01x06 - The Night of the First Competition

[bunniefuu]

[reporter] And now, we've got some updates

from the world of sports.

Bring that to the kitchen

when you're done.

-[reporter] First up, it's figure skating.

-[child] Mmm.

Hikaru Kamisaki, rising star

and Olympic hopeful,

recently won first place

in the locally held

Meikoh Cup competition.

-They're talking about figure skating.

-[reporter speaks indistinctly]

Yeah, I've heard Nagoya is blowing up.

-[gasps]

-What'd you see?

-That guy looked just like Tsukasa.

-What?

They did say this is in Nagoya, right?

I thought Tsukasa was supposed to be

doing that skating show over in Yokohama.

But look.

Hey, that is him.

THE NIGHT OF

THE FIRST COMPETITION

Thanks for waiting. Sorry they're late.

The parking lot is probably backed up

after the competition.

NAGOYA

FIGURE SKATING COMPETITION

NAGOYA'S MEIKOH CUP

SPONSORED BY HOWA SPORTS LAND

-Coach Tsukasa.

-Hey, Inori.

[both gasp]

Sorry about that. Go ahead.

It's okay. You can go first.

No, no. Ladies first. You go.

No, no. Age before beauty.

[both gasp]

[both] One, two, three, sh**t.

[both] sh**t! sh**t!

[both] sh**t!

-Yeah!

-[groans, sighs]

-Anyway, go ahead.

-What?

Okay.

Well, you know how I signed up

for the level one Badge Test?

I'm wondering how hard it's gonna be.

Is that all?

You don't need to worry.

I think you're gonna kick its butt.

Easy pass for you.

Do you mean that?

Okay, so if I do pass the test,

do you think it's possible

to compete at level one

before the end of the summer?

That soon?

Um, it's not like I think

level one is gonna be easy

just because I won in Prelim or anything.

I kinda think the opposite.

I'm really happy

that I got first place today,

but before I started, I got this chill.

I couldn't stop thinking

about all the stuff I can't do.

And I want to remember

what that feels like, too.

So I wanna keep competing.

I want to learn as much as I can.

I can't forget how far behind I am.

And how far I have to go to catch up.

Because if I stop feeling like that,

how am I gonna improve?

If I ever wanna be a real athlete,

I need that feeling.

[Tsukasa] Looks like there is

a competition you can still enter.

Wanna go to Kyoto?

To Kyoto?

Let's get you entered after your test.

Level one.

-Wait, really?

-[chuckles] What do you mean?

It was your idea.

Well, yeah. I know.

But it sounds really soon,

so I thought you might wanna focus

on the Badge Test instead.

-I trust you.

-[gasps]

And no matter what anyone says,

you're already a real athlete.

You're the Meikoh Cup Prelim winner.

Take pride in that.

Coach Tsukasa…

I will!

That's good.

There are gonna be a lot of people

who have a lot to say about you.

That you started too late

to be competitive.

That you don't have a chance.

Okay.

Don't you listen to a word they say.

It's not about how early or late you were.

If you can do it, that's what matters.

And believe me, I would know.

-What does that mean?

-Nothing. Don't worry about it.

Hey, wait. That makes it sound like

you started skating late like me.

Oh, I'm sorry.

You don't actually have to talk about it

if you don't want to, Coach.

No, it's not really that I don't want to.

I just don't know

if it's particularly helpful

to talk to you about myself.

You know what I mean?

I don't wanna compare us.

Or make you think you have to do

all the stuff that I couldn't.

Every athlete is different.

And I wanna make sure I'm respecting that.

Am I making any sense to you right now

whatsoever?

[Inori] Yeah.

Okay. [sighs]

So as long as you know

this is just about my journey or whatever,

do you still wanna hear it?

[grunts] Yeah. Go ahead.

Well, actually,

I don't talk about this very much

so I'm not even sure where to start.

You have any questions?

[gasps]

I don't know. I guess I am kinda curious

to know how old you were

when you first got into figure skating.

Good question.

It took a while to get going,

but I was introduced to it

in middle school.

Middle school?

Yep, 14 years old.

That's when I saw Jun Yodaka skate

for the first time.

[commentator]

And here comes a triple Axel.

[audience exclaims, applauds]

[Tsukasa]

Suddenly, it was all I could think about.

TSUKASA AKEURAJI

LEVEL: NO EXPERIENCE

[coach] You sure you want to start now?

You know,

it's not like you can't, but, uh…

Sorry, I don't wanna sound rude

but I really can't recommend it.

These lessons don't come cheap, kid.

Really think about it.

Don't waste your money.

NANASHINO FIGURE SKATING CLUB

PRICE LIS

[Tsukasa] I couldn't ask my parents

to pay those fees.

I had a lot of siblings.

So I started high school

and almost gave up on skating completely.

But all of a sudden,

I had a stroke of luck.

Did you win the lottery?

Gosh, no.

Although, in a lot of ways,

you could say

I was even luckier than that.

What happened?

I helped someone in need.

Pricey.

-Excuse me. I'm sorry.

-Huh?

Uh, yeah?

Do you happen to have a phone char--

-[whimpers]

-[Tsukasa gasps]

Hey!

[Tsukasa] Her name was Meiko Kago.

After that, I got to know Mrs. Kago

and her family pretty well.

Eventually, I wound up working

a part-time job

at this company her husband ran.

-[Tsukasa] What's up, boss?

-[gasps]

You can't keep talking like that.

You have to say, "Good morning"

like everyone else in this office.

[grunts] Uh, good morning, sir.

-And then you joined a club?

-No way.

Most clubs only wanna train

the young future pros,

not a crusty old high schooler.

They all sent me right on my way.

But at the very least, I was able

to join some group skating classes

with the paycheck I was getting.

And then you were an athlete.

Still no, unfortunately.

None of the groups I could join

had coaches. Just hobbyists.

[grunts]

Even so, I kept working at it.

[pants, grunts]

The Kago family was so kind

and supportive of me.

I felt like the only way

I could show my gratitude

was to try and become

some big shot athlete.

[chuckles]

-[crowd applauds, cheers]

-[Tsukasa] But I just couldn't compete.

I was inexperienced, untrained.

That whole world was inaccessible.

Mrs. Kago never gave up on me

but I stopped believing

I'd ever achieve much

having started so late.

GRADUATION

And then, when I graduated high school,

I quit.

[groans]

[Inori] Quit skating or your job?

Job.

I knew I had to go look

for full-time employment somewhere else.

Part-time wasn't cutting it.

Wait, but that doesn't make sense.

How did you become an athlete?

It still took a couple of years

to find my footing.

The first time I started working

with a coach, I was 20.

Whoa, 20.

I still had to convince them

but I had found someone who was willing

to train me as an ice dancer.

Dance together?

-I'd be honored to work with you!

-[gasps]

I thought that might be my last chance,

so I wanted to give it my all.

[gasps, grunts]

[gasps]

I'm sorry.

Please don't be.

That was totally my fault.

-You're all good.

-Okay.

Hitomi really didn't want

to pair with me at first

but eventually, I think she saw

how desperately I was working

and knew I was serious.

[exclaims] Coach Hitomi is cool.

And that's when you guys competed

in All-Japans, huh?

[chuckles] I wish I could say yes.

I didn't have the money to keep doing it

so I had to pause again.

So let me guess, you won the lottery.

[chuckles] Guess again.

[gasps] It was her.

Yup.

These replacement blades

totally cleaned me out.

I hate maintenance.

-I'm sorry. Excuse me.

-Huh?

Do you happen to have

a phone charger on you?

[gasps]

Tsukasa, hi.

Yeah, hey, Meiko.

[laughing]

[laughing]

[Tsukasa]

They found out I was skating again,

and hired me to do stuff

around their house.

You want me to work for you?

Yes.

And the sole condition of employment

is that you keep skating.

You could start today.

I've spoken to the management team

and they agree it has to be you.

[Tsukasa stammers]

-[giggles]

-I'm excited to work with you again.

[chuckles]

Now that I had the Kago family behind me,

I thought I'd finally be able

to make the podium at the All-Japans.

-But I wound up in fourth.

-[crowd applauding]

And not long after…

Huh?

Huh?

[sighs]

[gasps]

And then what?

Um…

Well, I started auditioning

for shows and stuff wherever I could.

Then one day,

Hitomi called with a job offer,

and that's when I met you.

Oh, so you're like a brand new coach then.

Am I your first student?

Uh-huh. Have I really never told you that?

[exclaims]

Wow. It makes me super happy to hear that.

[chuckles] Oh, right.

Can I tell you what I was going to say

a little while ago?

Oh, yeah. What is it?

-[grunts]

-Huh?

We still gotta celebrate your big win.

Winning first place is no easy feat

no matter the category.

You achieved something amazing today.

And we're totally allowed

to be happy about it.

We need a real celebration.

Something worthy of five GOE points!

Worthy of…

Yeah, five GOE points!

-Now, squat real low.

-[car approaches]

-[Inori grunts]

-[brakes squealing]

Hey, we're here. Sorry to keep--

[Tsukasa, Inori stammer]

-It's, uh… It's leg day.

-[Inori whimpering]

Bye. See you next lesson, kiddo.

-Oh, my!

-Tsukasa, it's you.

[stammering]

Um…

Nope, you got the wrong guy.

You say, "Good morning, sir!"

[grunts] Yep! Good morning, sir!

[muffled scream]

SUSHI DAISOUGEN

DAISOUGENTARO SUSHI

[Meiko's husband]

You're coaching here in Nagoya?

I am, though I'm only just starting out.

You know we don't live that far away.

Why didn't you call?

Why didn't I… I, uh--

I don't have your number, so, you know…

I sent you my number.

As well as my home address.

[grunts, gasps] Well, okay.

But, uh… Then I dropped my phone.

-And it just-- [gasps]

-[phone chimes]

YO - NOW

LIAR

[grunts]

[giggles]

Anyway, it's great running into you guys.

Who knew? Small little world, huh?

-Tsukasa.

-Uh…

-[Meiko's husband grunts]

-[exclaims]

[Meiko's husband] Give me that darn shoe!

-[Tsukasa] Hey!

-I knew it!

I knew you'd still have these.

I tried to throw these out 10 times

and you fished them out of the trash.

So? They're still doing exactly what

they're supposed to be doing.

Which mean they're still good.

But appearances are important.

You're a grown man now.

And this grown man thinks it's a waste

to throw out his socks.

-[stomach rumbles]

-[both] Huh?

Want some?

Off a gold plate?

That's a little rich for my blood,

I think.

Besides, uh, I'm not that hungry.

Tsukasa.

-Why don't you come live with us again?

-Huh?

I'm assuming that you didn't reach out

because you're embarrassed that

we'd find out you've been struggling.

Oh, no. I'm doing just fine. [chuckles]

Okay, so you didn't call because…

I didn't call

because you have no obligation to me.

It's not like you're my family.

[gasping]

Did you hear that, Yo?

He said we're not family.

Please don't touch me.

You grabbed his feet.

[groans] What I'm trying to say is

that I didn't want to be a burden.

-You? A burden?

-Huh?

Yes, obviously.

I don't want to be the random, transient

freeloader living in someone else's house.

It's too weird. It's not right.

Now, I'm not suggesting you stay for free.

You can help me around the house

and with Yo, like before.

That basically is for free.

It wouldn't be nearly enough!

I'm the one who gets to decide

whether it's enough or not!

-I would like to have you around ag--

-[chiming]

-Huh?

-Huh?

Yo! What do you think you're ordering?

You know you can't eat

all of that by yourself!

I wanted a strawberry, okay?

Then you should've

just ordered a strawberry!

And what are you doing

leaving your sushi rice like that?

[groans, gasps]

Really? Both of you guys!

[thuds]

[groans] I'm so hungry.

I got so caught up in talking

that I never wound up

ordering anything at all.

I should've taken

that leftover rice at least.

[chimes]

[grunts]

YO - WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

I STILL WANTED TO TALK

I promise you, I'm gonna win!

And then I'll promote the hell out of you

in my interview.

So just get ready.

[chuckles]

You're gonna make us

a household name overnight.

[knocks on door]

Huh?

Uh, Mr. Kago.

Yeah, sorry.

Felt compelled to follow you home.

Grabbed your mail on the way up,

by the way.

COLLECTION LETTER

MR. TSUKASA AKEURAJI

[sighs]

[Meiko's husband]

Take the box if you'd like.

Yo says she won't eat all of it.

I can't accept it.

-And why's that?

-Because it's not appropriate.

What's that mean?

Don't you understand?

I'm not competing anymore.

I'm not doing ice shows.

I'm not skating as an athlete at all.

I'm not the same guy

you were supporting before.

I'm not who Meiko thought I could be.

Anything else?

I guess not.

I'm just not worth

your family's time anymore.

So tell me something.

Why did you decide to start coaching?

What do you mean "why"?

Did you turn to teaching

because you think you don't have talent?

Or are you trying to live vicariously

through that student of yours?

God, no. It's not about me anymore.

I…

I don't know.

I just want to support someone who

desperately wants to become a good skater.

I wanna do everything I can to help her.

-Meiko was exactly the same.

-[gasps]

It was for you.

Meiko wasn't just supporting you

for your skating and your skating alone.

She wanted to support you, Tsukasa,

because you were working so hard.

Maybe,

but I still feel guilty about it.

She gave so much.

And yet, I was never able

to give anything back.

-Do you really think that?

-What?

You did plenty.

Getting to watch you work hard

made those last years so much better.

[Tsukasa snoring]

[Meiko's husband] And not just for Meiko.

Yo and I have always been really grateful

to have you.

Stubborn as you are.

Meiko always said,

"We can't let sickness get us down.

In hard times,

we need to look for the light."

You gave us that.

[gasps]

[chuckles, gasps]

These replacement blades

totally cleaned me out.

I hate maintenance.

-I'm sorry. Excuse me.

-Huh?

Do you happen to have

a phone charger on you?

[gasps]

Tsukasa, hi.

Yeah, hey, Meiko.

[laughing]

[crying]

-[phone chimes]

-[chuckles]

Tsukasa says he's gonna come over.

[chuckles]

[Hitomi] Really?

You've been coming here for that long?

No way.

Yeah. The very first time

I came to this rink

was actually a long time ago.

Back when my mom said

I still wasn't allowed to skate.

I have to pay just to watch?

Afraid so.

[sighs] Oh, okay.

But, you know,

if you can bring me some worms

to feed the birdies

then maybe we can work something out.

[gasps] Really?

-Mr. Sekoma!

-Huh?

Worms.

Hmm.

Worms.

Ah.

Worms.

[gasps]

-[gasping]

-See ya later!

Oh, that's what was going on.

We were all calling Mr. Sekoma

"Worm Gramps" for a little while there.

I feel bad now.

Good morning, everybody.

Oh, hey, Coach.

So, what are we talking about?

I was telling Coach Hitomi about

the first time I ever came to the rink.

She said you told her all about yourself.

Long and storied.

Yeah. [chuckles]

Though not particularly interesting.

[Inori] That's not true at all.

Huh?

I think it's super cool

that you got interested at 14

and did it anyway.

It just proves what a hard worker you are

and that's awesome too.

[gasps]

See, how many times did I tell you

during the All-Japans?

You deserve to celebrate your wins.

[gasps]

Its a celebration worthy of

plus five GOE points!

[gasps]

We've waited long enough.

What do you say we do that now?

Yeah.

-Mmm!

-Yeah!

We did it!

Yeah! We came in first place!

-Aw, yeah! Let's go, baby! We did it!

-[laughs, cheers] Yay!

Victory! Victory! Victory!

We won! Yeah! Let's freaking go!

[both laughing]

-[Hitomi] Hey! Wait! Don't run rinkside!

-[Tsukasa, Inori continue laughing]