H2
	 Volume 23
	  Chapter 7 (225)
	   For Now

 - Page 113 -

(Ch. 7) For Now

 - Page 114 -

Paper: All-Japan High School

 - Page 115 -

 - Page 116 -

Kine: Good luck, Kunimi.

Hiro: Huh?

Kine: Your rival returns today, doesn't he?

 - Page 117 -

Kine: Don't hold back.  Baseball and love are apart from friendship, after all.
	Here's hoping for the best.

Haruka: If you're going to meet him, better do it early.
	That manager from Meiwa Ichi seems to be saying lots of stuff, true or not.

Hiro: Which parts are true,
	and what's she making up?

Haruka: I don't know.

 - Page 118 -

Haruka: Oh, right,
	you still haven't paid me back that 1,000 yen.

Hiro: You said I could do it anytime.

Haruka: Yes,
	like today, for instance.

Hiro: Ah, of course.
	Noda!  Lend me money!

Noda: Thank you for using Noda Bank.
	Your interest will be...

Hiro: Take it, you thief!

Haruka: Are those the words of a man repaying a debt?
	Finish cleaning up and come down to the field!

 - Page 119 -

Hiro: I may cut class, but I don't cut practice.

Haruka: Oops.
	Sorry,
	clean that up.

Hiro: Dammit!
	What are you grinning for?

Noda: Oh, I was just thinking,
	how much fun you two have together.

Hiro: You call this fun?!

Noda: Want me to come?

 - Page 120 -

Hiro: Where?

Noda: To Hideo's house.

Hiro: What kind of excuse am I going to make for going out and taking a picture with a friend?

Noda: Who said anything about excuses?
	Of course, if you threatened Hikari-chan and forced her along, then...

Hiro: Jackass.

Noda: Don't worry,
	it's not a big enough deal.

 - Page 121 -

Noda: Anyways, he's finally back from America.
	It's a friend's duty to listen to travel stories.

Hiro: Travel stories...
	Oh yeah, he said he'd buy you and me some M.L.B. gear.

Noda: What,
	really?!
	Sweet,
	let's go.

 - Page 122 -

Sign: Food & Liquor - Tachibana

Guys: Huh.
	Not home?

 - Page 123 -

Noda: Hello?
	Unlocked.

Hiro: Never one for caution, is he?

Light: (click)

Sign: Aim for the Koshien!
	Tachibana Hideo

 - Page 124 -

Noda: Uh-huh.
	Already knows, then.
	Don't worry, no sweat.
	No matter what that one chick might tell him, Hideo won't...

Mug: (clunk)

Noda: ...what's that?

Hiro: A Major League mug.
	Our presents, you suppose?

 - Page 125 -

Hiro: Maybe I underestimated her.

Noda: Anyways.
	I guess we'll have to try again later.

Hiro: Right.

 - Page 126 -

Hiro: Wanna stop by?

Sign: Kunimi

Noda: Oh,
	sure.

Mom: Welcome home.
	Hide-chan's here.

Noda: Oh no,
	I forgot!

Hiro: What?!
	Did you have some errand to run?!
	What kind?!
	Please, tell me!

Noda: Ummm,
	ummm.

 - Page 127 -

Hideo: Yo.

Hiro: H,
	Hey.

Noda: Welcome back.

Hideo: What are you doing?  This is your house.
	Come on in.

Mom: Here we are,
	some yakitori, brought back from America.

 - Page 128 -

Hideo: Sorry guys,
	your gifts were broken when I opened my trunk.

Hiro: Oh.

Hideo: So you went to the beach with Hikari and met our manager's older sisters?

Hiro: Hmm.
	Oh,
	yeah.

Hideo: I heard you'd had your picture taken,
	but imagine that, the Osanai sisters.
	What a coincidence.

 - Page 129 -

Hideo: Sounds like all those photos are causing you trouble.
	Having any problems with Haruka-chan?

Hiro: Not really...

Hideo: Sorry,
	it was my idea to have Hikari invite you.
	She seemed kind of out of it, and I was worried.
	When I asked, she said she hadn't seen you in forever.
	And I was in America.

Hiro: A pinch hitter for the slugger?

Hideo: Not quite.
	You've always been better at cheering her up than me.

 - Page 130 -

Hideo: For now.
	Don't forget.
	This is just a matter of length of relationship.
	What's up?
	Don't want any yakitori?

Noda: Oooh, yummy!

Hiro: Noda,
	didn't you have something to do?

Noda: Of course.
	I remembered, "Oh, I'm hungry!  Must eat something!"

Kine: (gurgle)

Miho: Shut up!

 - Chapter 7 End -