WataMote Chapter 209-1

Chapter 209-1
Information
Volume Number	23
Chapter Title	Because I'm Not Popular, It's Baseball Time. Part One
Published	September 28, 2022
Previous Chapter	Chapter 208
Next Chapter	Chapter 209-2

私がモテないのはどう考えてもお前らが悪い!

Watashi ga Motenai no wa dō Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui!

No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys' Fault I’m Not Popular!

Synopsis

At the baseball field, Kotomi holds a bat in the foreground behind the backstop while Hikari regards her as she drinks. Behind them, Asuka Katō and Kaho Kusunoki watch Fūka and Miho play catch on the field through the back stop. The narration above Kotomi and Hikari reads, "In the midst of early-morning location shooting."

There is a view of the Sun in the sky, then the next panel shows a line of WataGirls™ walking down a road as the higurashi cry: Kaho chats with the smiling Miho; Yuri walks silently with Emiri; Shizuku stares ahead smiling as she walks next to Hikari; and Kotomi walks slightly in front of them. They meet Tomoko and Asuka at the backstop. Kotomi complains to Tomoko that it is too early; Tomoko replies that it is not since she can only use it until the baseball team arrives. In her Tomoko Makeup™, Asuka exchanges greetings with Miho. As a chibi, Tomoko asks about Masaki. Chibi Yuri replies that Mako called her and told her they would be ten minutes late. Chibi Tomoko rhetorically asks if she thinks it is the duty of "jerk delinquents" to be late. Chibi Miho adds, happily, that Fūka will also be late. Chibi Tomoko observes that even for a "gorilla," the morning is early.

Tomoko asks Yuri if she should film material until everyone arrives. Yuri repeats, "material", and Tomoko explains that If there were a few scenes of each person swinging a bat or throwing a pitch, they could be used for something.

In her Asuka Makeup™, Shizuku beams as she holds a bat on her shoulder. A montage follows of Shizuku, Yuri, and Kotomi batting, with Yuri bringing the bat directly downward, then Miho, Hina, and Kotomi throwing. Fūka, Masaki, and Mako arrive as Tomoko is regarding Asuka, who is holding a bat over her left shoulder. In the background, Hikari films Kotomi throwing as Kaho watches. When Mako announces that they have arrived, Tomoko announces that they are all here.

The next panel depicts Masaki standing on the mound, with Emiri in the infield behind her, and Mako filming from behind them. Shizuku, happily, acts as the batter with Miho, happily, acting as the catcher. Tomoko stands behind them filming.

Masaki asks Tomoko what she is suppose to be doing. Tomoko explains that, for now, she should just play baseball like a normal person. Masaki retorts that five against five is not normal, but she relents and announces she will pitch for now as she throws. Shizuku lets out a fearful yelp as Masaki's pitch hits possibly hits her. As an Embarrassed and Sweating Chibi, she apologizes for it being "impossible," but Chibi Tomoko reassures her that she can edit it. Meanwhile, Kotomi takes a bat from Hikari as she announces that she will be next. As she settles into the batter's box, Tomoko instructs "Yoshida-san" that she wants her to throw a breaking ball to "Komi-san." Masaki repeats "breaking ball?" Someone, either Tomoko or Kotomi, instructs her to hold the ball with her middle finger extended. Masaki regards the ball as she forms the grip.

The next panel depicts Kotomi's glasses with a shattered lens on the ground. Chibi Tomoko explains that with that grip Masaki throws the ball and hits "Komi-san" on her head and disables her. Chibi Kotomi, depicted with glasses, tells her to wait a moment since she did not hear that, but Chibi Tomoko replies that it is suppose to be a physical performance so, "please." Chibi Kotomi suggests she will have to edit it.

Shown: "Hold my beer, Katō-san!"
[Citation Needed – Ed.]

With a background of Masaki holding the ball, with her middle finger raised, with an expression that will challenge Asuka's official designation of "Most Likely to become a Serial Killer" [Citation Needed. – Ed.] as she screams, "THIS IS THE FUCK BALL," Chibi Tomoko instructs that when she hits Kotomi with the ball Masaki makes a chortling face while shouting that line.

Chibi Masaki demands to know what kind of character that is. Normal Tomoko explains that it is a "magic ball" thrown by someone raped: "Because Yoshida-san is being gang raped by the entire student council." Somewhat surprised, Masaki remarks that she did not ask for that setting then wonders what the Hell is that setting.

Shown: Emiri Will Not Rape Masaki!
But Tomoko?

Emiri interrupts to declare to Masaki that she will not rape her. Sheepish Chibi Masaki admits that that kind of "pisses me off." Miho, happily, remains in her crouch, signals with her right middle finger, and suggests that this is the sign. Chibi Tomoko and Kotomi agree. Raising her hand over her head, with her middle finger extended over the ball, Masaki complains, "Shit! It's an awkward pitch!!"

The ball flies over Miho's raised mitt to strike Tomoko on the left side of her head, and Masaki delivers her line with her middle finger raised. Miho, well, "happily," consoles and apologizes to the crouching Tomoko that it came in pretty fast. Kotomi asks Masaki if she can do it.

On the bench, Tomoko lays her head on Asuka's lap. Sitting next to Asuka, Shizuku looks down on Tomoko with concern. As a "background character," Fūka cheers as she raises her glove. Meanwhile, Yuri tries to chop down on a ball with a bat and misses repeatedly. Kotomi places her hand on Yuri's shoulder and gently informs her that she was "out" long ago and has struck out for two on her own. A seemingly recovered Tomoko remarks to Kotomi that it does not seem right without an umpire calling outs and strikes. The next panel shows Hina at bat with Hikari, wearing Kotomi's glasses, standing behind Miho as an umpire. Hikari turns to Tomoko and protests that she really does not understand baseball. Tomoko replies that since she, herself, also does not understand it, it is fine. Hikari then asks why "Koto's glasses." Tomoko explains that they substitute for a mask.

Masaki's pitch strikes Hina's flank, and Hikari calls her out. Glasses-Less Chibi Kotomi corrects her that it is a "dead ball."

The scoreboard reads "0" for the top of the first inning for the ブンケイブ！(bunkeibu!). Chibi Tomoko instructs for them to change and allow the student council to go on the offensive. Eyeless Chibi Hina emits an "E," asks if she is really out, then she adds that she is in pain. Tomoko insists that the decision of the umpire is absolute.

Shown: Approved by MLB . . . probably.

Asuka stands on the mound with Shizuku fielding behind her. Fūka stands in the batter's box. Chibi Tomoko interrupts to ask her if she can bother her. When Chibi Fūka asks why, Tomoko explains that she wants a cinematic look and to depict her physical ability. Holding the bat at its pummel with one hand with the bat extending away from her body sideways similar to the reverse sword grip made famous by the character Zatoichi, she instructs that she wants Fūka to bat like that. Fūka complies and successfully makes contact. Miho, happily, applauds and claims she wants to bat with that grip. Fūka complains that she cannot make the ball fly with it it. Smiling, Tomoko reassures her not to worry since she will change it into a home run in the edit.

Tomoko then stops Masaki and hands her a set of nunchaku to use instead of a bat. To Masaki's questions, Tomoko explains, "Yoshida-san, you've used most Asian weapons on someone." "Let's try it now?" Masaki responds. She dutifully takes her position in the batter's box spinning the nunchaku. While she manages to make contact, the ball skips weakly towards first base and crosses the baseline. Standing there, Kotomi observes that what Tomoko's is doing is flashy, the results are tepid. Masaki vows to launch the next one as Umpire Hikari rules a foul ball. Filming, Tomoko interrupts to confess that she is a bit worried and asks if what they are doing is interesting. Chibi Yuri and Masaki react with surprise. Tomoko explains, "I was confident about the baseball scene stuff, especially the nunchucku, and I thought it would be a blast, but people's reactions were pretty thin, so I'm starting to lose confidence in it." She then adds to Yuri has returned to her usual "O" emotion. Chibi Yuri insists that she thinks it is amusing but not enough to make her laugh. A normal Miho, happily, adds that she is also getting it, but it is not hilarious. Chibi Tomoko deems this a realistic response. Emiri firmly insists that it is funny and she gets it; Chibi Tomoko retorts that her face does not "get" it.

Looking down, Tomoko sadly confesses that she cannot film anymore and is going home. Shocked Chibi Shizuku emits an "E?!" However, Tomoko appears to linger at the entrance of the field, and Chibi Kotomi asks her what she is waiting for. Sweating, Shizuku addresses Asuka, stammering that they should ask "sempai" to shoot again. Asuka agrees but suggests that "Shizuku-chan" please ask her since if they all go it would shock "Tomo-chan." Yuri asks if this is like a "shitty scene" where she calls after a teacher who snapped and stormed off to the staff room without permission.

Shown: Upset Kōhai

Shizuku stops Tomoko. When Tomoko emits an "E?!" Chibi Kotomi marvels that she must have heard what was said. With animesque light streaming on her, Shizuku tells Tomoko she wants her to continue filming: "With your film please change this dark school into a world of laughter." Chibi Kotomi marvels if this is a religion. Tomoko protests that everyone failed to get it. Shizuku angrily scolds her that it is not only not true, everyone, including herself, fought to suppress their laughter. Chibi Kotomi grouses that then she is just like the rest of them.

Blushing, Tomoko apologizes and asks if shooting again would be fine. Chibi Kotomi demands to know why she is doing this stupid skit when there is no time.

Characters

In order of appearance

• Kotomi Komiyama
• Hikari Itō
• Fūka Sasaki
• Miho Narita
• Asuka Katō
• Kaho Kusunoki
• Yuri Tamura
• Emiri Uchi
• Shizuku Hirasawa
• Tomoko Kuroki
• Masaki Yoshida
• Mako Tanaka
• Hina Nemoto

Referbacks and Forwards

• "In a Future Christmas Party . . .": Aside from Yū, who does not attend Haramaku, and Akane, for possibly working in the other film, the group of WataGirls present in the baseball yard to film the movie will attend the Christmas party in Christmas Special Edition.
• Tomoko sleeping on Asuka's Lap: In Chapter 131, Tomoko falls asleep in the train on Asuka's lap. In Chapter 146, Asuka offers her lap to her when she becomes sleepy in a study session. Tomoko will return the favor when Asuka receives a nosebleed in
• "Yuri Tamura, the Sporting Ace": While Yuri demonstrates physical strength, she fails in both aim and control. This is first depicted in the the Volume 12 Omake with pachinko at the Arcade. She does this again in Chapter 150. Later in Chapter 151, Yuri hit the center of a dart board but also buries the dart in it. During all of this, she reveals an ignorance of how games and sports are played. She does not understand that even if she is successful, hitting a baseball directly down will not work!
• Fūka at the Bat: "The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Makuhari Shūei High School nine that day." Fūka demonstrated her skills at softball, including batting left, in Chapter 153.
• Tomoko Kuroki: Merchant of Death: Yū reveals in Chapter 31 that Tomoko dreamed to become an arms dealer, and in TomoMote Chapter 21, Tomoko gave Tomoki a set of brass knuckles as Christmas present.

Cultural References

• "Put Me in Coach! I'm Ready to Play!": as too many references including this one demonstrate, that is not how to hold a ball to execute a breaking ball, or any ball for that matter. Nevertheless:
• "Spin on This!": it appears Tomoko's scenes are based on Hareluya II Boy. See the Gallery for the evidence and the Comments for the Credit Where Credit is Due Department links to the 4-Chan comment.
• "I Saw the Sign!": The Japanese Kids These Days™ do understand what the middle finger means in Polite Western Conversation.
• "He's Out!": Even WataMote Wiki does not expect the Noble Readership to catch that classic Bugs Bunny reference. Nevertheless, Masaki basically, at best, walked the bases loaded then walked in a run. Her only out was Yuri, even if Kotomi counted it twice! Hence Tomoko's plan to edit out the actual hit batters. Or she simply does not understand the game.
• Reverse Sword Grip and Zatoichi: nicely explained with this linkypoo.
• Meanwhile . . . Baseball . . . in Japan: this is a nice documentary of baseball . . . in Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbSWjb3tlJg
  • Not Shown: the Fuck Ball, but check out the early views on being hit by a pitch.

Trivia

• "Say Her [Nick – Ed.] Name!": Tomoko usually does not express her derogatory nicknames out loud and to others, unless it involves Kotomi or Masaki. She appears comfortable saying "gorilla" in front of Miho.
• The Master Race: to WataMote Wiki's recollection, Yū is the only WataGirl or other character consistently depicted to be bless'd with the distinction of being left handed. Fūka previously pitched right and batted left. She throws right when she plays catch with Miho on the cover. Yuri, occasionally, holds a pen in her left hand, but this has not been sufficiently consistent to rule out a simple consistency error. Nevertheless, according to the montage:
  • Shizuku bats right.
  • Yuri wields the bat left handed. Granted, she stands where a right handed batter would stand, but she brings the bat downward.
  • Kotomi bats left but throws right.
  • Miho and Hina throw right.
  • Asuka holds the bat right handed.
  • Masaki attempts to pitch right handed and bats . . . with nunchaku . . . right. The source pitcher is left handed; however, which is why his Fuck Ball® is effective, unlike Masaki's. WataMote Wiki is just saying. . . .
• "You'll Never See Her Coming!": interestingly, Emiri's entrance is not depicted. As she often does, she "just appears."
• "Talk and Die!": A strike to the temple can fracture the [Squamous – Ed.] temporal bone and sever the middle meningeal artery that sometime forms a grove in, if not seem nearly surrounded by, the overlying bone. This can result in bleeding over the first and tougher covering [Dura mater – Ed.] over the brain resulting in a growing blood collection [Epidural hematoma – Ed.] that can apply pressure on the brain. Classically, victims will seem to recover from the head injury, but as the hematoma grows, they become drowsy, then comatose, then, unfortunately, die from herniation if not recognized and treated. Check her pupils, Asuka-chan!
• "You'll Learn the Rules!": curiously, even Kotomi seems to get some of the rules of baseball wrong. She should correct Hikari that Hina is "not out," but needs to take first base as a hit bats[wo - Ed.]man. Tomoko clearly neither knows nor cares about the rules, and it seems Kotomi does not care to correct her.

Memorable Moments

• Ms. Happy: WataMote Wiki confesses the running gag that the adverb "happily" must be constantly attached to any action of Miho; however, thus far, she has never not been "happy." It begs the question what would make her unhappy, beyond incidents inappropriate to WataMote such as sexual assault or, worse, the forced attendance of a Nickelback concert, and how she would react.
• "The Emoji doth Protest too Much, Methinks": WataMote Wiki is aware of Fan Speculation™ regarding Masaki's reaction to Emiri's declaration. There is no indication that Masaki, or any of the WataGirls beyond the Emoji Posse, are aware of Emiri's crush. Masaki simply reacts with a bit of wounded pride on principle: Masaki notes that Emiri's declaration could be interpreted that she thinks she is unattractive. This is similar to Mako's upset when Yuri states she could not play a yuri role with her in the previous chapter. Now why Emiri feels the need to make this declaration could generate Wall of Text Speculation; however, it may just be her "protesting too much" to publicly deny what she is.

Quotes

• "Honestly, does she think delinquents are obligated to show up late or something?" – Tomoko Kuroki on Masaki Yoshida
• "For a gorilla, morning is early. . . ." – Tomoko Kuroki on Fūka Sasaki
• "What do I do here?" – Masak to Tomoko
• "Because Yoshida-san is being gang raped by the entire student council." – Tomoko to Masaki
  • "I didn't ask for that setting. I mean, what the Hell's with that setting?" – Masaki
  • "I won't rape Yoshida!!" – Emiri Uchi
  • "That kind of pisses me off. . . ." – Masaki
• "You're already out. You got enough strikes for two people" – Kotomi Komiyama to Yuri Tamura
• "E . . . . ? Was I really out? I think I hurt. . . ." – Hina
  • "The umpire's decision is absolute." – Tomoko
• "Yoshida-san, you've used most Asian weapons on someone." – Tomoko
  • "Want me to try them out right here and now" – Masaki
• "What you're doing is flashy, but the results are all very tepid." – Kotomi
• "Yuri has returned to her usual "O" emotion." – Tomoko
• "No, just leave. What are you waiting for?" – Kotomi to Tomoko
• "U-um, everyone? Maybe we should try once more to enjoy this so sempai can shoot again?" – Shizuku Hirasawa
  • "I guess we should. But Tomo-chan will be surprised if we all go, so you should ask her, Shizuku-chan" – Asuka Katō
  • "Is this one of those shitty events where someone goes to fetch a teacher after they've stormed off on their own?" – Kotomi
• "With your film please change this dark school into a world of laughter." – Shizuku to Tomoko
• ". . . sorry. Could you let me try shooting it one more time?" – Tomoko
  • "Why are we doing this pointless skit when we're low enough on time as is?" – Kotomi

Gallery

Original Art from Nico Tanigawa Twitter

Not Shown: The Ball

Shown: The Japanese Original™ Fuck Ball®