1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
- Aren't they cool? - They really are!
Do some more!
Yeah!
This is because they were on TV, isn't it?
They were in the paper too. See?
This is stupid.
Could everyone be talking about us?
- Looks like it. - Oh wow...
No one is looking at somebody like you, Senichi.
- Someone like me? - Someone like you.
What the hell...
That was really great.
From crane to spin, it was perfect.
We did practice a lot.
I can actually feel myself growing.
Man, to think back when we couldn't do the ballet leg. Hard to believe, huh?
- Yep!
And thanks to who?
- Good morning, Coach.
Yo.
You've had my coaching so if you aren't getting any better
it means you aren't working hard enough.
In other words, this amount of growth is only natural.
So don't be so impressed with yourselves, you idiots!
Anyways, at least you've progressed this far.
You should be proud of yourselves.
Let's make sure we do a good job with the Midorigaoka High performance, ok?
Ok!
Alright, today is back tags from the ballet leg position.
Don't come out of the pool until practice is over. Got it?
What?
Don't say "what." Just answer if you understand.
We understand!
Alright, start!
Yes sir!
- Do your best. - Ok.
Ready, set...
5-6-7-8
- Coach Kasuya... - Yeah?
Thank you.
I really appreciate you undertaking this coaching job.
The kid's skills have improved because of it.
But above that, their spirit is really coming together.
I'm so happy about that.
That's not because of me.
Hey, Senichi!
Fold your chest more!
Fold my chest? Like this?
(A gag from TV where two large-breasted women would always "fold their chest" and say dacchuno when they came on a show.)
Idiot, who told you to do the dacchuno?
I mean make your turns smaller.
A technical term!
That's just like a former national team coach!
Pay attention!
Yes sir!
Alright, start!
Yes sir!
Ready, set...
5-6-7-8
Translation brought to you by Kinzaru and Yuko.
Um...
What is it with you guys? What do you want?
Could you let us into the club?
We saw you on TV earlier.
You looked so cool. Didn't they?
Yeah.
We want to be able to do that kind of stuff too.
Yeah.
So please let us into the club.
Why are you saying this now?
You left me as soon as you found out my supermarket wouldn't be turning into a shopping mall.
Now that we are starting to be noticed for synchro you want in?
(Kounotori means stork.)
They call that being a kounotori.
Sano, it's "koumori."
(Koumori means bat or opportunist.)
They call that being a koumori.
It won't hurt to let them join.
Eikichi..?
It would be flashier with more members
and we could pull off more techniques.
With these new members we might be able to do floating moves.
Floating moves? I wanna try those! Don't you wanna try those?!
Alright.
You guys have convinced me.
Thank you!
But under one condition.
No matter what happens, you cannot quit.
We can't let you join if you don't promise that.
We promise.
We definitely won't give up.
Good, you'll start tomorrow then.
Thank you!
We'll be going now.
Good for us, huh?
Hit the showers, boys.
Oh, Coach!
Let's head back together.
So we can have a meeting at Kotohachi.
Um, before we do that could everyone come over to my house?
This is...
awesome.
Yeah.
Just go ahead and say it.
They've got some bad taste.
Hey guys,
here is some coooold ice tea.
Go ahead. Please have a seat.
Thanks.
Ah, welcome!
Thank you for having us.
Thank you.
I am Sano of Super Sano.
This is my card.
Well, sit down, sit down.
Thank you.
Thanks for coming.
I saw you on TV.
That was excellent.
You are the pride of this town.
No way...
By the way,
the reason I have invited you here
is because I was hoping you could put on some event for the summer festival.
Us?
Maybe something showy to really get the festival rocking.
I would love it if you could help too.
Oh, of course I would pay you for your performance.
Pay us?
I would love to have your help.
What do you think, sensei?
Well, I see no reason not to.
But we would like this compensation in advance.
Ok, tomorrow we will practice synchro until evening
and then we'll work on our dance moves for the festival.
Sounds good.
Hey, you're joking right?
You can just wing it for the dance event.
I accepted because he said he would pay us. It's just a festival event.
You shouldn't let it cut time from your synchro training.
But it would be good practice for our land dancing.
- And we should do it right if we are going to do it. - Yeah.
I don't want to shame my father by just halfway doing something.
We didn't really accept this to keep your father's honor intact.
I understand that.
But this is the first time he has ever asked me for something.
So, I want to meet his expectations by doing this whole-heartedly.
Really?
We'll have to give it our best then.
And if people here in town take an interest in us
they might come see our performance at Midorigaoka.
That's why we want time to practice.
Do what you like.
But you'll be sorry if you don't practice enough.
Of course.
We'll do our best to make the event and our performance a hit
and impress Natsuko-sensei, Bakayo and the others.
Yeah.
Grandpa...
you're too close.
- An event in the summer festival? - Yep.
We are thinking of doing a land dance.
Wow, sounds like fun.
Grandpa!
You're too close.
What kind of dance are you going to do?
We haven't even decided the song yet.
I am choosing one now.
What do you think?
(These are all specifically CDs containing summer festival songs.)
- You're gonna dance to this? - It's a summer festival though.
Yes?
Oh, Kozue.
(The TV says "Male Synchro at the Aquarium!?")
Welcome.
Good evening.
Kozue?
What's she up to at this hour?
Make yourself at home.
What's wrong? Somethin happen?
Sorry, nothing's wrong.
Is Eikichi here?
Yeah...
Sorry to bother you this late.
No problem. What's up?
Well...
are you going to the summer festival with someone?
What?
What am I doing?
What are you doing?
- Um, where's Kozue? - She left.
She wants to go to the festival together.
Um, you really don't have to tell me about that.
What do you think I should do?
I have no idea.
Why should I have to give you advice on that?
Which song would be good...?
Let's see...
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
Ok, let's do it!
That's it. Like that.
Ballet leg..
Sorry.
You don't have to apologize.
Of course you won't be able to do it at the beginning.
Don't be impatient. Let's work hard, ok?
Ok!
Shiori!
- Gotta sec? - Yeah.
I picked up some good songs for dancing.
Really?
Thanks! You're a lifesaver.
Oh, I wrote the titles on the back.
Ah, you sure did.
This is great.
Hey, hey, hey...
Those two really are a good match.
Well aren't they secretly dating?
Eh?
I think so too.
They must. They go to same school, live in the same house.
It would be weird if nothing happened between them.
Exactly.
That means Kozue will be mine automatically.
No she won't.
Why's that?
Shiori...
5-6-7-8
1-2-3-4-5...
Welcome back.
Welcome back, Shiori.
Thanks.
Thanks for the mini-disc.
It was a big help.
We were listening to it earlier
and we decided on the first song.
Thanks a lot, Shiori.
Let me thank you too. I'm sure my father will be pleased.
We don't give a crap about your dad.
Please don't do that here!
You're too close!
- Anyways, let me see your dance. - Ok.
- From 1 to 8. - OK!
Ready, set!
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
You guys have no rhythym.
Huh?
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
It should be like this.
Try it.
Come on! Try it!
Ready, set!
1-2-3-4-5-6...
That's not it.
1-2-3-4, right here. Your hips are important.
You're not putting your hips into it.
Let's go. Ready, set..
1-2-3-4-5-6-7..
Again. Ready, set..
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
You got it.
Ok, again.
1-2-3-4..
Good, now jump!
Higher! Be synchronized!
- Hey, you new guys better not move from there! - Yes sir.
Petako from crane.
You're too far over.
Ok.
Lift!
- Put more feeling into it. - Yes sir.
- Hold it. - Yes sir!
Alright, that's it for today.
Good work.
Thank you.
- You better be practicing at home too. - Yes sir!
Uh, would it be ok if we practice dancing?
You just started synchro so I want you to focus on swimming.
Ok.
Well, we'll be going now.
Good job today.
Guys. Can I have a minute?
I got a call this morning from the principal of Midorigaoka.
He told me that they want to withdraw the synchro performance.
What?
- Why? - What's the reason?
Well, I'm not...
I bet Bakayo or Natsuko-sensei told them something bad about us.
No, they didn't.
What is it then?
It appears Coach Kasuya has had some issues in his past.
We aren't sure of all the facts yet so I can't tell you anything more.
But
until this matter is sorted out
please refrain from asking him to coach you.
What do you mean "his past"?
What kind of issues?
Let's go.
Wait, where are you guys going?
Come in.
Excuse us.
Sorry to drop by without any warning.
We heard that the synchro performance has been cancelled.
What is the problem with Coach Kasuya?
It's best for you boys not to know that.
That's not good enough for us.
We won't move until you tell us.
Honestly,
I've been told Coach Kasuya once made his swimmers take drugs.
Drugs?
So the swimming association has told us
to pull the performance of the synchro team he's coaching.
At our school we have a member of the swimming club who is going to participate in the inter-high competition.
I really feel bad for you
but I have an obligation to protect my students.
That is why I have come to this decision.
I am really sorry.
Drugs... that's some sketchy stuff.
To clock a good time at a meet
some swimmers take drugs to strengthen the explosive force of their muscles.
Coach Kasuya did that?
To be honest,
I didn't feel like I could trust him.
I thought there was something suspicious about him from the beginning.
This could be why Natsuko-sensei is so against synchro.
Don't you think so?
That's it! That's why she hates synchro so much
and is so cold towards Coach.
Now I get it.
Hold on.
They haven't decided for sure if this is true or not.
The association won't put any pressure on the school if it turns out to be false, right?
Let's just ask Coach in person.
What if we ask and it really is the truth?
Well...
- Welcome! - Welcome!
Where's the boss?
- He's gone out. - He's gone out.
Really?
- Thank you! - Thank you!
Um, you heard from the principal, didn't you?
About why the performance has been cancelled?
I heard.
Is it really true?
Sensei...
Yes, it is.
We were really hurt by what happened.
Even now when I just watch synchro
I remember that horrible feeling I had back then.
That's why I didn't ever want to see him again.
Um...
Did he really force you to use drugs?
It wasn't some kind of mistake?
I wish it had been a mistake.
If you all continue to hang around that man
you will end up the same as we did.
I suggest you take this chance to completely distance yourselves from him.
Good morning.
What happened to practice?
Where are the others?
- Coach... - What?
Well...
we want to concentrate on the dance so I cancelled pool practice for awhile.
Huh?
What did you say?
I'm sorry,
for making this decision without you.
Which is more important to you, the synchro performance or the festival dance?
I buy this spirit of giving it all to everything you guys do,
but aren't you putting the cart before the horse here?
I'm sorry.
Fine. Go.
I said it's fine! Go!
It's Eikichi!
Eikichi!
Eikichi, Eikichi!
Hey, what time does the summer festival event start?
Hm, what time does it start...?
I think it's like 8, right?
Yeah...
Well then,
- Why don't we meet at the temple gate around 7? - Yeah...
I'm going to get a new yukata.
What are you gonna wear?
Yeah...
Kozue..
- I'm going ahead. - Ok.
- You going somewhere? - I'm heading home.
- Bye, Kozue. - Bye-bye!
Man, I'm out of shape.
It's been 10 years now.
We don't allow outsiders the use of our swimming pool.
Please leave now.
Have you not been swimming at all since then?
Of course not.
You used to be the type who'd die if she couldn't swim.
Whose fault do you think that is?!
Do you realize how much I went through after that?
I was young back then too though.
I was too strained over winning and losing
and I just couldn't seem to get past my pride.
You talk like you've changed now.
After I came back to this town and met these kids
I felt like I could remember something important, something I had forgotten a long time ago.
These kids now,
and you and I back then,
what we were striving for is different
but the earnest determination is the same.
How can you say that?
Their performance has been cancelled because of you.
What are you talking about?
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
I've been thinking about it since last night
but I can't think of anything.
Doesn't everyone make mistakes though?
Ah, I'm not saying that what Kasuya did was right.
But...
I think the important thing is what comes after.
Not the past...
but right now.
I'll turn down the lights when it's time for the fireworks display.
At that point you will get up on the stage.
Keep yourselves hidden until then so we can surprise the audience.
Got it.
What time should we be here?
Right..
We've got music
so 8 should be fine.
Go enjoy the festival until then.
Thank you.
I'm counting on you guys to rock this thing.
Thank you!
- I'm counting on you. - Yes sir.
I'm gettin' kinda excited.
Calm down, Senichi.
Let's go see Coach now.
What?
I don't care about whether it's true or not.
But it would be rude not to tell him that they cancelled our performance.
Let's go tell him
before he hears it from somebody else.
You can't forgive Coach for what he did?
Well, it's not like we haven't made mistakes before, right?
I'm sorry but I need to cancel their performance today.
Why is that?
Well, a famous singer has agreed to come perform.
We've been asking him for a long time now
and he finally agreed to come today.
So I won't be needing them to do their dance anymore.
So why did you ask them in the first place?
Well, I didn't know whether the singer was going to say yes or not.
So, just in case.
Ah, could you give me back the money I paid you?
You can't do this now.
They may not look like they are doing well but they are in fact doing pretty good.
They gave up practicing synchro to work hard on the dance.
Don't put their effort and hard work to waste.
Effort?
There's no effort involved in children playing.
Playing?
The audience will be more entertained with this rather than with whatever some no-name kids can do anyways.
I've been in the business a long time
and I've learned to put the audience first. I believe that's the reason for my success.
What do you see in your son?
Eh?
Do you really think they're just playing around when you watch them?
To you they may be just an attraction to get more of an audience.
But they are serious about it.
Whenever, no matter what, with whatever they do,
they stupidly go all out for it!
Eikichi.
We're sorry, Eikichi.
We were wrong.
If you think about it, there's no one that makes mistakes like we do.
Guys...
I understand.
Well, I'll let you keep the money I paid as a cancellation charge.
Hideki..
I've always admired you.
I used to think I wanted to be like you someday.
But
I don't want to act like this.
Are you trying to reason with your own father?
You're 10 years too early.
Adults have adult situations to deal with.
And that's just the kind of adult I don't want to be.
Everyone,
you have practiced so hard.
I'm so sorry it turned out like this.
I'm sorry.
It's fine, Sano.
Yeah, don't worry about it.
I'm sorry.
Here.
Guys, we're going to practice.
Yes sir!
Good.
Eikichi, tighten your legs more.
Yes sir!
Yosuke, tighten your stomach.
Yes sir!
More concentration everybody!
Yes sir!
- Once more! - Yes sir!
Good.
Your body's axis is holding better.
- Really? - Yay!
- That was the first time Coach has given us some praise. - Yeah it is.
Let's do it again.
Nah, it's fine. That's all for today.
We can still do it.
Please let us keep going.
Nah, that's it for today.
Get dressed and go to the festival.
What's the point in high-schoolers just practicing all the time?
Got it? Hurry and go then.
Yes sir!
- Thank you!
Coach!
Please don't quit, ok?
Eh?
We need you right now.
So no matter what happens, please promise you won't leave us.
What're you talkin' about?
You know damn well I'm not the kind of a guy who can keep a promise.
Then please make this your first promise.
You will promise us, right?
God, you guys are annoying.
Fine, fine. Now get outta here.
Excuse us!
Yo.
- I heard from the principal. - Oh?
Well, it is what it is.
You'll be running away again?
Well what should I do then?
You tell me to leave then you tell me not to run away.
What the hell is going to satisfy you?
Keep blaming me for the rest of your life if that will console you.
But, you know,
you can't change the past.
And you can't go back to it.
You need to look hard at what's in front of you and not run from it.
See ya.
You don't know anything.
Shiori!
- Are you all going to the festival too? - Yep.
Shiori, that yukata really looks good on you.
Right, Eikichi?
It's the clothes that make the man, right?
Easy now.
- Shiori's mom looks so beautiful too! - Now, now. That's enough.
We're looking forward to your dance event. So good luck.
We won't be dancing.
What?
Some famous singer will be performing instead.
I'm sure it's going to be great.
Is that so...?
Hm, I wanted to see you dance.
Hey everybody!
Saotome-sensei.
We've got a problem.
I got a call from the principal at Midorigaoka
and he said you can perform at their festival.
Huh?
Why the sudden change?
Kasuya told him that he would quit coaching.
So I went to Kotohachi earlier and this was on the counter.
What is this?
"Mizushima Eikichi"
"As far as synchro performances go, I would say he's overall fairly together, and would be the average out of 5 typical guys."
"But he needs to work on his flexibility."
"His smile during synchro is excellent."
"He looks like he enjoys synchro more than anything."
"But he needs to work on his posture."
"You cannot perform synchro with just force."
"Forgetting the choreography is out of the question."
"But even if you do make mistakes, do not dwell on them,"
"because it will affect the next move."
"And while you are scaling, the space under your arms should be like you are carrying a grapefruit."
"As far as leg movement, contract the Achilles tendon and extend your instep."
"Shoot for synchro with your body and mind."
"To-do List"
Someone who worries this much about guys like us
wouldn't do anything to hurt his swimmers.
We've got to stop him.
- Let's go. - Yeah!
Excuse us.
You are late, Eikichi.
We're too late.
Coach...
Eikichi!
Coach!
What is it?
I told you to go enjoy the festival.
Please don't go!
Huh?
What the hell are you on about?
- I just came here to deliver this coffee. - Another lie, huh?
Hey you, don't be disrespectful.
How long are you going to keep dodging?
Be honest with us!
We trust you, Coach!
I was called "turtle" and made fun of back at my old school.
Even though I was on the swimming team, I couldn't swim,
and I was failing class too.
It was like I was running away when I came here.
But they soon found out here that I was the turtle
and I thought about running away again.
However
Yosuke needed someone like me.
Saotome-sensei encouraged me
and asked me to do synchro.
So I didn't have to run away this time.
I've got friends now that I can trust.
Now I absolutely love synchro.
Doing this with everyone is a blast.
That's why I want to do it right and get better at it.
I don't know what happened in your past.
But..
I think now is what is important.
And we need you, Coach.
So please do not go.
Stay right here and teach us synchro!
Please!
What are you going to do about the performance at Midorigaoka?
There are tons of places to perform.
But you are the only coach for us.
Please teach us synchro!
Please!
Be there at 6 tomorrow morning.
Eh?
Don't be late.
Yes sir!
Dismissed!
Yes sir!
We've got a problem!
What's going on, Shiori?
The singer who was supposed to come hasn't shown up and the audience is having a fit.
Sano's dad is in trouble.
Hurry!
We're going, right?
No doubt.
Are you sure?
About what?
You're letting him off the hook even though he treated you the way he did?
It's your dad.
We can't leave him like that.
Senichi...
Alright, let's rock this thing.
Yeah!
That's great.
It used to be like that for us too, huh?
Those guys amaze me.
Where the hell did that good nature of theirs come from?
That's your favorite part about them though.
Whatever. Give me my bag.
Right, right.
It's fine. Go on ahead of me!
You're watching it too.
Kozue.
Haruka-sensei.
Meeting someone?
You have a date?
Excuse us.
Um, we are getting ready now. Please wait just a little bit longer.
His manager just contacted us and said he wasn't singing in a town like this and was leaving.
Leaving?
Should we shoot the fireworks?
Shoot the fireworks!
Wait a minute!
What?
A power outage tonight?
Aren't they the synchro boys who were on TV?
Chairman, your son really helped you a lot today, didn't he?
Good morning.
Good morning, Kozue.
Summer break went by so fast, didn't it?
Kozue?
Get your timing together!
You idiots! How many times do I have to tell you? Damnit!
- Uh... - What?
Coach, we have to get dressed. We have class.
What?
Which is more important, class or synchro?
Right now, class.
Yeah.
Well alright then.
This will be the last one.
Yes sir!
You're late, newbies!
We don't have much time so let's do it together just once.
Ok!
Alright!
Begin!
Yes sir!
5-6-7-8
1-2-3-4-5-6...
Together now!
Watch your sides!
~There's a song I want you to listen to~
~There are words I want to say to you someday~
~These things are nothing special~
~Yeah, they aren't anything difficult~
~I was just standing in the rain~
~Just waiting for a rainbow~
~Without any doubts~
~Now I'm going beyond the image~
~Beyond the sky~
~With these wings~
~At that moment when I pass the wind~
~At that moment when I catch the rainbow~
~Will you be smiling?~
~Could we meet again?~
~I had just opened the map~
~And was waiting for the wind~
~Without an answer~
~Now I'm going beyond the image~
~To your sky~
~I'm taking off to my rainbow~