Ep. 38: Ryuo advances at Koshien while Ko navigates his first date with Akane at a kabuki performance.

38

As Ryuo progresses at Koshien, Akaishi arranges for Ko to take Akane to a kabuki play to witness Wakaba’s smile. Outside Aoba’s hospital, Azuma encounters Daimon, who claims his new team will defeat Ryuo. Aoba informs Azuma that Ko’s outing is his first date and mistakenly believes the glove maintenance kit originated from him. Following the performance, Ko and Akane explore her childhood neighborhood. Ko later rewards Akaishi with kabuki-themed snacks. When the school year begins, Ko enters his third year and Momiji starts junior high, coinciding with Aoba’s discharge. With Aoba released, Azuma resumes intense training. Akane returns the favor for the tickets by gifting Akaishi a handmade mobile phone charm modeled after him, and subsequently presents a similar gift to Ko.