Episode 24

**Promise** (約束 *Yakusoku*) is the twenty fourth episode of the anime Birdie Wing.

## Plot

The British Women's Open Championship has begun, and things are heating up between Eve, Aoi, and their new opponent Juha. However, on the third day of the tournament, the situation is going to be critical for Aoi.

## Summary

It's the night before the Women's British Open, and the Scout team for Juha is meeting with her and her Caddy, Karen, going over the conditions for the first round of the Open. They inform her which group tees off first (Group 9, starting on the 10th Hole), the weather conditions for the course (Clear skies with a slight wind from the South), the course conditions (Grass is the same a the previous year, but with a slightly deeper rough), and the expected score to win the tournament (-10, lower than the previous year). Juha's training Rep reports on her physical condition, which are at peak form going into the tournament, which pleases Karen, who thinks that Juha will repeat as Open Champion. Juha, however, does not share the same sentiment, telling her that there are no absolutes, no matter how well you prepare for something. She tells her caddy that she will do her best, nothing more and nothing less, which gives Karen more opportunity to hype up the "Lunar Empress" and say that she will be holding the Cup at the end of the tournament.

The next day, Juha is sinking a putt for a birdie on the 18th hole, finishing with a score of Two Under (-2) after nine holes. As she tells her that She's the only golfer under par, the leaderboard changes as a new name pops up at Even Par, none other than Evangeline Burton. Karen is surprised and wonders who she is, but Juha knows that Eve is there because of her overwhelming victory at the British Women's Masters a couple of weeks before. Karen dismisses Eve's success as beginner's luck and doesn't expect her to keep up the pace. Juha, however, tells her that Eve is not the only one they need to keep an eye on, as the leaderboard changes again, this time Eve getting moved to third as the "Innocent Tyrant" herself, Aoi Amawashi, takes over second place with an eagle on her most recent hole, putting her at One Under(-1). Karen admits that she has no idea who Aoi is, and Juha reminds her, the unexpected can always happen, as Aoi and Amane high-five after her shot, which is why Golf is fun for her.

It's now the Second Round of the Open Championship, when the Cut to determine who moves on to the last two rounds is set. Eve and Ichina are a the 386-Yard, Par 4 10th Hole. Ichina is explaining to Eve how the groupings will work during the last two rounds, the groupings determined by the order of scoring with the ones atop the leader board going in the last grouping. She says that is Eve wants to play against Aoi, she will need to push hard. Eve remind her that she spent the last six months getting her body in shape to handle the stresses the Rainbow Burst puts on her, just so she can beat Aoi here.

As the round progresses, all three golfers remain within two shot of each other, with Juha leading, Aoi a stroke behind Juha, and Eve a stroke behind Aoi. In the gallery at the course, Klein, Lily, Emily, Charlotte, and Jessica, are all cheering Eve, while Aoi's Father, Reiya Amuro and Raihou's former Golf President, Kinue Jinguji\*, watch from his hospital room. Aoi's mother, Seira Amawashi, watches from her office, while Eve's former golf tutor, Leo Millafoden and his current protégé, Aisha Khambatta, watch from the bar at the Luminous Course in Scotland. Aoi's grandfather, Gozo Amawashi, watches from his amnion in the Kanto Region, urging his granddaughter on. Eve's Grandfather, Arios CEO Michael Burton, and his Butler, Alan Harvey, watch from Burton's study at the Burton Family Mansion.

Sadly, fortune does not smile on Japanese Tour Champion Reika Shikishima, as she finishes with overall score after two rounds of Five Over (+5), missing the cut. Watching from home, former Nadan Academy golfers Mizuho Himekawa and Kaede Oikawa, comment on the difficulty of the Course at St. Annlies, while over at Koran Academy, third-year golfers Kaoruko Iijima and Kuyou Iseshiba, along with their coach, Akihiro Date, also comment on Shikishima's inability to catch up to the leaders, with Coach Date pointing out that a person can push themselves is they feel they have a shot at winning, but if there's no way to catching up, it ruin you. Shikishima signs her card at the clubhouse and sighs, saying all she can do is laugh, admitting that though she knew Aoi was good, she had no idea how powerful she truly was.

That Evening, Eve is beside herself, upset that she's not going to be able to play with Aoi alone, wondering who the hell Juha is. Ichina has to explain to Eve, who paid no attention to the golf world in all her years playing underground golf, that Juha is not only the three-time money leader in America, but also the defending Open Champion winner. Ichina is shocked at how clueless eve really is about the golf world.

Meanwhile, Karen is meeting with the research team to look over Eve's stats. She wonders why Aoi only participated in three tournaments this season, and asks if she was injured, but the research team doesn't have an answer for that. Karen looks over her stats after the first two rounds, and notes that Aoi's driving distance is averaging 270 yards and has a fairway Keep rate of over 80%. Her scores for both days shows she finished the first round two bogeys on the Par 4, 4th and 13th holes, but birdied the Par 5 6th Hole and Eagled the Par 5 16th, for a One Under (-1) 71, while Round Two saw her birdie all three Par 5 Holes and the 13th, for a Four Under (-4) 68. They show Karen Aoi's third shot on the 16th, which she chipped in for the Eagle, and they point out her lack of bogeys in the second round. As they suspect that Aoi may be a threat in the final round, Juha joins them, having gotten out of the bathroom, tying her robe up. She says that Aoi is a fantastic golfer with large, beautiful wings, as she draw in a wing behind Aoi's back, but the plan to aim for the 10 Under (-10) finish stays in place. Karen asks is she has something crazy planned, but Juha responds that she's normal, the crazy one is Aoi instead.

In her hotel suite, Amane is sitting with Aoi, who has her eyes closed and seems to be meditating. She asks her if she is okay, and Aoi tells her She's fine, but she feels like she's in a dream, on top of the leaderboard ahead of both Eve and Juha. She says, that if she can keep up the pace and win, she could die happy. Amane admonishes her about saying things like that, not wanting to bring around any bad luck with a statement like that. As Aoi lays there with her eyes closed, Amane tells her she will continue to play the golf she loves, now and forever.

The third day of the Open Championship starts, with Aoi in first place at Five Under(-5), Juha in second at Four Under (-4), and Eve third at Two Under (-2). As she stands by the gallery, Eve turns as he hears her sisters yelling to her from the stands, making her smile, giving them a wink and an thumb's Up. Lily is amazed that Eve's reached the final rounds of the Open, and Klein agrees that it's incredible. Eve is amazed that she's seeing all of these people for the final round of the Open, then asks Ichina for her driver. She hands her the driver, but doesn't let go immediately. Eve asks her why she shaking, Ichina says that thanks to her, she's at a Major Golf Championship as a caddie, competing for the win, a dream she's had since she was a child. Eve then tells her they're not competing for the win, they GOING to win. She sees Aoi and Amane, and Juha and Karen walking to the Tee Box. Eve tells herself she hasn't done anything yet, and says to Aoi to wait for her to catch up, while Aoi tells her she's waiting for her.

Karen sees Eve for the first time and assumes she's some brat. Eve introduces her rivals to her shot, the Rainbow Bullet Burst shot. Karen is shocked by the shot, while Amane and Aoi are impressed. Eve's family is amazed as the tee shot flies for 290 yards. Aoi smiles as she pulls out the 48-inch Shining Wings driver her father designed for her, impressing Eve. Karen sees the connection between the two and wonders if they know each other and Juha says she's jealous that the two have a rival that pushes each other to improve. After Eve sinks her birdie, she watches as Aoi returns the favor and introduces her beloved rival to her Shining Wings drive, which Coach Amuro helped to develop. Eve is suitably impressed as she outdrives Juha's tee shot.

At the 510-yard Par 5 16th hole, Aoi's third shot lands on the green and rolls towards the pin. Despite Karen screaming for the ball to stop, it rolls right to the cup. Back in Japan, Kaede is amazed as Aoi lands her second chip-in Eagle on the hole, the first happening in the first round. Mizuho, however, recognizes that Aoi did the same thing at the Doubles Championship the year before, but is stronger than before. Over at Koran Academy, Coach Date remarks that Aoi is now Nine Under (-9) with her second Eagle of the tournament. Both Kuyou and Kaoruko are in awe as Aoi seems unstoppable, while Gozo is ecstatic that his wish for the family is finally coming true.

Eve and Ichina hear the roar of Aoi's Eagle and says they'll catch up on the 17th and 18th holes. As they watch her pick up her ball, Kinue remarks at Aoi's lead, three strokes over the the Empress, but Amuro is concerned that Juha is conserving her power, he wonders what her game plan really is as she sinks her putt to stay three strokes behind Aoi. Karen tells her that they can catch up on the last couple of holes, and Juha says No, they're doing what needs to be done. She looks up at the Moon and says that's it's watching the tournament from afar and knows how things will work out. Back in his hospital room, Amuro tells Kinue that Juha's talent comes from her ability to analyze any situation she's faced with on the golf course.

Aoi and Amane are on at the tee box for the 443-yard Par 4 17th Hole. as Juha watches. She tells Karen that as of tomorrow's final round, She'll be atop the leader board. As she approaches the ball, Aoi's vision blurs and she begins to lose her balance, Amane catches her, but Aoi has she just got a little dizzy but she's fine. However, both her parents know what's happening, the tumor that was seen in Aoi's CT Scan is starting to affect her. Amuro realizes that Juha must have surmised Aoi's condition and has been playing to put pressure on his daughter. Juha remarks to herself that Aoi reminds her of Icarus, but the wings she says she possesses, like the legendary myth, are vulnerable when flying too close to the sun, and she expects her to melt down and crash soon. As she speaks, Aoi's fairway shot slows down and fails to reach the hole, giving her a par for the hole. The same on the 449-yard, Par 4 17th hole, as Juha continues to talk about Aoi's skills being like a small candle that it at the end of its wick. A wax figure of Aoi with a pair of wings attached appears before Juha and proceeds to melt like the tragic myth's hero. She then makes a bold Prediction that Aoi's stamina will run out at the tee shot for the 18th hole.

At the tee box for the 357-yard, par 4 18th hole, a visibly exhausted Aoi slowly makes her way up. Amane approaches her but Aoi tells her not to tell her to forfeit. she says she's having the time of her life playing here, in front of so many people, mention her parents, her grandfathers, and all of her rivals from the other schools who she's gotten to know over the last year. She wanted them all to watch her play, Juha is surprised to see her smile, as Amane tells her this is her last hole for the day, and to finish strong. At the green, Eve is asking Ichina for her help to sink a birdie so she and Aoi are together in the final grouping for the final round the following day, Ichina studies the green, and envisions every potential shot and it's result, She figures out the shot that will give her telling her to place her father's Rainbow Shot seven meters behind the pin and let the backspin do the rest. As she addresses the ball, she asks for everyone's strength to help her make this shot, asking Lily, Klein, the girls, and her parents, whose ghosts stands at the edge of the gallery, watching their daughter as she launches Kazuhiko's Rainbow shot, wanting her promise to Aoi, to play each other one-on-one, to be the first dream she truly wants to come true. The ball sails to the spot Ichina called and spins out, rolling right into the cup for the Birdie. Ichina grabs her, tearing up as she tells her how happy she is. At the Burton house, Alan praises her shot to her grandfather's nodding approval. Burton, speaks to his daughter's picture, telling her how her daughter was fighting to win with the golf she loved so much.

Back at the tee box of the 18th, Aoi and Amane hear the cheers, as the Leaderboard is updated to show Eve in second place. Amane tells her that Eve kept her promise, now that it was her turn, as she hands her a club. Aoi places her Pakkun ball on the tee as she thinks back to how much she's waited for this moment to come, from that failed meeting in Nafrece, when Eve launched her ball ball back at her as her plane departed. Every time they had the opportunity to play, something went wrong. Eve comes to Japan to play her, and they win the Girls' Doubles National Championship, but then she leaves school nd returns to Nafrece. She thinks how her joy at playing with her is so much greater because she had to wait, and tells Pakkun to fly to Eve, who's waiting for her. Aoi's shot sails gracefully towards the fairway, surprising both Juha and Karen. Juha wonders how its' possible, then sees the logo on her driver, realizing that Aoi's wings are not wax like Icarus, but wings that will shine forever, even when taken past their limits. Juha decides to kick her game into high gear, vowing not to surrender her throne.

As they walk towards the ball, Aoi and Eve finally see each other and smile, acknowledging their promise, which is a couple of shots away from Finally occurring. Tomorrow they will finally play together as they promised all those months ago on the seaside course in Nafrece, when they first met. Aoi's ball sails all the way to the pin, but hits the flag at an odd angle and bounces back to just past the lip of the cup. Ichina breathes a sigh of relief, saying that if she had made it, they'd probably not be able to catch her, but she stops as she looks at Eve, who can't take her eyes off Aoi, admitting that she hasn't changed since the first day they met, and that her golf never fails to thrill her. But just as she says this, Aoi drops the club and collapses onto the grass.

everyone is shocked as she collapses, while Eve and Ichina make a mad dash towards her. Amane cradles her, trying to get her to wake up as Eve arrives, grabbing Aoi and screaming at her to wake up and get to the green so she can sink her putt and they can play together. Eve yells at her to keep her promise as she starts to cry, but Aoi gently grips her forearm, telling she knows. Amane is pleading with her not to move, but she stands up and slowly makes her way towards the green, asking God to let her finish the round so she can play with Eve. She doesn't care if she never plays golf again, she just wants to make it to Sunday and keep her promise. The gallery, her family, and her fellow golfers all watch as she slowly plods towards the green, seemingly walking on water to reach the hole, but after a few steps, she falls face-first onto the ground, unconscious.

## Matches

### British Women's Open, St. Annlies Course, United Kingdom

* Eve (w/ Ichina Saotome) vs. Aoi Amawashi (w/ Amane Shinjo) vs. Juha Hamilail (w/ Karen Lapana)
* **1st Round**, Juha Hamilail, (-2), Aoi Amawashi (-1), Evangeline Burton (0)
* **2nd Round**, Aoi Amawashi (-5), Juha Hamilail ( -4), Evangeline Burton (-2)
* **3rd Round (in Progress)**, Aoi Amawashi(-9, H18), Evangeline Burton (-7), Juha Hamilail (-6, H18)

## Characters

* Eve
* Aoi Amawashi
* Amane Shinjo
* Ichina Saotome
* Juha Hamilail
* Karen Lapana
* Lily Lipman
* Klein Clara
* Emily
* Jessica
* Charlotte
* Reiya Amuro
* Kinue Jinguji
* Seira Amawashi
* Gozo Amawashi
* Aisha Khambatta
* Leo Millafoden
* Mizuho Himekawa
* Kaede Oikawa
* Kaoruko Iijima
* Kuyou Iseshiba
* Akihiro Date
* Michael Burton
* Alan Harvey
* Reika Shikishima

## Trivia

* The Golf Ball Logo featured is Juha's Crescent Moon ball.
* A note on the format of most Golf Tournaments. The first two rounds of the tournament set up a minimum score to advance to the last two days of the contest, known as "The Cut." Players who fail to score below that score are eliminated after two rounds, as in the play of Reika Shikishima, who missed the cut with a two-day score of Five Over (+5).
* Jinguji is being identified as the "former President" based on the fact that when Eve and Aoi win the Doubles Championship the previous year, She was in her third year of school. Since the Open Championship is being played around the end of July/Beginning of August, Jinguuji, now assumed to be 18, would have graduated from Raiou the previous March and is no longer Coach Amuro's student.
* Both Mizuho and Kaede are also assumed to have graduated from Nadan Academy in March as well, with both of them now wearing normal clothes instead of their traditional sailor School uniforms they wore previously.
* Both Kaoruko and Kuyou were second year students during the Doubles Championship the previous year, and are now third-years at Koran Academy, which is why they are shown still in their school uniforms while watching the Tournament.