Thinking Reed

## Chapter Information

### Novel Chapter(s)

Chapter 2

**"Thinking Reed"** (考 (かんが) える葦 (あし) , *Kangaeru Ashi*) is Chapter 6 of the *Ao Ashi* series, written and illustrated by Yūgo Kobayashi and based on a concept by Naohiko Ueno. This chapter was published in the 11th issue of *Big Comic Spirits*' 2015 series.

## Synopsis

The chapter starts with a flashback of Ashito's goal in the last chapter. Hana appears dumbfounded as she watches Ashito score.

Koichi Midorikawa, part of the PR Department of Tokyo Esperion, welcomes everyone to eat in the cafeteria. He explains that the coaches are currently deciding who should take the exam. Otōmo tells Ashito that he can eat a lot, which causes Ashito to question why he isn't eating. Otōmo explains that he's worried about the exam results. Other people sitting around the table agree with Otōmo. After Nakano mentions that he is jealous of Kaneda and Ashito for being able to perform so well, Otōmo mutters about how the Tokyo Esperion staff is likely talking about how weak he is. This causes Ashito to think about Otōmo's attitude on and off the pitch.

We skip over to the coaches going through the selection process. Some players, including Tachibana and Kaneda, are quickly selected due to mutual agreement between the coaches. They also take note of Kaneda's bad temper. Fukuda asks Tsukishima for his opinion, and he names Otōmo due to his behaviour on and off the pitch. He explains how Otōmo talked with other players to improve and how he encouraged his teammates. Then they move on to Ashito, the player the coaches have the most divided opinions on. Tsukishima explains his last play to the other coaches, explaining how he purposely went in front of his goal to lure the opponents. Despite not looking at Kaneda, Ashito could pinpoint where he was and kick a long ball to him due to his wide vision. Nozomi Date praises Ashito but points out that everything he did could be coincidental.

We cut back to the cafeteria, and Ashito notices Hana helping in the canteen. This causes Ashito to presume that Hana is the cafeteria granny, but Hana corrects him by saying she's a middle school student. She also refuses Ashito another serving because playing with a full stomach is very hard. Hana then asks Ashito if the long pass during the last game was a coincidence, which prompts Ashito to answer that he is also unsure if it was. Ashito explains that it is his habit to analyze the pitch since it can calm him down. Hana then says that it might be "intuitive". This makes Hana glad as she thought the pass was something a middle schooler couldn't do. Hana then explains that her favourite player would always say things about thinking. She then tells Ashito good luck and that a "human is a thinking reed". Lastly, she formally introduces herself to Ashito, mentioning that he is Fukuda's little sister.

Hana starts recounting her memories from a match between Japan and Qatar. She watches a 23-year-old Fukuda assist a team from a long pass near his own goal, similar to Ashitos's pass.

Lastly, we go back to the present day as we see a speaker announce that all selections have been made and that all players must gather at the main ground.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Hana Ichijō
* Ashito Aoi
* Koichi Midorikawa
* Tatsuya Fukuda
* Eisaku Ōtomo
* Junnosuke Nakano
* Akinori Kaneda
* Sōichirō Tachibana *(Cameo)*
* Yuudai Hasegawa *(Cameo)*
* Ueda Hiroshi *(Cameo)*
* Aki Tsukishikma
* Daigo Benzen
* Nozomi Date

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Big Comic Spirits No. 11, 2015* – Comic Vine