[bird squawks]
Come on. Come on out.
[gasps]
I'm sorry.
If I take you to Mr. Sekoma,
do you think he'll actually let me into the rink?
He said so, but will he?
I just want... I just wanna skate.
[cries]
[child 1] Ew, look. That girl's for real digging for worms.
[child 2] Whoa. You're right.
[child 1] Someone told me about her.
[child 2] What do you think she's gonna do with them?
[child 1] I bet she eats 'em.
- [child 2] Oh! Ew! - [Inori breathes shakily]
I don't eat them.
I do it so I can skate.
- She's the weird slacker, right? - I guess.
The other girls in her class say she's just kinda dumb.
[Inori crying]
[gasps]
[sighs]
First one of those in a while. At least it's over now.
- [door opens] - Huh?
[breathing heavily]
Inori.
[Inori screams]
No! It's the scary-haired ghost!
Not. I'm way too old for that, Mika. You can't get me.
[chuckles] Well, I tried.
Hmm. Hope you got enough sleep.
Mm-hmm. Sure did.
MORNING ARRIVES
[Inori] So what are you doing here?
I was in the area for something else already,
so I had to come see my superstar sister.
[chuckles, gasps]
- Is that-- - [Mika] Your costume for the free skate.
Mom was up late working on it.
She kept saying she could make it better.
- Whatever that means. - [chuckles]
- Hey, Mika. - Yeah?
Do you think I'm better?
- What? - Like, do you think I'm different now
compared to how I was before I started skating?
[chuckles] Yeah, a little.
You have definitely changed.
But you're still you in all the ways that count.
I don't know, like, before, I used to look at you and think,
"Time to work hard!"
But now when I see you, it's more like, "Time to work hard! Hooray!"
If that makes any sense to you.
Mmm, no, I don't think it does.
Yeah, sorry.
I'm not really sure how to put it.
I guess what I mean is
that there's one thing that's always been true about you,
and I don't think it'll ever change.
You're an incredibly hard worker, Inori. It shows.
Mom and all your friends can see it. And I think it's inspiring to them too.
So keep being you.
Everyone paying attention knows you're dedicated.
And we love that about you.
Mmm.
[birdsong]
[breathing deeply]
THE RESTAURANT OF MANY ORDERS KENJI MIYAZAWA
[gasps]
[Yo grunting]
[breathing deeply] Hmm?
What the... It's like I'm being smothered by a meadow!
[Yo] Morning.
I'm so sorry. I meant to get up and cook for you this morning.
Don't worry about it. It takes two seconds.
Besides, you were working late last night.
I don't wanna get you all burned out.
I'm fine. Seriously, this is nothing to me.
[Yo] Did you say you have to go to a different skating rink than normal?
Yeah, I did.
It's a big day. Inori has a test.
Miss Inori?
Yep. It's her level six exam.
Level six, huh? That sounds like it's a tough one.
Yeah. It is.
If she can pass it, then she's automatically qualified
to compete in the Novice Division of the next national championship.
Novice Division?
- That's right. - Oh! I've heard of that before.
I remember Meiko talking about it.
These kids are all so young.
And they've already been practicing for years.
They give up all their time and other hobbies at such a young age.
All that work leads to this. A few short moments to really shine.
But Novice is just the beginning.
After this, they'll move on to the Junior level,
then finally the Senior level.
Back in a few.
[birdsong]
[Inori] This is where I had my first Badge Test last year.
It's where I met Hikaru.
Did I get here too early?
- [Hikaru] Inori? - [gasps]
[gasps]
Hikaru. Hi.
Yay, I thought that was you.
I waited around all morning because I was hoping you'd show up.
- You're so little. - Huh?
Yeah, you're kinda big. How tall are you now, Hikaru? [chuckles]
4'11".
[gasps]
For real? And here I thought I had grown up a lot,
but I'm still so small and shrimpy. [cries]
Are you here for a Badge Test?
Huh? Yeah. Level six.
[Hikaru] I knew it! Then...
- That's right. - [wind whistling]
After today, I can finally compete against you.
[gasps]
Sorry I kept you waiting.
But I'll be on your level soon.
See you at the competition!
Yeah, at the All-Japans!
And that's a promise, Inori!
[chuckles]
Okay. Inori's probably at the rink warming up by now.
Huh?
[Jun] If you think this girl can win against Hikaru,
you're essentially saying you could win against me.
[Tsukasa] So many of us like to figure out how viable our dreams are
before we can seriously discuss them.
We don't ignore our predecessors.
We look inside,
ask ourselves if we really have what it takes to follow in their footsteps,
take their same paths.
And when I think about their greatness, the trailblazers who came before us,
I almost cower at the courage they had
to venture out and pave their own way in the world.
But today we're gonna show 'em.
[Inori chuckles]
[Tsukasa] You may dismiss us, but you can't keep us down.
Morning, Coach Tsukasa.
Good morning.
All right, here's the schedule for this afternoon.
Elements Test first.
They're gonna judge your double Axel on its own.
After that, they'll move on to the short programs.
Then, once everyone is changed,
they'll line you guys up for the free skate.
Sound good to you? We'll take 'em one at a time!
- Got it! - [Rioh] Coach Akeuraji.
- Huh? - Huh?
[Tsukasa] Hey, Rioh.
Good to see you again.
Are you taking your Badge Test today too?
Yeah, I figure I might as well do it now.
I've been practicing, and Nationals are coming up.
Tsukasa Akeuraji!
- [screams] - [Shinichiro] I hoped to see you here.
Thank you again for coaching Rioh last month.
[screams]
No, no, no, no! Sir, please! You know everyone can see us?
[Shinichiro] Huh?
Yes. I still want to show my gratitude.
[screams] Sir, please! I didn't do anything!
Yes, you did. You took good care of Rioh for me.
- Please! No, I'm not worthy! - [Inori] Huh?
- [Shinichiro] Of course you are. - [Inori] Oh. This is about
where Coach helped me calm down before my first Badge Test.
He had me do that finger thing and it really helped.
[gasps]
But I'm not trembling today.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
Miss Yuitsuka, you're up next for the double Axel.
[Inori] Okay.
[grunts]
All right, beautiful landing!
[Inori] Did I do it?
[gasps]
- [heartbeat thumping] - [groaning]
[heart rate increases]
You move on.
Excellent rotations.
[gasps]
You did it! I'm so glad.
[Inori] He's more relieved than I am.
- Inori. - Huh?
Your first costume's ready to go.
Thanks a lot.
I passed the Elements Test.
Now it's on to the short program!
[♪ dramatic instrumental music playing]
Don't forget! Ballet fingers!
Yes! Perfect program!
Remember what you've practiced, and breathe easy.
Right.
[Rioh] My sixth attempt.
What if I fail this time too? I'm done for.
Stop. Just breathe easy.
[♪ soft instrumental music playing]
The real question is, what are you so pessimistic about?
My coach is my Olympic-silver-medalist dad, and this is still all I got.
I mean, I have everything except for actual talent.
I'm just not good enough.
So I don't know.
I bet if you were me, you'd be pretty pessimistic, too.
Coach Tsukasa may have started late,
but he never gave up on bettering his skills and expanding his talents.
He had a thirst for the rink like no one else.
He accomplished something really amazing in ice dance.
[Rioh] Yeah. I wanna be like Coach!
Oh, yeah!
[chuckles]
[grunts]
[Inori chuckles]
[chuckles]
[Tsukasa] Two down. One to go.
Inori and Rioh are both past the Elements and the short program.
So all that's left is the free.
There won't be any name announcements or applause.
One skater leaves, another comes straight in.
You have the praying coaches and parents, the judges' watchful eyes.
It's more than enough to fry anyone's nerves.
[Inori] It's so quiet in here. It feels heavy.
- [Tsukasa] Inori. - [gasps]
Better start warming up for the free.
Yeah, 'kay.
[music playing on headphones]
- [gasps] There you are. - [gasps]
What do you need?
[Ms. Yuitsuka] Just checking on you. Are you nervous?
Yeah, maybe a little... But I'll be okay.
[Ms. Yuitsuka] You sure?
Yeah, of course. Thank you, Mom.
[gasps]
[Inori] It makes me really happy that you let me keep skating.
I get to say I have something I'm really good at, you know.
It's like I don't feel useless anymore.
'Cause now I get to do what I love most in the whole world.
Better yet, I'm no longer embarrassed of myself.
[gasps] Oh, Inori. I should thank you.
You've shown me what a strong girl you are and I'm so proud of you, honey.
[crying]
[Inori sighs]
Here I go.
[Tsukasa] Feeling good?
Um, you wanna...?
[gasps]
Coach, do you mind if I ask you something?
Do you remember all the stuff we talked about
the very first time you saw me skate?
I think you tied everything together for me that day.
You took all the stuff I couldn't figure out.
The things I hated about myself and my love of skating.
Always feeling sorry,
always thinking "I don't wanna stay this way."
And you tied it all together for me.
[gasps]
So, let's do this.
Right on. No going back to square one after today.
From here on out, it's just onwards and upwards.
Trust in what you've built up. Can you do that?
Yeah!
[both grunt]
[Tsukasa] We open with a double Axel.
And follow it with six other jumps and three spins.
If she misses any of them, she's out.
But it's all right, she'll pass.
[♪ soft instrumental music playing]
- You've got this. - [Inori] I got this!
[grunts]
Nailed it!
[Tsukasa] Just dance, until the last beat.
Note by note. Step by step.
[Inori] Goodbye.
Goodbye.
[no audible dialogue]
[Inori] Goodbye.
I used to hate who I was,
but that girl is the reason I'm skating now.
I'm only here now because she was by my side.
I wish I could tell her not to give up.
[no audible dialogue]
[Inori] To believe in herself.
To believe in her feelings.
To believe in what she loves.
But all I can say is goodbye!
[chuckles]
And thank you.
[applause]
- [Tsukasa chuckles, sniffles] - [chuckles]
[Ms. Yuitsuka sobs, chuckles]
[crowd chuckling, sobbing]
[applause increases]
[gasps]
All right, we're ready with the final level six results.
Will all the examinees from the level six free skate please gather around?
[Inori] Oh, gosh.
My heart feels like it's gonna beat out of my chest.
If I fail, I can't compete against Hikaru.
If I fail, I can't keep our promise.
These are your final standings.
Kana Akiyama, excellent work.
Your take-offs were much improved. Well done.
[Inori] Come on.
I gotta earn this. I wanna pass. I wanna pass.
[gasps]
You really don't need to act like that, you know.
- Huh? - You'll be fine.
It was a good performance.
[Inori gasps]
[grunts] What?
[chuckles] Nothing. Thank you.
[gasps]
- [grunts] - [Inori chuckles]
[judge] Rioh Sonidori.
- You pass. - [gasps]
[judge] That was some very precise skating.
We can tell you've been practicing hard.
[sobs]
- [judge] Inori Yuitsuka. - [gasps]
[judge] Your jumps were very long,
and your performance was well-timed to your music.
Excellent work.
- [Inori gasps] - [judge] You pass. Congratulations.
Hmm! Thanks!
[Inori] They shine so bright, they almost feel out of reach.
They have instincts I lack, and well-honed skills.
And they all have their own beautiful, impossible dreams.
The battle for gold begins with the athletes who have bet it all.
The skaters who crave it more than anyone else in the world.
Those of us who are willing to leave our hearts and souls out there on the ice.
And I'm going to prove it.
That among all these brilliant stars, I can shine the brightest of all.
[Tsukasa grunts]
[Inori chuckles]