Episode 2

The 2nd episode of the Stars Align series. It premiered on October 17, 2019.

## Plot

Yuuta Asuka, a second-year student in Shijo Minami Middle School is being bullied by their classmates. Toma overhears the conversation and steps in to confront them, saving Yuuta from the bullies. One of the bullies tells the rest of them to leave the scene, stating that Toma is a person who could easily snap out.

During break time, Toma introduces Maki to Sakurai-sensei, an art teacher who is also the club advisor of the Boys’ soft tennis team. Sakurai notices redness on Maki’s left cheek, which Maki got from his father’s abuse, but Maki tells him that he got the wound due to falling from the bed on his face. Toma then asks Sakurai-sensei permission to allow Maki to join today's practice session.

Toma gives Maki a uniform and soft tennis equipment. He then introduces Maki to the rest of the team. As the team members belittle Maki's ability for being a newcomer in the club, Tsubasa challenges Maki to show him that he could run for 20 laps on the school grounds. Rintaro suggests all the club members run together in order to welcome Maki to the club. They were initially shocked but they eventually agree to the suggestion.

All the boys’ soft tennis club members start running 20 laps on the soccer field. After passing several laps, most of them get exhausted as their stamina depletes. Only Toma and Maki are able to maintain their running pace. They even outrun the other team members by a lap in the process. Both Toma and Maki cross the finish line at the same time. The boys then acknowledge Maki’s abilities and officially welcome him to the club.

Later that night, Mitsue is seen drawing some artworks that she then uploads to her Twitter account. She receives lots of compliments for them through the social media. The next day, Class 2-C students prepare for a science laboratory session. When walking together with Toma, Maki notices that one of his classmates, Yuuta, is following them. Maki then approaches Yuuta and discovers that Yuuta has a crush on Toma. Maki states that it’s fine to like whoever you want and asks Yuuta to be the club manager since Toma has difficulty in managing the club activities.
At Maki’s apartment, Maki grills Yakitori for his mother and Shou Fujita. It was later revealed that Maki’s mom already filed a restraining order for her ex-husband but it is still being processed.

The next day, Maki introduces Yuuta to the rest of the team as the club manager. During the practice session, Toma teaches Maki the rules and basic stance of soft tennis. He then asks Maki to practice his swing by hitting the ball against a wall. As Maki is able to return the ball flawlessly, the other team members get amazed by Maki’s natural talent. Annoyed by the poor performance among the members, Maki tells them:

In response to Maki’s insult, Taiyo cries, Shingo yells at Maki, while Tsubasa nearly hits Maki with his tennis racket. Shortly after, Tsubasa suggests the team practice their swing together. All of them agree and practice swinging their rackets until the end of the club session.

## Matches

No scored matches occurred in this episode

## Quotes

* Don’t think you’re tough because Yuuta won’t fight back! – ***Toma Shinjo***
* Although my personality isn't bright as the sun, there's really no harm in striving for it to be. – ***Taiyo Ishigami***
* ***Toma***: Katsuragi.. Maki.. with your speed and endurance, if you pair with me, we can totally win a match.
***Maki***: Shinjo.. Um.. Here, Toma (*stretches his arm to Toma*). I guess I'll be counting on you.
***Toma***: Same here, Maki
* *(To Yuuta)*: It's okay, like whoever you want. – ***Maki Katsuragi***
* ***Maki***: Is this the best that you guys can do? Really?
***Shingo***: Hold on, you’re talking like that just because you can hit the ball?
***Maki***: Well it seems like even that is just too much for some of you.
***Shingo***: What’s up with that?
***Tsubasa***: Look, we’re just suck in soft tennis okay, it’s not like anyone really care.
***Maki***: Are you sure? I bet you’re suck in other stuff too. Yeah, people who suck in everything gets really good at making excuses.
***Shingo***: (*Walking toward Maki*) Hey, that’s enough. Stop Talking!
***Maki***: This is why you can’t win a match. You won’t get results if you don’t put in the efforts. Even idiots know that. That’s why you guys were such a losers club, just clowns and cowards too scared to try.
***Shingo***: You jerk-
***Taiyo***: Stop saying that (*sobbing*)… Don’t call us cowards…. It’s not true.
***Maki***: Ugh… What’s crying going to do? Come on.
***Nao***: We could be better if we try. So why would you say-
***Maki***: Failure always say stuffs like that too-
***Tsubasa***: (*holding racket and about to hit Maki’s head*) That’s Enough!
***Maki***: (*stares at Tsubasa*) Wanna hit me? Then use your fists.
***Tsubasa***: Tch… It’s a waste of time hitting a guy like you. Hey Rintaro, why don’t we work on practice swings?
***Rintaro***: Oh.. Right, guys, get in the line, 20 swings. Tsubasa counts first.
* You guys played soft tennis for a year, and is this all you have to show for it? – ***Maki Katsuragi***

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Yuta Asuka
* Touma Shinjo
* Takayuki Sakurai
* Sakura Murou
* Maki Katsuragi
* Kanako Mitsue
* Kei Takada
* Shingo Takenouchi
* Itsuki Ameno
* Taiyou Ishigami
* Tsubasa Soga
* Nao Tsukinose
* Rintaro Futsu
* Namie Ameno
* Aya Katsuragi
* Shō

## Trivia

* One of the school bullies who bullied Yuuta happens to be the members of Student Council Board Executives.
* The opening theme **Suisou** was played when the Boys’ soft tennis team are running
* The ending song **Kago no Naka no Bokura Wa** made its debut in this episode.