Darn it! I'm gonna be late again!
To: Mr. Aoi Ashito
Tokyo City Esperion FC President Kubo
Notice of the result of the Tokyo City Esperion FC Youth Tryouts
Accepted
So, Esperion, huh?
All right!
Mom!
It sort of feels like soccer's taking you away from me.
Orange Scenery
Ugh, I drank too much with my customers...
Why are you calling me at this time of night?
When you called earlier, that was your mom I overheard, wasn't it? I heard everything.
Oh, uh, that was... um...
What'd she mean by soccer's "taking you away" from her?
Have you talked to her since then?
Aoi Ashito!
No, I haven't.
She went straight to the bar after that 'cause she had to work.
But what did it mean?! Isn't she on your side?!
You came to Tokyo for tryouts without her consent?!
You ungrateful child!
I-It's totally none of your business!
I mean, why am I even talking to you about this?!
Ashito, if that's the manager's sister, could you ask her something?
Mon
Tues
Weds
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Rice with small fish + eggs Yogurt, banana Miso soup with mushrooms Natto Sliced tomatoes
Potato potage Grapes Hot dogs x2 Bacon, cabbage, eggs
Eggs, rice balls Spicy cod roe Pork miso soup, milk tangerine
Lettuce and ham sandwich Scrambled eggs, milk Veggie soup Banana
Rice, natto Grilled horse mackerel Stir-fried veggies Mushroom miso Soup, yogurt
Toast, salad, broth Baked chicken wings Banana Orange juice
Grilled salmon, miso soup Egg omelet with crab meat Rice, natto
Simmered chicken and dried daikon, Caesar salad, rice Cod meunière Grapefruit
Simmered miso salmon Stir-fried burdock, milk Salad with cod roe Seaweed rice
Chicken curry Yogurt Radish salad with bonito flakes, banana
Pork over rice Simmered seaweed, yogurt Broccoli and tomato salad Spinach with sauce
Udon noodles with starchy sauce, Caesar salad Simmered meat + potatoes Pineapple
Tuna fish, spinach with sesame sauce Simmered pork + veggies Rice, grated yam, milk
Pasta with meat sauce European-style mushroom soup Salad with meat shavings Milk, banana
Vinegared seaweed and cucumber, tofu Pork miso soup Fried chicken Rice, milk
Sweet and sour pork Egg drop soup Lettuce shumai Broccoli salad Rice, orange, milk
Simmered Chinese veggies Milk, rice, sautéed liver Mushroom soup Kiwi fruit
Rice, soup dumplings Seaweed + tofu miso soup Steamed veggies Teriyaki yellowtail Strawberries
Chicken and egg over rice Salad, clam miso soup Tomato with ponzu Grapefruit
Rolled cabbage Egg salad, mustard green with crunchy fish Rice, kiwi fruit Yogurt
Tofu with meat Stir-fried veggies Fish ball soup, rice Yogurt Tangerine
♫ Example of an ideal weekly meal plan!
This meal plan she gave you...
It's really well-thought-out, but what's the point of it exactly?
Are you meant to follow this diet?
Oh, no, it's not a set thing you have to do. It was just an example.
All I was saying was he should eat a balanced diet.
You obviously need a great physique to play soccer, but it requires brains, too.
So it's important to feed your brain.
On Speaker
My meal plan's pretty well-balanced, Ashito's bro!
Huh.
That's cool. Coming up with meals is a real hassle, so maybe I'll just follow this plan.
You won't be sorry! I put lots of thought into it, and it's probably my best work.
So, anyway...
Hm?
Uh... Hi... Your name's Hana, right? I think I remember you saying that...
Yeah.
Why would you do all of this for me?
Hm. Beats me.
Well, anyhow...
You really should talk to your mom.
It's important.
I don't know why she's lecturing me over the phone...
...but she's right.
It sort of feels like soccer's taking you away from me.
Oh, god!
Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot!
Why'd I say that?! Stupid idiot.
I'm pathetic.
On Speaker
Hey, you still there? You listening?
Aren't you gonna say something?
I've never seen Mom let herself show weakness like that before.
Honestly, I was kinda surprised.
Yeah...
What were you thinking swinging that around in here?!
I didn't know she could be anything other than strong.
Now that I know how she really feels, I can't ever go to Tokyo.
Can you hear me, Hana?
Ah, apologizing would be too weird, so I guess...
It's better if I just act normal, right?
Then we can talk about it properly...
Hana.
I want to...
make my mom's life easier.
If I go pro and become famous, I can make a heap of money.
I'm not very smart, so I'll never come up with another way of making money!
That's why...
I've got to go pro!
No matter what!
Right.
But...
If going to Tokyo's gonna be tough on Mom, I'll have to come up with some other—
I'm home, you bastards!
M-Mom?!
What the hell are you doing?!
You're on speaker! Who are you callin' at this time of night?!
O-Oh, uh, Mom... It's, um, someone...
On Speaker
...from Esperion who called Ashito—
Huh?!
They called us, so we won't be charged.
But we still pay for electricity!
When it gets dark, go to bed!
You're way too young to be callin' people at this hour with the lights on!
And doing that while I'm out at work is a big no-no.
Y'know, when I was your age—
Oh, crap! I didn't hang up!
On Speaker
Hello? If you're from the club, please be a bit more mindful of the time.
U-Uh... I, um...
Oh, and...
While I have you, I need some details on how much it'll cost to send Ashito there.
Stuff like school, housing, meals... I'd like you to run over it all with me.
Y-You want me to do that?
Hm?
She sounds a bit young, doesn't she? Is she really from the club?
Uh, yes, I am!
Enrollment Guide
I might be young, but I am with the club, and I can answer all of your questions.
Over the next few days,
Hana and the other organizers gave Mom the ins and outs of joining the club.
Things were rapidly falling into place for me to go to Tokyo.
Though, in all that time, I didn't once get to tell Mom how I really felt...
Then spring arrived.
M-Mom, I need to talk to you about something.
Ashito, have you gotten taller?
Huh? Y-Yeah, I guess...
I knew it.
That's growth spurts for you.
So there's no need to pack clothes you've outgrown.
Is your shoe size still 26 cm?
Sh-Shoe size? Yeah...
No, I mean... Mom!
Okay, you're all packed! I'm pretty sure that's everything.
Well, good luck.
I won't be there to see you off.
In the end... I never got to talk to her.
As so, Aoi Ashito-kun is moving to Tokyo by himself to join a soccer club.
Nearly all of the students here go to the local high school,
Year 3 Class 2
so Aoi has made a huge decision.
Since his club's training sessions start soon, he'll be leaving for Tokyo today.
Which means he won't be graduating with you.
He has to go soon, but he said he wanted to see you all one last time.
That's why he's here before class. Let's send him off with a round of applause.
How'd the final farewell go, Ashito?
You didn't tell them you were leaving today, did you? How come?
Sad and gloomy doesn't suit me.
Especially not with the soccer club guys.
I didn't want that whole "tearful farewell at the train station."
And I've had my fill of seeing them looking sad 'cause of choices I've made.
Ashito, if there's anything you need when you get there, just let me know.
I'll send it to you.
Right.
For the last six months, we've only spoken to the people at the club on the phone.
I can't picture what your life in Tokyo will be like.
So...
Please thank that Hana girl for me.
Sending you a meal plan every week was nothing short of amazing.
Same goes for her looking up answers to all our questions and easing our concerns.
She called us many times to break things down and explain them to us.
I know Mom was grateful, too.
In that case, she coulda tried listening to her own son...
I didn't get the chance to talk to her at all, dammit.
Whenever I tried to have a serious conversation, she changed the subject.
What was I supposed to do?
I'm surprised she decided not to come see you off.
I guess you could say that's more like her.
But, oh well, whatever!
It's too bad I didn't get to talk to her...
But I've got to go pro, even if it means crawling my way toward it.
I can't be so wishy-washy about it.
I'm thinking about Mom so much I'm not focused on soccer.
How pathetic can you get?
But all of that ends now.
So, listen up, Shun! I've decided!
Today, I'm gonna leave Ehime with a smile on my face!
From now on, I've gotta be strong!
Hey!
You're late!
Man, busting a gut on a bike first thing in the morning is exhausting.
I'm outta shape since leaving the soccer club.
But ya gotta have the element of surprise for this type of thing.
We got here quicker than we thought and got tired of waitin' for you.
What the...
But what about school?
Well, after you left the classroom in such style...
Now, as the soccer team's coach, I can't let him just go off like that.
So, soccer team, round up all your members and go after Aoi.
Sir! We'd like to go, too!
Too bad! Looks like your plan didn't quite work out, Ashito!
Behaving like that doesn't really suit you.
We could tell you were faking it.
That's why you'll never be cool!
Crap. I have to smile. Do it!
Man, what am I gonna do with you all?
Let's take some pictures!
In truth, I wanted to continue playing with you in high school.
Yeah.
Let's play soccer together again.
Yeah.
Someday. Somewhere.
Smile.
Thanks, everyone!
Smile!
I've got to smile as I leave!
Thanks to all of you, I could keep playing soccer.
I'm gonna become the best soccer player in the world!
Shun, I'll do my best for your sake, too.
Huh?
What? That's mine, too?
It's from Mom. She wanted me to give it to you.
She said to open it on the train.
Dear Ashito
There's probably a letter inside this envelope.
And...
Dear Ashito
There's no telling what's inside this heavy parcel.
Dear Ashito
I'll keep telling you this over and over.
Look people in the eye when you say what really matters! I hate indecisive people.
You got that?!
She's not exactly the type to write letters, though...
D-Does that mean she's written something she couldn't bring herself to say to my face?
Notice of disownment, signed Aoi Noriko.
You're an idiot son who decided to go to Tokyo with no consideration
for what it'll do to our family finances!
Therefore, we consider the existence of our second son null and void!
Inside the parcel is your collection of pervy magazines!
Yikes!
Well... I can take that, no problem.
But if the letter says anything about her being sad or how she'll miss me...
Dear Ashito
Oh, whatever!
"Dear Ashito."
"I'm sorry I didn't come see you off."
"And I know you've been trying to talk to me for the last six months."
"Sorry for brushing you off."
"Sad and gloomy doesn't suit me."
"And I'm also selfish."
"I'm sorry about that."
"I've enclosed a bankbook."
"The money is for all the things you'll need in your day-to-day life.
"I'll pay for your tuition and club fees,"
"but I didn't know how much everything else would cost."
Savings Account
Deposit (Yen)
Balance (Yen)
"I have my bar to think about, and if I keep this money, I might accidentally spend it."
"So I'm giving you a sizable sum now. Use it wisely."
Mom...
"I'll say it again."
"I'm sorry for brushing you off when you wanted to talk to me."
"Fact is, I knew what you really wanted to talk to me about."
"Because that night..."
I want to... make my mom's life easier!
"...I heard what you said through the door."
"That was enough. Thank you, Ashito."
"But I can't have you saying that to my face. I hope you understand."
Wait, stop, stop.
What the heck, Mom? This isn't who you are!
Jeez! I gotta stop reading! I'm going to Tokyo with a smile on my face!
I'm sorry I couldn't afford to buy you new cleats
"I'm sorry I couldn't afford to buy you new cleats."
"As a farewell gift..."
I'm sorry I couldn't afford to buy you new cleats
So your mom can finally afford to buy you the gear you need, huh?
I remember how you used to be crazy poor.
"One thing that does worry me is how short-tempered you are."
"But I know it's proof that you're earnest and sincere."
"About the money situation..."
"I'm your mother, so it's my job to support you in what you want to do."
"And I don't find it hard at all."
"But there are others around you, too. Those who root for you and lift you up."
"You have lots of people supporting you, and I'm sure you'll meet more in Tokyo."
"Always be grateful of their support."
"Lastly, I don't know much about soccer."
"Whether you're good at it or not, whether you'll go pro or not..."
"None of that matters to me. I don't care."
"Because I don't need to know any of that to be proud of you."
"I've been proud of you ever since you were born. Please don't forget that."
"Don't get hurt. Be well."
"Playing soccer makes you happy, so pour your heart and soul into it."
Do your best.
Mom
"Do your best. Mom."
Next Episode
First Fan
This is a work of fiction, and bears no relation to any actual persons, organizations, or names.
The next episode of Aoashi is: "First Fan."