They promised themselves they wouldn’t falter...and now, after giving up three crushing early goals to Ryozan Academy in the second round of the All-Japan High School Soccer Tournament, Seiseki find themselves on the verge of a comeback in the eleventh hour. And it’s all thanks to Tsukushi, who’s finally ready to transcend his weakness and run hard enough for the whole team. Can he show Seiseki the way and tie up the game?!
"You’ve been by my side since the very first day..." The tides of battle have turned, and in the blink of an eye, Seiseki’s tied the score against Ryozan, the reigning champions of high school soccer. They’re on a roll, and with five minutes to go, they’ve got Ryozan between a rock and a hard place. But both teams have fierce emotions riding on the outcome...so no matter who comes out on top, it’s going to be a game to remember. Who will advance to the fourth round of the All Japan High School Soccer tournament, and who will be going home?!
"We use up all of our meager strength… and that’s all we can do." In the final minute of additional time, Kazama scores the goal that brings Seiseki into the lead. Ryozan strikes back, desperate to hang on for just a minute longer. But the final blow of the whistle cuts their story short. In the end, only one team can win, and the other must lose. The players on both sides grapple with their thoughts and feelings as the dust settles.
"This skill eclipses them all." Aggressive Seiseki faces their polar opposite for the quarterfinal match: the iron-clad defensive team of Otowa High, captained by none other than the greatest goalkeeper of his generation, Sunayama. They make no headway as he blocks one shot after another, but just as the tides are about to turn against them, a miracle occurs: Seiseki is awarded a direct free kick, and who steps up to handle it than the King of Free Kicks, Kimishita! Can he break out of his slump and prove himself worthy of his title?
"What makes an Ace?" The quarterfinals continue with Sakuragi High against Seikan Academy, and whoever comes out on top will have to face Seiseki in the semis. But barely minutes into the match, things take an unbelievable turn! Sparks fly as Indo and Taira face off in a clash between Big Ten giants! And no one could have predicted what would happen next…
"This is what our Sakuragi High Soccer Club does." With one more goal needed to the the game, Sakuragi begins the second half with a substitution, bringing in their ace striker, Narukami—and he immediately leaves the opposing team in the dust! The whole admosphere of the stadium changes in an instant…but Seikan doesn’t rest, as Higuchi executes a man-to-man defense. With three long years of hard work backing him, he vows to contain Narukami and let Taira do what he does best. The fierce battle between Sakuragi and Seikan races towards its climax!
"The imprints of everything you’ve done before carry on with you into the future…"Seiseki’s semifinal opponent has been decided: the rival team that knocked them out of the Interhigh Tournament, Sakuragi High. But there’s one week to go before their fateful match, so the players try to return to their normal lives for a breather. In that time, Tsukushi is invited to play futsal with Eiji and the gang again, and returning to where he first touched a soccer ball brings back memories…
"Even if it’s fleeting or a coincidence…I’ll never forget you guys." As the day of the semifinal match against Sakuragi High approaches, the members of the Seiseki Soccer Club walk various different paths. Kimishita’s failed dream...the third-years’ impending farewell...Ubukata’s melancholy…and a disaster for Kazama. Each of them has their own challenges to face as they strengthen their resolve for the coming game.
"We can win this! If I give my all, we can win!" The semifinal match of the All-Japan Tournament has begun with Seiseki against rival Tokyo team Sakuragi! Although Seiseki is playing without Kazama, Kimishita’s decision right after kick-off just might be enough to trick even Indo! And with Tsukushi more determined than ever, feelings for his best friend held tight, Seiseki’s attack on Sakuragi is fierce!
“Kazama… What are you doing right now?” In the face of Indo’s overwhelming control of the game, Seiseki slips further and further into a disadvantageous position… But if they can connect Kimishita’s skill, Oshiba’s might, Usui’s mastery, and Mizuki’s game sense… Their daily efforts can only be rewarded.
“I get to play soccer!” Tsukushi’s goal clears the benches as everyone rushes to the pitch to celebrate. Not to be outmatched, Sakuragi sends out their ace striker Narukami early in order to recapture the momentum. Seiseki’s strategy to contain the grim reaper himself is simple: sacrifice Usui. The fate of both teams just might ride on this single one-on-one!
“Show us where our dream takes us next!” As the end of the first half approaches, Sakuragi makes an impressive long-ball attack—Indo hoofs the ball downfield and none other than ace striker Narukami picks it up! He pushes towards Seiseki’s goal, carrying the hopes and dreams of his team with him…but Seiseki defensive superstar Usui and his incredible focus stand in his way. Who will win—the unstoppable force or the immovable object?!
“I need to stop thinking in circles…and believe in myself!” The game is tied 1–1 as the second half of the semifinal match begins. Kimishita begins to discover his true abilities as he breaks the curse of the “dream killer” inside him. However, Sakuragi seizes the momentum by freeing Kisaragi to join their attacks. Neither team is willing to back down as they both pull out all the stops!
“Sorry…but I have a team backing me up.” Kaoru Indo, the lone genius, blows through Seiseki’s defenders like wet paper. But just as Seiseki is on the brink of disaster, Kazama arrives at the stadium. 22 minutes into the half, the man all of Seiseki can rely on steps onto the pitch, his resolve firm…
“Am I really doing the right thing?” Seiseki has earned a penalty kick—a golden opportunity to break the stalemate. How will Tsukushi approach the kick?! On the other side, Narukami is running himself ragged to keep up with Indo’s incredible passes…but if he ever lets up, it’s as good as letting Seiseki win! With just ten minutes left on the clock, both teams are burning brighter than ever!
“We’re in this together. Let’s win it together.” Kimishita gives Mizuki his greatest pass yet, but across from Mizuki stands another member of the Big Ten—Kaoru Indo. Both of them carry the responsibility of team captain…and the pride of the captain’s armband. With his role as captain in the forefront of his mind, Mizuki makes his move! Our story nears its climax as the inevitable end of the match approaches…
“You two are the best!” Just as the game is about to end, Kimishita lofts a pass that Tsukushi relays to Kazama. This final play is the culmination of all the days that came before it…and its outcome will determine all the days that follow. The heart-pounding dramatic match between Seiseki and Sakuragi reaches its final conclusion! And then, a tearful goodbye…
“The world is full of good people. They’re just hiding in plain sight.” This collection of fragments reveals the untold secrets of how the Keiogawara Soccer Club came to be, how Ryozan’s Ikariya feels about his family, how it feels to be an alternate on a championship-winning team, and three other tales taken from the past and future of DAYS! Catch a glimpse of what the new year has in store for your favorite characters in this coda to the award-winning manga!