01x13 - Morning Arrives

[bunniefuu]

Worms Worms

I wonder if Mr. Sekoma will let me

in the rink again if I give this to him?

I want to figure skate.

I want to skate on the ice.

Look.

That girl's actually digging for worms.

You're right.

Isn't she

always digging for worms?

I wonder what she's gonna do with 'em.

I bet she eats 'em.

Ew!

I don't eat them.

I do it so I can skate.

- She can't do anything, right?

- Mmm.

I heard the kids

in her class have to pick up the slack.

It's been a while since I've had

a dream about those days.

Nori.

It-It's the long-haired ghost!

Did you really think you'd get me, Mika?

Didn't work, huh?

Did you sleep okay?

Yup. Super good.

MORNING ARRIVES

Why are you here all of a sudden?

I was in the area anyways

for something else,

so I had to come see you, Nori.

That dress.

That's your costume for the free skate.

Mom was fixing it up all night,

saying she could make it better.

Hey, Mika.

Have I changed?

Am I a bit different to

how I was before I started skating?

Yeah, I feel like you've changed.

But I also feel like you're the same.

Before, I used to think,

"I have to work hard!" when I saw you.

But now, I feel like,

"I'm gonna work hard."

I don't really get it.

Yeah, didn't think so.

I don't really know,

but there is one thing that's clear,

which is that you've always been

a hard worker, Nori.

Mom and your friends can see it too.

So I think you can

just keep being yourself.

Everyone is watching over you

and they see how diligent you are.

THE RESTAURANT OF MANY ORDERS

KENJI MIYAZAWA

What is this overwhelming floral smell?

Morning.

Sorry, I was supposed to make breakfast.

It's fine, it takes, like, two seconds.

You were working late last night too,

weren't you?

You shouldn't work so much.

No, this is nothing.

Aren't you going to

a different skating rink today?

Oh, yeah.

The girl I'm teaching has a test today.

Inori?

Yup.

It's her important level six test.

Level six, huh. Is that a difficult one?

It is.

If she passes, she'll qualify to compete

in a big competition

called All-Japans Novice.

Novice?

Yes.

I've heard of that.

I think Meiko was talking about it before.

They're all young children, huh.

They give up all their time

to practice from such a young age,

just to sparkle in this moment

for a few minutes.

They work for this moment

to make it into that competitive world,

on to Junior, then Senior level.

I'll be back.

This is where I came to take

my first Badge Test last year.

It's where I met Hikaru.

Am I here too early?

Inori?

Hikaru.

I thought it was you, Inori.

I thought you might come,

so I stayed behind.

You're kinda short.

Hikaru, how tall are you now?

150 centimeters!

What?

I thought I'd grown a lot taller.

You got a Badge Test today?

Huh? Yeah. Level six.

- I knew it! That means

- That's right.

Now I can finally compete against you.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I'll be on your level soon.

See you at the competition!

Yeah, at All-Japans!

It's a promise!

Miss Inori should be

at the ice rink by now

In order for this girl

to win against Hikaru,

you would have to win against me.

Before we can

speak of our own dreams,

we must make sure time and again

not to lose sight of the paths

our predecessors walked to reach theirs.

And we must ask ourselves whether

we can truly follow that same path.

And think about the greatness of

the ones who carved that path first.

The courage they had to keep going,

paving their own way.

Even still, I'll show 'em.

Victory will be ours.

I'll win with Miss Inori,

the girl you dismissed.

Good morning.

G'morning.

I'll go over our plan for today again.

First, the elements.

The test to jump double Axels

on their own.

Next, the short program test.

Then, after you get changed,

the free skate test.

- Let's break it down, one by one!

- Yes!

- Coach Akeuraji.

- Mr. Rioh!

Long time no see.

You're taking the test today too, then.

I thought I might as well

since I've started to complete my skills,

and what with the competition coming up.

Coach Akeuraji!

Thank you so much

for coaching Rioh last month.

P-Please, stop.

And in front of all these people!

But I have to show my gratitude.

I didn't do anything!

No, you took good care of Rioh for me.

No, no, I'm not worthy!

- No, really, I owe you.

- This is where Coach helped me calm down

with those hand exercises

before my first Badge Test.

I'm not trembling today.

Right, Inori Yuitsuka,

you're next, please.

Yes.

She landed the double Axel!

I landed.

You pass.

Good work.

You passed I'm so glad.

He's more worn out than me.

Inori.

Here, your next costume.

Thank you.

I passed the Elements Test.

Next is the short program!

Ballet fingers!

Yes! No falls!

Remember what you've practiced

and stay relaxed.

Yes.

My sixth test.

If I fail this time,

it'll actually be lame.

But I can't think too much into it.

Why are you so pessimistic?

You're very skilled.

I'm in the most privileged position

as a silver medalist's son,

and I'm only at this level

I have everything,

so I can't blame anyone but myself.

That's who I am.

If you were me,

wouldn't you be pessimistic too?

Even though Coach Tsukasa started late,

he never gave up on bettering his skills.

He never said he has no talent.

He never gave up.

He's an athlete

who's accomplished great things.

I want to be like Coach!

Yes!

Elements, short program.

Both Miss Inori

and Mr. Rioh were able to pass.

Next is the free.

There will be no announcement

of their names nor a big applause.

Once one athlete finishes,

the next one goes straightaway.

Just the praying coaches and the parents,

and the judges with their watchful eyes.

It's a situation

that would make anyone anxious.

What a quiet, heavy mood.

Miss Inori.

Let's start getting ready.

Oh, yes.

Inori.

Mom.

You okay? Are you anxious?

Yeah, a little But I'm okay.

Are you?

Thank you, Mom.

For letting me skate.

Because you let me skate,

now I can say I have something I like.

I can say, "I'm good at something."

I can say,

"I'm not embarrassed of myself."

No, thank you.

You've helped me realize

what a strong girl you are.

Here I go.

Miss Inori.

Do you need these?

Do you remember the first time

you saw me skate, Coach?

You tied it all together for me that day.

The self I hated and the skating I loved.

You tied it all together so tightly.

All my disjointed feelings

of "I'm sorry" or

"I don't want to stay like this."

You tied them all together as one.

So I'm okay.

Right, there's no going back

to square one.

After this test,

it's just onwards and upwards.

Feel confident

in the things you've worked on.

Okay!

First, a double Axel.

Afterward, six jumps and three spins.

If she misses any of them, she fails.

But it'll be okay, she'll pass.

She can do this.

I can do this.

She landed!

Keep dancing,

until the last beat.

One by one.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

I won't forget that I'm skating now

because you were by my side.

So don't give up.

Believe in yourself.

Your feelings.

Your love.

There's nothing wrong with it.

Thank you.

I will now present the results.

Will the examinees of the level six

free skate please gather around?

What do I do?

My heart is beating out of my chest.

If I fail, I can't compete against Hikaru.

I can't keep our promise.

I will now present the results.

Kana Akiyama, you pass the test.

Your take-offs were much improved.

I want to pass.

I want to pass.

I want to pass. I want to pass.

There's no need to be like that.

What?

You're good. It was a good performance.

What?

Nothing. Thanks.

Rioh Sonidori.

You pass.

It was a very detail-oriented performance

that showed your hard work and practice.

Inori Yuitsuka.

Your jumps were long,

and your performance

was well-timed to the music.

You pass.

Please keep up the good work

at the Block championship.

Yes!

They're shining so bright,

they feel so out of reach.

They have the talent I lack,

and well-practiced skills.

Each person's dream glimmers beautifully.

The battle begins with the athletes

who have bet everything,

all their heart and soul,

on the world on the ice.

I'll prove I shine the brightest

among these brilliant stars.