Episode 12

**Are Aoi and Eve all right? Holding, Doubles Championship** (葵とイヴで大丈夫？開催、ダブルス選手権 *Aoi to ivu de daijōbu? Kaisai, daburusu senshuken*) is the twelfth episode of the anime Birdie Wing.

## Plot

The Start of the All-Japan Girls High School Golf Doubles Championship has begun, as Eve and Aoi begin their quest for the title. But will their rivalry with each other help or hurt their chances for glory?

## Summary

At a golf counrse along the coast of Kochi Prefecture, watched over by a statue of Japanese legend Sakamoto Ryoma, the team from Koichi/Nadan Physical Education Girls' Academy, the team captain, and defending Japanese Amateur Champion, Mizuho Himekawa and her partner, Kaede Oikawa are discussing the upcoming tournament. Kaede is insenced that it is nothing more than a publicity stunt to promote Aoi as the "Female Tiger Woods" in the sport. Kaede says that Seira is so obsessed with Aoi's success, she's created an entire tournament just to showcase her. Mizuho, however, remains unbothered. She tells a shocked Kaede that she welcomes Aoi's challenge and has high hopes for her. A junior member of the team announces that their tee time for their qualifying match for the Tournament is nearing. As they approach the first tee, Mizuho sees Aoi as a means for herself to become stronger.

Two days later, Ichina is heading to the practice course, carrying two bags and trips. Summer Break has arrived and the team is preparing for their own qualifying round in Yamanashi Prefecture, where the school is located. Ichina explains that the qualifying round will have each golfer play their own ronud and the team with the best score will advance to the Tournament as their prefecture's representative. Eve and Aoi have been practicing for some time now on the course, holding non-stop closest to the pin battles, which Aoi currently leads 158-74. Eve seemingly ignores the boast by reminding that Golf is about the score, The two are constantly at odds with each other, much to the consternation of Amane and Ichina, who are also locked in their own battle of wits. Amane continues to rely on her analytics and computer models, while Ichina uses old-school observation to assess the terrain. The two argue over the best putting strategy. Along the fence line, Coach Amuro and President Jinguuji watch the arguments. Kinue is concerned about the girls being able to work together, but Coach is unconcerned, he tells her that they need to compete against each other to get stronger for the coming tournament.

The morning of the tournament, Ichina and Amane are already at the course. Ichina is scouting the course on foot, literally walking off the yardage and taking notes on the size of the rough and the bunker placements, as a drone flies overhead. Amane operates the drone as Ichina continues to walk, commenting on how "out of date" Ichina is with her information.

Aoi walks through the starter's tent, as the girls from the other schools watch in awe as she sits down by a tree and polishes her clubs. One golfer is jealous of Aoi's clubs, which were custom-designed for her. They wonder where her partner is, assuming it's Team President Jinguuji. Eve, in her ripped jeans and red shirt, bumps one of the girls with her bag, and they're shocked at her appearance. They're both scared and charmed by her looks as Eve walks up to Aoi. They all are shocked to see that she's carrying a Raioh Academy bag, this is Aoi's partner, and the shock is palpable. As they all gossip as to who the blond foreigner is, Eve turns and asks what the problem is and all the other golfers turn away scared.

Aoi introduces themselves to the others and wishes everyone to have fun with her "Innocent Tyrant" smile, making the girls angry with her cuteness. Eve asks why she's apologizing, that it's stupid, and that sets the others off again. Eve reminds her that if she wins, they're having all-you-can-eat burgers for dinner, which Aoi tells her good luck. The mention of a bet pushes the other golfers further over the edge. Amane and Ichina arrive with their information on the course. Amane hands Aoi her tablet with no less than three playing options highlighted, while Ichina hands Eve her Course notes, calling them her "secret memo," since neither her nor Amane will be allowed to caddy for them, The other golfers acknowledge Raioh's unique stand as the only academy with a caddy training component. Another Golfer, Sato, a third-year student from an another school arrives and sees Aoi and Eve, and vows to show these first-years what golfing on this level entails.

Aoi tees off first on the 315-yard, Par 4, 1st Hole, sending her Pakkun about 230 yards, according to Amane's estimates. Sato steps up and blasts the ball over 250 yards past Aoi's ball, Ichina remarks how much stronger Sato has gotten since becoming a third-year student, her muscles ripling like a body builder on her tee shot. She looks back at Aoi, expecting her to crumble at the sight, only to see her clapping in appreciation, cracking her resolve. Eve steps up and smiles, telling her that there's always someone better. A golf Marshal admonishes Eve by reminding her there's no talking on the tee box, which Eve apologizes for. She reminds herself she has hamburgers on the line as she sets up and fires a Blue Bullet, which screams past Aoi and Sato's golf balls, landing past 260 yards. Sato is paralyzed by her shot, not believing what she just saw. Eve turns, and with her driver held like a rifle, shatters Sato and the other golfers with a soft "Bang." Aoi tells her that wasn't nice, and Eve tells her she'll shoot through her too, to which Aoi invokes a "Barrier" to Eve's confusion.

Back at the Academy, Kinue asks why Coach didn't go to the Qualifier tournament, and Amuro tells her there's no need, if they can't win, then there was never a chance for them to reach the tournament. He then tells her that he already gave them something to fire them up, as he recalls telling them how Mizuho and Kaede had already qualified in Kochi's qualifier with Mizuho finishing with a 10-under for the round, asking the girls if they can beat that score. At the course, Eve and Aoi walk behind Sato and her partner, Suzuki, as Aoi says they're on their way to 11-under. To which Eve says she's going for 12-under, which starts a back-and-forth between the two over what they will score, raising the number higher and higher.

On the 181-yard, Par 3, 3rd Hole. Eve lands her Red Wing ball within 4 feet of the hole, then Aoi puts her Pakkun a foot closer, winking at Eve as they head to the green for their birdie putts. Hole after hole, The two match shot for shot, not only taking their competitors down, but elevating the other's game. After nine holes, Ichina and Amane review the scores. Both Eve and Aoi are 5-under Par, with Aoi sinking 5 birdies, while Eve has 4 birdies, an Eagle and a bogey. The two realize that they can win this and in a moment of joy, high-five each other. They then quickly return to their normal rivalry between the two and look away from each other.

Back in Kochi Prefecture, Mizuho and Kaede are in their team clubhouse. talking about the results from Shizuoka, where Kuyou and Kaoruko have qualfied on behalf of Koran Girls Academy. Kaede dismisses the two by saying that although Kaoruko is a tough opponent, Kuyou is slowing her down and will not be a threat. Kaede asks about the results from Saitama Prefecture, and Mizuho tells her that Saita Higashi has qualified. There's a knock at the door as the junior member who joined them at the qualifier tournament enters to relay the results from Yamanashi, which Raiou has won. Kaede is not surprised and asks what the final scores were. The girl asks if she wants the total score as well, which Kaede does. She tells them that Raiou won with a combined score of 22-under, shocking Kaede. Mizuho asks what the individual scores were, and the girl tells ehr that Aoi and her partner Eve each score 11-under. Kaede doesn't know who Eve is, and Mizuho says that she's probably Raiou's secret weapon. Mizuho looks concerned for the first time, telling her partner that they are coming for them.

Eve and Aoi are still bickering at the awards ceremony, with Eve claiming she won between them, while Aoi points out they had the same score, to the shock of the other golfers, who have never seen them like this. Eve tells her she missed three birdie putts, and Aoi counters that Eve couldn't putt for par. The Tournament chairman interrupts them to award them the winners' plaque, which Aoi takes. Amane is beside herself as she watches this spectacle, genuinely fearing that all the hard work put into building up Aoi's Image and Brand are falling apart before her eyes as she continues to act like a child. Ichina calls the Coach and gives him the report on the qualifiers. He thanks her for the report, then hopes that they can do that well when the actual tournament starts. Coach calls Seira to relay the results and she thanks him for finding Eve, and tells him she was right to entrust Aoi to his tutelege. Aoi calls Gozo to relay the news. and he is plaesed, telling his assistant that this will make an excellent story for the papers.

For the next two weeks, as the other Prefectures hold their tournaments, Eve and Aoi continue their practices, arguing over every shot, while Ichina and Amane continue to argue over their caddy skills, with Jinue and Coach watching the madhouse from the sides. Back in Nafrece, Klein gets a phone call from Eve. She asks how she's doing if she's golfing and is happy that she's doing okay. Lily grabs the phone to talk with her. Eve asks if she got the Gunpla model she sent her, and Lily is kind of happy for the present, but wasn't expecting a Shy-Tarn model. Eve says the store clerk picked it out for her, but Lily tells her the ones she really wants, only for Ichina to walk in to get her, she hangs up the phone as the team is waiting for Eve.

As they walk out of the dorms, Ichina wants to know why Eve isn't in uniform, and that Coach might be mad at her. Eve tells her that they're going to a fight and this is her combat suit, which Ichina finds cool. The team is shocked to see Eve's outfit: Black boots, red tights with fishnets over her right leg, black denim shorts, a red and white tank top with a cropped t-shirt on top, a studded bracelet on her right wrist and a black ball cap turned backwards. Amane looks especially annoyed at her look, asking why she's wearing that, and that she's going to ruin Raiou's reputation, but Coach interrupts her and compliments her on the look, reminding Amane that it's also Eve's debut as well, and they want to attract the attention. Eve thanks Coach for getting it, and Kinue playfully tells her to back off. Eve sits down and chuckles, telliong Kinue she's not into old guys.

Eve asks about the Tournament format and Amane tells her that the tournament will be in Match Play form. Eve asks Ichina what that means and Ichina gives her a brief summary on the format, pointing out that she and Aoi can finish the round in as little as 10 holes if they win them all. Eve likes the sound of it and Aoi says she's looking forward to playing with so many strong golfers. Eve then pats her on the head, telling her that she knows that's what she loves, and Aoi thinks she's making fun of her, but is internally loving it as the bus heads to the Tournament and their destiny.

At the Athena Golf Course, the teams from all the other prefectures are standing around as the Raiou team bus arrives. All of them talking about how their team had the best qualifying score and that they were going to be seeing Aoi the "Genius" in person. Aoi exits the bus first, followed by a still somewhat sleepy Eve, and the other girls get their first look at the wild card. As they enter the lobby, the girls from the other school stare in a mix of anger and jealousy at the two. Kuyou calls out to Eve, telling her she's pleased to see her again, to which Eve says she doesn't remember her and blows past her to greet Kaoruko. Kaoruko is pleased to see her again and is looking forward to their eventual round together. Eve turns aorund and calls out Mizuho. Ichina and Amane try to get her to calm down and Jinue is concerned as well, but Coach tells her it's fine. Eve continues to call out Mizuho, but Kaede apeears and tells her to watch her mouth. Mizuho comes up from behind her and gets her to stand down, telling Eve she's the one she's looking for. Eve smiles, telling her that she's heard a lot about her, about how good she is, and that has her excited at the prospect of defeating her. Mizuho, unbothered, calls her bluff asking if she thinks she can defeat her, to which Eve says she will, that she will "kill her, with golf" and pierce through her with her Rainbow Bullets. As Aoi watches, she remembers when she did that to her, and that she never changes, smiling the whole time.

## Characters

* Eve
* Aoi Amawashi
* Ichina Saotome
* Amane Shinjo
* Reiya Amuro
* Kinue Jinguuji
* Kaede Oikawa
* Mizuho Himekawa
* Kuyou Iseshiba
* Kaoruko Iijima
* Gozo Amawashi
* Seira Amawashi
* Lily Lipman
* Klein Clara

## Matches

* **Eve and Aoi Amawashi** vs. Sato and Suzuki

## Trivia

* Aoi's Pakkun Ball is seen in the opening credits
* The Athena Golf Course is once again featured as the host of the All-Japan Doubles Tournament
* Kaede Oikawa mentions that Aoi's late father ranked as high as second on the American Tour
* The School Sato and Suzuki represent in the Yamanashi Qualifier is not identified
* The golf Magazine that Kaede is referencing shows the top nine finishers at the Under-15 Tournament in Nafrece, including one "Eve Aleon" whose single round score of -10 was included, with a note about her playing as a sponsor's exemption for the final round only
* The Golf Course that Hosts the Kochi Prefecture Qualifier is most likely Sky Bay Golf Course
* The two-week time span between the Qualifying Tournament in Yamanashi and the Main Tournament itself seems to allow for all 47 Prefectures in Japan to hold their tournaments and have the qualifiers arrive at the Host course