Episode 53: The Momo who's Returned!



The pre-episode scene started with Coach Ryuzaki giving Tezuka the magazines Coach Banji left on the previous episode. Coach Ryuzaki told Tezuka to bring it home and discuss it with his family. Anyway, it seems that Momoshiro's been spending time on the street court tennis (instead of Seigaku practice). Momo's been playing the doubles pair from Ginka Jr. High all by himself. The doubles pair of Ginka were really scared of the intensity Momo's showing in playing tennis, after their match and Momo's inevitable win, they were quite worried if they pissed Momoshiro about something since the facial expression of Momo's quite scary. Anyway, Tachibana Ann came to the scene and Momoshiro invited her to play tennis against him (since the Ginka pair's already going home), which she agreed happily. Meanwhile, Tezuka's on his way home and contemplating about the things Coach Ryuzaki presented him. Anyway, as Ann and Momoshiro were playing, Ann got pissed at Momoshiro because he's going easy on her, thus, making her somewhat of a fool and it wasn't like the Momoshiro she knows. This made Momoshiro become somewhat contemplative and at this, he discovered his bad habit of underestimating his opponents. It was what happened with his match against Inui and it costs him everything because of his negligence. After his self-realization, Momoshiro hit a Dunk Smash which Ann couldn't return, although, she's happy now that he's being like his old self. As Ann praised Momoshiro for being able to return to his old self, someone cut into their conversation.

Ann and Momoshiro were surprised to see the Hyotei Gakuen Tennis Club members present and sitting on the bleachers watching them. Atobe Keigo told Ann that they'll be paying back Fudoumine on the Kantou Taikai because they'll be playing with all their regular players, unlike before. Oshitari Yuushi (the guy with the glasses) somewhat insulted Momoshiro, saying that he doesn't look very strong for a Seigaku regular, this made Momoshiro annoyed and challenged him to a match, but Mukahi Gakuto (the guy with maroon hair) told Momoshiro to back off since they only specializes in Doubles.

Gakuto added that they'll play him if he would find himself a doubles partner. Anyway, as they were talking Ryoma showed up. Ann was quite relieved, because things were going quite heated. Ohtori Choutarou (the one with greyish hair, much like Atobe's) couldn't believe that this small boy defeated Akutsu and he expressed his sentiments verbally. Anyway, Gakuto, seeing Ryoma challenged Momoshiro to play him and Oshitari with Ryoma as Momo's doubles partner. Both players, immediately said a vehement "NO" to Gakuto. Momoshiro told Gakuto that he'll rather play with Ann since Ryoma doesn't have a Doubles sense. Ryoma told Gakuto that he wouldn't play with someone like a wild boar. Gakuto was surprised to see his challenge tossed aside by the two. Ryoma stopped his arguing with Momoshiro and walked towards Atobe. Ryoma challenged Atobe for a match. The Hyotei team were quite impressed with Ryoma's guts to challenge their captain. Atobe declined, he just told Ryoma to wait for the Kantou tournament where he'll crush every regular member of Seigaku. At that, Hyotei members left, leaving Momoshiro, Ryoma and Ann. Ann bid Momoshiro and Ryoma goodbye. Momoshiro asked Ryoma what's he doing there and Ryoma answered, "Betsuni". (Nothing)

The next day, Momoshiro finally appeared for practice. Every Seigaku members where quite surprised and stopped whatever they're doing just to watch Momoshiro and Tezuka. Kawamura asked Inui how many laps he thinks Tezuka would give Momoshiro, Inui answered, "According to previous data, 50 laps". Kawamura was surprised and began worrying about Momoshiro. Eiji asked Oishi out of the blue what he thinks about the laps, Oishi was surprised, Eiji was taken aback too. Both became silent for a moment before apologizing to each other at the same time. Golden Pair's a pair again!

Anyway, scene skip. The scene shows how Tezuka gave Coach Ryuzaki all the papers regarding studying abroad. He told her that what matters most right now is that Seigaku would be able to participate in the National Tournament.

Back to Momoshiro and Tezuka. Tezuka told Momoshiro that skipping practice for 3 days is a major offense and shouldn't be taken lightly. Therefore, he's to run 100 laps around the court. At this everyone was shocked. It was the highest record yet! Kawamura asked Inui what's the juice he's holding for. Inui told Kawamura that it's for Momoshiro and the juice he just developed is specially good for a person who just finished running, therefore, he'd make Momoshiro drink it afterwards. Anyway, Tezuka just noticed that Ryoma's missing! It seems that Ryoma's late and was tiptoeing towards the locker room, however, Ryoma heard Tezuka telling Oishi quite sternly that being late is not acceptable and he would me Ryoma join Momoshiro on his 100 laps! XD