering along on crutches.

Kohei, Hinata, and Otani follow at some distance.
As we exit the gate and walk through town, Saki-senpai leads the way, "This way," but Shinoda-senpai has a stinky look on her face.

Hey, where are you going?"

Just shut up. If your leg hurts, do you want to take a cab?"

Cab?　Well... okay."

He does so, picks up a cab and gives the teacher's address.
Seniors begin to realize, "...... no way.

Don't tell me you're going to Dr. Kurokawa's house?"

Yes, he is. The teacher is under house arrest and hiding from the public,
　He should be at home now. Why don't you go there and say a few words?
　We're qualifying tomorrow anyway, so let's just settle this once and for all."

Senpai looks grim.
I don't care if you're a teacher or not. I've decided I'm going to go out.
　I don't need to see you now. ......"

'Then you can leave on your own. But you're running away, aren't you?　Like, you don't want to go because your feet hurt?"

Saki's provocative words made the senior look miffed.
I'll go to ....... If you insist that much, I'll go.
　I should complain to them about the theft."

In the cab, Otani whispered, "Nice induction,
Hinata is inwardly relieved.
Kohei also has high hopes (if he talks to the teacher now, he might be able to reconcile with the situation at one point).

5. in front of the door of the teacher's house

When you arrive at your destination, you find yourself in a small apartment.
The teacher will not be out, as he is under house arrest.
Several club members wait in the hallway, and Shinoda-senpai and Saki-senpai press the intercom as representatives.

Bing bong: ......
After a short wait, I hear the teacher's voice coming from the other side of the door.

"Yes, ...... who are you?"

Shinoda-senpai kept his mouth tied shut.
Saki senior said, "This is Kawakubo. Sensei, please open the door. Shinoda-senpai is there too," he told her,
There were a few seconds of silence, then the door slowly opened.

The teacher appears through the door, looking completely disheveled.
He is in loungewear, not a suit, and has dark circles under his eyes.

"You guys ...... why are you here.
　I'm under house arrest. I can't see--"

Shut up."

Shinoda-senpai puts in a sullen tone.
You stole my board, and I don't know if you're under house arrest or what, but it's none of my business.
　I just wanted to come by and say a few words."

The doctor, with his gaze downcast, asks, "Do you want to go up?" He mutters.
The room was small but cluttered and, after all, they did not intend to let the students through.
Only Shinoda-senpai and Saki-senpai enter, while the other members wait in the hallway.

6. in a room -- a clash between two people

Sitting facing each other at a simple living room table.
The teacher looks tired and says, "I can't even offer you tea," but Shinoda-senpai replies shortly, "No problem, I'll be right back.

Silence passes between the two, and eventually the senior interjects.

I know why you stole my board. I don't want you to get hurt, right?
But what did it get you?　You just took up my time."

The teacher exhales heavily.

I'm sorry.
　As I've said many times already, I made a mistake.
　I made a mistake in how I stopped it.
　In my single-minded desire not to have my leg broken, I acted irretrievably."

The senior expresses frustration, but is unable to stand on his feet well, perhaps because of the pain in his legs.
He says lowly as he leans his weight on the table.

I stole it, and how did it turn out?
　My leg still hurts and my lack of practice makes it even more painful.
　So the chances of breaking a leg have gone up rather than down."

The teacher turns over with a face full of anguish.

...... Everything sucks. I tried to protect you, and in turn, I drove you into instability.
　Still, I'd ...... like it if you'd turn back, but you wouldn't listen to me, would you?"

Of course.
　Regardless of what happens to my legs, I'm not turning down tomorrow's qualifier.
　Even if I lost the use of my legs for the rest of my life, I wouldn't regret it."

Shinoda-senpai, who clearly states the obvious.
The teacher's eyes water at these words and he mutters, "Why .......

"I really wanted to protect ...... you from being like me.
　I used to resent the people around me for not stopping me.
　I shouldn't have taken on the big wave. I should have played it safer.
　If someone had stopped me then, even if it was just to take my keys away, my life might have been different. ......"

Heartbreaking words.
But the senior shakes his head, his expression hardening.

That's the teacher talking.
　I'm not a teacher.
　I'm prepared to get hurt.
　They took away my keys, cut into my practice time, and I just made the condition of my legs even worse.
　But I'm still going to get out, that's my decision."

Their differences are conveyed in every word.

My "will" does not intersect with "my regret."

7. clash of true feelings

Shinoda-senpai taps the table lightly and explodes with emotion.

He said, "Doctor, you're just putting the pain of your own injury on top of mine.
I didn't want to give up on a stage that I could have reached with just one more step because of my legs.
And you stole it, saying that you would "protect" it.
As a result, I lost time and my leg got even worse. Isn't that the worst!"

The teacher also takes a big breath,

Yes," he said.
　I would have stopped you with the intention of saving my old self.
　Because I regretted that I 'wanted someone to force me to stop.' ......
　But you don't. You don't care if you break a leg, do you?
　I should have respected you, but I made the mistake of theft and now I can't take it back."

Their emotions clash, and the room is tense.

"...... Finally figured it out, doc.
　But it's too late for you to say anything.
　I'm leaving tomorrow.
　I don't know what's going to happen to my legs, but I'm going so I won't regret it."

The teacher frowns and bitterly replies, "Well, .......

'If you really do break a leg, don't blame me.
　I, who knew that I should have led you to safer measures, could only do the outrageous act of stealing.
　I have no position or authority anymore, but I want to see this through to the end.
　I'm going to sneak off to the convention tomorrow, too."

Senpai, sticking his tongue out, mutters, "Do as you please," but his expression seems somewhat blown away.

8. a step toward reconciliation--not a handshake, but a watchful eye

Silence falls, and Shinoda-senpai and the teacher look at each other.
The air is a little different from the intense shouting matches we've had in the past.

I didn't want to be the only one to lose to you, ...... sir.
　Whether I break a leg or not is my own path to decide.
　I don't deserve to have your past suffering forced upon me."

I know.
　Sorry. .......
　At least I'm praying the injury doesn't get worse. Because I'm not qualified to stop now."

The senior sighs and stands up, "Well, I'm leaving.

While holding his hand against the wall to protect his leg, he suddenly gestures for a moment to turn his back to the teacher.
The teacher tried to offer a "handshake," but the timing was not right.

The two were silent, looking away from each other as a result--
Even so, the senior left the room with a slight air of "understanding" in some way.

Outside the door, though, Saki-senpai, Kohei, Hinata, Otani and others were waiting,
The senior says nothing, only, "Let's go home.
Hinata hurriedly tries to support him, saying, "Senpai, my leg ......," but he shushes her, saying, "I'm fine.

9. conversation in the hallway--the teacher's watchful eye

Immediately after closing the door, I thought I heard a small voice coming from inside the room.
No one is sure, but Hinata senses that "maybe the teacher said 'go for it' ......".

The senior didn't hear me, or maybe his expression didn't change, but he walked to the elevator.
Both Kohei and Otani are hard to talk to.

Only Saki-senpai calls him out from behind his back with no intention.

Senior, did the doctor say anything to you?"

The senior pauses for a moment,
Nothing in particular.
　But I heard that guy also said he wants to 'keep an eye on it'.
　...... Well, not for me."

With that, he walks away as if to break off the conversation.
The club members were speechless.
However, his gait seems to have lightened just a little.

(Although only slightly, the senior and the teacher shared their true feelings for each other. The result is this: ......)

Kohei feels this way and is relieved inside.

10.--Finally, Inter-High School Preliminary Rounds tomorrow!

Thus, Shinoda-senpai and Sensei reached a minimum level of "understanding," if not a complete reconciliation.
Seniors push their feet to the competition.
The teacher accepts it and secretly watches.

For them, it may be a **"step toward reconciliation "**.
Pain and suffering remain, but the mutual will to "finish the job" is unwavering.

The next day was finally the inter-high school qualifying round.
Saki senior is aiming to participate in the main competition.
Kohei, Hinata, Otani and others will also be cheering and supporting the team.
There was no advisor, but the assistant advisor and the club members managed to make arrangements.

Shinoda-senpai, who goes out even though he has a leg injury, and the teacher who wants to watch over him even though he is under house arrest--"
What consequences await us beyond this clash?"

The wave is definitely growing.
Shinoda-senpai's one or two challenges, and the teacher's past trauma,
And while the club members' expectations and anxieties are mixed, time does not stop.

--Episode 17 The End