Ep 2. I Hate You!

Cross Game season 1 episode 2, titled "I Hate You!", follows the aftermath of the first episode's baseball game between Seishu and their rival team, Ryuoh. Kou Kitamura, a talented pitcher, helped Seishu win the game, but his response to a dispute with the rival team's Ace, Azuma, leaves everyone in shock.

The episode opens with Kou practicing his pitches in the field when Azuma approaches him and starts to ask about his family's sporting goods store. Kou responds angrily, displaying his hatred towards the store and his father, whom he blames for the death of his mother. Azuma doesn't understand Kou's behavior and leaves, leaving Kou alone with his pent-up emotions.

Meanwhile, Seishu's baseball team has just finished the game, and they eagerly await Kou's return. Aoba, Kou's childhood friend, tells the team to wait patiently, but they start to worry as Kou is nowhere to be found.

Back at the Kitamura residence, Kou's younger sister Wakaba is preparing dinner for the family. Kou's father, Gen, arrives home late and apologizes for his absence. However, Wakaba sees through his excuses and expresses her disappointment in him. She tells Gen that they need Kou's help in the store and suggests that Gen should step away from his duties and let Kou take over.

The scene shifts back to the baseball field, where Seishu's players are still waiting for Kou to return. Azuma approaches the team and asks about Kou's whereabouts. Aoba responds coldly, revealing her dislike towards Azuma and his team. Azuma explains that he doesn't understand Kou's reaction earlier and that he simply wanted to empathize with him as he knew how it felt to lose a parent.

Kou arrives at the field, and the team is relieved to see him. However, Kou is not in a good mood and starts to argue with Azuma. He accuses Azuma of being fake and using his father's wealth to buy his team's equipment. The rest of the players watch in disbelief as Kou and Azuma's argument quickly turns into a physical fight.

The next day, Seishu's coach suspends Kou for one game due to his violent behavior. Kou takes this punishment without protest, and Aoba and Wakaba comfort him during his suspension. Meanwhile, Azuma's team starts to spread rumors about Kou and his family's store, causing tension between the two schools.

"I Hate You!" is a poignant episode that explores the complicated relationships between the characters and their families. Kou's resentment towards his father and his store is a recurring theme throughout the series, and this episode highlights how it affects his behavior towards others. The episode also introduces Azuma as a sympathetic character who tries to reach out to Kou but is met with hostility.

Overall, "I Hate You!" is a well-written and emotionally charged episode that sets the tone for the rest of the series. It delves deeper into the characters' personalities and their motivations, making them more relatable and sympathetic to the viewers.