Episode 14 "The Teacher's Past and Bitter Decisions" - "The Courage of That Day, Wavering Between the Waves"

The culprit who hid Shinoda-senpai's board was, unexpectedly, Mr. Shuji Kurokawa - a teacher.

The shocking revelation caused an uproar in the school.

The teacher, on the other hand, has an earnest reason for wanting to protect his students,
It oozes an irrepressible anguish.

But theft is theft.
No matter how much Shinoda-senpai and the club members plead for mercy,
The school is considering a serious punishment that "could result in the loss of his position as an advisor.
At the same time, the Inter-High School Preliminary Round is just around the corner,
Shinoda-senpai's leg pain was finally becoming more serious.

I know that Dr. Huang has a history of serious injuries that have cut him off from becoming a professional surfer."
But how did things get so out of control?"

Kohei (Kohei Aizawa) and other members of the team wonder that,
When approaching a teacher before suspension,
The moment to make a "bitter decision" was approaching.

1. in the middle of a school disturbance

The next day, in front of the staff room, there was a strange heat in the morning.
Several members of the surfing club wanted to deliver their opinions about the teacher's punishment.
They are asking for a meeting with the principal and others.

Please don't let Dr. Kurokawa quit."
Theft is certainly a crime, but you have to consider the motive."

While such voices erupt,
Some teachers are said to be angry, saying that theft is unacceptable and that they are unqualified to be advisors.

When homeroom is over,
Kohei looks at his manager, Hinata Tachibana.

I wonder what's going to happen to you, doctor. ......
I don't know." It looks like he's going to be suspended, but I don't know if he's going to go as far as resigning. ......
　But honestly, if Sensei is gone, who will support Shinoda-senpai before the tournament?"

Hinata turns her head down.
After I found out that the real culprit was the teacher at the "Night Warehouse",
The mood in the department remains unsettled.
If anything, some club members despair, saying, "I knew it was the teacher. ......
Some club members cry, "If there's a reason, it can't be helped."

And,
**Akira Shinoda**, captain of the team, suffered a leg injury.
The fact that he insists, "I'm still going to the convention."
It was even more confusing.

In this situation, the "advisor" is on the verge of disappearing,
Isn't it reckless to compete while covering your legs ......?

Kohei--I am,
I walk down the hallway of the school building with these questions in my mind.
Then I saw Saki senior (Saki Kawakubo) in front of me.

Saki senior ...... good morning."
Good morning, Aizawa. Shinoda's leg looks bad.
　I saw him in the infirmary earlier and he looked pretty sore.
　And yet he says, 'I'm definitely leaving.' ...... I really wonder if he's okay with that."

Saki senior with a bitter face.
She herself is an ace who is aiming for the Inter-High School Championships,
He seems to be concerned about the future of the department.

Hey, Aizawa. In a situation where the teacher might quit,
　How is Shinoda going to practice?
　We're almost out of time, and my leg injury hasn't healed at all."

I know, right?" .......
　I'm anxious to see what the heck happens too. ......
　But my seniors say they want to finish,
　It's unstoppable."

We both exchanged dark looks,
Otani comes from behind.

"Hey Kohei, Saki-senpai.
　The teacher said he went into the staff room with only some short documents.
　Rumor has it it's a resignation letter. ...... Are they really going to quit?"

At these words, the air is even darker.
What will happen to Shinoda-senpai if Sensei quits--?
Or will the teacher say, "I want to protect my legs," and leave without seeing Shinoda's courage? ......

2. testimony of Kiryu-senpai, who knows about the teacher's past

Lunch break.
Kohei walks to the student council office.
This is because senior Mizuki Kiryu, the student council president, called me to tell me that she had found some detailed information about my teacher's past.

Here's an old magazine from the library.
　There's a feature page titled, "Shuji Kurokawa, a potential winner of a high school surfing competition, is badly injured."
　And then there are the articles in which the adults around him blamed him, saying, "I should have stopped more."

Saying so, Kiryu-senpai shows him a copy of a magazine.
There, a young Kurokawa sensei from high school is shown, and the headline reads painfully, "Injury cuts off path to professional career: .......

He was quite promising at the time, but he got seriously injured trying to take on the big wave, and his life plan went awry.
　Immediately after that, the adults around me started to push the blame on each other, creating the worst possible atmosphere,
　The teacher himself had a period of resentment, saying, 'You didn't stop me from taking it too far.'"

Kiryu Senpai continues.

I'm sure that's why he felt that he had to stop Shinoda-senpai from forcing him to do too much.
　I didn't want to see him break his leg and ruin his future like I did. ......
　It's a tragedy that it resulted in him going off the rails."

As he listens, Kohei's heart aches.
It seems that the "regret" and "trauma" behind the teacher's outburst are transparent.

Kiryu-senpai ...... does Shinoda-senpai know this information?"

I think I know some of it. "I think I know a little bit about it, but I may not know the details.
　Anyway, the teacher did the theft out of a single-minded desire not to have it go down like he did. ......
　As motives go, it's understandable, but sin is sin."

Kiryu-senpai sighs and sits at his desk.

"Now, it's like the teacher is bowing out of a staff meeting, saying 'it's all my fault.
　No matter how many signatures Shinoda and the others may have signed, I don't think this is an issue that can be spared so easily."

I'm sure you will. ......
It's a terrible end to a great club advisor quitting, but is there anything we can do?

I hope you'll keep an eye on ......, at least for the competition."

When Kohei spills the beans, Kiryu-senpai nods quietly.

I think that the only thing that remains to be seen is how Shinoda-senpai himself will deal with his feet.
　If you push yourself too hard, you might suffer the same serious injury as the doctor.
　In a way, the doctor may have gone crazy over his own past."

I couldn't help but feel a sad difference.

3. senior Shinoda, frustrated with his leg

After school, Kohei and Hinata head to the club room.
There, Shinoda-senpai, with his ankle taped, was checking the board.
The scratches are definitely there, but he plans to have the repair shop take a light look at them and work them up to a manageable level of usability.

"Senpai, is your leg OK now ......?"

Hinata calls out to him, but senpai laughs bitterly.

It hurts when it hurts.
　But the tournament is in a few days. I'll take some painkillers, do some rehab, and get through it."

--can you manage it?
I want to ask back, but I am pressured by the strong gaze of my senpai and swallow my words.
Apparently, the doctor told him that he really needs to rest for more than a month, but the senior is ready to ignore him.

"Did you hear the rumor ...... that the teacher might be quitting?"

When Otani cuts him off, Shinoda-senpai's face contorts.

I know.
　Don't tell me that guy is trying to take responsibility by going that far?
　You say you're trying to protect my legs, but you end up messing up the department and ......"

Anger is evident in the older man biting his lip.
On the other hand, something more than just resentment - a complex feeling toward the teacher - is transparent.

I guess I took it upon myself to say, "If my ...... leg breaks, my life will be destroyed.
　But I think it's my last chance.
　You never know which is right."

Shinoda-senpai's profile is tinged with hesitation as she mutters this, but her resolve is unwavering.

4. the teacher's bitter decision--last school day before being suspended

Two days after the incident.
The principal informed Mr. Kurokawa that he would be officially "suspended.
In other words, he will be suspended from work for a while after today.

Rumor has it that the situation is delicate: "In some cases, resignation may be possible, but it is pending at the principal's discretion, considering the pleas of the club members.
Still, the teacher was not supposed to show up in the club room .......

But after school, the door to the surfing club quietly opens,
That's when the teacher appeared.
Shinoda-senpai is just in the middle of putting out his board repair tools, and our eyes meet with a snap.

"Teacher ......"
Shinoda, ......."

The surroundings freeze.
Otani and Hinata gasp for air, and Kohei stiffens nervously.
The teacher, however, fixed his gaze on Shinoda-senpai with an expression that could never be described as calm.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be under house arrest for a while.
　I feel bad for my students. I feel bad for ...... you especially."

A distressed voice.
Shinoda-senpai remained clutching the board and did not make the slightest move.
Still, he is likely to say, "I'll fix it and make it in time. I'll be there even if my leg hurts," he would say.

The teacher stares down at his feet and continues.

I'm not sure if the "...... leg is safe.
　I've heard from doctors that if you really push yourself too hard, you may never work back to normal again."

The fear that permeates the words.
It's as if his eyes are superimposed on his own past.
Shinoda-senpai furrows his brow and mutters as he turns his face away.

I have no reason to worry about the doctor.
　But ...... Well, just so you know, if I get hurt, it's my own fault.
　The teacher stealing didn't give me a leg up; if anything, it just took up more of my time."

It's a thorny word, but the teacher doesn't argue with anything, just mutters, "I'm sorry.
The air in the place is painfully heavy.

5. painful reconciliation and entreaties

Hinata opens her mouth, unable to bear it.

'Sensei ...... senior is serious. There is no stopping him now.
　So, at least see them through.
　I'm an advisor, but when the teacher is gone, the seniors are ......"

Hinata appeals with eyes that look like they are about to cry.
The teacher looked up slightly with a bitter expression on his face.

'I'm suspended, so I can't be in the club.
　But I'm going to try to sneak in a visit on the day of the ...... convention.
　I don't know if they'll even allow it, but I really need to see it."

Perhaps Shinoda-senpai was upset by these words, but she turned her gaze to the teacher for a moment and then turned away.
"Do what you want. ....... I don't care what the teacher thinks anymore, I decide what my legs are.
　Inter-high qualifying, I'm definitely going to be there."

The teacher nodded quietly and small.
'I hate to see you make your injury worse, but I'm the one who disqualified you from stopping .......
　Just go to ...... and don't do anything you'll regret."

**"Don't regret it.
It is also the flip side of a past in which the teacher himself once resented "adults who could not stop the impossible.

The surrounding club members look on gravely, but there is also a look of some relief on their faces.
It cannot be said that they have completely made up, but at least Shinoda-senpai and Sensei show signs of "reconciliation" in a poignant way, rather than a rupture.

6. conversation between Kohei and his teacher -- serious injury in the past

When the teacher finished getting ready to leave and was about to leave the club room, Kohei involuntarily followed him.

"Sir, ...... I just have one question."

The teacher looks back down the hallway and, with a weary expression on his face, asks, "What is it?" I ask back.

Why were you so obsessed with 'protecting your feet,' doctor?"
　I heard that he gave up the pro career because of a serious injury,
　Still, I can't believe you'd go so far as to commit theft. ......"

The teacher chuckles bitterly as he mutters a potty mouth.

I broke my leg and ligament in high school when I took on a big wave," he said.
　The adults around him blamed each other, saying, "You should have stopped him,
　There was a time when I wished someone would have stopped me.
　That's why I was afraid that ...... Shinoda would suffer the same thing.
　I know that failure may be my own fault, but I also know that those around me are largely to blame."

My heart aches.
"If only someone had stopped me then" - Sensei probably wanted to be that "someone" for Shinoda-senpai.

But as a result, I even committed the crime of theft, ...... making it even more complicated.
　Instead of protecting the seniors, he almost destroyed the department.
　I can't believe it myself how I went off the rails like this."

The teacher's voice is full of self-mockery.
Kohei just quietly bows his head.

"I can't believe the doctor was that distressed. ......
　The incident has been settled, but Shinoda-senpai, whom the teacher really wanted to protect, will be at the tournament.
　I think the teacher still has a responsibility to see it through.
　I hope you don't look away while you're under house arrest."

The teacher kept his eyes down and nodded slightly.

I'll keep an eye on it as long as I can, in my own way," he said. I'll keep an eye on it as long as I can, in my own way.
　How will Shinoda fight and what pain will he bear?
　I'll see to it that ...... I face my sins, too."

Muttering this, the teacher left.

It remains to be seen if he will return to work after his suspension.
However, it seems that the teacher has not given up his desire to "take care of them until the end.

7. the last few days--the captain's push to hold his leg

The surfboard needs minor repairs, but the prospects are good for just in time.
Senior Shinoda is working with the support of the club members to at least continue practicing despite the pain in his leg.
He is adamant that he will do it even if the teacher isn't there.

Saki calmly watched the situation and concentrated on her own success in the qualifying round.
Hinata says, "I'll help in any way I can," and buys drinks and icing preparations.

Kohei = I also thought, "Even if I join the club now, I will be a hindrance to my seniors,
Although his official admission to the club has been put on hold, a fire has begun to burn in his heart that he would like to surf like his seniors.

While the teacher's sad past stings, he is also reminded of the appeal of surfing, which he can become so passionate about.

8. kohei and hinata, "just a little more" distance

After practice, by the ground at dusk.
After the Saki seniors leave, Hinata and I lock up the club room.
"Senior, you limped home, I hope you're okay. ......"
I don't know. It looked pretty painful."
While having such a conversation, Hinata suddenly turns her head to me.

Hey, Kohei," he said.
　My teacher was a thief, but I ...... can't completely dislike him.
　It's the result of someone who knows the pain of injury and wants to 'protect' you."

Yeah, I agree.
　It's the wrong way to do it, and it's unforgivable, but I can't hate them for their motives."

As the silence falls, Hinata laughs a small laugh.

"It's kind of weird. .......
　I thought I'd be skunked after solving the case, but I don't feel like it.
　In fact, I feel that the real competition is just beginning.
　Shinoda-senpai's legs, Sensei's departure ...... all intertwined."

Her eyes are a mixture of anxiety and determination.
I feel the same way.
It's disturbing, but there's no turning back now.

I'm sure ...... seniors will be at the convention.
　The teacher might disappear under house arrest, but he would see it through to the end.
　We'll just have to do what we can to support them."

Yeah. I just don't want to mess up the surfing club. ......
　I know he really doesn't want to break his leg, but I can't deny his will either.
　It's frustrating. ......"

Hinata almost burst into tears, but seemed to hold back.

But, Kohei, when you get settled, I'm going to ask you to teach me how to surf too,
　We'll ride the waves together."

I was struck by his sudden comment.
When I reply, "Oh, oh ...... let's do it," Hinata blushes and laughs.
Promise, huh?" I was about to snap my fingers at him, but he was embarrassed, and he stepped out ahead of me.

It's youth. ...... but the problems are piling up.

9. the whereabouts of Shinoda and Sensei before the tournament

Board theft case solved,
It turned out that the real culprit was Dr. Kurokawa, who had a past trauma of wanting to protect Shinoda.
However, the school has suspended the teacher and even flickered the possibility of his retirement.

Shinoda-senpai is ready to force his way into the inter-high qualifying rounds with a sore leg.
Holding the repaired board in his hand, he is painfully strong in his insistence that "I'll do it.
The teacher wanted to "at least see it through" but was not in a position to do so. ......
The members of the club are unable to do anything about it, which makes them anxious.

If this continues, Shinoda-senpai might really break her leg. ......
However, Shinoda says, "Now is the last chance.
Both Kohei and Hinata are at a loss: "I understand the teacher's distress, but what should I do? ......
Senior Saki is aiming for the main inter-high competition, but the atmosphere in the club is so depressed that she cannot even practice as much as she would like.

It remains in such a state,
The schedule for the inter-high school qualifying rounds was relentless.

--Episode 14 End--