AOASHI

Aoi Ashito is an ace of a weak soccer team. His play almost gets the team to the semi-final in his last tournament in junior high, but provoked by the opponent’s goalie, Ashito receives a red card and is removed from the game.

At Fukuda’s invitation and with the support of Shun, Ashito goes to Tokyo alone for the tryouts of Tokyo City Esperion Youth team. Thoroughly impressed with Esperion’s facility, Ashito is escorted to the tryouts by Hana Ichijo, Fukuda’s sister-in-law.

The final test turns out to be a game with the Esperion Youth team. While other candidates feel overwhelmed, Ashito is eager to beat the team so everyone can pass the test.

While the candidates are overwhelmed by the youth team, Fukuda rubs salt into the wound by telling them a piece of information. Unable to recover from the shock, the candidate team allows more goals to the youth team, making it a one-sided match.

The letter of acceptance arrives to Ashito in Ehime. Ashito and his friends are overjoyed at the news, but Noriko, Ashito’s mom, looks at the celebration with mixed feelings.

Heartened by Noriko's support, Ashito sets foot in Tokyo City Esperion once again. A couple of Esperion fans speak to him before he is reunited with Ohtomo and Tachibana.