A year passed since the last competition.
It was time for the second Meikoh cup.
Double flip, double toe loop, double loop!
A successful triple combo!
Yuitsuka Inori-san's score is 58.19.
She's currently in first place.
I did it!
You did it!
We will now be holding the awards ceremony for the girl's level 5 free skating.
The champion is Lux Higashiyama's Yuitsukai Inori-san
Yes!
I became a 6th grader and passed the level 5 badge test.
There's only one level left before I can challenge Hikaru-chan.
Inori-chan sure is amazing.
Him!
Hey. Leave Hikaru alone and get out of Nagoya.
You shitty old bastard.
Hikaru can become a Medalist without you.
You sneak around and don't even attend the meets. There's nothing coach-like about you.
What's your aim? Why are you coaching Hikaru?
You don't even want to raise your students.
You're not even into skating like my dad is!
Hey, don't ignore me!
You're in Hikaru's way, shitty old man! Even though you ran away from skating!
I guess you won't understand unless I tell you.
The biggest obstacle in Hikaru's way...
Is you who misunderstands her.
A triple combo jump and camel spin.
It was a lot of trouble training to shove in those jumps in the second half.
But while being face to face with that body that worked so hard to grow into who she is now makes me so glad to see it.
I can't wait to watch this again in her documentary!
Only one more badge test level to go.
When she reaches level 6 she'll be able to compete in the All-Japan Novice A.
But...
Level 6 is a big wall.
It's where most skaters who started from 5 give up and abandon their dream.
The reason being the Axel.
Above the toe loop, Salchow,
Loop, flip,
and Lutz standing as the most difficult.
The boss of the jumping world.
To pass level 6
It's required you be able to perform a double Axel.
Now matter how I come down I fall.
Unlike the other 5 types of jumps, the Axel requires you take off going forwards.
Meaning if you aren't able to get in the extra half rotation in you won't make the landing.
Want to take a break?
Yeah.
For the half spin,
in terms of the athlete's sense, it approaches that an extra full spin.
I thought about this doing the single too, but the double axel...
Forget two and a half, it feels more like a bit off of a triple.
Sure does.
It makes you feel that way.
It's dramatically more difficult than the other 5 jumps.
Even though I feel like my speed in the run up's improving...
When your speed goes up so does the strength of your centrifugal force.
Centrifugal force?
Think about when you're spinning in amusement park teacups.
Your body's being pushed outward, right?
But, if you stay in the center...
You're not pulled outwards!
As expected, Inori-san!
Correct, if you want to spin faster,
more than speed, you need to focus on your central twist axis.
Let me try it one more time!
You've really grown strong.
-Tsukasa-ku~n -Yes?
Come here, just a little bit, over here.
Nice to meet you.
I'm Sonidori.
And this is my son, Rioh.
Did I surprise you? He's real. The real Sonidori-sensei.
You're a big fan, aren't you Tsukasa-kun?
The Olympic silver medalist...
Yes. Although today I'm not here as a coach.
I'm here as a parent.
A-Uh... S-Sorry!
Well then, once again this is our assistant coach, Aki-... Aka-...
Ah... I'm Akeuraji Tsukasa.
I wonder if she'll ever remember my last name.
So, what did you want from me?
Yes, recently my son's not been making much progress in skating.
And he wishes to practice at Lux for around a week.
Actually I wanted to transfer, but...
They told me I can't.
I wonder if there's some reason for that.
Though, why Lux?
Well because Souta-kun's here.
Ah, Souta-san?
You were in the same skating class as him in Meikoh, right?
Well, anywhere really would've been fine.
As long as I can get away from the old bastard at Meikoh.
Rioh.
That old bastard?
He's probably not talking about his father.
Could it be Yodaka Jun?
If I remember right about Kamisaki Hikaru's coach.
Officially it's Sonidori Shinichiro.
Something's definitely up.
Right now the male members in my club are all senior level.
Even if it'd boost his motivation.
I have to ask if it's okay for him to be at your place, Takamine-sensei.
As for me I don't mind one bit,
but would you be fine with Tsukasa-sensei coaching?
Tsukasa-sensei may still be a first year,
and he only formally became an instructor the other day.
But in his first year of training,
he has accomplished taking a student from the beginner level to level 5.
If you're hoping for the current Rioh to change, I believe Tsukasa sensei is qualified.
Right?
If Takamine-sensei is going this far out of her way to recommend you,
then I'll gladly accept.
Eh? N-No! The pleasure is mine!
No way.
If the head coach won't look my way, no.
Rioh! You're being rude!
W-Well I guess if he's not interested it can't be helped!
Well, do whatever you want.
I don't have any talent like my dad or Hikaru.
Akeuraji-sensei.
Y-Yes!
It's fine, stay where you are.
As my own instruction has failed, I sincerely apologize for my rudeness.
Please take care of Rioh in whatever way you can.
An O-Olympic medalist is bowing his head to me?
So with that said,
from today this is your partner in group lessons, Sonidori Rioh-san.
T-This boy...
Shut your mouth! Ugly fried shrimp!
You'll be together in next week's training camp too.
Souta-kun.
Oh? Rioh-kun, what're you doing here?
I decided to practice with this club for a while.
OIh? Really? Hey, did you bring your switch?
Yeah I brought it, but let's hurry up and go skate.
Souta-kun! Souta-kun!
You'd definitely jump better if you held your hands out front, Souta-kun.
Seems like he certainly likes having other boy skater friends around.
It looks fun.
Rioh-san's said he's also level 5!
Is that true?
Sense of friendship
I think that way'd be better.
I'll give it a test.
-Rioh-kun -Inori-chan.
So you're level 5 like me, huh? Hehe, let's get along.
Who are you?
Yuitsuka... Inori...
He quickly gets into form after landing that beautiful double axel.
The beauty of his check form utilizing his flexible ankles must be from his dad.
Is that so?
Yep, really takes me back.
-Woo! -That's freakin' cool!
I was enamored by it in middle school.
Unlike with Sonidori-sensei, whose height allows for him to set his axis of rotation in his dynamic quadruple,
his style of jumping is different.
Though either way, right now,
if he could set up his axis a bit earlier then he should have more leeway to spin.
Wow, Rioh-kun, you can do a double axel!
It's nothing.
If I can't do triples there's no point.
T-Triples?!
For the boys level 6, if you can't do a combination of triples and doubles,
you can't pass.
I-It's that hard?
Just because we're both level 5, don't think we're the same.
Unlike girls, boys can skate in Novice A at level 4.
Oh.. is that right...
With that said, Rioh-san, your current goal is passing the level 6 exam, right?
Let's do our best out there.
Rioh-san, that last jump of yours was wonderful.
Yes, yes, just like Sonidori Shinichiro, right?
Just like last time...
Quite a different style from your dad, isn't it?
Huh?
Sonidori-sensei utilizes his high vertical height for a high jump.
Rioh-san, you use your long distance to do a long jump.
In addition, your sense in the air for quickly adjusting your posture
shows me how just how hard you've practiced, and I find it admirable.
Furthermore! Minding your leg's angle on the check pose,
shows your attention to detail!
Expressing your greatness in a pure physical sense would be a waste!
I'm sure you'll become a splendid skater!
I-I got so much praise from an adult!
I'm so happy... I'm so happy!
But it feels like if I let that delight show I'll become useless.
Being this mindful of and
Ahh, if someone saw me here right now...
concentrating on your limbs...
The biggest obstacle in Hikaru's way is you misunderstanding her.
A splendid skater?
Huh?
How many skaters with my years of experience do you think already achieved level 6?
With my pedigree it's already too late.
Ah.. Rioh-san.
Please stop speaking so irresponsibly!
Just because I was praised a bit.
Why am I acting so cheerful?
It not like that praise guarantees me anything in the future.
Hikaru?
Did you see?
Yes.
Remember it.
Yes!
Yodaka Jun. Kamisaki Hikaru.
With both of their abilities right before my eyes, I can't possibly look ahead.
Just because I can perform a bit, I can't let myself be pleased over that.
Rioh-kun? Rioh-kun?
What's wrong?
Nothing really.
My lessons are over so I'm just going home.
Already?
And anyways, that coach. Who is he?
Um, well...
A... Aki... Ake... Tsukasa-sensei!
What's he done?
Uh. Ice dancing.
Is that all?
What a pain.
I'm getting taught some peculiar method by someone with no clear history.
Peculiar?
I don't really get what you mean, but don't worry!
Tsukasa-sensei's skating is really pretty! And also...
From a sucky skater like you,
any coach would look that way.
That's not true.
Then I'll ask, can that person actually do a double axel?
Well that's...
I knew it.
You've only got one shot at being a skater.
Entrusting your career to someone with no achievements is an insane gamble.
If you're really aiming to be the best, why not switch coaches?
Later.
I'm gonna win!
I will... I will...
We will win.
We will!
Win against Hikaru-chan being taught by Yodaka Jun-san!
A win!
Hikaru-chan, congrats on passing level 7.
Did you really pass all levels at once?
Ehhh? She's a genius!
You can't do it!
I can do it!
No you can't!
Yes I can!
I'm going to land a double axel and enter into the All-Japan Novices.
And then, I'll beat Hikaru-chan.
Do you understand what the novice level is?
Doing a double axel and passing level 6 is merely enough-
I'm gonna win!
Has she even seen any of Hikaru's performances?
She's got no basis for this!
Winning on emotion alone won't...
How... How can she say that? How can she truly believe that?
It'd be nice if I could say such things like she can...
Hm? Inori-san? And Rioh-san too?
Rioh-kun, your coach is your dad right?
He's stood up on the podium with Yodaka-san many times.
What about it?
Then!
Before Rioh-kun I'll land a triple-double combo jump first!
And prove to you that Tsukasa-sensei is amazing!
Inori-san?
Hold it! What are you fighting about?
Tsukasa-sensei.
What's the cause of this?
Um, well... It doesn't involve you, Tsukasa-sensei!
But you sure were saying my name a lot!
It doesn't involve you!
I-Inori-san!
Ah, the changing room...
Oh. Rioh-san.
I feel sick. I feel sick. I feel sick.
What is it?
No, I just wanted to talk with you a bit.
About the fight? Well then...
Well that too.
But about you, Rioh-san.
For example, what made you first start skating.
Huh? My dad was an Olympic skater, so of course I'd do skating too.
Really. Talking with you gets me so frustrated.
I'll still come to practice, but seriously leave me alone will you?
Tsukasa-sensei!
This summer I want to earn level 6 no matter what!
I'll memorize triples and doubles, and then I want to participate in this year's national's novices!
So, I'm in your care!
Goodbye!
Huh! I-Inori-san! Your stuff!
I-I'm sorry...
It's about what you were just talking about.
As I thought, it's tough isn't it?
Thinking about your current pace,
it'll take lots and lots of practice to do the double axel and get level 6.
The triple-double you'll need for the All-Japan Novices...
But if I just tried even harder!
I understand your feelings.
But, Inori-san, you're amount of practice is already at the max.
More than this and you'll run the risk of shin splints.
Oh... Shin splints...
Of course, if we your practice method,
there's methods that might speed up your progress.
But as I see it, Inori-san's current growth speed is explosive.
Though reaching level 5 in your first year was incredible speed.
What were you and Rioh-san fighting about?
Saying you want to participate in this years novices,
something must have happened, right?
As the nationals approach tensions have gone up.
Maybe the atmosphere around her's got her rushing.
Although, wait.
It looks like she's holding words in for dear life.
What is it? What did you want to say?
Um, well. I....
Hm?
I grew 4 centimeters since last year!
And not just that!
In the endurance test I did really good too, like with running and mat exercises.
Also... I was in the top 5 for my class and got praised for it!
The girl with nothing to her has become one who can actually do athletics!
I've completely changed from who I was before, I think.
And not just on the ice, what I can do on the ground has increased too!
So that's why!
A double axel?
Yes. On the ground I can jump it.
So I'll show you I can do triples-doubles combos as well!
You did it! You did a double axel jump, Inori-san!
You just spun two and a half rotations!
Well, I got myself to do it just a bit ago.
Though I'm still working on doing it on ice.
How can this be.
I thought lacking muscle was the reason she couldn't jump it.
But if she can ground jump it, she's got the strength!
I wasn't looking at what was going on above the ice.
Inori-san, next week's training camp will be special.
Special?
Yeah.
Let's aim for the All-Japan Novices!
You'll stand on the same stage as Kamisaki Hikaru!