You injured it while practicing...?

Haha. Pretty stupid of me, right...?
But I can still throw since it's just a light sprain.

Still, you've gotta be careful. It's going to take a lot longer to heal if you don't rest properly...

Thanks, I know.
But I'm okay, honest! Just watch! Catch...!

*Wince*

(He says he's fine, but he's not moving like he's fine...)

(I've gotta think he's in pain...)

Ready, Max? Go...!

...

Huh? Why aren't you running? I said, “Go!”

*Whimper*

Oh, Max decided to sit down...

What's wrong, Max?
The competition's tomorrow, remember...?

Oh, what if...?

What if Max knows that you're hurt...?

What?

I think he's staying put because he doesn't want you to keep throwing that disc...

Oh, so...
He doesn't want to fetch the disc because he doesn't want to force his partner to keep throwing it?

(Which means Max is going out of his way to disobey Ishihara because he's worried about his partner's ankle...)

(On the other hand, are dogs even capable of that sort of thought...?)

Is that true, Max...?

*Whimper*

Oh, he's rubbing his head against your ankle...!

He must be so worried.

(Wow, that's pretty incredible...)

Max...

Um, Ishihara...?

I know this isn't really any of my business, but I don't think you should push yourself any further...

I feel that Max would be so sad if anything were to happen to you...

...
You're right...

Thanks for showing so much concern for me, Max. I'll take it easy tomorrow to let my ankle heal instead of participating in the competition...

Still, this is really frustrating...

We've been practicing so hard for tomorrow, but can't participate now because of a mistake I made...

Ishihara...

...

(I get how he feels...
I'd be frustrated too after practicing every day like they have.)

(Even more so if it also makes your partner's efforts go to waste...)

I'm sorry, Max...

*Whimper*

Ishihara... Max...

Wait, would it be possible for Max and I to enter into that competition...?!

Huh...?

Well, you can technically register the day of, so I don't see why not...

Then, if it's okay with you, Ishihara, I'll compete in your place!

Wh-What...?!

Yes, Max would still get to compete...
But are you sure?

Yes! Please let me do this!

I want to show my support for Max since he's been working so hard towards your guys' dream!

Hanasato...

Thank you for your kind offer, Hanasato...

Max and I need to build up a good record together in order to compete on the national stage...

But I don't want his efforts to go to waste.
I want him to compete and do his best.

So, if you don't mind...

Of course! You can count on me...!

Alright, lemme give this a try!
Ready, Max?

Goooo get it!

Whoa, that's got some pepper to it.

But...

Oh...

Nooo!
Why'd it go that way?!

Uhh... It sliced a little, but you definitely get full marks for power!

A little? It flew completely sideways.

*Sob*
Lemme try that again! Catch!

Oh, now it went backwards...

Wh-Why?!

W-Woof...?

Oh, is Max looking for the disc?
It went that way! Over there!

Woof!

No, Samo, not you too!

*Sob*
I'm sorry. I didn't think it'd be this hard.

Th-That's okay!
It also took me a long time to get the hang of throwing one of these!

Plus, you have to practice a lot to get it to fly where you want. Now I feel like I'm asking too much of you.

Oh... But if I keep practicing more and more...

No. I really appreciate the thought, but I can't force you to do all that just for us...

As terrible as I feel about Max, we're just going to have to give up on tomorrow's competition.

Ishihara...

...

Woof...!

Huh? Wh-What is it?

Wait, Shinonome...
Doesn't this mean Max wants you to take the disc...?

What?

Yeah, look!
He's pawing at it like he wants you to throw it!

W-Wait, why me?

Hang on...
Does this mean he wants to enter into that competition with you?!

Huh?!
What?!

Woof! Woof!

See? Max agrees!

Hey, don't put words in his mouth. I mean, you don't seriously believe...?

...

Actually, I think she may be right...

Huh?

Um, it's just...
Max has such a serious expression on his face right now...

He may've noticed how frustrated Ishihara is over not being able to participate in that competition, and decided that he wants to enter...

(Is that true...?)

...

(Yeah, it does look like he's trying to tell us something...)

Still, why me...?

Oh, I think I know why...

He must've remembered how well you threw his disc the other day.

Huh?
Oh...

You mean that time...?

Woof...!

...

(For Ishihara's partner's sake, huh...?)

*Sigh*

Fine, I'll throw for you.

!!

What...?!

I'll enter into that competition with Max...
Based on what I did last time, I think I have a good idea of how to throw one of these.

But... Shinonome, I thought you didn't like...

Yeah, I don't know how things are going to turn out...

But...

Let's just say I understand how you feel when it comes to not wanting to let your partner down.

Shinonome... Thanks so much...!

Then, if you're really sure...!
I promise to give you guys all the support I can.

Alright, thanks.

You too, pal...

Woof!

L-Let's do our best.

Oh...

(His hands are shaking...)

In that case, may I help out as well...?

Huh?

I may be able to give you some assistance since I'm used to taking care of dogs.

Ooh! I wanna help too!

Woof!

Woof! Woof!

Oh, Shibao and Samo said they also want to help!

Seriously...?

That'd be great...!
I can't help retrieve the disc and stuff because of my ankle...

Yeah, it would be nice to have a few extra hands available...

So, let's all do our best.

Yeah!