Frontier

"Frontier" (Japanese: フロンティア) is the fourth episode of Farewell, My Dear Cramer, written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa.The series is published in Kodansha's *Monthly Shōnen Magazine* since May 2016. The episode premiered on April 25, 2021 on Tokyo MX.

## Overview

After losing to Kunogi in the practice match, the Warabis are determined to improve themselves. They brainstorm different methods of improvement. In the end, they decide to ask the coach of the Warabi boys' team for permission to practice with the boys. They're shocked when the coach refuses.

## Plot

It's the next day. Tetsuji, Kaoru, and Yasutani from the Warabi Boys' team approach the girls and ask how they feel after the match with Kunogi. Echizen pleads the boys to not ask about it. The girls hear and blows up at them. It turns out that the goal that Onda made did not count because Shiratori crashed into Kunogi's goalkeeper beforehand which was a foul. Therefore, Kunogi won the practice match.

In the flashback, Naoko and Coach Washizu noted that Onda used the Marseille turn when she scored. Naoko realizes that she has a talented player in her team. Meanwhile, Tsukuda gloats their win to Soshizaki. She snaps at her and declares that Warabi will crush Kunogi next time. Tsukuda remarks that next time they meet would be in the National championships and doubts that Warabi could join at this level. Suo comes over and stares at Tsukuda. Tsukuda took this as a challenge and asks Suo to fight her. Kaji comes over to pacify her with a traffic cone which made Soshizaki and Suo wince. Kaji apologies for Tsukuda's behavior and compliments Soshizaki on her choice to join Warabi. Soshizaki reflects on her team. She wants to improve so that Chika Kirishima acknowledges her and the team becomes strong.

Meanwhile, Onda is walking back from the field and on the way Goro asks her if she is frustrated and she answers yes. As she leaves, Goro notes that the only thing that the game showed was the high level of perfection that Kunogi achieved but Onda's play at the end wiped it out. Ito is watching Onda walk back and Tsukuda asks if she wanted to get her name. Ito is happy at the thought but refuses the offer. She tells Tsukuda that one day they will hear Onda's name whether they want to or not.

   In the present time, the number 21 keeps popping up in different situations, reminding Onda of the loss on Saturday. Determined to improve her abilities, she gathers Echizen, Suo, and Soshizaki up and takes them to the faculty office to talk to Naoko and Goro. The girls demand that the coaches set up a match with the Warabi boys' football team. Goro replies there are physical differences between them and the boys and that it would not be productive. The girls insult him and makes demands such as letting them focus on soccer during PE, morning practice, and strategy meetings. Goro replies that that they need to rest as their physical condition is important to maintain. The girls run out of the office to make plans. Naoko notes that the match with Kunogi definitely motivated the girls to improve. She declares that she will work hard too.

After hearing from Goro that the girls need to take care of themselves, Echizen decides to hold a lesson on nutrition. She tells Onda, Soshizaki, and Suo that this is important because she noticed that during the game on Saturday, all of Kunogi's players were sprinting in the last two minutes of the second half. She says that Warabis need to build up endurance to keep up with Kunogi. During the lesson, Echizen notices Soshizaki and Suo falling asleep and brings in the rest of the team. Naoko brought ingredients from her family restaurant for the team to cook a high nutritious meal together. It does not turn out well as the food doesn't look appetizing. Onda comes up with an idea and goes to meet the coach of the boys' team. They decide to bribe the coach Eiken Asuka with food.

Naoko comes over to the rest of the team and announces the new uniforms. The girls are excited until they see the design that Naoko made. Meanwhile, Coach Asuka refuses the request to let the girls practice with the boys. He says that the boys' team has more members now and asks the girls to give up their part of the field to the boys. The girls are shocked.

## Trivia

* Nozomi and Sawa are classmates.
* When Nozomi goes to pick up Midori and Sumire, it's revealed that they are classmates.
* The Marseille turn, also known as the 360, the Spin, the Roulette, etc. is a specialised dribbling skill unique to the game of football.