Sayaka's grade school dream was to make friends.
Sayaka's father's dream
was for his son Ryuta to become a baseball pro.
He became so obsessed, he bought a team bus,
and left Sayaka and her sister Mayumi
in the care of their mother, Akari.
How about some strawberries?
Akari was always Sayaka's ally.
See? The world can change in just one night.
Kudo! Pass!
She's hurting on the inside more than the outside.
Mrs. Kudo. Even if she is actually being bullied,
it happens at every school.
She says she won't go to school. She can't take anymore.
I can't just stand by and do nothing.
Children grow through experience.
She needs to go through this.
That's this school's approach to education?
Saya. Let's find a new school.
However, even at her new school, she couldn't make good friends.
What's up?
That uniform's cute.
Hey. Want to try applying?
Meiran Girls Junior High will be a whole new world.
If you get in, you'll automatically go to their high school and university.
All you have to do is have fun.
And so, Sayaka
enrolled at Meiran Girls Junior High.
Hi.
Shorter is cuter, right?
And, just as Akari told her,
Sayaka only had fun, and never studied...
...and was placed in the lowest class at high school.
SVOC. When something is doing something...
Listen up. You better pay attention.
Got it?
Yes sir!
Losers.
Nishimura!
Huh?
Nishimura!
Excuse me! Let me through!
Oh crap!
Those days were filled with fun and excitement.
3, 4, 5!
Where the hell were you?
Shut up, deadbeat.
Watch your damn mouth! Moron.
Saya? Your skirt's gotten shorter again.
Yeah? It's normal.
You've got too much makeup on.
True. You look cuter without it.
I'm way cuter like this.
Oh crap.
See ya!
Your breakfast! Hey, bread!
I'm dieting!
Come on, have a bite!
Then in the first semester of Sayaka's second year,
fate caught up with her.
Kudo. Explain this to me.
You and your friends are losers.
A bad influence on this school.
They smoked with you, didn't they?
Don't protect them. Get away from those losers.
If they're losers, then I'm a loser too.
You'll be expelled.
If you tell me who else smoked, I'll exempt you from expulsion.
It was wrong of her to smoke.
I'll make her atone for it severely.
But Mr. Principal,
is making her betray her friends your school's approach to education?
If you believe that's a good education, I'd rather she was expelled.
I'm proud of my daughter for not telling you.
She really has a good heart.
Ultimately, only Sayaka was suspended indefinitely.
What'll you do? If you're suspended, university's out.
I'll be alright.
I've got no prospects anyway. I guess I never had any.
Never.
Saya?
You can sit exams for another university.
Just hear them out.
Everything I've told you so far is what Akari told me.
Mr. Tsubota? She's here.
Then, during her school's summer holidays...
...Sayaka came to my cram school.
Don't stare so much.
Sorry! You just look so cool. Please teach me the latest fashion.
Not with that face of yours.
No crop-tops with this gut either.
Guys don't wear crop-tops, normally.
Oh. You're right.
How do you do? I'm Tsubota. Pleased to meet you.
I'm Sayaka Kudo. Pleased to meet you.
She had a standard score of 30, and was bottom of her year.
A teenage academic failure.
FLYING COLORS
First of all, let's do a simple test of your knowledge.
Oh man, I hate tests. I get my score, then it's over.
No, the score's only the beginning.
Find your weaknesses, then get stronger.
You're such an optimist.
Wow. I've never seen answers this baffling before.
First, why do you think strong means talks too long?
Isn't it short for story's long?
Aha.
Hey, I feel so sorry for this person.
Why's that?
She's called this 'cause she's fat, right? 'Princess Octopus.' That sucks!
'Prince Shotoku.' It's a guy.
Your imagination is genius-level.
Genius? You're too kind.
Also, you answered all wrong, but you answered everything.
I might've got lucky.
That's it! Your positive attitude's great.
I like getting compliments for a change.
But hey, isn't it weird you know so little?
I go to an escalator school, so I don't need to study.
OK, let's pick a university.
I can't pass exams.
If you achieve the impossible, you can do anything.
I never thought about it.
Tokyo U then?
Tokyo U?! It's full of gross nerds, right?
Then how about Keio? Ever heard of Keio boys?
They sound hot.
Keio it is then.
Wait up, wait up. Hey, are you serious?
Yes. My job's to get you into your chosen school.
It's like a Star Festival wish. You've got to write it down.
Also, you've got to say you're going to Keio.
The more you say it, the more real it becomes.
Like a magic spell?
You really are an optimist. Me going there? That's so funny.
K.O.?
I'm home!
Hi!
How did it go?
So Mom, I decided to go to K.O.
What kind of K.O.?
You going for Keio?! That's so funny!
You can't study!
No way, no way.
These are grade school drills!
Yeah. I'm Year 4 level.
For real?!
It looks hard.
Fractions suck.
I can't do them.
We do individual tutoring here.
You supplement that with self-study, and overcome new challenges.
You come three days a week, so self-study's vital.
Yup.
Yup. OK, you sit here.
Scuse me.
Right, this is today's test. You've got 20 minutes.
Another test?
Tetsuo?
Don't give up.
Like Mourinho said.
The only force stronger than electricity or atomic energy is?
Human will.
90 points is miraculously better!
Like Kuwabara's powers suddenly awakening in 'Yu Yu Hakusho'!
It was like the Dark Tournament!
No kidding!
Impressive, Sayaka! You got one right today.
But when it comes to social studies, you're queen of the ignoramuses.
Queen of the ignoramuses? Is that an S&M thing?
Don't tell me you can't draw a map of Japan.
That's impossible.
Don't say that. Just try drawing what you know.
A map of Japan?
Well, I guess it's kinda like this shape?
Hey, why's there only one circle?
There's one Japan.
There are islands from north to south.
North? South?
Don't tell me you don't know that.
If north is up, where's south?
I really suck at problems like this.
No, this is basic human knowledge.
You can say that, but my friends don't know either.
I made them laugh.
If north is up, south's gotta be down.
No way! You knew that?
How do you survive with that brain?
You're awesome.
An air-headed bimbo like you ain't gettin' in to Keio.
They tricked you. It's a scam. I ain't payin' for it.
My part-time job will pay for it.
Sayaka wants to do it. I trust Mr. Tsubota.
Are you...
You left the girls to me.
This family's a failure. Ryuta's our only hope.
Says who, deadbeat?!
Watch your damn mouth! Moron.
Oh, hi Ryuta. Dinner's almost ready.
Forget it. He needs beef for the big tournament.
Let's go, Ryuta.
It sucks he's Dad's favorite.
Payback time.
Relax your shoulder! Lower!
Get it, Ryuta!
What's wrong with you?!
You coming in earliest to study makes me proud.
I like it when you compliment me.
And I want to get back at Dad, for Mom's sake.
You don't get on well with your Dad?
He's the worst.
He spends all his money on Ryuta, and gives little to Mom.
I wish he'd die.
You never asked me!
It won't take long! Come on, please!
They're here.
What? What?
Why'd you drag me in here?!
Who's that?
A new student.
How do you do? I'm Tsubota.
He can do it if he tries.
Could you get him to study for university, and the bar exam?
You can do it, can't you Reiji?
How long has Reiji been this way?
Becoming a lawyer is a family tradition,
but perhaps my husband has pushed him toward it too much.
Still, he can do it if he tries!
Ma'am, you shouldn't say 'He can do it if he tries.'
If he tries and fails, it'll prove he's not ready.
He'll lose heart even more.
Sorry?
Would you mind leaving him in my hands?
You really are good at video games. A real wizard.
It's a simulation. For getting back at him.
Him?
My dad. I'd rather die than do what he wants.
I see. So that's it.
I've thought of the perfect way to get back at him.
You're amazing. What magic did you use on him?
I just used my knowledge to change his mind.
Wow, knowledge is like magic.
The more you know, the better you think.
Going to Keio will broaden your horizons, and your life.
Keio's that cool?
It's the top private university. You could become a model or a newscaster.
Or even marry a rich guy!
OK, you finished the grade school drills.
Entry exams for Keio's Faculty of Letters.
We'll stick to English, essays, and Japanese history.
I suck at Japanese history.
You know Nobunaga Oda, right?
Just the name.
He's a local hero. Say Nagoya's three paragons.
Is that a dirty joke?
Panties gone, panties gone, panties gone. Happy now?
The 'paragons' are Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and leyasu.
Look it up in a dictionary.
Haven't got one. They're too heavy.
You've got to have dictionaries.
You can take up to two into the English exam.
Here. This is my recommended dictionaries list.
Thank you sir.
By the way, been blonde long? Isn't it banned?
It's only for the holidays.
Playtime's over for these holidays.
Wait a minute. No way, no way, no way!
Look, my schedule's full. I can't ditch my friends.
I guess you can't.
But study, or you'll be punished.
Punished?
Present continuous tense is 'to be' verbs plus?
- 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, - 'To be' verbs? 'To be' verbs? Um...
- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... - We did them before! Um...
You're out!
No left fake eyelashes.
Without foundation too, I'm getting uglier.
Not if you ace tomorrow's problem.
You better shape up too or you'll stay single.
That hurt. I was cool when I was younger! I had long hair.
No way! I wanna see a photo! You guys too, right?
Fine. But only if you finish junior high English in these holidays.
I'll finish it fast.
Two type Bs? They're both selfish, so it'll never work.
Boyfriend material's type A or 0!
No! 'To be' verbs, not blood types...
Sayaka, we're up!
Oh yeah!
See ya.
I my me mine
you your you yours
he his him his
she her her hers
they their them theirs
we our us ours
I my me mine
you your you yours
he his him his
Akari, we're outta beer.
You tightwad. Bring me that good shochu.
Eat up, Ryuta.
Keep it down, deadbeat. I'm trying to study.
Sorry, Saya. Go easy on them.
Forget studying. Congratulate Ryuta.
What for?
He won the central tournament.
Won?!
Yeah.
He ain't like you. A scout from Shugakuin High came to see him.
Next year, Koshien!
He might really turn pro.
OK, get over here! I'm makin' a toast.
But your shochu...
Beer'll do! Hurry the hell up.
Here's to Ryuta's future. Cheers!
Well done.
Thanks.
belong
Full marks at last! Junior high English done in three weeks. Amazing!
Now. The promised photo.
You remembered? Oh well, a deal's a deal...
Hurry up, hurry up, and show me...
Wait a minute.
You're a total geek!
Look everybody!
I'm hurt. I had a blonde girlfriend, you know.
Blonde? Anyway, what's with all the sheep?
I studied in New Zealand.
Statue of Liberty?
That's New York.
Oh, that one.
What kind of student were you?
I hated my high school, and got scolded a lot.
I get scolded too.
I couldn't keep up, and lost motivation,
and they said, 'You're like terminal cancer!'
Nasty, right?
They call me a loser.
Huh? We're alike?
No, I'm not that ugly.
So why'd you start teaching here?
I saw an ad for the job.
Huh? Really?
At first it was just part time, but I came to love it.
In school, they teach everybody in the exact same way.
So lots of students like me can't keep up.
But here, I can change my style of teaching to suit each of you.
I can bring the best out of you.
The head of the school agreed with my ideas,
and even took out a loan to remodel this classroom.
Wait, he's head of this school?
He's not the janitor?
So I have to make a success of this, for his sake, and yours.
You're taking a risk too.
I am.
No way! She's hardly slept at all.
For subjunctive past perfect, find the past participle.
If you don't understand, raise your hand.
Your suspension's over. Start acting right.
If you show you've reformed, I'll find you a job.
Don't bother.
I'm going to Keio.
You think I'm stupid?
A loser like you can forget Keio.
Well Mr. Teacher, what if she gets in?
I'll do a lap of the schoolyard, naked.
Did you guys hear that?!
What if you fail?
If she does, she'll do a naked handstand.
A girl can't do that.
Let her wear panties.
Get real! What about my boobs?
If she gets in, it's on! You will get in, won't you?
Give it up. It's just empty talk.
You think I'll give up like that?
Mom's paying for my lessons!
I'll show you.
Sayaka Kudo's going to Keio University!
You've hit a wall.
You've mastered Year 1 grammar and vocab,
so why's reading comprehension a problem?
The problem's that the question doesn't make sense.
You understand what it means, don't you?
'Is there a Santa Claus?'
So you do.
But I don't get the question!
Wait, don't tell me you believe Santa's real?
I see him on TV.
Hey, Ultraman's on TV too, right?
You're kidding me... So that's it?!
Oh man, I'm in shock...
Now I get it.
Your learning and general knowledge is ultra-lacking.
It'll make the essay exam harder.
So what am I gonna do now?
Reading will automatically build your general knowledge.
You know him?
Oh, 'Dragon Boy'? Like the Chunichi Dragons?
His dad must be a baseball fan.
Am I right?
Hey!
That's funny, but your exams are no laughing matter.
You bought Ryuta another bat?
He's gotta get used to what the pros use.
Aren't you pressuring him too much?
Pros gotta handle pressure.
Won't you take more interest in Sayaka?
What's the point? She hates my guts.
Are you sure about that?
You and Sayaka are a lot alike.
You're rough, stubborn, and never go back on your word.
She'll never pass those exams. You're setting her up for a fall.
Don't write her off. Why won't you believe in her?
I hate women who talk back.
P... Papa?
Papa... P, huh?
Pineapple.
R... Ruby.
Sayaka! Hop on!
Here I come!
You got heavy.
Hey!
Reiji?
What's up?
Ever since I was little, I like sitting here and thinking.
If I got on that bullet train, I'd see a whole new world.
Yeah. I know what you mean.
So Reiji, why'd you decide to go to cram school?
To get back at my dad, majorly.
I've thought of the perfect way to get back at him.
What? Tell me.
For example,
if Mario beat Bowser and delighted Princess Peach,
then just left her there and disappeared,
Princess Peach would be shattered, right?
That's a... damn cruel thing to do.
You get into university. Then you work hard and pass the bar.
That'll only please my dad.
But you don't become a lawyer.
You delight your father, then shatter him.
Well? That'd be pretty cruel, right?
Tsubota's got you under his spell too.
He's amazing. He uses hardcore gamer talk to get me to open up.
He's done his homework on games.
For other students, he studies anime and idols.
I bet he does it every night without sleep.
I think so too.
You're pretty amazing too.
Why?
You don't pretend you're not stupid.
Huh? Stupid's a mean thing to say!
Thanks.
I mean,
thanks to you, I'm doing my best too.
Reiji.
Quit creeping me out.
Come on. Let's go.
Wait. Wait. Wait up!
Hey, that's Tsubota.
And Nishimura too?
Our students automatically qualify for our university.
Applying to another is unwelcome.
I've heard about you.
You recruit cram school rejects to prop up your shaky finances.
Problem students have potential, and I help find it.
Stop goading Kudo.
Keio requires a standard score of 70. That's the top 2% of all students.
Kudo's is 30, in the bottom 2%.
700,000 sit the exams, so she'll have to overtake 96%,
or in other words, 670,000 other applicants.
She has no chance.
I know that it'll be difficult.
Study won't help. A bad student's a bad student.
Mr. Nishimura.
I believe there's no such thing as a bad student.
Only bad teachers.
Has a student of yours ever entered Keio?
One will soon. Sayaka will.
She's a loser.
Sayaka's not a loser!
She's charming, and full of potential!
So please stop.
If you call a student a loser, they believe it.
They lose confidence.
Like I did.
I want to help as many kids like that as I can.
That's a fine speech, but you're just a for-profit cram school teacher.
This is pointless, so I'm leaving.
I'll pass my exams, so you better too.
Don't try to memorize it all.
Japanese history is a grand melodrama full of jealousy, love, and hate.
You've got to enjoy it and follow the story.
Manga? This looks a lot easier!
Oh, Francis Coxavier.
Who was he?
I like him, face-wise at least.
Why's that?
We used to copy his pose at school.
That's why?!
Francis...
Coxavier!
Mom, did you know?
The giant Buddha in Nara's hair isn't permed, it's enlightened.
Permed?!
And hey, that Perry guy was a jerk!
Showing off all the time with his black ships.
You're having fun.
Thanks to Mr. Tsubota.
I want to get brainy, and be like him.
Like him how?
Somebody who gives their all for somebody else's future, I guess.
Sayaka said that? I'm flattered.
I'm truly grateful.
But really, she works so hard because you love her so much.
It's about the only thing I can do for her.
My mother always scolded me,
and I came to think I was worthless.
I've missed so many chances in life,
so I want my children to be able to enjoy theirs.
No matter what others say, or if everyone's against them,
I'll always be on their side.
Sayaka knows that. She knows that well.
Even so,
you called me here because something's wrong.
Sayaka's ability has improved amazingly.
But unfortunately, she started too late.
The way things are, she won't make it in to Keio.
Six days a week?
That's right. So,
please let me cancel the insurance and fixed deposit I saved for you two.
I'll make it up to you.
It's OK with me. Sayaka's studying hard.
And Dad's no help, right?
I'll work at night too, so it might bother you.
Don't worry. I'll start junior high soon.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
I'm so happy I could cry.
Don't cry again!
I'm so happy.
Jolly, merry, happy!
Mr. Tsubota.
How much is the six-days-a-week course?
Your mother came at lunchtime.
She borrowed what she didn't have from relatives.
This much?
But there's no guarantee you'll get in.
Your mother said this.
'That's not important.'
'Sayaka is enjoying cram school a lot.'
'That's enough for me.'
You understand what that money means... don't you?
Can't you see the one you need is right next to you
The only one I want to hear this love song is you
Can't you see
Man, we sang our asses off.
My throat's wrecked.
I'm so done.
OK, see ya.
We need to talk. How about one more place?
Oh wow, this is pretty awesome too!
Put your feet down!
No splashing.
This feels great!
So.
What's up?
We're not gonna hang out with you anymore.
We know you don't want to.
I do want to! I wanna hang out with you.
If you fail, we'll get blamed.
Screw that, right?
You don't like me?
Don't be dumb.
The way you study hard, no matter what people say,
is so cool.
We gotta get serious about something too.
And if I got pregnant now, I couldn't teach my kid anything.
That's scary!
We really want you to pass your exams.
Thanks.
Thanks, you guys.
Wow, are you crying for real?
Of course I am!
When your exams are over, let's all go party!
Yeah, go party!
Go party!
Sayaka, did your boobs get bigger?
For real?
Gimme a feel!
Ryuta, you're joining a famous team, so you gotta act like it.
Mayumi, you gotta straighten up now.
Sayaka! Quit yawnin'! Here we go!
OK, smile!
Society's so rife with absurdity and contradictions.
The proletariat's poverty and anguish moves me.
You actually said 'proletariat.' That's unbelievable progress.
This book report's good for your essay skills.
But just writing your opinion isn't enough.
In an essay, you need to cover all sides to get high marks.
Remember, Keio's the top private university.
Here.
These will help with essays, and English reading comp.
Keep up with the news, and current events.
Oh, not 'currant' events, OK?
Yup.
Also, you make too many kanji mistakes, so do these drills.
Yup!
Without further ado, let's welcome Arashi!
Hey, Sayaka!
Sorry, it's news time.
Today we look at bad businesses.
Those that force illegal overtime on their staff
have become a modern social problem.
Freelance journalist Tsuneaki Yamamoto joins us in the studio.
Isn't that horrible?
Overworked staff killed themselves,
but commercials make you think it's a good company.
I can't tell which one's OK to work for.
At first, the media praised them for making good cheap products.
And welfare work.
So if you just hear that, they sound awesome.
That's it! Essentially,
public opinion changes drastically depending on the media's angle.
Uncritical and one-sided thinking prevents us from seeing the truth.
You know, you should become president.
Japan doesn't have one.
There's Abe.
Abe's prime minister.
So that's it.
You know about bad businesses, but not that?
It was on the news, so I looked it up in case you asked me.
Wow, you're finally predicting the questions that might come up.
So, how will you know what might be in the Keio exams?
I'll ask them.
Will they tell you?
They won't.
So?
Oh, do their old exams?
Correct!
OK, a practical exercise next.
Do your best.
Huh? What's wrong?
Well, it's so hard it's freaking me out.
My stomach hurts.
Still not coming back?
What's the point?
I guess I'm screwed.
It's that bad, huh?
Hey.
Let's say this egg's name is Clara.
Clara?
Do you think I can get it to stand up?
It's round, so it won't.
However, if you adjust it a little, it'll stand up.
Clara's standing. Wow.
You didn't know how, so you gave up because it's round.
If Heidi didn't believe Clara could stand, maybe she never would've.
That's why it's extremely important to know you've got a chance.
I know.
That you believe I can get into Keio.
My mom does too.
I'm going back.
Sayaka, are you really sure?
Yeah. So I won't be tempted to go out.
OK, gotcha!
Sayaka, I'm doing it.
This adjective is formed from this verb...
Sayaka? Why'd you make yourself so ugly?!
Shut up. I wanted to.
But that's too ugly!
Screw you!
It's insured up to 1,000 kilometers. It's a great deal.
'18 years of age, she was fast asleep
by a windowsill.'
Wakey wakey.
Other teachers have complained.
If all she does is sleep, why is she still a student here?
I'm deeply sorry. But please,
let her graduate, or she won't get into university.
I've heard that many times.
She really has a good heart.
I've heard that many times too.
Mrs. Kudo, you've also been called here many times.
I'm truly, truly sorry.
Even so, Sayaka is really studying very hard.
She goes to cram school till late, then studies at home without sleep.
So when is she supposed to sleep? It's the only place she can.
I know it's crazy, but please let her. Or she'll collapse before her exams!
May I at least request that she does it less obviously?
Thank you so much! I'll make sure she does!
So, A's angle is smaller than 180 degrees,
which means it's 60 degrees. In this way,
we can figure it out by...
Hi.
Hey, what happened to you?
Well, there's this girl I like,
so I'm copying you to avoid temptation.
It's much better. You looked ugly before.
Seriously?!
Your English has improved.
But your modern Japanese history knowledge is disastrous.
I'll ask just in case. What did Yukichi Fukuzawa create?
10, 9, 8...
You want to go there!
- 5 - Oh, got it! Barbeque.
Keio University!
Please begin.
See you.
Take care.
Staring won't change it.
Come on, all Es?
It's bye bye to Keio.
No. Your standard score was 30, but you got a 60 for English.
You're still improving.
But my competition's studying hard too.
Well, Japanese history's a problem. Better reread those manga.
- See you. - See you.
Hey, I'll test you tomorrow. Pass or get punished.
What's going on, Ryuta?!
You can't skip practice for a week, moron!
Say something!
You gotta get over summer and win a place on the team to go to Koshien!
We'll see your coach.
This is crunch time!
Ryuta! Get up!
I'm sick of baseball!
I realized.
Everybody's way better than me!
I'm never gonna make the team!
Going pro...
...is a pipe dream.
Don't say that, Ryuta.
You can do it.
You just gotta try!
Come back! Ryuta!
Did you mean that?
You worked so hard, so hang on a little longer.
Sometimes hard work isn't enough!
You oughta quit chasing your stupid dream too.
You really think you'll get in?
'Stupid dream Uncertain future Overreaching'
'I put in all this effort What if I get Es again next time?'
You did better this time!
Like going from Next Girls to Heavenly Seven in the AKB election!
Why not try for a better university? Like Ritsumeikan, or Doshisha!
What, really?
Your English score's risen again. But Japanese history...
Concentrate on the modern history mangas.
Mr. Tsubota.
I'm done.
I don't care about Keio.
Do you mean that?
I don't know why I'm studying anymore.
All I know is stress.
Why don't you go to Tokyo and take a look around Keio?
I'll just feel worse.
So you'll just aim lower?
Or do you want to have fun? Or sleep?
You've got to hold on.
For this whole year,
for day after day after day, I've been holding on!
If you aim low now, you'll keep aiming low.
Who cares?
I've been low all my life anyway.
I can't be as optimistic as you!
Then quit.
You won't get in anywhere!
Sayaka?
It's raining.
It is.
Some days are like this.
They are.
Saya?
Saya! Hey! What's wrong?
Mom, I'm sorry...
What wrong?
I'm sorry...
It's OK.
You'll be OK.
You can quit if it's hard.
You've done your best.
Why?
Why are you so kind to me?
When you were a baby, you were always quivering.
You got sick often, and cried often.
You wouldn't let me sleep, and I was exhausted and afraid.
Your father had just quit his job, and rarely came home.
The future scared me, and I felt so much pressure.
You kept crying, so I ended up screaming at you.
'Please, stop making it worse for me!'
It made me hate myself,
and I started to cry out loud with you.
And when I did,
you suddenly smiled at me.
As if you were saying, 'I'm here, so don't cry.'That's how I felt.
Then I realized.
If I can see this child smile, I'll be happy.
I have to make sure she'll always be able to smile.
Mom...
Why'd you marry Dad?
He actually has a kind side too.
If he sees someone in trouble, he has to try to help.
Even if it means missing something important.
Did you know? Dad wanted to go to Keio too.
He dreamed of playing for Keio against Waseda, and going pro.
He couldn't get in, so he did his best at another university...
...but he never got scouted.
Excuse me. Another, please.
It's unlike you to drink this much.
Well, I was a little too hard on one of my students.
I'm ashamed I couldn't control my feelings.
I dunno where you teach, but teachers can't do nothin'.
Parents can't do nothin' either.
Is that so?
There's always something a teacher or a parent can do.
That's what I believe.
That's just pretty words.
My daughter calls me a deadbeat, and my son shoved me.
I'm nothin'.
Ryuta! Come here.
Come here!
Ryuta! Are you outta your mind?!
What'll happen if you get caught drinking?
If one player messes up, the whole team gets suspended!
How'll you make it up to them?
Don't worry. I quit the team already.
You quit? You're lyin'.
I really did!
Moron! Without asking me?
You'd only say no!
Of course I would, idiot!
Please stop!
- Get off me! - Idiot!
Stop it, deadbeat!
Get off!
Baseball got you into your school! If you quit, I'll be humiliated!
Idiot!
Leave him alone!
Get off me! Ryuta!
You idiot! Damn you!
You idiot!
Mom...
How could you be humiliated?!
I've been called in to Sayaka's school many times,
but I've never felt humiliated!
If anything,
I enjoyed the chance to talk with her.
I'm sure Ryuta wants to talk with you a lot too!
Ryuta!
Did you know?
Every night before a game,
Ryuta has an asthma attack.
He's scared of messing up and making you angry.
He's scared of baseball!
Isn't it hardest on Ryuta, because you force your dream on him?
That's why...
That's why he lost his way.
Ryuta's my problem!
Just stick to looking after Sayaka and Mayumi.
Sayaka and Mayumi and Ryuta...
They're all my children!
Ryuta!
Go buy some smokes.
Hey Ryuta.
You quit to be an errand boy?
That's pathetic.
Ryuta, you know her? Let's go have fun!
Shut up! We're talking.
Give this up.
You're gonna tell me what to do?!
You can't handle your exams, so you skip cram school.
We both know we're nobodies now.
I ain't nothing like you!
I'm different.
I'm different to you!
Mom.
I need a favor.
I feel like a student. It's fun.
Going to a school like this would've changed my life.
Like how?
I mean, all the students here seem so full of confidence.
I want you to live that way.
Hey. Want me to take a photo?
Sorry Mom.
Don't take it till spring.
I want to study here after all.
At Keio.
Sayaka? Why are you here so late?
So you do work all night.
Keio's founder promoted study to benefit our lives, didn't he?
Life throws all kinds of difficulties at us,
and the only way to get through is to stand and face them.
I'm gonna try harder to become a better person,
even if it's tough.
I look forward to it.
I'm looking forward to it too.
National Mock Exam participants, this way please.
Mr. Tsubota.
These are my mock exam results.
You haven't looked yet?
I don't have the courage.
You open it.
Alright.
What's all this?
It's a ritual to set Ryuta free.
Ryuta.
All my fault
I'm sorry.
I'm over this now. You can live however you want.
But... baseball's all I've ever known,
so I don't know... what I should do.
Ryuta?
These are my mock exam results.
Keio Faculty of Letters, Grade C. Chance of passing...
...50%.
You're kidding. Way to go, Sayaka!
You worked so hard for this.
Ryuta.
I'm going. To Keio.
You find your own dream too.
I started late and got this far!
You've still got time.
With the help of educational manga,
Sayaka raised her history score to 58,
and her English score to over 70.
Your first choice is Keio's Faculty of Letters.
Warm up with Kinki Gakuen U.'s Faculty of Literature.
Keio's Policy Management Faculty is stricter with essays, so try them.
Just for the heck of it.
Yes sir.
You got a C for Keio's Faculty of Letters,
so the next two months are crucial.
I know you can do it.
Yes sir.
It had to snow, on today of all days?
...disrupting public transport. First, train information.
The following lines are not operating.
What'll you do, Sayaka?
I guess I'll have to walk.
I'll take ya.
I put studless tires on. Hurry and get ready.
You've never been on this bus.
Forget about your entrance fee. I'll pay it.
Look like I was wrong about everything, huh.
Akari... I mean, your mom is a hell of a woman.
You made me realize that.
You're our family's hope.
Like hell, deadbeat.
You ignored me, for year after year,
so don't act all fatherly now!
What are you doing?
You angry? Don't go sulky on me now.
Gimme 10 minutes. We'll make it.
Do some study!
Are you alright?
We're stuck.
The wheels spin, and we can't move!
Thank you!
We made it.
What? Get going.
Mom was right about you.
You're not all bad.
Sayaka!
Go for it!
What?
I'm sorry I ruined your dream.
But I had fun.
I'm glad I spent time with you.
Don't talk garbage, moron.
I did it!
You did it! First hurdle cleared!
Huh? Reiji?
Isn't your exam today?
I'm focusing on Nagoya U.
I'll get revenge in a new way.
A new way?
A man my dad cleared of a false charge came to our place to thank him.
In tears, he said 'You salvaged my life.'
My dad works for people's futures too.
Then he looked all smug and it pissed me off,
so I decided to become a much better lawyer,
and get into the university he went to.
Reiji.
You were cool just now.
Huh?! For real?! I was cool?!
Nagoya University.
I was wrong.
OK.
It's in fate's hands now.
Mr. Tsubota?
The time's come.
It has.
This is my last day at this cram school.
It is.
So let me have a graduation.
- A graduation? - Yeah.
I wanted to give you this if I pass Keio,
but if I fail, I'll feel too down to come,
so let me give you this thank you letter today.
Thank you.
Read it now?
No, it's embarrassing! Read it later.
Alright.
OK, this is from me. Here.
This is for me?
I thought you could use all the luck you can get.
I'll drink this coffee on the day of the exams.
Is there anything else I can do?
If you know a way to beat the pressure, please tell me.
It's getting to me badly.
You feel pressure because you know you can pass.
Your dictionary's so worn now.
You've grown.
Mr. Tsubota?
Would you sign my dictionary?
Sign it? Me?
For good luck.
I... used to hate adults.
They wrote me off because of how I looked,
and I sneered at them.
Even so, I knew I was a nobody.
I knew that better than anyone.
I had no goals,
and no one expected me to.
The time I spend with my friends was my only salvation.
I had no future, nor hope.
Maybe I acted up and rebelled so that I wouldn't get hurt.
Then I met an adult who treated me with sincerity.
You're the first adult I ever
wanted to be like, Mr. Tsubota.
The exam begins!
I met you, and discovered a goal.
I came to enjoy studying.
I found hope for my future.
My life changed.
I'm truly grateful for all you've done.
No way... Why now?
Why why why?
Huh?
It's no good!
Please wait! Please wait! Please wait!
Relax. Relax, relax, relax!
Again?!
Please don't run! Please!
Hurry. Hurry hurry hurry.
Hurry!
Hello? Saya? Good for you!
Mr. Tsubota called and said you'd pass today's exam.
He's sure you've aced the English and Japanese history questions.
Oh.
One more day to go. Sleep warm.
I'll be home after the Policy Management exam.
I'll buy you something.
Never mind that! Just take care and do your best. OK?
OK.
Bye now.
Good night.
Just writing your opinion isn't enough.
In an essay, you need to cover all sides to get high marks.
Public opinion changes drastically depending on the media's angle.
Uncritical and one-sided thinking prevents us from seeing the truth.
Sayaka's not a loser!
She's charming, and full of potential!
Did Sayaka call?
No, not yet.
This is the hardest time.
All we can do is wait.
It's Sayaka!
Hello? It's Tsubota.
Mr. Tsubota.
I'm sorry.
I wasn't good enough.
I messed up.
You messed up?
There's still the Policy Management Faculty. Let's hope for good news.
Mom.
I'm sorry.
Saya, you've got nothing to be sorry for.
Exams are... ...painful things.
There's still the Policy Management Faculty.
They place importance on essay scores, but Sayaka's aren't great.
But she went from rock bottom
to entrance to Kinki Gakuen U. That's amazing.
It is.
I'll think of a way to help her view this positively,
and keep going.
Sayaka! Long time no see!
It's finally over. Way to go.
Sayaka! We're gonna party hard today!
Let's go! Let's go!
What's first?
First we eat!
What'll we eat?
Yakisoba!
Thanks for partying with me all night.
Want to do it again tonight?
Bye.
'Do you wish to proceed?'
Mom...
She's taking her time.
Mr. Tsubota...
Sayaka...
I got in.
I got in!
You did it! You did it! You did it! You did it!
I'm going to Keio!
You are! You did it! I'm so glad! You did it!
She really did?
She did.
She did it!
Dear Sayaka Kudo.
I don't know how you're feeling right now.
Even if you're sad you didn't get your first choice,
the huge challenge you took on will pay off in your future.
So, I want you keep your chin up, like you always do,
and walk with your head held high.
That's what I loved about you.
List of Successful Applicants'
Don't give up. I mean it.
Yeah!
You held on to your dream tightly, regardless of what others said.
You pursued your dream strongly, ignoring shame and failure.
You shone brightly.
3, 2, 1, ta da!
OK, please take care of it!
Honey? Sayaka's going.
Right. Look after yourself.
Here I come!
It's been a while. Since I hopped on your back.
Yeah.
Don't you dare make Mom cry.
Yeah.
You told me that I changed your life,
but your tenacious spirit has changed the lives of many others.
From now on,
I'm sure you'll live that way.
You'll try lots of new things, even if you stumble.
I'm deeply grateful that you entered my life.
Thanks to you, my world has gotten bigger too.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
I'll keep believing that, for the rest of my life.'
Flying colors