Episode 1

## Four-Leaf Clover

* Title Screen
* Screenshot

## Episode Guide

**Four-Leaf Clover** is the first episode of the *Cross Game* anime.

Kou Kitamura and Wakaba Tsukishima celebrate their 11th birthday. Since Kou isn't good at gift giving, Wakaba gives him a list of presents she wants. At summer swimming camp, a tragedy strikes that will change the lives for everyone involved.

## Plot

Kou delivers some baseballs to the Tsukishima Batting Center. After getting hit in the head with a spray nozzle by Aoba Tsukishima, and then hit in the head again by a truck of a plant that Momiji Tsukishima was carrying, Kou is finally greeted by Ichiyou Tsukishima, who then invites him in so he can finally complete his delivery. Seiji Tsukishima, the girls' father, accepts the delivery then gives Kou a free token for the batting cages. Kou winds up to hit, but then Wakaba shows up, and volunteers Kou to take her to swimming class on his bike.

On the way to the swimming school, Kou and Wakaba are stopped by Daiki Nakanishi, who asks if Wakaba and Kou are on a date, which Kou denies, stating he is only taking her to swim class. Nakanishi then invites Kou to play baseball, which Kou declines, saying it was boring. Nakanishi then angrily states that it was Kou's idea to start a baseball team in the first place. Kou just said that so they will buy baseball uniforms and equipment from his family's store! Kou then rides off, leaving the other kids to yell after him in anger. They soon pass Osamu Akaishi who looks none to pleased to see them. Kou points out to Wakaba that Akaishi likes her, to which she responds 'Oh." They arrive at the school and Wakaba thanks Kou by giving him a kiss on the cheek, telling him that she will be ready to be picked up at 5pm.

On the way back home, Kou then runs into Akaishi again, this time he's joined by two other boys: Hayashi and Nawata. Akaishi, Hayashi and Nawata are the 1st, 3rd, and 5th strongest boys in class, respectively. Kou quickly rides off the other way when he spots them. He finds refuge among the baseball team he has earlier rejected. But then Akaishi shows up on the mound, having been watching and wanting to play asked the other team if he could join. When asked about his and Wakaba relationship, Kou says they are just neighbors. Unfortunately, Wakaba shows up that exact moment to shout at Kou about how he was supposed to pick her up because she gave him a kiss. Akaishi is not happy and he throws a fastball, which Kou hits out of the park.

Nakanishi talks Kou into playing catch, which Kou is reluctant to do since he's never played catch before. Kou misses a throw and the ball ends up landing at Aoba's feet who was walking by at that moment. Kou reminds Nakanishi that's he's never played catch before asking Aoba to throw the ball back to them. Aoba throws an amazing pitch towards Kou, almost beaning him in the head. It's then shown that Aoba has been practicing her pitching with her father. Kou Later points out to Wakaba how amazing Aoba is at pitching. Wakaba says Aoba is on a boys baseball team and is the pitcher. The two then exchange birthday presents; Kou gives Wakaba a purse that is 'barely okay' and she gives him another alarm clock, saying one isn't enough. The two are walking home and see a newly wedded couple. Wakaba says the bride is beautiful and since the two were married on their birthday, they will be happy together.

The next day, Wakaba and Kou are in Kou's room. Wakaba then asks him about all his interests, which change a lot. She then says it would be interesting to see what kind of adult he turns out to be. She gives him a 'birthday gift planner' of gifts she wants for her birthday starting next year, so Kou won't have to worry about what to get her. She then asks if she can borrow one of his caps for the swimming camp she was going to. That night, after watching the fireworks, Wakaba offered to walk Kou home. Kou says she doesn't have to since it close by, Aoba agrees with Kou. Wakaba insists and Kou relents. Wakaba says they are going to the Summer Festival when she gets back from camp and gives him another kiss on the check before leaving.

A few days later, Kou notices the Clover Café was closed, which his mom, Kimie, found to be odd since the holiday was the previous day. She asks Kou about Wakaba's homecoming, which Kou says she will be back the following evening. The next morning, Kou's dad, Kensaku, is on the phone, a haunted look on his face. Kou then wakes up, turns the TV on and grabs some milk from the fridge. The baseball game on the TV was interrupted with a news broadcast. A girl at the swimming camp had fallen into a river, trying to save a younger girl and that the girl who fallen into the river passed away the night before. The girl who passed away was revealed to be Wakaba.

A funeral is held. That evening, Kou decides to go to the festival, keeping the promise he made to Wakaba. His mom tried to stop him but his dad, knowing he needed to get out of the house for a while, gave him some money and told him not to squander it all. He goes to festival, wearing the same hat that Wakaba had taken to camp with her, given back to him by her dad. Kou remembers Wakaba telling him they are going to go to the festival together. Distraught, Kou asks a nearby vendor what he should do, and walks off. The vendor, of course, doesn't know how to respond. Aoba is then shown at the batting cages, hitting baseballs, obviously trying not to cry, while Ichiyou watches sadly, and Momiji is in the house, looking up at the picture of her deceased big sister. Kou is outside and sees Akaishi crying and realizes that's what he needs to do. Cry.

## Characters

### Order of appearance

##### Debuts

* Kou Kitamura
* Kensaku Kitamura
* Aoba Tsukishima
* Momiji Tsukishima
* Nomo
* Ichiyou Tsukishima
* Seiji Tsukishima
* Wakaba Tsukishima
* Daiki Nakanishi
* Osamu Akaishi
* Hayashi
* Nawata
* Kimie Kitamura

## Important Events

* Wakaba Tsukishima dies in a tragic swimming accident

## Trivia

* **Title drop/reference**: "Four Leaf Clover" is referring to the four Tsukishima sisters (Ichiyou, Wakaba, Aoba, and Momiji) who's names (in kanji) are all leaf themed: one leaf, young leaf, blue/green leaf and red leaf, respectively. Could also be referring to the Clover Cafe that is named after them

### Anime/Manga differences

##### Omissions from anime

* Ichiyou is shown throwing a customer out of the batting center after the customer tried to steal tokens.
* Senkawa North Elementary School isn't shown so the exchanges at that school are omitted.