HYOTEI VS RIKKAI Game of Future prequel story translation: 1/2

[rhodochrosite]

rough translation of the 🎾🐰 prequel story to the hyotei v rikkai movie... imo it truly outsells the entire thing #PROMOTE_THE_TNRB_WRITING_TEAM. disclaimer that i am still learning jpn (and have clearly lost my grip on english at a few points) so there may be some mistakes in this, and i took a few creative liberties for characterisation and readability purposes. also this story is very funny, and i am unfortunately not funny at all, so the jokes are kind of not working in translation but they slapped in the original just trust me dude. anyway... enjoy!!!

{PT 1} | PT 2

PROLOGUE

SCENE 1
Hyotei regulars’ clubroom, day.

ATOBE, OSHITARI, GAKUTO, SHISHIDO and JIROU are holding a meeting.

ATOBE: Well then, let's hear everyone's opinions. Hmm?

OSHITARI: Atobe, asking us for our opinions on this matter? What's gotten into you?

GAKUTO: Next thing you know it’ll be snowing in the summer.

ATOBE: If you wish, I can supply you with plenty of glass snow?

OSHITARI: Enough.

SHISHIDO: If we're gonna decide, let's do it quickly. We've narrowed it down to three people, right?

ATOBE: That's right. Hiyoshi, Ootori, Kabaji... These are our choices.

OSHITARI: Out of these three, who should we leave things to?

GAKUTO: How about all three of them?

ATOBE: No... Ultimately it has to be one person. It'll make him feel more of a sense of responsibility.

GAKUTO: If it's about responsibility, what about Kabaji?

OSHITARI: He's responsible, but I'm worried about his communication abilities.

GAKUTO: That's true. We kinda can't convey our feelings to him properly.

SHISHIDO: If we're talking about openness, it's gotta be Chotaro.

OSHITARI: Mm. Out of the three, I'd say he's the best in that.

ATOBE: Ootori's also a good choice, but there's a part of him that's too single-minded.

SHISHIDO: But that's what's so good about him.

GAKUTO: So how about Hiyoshi?

OSHITARI: Hiyoshi's certainly got nerves of steel.

SHISHIDO: Yeah, he's the only one with martial arts training. He's got mental fortitude.

OSHITARI: Thinking it over, all three of them... they each have their own strengths.

GAKUTO: Jirou, what do you think?

JIROU snores.

OSHITARI: Oh dear. He's fast asleep.

ATOBE: That's an invalid vote.

SHISHIDO: I think it's time to decide, yeah?

OSHITARI: Mm. If we don't decide soon, we won't be able to move on.

GAKUTO: What do you think, Atobe?

ATOBE: Hmph. So long as they get results, anyone would be fine.

OSHITARI: Then what was the point of our discussion just now?

ATOBE: By the sheer extent of his nerve in trying to overthrow me... it's Hiyoshi.

OSHITARI: If that's Atobe's choice, I have no complaints.

SHISHIDO: Yep. Fine by me.

GAKUTO: Jirou, you agree too?

JIROU snores.

ATOBE: Very well. Let him sleep.

GAKUTO: Then it's decided!

ATOBE: Mm.

Fade to black.

ATOBE: Hiyoshi. Get over here.

Enter HIYOSHI.

HIYOSHI: Excuse me.

ATOBE: Today, the person in charge of shopping duty is... you!

HIYOSHI: ...... Understood.

CHAPTER 1
SCENE 2
Hyotei tennis courts, afternoon.

Later…

HIYOSHI: Atobe-san, what did you want to speak to me about?

ATOBE: The new captain is you, Hiyoshi.

HIYOSHI makes a shocked noise.

HIYOSHI: ….

ATOBE: What’s wrong? You look like a pigeon that’s flown into a window.¹

ATOBE: Hmm?

HIYOSHI: I’m… the new captain?

ATOBE: If it’s too much of a burden, you can decline.

HIYOSHI: No. Of course I’ll do it.

ATOBE chuckles.

ATOBE: That’s good. Starting right away, you’ll take over for tomorrow’s practice.

HIYOSHI: Eh?

ATOBE: Think of a greeting.
HIYOSHI: I... I understand.

SCENE 3
Hyotei regulars’ clubroom, afternoon.

HIYOSHI: I’m… the new captain… of Hyotei Academy…

Enter OOTORI and KABAJI, already changed back into their school uniforms.

OOTORI: Hiyoshi, so you were here?

HIYOSHI: Ootori, Kabaji…… You haven’t gone home yet?

KABAJI: Usu.

OOTORI: Congratulations on your appointment as the new captain.

KABAJI: Usu.

HIYOSHI: You knew about it?

OOTORI: Just now, I heard it from Shishido-san. Nice to meet you, new captain.

KABAJI: Usu.

HIYOSHI frowns and glances away.

OOTORI: What’s wrong? You don’t look very happy.

HIYOSHI: It’s nothing.

OOTORI: Perhaps you’re feeling a little uneasy?

HIYOSHI: …… That’s not true.

HIYOSHI: … Maybe just a little.

OOTORI: I’m the same. After Shishido-san graduates, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to handle it.

KABAJI: Usu.

OOTORI: You too, Kabaji?

KABAJI: Usu.

KABAJI: ….. But…

HIYOSHI: But?

KABAJI: Next year, definitely… the winner will be Hyotei.

HIYOSHI: The winner will be… Hyotei.

OOTORI: That’s right. Hiyoshi-shinbuchou!² You can do it!

HIYOSHI: The winner will be… Hyotei.

OOTORI: Yes! You also have me, and Kabaji. I might not be very reliable, though.

HIYOSHI: No, I’m counting on you. We’re going to do the things we have to do and surpass Atobe-san and the others.

OOTORI: The things we have to do…

HIYOSHI: Conquering Nationals.

OOTORI: … Yes!

HIYOSHI: I look forward to working with you.

KABAJI: Usu.

OOTORI: When it comes to Nationals, we’ll have to defeat them. Rikkai… and—

KABAJI: Seigaku.

OOTORI: Who will defeat Echizen?

HIYOSHI: I have a score to settle with Echizen Ryoma, so I’ll defeat him. With Enbu Tennis.

KABAJI: The one to defeat Echizen will be³…

OOTORI: Kabaji...?

KABAJI: Usu. The one to defeat Echizen, who beat Atobe-san, will be me.

HIYOSHI: Kabaji, I am also going to beat Atobe by overthrowing him. Are you going to defeat me too?

KABAJI: Usu.

OOTORI laughs.

OOTORI: Let’s conquer Nationals first, okay?

KABAJI: Usu.

HIYOSHI: Ootori, Kabaji… why don’t we do some night practice?

OOTORI: Okay! Kabaji, let’s go change clothes.

KABAJI: Usu.

• (1) lit. “you look like a pigeon that’s been hit by a peashooter”
• (2) 新部長 | shinbuchou | “new captain”: I decided to translate it when used as a noun and keep it untranslated when used as an honorific
• (3) this is a play on the Hyotei pre-match “the winner will be Hyotei” chant

CHAPTER 2
SCENE 4
Hyotei school hallway, afternoon.

OSHITARI: Atobe, what was all that with Kabaji?

ATOBE: I sent him to the clubroom. Since the captain-elect Hiyoshi is there.

OSHITARI: It looks like the new captain has been successfully appointed.

ATOBE: Yes, I just appointed him. He's also got a lot to think about right now.

OSHITARI: I assume Shishido told Ootori too, just now.

ATOBE: Yes…

ATOBE: Kabaji…… up until now… you’ve worked hard.

Enter GAKUTO, SHISHIDO and JIROU.

GAKUTO: Heeyy, it’s already twilight.

ATOBE: Hmm? I’m already in my twilight years? Don’t be ridiculous.

SHISHIDO: Just now, Ootori also went to the clubroom.

GAKUTO: Kabaji and the rest of them probably have a lot on their mind about what to do next year.

SHISHIDO: Ha, that’s super lame.

JIROU: Hiyoshi’ll be the new captain from tomorrow on, right?

ATOBE: That’s right.

GAKUTO: I wonder how he’ll look when he gives his greeting.

OSHITARI: I heard that Atobe’s greeting was a sudden, “I am the King!”

GAKUTO: Oh yeah, he did! He hit us with that out of nowhere at the school entrance ceremony.

ATOBE: Hmm? Don’t talk about things as long ago as the Jurassic Era.

JIROU: I remember, I remember! All like, “I will win Nationals!”

OSHITARI: It’s been three years since then… It seemed so long, but it was over in the blink of an eye.

ATOBE: Three years… But in the end, I…

OSHITARI: It was interesting.

ATOBE starts, making a noise of surprise. OSHITARI smiles.

OSHITARI: It was an interesting three years.

JIROU: So much fun~ I was soooo excited for every day!

ATOBE: Hmm? Jirou, you spent nearly every day asleep.

JIROU: Hehe~

SHISHIDO: Thanks to you, I got to experience both singles and doubles.

GAKUTO: I was hoping for a little more action, but… having you as a captain… it was right.

ATOBE: … Hmph.

OSHITARI: How did you manage it, Atobe?

ATOBE: I don’t even remember those old days.

Fade to black. A clock chimes the hour.

CHAPTER 3
SCENE 5
Hyotei regulars’ clubroom, day.

The next day…

HIYOSHI is meditating in the clubroom with his eyes closed. Enter OOTORI and KABAJI.

OOTORI: Hiyoshi. All the club members have finished gathering.

OOTORI: Hiyoshi…?

HIYOSHI starts and opens his eyes.

HIYOSHI: Ah… sorry. Doing this helps me focus my mind and calm down.

OOTORI: It's like you’re doing martial arts.

HIYOSHI: Atobe-san and the others…?

OOTORI: They’re arriving soon.

HIYOSHI: I understand.

OOTORI chuckles.

HIYOSHI: What?

OOTORI: Nothing, it’s just that I realised even you can get nervous.

HIYOSHI: I’m not nervous.

OOTORI: Then why did you bother doing concentration exercises?

HIYOSHI: That was……..

OOTORI takes HIYOSHI’s hands.

HIYOSHI: Hm…?

OOTORI: Your hands… they’re sweating.

HIYOSHI: …!

KABAJI: Usu. Hiyoshi… towel.

KABAJI hands HIYOSHI a towel.

HIYOSHI: Ah… sorry, Kabaji.

KABAJI: Relax.

HIYOSHI: I told you, I’m not nerv… No, I am, to be honest.

OOTORI: I’m not surprised. You’re the new captain following in Atobe-san’s footsteps, after all.

KABAJI: Atobe-san is Atobe-san. Hiyoshi is Hiyoshi.

HIYOSHI: That’s true.

OOTORI: I don’t think you need to put so much effort into your greeting. You don’t have to be so conscious of Atobe-san.

HIYOSHI: Ootori… you don't have to tell me that.

HIYOSHI: Besides, do you think I could even do it? Imitating Atobe-san.

OOTORI: … Definitely not.

KABAJI: Usu.

Enter GAKUTO.

GAKUTO: Oi, what’s the hold-up? Everyone’s here.

HIYOSHI: Apologies. I’m coming now.

SCENE 6
Hyotei tennis courts, day.

ATOBE is addressing the gathered CLUB MEMBERS before practice starts.

ATOBE: As of today, a new captain will be taking over from me. Your new captain is Hiyoshi Wakashi!

Applause from the CLUB MEMBERS.

HIYOSHI: ... Ahem. I, Hiyoshi, who is taking over as captain, uh…

HIYOSHI: ……

OOTORI: Hiyoshi, what’s wrong?

OSHITARI: Oh? Hiyoshi, getting nervous? How rare.

SHISHIDO: That’s super lame.

OOTORI: Hiyoshi, calm down…

HIYOSHI: Uh… I’m… as the new captain…

ATOBE steps in.

ATOBE: It’s your former captain, Atobe!

ATOBE: As the new captain following in my footsteps, there is one thing Hiyoshi must do! Conquer Nationals!

Applause from the CLUB MEMBERS.

HIYOSHI: … As the new captain, this Hyotei Academy… uh…

ATOBE: I would like to say a word as the former captain! The King is Hyotei!

HYOTEI TENNIS CLUB MEMBERS: Hyotei! Hyotei! Hyotei!

ATOBE: Conquer Nationals with me!

HYOTEI TENNIS CLUB MEMBERS: The winner will be Hyotei!

HYOTEI TENNIS CLUB MEMBERS: The winner will be Hyotei!

HYOTEI TENNIS CLUB MEMBERS: The winner will be Hyotei!

HYOTEI TENNIS CLUB MEMBERS: The winner will be—

ATOBE snaps his fingers.

ATOBE: Me!

HYOTEI TENNIS CLUB MEMBERS: OHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

ATOBE: HA HA HA HA! HA HA HA HA!

HIYOSHI: ….. I haven't taken over at all, have I?

CHAPTER 4
SCENE 7

Hyotei tennis courts, day.

HIYOSHI: The takeover greeting was completely appropriated by Atobe-san.

OOTORI: That’s just like Atobe-san. On the contrary, if he suddenly stepped back, you’d end up feeling lonely.

HIYOSHI: His presence is too strong.

OOTORI: It’s not just true of Atobe-san, but all of the third-years, too, isn’t it?

HIYOSHI: As the chief strategist, Oshitari-san always kept calm.

HIYOSHI: Mukahi-san stuck firmly to his own playstyle. He taught me that aesthetic.

HIYOSHI: For you, Ootori, it must be Shishido-san’s presence that looms large, right?

OOTORI: Yes. Shishido-san brought out the power of doubles within me.

OOTORI: I can’t thank him enough.

HIYOSHI: Shishido-san also showed his doubles talent by teaming up with you.

OOTORI frowns.

OOTORI: I wonder if that was really okay…

HIYOSHI: …….?

OOTORI: I wonder if that was really okay with Shishido-san.

HIYOSHI: Why do you ask?

OOTORI: Shishido-san was originally a singles player. But after the Kanto tournament, he only played doubles.

OOTORI: Didn’t he want to play singles matches?

HIYOSHI: If he didn’t play doubles, he wouldn’t have been on the team for Nationals.

HIYOSHI: That’s all there is to it.

OOTORI: …..

HIYOSHI: Atobe-san knew what he was doing when he decided to switch Shishido-san to doubles.

KABAJI: Atobe-san is… always supervising us. More than anyone else.

OOTORI: That’s true.

KABAJI: But he supervises himself more than anyone else. Strictly…

HIYOSHI: …..

KABAJI: All… for the sake of victory.

HIYOSHI: … We must surpass those people.

OOTORI: When it’s our turn to graduate, will our kouhai talk like this?

HIYOSHI: Save this kind of talk for after we conquer Nationals.

KABAJI: Usu.

CHAPTER 5
SCENE 8
Hyotei tennis courts, day.

SHISHIDO: Huh? Oshitari, you’re already done?

OSHITARI: Mm. Atobe told me to give priority to the first-years and second-years for court use from today onwards.

JIROU: Feels kinda lonely~

OSHITARI: How can someone who is always asleep be saying this?

JIROU: I wanted to play one more match with Marui-kun…

GAKUTO: I wanted to go against the Marui-Jackal pair.

OSHITARI: What’s this, Gakuto? That’s what you regret?

GAKUTO: Yeah, but it's different… It's like, I haven’t played against Rikkai since we lost to them at the Kanto finals in second year.

OSHITARI: That’s right. You didn’t get to play against Marui and Jackal.

SHISHIDO: Don’t talk about regrets. That’s kinda lame.

GAKUTO: Oh? So you don’t have a single one? No regrets these three years?

SHISHIDO frowns and says nothing.

JIROU: Something like wanting revenge against Seigaku’s Golden Pair?

SHISHIDO: No, it’s got nothing to do with playing against anyone or anything like that.

OSHITARI: … Oh? In other words, you have a personal regret, is that what you mean?

GAKUTO: Whaaat? You got that kind of thing?

SHISHIDO: ……

OSHITARI: Are you attached to singles?

SHISHIDO: Don’t be stupid, of course not. I threw that kind of thing away when I cut my hair.

GAKUTO: Then what is it?

SHISHIDO: … Thanks to Chotaro, I got to exert myself as part of a pair, to my surprise. I’m grateful that Chotaro was next to me.

OSHITARI: I’m sure Ootori is also grateful to you.

SHISHIDO: But despite that… no, because of that…

OSHITARI: Because of that?

SHISHIDO: I wanted to win Nationals with him.

GAKUTO: …..

OSHITARI: …..

SHISHIDO: One more time… fighting alongside Chotaro—

JIROU: …..

SHISHIDO shakes his head and snorts.

SHISHIDO: Super lame, isn’t it.

OSHITARI: So it’s like that…

GAKUTO: One more time, huh…..

Enter OOTORI.

OOTORI: Shishido-san, I’d like to go take a look at the first-years… is that okay?

SHISHIDO: You don’t have to ask me, stupid. You’re the one doing it.

OOTORI: I want to teach them doubles movements…

OSHITARI: Well, that’ll need both of you.

GAKUTO: Yep.

SHISHIDO: Got it! Well, say no more!

OOTORI: Thank you very much!

{PT 1} | PT 2