Blue Box (2024) s01e01 Episode Script

Episode 1

1
There is someone
that I want to meet
first thing every morning.
That person is
Are you all right?
I'm okay.
Sorry! I was practicing my elbow pass.
Show me.
It's turning red.
Did it hurt?
It's really okay!
But
Wait.
Here, take this.
A treat from her pocket
Will you forgive me
in exchange?
Of course!
EIMEI PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL
Eimei Private High School is an integrated
junior and senior high school
known as a sports powerhouse.
After retiring
from my junior high club activities,
I now practice
with the senior high badminton team.
Mornings are for free practice,
and I always want to be
the first one in the morning.
But Chinatsu Kano from the girls'
basketball team always beats me to it.
In the cool, still air of the school gym,
she practices her shooting
with intense focus.
Chinatsu Senpai is someone
I like.
BLUE BOX
BLUE BOX
EPISODE 1
CHINATSU SENPAI
-If only I could marry her
-Not happening.
Wow, harsh!
What's all this talk about marriage?
I mean, I'd get to see
Chinatsu Senpai's face first thing
when waking up in the morning!
That would be awesome!
Do you want coffee?
You can't even go out with her
in the first place.
Chinatsu Senpai
is the basketball team's next ace.
She not only has talent
but also personality and star quality.
She's popular both inside
and outside the school.
On the other hand,
you have yet to achieve much in badminton.
And you're not even close
to being popular.
You're just a low-level underling
who participates in high school practice.
If we were to compare you to schools,
Chinatsu Senpai would be a seeded school,
and you'd be the school
that gets knocked out in the first round.
You're at completely different levels.
Talking to her at practice
is your only point of contact
I have a point of contact!
My mom's an alum
of our school's basketball team.
Private schools are full of kids
whose parents also went there.
I get what you're saying, Kyo.
But you can't win if you don't try.
Besides, it's fun to play
against a powerhouse school.
At least aim to get to the second round.
Get her to remember your name,
or ask for her contact info.
-I see.
-What are you talking about?
The heck are you doing?
Salutations!
Are you in elementary school?
Wrong! This spring, I became
a high schooler, just like you guys.
I've also gained 7 cm
since my elementary school days.
You're still under 150 cm.
Shut up!
You're not even 170 cm!
I'll get taller!
They're both like elementary school kids.
So? Something on your mind?
Not really
Just asking for reference.
What kind of things make girls happy?
What's this? Are we talking relationships?
If so, leave it to me!
First of all, don't be weak.
You need to act like someone
who is relaxed and reliable!
And the most important thing is
LIKE MARCE NGUYEN
physical beauty!
EIMEI PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL
Asking Hina was a mistake.
Her tastes are way too specific.
Maybe the door's still locked.
Right.
It's now or never.
This is my chance to talk to her!
I should introduce myself
No, that might be too sudden.
THIS AIN'T NO JOB INTERVIEW
I should thank her for the treat
But I haven't eaten it yet.
I OFFER MY THANKS
Got it!
I should ask what she's reading.
RUNNING A STACK PLAY
I'll just keep quiet
Hey!
Use this if you like!
It's just been washed!
And
here's some hot tea.
This thermos is great
at keeping things warm.
Here are some gloves, and a pocket heater!
It gets warm if you shake
Shoot! I jumped the gun!
What is it?
I was curious what you'd hand me next.
I'm kidding.
Thanks for looking out for me.
No worries.
She laughed
I'm fine, so make sure you keep warm.
Isn't this
kinda like a newlywed wife
tying her husband's tie.
-Sorry.
-It's okay.
I noticed this the other day too,
but Chinatsu Senpai
has a low body temperature.
Finished.
Sorry I'm late.
It's okay.
Don't catch a cold, Taiki Inomata.
How do you know my name?
Good question. I wonder why.
Has she known all this time?
You have a great mom.
Mom?
TAIKI INOMATA
So embarrassing!
But she said my name
It's still so embarrassing!
Break time!
Taiki, get a damp cloth.
Roger!
In any case, she remembered my name.
Taiki Inomata.
Her saying my name
was more destructive than I expected.
Anyway, I made it to the second round.
Now to the third round.
Ask for her contact info!
Chinatsu Senpai
and the girls' basketball coach?
What're you up to?
Hina!
Nothing!
You mustn't aim too high.
You're one to talk.
I just thought they looked serious.
I saw that girl walking
with a boy the other day.
Just kidding!
The nerve of her!
Catch you guys later.
See ya!
I forgot my towel at the gym.
What? Forgot something?
-Yeah, you can go
-I'm leaving.
Good. It's still open.
What the heck
Again
Taiki Inomata!
She remembered my name!
Were you still practicing?
I wasn't satisfied
with the way I played during practice.
You shouldn't overwork yourself.
You're probably right,
but I just wanted to play
for a little while longer.
She must really love basketball.
She caught me lookin
Let's play one-on-one!
What?
Should we take a break?
I'm sorry
That was pathetic.
Must be all that badminton you play.
You really move well.
My mom was on the basketball team,
and we'd play together sometimes.
Me too.
My mom was also on the basketball team,
and we used to play together
before I joined the youth basketball team.
Something in common! It's fate!
Have you ever thought
about playing basketball?
Pass
Turns out I'm not cut out for team sports.
Sorry for asking.
Besides, I like how it feels
Standing alone on the badminton court,
with all the responsibility
bearing down on me.
Whether I win or lose, it's all on me.
That rush of nerves is exhilarating.
So, you're a masochist, then.
But I get it.
That's why you practice so hard.
That's rich coming from you
I was complimenting you.
I mean
Chinatsu Senpai,
weren't you practicing the day
after you retired from junior high?
What?
About a year and a half ago.
There were no club activities that day.
But I used to live nearby
and happened to come by the school
to pack up my things.
And there
After that, I heard you missed
the nationals by just a hair.
You must've been really disappointed.
To think you must've worked so hard
to be that disappointed
It made me want to work that hard as well.
Thinking back, maybe it was then
that I began to like you.
I'd forgotten
Hey! You guys should head home soon!
Okay!
Let's tidy up.
What the heck.
For a moment, I thought she was crying.
Thanks.
No problem.
Maybe it's because we just exercised
but Chinatsu Senpai's hand
felt warmer than last time.
It will be sunny across the country today.
Morning!
Good morning!
Your lunch box is over there.
Thanks.
Aren't you wearing your sweatshirt today?
No, it's too warm.
After I went through
all the effort to wash it.
Sorry.
GOING STRAIGHT FOR THE NET!
Chinatsu Senpai!
Do you know her?
Not really!
Actually I used to be teammates
with Chinatsu's mom.
What?
Why are you shouting?
No reason
That's a huge point of contact!
We stayed in touch from time to time,
but I never imagined her little girl
would get this good.
It's a pity though.
They're transferring overseas
Apparently, they're moving in mid-March.
How sad.
Come to think of it
Taiki?
Transferring? Overseas?
What the
What the heck?
Is she really okay with that?
She's the first one at the gym
every morning,
practicing harder than anyone.
All that disappointment she felt
her emotions,
her effort,
her goals, everything.
She can't just leave that all behind!
What's wrong, Taiki?
Chinatsu Senpai!
Please make it to the nationals!
I learned it from you, Chinatsu Senpai.
Working hard every day toward your goals
and continuing to look forward
even when you lose.
So please don't give up!
Even for reasons beyond your control,
like your parents transferring overseas.
-Don't
-Sorry.
I'm not going abroad.
What?
Wait I
To be precise, my family will be going,
but I'll be staying with an acquaintance.
No way I
jumped the gun!
Well, that's a relief then!
I was really torn.
It'll be lonely being away from my family.
But I had a chance to remember the time
I retired from the junior high team.
How I wanted to make it to the nationals.
How I didn't want to give up.
It's all because of you.
Thank you, Taiki Inomata.
But I didn't do anything
Let's play one-on-one again sometime!
Let's play badminton as well.
Okay.
Wait, I said something
really embarrassing, didn't I?
I'm glad today's Sunday
For the first time in my life,
I don't want to see
Chinatsu Senpai today
Good morning.
What is Chinatsu Senpai doing in my house?
You're up, Taiki.
Remember? We talked about this.
This is Chinatsu Kano.
She'll be living with us
starting this spring.
Please look after her.
Thanks for helping out.
-Thanks for having me.
-Come on, we were teammates.
What the heck?
Subtitle translation by: Bakul Binjola